US Navy SEAL Thorn "Tank" Hunt has been there done that, but when he loses his best friend and military working dog Echo, he’s heartbroken, but he has to pick up the pieces and get another partner. He met tough as nails and way too confident for her britches, Army Reserve veterinarian, Dr. Alyssa St. James through his baby brother and her fundraising efforts on behalf of MWDs. The undeniably beautiful, but contrary woman takes on the mission to teach Tank some new tricks and in the process, discover that maybe every once and a while he could roll over and let someone else take the lead.
Doc, as Alyssa is affectionately known at her practice, has had to deal with plenty of macho assholes in her years as a reservist, but although Tank looks like one of them guys, he’s anything but. A big man with a big heart tears down her walls and barriers, except, getting involved with a military man like her jerky ex-husband seems counter-intuitive. The distance and the separation devastated their marriage. Determined to stay in control, she's compelled to help him when he is introduced to Bronte, a beautiful Belgian Malinois to replace the one lost in battle. Just as much a warrior as the man she is finding irresistible. But as their relationship progresses and Tank works himself deeper into her heart, can they take the hardships of serving their country in stride and make it work?
Zoe Dawson, the author of 40+ books had always dreamed of becoming a full-time romance writer. Her other passions include traveling the world, owning a beach house (she believes she was a mermaid in another life), and seeing her books in movies. When she’s not writing, she’s painting or killing virtual MMORPG monsters in World of Warcraft. She lives in North Carolina with her two grown children and one small, furry gray cat.
We return to the SEAL Team Alpha series for the fourth time, this time Tank and his MWD Echo have their time in the spotlight.
I am going to right out say that this series if my number one for 2017, each and every book has been better than its predecessor, if I could give them more stars I would. But Zoe stepped it up even more this time, by putting Tank’s Service Dog; Echo firmly into the heart of the story as well. The SEAL and his dog have very much been one unit so far through the series, so getting to know Thorn ‘Tank’ Hunt, and what makes him tick a little more closely meant that I pretty much devoured this book in a day.
He couldn’t outrun all the things that were chasing him… And he sure as hell couldn’t outrun himself.
You come to realize quickly that this is a man with a lot of personal demons, and rather than deal with things he tends to shut down and go into protective alpha mode. Emotional entanglements are something that he would rather leave to the other guys. That is until Dr. Alyssa St. James. We met her briefly in the previous book, and to say her and Tank get off on the wrong foot would be an understatement. Doesn’t take long for the chemistry to start bubbling between them in this one though. Especially when Echo suffers a possible life ending injury while out on an op, and he asks the feisty veterinarian for help.
"I want you… I usually take what I want if the woman is willing… I don’t have to touch you to know your core is aching and you’re wet and hot for me."
I went through pretty much every emotion with this book, laughing at the guys banter, crying at some of the more poignant moments, nothing tugs the heart strings more than when a big, strong, warrior faces up to his demons and looks his weaknesses in the eye, and Zoe did not hold anything back in that regard.
She reminded him there was another side to him.
Blue, anther of the SEAL Team features heavily in this one as well, he is going through his own hell after a failed mission, and I am interested to see where Zoe takes his story when his book is released next year, because of events that occurred in this one, I am expecting another emotional roller-coaster.
"It was easier when you were giving me a hard time…"
This series and the characters in it, have well and truly burrowed their way into my heart now. I cannot wait for more in 2018.
We’re coming for you, Blue. Don’t give up…
ARC generously provided by the author, and it was, as it always is, my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
This series continues to captivate me! These men and these women compliment each other in the best of ways. I love this SEAL team.
Tank is a man who loves his brothers and his country and has no time for a real relationship.When he meets Alyssa who is a vet through his brother, he is drawn to this woman. She holds his attention like no other woman has. Alyssa is in the reserves and her sense of duty and fraternizing with other service people has her pushing her feelings for Tank away. Both Alyssa and Tank had father issues growing up and those issues continue to impact their relationship. When Tank and his military dog, Echo are wounded and Alyssa helps save Echo, it does things to Tank that he never thought possible. He had never wanted a woman for more than a night, but now he wants Alyssa to be his.
The sparks fly between Tank and Alyssa. Of course the 4-legged star had me smiling as well. I love when dogs are heroes in the stories, too, and they help the hero and heroine fall in love. This was another good story in the SEAL team series. These men will steal your heart! Can't wait for the next one! This book can be read as a standalone, but each book is about one of the SEALs so the characters to overlap in the books.
I am loving this series! I'm so glad a reader recommended Zoe Dawson's books to me.
I am truly enjoying how complicated the characters are in her SEAL Team Alpha books. Tank is a wonderful hero--the reluctant kind who thinks he can only do one thing. But there is so much going on with this guy. Sexy and protective and so devoted to his dog, Echo. Usually the hero is who I rave about--and don't get me wrong, I'm in love with Tank. But Dr. Alyssa St. James is a stellar heroine. She is more than Tank's match. What a great couple, who weathered so many ups and downs before they reached their HEA. Steamy and dangerous, but also a deeply emotional read.
Disclaimer: I will admit I was hesitant to read this one because I'm a dog lover, and it says that his working dog, Echo, (who has been a champ in the series thus far!) gets hurt, and SEAL and dog are separated. Without giving anything away, for others who are also sensitive to how the dogs are treated in a story, stick with this one. Echo goes on a tough journey. But his HEA is totally worth the read.
Tank and Alyssa now a lot about each other – Alyssa don’t want to get involved in another relationship with a military man again, but can she resist Tank and HIS ways.
Tank needs to revise his ways to do things, maybe he is not always right GASP. This book is sweet, fun and hot. I love the way they are with each other, their friends and family, and the other characters in this book is a good compliment to Alyssa and Tank.
Remember this is book 4 in a series, I have not had the pleasure of reading the first 3, I would recommend reading the other books first – I think you will enjoy it even more if you now more about the people and where the books take place.
But never the less I liked the book a lot – and book 1-3 will be on my TBR goodreads list
I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review, but everything I write is my own
In the fourth book of the SEAL Team Alpha series, the stakes are frequently high and outcomes are never guaranteed. From dangerous missions to troubling situations, I became caught up in the lives of two individuals who do much for others but often fail to do what is best for themselves. Thorn “Tank” Hunt and Dr. Alyssa St. James are dedicated to helping people and even animals in need, and this repeatedly puts them in circumstances where they can be hurt in various ways. Sometimes the threat is physical, while other events only cause emotional suffering. But regardless of what is occurring, the superb writing of Zoe Dawson let me experience what Tank and Alyssa were feeling to the fullest, always getting a sense of realism in any happening. TANK is a military-themed romance at its very best.
Since Thorn “Tank” Hunt is a Navy SEAL and has a dog that works alongside him, he knows how important these loyal animals can be to a mission. So assisting local veterinarian Dr. Alyssa St. James who specializes in military working dogs was an easy decision. What is difficult for him is the effect the Army reservist has on him when they are together. Alyssa is also very aware of Tank as a man, but knows nothing can ever come of the attraction because of their military careers.
When an incident during a mission results in Tank losing Echo as his canine partner, he is upset but knows he has to move forward for his team. While training with his new dog, the SEAL comes in contact with Alyssa once again. The way each feels for the other is even more overwhelming this time, making Tank and the veterinarian want to explore what is between them. Yet both realize there are probably too many obstacles that will keep their relationship from lasting.
A vast array of sentiments was felt by me while reading TANK. The camaraderie of Tank and the SEALs on his team always made me smile when they good-humoredly bicker back and forth, and some of their truly priceless comments caused a big laugh. Then there are the occasions where these alpha men are surprisingly sentimental, and I felt a soft spot for that particular person. When Tank and Alyssa converse, their discussions ranged from intimately sensual to life-changing. What these two go through during the story really touched me at times, as heartbreaking situations arise along with honest revelations. Zoe Dawson knows how to draw the reader into every compelling moment, keeping your attention on every page.
TANK is equally thrilling with dangerous adventures and heartfelt emotions. Whether a scene was comprised of risky peril or a candid conversation, it came across are extremely true-to-life and had me believing. Since I am a dog lover, the times when a dependable canine was involved was so enjoyable, especially since the author made these instances seem very accurate. There is a storyline in the book which carries over to the next release, and I am exceedingly eager to learn what happens.
I voluntarily reviewed the book, and all comments are my honest opinion
This one was disappointing, story was good but the friend with benefits that becomes the fiancé and the “he’s good in bed” comment I took a star because…GROSS. Yay bro your engaged to a slut that banged your SEAL brother.
The book was missing something the other books had so I had to remove another star…getting Echo I gave it a half
An Emotional Wrecking Ball That Hits Harder Than Any Mission Yet!
Get the tissues ready, ladies—because Zoe Dawson is about to wreak absolute havoc on your emotions with Tank, book four in the SEAL Team Alpha series.
I’ve read three of the (many!) books in this series and loved every one—but nothing prepared me for the emotional landmines and sheer, brutal intensity of Tank. Where previous books leaned into the “love conquers all” theme wrapped in high-heat, fast-paced missions, this installment is something entirely different.
Tank is an emotional wrecking ball.
From the very first page, the SEAL motto—“The only easy day was yesterday”—feels less like a mantra and more like a warning. For Tank and his new love interest, Army Major veterinarian Alyssa, that warning becomes reality. A relentless onslaught of FUBAR missions doesn’t just test their connection—it threatens to crush it before it has a chance to fully take hold.
The action is nonstop, but it’s the emotional toll that sets this story apart. There is no safety net here. No comforting rhythm of “they’ll be okay.” For the first time in this series, I found myself genuinely questioning whether a happily ever after was even possible.
And that? That hit hard.
Dawson doesn’t pull her punches. Mission after mission goes sideways, with consequences this team has never faced before. The weight of loss, failure, and duty collides head-on with a relationship already strained by distance and impossible choices. Love doesn’t glide forward here—it fights for every inch of ground, and sometimes it loses.
Reading this felt like taking punch after punch to the gut. I’ll admit it—I had tears in my eyes more than once.
And yet… the chemistry between Tank and Alyssa never disappears. It simmers beneath the chaos, buried under impossible odds but never extinguished. Their physical, mental, and emotional strength—individually and together—is what keeps this story from becoming hopeless. Their determination to keep going, no matter the cost, is both nerve-wracking and deeply inspiring.
What truly sets this book apart is its brutal realism. The chaos of missions gone wrong. The anger, grief, and guilt that follow. The way those experiences bleed into relationships already hanging by a thread. It felt so real at times, I had to remind myself I was reading fiction—not reliving echoes of my own past.
Words like raw, unflinching, trauma, PTSD, and unyielding love kept running through my mind.
And through it all, Dawson captures the heart of every Special Ops warrior—the relentless, unbreakable conviction to never quit, never leave anyone behind, no matter how many times the mission goes sideways.
With Tank, Zoe Dawson doesn’t just raise the bar for military suspense romance—she shatters it.
Zoe Dawson didn’t just tell a story—she put me through the mission, broke me down, and somehow still delivered a hard-earned HEA I’ll never forget.
Unlike the other books in this series, the pace of this one, despite a lot of action, tends to drag in places.
There also seems to be a weird chopped up storyline that starts around 62%. The story goes from a meeting of the MMC's real brothers to discuss sone serious medical stuff, into a jump back a few weeks earlier. There's no clear transition and it feels like someone mixed up some book sections, which happens several times nearly to the end of the story.
Other things that are poorly handled: 1) The whole thing with the service dog is awful. The last minute save is craptastic after all the trauma. 2) The scary medical stuff with a family member turns out to be a big fake. This entire deal never had to happen and didn't serve a purpose, not even to push the plot. 3) The back-and-forth with the sniveling ex-husband turned into a big nothing burger. There was no comeuppance for that creep, a person who should never be allowed to work with animals again. Yet there's no closure here. Really sucks and shows sloppy execution. 4) There's a lot of angst about three missing SEALs but at some point that just drops. What happened? Nobody knows.
BTW, the CLIFFHANGER ending that is supposed to lead into the next character's book really blows. It's a crappy author trick that readers typically hate. I can vouch for that. The upcoming character is all over this book and probably takes up a quarter of this story. Giving him another book seems like overkill. Plus it looks like the next book will be filled with continued torture and misery, so I'll be skipping that.
This book really swung all over the place. It felt disjointed at numerous points, like sections of writing got shoved together haphazardly and no one bothered to edit. I was surprised at the sloppiness and lack of transitions as well in numerous places. It was sloppy and confusing as well as frustrating. I felt relief to finally finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There's no doubt that the books in this series are great. However, in the 3rd book I was getting a little irritated and impatient with the amount of inner monologue, musing, (self) evaluation etc. At times it went on and on, and I started to skip sentences and paragraphs. It continued in this, the 4th, book and it seemed that it got worse, but it may have been a cumulative effect. On top of that, toward the end of book 4, I noticed more and more mistakes: sometimes grammar, at others short words which didn't belong, as if they had been overlooked in the editing process of restructuring a sentence. Last but not least, I paid $1.00 more for book 5, which isn't much, but adds to the cumulative effect. Tne next books are gradually getting more expensive, even though it is by a small amount. If my irritation keeps growing I will likely not buy any other books after book 5 in this series.
There was a lot going in in this book. I know the author was setting up the next book as she always does, but at times, I felt like I was reading two separate books. I had a hard time getting into this book. Took me about 5 days to finally get through it, when normally I plow through a book in a couple of hours. It just couldn't hold my attention longer than 15 - 20 minutes at a time. On the final day, when I was determined to get through it, it was just an okay book for me. It's definitely my least favorite so far in this series. And again, it was sorely in need of an editor to catch all the mistakes.
Tank and Alyssa are intense, intriguing, and absolutely explosive together. Their emotions run deep and hit hard, pulling you straight into the battles waged in both their minds and hearts. Their chemistry blazes, their love surges, and every moment between them crackles with power. Add in the incredible Echo and the K9s, and it becomes even more irresistible.
The team brings their trademark banter, laughter, camaraderie, and wonderfully chaotic shenanigans—balancing the heavy with the heartfelt. Alongside all the action and passion, there are moments of heartbreak that cut deep. A gripping, emotional, and thoroughly satisfying ride.
Loved this book Thorn "Tank" Hunt and Alyssa St. James story was awesome. They worked together because she worked with MWD and Tank was a handler . Their was attraction but both were afraid to cross a line. Tank a ladies man with no commitment for him but for some reason she was different . Alyssa a reserve hold back woman focusing on work but secretly wanting more. They crossed the line but can the find a life together and live happily ever after?
I want to say this is my favorite book in series but the have all been good.
First let me just say that this whole series is amazing and worth the read! TANK was a terrific addition to the series. If you love MWDs, the Navy Seals, and a passionate love story all wrapped up in one, you’ll devour this book. Great characters, heart-stopping missions, and a slew of emotions comprise this book. Very well written Zoe Dawson. Can’t wait to delve into BLUE’s story.
Once again Zoe Dawson has hit it out of the ball park! I love this Seal series. She writes about intriguing men who risk their lives for our country and the woman who love them. The stories are fast paced and well rounded and hold ones attention from start to end. A must read!
I loved this series. Can't wait for Blue's story to be released. Zoe Dawson has the ability to bring her characters to life. The women are just as strong as the men and the men are alphas without being overbearing.
This is a great story about a military dog and his team.it keeps you turning the pages.They go through a lot of danger together. How they work as a team and how they stay together and its a lot of suspense with saving each other.
Ok I laughed and cried through his book. I am a sucker for a K9. A beautiful story of family, military brotherhood, unconditional love of a dog and love. You must read this
If you want a recap of what the book is about, please read above the reviews.
The hero you've met in the prior book. However, you get to know him and his partner even more. You really feel it when he loses his partner in the military. What helps him along is his charity work with a vet and her staff. One of the problems with the vet, our heroine, is she's also in the military in a reserve area.
We get to know more about the heroine and what's been affecting her life. However, you can tell its affected her entire life. However, she wasn't about to let part of that life interfere with part of the current. Will she let the other things in her past affect her future?
The plot was very well done and you can feel the vibrations go on long standing especially with one of the other teammates now missing. The plot was very well thought out and kept moving. Although the dual plots had one of them moving more slowly than the other. You got a good sense of what each of the main and sub characters were going through.
I can't wait to see how the other SEAL gets out of his problem area which is in the next book.