Loving the Warrior is the first book I have read by Melanie Hansen. I enjoyed this book, the interaction between the characters and the storyline is quite enjoyable and look forward to finding more to read by this author.

This book surprised me! I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve never read anything by this author before. Now, I can honestly say that I can’t wait to dive into her other books!

I really, really enjoyed this book! Shane and Matt’s journey to become the coveted Navy Seal was such a good read! This author takes us all along their journey in BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training. Through all their wet and sandy exercises and so much more. These instructors mentally and physically break you down. And build you back up little by little. To get them ready for all the missions they are about to embark on.

We see different sides of both Shane and Matt throughout this book. Both of them needing each other for different reasons. So much of life getting in their way while in training. Both of them fighting and proving why they want to become a Seal.

What I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t all about the sex. We get a lot of built up. A lot of sexual talk and promises. It just made it so much better to to when they finally did do something. Little things here and there. They both build a relationship with the little time they had with each other. They never let their bad moods or all the obstacles that they thought were in the way get in the way with them.

I can’t wait for the next book coming out next year! Keeping a Warrior. It will be interesting to see how Shane and Matt hold up in their new relationship. And what life throws their way!

This book had a lot to live up to coming after the superb Point of Contact. We were thrown right in from the off watching two men train to be navy SEALs and the detail and research here was amazing. I felt every bit of the sweat, the sand and the gut-wrenching and relentless tasks these men were given during their training.

Shane and Matt both came with baggage, and the circumstances that brought them to this moment weren’t easy. They meet just before the pain and torture that’s known as hell week― BUD/S training to become a US navy SEAL― all the while trying to fight their growing attraction. How they cope with trying to ignore their feelings for each as well as cope with what’s probably the most amount of physical and mental stress any man could go through, is a feat in itself.

The past that each man carries rears its head and what we have is a very beautiful and simple tale of two men falling in love despite their pasts and the journey they’re each carving out for their future and we feel every bit of their indecision, their heartache over past experiences and how they handle their growing respect and attraction for each other. Can they learn to trust each other and follow their hearts? This is a lovely read, and one that is almost a snapshot of two men falling in love and proves that being at peace with your past is a hell of a tough journey, but the rewards are limitless.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.

First I need to warn you that this is a HFN and that this is a book one. I didn’t know that and had I known I’d have waited for the series – just because that’s how I am.

It doesn’t diminish how much I liked this but it does make me want to warn people.

Melanie Hansen’s stories are FULL of ANGST with a capital A – I knew that going in. However, this was less about the Angst and more about the slow burn and – really – the completely untenable situation.

I don’t know how these two are going to make it last – and I’ve finished book 1. I know they want to but I’m concerned about what it’s going to take to make this happen.

The other thing you should know about this is that it is VERY detailed in it’s description of BUDs training. Very.

If you are not interested in what it takes to become a SEAL – you might want to skip this – as it (easily) takes over most of the story. I found it interesting and it definitely helped shape these guys and their relationship so I can’t say it wasn’t needed for the story.

One thing I really liked was that neither of these guys is perfect. Even by the end. They are still making mistakes, not popular, full of ego and bravado… just what you’d expect from the military. That felt really authentic.

I also really loved their chemistry together because it was so antagonistic and based on competition. It was very HOT. But… they did have their moments of feelz – they were just… less often.

All in all I am bummed I have to wait til NEXT SPRING!@#$% for the next book but I’ll happily read it when it comes out.

4.5 of 5 stars

Avec ce roman, Melanie Hansen nous entraîne en immersion complète dans le monde des SEALs, et plus particulièrement dans la période cruciale du BUD/S, période au cours de laquelle les candidats repoussent leurs limites à l'extrême, dans l'espoir de franchir toutes les étapes, et de terminer ces six mois avec le Trident épinglé au revers de leur veste.

On suit plus particulièrement le parcours de Matt et Shane, deux recrues ultra motivées, qui vont se rapprocher, devenir amis, et puis .... un peu plus que cela, évidemment.
Alors, autant le dire tout de suite, côté romance, c'est sobre, nos deux gaillards ont des préoccupations plus importantes et un emploi du temps tellement prenant, qu'il y a peu de place pour une histoire d'amour en bonne et due forme. Je suis restée sur ma faim à ce niveau-là, même si ça colle évidemment très bien avec la situation des personnages.

En fait, ce roman est surtout centré sur ces six mois de BUD/S, avec des descriptions hallucinantes de toutes ces épreuves physiques et mentales auxquels sont confrontés les aspirants SEALs. On comprend aisément pourquoi cette unité est l'élite de l'armée américaine. C'est un monde ultra masculin, saturé de testostérone, où la moindre faiblesse est synonyme d'échec (ou presque). Comme dans les autres romans que j'ai lu d'elle, Melanie Hansen donne l'impression de maîtriser son sujet à fond, le vocabulaire est très détaillé, et le jargon militaire ultra-présent, ce qui accentue la vraisemblance du récit. C'est un peu comme regarder un bon film d'action, avec quelques longueurs toutefois.

Beaucoup d'action donc, une jolie camaraderie et un esprit d'entraide, ainsi qu'une romance assez pudique, voilà donc ce que réserve le prochain roman de Melanie Hansen, qui m'a nettement moins emballée que les autres romans que j'ai lu d'elle. Néanmoins, je lirai la suite, car la romance ne m'a pas rassasiée, j'en veux plus, beaucoup plus, et je pense (enfin j'espère !) que ce sera le cas dans le prochain tome !

I'll be in the minority here, I think, but I just didn't like it that much. Loving a Warrior wasn't what I hoped for, it was unexciting and dragging for me.

It's not my first book by Melanie Hansen, and I usually like her characters quite a lot. In this case though, Loving a Warrior left me wanting in the character department, which is always crucial for me.

I didn't dig Matt and the book opens with his POV, so I knew from the start that this might not work for me. There is always a chance I change my mind about someone so I kept reading. But... nope, I simply didn't like him *shrugs* Happens, right? :(

The setting, BUD/S training 'camp', sounded great in the blurb but in reality it wasn't as exciting as I thought it might be. I was bored with the training, the 'fighting', the same location, more or less.

The romance was okay. I wasn't blown away, but it was well written and if the book had been half its size I would have probably been able to enjoy it more. As it was, the story was too long for my liking, making me want to skip pages here and there.

I appreciate the time and love the author put into creating this book and its characters. I’m certain there are the right readers for Loving a Warrior out there; many probably!

So, don’t let my review hold you back: give it a try! :)

▽
Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review.

Rivals.
Friends.
Lovers.

And a more than uncertain future...

Shane Hovland and Matt Knytych bump into each other - literally - during BUD/S training and feel attracted to each other on the spot. Uh-oh... Danger, Will Robinson. Both men are driven by a personal incentive grounded in their past to become Navy SEALS no matter what. Losing focus can get dangerous, not only for achieving their goal, but also for the lives of others, much less their own. Fighting for top score in their class is a welcome alternative and a chance to fight tooth and nail against their attraction. This rivalry, though, only serves as an incitement which leads to mutual respect and earning each other's trust leads to so much more...

I won't go into more detail because I think you will enjoy this story more when you go in more or less blind. Christ on a cracker! First of all, my deepest and heartfelt respect goes to the guys who undergo this kind of training. To all of them. Those who graduate and those who try. Melanie Hansen did a great job bringing the virtual blood, sweat and tears to life and my inner SEAL - I wish! - was happy to get to know more about what these guys are going through to become the elite. The best of the best. And I know I could not do it. I would have packed my bags and ran for the hills first chance I got.

I really do admire their perseverance and their tenacity. On the other hand this was maybe the reason why it took me a bit to understand Matt. I didn't found him very approachable - let alone likable - at the beginning. Once he learned that being a SEAL means more than just being the best at what he does and I learned more about his background, I slowly warmed up to him. Shane was a different matter altogether. He was my hero right from the start and I rooted for him from the sidelines every single time.

The whole story had a bit of a YA feeling to it, of which I am usually not a fan of. There was a lot of fighting going on and I don't mean the one during class. But leave it to the author's once again excellent writing that I still enjoyed it a great deal. Matt and Shane as a couple were cute, sweet and also sexy as hell together.

This is probably the least angsty book I have read from this author so far, but since there is another book coming next year and this one ends on a HFN, I will roll up my sleeves and prepare myself for the heartbreak to come.

Minor niggles aside, I really had fun with this friends-to-lovers story and recommend it to everyone with a penchant for hot military guys, an intense story and a slow burn romance with the potential to rip your heart out eventually.

I really enjoyed this book. My first by Ms. Hansen. I liked that the story was told from both main characters' POV, and that both characters had issues they needed to work on. I've never read so much detail about the training and testing that goes into becoming a Navy SEAL. I knew it was intense, but the author certainly made you understand the depth of frustration and stress they struggle through to pass. And I certainly won't think the same way about water and sand again.

Overall, the story flowed well with real struggles and success. I loved Matt and Shane and couldn't wait to see how they got their HEA.

Wow! This. Was. So. Good!

But this, while angsty, wasn't as angsty as I was fearing, and I was like "OMG! This is isn't heart-wrenching like with Point of Contact or overly angsty with the relationship drama or anything like that!" But then at the end I saw that next year the next in this series, "Keeping a Warrior" would be coming out...

Oh no, if that is when the serious angst happens....*hides*

But anyway, this is the build up to their relationship. This is Matt and Shane literally running into each other on the beach two days before BUD/S training starts, where a spark is born, and then these two slowly falling in love over the coming months.

It isn't smooth sailing and there are some bumps and bumblings along the way, but they eventually figure it out to get their HFN in the end.

Matt starts a bit prickly, and a bit selfish and in it for himself, when he's supposed to be working on building teamwork and handling things mentally.

Shane was in the Marine's, but after the death of his long-time friend Jon, a NAVY Seal, just a few years later he's doing training over again to because a Navy Seal instead.

Matt and Shane's is a really good slow burn. Not too short a time before something happens but not dragged out forever either. I mean, they have to wait a WHILE to have sex because of the training and having to focus on that and all that, but their feelings are known not too late in the game, which is good.

There was heat and chemistry between them and I also love that they called each other out on their shit. Shane could be judgmental at times and Matt could be an inconsiderate ass at times, but neither let the other get away with it. I appreciated that because I feel sometimes, too many times, in romance books one of the MC's forgives the other MC for shit they've done too easily. That didn't happen here, and that was refreshing.

This story built their relationship so well, too. I loved every building block of it, it was written so well, and it never felt rushed, or like their feelings didn't make sense for each other. They 100 percent did.

Their character backgrounds were so interesting, and the plot was so interesting too, it all worked together and I loved it.

I couldn't put this down as soon as I started it and man was I happy I didn't have to be anywhere today so I could just read this to my hearts content without having to stop.

So good! Highly recommend! This is another winner for me from this author <3

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
Split composition cover. I am not a fan of the odd layout.
Synopsis sounded interesting enough to give this new-to-me author a try.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third Person

Matt and Shane are training to be SEALS at Coronado. Both want it for different reasons, one’s a natural fighter, one’s a born leader and motivator. Together, they will keep each other on track or be the reason for ringing out.
Strong cast with smart dialogue and believable interactions. The chemistry built naturally and their relationship wisely grew with caution. The plot was entertaining and the story flowed smoothly. There were a few conflicts that added dynamics without being overly dramatic. Predictability was low. The conclusion was more implied and barely a Happy/Happily anything but it did give the impression of a vague HFN that may continue on in the background of the next book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read from an author I’ve not yet read. I’m glad I took the opportunity to give it a try.
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.25 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from #Netgalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

Loving A Warrior by Melanie Hansen is a story full of emotion in the best possible way. With Shane and Matt we have two strong men focused on succeeding with their life goal of becoming a Navy Seal. Each comes into this experience with their own expectations of what their future holds. Neither guy was ready for the other.
What starts out as rivalry turns to friendship. Friendship with an added attraction to each other. This develops into real feelings. How can they maintain the distance they need in order to achieve their goals?
Loving A Warrior is a slow burn romance that builds as the story moves forward. Shane and Matt slowly let down their guard and start to trust each other. I was swept up in their story and was happy to go along for the ride.
There are so many wonderful secondary characters that add depth to this story. I’m hoping for more stories with Shane and Matt. I’m not ready to say goodbye!

This was a really well written story and I love that these guys really walked into the whole thing with their eyes wide open - how could they make it work, both being SEALS, never seeing each other, maybe even never being open about dating a man? I really rooted for these guys and I liked that this book was relatively un-mushy. Well until the end at least...because when I read the last page I couldn't leave the characters with a feeling of closure and fulfillment. In part that's because we leave them at a very vague point imo and I can't feel confident in their future. And yes, that's realistic, it's just not what I wanted from the ending of this book. But also because one of the guys only confronted a defining thing from is past in the last 5% and I didn't feel like it was enough. 

Still LOTS of potential and definitely worth reading though.

Lorsque je vois qu'un livre de Melanie Hansen sort, je ne peux pas m'empêcher de vouloir le lire. Je me garde encore sous le coude sa série « Resilient love » mais je ne pense pas résister encore trop longtemps ^^

On est dans un milieu militaire cette fois. Matt et Shane vont se rencontrer à l’entraînement BUD/S, un entraînement intensif de 6 mois dans le but de rentrer dans la navy de la SEAL. L'un comme l'autre vont ressentir autre chose que de la camaraderie... Sauf que c'est un milieu très spécial et que chacun d'eux ont voulu cette place depuis toujours...

On est complémentent immergé dans cet univers et je trouve que l'auteur le fait vraiment très bien. J'avoue avoir été un peu perdue au début, je n'y connais absolument rien et j'ai du relire des passages voire cliquer sur google pour avoir quelques infos car je ne supportais pas rester dans le flou lol. Elle retranscrit bien cet esprit d'équipe, de camaraderie... La dureté des entraînements, autant physique que psychique.

Et puis il y a Matt et Shane qui vont devenir ami. J'ai beaucoup aimé leur relation, qui est très lente et qui fait très réaliste. Comme je me suis doutée, avec Melanie Hansen, nos personnages ont un certain passif derrière eux, et quand on a droit à certaines déclarations et révélations (tardives tout de même), je me suis encore plus attachée à eux.
Leur relation est belle, surtout leur amitié. Ils font très matures d'après moi, et la romance y était différente de mes romances habituelles je trouve, mais pour le coup elle fait très crédible, je ne sais pas trop comment expliquer. J'aurais juste aimé en voir un peu plus, même si c'était suffisant.
Et je peux dire que lorsque les personnages craquent, et bien c'est top ^^

J'aime le style de l'auteur, et je l'ai retrouvé ici. Je trouve qu'elle a bien écrit cette « romance » dans ce cadre si particulier, et même si je dis que j'aurais aimé en avoir plus, cela n'aurait pas du tout été crédible. C'est juste ce qu'il fallait.

J'ai bien aimé la fin et comment elle est tournée... Surtout lorsque j'ai vu que l'auteur nous réservait une suite avec « Keeping the warrior » ! J'espère qu'elle portera toujours sur les mêmes personnages !

Very she's moving and felt more about training than a relationship. Took over half the book to feel like it had a story and about more than water and sand.

Whenever I see this Author has a new book out I simply cannot wait to read it.She could pretty much write a grocery list and I'd be all over it.

So....even though I'm not a massive fan of Military themes I was never not going to read it.


Matt and Shane meet at BUD/S training.It's intense,full commitment and concentration is required....the last thing either of them need is any sort of distraction....but that's what they get from the first moment they set eyes on each other.

I'm not going to go into their back stories,but they both have them and they definitely have an influence on how they move forward,as far as the training is concerned and their relationship.


If you're a fan of Military MM romance,I'm sure this will be a hit for you.Personally I found all the training exercises a bit too much...they are quite a large focus of the book and while I appreciate they are important in the two men's development,I could have done with a bit less.
Maybe it's because I'm British and don't know enough about Navy SEALs?


It's quite a slow burn and anything else wouldn't have worked here.And when they do get down and dirty it's pretty delicious.

Overall,I mostly enjoyed this,finishing on a strong HFN (which I was perfectly happy with),I'm guessing by the title of the next book ,Keeping a Warrior, that it might be a continuation of their story?

Recommend Read.