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He’s trying to forget . . .
Alex Stewart, ex-Marine and tough as nails boss, ditches the success of his fledgling business and flees to his cabin in the deep woods. He’s had enough. Four years after the deaths of his wife and daughter, he’s stuck in the anger stage of grief. He wants to be left alone. Life used to make sense. It just doesn’t bring him joy. Nothing does.
She’s trying to remember . . .
Left to die in those same deep woods, Kelsey is the last thing Alex expects to find at his cabin. She’s everything he’s running away from. Responsibility. Memories. Having to care about someone else beside himself. To make matters worse, she can’t remember anything except her first name. Neither can she explain the marks on her body, nor why two darling baby boys haunt her dreams.
But Alex can . . .
Alex Stewart, ex-Marine and tough as nails boss, ditches the success of his fledgling business and flees to his cabin in the deep woods. He’s had enough. Four years after the deaths of his wife and daughter, he’s stuck in the anger stage of grief. He wants to be left alone. Life used to make sense. It just doesn’t bring him joy. Nothing does.
She’s trying to remember . . .
Left to die in those same deep woods, Kelsey is the last thing Alex expects to find at his cabin. She’s everything he’s running away from. Responsibility. Memories. Having to care about someone else beside himself. To make matters worse, she can’t remember anything except her first name. Neither can she explain the marks on her body, nor why two darling baby boys haunt her dreams.
But Alex can . . .
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2013
2126 people are currently reading
1815 people want to read
About the author
Irish Winters
50 books182 followersGrowing up in the countryside of Wisconsin, I always wanted to be a writer. I've dabbled in poetry, short stories, and more daydreaming than most. Way back when, I remember long Sunday afternoon drives with my parents where they'd
tell us eight kids to, 'Look out the window and see something!'
I've been looking out the window ever since . . .
In the great Northwest pines, I saw a woman who had nowhere to run find refuge in the arms of a tender warrior seeking his own road to healing.
In the hills of Wyoming, I saw a broken man who thought he'd lost everything
rediscover the man he was in the eyes of a pretty girl.
And in the Dairy State, (yes Wisconsin), I saw two people fall in love
and overcome horrific obstacles on their way to happily-ever-after.
Life is short. Pick up a good book. Read. Write. Enjoy.
Look out the window and see something!
tell us eight kids to, 'Look out the window and see something!'
I've been looking out the window ever since . . .
In the great Northwest pines, I saw a woman who had nowhere to run find refuge in the arms of a tender warrior seeking his own road to healing.
In the hills of Wyoming, I saw a broken man who thought he'd lost everything
rediscover the man he was in the eyes of a pretty girl.
And in the Dairy State, (yes Wisconsin), I saw two people fall in love
and overcome horrific obstacles on their way to happily-ever-after.
Life is short. Pick up a good book. Read. Write. Enjoy.
Look out the window and see something!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
December 31, 2013
I'm really torn on this one. There were so many good points (hot hunky snipers) but a few things that drove me nuts (apart from the small editing mistakes and the odd missing word).
I found Alex hard to relate to at first. The constant bad mood put me off. Then I worked out he was another 'Leroy Jethro Gibbs' and that helped.
A couple of my other issues are:
I really don't like when authors change perspective and put the persons name at the top. It takes me away from the story and honestly, I think I'm smart enough to work out who's POV we are seeing.
Another thing was when the author mentioned Alexander. It was also followed by Virginia so read 'Alexander, Virginia', this was done three times within 3 pages. Again, we knew where Alexander was located after the first time it was mentioned and it didn't need to be constantly repeated.
There were also a few plot holes, one example is why wasn't a certain someone in prison instead of running around the countryside causing havoc towards the end of the book (I don't know how to hide spoilers so I'm not going into too much detail). This was never explained.
In saying all that, I did like it enough that I will probably get the next one, and I really really want to read Harley's book. He has me very intrigued and wanting to know more.
I'd probably give it 3 1/2 - 4 stars
I found Alex hard to relate to at first. The constant bad mood put me off. Then I worked out he was another 'Leroy Jethro Gibbs' and that helped.
A couple of my other issues are:
I really don't like when authors change perspective and put the persons name at the top. It takes me away from the story and honestly, I think I'm smart enough to work out who's POV we are seeing.
Another thing was when the author mentioned Alexander. It was also followed by Virginia so read 'Alexander, Virginia', this was done three times within 3 pages. Again, we knew where Alexander was located after the first time it was mentioned and it didn't need to be constantly repeated.
There were also a few plot holes, one example is why wasn't a certain someone in prison instead of running around the countryside causing havoc towards the end of the book (I don't know how to hide spoilers so I'm not going into too much detail). This was never explained.
In saying all that, I did like it enough that I will probably get the next one, and I really really want to read Harley's book. He has me very intrigued and wanting to know more.
I'd probably give it 3 1/2 - 4 stars
May 17, 2020
This is an entertaining, well-written, military romantic suspense novel with likable, engaging characters, subject matter that is heart-wrenching, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending.
I have already purchased the next two entries in this series and I am looking forward to reading them with great anticipation.
I have already purchased the next two entries in this series and I am looking forward to reading them with great anticipation.
October 21, 2017
°° The following contains major spoilers°°
Started interestingly enough to lull you into believing it could be mildly interesting but then it fell victim to its true nature: an unevenly paced and full of bewildering plot holes steaming pile of mess that treats horrific events as a 'chance' for new romance. This is a book where characters flatter than pancakes are smeared on with such traumatic events from which, had this book felt any need to be mildly convincing, no person could ever recover. It may be possible for one to go on living and even have a new life after losing a child to an accident -and that only with great difficulty and pain- but it is not possible for one to recover from having two children murdered, domestic abuse, abduction and further victimisation. In the latter case, and after intense, long term therapy one would consider the mere fact that one has not killed oneself a kind of 'progress' but that is as far as it would go. In no universe is it possible that you were a loving and caring mother who had her two babies murdered and then within the space of a year -and without any therapy (of which more below)- you find a new love, a new marriage and a new life!!! Not even in a romance one should be allowed to be that stupid.
Instead of the miracle of love we have the triumph of flippancy and idiocy. The writer aimed for some story where the healing power of love were to be extolled and instead she came up with a clumsily written story where monumental horrors and tragedies are treated in the most daft and tasteless way. The thicker she lays it on the deeper she sinks into the land of flippant, unforgivable stupidity. The result is that the characters instead of moving you with their deafening post-traumatic emptiness and numbness make you gasp with their cardboard responses. Never once did I feel the tears hero and heroine shed to be genuine, moving, or believable, all I got was two very bad amateur actors hamming it up.
Another failure of the book is that it is not free from the customary stupidity of romance books set in a similar milieu, that of the super-high-tech warfare trained military-cum-security men (and a few macho women). Despite all their supposed training and skill, many of these characters commit the silliest of errors and are caught out in situations that a lay person like me would have foreseen and easily avoided. The hero, in particular, is outsmarted not once but twice by the villain (who is, we are told, just a drunk and a bum with no training of any kind yet he shoots better than the hero!). If you don't know how to put your hero in harm's way in your book's climax without spectacularly violating the very character frame you have placed him in in the first place then make him into something else. Make him into an accountant, farmer, waiter, teacher etc. , but don't tell your readers he was in the USA Marines, a marksman, a cunning strategist much sought after by government agencies; don't tell us he is the owner and head of a security company often away on secret missions to the most dangerous parts (made even more dangerous by his country's geopolitical games) of the world when it is so obvious the guy is terribly incompetent and a blunderer with no ability to assess a situation whatsoever. I, and each one of the other readers, would have done much better than he did. When you manipulate a plot the first thing you must ensure is that you don't quickly end up in complete daftness.
I said above how disgusted one feels with the levity with which trauma is treated in such books, a mere background noise contributing to the crap about the 'triumph of the will' of the main characters and their, supposed, love. But treating the subject with the customary titanic idiocy seems is not enough for this writer (and she is not the only one, unfortunately), she also never misses an opportunity to shove her ignorant tirades against therapy to our face. So naturally, hero and heroine do not ever seek therapy, or rather 'proudly' disregard all expert advice to get therapy (therapy is for weak people, you see) and they simply make do with some 'straight talk' from a friend and Bob's your effing uncle! This self-satisfied ignorant attitude is as sickening as the silliness with which trauma is approached.
As for the plot, the less said about it the better, but still, can someone please tell the writer that she needs to explain, seriously explain, how a child-killer (double murder) managed to get out of prison, team up with his mother and a gang of thugs and truck down his ex-wife? Was he released on a technicality? (!!!) and if yes, then why was she not notified? None of it is ever explained, the whole gang just suddenly pops up out of a box at the precise moment the writer desperately needs a climax. No reason, no explanation, nothing just the need to follow the formula (that demands a climactic scene of danger for hero and heroine) without any regard for plausibility or a reader's intelligence.
A horrifically bad book I hope to forget I ever read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
August 27, 2015So, this one started out fantastic! A damsel in distress, a growly wounded hero, amnesia, romantic suspense - sign me up!! The first 30% saw me flying through the story and then ....... the grief went on, and on, and on some more. I get they were grieving but I didn't need to read about it page after page. I was considering DNF'ing this so went and read a few reviews. Once I discovered that the abuser wasn't dealt with or mentioned again, as well as the other huge plot holes I decided to give up at 53%. I do not want to slog through a couple of hundred pages of grieve, rinse and repeat with no resolution to the whole point of the story. Such a shame as this could easily have been a 4-5 star read.
November 18, 2021
(audiobook+ebook) I didn’t have much expectations for this book. I knew there would be some military/para-military stuff, a touch of violence, a damsel in distress saved by an alpha male. It starts just like that, with Alex taking care of a wounded stranger, Kelsey, and then a bit of military-like action. But it’s just the first part of the story. There was a lot more.
A reflection on grief, first. After they save each other in a way, Kelsey and Alex find themselves in a similar situation, with Alex dealing with the loss of his wife and kid for several years already. He then can help Kelsey, since he understands how she feels. That was a strong cement for deeper emotions–yes, there was already a little attraction between them.
The domesticity was another compelling element. While living under the same roof, they establish a routine and become some sort of couple without even dating–neither of them is ready for a relationship at that point. But that doesn’t mean they don’t like each other a lot.
The romance, while not exactly hot, was still sexy, and I really liked the support they offer each other. Respect, affection, understanding, support, and intimacy: they had all the ingredients to make a good relationship. So, of course, the story doesn’t end here. But I won’t say more, you’ll have to read it. Just know that they’ll have to face more pain and heartache before they get their happily ever after.
The narration was good. I’d have liked it more in dual narration, since the male narrator’s voice didn’t always fit Kelsey’s emotions, but he’s a pro and does a wonderful job telling the story.
Quickie
- Series: In the company of snipers #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #military romance #instalove #grief
- Triggers: child death, torture, murder, violence, rape threat, domestic abuse
- Main couple: Kelsey Durrant & Alex Stewart
- Hotness: 2/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + how two broken people can find a way to heal together
- – I’d have loved to see more nuances in the villains, they were almost cartoon villains
A reflection on grief, first. After they save each other in a way, Kelsey and Alex find themselves in a similar situation, with Alex dealing with the loss of his wife and kid for several years already. He then can help Kelsey, since he understands how she feels. That was a strong cement for deeper emotions–yes, there was already a little attraction between them.
The domesticity was another compelling element. While living under the same roof, they establish a routine and become some sort of couple without even dating–neither of them is ready for a relationship at that point. But that doesn’t mean they don’t like each other a lot.
The romance, while not exactly hot, was still sexy, and I really liked the support they offer each other. Respect, affection, understanding, support, and intimacy: they had all the ingredients to make a good relationship. So, of course, the story doesn’t end here. But I won’t say more, you’ll have to read it. Just know that they’ll have to face more pain and heartache before they get their happily ever after.
The narration was good. I’d have liked it more in dual narration, since the male narrator’s voice didn’t always fit Kelsey’s emotions, but he’s a pro and does a wonderful job telling the story.
Quickie
- Series: In the company of snipers #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #military romance #instalove #grief
- Triggers: child death, torture, murder, violence, rape threat, domestic abuse
- Main couple: Kelsey Durrant & Alex Stewart
- Hotness: 2/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + how two broken people can find a way to heal together
- – I’d have loved to see more nuances in the villains, they were almost cartoon villains
February 9, 2014
Alex, by Irish Winters, is one of those books that rips your heart out, breaks it into pieces, duct tapes and super glues it back together, and then somehow puts it back looking better than it did to start with! What an angst filled, incredibly heart wrenching, beautifully written romantic drama about two people who have been damaged and scarred by life.
Alex is an ex-Marine sniper...what else is there to say, add the loss of his wife and daughter, running a covert ops team of ex-military informants and snipers (TEAM), enough anger to fuel a city, and you have one hot messed up Alpha male!
Kelsey is the victim of amnesia and physical abuse that leaves her on the brink of death at the door of Alex's cabin. Fleshing out her past, which I won't spoil, is more than worth the read but almost buries her under its weight.
The two of them finding healing together is the most beautiful part of the entire story. It's not fairy tale perfect, it's not sweet and sappy, it's real and raw. Mrs. Winters really connected with Alex and Kelsey, and with the reader, walking step by step through down the road of life after major loss, letting love restore their hope and encourage them to find a new joy for the future! I can’t wait to read about the other members of TEAM!
**free copy given in exchange for an honest review**
Alex is an ex-Marine sniper...what else is there to say, add the loss of his wife and daughter, running a covert ops team of ex-military informants and snipers (TEAM), enough anger to fuel a city, and you have one hot messed up Alpha male!
Kelsey is the victim of amnesia and physical abuse that leaves her on the brink of death at the door of Alex's cabin. Fleshing out her past, which I won't spoil, is more than worth the read but almost buries her under its weight.
The two of them finding healing together is the most beautiful part of the entire story. It's not fairy tale perfect, it's not sweet and sappy, it's real and raw. Mrs. Winters really connected with Alex and Kelsey, and with the reader, walking step by step through down the road of life after major loss, letting love restore their hope and encourage them to find a new joy for the future! I can’t wait to read about the other members of TEAM!
**free copy given in exchange for an honest review**
dnf
August 26, 2019DNF at 30%
I liked what I read till now, but truth be told, dealing not with one, but two MCs who've lost their children and are grieving, is not my idea of fun. And personally I read romance for fun.
I liked what I read till now, but truth be told, dealing not with one, but two MCs who've lost their children and are grieving, is not my idea of fun. And personally I read romance for fun.
October 20, 2016
Didn't really enjoy this one. Writing was okay, there were some editing issues but nothing major. Just really didn't like the story. Heavily tragic and disheartening, it was as if the violence was the heart of the story, not the characters or the budding romance. I have nothing against a hard, dark, gritty story, but the actions of of the husband were too much for me and I'm not sure I would ever recover from the events, or can even understand how the heroine could have let it get to that point when she obviously had outside support. I don't mean to diminish her situation or abuse victims at all, I just deeply struggle with the events that took place and the ones that didn't but should have. I don't find any of that entertaining, which is the reason I read fiction to begin with. There's not a lot I can't stomach, but one of the particular tragedies in this story is one I cannot. It was an ugly, evil, inconceivable and unrecoverable trauma I know I could never survive. Normally, I would give points to anything that would effect me so significantly, but this was just to hard to take. Add to the fluffy romance mixed in and it just didn't work for me.
January 8, 2018
If you are looking for light and fluffy you may want to look a little further. This author is new to me but I found this book on Amazon's freebie list so I gave it a shot. The book begins with Alex an ex marine who is taking a break at his cabin. He inherited the land from his dad and built a cabin on it and with his two inherited dogs, Whisper and Smoke, he sets out for some much needed R&R. Alex is all business these days after the death of his wife, Sara, and 6 year old daughter, Abbey, 4 years ago and now the disappearance of one of his top agents. He still deals with survivors guilt and focuses on helping others. He is an amazing H with so much love to give but first he had to meet the woman to heal that ice around his heart that held him back allowing him to receive as well as give.
Kelsey stumbles into the story disoriented and suffering heat exhaustion. She wakes up to 2 big dogs and a strange man standing over her. She remembers her name and the overwhelming urge to run but not much more than that. I loved the authors finesse in slowly taking her readers through all the emotion, anger and fear that went through both characters. It was very well done and at times choked me up to feel the characters pain and suffering. Slowly Kelsey learns she can trust Alex but most of her fear stemmed from an unknown source deep inside herself she could not explain.
There is this one scene where Alex offers to wash Kelsey hair and at the same time has inside intel on Kelsey's unknown past. He wants to help her remember and he uses his own story in the hopes to jog her memory. His vision of his late family and inner struggle that he was in Afghanistan while they were here in that fatal car accident. It was such a powerful thing to witness and then you see Kelsey who starts to gain part of her memory. She too is a mother but does not know much else. So it is then that Alex decides its time she learns all he knows. She is a wife to Nick Durrant her abusive husband and the mother of 2 boys, Jackie and Tommy. The bond grows even more firm between the two. I can't describe it to do it justice but it was innocent, simple and beautiful. But both know it is time to leave their hideaway and get back to civilization. The only way out is on foot.
***********************BEGINNING OF SPOILER**************************
Alex gets a call from his right arm man Murphy 2-3 miles away from the cabin and he knows whatever information Murphy has for him is not good. Kelsey's boys Jackie and Tommy were drowned at the hands of Nick (their father). The story and the suffering that it all leaves behind is beyond any words I can type.
*********************END OF SPOILER*************************
It is Kelsey's husband that beat her and sent her running in those woods that faithful day. Now the two are once again face to face with Nick. There is quite a bit of action and nail biting moments throughout this book and I have to be honest it was not one I was willing to read all at once. Winters does not hold back with the pain but when it was good it was very good. Halfway through the 2 heal and rebuild and that was fun because it gave the reader hope. Alex was not a manwhore or one of those guys who refuses to show his growing affection. I just adored him and the way he loved. Kelsey was amazing too the way she runs through natural hesitations but still fights for her happiness by letting courage give that extra push to move forward with what fate had given her.
Then the clouds move in again. You know there are things left unfinished but to what extent will the author take you? Well this cost her a star unfortunately because while I liked seeing them heal once I did not want to experience it just as bad a second time. I did not want these two beautiful people have more scars on the outside as I felt they had enough already on the inside. I started to wonder if she had something against happiness. I feel after the two came out of the attack we should have got to see them heal together. Heck by this time my heart hurt for them and in need for some much needed funny moments.
I wanted to see them married longer then to see them bury their past and that is the reason this book only got 4 stars. I wanted to give 5 but I wanted to feel more balance in my story and even at the end, while happy ending, I think could have used a dose of silliness and laughter. I feel even at the end their past was still overshadowing. I know something that traumatic would always linger but I felt it was thrown enough in the readers face and could have had more scenes of their new hope and future at this point in the story. Maybe we get to see more of them in later books in the series. They both had heavy burdens to lay down but I definitely think Alex's reappearing agent had that flash of silliness which could be interesting. Harley Mortimer has skeletons rattling in his closet too. Sounds like PTSD has send him into becoming and addict and while he is top of his game the country boy is clean I don't know where his story (book 4) would take us. Enjoy!
Kelsey stumbles into the story disoriented and suffering heat exhaustion. She wakes up to 2 big dogs and a strange man standing over her. She remembers her name and the overwhelming urge to run but not much more than that. I loved the authors finesse in slowly taking her readers through all the emotion, anger and fear that went through both characters. It was very well done and at times choked me up to feel the characters pain and suffering. Slowly Kelsey learns she can trust Alex but most of her fear stemmed from an unknown source deep inside herself she could not explain.
There is this one scene where Alex offers to wash Kelsey hair and at the same time has inside intel on Kelsey's unknown past. He wants to help her remember and he uses his own story in the hopes to jog her memory. His vision of his late family and inner struggle that he was in Afghanistan while they were here in that fatal car accident. It was such a powerful thing to witness and then you see Kelsey who starts to gain part of her memory. She too is a mother but does not know much else. So it is then that Alex decides its time she learns all he knows. She is a wife to Nick Durrant her abusive husband and the mother of 2 boys, Jackie and Tommy. The bond grows even more firm between the two. I can't describe it to do it justice but it was innocent, simple and beautiful. But both know it is time to leave their hideaway and get back to civilization. The only way out is on foot.
***********************BEGINNING OF SPOILER**************************
Alex gets a call from his right arm man Murphy 2-3 miles away from the cabin and he knows whatever information Murphy has for him is not good. Kelsey's boys Jackie and Tommy were drowned at the hands of Nick (their father). The story and the suffering that it all leaves behind is beyond any words I can type.
*********************END OF SPOILER*************************
It is Kelsey's husband that beat her and sent her running in those woods that faithful day. Now the two are once again face to face with Nick. There is quite a bit of action and nail biting moments throughout this book and I have to be honest it was not one I was willing to read all at once. Winters does not hold back with the pain but when it was good it was very good. Halfway through the 2 heal and rebuild and that was fun because it gave the reader hope. Alex was not a manwhore or one of those guys who refuses to show his growing affection. I just adored him and the way he loved. Kelsey was amazing too the way she runs through natural hesitations but still fights for her happiness by letting courage give that extra push to move forward with what fate had given her.
Then the clouds move in again. You know there are things left unfinished but to what extent will the author take you? Well this cost her a star unfortunately because while I liked seeing them heal once I did not want to experience it just as bad a second time. I did not want these two beautiful people have more scars on the outside as I felt they had enough already on the inside. I started to wonder if she had something against happiness. I feel after the two came out of the attack we should have got to see them heal together. Heck by this time my heart hurt for them and in need for some much needed funny moments.
I wanted to see them married longer then to see them bury their past and that is the reason this book only got 4 stars. I wanted to give 5 but I wanted to feel more balance in my story and even at the end, while happy ending, I think could have used a dose of silliness and laughter. I feel even at the end their past was still overshadowing. I know something that traumatic would always linger but I felt it was thrown enough in the readers face and could have had more scenes of their new hope and future at this point in the story. Maybe we get to see more of them in later books in the series. They both had heavy burdens to lay down but I definitely think Alex's reappearing agent had that flash of silliness which could be interesting. Harley Mortimer has skeletons rattling in his closet too. Sounds like PTSD has send him into becoming and addict and while he is top of his game the country boy is clean I don't know where his story (book 4) would take us. Enjoy!
May 14, 2025
My very first book by this author & I am absolutely “hooked”! I will only say that it was such an emotional story & my as much as I tried to hold them back, my tears just came! Beautiful & suspenseful story! A Must Read!!
February 18, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alex is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter four years ago. He decides to go on his annual trip to his cabin where he finds Kelsey. Kelsey’s half dead and can’t remember anything other than her name. She slowly starts to remember bits and pieces of her past, while Alex is on the lookout for her abusive husband. Alex has a good idea what happened to Kelsey and he’s determined to protect her. What happened to Kelsey? What happened to make Kelsey forget her past? Will Alex be able to overcome his unbearable grief? Will these two broken souls become whole again?
I was really excited to read this book. It’s my favorite genre. Military romance and romantic suspense all put together. Unfortunately, I was a tad disappointed. It was great up until about 30% in when the first big climax was resolved. Then it just seemed to fizzle, and I found myself skimming just to get through it. It seemed to go on and on about both Alex’s and Kelsey’s grief. After a certain point I just wanted to shout at them to get over it already. It did pick up again and we did get another climatic scene. However, after that we had about 20% of the book left that again lagged and was full of woe is me self-pity. Don’t get me wrong, I know everyone grieves at their own pace, I just prefer a shorter grieving period in my books. This book was well written, however, it seemed to take me forever to finish. So my final feelings, you’ll have to read and decide for yourself. I give it 3-Bombs.
Alex is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter four years ago. He decides to go on his annual trip to his cabin where he finds Kelsey. Kelsey’s half dead and can’t remember anything other than her name. She slowly starts to remember bits and pieces of her past, while Alex is on the lookout for her abusive husband. Alex has a good idea what happened to Kelsey and he’s determined to protect her. What happened to Kelsey? What happened to make Kelsey forget her past? Will Alex be able to overcome his unbearable grief? Will these two broken souls become whole again?
I was really excited to read this book. It’s my favorite genre. Military romance and romantic suspense all put together. Unfortunately, I was a tad disappointed. It was great up until about 30% in when the first big climax was resolved. Then it just seemed to fizzle, and I found myself skimming just to get through it. It seemed to go on and on about both Alex’s and Kelsey’s grief. After a certain point I just wanted to shout at them to get over it already. It did pick up again and we did get another climatic scene. However, after that we had about 20% of the book left that again lagged and was full of woe is me self-pity. Don’t get me wrong, I know everyone grieves at their own pace, I just prefer a shorter grieving period in my books. This book was well written, however, it seemed to take me forever to finish. So my final feelings, you’ll have to read and decide for yourself. I give it 3-Bombs.
February 19, 2014
A good start with different points of suspense and a pleasant ending that made this a pleasant read although a little disjointed at time.
The author starts her tale, with a fast pace, by introducing Kelsey in bad shape, on the verge of dying on Alex's steps. Her appearance and injuries raise questions and prompts the reader to turn the pages.
But then, the suspense ends quickly when Alex gets his hands on the one who messed up with Kelsey's face and body.
Then, the author gives a larger share of the narrative to the subject of mourning, reconstruction and the birth of feelings between the two heroes. To be franck, I struggled to keep my attention on the text during this part.
Perhaps because Kelsey is too weak, and at the same time not enough, to imagine herself be attracted to a man. Or simply because neither one of them, in my opinion,are ready to dive into a relationship.
However, when my attention seemed to run away, the author has managed to catch me up with a dynamic, violent twist full of suspense. I did not expect it and I liked to me taken aback by a plot.
A great ending due to Haley's presence. A character for whom I had great affection as he seems to have gone through hell.
Even if it's a bit uneven, this military romance has a great potential.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
The author starts her tale, with a fast pace, by introducing Kelsey in bad shape, on the verge of dying on Alex's steps. Her appearance and injuries raise questions and prompts the reader to turn the pages.
But then, the suspense ends quickly when Alex gets his hands on the one who messed up with Kelsey's face and body.
Then, the author gives a larger share of the narrative to the subject of mourning, reconstruction and the birth of feelings between the two heroes. To be franck, I struggled to keep my attention on the text during this part.
Perhaps because Kelsey is too weak, and at the same time not enough, to imagine herself be attracted to a man. Or simply because neither one of them, in my opinion,are ready to dive into a relationship.
However, when my attention seemed to run away, the author has managed to catch me up with a dynamic, violent twist full of suspense. I did not expect it and I liked to me taken aback by a plot.
A great ending due to Haley's presence. A character for whom I had great affection as he seems to have gone through hell.
Even if it's a bit uneven, this military romance has a great potential.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
July 20, 2014
What an unusual love story this was. Alex found Kelsey on the porch of his cabin in the woods, not knowing if she was dead or alive. Alex is an ex-Marine sniper who runs a covert ops team of other ex-military snipers and informants he calls The TEAM who was taking a fishing vacation at his cabin but found quite a surprise when he arrived. Kelsey survived but had been the victim of physical abuse and had amnesia. Both of them have heartbreaking pasts but find comfort with each other eventually.
I liked the way the love slowly grew for this couple and how some very heartfelt and touching moments where worked into this remarkably unique tale. The writing style is smooth and the story flows steadily forward. The characters were extremely well developed and were perfect for this story. I couldn't help but feel sorry for both Alex and Kelsey with the troubled lives they have lead. Alex's dogs, Whisper and Smoke, were great and really added to the emotional aspects of the story.
I liked the way the love slowly grew for this couple and how some very heartfelt and touching moments where worked into this remarkably unique tale. The writing style is smooth and the story flows steadily forward. The characters were extremely well developed and were perfect for this story. I couldn't help but feel sorry for both Alex and Kelsey with the troubled lives they have lead. Alex's dogs, Whisper and Smoke, were great and really added to the emotional aspects of the story.
January 30, 2014
Two broken souls find each other, and discover that they need each other to heal. Alex who has had horrible loss in his past is going to the woods to get away from everything and everyone. There he rescues Kelsey, who has been beaten and left for dead. Suffering from amnesia, Kelsey doesn't know how she ended up in such bad shape in the woods. Alex, using resources form his security company, helps Kelsey remember the horrific circumstances that had her lost in the woods. They find common ground in their losses, and find they need each other to survive. This is an awesome read, with rich full characters, beyond evil madmen, and 2 dogs that will steal your heart. This book made me sad, mad, and happy, a complete gamut of emotions. A definite 5 star read all the way.
May 5, 2018
The basic story was good, but it’s like the author kept adding more to make it more interesting, and that backfired.
Kelsey’s abuse by her husband lands her on Alex’s doorstep, literally. She has temporary amnesia, then remembers her horrible experience.
They each have losses to recover from, and help each other grieve, then love again.
At that juncture, the book goes haywire, with the now ex-husband’s return, multiple injuries for both of them, and a painful separation, none of it written well.
There are also threads throughout of God and religion which don’t belong, so that’s one less star in my rating. I was invested enough to read the rest, but lost interest in this book due to these two things I’ve mentioned.
Definitely, no more of this series.
Kelsey’s abuse by her husband lands her on Alex’s doorstep, literally. She has temporary amnesia, then remembers her horrible experience.
They each have losses to recover from, and help each other grieve, then love again.
At that juncture, the book goes haywire, with the now ex-husband’s return, multiple injuries for both of them, and a painful separation, none of it written well.
There are also threads throughout of God and religion which don’t belong, so that’s one less star in my rating. I was invested enough to read the rest, but lost interest in this book due to these two things I’ve mentioned.
Definitely, no more of this series.
March 20, 2020
*This review refers to the audio version*. I found this book on Audible because I loved two other books the narrator, Troy Duran, had read. I love romance with protective, alpha men and this story does not disappoint! Duran's narration adds so much depth and emotion as well; he is excellent...actually excellent doesn't begin to do him justice. Add in whatever superlatives you can think of, and then add more! Yes, there is a lot of grief and tragedy in this story, but at the core of it is two people who are struggling to overcome it together, and that's what I find most important, that bond, and the author handles the building of their relationship with a gentle hand, even with all the difficulties they face. Rest assured, I will be reading/listening to all the books in this series!
February 17, 2014
If you are looking for a sweet and sappy romance, this is not it. This book is very real, very emotional, and very raw. Alex and Kelsey are the epitome of real people that have been through real loss and very real life circumstances. I loved every single part of this book as it took me on one emotional rollercoaster to the next. These characters were so well written at times I felt like I was feeling the love, the loss, and the triumph right along with them. This is a must read in my book. I can't wait to read all The TEAM books!! This book is a 5 AMAZEBALLS stars for me!!
An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Tabitha
An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Tabitha
May 20, 2014
I'm writing this review through blurry vision. What a beautiful, wonderful romance. There's no need to be poetic or lengthy to describe how much I absolutely adored this story. I enjoyed reading about Kelsey's recovery from the trials of a difficult life, as much as I loved watching Alex move on from his past.
Alex is now my favorite book boyfriend of all time. His sweet, adorable gift is the most moving thing I have read in a while in a book. I can't wait to read the next books and look forward to more amazing snipers!
Alex is now my favorite book boyfriend of all time. His sweet, adorable gift is the most moving thing I have read in a while in a book. I can't wait to read the next books and look forward to more amazing snipers!
January 20, 2014
...Broken souls completing each other, love books like this so much. And what makes it even better is we're going to get Mark, Zack, Harley, Connor, Rory, Taylor, Gabe, Maverick, Cassidy and Adam's stories too ;)
July 27, 2014
3.75 I need some more details during sexy time stars!!!!!
This book was heavy on the domestic violence... I mean Kelsey's ex asshat was well an asshat! There were some twists and turns and I really liked it... The book sucked me in for sure! I only wish the sex was more detailed.. I felt like I was left hangin!!!!
This book was heavy on the domestic violence... I mean Kelsey's ex asshat was well an asshat! There were some twists and turns and I really liked it... The book sucked me in for sure! I only wish the sex was more detailed.. I felt like I was left hangin!!!!
February 21, 2014
This was a beautiful love story! Winters has an incredible ability to develop characters that jump off the pages and into your heart. The romance bloomed so tenderly, so naturally, that it felt like we were getting a rare glimpse into the very real and gripping events that, inevitably, led to a deep and meaningful relationship. Well done!
July 26, 2016
This book was good. A very sad domestic violence situation...that was just heartbreaking. Some of the phrases the characters said were a little out dated. The couple in the book was younger, but I felt the writing style was geared towards an older reader.
February 9, 2014
I loved the story between Alex and Kelsey. The book was enjoyable to read and even though Alex is a little rough at the beginning, you learn why. I will definitely buy the next book.
February 24, 2014
This is an awesome book and I fell in love with the all the people. I couldn't put this book down and didn't want it to end. It is a must read!!
May 31, 2014
I really enjoyed this story! Looking forward to reading other books in this series ;)
May 8, 2014
Between 3 1/2 and 4.
May 7, 2014
It was a gripping, emotional read with a happy ending.
June 2, 2014
Holy cow! Emotional roller coaster but so good!
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