CW: rape and coverup (not of mains, but recollection of witness after-the-fact)

Devoured this military romance. Leads are an Afghanistan War vet and rehab/prosthetics researcher medic. The two women become closer, but the unraveling of Army's mechanizations puts the budding relationship in danger. Two subjects Leigh does well: veterans and horses.

Captain Britt Story has returned from Afghanistan broken in more than one way. Suffering from the loss of her arm and PTSD, she is rehabbing at her grandfather's horse ranch. All she wants is to get out of the military, put her service far behind her, and help at the ranch that's been her legacy since childhood. But the Army has other plans, because Story has knowledge of an war-zone secret the military wants kept under raps - the gross mishandling of a sexual assault/rape of a female soldier by another soldier. While Story is in the military, she can be ordered to keep silent, when she retires, such restrictions are no longer possible.

Lt. Teddy Alexander is an occupational therapist, assigned to oversee Capt. Story's rehab and outfitting for a new, high-tech prosthesis. Alexander has no idea of the secret Story keeps or the behind-the-scenes pressure by military higher-ups to keep it under wraps.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

It's been many years since I read a book by D. Jackson Leigh. With all the awful news in the world right now - and my regular reading and watching very dark material - I needed an angsty romance novel to lift me up a bit. There are two things I love with my romance: believable angst and laugh out loud humor. Blades of Bluegrass wasn't funny but the angst was about perfect for me.

Overall, I enjoyed being on the relationship journey with the characters but did wish there had been more depth with regard to their connection and learning about each other. I would have liked to see them interacting more deeply and honestly about Teddy's dead wife and her grief. I think there could have been a better balance between the horse breeding/racing business, the military/congressional hearing arc, and the growing relationship between Britt and Teddy.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed all aspects but did want more of the romance/relationship building than there was.

I'll certainly not wait so long before picking up another of the author's works!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

After losing her left arm during a mission in Afghanistan, Captain Britt Story returned home to her grandfather’s five hundred acre Thoroughbred breeding farm in Kentucky to recuperate. First Lieutenant Teddy Alexander was chosen to help Britt with her physical and occupational therapy with the end result of fitting Britt with a bionic prosthetics. This was set up by her influential Senator father and his close friend General Banks. Britt, however, feeling angry and betrayed, wanted nothing to do with the army or her Senator father after losing a young female soldier under her command. Even though Britt was on medical leave, she was in the army, and as such, arrangements were made to keep her in active service. This assured her allegiance stayed with the army and did not stray elsewhere.

I only read one other book by this author, Ordinary is Perfect, and I loved it. I knew this was going to be just as good because even before I started reading the first chapter, I was deeply moved by the author’s acknowledgements and dedication page. This was a phenomenal story. It had so many levels of depth that kept you fully engaged throughout the story. It was not only an emotional read, but very informative at well. Since the setting took place mainly at a Thoroughbred breeding farm, the author enlightened her readers with many details regarding those horses and their care. I found these scenes to be very interesting and actually needed to balance the emotional aspect of the story.

There was an interesting mix of characters to love and hate. Britt and Teddy both had emotional baggage from their time overseas resulting in nightmares. Britt was initially wary of Lieutenant Teddy’s help, but Teddy, the therapist, soon won her over with kindness and compassion. She was also very interested in Britt’s life on the farm, a place where Britt felt most relaxed surround by her love of horses, and her supportive and loving grandfather. There were several other relationships involved in this story which only added to its realism. Even though Teddy’s wife was deceased, it impacted her current relationship. Britt and her father had a love hate relationship: love for her father, but not the politician. All these relationships faced emotional breakdowns and eventually led to the exposure of heart- wrenching truths. These dramatic scenes were well written and so very real.

This was a story about loss and grief, deception and lies. This was a story about honor and truth, perseverance and love. This was a story…but it was so much more.

An ARC was given for an honest review.

TW: PTSD and off-screen sexual assault.

I am happy to say that "Blades of Bluegrass" was angst-free for me, and along with some romance-unrelated intrigue, it is naturally my kind of story. This does not mean that the theme of the book is light, however. It is a military drama about the corruption and ugliness of the US Army but with beautiful horses.

Captain Britt Story wants to return to civilian life after something happened during her last deployment, and it isn't just about losing her arm. The military tries to keep her in the army and placate her so that she cannot talk about what had happened. Though initially aloof, Britt starts to consider her live-in physical and occupational therapist Lieutenant Teddy Alexander a friend. But unbeknownst to Britt even though it is public knowledge, Teddy has lost her wife Shannon five years ago and is struggling to love again. The pair gradually grows close on Story Hill Farm. But when their pasts and military politics catch up with them, do Britt and Teddy still want to share their lives together?

One of the main emotions in this story is grief. Britt has lost her arm and faith in the army while Teddy's mind is still on Shannon. But nothing was too sad, either. The choice of the setting, Story Hill Farm, no doubt lightens the mood. I love how Britt and Teddy slowly open up to each other and connect on a deeper level. The pairing is balanced and both characters lovable. Now that I come to think of it, I kind of want to hug them both. The writing was also occasionally funny and I found myself chuckling a few times. It was an overall enjoyable reading experience.

"Blades of Bluegrass" was my first try of Leigh's books, and it sure won't be my last. If you love horses, military politics, or simply enjoy some wooing contents, this book is for you.

The story premise is what caught my attention and as I read, kept me engaged. This is a slow burn romance with several interesting and important secondary characters (Britt's father, grandfather, housekeeper/cook to name a few). The leading ladies are: Lieutenant Theodora (Teddy) Alexander, occupational/physical therapist, excellent at what she does with a wonderful upbeat personality. Although she is haunted by the memory of her wife killed in the line of duty. She uses her position for a sense of safety and to make a difference in the lives of others. And, Captain Britt Story, capable leader who is focused on setting the record straight about how she loss her arm and she wants desperately to get out of the military. This is also a read about family.

I thought the interaction and support among the characters was heart warming, I also enjoyed learning about breeding thoroughbreds. Like Teddy, I have enjoyed watching horse racing but was not aware of what goes on behind the scene in regard to breeding. In my opinion, when reading a romance in particular, if I can learn something that is a good thing,.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Captain Britt has lost a lot being in the Army not only has she lost her arm she lost in what the Army suppose to represent honor and the good in humanity but when the commands of the Army fail to help a young soldier life all she wants is to leave the Army and move on with her life.

Lieutenant Teddy is a occupational therapist who lost her wife Shannon six years ago. She very excited about project that her and commander Tom who also like father to her gets to work on to advance Prosthetic to give soldiers a chance to return to duty. When she assigned to help Britt rehab it’s because they want Britt to be first subject to try the advance prosthetic but what they both don’t know that it’s to keep a eye on Britt because she carries a burden that they want to keep her in line so she won’t be able to say her piece.

I like this read the relationship she has with her grandfather is good like how he doesn’t let anything slide with Britt. I like that her relationship with her father Brock has mend it when he realize his career is not as important then his daughter. Britt and Teddy romance was great like how they got to know each other. Love how they explain which horses can produce champions and which ones don’t how what it entails when you buying a horse.. Overall a great read.