Reviews

Storm by Janie Crouch

lissa_bee's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

thisisabooktracker's review

3.0

I thought the next book in the series was going to be Redwood (January 2021) so imagine my surprise when I'm scrolling through upcoming releases and find another book in the series is set to be released in just a few days.

I was surprised once again when I opened the kindle book to a foreword from Susan Stoker. Apparently this is part of both the Linear Tactical series and part of the Special Forces: Operation Alpha Susan Stoker universe.

To be honest, I have read every single Susan Stoker book but they are so unmemorable that I can't figure out who anybody is besides Trigger and Gillian from [b:Shielding Gillian|45783890|Shielding Gillian (Delta Team Two, #1)|Susan Stoker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557851937l/45783890._SY75_.jpg|70588567]. Frankly, the amount of name drops confuse me as to which ones I should know and from where.

Plot: 6/10
There were a lot of time skips where a relationship could've been built, and more telling than showing. Action didn't really pick up until the second half, but what was there was interesting.

Romance: 6/10
Same cons as the plot, but I still bought in!

Steam: 2/10
Not much to see here...

Spoiler

Only one on-page sex scene with not much detail, but understandable for a story about a domestic abuse survivor

Content warning: on-page descriptions of domestic abuse, references of rape

lwebber's review

5.0

Outstanding

Another great book by Ms. Crouch. Thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the last. It was full of romance and suspense. Definitely worth the read.

iamkallia's review

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mommasaystoread's review against another edition

5.0

Romance with all the feels and edge of your seat suspense and intrigue are what I've come to expect when I sit down with a Janie Crouch novel, and Storm does not disappoint. If you've read the Tanner and Bree Thrillers then you'll recognize several of the events in this book, only we're given the details from Marilyn and Noah's perspective. That's not to say there are no surprises in this one, just maybe not as many as for those going in without already knowing the background. I know I've wanted their story since they were first introduced in the Tanner and Bree Thrillers, and knowing how some things were going to play out didn't diminish my enjoyment in the least. It certainly didn't take anything away from the love story between Noah and Marilyn. This one gets you right in the heart in more ways than one with both of these characters having their own demons to overcome. The story is sweet and sexy, and it's a story of renewal, starting over, and learning to trust. All in all, another terrific romantic suspense in the worlds of the Linear Tactical series, the Tanner and Bree Thrillers, and Susan Stoker's Special Forces.

lexee9's review

4.0

I loved this book!!! I was sooo happy to get Noah and Marilyn's story! I have met the characters before in the Risk series (which were fantastic!) and it was great getting to know them better and watch how they figured out their road to be together. Noah is a retired soldier that has become quiet after getting out the military and stays out on his ranch mostly. Marilyn is a mother of 2 that has come to the New Journey's shelter after leaving an abusive relationship. Marilyn caught Noah's attention from the first time he saw her but he could see the wariness in her regarding everything. This book picks up when Marilyn is moving into the new New Journey's building as building manager and Zac, Annie, Bree, Tanner, Cassandra, Noah, and Trigger show up to move everything in. I loved getting to see the way that Noah was with Marilyn. He wants to make sure that he doesn't trigger her or make her uncomfortable but it is not in a pitying way or a way that doesn't show that he respects her and thinks she is strong. I loved the development of this story. If you have read the Risk series then this book will feel familiar as it does happen at the same time as the last book in that series but this is from a different point of view and we get so much more with Noah and Marilyn. I loved getting to see all the things that I hadn't gotten in the Risk series with this couple. If you haven't read that series, you will be able to pick this one up without any issues either. It is a stand alone read. I loved the action and intrigue for sure. There are some potential triggers in here for people as Marilyn is from an abusive relationship and had a ton of horrible things done to her. She is dealing with PTSD and guilt and shame over anything along with building herself back up as a person. She is a fantastic mother and it is great watching her always protect her children. This story is a slow build and it needed to be for our main couple because of what Marilyn had been through. I loved the building of trust with both Marilyn and her kids that Noah was so great at. It was at their pace, with no pressure. This was a story that I couldn't put down once I picked it up. It just pulled me in from beginning to end and touched my heart with it. Just a fantastic read!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

amandazook's review against another edition

5.0

What a ride! From house fires, whitewater rafting and a run through the wood to escape to weddings and puppies. This book is jam packed. Marilyn and Noah are proof that with love and hard work together one can defeat the nastiest demons that live inside us. Both have had difficulties overcoming their dark pasts until Noah decides to train Marilyn in self defense. While working to make her stronger both physically and mentally, Noah has found he can overcome his own demons. This is a fantastic love story with plenty of adventure. And just when you think they are all safe...a suprise obstacle erupts. But no worries, they all get their happily ever after. And for fans of Susan Stoker, you will enjoy seeing a familiar character.

thebookdisciple's review

4.0

Storm weaves a few books together: we have Noah from the Bree and Tanner series, Trigger from Susan Stoker's Delta series, plus lots of the linear tactical guys and gals! You don't have to have read all these books, but it does help enrich the story.

Marilyn has had a rough time of late. She was physically abused by her ex, and she barely managed to escape with her two children and her life. Now, she is going to be the on site manager of the a new women's shelter. It's a perfect opportunity for her and her kids to get a second chance. Her kids are sweet and you can feel the damage the abuse to their mother took on them. Noah has his own demons (PTSD), but he is intrigued by Marilyn and he is adorable with her kids.

I think Noah and Marilyn are perfect for each other because they are so skittish. This oddly works! Noah can protect Marilyn and the kids, and they help him reintegrate with society and people. The story spans months so this helped me feel the relationship between these two was more genuine.

Storm brings a heap of danger too, so there is plenty of action. Overall, the story was heartbreaking, thrilling, sweet, and romantic. If you haven't read Crouch before, but love Susan Stoker, you will enjoy Storm!

 

•   POV: 3rd


•   Tears: yes


•   Trope: on the run, single mom


•   Triggers:
  Spoiler

  Marilyn was abused by her husband; it is only detailed in small flashbacks and isn't overly graphic. The story does deal a lot with her PTSD.


•   Series/Standalone: stand alone within a few interconnected series


•   Cliffhanger:
  Spoiler

  no


•   HEA:
  Spoiler

  yes

books that included the overlapping characters like Shielding Gillian by Susan Stoker, Calculated Risk by Janie Crouch, Cyclone by Janie Crouch...then you will probably like Storm!

 

Storm

 See full review on The Book Disciple

kristi814's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Another great book in this series and I loved this couple. The first couple sentences of the book set the tone with some sensitive and emotional material but the way it all came together was great.  Noah is truly a hero and I love the way this ended 

jksh5678's review

5.0

Ever since Marilyn and Noah were introduced in the Bree and Tanner thriller series, I have been anxiously waiting for their story. After learning everything that Marilyn had endured in her marriage, I was so happy that she was able to finally find her happily ever after!

Marilyn and Noah’s love story was on the slow burn side, but it really needed to be with everything Marilyn had gone through. Noah has also endured his share of pain with the horrors of war, so he understood what a person with PTSD goes through. He was the perfect person to give her everything she needed to heal and along the way he had also found his sense of peace.

Not only do we get this beautiful love story, the drama from Marilyn’s ex will definitely keep you on your toes. To get Noah and Marilyn’s point of view was as nailbiting as it was getting Tanner and Bree’s POV in Risk Everything. Then we have the interaction between Noah and Marilyn’s two children, talk about swoon worthy. And with this book as a crossover in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces world you will also see a familiar couple. All around, Storm was a fantastic read and I enjoyed every bit of it.