Claiming Felicity by Susan Stoker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Falling in love could expose a woman in hiding, in the fourth Ace Security novel from New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker.

Former mercenary Ryder Sinclair’s stunning discovery that he has three half brothers in Castle Rock, Colorado, is giving them all the chance to color in the spaces of their tragic pasts. For Ryder, establishing roots is made all the more desirable by Felicity Jones. But if Ryder’s instincts are correct, this breathtaking beauty is in trouble.

Castle Rock isn’t Felicity’s home. Like her false identity, it’s just a cover. All she wants is enough cash to keep moving to another temporary hideaway—to stay on the run from a secret that’s haunted her for years. As safe as Ryder’s strong embrace makes her feel, she fears that falling for him, and staying in Colorado, will put everyone she’s come to love in danger.

The more Ryder learns about Felicity, the more determined he is not to let her go. It’s time for her to stop running—even as a relentless danger closes in, threatening their love and their lives

Fast Love, Fierce Danger

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💙💚❤️
Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 🤓😟🤯
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration

The Anderson triplets, owners of Ace Security, returned to their hometown to build a business rooted in the trauma of their past. After their mother killed their father and then herself, the brothers spent a decade apart trying to build lives of their own. Once they learned the truth about their father’s murder, they came home determined to honor him by creating a company dedicated to protecting people who cannot protect themselves. Their mission is deeply personal, shaped by the abuse they witnessed as children and the unanswered questions surrounding their mother’s final violent act.

Plot and Character Impressions

The story opens ten years earlier with Megan Parsons, a college student who often overhears her roommate Colleen being abused by her boyfriend Joe. Megan calls the police more than once, but Colleen refuses to press charges and insists that Joseph loves her. When Colleen decides to move in with him, Joseph threatens Megan for interfering and makes it clear that he will not underestimate her again.

In the present day, Ryder Ace Sinclair arrives at Ace Security claiming to be the triplets’ half brother. He explains that their father once had a relationship with his mother during a business trip but ended it abruptly. Ryder’s mother spent the rest of her life longing for the man she loved and eventually wrote to him about her pregnancy. Before Ace could respond, he was murdered. Ryder has followed the news of Ace Security’s takedown of the Inca Boyz gang and wants to meet the brothers he never knew.

Ryder shares that he served in the military and now works for a security company near Colorado Springs. He does not mention that he was special forces or that he has been doing mercenary work. When the triplets invite him to stay and get to know the family, he agrees. The reunion is interrupted when one of the wives rushes in with news that something is happening at the local gym involving Felicity and Cole.

Felicity is a silent partner in the gym she co-owns with Cole. Although she invested half the money, only Cole’s name appears on the paperwork. He has always sensed that Felicity carries secrets from her past and has respected her privacy. Suddenly she wants him to buy her out, and he demands to know why. The Andersons walk in during the argument, and Ryder is instantly drawn to Felicity, who is beautiful, guarded, and clearly terrified of something she refuses to name.

What Makes This Story Shine

• Ryder’s protective instincts toward Felicity are immediate and compelling. There is something deeply comforting about a man with special operations training standing beside a woman who is facing danger or trauma. That fantasy of unwavering support resonates strongly, especially for anyone who has walked away from an abusive relationship without that kind of backup.

• The stalker storyline adds tension and suspense. While the motivation behind the stalker’s fixation on Megan feels a little thin, the threat itself is chilling and believable. Most stalkers pursue someone they believe they love, but in this case the obsession is rooted in revenge, which gives the plot a different flavor.

Minor Drawbacks

• Felicity’s refusal to confide in her friends is frustrating. From the beginning of the series, it is clear she is hiding something, and her silence becomes increasingly unrealistic. Her closest friends are the men and women of Ace Security, people who specialize in exactly the kind of danger she is facing. She has watched each of her female friends survive life threatening situations with the help of their partners. Keeping her own situation secret feels less like fear and more like a poor decision, which can be difficult to sympathize with.

• The instant connection between Ryder and Felicity stretches believability. Ryder decides within minutes that she is the woman he wants to protect and eventually marry. While love at first sight can be romantic, this level of certainty after a brief encounter feels more like lust at first sight. Susan Stoker’s later books give characters more time to build emotional depth, which makes the early insta-love style in this series feel dated.

• A later plot point involves Ryder and Felicity walking into a situation they both suspect is a trap. The fact that they proceed anyway, despite an obvious alternative, is another moment where character decisions feel forced for the sake of drama.

Audiobook Performance

Erin Bennett narrates the story with a steady, pleasant voice that suits the tone of the series. She handles multiple points of view with clarity, although a dual or duet narration would have added emotional richness and stronger character differentiation. Listening to the audiobook while reading the text enhances immersion and helps the story’s tension and romance land more effectively.

Final Opinion

Claiming Felicity delivers the familiar blend of danger, romance, and emotional healing that defines the Ace Security series. Ryder is a standout hero with a strong protective streak and a compelling backstory, and Felicity’s journey toward safety and trust has powerful moments. The story’s weaknesses lie mostly in character decisions that feel avoidable and an insta-love dynamic that moves faster than the emotional groundwork can support. Even so, the suspense is engaging, the romance has heart, and the audiobook performance brings the story to life. Fans of the series will appreciate the continuation of the Anderson family arc and the introduction of Ryder as a new and intriguing addition to their world.

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