3.5 rounded up. The marriage of convenience in this one was pretty far fetched, even by Susan Stoker standards, and I feel like the book could have benefitted with a smidge more slow burn. But as a big Susan fan, it still gave me the escapism I always want from her books, and the Thai prison storyline was definitely unique and interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

Rating 3.5/5

If you want a spicy romance novel where he breaks her out of a foreign prison, is forced to hide with her in close quarters, marries her for the convenience of fleeing a foreign country, falls in love with her and protects her from the baddies after her, then this is your book!

The instalove and lust in the middle of an escape mission was a bit hard to believe and some of the dialogues were cringey, but the overall plot and storytelling was as good as any Susan Stoker novel.

Tropes
🔹(Ex) Military romance
🔹 Protective hero
🔹 Forced Proximity
🔹 Marriage of convenience
🔹 Insta love

Marlowe is wrongly imprisoned in a Thai jail and Kendrick (Bob) is tasked with rescuing her. Their attraction is immediate and circumstances mean they end up married within a week of meeting. After a hard slog and a few close calls they make it back to the US. They realise that the strong feelings they felt during their ordeal are actually real and want to make the most of their situation. Marlowe still has the threat of being sent to prison hanging over her so decides to prove her innocence and take down the man responsible which adds more action and tension. I must admit I found the whole Bob/Kendrick name thing annoying after a while. I got why his friends called him Bob, but when the scene was just the two of them I didn’t understand why the name kept changing. I also wasn’t a fan of his pet/nick name for her. I’m not from the US so the tv reference was lost on me and I found it off putting. This was an enjoyable romantic suspense but was let down for me by the things I’ve mentioned above. Not my favourite Susan Stoker book.

When an American archaeologist is imprisoned in Thailand for a crime she did not commit, Kendric is tasked to facilitate her release. The mission is fraught with danger and close calls. Marlowe is amazingly capable and manages to get through situations in which I would have given up quickly. Kendric is freely given help from his friends and support from characters faithful readers have already grown to love. Such a thrilling quest that offers freedom and joy.

This brilliant addition to this series show how much love & courage can go hand in hand. Bob & Marlow together just bring immense rightness & happiness. The bond between these men & women is something to admire. The journey page after page had me on edge & wishing for the finish line they desperately fight for. As always Susan out does herself! My honest review!

Kendric /Bob is ex military but he and his buddies moved to Maine, after leaving the military, and opened Jack’s Lumber. They cut trees and give guides on the Appalachian Trail. But Bob is restless and has been secretly helping people out of dangerous situations.
Marlowe is an archeologist and was doing a dig in Thailand. She is accused of having pills in her stuff and is thrown in jail. She’s been there a month when a guy shows up saying he’s her attorney and to be prepared for anything. When a truck runs through the wall, she makes a run for it.
Now Bob and Marlowe are on the run and are trying to get to Cambodia so they can get back to the U.S. One of their stops won’t let them stay unless they are married, so they get married. Neither is upset about it and it has brought them closer being on the run. After coming back to the States, they admit their feelings and go back to Maine. Unless Marlowe can prove her innocence, she will be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.

Great story. Almost love at first sight. Sex. Action. Prison escape.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed for Netgalley *

Loved reading the exciting and entertaining story. When Marlowe is stuck in prison, her brother hires someone, Kendric, also know as Bob, to save her. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting romance story. Can't wait to read the next story by the fabulous and fantastic author, Susan Stoker!

The Hero has Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans an ex soldier working covert rescue missions organised by the FBI.
Marlowe Kennedy an archaeologist working on a dig in Thailand has been set up by a colleague who was stealing artefacts, he plants drugs on Marlowe and she is now in a Thai prison where conditions are truly horrific and she has given up all hope. She is visited by Kendrick and he arranges a prison escape. They then have to travel through Thailand to get to the Cambodian border and safety.
This is a treacherous and extremely difficult journey but on the way they fall in love and also end up having to get falsely married before one of the Thai families helping to hide them will allow them to stay hidden together.
Finally returning to Kendrick’s home of Maine Marlowe knows she wants her future to be with Kendrick . Unfortunately before they can begin their new life there’s the matter of Marlowe being an escaped prisoner so she must prove her innocence which means setting up the person that betrayed her.
This story is full of excitement and drama, page turning, very descriptive and face paced so an excellent romantic thriller.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

You can always count on Susan Stoker to drag her heroines through hell and come out on the other side. Marlowe was no exception. I loved her and Kendric. Loved this story just like all the rest and I'm dying for JJ and April's story

This was exciting from start to finish with Kendric sent to Thailand to rescue Marlowe from imprisonment. I liked that when Kendric needed help Marlowe took the initiative to contact the guys from Jack's Lumber. There are still dangerous threats to Marlowe and really liked the acceptance and support they both received from the team and the women. The author weaves a story that keeps you engaged, interested and invested in the outcome for the characters throughout. Absolutely loved it.

An amazing story following Bob and Marlowe as he tries to rescue her after she has been wrongfully incarcerated. That takes up much of the story but the last half when they try to resolve her issue was no less exciting and really Susan Stoker made this such a hard book to put down. I adored both characters, as well as the extended cast (cannot wait for the next book in the series). Full of action, romance and a fair bit of family togetherness that made me fall even deeper in love with this group of people. A great next book in this series and I know I'm going to be sad but oh so satisfied with the finale. I wish it was here already!

The author clearly titles each book in The Game of Chance series, what you see is what you get! Kendric is a Hero for sure, even though he wouldn't choose that moniker. At first, I thought Marlowe was going to be a weak heroine but thankfully I was proven wrong. Their trek through Thailand would've broken most but they persevered. You find out if someone is meant for you at the worst times not the best ones. This could be read as a stand alone or take a chance and read a great series!

The Hero is the 3rd book in the Game of Chance series, but stands completely on its own. Fast-paced, adrenaline-inducing action from the first to the last page kept my pulse racing. There's attraction between Marlowe and Kendric from their first meeting, but I loved how they connect more and more through shared dangers, deep conversations and finally, steamy sexy times! The wonderful HEA is well-deserved and I'm looking forward to the last member of their band of brothers finding his forever.

This book had me by the first page! I have waited for Bob’s story and it was so worth it. He has finally found his match and she couldn’t be any more perfect for him. Wrongfully imprisoned in a foreign country is why Bob is here to rescue her and get her back to the states. Little did they both know that their escape will become the start of the rest of their lives. While things starts to develop, will they be able to survive and live the life they both have envisioned? The book ends with April and JJ’s story finally happening! I was given ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kendric and Marlowe❣️

The Hero is the third book in the Game of Chance series and focuses on Kendric aka Bob and Marlowe.

Marlowe is an archaeologist working at a site in Thailand when she is suddenly arrested and put in prison. Bob takes jobs from a guy called Willis, from the FBI, to help Americans when they find themselves in trouble in foreign countries. He’s been doing this for a while - but he hasn’t let his friends know😢

To cut a long story short, Bob is called in to get Marlowe out of prison and then to get her back to the US. However, their escape is hampered by all sorts of obstacles…😳

I really loved this story and could not put it down❣️I loved Kendric and Marlowe together and how she fit seamlessly into their lives like she’d always been a part of their group. I’m excited for the next book and to find out what happens between April and JJ. I received an advanced copy via Netgalley and willingly leave my honest opinion❤️

I enjoyed reading this book, it is filled with action and adventure, the interaction between the characters is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author.

Oh, Kendric is in for it this time. His secret activities are about to be discovered, but maybe it’ll all work out if he finds love while he’s chasing danger? I mean, his friends understand the struggles of adjusting to this quieter life all too well, so after some griping, they’re sure to prove that they get it. He just has to make it home first.

It’s a good thing he’s met Marlowe. And that they clearly click, even while pretending they’re not head over heels. And it’s even better that she’s as brave and strong and stubborn as she is, because she’s perfect for him. And for his life. His friends. Everything.

These two feel almost slow burn, but not. It’s fast, but not rushed. Because sometimes the heart just knows what it wants. Even with the mystery and the need to bring some justice to Marlowe’s life, these two communicate and fall wonderfully. It’s exactly what I’d hoped for, yet also more than I’d expected, if that makes sense. And now? Now someone else is catching a clue and I can’t pretend to be patiently waiting for the ride to come!

Great addition to a wonderful series. This book is a very fast paced adventure. I loved both of the main characters and all of the side ones too. There feeling were a little insta love but very sweet. There is a good bit of action, some spicy time and great relationships. I would recommend this series. .

Another exciting Susan Stoker story. Kendric goes to Thailand to rescue Marlowe when she is thrown in prison for drugs that were planted on her by a thief at her dig site. He was sent by Willis who was contacted by her brother. He pretends to be her lawyer and tells her he will get her out but remember what Forest Gump is told. She is quite confused but remembers when someone drives a truck through the prison and the women start running. Run!! She does and he finally catches up with her and tells her he will get her out but they have some harrowing days in front of them. The are very dramatic days and she and Kendric get very close. He gets hurt and she has to call his friends for help. They come through and bring them back to Maine where he lives with his 4 buddies from the service that were tortured together but survived. It was a great story that was very entertaining

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This is the 3rd book in the Game of Chance series by Susan Stoker, but can definitely be read as a standalone book.

When Marlowe, an American archaeologist, ends up going to prison in Thailand after being framed for drugs, she definitely wasn’t expecting to get out, much less escape her situation with a sexy stranger.

This book has a lot of action as Kendric (“Bob”) helps her escape and make their way back home to the US. He’s protective of Marlowe from the start, which only continues, especially after a “forced” marriage that neither of them seem to object to. They fall in love over the course of several days while on the run, and while I love them together, I would’ve enjoyed a little more build up of them getting to know each other.

After some speed bumps, they do make it back home and Marlowe finds herself a part of thr family between Kendric and his friends. The focus of the book then shifts to finding out if the guy who framed Marlowe can be found and charged for framing her and also stealing artifacts from the dig site in Thailand.

Overall this is a quick paced book, full of action and romance, with some spice as well! And I will definitely be looking to read the next book in the series as well for April and JJ’s story!

This review is my honest and voluntary opinion after receiving an early copy courtesy of NetGalley and Susan Stoker.