The Soldier by Susan Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this steamy contemporary romance about family, unforeseen circumstances, and unexpected love, an ex-military man and a down-on-her-luck woman find more than they bargained for when they find each other.

When Chad Young moves home, it’s not a decision he makes lightly. A former military man, he doesn’t make any decision lightly. But his father’s passing has left the family—and their business—reeling. Now more than ever, they need to stick together.

Britt Starkweather moved to Maine with her boyfriend, never imagining he’d abandon her there. With no money and nowhere to go, she accepts the Youngs’ offer of a job and room on their property. What more does she have to lose?

Although they just met, Chad makes Britt feel safe in a way no one has before. And she makes him feel things he’d given up on finding. But even as they grow closer, Britt realizes that something is amiss at Lobster Cove…and Chad will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

A Place to Land at Lobster Cove

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

🎧 Audiobook/Book Review: The Soldier (Alpha Cove, #1)

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

👫🏻 Character Background and Plot Dynamics

Chad Young has returned to Rockville, Maine and the familiar stretch of Lobster Cove after the death of his father. His parents spent years building a cluster of small businesses that kept the cove running, including an auto shop, a plowing service, and a set of rustic summer cabins. Chad is grateful that he convinced his three brothers to come home as well. All four Young men enlisted in different branches of the military after high school, and they eventually scattered across the country. Being reunited in the same town gives Chad a sense of belonging he did not realize he had been missing.

Britt Starkweather has been living out of her car in a parking lot until a man confronted her for staying there overnight. Her car refused to start, and she had nowhere else to go. Chad happened to pass by and offered to take a look under the hood. He discovered that the battery had been deliberately disconnected. Britt immediately suspected her ex-boyfriend Cole, who had dragged her to Maine, then abandoned her in the middle of the night and disappeared back to Georgia with all of their money. She was left with no home, no job, and no savings, yet she still wanted to stay in Maine because the place felt right to her.

Chad invited Britt to his mother’s house for a warm meal and thought she might be able to help his mom around the home. He also hoped that having Britt there would give his mother someone to care for so she would not sink too deeply into grief. Britt quickly falls in love with Lobster Bay and forms a genuine connection with Chad’s mother. She grew up in a trailer park and never had a nurturing relationship with her own mom, so the kindness she receives feels both unfamiliar and deeply comforting.

🌟 Strengths

• Britt immediately senses that something is off with Otis, a longtime friend of Chad’s father and a trusted employee. Everyone else treats him like a beloved fixture of the community, but he views Britt as an outsider and assumes she is only interested in the Young family for financial gain. His hostility adds a subtle but effective layer of tension.
• Susan Stoker continues to deliver stories filled with drama, suspense, and a balanced amount of romance. The emotional connection between the characters feels sincere, and the intimacy is present without overwhelming the plot. It is refreshing to enjoy the romance without needing to skip through excessive scenes.

💔 Limitations

• Otis believes Britt is a gold digger, yet the Young family businesses are far from lucrative. The cabins are rundown and in need of major repairs, the auto shop struggles with outdated equipment, and unpaid bills have caused issues with ordering parts. The accusation feels misguided, which may be the point, but it also makes his suspicion seem even more unreasonable.

🎙 Narration

The story unfolds through multiple points of view, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Lucy Rivers in a dual narration format. Teddy Hamilton remains one of my favorite male narrators, with a deep and gravelly voice that is endlessly listenable. Lucy Rivers brings strong character differentiation and a smooth delivery. Her male character voices are more natural than those of many female narrators, so the dual narration works well even without a full duet performance. Together, they create an engaging and emotionally grounded listening experience.

💭 Final Assessment

This audiobook blends heartfelt character development with small town charm, emotional healing, and a touch of suspense. Britt’s vulnerability and determination make her easy to root for, while Chad’s steady kindness gives the story warmth and stability. The setting feels cozy and lived in, and the narration elevates the entire experience. It is a satisfying addition to the series and a comforting listen for anyone who enjoys romance with genuine heart and a hint of danger.

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub



View all my reviews