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Coming Home #1.5
I'll Be Home For Christmas
There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke...except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war...and from his own darkest fears.
As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.
As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
56 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Scott
34 books1,284 followersSign 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 4, 2013
Loved this!!! I'll leave the plot outline to others and just tell you why this story works so well for me. Jessica Scott has a talent for keeping both the military elements and the emotional elements of her stories real. So many times people who write military romance or even military fiction get lost in the details of this firearm or that procedure or these slang terms... It's like they're busting their chops trying to show how authentic the story is. But, probably because Scott IS in the army, she writes about it in way that put me in the middle of the lives of military families. The challenges of service are not all related to battle, and Jessica weaves those challenges seamlessly together with the emotional struggles of her characters. I am an emotion junky. That's ultimately why I read. I want to experience other things, and I want to feel. And Scott makes that easy.
Though the book has a Christmas-related title, I think this is easily a story that could be enjoyed year round.
Though the book has a Christmas-related title, I think this is easily a story that could be enjoyed year round.
December 21, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
I'll Be Home For Christmas is the first book that I have read from this author here, and I have heard so many amazing things about her work, especially in her talent in crafting such beautiful military romance novels. And I have to say after just reading this novella, I can definitely see why she is raved about so often because there is such a intense emotional vibe that is portrayed and a sense of realistic love that vibrant and real and I honestly couldn't believe that I had taken so long in reading this one because Jessica Scott crafted such a powerful story within this short read, and its not very often I am impressed by a novella but I definitely was with I'll Be Home For Christmas.
In this story we have a married couple, Vic and Nicole. In this story we see what a deployment does to a marriage and how it tests the bounds of resilience. Nicole knows that this deployment is very different from the others, the danger has escalated to terrifying levels and she doesn't know if her husband will survive this time. Vic on his end, is trying to keep the morale of his men and trying to keep his wife from worrying by making her life and playing his role as the "jokester" but as they are separated and the heat in the "sandbox" is increasing, he also knows he must do everything he can do get his R&R so he can be home for Christmas...
I found this journey of this marital couple through the military struggles to be so enriching and packed with so much raw emotion. You can just sense the edge that they are both on and that the future for them is so uncertain. I loved seeing the strength and courage of these wives that stay at home and have to continue living despite the dangers to the men that they love. We also get some teasers for some other couples that I am really curious about, and I just want to jump into book 2 because this book really showed them in a light that you need to have their story. As for Vic and Nicole, they were such a fun pair. I rarely see a hero like this though, he is so sarcastic and playful and doesn't take too much seriously. He is much more lighthearted and his wife takes it all in stride and really balances him out. I do like how he isn't naive to emotion or the depth of love his wife has for him. This pair definitely gets pushed to the limits here but I admired seeing them confront it and move forward with courage.
Overall I found I'll Be Home For Christmas to be the perfect holiday read that was quick, deep, and riveting and won my heart completely.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is the first book that I have read from this author here, and I have heard so many amazing things about her work, especially in her talent in crafting such beautiful military romance novels. And I have to say after just reading this novella, I can definitely see why she is raved about so often because there is such a intense emotional vibe that is portrayed and a sense of realistic love that vibrant and real and I honestly couldn't believe that I had taken so long in reading this one because Jessica Scott crafted such a powerful story within this short read, and its not very often I am impressed by a novella but I definitely was with I'll Be Home For Christmas.
In this story we have a married couple, Vic and Nicole. In this story we see what a deployment does to a marriage and how it tests the bounds of resilience. Nicole knows that this deployment is very different from the others, the danger has escalated to terrifying levels and she doesn't know if her husband will survive this time. Vic on his end, is trying to keep the morale of his men and trying to keep his wife from worrying by making her life and playing his role as the "jokester" but as they are separated and the heat in the "sandbox" is increasing, he also knows he must do everything he can do get his R&R so he can be home for Christmas...
I found this journey of this marital couple through the military struggles to be so enriching and packed with so much raw emotion. You can just sense the edge that they are both on and that the future for them is so uncertain. I loved seeing the strength and courage of these wives that stay at home and have to continue living despite the dangers to the men that they love. We also get some teasers for some other couples that I am really curious about, and I just want to jump into book 2 because this book really showed them in a light that you need to have their story. As for Vic and Nicole, they were such a fun pair. I rarely see a hero like this though, he is so sarcastic and playful and doesn't take too much seriously. He is much more lighthearted and his wife takes it all in stride and really balances him out. I do like how he isn't naive to emotion or the depth of love his wife has for him. This pair definitely gets pushed to the limits here but I admired seeing them confront it and move forward with courage.
Overall I found I'll Be Home For Christmas to be the perfect holiday read that was quick, deep, and riveting and won my heart completely.
December 4, 2013
Vic Carponti is an Army sergeant being deployed (again) to Iraq. As a military wife, Nicole is better prepared for this latest separation but it doesn't mean it's any easier. In fact, knowing the emotional toll makes their last days together bittersweet. His promise to return for Christmas is her lifeline and becomes Vic's as well.
This prequel to the series gives us insight into Vic's experience in Iraq before his injury. Because it's his nature to always joke about any situation, Vic makes it easy for people to believe he's not taking life seriously. He especially thinks it's his life's mission to keep Nicole laughing and he loves hearing her do it. It was so special to see what lies beneath all of that and find a really sensitive man who desperately loves his wife and cares deeply for the men under his supervision. That serious side drives the humor.
It was also so important to learn more about the extent of the contributions of our military families, including how they support one another even as they cope with their individual stresses. What makes the story even more compelling is how all of this is blended with a really great romance. Vic and Nicole manage to keep the flames burning even when they're continents apart. I loved their relationship in the first book and now knowing what sacrifices each made for one another makes it more of a treasure.
This is a wonderful addition to an extraordinary series and a great start to the season. Vic's promise that he'd return home to Nicole for Christmas was the best present both could imagine. The story is timeless, appropriate beyond the holidays. It also was perfect for one of the more interesting characters in the series. For a short story, it managed to achieve everything I normally expect from a full length novel.
(I received an ARC from the author)
This prequel to the series gives us insight into Vic's experience in Iraq before his injury. Because it's his nature to always joke about any situation, Vic makes it easy for people to believe he's not taking life seriously. He especially thinks it's his life's mission to keep Nicole laughing and he loves hearing her do it. It was so special to see what lies beneath all of that and find a really sensitive man who desperately loves his wife and cares deeply for the men under his supervision. That serious side drives the humor.
It was also so important to learn more about the extent of the contributions of our military families, including how they support one another even as they cope with their individual stresses. What makes the story even more compelling is how all of this is blended with a really great romance. Vic and Nicole manage to keep the flames burning even when they're continents apart. I loved their relationship in the first book and now knowing what sacrifices each made for one another makes it more of a treasure.
This is a wonderful addition to an extraordinary series and a great start to the season. Vic's promise that he'd return home to Nicole for Christmas was the best present both could imagine. The story is timeless, appropriate beyond the holidays. It also was perfect for one of the more interesting characters in the series. For a short story, it managed to achieve everything I normally expect from a full length novel.
(I received an ARC from the author)
October 4, 2013
As any good soldier knows going off to war is harder than it looks, you leave behind your family and everything that means the world to you knowing you might never come home again.
But for the sake of your country you suck it up and get going, but there is also another reason many soldiers return to war again and again. That reason is brotherhood, whilst at war your fellow soldiers become more than just the guy next to you fighting his heart out. It is a unbreakable bond and even in death one that can never be broken.
So what about their families back home, should they not be thinking about what they are going through, in truth they should and am positive they do, yet they keep going back to be there for their brothers in arms because with their buddies around deep in the heart of war, they can share their fears and any fellow soldier would understand what they are going through, something your family will simply never get.
In the new Jessica Scott read she explores this side of a soldiers life. The read is about Carponti, always the dedicated soldier and brother in arms he hits the desert sands of Iraq like a real trooper each and every time he is deployed, he needs to be there for his buddies or hell might break lose in the already hell on earth warzone.
There is one light at the end of the hell and that is everytime he returns home there is his beautiful wife Nicole, ready to take him back into her arms and always remembering to never ask about the war, she understands he cannot share it with her, but there is always hope that one day he just might. Carponti counts his lucky stars everyday for Nicole and her understanding but when the unthinkable happens he is not so sure Nicole will be around anymore, afterall he was meant to be home for Christmas.
The character of Nicole was as many war wives of today, strong and courageous ready to face whatever she needs to or atleast she tries to tell herself that she can handle anything except if Carponti dies. And as with all other war wives out there I take my hat off for Nicole, letting your husband leave time after time not knowing if you will ever hold him again is definitely no easy task.
Keeping it together while he is gone is even harder, yet when he is back in your arms it all seems worth it somehow. What I really loved about Nicole was that she focuses more on the good then the what if's when she is around others and her husband, she does not let her feelings show as to try and not let the other person get concerned, she does of course not always succeed but she still tries and I think this showed that we all no matter who we are need to remember that our insecurities can wreck havoc on the ones we love, we need to always try to keep it together for you never know when the other person might be the weaker one and you will need to be the light in the darkness that person clings to. Always let your love and strength shine, it can make a huge difference to someone.
The character of Carponti was really awesome, I loved, loved, loved that he was so funny and always cracking jokes even though deep down he has some serious issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Much like Nicole he keeps it all together for the sake of his men, and this showed him as all soldiers are, strong, already ready to kick ass and most of always brothers in arms. I adored him from page one and right throughout the read I could not help falling in love with him more and more. Yes, it might seem that no one wants a emotionally and psychologically messed up man but the light he emits is one of those that let's you know it is all worth it.
I loved that the author took the time to delve into both the lives of Nicole and Carponti, so many war related reads focus on the emotions of only the character in the war zone and not always what the ones back home are going through.
The backdrop settings were full of sexy heat and excitement of being in war torn country. I could smell the cordite and hear the gunfire, truly wonderful job Jessica!
The dialogue was all emotion and I laughed, bawled my eyes out and more than once shouted out "Yes" and " No that did not just happen!", yes the read was that intense and real! A very realistic and emotional read laced with loads of humour and sensual heat.
I am taking away a message of when at war it all seems to be all about guns and tactics yet there is always a much deeper war being fought on the inside of those at war and those waiting at home. And when the unthinkable happens always remember that love is never about what you see it is about what lies within the person's heart.
I recommend this read for all fans of war related romance reads, but if you are not into swearing this read is not for you, am no big fan myself but I can with certainty say that anyone in a war zone runs on adrenalin and swearwords are simply part of it all and comes with the job, there is not time to stop and think about which words would be correct to use, so please do bare that in mind when reading this book.
The read was a look into the lives of those having to learn to live with war and the sometimes irreparable damage it causes, about love, kindness, understanding and most importantly just how strong love needs to be to stand the test of time. And about home is where the heart is no matter if your home is at war or back in the arms of your loved one.
5/5 star review
"Love is all we need in our darkest hour"
But for the sake of your country you suck it up and get going, but there is also another reason many soldiers return to war again and again. That reason is brotherhood, whilst at war your fellow soldiers become more than just the guy next to you fighting his heart out. It is a unbreakable bond and even in death one that can never be broken.
So what about their families back home, should they not be thinking about what they are going through, in truth they should and am positive they do, yet they keep going back to be there for their brothers in arms because with their buddies around deep in the heart of war, they can share their fears and any fellow soldier would understand what they are going through, something your family will simply never get.
In the new Jessica Scott read she explores this side of a soldiers life. The read is about Carponti, always the dedicated soldier and brother in arms he hits the desert sands of Iraq like a real trooper each and every time he is deployed, he needs to be there for his buddies or hell might break lose in the already hell on earth warzone.
There is one light at the end of the hell and that is everytime he returns home there is his beautiful wife Nicole, ready to take him back into her arms and always remembering to never ask about the war, she understands he cannot share it with her, but there is always hope that one day he just might. Carponti counts his lucky stars everyday for Nicole and her understanding but when the unthinkable happens he is not so sure Nicole will be around anymore, afterall he was meant to be home for Christmas.
The character of Nicole was as many war wives of today, strong and courageous ready to face whatever she needs to or atleast she tries to tell herself that she can handle anything except if Carponti dies. And as with all other war wives out there I take my hat off for Nicole, letting your husband leave time after time not knowing if you will ever hold him again is definitely no easy task.
Keeping it together while he is gone is even harder, yet when he is back in your arms it all seems worth it somehow. What I really loved about Nicole was that she focuses more on the good then the what if's when she is around others and her husband, she does not let her feelings show as to try and not let the other person get concerned, she does of course not always succeed but she still tries and I think this showed that we all no matter who we are need to remember that our insecurities can wreck havoc on the ones we love, we need to always try to keep it together for you never know when the other person might be the weaker one and you will need to be the light in the darkness that person clings to. Always let your love and strength shine, it can make a huge difference to someone.
The character of Carponti was really awesome, I loved, loved, loved that he was so funny and always cracking jokes even though deep down he has some serious issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Much like Nicole he keeps it all together for the sake of his men, and this showed him as all soldiers are, strong, already ready to kick ass and most of always brothers in arms. I adored him from page one and right throughout the read I could not help falling in love with him more and more. Yes, it might seem that no one wants a emotionally and psychologically messed up man but the light he emits is one of those that let's you know it is all worth it.
I loved that the author took the time to delve into both the lives of Nicole and Carponti, so many war related reads focus on the emotions of only the character in the war zone and not always what the ones back home are going through.
The backdrop settings were full of sexy heat and excitement of being in war torn country. I could smell the cordite and hear the gunfire, truly wonderful job Jessica!
The dialogue was all emotion and I laughed, bawled my eyes out and more than once shouted out "Yes" and " No that did not just happen!", yes the read was that intense and real! A very realistic and emotional read laced with loads of humour and sensual heat.
I am taking away a message of when at war it all seems to be all about guns and tactics yet there is always a much deeper war being fought on the inside of those at war and those waiting at home. And when the unthinkable happens always remember that love is never about what you see it is about what lies within the person's heart.
I recommend this read for all fans of war related romance reads, but if you are not into swearing this read is not for you, am no big fan myself but I can with certainty say that anyone in a war zone runs on adrenalin and swearwords are simply part of it all and comes with the job, there is not time to stop and think about which words would be correct to use, so please do bare that in mind when reading this book.
The read was a look into the lives of those having to learn to live with war and the sometimes irreparable damage it causes, about love, kindness, understanding and most importantly just how strong love needs to be to stand the test of time. And about home is where the heart is no matter if your home is at war or back in the arms of your loved one.
5/5 star review
"Love is all we need in our darkest hour"
December 17, 2018
Love when a novella delivers more than expected! A touching, heart-felt story. Good introduction to characters and a sizzling but suspenseful series. I plan to continue! A Must Read!
November 4, 2013
It is a few days before he deploys and Vic Carponti can’t shake the feeling that this deployment will be different. He knows his deployment will be harder on his wife, Nicole as it will be her first Christmas since her father died. All she wants is her husband home for Christmas.
One thing I like about books in a series is you get to see events from many points of view. Fans of Jessica Scott’s Because Of You will be happy to see the events of the deployment from Carponti’s view. We met Carponti in Because of You so what can we learn in a novella with Carponti the main character? Carponti does have his funny moments but we realize that while on deployment the laughs are more to keep his fellow soldiers’ morale up. There are times he is more serious and extremely protective of his wife. His intense love for Nicole is on every page. Nicole’s character shows us the view of a wife of a deployed soldier, sleeping in his shirt wearing his cologne, and sleeping with the computer next to the bed; I was biting my nails right along with her at times.
This book had a ton of sweet moments and some surprises for me too. It is a perfect complement to Because of You and could be read either before or after. This is more than a Christmas novella, it is a must read if you are a fan of Carponti. It’s hard to imagine but I actually love this character more after reading this novella.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
One thing I like about books in a series is you get to see events from many points of view. Fans of Jessica Scott’s Because Of You will be happy to see the events of the deployment from Carponti’s view. We met Carponti in Because of You so what can we learn in a novella with Carponti the main character? Carponti does have his funny moments but we realize that while on deployment the laughs are more to keep his fellow soldiers’ morale up. There are times he is more serious and extremely protective of his wife. His intense love for Nicole is on every page. Nicole’s character shows us the view of a wife of a deployed soldier, sleeping in his shirt wearing his cologne, and sleeping with the computer next to the bed; I was biting my nails right along with her at times.
This book had a ton of sweet moments and some surprises for me too. It is a perfect complement to Because of You and could be read either before or after. This is more than a Christmas novella, it is a must read if you are a fan of Carponti. It’s hard to imagine but I actually love this character more after reading this novella.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
April 27, 2020
Vic Carponti is the high school class clown who never grew up—a red-headed joker who loves his wife Nicole beyond measure, he’s an Army sergeant headed for yet another tour of duty in Iraq. This time, though, he’s got reservations about the tour, the fact that the war is surging, fighting is intense, and more soldiers than ever are coming home badly injured or worse.
I met Vic and Nicole in the first book in the Coming Home series, Back to You, and he’s a character—in more ways than one—you just can’t forget. This novella is another beautifully written story by Jessica Scott, and overlaps perfectly with the first giving the reader a different viewpoint of the action. It was also good to see much of the story from Vic’s point of view, allowing the reader to know the more serious side of the man, not the jokester everyone knows.
I’m planning to read the entire series. I’ve read a lot of the books before, but never in the right order, and so far I am thoroughly enjoying the two I’ve read so far. I definitely recommend this author and the Coming Home series.
I met Vic and Nicole in the first book in the Coming Home series, Back to You, and he’s a character—in more ways than one—you just can’t forget. This novella is another beautifully written story by Jessica Scott, and overlaps perfectly with the first giving the reader a different viewpoint of the action. It was also good to see much of the story from Vic’s point of view, allowing the reader to know the more serious side of the man, not the jokester everyone knows.
I’m planning to read the entire series. I’ve read a lot of the books before, but never in the right order, and so far I am thoroughly enjoying the two I’ve read so far. I definitely recommend this author and the Coming Home series.
December 9, 2014
We first met Vic and Nicole Carponti in Jessica Scott's debut novel Because of You and I have to admit I fell for Carponti immediately. I never expected that we'd get to see their story though because they were already a couple so I was surprised but thrilled when I heard about I'll Be Home for Christmas. I have to say I wasn't disappointed and I think this was my favourite story in the series so far! Although it isn't essential I would recommend reading Because of You before you pick up this one, the time line for this one crosses over with the full length book and I think you'll be more invested in this story if you know the background and some of the other side characters who get a mention.
Vic and Nicole are head over heels in love, they have a solid relationship and a happy marriage but that doesn't mean it is easy for either of them when they are separated while Vic goes on tour of duty. Vic worries that Nicole will get sick of waiting for him and meet someone else, he also worries that something may happen to him and how she would cope if he doesn't make it home. That's on top of the pressures of war, worrying about his men and the horror of seeing his friends injured or worse. Nicole may be safe at home but that doesn't stop her stressing about what Vic is going through, she misses him like crazy and hates it when he is out of contact for long periods of time but she knows how much strain he is under and doesn't want to add to it by complaining. She does her best to support her man but it's not easy, especially when she is facing Christmas alone not long after the death of her father.
I love how honest Jessica Scott is about how hard it can be not just for soldiers but also for their loved ones who remain at home. You can tell that she writes from experience and that just makes her stories all the more heartfelt and poignant. I can't say too much without giving spoilers but if you've read Because of You you'll already know what happens to Vic in this story. I think knowing what was to come made this even harder to read but I loved him even more for the way he deals with everything that happens to him. I also have a huge amount of respect for Nicole for the way she supports him. What drew me to Vic in the first place was his sense of humour, he is full of one liners and snarky comments that often get him into trouble but they really help to lighten what could have been quite a dark read. You quickly find out that Vic uses humour as a coping mechanism and as a way to keep up moral within his team but he does have a much more serious and responsible side that he keeps well hidden.
It's not often that I give 5 stars to a novella but I'll Be Home for Christmas deserves every single one of them. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside which made it a perfect Christmas treat! It also really helped build my excitement for Back to You, I've been desperate to read Trent and Laura's book since I read Because of You so I'm very relieved that it is finally being published in January.
Vic and Nicole are head over heels in love, they have a solid relationship and a happy marriage but that doesn't mean it is easy for either of them when they are separated while Vic goes on tour of duty. Vic worries that Nicole will get sick of waiting for him and meet someone else, he also worries that something may happen to him and how she would cope if he doesn't make it home. That's on top of the pressures of war, worrying about his men and the horror of seeing his friends injured or worse. Nicole may be safe at home but that doesn't stop her stressing about what Vic is going through, she misses him like crazy and hates it when he is out of contact for long periods of time but she knows how much strain he is under and doesn't want to add to it by complaining. She does her best to support her man but it's not easy, especially when she is facing Christmas alone not long after the death of her father.
I love how honest Jessica Scott is about how hard it can be not just for soldiers but also for their loved ones who remain at home. You can tell that she writes from experience and that just makes her stories all the more heartfelt and poignant. I can't say too much without giving spoilers but if you've read Because of You you'll already know what happens to Vic in this story. I think knowing what was to come made this even harder to read but I loved him even more for the way he deals with everything that happens to him. I also have a huge amount of respect for Nicole for the way she supports him. What drew me to Vic in the first place was his sense of humour, he is full of one liners and snarky comments that often get him into trouble but they really help to lighten what could have been quite a dark read. You quickly find out that Vic uses humour as a coping mechanism and as a way to keep up moral within his team but he does have a much more serious and responsible side that he keeps well hidden.
It's not often that I give 5 stars to a novella but I'll Be Home for Christmas deserves every single one of them. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside which made it a perfect Christmas treat! It also really helped build my excitement for Back to You, I've been desperate to read Trent and Laura's book since I read Because of You so I'm very relieved that it is finally being published in January.
October 21, 2013
In I'll Be Home For Christmas by Jessica Scott, Jessica gives us a peek at military life through the eyes of both the deployed soldier, and the family left at home.
Vic is being deployed to Iraq again, and this time he has a really bad feeling about it. Vic is the joker, always making others laugh. This time he doesn't really feel like laughing...but he does anyway. Nicole is Vic's wife. She knows what to expect, but she is still lonely for him, worrying about him, and hoping he'll be home for Christmas. In Iraq, Vic is torn between wanting to be home with his wife and not wanting to leave his team. Nicole is really feeling the separation this time...she has her phone with her everywhere, longing for the phone calls to hear Vic's voice and assurance he's ok. Some things Vic just doesn't want to talk about, even if Nicole wants him to talk to her. He is terrified of losing her and she is terrified he won't come back.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is a novella in a series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. Jessica brings to life the horrors of war...the sorrows, loneliness, and coping mechanisms (Vic learns to sew...). Jessica also brings to life a wide range of emotions that will leave the reader really feeling like you know Vic and Nicole. Not necessarily their experiences, but the feelings. Vic and Nicole are both strong people who you can't help but admire and respect. I really liked reading about Vic and Nicole also because they were already a well established couple.
I really, really love I'll Be Home For Christmas. Jessica will make you feel a myriad of emotions from humor, to sadness, to love and hope. This is one of those books that will make you stop and think about what's really important. Jessica does this with her powerful, realistic, heart felt writing.
I'd highly recommend this to any romance lover, especially military romance readers. You won't be disappointed!
Vic is being deployed to Iraq again, and this time he has a really bad feeling about it. Vic is the joker, always making others laugh. This time he doesn't really feel like laughing...but he does anyway. Nicole is Vic's wife. She knows what to expect, but she is still lonely for him, worrying about him, and hoping he'll be home for Christmas. In Iraq, Vic is torn between wanting to be home with his wife and not wanting to leave his team. Nicole is really feeling the separation this time...she has her phone with her everywhere, longing for the phone calls to hear Vic's voice and assurance he's ok. Some things Vic just doesn't want to talk about, even if Nicole wants him to talk to her. He is terrified of losing her and she is terrified he won't come back.
I'll Be Home For Christmas is a novella in a series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. Jessica brings to life the horrors of war...the sorrows, loneliness, and coping mechanisms (Vic learns to sew...). Jessica also brings to life a wide range of emotions that will leave the reader really feeling like you know Vic and Nicole. Not necessarily their experiences, but the feelings. Vic and Nicole are both strong people who you can't help but admire and respect. I really liked reading about Vic and Nicole also because they were already a well established couple.
I really, really love I'll Be Home For Christmas. Jessica will make you feel a myriad of emotions from humor, to sadness, to love and hope. This is one of those books that will make you stop and think about what's really important. Jessica does this with her powerful, realistic, heart felt writing.
I'd highly recommend this to any romance lover, especially military romance readers. You won't be disappointed!
October 17, 2013
For those of you who have read Ms. Scott's first novel in the Coming Home Series, Because of You, ( which I have at least four times) this story will bring a big smile to your face. Finally Vic Carponti's story! He is sarcastic, cynical, never knows when to keep his mouth shut, disrespectful and a loving husband. He is army all the way, and loves his country almost as much as he loves his wife Nicole. Who could not fall for this character? It was the first time we get a closer glimpse of Carponti and his antics. He is in all the Coming Home stories trying to make us laugh, even at his own expense. This time it's all about Vic and Nicole .
Carponti and his group are about to deploy to Iraq ....again. Nicole is dreading it ...again. This time something is eating away at her self confidence. He will be gone for Christmas and her dad passed away last year before the holidays, and she doesn't want to face Christmas alone. Carponti knows this and has his own gut feeling about this deployment, and it is not good. It totally amazes me the way Ms. Scott weaves each character in and out of Because of You! We relive Shane Garrison and Jen St. James chance meeting, and his devastating injury. Plus we get to look deep into Vic Carponti and what kind of man he really is. A hero.
We are reacquainted with Captain Trent Duval, his wife Laura, and all the heartbreaking problems they are facing. Patiently waiting for their story Ms. Scott.
I truly loved this novel, read it in one sitting. The characters are like friends and family....you want to see them happy, secure and safe.
I recommend this novel to all military, contemporary romance fans, and if you haven't read Because of You, go grab it, your missing out on a wonderful journey!
I received this novel from NetGalley and the author for an honest review.
Carponti and his group are about to deploy to Iraq ....again. Nicole is dreading it ...again. This time something is eating away at her self confidence. He will be gone for Christmas and her dad passed away last year before the holidays, and she doesn't want to face Christmas alone. Carponti knows this and has his own gut feeling about this deployment, and it is not good. It totally amazes me the way Ms. Scott weaves each character in and out of Because of You! We relive Shane Garrison and Jen St. James chance meeting, and his devastating injury. Plus we get to look deep into Vic Carponti and what kind of man he really is. A hero.
We are reacquainted with Captain Trent Duval, his wife Laura, and all the heartbreaking problems they are facing. Patiently waiting for their story Ms. Scott.
I truly loved this novel, read it in one sitting. The characters are like friends and family....you want to see them happy, secure and safe.
I recommend this novel to all military, contemporary romance fans, and if you haven't read Because of You, go grab it, your missing out on a wonderful journey!
I received this novel from NetGalley and the author for an honest review.
October 10, 2013
Set in 2007 during the initial Surge of forces in Iraq, this powerful novella tells the story of one of her beloved characters, Vic Carponti. Carponti makes an appearance in the earlier novel Because of You. The smart-mouthed, ginger, soldier made an impression on readers and the author. It is gratifying to see him get his own story, even if it is a bit short.
This novella is gritty, real, and does not sugar-coat life in the military. With vivid imagery, Scott tells the story of the boots on the ground. The ongoing war in the Middle East is not pretty. Soldiers are wounded or killed. Everyone misses their loved ones. Stress is constant. Through this reality she tells the story of Vic and Nicole, a couple trying to maintain a relationship across distance, both physical and emotional. Nicole doesn’t have the first-hand experience of war that Vic does. Those experiences of war threaten to drive a riff between them as there are many things that Vic doesn’t share about what he’s going through. Nicole understands his reluctance, but wants to do everything she can to support him and their relationship.
The emotional distance between these characters is beautifully detailed. This is not an HEA story. It is more of a snapshot into real-life; specifically the real-life experienced by our soldiers every day. Yes, Vic and Nicole make it out to the other side, in this installment. Their story continues chronologically in Because of You.
This novella mirrors the initial events of Because of You. We see the events leading up to the Surge deployment and the initial months overseas. It provides an alternative POV on the IED explosion that injures Shane Garrison in Because. It also gives us more details on the IED that injures Carponti. We know from the events in that novel that there is considerable recovery left before the wounds of war are healed.
This novella is gritty, real, and does not sugar-coat life in the military. With vivid imagery, Scott tells the story of the boots on the ground. The ongoing war in the Middle East is not pretty. Soldiers are wounded or killed. Everyone misses their loved ones. Stress is constant. Through this reality she tells the story of Vic and Nicole, a couple trying to maintain a relationship across distance, both physical and emotional. Nicole doesn’t have the first-hand experience of war that Vic does. Those experiences of war threaten to drive a riff between them as there are many things that Vic doesn’t share about what he’s going through. Nicole understands his reluctance, but wants to do everything she can to support him and their relationship.
The emotional distance between these characters is beautifully detailed. This is not an HEA story. It is more of a snapshot into real-life; specifically the real-life experienced by our soldiers every day. Yes, Vic and Nicole make it out to the other side, in this installment. Their story continues chronologically in Because of You.
This novella mirrors the initial events of Because of You. We see the events leading up to the Surge deployment and the initial months overseas. It provides an alternative POV on the IED explosion that injures Shane Garrison in Because. It also gives us more details on the IED that injures Carponti. We know from the events in that novel that there is considerable recovery left before the wounds of war are healed.
November 14, 2013
Ms. Scott yet again touches the raw deal of being a part of this patriotic world. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a story of what a soldier and his wife goes through during the war and reveals the sacrifices they make for our country.
Vic Carponti is ever the joker of the group. Nothing ever fazes him and certainly always seems so untouchable by any raw emotions. But quite the opposite, the never ending banter and jokes is a facade to hide all those feelings. After this last deployment, Vic will be put into situations that will leave him speechless. And that is saying a lot as Carponti is never without jokes.
Believe it or not, as soldierly as he is, he is not as strong as Nicole. Her love for him is truly beyond measures. I bow down to this woman , and her strength to keep it together during the hardships they go through. I’m not an army wife but a close cousin is. True to this story, my cousin’s fears and hardships are much similar to Nicole’s. Both very strong women, I have much respect for them. It takes one hell of a woman to handle being an Army wife.
I truly love Carponti and Nicole’s story. It showed not only good romance but strength between a married couple who will do anything for each other. As usual, Ms. Scott stays true to her story and again touches your heart. I recommend this novel to anyone who has been touched by the military life directly or indirectly.
*ARC provided by publisher
September 21, 2014
***This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
I’ll Be Home For Christmas may be a little book, but it packs a big emotional punch!
This is a story about a man and a wife doing their best to survive his deployment overseas. Nicole and Vic Carponti are so deeply in love, and Vic is devastated that he may not be able to spend Christmas with his wife. It’s important for him to be there this year because this is her first Christmas since her father passed away.
Vic and Nicole were such fun characters to read about! Vic was a riot, doing everything he could to get those around him to laugh. I loved Nicole’s dedication to her husband, and their dedication to their marriage.
This book gives a clear picture of what it can be like to be separated from your spouse. It was so sad seeing the changes in Vic and Nicole, and what the pressures of war did to them. The sudden insecurities about their marriage–in part because of what they saw happening to marriages around them–was so realistic and heartfelt.
This book was full of emotion. It was laugh out loud funny one moment, the next my eyes were welling up with tears.
This is a sweet love story about a husband and wife who are committed to each other for better or worse.
I recommend it if you are looking for a quick, comforting read to cozy up with. Perfect for a holiday read!
I’ll Be Home For Christmas may be a little book, but it packs a big emotional punch!
This is a story about a man and a wife doing their best to survive his deployment overseas. Nicole and Vic Carponti are so deeply in love, and Vic is devastated that he may not be able to spend Christmas with his wife. It’s important for him to be there this year because this is her first Christmas since her father passed away.
Vic and Nicole were such fun characters to read about! Vic was a riot, doing everything he could to get those around him to laugh. I loved Nicole’s dedication to her husband, and their dedication to their marriage.
This book gives a clear picture of what it can be like to be separated from your spouse. It was so sad seeing the changes in Vic and Nicole, and what the pressures of war did to them. The sudden insecurities about their marriage–in part because of what they saw happening to marriages around them–was so realistic and heartfelt.
This book was full of emotion. It was laugh out loud funny one moment, the next my eyes were welling up with tears.
This is a sweet love story about a husband and wife who are committed to each other for better or worse.
I recommend it if you are looking for a quick, comforting read to cozy up with. Perfect for a holiday read!
November 5, 2013
I have loved Jessica Scott's books about the military and this was no exception. She knows how to make her characters sound so real. This is a story that takes place in 2007 and we follow Vic and Nicole's journey through his third deployment. We get an accurate ( I think) account of what is happening on the front as well as how the spouses are living with their husbands deployed. This novella is part of a series but it felt like it could be a standalone and although it is only a novella, it packs an emotional punch. Really enjoyed the Christmas theme and recommend the book highly. Can't wait for her next book in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley andGrand Central Publishing for giving me this to read and give an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley andGrand Central Publishing for giving me this to read and give an honest review.
December 5, 2013
I think Vic is my favorite character in this series. His oddball humor and willingness to be goofy is endearing. I really liked the separation aspect of this story and how both Vic and Nicole deal with it. But the best part was how they realized home was with each other, no matter the condition.
December 13, 2013
A fantastic story. I highly recommend it!
November 3, 2013
Like many others in the Coming Home series fan club, I have wanted Carponti's book from almost the first moment I met him in Shane's book and Jessica Scott delivered. Thank you kindly, ma'am!
She delivered in more ways than one. Not only did I get to sit inside Vic and Nicole's minds to get to know them better, I got to see a bit more into the beginnings for Shane and Jen, the unraveling of Trent and Laura and further details of that big missing equipment issue that will come with Trent's story.
The story is told as a parallel to the first book just all from Vic and Nicole's viewpoint. It's the night before deployment and Vic senses that there is something really off about this one. He's gone before as have his fellow soldiers, but everyone's feeling the tension in this one. The wives are even sensing there will be trouble. Vic doesn't like to see his wife or his friends looking upset. He might not be able to take away the situation, but he does have a gift for lightening the load with his mouthy, fun-loving prankster personality. Oh yeah, he gets his job done and he can be depended on, but that doesn't stop him from working to make them all laugh as he laughs though on the inside he's barely holding it together. His wife needs him back for Christmas and he'll do what he can even if he's stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Nicole senses something off about everything and everybody having to do with this deployment. She's a military cop and her intuition tells her there's trouble. She watches the start of a relationship bloom for one of her friends and she sees another relationship falling apart even as she tries to hold together her own beautiful thing with her soldier husband. He makes her laugh and she loves him beyond anything, but she needs him home so she doesn't have to face her dad's death and the holidays alone. The distance between them isn't just in the miles, but can she hold it together long enough to bridge that distance when the time comes?
Because this one came in the series after Shane's book and what it told of Carponti and Nicole and all the rest, there is a sort of ominous tone to it because you know what is to come. This one shows that bright moment of sunshine as you watch the clouds gathering off to the west. I loved the realism of what the holidays can mean for service personnel and their dependents back home. Vic and Nicole are a hot couple with a healthy private life. They managed a bit of bedroom fun even across that many miles. I laughed so many times with Vic Carponti as he took on the role of a one man pick me up and he had his work cut out for him. The 'man dress' stuff was just beyond all. Iaconelli from book two makes an appearance in this one and I really enjoyed what happened when gasoline and matches came together in the form of Ike and Carponti.
There was nothing about this story I didn't love to death. However, it really must be read in order even though time wise it's parallel to the first book. The book assumes the reader has read books one and two. The smaller novella about Shane and Jen can wait, but the others are a must.
This was a truly satisfying Christmas Military Contemporary Romance that left me absolutely salivating for Trent and Laura's book. I recommend this series to those fans of Military Romance who like a tight plot, spicy romance and authenticism in the military backdrop.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
She delivered in more ways than one. Not only did I get to sit inside Vic and Nicole's minds to get to know them better, I got to see a bit more into the beginnings for Shane and Jen, the unraveling of Trent and Laura and further details of that big missing equipment issue that will come with Trent's story.
The story is told as a parallel to the first book just all from Vic and Nicole's viewpoint. It's the night before deployment and Vic senses that there is something really off about this one. He's gone before as have his fellow soldiers, but everyone's feeling the tension in this one. The wives are even sensing there will be trouble. Vic doesn't like to see his wife or his friends looking upset. He might not be able to take away the situation, but he does have a gift for lightening the load with his mouthy, fun-loving prankster personality. Oh yeah, he gets his job done and he can be depended on, but that doesn't stop him from working to make them all laugh as he laughs though on the inside he's barely holding it together. His wife needs him back for Christmas and he'll do what he can even if he's stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Nicole senses something off about everything and everybody having to do with this deployment. She's a military cop and her intuition tells her there's trouble. She watches the start of a relationship bloom for one of her friends and she sees another relationship falling apart even as she tries to hold together her own beautiful thing with her soldier husband. He makes her laugh and she loves him beyond anything, but she needs him home so she doesn't have to face her dad's death and the holidays alone. The distance between them isn't just in the miles, but can she hold it together long enough to bridge that distance when the time comes?
Because this one came in the series after Shane's book and what it told of Carponti and Nicole and all the rest, there is a sort of ominous tone to it because you know what is to come. This one shows that bright moment of sunshine as you watch the clouds gathering off to the west. I loved the realism of what the holidays can mean for service personnel and their dependents back home. Vic and Nicole are a hot couple with a healthy private life. They managed a bit of bedroom fun even across that many miles. I laughed so many times with Vic Carponti as he took on the role of a one man pick me up and he had his work cut out for him. The 'man dress' stuff was just beyond all. Iaconelli from book two makes an appearance in this one and I really enjoyed what happened when gasoline and matches came together in the form of Ike and Carponti.
There was nothing about this story I didn't love to death. However, it really must be read in order even though time wise it's parallel to the first book. The book assumes the reader has read books one and two. The smaller novella about Shane and Jen can wait, but the others are a must.
This was a truly satisfying Christmas Military Contemporary Romance that left me absolutely salivating for Trent and Laura's book. I recommend this series to those fans of Military Romance who like a tight plot, spicy romance and authenticism in the military backdrop.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 4, 2013
I received I'll Be Home For Christmas ii exchange for a fair and honest review.
4 1/2 .... most definitely ... such an emotional read, but so worth every minute of it.
Vic was first introduced in Because of You and I fell in love with him from the very start. He was a snarky, sarcastic jokester who pulled no punches and had a heart of gold. The more I got to know him, the more I loved him. When I found out that Jessica Scott planned on giving him and Nicole their own novella I was ecstatic. I’ll Be Home For Christmas was everything I expected from Vic and Nicole and more.
I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t expecting this story to go back to the beginning. That’s okay, but I would have been better prepared for exactly how intense this book was going to be if I had realized that from the start. If I would have been paying attention, I would have realized that this book would have had to have taken place at the same time that Because of You did, but in my excitement to get more of Vic and Nicole I missed it. That’s what happens when you get wrapped up in a character so much that you don’t care what the circumstances are that gives you more face time with them, you just want it. NOW!
If anything, I’ll Be Home for Christmas made me fall even more in love with Vic and Nicole. Their love for each other was palpable. Their respect and love for their friends was just as intense and Jessica Scott brought the realities of family, war and sacrifice front and center like no one but someone who has experienced it first hand can. I was warned by a blogging friend that I should keep a box of tissues handy while reading this book and she wasn’t exaggerating. The emotions were intense and the feelings that these characters experienced were raw and that’s just part of what made this such an amazing read. In this book readers were given a sense of who Vic really was, not just the snarky character that we’d been introduced to previously. Don’t worry though, he’s still his funny, practical joking, lovable self. (If you’ve read any of the other reviews floating around I’m sure you’ve seen the term ‘Man Dress’ mentioned more than once… enough said.)
If you haven’t started Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series, I suggest you start with Because of You. This was one of the first Military Romances that I picked up and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Enjoy!
4 1/2 .... most definitely ... such an emotional read, but so worth every minute of it.
Vic was first introduced in Because of You and I fell in love with him from the very start. He was a snarky, sarcastic jokester who pulled no punches and had a heart of gold. The more I got to know him, the more I loved him. When I found out that Jessica Scott planned on giving him and Nicole their own novella I was ecstatic. I’ll Be Home For Christmas was everything I expected from Vic and Nicole and more.
I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t expecting this story to go back to the beginning. That’s okay, but I would have been better prepared for exactly how intense this book was going to be if I had realized that from the start. If I would have been paying attention, I would have realized that this book would have had to have taken place at the same time that Because of You did, but in my excitement to get more of Vic and Nicole I missed it. That’s what happens when you get wrapped up in a character so much that you don’t care what the circumstances are that gives you more face time with them, you just want it. NOW!
If anything, I’ll Be Home for Christmas made me fall even more in love with Vic and Nicole. Their love for each other was palpable. Their respect and love for their friends was just as intense and Jessica Scott brought the realities of family, war and sacrifice front and center like no one but someone who has experienced it first hand can. I was warned by a blogging friend that I should keep a box of tissues handy while reading this book and she wasn’t exaggerating. The emotions were intense and the feelings that these characters experienced were raw and that’s just part of what made this such an amazing read. In this book readers were given a sense of who Vic really was, not just the snarky character that we’d been introduced to previously. Don’t worry though, he’s still his funny, practical joking, lovable self. (If you’ve read any of the other reviews floating around I’m sure you’ve seen the term ‘Man Dress’ mentioned more than once… enough said.)
If you haven’t started Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series, I suggest you start with Because of You. This was one of the first Military Romances that I picked up and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Enjoy!
December 15, 2014
Buy it. Read it. Have lots of Kleenex on hand.
Scott's stories are always powerful and emotional but they're honest, she doesn't jerk you around or manipulate you. The power of the stories and of the characters emotions gets into you and sweeps you away. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is set in 2007, earlier than the books, so you may know some of the events that happen but the ride is well worth it.
Carponti is a goof, a clown, a loyal friend, a loving husband, a good soldier. But juggling all those roles, especially husband and soldier, is difficult. At the start of the story Carponti is readying for deployment; both he and his wife have done this before and know what to expect. He's trying to make things easier for her and she's trying to make things easier for him.
She knew the fear she would love with for the next year. And she hated it.
But she loved her husband and he loved being a soldier. She'd never planned on making the military a career. Vic? Vic wanted to stay forever. And because she loved him, she'd wait or him. No matter how much it hurt.
This war sucked.
But that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. And Nikki, God bless her, was doing her best to put on a brave and happy face.
The story is told mostly from Carponti's perspective but we also get Nikki's. We get a close up of life and war in Iraq and we see what life is like back home for Nikki and the other wives. It gives you a good appreciation for what military families go through. Carponti acts the clown but there's a method to his madness - he keeps up morale and provides a focus for the men other than the battles, the long hours, the time away from their families, etc.
But it's not all grim; there's humor (oh, the man dress! I laughed out loud at that one) and there's sexy times. Scott writes them all beautifully, making you feel as if you are right there. There is some bad news along the way but in the end we get a happy ending. I was rooting for everyone to be safe and for Carponti to make it home on leave for Christmas. Does he get there in time? Read and find out.
Scott's stories are always powerful and emotional but they're honest, she doesn't jerk you around or manipulate you. The power of the stories and of the characters emotions gets into you and sweeps you away. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is set in 2007, earlier than the books, so you may know some of the events that happen but the ride is well worth it.
Carponti is a goof, a clown, a loyal friend, a loving husband, a good soldier. But juggling all those roles, especially husband and soldier, is difficult. At the start of the story Carponti is readying for deployment; both he and his wife have done this before and know what to expect. He's trying to make things easier for her and she's trying to make things easier for him.
She knew the fear she would love with for the next year. And she hated it.
But she loved her husband and he loved being a soldier. She'd never planned on making the military a career. Vic? Vic wanted to stay forever. And because she loved him, she'd wait or him. No matter how much it hurt.
This war sucked.
But that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. And Nikki, God bless her, was doing her best to put on a brave and happy face.
The story is told mostly from Carponti's perspective but we also get Nikki's. We get a close up of life and war in Iraq and we see what life is like back home for Nikki and the other wives. It gives you a good appreciation for what military families go through. Carponti acts the clown but there's a method to his madness - he keeps up morale and provides a focus for the men other than the battles, the long hours, the time away from their families, etc.
But it's not all grim; there's humor (oh, the man dress! I laughed out loud at that one) and there's sexy times. Scott writes them all beautifully, making you feel as if you are right there. There is some bad news along the way but in the end we get a happy ending. I was rooting for everyone to be safe and for Carponti to make it home on leave for Christmas. Does he get there in time? Read and find out.
October 21, 2013
This and other reviews can be found on my blog, My Written Romance.
One of the things I love so much about the Coming Home series from Jessica Scott are the characters themselves. They are unflinchingly real, raw and flawed people – ordinary folk dealing with extraordinary circumstances in the only way they know how to.
My favourite of all so far has been Vic Carponti. He is the most brilliantly inappropriate character – we’ve all got one of these in our lives, that friend who says things that no one else would ever contemplate letting out of their mouth. When Jessica revealed she was writing his story, I was so excited.
What I’ll Be Home for Christmas shows is that side of Carponti that not many see – a man who has such deep and abiding love for his wife, a soldier who will do anything to ensure the morale of his team is high, a caring and compassionate person. The connection between Carponti and Nicole is profound – their love and friendship is strong and their physical chemistry is off-the-charts hot. There is just something about them that makes you believe that everything will work out the right way for them.
If you have read earlier stories from this series, you will know what happens to Carponti. If you haven’t, read them now (and read them in order). Seeing another view of the events and what happened on this side of the story certainly added a level of richness for me. The life of a soldier or military spouse is one I do not know, and I thank Jessica Scott for showing us what it is like for those away and at home.
We get more glimpses into the story of Trent and Laura, and I cannot wait for it. Actually I am looking to all the ones under way – I’m sure Jessica Scott is probably tired of me asking when Reza and Emily’s story is going to be done.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas was so worth waiting for!
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Forever Yours, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
One of the things I love so much about the Coming Home series from Jessica Scott are the characters themselves. They are unflinchingly real, raw and flawed people – ordinary folk dealing with extraordinary circumstances in the only way they know how to.
My favourite of all so far has been Vic Carponti. He is the most brilliantly inappropriate character – we’ve all got one of these in our lives, that friend who says things that no one else would ever contemplate letting out of their mouth. When Jessica revealed she was writing his story, I was so excited.
What I’ll Be Home for Christmas shows is that side of Carponti that not many see – a man who has such deep and abiding love for his wife, a soldier who will do anything to ensure the morale of his team is high, a caring and compassionate person. The connection between Carponti and Nicole is profound – their love and friendship is strong and their physical chemistry is off-the-charts hot. There is just something about them that makes you believe that everything will work out the right way for them.
If you have read earlier stories from this series, you will know what happens to Carponti. If you haven’t, read them now (and read them in order). Seeing another view of the events and what happened on this side of the story certainly added a level of richness for me. The life of a soldier or military spouse is one I do not know, and I thank Jessica Scott for showing us what it is like for those away and at home.
We get more glimpses into the story of Trent and Laura, and I cannot wait for it. Actually I am looking to all the ones under way – I’m sure Jessica Scott is probably tired of me asking when Reza and Emily’s story is going to be done.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas was so worth waiting for!
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Forever Yours, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 14, 2013
Originally posted on http://thebooktart.com/book-review/th...
I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again… How have I never read Jessica Scott before?! Her stories have been on my radar for months and I’ve heard great things about them so when this novella came available, and a Christmas one at that, I jumped. I got pulled into I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Vic and Nicole’s story. I’ll definitely be reading more Jessica Scott!
This book was a quick read but in the 120+ pages I felt like I knew the characters. The hero Vic and his wife Nicole were real to me and I laughed and cried with them. Oh! I want more of some of the secondary characters too.
Vic is in the U.S. Army and gets deployed to Baghdad in December of 2007 leaving his wife Nicole at home. She does her best to be strong and I admired her so much. But she just really wants him to come home for Christmas.
I got a kick out of Vic, aka Carponti’s, behavior during his deployment. He cares for his guys and does his best to keep morale up. The dynamics between the soldiers in his platoon felt real, the tension and danger made me cringe sometimes. Through it all Vic’s love for his wife bled off the pages.
A few of my fav lines…
♥ She kissed him fiercely. “I’ll be waiting over here for you to get done being all caveman.”
“I’ll show you caveman later,” he said with a grin….
♥ He lost himself in the feel and taste of his wife. The beauty of her faith in him and the solid feel of her love.
He had her.
Nothing else mattered.
I loved this story. Vic and Nicole’s journey resonated with me, the fear and love, loneliness and hope. I was aching for them. This story hit me close to home. My guy’s in the army and, though he’s not deployed right now, it is a long distance relationship. I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a contemporary romance gift that delivered on it’s holiday promise. Go unwrap it for yourself! :)
The Queen of Tarts
♦ eARC provided for review for my honest opinion.
I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again… How have I never read Jessica Scott before?! Her stories have been on my radar for months and I’ve heard great things about them so when this novella came available, and a Christmas one at that, I jumped. I got pulled into I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Vic and Nicole’s story. I’ll definitely be reading more Jessica Scott!
This book was a quick read but in the 120+ pages I felt like I knew the characters. The hero Vic and his wife Nicole were real to me and I laughed and cried with them. Oh! I want more of some of the secondary characters too.
Vic is in the U.S. Army and gets deployed to Baghdad in December of 2007 leaving his wife Nicole at home. She does her best to be strong and I admired her so much. But she just really wants him to come home for Christmas.
I got a kick out of Vic, aka Carponti’s, behavior during his deployment. He cares for his guys and does his best to keep morale up. The dynamics between the soldiers in his platoon felt real, the tension and danger made me cringe sometimes. Through it all Vic’s love for his wife bled off the pages.
A few of my fav lines…
♥ She kissed him fiercely. “I’ll be waiting over here for you to get done being all caveman.”
“I’ll show you caveman later,” he said with a grin….
♥ He lost himself in the feel and taste of his wife. The beauty of her faith in him and the solid feel of her love.
He had her.
Nothing else mattered.
I loved this story. Vic and Nicole’s journey resonated with me, the fear and love, loneliness and hope. I was aching for them. This story hit me close to home. My guy’s in the army and, though he’s not deployed right now, it is a long distance relationship. I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a contemporary romance gift that delivered on it’s holiday promise. Go unwrap it for yourself! :)
The Queen of Tarts
♦ eARC provided for review for my honest opinion.
October 29, 2013
Full review to come.
Full review: (originally posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks)
I'll Be Home For Christmas appealed to me because I love husband and wife stories in romance novels and this one is just that: funny army man Vic and beautiful Nicole are married but they keep getting separated because of Vic's deployments. This novella wasn't the usual road to love or finding love because Vic and Nicole already love each other. Instead, it's a look into marriage in the military.
This was my first by Jessica Scott and I really enjoyed this intimate view of military life. From the author bio page I found out that that Ms. Scott was a soldier herself and this fact lend the novella true authenticity. I don't know anyone in the military and could only imagine what the spouse of a soldier goes through whenever their loved one leaves for their tour of duty--seeing just that through Vic and Nicole was interesting.
Vic is a clown and jokester and uses jokes to keep his men's spirits up. That's his thing and sometimes his jokes are the only thing that get through the men on bad days. But inside he can't help but worry about his wife waiting for him at home and what his constant deployments mean to their marriage and relationship. For Nicole, being a career military wife means loneliness, constant worry and stress but she's there for her husband and supports him. I love that strong love and support these two had between them.
I'll Be Home For Christmas was a nice, quick read though sometimes the writing does get a bit stilted. But overall I enjoyed it and makes me want to read more by Jessica Scott. The next in the series is a full-length novel featuring another military couple in a troubled marriage and I'm definitely interested in reading that.
Full review: (originally posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks)
I'll Be Home For Christmas appealed to me because I love husband and wife stories in romance novels and this one is just that: funny army man Vic and beautiful Nicole are married but they keep getting separated because of Vic's deployments. This novella wasn't the usual road to love or finding love because Vic and Nicole already love each other. Instead, it's a look into marriage in the military.
This was my first by Jessica Scott and I really enjoyed this intimate view of military life. From the author bio page I found out that that Ms. Scott was a soldier herself and this fact lend the novella true authenticity. I don't know anyone in the military and could only imagine what the spouse of a soldier goes through whenever their loved one leaves for their tour of duty--seeing just that through Vic and Nicole was interesting.
Vic is a clown and jokester and uses jokes to keep his men's spirits up. That's his thing and sometimes his jokes are the only thing that get through the men on bad days. But inside he can't help but worry about his wife waiting for him at home and what his constant deployments mean to their marriage and relationship. For Nicole, being a career military wife means loneliness, constant worry and stress but she's there for her husband and supports him. I love that strong love and support these two had between them.
I'll Be Home For Christmas was a nice, quick read though sometimes the writing does get a bit stilted. But overall I enjoyed it and makes me want to read more by Jessica Scott. The next in the series is a full-length novel featuring another military couple in a troubled marriage and I'm definitely interested in reading that.
November 6, 2013
I was lucky enough to get a review copy from the author through NetGalley. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Scott and love her Coming Home series so much.
I have to say how much I've loved Vic Carponti in the other books and was so happy we would get a book that featured him. Vic's humor has always had me laughing out loud and I love how protective he is of his friends and the people he loves. Vic and Nicole totally work for me as a couple, even as I saw them as so different from one another. I kinda felt like their differences brought them closer together. Add in their chemistry, and they were perfect.
Much of this story takes place with Vic on the front lines and Nicole at home. I'm not in the military and have never had anyone I'm in love with deployed, so this book gave me incredible insight into the lives of the men and women in the military. This book wrung so many emotions out of me, which I've really come to expect from any book from Ms. Scott. Vic's humor gave me all the laughs I could ask for in this book. I also felt his pain when anyone on his team was injured and could feel his despair about not talking to his wife about what all was going on. I also could totally feel Nicole's pain, fear, and loneliness as she waited for Vic to come home. When Vic is hurt and Nicole goes to him, not knowing what she might find, my heart broke for them both. I have to say Vic's humor in the situation still made me laugh and I loved that Nicole totally even threw in a few of her own jokes to get them through everything.
Nicole and Vic's story was so beautiful and I'm already counting down the days for the next book from Jessica Scott. Back to You will be Trent and Laura's book and I've been chomping at the bit to read it since we first me them.
I have to say how much I've loved Vic Carponti in the other books and was so happy we would get a book that featured him. Vic's humor has always had me laughing out loud and I love how protective he is of his friends and the people he loves. Vic and Nicole totally work for me as a couple, even as I saw them as so different from one another. I kinda felt like their differences brought them closer together. Add in their chemistry, and they were perfect.
Much of this story takes place with Vic on the front lines and Nicole at home. I'm not in the military and have never had anyone I'm in love with deployed, so this book gave me incredible insight into the lives of the men and women in the military. This book wrung so many emotions out of me, which I've really come to expect from any book from Ms. Scott. Vic's humor gave me all the laughs I could ask for in this book. I also felt his pain when anyone on his team was injured and could feel his despair about not talking to his wife about what all was going on. I also could totally feel Nicole's pain, fear, and loneliness as she waited for Vic to come home. When Vic is hurt and Nicole goes to him, not knowing what she might find, my heart broke for them both. I have to say Vic's humor in the situation still made me laugh and I loved that Nicole totally even threw in a few of her own jokes to get them through everything.
Nicole and Vic's story was so beautiful and I'm already counting down the days for the next book from Jessica Scott. Back to You will be Trent and Laura's book and I've been chomping at the bit to read it since we first me them.
March 15, 2015
When I was finishing highschool, one of my best friends was dating someone in the military. Although I live in Canada and that means that most Canadian officers are serving as peacekeepers, I still found it hard to contemplate being in that sort of relationship. Loving someone who goes overseas to fight... Hard to cope with!
This book explores exactly that idea, with Vic Carponti being sent overseas on deployment. He's been deployed before, but that doesn't mean that this time is any easier, especially considering that the fighting is even deadlier than before.
The story examines the tension that develops when someone you love is overseas and under tension - as the POV goes from Nicole to her husband and back again, we see their innermost thoughts and fears, and the way each reacts to the other as their emotions are stretched to the breaking point.
Ultimately, the two of them are put under even more strain as the story takes a sudden turn, and there's no doubt that any reader will find themselves pulling for the couple, especially considering the subject matter and the season.
My main caveat about the book is the writing. Although the story is compelling, it could have used a lot of smoothing and editing - it comes across very disjointed at times, almost stilted. A lot of short sentences are used, making it hard to fall as deeply into the story as would have been possible, and the plot climax was also not as fleshed out as it could be. The latter could be attributed to the fact that this is a novella, but the writing could really have been looked at.
Overall, a sweet little story that is a nice, light read for the season.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This book explores exactly that idea, with Vic Carponti being sent overseas on deployment. He's been deployed before, but that doesn't mean that this time is any easier, especially considering that the fighting is even deadlier than before.
The story examines the tension that develops when someone you love is overseas and under tension - as the POV goes from Nicole to her husband and back again, we see their innermost thoughts and fears, and the way each reacts to the other as their emotions are stretched to the breaking point.
Ultimately, the two of them are put under even more strain as the story takes a sudden turn, and there's no doubt that any reader will find themselves pulling for the couple, especially considering the subject matter and the season.
My main caveat about the book is the writing. Although the story is compelling, it could have used a lot of smoothing and editing - it comes across very disjointed at times, almost stilted. A lot of short sentences are used, making it hard to fall as deeply into the story as would have been possible, and the plot climax was also not as fleshed out as it could be. The latter could be attributed to the fact that this is a novella, but the writing could really have been looked at.
Overall, a sweet little story that is a nice, light read for the season.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2013
Nicole Carponti is dealing with her husband, Vic, being shipped overseas for a tour of duty. When things do not happen as they planned, her life is changed. Vic is a comedian, always keeping his wife and his fellow soldiers laughing, and will do anything to protect his wife from the reality of war. When his promise of being home for Christmas does not happen as plan, he realizes how much his wife is there for him.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a military novella. The peaks into military life and what the families have to endure are just amazing. I cannot imagine not seeing my husband daily, much less not talking to him daily. I love that this story is part of her Coming Home Series and that this story is going on the same time as Because of You, Trent and Laura’s story. Their stories overlap and the support they have for each other is absolutely wonderful. The story in this book is emotional and trying circumstances that the military put their families in. It is also a romance story. The love that these characters share out shines many of the relationships in the real world.
Jessica Scott wrote another great story about characters that I love. I cannot wait to read more about these character and highly recommend not just this book but the whole series to all.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a military novella. The peaks into military life and what the families have to endure are just amazing. I cannot imagine not seeing my husband daily, much less not talking to him daily. I love that this story is part of her Coming Home Series and that this story is going on the same time as Because of You, Trent and Laura’s story. Their stories overlap and the support they have for each other is absolutely wonderful. The story in this book is emotional and trying circumstances that the military put their families in. It is also a romance story. The love that these characters share out shines many of the relationships in the real world.
Jessica Scott wrote another great story about characters that I love. I cannot wait to read more about these character and highly recommend not just this book but the whole series to all.
November 30, 2013
Nicole Carponti is used to worrying about her husband while he's serving his country. This deployment, however, is harder than usual because of the Surge, leaving Vic and Nicole feeling strained. While Vic is away, he tries to maintain some sense of normalcy by shielding his wife from the realities of war with his humor and wit. But as the casualties take their toll, Vic and Nicole must face the unthinkable.
This novella had just the right amount of passion, sweetness, humor, and seriousness. Though the topic of war and deployment tends to be of a solemn, heavy nature, Scott was able to balance it with Vic's sense of humor. It made the events during his deployment much more bearable despite the horrific attacks and resulting injuries. I enjoyed the reactions his one-liners would elicit.
Also, Vic's constant desire to protect his wife was extremely sweet. Their love for each other was very touching. The last scene left a smile on my face. ;)
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC.
This novella had just the right amount of passion, sweetness, humor, and seriousness. Though the topic of war and deployment tends to be of a solemn, heavy nature, Scott was able to balance it with Vic's sense of humor. It made the events during his deployment much more bearable despite the horrific attacks and resulting injuries. I enjoyed the reactions his one-liners would elicit.
Also, Vic's constant desire to protect his wife was extremely sweet. Their love for each other was very touching. The last scene left a smile on my face. ;)
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC.
June 18, 2020
Sgt. Vic Carponti is being deployed to the front lines of the latest war and isn't as cocksure as normal. He's finding it hard to be his typically jovial self. Also, this time out his wife Nicole is finding it hard to smile and feel proud as Vic heads out and believes it's going to be even harder to find anything to smile about while he's gone.
This isn't your typical military romance. Vic and Nicole's mature relationship had lost the first blush but not the romance, love, and trust built over the years. Their story is a peek at a happily married couple coping with the pride, joy and strain that go on in a military household from both Vic and Nicole's point of view of Vic's latest deployment
This reader had no expectations from a new to me author for me but there was a bit to commend for this short. The writing, pacing and likable characters were positives as was the type of read. It isn’t run of the mill, it’s less military romance, more military romantic marriage but I confess it took a bit for me to warm to Vic.
Rating: 3.5stars
This isn't your typical military romance. Vic and Nicole's mature relationship had lost the first blush but not the romance, love, and trust built over the years. Their story is a peek at a happily married couple coping with the pride, joy and strain that go on in a military household from both Vic and Nicole's point of view of Vic's latest deployment
This reader had no expectations from a new to me author for me but there was a bit to commend for this short. The writing, pacing and likable characters were positives as was the type of read. It isn’t run of the mill, it’s less military romance, more military romantic marriage but I confess it took a bit for me to warm to Vic.
Rating: 3.5stars
October 5, 2013
I was lucky enough to get an eARC of this book (Thanks Jess, you're awesome!)
In I'll Be Home For Christmas, a military romance novella, Jessica once again gives the reader a peak into what life in the military is like. This story focuses on Nicole & Vic Carponti (Vic is one of my favorite characters in Jessica's stories) and takes place at the same time as her story Because Of You. Through Vic & Nicole, readers get a peak at what military men & women, as well as their spouses face daily while deployed. Being a novella, I don't want to give too much away about the storyline so I will stop here, but if you love Jessica's characters as much as I do, I would definitely recommend this story...Reading it was like a visit with old friends.
I can’t wait to see what Jessica’s got planned next for Trent & Laura & our "Coming Home crew" in her next book Back to You.
In I'll Be Home For Christmas, a military romance novella, Jessica once again gives the reader a peak into what life in the military is like. This story focuses on Nicole & Vic Carponti (Vic is one of my favorite characters in Jessica's stories) and takes place at the same time as her story Because Of You. Through Vic & Nicole, readers get a peak at what military men & women, as well as their spouses face daily while deployed. Being a novella, I don't want to give too much away about the storyline so I will stop here, but if you love Jessica's characters as much as I do, I would definitely recommend this story...Reading it was like a visit with old friends.
I can’t wait to see what Jessica’s got planned next for Trent & Laura & our "Coming Home crew" in her next book Back to You.
November 5, 2013
Ohhh Carponti…how do I love thee? Carponti is HILARIOUS in an unrelenting and sometimes inappropriate way. He is also loyal, protective and a loving husband. Nicole Carponti is a very lucky woman because as much as he is a smartass and tends to use humor to deal with….everything, he loves his wife and will do anything for her. This guy… he feels deeply for his wife and for the men he serves with.
For the rest of my review: Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
ARC provided by publisher
For the rest of my review: Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
ARC provided by publisher
October 7, 2013
This is the fourth entry by Jessica Scott in the Coming Home series. Drawing on her own experiences at being deployed, Scott presents a glimpse into the lives of the men and women that are at war and their families that are at home awaiting their return. This novella featured the wisecracking Carponti and his wife Nicole. From the other stories we know some of his story already but now we get to see it from their perspective. This was a great addition to the series and I cannot wait to read Trent's story in Back to You. This series is a definite must read, if only for the fact that they are not your typical military romance.
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