He never expected to return to his hometown, but now he can’t leave her behind again.

Dr. Dalton Hart left his small Southern beach town fifteen years ago to become a Navy SEAL. Now he’s back, and Sandy Point is buzzing over his return. He thought he came home to help his family, but his oldest brother will barely speak to him, and his childhood friend is trying to avoid him. Worse, if he wants to stay, he’ll have to face the secret that’s haunted him ever since he left.

Brooke Garcia can’t believe this ripped, blue-eyed SEAL is back in her life or that she’s stuck working with him. She’s no stranger to smooth-talking hometown heroes—she married one, and he broke her heart. Now a single mom, she doesn’t have time to indulge in walks down memory lane. Brooke never forgave Dalton for the way he left town without even saying goodbye, and she’s not interested in making amends.

But soul mates have a way of finding you…even when you’re not ready.

Titles in the Southern Hart Brothers series include: The SEAL’s Promise ~ The Bad Boy’s Homecoming ~ The Sheriff’s Rescue ~ The Cowboy’s Catch ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  The SEAL’s Promise
Series:  Southern Hart Brothers #1
Author:  Stella Holt
Published:  May 23, 2025
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The SEAL’s Promise begins the Southern Hart Brothers series with an emotional, fun, satisfying romance between former friends who didn’t act on their feelings in their younger days, but now life has taught them some lessons.

Perhaps not the same lessons as Dalton is returning home to care for his Gran (who doesn’t need tending, thank you very much!), to try to heal his relationship with his brothers but isn’t intending to stay for long, and Brooke, who was devastated when Dalton left town without a word, yet moved on to a disastrous marriage. The only good thing about that marriage is her son, Max, who will steal scenes whenever he shows up on page.

I, frankly, have yet to read a Stella Holt book that I didn’t love. And that feeling continues in Dalton’s and Brooke’s story. A well-written, emotional, engaging, and, yes, fun story provides a great start to a series I’ll definitely follow. My favorite character? Dalton’s matchmaking grandmother! If you love a romance with a touch of drama, some old conflicts to get past, characters who are realistic, and a couple you can’t help but root for as they work their way to a happy ending, then The SEAL’s Promise by Stella Holt is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon