The Hero by Susan Stoker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this thrilling romance from New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker, an ex-military man is on a mission to rescue a wrongfully imprisoned archaeologist—and to make her rightfully his.

Any soldier who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric “Bob” Evans isn’t ready to give up the fight. He’s been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for.

Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she’s arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicions about the true culprit, but even when she’s rescued from prison, there’s nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard’s only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory.

The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife.

After returning to Maine, as Bob and Marlowe navigate this treacherous terrain with the help of their friends, they face vengeful authorities, a vindictive frame job, and perhaps most important of all—turning their fake marriage into something real.

A High‑Risk Escape and a Hero Who Won’t Quit

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️🩷
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: The Hero (Game of Chance, #3)

Author: Susan Stoker
Genre: Military Romance
Narrators: Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Kendric “Bob” Evans

Bob is a former Delta Force operator whose life veered off course after a mission went catastrophically wrong three years ago. He and his three brothers‑in‑arms walked away from the military in search of something quieter, something that didn’t require a weapon strapped to their thigh. A few rounds of rock‑paper‑scissors later, they found themselves settling in a tiny town tucked deep in the forests of Maine near the Appalachian Trail. Another round determined their new profession—lumberjacks and forest guides—and they named their business Jack’s Lumber in honor of their team leader, J.J.

While the business thrived, Bob didn’t. Within a year, the stillness of small‑town life left him restless. He missed the adrenaline, the purpose, the edge. So he quietly began taking covert rescue jobs for the FBI—missions that required the kind of skill set only former special forces could provide. For two years he slipped in and out of dangerous countries, extracting people who had no one else to fight for them. His friends had no idea. Bob had made enemies along the way, but he was confident he could handle whatever came for him.

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Marlowe Kennedy

Marlowe has spent over a month trapped in a brutal Thai prison, crammed into a room with 200 other women. She’s already lost weight, hope, and any illusion that justice might prevail. Forced to sign documents she couldn’t read and denied the chance to defend herself, she’s been left to rot after drugs were “found” in her belongings during an archaeological dig. She knows she was set up. She knows who did it. But knowing doesn’t help when you’re powerless, starving, and terrified you won’t survive long enough for anyone to save you.

Her brother refuses to give up on her—but even he can’t reach her behind those walls.

🔥 Plot Dynamics

In the height of a busy Maine summer, while Jack’s Lumber is buzzing with tourists and trail‑goers, Bob feels the familiar itch for something more. When a new job comes in—extract a woman falsely imprisoned in Thailand—he doesn’t hesitate. He hates the corruption, hates the heat, hates the entire situation, but he goes anyway.

His friends think he’s off helping an elderly aunt, the same excuse he always uses. But this mission is different. Breaking Marlowe out of prison is only step one. Getting her out of Thailand alive is the real challenge.

🌟 Strengths

• The Thai prison escape premise is gripping and immediately raises the stakes far beyond a typical domestic rescue.
• Bob’s calm, unshakeable confidence during high‑risk operations is magnetic. He’s the kind of hero who doesn’t posture—he simply is capable.
• The contrast between the quiet Maine life and the high‑octane rescue missions adds a fun dual‑world dynamic.

💔 Limitations

• Several plot points lean heavily into classic romance contrivances, making this installment feel less grounded than the previous two books.
• Bob’s instant belief that Marlowe is “fated” to be his feels rushed, especially given the life‑or‑death circumstances.
• The safe‑house owner insisting they get married because there’s only one bedroom pushes the believability even further.

🎙 Audiobook Narration

The story is told in dual POV, narrated by Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock. Aaron Shedlock delivers a strong performance—deep, masculine, and natural, with distinct voices that keep characters easy to follow. Lucy Rivers, while talented, has a cadence that doesn’t quite work for me; her upward inflection at the end of sentences pulls me out of the moment at times.

💭 Final Thoughts

This installment delivers high stakes, an exotic setting, and a hero who thrives under pressure. The rescue mission and prison escape are genuinely compelling, and Bob’s competence is a highlight. However, the story leans more heavily into romance tropes than the earlier books, which may stretch believability for some readers. Still, if you enjoy action‑packed rescues, morally solid heroes, and a heroine fighting her way back from the brink, this audiobook offers an entertaining ride—especially if you’re already invested in the Jack’s Lumber crew.

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