Review: Emotionally Charged Story With Fully Fleshed-Out Characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 27, 2012
The former Don't Ask Don't Tell policy is the catalyst for a tough Marine to change his life completely after meeting a waiter/romance writer in this intensely emotional story full of angst and steamy sexual interludes.  What starts out as casual for both of them soon evolves into something unexpectedly intense that leads them both down a rocky road to their HEA.After being forced out of the Marines for admitting his sexuality Cole feels adrift.  Being a Marine took up over half his life and he's having trouble adjusting to civilian life.  Unacceptance from his parents, and the rest of his hometown, along with bouts of PTSD has made his life one endless abyss of meaningless sexual encounters and a lack of faith in his ability to get through school. Meeting Marc steadies him and gives him a reason to succeed and talk through his issues, he wants Marc to be proud of him and not leave him.  But Marc has been hurt before by Marines who love him and leave him and keeps thinking the same will happen with Cole.  At times it felt like he was purposely pushing Cole to leave him.  If Cole didn't act the way Marc thought he should about their relationship then he thought Cole was getting ready to leave him.  These acts were juvenile and added unnecessary stress to a man already carrying more than enough stress.  I could forgive him though as he brought true happiness to Cole and encouraged him in many ways to better himself.Cole was the perfect boyfriend, sweet yet sexy and charming.  Marc didn't give me those same kind of warm feelings but I still admired that he wanted only the best for Cole and tried in many ways to ease his pain.  Their sexual interludes were fraught with sexual tension and yet showed a playful side.  These scenes were numerous, but that's the same for all new relationships, but nicely spaced throughout the story. An emotional upheaval for Cole late in the book comes out of nowhere to again put their newfound love in jeopardy but thankfully this issue is quickly resolved and an immensely satisfying conclusion quickly follows.From two mostly likable main characters, to a colorful female sidekick, to its numerous sexy scenes Once a Marine left me fully satisfied and wanting a Marine of my very own.  This is another winner in the career of Cat Grant who writes heart wrenching stories so well and has me clamoring for her next new release.