The Soldier

Alpha Cove, Book 1

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Lucy Rivers

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.

©2025 by Susan Stoker. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Narration Was Decent

This felt more like a book about Chad and his brothers being Mama's boys instead of a romance between Chad and Britt. The narrator even managed to make Chad sound whiny on occasion. I can understand loving your mother, and I wonder how many times it was going to be mentioned that he lived with his mother and was ok with it. I think everyone was ok with it but maybe Chad. He kept making a big deal about it. Even when he was provided another option, I was surprised he didn't jump at the chance.

I was irritated by 37 yo Chad continually marveling at Britt's strength. What kind of women had he encountered before meeting her? Yes, Britt and Chad succumbed to instalove and had many heated moments, but I didn't feel much chemistry. I did like the relationship between Britt and the Young brothers mother. She deserved someone who appreciated and liked her after having to grow up the way she did.

The bad guys were obvious in this book. What surprised me was there were 4 military brothers, and not ONE of them thought about repercussions regarding a disgruntled person. That was completely unbelievable.

In all honesty, I was just glad this was not a book about trafficking. This was not my favorite book by this author. It was decent. It was different. I was surprised when the focus shifted from 4 men moving back home to help out their mother to the mother happily stating she raised them to be mamas boys. That seemed kind of strange to me.

I am interested in the books about the other brothers. I hope the mamas boy theme is dropped. They can love their mother without that particular focus. The nnarration was ok. I hope there is a different male narrator for the other brothers.

Great story & narration

Great start to Alpha Cove series by Susan Stoker with terrific characters, wonderful location setting and fantastic story. I loved listening to this audiobook narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Lucy Rivers who brought Chad and Britt’s story to life.

Not my favorite

I love Susan Stoker . Seal Team Hawaii, Seal of Protection and Silverstone are my favorite book series ever !!!! But this is not even close to any of those books. Story had very few twists or turns and the characters were boring. Save your money and buy one of her other books from the series I mentioned.

I don’t know

I think I would like the story as I like the author but I can’t handle the female reading the female part of this story so I have to say I pass.

Great story!❤️

This is going to be a great series! I already can’t wait! Four brothers coming home after all being in various parts of the military to the family compound in Main. This story had all the great feels, woman down on her luck and being wrapped up in love from this family, a bit of mystery and a couple of bad guys. Loved it! Definitely recommend! Thanks Susan Stoker for another great beginning to what I am sure will be an awesome series! 😍