***5 Stars***

Another great addition to the series! It was definitely a nail biting page turner as I waited to see how Bob aka Kendric and Marlowe would get out of the pickle they found themselves in, as well as just when the guys would find out about Kendric’s secret little side gig and I wasn’t disappointed.

I adored Marlowe. I mean talk about grace under pressure. She’s been put in an extremely heinous spot and was just on the brink of truly giving up, but I loved how she rallied and helped to save herself and her future. I must admit that I prefer Kendric over Bob but either way. He’s loyal, honorable and while thinking ten steps ahead, is also quick on his feet. Their journey is definitely insta and intense but they have a connection and I really liked how they talked through everything and in the end got the HEA they both deserve.

This baby was all kinds of intense because there wasn’t a true villain stalking them, it was a situation and trying to figure out if anyone would turn on them and when made it a page turner for me. And then there was Bob’s secret side hustle and I must say that I thought the way the guys found out was done very well and the fall out from it was exactly what I have come to expect from them…now it’s on to JJ and April!

The Hero is the third book in the Game of Chance series, but it can be read as a standalone.

This is third person POV, so it took me a while to get into it.

The MMC is named Kendric, but he is called Bob throughout the story. It switched every so often, but he was mostly called Bob.

Bob and Marlowe had great chemistry, and their love was very insta-love, but it worked. They were good for each other.

This was action-packed and full of suspense. It was my first book by this author, and it was an interesting read.

This is an interesting series as is "Bob's" story. This one took off quickly, lagged a bit, and then shot off like a rocket. Talk about ups and downs. The closer to the ending the more Holy Cows there are. It was so good. As usual, great characters, plot, and villains. Looking forward to the next one.

Susan Stoker The Hero is just a little over the top for this romantic suspense readers. Many times, I had to suspended reality I get that is normal for these types of books but come one. I have several different books in her different series, and I hate to say this, but she has created a very predictable formula that takes away the fun for readers because they know at what point the two main characters hook up, what causes them to second guess, and the list goes on.

I am sure for fan of Susan Stoker they will love the next installment of Game of Chance series but for this reader I am done.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of The Hero

I eat these books up, and The Hero was soooooo Susan Stoker.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The Hero by Susan Stoker

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Game of Chance character series. Book 3.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: Audiobook on Kindle. 🆓 on KU to read & listen.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Romantic suspense

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Military/veteran, instalove.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Marlowe is stuck in a Thailand prison after being falsely accused of drug possession. Kendric “Bob” Evans takes a private mission for her rescue, only to fall for Marlowe as they brave the jungle escape.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any issues with Susan Stoker books. But the ones where they’re rescue missions and they all fall in love immediately? I eat them up.

Bob and Marlowe were so good. My husband even was getting into the story as we went. It’s spicy and sweet and there’s so much suspense I always know that even though things will turn out ok, I’m going to be on the edge of my seat.

I have to be honest, book four is what I’ve been waiting for. But The Hero was a super good story and reaffirmed why I love Susan Stoker so much.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶️

I love Susan Stoker's books and this series has been so fun. The Hero is my new favorite of the series! Bob and Marlowe's story hooked me from page one. I loved the suspense and all of Bob's friends. I can't wait for the next book!

Oh my goodness! I didn't realize I had read this and haven't reviewed it. Hot! I love Susan Stoker and this title took me on a binge-read of her other titles. I loved everything about it - from the setting to the characters to the chemistry. It was fabulous!

***ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I enjoyed this title, although I never really felt like I connected with Marlowe. I believed he liked and loved her by the end, and I believed in "Bob"'s motivation as I believed he felt what he felt...I just didn't.

I think I wanted...more...from this one, although I am somewhat at a loss as to what that more would be, and I usually really like titles by this author, so I think this one just goes in the miss column and I look forward to the next one.

I am unable to recommend this title.

I have loved every book by this author that I have read including the titles in this series. This one isn't my favourite of these books as there was a lot of telling and revisiting past events but I was happy to see this couple get their story and happy ever after with a lot of twists and turns along the way. A good read.

Susan Stoker wastes no time in putting her readers right in the middle of heart-pounding action in The Hero. From a ridiculously cruel and abysmal foreign prison to an escape through hostile lands and a suspenseful exfil you'll be sitting at the edge of your seat. This one grabs you from the beginning and does not let you go!! Susan is one of the very best and I can't wait for the next story she shares with us.

The third installment in the Game of Chance series was a solid 3.5 stars. I was so excited to learn more about the elusive Bob in his book.

Marlow has found herself in a Thai prison under false accusations. The conditions are terrible, and she is certain she is going to die. Until she receives a mysterious visitor and a make it or break it opportunity to escape. Bob, a decorated war veteran who is having a hard time letting go of his past and settling down. So he becomes a contractor who saves people stuck abroad in terrible conditions. Their journey together starts out action packed, which set us up for a fast paced read.

Marlow and Bob were a bit instant love for me. There was no questioning, no hesitation. I loved their travels across Thailand to escape, but it required a deep suspension of reality. Then they had their troubles stateside, which followed the same formula that Stoker has used in the previous two books, and therefore, slightly predictable. And his nickname for her ("Punky") was just not that cute...

I do plan on finishing the series, and I anticipate a different formula given what we already know about April and JJ.

Kendric "Bob" Evans might have settled with his three friends in Maine but isn't quite ready to give up the thrill and excitement of dangerous missions. Unbeknownst to his friends he's been going on volunteer missions around the world. His current assignment is to rescue an archeologist accused of stealing artifacts and running drugs imprisoned in one of the worst prisons in Thailand. 
Marlowe has lost most of her fire and has almost given up hope when a surprise visit from a so-called lawyer warns her to be ready for action and escape.  As the two of them take off with the police on the hunt for them, they have to traverse the country to get into a neighboring country before they can take flight to the USA. 
When they are forced to marry to share a bed at one of the safe houses it seems to turn the tide as far as their relationship is concerned.  Bob is wounded as they barely escape with their lives, luckily Marlowe has the contact information for Bob's friends in Maine and they come through. 
While they may have escaped from Thailand and the prison guards the person responsible for originally framing Marlowe isn't done yet. He finds his way to Maine for a final confrontation between the police, Marlowe and Bob and his friends. 
What a thrill ride, with unexpected curves, a fair bit of spice and a photo finish.

The Hero by Susan Stoker
Game of Change #3

Adrenaline rushes are his thing so what would work better to provide one than working for the government in solo rescue missions to save others?

What I liked:
* Kendric “Bob” Evans: retired Delta Force, survivor of brutal torture, one of four-man team that were rescued from enemy lines, in business with those men, good friend, nightmares-PTSD, looking for “something”, might have found it on his last mission to Thailand
* Marlowe Kennedy: archaeologist, innocent prisoner in Thailand, raised by her older brother when her parents died, pragmatic, positive, tiny but mighty, bright, strong, survivor, loving, kind, supportive, a person I would love to call friend
* Watching the relationship develop between Kendric and Marlowe
* The solution found for eventually getting two wonderful people out of Thailand
* Getting to see the characters from previous books in the series and finding out how they are doing
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The positive conclusion with the hook for what will probably be the conclusion of the series – although – do want to know more about Tex…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about greedy people willing to do anything AND corrupt people in power willing to incarcerate the innocent

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

3.75 ⭐️ If I could get rescued and then stop working I’d be about this life too. I was annoyed at the nickname Punky and Bob, but seeing Punky so many times was just cringe. I never read the previous two books so it can be a standalone book. I do want to read the next book though with that ending. All the extra sappy stuff after the rescue was bleh to me. I also want to point out how Kendrick made two separate comments during my xxx that was just weird like why would you think of / bring it up during that time. Anyway that is all. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Fake marriage? - Yes, please! Badass heroine? - Yes, please! Dominant hero? - YES YES YES!

It was my first book by Susan Stoker and I'm sure will read more in furute. First of all I really liked both heroes. Bob aka Kendric was so protective and tender and easy to fall in love with. Marlowe is a great example of a strong heroine, I loved how she managed to cope with every situation. I also loved the writing style and plot as book was full of events and from very beginning you are drowned into action.
But please note that book is written from third person POV so this cam feel a bit uncomfortable.

The Hero is the 3rd book in the Game Of Chance series by Susan Stoker, in my opinion this can be read as a stand alone since I had not read any of the previous books. I really enjoyed Marlowe and Kendric story line, I found this to be a entertaining read. Fast paced and action packed I most definitely would recommend to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, I am leaving my review voluntarily.

After his career as a marine ended Bob settled into civilian life however the need to help others remains. It is for this reason that he helps out the FBI on clandestine missions with the latest one sending him to Thailand where he must rescue a woman who has been arrested for something she didn’t do.

Marlowe’s trip to Thailand takes a dangerous turn when she finds herself imprisoned. When she is rescued from the prison, she realizes the danger is far from over as they must find a way to get out of the country and that begins with pretending to be married however that is only the beginning as she is about to realize that the threat will also follow her home.

Romance and suspense combine as Bob and Marlowe take us on quite the adventure and they will need to rely on each other as well as Bob’s friends if they are going to escape with their lives.

Four men in captivity decide their post-Army futures with a game of rock, paper, scissors, settling in Newton, Maine, to open a Lumberjack and trail guide business. Kendric "Bob" Evans has secretly continued rescue missions worldwide, including one to save anthropologist Marlow Kennedy wrongfully imprisoned in Thailand. Their fast-paced escape and instant connection lead to a marriage of convenience, but danger follows them back to Maine. The story, with its familiar warmth and suspense, feels like coming home to a good book. The series promises more excitement, with anticipation for the final book focusing on JJ.

I loved, loved Kendric and Marlowe’s forced proximity, one “bed”, romantic suspense tale. This book had the perfect balance of sweet moments, spice, chuckles, past pain, evil actors, danger, excitement, coincidences, healing, big feels, and love. And while it is unlikely that I will ever be in a situation like Kendric and Marlowe were, they are portrayed as such real, relatable, and likable people who have flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans, it was easy to connect to them. Kendric co-owns a tree service company in a small town in Maine with his three best friends. He is a former special forces soldier and was a POW. Unbeknownst to his friends, he has been going on secret rescue missions to other countries for the last two years. Marlowe is an archeologist who was set up and thrown in prison in Thailand for selling drugs. Kendric is sent in to rescue her. To get to their HEA, they’ll have to sneak out of a country trying to track down all the escaped prisoners, deal with their pasts, and embrace what could be. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. The suspense was well balanced with the romance creating a wonderful contrast. I am looking forward to the final book in the series

Susan Stoker is a one-click author for me. I don't need a title, a blurb, or any details. If you tell me a new book is in the works I know I want it. As is always my experience, this book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept it until the end. I finished it in 2 days and could have finished it in one sitting if I didn't have work and family responsibilities.