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Skylark
Being the first female Navy SEAL is no easy job, but someone's got to dismantle the patriarchy. Rachel Ryker, call sign ‘Skylark,’ can out run and out gun just about anybody, and with her second in command, Christopher Williams, by her side, she’s practically unstoppable. Christopher would follow Rachel to hell and back… or maybe just to the Middle East. When a top-secret malware code is stolen from the CIA, Rachel and Christopher lead their SEAL team through the Middle East in an attempt to recover it.
They both have their own reasons for fighting, but as the team gets closer to finding the stolen malware, Rachel discovers that the man they're looking for may be closer to her than she thinks. Will Rachel’s obsession with completing their mission override her common sense and causes her to lose sight of what is really important- keeping women and children safe from the oppressive patriarchy they are all living in?
With secrets, pride, and a strict no fraternization policy keeping them apart, falling in love would mean sacrificing everything Rachel and Christopher have worked for. But when Rachel gets injured in combat, everything changes. Now Rachel will have to choose: does her devotion to the Navy outweigh her love for Christopher?
They both have their own reasons for fighting, but as the team gets closer to finding the stolen malware, Rachel discovers that the man they're looking for may be closer to her than she thinks. Will Rachel’s obsession with completing their mission override her common sense and causes her to lose sight of what is really important- keeping women and children safe from the oppressive patriarchy they are all living in?
With secrets, pride, and a strict no fraternization policy keeping them apart, falling in love would mean sacrificing everything Rachel and Christopher have worked for. But when Rachel gets injured in combat, everything changes. Now Rachel will have to choose: does her devotion to the Navy outweigh her love for Christopher?
Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
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49 people want to read
About the author
Megan Michelle
8 books22 followersMegan Michelle writes dark romance for the fearless women who are ready to reclaim their power and confront the shadows of their past.
Her stories blend the raw emotions of military life, the strength of feminism, and the passion of forbidden love, all while guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Through dark romance, she explores the complexity of love, power, and identity. Her stories invite you to dive deep into the hearts of women who don’t just survive—they thrive, reclaiming their power and rewriting their stories on their own terms.
Her stories blend the raw emotions of military life, the strength of feminism, and the passion of forbidden love, all while guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Through dark romance, she explores the complexity of love, power, and identity. Her stories invite you to dive deep into the hearts of women who don’t just survive—they thrive, reclaiming their power and rewriting their stories on their own terms.
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August 13, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
SKYLARK (The SEAL Saga Book #1) by Megan Michelle is a Special Units Navy SEAL action war thriller/romance mash-up featuring the first female SEAL and her team. This is the first book in the proposed series, and I was surprised that it is this author’s debut book.
Navy Commander Rachel Ryker and her ten-man team are exceptional at their jobs and every man on her team respects their female leader. She is especially close with her second in command Lt. Commander Christopher Williams who attended BUDs with her ten years previously, and while there is plenty of sexual tension and chemistry, neither is willing to break the regulation against fraternization.
Rachel and her SEAL team are assigned an undercover mission in Afghanistan to recover a USB with top secret malware in the possession of an Al Qaeda leader. Rachel always hates returning to Afghanistan due to her hatred of the extreme patriarchal system under the Taliban, but to find her quarry, she must blend in and befriend the women of the local mosque. What Rachel does not know is that there is more going on regarding their mission, and they are about to uncover an international plot that could get them all killed.
This is an exciting, fast-paced military action story that kept me turning the pages as Rachel and her team fight their way through terrorists in the Middle East and at home. The descriptions of operations and combat were well plotted and contained vivid descriptions. Rachel’s steadfast belief in women’s rights and equality was front and center in this story. Her family life was sad, and it made it even more important for her to have her chosen family in her team and to help others in bad situations. The slow burn romance between Rachel and Christopher was believable and hot. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises throughout.
I highly recommend this gripping genre mash-up and look forward to the next book in the series!
RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded up)
SKYLARK (The SEAL Saga Book #1) by Megan Michelle is a Special Units Navy SEAL action war thriller/romance mash-up featuring the first female SEAL and her team. This is the first book in the proposed series, and I was surprised that it is this author’s debut book.
Navy Commander Rachel Ryker and her ten-man team are exceptional at their jobs and every man on her team respects their female leader. She is especially close with her second in command Lt. Commander Christopher Williams who attended BUDs with her ten years previously, and while there is plenty of sexual tension and chemistry, neither is willing to break the regulation against fraternization.
Rachel and her SEAL team are assigned an undercover mission in Afghanistan to recover a USB with top secret malware in the possession of an Al Qaeda leader. Rachel always hates returning to Afghanistan due to her hatred of the extreme patriarchal system under the Taliban, but to find her quarry, she must blend in and befriend the women of the local mosque. What Rachel does not know is that there is more going on regarding their mission, and they are about to uncover an international plot that could get them all killed.
This is an exciting, fast-paced military action story that kept me turning the pages as Rachel and her team fight their way through terrorists in the Middle East and at home. The descriptions of operations and combat were well plotted and contained vivid descriptions. Rachel’s steadfast belief in women’s rights and equality was front and center in this story. Her family life was sad, and it made it even more important for her to have her chosen family in her team and to help others in bad situations. The slow burn romance between Rachel and Christopher was believable and hot. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises throughout.
I highly recommend this gripping genre mash-up and look forward to the next book in the series!
RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded up)
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March 18, 2025MWSA Review
Readers of action thrillers will appreciate Skylark: The SEAL Saga Book One, although they will encounter variations in this example of the genre. Contemporary popular culture features many smart, beautiful, female soldiers, detectives, and spies; but in this long novel Megan Mitchell gives more space than most authors to the emotional and psychological complexity of these figures.
The work begins with a mission undertaken by a team of Navy Seals, ten men led by one woman, Navy Commander Rachel Ryker. They have served together on a number of missions, each has a specialty, and all are very good at what they do. The men's respect for their commanding officer is deep; so the social dynamics of this group is the reversal of a traditional patriarchal society.
In much of Western history a few men have been at the top of the social pyramid, and other men and all women form the base. Skylark's inversion of that structure makes sense in several ways. Rachel is driven by a hatred of patriarchy. Having always felt she had to excel beyond all others in training and performance simply to pursue her career, she resents the system that puts roadblocks based on gender in her path. A mission to find terrorists working in Afghanistan gives her an opportunity to help women subjugated by the Taliban at the same time she attacks men identified as enemies to America.
There is plenty of action in the novel, hand-to-hand as well as with multiple weapons; and readers feel the tension about the mission's outcome. However, beneath the surface of this drama we suspect are forces from Rachel's past that will be revealed later in the novel. One derives from Rachel’s growing up within a conventional patriarchal social order in which she found reasons to rebel and resist the roles she was pressed to accept. She also begins to be more aware of the similarities of social structures around the globe; so her battles occur at home and abroad.
The conventional dynamics of this kind of service is always present. Rachel and her team must deal with the guilt and sorrow at having to take human lives but remain conscious of the necessity and benefits of success. For some the result is PTSD and therapy; for all, it is drink, physical exertion, and casual sex. The alternation of intense military action and intense recreational outlet derives from the conventional trope that if you take on the role of a Navy SEAL (or other law-enforcement professional at the highest level), a conventional life of romance, marriage, family, and community is impossible. Yet many who take on this role come from conventional backgrounds and, to different degrees, want to return to it. How their drive to be warriors can be reconciled with other fundamental needs is hard to anticipate, especially when this is the first in a novel series.
The central romantic tension of the story involves Rachel and Lt. Commander Christopher Williams who have strong feelings for each other as friends and fellow soldiers; but their physical and emotional desire to be with each other is consciously subdued and controlled as against regulation and destructive of their professional identity. Still, we sense early on this balance is probably unsustainable.
A trigger for these conflicts to come out into the open is memories of an earlier mission about which readers know no more than that it had occurred. We suspect, of course, that the details will rise to the surface in Rachel and Christopher’s consciousness and to the forefront of the narrative eventually. It’s almost impossible to imagine a resolution to these professional and personal dilemmas, but that motivates us to read to the end.
The novel's fifty-seven chapters are divided into three parts (Duty, Valor, Honor); and the author skillfully guides readers’ interest through each with a separate set of issues, all coming together by the end in the uncovering of clandestine international dealing.
The central characters’ grappling with emotions is not a once-and-done deal. They wrestle with desire and regret but put them into the background of their consciousness so they can pursue their duties; but they come back to it, sometimes simply rehashing the same questions and doubts. Over time, however, there is realistic movement forward.
This vacillation is a strength of the novel, as we all return to fundamental challenges in our life time after time. The high physical demands of their SEAL life and the potentially horrific consequences of failure remind us that their professional actions are not a lark. But neither are the current battles to maintain personal integrity and a sense of self-worth in the tradition of patriotic service.
Review by Michael Lund (March 2025)
Readers of action thrillers will appreciate Skylark: The SEAL Saga Book One, although they will encounter variations in this example of the genre. Contemporary popular culture features many smart, beautiful, female soldiers, detectives, and spies; but in this long novel Megan Mitchell gives more space than most authors to the emotional and psychological complexity of these figures.
The work begins with a mission undertaken by a team of Navy Seals, ten men led by one woman, Navy Commander Rachel Ryker. They have served together on a number of missions, each has a specialty, and all are very good at what they do. The men's respect for their commanding officer is deep; so the social dynamics of this group is the reversal of a traditional patriarchal society.
In much of Western history a few men have been at the top of the social pyramid, and other men and all women form the base. Skylark's inversion of that structure makes sense in several ways. Rachel is driven by a hatred of patriarchy. Having always felt she had to excel beyond all others in training and performance simply to pursue her career, she resents the system that puts roadblocks based on gender in her path. A mission to find terrorists working in Afghanistan gives her an opportunity to help women subjugated by the Taliban at the same time she attacks men identified as enemies to America.
There is plenty of action in the novel, hand-to-hand as well as with multiple weapons; and readers feel the tension about the mission's outcome. However, beneath the surface of this drama we suspect are forces from Rachel's past that will be revealed later in the novel. One derives from Rachel’s growing up within a conventional patriarchal social order in which she found reasons to rebel and resist the roles she was pressed to accept. She also begins to be more aware of the similarities of social structures around the globe; so her battles occur at home and abroad.
The conventional dynamics of this kind of service is always present. Rachel and her team must deal with the guilt and sorrow at having to take human lives but remain conscious of the necessity and benefits of success. For some the result is PTSD and therapy; for all, it is drink, physical exertion, and casual sex. The alternation of intense military action and intense recreational outlet derives from the conventional trope that if you take on the role of a Navy SEAL (or other law-enforcement professional at the highest level), a conventional life of romance, marriage, family, and community is impossible. Yet many who take on this role come from conventional backgrounds and, to different degrees, want to return to it. How their drive to be warriors can be reconciled with other fundamental needs is hard to anticipate, especially when this is the first in a novel series.
The central romantic tension of the story involves Rachel and Lt. Commander Christopher Williams who have strong feelings for each other as friends and fellow soldiers; but their physical and emotional desire to be with each other is consciously subdued and controlled as against regulation and destructive of their professional identity. Still, we sense early on this balance is probably unsustainable.
A trigger for these conflicts to come out into the open is memories of an earlier mission about which readers know no more than that it had occurred. We suspect, of course, that the details will rise to the surface in Rachel and Christopher’s consciousness and to the forefront of the narrative eventually. It’s almost impossible to imagine a resolution to these professional and personal dilemmas, but that motivates us to read to the end.
The novel's fifty-seven chapters are divided into three parts (Duty, Valor, Honor); and the author skillfully guides readers’ interest through each with a separate set of issues, all coming together by the end in the uncovering of clandestine international dealing.
The central characters’ grappling with emotions is not a once-and-done deal. They wrestle with desire and regret but put them into the background of their consciousness so they can pursue their duties; but they come back to it, sometimes simply rehashing the same questions and doubts. Over time, however, there is realistic movement forward.
This vacillation is a strength of the novel, as we all return to fundamental challenges in our life time after time. The high physical demands of their SEAL life and the potentially horrific consequences of failure remind us that their professional actions are not a lark. But neither are the current battles to maintain personal integrity and a sense of self-worth in the tradition of patriotic service.
Review by Michael Lund (March 2025)
December 10, 2024
Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and Megan Michelle for the ARC.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.75/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4.5/5
Overall 4.5/5
-To be honest I wasn’t too sure what to expect picking up this book. And I have to admit that I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I actually did. I forgot what it was about when I decided to read it so I kind of went tin blind and I was not disappointed. It’s a sort of contemporary world where war is quite a prominent aspect in the story. There are real life modern issues which are being addressed in a way. Minorities are being represented in this book and I really loved that about it. I have no idea what it’s like to live in the countries depicted in this book so I guess it opened my eyes a bit at the horrors of some modern day countries.
-I really loved the characters. A big found family between all of them and each character was really great to read about. The only issue is that I think since they were quite a big group, sometimes random names would pop up and I wouldn’t know the guy was until I realised he was part of the Indigo group but a more minor character. The only character I truly disliked was Rachel’s mother. Her brother was also something but her mom? Absolutely awful. Other than that, also loved the slow burn relationship between Rachel and Christopher. But weird because he has my father’s name.
-I really liked the way the book was divided and the final part of the injury and the recovery. I do wish they spoke more of their mission is Afghanistan writing that time because it kind of felt like it was different chapter so we focus solely on that when there’s still the main issue at hand, which does come back up at the very end. But in a way, there’s a sort of happy ending to this book and the unresolved issues and the epilogue keep me curious for a sequel.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.75/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4.5/5
Overall 4.5/5
-To be honest I wasn’t too sure what to expect picking up this book. And I have to admit that I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I actually did. I forgot what it was about when I decided to read it so I kind of went tin blind and I was not disappointed. It’s a sort of contemporary world where war is quite a prominent aspect in the story. There are real life modern issues which are being addressed in a way. Minorities are being represented in this book and I really loved that about it. I have no idea what it’s like to live in the countries depicted in this book so I guess it opened my eyes a bit at the horrors of some modern day countries.
-I really loved the characters. A big found family between all of them and each character was really great to read about. The only issue is that I think since they were quite a big group, sometimes random names would pop up and I wouldn’t know the guy was until I realised he was part of the Indigo group but a more minor character. The only character I truly disliked was Rachel’s mother. Her brother was also something but her mom? Absolutely awful. Other than that, also loved the slow burn relationship between Rachel and Christopher. But weird because he has my father’s name.
-I really liked the way the book was divided and the final part of the injury and the recovery. I do wish they spoke more of their mission is Afghanistan writing that time because it kind of felt like it was different chapter so we focus solely on that when there’s still the main issue at hand, which does come back up at the very end. But in a way, there’s a sort of happy ending to this book and the unresolved issues and the epilogue keep me curious for a sequel.
November 27, 2024
I can't say enough good things about this book! Rachel is a strong female character not only physically but morally. She stands up for what she believes. Rachel is the first female Navy SEAL and commander of her team. Her team definitely gives 'found family' vibes and their trust in each other has no limits. There is some romantic tension between her and her second-in-command, but of course nothing is done with a no fraternization policy. On mission in Middle East there are connections built and people lost. There are twists and turns towards completing their mission. There is action, mystery, suspense, and a slow burn romance. I highly recommend this book full of adventure and female empowerment.
December 14, 2024
This is such a brilliant read.
Rachel is the first female Seal and is in command of a unit. They are trying to retrieve a code that has been stolen and this sends them to the middle east. But not everything is as it seems and they are in more danger than they think.
Rachel's team is her found family and they will anything for each other but can they all survive what is coming.
I loved the connection between Rachel and Christopher but relationships aren't allowed.
So many twists and turns with plenty of danger and suspense but also a great ending.
Can't wait for more.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Rachel is the first female Seal and is in command of a unit. They are trying to retrieve a code that has been stolen and this sends them to the middle east. But not everything is as it seems and they are in more danger than they think.
Rachel's team is her found family and they will anything for each other but can they all survive what is coming.
I loved the connection between Rachel and Christopher but relationships aren't allowed.
So many twists and turns with plenty of danger and suspense but also a great ending.
Can't wait for more.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
November 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this.
Rachel the first woman Navy SEAL, is fighting discrimination from within the system, and helping women and girls in a regime where they are treated like second class citizen with very little rights. Rachel is a kick ass.
Rachel the first woman Navy SEAL, is fighting discrimination from within the system, and helping women and girls in a regime where they are treated like second class citizen with very little rights. Rachel is a kick ass.
August 28, 2025
Gripping military action and slow-burn romance!
Skylark is the first book in author Megan Michelle’s new military action romance series, The SEAL Saga, and it is a gripping and addictive beginning. With its engaging main protagonists, well-defined secondary characters, intriguing storyline, and atmospheric settings, the book provided a cinematic reading experience that was nearly impossible to set aside.
Commander Rachel Ryker is the first female SEAL, and her team’s current assignment sends them back to Afghanistan in search of a dangerous and well-known but elusive terrorist, who has stolen secret malware that could destroy the power grid of any country it is deployed in, including the United States. As she and her close-knit group settle into their Khost safe house, her immediate role in their mission is to befriend the women at the local mosque, in hopes of gaining insight into the whereabouts of their target.Rachel is a strong woman, a strong leader, with strong opinions and an unwavering belief in herself and her ability to make a difference in the world. Her independent nature has created a complicated relationship with her family, particularly with her father, a high-ranking naval officer, to whom she has lied about her true position as a SEAL, believing he would interfere with her assignments. She has instead developed her own “family” of sorts, consisting of the men under her command. The team’s second-in-command, Lieutenant Commander Christopher Williams, is her best friend. Still, there is a palpable attraction between the two that they refuse to acknowledge, preferring to maintain their working relationship and career momentum, at least for now. The camaraderie among team members is great, and the author excels at clever yet natural-sounding repartee.
While the book is fairly lengthy for its type, coming in at over 450 pages, it is necessary as there is a lot of ground to cover, missions to set up, and relationships to establish. The author achieves this by weaving it all together in diverse ways as the story progresses, without relying on simple info-dumping. The descriptions of the settings are vibrant and lively, making even a shopping excursion come to life. Every step through Afghan society and every drive through town is laden with suspense as the characters never know where danger may be lurking. Action sequences are electric, well-choreographed, and easy to follow, at times with tragic consequences that kept me truly and emotionally invested. These characters quickly became more than words on a page, evolving into the people I felt I really knew.I recommend SKYLARK to readers of military action stories, especially those who enjoy a touch of slow-burn romance.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.
September 9, 2025
Megan Michelle's SKYLARK (The SEAL Saga Book #1) is a Special Units Navy SEAL action war thriller/romance novel about the first female SEAL and her team. This is the first book in the series.
As I began reading Skylark, I was hooked right away. The book opened with a fight scene that felt so real I could almost hear the punches land.
Rachel Ryker—“Skylark”—is introduced as a strong, smart, and fearless Navy SEAL, and I guessed that this was going to be an exciting ride. Rachel is not your usual action hero. She’s sharp, funny, and brave, but also very human. She faces prejudice and doubt from people who don’t believe women can lead, yet she pushes back every single time. I loved how she could be fierce in combat but also show vulnerability in her quiet moments. Secretly, I was jumping with joy that the hero is a woman!
What I enjoyed most was the bond Rachel shares with her team. Their teasing, their late-night pizza talks, and even their “Share and Care” sessions made me smile. These scenes gave me a break from the tension of war and reminded me that behind every mission, there are friendships holding people together. The plot centers on a stolen piece of malware that could destroy power grids and put entire nations at risk. While that sounds huge, what made it more gripping for me was how personal it became. Rachel has to prove herself not just on the battlefield but also against powerful men who want her to fail. It made me cheer for her even harder.
The author does a great job balancing action with emotion. The missions are described with so much detail that I felt like I was right there. But at the same time, the story slows down to let us see Rachel’s doubts, her hidden pain, and her compassion for others. That mix made the book feel alive. "Skylark" felt like more than just a military thriller—it’s the beginning of a journey with a heroine I want to keep following. It gave me fast-paced action, warm friendships, and a strong reminder that courage isn’t only about fighting enemies—it’s also about standing tall when the world doubts you. I’m excited to see where Rachel’s story goes next.
Hoping to read the next book in the series asap!!!!
As I began reading Skylark, I was hooked right away. The book opened with a fight scene that felt so real I could almost hear the punches land.
Rachel Ryker—“Skylark”—is introduced as a strong, smart, and fearless Navy SEAL, and I guessed that this was going to be an exciting ride. Rachel is not your usual action hero. She’s sharp, funny, and brave, but also very human. She faces prejudice and doubt from people who don’t believe women can lead, yet she pushes back every single time. I loved how she could be fierce in combat but also show vulnerability in her quiet moments. Secretly, I was jumping with joy that the hero is a woman!
What I enjoyed most was the bond Rachel shares with her team. Their teasing, their late-night pizza talks, and even their “Share and Care” sessions made me smile. These scenes gave me a break from the tension of war and reminded me that behind every mission, there are friendships holding people together. The plot centers on a stolen piece of malware that could destroy power grids and put entire nations at risk. While that sounds huge, what made it more gripping for me was how personal it became. Rachel has to prove herself not just on the battlefield but also against powerful men who want her to fail. It made me cheer for her even harder.
The author does a great job balancing action with emotion. The missions are described with so much detail that I felt like I was right there. But at the same time, the story slows down to let us see Rachel’s doubts, her hidden pain, and her compassion for others. That mix made the book feel alive. "Skylark" felt like more than just a military thriller—it’s the beginning of a journey with a heroine I want to keep following. It gave me fast-paced action, warm friendships, and a strong reminder that courage isn’t only about fighting enemies—it’s also about standing tall when the world doubts you. I’m excited to see where Rachel’s story goes next.
Hoping to read the next book in the series asap!!!!
November 19, 2025
Rachel Ryker is intense, brilliant, flawed, and ferociously driven, which makes her the kind of heroine I latch onto instantly. The blend of military realism, espionage stakes, and raw emotional conflict creates a story that feels grounded, gripping, and genuinely powerful. I loved how the narrative explores sexism within the military without turning Rachel into a caricature. She is human, stubborn, and trying to choose the right thing even when everything feels impossible.
Her dynamic with Christopher absolutely hooked me.
Their chemistry simmers under a strict no-fraternization rule, which makes every interaction feel sharper and more addictive. He supports her without overshadowing her, and their trust in each other is one of the strongest parts of the book. Readers looking for tension that feels earned and emotional payoff that actually hits will be obsessed.
By the time Rachel’s injury shifts everything they think they know about duty, sacrifice, and love, I was fully invested. Skylark is a high-intensity romance wrapped in danger, politics, and purpose, and it delivers on every level.
I’m already itching to see where the SEAL Saga goes next.
Her dynamic with Christopher absolutely hooked me.
Their chemistry simmers under a strict no-fraternization rule, which makes every interaction feel sharper and more addictive. He supports her without overshadowing her, and their trust in each other is one of the strongest parts of the book. Readers looking for tension that feels earned and emotional payoff that actually hits will be obsessed.
By the time Rachel’s injury shifts everything they think they know about duty, sacrifice, and love, I was fully invested. Skylark is a high-intensity romance wrapped in danger, politics, and purpose, and it delivers on every level.
I’m already itching to see where the SEAL Saga goes next.
November 12, 2024
A great story, great characters, and a hard look into "The Old Boys Club" thinking of the first woman Navy SEAL.
This story is deep, and it covers some situations that not all would agree upon, or be inclined to read about, but I found it to be a great story with wonderful characters, and SEAL team willing to do anything for each other to keep each other safe, and protect the innocent as best they can. There are a lot of challenges in this story for the main FMC, but she is strong, determined, and a bit on the crazy side when it comes to her beliefs. I found Rachel "Skylark" Ryker to be a great character and she is a great leader as well.
Not only are the men of the SEAL team strong, supportive and protective, but the other female characters in this story that the Indigo Team encounters are also strong and determined. There is tragedy, disillusionment, betrayal, and loyalty, strength, and determination in this story. I loved it and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
This was my first book by Megan Michelle, but I know it won't be my last.
This story is deep, and it covers some situations that not all would agree upon, or be inclined to read about, but I found it to be a great story with wonderful characters, and SEAL team willing to do anything for each other to keep each other safe, and protect the innocent as best they can. There are a lot of challenges in this story for the main FMC, but she is strong, determined, and a bit on the crazy side when it comes to her beliefs. I found Rachel "Skylark" Ryker to be a great character and she is a great leader as well.
Not only are the men of the SEAL team strong, supportive and protective, but the other female characters in this story that the Indigo Team encounters are also strong and determined. There is tragedy, disillusionment, betrayal, and loyalty, strength, and determination in this story. I loved it and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
This was my first book by Megan Michelle, but I know it won't be my last.
August 25, 2025
Skylark by Megan Michelle is book 1 of The SEAL Saga Series.
It is a fictional military thriller that follows Commander Rachel and her team of SEAL agents for a covert op in Afghanistan.
The main male character Christopher, call sign Hawk, is a part of Rachel (callsign Skylark's) team and her best friend. They have been working together multiple years and this book is a very very slow burn one.
This mission revolves around retrieving a stolen USB drive from a criminal named Saad Ayad. There, they face multile difficulties and conflicts.
The writing style of the book is absolutely amazing.
The author describes every scene, every situation descriptively and this is what I loved the most!
This book also explores Rachel's relations with her team, her family and her determination. We also get to know the different agents and things related to them. This has been an overall amazing read!
Definitely recommended to all reader besties that like romantic suspense and military thriller novels.
It is a fictional military thriller that follows Commander Rachel and her team of SEAL agents for a covert op in Afghanistan.
The main male character Christopher, call sign Hawk, is a part of Rachel (callsign Skylark's) team and her best friend. They have been working together multiple years and this book is a very very slow burn one.
This mission revolves around retrieving a stolen USB drive from a criminal named Saad Ayad. There, they face multile difficulties and conflicts.
The writing style of the book is absolutely amazing.
The author describes every scene, every situation descriptively and this is what I loved the most!
This book also explores Rachel's relations with her team, her family and her determination. We also get to know the different agents and things related to them. This has been an overall amazing read!
Definitely recommended to all reader besties that like romantic suspense and military thriller novels.
November 12, 2024
New ARC review is here and this one is for Skylark, the SEAL Saga Book 1 by @megan_michelle_storytelling
Reading this book was a personal challenge I set for myself as it is nothing like the usual books I read and I wanted to test myself.
Skylark has our favourite "everyone sees it but them" trope with both the FMC and MMC are both very strong, dedicated, loyal and driven individuals who just complements each other very effortlessly. Their journey to find the best version of themselves, within each other and their relationship towards friends was beautiful.
But this runs parallel to a more serious storyline of war, espionage, patriarchal biased environment, politics, violence and religion.
A very good book and easy to read.
Not recommended to those a bit more faint of heart or those who do not want to read the insults on their versions religions.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Reading this book was a personal challenge I set for myself as it is nothing like the usual books I read and I wanted to test myself.
Skylark has our favourite "everyone sees it but them" trope with both the FMC and MMC are both very strong, dedicated, loyal and driven individuals who just complements each other very effortlessly. Their journey to find the best version of themselves, within each other and their relationship towards friends was beautiful.
But this runs parallel to a more serious storyline of war, espionage, patriarchal biased environment, politics, violence and religion.
A very good book and easy to read.
Not recommended to those a bit more faint of heart or those who do not want to read the insults on their versions religions.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC.
October 30, 2025
As a Canadian I never looked to much into how the military/navy worked in the USA. This book was like a quick crash course in hierarchy, navy culture, and the culture of the towns/countries they are deployed in. Small things, like entering a Mosque with your right foot, and exiting with your left - kept me so engaged. I love how plot focused it was. Almost like a movie in my head. I could see it all so well!
The darker side, the struggle between morals and values while balancing the line of protecting one person or many. Protecting the SEAL team, and trying to protect the women in small towns in Afghanistan or other places in the Middle East, the women who have no power or autonomy. Rachel and her team do all this while attempting to accomplish their main mission of capturing dangerous individuals.
What an enthralling story! The turmoil at the end was devastating, but so dang interesting. I am very much looking forward to book 2!
The darker side, the struggle between morals and values while balancing the line of protecting one person or many. Protecting the SEAL team, and trying to protect the women in small towns in Afghanistan or other places in the Middle East, the women who have no power or autonomy. Rachel and her team do all this while attempting to accomplish their main mission of capturing dangerous individuals.
What an enthralling story! The turmoil at the end was devastating, but so dang interesting. I am very much looking forward to book 2!
November 20, 2025
Skylark by Megan Michelle is a beautifully raw and intimate story following Rachel Ryker, a woman shaped by loss, survival, and the brutal honesty of military life. Rachel is tough in the ways life forced her to be, but Megan Michelle writes her with such vulnerability that you feel every crack beneath the armor. Standing beside her is Christopher Williams, her steady second-in-command and the one person who has always seen past the walls she builds. Their bond is built on trust, loyalty, and years of shared battles. Watching their connection shift from unspoken devotion to something softer, deeper, and terrifyingly real is the quiet magic of this book.
The story balances grit with tenderness, giving you heartbreak, healing, and a slow-burn emotional payoff that lingers long after the final page. It’s the kind of read that settles into your chest.
The story balances grit with tenderness, giving you heartbreak, healing, and a slow-burn emotional payoff that lingers long after the final page. It’s the kind of read that settles into your chest.
December 14, 2024
This was very good. Long and action packed.
As a woman navy seal, Rachel can do just about anything but when trouble comes she needs her commander Christopher in more ways than one.
Very well done it was a great book. The connection between Christopher and Rachel was tentative at first. Definitely a friends to lovers situation and shouldn't have been.
This was fast paced and a great read that was well done on all levels. Plot and characters all important and made it exciting. Great book!
As a woman navy seal, Rachel can do just about anything but when trouble comes she needs her commander Christopher in more ways than one.
Very well done it was a great book. The connection between Christopher and Rachel was tentative at first. Definitely a friends to lovers situation and shouldn't have been.
This was fast paced and a great read that was well done on all levels. Plot and characters all important and made it exciting. Great book!
November 13, 2024
This book has great writing, great character building, and lots of twists in the story you might not be expecting. Rachel and Christopher have an amazing relationship. Can't wait until book 2! Thank you Hawthorn & Aster for the opportunity to read this book.
November 11, 2024
This was just the book I needed to get me out of a serious, months long reading funk. It hooked me from the beginning and took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The story was original, unlike any I've read in the past few years. And though I don't actually know a lot about the inner workings of the military, it felt as though a lot of research was had. The author didn't skrimp on detail and didn't shy away from the gritty details found in war. That said, this book is not for the faint of heart. It is a book about war, after all, and as such there are parts that can be deemed as gore to some. Those aspects weren't overly graphic but they were there. The steam isn't instantaneous but the angst build up was *chef's kiss* and something I absolutely love in a story. It's funny, raw and even heart wrenching at times. Don't sleep on this book!
January 7, 2026
I did not like this character for about 60 pages, and then I actually started to feel like I related to her a lot as the book went on. I will be reading the other books in the series!
September 9, 2025
Warning: book contains violence, blood, and death.
I was lucky enough to meet the author on a retreat in Scotland. Of course when I found out she wrote a book I looked it up and bought it. Military stories are not usually my genre but I did enjoy this one.
Rachel is a strong character with high morales. Sometimes she was a bit much for me with her stances but I knew it was coming from the right place. She did grow on me as the story went and I think the character had some good growth. The romance was more of a slow burn, reluctant, don’t want to think about it kind of romance. I thought it was well done. I don’t know much about the military or how it works but I thought it seemed authentic enough for this story. The mystery continues in the next book which I am looking forward too.
Overall, I thought this was a well done debut novel with strong characters and a strong storyline. The author has done a good job of keeping it moving and engaging. I am thrilled to see what she does next.
I was lucky enough to meet the author on a retreat in Scotland. Of course when I found out she wrote a book I looked it up and bought it. Military stories are not usually my genre but I did enjoy this one.
Rachel is a strong character with high morales. Sometimes she was a bit much for me with her stances but I knew it was coming from the right place. She did grow on me as the story went and I think the character had some good growth. The romance was more of a slow burn, reluctant, don’t want to think about it kind of romance. I thought it was well done. I don’t know much about the military or how it works but I thought it seemed authentic enough for this story. The mystery continues in the next book which I am looking forward too.
Overall, I thought this was a well done debut novel with strong characters and a strong storyline. The author has done a good job of keeping it moving and engaging. I am thrilled to see what she does next.
October 27, 2025
i went into this book thinking it was going to be a book about a badass female SEAL, war in a portion of the world i knew nothing about, and maybe some laughs along the way — it was all that but SO much more.
the romance in this book was very slowburn, but the tension was. everything. i loved it!
thank you after midnight pr and megan michelle for a copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶
the romance in this book was very slowburn, but the tension was. everything. i loved it!
thank you after midnight pr and megan michelle for a copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶
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