Hunted

Marine Raiders Alpha #1

by Allyson Charles

A tough special forces operator who’s never run from a fight. A woman about to give him the biggest battle of his life.

Marine Raider Jake Skinner has a nose for trouble. He never expected to find it in a beautiful woman adrift at sea. But once he has her in his arms, he knows he’s never letting her go.

Caroline only had one rule when it came to dating – no military men. When the sexy Marine pulls her from the ocean, her resolution goes to war against his resolve to break through her walls – and goes against her own secret longings.

As a drug cartel sets its sights on Caroline, Jake is determined to move heaven and earth to keep her safe. But if Caroline can’t learn to trust her heart, it could spell the end for them both.

Meet the men of Alpha Squad. Protective, strong-willed, and tough, they go hard after what they want. And when they set their sights on a woman, they’ll use every weapon in their arsenal to make her theirs. Each book in this series is a fast, steamy read, full of pulse-pounding action.

Genres: Military Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Thriller

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2022

About the author

Allyson Charles writes small-town, contemporary romances with heat and humor. A former attorney, she happily ditched those suits and now works in her pajamas writing about men’s briefs instead of legal briefs. When she’s not writing, she’s probably engaged in one of her favorite hobbies: napping, eating, or martial arts (That last one almost makes up for the first two, right?). She also writes steamy historicals as Alyson Chase.

Sign up for Allyson’s newsletter at www.allysoncharles.com/newsletter.
You can find her at www.allysoncharles.com, on Twitter @1allysoncharles, and on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAllysonCharles.

Reviews

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, fast-paced military romance.

It would take a certain man (if any) to change Caroline’s mind on not dating military men. When Jake saves her after she escapes death she tells herself it’s not going to happen. Of course she eventually caves because Jake is so sweet and extremely persistent. You really feel the connection between them. Can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of Jake’s team.

No cheating. No other women. Insta(ish) love.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't half-bad. A quick, fun read, full of suspence - even if a bit predictable.

Caroline is a rule-follower, all uptight and cautious - unti lshe decides to do something crazy and let loose for once. It doesn't end well - as most things of this nature don't - and she becomes a witness in a cartel murder. Now, she's being hunted by a drug lord's son. Enter Jake Skinner - the man who is more than willing to protect her and make her life a lot easier. But it's hard to become dependent on someone when you've lived on your own for so long. Will they find a middle ground to survive and defeat Caroline's pursuer?

I had so much fun with this one! Though it was full of cliches, and it was easy to predict what was going to happen next, it was fast paced and the steamy scenes delivered perfection. The rest of the cast was something memorable, too, and I can't wait to read their stories (can we please get Sam with Chris next? their tension was off the charts, the ship was practically sailing all by itself!).

The only downside was Jake's pushiness at some points. It was understandable, given the danger of the situation, but there were certain cases in which he was being a bit too demanding and hard-headed.

Still, it didn't take too much from the book's enjoyment, and it was a considerably small detail. All in all, a 4/5 for me on this one, and a definite recommendation, because we all like a mature man who knows what he wants and where he stands on the matter of romance!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this a try because I thought it would be an interesting story, and the front cover and title captured my interest. It was interesting and I rather enjoyed reading it. Loved the group of marine characters and will definitely be reading Stalked, the next Marine Raiders Alpha #2.
BTW, just purchased it! 5☆

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and fast read. Suspense is catnip for me. I love a suspense. This one ticked all of the boxes. First, I love camaraderie of the team. They kid around, they have each other’s back and they take no guff from anyone. Second, I love the romance portion of the story. It was so sweet and kind and caring. Sigh! I hope all of the team members get a story. Great characters.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I thought this was a great story! Very similar to stories by Susan Stoker and Riley Edwards, but a bit shorter. I think this one had potential to be a 5 star read if it had been a little longer.
Caroline is rescued by Jake and his team. He feels an instant connection to her. Too bad she’s sworn off military men. Will she re-consider?
Yes, this one does have a happily ever after.

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of took a chance on this one. I haven't been reading much romantic suspense lately but I do love Allyson Charles' books. So I thought, what the heck and age it a try. I'm so glad I did. I ended up loving it. It's so well-written and has wonderful characters, Ones that you'll so badly want their stories.

Poor Caroline's life isn't going just the way she planned on. What do they say, that dating can be the death of you! Or maybe that's just this book. From the start, you'll like her. She's sweet and funny. Not sure why she had trouble finding a partner in life but I guess it only took the right person. I know she has an issue with military people and doesn't want to date anyone in it for good reason for her. I'm glad she got over it.

You'll love Jake. He's a sexy alpha male that takes charge. Right away he fell for Caroline and will do anything to protect her. I think that what I liked about him so much is how protective he is. He's also a good friend. I love the funny moments between him and his men.

Hunted is a fast-paced story that moves quickly. You'll feel like you've only read a couple of pages when bam, it's done. I will tell you that it was so good I can't wait for the next book in the series. Which I found is coming soon. Lucky us.
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[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of Hunted by Allyson Charles through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Caroline wanted to let her hair down for once in her life, and of course, it ends in disaster. She witnesses a murder, manages to put herself on a drug lord's hit list, and needs to be rescued by the oh-so-hot and charming Marine Raider Jake.

Jake is immediately captivated by Caroline. He makes it his mission to keep her safe and with the help of his amazing team, track down the drug lord that's out to get her.

While her past has her wary of getting involved with a military man, Caroline can’t deny her attraction to Jake and ultimately decides she wants to see where their romance could take them.

This is a fast-paced book that I could not put down. I loved all of the characters. Not just Jake and Caroline, but Caroline's friend Sam and Jake’s entire team. The only thing that would make this book better would be to make it a bit longer. Otherwise, a great read that I would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes a good military romance or romantic suspense.

Hunted was the first Allyson Charles book I have read, and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and to see what else is in store for the rest of these amazing Marine Raiders. I am for sure adding her to my list of favorite authors.

[Helen Diedericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Carter’s life is boring, so she decides to do something spontaneous…. And yeah… Murphy strikes. She ends up on a yacht with some sketchy people and ends up swimming for her life.
Jake “Psych” Skinner is a Marine Raider and as his nickname implies, he can sense when something is about to go sideways. While on a morning PT swim with his team he finds Caroline half frozen hanging on to a buoy. They get her to hospital and that should be the end of it, but he can’t get her out of his mind, and after finding out there is a possibility that a cartel boss is after her he makes it his mission to keep her safe.
Caroline is attracted to Jake and feels safe with him. But after finding out he is in the military she gives him the cold shoulder. Will Jake be able to keep Caroline safe and break down her walls? Will Caroline realize that not all military guys are the same and give Jake a chance? Will the cartel win this round and get rid of the witness that can sink their new operation?

An exciting start to a series and a definite must read. Don’t miss out!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunted (Marine Raiders Alpha Book 1) is the first military romance book I remember Allyson Charles writing. Her smartest move was not going to the yacht party with a man she hardly knows. From there it is downhill for her until she meets Jake. What a first time meeting it is! A romantic suspense story, Marine Raider Jake Skinner literally pulls Caroline from the ocean.

Fast-paced this book has a great balance between the suspense, danger, action, and romance. Plus Jake and his team are unbeatable. Caroline was a character that had to grow on me. Her do dating military personnel seemed silly when she had gotten on a yacht with someone she barely knew. However she does smarten up as the story progresses.

I did love the team camaraderie, wanting to read more of the Alpha Squad’s stories. If you enjoy military romantic suspense then the first Marine Raiders Alpha book, Hunted is the newest book for you to check out. I enjoyed it so will you.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher/author through Book Sprout which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Daisy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

I really enjoyed everything about this story. Caroline lives a boring life and always plays it safe but the one time she steps outside of her comfort zone, everything goes wrong. We can all relate. Jake’s immediately drawn to her and it’s not just because he saved her life. There’s more to it, he just has to figure out what’s going on between him and the beautiful stranger. This book is full of action and goes so fast, but the pacing is perfect, not rushed at all. I love the fact that he falls first and the way they come together. There’s also a great supporting cast between her friend Samantha and Jake’s team.

This is my first book from the author but definitely won’t be my last. In fact, I’ve already grabbed the next book in the series.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is new to me and this being the first book in the series, was the perfect time to give her a try. Glad I did. I have now added her to my TBR list of authors.
The story centers round Marine Raider Jake Skinner and Caroline Carter.
Caroline was on a boat on a date, when she inadvertently overheard a conversation between her date and a man discussing drugs. Anxious to get to the top of the boat and away from them, she’s discovered. In order to stay alive after the execution she witnessed, she jumps off into the sea. Found the next day by Jake and his team.
Determined to keep her safe and away from the man that was more than just a dealer, Jake becomes a sort of bodyguard.
As the danger intensifies, so do the feelings. Feelings neither wanted but were experiencing.
Will they survive the danger? If so, will they go take a chance on love or go their separate ways?
This action packed story was filled with bad guys, hunky good ones, and a strong female character.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having read anything by this author, I decided to try this as the summary was so interesting. I enjoyed everything about the story and characters and plan to search for more of her books, especially the next ones in this series. During a training exercise, Marine Raider Jake Skinner notices something on a buoy in the water and realizes that it is a woman. Finding her still alive, he and his team rush her to safety. He learns that she is Caroline Carter and that she fell off of a yacht after witnessing the murder of a man. There is something about her that calls to Jake and he needs to keep her safe. Caroline swore she would never get involved with a man in the military; they are often gone for long periods of time as well as the danger they face. Enlisting the men on his squad to not only protect her but to locate and eliminate the threat is his goal. Will Caroline come to realize that loving a man in the military is worth the worry? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Escape to the pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author for me (and the start of what seems like a brand new series) I really enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I loved meeting the Raiders team and starting to learn a little about their personalities in the beginning then more about Caroline and her life and relationship with her best friend.

I though the introduction of Jake and Caroline was a really great way to start the story with a bang and it certainly only got better.

An instalove for one of them, Jake certainly knows what he wants and is determined to break Caroline’s no military men rule, which he does with style.

I enjoyed the interactions, the camaraderie and brotherhood between the team and especially the snarky moments between them.

The storyline was interesting and pacy with suspense and drama up to the end.

A really strong start, I’m looking forward to seeing who is next, Sam and Chris maybe???

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline goes to a party, on a yacht, with a virtual stranger. She accidentally walks into a room with a lot of drugs. The man shoots her date in the head and she jumps in the water before they shot her. Jake is part of an elite team and are training by swimming and he see a shape on a buoy. Jake and his team rescue Caroline just in time. When Jake finds out who Caroline saw , a drug cartel boss, he gets friends to watch her. Caroline has always said she would never be involved with a military man. The more she gets to know him, the harder she falls. Can Jake keep her safe and take down the drug cartel?

Even though this is a short book, I really liked it. First time reading this author but if definitely will not be the last. Action and some spicy scenes. Almost love at first sight.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline went out of her comfort zone and went with Brent on a date on a yacht. Being bored and cold she went looking for him, finding him along with seeing things she should not have she left only to see Brent killed before she runs. Getting top side once again she decides to fall off the boat instead of being shot.
Jake and his team are training PT early in the morning, after all, that they have done it is now time for their 3-mile swim. Swimming out to the buoy and back was the plan, Jake finding a woman barely alive was the unexpected part. After rescuing her he puts her in the hospital. Wanting to help her Caroline does not want his help and does not want him around. She does not want to be with a military man. Please find out how she falls for one and how this all plays out. A good story with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline tries to be impulsive and ends up on a yacht in the middle of the ocean with a man she barely knows. She goes to find the guy and see something she shouldn't. This has her jumping in the water to avoid being killed. Jake and his team are training when they see something on a buoy. They save her and get her to the hospital and learn why she was out there. Jake is drawn to her and wants to protect her. Caroline pushes him away at first but soon sees he means what he says. Will he be able to keep her safe? Will Caroline forget her rule and start seeing Jake?

This is an amazing story that once I started it I couldn't put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. It's a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Marine Alpha Series and it is Jake and Caroline's story and what a great start to a new series. When Caroline decides to go and enjoy herself she doesn't expect to witness a murder and now she has a target on her back by a drug Lord and she now need help. When Jake rescued a woman from the water he wasn't expecting the instant attraction that he felt towards her and now he is determined to keep her safe and find the people involved with the help of his team. I absolutely loved this book and it had great characters and a storyline that pulled you in and kept your attention and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunted is the first book in the Marine Raiders Romance series. This had everything I love about military romantic suspense, heat and steam, action, romance, a strong female and an alpha male that tires to protect but also knows how to treat her right. The author nailed it with the way Jake and his team are with each other, they're family and not afraid to joke around but have each others back through it all. I can't wait to read more in this series. Jake drawn to Caroline is determined to break down the walls she has around her heart and keep her safe but it isn't going to be easy, she has a no dating military guys rule she determined to keep.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunted is the first book in the Marine Raiders Alpha series by Allyson Charles. This was a new-to-me author, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It was well-written and had entertaining and interesting characters. The twists and turns kept me on edge the entire book. The connection between Jake and Caroline was instant. Caroline fought the attraction but finally overcame her reluctance to date a military man. I loved watching Jake win her over slowly but surely. This was a great book, and I am so glad I discovered this author. I recommend it and look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunted by Allyson Charles is an intense, action-packed read. From the opening scene to the hero finding the heroine and then protecting her from those who want her dead, it is a compelling story. I liked the characters, although at times, the hero was a bit heavy handed. He had a strong protective streak and tended to overwhelm the heroine. Still, his interest in her and his heart for her was evident and sweet. I enjoyed this book. It does have a higher heat level than I prefer, but the characters and action make it worth the read.

I received a copy of Hunted from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Hunted #NetGalley

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm so glad I was able to get an arc copy. It's a great start to this new series and although it is a quick read there is still plenty of suspense, romance, and humor. The five team members of Marine Raiders Alpha are an interesting mix of characters and I want to get to know more about them. Jack Skinner is a protective alpha male, and he isn't going to give up on Caroline, especially when they determine that the Diaz who almost shot her may be part of a cartel. Caroline has her reasons for not wanting to date a military guy, but will Jake be able to change her mind? I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[travelbug74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Great character's and a fast-paced story made my entre into this author a hit. I'm not usually a fan of insta-love but it worked within this story. Jake was a strong, caring guy who realized how special Caroline was and didn't want to miss his chance. Caroline did make a very TSTL decision but without it the entire premise of the book would have been gone. I did like that with Jake's support she realized she could be, and do, more with her life.

I will definitely be waiting for the next in the series.

I received and eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Paula Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I love.
It had a protective male protagonist, lots of tension, and a threath throught the whole book.
Jake was a great protagonist, sometimes a little very protective, but I adored him. It was a bit of instalove but at the same time Caroline doesn’t want to date miltary men. And for a good reason. I would have like her to be a little bit more strong on that field, but well Jake was very persuasive. It had great spicy scenes too.
It also has a great friend group which I love.
Great book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast, fun and sexy read. It is a fairly short and quick read that I could not put down. Very addictive. The story is kind of an instant love about Caroline and Jake. Caroline is on a yacht with a man she barely knows when she stumbles upon what appears to be a drug transaction. She ends up throwing herself overboard. Jake is training with his team members when he sees a body clung to a buoy. He manages to rescue Caroline and falls instantly. Trouble follows soon follows. This is a good and nicely developed story with suspense, action, danger, passion and good banter.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading romantic suspense and this one was a really fast paced and enjoyable read.

I discovered this one via Netgalley and I'd not read anything by this author before but I really liked this one.

It follows a marine team who discover a young woman in the ocean after being attacked. Caroline now has a drug cartel leader wanting her dead, and Jake, one of the marines is eager to keep her safe.

If you like romantic suspense this is a good one to try. The story contains swearing, violence and sexual content, and it was a quick read for me.

[Melenareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunted is a fast-paced romantic suspense about Caroline, who finds herself in a dangerous situation, and Jake, the marine who rescues her. Overall this was a good read that set up the series and group of characters well in addition to giving us Jake and Caroline's story.

The book is on the shorter side and I do think that made some other relationship development feel a bit rushed. overall, this was a good read and well it's not my favorite from the author. I think I would be interested in trying other books from the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love when a solider rescues the one woman who stops his heart and has to keep her safe. Love how Jake doesn't give up but still respectfully keeps pushing Cat. Cat showed strength. Their chemistry hot hot hot! His team members are lively and bring so much humor. Absolutely enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Caroline is very gutsy. An attempt to be adventurous leads to danger when Caroline see something she shouldn't. She manages to escape and is rescued by Jake and his team. However the drug cartel is still after her to silence her. When the case is assigned to Jake's team, he makes sure Caroline is safe no matter what. The issue is resolved and the bonus is Caroline gets a very good man in Jake for herself.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I've read from this author. Excellent read for me. Plenty of action, suspense, intrigue and heat. When Caroline witnesses something she shouldn't have, it puts her in the crosshairs of the cartel. Jake and his team found her during a swim lying on a buoy. HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good, quick read.

When Caroline takes a chance and goes on a date with a guy she never could have guessed that it would end with he being hunted by a deadly drug dealer. She also couldn't have guessed that she would break her one rule. Don't date military guys.

Read her and Jake's story and see if Jake can keep her safe.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.