Review: READ IT!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2012
5+ StarsShane is a platoon leader deep into his soul.  The safety of his men in the sandbox and at home is his main concern.  What happens to him is not important.  On the eve of his next deployment he is packing his duffle in an empty apartment. Signing his divorce papers and trying not to let his wife's betrayal affect him. He gave her everything, all the furniture the money just so he could be there for his men. He needs to be there, he needs to make sacrifices to make sure his men make it home - they have loved ones - families; he doesn't.Jen is a nurse, a good one.  She can understand the broken soldiers healing at her hospital at Fort Hood better than anyone knows.  She herself is missing a part of herself. She understands looking in the mirror and knowing you're not whole, being so weak you don't know if you can fight to try to have your life back.  Her purpose is to help these soldiers become whole again and if she puts off her own healing so be it.Shane and Jen meet the night before deployment in a bar.  Conversation between them is as if they had known each other for years, not hours.  They share a kiss that reaches their core leaving a memory that warms them the months that follow. Shane comes home and for once in his life he is not sure what his future holds and he is all alone, he is angry at the world. The only person he doesn't bark at is Jen, the hold she placed on his soul that night is still there.  Helping Shane put his life back together will cause Jen to deal with her own broken pieces.Do not let this being a military romance deter you from reading this book.  I did, and WOW, I almost missed one of the best books I have ever read. Jessica's scene description is exact and vivid without any of the trappings of a sentimental romance. Her characters have character.  I felt connected to every character in this book, the secondary and tertiary characters included. There were parts my heart was racing, and I confess to skimming parts (and returning to reread) because the need to know the resolution of the scene. I am very thankful to my friend who suggested this book to me, I will listen and read accordingly from now on I promise.  I have found a new go to author.  I anxiously await her next offering.