Securing Kalee
By Susan Stoker
Release Date: September 22, 2020
Ebook Available from WV Reads!
3.5 Stars - An exciting final entry in Stoker's SEAL series, one I jump around in and can be read as standalones. Stoker changes up her usual formula a bit while staying true to form. Here a determined hero rescues a spirited heroine in more ways than one.
Kalee is one of Stoker's heroines that she really put through hell. She comes out reasonably traumatized. But her attitiude is actually tolerable and her outlook reasonable. Strong but not ridiculously motivated like some damaged heroines. Phantom I didn't expect to like as much as I did. But he instantly stands up for Kalee and is perfectly supportive. He sacrificed a lot to be with her and do the right thing. And I found it refreshing that their attraction wasn't super physical. This was actually a slightly less steamy entry.
Plot wise, I think Stoker could have handled Mona better. This was almost like two different books with the first half being a rescue and the second being a stalker story. But somehow, it worked. The problem was that Mona's appearance felt so random that I was confused. That may have been intentional but it could have used some foreshadowing. One aspect I found really intriguing was that for a change, this novel was all about the hero and the heroine and their relationship. Usually with Stoker we have to revisit everyone in the series and sometimes the romance takes a backseat to the bromance. There's still some of that. But this time, Phantom was standing on his own two feet and the team wasn't a big, huge and perfect family the whole time. I think that honestly made me like it more and added a touch of realism, though I'm sure it disappointed a few devoted Stoker fans.
(NS)
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