Trusting Skylar by Susan Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Former military operative Carson “Bull” Rhodes hasn’t dated seriously since he and his teammates left the army. Since then he’s opened Silverstone Towing—which is a front for his other job: hired killer. When kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid calls for help while stranded on the side of the interstate, the attraction is instant. The problem is Bull’s career has jaded him. Skylar’s innocent, and he wants to keep her that way.

Cautious by nature, Skylar never expected to fall in love with her tow truck driver. Even so, once Bull reveals what he really does for a living, she’s not sure she can handle it. When Skylar faces threats that have nothing to do with Bull’s job but are just as deadly, the stakes are higher than ever.

With the help of the Silverstone team, Bull will use everything he’s learned over the years to bring the woman he loves home—because the alternative is unthinkable.

The Soldier, the Teacher, and the Threat

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

🎧 Audiobook/Book Review: Trusting Skylar (Silverstone, #1)

Author: Susan Stoker
Genre: Military Romance / Suspense
Narrator(s): Lucy Rivers

👫🏻 Character Background & Plot Dynamics

Carson “Bull” Rhodes once led one of the most formidable Delta Force teams in the world—men who operated with absolute precision, slipping into hostile environments to eliminate high‑value threats and prevent large‑scale violence. Their final mission, however, derailed everything. What should have been a clean operation resulted in two targets taken out instead of one. Rather than celebrating the removal of an additional dangerous figure, the government chose political convenience over loyalty, turning Bull’s team into scapegoats and dismantling the brotherhood that had defined their careers.

Just when it seemed their futures would be reduced to scattered assignments and bureaucratic limbo, Gregory Willis from FBI Intelligence stepped in. He recognized the team’s rare cohesion and offered them a new path—freedom from their Army commitments and the chance to continue their work on their own terms. With Smoke’s unexpected hundred‑million‑dollar inheritance, the men built Silverstone Towing in Indiana: a thriving, legitimate business that also serves as the perfect cover for their off‑the‑books missions.

Five years later, Bull is restless. The missions are meaningful, the business is successful, but something in his life feels unfinished. After returning from an op, he takes a routine tow call and meets Skylar, an elementary school teacher stranded on the interstate. She’s parked too close to the forest, standing in a dangerous spot, and far too trusting of a stranger approaching her car. Their first exchange is prickly—she thinks he’s lecturing her, he thinks she’s reckless—but the spark is undeniable.

As they ride back in the tow truck, Bull discovers that Skylar is warm, open, and unexpectedly easy to talk to. What begins as a simple roadside rescue becomes the first step toward a connection neither of them saw coming.

🌟 Strengths

• A familiar military‑romance setup executed with heart. Susan Stoker often uses the “former military men start a business together” framework, but she consistently elevates it with strong character work and suspense. This story blends camaraderie, danger, and romance in a way that feels both comforting and engaging.
• A refreshing approach to the relationship. Instead of relying solely on forced proximity or crisis bonding, Bull and Skylar actually date. Their connection grows through intentional time spent together, which makes their romance feel more grounded and emotionally satisfying.
• A suspense thread that adds real tension. The stalker storyline—centered on a former military man fixated on Skylar and a little girl she cares for—adds a chilling layer of danger. His delusion and determination create a strong counterbalance to the sweetness of the romance.

💔 Limitations

• An overly intimate first conversation. Bull and Skylar share an enormous amount of personal information during their very first meeting. While it accelerates their emotional connection, it also strains believability for two strangers who just met on the side of the highway.
• Skylar’s reaction to Bull’s real job feels naïve. Her judgment of his work doesn’t fully align with the realities of global threats or the necessity of eliminating dangerous individuals. The disconnect between her worldview and Bull’s experience feels sharper than the story requires.

🎙 Narration

The story is told through multiple points of view but performed by a single narrator, Lucy Rivers. While her voice is pleasant, her delivery leans more toward straightforward reading than immersive performance. Because solo female narration isn’t your preferred format, experiencing the book in “Immersive” mode—reading while listening—helped maintain engagement. Ultimately, the narration is adequate but not particularly dynamic.

💭 Final Assessment

This audiobook delivers a satisfying blend of military action, slow‑burn romance, and suspense. Bull and Skylar’s relationship is warm, intentional, and rooted in genuine connection, and the Silverstone team’s background adds depth without overshadowing the romance. While a few character reactions and early conversations stretch believability, the emotional payoff and tension make the journey worthwhile. Fans of protective heroes, grounded heroines, and romantic suspense with heart will find this installment both engaging and comforting.

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