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My one night stand is back in town.

I thought Elias was the one.
After only one night in his arms, he captured my heart.
Promises were made.
But none were kept.
Because my broody, military hero disappeared.

Five years later, I’ve moved on.
At least that’s what I tell myself when Elias shows up again.

He’s not the same man.
He’s scarred, withdrawn and stalks me from afar.
I want to hate him,
But his effect on me is the same.

I shouldn’t want him.
I definitely shouldn’t give him a second chance.
But these two pink lines prove I never stood a chance at resisting him.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2024

421 people are currently reading
257 people want to read

About the author

Hope Ford

288 books2,226 followers

Bestselling short romance author Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances.  She loves writing about ALPHA MEN that fall in love with CURVY WOMEN.  She has over 70 books and they are all available on Amazon.


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5 stars
709 (56%)
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332 (26%)
3 stars
167 (13%)
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38 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
Profile Image for Van.
799 reviews35 followers
May 25, 2024
More like 3.5
Very safe , good sex scenes and more than I thought but not very romantic, the other books in the series are quite better
A little angst and hesitation from Hero
She is strong, independent and smart!
Profile Image for Lisbeth .
5,818 reviews
June 7, 2024
Lectura rápida y también perdí rápidamente el interés en el camino.
2,996 reviews43 followers
May 24, 2024
This book is part of the Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes series and the main characters are Elias Majors and Chloe, who both live in Whiskey Run. Chloe works as a fitness instructor at the local gym, Work It Out, whilst Elias works for Walker as private security, having previously been in the military. Elias has been watching her for weeks, even paying for for drink and food, but never approaches her or speaks to her. That is until the night two men approach Chloe and her friend Cassie, and their approach is clearly unwanted. Their drunken antics turn into a fight and see Cassie knocked to the ground and Elias rushes over to check they are okay. The police arrive and the officer persuades Cassie to let him take her home to make sure she is okay, leaving Elias the chance to take Chloe home and finally talk to her. They end up at the house she recently inherited from her late grandmother, and have a steamy night, with him promising to return to be with her after the mission he is going on the next day, and that he wants a future with her, not just one night. A promise he clearly doesn’t keep!

It is five long years before she finds out he is back in town and he has started following her again, but always with a hoodie on his head and covering his face from her. She heard he had been hurt on one of his missions and has scars he is clearly hiding from others. He is staying at the rehab center for veterans in town and has to partake in therapy as part of his job description with Walker, but he hasn’t said a word to the therapist. Chloe has never forgotten about him and has only just tried out going on a date, with Elias sitting in the back of the place, watching her as usual, whilst she tries and fails to concentrate on the date in front of her. When Elias leaves out the back door, she gets up and follows him, wanting to get him to explain why he never came back to her, but he won’t even turn round and face her, never mind say a word! Elias was badly injured on that mission five years ago and it took him a long time to recover, but he was never able to do what he could before and struggles to find a job. Fortunately, Walker took him back in and changed his role to one where he was their IT support, something he could do away from the action most of the time. But another mission two years ago, saw the whole of his unit get injured and one of them killed, with none of them being the same since.

He doesn’t feel he is good enough for Chloe any more, being badly scarred all over and feeling he is not the man he was when they first met. He hasn’t given her any sort of choice in the matter and he is amazed that she forgives him for all the hurt he did to her. They end up in bed, but he refuses to remove his clothing or have the light on because of his scars, and his refusal to look at her makes her decide she doesn’t want to be hurt again and tells him they can have fun together, but with no promises this time. She is glad he comes back this time, but she has no expectations from him now and he doesn’t know how to process that. An emotional story of a wounded hero not believing he was worthy of the woman he loved after injuries obtained whilst saving others, and being unable to find work he could do afterwards. The woman he left with so many promises had never forgotten him, but was ready to move on with her life finally, only for him to return, but still keep her at arms length. Both have to battle their doubts to be together, but it all works out with a HEA ending. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Melly Gem.
326 reviews8 followers
June 6, 2024
This was probably the worst in the series. It's like the author couldn't care less and wrote this in a day and was done with it.

The relationship between Elias and Chloe was so stale.
All they did was have sex and then pretend they couldn't be together.

The MMC was weird he stalked her, and she knew it, and then within 20 minutes of finally talking, she is jumping him (oh and she is a virgin ofcourse) He leaves for 5 years and starts stalking her again when he finally returns.
They finally talk, and what do you know? After 2 sentences, she jumps him again, and of course, no protection is used..

The guy has a ridiculous amount of mental and physical trauma that is barely addressed. I got nothing from Chloe caring about his truama and helping him through she just wanted to have sex with him.

Another ridiculous scenario by this author is that the FMC is a virgin, but the guy takes her several times the first night, and she isn't even sore in the morning WTF. She waits 5 years and doesn't have sex with anyone else, and again, it is perfectly fine the next round. Sorry, but no, she is basically a virgin again by that point.
Make👏things👏realistic.
And of course, with this author, birth control is non-existent, so boom, baby. And everyone is shocked.. please 😒
Because there must be something in the water im whiskey run because every female seems to get pregnant after the first or second round. How some of them didn't have kids before their end game, and I have no idea.

Found this one boring and basically a fan fic. With no depth or character/relationship development.

Would have been better to focus on Elias' recovery and how Chloe could help. She is a personal trainer, and there was no interaction in that space. It could have been a nice growth development for her to help him with rehab or something.

We went from stalking - sex - to a baby - to everything is all good.

This author took on a series about veterans trying to piece together their lives post a terrible mission but completely glazes over the truama and rehab side of the stories.
Would have been a better series if there was a focus on the different injuries and different recovery routes and how the females worked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shivani.
7 reviews
June 7, 2024
Sorry, I just didn’t like this book, I skipped to the end because I didn’t like Chloe or Elias, which sucked because I really was excited about this book. I couldn’t get into it at all!

Why would any woman accept basically the crumbs that a man throws at you? He’s supposedly a “Hero” but I don’t know that you really see it.

I think she was just desperate and clung to the guy she gave her virginity. And he just wasn’t likeable, in my opinion. I guess maybe I hate seeing a woman have to fight for someone that doesn’t, in my personal opinion, fight just as hard for her.

I’m obviously in the minority so I hope you enjoy the book! ☺️
Profile Image for Lexi.
1,004 reviews
May 27, 2024
This was okay. The MMC was frustrating -- stalking her but doesn't say I love you back? I mean, wtf was that? The whole novella was frustrating, actually. There was instalove, but in the prologue, so in the present day they've been in love with each other for five years and haven't spoken to each other in that time, and neither of them seems enthusiastic to really give in and relax and be together. I think, like a lot of the books in this series, that this might've been better handled in a longer format where they had time to work through some shit -- the accidental pregnancy that solves all their problems was abrupt and never the preferred path for me.

Also, cute but impractical to buy someone an engagement ring within 24hrs of first talking to her. Like it's sweet but also maybe she has a preference for a piece of jewelry she'll be wearing for the rest of her life?
1,509 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2024
Elias had watched her from afar. He asked about Chloe to everyone in town. Since he was leaving the next day on a mission he didn't want to start seeing her knowing he had to leave. Chloe's friend found herself on the floor, Elias went up to help them. Her friend was ok and Chloe and Elias started talking. Chloe took the bull by the horns and invited him back to her place. He explained why he stayed away and never came closer. She mentioned that they should get together for the night. He promised he'd be there for her and would come back to Whiskey falls for her.
Years passed and he was back in town watching her again but this time he was scarred and injured and didn't think she would ever want to see him. He thought he was less of a man a d she deserved unbroken one. He goes to a therapist weekly and finally opened up that he was in love with Chloe and had been since the first day he met her. Therapist suggested he talk to her and explain what he was feeling and let Chloe decide what's best for her.
Chloe was very heart broken when Elias left the next day and never called or anything she thought they had something special.. Elias tried many times to talk to her, he always stayed in the shadows covered up. He felt like a monster since coming back. Until one day he finally talked to her and explained how he felt. She explained she didn't know alk those years if something horrible had happened. They did reconnect and things were going good. Spending more time with each other and he also told her he had to go on another mission but this time he will call her all the time and come back.
He did just that and promised himself to be more open. His scarred body held him back. Even though she said he loved him for him not his scars. She did just that shower him all the time she loved the man he is. Then she found out she was pregnant and was afraid to tell him for fear he really didn't want her. He talked to one of his friends and knew what he had to do. Going to her house to heat the news from her and confess his love and wats to get married. She made him want to be a better man.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Olivia (to infinity & books).
203 reviews8 followers
September 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5/5 stars.

I wanted to finish this much sooner but this month has been a whirlwind of emotions for me and I did take a week off from reading to recooperate. Now that I’m back I’m relieved to finally have this one in the bag.

This series has been a lot of ups and downs for me, I wasn’t a huge fanatic of the first two books in the series but I did like book three. Now though with this book? I’d say I’m a little confused with how to rate it. I thought it was fine but very safe like books one and two, but I didn’t find it boring and did enjoy it slightly more than the first two books but not more than book three 🥴.

I found myself liking Elias’s character more than I did Chloe’s. That’s how I felt about the previous heroines in the earlier books (apart from book 3) which was they were very two dimensional whilst the hero’s to me were more fleshed out. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I didn’t dislike Chloe though, she was simply ok but that’s about it.

I will say though that I think this book has had the most spicy scenes to date?? I found myself counting more than with the previous instalments, so there’s that! 🤗🤭. This being said it’s still not overly spicy at the same time, I’d say it was pretty well balanced.

As for the story, again it was simple but easy to read and just like the other books, it’s very much a palette cleanser type of story. That’s the thing I like the most about these books. They’re simple, quick and easy to get through for if you’re struggling to keep up with your reading challenge 👍🏻. However I did find myself skimming towards the end of this one and it was feeling like a rush to wrap things up 🫣.

This is my 9th time now reading from Hope Ford and despite the ups and downs I can have with her books, she’s very handy for me overall and I’m definitely use to her writing style now 👍🏻😊. I’d still recommend her to those who are in need for those swoon worthy short books to pass the time with 🫡.

I will be finishing this series with checking out book five, and who knows maybe this will be my favourite out of the bunch 😄.?!

•tropes/genres•
🏘small town
💛one night stand
🙏🏻second chance
😔scarred hero
🍒virgin heroine
🌶spicy (2/5)
👟gym trainer fmc
🥰age-gap (10 years)
😍instant attraction/love
👥miscommunication
📖21 chpts & epilogue
🗣dual pov
✨HEA guarantee
Profile Image for Rainbowlovesbooks.
695 reviews6 followers
May 23, 2024
Hope Ford hits it out the park with this brilliantly written standalone within a series. Elias and Chloe have a one night stand, as Elias is going on a mission the next day. She gives her virginity to him, and he promises he'll keep in touch and look her up when he comes back.
5years later and Elias is back in Whiskey run, but he's not kept his promises and rather than confronting Chloe he's watching from afar. She's waited for him, and never stopped loving him after that night.
Things come to a head one night, and truths are spilled. While Chloe is hurt from Elias actions, she's understanding of his reasoning despite the hurt she feels.
A non committal relationship is agreed upon to protect her heart, but how long can emotions be kept aside as they become closer together.
If you enjoy spice, age gap romance, pure love, dual pov writing, ex military romance, standalone within a series, interlinking characters (from across several books, Natalie and Beau from forever mine get a special shout out being the gym owner Chloe works at), surprise pregnancy, close proximity, instalove, instaromance, HEAs.

Also special shout out to Kat Baxters Awaken my heart getting mentioned (another brilliant book highly recommend it).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle Frater.
1,684 reviews19 followers
May 20, 2024
He promised her he’d come back. He promised her she meant more to him than a one-night stand. But five years later, it’s only by chance that Chloe learns Elias is back and suddenly he’s everywhere, stalking her from a distance. You know this is a second chance romance, but, boy did I want her to let him suffer for at least a little longer. Of course, Elias is grappling with a few of his own issues and insecurities, so I did give him a bit of a pass. However, he hurt Chloe and his continuing distance was doing more of the same. Why do men think women are so shallow that scars will immediately turn them off? Okay, some women may be like that, but you’d have to be blind not to know Chloe was deeper than that. There was nothing sadder than when Elias realized Chloe really did see HIM and not his scars. It just made me want to cry. Yet even after they had gotten over his injuries and Chloe had said those three little words, Elias continued to hold back. How would he react to Chloe’s unexpected surprise?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amber.
747 reviews
May 22, 2024
I tend not to like second chance stories because sometimes they just have so much feels! And this story was no exception. Yes it was kinda frustrating that Elias was gone for 5 years and then when he was back he was just stalking Chloe and not making a move, but I love how the story unfolded and how Chloe slowly pulled him out of his shell, how right they were for each other at the right time. Some of the parts were just so sweet, such as the photo of her, the ring... I liked that the characters had their flaws - Chloe was always trying to be strong but at times really needed her wonderful friends; Elias came back from his absence literally scarred all over.

This is a short-ish story but I felt that everything was well developed and I liked that it didn't take up an entire day to get through. It did require a few tissues to get through though, not gonna lie!!

This was the first in the series for me and it won't be the last! I need to read all about these Wounded Heroes now!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,592 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2024
This is book number 4 of the Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes series and focuses on Elias and Chloe. Elias and Chloe had one perfect night together 5 years prior where they both fell hard for each other. Promises were made, but unfortunately not upheld right away. Right after their night together, Elias’ world gets turned upside down and it takes him a while to get back to himself. He’s not the same man that left for that initial mission 5 years prior and he doesn’t feel like he deserves Chloe or that he’s good enough for her now. When he comes back to town, he can’t stay away but also won’t go after Chloe right away. It takes them a bit of time and a nice little shove from fate for them to finally open up all the way and allow the other in. In doing so, they finally started healing parts of themselves that had broken over the last 5 years apart. This was a great story and a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,534 reviews62 followers
May 31, 2024
Scarred Promises is Book 4 of Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes. It's a short and steamy, instalove, grumpy-sunshine girl gets her first love, age-gap, stalker-lite, second-chance romance. Chloe is a sweet, 27 year old fitness instructor. Elias is a hunky, grumpy, 37 year old scarred ex-military man. Five years ago, he fell in love with Chloe, and he took her virginity the day before leaving on a mission. He promised to return but ghosted her when he was seriously injured. Now he is back but has never reached out to Chloe yet follows her around. He still loves her but thinks he is too damaged now. Will they get a second chance? Can Chloe forgive him and show him the scars don't matter? Can she convince him that he is worthy of her love? Can Elias show her he is all in and not leaving again? OMG, the chemistry between these two was smoldering. There was so much angst that it broke my heart, but thankfully, we get a very happy ending after the roller-coaster ride. I loved it!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,650 reviews120 followers
May 20, 2024
Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Elias and Chloe
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Length- Prologue, 21 chapters, epilogue
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋. Might have been more, but the word “manhood” was used. What is this, 1986? However, they also use the female P word and the male C word, so obviously the author is not afraid of those. Why use “manhood”?
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- PTSD, Zex
Tropes- One Night Stand, Second Chance, Former Military, Virgin Heroine, Surprise Pregnancy.
Mewsings
What I liked- I like the Wounded Heroes series. It’s great to see courageous heroes get their HEA. I felt for Elias because he is dealing with what is likely a case of PTSD. Despite Chloe’s being an exercise instructor and therefore a demon from heck, I liked her.
What I didn’t- I already discussed that under the subheading “heat”.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.5k reviews49 followers
June 6, 2024
Promises made and kept...even if they have to battle for it

Scarred Promises is the fourth book in the Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes. I love Hope Ford's books and I love this series, which includes this latest addition. The story is a second chance, obsessed man and woman who is fighting her feelings romance. It is about Chloe and Elias. He fell hard for her when he first saw her. They had one amazing and life altering night together. But he is a soldier and he had to leave for a mission, without telling her that is. Now it is five years later and Elias is back in town. Chloe has "recovered" from what she thought would be her future but when she sees Elias again feelings start to come back up, even as she battles them back down. Elias has changed though, physically that is. He thinks he cannot have Chloe but he still wants her and loves her. So you can guess the rest.....and it ends with a satisfying HEA.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,177 reviews68 followers
May 25, 2024
This was quite the emotional second chance romance for Elias and Chloe. They connected so strongly and had what should have been an awesome night to start their life off. But Elias has to go on a mission and basically disappears for five long years. Chloe wants to move on but she's stuck on him. Imagine her hurt when she realizes he's back, by fluke, and then sees him pseudo stalking her but not ever talking to her.... What follows is more proof of their connection as she tries to show him his physical wounds don't change who he is to her heart. He crushes her again but doesn't want to be friend-zoned ;P This gives him the impetus to trust her feelings for him and let his fully loose on her. I was thrilled they found their way to an HEA but it sure was hard won. Such a touching read :D
Profile Image for Aspen G.
1,679 reviews5 followers
May 28, 2024
Scarred Promises is heartbreaking, intense, emotional, riveting, and beautifully REAL! I love Elias and Chloe’s story. Each of them is so complex, their connection so strong, their personalities and chemistry boldly yet gracefully built. This small town second chance romance has all the feels and then some. Author Hope Ford has woven another sweet love story that keeps the pages turning, the emotions flowing, and the swooning front and center. I found myself rooting for these two from start to finish, loving how they handle their roadblocks, and thoroughly enjoying how their friends support each of them as they navigate their own self-imposed walls to finding themselves and their way back to each other. Loved it, and will definitely read it again!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,034 reviews28 followers
October 22, 2024
When it comes to this series you can read them all separately but at the end of each one you have an idea who the next book is about. I knew at the end of the last one that Elias’s book would be next and I couldn’t wait! Elias meets Chloe and they have a one nightstand. He leaves on a mission and doesn’t come back for 5 years. When he does he is super closed off to everyone but his buddies and Chloe just wants answers. I got super annoyed with Elias. Here he has this woman who wants him for him and doesn’t care about the scars he has and this man is so standoffish and doesn’t want her to see him. He was so self conscious and kept saying how he couldn’t do anything with her. Since these books are so short it’s like a flip of a switch and he’s okay getting naked 🤣 I thought Elias would be my favorite but honestly he annoyed me 🙈 It read super fast and I did enjoy the story.
324 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2024
Lost time because of wrong perceptions.
Love is too valuable and so rare to find and keep.
It's a sin to ignore it
and try to go on.
You don't really live, you just exist.

With scars deeper than what the eye catches
Elias let them cloud his judgement
and deprive himself from love and life.
His love is palpable
when he says "She's the one".
We can FEEL what he means.

Cloe is desperate for him
but he thought of her as a shallow person
who will run away because of the scars.
Can she get over the fact that he didn't give them a chance?

A sweet story who warmed my heart!
Ohhh, and when they make love....
I loved his mantra...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,191 reviews90 followers
May 23, 2024
Chloe (h), a no-nonsense gym trainer, and Elias (H), a military hero scarred both physically and emotionally, shared a brief, intense fling five years before, which left a big impression on both of them. When Elias comes back to town, carrying the weight of his past, it reignites old flames and unresolved issues. Elias's struggle with his war-induced traumas and his fear of unworthiness is balanced by Chloe's unwavering strength and compassion. Things heat up between the two as they reconnect with one another, and their relationship evolves from confrontation and hurt to understanding and mutual support, especially when Chloe realizes she's pregnant. Hot and steamy second chance, military romance with plenty of feels, angst, personal growth, and struggles.
Profile Image for Sarah Nielsen.
4,186 reviews20 followers
May 24, 2024
This was a phenomenal wounded hero romance. It was so well written and I really felt connected to the characters right away. Elias and Chloe had a connection from their first night together but life threw them a big curveball and 5 years passed. I loved that they both in some way carried the memory of their night together with them through their time apart. The bond they shared was still there and they got such a fantastic HEA. I just love the way Hope Ford writes and especially her wounded heroes and in this book she just made me love her even more by mentioning another of my favorite authors and give Kat Baxter’s “Awaken My Heart” some love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,144 reviews26 followers
May 24, 2024
I loved Scarred Promises Book 4 of Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes. Elias had big plans for him and Chloe but it’s been five years. After he was wounded he didn’t think she should have to deal with him. He didn’t give Chloe the chance to choose him. Chloe never heard from him but she knows he’s back and scarred, she doesn’t care. She just wants him and she’s going to convince him. This is the last time, her heart can’t take anymore back and forth. It’s forever or nothing and now there’s a surprise. I loved the storyline and the characters. A few tears and lots of love. I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,134 reviews52 followers
May 24, 2024
Elias doesn't dare hope for more

It was an amazing night, but then Elias's world blew up. Chloe has waited five years for answers, she has brooded, she's angry, hurt and crushed...but she never expected the answers Elias finally gives, and her heart breaks all over again. He is too scared to hope for more, she is too scared to trust again, but they belong together and your heart aches for them as they try to navigate his PTSD, her hurt, his walls and her fears. It's a long and bumpy road, with many pot-holes, no entry signs and one way streets, but thankfully they finally find their way through and open their hearts to forever.
An emotional and heart breaking read with a very dinted hero who just needs reminding, he is still worthy of love. I read this on Kindle Unlimited
6,129 reviews17 followers
May 28, 2024
I loved this wounded hero story and the whole series!!! It is the fourth story in the "Wounded Heroes" series that takes us back to the small town of Whiskey Run. The series is about wounded heroes that have come to the town at Walker's encouragement. It is a stand alone read with connected characters. This story is about Elias and Chloe. It is a wonderful story that really pulls on those heart strings. This one is a touch different because the characters met five years earlier and had a wonderful night together full of promises for more. He he was wounded on his last mission, returned but did not let her know. This is such a touching read with a touch of caring stalking! I love the characters and how their story develops.
2,428 reviews15 followers
June 6, 2024
Book 4 of Hope Ford's fabulous Whiskey Men: Wounded Heroes series is Scarred Promises, Elias and Chloe's story. A beautiful second chance romance, Elias and Chloe spend one steamy promise-filled night together - then a mission takes the veteran away. Five years later he returns to Whiskey Run, scarred both physically and emotionally. Chloe has never been able to forget the man who holds her heart, but what Elias has endured has him keeping her at arm's length while not being able to let her out of his sight. Can she find her way through the walls he's put up or will they only ever be a beautiful memory? Swoony and steamy, Scarred Promises is another tenderly written, steamy and heart-felt romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
498 reviews
May 19, 2024
Elias and Chloe both know they are meant for one another. Yet fate is determined to intervene when his mission goes badly, and it takes years for him to return to Whiskey Run and to her as he promised.  He is a different person than he was before, scared and damaged, and she is reluctant to trust him with her heart.

This book and all of the Wounded Heroes books are fantastic.  This one, though, is one of my favorites.  The story is well written, emotional, and realistic. If you haven't read this series, I recommend it and any of the Whiskey Run Series. They are all interconnected and awesome.

ARC was provided by Booksprout, and this is my honest review. 
874 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2024
“ It’s not until he’s gone that I realize his promises are nothing but lies.”

Chloe and Elias have a magical night, then he leaves on a mission. For five years, Chloe doesn’t see or hear from Elias. Once he returns, he is not the same man, he’s scarred mentally and physically from the missions he was on. He believes she deserves better than him, but Chloe’s heart tells her otherwise. Can she forgive him for abandoning her? Can he overcome all that he went through and give her the love he deserves?

“You’re mine… while we’re doing this, Chloe, and I don’t share. No one touches you but me.”.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,677 reviews32 followers
May 20, 2024
This was a beautiful story about a scarred military man, Elias and the love of his life, Chloe.

I really valued the moving sentiments in this book. It was such a moving story and I couldn't help feeling the absolute anguish Elias held over his appearance. But I also enjoyed the slow coming into himself and letting go of the pain of it.

I also adored the way that Elias was with Chloe. Almost stalker is but not in a creepy way. Their connection was very real and I was glad to see the passion was still there.

So well done, it really was an amazing story. Highly recommended!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Petra.
1,484 reviews
May 23, 2024
A one night stand turns out to be so much more. It takes five years for them to realize this. Five years after their first sexy night and neither of them has forgotten it. Meanwhile Elias has been injured during his missions and hates the scars left behind. He thinks he's ugly, but that's just the outside. He's still the only person for Chloe. She sees beyond the scars and knows that he is still a beautiful person inside.

I really enjoyed this sweet story about Elias and Chloe.

Elias: “……, but here I am, living life and proving that love, true love, can do amazing things.”.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,990 reviews27 followers
May 25, 2024
Chloe thought Elias was the one, he made promises that he did not keep but five years later he is back. Elias was injured shortly after he left and it sometime before he was able to get better. Chloe is not ready to fall into his arms, left her and stayed away for a long time. The chemistry is still there but Chloe is not ready to give him the power over her again.

Elias does not think he is good enough for Chloe anymore, he is left scarred, not just on his body. This is an emotional journey for both characters. Their friends help them get their act together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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