Review: Ben and Olivia's story, another great addition to a wonderful military romance series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2014
“It’s Always Been You” by Jessica Scott is part of the military romance ‘Coming Home’ series and features Ben Teague who has been thrust into the unwelcome role of command during the attempt to ‘clean house’.  He must deal with both the pressures of the job and the complication of making unwelcome decisions about men he has shared life-threatening experiences with.  Major Olivia Hale has been tasked with making sure that the legal requirements and appropriate paperwork are completed, no matter what resistance.  It takes some patience and compassion for her to realize that her own past history and the individual biases must be overcome and that sometimes what is protocol is not necessarily what is humane but the challenge is knowing when and how to apply the rules.The allure of this series is the gritty realism that is balanced by the hope that a change can be made for the brave soldiers who are sacrificing so much.  Each book is eye-opening as it reveals the challenges that are faced both on and off of the battlefield and the repercussions of decisions that are made for the masses yet impact on very distinct individuals.  The heartbreaking aftereffects of military action and the long-lasting impact on soldiers and their families is again emphasized and adds to the poignancy of a story that allows the reader to learn about some of the harsh reality facing those who develop addictions or suffer from traumatic brain injuries or PTSD that go untreated.  The gradual blossoming of the relationship between Ben and Olivia who each have their own past traumas to overcome is wonderful to watch and it is great to get a glimpse of Reza and Emily as well.  I love the camaraderie that is displayed even as I mourn the challenges that all of these individuals must overcome and applaud their perseverance and loyalty to each other and those they are responsible for.  It is wonderful the way the stories in this series integrate and I am always anxious for more of them and hope that we get to see many more tales of these charismatic individuals.I received a copy of this title as a gift