Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2/22/16
Source: NetGalley, Kismet Book Tours and publisher for review.
Ash Hunter knows what it is to run. A SEAL gravely injured in Afghanistan, he’s gone AWOL from the military hospital. Physically and mentally scarred, he returns home to his grandmother’s isolated cottage—and finds a beautiful, haunted stranger inside.
Like recognizes like.
Lia Stewart’s in hiding from the cartel she barely escaped alive, holed up in this small Rocky Mountain town. Surviving, but only just. Helping the wounded warrior on her doorstep is the right thing to do…it’s loving him that might get them both killed.My thoughts:
Soon, Ash realizes he’s not the only one tormented by the past. Pushing the limits of his broken body, testing the boundaries of her shattered soul, he’ll protect Lia until his last breath.
I loved the fact that there were two and not just one wounded character. Both have PTSD and both have to learn how to cope in a world away from the horrors that caused it. Then you add in a dog named Neil who is Ash's service PTSD dog. LOVED him so much. Neil really stole the show quite often and I was glad he did. He also incorporated Lia into his duties and never faltered for either of his humans. He was also the reason they got together. Not really spoiling anything since this is a romance and you knew they would be together at least in one part of the book.
I really loved how each person brought out the other's courage through their own trauma. There was a bit of "fixing" that Ash primarily did with Lia but it wasn't over the top and it was through gaining trust. However...
What I really didn't like was what Ash did toward the end. There was a reason given but I still felt it would have been a betrayal of big proportions. The reasons did not justify the means in this case. I would have felt differently if it was done with permission. It also could have been handled another way. Still despite this problem, I ended up enjoying the book.
I give this one 4 stars. I enjoyed the setting, the animals and for the most part... the romance. :) I recommend it to those that enjoy romantic suspense.
While I was planning on reading this for sure anyway because hello SEAL, the mention of Neil has me even more excited. I can't wait to meet him. I love when animal characters steal the show:)
ReplyDeleteOMG! You will SO love that dog. :D
DeleteIt sounds like this was a great read up until the ending. Glad you still manages to like this though, both characters do sound pretty great.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad but worth a mention. I think you'll like this one.
DeleteI'm having a tough time with angst lately, so I might put this one on the back burner for now. I love me some SEALs. :)
ReplyDeleteTo me, angst without reason is just annoying. This one had reason and so did not annoy. I really wouldn't even call it angst. :)
DeleteOh I love that there's a dog that is important to the story! Awesome. Too bad about the thing at the end though.
ReplyDeleteYou will love that dog. The ending wasn't bad, but it did upset me a bit. Don't let it deter you from this book. It is good.
DeleteYou will love the dog. I also liked the PTSD angle.
ReplyDeleteYay a 4 :D
ReplyDeleteI think you'd have fun with it. :)
DeleteAsh's decision towards the end scares me a bit, especially when it's not out of consent. Other than that, this sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteNothing bad or I would have thrown the book, just ticked me off a bit. ;)
DeleteI haven't read much romantic suspense and definitely want to broaden my experience with the genre so I'll have to check this one out ASAP. Thanks for putting it on my radar, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like this one. You will adore the dog!
DeleteIt sounds like this was a great read up until what Ash did. you have me curious about it though Melissa!
ReplyDeleteStill was good, just ticked me off a bit. ;)
DeleteSorry about your feeling about Ash in the end but I really like the idea of the story otherwise and yay for the dog!
ReplyDeleteI did forgive him. :D
DeleteThe romantic suspense sounds great
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like it!
DeleteOoo they sound like amazing characters, Melissa! Very interesting with them both having ptsd. I've read one other like that (Melissa Cutler) and wow! You have me a little nervous about the ending though. Is there a cheatery aspect to it? (hot button for me)
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