Susan Stoker is a go to when I'm in a book slump, and this book is no different.

April and JJ are the perfect end to this series.

Finally, finally we get April and JJ’s story and boy does it not disappoint. This is the final story in the former POW-friends ( Game of Chance) series by the author and picks up right from the previous one. Those who have read the other books know that the attraction between these two coworkers has been a steamy simmer right from the start and ultimately it hits the boiling point in this book. There is a boss/employee, older female/younger male angle in this book with tender alpha male/ strong female vibes as well as the suspenseful action that this author is known for. The way that April and JJ complement each other while both being strong in their own right is highly effective (no wimpy ladies for this author) and makes me love the story even more. The POW situation is briefly reviewed so be aware of possible triggers, but the author shows the after effects of war/soldiers returning from it in a realistic way that is highly empathetic.
While you will be able to be read this book on its own, to truly enjoy the book (and the series) you should read the series from the beginning as there are some overlapping moments that should be read in order ( but don’t worry they do not disappoint). Those who have read the previous books will be happy to see many familiar characters, including other characters from different series of the same bent by the author, which I really appreciated ( I love a long epilogue). This is a great action, former military romance with lots of heat, to balance the serious issues within it. 5 stars. I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

The Lumberjack by Susan Stoker
This is the fourth book in the Game of Chance series.

If you've read the other the books you know the backstory, if not, a simple game of chance during a POW experience decided the future for Jackson “JJ” Justice and his teammates. This was a way to focus on the future, when the next hour looked dim. Now years later and they've settled into their lives and the tree business is doing well. Most of which couldn't have been accomplished without April Hoffman, their office manager.

When she's seriously injured in a car accident with temporary amnesia JJ finally accepts that she's the one for him. Determined to prove that he has dealt with the issues that were holding him back and wants April completely in his life. Now dealing with her recovery and focusing on the second chance they've both wanted for so long.
Everything takes a dark turn when the past comes back to exact revenge. But it's not just the guys this time, they're all at risk. And if you've read the authors books I have a feeling there are a bunch of characters pulled into the story.

I’m going to miss these guys now this series has come to an end. This was a really good conclusion to the stories, and kept me engaged from the get go.
The will they won’t they for JJ and April for me was the perfect story to end with. That it is action packed and has all the feels even better.
Love the epilogues that give you an insight into theirs and the other families’ futures too.

I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Having read the rest of this series, I was hoping to really like this book. I'd liked the rest of the series, liked the characters, and I'd been waiting for Jack and April to get their heads on straight and admit they loved each other.

The book starts with April being in the hospital after a car accident that leaves her with no memory of the last 5 years of her life. She doesn't remember moving to Maine, the friends she's made, or Jack. Her ex-husband shows up whining about how they should get back together, and she does remember why she left him. Jack freaks out about almost losing April and the idea that maybe she'll go back to her ex (which is only a thing in his mind) so steps up and admits his feelings for April, while not pushing for more until she gets her memories back. April gets her memories back, they start a relationship, then most of the book is a REALLY bad guy determined to destroy Jack and his friends, using April and he others to do it.

I really didn't like the amnesia idea. It was a huge cop out to me. April and Jack have been dancing around each other for three books and not willing to figure out if they can do a relationship because she's older, he's the boss, would it mess things up? With no memories she knows she feels safe with Jack and has feelings for him. He can admit he was pretty much being a chicken. Couldn't that have happened with just an accident? This way felt too rushed. I admit, it also hit a lot of personal trigger buttons for me as someone who has been in a car accident, gotten traumatic brain injury and amnesia and not gotten memories back. I expected more realistic and sensitive handling of TBI from Stoker as someone who lives with an Army veteran and should know better than to treat it as a "harmless plot trope". So that colored how I felt about the book on a personal level that might not carry over to other readers.

The kidnapping of April and the others was tense and some readers might find it a little rough to read. If you've read some of Stoker's other series you'll recognize some of the guys who make cameos, if you haven't read them I don't think you'll lose anything as far as this story goes. Personally, I didn't need the 'ten years later' epilogue, I'm more of a 'happily in the now' type reader. It made the ending drag on for me more than necessary and there was one bit in Riggs' scene that might have been there for reality but definitly didn't make for a feel-good part (you'll know it when you read it, not giving away spoilers).

All in all, I was disappointed with the last book in what had otherwise been a good series.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

🖤 the lumberjack 🖤

Let me start telling you this was such a cutie 🫶🏽✨.

April and JJ's story was adorable, for what I learned they had this backstory and they were pinning for each other for a few years. And for a reason I don’t want to say (because of spoilers) they weren’t together. I didn’t know The Lumberjack belongs to a book series and this is the last one - I didn’t have a problem catching up but I think it is importantly to read the previous ones because the author jumped some of their story and I felt there were missing some details 🙊.

The book starts with April waking up at a hospital with amnesia and JJ trying to help her. These chapters were the sweetest. As I said before they already had this backstory so even if her mind didn’t remember him, her body did. == sweet sweet JJ ==

The suspense wasn’t something I expected but I love it! It was goooood 🙌🏽☠️.

The Lumberjack has everything: romance, suspense, amazing side characters and strong MCs.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the early access.

3 ★

They’ve been avoiding their attraction for a while now, working together hasn’t made it easier either, however, when Jackson “JJ” Justice is called about April being in a car accident, all bets are off. Learning that she’s lost her memories for the last five years, meaning she doesn’t remember him nor their friends, sets JJ mind and priorities straight: he’s going to do everything in his power to protect April while helping her regain her memories again. Meanwhile, maybe, just maybe, she’ll fall in love with him just as he does for her.

April doesn’t know where she is nor does she remember the tall good looking man that she learned to call Jack, however, he makes her feel safe for the first time since she opened her eyes and found herself in a hospital bed scared out of her mind due to her memory loss. Furthermore, she’s found that she has formed tight bond friendships with the women of the guys who owned part of Jack’s Lumber, being the one who helped them put it together in the first place. She learns that she is appreciated and that people care about her, nothing alike with her marriage, where she and her ex were just two strangers cohabiting under the same roof. Although getting her memories back are the last of April’s problems: she’s in the sights of someone looking for revenge, revenge that he’s planned for a long time and only her strength and trust in herself and others is going to help her get through it.

This is the last installment in the Game of Chance series by Susan Stoker and, I must say I really enjoy it, just like the other three previous books in the series.

***Disclaimer: I’ve applied and received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest review***

The Lumberjack is the fourth and final book in Susan Stoker’s amazing romantic suspense series called Game of Chance. The story has amazing, well developed characters, intense chemistry and a fantastic storyline that is written from the third person point of view of the hero and heroine.

For five year, JJ has been pining away for April and she in turn has suppressed her feelings for her often grumpy lumberjack boss. But when an enemy from JJ’s past comes after everyone he loves, will he and his partners reach them in time? Or will he lose the love of his life? Read it and find out.

Finally, Stoker has given us the story, of April Hoffman and Jackson “JJ” Justice, that we have all been waiting for. She closes this phenomenal series with her standard, but amazing combination of suspenseful, dramatic and romantic story elements which had me hanging on and on the edge of my seat. Stoker does an amazing job wrapping up the series and the epilogue leaves the reader very satisfied.

3.5⭐️
I’m so honoured that I had the opportunity to read each book of the Game of Chance series via E-ARCS and watch each beloved character get their story.

This is the finaLEEE and what a way to finish with April and Jackson. Although we didn’t get a build up of these two before getting together in the lumberjack, it still felt genuine enough between them because the build up happened in the background of the previous books. I’m more partial to having more build up though, because you really root for these characters and feel what they feel. But I get it for April and Jackson. Because why waste time; they were both mature and had a solid relationship beforehand to try being coy for a second longer.

Ahhh, I love how this book included a little something for each of the couples. Like a big wrap up of the series and bidding each character farewell.

This is definitely not a stand-alone because of how much background knowledge and spoilers it contains for the previous books. So any potential readers diving straight into this book will definitely feel like they’re starting season five of a new TV show. 😅

All in all, it was great and I’m ready for more by Susan stoker.

I was given this book to read by Net Galley. Loved it! It's the fourth book in this series, Tex (love that man) is there and many other great characters from Susan Stokers other series. Each book is comple by itself, but better to read all of them. A must read.

Jack's Lumber...

Jack "JJ" finally pulls his head out of his A when April is in a car accident and has lost her memory of the past five years. Those five years, she's been his employee and friend but Jack has kept his distance from her. April woke up confused after her accident but knows she is safe with Jack and that he is her one constant. I liked that April is 46 and divorced and that Jack may be a few years younger than she. He's carrying some baggage, and since this is a Susan Stoker, you know there's going be some major action and saving and protecting from danger going on. I got sucked in and kept reading...
Recommend.

4.25⭐

The Game of Chance series is a series I've dipped in and out of. But I was excited to return for April and JJ's story. Especially as it is the last one, and I have to say Susan Stoker rounded it off brilliantly.

As April is involved in a serious car accident that results in her losing her short-term memory so she has no idea who JJ, Chappy, Bob and Cal are. Or that she has been experiencing a push pull with JJ since she first laid eyes on him.

But one thing is for sure he makes her feel safe and she trusts what he says far more than her ex-husband who has turned up hoping April still believes they are married.

And, JJ is distraught at what has happened to April and seeing her in pain and not remembering the last five years is more than he can bear. But it also makes him realise just how close he came to losing the woman he loves and now he's more determined than ever to make her his.

Only he doesn't want to do anything until all her memories are back in case there is some big reason she was keeping her distance.

However, the pair are on borrowed time. As the brother of a man involved in the kidnapping and imprisonment of the four guys has found them and is determined to get revenge. By using the woman, they love.

And it will take considerable skills and a few friends from other series if they are to save them.

And with suspense, danger, humour and spice. This was an enjoyable read. That ended with a brilliant epilogue that showed what all the guys and their wives have been up to since that rescue and I have to say that was probably my favourite bit especially the story about a certain Prince getting married.

My thanks to Montlake for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Lumberjack. 😊

Susan Stoker did an amazing job, but I'm not surprised she always slays when it comes to her books! I loved how things transpired quickly at the start of the book, how Jack proved that though he and April tiptoed for so long around their feelings for each other, h was willing do anything to be there for her in her time of need. Amnesia was no match for their true chemistry, April knew deep in her bones that even if she couldn't remember this man, she knew she could trust him to protect her. Jack took everything in strides and helped April recover and remember.

I love how in this book Susan brought in more characters from her other series in this world to help Jack find not only his woman but also his friends women too when they were all kidnapped.

It's always bittersweet when a series wraps up. You've come to really like the characters and stories so you hate to see it end but yet you want that last remaining character to get his happily ever after too. In this case, it's time for Jack and April to finally admit their feelings for one another but the past is not yet done with Jack. This was a very enjoyable story not just because April and Jack finally got together. I liked how Susan Stoker brought in all of her characters from previous series. Having everyone from all of these other series as friends that Jack could call in for help was a great addition to the storyline especially for those fans who have read all of her books. And if you haven't yet read Susan's other books, what are you waiting for????

This is third person. I’m really not of a fan of this writing style so it kinda turned me off

What can I say about this story? I felt it was really rushed. I wish we could have a bigger build up on their relationship with her memories being gone then maybe some time for us to know them as a couple before we got into the drama of the plot. I get that’s it a book but it felt so rushed and unrealistic and I didn’t care for that. I feel like if we got the chance to see her fall in love with Jackson without her memories, we could have fell in love with her. I haven’t read the other books but you get a lot of context clues on the other couples relationships so it works out.

I felt the pacing was off. Like I said it felt rushed to get to the plot and even at the plot I was like eh.

This was my first book by the author. I am not in a rush to pick up another. 2/5 stars for me.

The Lumberjack is the fourth and final book in the Game of Chance series and while I did read it as a standalone I don't think I got the full effect and would have benefitted from reading previous stories. Jack and April's connection felt rushed and incomplete to me but it seems this was probably played out across the series.

Overall I'm always a fan of 'reverse' age gaps (she's 46, he's 39 but his age is only finally mentioned right at the very end) though in this instance, it was a minor plot point. The two main characters here choose to remain childfree, though there's an outrageous number of 'nieces' and 'nephews' from their friends which feature in a not-at-all-satisfying epilogue, and there are some really nice touches like when Jack rushes out of his house in the middle of the night to get to April, only to discover he's just in his underwear. Oh, and April is the architect of the women's rescue - so they don't really need all those pesky special forces men!

On the downside, the story is, as expected, incredibly, unbelievably, far-fetched, the baddie is a borderline racist caricature that shows little imagination has been spent on developing the idea of a terrorist, and while the men dote on 'their women', their obsessive possessiveness is the wrong side of fun and bookishly weird - these guys just don't want 'their women' to go out and have fun without them.

So a mixed bag. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. If you like a bit of melodrama and enjoy the whole 'US special forces boys are the best' vibe then you might like it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the published for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

Book 4 in the Game of Chances Series, The Lumberjack is Jack (JJ) and April’s love story, accelerated or pushed along after April is in a car accident, sending JJ into a panic and realization that life is short, and he needs to stop holding back.

While the story includes JJ and April finally coming to their senses after 5 years of knowing each other, working together and wanting each other but not taking the chance for many reasons, it encompasses all four men who are friends, ex-military who served together and were POW’s and their wives.

All couples are in danger when someone from the men’s past wants revenge, even if his logic for who to take that revenge out on is a little twisted.

This story showcases the strong bonds between the 4 men, the strong, smart women they love as they all work together to survive. The epilogue, set 10yrs later encapsulates all 4 couples not just April & JJ, giving a wrap up to the series as a whole.

If you have not read the first 3 books, that’s ok, there are snippets shared of the other couples' stories, although the epilogue no doubt has a lot more meaning and impact and likely draws more of an emotional response for those who have read the other books in the series, for me it fell a little flat.

There is a bit of repetition in the telling of the story (characters traits, what they like, why they held back, how they know each other), and the epilogue, but overall, an easy read that will have you wanting to know how all the action will shake out, how good will overcome a crazed adversary.

I wish I would’ve read the first there books before this one, but I’m planning on doing that next! Always love a protective MMC, one who would burn the world to save his woman.

Jackson and April’s love story was my first into to this Game of Chance series, but it was still a great intro. April has a tragic car accident where she wakes up with amnesia and can’t recall anything from the past 5 years of her life. She doesn’t know why, but she feels this draw and sense of safety with her boss, Jackson. As they kindle their relationship, they, alone with their group of friends, face someone from their past who is seeking revenge.

I think the story was pretty good overall. Having not read the previous 3 books in the series, I still felt I had a good grasp on all the characters and the dynamics. I did feel the timeline of April and Jackson getting together was rushed and unrealistic, especially because she did not remember the past, but this might have been set up more in the previous books. It was cute to see how loving and protective Jackson was over April, even though he is this rough and tough veteran who has gone through some tragic experiences. Overall, this was a cute story about them finding each other with a suspenseful twist that I did not see coming.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lumberjack is the long-awaited story of JJ and April, who we've seen glimpses from the series' previous books.

The story picks up where April got into an accident and she wakes up with no memory of what happened. This accident wakes JJ up to the fact that time is short and he shouldn't have waited so long to claim April as his girl.

Wanting to take care of April and keep her safe, JJ takes April to his house and makes sure she's comfortable and taken care of. April, on the other hand, wants to regain her memories quickly after hearing from all their friends that she and JJ were never a couple.

There's also a thriller/suspense aspect to the story where a character wants to get revenge on JJ and his friend group. We get his POV scattered throughout the book as he plots his revenge.

I loved that JJ and April finally have their story and we get front-row seats to how their love unfolds. I also loved that we get cameos of everyone in the series so far and how tight-knit the friend group is.

I rated The Lumberjack 3/5 stars because I think that JJ and April's story felt a little rushed. The revenge plot took over most of the book and it was more planning to save lives rather than a deep love story.

Overall, still great storytelling and I recommend this to anyone who's been waiting on JJ and April's story!

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.