Cover Image: An Everyday Hero

An Everyday Hero

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book really tugged at my heartstrings hard.  This book has three characters struggling with heartache, loss, and grief. This story is about 15 year old Ally, Emmett who has suffered a tragic loss, and Greer who is centerstage.  Greer is feisty and unpredictable with a huge heart. Emmett is angry with the world,but deep down he is a hero. I love reading about military men. My heart went out to Ally. She’s buried in grief and worry. I stayed up until 3:00 reading this book. I could not put the book down. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Was this review helpful?
When you read what this story is about, you think you know how things will play out.   You'd be right...and wrong.    And to be honest, who cares?   It's about the journey, not the destination.   And this has a beautiful journey.  

I loved the characters, the story, the whole thing.   I laughed, I cried, I lived in their world.

Thank you to St Martin's and net galley for the advance cooy.  This did not impact my review.
Was this review helpful?
This was an amazing and heartwarming story by Laura Trentham. Greer comes back to her hometown after failing in her music career. She's forced to do community service and meets Ally, who lost her father. She is also asked to check on Emmett Lawson, an old classmate who came back from the war and has been living in a cabin in the woods. Greer has to overcome her own issues, while also growing close to both Emmett and Ally in the process. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Laura!
Was this review helpful?
I have always felt that Laura Trentham is a masterful storyteller by using words to evoke deep feelings of joy and pain, thus allowing her readers to feel as if they are part of the story she is weaving. In her latest novel “An Everyday Hero,” Greer Hadley, finds herself back home living with her parents and facing a judge because of a minor breakdown in a bar. Greer is given an opportunity for redemption by helping veterans and their families to heal through music. The first person she is assigned is a young girl who has had a tough time since her father was killed in combat, but the person that poses the challenge is someone she grew up with, and like the young girl he does not want help from anyone. Greer is persistent and is able to help as well as helping herself to a better understanding about her own life.  I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Was this review helpful?
I really enjoyed An Everyday Hero. Ms Trentham portrayed the emotions and struggles of an injured vet, a mom struggling with loss and addiction, a teenager with issues after her dad’s death, as well as her mom’s addiction and problems at school, very well. Greer, had problems of her own - not making it in Nashville with her desired music career and moving back in with her parents at the age of thirty. It was interesting how all these people, who each suffered differently, had their lives interwoven through adversity to come out stronger on the other side. Ms. Trentham was a new to me author with this book and I will definitely be looking for other of her works.
Was this review helpful?
Another very good romance in this series of Laura Trentham.
Talking about the dark side of life and war, rehab, grief and ptsd. 
Trentham characters are sympathetic and cheerful. And she knows how to introduce us to very like able heroes and determined heroines.
No hot scenes but the good quality of the storyline is enough.
Was this review helpful?
This is my 2nd book by Laura Trentham. 
Greer Hadley moves back home after trying to make it in Nashville. Greer runs into a former classmate Emmett who is a wounded military vet. 
This book is written with such passion and emotion, I did not want it to end.  If you were a fan of The Military Wife, I highly recommend this as well. 

Thank you to St. Martins Press for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Was this review helpful?
**I received a copy of An Everyday Hero from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. **

An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is the second book in her A Heart of a Hero series. This was such a wonderful book that I had a hard time putting it down and I'd say its worth all 5 stars and many more. I truly can't wait for the next book perhaps Dr Ryan and Karen could get a book in the future?

Greer Hadley has come back to Madison, TN after trying to make it big in Nashville. But a few too many drinks, a cheating ex-boyfriend and attacking a juke box has lead to community service hours at Music Foundation courtesy of the Judge (her uncle). Her first client is a surly 15 year old girl, Ally, whose active duty father was recently killed. Can Greer use her music talents on Ally and bring her the love and also help her mother who's lost without her husband ?

Emmet Lawson doesn't want to be a hero as he feels like he failed to keep his soldiers safe but he's Greer's second client and she'll find out that he's going to need more than music to give peace after losing one of his teammates and his leg to a IED. Because they went to school together hopefully she can convince him to put away his shotgun and whiskey and realize that he find himself with the help of Greer, Ally and his parents horse farm. All three of them will need to find their way again when given a second chance to start over in Madison. When Ally needs help for her mother Greer and Emmett won't hesitate to be there giving them both the help they need.
Was this review helpful?
Oh my, those wounded warriors get me every time!  An Everyday Hero is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Laura Trentham.  I think this might be my favorite of the books I've read by this author.  Ms. Trentham has provided readers with a book that's well-written and populated with a cast of characters you can't help but love.  Greer had a meltdown at a bar after finding her boyfriend with his assistant.  The jukebox objected, the cops were called and Greer found herself in front of a judge.  Emmett has been hiding away in his family's cabin since losing part of his leg since leaving the military.  Emmett and Greer's story is loaded with drama, humor and spice.  While I loved the characters in this book, I feel I should also mention Ms. Trentham deserves kudos for the outstanding dialog.  I love Greer's sass.  An Everyday Hero is book 2 of A Heart of a Hero Series but can be read as a standalone.  This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Was this review helpful?
Loved, Loved this story.  Let me count the ways!  
First off, my mouth dropped with the opening words of the first chapter.   I liked how we saw how the community service judgement was brought about.  If you want details about that, that first chapter should clue you in pretty good.  Even in that serious situation, there will be some humor too.  In fact, this author did a pretty good job of blending serious issues, humor and sarcasm.  I liked the flow of the story a lot.  I was pretty much engaged with the story throughout. It's now on my "Keeper" list.
I like stories with great, interesting main characters and this story had it.  Greer had a way of approaching life that not everyone appreciated but she is definitely unique.  She would also describe herself as lost at this part of her life.  That probably helps her connect with others that people have not been able to connect with.  She may have a kind heart but she also is not afraid to kick-butt when needed.  And I found her sarcasm off the charts funny!  If often disarms people around her.  They are surprised and often finds themselves laughing almost against their will. One of the best descriptions of Greer was when she was thinking about how she was probably being taken off Emmett's case. She thought of just letting sleeping dogs lie. " Trouble was, she was prone to crossing lines and waking up dogs."
Emmett had some serious issues and nightmares that were written in a way that was pretty real to understand.  He just wants to drink and waste away to forget everything!  Oh, he won't commit suicide but isolation and the self-neglect is definitely there. Isolation and self-neglect that Greer ruthlessly interrupts.   Don't think that Greer is totally fearless though because she does know she is in over her head. She just keeps putting one foot in front of the other and does the best she can.  The same thing with Ally, one of the girls in her community service project.  Both Ally and Emmett are tough nuts to crack but they do keep things interesting. 
 Both sets of parents (Greer and Emmett's) are worried for their children.  Even if they are adults, they want to help and add a lot to the story.  Not all of it helpful at first, because they just don't know what to do.  
I liked how there was a twist towards the end of the book. Man, I should have seen that coming after all the books I've read.  But I didn't and I like that the author surprised me!
The Epilogue is even a better addition to the story with just a few surprises as well.  But the H.E.A. is not a surprise but it is very welcome.
I'm not sure if I have read any other books by this author.   But after reading this book I will be on the look-out for others.  

  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Was this review helpful?
I received a free electronic copy of this novel on October 5, 2019, from Netgalley, Laura Trentham, and St. Martin's Press - Griffin. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read An Everyday Hero of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest personal opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this work to friends and family.

Laura Trentham brings us a novel with fully rounded protagonists facing relevant, modern problems and handling them with grace and conviction. An Everyday Hero is an interesting, fast-paced feel-good read. Set for the most part in Madison, Tennessee we see daily life in this small town near Nashville and peek into the life of a musician/songwriter, and that of a recently returned military vet trying to recover from his injuries and rebuild his life and help the widow and child of one of his men find a way back into their lives without him.
Was this review helpful?
Greer Hadley isn't winning at life. After leaving her small town to make it big in Nashville she's returned a decade later having blown her last big chance only to find her boring boyfriend in bed with another woman. Then to top it off she has one too many tequilas to drown her sorrows and ends up being sentenced to community service at a music therapy centre for veterans and their families.

Greer gets two of the most difficult cases: Ally Martinez, a teenager whose father died and has turned to petty theft and general surliness as a way of acting out her sadness; and Emmett Lawson her former high school crush who has returned from combat missing a leg.

This could have been formulaic but in Laura Trentham's steady hands the romance and the humour are well-balanced and the angst is pretty low key. I loved the snarky interactions between Greer and her two awkward clients, the way that she never knows from day-to-day whether they will see her again, her tough love brand of therapy whilst struggling with her own issues.

All in all I absolutely devoured this novel - just loved it!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Was this review helpful?
This was a very emotional and uplifting story about three loss souls caught between past heartbreaks and future uncertainties. They each had to deal with serious issues but ultimately became that everyday hero for each other… and became the best version of themselves. 
This was a very enjoyable read and highly recommended.
Was this review helpful?
This is a story that is a contemporary story about how lives are impacted when things just don’t turn out the way you thought they would. Greer Hadley is a dreamer and she had big dreams.  She never expect to find herself back home in Madison, Tennessee with her song writer dream bursting to a thousand pieces.  At the age of 30 she is back at her parents’ house. One night after making a few bad decisions she is now in trouble with the law.  Before she can figuring out her life and a direction she first has to complete her community service.  Greer has given up music and yet she is working at a nonprofit that aids veterans and their families, unsure how music can help anyone when it let her down.
Greer’s bad attitude gets a big adjustment once she meets Ally Martinez.  Along with being new to town, Ally is trying to come to terms with her dad being killed in Action.  Ally is a master at hiding her emotions and be a snarky teenager.  Greer remembers what is like to be a teenager and she can see right through her tough exterior to the girl who needs help.  It takes some courage for both Ally and Greer to open up even a little bit.  Greer can see Ally potential talent as a song writer.  
In addition to working with Ally, Greer is assigned Emmitt Lawson for music therapy.  Emmitt Lawson was the town favorite in his high school years, due to being a football star.  But after graduation Emmitt followed the family legacy and went into the military.  Greer knew Emmitt from high school but the person she sees when she reaches out to him is just a shell of the person he was before.  Emmitt is not wanting any help, he does not feel he is worth it, and he has pushed his family away.  Ally pushes herself into Emmitt’s life and runs into one stubborn man.  Thankfully Greer is even more stubborn and determined.
When Ally’s life takes a turn for the worst, Greer and Emmitt must decide if they can work together to help Ally find her way.  Will Greer and Emmitt be able to turn Ally’s life around?  Will Greer be able to find a direction for her life?  Will Emmitt be able to begin to live again after so much loss?
I really enjoyed this story.  I loved how the situations that were tough were true to life and not sugar coated.  Returning from war is difficult and finding your footing is a challenge.  This story help to provide hope for those facing those changes.  Life’s dreams are worth having, even when the journey is not what you expected.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy to read.  The thoughts and opinions are my own.
Was this review helpful?
I would have kneed the "deputy", too.

Ha, her qualification for this job is annoying people.

Shut it, Richard.

Holy crap, Emmett!

I wonder what song that is.

His dad is an uppity prig.

Caroline needs a good slap.

Lonely, my butt.

Mind over matter.

Seriously, her mom needs to realize she's a grown-up.

He is so romantic.

Small world.

Haha, poor Ally is running away from the love-fest!

Karen and Ryan should get together.
Was this review helpful?
A wonderful read a book that kept me involved from beginning to end.Wonderfully written great characters an author to follow,#netgaley#stMartinsbooks
Was this review helpful?
Emmett Lawson and Greer Hadley are both struggling. Emmett because he was discharged from the service after losing part of his leg because of an explosion. Losing men under his command haunts him too. Greer because after 10 years trying to make it in the music business in Nashville she has given up and gone home. In the kick her while she’s down category Greer catches her boyfriend cheating on her. Greer proceeds to drown her sorrows, do some damage to a bar and gets assigned community service at a nonprofit music foundation for returning veterans and their families. That is how she meets Ally, the daughter of a serviceman killed in action, and reconnects with Emmett, an acquaintance from high school.
Was this review helpful?
*A big thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

As far as sweet & thoughtful HEA’s go, this is one of the best I’ve read in awhile! The protagonists both present with a myriad of flaws, past hurts and regrets running deep. We have the privilege to watch them both slowly start peeling back the layers of their emotions though- coming together and supporting each other when they need it most- resulting in a beautiful, selfless ending. So lovely.

I sure hope there are plans for more than just the 2 books I’ve had the pleasure of reading in this series. So enjoyable and heart warming, I can’t get enough!
Was this review helpful?
This is just the right book for someone needing a boost to their spirit alongside a little bit of love. No sappy, not unrealistic, just a dose of 'what if' with a side of sassy, non-nonsense reality. 

We all know someone who may have had their dreams or heart crushed. Bouncing back from that is always easier if one is supported by friends, which is the underlying theme of this new novel. Oh, a little love doesn't hurt either.
Was this review helpful?
This was a great book! It held my attention and I couldn't put it down, kept me awake at night because I just wanted to keep reading! It was an easy to follow along story and contained good easy to follow characters. I highly recommend this to anyone and can't wait to read more by this author. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this.
Was this review helpful?