Carry Me Home

Coming Home #3

by Jessica Scott

"There are books that need to be written in order to explain important moments in our history. ‘Carry Me Home’ is one of those books" 
~ Stacey | Absorbed in a Book

"Jessica Scott should be on every reader's list."  ~ Brenda Novak New York Times Bestselling Author

Claire Montoya has never met a rule that wasn’t meant to be broken. Being in a woman in the Army means she has to be tougher and smarter than everyone around her. She good at being a soldier but ignores the quiet longing for something more - belonging.

Evan is a man full of dark secrets and a thousand regrets. He finds solace in the rules and someone like Claire who doesn’t know how to spell the word grates on his last nerve. He must have been out of his mind the night he thought he was attracted to her.

They’ve both avoided mention of that night but now, thrown together to help prepare a close friend for her upcoming deployment, they’re forced to confront their shared past. And together, they face a choice and a chance and finding a place they’ve both been longing for…a place called home.

Previously published as UNTIL THERE WAS YOU

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Military Romance, Ebooks, Romantic Suspense

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2012

About the author

Sign up for Jessica’s newsletter https://jessicascott.net/subscribe/

Jessica Scott Jessica Scott is a USA Today bestselling American author of more than 20 novels, including Because of You which launched Loveswepts Digital Imprint in 2011 as well as Homefront, and Before I Fall. She is an Army veteran, a veteran of the Iraq war, the mother of two daughters, a small zoo consisting of too many cats, dogs and the occasional domesticated rodent, and wife to a retired NCO.

Her novels comes from her personal experiences as a soldier, a mother, and an army wife and often explores themes of family, the legacy of war, challenges of military life, and includes contemporary military romances, psychological suspense, and nonfiction works.

Follow Jessica

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaScottAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadscott09/


She's also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

Author photo courtesy of Buzz Covington Photography


Learn more at https://www.jessicascottbooks.com

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until There Was You by Jessica Scott
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4 ‘opposites attract’ stars!

Until There Was You is the second book in Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series and another great story. The characters, the plot, everything about this book drew me in and didn't let me go.

Description…

Though he plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed military leaders will prove that opposites attract . . . even under fire.

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. Since that brief lapse in judgment, Evan has been at odds with her. But when he is asked to train a combat team alongside Claire, battle-hardened Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to achieve her high military rank. In Evan Loehr, Claire sees a spoiled commander who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. Army orders force them together and Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He too has dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

My Review…

One of the things I most enjoy about this author’s way of telling a story is the unique, candid look we get into the behind-the-scenes, decision making process. These stories are not just blow 'em up, shoot 'em dead military romantic melees, though sure, there's some of that, too. But I really appreciate seeing the things that go into preparing our troops to go off to war.

Now, don't misunderstand, this isn't a politically driven storyline, rather a first hand look at what happens before, during, and after deployment, told the way only someone who has been there and done that can tell it, and Jessica Scott, a career Army officer, has been there and done that. The stories feel real, the characters genuine, and the relationships take time to develop, meaning the romances are believable... comfortable.

Evan and Claire's ongoing struggle to deny the attraction they feel for one another was at times heartbreaking, at times very sexy, but with more coitus interruptus than you can shake a stick at, it was also, at times, a bit frustrating. But their personal struggles, their intense need to always do the right thing made them people I cared deeply about and people I couldn't help but want to see work through their seemingly insurmountable issues to find the happily ever after they were both so deserving of.

The bottom line…

Each book in this series is a reading adventure, a truly entertaining experience. I love the characters, the plot, the way everything feels so real! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

My thanks to Ms. Scott for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica Scott is a brilliant writer who is clearly aware of the military world, the war, the internal politics and differences yet whereas this book is great with the details it is disappointing with the romance. As a reader I do not want sugary sweet romance all the time, I do not even mind bantering but in this book what the characters did was bicker, they bickered so much that they annoyed me and I wanted to slap them.

Evan is dubed "Captain America" by most people because he follows the rules and never stops out of line whereas Captain Claire, formerly enlisted is known for breaking rules and rebelling. Both of them shared a kiss three years ago but since then their clashes are legendary and they do not seem to agree on anything

The heroine came from the ranks so she knows how tough it is and how some orders don't make sense and she rebels and still maintains her friendship with an enlisted Sergeant First Class Reza, protecting him and his drinking and that goes back to her own father who was an alcoholic.

Both the characters were majorly messed up, the hero from his sister's death and the heroine from her childhood. The thing that bothered me was the heroine's judgment, she seemed to hang on to her beliefs no matter what the evidence and seemed reckless about her career. I admire loyalty but she seemed foolish about it to me. I had a hard time connecting with the romance and the characters especially Claire.

Abrasive heroines can be good, but Claire was too much for me and it just seemed like sex between them and I needed to feel the emotion which did not come across that well.

All in all I saw the potential in the book, it just never reached "there".

ARC provided by the author for review.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

And once again Jessica Scott amazes me with her heartfelt and deeply moving writing. Reading Until There Was You made me choke up, tear up and feel raw and humble. She has a way with words, but what's even more amazing is not just how much emotion she is able to weave into the story but how deeply her words touch the reader. A brilliant sequel to Because of You!

My detailed review will be posted closer to the release date, but I urge you to put this novel on your to-be-read list and pre-order it.

[KatLynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until There Was You is the second installment in Jessica Scott’s Coming Home Series. The military details given have such an authentic feel and easily convey the author’s firsthand knowledge carried over from her own career.

The hard work along with the mixed and complex emotions portrayed gives the reader a much better understanding of not only the battles, but the preparation involved and the inner turmoil many soldiers face when they return home. I came away humbled and even more appreciative of their sacrifices. There is one particular scene involving a mother’s restrained emotions as she prepares for deployment that is intensely gripping and heartbreaking.

Captain Evan Loehr’s life has been shaped by a tragedy from his youth. He’s closed himself off from any long term relationships. Entering West Point straight out of High School, he takes pride in his military commitment. He operates by the book and doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure, therefore he struggles against the strong, sexual pull he feels for sexy Captain Claire Montoya.

Claire has her own dark secrets and doesn’t trust anyone enough to risk being let down again. She’s worked hard to achieve her military rank and is also passionate about keeping her comrades safe, even if it means forgoing some of the rules. While wanting to pursue her desire for Evan, she feels it would be a huge mistake.

There are many great things I liked about this book. It's very well written and both MCs as well as the secondary characters are very likable. However, a few of the military details detracted from my overall enjoyment of the romance, slowing the story down in places. All in all though, a good military romance with a HEA ending that fits this couple perfectly.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Steam Factor: 3.5

My gracious Thank You to Random House, courtesy of Netgalley, for providing me this ARC

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book by the Author for an honest and unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this book and I loved the characters, it was a brilliant follow on from ‘Because of You’! Jessica Scott is an amazingly accomplished writer. She makes the characters of this military romance come alive and they are written so well they come across REAL. The book flowed and every word counted, however you wouldn’t call this a light and fuzzy romantic read, though it did have humour and yummy romance to soften up the drama. It is definitely a must read and I couldn’t put it down. As a reader I got an authentic look into the characters’ military life which left me quite emotional as the two main characters tried to find themselves and find love whilst under the pressure of their chosen occupation.

In this story we have Evan who very much sees things in “black and white”, who cares about and follows the rules to the letter. Very ‘straight down the line’, responsible and believes rules are there for a reason and he does not stray from them.

Then we have Claire who is equally responsible and ambitious yet also very opinionated and feisty. She is completely willing to bend the rules, even break them a little to help the people she cares about. She, as opposed to Evan, sees the grey as well as “black and white”.

Evan and Claire are both very passionate, dedicated and fiercely loyal individuals. However, through most of their journey, their opinions and actions differ to the extent that they often clash yet the conflict they experienced came across real and completely understandable. There was no arguing for the sake of arguing. This made a refreshing change!
Both are emotionally damaged and flawed and through their journey they discover that they are in fact more alike than they initially want to admit. This is where the barriers and walls they have erected around their hearts and their persons, due to the trauma in their pasts, begin to crumble. Together they almost strip themselves bare in order to piece together who they are; judged not on their pasts but as the people they have become through personal choice.

I really loved reading about how these two emotionally scarred but ever so brave and admirable characters changed and found their redemption through trust and love under adverse pressure.

I can definitely recommend the “Coming Home” series by Jessica Scott.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 STARS

I received this ARC from the author for an honest review..

This is a powerful novel about love and war. We meet Evan Loehr, a West Point grad who believes in following the rules to the letter, his nickname is Captain America which he seriously dislikes. He is carrying scars from war on his body, but also in his heart from a teenage mistake that has changed his life. In a bar in 2004, at a military function, he meets a striking redhead whose name is Clare Montoya. She enlisted in the Army, and then went on to Officer Training School, and is a Captain. At this same bar we meet Reza Iaconelli, Sergeant First Class, who has been friends with Clare since her enlisted days. He will be a source of conflict for them both. This encounter between Evan and Clare is uneventful, except they are strangely drawn to each other, and the evening ends with a very hot kiss. Both Clare and Evan chalk this up as a bad mistake.

They meet again four years later, on a frigid mountainside in Colorado, for a training mission. There have been chance contacts here and there during their deployment, and Evan considers Clare a “wildfire out of control”. He is still Captain America. Neither is happy about the way this training mission is going.
Conflict, disagreements, and Reza Iaconelli cannot stop this growing need for each other, which they both try to deny. Evan and Claire think they’re secure in their lives and careers; except when they are together. They know there has to be more.

This novel gives us an insight into the lives of our men and women in the military. They are real people with conflicts and secrets of their own. They must follow rules they sometimes disagree with, adjust to being “downrange”, and then adjusting to being home again. A widowed soldier, who lost her husband in this war, must now leave her child to honor her obligations, and she does it with pride.
Until There Was You is about ‘Duty, Honor, Country’, but especially about Evan and Claire learning from their mistakes, putting them behind them, and moving on together. Oh, there is some HOT sex too!

Thank you Ms. Scott, for this ARC, and your gripping story. I can't wait for the next!

[Kame · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate it 4 1/2 stars!

Evan and Claire are like two magnets. Sometimes their attraction is so strong nothing can keep them apart, and other times there is a force that pushes them away from each other.

Evan and Claire are both sent to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs to help prepare a team about to deploy. They will work together if they must to accomplish the mission. It is obvious this group of soldiers is ill prepared for their deployment and the training plan in place spends an inordinate amount of time with soldiers in conference rooms and not running scenarios. To Evan adherence to the plan is the most important issue, Claire on the other hand feels preparing through scenario training will make sure the most number of soldiers come home safe. They clash, there is a spark both seem unwilling to fan into a burning flame, but sometimes a spark will ignite dried timber and burst into an inextinguishable fire. The fire can not be sustained if they continue to hold back the pieces of their past that they have walled off in their hearts.

This is one of those books that you truly enjoy (I only stopped reading to eat dinner) but have a hard time expressing in words what made it so great. There are plots and subplots, and twists and turns. The dialogue between Evan and Claire at tender moments reveals so much of their characters. Their love scenes are more than sex, especially when their scars are discovered. I am intrigued by the auxiliary characters and hope to see them in future books (Reza and Sarah definitely). I did get lost a little in the military terms and hierarchy – hence the rating of 4 ½ stars.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from Jessica Scott and this is my honest review.

[Alana ~ The Book Pimp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review. My thoughts are my own, and I received no compensation.

This story revolves around military characters with personal demons.
Rather than relying on the common used of 'insta-love', which is especially common with more 'alpha' type male characters. Let's face it, military men are quite often very alpha. Instead, it was a really in-depth exploration of the couple and their push/pull relationship. It was an uphill battle for them to get together, and they had to fight tooth and nail for their HEA.

Overall, I liked it. But, I found out that military stories, even romances are just not my favorite. All the 'soldier' stuff, which added immensely to the story and helped to explain the motivations of the characters was necessary, but I had to fight my urge to 'skip to the good stuff'. The writing I found to be very solid, and the romance and tortured past angles piqued my curiosity early on driving me to look past my personal preference.

I have to mention, how lovely it is to see another strong female lead. She was stubborn, and fiery, and tough-as-nails, and I LOVED that! Many of the characters surprised me. Those that I had erroneously judged and looked down on caused me to do a 180 by the end of the book. It really made me look past stereotypes and see characters in a whole new light.

I would recommend it for anyone who likes a contemporary military romance. Fans of rock hard abs and haunted heroes will find a home in this book as well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading an earc copy of Until There Was You by Jessica Scott. Thank you for the chance to read it ahead of time. I have just pre ordered my copy. :-)
It took me a while to settle in. There is a lot of military arguing that really does not advance the love story. But what a love story it is. They are both strong tough loyal soldiers. There are times when he is holding her up. Helping her hold it together. And there are times she holds him up and helps him keep it together. The two of them have to work for each other. They both try to stay apart and sabotage their relationship in different ways. But they also fight toward each other. Its a lovely ending. And plenty of hotness throughout.
I totally recommend this book.
Favorite line: Page 197
'Claire couldn't say where time ended and Evan began.'

I have to add, I have a HUGE issue with the cover picture. And its a great cover picture, for some other story!!! It is soooo wrong for this story. I know the author has nothing to say about it. But someone does and they should not be doing this job.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars

I was given an ARC of this book by Jessica Scott for an honest review.

Until There Was You by Jessica Scott is a beautifully written, emotionally intense love story. I laughed, I cried and I experienced pretty much every other emotion in between while reading this book. The characters were vividly written, the dialogue was powerful and the love scenes were sweet, yet sexy. Oh and did I mention the hero was to-die-for?? I loved this book!!!

Until There Was You is a story about two Army Officers, Evan and Claire, each battling personal demons while struggling to make their relationship work. The scenes between Evan and Claire were brilliantly written and so emotionally charged. When Evan tells Claire about his sister the night he got drunk, I was so incredibly sad for him :(. And the scene where Evan reveals his tattoo to Claire was just perfect in my opinion. Ms. Scott is extremely talented in getting the emotions of her characters across to her reader. I was literally emotionally exhausted (in a good way) after reading this book, that’s how magical her writing is.

The love scenes were tender and very sexy, as well as humorous at times. When Evan told Claire he loved her he could not have appealed to me any more than in that moment. I absolutely melted! I guess it’s obvious that I think Evan was the perfect hero---strong, confident, and sexy, but also sweet, compassionate and incredibly vulnerable at times. I loved him.

In addition, I loved the dialogue. It was realistic, purposeful and powerful. Claire's speech to Evan when she goes to his house at the end of the book was one of my favorite scenes and totally moved me.

As much as I loved Evan and Claire’s story there were a couple of things that I wished were done differently in this book. I found myself getting frustrated with the constant, repetitive fighting between Evan and Claire over the training plan. It felt like they would take a step forward in their relationship and then bam---another argument and two steps back. A little arguing to add conflict is fine, but it just felt redundant to me after a while.

The other thing that bothered me about the book was the cover. There was a very important physical feature of the character that was completely omitted from the cover! The man on the cover is definitely hunky, but he isn’t Evan.

Overall, Until There Was you was an excellent book with fantastic characters and a wonderful love story. I highly recommend it!

[Kristin Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Home series rating: 4 out of 5 stars

How's the sex scenes?
Not scathing, but very hot and intense with interesting positions.

How are the story lines?
THIS is where Jessica brings the heavy. Her story lines are phenomenal and filled with so much reality surely someone has mistaken her books for partial tell-alls.


Review

"Until There Was You" is a contemporary military romance set in 2008 Colorado Springs, Colorado.

It's focuses solely on the romance between hero Evan and heroine Claire and there is no suspense.

They are in Colorado training troops who are not ready for deployment. Evan demands the training schedule be followed. Claire almost encourages mutiny because she doesn't want to send her friend unprepared to war. This is their tension - this is not their story.

Evan and Claire are emotionally wounded characters and sex does not fix them. They do not need the other to make them readable.

I do not fully understand secondary character Lieutenant Engle's purpose. Is she ditzy, but tries hard? Smart, but somehow utterly useless? Do we like her, do we hate her? Why are people upset about Claire's treatment of her? The Lieutenant didn't pass her inspections.

I settled on ditzy, but tries hard despite being a cry baby. I'm not sure if that's right. I blame this on my having read an ARC and not the finished book. (And despite my dislike, her wishy-washy likeability is very lifelike.)

Secondary character Reza Iaconelli is solid and adds greatly to the plot. His humor, immaturity and problems are perfectly written. Amy's small character is excellent, too.

It's a lovely story with a powerful message and I enjoyed it very, very much.

See the full review, including deleted scenes, here.

[Anne OK · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the second installment in Jessica Scott's "Coming Home" series, there is no question as to the authenticity of the subject matter or that this author knows first hand her material. Her books are clean and well-written and I do enjoy her writing style. That said, I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as the first book. These characters didn't hold the appeal for me and I just didn't feel any strength in the relationship nor did the romance feel genuine.

[GraceMyBookSnack · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Giggles at ending* Absolutely loved!!!

Love is a battlefield between two army captains!

Until There Was You begins with Captain Evan Loehr and Captain Claire Montoya meeting in Fort Hood, Texas in 2005. There is an immediate spark of attraction, but these two can't back away from each other fast enough. Oh, no, either one can't afford to be distracted from work! The tension is so thick between them that it carries on for a few years. Fast forward to Colorado, 2008. Evan and Claire have worked on some missions together since first meeting, and they still can't stand to be in the same room. This particular mission, and the people involved, forces both to face their demons, which just may be the key to breaking down the walls around each of their hearts allowing them to let some much needed love inside.

I read the first book, Because of You, right before delving into this one. With a different cast of characters and a different setting, Until There Was You, can be read as a stand-alone. If you've read the first book, then you know that Ms. Scott can write emotional, squeeze-your-heart-out scenes very well. She offers all that and more in this edgy sequel. I love how her stories tackle some very serious issues. This time it is alcohol abuse and how one is affected and deals with alcoholism.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about this author is that she writes some of the best strong-willed, stubborn characters around! Claire is a feisty redhead who thinks it's OK to bend the rules as long as it gets the job done. She refers to Evan as “Captain America” because he believes that following the rules is the only way to go. Really, these two are like two bulls butting heads all the time! Evan can't ever lose control, because of a tragic event that happened in his past. Claire has been let down so many times in her life that she has major trust issues. The story is a rich mixture of serious, humorous, and sensual moments. The laugh-out-loud parts are pretty darn funny, especially during an intimate scene. Claire spits out some snarky remarks that had me bursting with laughter!

So while reading this, it reminded me of the song “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar. These lyrics:

“We're losing control
Will you turn me away or touch me deep inside?
And before this gets old, will it still feel the same?
There's no way this will die
But if we get much closer, I could lose control
And if your heart surrenders, you'll need me to hold”

Yeah, these lyrics remind me of Evan & Claire perfectly!

I am so honored to have read an ARC of Until There Was You. Between books 1 and 2, there are some characters that I'd like to see get their happy ever after. For me anyways, book 3 can't come fast enough! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series!

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars out of 5!

I've totally been in a contemporary romance rut lately... not liking anything and flouncing mid book - but reading this book turned it all around for me!

Captain Evan Loehr and Captain Claire Montoya have been at odds with each other from the first day they meet. After shared deployments, the two must now work together to train a team that is prepping for combat. Claire sees Evan as a 'by the book rule follower' and Evan sees Claire as someone who has no respect for those rules.

I was hooked from the start with these two and the chemistry between them jumps off the page. This is a wonderfully written romance set within a military backdrop. Do you see that bookshelf I have titled "I love a man in uniform"? because I truly do and Jessica Scott delivers.

Both Evan and Claire are both career officers of the same rank so there is nothing holding them back from giving in to the tension between them aside from their stubbornness and their history. The build up between the two is believable and incredibly hot - when these two finally give in, it was everything I was hoping it would be.



I love that this story isn't just about these two main characters though, the secondary characters are well thought out and written and really add to the story as a whole. In fact, all the characters are truly well developed and written! The military aspect is woven into this story very well.

I really enjoyed the end as well. I have to say I've had Mrs. Scott's first book in this series on my 'to read' shelf for some time but it is definitely getting a bump up after this and I can't wait for anything else she has planned too!

If you love a man (or woman) in uniform and are a fan of well written contemporary romance, then this book is for you! Definitely give it a read!

I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review

this review is posted on my blog at fic fare

[Daisy Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow this review and others at http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews...

Until There Was You is a wonderful romance embroiled with all things military. Evan and Claire find themselves thrown together time and time again as they go through life on a military base and war. It’s a poignant story that tells about the trials of life, war and love.

I found myself drawn into this story from the very beginning. From the first moment Claire and Evan meet, the sexual tension is thick. They’re so attracted to each other, yet, neither is willing to let down their barriers and let the other one in. Years later they find themselves stuck together as they try to prepare soldiers for deployment. It’s uphill battle as they attempt to prepare the troops and for their love.

As many of you know I love men in and out of uniform. More importantly I love wounded warrior stories. This one has a VERY nice twist to it. Most of these stories usually have one warrior and one civvie. This one has two warriors and that just made it oh so much sweeter! I LOVED that this story takes place between two soldiers. They’re both officers, of the same rank, so it’s all good. All the niceties are in place.

The tension between Claire and Evan keeps building and building until it finally explodes between them. However, both of them being the stubborn army officers they are, neither will let down their guard. They both have secrets they are guarding closely. They fear letting the other one in.

Ms. Scott does a fantastic job of weaving a story that encompasses both the military aspect (with frightening accuracy) and romance. They were so well intertwined! I didn’t feel like I was reading a romance with some war prep and military action thrown in. I also didn’t feel like I was reading about war prep and military action with some romance thrown in. They were so well intertwined that it would have been half a story with both pieces!

Ms. Scott’s characters are so well written and so well developed I found myself fighting for them. I found myself hoping things would work out and wanting them to find their HEA. I’m looking forward to more stories from Ms. Scott. I only see great things coming from her!

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

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until There Was You is the second book in the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott. It is scheduled for release on October 8 2012. Captain Evan Loehr is a black and white kind of guy, always following the rule book. Captain Clair Montoya is fiercely loyal to her friends and cares about the lives of her soldiers, and is willing to bend some rules in order to protect others. They share an instant attraction, and in the amount of emotional and physical scars they carry. They each need to come to terms with their own demons, and decide if love is enough of a prize to risk everything else.

Until There Was You contains a brilliant and believable blending of romance into the real lives of our military. I have yet to read anything by another author that makes the story so authentic, rather than a romance with a dash of warfare or a military with a romantic sidebar. Scott makes the two seamless, bring the characters to life. Evan, Claire, Sarah, Reza, and other characters are flawed and absolutely real. They have painful pasts, are stubborn, and are also genuinely good people. The detail and realism involved in how people deal with the day to day while deployed, and when home, is stunning and sometimes heart rending. By the time I finished the book I felt like I knew the characters, deeply cared for them, and still find them in my mind a week after finishing the book.

I only have one complaint, and it is not with the quality of Until There Was You. If I had read this book without reading Because of You first, I would have had nothing negative to say. However, I am still desperate to find out what happens next to some of the characters and in the larger plot line of Because of You, and it was not here. I will keep reading, and keep hoping that the story I am looking for is continued in the next book, which I have to wait for January to read.

I highly recommend reading Until There Was You as soon as it comes out. It can be read as a stand alone book, with no carryover storyline to confuse new readers. When you fall in love with Scott's writing, go read Because of You which is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the third book in the series, Back to You which is scheduled for release in January 2014, so that I can see where Scott will take us next.

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Herding Cats & Burning Soup

What an absolutely captivating read by Jessica Scott. Once I started reading Until There Was You I had a very difficult time putting it down and actually getting anything else done around the house. It's not your typical light fluffy romantic read but a realistic look into military life that will leave your emotions reeling as two wonderful characters find love when they least expect it.

Evan and Claire are passionate, dedicated and fiercely loyal individuals and far from what they seem on the surface. They're both damaged and have flaws but they're characters you want to know more about and that grab at your heart as they battle their pasts. They're so very different from each other and at the same time so completely alike and perfect for one another and, let me tell you, the chemistry between them is through the roof. I loved watching their relationship change and seeing little bits of their lives pulled out into the open. Watching both friendship and love sneak up on them.

Scott does an amazing job of making you really feel what Evan and Claire are going through. You can taste their bone deep frustrations with their current assignment and feel their fears and insecurities when it comes to their personal lives. It's a heavy read but Scott masterfully uses just the right amount of humor to lighten the mood and break some of the tensions that build up between the characters and the exasperating situations they've been put into. The ending nearly had me in tears from laughter. It's probably one of my top 5 favorite "proposals" and the first time one has included a certain part and the phrase "plucked chicken". OMG I was dying! Loved it!

There were a couple storylines I do wish had been explored a bit more, like Evan's relationship with his family, and others that didn't get tied up in the end but overall those are very minor complaints. Until There Was You was a very nice addition to the Coming Home series and one I'm very glad to have read.

{An advanced copy was provided for an honest review}

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Military Romance book that I have read and it was just amazing!! Jessica Scott has put so much emotion and real life experience into this book that it is such an overwhelming read! I can’t relate to the military lifestyle myself, but to read about these characters is simply awe-inspiring!

In Until There Was You, we meet Claire and Evan. They are both in the Army and they have a connection from the first time they meet. Evan realises that Claire is also in the Army and he never mixes business with pleasure, so he lets her walk away from him.

We jump into the future and after a few deployments together, Evan and Claire are sent to work at a military base in Colorado. They are both independent and strong willed people who find it hard to work together as their personalities clash. But now that they are on this mission they need to put their personal feelings aside to prepare a team to be deployed.

Evan and Claire are trying to fight the attraction they have for each other and while doing so they have to deal with their emotional scars and their physical ones too. They both have Demon’s in their past and they turned to the Army to change their lives for the better. But being sent into the battlefield creates a whole new set of Demon’s for the both of them. They end up on a journey of self discovery which could bring them together.

I love the chemistry that Evan and Claire have. It’s fascinating to watch them struggle with it as they have such strong personalities, but then we also see their softer sides and it is beautiful to see them sort through their emotions.

Until There Was You is the first novel I have read by Jessica Scott and I think she has written a brilliant Romance story. It was written beautifully and I would love to read more of her work, maybe see some of the other characters from this novel in their own book.... that would be fantastic!!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until There Was You is the second book in Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series, and my first ever read by her. It most certainly will not be my last. I was wowed by the fact that this was only her 2nd published book!

One of the aspects that I really enjoyed about this book was the author’s amazing storytelling capability. She wrote fantastic characters (both main & secondary), gave them a strong & believable plot and then worked her magic combining the two to make a fabulous finished product. The authentic feel that she brings to this book from her years in the military is what sets this book apart for me. Not only do we get the action scenes that I love in a good military romance novel, but we also get to see the preparation behind going to war, the lasting effects after coming home from war and the fierce bonds forged between friends who’ve served together.

Claire & Evan struggle with their attraction to each other. They both think that it is a bad idea to act on the feelings that have developed between them. Neither of them think they are worthy of the other’s love. For me, their relationship was very realistic & authentic. It mirrors the insecurities and trust issues that a lot of us go through forging new relationships. However, it was also frustrating and slow going because of that. It takes awhile for them to overcome the barriers they’ve placed on the road to each other. Once they do, their love story is beautiful and well worth the wait it took to get there.

Well done Jessica! I can’t wait to read more, especially Reza’s story...

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sarah L.
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Until There Was You is a wonderful addition to the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott. Even though it is the 2nd book in the series, it stands entirely on its own so it is not necessary whatsoever to have read the first book, Because of You.

I have the deepest respect to those that are serving or have served in our military so I was really looking forward to reading Evan and Claire’s story. We meet both characters at a gathering shortly before deploying to Iraq. Their attraction was immediate but it was the wrong place and the wrong time for these two, so aside from one fabulous kiss that evening, it will be several more years before things start to heat up.

The author has written this story in such a way that the entire story came to life for me. The portrayal of the training and military scenes were very realistic. I also felt extremely close to Claire and Evan. I felt the struggles both of them needed to overcome in order to find happiness together. Overall, this story has the perfect balance of conflict, romance, passion and even some laugh out loud moments.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some trouble getting into UNTIL THERE WAS YOU. I felt that it was missing some of the passion and emotional attachment that I was hoping for. As I read, I was going through the motions, but never actually felt the same emotions that Claire and Evan experienced. I enjoyed the sexual tension at first, but most of the book felt dry. While it does get better, overall, it lacked that warmness that I usually like to see in a romance. Instead of sizzling and soaring to great heights, the romance fell flat.

However, Jessica Scott has a wonderful voice and writes remarkably well. I loved the way she incorporated detailed facts about military life. Her knowledge shines through in her work and readers will come to respect and appreciate the accuracy of her words.

This might be my first Jessica Scott book and although it didn't particularly shine for me, I was still impressed by her writing style and will be looking forward to reading more from her.

Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction

[Franjessca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review posted on Book Lovin' Mamas

Evan is a character who needed to lighten up in the book, but once he's secret came out, I understood him better. The supporting characters in the story were not like the supporting characters in the first book.  Reza was getting on my nerves on what he was doing and then LT Engle who is in the story also, and she was hard to understand at first until the end when she had a secret as well. The Colonels in the story were scary. LOL. I felt compelled to stand at parade rest with them when they handed butt chewing to the characters.  LOL This was a delightful read, and I look forward to the 3rd book in the series.  =) If you're a contemporary military romance reader, you need to check out these books.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the Arc of this book (thanks Jessica) and read it over several days as we were moving and I didn't have time to read it in one sitting which is what I would have preferred. It was a great relationship story between 2 military officers. I have to admit that I didn't quite "get" the military arguments but the tension between the two characters and how they got together was very well done. I will definitely read This book again once it comes out and hope to be able to read it in one sitting. I hope it doesn't feel quite so disjointed. I think this was more my problem than it was the plot. I have to say I really enjoyed this book and will be glad to read it again.

[Yvonne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other”

A small warning, this book does contain scenes of a mild sexually explicit nature.

Although this book was a competition win and not a direct request for review, after researching Jessica’s background a little more, I was curious and intrigued enough to want to know just how this whirlwind manages to reconcile two such diverse and demanding careers, as well as raising a family

This is so much more than a sizzling, sexy and sensual love story, although the raw passion, eroticism, naked lust and sexual longing, is abundant in spades.

Until There Was You, is a multi-faceted story, which touches on so many issues, treating each with just enough depth and detail to raise important questions and observations in the readers’ mind, although perhaps not dwelling on any for too long, or exploring them too deeply. The characters however, are well defined and complex, evoking strong emotions within me as their individual personal stories unfolded.

I found it difficult at first to reconcile the on / off nature of any relationship between Claire and Evan, although as the story progresses, it becomes clear that each, in their own way, are damaged goods, both stubborn, unforgiving, unwilling and unable to confide in the other. The added complication in the equation is that Claire is an officer who has risen up the hard way, through the ranks, who when she looks at Evan sees only the echoes of people who have failed her in the past. She has therefore set up an invisible, yet tangible barrier around herself, with the ‘Keep Out’ signs loud and clear and hiding the real person behind the distant facade. Claire Montoya was afraid to face the world without the rank on her chest.

Evan however, is a career West Point officer graduate. A real life “Captain America”. A scarred and damaged man not used to admitting his vulnerabilities and the ever deepening void inside him, where his family once lived.

Each, it transpires, are using the uniform as a shield to hide their personal demons and secrets, which must be confronted, before there can ever hope to be a future for them as a couple.

Claire tends to wear her heart on her sleeve, which doesn’t always do her any favours with her commanding officers and she can be a little too forthright when voicing her thoughts and opinions, with scant regard for who hears her. Evan on the other hand, is a little more circumspect and although not always agreeing with decisions made by those in command, is a career soldier, doing everything by the book and seldom challenging a decision. Claire, despite Evan’s best intentions, gets right under his skin and he finds himself putting his own position very much on the line, as he struggles with his conscience and the emotions Claire has stirred up within him, as she battles to hold on to her integrity and do the best by her troops.

The sparks and palpable tension are ever present, but I found myself wondering just where this relationship was going and how it was to be reconciled with two such obviously career minded individuals. The ending, when it came, seemed a little flat, but perhaps I had just been expecting too much from Claire and Evan, although all the fun was certainly in the getting there!

Sometimes though, the personal saga between the two of them almost paled into insignificance, as I wondered just how much of what is portrayed in the story, of the battle with the powers that be, over the hurried and inadequately organised training schedules for the troops about to deploy to the battleground, is more a case of reality than fiction.

Jessica’s detailed writing about the military references and the well drawn character of Reza, illustrates so well a typical case of PTSD. A career soldier, with too many deployments behind him and only the promise of more to come, sustaining the terrible pain, which he can now only assuage with drunken binges, wanton depravity and casual sexual encounters. In Claire he has a true friend and ‘sister’, who has come up through the ranks, yet never lost her humanity and is worried and angry for both him and her fellow inexperienced colleagues, who are about to be deployed, with little or no training.

Then there is Claire’s best friend and fellow officer, Sarah. Trained for back office command, totally inexperienced and unprepared to lead a troop into a combat situation, her motives for taking on the mission, despite its last minute timing and total lack of preparation, are purely personal. They do however affect the lives and futures of the many soldiers under her command and Claire worries that the mission is doomed to end in failure and devastation, unless Sarah’s mindset can be re-focused.

I guess that to see if all the terrible things I surmised, were and still are, anything akin to reality, then I should really read the two instalments of Jessica’s autobiography, To Iraq And Back and The Long Way Home, written in blog form and detailing her life and feelings during her own 2009 deployment to Iraq.

“The quiet of coming home from deployment”

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Not all scars are visible. And no one can be changed unless they want to change. Jessica Scott's Coming Home series isn't so much military romance per se as it is romance featuring men and women in the military or attached to the military and the struggles they face at re-integrating into civilian life.

The absolutely fantastic Because of You looked at the difficulties an ultra-responsible First Sergeant faced when he was forced away from his men due to a severe, and probably career-ending, physical injury. It highlighted the struggles that soldiers face when they return home with shattered or missing limbs.

The story of Until There Was You turns to a different aspect of coming home. The couple in this story, Captains Claire Montoya and Evan Loehr, are both still in the fight, but currently are not deployed. Hence the problem. They'd both rather be downrange instead of training others to go. Even worse, the commander who drew up the training plan is more interested in making sure his lieutenants know how to conduct a flawless power-point briefing than escort a supply convoy with a minimum number of casualties.

Also, Claire and Evan has been verbally sniping at each other for three years, ever since one ill-advised but oh-so-delicious kiss at the end of a "hail and farewell" that Evan almost didn't attend.

Evan's approach is totally by the book, and Claire's is completely by the seat of her pants. She came up through the ranks and OCS, in other words, a mustang. Evan graduated from West Point. He's never been anything but an officer. Their approaches never match.

But they do. They're even the same rank. The non-frat rules don't apply. It's just a horribly bad idea. Evan doesn't date within the military. And Claire tries to pretend she's just one of the guys.

But when they are thrown back together as part of an insane training operation at a ski lodge, in the snow, training unprepared troops for Iraq, in the desert, it makes both of them re-think a whole lot of things.

Both Evan and Claire have dark demons in their pasts that make them push each other's buttons, and push each other away. They've both learned that losing control, not having control, causes nothing but pain.

But they need each other a lot more than they need to hang onto the old scars. The question is whether they will realize it in time to save anything; their soldiers, their careers, or each other.

Escape Rating A-: The commander who creates the cluster-snafu training exercise that forms the backdrop to this terrific romance doesn't ever make much sense. He may be all too real, but he doesn't become enough of a real character to be more than just a paper tiger.

The romance between Claire and Evan is hot, sweet and threaded with pain. Once you see into Claire's background, you also get an understanding of what brought her to this point in her life, and where the third character in this story fits in. Claire has an enlisted friend, Reza, who she is protecting from rehab. Protecting him not just because he's her friend and he's a terrific soldier, but because she's repeating a childhood pattern that she can't break, but must break out of to heal. Claire's father was an alcoholic, and not all of Claire's scars are physical. The Army gives her control because she had none growing up.

Evan lost control once in his life, and he's paid for it ever since. That's why he needs the control the Army gives him. But to make a relationship together, both of them have to give up some control. Watching them battle their demons is the hard part of the story.

Going in, you think the issue is going to be PTSD. It's not. That might have been less painful. Ms. Scott does an excellent job at making the readers feel her characters' pain and grief, so this one almost hurts to read. But it is so worth it.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feisty red haired Claire believes you can bend some rules to get the job done. Then we have Evan Loehr, dubbed Captain America by Claire, who is by the book. A few years ago they shared a steamy kiss that neither of them has ever been able to forget, and ever since then, they find it hard to be in the same room with one another. Now, they face each other in the cold winter in Colorado, where they have been sent to prep a company, including a good friend of Claire’s, for deployment.

Evan has a hard and fast rule to never date military women, and Claire has a rotten record in the romance arena. Both are hiding demons that mostly have nothing to do with war, but has molded them in to the people they are today. So when they meet again in Colorado at a get together event, neither is thrilled to see each other. You know, due to that steam factor from a few years ago, that is still thick in the air! I have to admit, the push and pull of these two is hot and steamy. There are some great moments of humor thrown in too, with reference to Captain America.

The book revolves around Claire and Evan, learning to trust each other with life situations that have caused them to be so closed off to relationships. I especially liked the way Evan approached Claire, when he learned of her painful past. Claire really softened towards Evan when his secret was revealed to her. It becomes very understandable why these two joined the military, because there they were kept so busy they were able to bury their pasts, and it’s a profession where a lot of people are in and out of your life in a short time. No time to make lasting friendships, especially where Claire is concerned.

The military aspect sucks you right in too. It would seem that a few of the higher ups are more concerned with advancing their careers, than properly training their troops for deployment. The training ops are really interesting, most likely due to the author’s own military background. They play a huge part too, because that is where Evan and Claire disagree, which in the end could bring them down. The training ops were laced with tension,due to the inexperience of the troops. There are a few interesting reveals regarding Lt. Engle too.

Secondary characters are wonderfully drawn out. Sgt. Reza Iaconelli is one of Claire’s dearest friends, and his demon is alcohol. Reza manages to tie a good one on at the reception, and Evan helps Claire get the all but passed out Reza back to his room. Evan has great concerns about the seargent’s drinking, and challenges Claire throughout the book to get him in to treatment. This part with the addiction was well written, giving a very realistic view of dealing with an alcoholic, and why Claire is resistant to pushing Reza too hard.

Jessica Scott is able to cram a lot in to a short page count book, without leaving out pertinent scenes. . I was surprised this book didn’t pick up where Because of You left off, but that was not a make or break point for me. This is one of the best military books I have read in a long time.

ACR provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Jonetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captain Evan Loehr is a straight arrow West Point graduate and does everything by the book, and doesn't have time for pleasure. He's got some baggage from his youth that seems to be the driving force behind his current identity. Captain Claire Montoya earned her rank the hard way, first enlisting in the Army and then completing Officer Candidate School and moving into the officer corps. Claire has her secrets, too, and they have shaped her current behavior. She and Evan had one brief interlude years ago but since then seem to have butt heads at every juncture. Both end up in Colorado to train a team for deployment to Iraq, forcing them to confront their differences and passions for their careers and each other.

I really liked Claire and Evan and found them to be compelling characters. It worked for me that she was brash and often bucked the system because of her roots in the enlisted ranks. Claire was passionate about her career, those under her command and her assigned missions. There was a lot to admire and respect about her, especially her loyalty to her friends. Evan's dedication was clear and even though his approach was different, it was no less passionate. He behaved with honor, even if it didn't always seem his feelings were invested in the people. It made sense that these two would connect because of their level of commitment and being opposites.

What didn't work so well for me was the romance between Claire and Evan. It lacked the passion we found in everything else they did. There were numerous starts and stops with these two that didn't quite ring authentic. We went from a sensuous interlude to a point of time three years later. It would have helped if there was more of the story about what happened in between to drive them so far apart other than just knowing they clashed on a regular basis. That would have made their coming together electric. When they succumbed to their attraction years later, those things that happened in between made a big difference in me being able to connect with them and tumble into the romance along with them.

The story was really interesting and the pitfalls of military command and politics were extraordinary. It's well written and the characterizations were really strong. I'm hoping, however, that some of the secondary characters (Reza, Sara, Lt. Engle) show up in the next installment of the series as their fates remain a mystery. I was also surprised to learn that some of the open ended issues regarding the characters from the first book were not included in this story, which was a disappointment.

I'm enjoying this series, even though the romance in this book fell a little flat for me. It was compensated by the strength of the story and the compelling characters. I'm looking forward to the next installment as I am dying to learn the fates of all those secondary characters from the first book and this one. I'm rating this book 3.5 stars.

[‘Sup? · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

UNTIL THERE WAS YOU is the second book in Jessica Scott's Coming Home contemporary military romance series, but is completely a standalone-- which is great, since I had not read the first book (BECAUSE OF YOU) prior to receiving an eARC of this one! [That oversight is in the process of being remedied :D]

UNTIL THERE WAS YOU is the story of two headstrong, damaged characters discovering each other and finding the type of lasting love & connection neither believed possible. Despite the HEA, it is not a light, fluffy romance; it's a stark, gritty look at real military life--with the romance often taking a backseat to the military elements-- and also deals with the difficult topic of alcohol as a coping mechanism and the devastating effects of its abuse. That realism is one of the novel's greatest strengths and serves up some perfectly crafted emotionally-wrenching scenes-- Ms. Scott's speciality. Rule-breaking Captain Claire Montoya believes in doing anything to accomplish a goal and keep those rare true warriors saving lives in the army, her 'soldier' persona being the only thing she finds worthy about herself. Strait-laced Captain Evan Loehr believes in doing everything by the book and following orders to maintain control, the result of a tragic event in his past he cannot forgive himself for. On the surface, these two are like oil & water, finding themselves on opposing sides of almost every issue-- including the explosive, undeniable attraction between them. But they are also incredibly alike and undeniably perfect for each other, and watching first a reluctant friendship and then scorching lust develop into love as they battle to overcome their demons proved incredibly rewarding and believable-- even though the romance is not the novel's most salient feature! The love scenes, when they finally happen, are H-O-T! And the ending? Absolutely hilarious whilst being incredibly sweet.

If you are a fan of well-written contemporary romances [irrespective of the military slant, but even more so if you favour that subgenre], UNTIL THERE WAS YOU is definitely worth a read. I cannot wait to read the rest of the Coming Home series.


Thanks to NetGalley and Random House (Loveswept) for the chance to read & review this book ahead of publication.

[Avid Reader Amy's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.

Scott brings military and romance together in this book. The main characters Evan and Claire have known each other for years. They are very attracted to each other but devoted to their work. So when they get together it is like two bulks colliding. As Claire's friend Reza points out they are two sides of the same coin but they let pride and rules stop them. Everything gets more complicated when the training exercise that the recruits are doing is not up to par and Reza seems to be spiraling down a dark road seeking alcohol for comfort. Claire wants to fix the training issue and continue to cover up Reza's problem. In her eyes they are soldiers and have been through hell, how he deals with it is his business. Evan knows that she is wrong for covering for him. Evan plays life by the rules. He knows that he has to say something before something bad happens. Evan and Claire have to work together to solve the issues if they are ever going to be together beyond friendship.

Scott's knowledge of the army is impressive, which comes from her own Army experience. That little detail, that she knows what these characters are going through, makes it easier for the reader to grasp on and become attached to the characters. Her writing is clean, precise and detailed. She has an eye for her surroundings. You are drawn into this world and you follow the characters all the way to the end.

Evan and Claire are great together. There is a lot of heat and sexual tension that adds up to a great story. They butt heads a lot but that just adds to their chemistry. Plus since they both have alpha tendencies, it's a given that they will butt heads. I think that they are good for each other. Claire teaches Evan to let loose once and awhile and Evan teaches Claire that it's okay to follow the rules sometimes.

The one thing I didn't like was that it was a slow climb to get into the book at first. I wish that it picked up a little faster than it did.


Overall this was a entertaining read. I enjoyed reading it and appreciated that you can read this book as a stand alone or in the series. You should definitely pick up this book. Recommended for readers age 18+.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series is a bit of a learning experience for me. I have learned something new about the military and the people that serve in the military with both books. I like this. There is an incredible amount of detail in these books when it comes to the inner workings of the military.

Claire has had a rough life. She doesn’t trust. Her past experiences have taught her that everyone will eventually let her down. So gives everything that she has to her career in the military. She is fiercely loyal to all of her fellow soldiers and she does what has to be done to get the job done.

Evan has also put his entire being into his military career. He just has an entirely different reason than Claire. Evan harbors some guilt over something that happened in his past. This event has turned him into the follow rules, every single one of them down to the very last detail Captain America that he is.

Claire and Evan are so opposite yet they are so similar. Their current assignment leaves them both wanting to do the same thing, to get the soldiers ready for deployment but their differences in how they get the job done has them butting heads every step of the way. This just amps up the sexual tension between Claire and Evan, I loved it.

I also loved the love scenes. I’m not going to refer to them as sex scenes. Evan as a lover to Claire is incredibly sensual. This man is so passionate and caring. He wants to break down all the walls Claire has built around herself. He does the most loving and caring things the entire time he is trying to work his way into her heart. Evan is swoon worthy!

One of the secondary characters is an alcoholic. I guess everyone handles friends, family, and loved ones in that situation differently. I tend to stay away from books where the subject of addiction is broached. It is a subject that I am very opinionated about. I had some issues with the way Claire handled it. She came off as an enabler to me, not a friend. I also wish I would have had a high school English teacher like Claire’s.

I loved how Claire describes Evan here. Evan makes hormones stand up, take notice and shout hooray for penis. Claire and Evan worked so well as a couple.