3.5 stars

This book has been sitting on my kindle for a while, and I’m so glad I finally got to it! It’s a gorgeous story of second chances as ex-lovers/best friends are hooked up on a blind date and are driven to confront their past, and the possibility of a future together.

This is the second book in the Military Match series, about three friends who find their match with ex-SEALS. I haven’t read the first book in this series, but I was easily able to pick this one up as a standalone. I really enjoyed the interaction with the characters from the previous, and next, books in the series, and I am keen to explore more.

Gabe Donovan is a retired SEAL, and a widowed single father. His marriage may not have been conventional, but he loved his wife, and he is struggling to move on three years after her death. But for the sake of his beloved sister and his 10-year-old-daughter who both want to see him happy with a new love, he agrees to a blind date.

Stephanie Mason has not had the best luck with men, culminating with her fiancé ditching her at the altar. She has restricted herself to random hook-ups since then, terrified of giving her heart away again, but she’s finally ready to take the chance on something more.

Gabe and Stephanie are selected for each other through a dating agency, and from the moment they lay eyes on each other, their worlds are rocked. It’s been 11 years, but the sizzle is still there. They met in college and became best friends, which then morphed into best-friends-with-benefits before life intervened and Gabe left, leaving Stephanie behind without a word.

"She’d been his best friend, and he’d simply let her go. Of all his regrets, Steph was a big one."

They’ve both carried on with their lives since they last saw each other, but neither of them have forgotten the other, or the unique connection they shared. And for Steph, Gabe is the one who got away, and no man has ever been able to compare. That chemistry between them is still very much there, but they both agree that they ultimately want different things. So they allow themselves to easily and naturally fall back into each other for one glorious night, with plans to part ways the following morning… only it doesn’t quite work out like that.

“You’re the first, Steph. The first person I’ve wanted to see in three fucking years. Being with you makes me feel…alive. I know I’m not anything you need or want, but I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

This is a really sweet second-chance-romance. There is a lot of pain there from the past, and a lot of uncertainty about their future, and it’s an emotional journey for both Gabe and Steph as they slowly open up to each other, reveal their vulnerabilities and let each other in. They each have a lot that they need to figure out, and together there is a lot they need to work through as they figure out what it is they truly want and then fight to have it.

“I made the mistake of letting you go once. I’m not doing it again.”

It’s a quick read so it’s fast paced, with lots of steamy time and reminiscing about the past. There’s not quite the amount of depth and details that I would have liked to see, but I definitely came to care about these characters and I loved watching them find their way back to each other.

3.5 stars.

Sizzling second chance…

I really enjoyed Gabe and Steph’s second chance as they wound their way through the hurt to find true love… They were down to earth characters that dealt with the drama – and of course there was plenty (it’s LOVE after all) – with humour and common sense that I loved. Life usually provides all the drama needed so fake situations aren’t needed to make the story better. That is definitely the case here! Gabe struggled so much with moving forward when it felt like he didn’t want to. His daughter was the catalyst but Steph was her own draw. Independent and spicy, Steph was drawn to Gabe in all ways. When their romance faltered, they both couldn’t help but go back and try again…

Good writing and irresistible characters has this author on my watch list!

My apologies, I thought I had already sent this as the book is no longer even on my old calendar.

I decided, a while ago, not to read or review this title. I didn't connect with the hero and I thought he came across as a macho jerk. I get that he is a SEAL, and they are macho and tough...but there's a line where I felt he crossed into a character I was not able to like or connect with.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to read and review and apologize for the late reply.

Thanks,
Laura

3.75 stars-- A SEAL’S STRENGTH is the second instalment in JM Stewart’s contemporary, adult MILITARY MATCH erotic, romance series focusing on three former military friends who search for love using Military Match dot com. This is former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and attorney Stephanie Mason’s story line. A SEAL’S STRENGTH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabe and Stephanie) A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a second chance romance between former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and Attorney Stephanie Mason. Eleven years earlier, after the sudden death of his parents, Gabriel Donovan walked out of Stephanie Mason’s life without a backwards glance. A brief affair with another woman pulled Gabriel into a quick marriage and fatherhood, only to be left a single father upon the death of his wife seven years later. Fast forward to present day wherein Gabriel finds himself using the services of his buddy’s wife’s online dating service-Military Match dot com-only to come face to face with a past he has never forgotten. Enter Stephanie Mason, the woman Gabriel would never forget. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Stephanie and Gabriel, but a romance with an expiry date, set out from the start.

A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a quick read; a story of family and friendship; of heartbreak and loss; of moving forward and letting go of the past. Gabriel doesn’t do relationships but his loneliness since the death of his wife forces our hero to move out of the past. Rekindling his friendship and relationship with Stephanie Mason reveals eleven years of heartbreak for a woman who never got over her first and only love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are charismatic and colorful; the romance is passionate and hot but, one again, I have issues with the use of a certain four-letter word I find unnecessary in the romance genre.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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B&N( Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

I am totally, 100 percent in love with this series. Each book brings a different level of friends-to-lovers romance that I'm enjoying the hell out of. In A SEAL's Strength we get a sexy as sin friends with benefits between Gabriel and Stephanie, two characters that are in different stages in their lives. Gabe is still reeling from his wife's death and isn't ready for anything series while Stephanie desperately wants someone to love her unconditionally. Don't mistake her desire for love as a weakness. Instead of tearing her down, it has made her a strong woman that can march on her own two feet towards something she wants. And of course there is the inevitable moment where both realize that the whole friends with benefits is turning into something more. I love those moments! I can't seem to get enough of JM Stewart's books. This is the second series that I've completely fallen for. This book was a fabulous way to spend a day reading. Plus now I'm on pins and needles for the next book, especially after a certain dare. Whoo baby, it's going to be a hot one!

***3 Stars***

It’s taken me a few days since finishing A SEAL’s Strength to sort out how I feel about the book and I’m still waffling over a few things, but if I don’t attempt to put the words down they’ll never come, so here goes nothing…

Overall, I liked the book. Hell, if I’m honest I had a hard time putting it down, but I found that as much as liked it, I didn’t love it like I wanted to based on how much I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve already ready by Ms. Stewart. A SEAL’s Strength was, as all of Ms. Stewart’s books have been for me, a fun, quick and easy to get lost in read, but something was just off for me while reading it and even at the end I felt like I needed more.

I liked Gabe and Steph, but I didn’t fall in love with them. Steph has had her heartbroken (twice) and yet she still has hope that she’ll get her HEA. She’s sassy, comfortable in her own skin and with her sexuality and, for the most part, isn’t afraid to speak her mind when necessary. Gabe is in limbo. He is still mourning the loss of his wife and has no desire to date, but at the urging of his sister and daughter he decides to at least attempt it to make them happy, even if he’s only looking at it as a one and done kind of deal. Here’s the deal with Gabe, when allowed himself to be happy, he was all kinds of charming and sweet, but when he slid back into feeling guilting about moving on, he put up so many walls it was crazy. Now, I don’t believe that there is a time limit on grief, and some pain never goes away, but sometimes it suffocates and that’s what was going on with Gabe.

Now here’s the difficult part. I really liked Gabe and Steph when there were together. Really LIKED them together. The chemistry between them was evident in every way. My problem was that I kept feeling as if Steph was being given the short end of the stick. I didn’t have an issue with her wanting at least a little something with Gabe, but it felt like she was giving him her all and he was just giving her scraps. It happens and at least they were both upfront about it. But then the explanation as to why he was “the one who got away” and the reality of his marriage...yeah, I honestly thought Gabe should have grovelled a lot more. A LOT. I am happy that she, despite everything, did stick to her guns and though she was bending, she wasn’t the one to break in the end.

I guess there always has to be that one in the bunch that doesn’t work for you, it appears that A SEAL’s Strength is that one for me. But regardless of my “It’s not you, it’s me” issues, I still enjoyed the writing and I love the whole Military Match concept and cannot wait to get my hands on A SEAL’s Honor.

Gabriel Donavan promised his daughter that he would go on a date and that is what he is doing. The book opens with him getting ready but not wanting to go. His daughter age ten going on thirty is not letting him back out of his agreement. Now meeting the person for the blind date turns out to be the last person he would have thought he would ever see. Stephanie Mason does not run from anything including the man who left her years ago in college. For her he was and is the one, but she knows she cannot tell him that because he is still talking about his wife who passed three years ago. What they do still have is passion and great time in the bedroom. Him being a former Seal and losing part of a leg does not even affect her and he knows he should not be surprised but is. What he is surprised by is when he forgets that his sister is bringing his daughter home and his date is still there. Expecting her to flee she stays and makes conversation with her and his daughter likes her. The problem is Stephanie does not want to get attach to him again and him walk away from her once again. Who can they make it work or not. Read this hot book to find out.

A SEAL's Strength
Military Match #2
JM Stewart
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A total swoonworthy romance about an ex-SEAL that has lost his wife and ends up on a blind date with an ex girlfriend.
I love second chance romances. You get a redo after growing up and becoming responsible adults.
This was my first JM Stewart book and I loved her writing style. She adds so much character to her stories, they really draw you in.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

4 Second Chance Seal Stars
* * * *
This had it all... A Seal with an adorable daughter who needs a mommy...A woman who has bit the bullet and allowed herself to be set up with dating Military Men.

Surprise Surprise... the blind date is the one man she had an amazing time with... but ran away...
We get to enjoy these two coming together and have this little girl capture our hearts as well.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

the second military match book, a seal's strength, finds stephanie mason reconnecting with her old flame gabe donovan. years ago gabe left stephanie behind when his parents were killed. and they lost touch. when they are matched via a military dating service the reunion is slightly awkward, but also welcome.


gabe is a widower and during his time in the service he was injured and lost his lower leg (i can't remember if it was his right or left). he's hesitant about meeting new people because that baggage added to the fact that he has a ten-year-old daughter means that he scares prospective partners away well before any serious conversations happen. but with stephanie it's different. she knows him. she loved him once.

and as they spend time together they find themselves quickly falling in love again. it's not all smooth-sailing of course, gabe is scared of committing to someone again and stephanie is afraid of losing gabe. getting over him once was hard enough, she's not sure she can do it a second time. but they can work through these things, and you end up with this really sweet, emotional second-chance love story that i truly enjoyed.

The one that got away! ... A sweet reunion they never expected makes getting back out into the dating scene much sweeter for this single dad! It was a quick and easy read ... it probably would have been a bit stronger with a more detailed background or more interaction with their common friends, etc., but an enjoyable read none the less!

Gabriel Donovan is in no way, shape or form ready to be going on a blind date. His wife might have died three years ago, and yes, he misses sex like you wouldn't believe, but his heart's just not in it. To appease his daughter and sister, he agrees to let his friend's wife set him up in her little dating business she's working on ... but he's not going to enjoy this at all!

Stephanie Mason can't believe who her blind date is! Best friends with benefits in college led to him moving away before she got the guts to tell him that she was in love with him. She's thought of him often ... remembered and wondered if she'd ever find that feeling again. Now he's in front of her with more baggage than she could pick up if she wanted to ... but they could have just one weekend ... right?

4 Heartwarming Stars

A Seal's Strength by J.M Stewart was a great read.
The storyline was entertaining, the plot was well done, my interest was captured from the first page until the end.
Steph and Gabe were likable, engaging characters and I loved watching their relationship unfold.
They had great chemistry and I have no doubt they would have a long and happy life together.

Another wonderful read by the talented J.M Stewart and a great addition to the Military Match Series.

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*

Gabriel and Stephanie had a previous relationship many years ago. While I normally like a second-chance romance plot, the way they broke up was so rude and heartless on his side, that I was a little upset with her for even considering going out with him again. Setting that aside, they were sweet and fun and it was generally an enjoyable read.

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, pain, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)

This is Stephanie and Gabriel’s story. Gabriel is not afraid of much after all his job was a dangerous as it could get. But three years after losing his wife he knows he needs to find someone to help him with his daughter. His daughter needs a mother figure and there is nothing he would not do for her. But when the dating site sets him up with a blind date with a woman he knew in his past he must wonder if loving someone again is worth the risk to not only his heart but also his soul. Can these two try and form a relationship or should they move on and just think of this as the one that got away?

I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

A SEAL's Strength is book two in this very delicious series and lucky for you it is a complete stand alone, but I will say reading the first book isn't a hardship and it will also introduce you to the characters and create a connection with them. I loved this book. The first one is still my favorite, but this one nearly beat it.

This book gives me a seriously hot man who is a former SEAL. He is a bit broken and needs a woman in his life but not for the reason HE thinks. Stephanie is awesome. I loved her she is independent and fiesty, but she has a soft center that she guards from being hurt again! They could heal their wounds together if they allowed themselves to.

I am a junkie for this series and I don't ever want it to end. I highly recommend it.

A dating service, second chance at love, A SEAL's Strength had a great premise. I'm so glad to say that it kept the promise of the premise all the way through. I so appreciated the depth of JM Stewart's character development, I found the primary and secondary characters to be clear voiced and complex. This novel has it all, love, loss, rebuilding, trust, passion and loyalty. It was a lovely romance. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Title: A SEAL’s Strength
Series: Military Match Book #2
Author: J.M. Stewart
Genre: Romance
Blurb: A sizzling new series about three friends looking for love-and the sexy SEALs who are ready to fulfill their craziest fantasies.

This second chance was worth the wait . . .

As a SEAL, Gabriel Donovan did the toughest jobs imaginable without blinking an eye. But three years after his wife's death, the idea of dating still makes him sick to his stomach. His daughter desperately needs a mother, though, and there's nothing Gabe won't do for his little girl.

Stephanie Mason doesn't run from anything. Not even coming face to face with the "one that got away" on a blind date. Steph's body vividly remembers every single thing about Gabe and while some things have changed, the way he makes her feel sure as hell hasn't.

Gabe and Steph know that love comes with risks, but if they're brave enough, this second chance might just bring them the love of a lifetime.
Favorite quotes: “You’re the first, Steph. The first person I’ve wanted to see in three f@#$ing years. Being with you makes me feel…alive. I know I’m not anything you need or want, but I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
“He still melts my knees. Hell. Who am I kidding? He melts my everything.”
Thoughts: I think everyone loves a story about second chance romance, love lost and re-found. This one is really a great example of that, and is made even better with added military angle to it. I loved both of these characters and I really loved their relationship, past and present. My only complaint would be that it felt at times that the author was unsure about whether Stephanie was really the love of his life or not, and the story kind of faltered in that area. I loved that he did eventually fall in love his wife, and that he missed her presence in his life, but I wanted him to want to eagerly embrace Stephanie’s entrance back into his life. Once he gave into those emotions he still had for her, I enjoyed the story a bit more. I also kind of wanted to see Charlotte play a bit more of a role in the book and the relationship between our characters. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone!
Rate:  A

Gabe has suffered through several losses in the last few years, starting with the loss of one of his legs on a mission. Then as he was trying to find a new normal, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and he found himself trying to navigate how to be a single dad. Three years afterJulia's death, 10 yr old Charlotte has joined forces with his sister to push him toward finding happiness in his life again. Now, Military Match has found him a date and he is nervous as hell.

Steph has done nothing but one night stands since her engagement fell apart two years ago, but the loneliness and emptiness is starting to wear on her. Her two best friends have finally talked her into trying Military Match after it worked out spectacularly for Lauren, and Steph reluctantly agrees. It's hard to say who is more stunned when Steph and Gabe spot each other across the park. Oh yes there is history here in the form of some really hot years in college that left Steph with a broken heart when Gabe walked away without a second glance to pursue his career.

Despite the fact the chemistry is still off the charts between them, it isn't a walk in the park. Gabe isn't sure he is ready to fall in love again, Steph isn't sure she wants to give him the power to hurt her again, and there is a little girl who lost her mom that needs to be considered through it all.

That being said, A SEAL's Strength was a quick engaging read with plenty of heart and heat that kept me flipping the pages!

This review will not be lengthy, I don't want to give away any of the story. But, A SEAL's Strength is a sexy, smart, second-chance romance! I loved the immediate connection between Steph and Gabe. Loved how they pushed through their history to realize that what they really wanted was right in front of them!

A SEAL's Strength is a beautiful story about life, love and loss—and finding yourself again. I can't wait for more in this excellent Military Match series.