Finding Ashlyn

SEAL Team Hawaii #6

by Susan Stoker

Friends with benefits. That’s all Ashlyn wanted with Slate. They were certainly combustible in the bedroom, and that was sufficient…wasn’t it? Yes, definitely. He was too bossy. Too protective. She didn’t want someone hovering, wanting to know her every move and telling her she was too reckless. But then again, knowing someone cared enough to worry about her felt kind of nice. Not to mention the more she was around Slate, and the more she learned about him, the harder it was to ignore her feelings.

Duncan “Slate” Stone had never been with a woman like Ashlyn. She was impulsive, spontaneous, argumentative, and way too nonchalant about her safety. She drove him completely crazy…and he couldn’t stay away from her. The sex was out-of-this-world amazing, but just being near her, even if they did nothing but talk, made him just as happy. Clearly their laid-back arrangement worked. No need to rock the boat…right?

When she unexpectedly finds herself in the middle of a deadly situation, Ashlyn realizes that having an overprotective boyfriend isn’t such a bad thing. And Slate discovers his feelings for Ashlyn are anything but casual. But both those discoveries could be too little, too late.

** Finding Ashlyn is the 6th book in the SEAL Team Hawaii Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

Genres: Military Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Friends To Lovers, Suspense, Military Romance, Audiobook

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2023

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New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Tennessee. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

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Reviews

[Susan Stoker]

Friends with benefits, super protective hero, independent heroine…and a danger that could rip them apart forever.



Finding Ashlyn
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In Italiano: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BCXC6W53
En Francais: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BFFYQDWX

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt average ... but still good.

Libby read 📚

[Myblogisgreat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m gonna focus on two things that really did not sit well with me:

The use of the word handica***d repeatedly (babe it’s 2023 and on the ADA guidelines as an outdated and unacceptable term, let’s be better), and the subtle repeated racism on “slimy Hawaiian food” completely bypassing, disrespecting, and erasing indigenous culture.

I’m clearly not in the majority of reviewers, but read with care and caution.

[LaTonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slate and Ashlyn's story started off hot and this entire book was extremely tantalizing. They were the last two of their group not to have a significant other and opted for the friends with benefits option. It is easy to see that there is definitely a possibly for more

I immensely enjoyed how both Slate and Ashlyn navigated their way as friends with benefits. Also enjoyed how their closest friends supported their relationship.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Ending but Lots of Repetition

This book has a great ending and past 55% of the book it got interesting. Unfortunately before then the conversations were so repetitive that I skip through many of them. There really wasn’t any character development. I’m a huge Susan Stoker fan but I am finding that the same themes and conversations have occurred in the last few books with only the character names changing. Her earlier books were well thought out and the plots kept you glued to the books. Even with some of the older characters, the conversations and language are that of the younger characters and makes me wonder because older folks don’t talk like that. I just hope her future books can return to the style of the earlier books with well developed characters, conversations that reflect their individuality and not something I can find in her previous books, and plots that don’t take to 50% to truly develop. I’m really looking forward to Baker and Jody’s story. I just really hope it’s not the same repetitive read.

[Julie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slate & Ash wouldn't know love unless it hit them in the face. I'm glad they finally figured out what all their friends could already see. They've been sparking off each other through this entire series, finding a way to be friends even though neither thought they wanted a romantic relationship. Finally, in this story, love figuratively hit them, and their passion and friendship blossomed into so much more. I thought parts of it were realistic in how couples deal with military deployments and injuries. And I dearly loved retired veteran James and the other clients Ashlyn worked with. Ms. Stoker always populates her books with wonderful, compelling supporting characters.

We got a hint of Baker's story in the epilogue. Can't wait!

[Casey B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Ashlyn is book 6 of the Seal Team Hawaii series and follows Duncan "Slate" Stone and Ashlyn Taylor as they grow from just friends to friends with benefits to forever! Since we met Slate in Securing Kalee he has always been the brooding silent type, but once he met Ashlyn in Finding Lexie he became more protective and wanting to get a rise out of her, essentially being that little boy on the playground that pulls the pigtails of the girl he likes.

Ashlyn is a strong independent woman who loves helping people and she does that by delivering meals for her job at food for all, getting food to those who are struggling to get by. She spends time with most of those she delivers to and helps where she can. Her job is something Slate doesn't like because to him she is putting herself in danger unnecessarily by going alone to strangers houses. It isn't until their relationship develops that he understands what she does and why.

If you love brooding overprotective alpha males plus strong women who can take care of themselves this is the book for you! If you like seeing a softer side to the brooding male, suspense when the team gets deployed wondering what, if anything is going to happen while they're gone, or the friends to lovers trope you'll love Slate and Ashlyn's story! This is a standalone but to follow the storyline you should read in series order. Starting with Finding Elodie.

I listened to the audiobook that is performed by Emma Wilder and Ryan West and they do an amazing job bringing a voice to Slate and Ashlyn. I 100% recommend this audiobook for the story and the narrators! 5 stars all around!

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. I liked how Slate and Ashlyn started out. I think both were too afraid to say they wanted more and thought FWB would be more acceptable to the other, yet they never acted that way.

It was fun to watch them as they their relationship deepened and be there for each other. I feel like the real turning point was Ashlyn's headache, that seemed to change things for them both, even though they didn't acknowledge anything.

Later when Slate got hurt, things could have really gone bad. I was glad that they guys made Slate realize what he did and why it was so bad and then that Slate's immediate reaction was to talk to Ashlyn. By laying everything out for Ashlyn, Slate saved their relationship!

The drama at the end was crazy! I hated that everyone had to go through that, but was glad that all of the good people were ok in the end.

The ending was perfect! I loved how Ashlyn got to Baker, how she let him know he was in their posse and they wanted Jody in it as well. Can't wait to read about them!

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slade and Ashlyn😍

This book has ALL the feels and I did not want it to end❣️Slade and Ashlyn have not been getting along for the longest time. When they eventually approach the idea of becoming “friends with benefits” boundaries are established, with no clear indication how to change them if either wanted to. But after a few months, it becomes clear both are lying to themselves and when danger rears its head, will they accept the change of relationship status or ignore it?

As said a great story with great characters and now I’m very excited about Baker’s story and that little glimpse into Jodelle❤️

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are only fooling themselves!

Ash and Slate are completely in denial but fooling nobody else. I love that they are so convinced that they are keeping everything casual when we can plainly see they have fallen hard and fast!
Ashlyn is amazing and you cannot help but like her, she is warm, compassionate and thoughtful, yet very, very sassy when Slate gets his growly, overprotective, bossy pants on!
Another ass kicking visit to Hawaii and one of our favourite SEAL Teams.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashlyn delivers meals to patrons of Food for All. She and Slate have been denying their attraction for a year before they agree to a friends with benefits arrangement. It takes a traumatic experience to move them beyond that. A fun thing about this book is how they’re very much in love yet denying it. I read the ebook. 4.5/5

[Holly Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this one. Slate and Ashlyn were kind of overlooked the whole series so I was glad to get to know them.

If you love the miscommunication trope, you'll really like this one.

And this one definitely has an ending that showed how high the stakes can be.

[Tay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m just going to go ahead and write my review with a happy medium of 3 stars. I was so looking forward to Slate and Ashlyn but this so far is nothing short of them lying to themselves, each other, and playing with their friends intelligence. This is also not FWB! I’d be fine with their internal and external dialogue being so nonchalant if it was an actual FWB. They are dating and there’s not a single thing casual about it.

Ashlyn….oh…..okay girl. She picked the wrong group of people and the wrong man if she wanted to be around people who didn’t care about her health and well-being. The fact that she thinks Slate asking if she’s okay or him simply asking her to let him know when she’s home is overbearing…..well we all know she’s gonna be lucky she’s got a man who cares when her moment comes. And how is Slate any more overbearing than Elodie or any of the other ladies she works with who track her progress as she delivers the meals?!! She’s annoying me.

And this whole “if and when this thing ends” YALL ARE FWB remember!!!! Why do they care so much that it might end if they’re just FWB? Oh wait….bc once again there’s nothing FWB or casual dating about them. And I think I understand the sentiment SS was going for where this “relationship” doesn��t have to be the conventional marriage to kids pipeline but any time Ashlyn or Slate mention that it comes off like they’re just disgusted and so badly want to be different from everyone else that they border on judgmental and a bit high & mighty. However, we can take a gander how their ending goes which is why watching them deny this is frustrating to watch.

**Will revisit this when I fully finish the book**

Update one: “It doesn’t mean we f*ck then go our separate ways as if we’re strangers.” YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS ARE YOU NOT?!!!! Can SOMEONE decide what this relationship is? Bc the label they so badly want to put on it doesn’t fit their actions. Can we call a spade a spade already because this is ridiculous.

[La Passionnée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suivez-moi sur La Passionnée, sur Facebook: @LaPassionDesLivres

Hawaï, Soldats d’Élite, tome 5 et 6 – Susan Stoker

Une série attendrissante, pleine d’aventures et de péripéties. Des romans touchants, qui vous feront passer un délicieux moment à tous les coups. Des romances érotiques, des personnages bouleversants, des livres surprenants à chaque lecture. Suspense. Originalité. Sensualité.
Qui est votre personnage préféré?

_________
Un Paradis pour Carly, tome 5
Plusieurs mois se sont écoulés depuis que sa meilleure amie est tombée entre les griffes de son ex, Shawn. Depuis, Carly se terre toujours chez elle, traumatisée et apeurée, car le complice de son ex-petit ami est toujours dans les parages… Elle en est sûre. Cependant, elle ne s’attendait pas à ce que sa rencontre avec Jagger change tout.

Jagger est obstiné et autoritaire. Il fera tout pour sortir Carly de chez elle, et il est déterminé à ce qu’elle soit heureuse. Il est tombé sous son charme depuis de nombreuses semaines déjà, mais il refuse de la laisser sombrer. Elle a un passé compliqué, difficile… Tout comme lui bizarrement. Elle n’est pas la seule à avoir des problèmes. Ensemble, peut-être s’en sortiront-ils plus forts?!

« Elle était différente. Spéciale.
Cependant, était-elle capable de gérer ses bizarreries en ce qui concernait l’intimité? Il n’en était pas certain. Ce n’était pas contre elle, mais il avait quelques très gros problèmes. »

Ce tome était douloureux, triste, bouleversant. Magnifique. Un autre tome étonnant de péripéties, de tendre et d’amour. Cette fois-ci, notre personnage n’est pas en mission lorsqu’il tombe amoureux… C’est sur son île que tout se passe. J’ai bien aimé ce tome, qui était plus profond selon moi, très tendre. Jagger est tellement protecteur et en même temps, tellement charmant, j’ai adoré. Mais ce que j’ai aimé particulièrement, c’est la bataille de Carly pour remonter la pente de sa détresse.
Une histoire avec un magnifique suspense, une romance fabuleusement entraînante.

P.S. : Mais ce Baker… Ouf! Quel homme! J’ai tellement hâte de connaître son histoire, lui qui était tant bouleversé dans ce tome!

_________
Un paradis pour Ashlyn, tome 6
Contrairement à ses amies, Ashlyn n’a pas d’ex qui lui fait la misère, de patron violent ou autre problème. Non. Elle est douce, compatissante. Elle travaille au Food For All depuis un moment déjà, avec Élodie et Lexie. Elle adore son travail. Et ce dernier la met en contact directement avec de nombreux Seals, puisque les couples semblent surgir de tout part dans cette grande famille. C’est ainsi qu’elle rencontre Slate…

« Une histoire sans lendemain avec Ashlyn était donc idéale. »

Duncan Stone, alias Slate, est bien heureux d’avoir enfin le courage de demander un rendez-vous à Ashlyn. Pourquoi ne pas être amis avec plus, si affinités? Certes, cette femme le rend fou; elle est obstinée (comme lui), lui tient tête et il n’aime pas lorsqu’elle va faire des livraisons. Alors, lorsqu’ils se rapprochent enfin, Slate aime de plus en plus passer avec Ashlyn. Un peu trop même…

« Un homme ne protège pas sa femme parce qu’elle est faible, il la protège parce qu’elle est importante… »

Ce tome est tout simplement EXTRAORDINAIRE, d’une douceur infinie. Nous avons croisé ces personnages dans les tomes précédents, la pression/tension montait doucement entre eux… De voir l’amour évoluer entre eux était superbe, mais la fin de cette histoire était…. Woah! Quelle merveille! Je pouvais presque voir la scène se dérouler sous mes yeux. Intense. Passionnant. J’ai adoré!

_________
TOUS ces tomes peuvent facilement se lire de façon individuelle, MAIS je vous conseille de les lire les uns après les autres. Certes, cela ne vous empêche pas, comme moi, de lire d’autres romans entre vos lectures… ET je peux vous dire que vous tomberez sous le charme de ces soldats à CHAQUE FOIS. Carly m’a surprise à de nombreuses reprises, elle essaie de reprendre le contrôle de sa peur, de sa vie. Et j’ai adoré la force de caractère de Jag, ainsi que sa protection. Ils forment un couple fort. Par ailleurs, dans le second tome, j’ai ADORÉ la douceur et l’ouverture d’Ashlyn ainsi que la possessivité de Slate. Pour leur part, ils forment un couple passionnant et très sensuel.
Susan Stoker a une plume tout simplement addictive. Elle a créé un univers de soldats surprenants, drôles et attachants, avec des péripéties qui vous feront trembler, avec un suspense qui vous fera douter. Elle nous offre des femmes fortes, de vraies héroïnes. La plume de l’auteure est littéralement passionnante et terriblement érotique.

_________

J’aime beaucoup ces hommes, ces soldats d’élite et ces femmes fortes, déterminées. Des personnages touchants, une histoire passionnante, des scènes sensuelles ET de l’action à chaque fois. J’ADORE cette série! Une série à lire en entier. 12/10
P.S. : Mais est-ce que je vous ai dis que j’attends le tome de Baker avec IMPATIENCE?

#UnParadis #Hawaï #série #romance #suspense #danger #fuite #confiance #Seal #attirance #érotisme #amour #équipe #mission #paradis #suggestiondelecture #lecturedumoment #lecturedusoir #chronique

Résumés :
** La série Hawaï : Soldats d’élite : Chaque livre peut se lire indépendamment des autres et ne se termine pas sur un suspense.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Stoker can sure bring the heat!

Finding Ashlyn has to be the steamiest of all Susan Stoker's SEAL Team Hawaii series yet! Slate and Ashlyn have had years to build up to their romance. Susan Stoker ensured the snarky banter between these two characters was well documented long before she featured the couple in their own novel! The misconception that Slate and Ashlyn barely tolerated each other's company was very believable. Yet, there was always the hint that their behavior hid a voracious passion for each other. And boy, did it ever! The passion explodes within minutes in Finding Ashlyn and does not cool down even in the story's final moments. Make sure to keep the fans going as you read this sixth book in Susan Stoker's SEAL Team Hawaii series! I had to put this book down several times to splash ice water on my face; it was that intense!

Susan Stoker is the master of military suspense romance! I enjoy her balance between steamy romance, friendly Team family interactions, and action-packed suspense. Yet, in Finding Ashlyn, Susan let the mystery and danger take a back seat to the emerging and changing love story. It was almost to the last 20-30% of the novel before Ashlyn got into trouble. I was intrigued by the change in Susan's usual storyline, and I couldn't shake the feeling that any minute the other shoe was going to drop. I was so glued to every word that when Ashlyn finally encountered life-threatening danger, I was startled enough that I screamed out loud! Thankfully, I was alone in the house, so my uber-protective retired special forces spouse and guard dogs did not attack! You would have thought I was reading a Stephen King novel! Way to captivate an audience, Susan!

Finding Ashlyn was not what I was expecting from Susan Stoker. It was better!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

ma quando finiranno gli errori?????

finalmente ho letto questo n.6 la cui storie si era intravista nei volumi precedenti
ashlyn e slate non facevano che beccarsi a vicenda, nascondendo così una sorta i attrazione latente: ed in effetti la storia si muove proprio sul piano "amiciconbenefici", senza impegno e legami, solo alla fine e dopo che il ritorno ferito da una missione slate ammette a se stesso che ne è innamorato, per cui troviamo molto dialoghi diretti e ci stanno tutti
le parti interessanti sono: la realtà in cui ashlyn opera con la consegna pasti, siamo alle hawaii ma pur sempre usa, quindi persone con redditi bassissimi, che fanno fatica a sopravvivere e che vengono aiutate non dallo stato ma da privati (eh sì da noi c'è ma è diventato un approfittare di tutti!); la parte delle missioni, che come sempre rispecchiano situazioni vere con i bambini usati dai terroristi; l'amicizia tra le donne di tutti i seal, nella condivisione della preoccupazione ma anche nell'accettare quel lavoro (questi ci credono e non è un posto di lavoro come per tanti qui da noi)
bello anche il matrimonio.....finalmente una festa tra amici per condividere l'amore
e allora perchè slate prima ha 39 anni (pg.31) e poi diventano 33 (pg55)? perchè continui . e poi minuscole, apostrofi e virgolettati buttati a caso, parti mancanti (tutta notte)????? perchè??????c'è scritto che è stato anche editato..........ma forse non la versione definitiva
per questo do tre stelle perchè ha penalizzato al massimo la storia

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star book from Susan!

Finding Ashlyn is book 6 of the seal team Hawaii series written by Susan Stoker. She writes interconnected standalones so dont be afraid to read this book even if you are new to Susan or this series. If you have read the previous books you know both Slate and Ashlyn. Slate is the last single member of the seal team while Ashlyn is friends with the girls through her job with Food For All. They have known eachother for a year and have danced around their attraction for awhile now. Slate finally asks Ashlyn out and they decide of a friend's with benefits relationship. Even though it is a "casual" relationship it is fun to watch how protective Slate is of Ashlyn. At first he thinks her job will put her at risk because she makes it a point to help her clients more then necessary. His mind is put at ease once he goes with her on a food delivery and sees for himself how much she is loved. Slate is thrilled once he realizes Ashlyn doesn't have anyone in her life that could be a threat to her. Or so he thought...

Susan once again does an amazing job with this book. We get to watch this couple as they learn how important they are to eachother. She created characters that are strong yet vulnerable. My heart hurt for them as the book went on. I couldn't help but cry as I listened to the emotions in the voices of the wonderful Emma Wilder and Ryan West. This is a book I will go back to over and over again!

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally speaking, a Susan Stoker book is an automatic yes for me. As with all things, some are better than others, but still enjoyable. Unfortunately, "Finding Ashlyn" bucked this trend and was truly hard to engage with. I had been looking forward to Slate's book since we first met him with the other guys. He was surly, grumpy, and made his impatience known - but that guy was no where to be found in this book. It was automatic FWB with no tension within the relationship. More than half the book was about this relationship and the two main characters convincing others no feelings had been caught. Where was the suspense? Where was build up to learning why Ashlyn would need Slate to come to her rescue? Compared to previous books, moments were inserted here and there, but ultimately, it was pretty rushed in the end. Shocking too because the book felt like it wouldn't end at times.

Best new character in this book: James (he could be America's grandpa!)

Narrators did a great job with the story they had to work with. Emma Wilder has been a great female performer for this series, and Ryan West is a newer to me narrator, but will listen to more of his work.

Not every book can be a winner to every one, so Susan Stoker is still a yes for me! Especially since it's almost time to meet Baker!

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony, steamy, and exciting military romance

Slate and Ashlyn’s romance was so good. It was impossible to put down and I gobbled it up in a few hours. The journey to Slate and Ashlyn’s HEA is a beautifully paced, exciting military romance. The book has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, fan your face steam, dangerous heart stopping action, painful pasts, strong friendships, excitement, bad actors, and even some chuckles, all set against the backdrop of beautiful Hawaii. This is book 6 in the Seal Team Hawaii series. Ashlyn works delivering meals for the relief organization Food for All. Slate is a member of a seal team. All his teammates have recently gotten into committed relationships and Ashlyn is friends with all his teammates wives/girlfriends. Neither is interested in a traditional relationship they just want “to feel good without the deeper complication of affections.” So casual friends with benefits dating it is. But feelings get complicated and often refuse to stay in the box you’ve assigned them. Slate and Ashlyn’s love story has all the feels - fear, redemption, tears, chuckles, gasps, swooning, teeth gritting, and so much all encompassing, nurturing, protective love. I am excited for the last book in this series.

[Amanda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

My New Favorite Couple

Slate & Ashlyn have a mostly antagonistic relationship in the previous books of this series. He is overprotective and she really doesn’t like being told what to do. All of that animosity creates a spark that they can’t deny for long and eventually they decide to try a friend with benefits arrangement.

This book starts off steamy and it stays there! Their chemistry is off the charts and I loved every minute of it. Slate and Ashlyn eventually start to develop deeper feelings for each other without even realizing it. The evolution of their relationship feels amazingly organic. I fell in love with them both as they were falling for each other. Some things have to happen before they realize the depth of their emotions, but when the swoon hits, it hits HARD! My book hangover is in full effect.

The suspense element doesn’t have anything to do with Slate or Ashlyn directly, but it works well as a subplot to the relationship, which is the star of the show for me. I love how all of the supporting characters (new & old) are woven into this story.

This is one of my favorite series. I am beyond excited for Baker’s book.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to skip chapter 1 when it opened into a sex scene. Clearly this is a ME problem since I like slow burn but THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEB CIRCLING EACH OTHER FOR A YEAR so it should have been a slow burn. Nope. I guess if you want to read how they fought and hated each other, you'll have to buy the first 5 books.

Chapter 2 was just the H telling himself (and his friends) that he's just using the h for fwb arrangement and doesn't want anything permanent. Except then he talks about their "date" and clearly the possessive SEAL will want exclusivity. I just can't take when a character isn't self-aware enough to realize that whether or not they have supper together THEY ARE DATING. It's not just sex and it makes you sound like a fuckboy to go around telling people that.

So after skimming chapter 2 I realized I don't care and haven't cared for too many of this series. I need to stop wasting my time and energy on this. I want to read about a man who WANTS the world to know his girl is irreplaceable. Not one who can't even admit it to himself.

[Lune & Plume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comme chaque moi, je vous livre mon avis sur un roman de Susan Stoker. Vous le savais depuis longtemps, je voue un culte à cette autrice pour ses romances militaires. Et j'aime particulièrement cette série.

Depuis les premiers tomes de cette série, Slate et Ashlyn passent leur temps à se chamailler. Slate reproche à Ash d'être inconsciente du danger et cette dernière lui reproche d'être trop protecteur. Leurs prises de bec quotidienne démontre une certaine attirance. Ils décident donc de sauter de la pas et de vivre une relation basée sur le sexe. Ils ne se prennent pas la tête. Si la relation se termine, leur amitié perdurera.

Bien entendu, on connaît le scénario couru d'avance. Nos héros commencent à éprouver davantage que de l'amitié et il suffira que le danger rôde pour qu'ils prennent réellement conscience de leurs sentiments. L'intrigue est basique mais fait son affaire.

Je continue de passer un bon moment à chaque tome qui se lit de plus en plus vite malheureusement. Le prochain tome sera aussi le dernier et viendra donc clôturer cette superbe saga.

[Mom Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of my fave couples of the Hawaii SEALS couples. And tbh ALL of them had interesting stories and I never thought I would have a fave over Jodelle or Elodie’s !!! But here we are.

This was a friends w benefits trope and I loved how they slowly fell in love with each other over the course of several books (you get little snippets here and there). It was truly well done and built up naturally. Nothing forced.

This book had more spice which I AM HERE FOR. Susan writes such amazing love scenes-🥵🥵no wet meat flaps or other corny shit. 😝

I purchased all of these books as they are not on KU and they are well written and WORTH EVERY PENNY.

If you love romance and military tropes please do yourself a favor and read Susan Stoker. She has a way of writing a series where each one feels unique and not the same shit different day!!

MF✅

KU❌

HEA ✅

Cheating/OW/OM drama❌

Grumpy/Sunshine trope ✅
(But not overdone)

Active Military SEALS MC✅

Independent awesome grown ass woman FMC ✅

Last couple standing trope✅

Medium spice ✅

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After waiting for Ashlyn to get her attitude in check and go for it with Slate I wasn't sure where this story would go. It was nice to see Slate change a bit as well. However the amount of time these two spent in denial was CRAZY.

Ashlyn being so positive and giving people the benefit of the doubt is a wonderful quality as long as you have someone to be skeptical for you on the sidelines, which is why these two work so well together.

I've heard readers/listeners comment on how much sexy times are in this story, but if you know the characters and their deal, and this isn't your first Stoker or SEAL book, this shouldn't be a surprise. It was all set up and worked through really well for the characters and it was true to the characters.

This ties up everyone nicely with the exception of Baker who is coming along soon. So give Ash and Slate a chance if you want to see what two crazy stubborn people in love look like!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the series, as the SEALs find their sweethearts and the social circle grows, Ashlyn and Slate have been part of the group, but never part of a couple. That works for both of them since Slate thinks Ashlyn is too reckless, and Ashlyn thinks Slate is impatient and bossy. Of course, all that takes a back seat to the burgeoning sexual tension between them.

I appreciated how, even as they embarked on their "friends with benefits" arrangement, Slate and Ashlyn were very upfront about their expectations and boundaries. The openness continued as their relationship deepened, and I loved how they continued to check in with one another. The emotional arcs felt true for the characters, and I became so invested in their HEA.

As the penultimate book in a series, it was great to see couples from previous books and mark their milestones (engagements, weddings, babies) too. Can't wait for Baker's story!

[Debbie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Finding Ashlyn" is the sixth book in the SEAL Team Hawaii series and just like all the other books in the series, I loved it. Duncan "Slate" Stone and Ashlyn Taylor decide to have a friends with benefits relationship, ha, they weren't fooling anyone but themselves. Ashlyn felt like Slate was too protective and he drove too fast, among other little things. Slate felt like Ashlyn trusted too easily and didn't pay attention to her surroundings enough, which both could end up meaning trouble for her. Little by little they both decided that they wanted more, but they were both too afraid to admit it, thinking that the feelings could be one sided. Things happen, but they get turned around quickly and now they aren't afraid of asking for more from each other.
I loved how all of the team members stood beside Slate & Ashlyn, and there were lots of other great characters in this book too. I especially loved the epilogue where we got another glimpse of Baker, I cannot wait to read his story!!

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read... not too much happened, felt like a filler rather than a story within its own right.

I do have a problem with one thing though... the term 'handicapped' was used to to describe one of the characters on at least three occasions. At one point another character was given their birth name and then described as 'Lori, the handicapped woman’s sister'... we didn't even get Christi's name at that point. Christi is described as a wheelchair user. One positive... Slate made Ashlyn realise that she had been treating, albeit subconsciously, rather poorly with little respect for her as a person. I am pretty sure that I have mentioned this in regard to another of SS's books. It is just so disappointing as 'handicapped' ( rendered incapable ) is rather a derogatory term... annnd, now I will stop.

Fingers crossed for Baker's story - here's hoping that it is a bit more... action-y??!!

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slate is the grumpy loner, impatient, "go go go" member of his SEAL team. Ashlyn is the complete opposite. She's happy, outgoing, friendly and helpful. They mix about as well as oil and water, yet anyone watching them can see the electric attraction that arcs between them even if all the do is snipe at each other. So when they start a "friends with benefits" relationship none of the team nor their woen are surprised. They do get a lot of "be careful wgat you wish for" advice. Never would Slate have figured that Ashley would be such a vixen though. The more time they spend together, the deeper the feelings grow. They definitely move beyond the FWB stage. Things soldify when Slate is seriously injured on a mission. But when Ashlyn is sudden put in peril, Slate knows for certain that he can't lose her! He just can't.!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Susan Stoker stories but this one seemed to be a slow romance with little action until the way near the end. This one is more about these two building their relationship and each denying it is anything more than casual. While it is a good story it is not my favorite from this author. That last quarter of the book though….was amazing.

Secondary characters are plentiful and almost seem overwhelming. The new one are perfect and in fact I loved James. The girlfriends of Slate’s friends are usually a welcome addition to any future story. It is almost getting too many to always be involved in all conversations. I almost thing it would be better if only a couple were majorly involved and all just a few times.

I did listen to this on audio. Emma Wilder and Ryan West are the narrators. They both do a great job and are easy to listen to.

Til the next in the series.

[Avidchic reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

this author's craft just blows me away. I've listened to so many of Susan's books and I am so familiar with her trope. however this book, simplicity at its best and an upside-down trope which just made me admire Susan even more.
A lot of her books are military suspense based with a dab of romance, but this novel is a love story and how the beauty of simple daily life described so artfully can fold you into the drama.
I've had my favourite alpha in this series but I think slate has just topped mustang.
the emotions that wrapped around me while I listened had me settling into a warm, enjoyable listen.... till it got steamy anyway. wooweee.
just so enjoyed this book and thank you susan stoker for giving us your wonderful norm with a twist.
Ryan and Emma simply divine