GRR Reviews Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade

Eli is an air force pilot who wanted to date the town baker Penelope. However, in their last meeting, he forgot to mention that he's due for a deployment to the Middle East soon and while they did have a good time right up to the point she found out, she's hardened her heart to all airmen, because they are all cocky bas****s who can't be trusted. She tried to trust one, only to be betrayed. Months later, he's back stateside, and he wants another chance, and helping his best friend's family, which happens to involve Penelope's sister, through a medical crisis after a difficult birth, is a perfect opportunity to convince Penelope that he may be the one for her... 

A novella at just under 100 pages, it actually contains a good amount of plot and some good back-and-forth between Eli and Penelope. 

4/5

GRR Reviews Lawfully Remembered by Ginny Sterling

Jesse Smithson, military police, is in the ER with head injury after an encounter with some robbers. When he woke up, he realized he lost his memories. Yet when he saw his nurse, Melissa, it seems to trigger something... that made him wanted to know her better... //  Melissa can't believe Jesse is in her ER, and he didn't recognize her. She had a crush on Jesse all through high school, but she was crushed when she asked him to take her to the prom, and he said he's not going. Yet almost two decades later, he's there, with a blank slate, wanted to know her and date her... Is this the chance she needed all along?

Nothing really major that threatens to tear them apart, but good revelations. 3/5

GRR Reviews My Little Rock Airman by Brittany Fichter

Jessie is a pre-school teacher and one of her favorite students is Jade, a young girl with Down's syndrome. At the last day of school, she got an intriguing offer... Jade's mother offered Jessie enough money to finish her master's degree if Jessie will be Jade's nanny for the summer. And Jessie quickly agreed. However Jessie didn't know that she'll be sharing her duties with Jade's big brother, airman Derrick, who pulled strings to be moved back home to Little Rock due to an incident a year ago. And the two developed a hostility to each other... and a cold prank war ensued... Until a truce is called... and understanding is achieved... they both actually want the best for Jade. But is Jessie has rules about love... and #1 is NEVER date an airman... Even as she secretly likes Sam, a fellow teacher. However, Derrick is tempting her to break her rules...

Oooh, VERY nice, a military romance without suspense or special operators, nor terrorists and such. Just regular citizen-soldiers dealing with family and life and its struggles. There is not too much angst, and whole thing is rather light-hearted, even as it deals with some heavy issues. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews As You Are by Claire Cain

Dr. Elizabeth "Ellie" Kent is the family rebel... sort of. With both parents as MDs, she went for PhD... because she enjoys writing. But her parents managed to push her into getting a professorship. She's not telling her pacifist parents about her new job: to study the soldiers in the US army earning advanced degrees, and what challenges did they face. Meeting Sergeant Harrison had knocked her off her balance. Harrison is a broody and powerful, martial arts champion (army calls it "combatives") and part of her study. And his almost brutally honest attitude made her realize something... She hates being a professor... and she likes Harrison a lot... even though he doesn't seem to like her back. But they became friends, as they learned things about each other. Then something shifted... even as Ellie's life imploded around her. Can Ellie admit her love for Harrison? Can it go anywhere?

Nice, VERY nice. This author is one of the few authors doing military romance that did not need romantic suspense, grand conspiracy, or even special operators like SEALs or Delta. These are basically "ordinary" citizen-soldiers falling in love and dealing with life. It may not be very "exciting" with over the top plots, but they are satisfying nonetheless. 4/5

GRR Reviews Where You Go by Claire Cain

Alex(andra) can't believe she ran into Luke, her first love, after ten years away. And it was clear they are not over. Luke had enlisted, then changed the deal so he can go through ROTC and become an officer. He's now mostly in a staff position stateside, but he goes where Uncle Sam sends him. And they will be an hour apart, when both he and she moved jobs. Alex can't deny their chemistry, but Alex also feels that being an "army girlfriend" will destroy any stability and roots she craved. Can this relationship ever work?

Nice, a proper military romance WITHOUT any suspense elements, nor involve special operations like SEALS and such, nor exotic setup. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Love Comes for the Army Ranger by Savannah Adams

Chase returned to the US minus a leg, but also with his service dog, medically retired like him. He went back to his hometown to figure out his future. When the dog injured a paw, the only veterinarian around is his high school crush, Lori, who left him... // Lori felt relief about the death of her philandering husband... and shock upon seeing Chas again. Chase wanted a second chance with Lori, but Lori wasn't about to try again, even with Chase. They settle into a friendship... Until a secret from Lori's married past threatens to tear them apart...


The veteran issues are handled nicely, just not too sure about the relationship itself or the darkest hour. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Breaking His Code by Patricia D Eddy

West, ex-SEAL, is still haunted by his final mission where the rest of his team was killed. He survived, and runs a gym back in the US, but he's getting pushed out by fancy CrossFit and slogan-driven gyms. His only solace was online gaming with friends, such as Camila "Cam". // Cam has her own nightmares. Exiled by her own family, she chose one of the most dangerous branches in the military for redemption: Explosive Ordnance Disposal, aka bomb squad. And she came back with a cane and scars. // Cam and West get along fine online. But when West tries to take the relationship offline, Cam bolted. In the meanwhile, Cam found herself overwhelmed at her job, when her boss (and her former CO) accepted an accelerated timeline to roll out a new security system for the hotel... And her code suffered mysterious bugs. Is her growing attraction to West a distraction? Or a source of strength?

Okay, the tech sounded "fine", except to a techie. It's 90% accurate. I'm surprised a company that deals with high-end security didn't employ version control on their source code. Should be obvious that someone slipped in unauthorized code if they have a version control system in place.  And the twist was nice. Though his problem and her problem didn't really intersect. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Turbulent Waters by Melody Anne

Nick, coast guard helo pilot, was the sole survivor when his helo went down in stormy seas. While in rehab, he met his new physical therapist: Chloe. She's sexy, smart, and guarded. And Nick wanted to woo her. But she has a deep dark secret... she's there at the behest of her father to dig up dirt on Nick... to destroy him, for one of the dead on Nick's final flight was her brother. But the more time she spent with Nick, the more she realized Nick is someone who'd give up his life "so others may live" (creed of the Coast Guard). But how can she let Nick know the truth? Or is it too late?

While the plot has been done before, the motivation twist was somewhat novel. However, the end was a bit of tell, not show, and the darkest hour was kinda long. 4/5

GRR Reviews Turbulent Desires by Melody Anne

ER Nurse Lindsey has a severe case of PTSD after two madmen attacked her emergency room, killed one of the doctors and a nurse, and almost killed her. A year later, she can go through the motions of life and job, but she's withdrawn, even as her friend, a sexy flyboy by the name of Maverick (no, it's NOT a callsign) tries to help her recover.  // Maverick flies F/A-18 for the US Air Force, and he and Lindsey had a one-night stand at his brother's wedding. But she's withdrawn after the attack. Mav is determined to rescue her from herself, and then he will walk away, because he had sworn to never fall in love, not even for the stupid inheritance (long story). But he will stay the course for her...

Good polish, and his time off (stupid move and broke his arm, thus gets to stay home for a little while) was explained, sort of. But he just doesn't sound military at all. And there doesn't seem to be much of a "conflict"?  May be the weakest in the series. 3/5

GRR Reviews Her Rebellious Billionaire by Shantal Sessions

Dan was a "bad boy" trying to assert himself from his billionaire father's control. His only true friend was Cat, daughter of a landscaper on Maui. When he decided to rebel and joined the army, he left Cat behind. Years later, Dan survived the tour as a tanker and returned to Maui, with most of his crew and other veterans looking for a project to work on, and the newest resort needs some landscaping done, so he and Cat's team joined forces to work for his father. Dan also wanted to prove to Cat he's changed, and he'll treasure a second chance with her. But his father threatened to ruin everyone around him if he won't return as heir to the company... and marry a socialite to further the family business.

Not feeling much for this one. Evil dad's just a flat villain, though the author did try to flesh him out a bit with the ex-wife (Dan's mom). And the resolution doesn't really make sense, since it's both a deus ex machina, and does NOT prevent evil dad from accomplishing what he claimed he would do. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Mistletoe Summer by Abby Tyler

Cody, with broken spirit and body after surviving an IED in the Sandbox, had to return home to Applebottom to recuperate with help of his service dog Tyrus. With not much else to do, he decided to help his mother expand her doggy bakery, and that's where he met Melody. // Melody is broke, barely scraping by to make enough money for her grandma's nursing home and support herself. She needed to make some extra money over the summer, and helping Cody paint the new pet store is perfect, esp. when her Pomeranian named Mistletoe refused to leave Tyrus, Cody's service dog. Then they had the idea of operating a town "Pet Parade" as a part of "Christmas in July", which also serves to promote the grand expansion of the Pet Store / Doggy bakery. Melody's enthusiasm is infectious, and Cody can't help but go along... but he can't walk the route with his injuries... or can he?

If you like cute dogs, you should like this book. The opposties attract works well here. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Heather by Chris Keniston

Heather is taking time off from her busy schedule as a top cardiac surgeon to go home to Lawford, where grandpa, retired Marine Corp General Harold Hart lives with his wife Fiona and housekeeper Lucy. Grandpa just didn't sound right... But he's the kind of person that would rather die than see a doctor... not even his own granddaughter can change that... But her return also let her discover the calmer life of small town living... and ex-Marine Jake who may just be the perfect man... if she's staying.

Nice, not extraordinary nice though. The family dynamics are great, and how Jake and Heather slowly got around to talk about what matters to them. 4/5

GRR Reviews Protecting Olivia by Riley Edwards

Olivia just needed some fun to escape her stifling life. Her mother, a White House aide, seems to be having unreasonable mood swings. She never had a father. Having been roofied and kidnapped, and spent days in a stinky room handcuffed to a bed made her contemplate death, and how much life she missed. Then she was rescued... by Leo, callsign Panther, and the rest of Red Team... // When the president calls, the Red Team responds. It seems a White House aide's daughter's missing, and the daughter is best friends with First Daughter and her mom is best friends with First Lady. And someone is sending a message... someone with deep connections and deeper pockets. // Leo "Panther" is an ex-SEAL. Conducting an off-the-books rescue was normal. Falling for the rescue victim, however, is not. Yet from the moment she uttered "don't leave me", Leo was captivated by Olivia. Leo has no choice but to take Olivia into hiding while the rest of the team unravel the conspiracy. Will they give in to their attraction for each other? Will Red Team find out about the grand conspiracy gripping the nation? Who is playing whom?

There are a couple more subplots, like why mom's having mood swings, how Olivia's father actually showed up (turns out it's a secret baby trope), and how the grand conspiracy is confusing as heck, as the "bread crumbs" seems just to be "too easy". But the rescuer falling for the rescued, it's basically insta-love. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Nightstalker by Riley Edwards

Jasmin knew it wasn't the name she was born with. She knew she was captured and tortured and rescued. But she cannot recall the details. She went back into the field as an operator, being the best shot in the business. So who is Lincoln? Why his words can turn her on like no other? And when he went missing on a mission, can she save him? // Lincoln had been through SEAL training, and later, as a CIA operative. He just returned from a two-year undercover assignment, and there was Jasmin, alive and kicking, and... lost. Lincoln knew Jasmin like no other... but that's a secret Jasmin had to find out for herself, and it's hiding in her own mind. When Lincoln went MIA on a mission, Jasmin may be his only hope...

Okay, good twists and turns and the Red Team stories continue in "Protecting Olivia". The military bits are actually not bad, but the conspiracy and hidden identity stuff seem a bit over the top... Like what happened to Jasmin's head... or her secret relationships with others (some she didn't even know) all in the name of "national security". The meta-story, about someone messing with the US government, as vague and twisty that I'm not too sure if I like it. Overall, the novel is definitely a 4/5 though.

GRR Reviews Red Blooded by Cat Johnson

Three military romantic suspense novellas in a single volume

Trey -- To take down the bad guys, Trey is willing to recruit a bartender/bar owner and have her pose as his wife to help rescue a captured agent in enemy territory. The sex is definitely real. But is the love real too?

Jack -- forced to take leave on the family farm after watching the girl of his dreams fall for his best friend, Jack is intrigued to find the latest ranch hand on his family farm may have secrets... and really needs protection (by him, of course)

Jimmy -- posing as waiter to serve as protective detail on the governor, he didn't expect governor's daughter, the fiery red-headed and gorgeous Amelia hitting on him. But he'll maintain cover... and protect her...

Other than the improbable premise (seems most romance authors don't give a **** about the *posse commitatus* act, which states that US military are NOT to be deployed on US soil, and that soldiers can easily go "undercover" like agents or detectives), the three novellas are actually not bad if you ignore the glaring deviation from reality. But you rate the whole book, not the pieces. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Special Forces Billionaire by Eliza Ellis

Zuri is the daughter of the rebel leader hoping to overthrow the despot "President" in the small African country. She immediately clashes with Daemon, head of Knight Security, hired by her father to be her bodyguard. When an ambush killed her father, Zuri is forced into exile under the protection of Daemon in the US, and became the de facto rebel leader, and target of assassination squads. Daemon can keep Zuri safe, but the feisty young woman, matured by fire and loss, enticed him like no other woman. And Zuri, with nowhere to turn, fell for her protector. When a coup started in her home country, she must return. And Daemon will go with her... no matter the danger...

Eh... not too bad, but military bits just feels slightly off. 4/5

GRR Reviews Mommy Loves the Military Man by Allie Kincaid

Cameron became a single mom when her husband basically decided he can't handle being a father and ran off. Now her daughter is ten, her mother helps, and she has a career. She's too busy thinking about love... Until she met single Dad Alex, father of her daughter's bestie. // Alex is a widower and a military man, raising his daughter. He knows he can be deployed at any time, but he can live with that. When their daughters got together and wanted to match their respective parents together, sparks flew between Cameron and Alex... but Cameron refused to be abandoned again, and Alex can't promise forever, esp. when his latest project may mean some travel...

Good push-pull, but not extraordinary. It's about letting go of old fears and embrace the new.

Category: Contemporary / Military

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews "Warrior Undone" by Jessica Ruben

Slade, an ex-SEAL, suffers from PTSD. He runs a security business with his friends. He had a fling with Lauren at a wedding. They are opposites. When they reconnected in Las Vegas when he had to protect her from a shooting it also triggered his PTSD. Slade refused to acknowledge his problems and tries to self-medicate, and Lauren, who already fell for the SEAL, is becoming scared of him...

The portrayal of PTSD and the downward spiral is good, as is how it's affecting the relationship.

Category: Contemporary / On the rocks

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Reasons to Breathe by Chloe Morgan

Single mom Erin had to leave town when she got pregnant and the father left them. Her family shamed her for unable to keep her man. Erin settled in a town with Miss Claire who gave her a job at her interior design company. Only her sister Whitney supported her... So much so she came to visit and stayed to work at a waitress to help support her. Things changed when Miss Claire's son, Dane, a US marine, came home on leave for a month. Erin was too busy working and too hurt to be in a relationship, but Dane, being a former asthma sufferer, was able to teach Erin's asthmatic daughter a way to cope. Dane wanted to love Erin, but Erin is hesitant, knowing that being a military wife requires a much higher level of commitment, one she may not be ready to give...

IMHO, this relationship moved a bit too fast, from attraction to sex to commitment. He really has no obstacles, and she's doing the unintentional "hard to get", which felt very one-sided.

Category: Contemporary / Military

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Protector by Sophia Summers

Colton is ready to retire and his last job is also the weirdest: protect an old war veteran and his granddaughter, who clearly can look after herself... She's an ex-SEAL. But he had to shadow her. // Elsie retired from SEALs hoping to meet a nice guy and start a family, but a visit to grandpa's place resulted in a favor/mission... To visit a dude ranch in Texas. // Colton was instantly attracted to Elsie, and both stumbled into a conspiracy that involves huge hidden treasures that may date back a hundred years. And bad guys are desperate to find it. Colton's family is filthy rich and Colton wonders about a life with Elsie. When the treasure didn't pan out, the bad guys decided to turn their attention to Elsie and Colton...

Uh, did this author do ANY fact-checking? Military commander order people to go around the country? Not only the military is PROHIBITED from operating within the borders of the US by the "posse comitatus" act, but there are also no female SEALs. In fact, for all the blah-blah about she being an ex-SEAL, the ONLY prowess she demonstrated was flipping Colton ONCE (which he deftly reversed a moment later). People walking around with tranquilizer dart pistols, really? Elsie used one (where did it come from?!) and had one used on her. This plot simply felt as if it was written by a teenager.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.