Remember Always

Healing Hearts #24

by Ginny Sterling

Ian Selkirk was a flirt and the target of the team when it came to pranks. He loved a good joke as much as the next person, so when he received an emotional letter via email, he thought for sure this was just another trick… and laid on the charm!

June Peyton couldn’t believe the sweetness and sunny disposition of this unknown soldier who’d actually replied. When she’d been asked to write Ian by her friend, she assumed this was just another ploy by her family to introduce her to ‘ a respectable man ’… but now she wasn’t so sure.

The gifts, the handwritten songs, and the romantic poems were enough to make any woman swoon, much less a lonely widow picking herself up out of the gutter, step by step.

When the truth comes out… and it’s not some practical joke?

What happens next?


***
These standalone sweet, clean romances follow a team of soldiers that were once stationed in Afghanistan, bound by friendship. They can be read alone but if you read them together, their stories are so much richer.

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2023

About the author

Ginny Sterling is an avid romance writer. She lives to tell sweet, inspirational, tender tales that tug at the heart, leaving the reader smiling, laughing, or crying. Her book series include many titles such as FLYBOYS, Healing Hearts, Flirt’s Battalion, Reserve Ranch, Hotshots, and more.

Each book written is sure to be an adventure, bringing laughter and love to your heart!

https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling

Reviews

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this one! Ian is wild, outgoing and determined to scale the walls June has around her. He is such a sweetheart though for his ‘minx’🥰 I loved when he met her brother (no spoilers but Ginny is Queen of Crossovers 😉). June had a hard go of it being widowed young and Ian is the absolute best person to both draw her out & complete her❤️

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian Selkirk is a soldier first, but he is definitely a prankster. I guess when you live in an area a long way from home where your life is in danger daily, you have to learn to laugh to survive. He decides to join some of his other friends and get a pen pal. He definitely chooses a lady who is the complete opposite of him. Of course, he does not know this, and he comes at her hard through email. June Peyton is always serious. She has suffered enough heartbreak in her short life to last a lifetime, and she wears this heartbreak like a shield. She does not really know what to think of Ian. He works hard to break through those shields. They will learn more about each other through a few emails than most people learn on a ten dates.

This romance was just as sweet as the others in this series. These soldiers are a long way from home and need a taste of home. I loved the character of Ian. He was unafraid to show his feelings. He was a flirt and jokester, but he knew how to be serious as well. He also knew how to woo a woman. Wow!

If you enjoy a sweet, clean romance with some humor, you will love this book and this series.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this ever so swoony story from the talented Ginny Sterling. She writes characters that are big as life and their love journeys that are anything but smooth sailing. Ian is hilariously outspoken and brash but it’s hiding such a sweet heart and intense longing for love. He speaks his mind and flirts outrageously but it’s all for show. June is the best foil for his crazy, tempering him at the right times and teaching him to make his words count. She’s heard all the lines so he had to work harder to show sincerity. I loved how real and raw June was about her past pain. She was not going to fall for the first handsome guy to come along. The pen pal angle was so cute, both of them finding out more than they imagined from honest conversations. There was also plenty of swoony romance and I smiled so big at how hard and fast Ian fell for June. He just didn’t have a chance once he saw her, lol. And June got to see just how wonderful and kind Love could be when it’s really true. Definitely recommend this story to those who love second chance at love stories. It’s an absolute delight.

I received a complimentary ARC of this story from the author via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously sweet

A beautiful love story that will have you laughing and crying all at the same time. June wasn't looking for a pen pal and definitely wasn't looking for love because her heart was weary and raw. Betrayal leaving her with so much self doubt that she didn't even realize she was running away from what could be the best thing to ever happen in her life.

Ian Selkirk, at first his outrageous borderline inappropriate yet never truly crossing the line humor seemed to be too much. Yet, a chance (albeit mistaken opportunity) pen pal who tries to shut hi!.down before he even gets started brings out the innocent and protective side of Ian that you can't help but love.

Ginny Sterling is a masterful storyteller and I adore how she has woven the Healing Hearts and Flyboys series into one enormous ever growing family. I look forward to every new book and the characters that feel like family as soon as their story begins.

[Valri Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Selkirk was definitely a huge flirt and decided that his pen pal, June, was going to be someone he was going to be interested in! His banter with her confused her at first because she was the complete opposite of him! First, she was a widow, having lost her husband to a drug overdose, and second, she had a temperament that was not used to flirting! Personally, Ian, wasn't my kind of guy so I completely understood where June was coming from! I know June ultimately fell in love with him and he treated her kindly and lovingly, but Ian just wasn't for me! He was too "raucous", I guess the word is! I was glad he treated June well in the end since she'd had a horrible first marriage but I, personally, didn't like his behavior.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, contemporary military romance

Romance, sweet, contemporary, military; series but stand alone read; some adult closed door scenes
Ian and June’s story was another pen pal romance, that started out as friendship, but became something more. Ian, sassy, smart mouthed and happy, gets June who is struggling after her husband’s drug overdose and death, still paying off expenses he incurred and for his funeral.
Ian’s joking, puts off June at first, and then she gets to know the real man behind the jokes.
Sweet, caring, planning, and fun, Ian wins over June with his devotion and dedication.
Lovely fall.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian is flirty and over the top with his innuendos. June is a widow trying to make her way in life. When they become pen pals, June is no nonsense, and Ian likes to poke fun at her. After all you have to keep a sense of humor when you are serving in the military in a war zone. When he surprises her with a visit she is shocked and does not know how to act. It's not long before he charms her. This unlikely couple jumps into their relationship, and nothing can stop them,except he has to return and fulfill his time left in the military. Ian is so sweet.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet story in this wonderful series by Ginny Sterling.
June is a widow who is a real estate agent, but “broke as dirt” due to her husband’s drug habit.
Ian Selkirk is in the Army in Afghanistan and e-mails June out of the blue. He thinks it’s a prank by one of his buddies and she thinks her family is behind it.
She doesn’t feel worthy of his attention and he’s never backed down from a challenge.
*I received this as an ATC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book! Ian is a fun loving soldier who is determined to make his pen pal smile. June is a realtor who was widowed at a young age and is buried in her grief and guilt. Ian’s joking behavior will give you plenty of laughs and will be sure to bring a smile to your face.

You will adore the epilogue in this story.

This is a dual pov, closed door romance. It is in a series but can easily be read as a stand alone book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is one of my favorites by this author. There is so much love in this book. June is trying to get over a tragedy and Ian being her pen pal is determined to make that happen. He has a lot of romance in his soul, and he had a surprise I never saw coming. Great job on this book Ginny. HEA.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joking aside

The man of jokes and amusement finds his pen pal the challenge he needs. Her life has been tough and she wasn't ready for any relationship but her pen pal had a way that seems to be breaking barriers. See what's happening with the squad and see who is related, and who might be around. Great read!

[Debbie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Healing Hearts series!

I really enjoyed reading Remember Always. It was funny and romantic. Ian Selkirk definitely didn’t have a filter on his mouth, but he was so gentle and caring to June. I loved their banter back and forth. Awww, the stuff dreams are made of. Loved this book!

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's a lot of TOO

OHMYGOODNESS! Ian certainly pushes all non crass buttons! Racey guy! And June, as in Cleaver, quite the opposite! I am seriously enjoying this series. Each book could be read as a standalone but I am super glad I'm binge reading THE ENTIRE SERIES, in order! Highly recommend!

[Sharon Stellburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ain't Love Grand!

What a sweet, funny, loving, adorable story. The characters are the best. The love is pure and with a great touch of military humor in a sprited way. So recommend reading this one more than once.

[Stephanie P. Kindervater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

When I think that the last book was the best, Ginny Sterling brings her A game to the next book! If you're looking for entertaining characters, interesting storylines, a bit drama and sweet romance then this book is for you.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh WoW

Loved this story. Ian is the kind of man every woman wants to find. A wildly funny guy who keeps you laughing constantly while loving you with his whole heart. I love this authors way of telling a great story.

[Nancy Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!

This is one remarkable story I just laugh all the way through it, This is a fantastic read. It is a page turner too.

[Joyce Vasilev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Wonderful Healing Hearts Book

I do love these brash funny guys! I always nice to see Captain Logan appear and the tie in to Paradox and Flyboys was great too.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet take on love after grief and overcoming widowhood, i also thought the way drug abuse was talked about very sensible.

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Remember Always

I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves military romance novels. She is an amazing writer!

[Kathy Winchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember Always

Beautiful!! I don’t have any more words…that one word totally sums up this story up, saying everything that needs said!

[Sharon K. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

love story

Love this story glad you didn’t end at the wedding. Love is more than just beginning when you young and just trying to get to know Each other

[ELK Kissling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their flirty banter is so good. I love Ian like a force comes into June’s life.

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Ian & June's feisty, sweet, caring, loving, funny, swoony story!!!!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this one! Ian the prankster gets caught in his own prank. I love that how sweet and open he becomes with June. One of the best in the series!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classy and Sassy

I love how classy June was! I loved her pin up retro look and I loved Ian’s reaction to it! Ian wore June down little by little through crazy gifts, adorable dogs (now I want one), and huge gestures. I loved June’s sass and that she could hold her own with Ian. Great story! For sure I will be re-reading this one in the future!
Rating: PG, no sex, just some kissing, has a little more innuendo than other books in this series but still is mild, FMC is a widow and is still dealing with the emotional trauma his death caused. Somewhat heart wrenching but the story is filled with hope, healing, and HEA.