Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Without You

Rate this book
Logan has a serious decision to make. Does he follow his head and leave the girl who only follows her heart behind, or does he leave the only life he knows to follow his heart back into her arms?

8 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2012

32 people are currently reading
176 people want to read

About the author

Adrianne James

12 books149 followers
Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.

During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.

As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
79 (22%)
4 stars
67 (19%)
3 stars
112 (32%)
2 stars
58 (16%)
1 star
29 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Pearl Angeli.
714 reviews974 followers
December 17, 2015
I wanted to read a short story where I could feel the Christmas spirit. Sad to say, I didn't get it here. The characters, although nice and genuine, were a bit difficult to connect with. There wasn't something special about them nor the story itself. I also thought there was a bit of Dear John feels here which made it seem quite unoriginal. There was a happy ending though and that's the great aspect of it. :)
Profile Image for Shabana Mukhtar.
Author 82 books176 followers
Read
March 10, 2019
It is a short story of Logan, a military man; his girlfriend Serenity; and the internal and external conflict of whether he should continue serving the country or be with the love of his life.

He chooses the later, eventually.
Profile Image for megHan.
604 reviews86 followers
December 18, 2013
I'm not really a fan of romance novels, but during the holidays I give a few Christmas-based ones a try. (A short story has never killed anyone, has it?) I happened to find this one for free one day on Amazon and thought I would give it a try.

It's basically about a man who has a certain way of seeing things and he's fallen in love with a lady who sees things differently than he does. (Pretty much the story of most relationships, right?) As he arrives at the airport, he remembers some good things, some bad things - and after a conversation with a gentleman at the airport, starts seeing things from her point of view. Cute, but romance-predictable ending. But then it wouldn't be a very good romantic short story if it had a bad ending, now would it?
Profile Image for C.P. Cabaniss.
Author 12 books161 followers
May 13, 2015
I had this on my kindle and decided to give it a read. Even though it's nowhere near Christmas.

It's really short. It follows Logan, a Marine who left behind the girl he loves. He's coming back for Christmas to try and win her back, but she wanted him to get out after his first four years and not re enlist. You mostly get his thoughts about Serinity (the girl) and his family. There isn't a whole lot of depth since it's a short story and I feel that that made it fall short of the mark. Not terrible, just not great.
Profile Image for Carole Rae.
1,624 reviews42 followers
December 16, 2018
Thank goodness Amazon has a lot of short story freebies. I was looking for something quick and sweet and this one was the first one that popped up.


The story follows Logan trying to make a decision on if he wants to follow his heart or do the rational thing and re-enlist.


This is a toughie...his girl doesn't want to be military wife so if he stays he will lose her.


I liked it. Short and sweet. But it was sad too especially when Logan talks to a former soldier. Poor guy.


This had a lot of inner thoughts and feelings while he travels back home to his girl. Not too much action, but it worked well.


I'll give this 5 stars. A perfect Xmas short story to warm yourself up to.
Profile Image for Sanna G. Ståhl.
Author 1 book46 followers
December 5, 2018
This was a sweet story! I enjoyed it overall and liked that it was a quick romantic read. 🎄
Profile Image for The Celtic Rebel (Richard).
598 reviews5 followers
November 30, 2017
This is not your typical Christmas story in that it could really happen at any time. The author uses the Christmas setting in the background in a very nice way. It is a heart warming story that leaves you with a warm feeling inside. It is a nice short story but I think in this case a longer examination of the characters would suit this particular story better. Overall I very much enjoyed it and nice Amazon freebie to pick up.
Profile Image for Kathryn Parry.
Author 8 books70 followers
November 24, 2013
What a heart warming story. A perfect Christmas tale that will leave a warm feeling inside. A freebie worth picking up.
Profile Image for Jo.
360 reviews8 followers
September 1, 2015
What a hard decision and one that many of our military men make everyday! Without you ~ A Christmas Short Story is well written, full of emotion and delightful to read.
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,098 reviews28 followers
January 1, 2018
A solder, comes home for Christmas with the sole purpose of telling his ex just how much he loves her, but will she feel the same way? This is such a beautifully written short story that I wished it would have continued. I absolutely would read a longer version of this. I hadn’t heard of this author before, but with this story, I’m now a fan!! I will definitely be checking out what else is available. Thank you!
Profile Image for Dan.
3,666 reviews638 followers
December 4, 2025
Logan is on a brief trip back home.

Logan is very tall, 6’5”. He is an active duty Marine.

Serenity broke up with him after five years together. She is very pretty. Serenity has a small house, but she decorates it well.

Logan is very analytical and fact-driven. He enjoys the structure and security that the military provides. Serenity is impulsive and emotional. She always follows her heart.

How will Serenity respond? Logan has some decisions to make…

Cute and sweet second-chance romance. Could use a touch more Christmas. 🎄 🎅
Profile Image for Miles Taylor-Charlemagne.
40 reviews
December 8, 2025
Short but special!

Didn't know what to think, but the characters of Logan and Serenity can be relatable as those who serve in the army can lead a difficult life and sometimes in war, it's hard to be the one who survives. Reading the thoughts of both Logan and Serenity was interesting to read as they both had thoughts and were thinking of the future and they were both scared of what will happen to the other, but I liked the happy ending for them both!

Great read!
Profile Image for Deborah J Miles.
Author 1 book17 followers
March 22, 2021
Without You is a very short story about a soldier, Logan, deciding between his career and the woman he loves. I chose to read this because the cover hinted at a romantic Christmas story.

It's a quick read, but not what I was expecting. The story is too short to really explore Logan's struggle.
Profile Image for Janis.
1,070 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2018
I didn’t feel Christmas in this story, but enjoyed the romantic aspect. This short story takes place in the man’s head. Unusual place for a romance. It’s a fine story. I like a bit more action, though.
2,879 reviews11 followers
July 11, 2019
A quick little story of a soldier coming home to the woman he loves.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Inspirational. Romantic. Wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Nush.
128 reviews11 followers
December 13, 2020
Fantastic

This was a brilliant short novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It has love, sadness, hope and joy all rolled into it.
Profile Image for Michelle Romano.
Author 3 books82 followers
August 27, 2023
First timer reading a short romance story, this is very short, but has a cute start and leaves me wanting to read the next one.
Profile Image for Terri.
703 reviews20 followers
August 11, 2016
3.5 stars

Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

This was a very short story much more than I expected. With that in mind James managed to fit a lot of emotion within it's shore pages. This was a story about a man serving his country in the military and trying to choose between his sense of security and duty and the woman he loves. I will not say how the story concludes however there was quite a bit to think about during this read. What would one do in this situation? Can you change your priorities and the roadmap you had set out for your life? Is love enough?

I enjoyed this read more for the way it provoked my thoughts than the actual story. I am amazed that such a short read has the ability to raise so many philosophical thoughts in my head
Profile Image for Karen.
1,320 reviews41 followers
December 2, 2016
This was super short but was more than able to convey its story in an emotional way. I felt very close to the main male character right away. There is not a lot of character development but you still feel that you can relate to them. The language and sentiment of the piece is wonderful.

Logan has gotten a leave from the military in order to go home for Christmas to see the girl who he loves who does not want to be with him because he is in the military. Serenity does not want to be a military wife and would rather lose the love of her life than try.

This is a sweet story that gives you a feeling of Christmas, patriotism, and love. I did not particularly like Serenity even though she was not even in it until the very end. I would still recommend this to anyone looking for a nice holiday story.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books90 followers
April 30, 2015
Without You ~ A Christmas Short Story is packed with feelings for such a short story and it is very sweet. Logan faces a problem that many service men face; should he stay in the military & face long times away from his family for the security the job offers or leave it to take his chances with his love. The author understands this painful situation and wrote a great short story full of feelings.
Profile Image for Never Never Land.
70 reviews18 followers
December 20, 2013
I got this short story for free on Amazon through a promotion that is currently running.

This is a very short read. Basically a soldier takes an emergency leave in the hopes of fixing his relationship with his girlfriend. While the read was short the reader is taken through an emotional journey to a man trying to take hold of his life and make a decision that he feels is right. Good read. Would love it to be longer but thats what short stories are, short.
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,171 reviews87 followers
January 5, 2015
Without You is a super short read about a military man named Logan, who has always wanted to serve a full career as a soldier however the woman he loves wants him home. It's a story about compromises and how some people are worth the change of plans. I knew going it in that it was super short, but I wouldn't have minded reading more of this especially since I know their relationship is far from perfectly fixed. It's a decent and quick read for the holiday season.
Profile Image for J. Kahele.
Author 15 books437 followers
September 21, 2015
Heart warming

For Serenity it was hard living life as a military wife, although she loved her husband more than life, she decided it would be best if they parted.
Raised in the military, logan felt it was the best way to provide for his wife and future family and it was what he wanted to do with his life. When his wife informs him that she can't deal with him being gone all the time, they split up. Will they reunite? Or will they go their separate ways?
Profile Image for K.
45 reviews40 followers
June 5, 2019
Without You is a short story about a man named Logan, a Marine, who happens to be in a serious situation where he needs to choose between his duty or the love of his life.

I enjoyed the story because it exemplifies the sad reality and sacrifices of the people who are working just to protect our country. The setting is Christmas so it gives more meaning to the story and I’m glad about it. Overall, it is a good and short read for Christmas season.
Profile Image for Lizzy☁.
6 reviews
December 18, 2016
It's such a good short story, that showed the love that a man called Logan wanted to reconnect with an ex-girlfriend when his work in the army caused a strain on their relationship.

Sweet and a quick read.

It was nice to know that being together, made for such a nice Christmas gift for them both.
Profile Image for Crystal.
174 reviews9 followers
November 14, 2013
warmed my heart, i thought it was a sweet short book, would be better longer..
Anyone military or considering or connected by family etc. Would make a great story to read with more depth. I always like a man's perspective in romances.I really enjoyed this short story..
Profile Image for Laura of Lurking.
244 reviews40 followers
December 6, 2013
Very short, and a bit of a puff of dust – like candyfloss, no substance but you keep going back for more – which I don’t see as a bad thing. I have a soft spot for military and national pride (there's not nearly enough in the UK), this left me all warm and fuzzy. Very sweet
Profile Image for Lisa Barker.
274 reviews
November 18, 2013
This was a very short read, but I enjoyed the emotion and feelings behind the story!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.