The Lumberjack: Game of Chance, Book 4 by Susan Stoker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker wraps up her steamy Game of Chance series with an explosive novel about an ex-soldier fighting to save the woman he loves—even if she can’t remember him.

A game of chance during a horrific POW experience decided the future for Jackson “JJ” Justice and his teammates. Years later, they’re well settled into their lumberjack business in small-town Maine. And for nearly as long, JJ’s been pining for April, the woman largely responsible for growing their business, but insecurities keep him at arm’s length from the sexy receptionist.

April Hoffman loves her job…and her boss. She’s unsure where JJ’s head is at, but for her part, she knows exactly why she’s not revealed her feelings. Not only does she have one failed relationship under her belt, she’s also several years older than JJ. Why would a man so brutally hot settle for someone almost past her prime?

After a car accident nearly takes April’s life, leaving her with temporary amnesia, they both understand what they almost lost. The floodgates are open, their feelings exposed…but it may be too little, too late.

An enemy from JJ’s past has come calling, putting not only his future happiness on the line, but the lives of several people he holds dear—starting with April.

Lumberjack, Leader, Lifesaver

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 Lumberjack (Game of Chance, #4)

Author: Susan Stoker
Genre: Military Romance
Narrators: Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Jackson “J.J.” Justice

J.J. Justice, former Delta Force team leader, has spent the last three years trying to outrun the ghosts of a mission gone wrong. He and his three closest brothers‑in‑arms traded combat boots for work boots, landing in a tiny forest town in Maine after a fateful round of rock‑paper‑scissors. Another round determined their new profession—lumberjacks and forest guides—and naming the business Jack’s Lumber in J.J.’s honor felt like the perfect tribute.

Even out of uniform, J.J. remains the natural leader: steady, protective, and quietly carrying more weight than he lets on. What he doesn’t handle nearly as well is the woman he’s been in love with for years… and the fear that he’s already missed his chance.

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: April Hoffman

April Hoffman, the office manager at Jack’s Lumber, has rebuilt her life in Maine after a marriage defined by emotional neglect. She’s found purpose, friendship, and a sense of belonging she never had before. But working every day beside J.J.—the man she’s been falling for in slow, painful increments—has become its own kind of heartbreak. She’s terrified that confessing her feelings could cost her everything: her job, her stability, and the friendship she treasures.

So she keeps her love quiet… until fate forces everything into the open.

🔥 Plot Dynamics

After a late night at the office, April swerves to avoid a moose and crashes down a steep embankment. She’s trapped, injured, and alone—while the driver behind her, who witnessed the accident, simply drives away. By the time help arrives, she’s unconscious.

J.J., who had finally worked up the courage to tell her how he feels, gets the call that she’s been airlifted to Bangor. The shock strips away every excuse he’s ever made. He’s done waiting. He’s done hiding.

But when April wakes, she has no memory of the last five years. No Maine. No Jack’s Lumber. No J.J.

And just as J.J. decides to fight for her, a figure from the men’s military past resurfaces—bringing danger straight to their doorstep and threatening the women they love.

🌟 Strengths

• The slow‑burn tension between J.J. and April has been building for three books, and watching it finally combust is deeply satisfying.
• April’s ex‑husband reentering the picture adds just the right amount of emotional friction—especially for J.J., who waited far too long.
• The threat from the men’s past injects suspense and ties the series together with a sharp, adrenaline‑laced thread.

💔 Limitations

• The middle section loses a bit of momentum, but the lull is brief. Once the suspense kicks in, the story tightens and delivers a gripping final stretch.

🎙 Audiobook Narration

The dual narration by Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton elevates the entire experience. Teddy’s deep, gravelly delivery captures J.J.’s quiet strength and emotional restraint, while Mackenzie’s warm, natural tone makes April instantly sympathetic. Both narrators bring nuance, chemistry, and authenticity to their performances, making the emotional beats land even harder.

💭 Final Thoughts

This installment delivers a rewarding payoff for readers who’ve been invested in J.J. and April’s slow‑burn connection from the beginning. The amnesia twist adds fresh emotional stakes without feeling contrived, and the blend of romance, danger, and character growth keeps the story engaging even when the pacing dips. With strong narration and a satisfying emotional arc, this audiobook stands out as one of the more heartfelt and suspense‑tinged entries in the series. It’s a must‑listen for fans who love rugged heroes, resilient heroines, and romances forged through both tenderness and turmoil.

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub




View all my reviews