Publication date: April 7th 2015
My rating: 4 stars
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He's always loved her...
First Sergeant Gale Sorren waited a war and half a lifetime for a chance to get stationed near the ex-wife who left him years ago. When he finally musters the courage to see her, the life he imagined she was living was nothing close to the reality.
She's never stopped loving him...
Melanie never stopped worrying about Gale each time he headed off to war. But he's never been there when she needed him and she's had fifteen years to steel her heart against him.
But when Gale moves to Fort Hood, he finally has a chance to make things right with Melanie and the daughter she raised without him.
Can Mel trust her heart to a man who has always let her down?
My
Thoughts:
Gale and Melanie married right out of high school, Gale
entered the army and then Melanie got pregnant. Marriage, a baby and a war
would be a lot to take on at any age, but as teenagers, it would be almost
impossible not to struggle. Melanie
divorced Gale when their daughter, Jamie, was a baby with bitterness and
resentment between. But they never got
over each other. Now fifteen years later
Gale has finally been posted close to Melanie and Jamie again, and he hopes
it’s not too late to become a larger part of their lives. With all the hurt accumulated, Gale doesn’t
dare to hope that Melanie might still have feelings for him, but as soon as
their around each other, the desire he felt, still feels, can’t be
ignored.
Gale feels so much regret and guilt over not being there for
his daughter and ex-wife, especially since Jamie starting having behavior problems. When Jamie was admitted to the hospital for
cutting herself, Gale couldn’t leave his station to offer support and he lashed
out in anger, almost getting court-martailed, but worse he let his daughter and
ex-wife down. Gale also feels hurt and
betrayal over Melanie divorcing him so early on in their marriage, not even
bothering to try, and limiting his time with his daughter even more. Still, Gale has never gotten over Melanie,
and now that he’s stationed close, the attraction burns hotter than ever. But
he knows with all the hurt between them, he must tread lightly:
He held himself viciously in check. Barely cupped her cheeks as he
fought the turbulent need inside, as it surged up, wanting her, only her. To
remind her that she was his, she’d always been his. But this was a campaign,
not a single battle.
Melanie chose to divorce Gale not wanting a husband who
would be absent for months on end, but looking back she wonders if she made an
impulsive mistake and would’ve been better sticking it out with Gale. And
there’s the fact that she still loves him, still wants him.
She had no claim to this man. No, she’d given that up years ago when
she’d walked away, taking a colicky baby and sentencing herself to hard years
alone.
But Melanie doesn’t want to hope for something that may
never be. Gale will leave again. She
knows this. Should she dare to hope they
could have a future together even while sharing him with the army?
I adore second chance romances. Two people who were meant to be like Gale and
Melanie, who loved brightly, intensely, but then had it all derailed because of
stress and immaturity made me sad. Seeing
them get another chance at happiness together filled me with joy. They both had angry and frustrated outbursts
over the years, but they’ve grown up. They’re both at a time in their lives
that they’re able to see their mistakes, and move past them. I appreciated they each owned up to their part
in the breakup without rehashing all past wrongs over and over.
This romance was not only moving it was sizzling hot! Jessica Scott is a pro at writing deliciously
sensual scenes without making them feel over the top and only fantasy. There was palpable sexual tension between
Gale and Melanie stemming from an intense past connection making their reunion so very sexy and sweet.
Jessica Scott’s writing is beautiful, realistic, and
captivating. She writes flawed, yet
likable characters with relationship struggles that are easy to empathize with
and relate to. If you haven’t picked up
one of her books, you are definitely missing out.
10 comments:
I love second chance romances too, but only when they don't hurt too much and when there's not a third person involved, and there doesn't seem to be one here. I can see how it would be difficult for these two to overcome the world of hurt between them, but not impossible. Beautiful writing really works in their favor and I'm curious about their journey.
Sounds like a deeply emotional read and just like you- I'm a sucker for 2nd chance romances, so I'll check this one out. Thanks for sharing, lovely review! :)
I haven't actually picked up one of her books before, but I like the sound of her characters and prose so I might now! Great review honey, I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
I too like the theme of second chance romances and it sounds like this one did it well
Gosh, I absolutely love second chance romances. They are my favorite kinds of romances and I love the tension that comes with them.
This sounds like it would be a tough read, but very satisfying. I'll check it out, Rachel.
Wonderful review.
Second hand romances are amazing :) And so are stories in which sexual tension stems from feeling. I love authors who can write those characters & scenes. Excellent review, Rachel! :)
Wonderful review, Rachel! Looks like the main characters came a long way to their second chance. I’m glad to hear that they were ready to move past their mistakes. Jessica Scott is a new author for me, thank you for putting her on my radar.
This actually sounds like a cute read - I like reading about second chance romances unless the reason for the breakup was just saddening. This reminds me of Dear John which I adored - I'm glad you enjoyed reading this as well. Wonderful review as always <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections
I've heard a lot about Jessica Scott's books and I hope to give her a try some day. This one sounds really tough, though! I love a good second chance romance, but the more painful ones are always hard for me to wrap my head around.
Lovely review, Rachel!
I need to add this book to my military-themed TBR. I love military and second-chance romances!! Great review, Rachel!
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