The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on December 8, 2015 (currently free at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.11 with 11, 988 ratings and 1,046 reviews
Protecting Caroline by Susan Stoker Series: Seal of Protection #1
on September 1, 2014
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 281
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Matthew “Wolf” Steel hated flying commercial. Luckily his job as a Navy SEAL meant he didn’t have to do it very often. He’d been unlucky enough to be assigned a middle seat on the cramped jet, but fortunately for him, the woman next to him was willing to switch seats with him. Hoping for a relaxing flight, Wolf was pleasantly surprised at the good conversation and sense of humor the woman had as they flew 36,000 feet over the countryside.
When Caroline boarded the plane to Virginia to move across the country for her new job she never expected to be seated next to the hottest guy she’d ever seen. She also never expected he’d be so easy to talk to. She knew he’d never be interested in talking to her if he hadn’t been trapped in the seat next to her, but it was a nice way to spend a long plane ride.
Neither Wolf nor Caroline were prepared for a terrorist hijacking of their plane, but if Caroline thought that would be the last time she’d see, or need, Wolf, she’d be sorely mistaken.
So I decided to start reading some of my romantic suspense books, particularly one with a SEAL. I enjoy the action involved in a military romance. Protecting Caroline did a pretty good job with the action but I expected a SEAL team to be a bit more capable. Probably since they were on leave between missions, and in the US instead of overseas made it more difficult.
The main characters in the couple just fell flat for me. I didn’t find them very realistic. Caroline constantly described herself as plain and not attractive or noticed by men. I got tired of that right away. Of course, Matthew saw her as smart and interesting and thought she was attractive, a little bit too insta. Most of the SEAL team guys were horn dogs but Matthew was over that phase and wanted what his parents have.
The initial action scenes were pretty good but some of the character’s personal thoughts were not as smart and strategic as I might prefer. But the action scenes were better than most of the personal scenes. Caroline and Matthew did get to spend some nice time together before people were after her again.
I think this might have been one of the author’s earliest books and since I have more of her work I should try some of her later books. Too many aspects seemed cliche for SEALs and their relationships and missions.
These are only Kindle freebies I get, or ones through author newsletters which anyone can sign up and get for free. I don’t include things like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Free Reading (I do have it). Both Tantor and Audible have occasional free audios (to anyone) and I do include those. Since I one-click on 1-2 freebies a day or probably at least 5 a week, I came up with this feature to make sure I start reading them.
So I encourage you to join the Thrifty Thursday Challenge someday and read some of your freebies. For now, what I think would be fun is if you have read and reviewed a freebie, link up to your review (Goodreads, blog, facebook or wherever) below.
Add your review link here:
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I own a copy of this one. After reading you review I have second thoughts about reading it.
Well I am going to read more in the series. You might like the couple and I didn’t dislike them, it just didn’t have the intelligence I wanted, if that makes sense. I have this problem with some romances not having complex enough or realistic enough plots but that does not mean it is a bad book or won’t be enjoyable to read.
I DNF’d a book by this author because the writing and romance was not good. After seeing your review I probably wouldn’t give her a second try. Sorry to hear it didn’t work out.
Well it wasn’t a 1 heart. But it didn’t do much for me. I’m going to try one more since I have more as freebies and other people seem to rate them highly. This might have been one of her first books?
Sorry this one fell short for you Anne.
I think it might be one of her earlier books or because it’s the first in this series. I’m going to try some of her other ones I have.