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vansbookshelf's Reviews (748)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Publish date: August 12, 2025
Britt Starkweather is down on her luck after following her ex to a small town in Maine and being left alone and broke. She's been sleeping in her car and doing her best to get a job, when she meets Chad Young. Having decided to move back home to Maine after his father's passing, Chad keeps busy helping his mom take care of the family businesses until his brothers move back home as well. So when he meets Britt, he offers her a job to help take a load off his mother's back. What neither of them expected was to fall for each other.
The Soldier was an easy, quick read, a book that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. It's the first book in a new series, but it has its own resolution. Set in a small town in Maine, I love that we got to know a bit more about the other characters who will be making an appearance down the line. Chad's morals and loyalty to his family and loved ones was something I really enjoyed, as well as Britt's self-reliance while also keeping an open heart. Their ability and desire to be vulnerable with each other was endearing.
My favorite character was Evelyn, Chad's mom. She's a hoot!
The mystery for me was lacking a little, as it was clear from the beginning who the villain was, but that didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series, and I'm definitely going to be working my way through Susan Stoker's backlist.
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, and Susan Stoker for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Britt Starkweather is down on her luck after following her ex to a small town in Maine and being left alone and broke. She's been sleeping in her car and doing her best to get a job, when she meets Chad Young. Having decided to move back home to Maine after his father's passing, Chad keeps busy helping his mom take care of the family businesses until his brothers move back home as well. So when he meets Britt, he offers her a job to help take a load off his mother's back. What neither of them expected was to fall for each other.
The Soldier was an easy, quick read, a book that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. It's the first book in a new series, but it has its own resolution. Set in a small town in Maine, I love that we got to know a bit more about the other characters who will be making an appearance down the line. Chad's morals and loyalty to his family and loved ones was something I really enjoyed, as well as Britt's self-reliance while also keeping an open heart. Their ability and desire to be vulnerable with each other was endearing.
My favorite character was Evelyn, Chad's mom. She's a hoot!
The mystery for me was lacking a little, as it was clear from the beginning who the villain was, but that didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series, and I'm definitely going to be working my way through Susan Stoker's backlist.
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, and Susan Stoker for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In The Situation Ship, we follow popstar Poppy Roe as she embarks on a cruise after her aunt's death. She's closely followed by detective Isaiah Rivers, who is suspicious of Poppy due to her proximity to several deaths of people related to her in one way or another in the past few months. Once they get on the ship, death continues following Poppy, and she turns to Isaiah not only for protection but also to solve the mystery of who's trying to harm her.
Funny and lighthearted, despite all the murders, The Situation Ship was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed Poppy's strong character and determination to take control of her own life, and Isaiah's loyalty to what he considers right and wrong.
I'm more used to books that rely heavily on emotions and deep conversations, and while The Situation Ship has its moments, I found the connection between the Poppy and Isaiah lacking some depth. Given the genre of the book and the pacing of the story, however, it made sense.
The twist at the end was good, and I only guessed half of it, which made the ending thoroughly enjoyable. All in all, The Situation Ship was fun, and kept me engaged with the story and wanting to get to the end to see what happened.
I'm definitely coming back and reading more books by Kate Callaghan.
In The Situation Ship, we follow popstar Poppy Roe as she embarks on a cruise after her aunt's death. She's closely followed by detective Isaiah Rivers, who is suspicious of Poppy due to her proximity to several deaths of people related to her in one way or another in the past few months. Once they get on the ship, death continues following Poppy, and she turns to Isaiah not only for protection but also to solve the mystery of who's trying to harm her.
Funny and lighthearted, despite all the murders, The Situation Ship was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed Poppy's strong character and determination to take control of her own life, and Isaiah's loyalty to what he considers right and wrong.
I'm more used to books that rely heavily on emotions and deep conversations, and while The Situation Ship has its moments, I found the connection between the Poppy and Isaiah lacking some depth. Given the genre of the book and the pacing of the story, however, it made sense.
The twist at the end was good, and I only guessed half of it, which made the ending thoroughly enjoyable. All in all, The Situation Ship was fun, and kept me engaged with the story and wanting to get to the end to see what happened.
I'm definitely coming back and reading more books by Kate Callaghan.
