Searching for Caryn by Susan Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caryn Buckner’s fondest childhood memories are all from Fallport, where she spent every summer with her beloved grandfather. Now she’s back for an extended visit. Long enough to make sure her grandpa is on the mend after a vicious attack…and maybe figure out the next steps in her life. She’s been a New York firefighter for years, but experiencing blatant sexism in a series of all-male fire stations has worn her down. Maybe things will be different in a small town. Maybe she’ll find acceptance with the local fire crew, perhaps even make a few friends. But after a lifetime of rejection, Caryn knows it’s best not to let her hopes get too high.

Drew Koopman is happy with the status quo. He’s a member of the Eagle Point Search and Rescue team and is enjoying a sedate second career as an accountant after years as a state trooper. Search missions aside, his days are mostly safe, quiet, and uneventful, which is just the way he likes them. Until a strong, sassy blonde firefighter from New York City turns his world upside down—in a good way. Now he’s considering a different kind of life…one that includes the true partner he’s always wanted but never found, professionally or personally…if he can convince Caryn to stay.

In small-town Fallport, nothing’s a secret for long. Caryn’s plans for the future could have far-reaching repercussions for more than just her and Drew. Not everyone is happy about her return…and it’ll take more than her sexy ex-cop’s keen observation skills to keep her safe.

Rescue, Rivalry, and a Spark of Love

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🎧 Audiobook Review: Searching for Caryn (Eagle Point Search & Rescue, #3)

Author: Susan Stoker
Genre: Military Romance / Romantic Suspense
Narrators: Emma Wilder and Aiden Snow

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Caryn Buckner

Caryn Buckner is no stranger to fire—both literal and metaphorical. After years of serving as a firefighter in New York City, she returns to the small town of Fallport, Virginia to care for her beloved 91-year-old grandfather, Art, following a brutal attack. Caryn’s memories of Fallport are steeped in childhood warmth, and she hopes the town still holds that magic. Drawn to the local fire department, she quickly discovers that nostalgia doesn’t always match reality.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Drew Coopman

Drew Coopman traded the chaos of big-city policing for the quieter rhythms of Fallport. Once disillusioned by corruption and public hostility, he now crunches numbers as an accountant—but finds his true adrenaline fix as part of the Eagle Point Search & Rescue team. Alongside former military comrades, Drew scours the Appalachian Mountains for lost hikers and fugitives. Content with solitude, he’s convinced love isn’t in his future… until Caryn challenges that belief.

📚 The Plot

Their first encounters are prickly—firefighter versus ex-cop, a rivalry rooted in professional tension and Caryn’s personal scars from her cop ex-husband. Yet fate keeps throwing them together, and Drew’s quiet steadiness begins to chip away at Caryn’s defenses. A chance meeting on a hike sparks curiosity, and soon Caryn realizes Drew may be nothing like the alpha males she’s spent her career resisting. Their chemistry simmers against the backdrop of small-town politics, dangerous rescues, and Caryn’s struggle to prove herself in a male-dominated field.

🌟 What Worked

• Caryn’s determination to join the SAR team felt authentic and empowering—she has the grit and skill to belong.
• The narration elevated the story, adding emotional texture and depth.
• Strong world-building and layered character development made Fallport feel alive and the romance believable.

💔 What Fell Short

• Caryn’s relentless bullying within the fire department was difficult to stomach. While sexism in male-dominated fields is real, the sheer intensity here felt exaggerated and frustrating.
• Her persistence with the Fallport Fire Department strained credibility—especially after clear red flags. Some of her choices veered into recklessness, undermining her otherwise capable portrayal.

🎙️ Narration

Told through multiple POVs, the dual narration by Aiden Snow and Emma Wilder was a highlight. Each book in the series features different narrators, a refreshing choice that keeps the couples distinct. Aiden Snow’s deep, velvety delivery is endlessly listenable, while Emma Wilder brings emotive nuance that breathes life into Caryn’s journey. Together, they balance grit and vulnerability beautifully.

💬 Final Thoughts

This installment blends romance, suspense, and small-town drama with compelling narration. Caryn and Drew’s story is both fiery and tender, though uneven in places. The audiobook shines brightest in its character-driven moments and the chemistry between its leads, reminding us that sometimes love finds us where we least expect it—even in the shadows of past scars.

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