The Sailor by Susan Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alpha Cove, a former Navy chef meets his match in a woman who holds her own in a man’s world… and he wants her to be a part of his.

Like his brothers, Zach Young has recently moved home to Maine after the untimely death of his father. In addition to helping his mom maintain Lobster Cove, the family’s beloved property, the Navy cook has big dreams of opening his own restaurant… but, for now, has reluctantly settled for a lobster shack. Not exactly what he had in mind, though a new lobsterwoman in town has made his daily trips to the docks worthwhile.

Having been literally bullied out of her last port city a little farther down the coast, Marit Phillips isn’t in Rockville long before the familiar grumblings begin… hardened lobstermen thinking a petite woman can’t possibly do the job, no matter how experienced. Fortunately, her new boss judges her based on work ethic…and the handsome cook who visits their boat every day? He seems to see things in Marit that even she doesn’t.

But as much as Zach builds her up, there’s another man in town, his polar opposite, trying to tear her down. And he proves more determined than the couple thought possible…

A Coastal Romance Brought to Life

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

🎧 Audiobook Review: The Sailor (Alpha Cove, #2)

Author: Susan Stoker
Genre: Dark Romance / Holiday Romance
Narrator(s): Jillian Macie and Rock Engle

🎬 Character Background & Plot Dynamics

Marit Phillips has spent the past week working on a lobster boat in Rockville, hoping the quieter coastal town will offer the fresh start she desperately needs. After bouncing between jobs—her last in Portland—she’s finally found a father‑son crew she respects and enjoys working with. Rockville feels less cutthroat, more community‑minded… but old prejudices still linger on the docks.

Her move wasn’t just about opportunity. Thorne Deaton, a misogynistic bully with a reputation for shady business practices, made her life in Portland unbearable. While others dismissed him as harmless, Marit knew the truth behind closed doors. His threats pushed her out, and the rumors she’s hearing in Rockville suggest that some men here share his outdated views about women in the lobster industry.

Then one afternoon, after her boat docks, she meets Zachary Young—owner of a local lobster shack, former Navy cook, and a tall, quietly magnetic man who towers over her 5’2” frame. The spark between them is immediate and startling. Zach wasn’t looking for romance, but something about Marit pulls him in. When their dinner plans fall through, he brings her home to meet his warm, tight‑knit family—a stark contrast to Marit’s strained relationship with her own brothers.

As Lobster Fest brings excitement, tourists, and celebration to town, danger begins to simmer beneath the surface. Marit’s past refuses to stay buried, and the tension escalates.

🌟 What Worked for Me

• Classic Susan Stoker blend: Even without reading book one, the familiar mix of romance, character depth, and suspense shines through.
• A heroine worth rooting for: Marit is fierce, capable, and determined to thrive in a male‑dominated field. Her resilience in the face of harassment feels both admirable and grounded.
• Small‑town charm: Lobster Fest adds a fun, summery backdrop full of food, community, and celebration.
• Strong supporting cast: Zach’s family and Marit’s boss bring warmth and stability, while the antagonist provides a believable source of tension.
• A satisfying late‑book payoff: The pacing ramps up nicely toward the end, delivering the suspense and action I expect from Stoker.

⤵️ What Didn’t Work as Well

• A slower middle stretch: The story lingers a bit too long in quieter moments, and the number of love scenes felt higher than in other Stoker books I’ve read. They weren’t excessive, but lately I’ve been craving more plot and suspense than steam.

🎙️ Narration

The dual POV is brought to life by Stella Bloom and Ryan West, both of whom deliver strong, natural performances.

• Stella Bloom gives Marit a clear, intelligent, emotionally expressive voice that fits her character perfectly.
• Ryan West brings depth and warmth to Zach, using subtle vocal shifts to differentiate characters and add texture.

Their performances complement each other beautifully, enhancing the emotional beats and smoothing over some of the slower pacing.

💬 Final Thoughts & Assessment

This audiobook delivers exactly what fans of Susan Stoker expect: a resilient heroine, a protective but respectful hero, and a blend of romance and danger set against a vivid small‑town backdrop. While the middle section drags slightly and leans more heavily into steam than my current tastes prefer, the characters are easy to invest in, the setting is immersive, and the final act delivers a satisfying punch of suspense.

Overall, it’s an engaging, warm‑hearted romantic suspense with a strong sense of place and a heroine whose determination shines. If you enjoy small‑town stories with grit, heart, and a touch of danger, this one is worth the listen.

I voluntarily listened to & reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

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