Protecting Kelli by Susan Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

He was expecting a relaxing vacation, but instead not only found himself a victim of a kidnap for ransom, but also the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. 

Beach vacation.
River tubing.
It should’ve been a nice break from Wade “Flash” Gordon’s life as a Navy SEAL.
Instead, he’s kidnapped…along with Kelli Colbert, an intriguing woman he met at the Jamaican resort where they’re both reluctant members of bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Then they find themselves forced underground—buried alive.
Flash has no doubt whatsoever his team will stop at nothing to find him, and he’s right. And while that mission proves a success, the kidnapper’s still at large—a man who’s not willing to just say goodbye to the ransom money he was counting on to bankroll his new life.
But he’s drastically underestimated his would-be captives.
Flash and Kelli may have met by chance, but they forged a bond deeper than most people could ever understand. And when Flash finds out she lives near him in Southern California, nothing can stop him from keeping Kelli by his side…and safe from danger that’s closer than either of them could ever suspect.

Paradise Turns Perilous

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🩷💙❤️
Spice/Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😉🥰😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration – Full Cast

Main Characters & Plot Overview

Wade “Flash” Gordon and Kelli Colbert are the main characters and are on Vacation in Jamaica. Flash is a former Navy SEAL in Jamaica for his soon to be brother in law’s bachelor party, while Kelli is celebrating her cousin’s bachelorette getaway. What begins as a carefree vacation quickly turns dangerous when both groups are targeted in a kidnap for ransom plot. They are thrown together in a way that immediately raises the stakes.

Flash is exactly the kind of hero readers expect from Susan Stoker. He is protective, capable, and calm under pressure, but he also takes the time to communicate and truly connect with Kelli. Kelli is not just a damsel in distress. She shows resilience and strength even in frightening circumstances, which makes her a compelling match for Flash. Their relationship builds in the middle of chaos, and that contrast between danger and emotional connection is where the story shines.

Highlights & Limitations

One of the strongest aspects of this audiobook is the balance between suspense and romance. The kidnapping plot adds urgency and tension, while the developing relationship between Flash and Kelli feels natural rather than rushed. As with many of Stoker’s books, communication plays a key role, allowing the characters to bond in a believable way even in extreme circumstances.

The vacation setting adds an extra layer of enjoyment. The glimpses of Jamaica give the story a slightly different tone than the usual military or domestic settings, and it creates memorable moments that stand out from other books in the series. There are also mild to moderate spicy scenes that enhance the romance without overpowering the storyline.

In terms of limitations, the plot follows a somewhat familiar structure for readers who are well versed in this genre or in Stoker’s work. The kidnapping scenario and rescue elements may feel predictable at times. Some listeners may also wish for deeper exploration of the side characters or a bit more unpredictability in the twists.

Kelli is described as a lush, curvy girl by Flash, and I don’t mind books where the FMC isn’t a thin girl, but I really don’t like when too much attention is put on the weight of the girl. There was just too much in this one. Flash’s friends talked about the fact that he was paying attention to the “fat” girl. Also Kelli is very uncomfortable when stripping down to her one-piece swimsuit and getting on her tube when they go tubing.

Narration & Performances

The narration team, including CJ Bloom, Aiden Snow, Ryan West, Sean Masters, and Emma Wilder, delivers a strong and engaging performance. Each narrator brings a distinct voice that helps differentiate characters and adds depth to the listening experience.

CJ Bloom does a great job capturing Kelli’s emotional range, from fear to determination, while Aiden Snow and the rest of the narrators give Flash and the supporting characters a grounded and believable presence. The multiple narrators enhance the pacing and keep the tension high during action scenes, making it easy to stay immersed in the story.

Final Thoughts

Protecting Kelli is a solid and satisfying addition to the SEAL of Protection: Alliance series. It delivers exactly what fans of Susan Stoker expect, a blend of romance, suspense, and strong character connections. While the plot may feel familiar in places, the engaging characters, effective pacing, and enjoyable vacation setting make it well worth the listen. I have read many of Susan Stoker’s books and have always enjoyed them. She always does a fantastic job of mixing a great suspense storyline with a romance that develops at a natural pace, and her characters always get to know each other through communication, both in stressful situations and in normal ways.

If you enjoy protective heroes, high stakes situations, and romances that grow through communication and shared adversity, this audiobook is an easy recommendation. There are some mild to medium level spicy scenes as well as plenty of Susan Stoker’s thrilling and suspenseful storylines. I love the fact that this takes place in Jamaica on a vacation, it gives the main characters some great vacation stories.

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