I received a copy of THE MILITARY WIFE from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

Five stars and here’s why:

I loved it. This book nailed the gut-wrenching sacrifice military families face, and then added a tender-hearted story that not was filled with twists and turns, but kept me reading all night long. I simply started reading it and couldn’t put it down. While I am not a military wife, I could certainly understand the struggles and hardships these families face when their loved ones re-enter the normal world after enduring a lifetime of service for their country. The characters are engaging, relatable, and honestly, that made the book refreshing. Total book hangover.

If you love exceptional writing, relatable characters, and an intriguing plot that explores what it truly means to love someone, then this book is for you. Highly recommend!

This was a wonderful second-chance-at-love romance. Harper Wilcox has been widowed for five years. The man she loved since she scooped ice cream for him one summer in Nags Head was a Navy SEAL. They conducted a long-distance romance while he was in training and she was in college and married when she graduated. Though she resented being unable to use her double degrees in Business and Marketing and worried every time he was deployed, they had a good marriage. He was killed in the line of duty when she was pregnant with their son.

Now Ben is five. She has been sort of skating the surface of her life, working small accounting jobs, and living with her mother who's recently retired as a librarian and begun a second life as an eccentric. Her current craze is nude painting.

After receiving some troubling emails from her friend Allison, Harper decides to go visit her. She finds a woman just holding on by the skin of her teeth and dealing with a husband who has PTSD. Allison was the first to welcome Harper when she married Noah and has always been a tower of strength. Now she needs Harper to be the strong one. Allison introduces Harper to a number of Navy wives who are are dealing with the sorts of issues Harper had when her husband was alive.

Harper wants to come up with some sort of business that can give those women something real to do. She offers to use the money that she received after Noah's death as some sort of bravery award. Allison knows that such an award and cash payment doesn't exist which leads Harper to Bennett Caldwell who served with Noah and was his best friend.

The viewpoint in this book changes from Harper to Bennett and from the past to the present. It tells the story of a man who had no one until he became friends with Noah. He was a neglected foster child until taken in at age sixteen by a former military man named Sarge who adopted him. Unfortunately he died shortly after Bennett joined the Navy. Now Bennett is out of the service and has started a company teaching survival training. He fell in love with Harper from the parts of the emails and letters Noah shared but kept away from her because he felt guilty about it. But Noah made him promise to take care of Harper and the baby before he died. He feels guilty that Noah died saving his life when Bennett was supposed to give his life for Noah's.

This was an excellent romance but not a light, fluffy one. PTSD, Service wives' fear for their husbands and tensions in marriages, grief and guilt are all part of this story. But so is finding a new love and making new starts.

I have read a few of Laura Trentham books. When the publisher contacted me to review The Military Wife (and take part in the blog tour), I didn’t hesitate to accept. Since I had enjoyed the books I read, I figured I would like this one.

I loved The Military Wife. This book pulled at my heartstrings. I was able to connect with the main male and female characters. The plotlines were well written. I couldn’t get enough of this book!!

I loved Harper’s character, both in the past and present. She overcame all obstacles with grace and determination. When she heard and saw the problem about military wives getting jobs, she decided to do something. Having been a military wife, she knew how hard it was. She was a great friend. When she found out that Allison was having issues with Derek, she was there for her. She offered the kids a safe haven after Sophie’s accident. She also was there when Bennett talked Derek down and forced him to get help.

Of course, she did have her faults. She was stubborn (hmmm, sounds like me). While she loved and respected her mother, she had an almost teenagerish like attitude with her at times. I wanted to reach through my Kindle, shake her and say “Good Lord, woman. She’s watching your kid. Don’t be a jerk!!”

I liked Bennett, a lot. He was your typical tall, dark and handsome guy who said little. He kept his distance from Harper. Like her, I thought that he didn’t like her. It wasn’t until the chapters during Noah’s training that it was revealed that he actually fell in love with her through her letters. I was amazed that he felt that way about her. I thought that he felt guilt over how Noah died and that’s why he avoided her.

I loved that the author chose to discuss PTSD in combat veterans. She showed the gauntlet of how PTSD affects those who have it. From Bennett, who had nightmares to Derek, who was tortured by the memories of those who died. He couldn’t function and his relationship with Allison and his kids suffered. She also detailed the lack of help that is available to those affected and in the military. I loved that emotional support dogs, support groups, and Wounded Warriors were showcased. Derek’s spiral at the end of the book was realistic too. I was thankful that the author chose to end it the way she did.

I loved Bennett and Harper’s romance. But I felt that it was overshadowed by the ghost of Noah for most of the book. Once Noah’s ghost was out of the way, though, it became sweet.

I didn’t feel the first few sex scenes. I felt that both Harper and Bennett felt like they were dishonoring Noah’s memory. Which was the furthest thing from the truth. The sex scenes towards the end of the book were more my jam.

The most emotional part of the book, for me, was when Bennett finally told Harper how Noah died. I thought that Noah died in a case of friendly fire (or something like that). The truth wasn’t even close to that.

The storyline involving the business that Harper wanted to start for the military wives were good. I do wish more was said about it. I was curious about it. I am hoping that future books showcase it because it did pique my interest.

The end of The Military Wife was beyond sweet. It was your typical romance novel ending. I did see it coming so what happened wasn’t a surprise. But I wasn’t expecting what happened at the end. Talk about making me a blubbery mess!!

I would give The Military Wife an Adult rating. There is sex (not graphic). There is violence. There is language. There are triggers. They would be the death of a spouse, PTSD and severe injury of a child. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread The Military Wife. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham is the first book in her new Heart of a Hero series. I am a fan of Trentham and her wonderful small town romances. The Military Wife is a departure from the pure romance genre, though there is a romance. Trentham knocks it out of the park with this book, as it was an emotional and wonderful story about military wives and those who have lost their spouses either by death or suffering from PTSD.

Harper Lee Wilcox, our heroine, is still unable to move on after the death of her husband, Noah, 5 years ago; she has a young son (Ben), and lives with her mother. Harper decides to visit her friend Allison, who is married to Noah’s SEAL teammate, Darren. When she arrives, Harper can tell that Allison is stressed out, and after pushing her to reveal what is wrong, she learns that Darren is suffering from PTSD, and it is taking its toll on her and their three children. Darren was one of the men who saw Noah die, and can’t sleep at night due to nightmares about losing many of his men. Allison confides to Harper that Darren refuses to get help.

Bennett Caldwell, our hero, is also a former teammate and good friend to Noah, and also watched him die. Bennett has been able to curtail his own nightmares and work hard on his business. In his promise to Noah, Bennett said he would watch over Harper, but he gave her a large check saying it was for bravery. Harper will find out that Bennett, whom she only met the day he gave her the check, was falsifying that claim, and use his own money. She goes to visit him, trying to give him back the money, and also find out more information on how Noah died. Bennett cannot and will not reveal anything, and they start off on the wrong foot.

In a short time, Bennett and Harper will become friends, especially when Harper asks him to help Darren, who is mentally suffering. The more time Harper spends with Allison, and meets other women , she realizes that there is a need for those wives and widows to have a better support system, and find things for them to do, to keep them happy and active. She comes up with the idea of using some of the money Bennett gave her to start a coffee shop on the base, with those wives actively working. This also works in Harper favor, as she starts to come out of her 5 year rut.

Bennett and Harper see each other often, as he also wants to help start that business, as well as help his follow soldiers that need support. A slow build romance begins, with them both beginning to fall for each other. Bennett feels some guilt at falling for Harper, his best friend’s wife; and Harper is determined to learn more about Noah’s death, before she allows herself to become serious. I loved Harper and Bennett together. They made such a wonderful and very real couple trying to get beyond their grief. Harper was a fantastic heroine, who was strong, caring, independent and savvy. Bennett was also great, and it was wonderful to see him feel love for the first time in his life. I also loved many of the secondary characters, such as Allison, Ben (her cute son), YaYa (her mother nicknamed that by her grandson), and Bennett’s cute lovable huge dog, Jack.

There was so many emotional and tense moments, especially with situations with Darren and Allison, and with both Harper and Bennett doing what they can to help them. Also the flashbacks were done well, as we learn more about Noah; how he met and fell in love with Harper, and how he died. Laura Trentham has written a fantastic story focusing on military wives and the life they live with their husbands on deployment, unable to cope, or just loneliness with no support. Very well done.

The Military Wife is a wonderful story that is very emotional, heartwarming and at times tense. You need to read this book, as it is that good. Bravo to Laura Trentham for writing this fabulous story.

Absorbing, moving, and incredibly uplifting!

The Military Wife is a tender, heartfelt story that delves not only into the emotional and psychological struggles and hardships of being part of the military and the effects they have on both the enlisted themselves and their loved ones, but also the patience, understanding, support, and trust required to maintain a relationship and individuality under those conditions.

The prose is effortless and well turned. The characters are scarred, genuine, and endearing. And the story is a mesmerizing tale about life, loss, love, forgiveness, grief, familial drama, friendship, community, courage, resilience, and moving on.

Overall, The Military Wife is a beautifully written tale with a lovely mix of hope, grit, emotion, and romance that exceeded my expectations. It's an impressive start to the “A Heart of a Hero” series and I can't wait for the publication of book #2.

5 STARS!

I've enjoyed every book that I've read by this author, but I think I just finished one of her best works to date in The Military Wife. Told fluidly in a past/present dual POV, this author captures all of the facets of military life as an enlisted SEAL, spouse, and veteran. The story doesn't get bogged down in the details, but focuses on the relationships and moving forward after tragedy, loss, and grief. I absolutely loved how this author was able to draw me in and endear me to the main characters, as well as vital secondary characters. Although the romance isn't exactly central to the overall story, it's just as breathtakingly romantic as her contemporary romances with equal shades of heartrending. In this beautiful story, Trentham has managed to captivate me with each scene and move me to tears, smiles, and romantic swoons. I'm truly looking forward to more in this new series.

This is a heartfelt story about military wives and the challenges they face. This story highlights military deployments and the difficulties families face when their husbands come home and when they don't come home.
Harper is a young woman who falls in love with a soldier who becomes a Navy Seal. Her life is forever changed when he doesn't come home from is mission. Harper delivers her son only a month after losing her husband. The next five years Harper keeps putting one foot in front of the other. Through her mother's encouragement Harper reaches out to a fellow military wife who has been struggling with her husbands return from a mission. Harper finds herself reaching out to Bennett her husband Seal Team member to try to find out what happened the day her husband Noah died.

This book is well written. It is a story that you want to keep reading.

This was simply a lovely book examining the various problems facing those in the military and their families. It was the most sensitive treatment of such issues that I’ve read. Harper is the titular military wife whose husband died while she was pregnant. Now she’s trying to build a life for her little boy. She is also attracted to her husband’s best friend, Bentley, a Navy SEAL, who suffers from PTSD. Their friends are also dealing with the husband’s PTSD while other women are dealing with the lack of any professional purpose in their lives since employers don’t like hiring military wives who might get moved at any time. The reader gets to see both sides of the problems that those in the military and their families face.

The narration moves back and forth between the past and present as we visit Harper’s developing relationship with her husband as well as his friendship with Bentley as they struggled through SEALs training. Trentham treats the characters with sensitivity and delicacy. These seem like real people with real problems that they’re confronting with courage and character.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Wow, First thank you net Galley and Laura Trentham for an early copy of this eread

Now being a military wife, this book made me laugh, sigh, ugly cry and all of the above.
First-time reader of Laura Trentham and I thoroughly enjoyed this !!
I belive that the author was able to tell and share the life from both the "soldiers" side and the spouse's side, she did a wonderful job sharing the characters so you can embrace and get to know each one. She delicately addressed, PTSD and suicide, and death,
I read this in 2 days, this book was beautiful and well written.
5 stars for me

'The Military Wife' is an incredibly poignant look into the lives of those who so deserve our honor and respect. Laura Trentham brilliantly used a time period switching technique to provide backstory to bring the reader to the present. Difficult subjects are tenderly handled; young widowhood, PTSD, foster care and abandonment. I felt transported into the lives of Harper Lee, Bennett and Allison, and feel blessed by the sharing of their hearts of minds. I highly recommend this book!

5* Emotional Stars

This was an emotional story that was sad yet very heartwarming.

The book was told from Harper and Bennett’s POV. I liked that we got their thoughts as the book alternates between the past and the present.

It is a beautifully written story about love, loss and the struggles that the military men have to face once they return back to civilian life and that of their wives.

The story of Harper, who is a widow, and Bennett who was Harpers Husband Noah’s best friend in the military was very sad due to unforeseen circumstances. After Harper lost her only true love she never dreamt that love would blossom for her again. This was a slow burn romance. The secondary characters added to the story and they were equally as interesting with the hardships that they were dealing with such as PTSD.

The Military Wife was an excellent read and I loved the cover of the book too.

Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my ARC to read and review.

I will admit I have many Laura Trentham books on my kindle to read and review and for some reason I picked them from the synopsis but kept putting them off. Now after reading this beautiful story I have extreme regrets about that. We can't turn back the clock, all I can do is amend that by reading what I have on my reader and not make that mistake again.

After reading The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros, I was craving more military stories and this one totally fit the bill. Harper Lee Wilcox knew what she signed up for being a Military wife but losing her husband still didn't make it any easier. Her and her son are back home living with her mom, but Harper is trying to find her place now that Noah is gone.

At the same time, her best friend Allison is going through a tough time with her husband, whom also happened to be Noah's best friend. As Harper goes back to help Allison she also starts to realize some truths about Noah's death and the effects on the other best friend, Bennett Caldwell.

Harper wants to get the truth about Noah's death and she will go at it anyway she sees fit. Which is bombarding into Bennett's life. After you lose your husband you never think about falling in love again and especially not with one of his best friends, but Bennett and Harper connect in a way that even Noah would have approved from the other side.

This book was very well written and well paced. It had elements of intrigue and different layers from all the characters which makes us skip the nonsense of relationship angst and insecurities that are often the main theme in many romance books.

I can't wait for more from this author and this series.

This was a sweet, well-written book. Harper's been raising her son, now turning five, alone since his father, a Navy SEAL, passed away five years ago. Feeling restless and wanting to help other military wives, she comes up with an idea to open a string of coffee houses near military bases. She crosses paths with Bennett, her husband's best friend and also a former Navy SEAL. The present and their common past is entwined and they both have to find a way to move forward. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books by this author.

To be honest, I was not overly excited about reading a book about military wives. I don't know what I expected but I am so luckily that my love for Laura Trentham outweighed my reluctance because I loved everything about this book. Everything. And there was a lot to love- laughter, tears, cute children, a dog I want to adopt, amazing friendships, loss, struggle, and a grumpy hero with a heart the size of the world. There was so much emotion in this story that there were time I was reading with my heart in my throat. Trentham tackles serious topics without a single false note and still manages to inject the sweetest love story. Or really stories because there is more than one romance in these pages as well as several other types of love.

All the stars for this one.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tear jerker alert. This story was well told and made me stay up all night to find out what happened to Noah. Harper and Bennet were meant to be together - but neither realized it until their mutal friend almost commited suicide. Noah and Harper were married - but Harper was not happy living on military bases - she felt useless. They met during the summer before she started college and he training to be a US NAVY Seal (BUDS). They kept their relationshio going for four years before they married. Bennet came to know Haroer throught her letter to Noah. Noah was Bennets best friend and fellow Seal. The two of them went through Hell Week in the military -trainig to be SEALS. Bennet was jealous of the relationship Noah and Harper had - he though hid is well for years - to protect himself and his friendship with Noah. Upon Noah's death - Bennet is forced to keep a promise he made to Noah - to protect Harper and their unborn baby.

Bennet does not see himself as loveable - he was raised in foster care from 11 years of age untill he was finally adpoted by a retired army vet. It was through Sarge that found himslef. Unfortunally Sarge died before he could see Bennet graduate BUDS training.

Make sure you have tissue ready - this story made me root for Harper and Bennet to finaly wake up and fall in love. They both loved Noah - and through their mutal love they realize that they can have a future together - provided Bennet can forgive himself anf Harper can accept changes - accept that she is capable of having a long term, relationship with another man.

Please read the book to find out how they fight for their mutal friend and thereby fall in love themselves/

The Military Wife deals with love, loss and the heroism of the women who hold everything together while their men are deployed. As a military wife, I could identify with the characters in this book. It is well-written and emotional.

Harper Lee Wilcox is the widow of a Navy SEAL, raising her five-year-old son, Ben, who never knew his father. Noah was killed in action shortly before Ben’s birth. Harper is trying to keep her life together while struggling to raise her son without a father.

Bennett was a teammate of Noah’s. He made a promise to Noah and is doing his best to keep it while trying to ignore his attraction to Noah’s widow.

The Military Wife addresses the difficult issue of PTSD. Harper’s best friend, Allison’s husband Darren was a SEAL teammate of Noah’s. He refuses to get help for his PTSD and their marriage is falling apart. Their struggles were portrayed realistically.

This book is a departure from Ms. Trentham’s usual small town romance book. In my opinion it is one of her best books. I definitely recommend this book.

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Military Wife from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Harper Lee Wilcox has only loved one man. Noah Wilcox, a Navy SEAL and the father of her son, Ben. It's been 5 years since his death and  she is ready for a new challenge. She also wants answers. She doesn't want the standard military version, she wants to know everything. 

While visiting with another SEAL wife, also her best friend, Allison, she finds out that the man who showed up at her door after Noah's death with a certificate of bravery and $100,000.00 is Bennett, Noah's best friend in the Navy who was there when he died. But he isn't talking. He's fighting his own demons and trying to keep a promise he made to Noah. And soon they are falling in love.

I really enjoyed the telling of the lives of military wives. How much they give up to follow their husbands career, having to give up their own. It doesn't matter how many degrees you have when prospective employers won't hire you because you will probably not be in one place very long. And I loved Harper's idea of a business that could be an ideal fit for the wives who want something more than volunteering.

PTSD is in the forefront here also. While I believe this was a Romance book, it was nicely balanced by real life issues and fears and how to cope with something you don't even understand.

Netgalley/ February 5th 2019 by St. Martin's Griffin

Writing the final women’s fiction post for HEA is such a bittersweet moment. It has been an honor to share noteworthy women’s fiction books with you, and I am glad that I have this one last opportunity to do so.
This blog is a hodgepodge — with books that are out now and are soon to be released and won’t be out until months later.
Happy reading …
Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg (out now)
What it’s about:
The feel-good book of the year: a delightful novel of friendship, community, and the way small acts of kindness can change your life, by the bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv
Lucille Howard is getting on in years, but she stays busy. Thanks to the inspiration of her dearly departed friend Arthur Truluv, she has begun to teach baking classes, sharing the secrets to her delicious classic Southern yellow cake, the perfect pinwheel cookies, and other sweet essentials. Her classes have become so popular that she’s hired Iris, a new resident of Mason, Missouri, as an assistant. Iris doesn’t know how to bake but she needs to keep her mind off a big decision she sorely regrets.
When a new family moves in next door and tragedy strikes, Lucille begins to look out for Lincoln, their son. Lincoln’s parents aren’t the only ones in town facing hard choices and uncertain futures. In these difficult times, the residents of Mason come together and find the true power of community—just when they need it the most.
The right stuff: Perfect for this time of year. Full of wonderful friendships and heartwarming moments. A bit bittersweet, but readers are left more with the feeling that kindness can work miracles than any sadness.
In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick (Jan. 8)
What it’s about:
When everything has gone to the dogs …
When Jocelyn Hillier is named legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce’s pack of pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down. She’s spent her entire life toiling in the tourism industry in Black Dog Bay and never expected to be living the pampered life of a seasonal resident in an ocean side mansion, complete with a generous stipend. But her new role isn’t without its challenges: The dogs (although lovable) are more high-maintenance than any Hollywood diva, the man she wants to marry breaks her heart, and she’s confronted at every turn by her late benefactor’s estranged son, Liam, who thinks he’s entitled to the inheritance left to the dogs.
Jocelyn has worked too hard to back down without a fight, and she’s determined to keep her new fur family together. As she strives to uphold the “Best in Show” standards her pack requires, Jocelyn finds love, family, and forgiveness in the most unexpected places.
The right stuff: Zany Black Dog Bay is back! Full of wonderful characters, sometimes adorable dogs and second chances at love. All the things we’ve come to love about this series! (See a fun Q&A on HEA with Beth about In Dog We Trust.)
The Best of Us by Robyn Carr (Jan. 8)
What it’s about:
Dr. Leigh Culver loves practicing medicine in Timberlake, Colorado. It is a much-needed change of pace from her stressful life in Chicago. The only drawback is she misses her aunt Helen, the woman who raised her. But it’s time that Leigh has her independence, and she hopes the beauty of the Colorado wilderness will entice her aunt to visit often.
Helen Culver is an independent woman who lovingly raised her sister’s orphaned child. Now, with Leigh grown, it’s time for her to live life for herself. The retired teacher has become a successful mystery writer who loves to travel and intends to never experience winter again.
When Helen visits Leigh, she is surprised to find her niece still needs her, especially when it comes to sorting out her love life. But the biggest surprise comes when Leigh takes Helen out to Sullivan’s Crossing and Helen finds herself falling for the place and one special person. Helen and Leigh will each have to decide if they can open themselves up to love neither expected to find and seize the opportunity to live their best lives.
The right stuff: Dare I say it? This feels like almost the conclusion to the Sullivan’s Crossing series, with all the loose ends tied up so neatly with two engaging romances and appearances by the cast of characters.
The Secret Life of Mac by Melinda Metz (Jan. 29)
What it’s about:
He’s the cat thief of love
MacGyver the tabby is feeling very pleased with himself. His human, Jamie Snyder, has found the perfect packmate—and it’s all thanks to Mac. By stealing personal items from the home of Jamie’s handsome neighbor David, the matchmaking cat brought these two L.A. singles together. Now, while the newlyweds are off on their honeymoon, MacGyver is ready for a well-deserved cat nap. That is, until he meets his cat sitter Briony. Like most humans, she’s hopeless when it comes to romance. And Mac can’t resist a challenge …
She’s found the escape claws
Briony feels terrible about leaving her fiancé at the altar. When her cousin Jamie offers her the chance to cat sit MacGyver, the runaway bride leaps at the chance to cuddle up with the only male creature she trusts herself around. But MacGyver has other plans. He lures Briony to a friendly neighborhood retirement community—run by a charming young hottie named Nate. Briony and Nate hit it off instantly. But Briony’s still not sure she’s ready for a relationship. And Nate’s got problems of his own—someone is sabotaging his community.
Crazy humans. Why can’t they follow their instincts and go after the love they deserve? MacGyver is on the case. And this time, he’s not pussyfooting around …
The right stuff: It seems apropos that my first post for HEA featured a book by Ms. Metz — Talk to the Paw, and so does the final one. Charming and cute sometimes get a bad name, but not in this case. Pure delightful escapism with plenty of laughs.
The Military Wife by Laura Trentham (Feb. 5)
What it’s about:
Harper Lee Wilcox has been marking time in her hometown of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina since her husband, Noah Wilcox’s death, nearly five years earlier. With her son Ben turning five and living at home with her mother, Harper fights a growing restlessness, worried that moving on means leaving the memory of her husband behind.
Her best friend, Allison Teague, is dealing with struggles of her own. Her husband, a former SEAL that served with Noah, was injured while deployed and has come home physically healed but fighting PTSD. With three children underfoot and unable to help her husband, Allison is at her wit’s end.
In an effort to reenergize her own life, Harper sees an opportunity to help not only Allison but a network of other military wives eager to support her idea of starting a string of coffee houses close to military bases around the country.
In her pursuit of her dream, Harper crosses paths with Bennett Caldwell, Noah’s best friend and SEAL brother. A man who has a promise to keep, entangling their lives in ways neither of them can foresee. As her business grows so does an unexpected relationship with Bennett. Can Harper let go of her grief and build a future with Bennett even as the man they both loved haunts their pasts?
The right stuff: Nicely done story of husband’s best friend to lover! Complex relationship issues will keep you turning the pages. Perfect feel-good ending.
I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella (Feb. 5)
What it’s about:
Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?
It’s simply not in Fixie’s nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?
But then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?
The right stuff: Sophie Kinsella writes wonderful stories about heroines going from low self-esteem to finally getting it right, and this definitely fits the bill. Humor, lots of character growth and a sweet romance.
Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper (April 2)
What it’s about:
Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.
Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.
In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town’s meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?
The right stuff: Perfect blend of wacky, poignant and amusing. Escaping into one of Molly Harper’s book is pure entertainment.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center (Aug. 13)
What it’s about:
Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she’s seen her fair share of them, and she’s a total pro at other people’s tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.
The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie’s old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren’t exactly thrilled to have a “lady” on the crew—even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn’t seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can’t think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping…and it means risking it all—the only job she’s ever loved, and the hero she’s worked like hell to become.
Katherine Center’s Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt and healing tour-de-force about the strength of vulnerability, the nourishing magic of forgiveness, and the life-changing power of defining courage, at last, for yourself.
The right stuff: I know, you’re thinking, August? But this book is so good! Loved the juxtaposition of the hero’s and heroine’s roles. She’s the expert and he is the rookie. Fabulous forgiveness theme. Humorous and touching!
Leigh Davis is a former contributor to Heroes and Heartbreakers. When she is not reading, she’s usually outside throwing balls to her insatiable dogs. She loves hearing and talking about great books. You can connect with her on Twitter and Goodreads.
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Beth Kendrick, Elizabeth Berg, Katherine Center, Laura Trentham, Melinda Metz, Molly Harper, Robyn Carr, Sophie Kinsella, women's fiction, Recommended reads, Top stories

The sequence of events in this read are emotionally gritty!💚💙
I devoured this. I honestly did not read the blurb until I was finished and I think that is too vanilla for everything this journey makes you feel!
Covering quite an expanse of time, current day and flipping back to when Harper Lee first met Noah irritated me (just a tad) at first, but it explained so much as I continued to read, and transitions became so easy, my mind fell into whatever scenario was happening. I had to keep reading.
The storytelling will have you firing all emotions within seconds of each other it seems. The humor of Harper's emails/letters, then knowing that they are what kept the guys going at the very worst of times. Her and Bennett's conversations had me chuckling or crying.
The 2ndary characters just added more to the story. Jack London Bennet's rescue Newfie, Harper's Mom who was super strong and funny too, Allison and Darren who had their own very real problems, and Harper's son Ben who was her savior when she needed one, well that just made it all the more realistic.
A standalone with an HEA.
I received an ARC from the author thru Netgalley and am giving my honest opinion

I am an extremely picky reader when it comes to Women’s Fiction, but Laura Trentham is a firm favourite so there was never any question in me not reading The Military Wife. And she hits the mark bringing a strong, and at times moving story with endearing characters who show their strengths and weaknesses in equal measure. Perhaps I’ve simplynbeen picking the wrong authors and the wrong books in the past, but I’m glad I didn’t miss out here and would recommend to all.