Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Navy SEAL Romances #1

The Resolved Warrior

Rate this book

Enjoy this fast-paced short story that introduces a new Clean Romance Navy SEAL series by a group of bestselling authors.

It has been six months to the day since Sutton Smith’s son Doug, a Navy SEAL, was killed in a rescue mission that went wrong. Add to the list Sutton’s failed marriage and losing the love of his life, the heartbroken billionaire is at the end of his rope.

Sutton embarks on a one-day mission to do all of Doug’s favorite activities one last time before focusing on all he’s lost. However, an unexpected encounter at a diner changes everything, making Sutton realize he might just be the answer to someone else’s prayers.

At the end of the day, he’s left with a choice. Throw in the towel or buck up and resolve to become the warrior his son Doug would’ve been proud of.

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2018

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Jennifer Youngblood

186 books794 followers
Jennifer loves reading and writing clean romance. She believes that happily ever after is not just for stories. Jennifer enjoys interior design, rollerblading, clogging, jogging, and chocolate. In Jennifer’s opinion there are few ills that can’t be solved with a warm brownie and scoop of vanilla-bean ice cream.
Jennifer grew up in rural Alabama and loved living in a town where “everybody knows everybody.” Her love for writing began as a young teenager when she wrote stories for her high school English teacher to critique.
Jennifer has a BA in English and Social Sciences from Brigham Young University Hawaii where she served as Miss BYU Hawaii. Before becoming an author, she worked as the owner and editor of a monthly newspaper named The Senior Times.
She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family and spends her time writing and doing all of the wonderful things that make up the life of a busy wife and mother.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
506 (58%)
4 stars
218 (25%)
3 stars
102 (11%)
2 stars
24 (2%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
Profile Image for Mara.
1,505 reviews114 followers
September 5, 2018
This is the introduction to the Navy Seal Romances series, but this short story/novella isn't a romance. It's the backstory to how The Warrior Project was formed. Sutton Smith lost his son, a Navy Seal, 6 months ago and wants to end it all, until he interacts with a waitress that has a sick child and an abusive husband. Helping her helps him see that he has the resources and the ability to help those who can't help themselves. "I want to use my resources for good. There are people out there who are desperate for help. And we have the power to help them."

It's a good setup for a series and I hope one of the books is about Sutton. I'd like to know more about him that what I read in this short novella.

Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews134 followers
Want to Read
August 31, 2018
💝FREE on Amazon today (8/31/2018)!💝

Blurb:
It has been six months to the day since Sutton Smith’s son Doug, a Navy SEAL, was killed in a rescue mission that went wrong. Add to the list Sutton’s failed marriage and losing the love of his life, the heartbroken billionaire is at the end of his rope.

Sutton embarks on a one-day mission to do all of Doug’s favorite activities one last time before focusing on all he’s lost. However, an unexpected encounter at a diner changes everything, making Sutton realize he might just be the answer to someone else’s prayers.

At the end of the day, he’s left with a choice. Throw in the towel or buck up and resolve to become the warrior his son Doug would’ve been proud of.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,976 followers
March 23, 2018
First off this is not a romance. It's a short story that sets up the background for the formation of The Warrior Project. I hope one of the future books in this series will be about Sutton and him reuniting with a past love he lost. At the start of this novella, Sutton is a broken man who feels he has nothing left to live for. This shows us what changes him and motivates him to begin his new life's path. If you intend to read these Navy Seal Romances you should read this before starting them.
Content: Clean
Profile Image for Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review.
2,418 reviews31 followers
March 15, 2018
“The Warrior Project.”

-‘There are people out there who are desperate for help.” He balled his fist. “And we have the power to help them.”’-

A great series starter! I look forward to reading the books which will follow this one. I hope they are all as good as this!
Profile Image for  The Flipped Page (Susan K).
1,894 reviews40 followers
March 14, 2018
Series, Clean, stand alone
This is a novella, but still a pretty compelling read. Sutton's grief at the loss of his son has been a weight he hasn't been able to shake. As he plans for coping (trying to avoid a spoiler) with this huge loss in his life, he realizes that he has a purpose to move forward. His loyal help helps him recognize some other things in his life. One sketchy scene that seemed almost implausible, but other than that, a story of learning to hope, finding purpose and getting beyond grief that seems insurmountable.
Sutton learns that each one of us can make a difference for good, no matter what problems we face in life. Poignant, heartfelt, and intense emotions. This was a lovely, short read. I can't wait to see where this series is going with this start! 3 just because it is so short, and the one scene, I couldn't really wrap my head around.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,400 reviews26 followers
April 2, 2018
Short

I really would have preferred more about how he collects his men and how he plans to advertise. I did not like his judge and jury style. I was really hoping to hear more about his lost love.
Profile Image for Karen  Tucci.
18 reviews
March 27, 2024
The Start of a Dynasty

Youngblood is prolific! Her ability to create well rounded characters who stretch across many series is inspiring!

Sutton Smith will be one of your favorite characters…ever!!!
Profile Image for Rocky.
209 reviews9 followers
May 21, 2018
The Warrior Project

It had been 6 months since the death of Sutton Smith's son, Doug, a Navy SEAL. Sutton has decided that this is the day he will join his son. After spending the day doing Doug's favorite things, Sutton stops for a final meal at the diner where he and Doug used to eat. The abusive husband of one of the waitresses comes in and immediately starts in on his wife by swearing at her and then roughly grabs her by the arm. Sutton steps in to help and, like most bullies, the husband skin's out of the diner. After a few minutes, Sutton asks the other waitress where where Leslie is. When he races out back and finds Leslie lying on the ground in a fetal position he is absolutely livid and wants to know where her husband is. She tells him and then tells him that she has a son with leukemia and doesn't know how she'll pay for his treatments. When Sutton takes care of the husband, he also helps Leslie by giving her $200,000. Did I mention that Sutton is rich? Instead of committing suicide, he decides to start the Warrior Project, hiring retired Navy SEALS to help the helpless victims of abuse, kidnapping, etc. He finally finds the peace he's been searching for since the death of his son.
Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books22 followers
March 30, 2022
My review today is on the Romantic Suspense, The Resolved Warrior. I've become one of Jennifer's biggest fans. If you have followed any of my blogs then you know that I love the books with Sutton Smith and his teams. This book is special because it's all about him. It's well-written, heartwarming, and full of drama. I know you are going to love this one.

Six months! It had been six months since his life had ended. Now it's time to physically end it. Sutton Smith stands on the edge of the cliff, his son's, Doug's favorite place. He has waited six months so he is assured this is the only path to take. Tonight he will jump. He goes home to have Doug's favorite breakfast, then he will have his favorite lunch, supper, and end all the pain. Agatha, his housekeeper knows something is up. As they sit at the breakfast Sutton never eats she prays and asks for a miracle. Read this book and find out just how this miracle takes place and start the "Warrior Project"

God has a plan for this man even when all looks lost. God has a plan for you too. A good plan for peace and not for destruction even in this time of political unrest, war, and chaos. Give Him your heart and watch Him work in your life.
347 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2025
Absolutely Heart Warming!

This is a new author and series for me, and I am so very glad I discovered it while browsing my Kindle Unlimited. A short but powerful story about love, loss, and finding purpose. Contemplating suicide due to the unbearable loss of his only son, our hero decides to spend his last day on earth reliving his son's favorite places and enjoying his favorite breakfast. Along the way, a chance encounter shows him that his life still has purpose and there is a truly significant way to honor his son's memory and ease his own grief. I was in tears, first sad heartbreaking ones and then happy tears at the end. I am looking forward to more books in this series and by what I am sure will be one of my new favorite authors.



2,648 reviews48 followers
April 11, 2021
I'm a little torn in what I think of this story. It is a good set up for the series. I've already read a couple of the books and even though those books gave enough background to understand Sutton this prequel is startlingly more clear. I feared that Sutton was going to kill someone other than himself so what happened was something of a relief but I kinda would have liked to have due process involved. I envisioned the story going different but having the same ending as a result.

The story is super short and there is an element of Christian lit in there.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes, domestic and otherwise
369 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2018
BRAVO ! 😍 A GREAT CAPTIVATING SEALICIOUS SHORT STORY
AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DELIGHTFUL SHORT STORY , 10 STARS RATING. I can't wait for MORE STORIES FROM THIS AUTHOR AND OTHERS about a NEW SEALS SERIES . The story is drama rom-com adventure emotional rollar coaster strength of character Powerful grief and captivating from start to finish 💋 💖 . I LOVE and HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE 😆 😙 . I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK . Read more about Tough, Amazing and Proud, Sutton and All Seals Team .
Profile Image for Pattisue.
575 reviews
March 18, 2018
Sutton Smith is considering ending it all, “the hurt, the grief, the wretched pain.” After Doug died and Liz abandoned him, “life wasn’t worth continuing.” Sutton dedicates one last day to the memory of his son. “God had required all from Doug, and taken all from Sutton.” After a string of unforeseen events, Sutton finds a new mission for his life—a renewed purpose. With faithful Agatha by his side, he sets forth on a new path. This story definitely whet my appetite for this intriguing new series.
“Today was the beginning of many tomorrows to come.”
Profile Image for Kristen.
1,711 reviews47 followers
April 27, 2018
Didn't love this one, actually, didn't care for it too much but a 1 star seemed really harsh. Sutton has decided he can't live anymore with the memory of his son Doug died in a rescue mission as a Navy SEAL.. He decides that he's going to do all the things Doug loves and then kill himself...well

Just not enjoyable read to me, glad it was short.
745 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2018
You are hired by the father of your late SEALs friend to be a bodyguard to an up and coming music star. She divorced her ex and changed her name but he decided that your money is his and you belong to him. He breaks into your new place even with bodyguard, and you shoot. When he dies, his brother is seeking vengeance. Come to find out that older bodyguards are working for he ex brother-in-law. Your new SEAL bodyguard takes you deep into mountains to save you.
Profile Image for Kelly.
448 reviews2 followers
May 16, 2018
Peace and a miracle...

I could use both of those about now. And so could Sutton. Then he found them. I can't fathom losing a child and what that would do to me, how it would devastate me, what it might drive me to think about doing. That was Sutton. Until he found renewed purpose. Very good. Too short. But I'm now anxious to read the rest! C'mon....a series about Navy SEALS?! I'm in!
Profile Image for Shash.
473 reviews
June 16, 2018
This book tore at my heart. I ached for Sutton, and loved watching him find purpose in his life again. It's a short story and begins the Navy Seal Romance series, but is not a romance. Instead, it sets up the series and shows how The Warrior Project originated. My interest was definitely peaked, and I'm looking forward to reading the series, especially Sutton's story. I really want to see him get a happy ending!
668 reviews
October 10, 2021
Sutton Smith

Sutton a SEAL at heart, even if he was dishonorably discharged for something he didn't do? Then there was Liz who was supposed to marry him, but married the Duke her father approved of instead. So he came to the states, built his home, married Jean, had Doug, got divorced and now he's about to end it all. Why? Doesn't he have all he needs? Will anything happen to prevent this tragedy? Only one way to find out, read this short story by Jennifer Youngblood!
Profile Image for Rick  Farlee.
1,207 reviews9 followers
September 16, 2023
NOVELLA

Introduction to a new series about an Ex-Navy Seal who, in the wake of his son’s recent death, resolves to dedicate the rest of his life to doing good in the face of such an evil world…. This is categorised as a “romance novel” but it’s not evident in this novella. Sutton is more like a Jack Reacher character (with a hint of a kind heart) than a brawler who dares anyone to get in his way. It’s a clean storyline and I’ll probably get the next one in the series.
1,506 reviews13 followers
July 25, 2024
I had a Free Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Sutton Smith’s Navy Seal son was killed in action, and with his divorce, his life held little meaning until he came across a waitress with a son battling leukemia and unable to afford the best treatments. He found new meaning to life in helping others. An uplifting book about working through tragedy and coming out the other side.
135 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2018
This is a very different and captivating short story about a Navy SEAL and his struggles in life. Sutton has many hardships and I love how his attitude changed when he was able to help someone in need. I was drawn in by this story and I'm excited to read all the books that will be released in this series. I LOVE the authors involved... so I can't wait to read about these handsome tough guys.
Profile Image for Heather Green.
Author 9 books11 followers
March 24, 2018
I didn't know this was only a novella and a set up for the rest of the series (like the Matchmaker series). When it was over, I was looking for more. It was sudden and not what I expected. I guess I'll read the next one to see if it is more what I was thinking. It was clean and short. I wouldn't read it again.
1,124 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2018
ENTERTAINING DRAMA

A fast moving short story about a father who has suffered a great loss when his son died. On the anniversary of his son's death, he encounters a woman who is in an abusive marriage with a young son with a dire illness. Since he has nothing to lose, he gets involved with this problem and eventually finds a purpose to his life.
Profile Image for Sony.
382 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2019
Great intro for a new series!

This the first book I've read from author Jennifer Youngblood. I found this to be a great intro to a new series, well new series to me. The story started off dark but by the end of it, I had a big ol' smile on my face. I liked the interaction our hero had with him maid/friend/mother figure. I look forward to reading more from this author.
2,350 reviews13 followers
May 30, 2022
The Resolved Warrior

I enjoyed reading this book again after having read it when it first came out. It has a powerful lesson we can all learn. Sutton Smith has lost his only son to war. He is grieving the death even after many months and pondering the thoughts of suicide. He learns to put his grief aside in order to help others.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
6,433 reviews116 followers
July 29, 2023
The Resolved Warrior (Navy SEAL Romances #1) by Jennifer Youngblood – On the 6-month anniversary of his son’s death, a grieving father takes a day to do all his son’s favorite things with the intent of ending his life at the end. But his long-time housekeeper, a sick little boy, and God still have plans for him. This one will tug on your heart strings! Happy Reading!
164 reviews
August 1, 2023
Great intro to the series

I liked knowing how Sutton Smith started the Warrior Project, and also his past history with Liz, the love of his life. I know there is a happy ending in Sutton's future, even though it takes several more books to get there. I am looking forward to reading more of those books.
3 reviews
September 13, 2023
so good

Jennifer had me at the first page. It was so well written. I had to keep reading I just couldn’t put it down. The only negative was it was WAAAY too short. I wish we would have met the characters making up the team and learned their stories before diving into the next books. But loved it and highly recommend it. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
888 reviews3 followers
March 14, 2018
This is wonderful! It is an amazing and fast past short story that is a start of a new series. I can't wait to read all the books. It has everything, emotions, drama, adventure, and romance. The characters are strong and will capture your heart. I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews