Lovin' los libros

 

 

 So, I am kicking myself for not reading this book sooner! I really enjoyed the novella before this book and knew that Trent and Laura would have one heck of a story to tell. Whew. I was in no way prepared for the onslaught of emotions I got from this book. I am very particular with my adult romances, only having a very few authors that I LOVE. It's safe to say Jessica Scott has now made that very short list because this book? Gave me ALL.THE.FEELS. And I'm not or have ever been married!

 

As I said, we are introduced to Trent and Laura very briefly in Carponti and Nicole's novella, who also appear in this book. Trent and Laura have been married for quite some time now and have 2 kids to take care of. However, Trent's constant deployments have really taken a toll on their marriage and now after finding out the truth about those deployments, along with false charges, Laura is just done. She wants a divorce, but Trent refuses to sign the papers. Deep down, he doesn't want to lose his wife. He loves her, but doesn't know how to make things right after so long of just barely holding on. Now that Trent is back stateside and is facing the court martial, he wants to make things right with Laura and his family.

 

It broke my heart to watch these two. Laura is so defeated and just wants to stop hurting. She wants Trent to give her a divorce so she can finally move on with her life. Being in limbo hurts too much and she is wrecked because she loves Trent more than anything. I can't even imagine being an army wife and dealing with the fear on a daily basis that your husband might never come home, leaving you a widow and your kids fatherless. I also can't imagine going to war and seeing things you can never unsee and do things you can never undo. Trent has seen unspeakable horrors and has lost comrades and friends to the war. He is a shell of the man he once was and he feels this overwhelming emptiness. He doesn't know how to fix things with his wife. She desperately wants him to open up to her, but he always keeps her in the dark, wanting to shelter her from that ugly side of his life.

 

Laura is a fiercely independent woman and I admire her so much. Trent doesn't have to tell her every single bloody detail, but she just wants to be able to comfort her husband and hold his hand while he traverses through the darkness. It's going to take a lot on Trent's part to open Laura's heart back up again. She has sealed it off from him, as she cannot stand to be hurt again by the man she loves more than anything.

 

This is just such a beautiful story of falling in love again and learning how to be whole again. Scott made me cry a couple of times- there were so many tender moments between not just Laura and Trent, but between Trent and his kids too. He not only has to relearn how to be a husband, but he has to learn how to be a father as well. It's not an easy journey, but that's what makes every gain, every step forward that much more powerful. Trent and Laura have some amazing chemistry together and it was inspiring to see after so many years together, the spark is still there.

 

I cannot recommend this book enough. I want to go back and read the first book in the series to see how Shane and Jen began their relationship, and I'm excited to read the next book about Iaconelli and Emily. Scott will draw you in with her writing, engage you with her emotionally powerful storylines, and melt you with her romances. Do not miss out on these books!