Kendric "Bob" Evans, an ex-military hero, embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue Marlowe Kennedy, an archaeologist falsely imprisoned in Thailand. Their escape plan, involving a fake marriage, adds an unexpected depth to their relationship, making the transition from pretense to genuine affection both seamless and captivating. Set against a backdrop of suspense and danger, their journey back to Maine is fraught with challenges, yet their evolving bond truly keeps the pages turning. Stoker masterfully blends action with romance, creating a story that's as thrilling as it is heartwarming. This book delivers on its promise of adventure and explores the power of love to transform and heal.

The Hero (Game of Chance book 3) by Susan Stoker is a 4.5 ⭐️ read.
I love Susan Stoker’s books, I’m always guaranteed a strong heroine who knows how to rescue herself (but she lets the hero save her) and a hero who will burn the earth to protect his partner, when I’m looking for a great protector romance this author is my automatic go to.

This story had an interesting premise that reminded me of the old movie, Brokedown Palace, so much that I kept picturing Claire Danes.

Like all of Stoker's books the romance moves fast. Personally I find it unreasonably fast, but it is fiction so I try to remember that.

I found the main trope to be quite the surprise and liked how it all worked out.

If you like protector/rescuer romance this series is for you.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Bob and Marlowe don't meet the way any normal couple would. Marlowe is stuck in a Thailand prison after being framed as a drug smuggler. Bob is sent to help Marlowe and stages a daring rescue to get her home. Having to dodge danger and pose as a married couple brings the two closer together. I liked Marlowe, even after sitting in prison unjustly accused, she is a sweet person. Bob quickly falls for Marlowe. I really enjoyed this story!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. From the start, I could tell Marlow's escape from prison wasn't going to be easy. Despite the challenges, Kendric was calm and composed. There was so much tension while they made their escape and I felt physical relief when they made it out. Kendric and Marlow had excellent chemistry and I loved that their relationship, while fast, lacked drama. The Hero is a great addition to this series!

I was very excited when the third installment dropped for the Game of Chance series! This featured Bob, aka Kendric, who works side missions with a contractor, unbeknownst to his closest four friends, of whom he also has a lumberjack business with. His next mission is getting Marlowe out of Thai prison. Marlow is an archaeologist on a dig and wrongfully accused and imprisoned for having illegal drugs in her personal effects. Kendric’s mission to is free Marlowe and bring her home to her brother in the US.

Kendric is certainly a cinnamon roll character! He was so selfless and thoroughly enjoys helping others, especially Marlowe. The entire timeline of their escape, to learning each other in the process, was swoon worthy and melty. I gave this book a 4 star just out of personal opinions about the MFC and FMC, and the spicy scenes. To me, Kendric was too soft and not super domineering. It kind of conflicted with the "do what I say when I say" during the escaping part. Some of the banter between the two main characters was a tad annoying with the mushy components. Marlowe’s character was not super deep into the things we wanted so it made it harder for me to fall in love with her character. The spicy scenes were great and there were plenty, but a few of the explanations (like sex on a woman’s cycle) was probably unnecessary.

Overall, I gave this book a 4 star and loved it! It fits well with the series and had a fun adventure, along with some spice. If you want sweet, loyalty, and gooey with adventure, this book is perfect!

Really enjoyed! A good blend of romance, steam, and story. The plot was good and I always enjoy a good friend group based romance series. Would definitely recommend! Adding the other books in the series to my TBR.

3.5⭐️
Aaah this was a pretty easy read! It had suspense and romance all in one, and it was a insta-love marriage of convenience which was great! Sometimes I need a break from all the stressful push-and-pull, angsty romance-building and just enjoy two characters who knew what they wanted fairly quick.😮‍💨

The Hero is the third instalment in the Game of Chance series and this time, we focused on Kendric “Bob” Evans from our fav group of friends/brothers.🫡 In the Hero, ex-military Kendric Evans goes on a mission to save wrongfully imprisoned archaeologist Marlowe Kennedy and what a journey they went through together for freedom and justice.
I enjoyed this read as I did with the first 2 books and look forward to JJ and April’s story next!

I REALLY liked this 3rd book in Susan's Game of Chance Series. It is about Kendric (aka Bob) one of the heroes in this series and a new character, Marlowe, who was framed and put into a Thai prison. While Kendric and his former teammates have settled in Maine (a neat story in terms of how it was decided) he went to Thailand to rescue her. The suspense and pacing in the rescue attempt was excellent and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love how Marlowe develops though the story flourishing with Kendric. It's also neat to see romance develop. They are forced together on their journey for an intense amount of time without a break - you can see the bonds develop between them because of that. Suspense in the beginning and more suspense at the end plus the budding romance make it a great read. I received an ARC to review this book and to be honest I've already read it a second time to pick up on the subtle things I missed. It is a standalone read which you can do but you'll definitely end up going back and reading the first two. I was so glad I stumbled upon Susan Stoker to begin with, now I've read her library and can't wait for the next. If you want a heartfelt romance, suspense, and characters you can relate to - this is a book for you.

A wrongful arrest, hidden drugs, stolen artefacts, a jail break, and an epic trek through Thailand & Cambodia. This packs a lot into one book! I love this series of heroes who no longer want to be heroes but end up saving the day anyway!

Kendric aka Bob was down with no more military life but the adrenaline still called him and he ended up working on rescue missions for a contact at the FBI. His friends would be p'ed at him if they find out he's been hiding this sidejob from them. However his latest rescue takes him to Thailand.

Marlow fell into archaeology and now that fateful decision has got her in a bind. She was accused to selling drugs and smuggling artefacts and thrown into jail in Thailand. After a month she's wasting away and is rapidly losing hope. But a visit from a "lawyer" gives her shred of hope to hold onto.

When Kendric finally breaks her out, he and Marlow have to trek across Thailand and Cambodia to reach freedom. It's not without trials and tribulations - least of which was having to get married so they could stay together!

Yes the pacing is fast and furious and the relationship solidifies really quickly but intense situations breed intense feelings and these two know exactly what they are doing. They relish making it to safety and their feelings really flourish. They both give each other the chance to back out or shut down the relationship and there is no third act break up. Kendric is all protective alpha male but he has a squishy core that relishes a tatty piece of paper.

Marlow's version of HEA may not be everyone's cup of tea but feminism is supporting people in what makes sense for them - not imposing our ideas on others. I loved getting to meet the team and their lady loves again. I'm really looking forward to JJ and April's book next.

The Hero is book three in Susan Stokers Game of Chance Series, and it follows Kendrick and Marlowe. We pick up after Kendrick’s assignment is revealed in book two. It can be read as a standalone, but I would say it’s better if you read the previous books.

This book gives us action, danger, suspense, and a lot of romance. The chemistry between the characters were quite good, but the pace of the story was a bit too fast making it difficult to follow sometimes.

Overall, it was a nice read but the insta-love romance didn’t let me immerse fully in the story. The characters were interesting, and the story was an adventure full of suspense and the conflict and resolution at the end was a good point.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Kendrick and Marlowe meet due to unfortunate circumstances but make the most of their situation together. From the very beginning we're thrown into action when Marlowe manages to escape prison in a foreign country, with the help from Kendrick.

Although their relationship develops quickly, Kendrick and Marlowe are perfect together. The love they share, the life they create are genuine.
When Marlowe has to face her ex coworker who framed her in order to get justice, Kendrick is quick to voice his opinion that he doesn't think she should.

The constant action in this book is just the right amount to keep you turning the pages.
Even the epilogue leave you with a cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the next book.

I had a fun time reading this. The chemistry between Marlowe and Kendric? Explosive! Right from their first not so meet cute!
The pacing was good, not too slow not too fast. Finished this in one seating. Very happy with how we're given updates from other characters too!

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful story this was. These brave heros now have a quieter life as tree loppers. Only it hasn't been enough for Kendric who still craved the adreline rush of danger. Assigned to rescue Marlowe who has been imprisoned in a foreign country falsely...or rather framed. She's at a dig site one moment then accused of a crime. Kendric breaks her out then they are on the run, only in order to be hidden together they had to be a married couple! They faced all sorts of dangers including to their health before arriving back in Maine.
It's not over, after all that will they be happily married or go their own way? Will they get to the bottom of the crime to clear her name? And will they all come out of this mess alive.
I loved the epilogue, you can read it to find out why. Also the glimpse into the next story, I can't wait.

I enjoyed this romantic suspense but I didn’t love it. I know we don’t read things like this for the realism but some things were just hard to for me to take. I love what a strong heroine Marlowe is but at the same time after escaping the prison it is clear she is malnourished and I don’t get how a person who is basically sick would want to do anything but get out of there and home to recuperate. I don’t care how sexy Kendric is , save that for later once you are safe. Aside from that I loved Kendric as the protective hero. I’m a sucker for insta love that makes sense and this one does. Lots going on even once they get back to Maine that kept my attention. I haven’t read the first two books in this series yet but I will. This can definitely be read as a stand alone. Looking forward to JJ and April next especially after reading the teaser.

The Hero is reminiscent of some of my favorite early stories from Linda Howard, where the hero has to jump into the unknown and put himself at risk in order to rescue and save the heroine. In The Hero, Marlowe has been unjustly found guilty of drug dealing in Thailand and is now one month into a life sentence living a miserable existence in a Thai prison. Her brother has some government connections and Kendric is recruited to go in and rescue her.

I loved the action adventure as Kendric breaks her from jail and they have to travel the country in order to cross the border and get a plan back to the states, and there are a number of tense scenes along the way. We also get some serious insta-love chemistry right from the start between them and as they are traveling their connections deepens very quickly. The angst as they are trying to make their way out of the country and home, and then in trying to clear Marlowe's name once home makes for a fun read. The pacing however goes from really fast, non-stop in the first half to almost too much of a slow down in the second half. I did love how this one started, dropping you right into the angst and action! This one was 3.5 stars for me.

I was engrossed with this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat. There was a lot of action and adventure while Kendrick worked to free Marlowe from prison and get her back home. I liked that both characters were complex and well written. I enjoyed how protective Kendrick was and Marlowe's strength and bravery. I loved the instant connection between Kendrick and Marlowe and how Kendrick knew after their first kiss that she was the one. All the secondary characters were wonderful. Kendrick's friends made me laugh, and I appreciated how supportive they were of one another. I can't wait for JJ and April's book!

These two! Marlowe is one tough cookie and Kendrick needs help as well. These two do have a tough road to their hea. Great addition to the series.

The Hero is the 3rd book in the Game of Chance Series by Susan Stoker and although it can be read as a standalone, it was much more enjoyable for me because I read the first two books in this series first. I found that by revisiting the other characters it made this one even better. I’ve said it before, these “found” family books have such an appeal to me – I love how all these characters find themselves in a family of sorts and have such a strong desire to look out for each other at all costs. It really is inspiring and makes for such a pleasurable read. Kendric and Marlowe are the newest “couple” to fall hard for each other and without ruining the story line, let me say that this one started off with a bang and it moved along quite quickly. There wasn’t too many slow sections and it was over pretty fast, or maybe I just read it quickly because I wanted to know what was going to happen. I’ve been looking forward to JJ and April’s story since Book #1 and knowing that it’s probably the last book in this series, I’m even more anxious to find out what happens to them in Book #4. Another highly recommended romantic suspense by Susan Stoker. I'm very grateful to have been given an opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book through NetGalley.

Marlowe is a good person. She works hard and treats others how she would want to be treated. So how has been tried, convicted and imprisoned in a foreign prison. For a crime she didn't even commit.
Kendric loves his friends and their women but he isn't settling into small town life as well as they are. He still needs that rush from parts of their former life. Meeting Marlowe cause a shift but will they survive longest to see if the shift is permanent?
The Hero is the latest in Susan Stoker's Game of Chance series. I enjoyed returning to this world Ms. Stoker has created. I love seeing the friendship between the men be slightly stretched by a secret. I loved seeing Kendric find someone who fits him. I love that Marlowe goes from the depths of despair to hope. I enjoyed seeing her find someone that sees her even as the timing couldn't be worse. I love that Kendric allows her to blossom and fight his protective tendencies so that Marlowe can regain her sense of self.
This story was well written and enjoyable. I loved this addition to this series and cannot wait to see where Ms. Stoker will take us next.