Despite the unrealistic depiction of men - I'd love to meet a man like hers for sure - I love these stories. April and Jack didn't disappoint. I've been waiting for their story since I read the first book. Lots of action and drama.

Oh how I wished this book did it for me, but unfortunately it did nothing. I ended up skimming through several pages at a time.
I couldn’t completely be convinced that based on a feeling she had while having amnesia she decides to get discharged and lives with him to recover. I’ve never had amnesia before so what the heck do I know. Maybe I would feel that way with my husband.
Half the book was more tip toeing around their feelings and I don’t hate consent but when he asks every other encounter, I got pulled out of the story and got frustrated. Almost every conversation was the exact same. I would skim several paragraphs and they were rehashing the same conversation.

The book definitely picked up on the suspense about 60% in for me. The villain wasn’t completely believable for me but he was fine. Misplaced hatred fueled his story line. I wish there was more of that suspense in the book because that was the most satisfying part of the book for me. Then it ended too quickly for me.

Reading the 4/5 star reviews I can see why they found the appeal, and I really wished I could have had the same experience but it just wasn’t it for me.

Thrilling story which feels like an awesome conclusion to the series. Brought all the characters to life in the present and future and was very heartfelt.

A mesmerizing romance that seamlessly blends passion and tenderness. The drama kept me engaged, and the characters felt incredibly real. An absolute gem!

I really enjoy Susan Stoker's writing, so I think this was a miss for me in part because I had not read the prior books in this series. There was a significant backstory that I felt I was missing, and since the heroine had amnesia, I felt very sympathetic to her. I, too, felt like I was suffering from amnesia, because I had no idea who anyone was or what their relationships were to each other.

That being said, I decided to still try reading and reviewing, because I think the weirdest part for me had nothing to do with whether or not I had read the previous book. The FMC just had a terrible car accident and has no recollection of anything within the last five years. The MMC has been in love with her for a while, but he's never had the courage to say anything, even though he believes she feels the same way. He takes her back to his home to recover, and they are on each other so fast, I got whiplash. It really made very little sense when you take into consideration that she is still injured and has no clue who this guy is. But it's passed off as fine, because she feels safe around him.

I don't know about you all, but if I got amnesia and a guy took me back to his place, I don't think I would fall so easily into his bed. I might *want* to, but I don't think I would given the circumstances. I think the author was banking on the relationship set up in the prior books to make it seem natural to readers, but I don't think it was written in a natural way at all.

I would still recommend her books, but this may just be an author who writes series in a way where you absolutely need to read them in order. So bear that in mind.

Jackson “JJ” Justice is an ex-soldier who now owns a successful lumberjack business with his teammates. April Hoffman is the receptionist at Jack’s Lumber but is also a huge part of why the business is so successful. The story begins after April is in a near fatal car accident and now has amnesia from a head injury. This prompts Jack to finally admit his feelings for her. But an enemy from JJ’s past may put all of that in jeopardy.

The Lumberjack is the fourth book in the Game of Chance series. It is a romantic suspense that’ll give you all the feels and keep you on the edge of your seat. It could be read as a stand alone but is best read as part of the series. And if you’ve read other books by Susan Stoker, you may get a glimpse of some of your favorite hero’s from other series.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ARC copy of The Lumberjack in exchange for my honest review.

Finally, JJ and April's story- we have been watching them love each other from afar over the series so it's nice to finally get a HEA. I love the fact that there was such a mix of love and suspense and the last third of the story made it really difficult for me to put the book down. That said, the initial part of the story, as April regained her memory and JJ tried to help her, was a little too sweet and a little bit slow. It all paid off because the set up led to a fantastic end of the story where all the characters from over the series (and others) really showed their strength and how the persevere over evil. A great story that did a great job finishing up the series!

I've enjoyed The Game of Chance series and was glad for April and Jackson to have their time. I suppose it could be read as a standalone but feel the reader would lose the depth of the relationships and how the couple and group of friends have grown together. The drama and suspense was intriguing. I especially appreciated the epilogue and was left feeling heart warmed and hopeful.

Omg, I'm a huge fan of this author and I absolutely loved this book! Thanks Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC

After an accident, April is put in the position where she is relying on those in her life she doesn’t fully remember.

Jack’s life has been plagued by loss and hardship. April moved to Newtown in the hopes of starting a new life after being in an unfulfilling marriage. Forced proximity stirs up feelings between April and Jack, both afraid of making a move at the risk of losing the other. With April and Jack constantly denying their attraction and feelings for each other makes their tension even stronger and more satisfying.

After Jack almost loses April (what he fears most), he shows how much he can’t live without her and gives her the attention and affection she deserves.

“Not seeing you every day would slowly kill me.”

I’m an absolute sucker for a protective mmc, and Jack is so caring and so obsessed with April, it makes me giddy.

“I’d do anything to make the woman I loved happy.”

Seeing Jack and April slowly develop their relationship was sweet, and Jack was so respectful of April and her memories returning. The suspense was great, making eager to read more! I liked that April was older than Jack, it’s definitely not something we see often, but Susan wrote this age gap brilliantly!

There's nothing sexier than a lumberjack and nothing braver than a veteran and Susan Stoker showcases both-in-one in the beautiful story of The Lumberjack. A man who has been burned by loss and a woman who only wants to warm his heart leads to a forced proximity, workplace romance filled with emotional poignancy, colorful characters, and vivid storytelling. A romance is brought to the ground against the backdrop of a luscious setting and I felt immediately transported to this little town when immersed in the chapters of this book. Look forward to more releases from this author in the future!

Jack and April have always been attracted to each other, but when April is hurt, they finally act on their attraction. When trouble comes to the the families of Jack's Lumber, they will do everything necessary to save those they love. This was an amazing wrap up of this series. I loved how Susan Stoker brought in characters from her other beloved series.

No he leído los libros anteriores y no es necesario para entender The lumberjack.



Cuando se conocieron ella estaba recién divorciada, él había regresado del ejército y no estaba en un buen lugar; trabajaban juntos y se sintieron atraídos, sin embargo, a ella le daba miedo la diferencia de edad (es mayor que él) y él no se atrevió a cruzar la línea por miedo a alejarla. Durante años escondieron sus sentimientos y cuando April tiene un accidente y pierde la memoria de los últimos años y no recuerda a Jack, él se da cuenta que la vida es muy corta y que cuando recupere la memoria le declarará sus sentimientos.

El villano estaba bien loco, se quería vengar por algo que su hermano hizo. El hermano cometió un crimen y terminó recibiendo sus castigo, pero para el loco eso nunca debió pasar. ¿?




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Lumberjack, written by Susan Stoker, is the fourth and final title in the Game of Chance series.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance

Jack “J.J.” (MMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Former military, current lumberjack 😉

April (FMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Office manager of lumberjack company

These two characters have been circling each other for the past few years and have finally made their ways to each other. I loved how honest they both were with each from the very beginning, they both admitted to loving each other due to their shared past few years.

This book was a great way to end this series! The epilogue was perfect!! ❤️

Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

This is a fitting conclusion to an action packed series! There’s no slow down in the drama for our last couple, Jack and April. I loved watching them navigate her memory loss and how respectful Jack always was of April’s choices. If you’ve read the other books in this series, you’ll love those couples’ time on the pages of this book. In fact, not only do we get to see the men go scorched earth, the ladies have their own parts to play in the final showdown. But the epilogue may be my favorite part! Such a wonderful peek into the future of each couple.

I couldn't wait to read April and JJ's story. There had been a build up to their romance in the previous books and the cliff hanger at the end of the last book made this a must read. I like workplace romance and amnesia tropes so this appealed to me. There was some telling rather than showing but I enjoyed the journey with JJ and April. I wasn't completely sold on the young villain. The number of people involved in the rescue at the end and to take down one person was really over the top. It was exciting nonetheless. A good end to a fab series..

No matter how many times I plan to "never read Susan Stoker again," I just get sucked back in. I think the trick is making your peace with the fact that the romance part is going to be uber treacly and then hope for decent suspense. Something else that drew me to this book was that I read the first two (missed the third) and found them mostly charming, and I wanted to see how the series would end.

So the series follows four former Deltas who survived being POWs and moved together to Maine to start a lumberjack business. Each meets his match. The heroine of this novel, April, has been around since book 1, and she and JJ/Jack have thrown sparks all that time. But "he's my boss and I'm older" on her part and "what if she doesn't feel the same" on his kept them apart.

I'm not a fan of age gap regardless of who is May and who is December, and I almost passed as a result. In the end, it was rather a nonissue in this novel. It did bug me that I didn't know (or at least remember) how old Jack was until the last chapter, so I'll freely pass that info on. He's 39 to her 46, so not so incredibly gappy after all. Anyway, Jack wises up after nearly losing April to an accident, and they quickly move into "you are perfect, even your flaws are adorable, I will battle a million velociraptors for you" (okay, so I made that last part up, but you know what I mean) mode.

Fortunately the suspense finally kicked in. The bad guy is appropriate for the series finale even if I didn't find him to be too believable, and unlike with a lot of treacly romantic suspense, the drama isn't over too quickly. The women get to be as strong as the men, and fans of other Stoker series will be thrilled to see a bunch of familiar faces pitching in. And a novella-length epilogue wraps things up for all four couples. I was a little annoyed when I saw how long it was, but in the end found it satisfying.

As fourth and last in a series, it's not precisely a standalone, though you can probably do okay even without the other books. But the four couples are really best buddies, and reading the series in its entirety is probably a good idea.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A nice end and round up to the series. The story followed the basic formula, problems arise, feelings are discovered and resolved, all happy joy joy and then POW, new problem. Heroes to the rescue. It was terrific to see the Mountain Mercenaries, Silverstone Towing and Ace Security join the fray. And we can't forget Tex! I enjoyed the reference to the Refuge and Eagle Point Search & Rescue, though fleeting. I love that Ms. Stoker, at the end of each series (and I like that the series all have a beginning, a middle and an end), gives the reader a roundup of the couples. Sometimes at a point in time and sometimes over a range of time periods.

As always, I'd recommend this (and all) of the series and look forward to the next one(s).

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC “The Lumberjack” by Susan Stoker in exchange for my honest review.

The Lumberjack is the fourth book in the Game of Chance series. I originally came across this series from a book recommendation. I’ve read the other 3 books and was so excited to get a chance to read this one early! The series follows 4 friends who were POWs and played rock paper scissors to pick a place to settle and job for after they’re rescued. The Lumberjack is the slow burn love story of Jackson Justice “JJ” and April Hoffman.

I’ve found the series to entertaining, captivating, and full of suspense. I highly recommend you read the Game of Chance series…you won’t be disappointed!!!

Thank you to net galley for an ARC of The Lumberjack by Susan Stoker. I have been looking forward about April and JJ! April was in a car accident that caused her temporary amnesia. JJ was so distraught that April could've died, he decides that its time they acknowledge their feelings. Without giving too much away, I loved the closure of this story and how Susan tied all of the guys and their women, together. The Lumberjack was a captivating read with suspense, mystery, a touch of thriller, romance, adventure, and comedy.