ARC copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Claiming Sarah is #5 in the Ace Security series. I really wanted to like this book. Sadly I didn't care the book and it took me longer to read the whole thing.

Finally, FINALLY Cole gets his story, and it was so worth the wait! Having known Cole since pretty much page one of the first story in this series, I've desperately been waiting for the poor guy to get his happy ever after, and this book was well worth the wait, as Sarah is perfect for him!

Cole has seen a lot, with what each of the Anderson brothers has gone through for their women, so when he meets Sarah for self-defense lessons he's immediately struck by how kind she is to everyone, compared to his own well-worn personality. Throw in a stalker and you've got an awesome 5 star story!

5 stars!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Sarah is being stalked and wants to learn some self defense tips. Cole is the one that will teach her. Naturally sparks fly and heat up quickly between them. This is book 5 in the series, and overall a good one to end the series with. I liked that while she was being stalked it was not as dangerous as the others. No gang members. Would recommend this one and this series.

Expertly written. Does have sexual content. Reads fairly quickly and once you start you won't want to put it down. All in all it's another winner for the author.

I haven't read many stories by this author and all I can say is I am missing out. This story was absolutely incredible. The characters were amazing, the storyline itself was fantastic. I absolutely devoured it.

She felt uneasy and with each gift she received it slowly broke down her ability to feel safe. Taking matters into her own hands she will rebuild her self esteem and fall in love. Will she be able to stay one foot ahead of her stalker? Great series!

This was another great book in the Ace Security series. I really enjoyed Cole and Sarah's story. They were so easy to route for! This is a standalone but I would recommend all the books in this series!!

Another great story involving the ACE brothers and their extended friends and family. I was glad that Cole trained Sarah to fight back, to step out of her comfort zone. Sarah assisted a patient and her son with the dying process - the mother was scared that her disabled son would not be able to make in the world. Sarah did not know why her patient told her mentally challenged son that Sarah would be his wife.

Sarah was scared when she started receiving inappropriate gifts from the young man... with notes stating how he will take care of her as her husband. The police think it is sweet that the young man has been sending her notes and gifts. Sarah knows inside that the gifts aren't right - no threats have occurred towards her, yet, but she is afraid that things will escalate fast.

She is afraid to speak up - that she may hurt the young man. She was adopted when she was younger by a gay couple who told her to always look for the good in people. Her dads have died leaving her their home and all the memoires of their life together.

She was always teased about being the daughter of gay men... but she always knew that her parents truly loved her. She wanted to make them proud.

Cole and Ace Security must rescue Sarah from her stalker..

***3 stars***

I typically love this authors books, but this one fell just a little flat for me. I liked Cole and Sarah but the insta-love thing just didn’t do it for me based on what was going on in Sarah’s life with the stalker thing. I got that Cole was all into her with just a glance, but I needed more depth to it. The stalker issue I liked because the guy isn’t an outright evil guy, which was nice to see and I did like catching up with all the Ace Security crew.

I wish I had loved this book, but I didn’t, I simply liked it. This doesn’t mean that you won’t like it, but I do recommend at least reading Claiming Felicity before diving into this one, so you get a better feel for Cole.

Love any book from Susan Stroker!! She is s great storyteller! All her books capture your attention. This book was no different!

Another great book from Susan Stoker. I’ve read other books by this author this one was just as good as those. I really enjoyed the story and the characters were well thought out.

Claiming Sarah follows Sarah and her attempt to learn self-defense and protect herself from a stalker that everyone else finds harmless. Cole is a local gym owner and came highly recommended to provide her with this training, and he immediately enlists the help of his found-family at Ace Security to get to the bottom of what turns out to be a not-so-innocent situation. This story features instant-love, alpha-males, and found families.

A few other reviewers have pointed this out, but I think the biggest issue with this book is its repetitive nature. Some have pointed out (and I agree) that it also reads very immature, and I think that both of these lines of thought can be boiled down to the fact that this book could have used a good edit. I think stepping away from the manuscript and coming back with fresh eyes could have also helped. We've all read the alpha-protector trope before, so that wasn't the issue. Other reviewers have pointed out problematic plot points, but for me (and I am sorry to say this because I know it sounds harsh) there were just some small, repetitive things made the book nearly unreadable.

First off, Sarah is so nice. She is just really so nice. Like, I don't think you get just how nice she is. I would have given anything for a synonym. She was described as nice so often that it made me wish that no one would describe me as being "nice" ever again (please note that even though I don't want to be told I'm nice, I will not go around claiming to be a bad person incessantly, like Cole did. And for what? Because he doesn't want to do yard work? Hides from people who come to his door? Who doesn't?!) To say the personality traits in this book were lacking is gross understatement. Sarah was just passive, nice, and there, while Cole was demanding, overbearing, and apparently a selfishly horrible human.

The other thing, which I acknowledge is very niche, is that becoming a CNA (certified nursing assistant) does not require any sort of degree. Not only that, there is no CNA 2-year degree. While the requirements vary from state to state, training can range anywhere from 2-weeks to 3-months, maximum. Some hospitals will even provide on the job training and don't require a state certification, and employees work as a PCA (patient care assistant; same job as a CNA just without the state certification). It is an incredibly mentally and physically exhausting job, that is also often thankless and not something a lot of people can do well, but a degree-requiring job it is not. Just a little bit of research, or asking someone who had done done this job or worked in a hospital, could have given the story a little more credibility.

I am really sad to say that while I wanted to love this book, I struggled to even finish it. I think there are two big factors that played into my dislike it, and those are (1) the authors writing style and (2) the fact that I have read a lot of romantic suspense and have high expectations when it comes to these styles of books; I know they can be so good if done right. So while some people loved this book as well as others by this author (I have read one other from her SEAL of Protection series), I think I can comfortably say that she is not for me.

Sarah goes to the gym to meet Cole but the meeting does not go as planned. Cole does not make a good first impression, he actually makes her leave and he must go after her to explain himself. She is still leery of him. What she is really leery about are the strange packages she receives at her home. She is looking for help. He wants to help her and is immediately connected to her; he can feel it. He also brings in Ace security.
Everyone wants to help her but sometimes just her own self, her just being nice gets in the way. Part of that is the way she was raised and because of that, it helps her in her job. Now because of that and her job she is in danger. She also for the first time feels that her heart is in danger for she is falling for Cole which she did not think would happen. Cole has found his one and when she goes missing Cole will stop at nothing to find her. A very good book with really good characters. I really liked Sarah and Cole though.

Despite the intriguing synopsis and alpha hero book cover, I'm finding this author's writing style just doesn't do it for me, folks. The words on the pages just blend together and don't grab me like they should. I'm not going to waste your time and mine elaborating more. I wish her continued writing success, and I'm glad others liked it well enough to leave raving reviews. I've tried several of her books and get the same vibe each and every time. I'll stick to Katie Reus when I need this kind of set-up in a romantic read.

(These comments are based on a NetGalley ARC copy.)

So Good! I am so glad Cole got his own happily ever after. Cole and Sarah’s story has a unique twist in the plot that I really enjoyed. I found this book to be a quick read that I could not put down.

Here's another author/writer I adore and have read her innumerable times. Each series is just as scintillating as the other and none of her books have ever disappointed me!

"Claiming Sarah" was just a matter of time for Cole Johnson as soon as he can assure her that he has best interest at heart, and only want to protect her from the stalker she seemed to have gained. You don't want to miss this final installment of the Ace Security Series, and it is only fitting that Cole get his happily ever after.

A great addition to the library!

Sarah is afraid but no one else understands why. That is until she meets Cole. While he may not understand he does accept and validate her fear. Even as he teaches her defensive skills he falls in love, but will his knowledge and her love be enough?
Claiming Sarah is fifth in Susan Stoker’s Ace Security series. I loved returning to this town. And I adored the fact Ms. Stoker decided to give Cole someone of his own. And Sarah was perfect for him. She saw past his exterior to the core of Cole. She saw good in him even as Cole struggled to see and accept within the good himself. I love that Ms. Stoker showed us that kindness isn’t wrong. I love that Sarah was not diminished or taken advantage of just because she was kind and sought to spread her good nature. I loved that Cole appreciated who Sarah was and actively protected her. He saw the strength to be had in being good to others. He saw the need to protect and preserve who Sarah is at her core. I loved seeing Cole and Sarah grow together as a couple. Sarah wasn’t sure about moving forward into a “we” but Cole’s determination showed her just how serious he is…he sees a future with her and will fight to obtain it.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing kindness win the day in the latest from Ms. Stoker. I loved seeing friendship morph into family. The support Cole gained from his friendships bolstered him when things were rough. I loved seeing Cole and Sarah find strength in their love. This story by Ms. Stoker is well written and full of joy. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing kindness and compassion in a world were little is shown. And I loved returning to this world and these characters.

First book I read in the series.
I liked it. Well written romance with interesting characters.

Beautiful cover.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love this author. I love this series. I love these characters. If you haven't read this book, then you should.

As with most Susan Stoker books, Claiming Sarah kept me on the edge of my seat with Cole and Sarah's story. Sarah has an interesting past and has lost the only family she has ever known, now she is in a situation that just doesn't feel right. When Sarah walks into Cole Johnson's gym to learn self defense she has no idea she will find love and a whole new extended family.