Someone to Watch Over Me: A Wild Widows Novel

Wild Widows #4

by Marie Force

I come home to find him passed out on the floor…

Lexi

Almost three years after losing my husband, Jim, to ALS, I’ve started to emerge from the fog of widowhood, thanks in large part to my sexy roommate—and former high school crush—Tom Hammett. When he offered me a suite in his spacious home, he got me out of my parents’ basement where I’d lived with Jim during his illness and since his death. But now Tom is experiencing a health crisis, and I’m not sure I have it in me to go down that road again, even if I suspect I might be falling in love with him. I have to decide if I can risk losing my fragile heart to another man with a potentially life-threatening health condition.

Tom

My heart attack is the worst possible thing that could’ve happened, especially since Lexi was the one to find me in distress. She’s come so far in the nine months we’ve lived together, and I’ve felt us inching toward something deeper lately. After losing my dad to a widow-maker heart attack when I was a teenager, I hate that I’m inflicting similar trauma on Lexi and my sisters. I’m determined to do everything in my power to return to full health so I can be the partner Lexi needs and deserves. Little does she know that I too had a massive crush on her in high school, but she was too young for me then. Now, she’s perfect for me, and I want to be perfect for her, too.

Come along as Lexi’s Wild Widow chapter two story with Tom unfolds along with updates on some of our other favorite characters. We’ll also meet two new widows in need of the special love and support only the Wild Widows can provide.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Grief

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2024

About the author

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.

Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Reviews

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Star Review Someone To Watch Over Me (Wild Widows #4) by Marie Force

Audio Review:

The Wild Widows series is especially uplifting because it takes people from tragedy to happiness.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:

After the emotional read of the first few books in the series I was looking forward to listening to Someone To Watch Over Me and it although not my favourite it was a good addition. not

This is Lexi and Tom’s emotional roller coaster of a read and one I couldn’t put down once I started. Their journey was a rocky one, full of ups and downs.

My emotions were all over the place whilst reading; there were times that I laughed and times that I was moved to tears.

The narration by Jill Redfield and Sean Masters brought all the passion and drama of the story to life for me and I am so glad that Ms. Force has decided to use a male narrator as well for this series.

[KK · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! This addition to the Wild Widows series focuses on Tom and Lexi, two people who’ve been friends and even roommates. You’ll revisit others from the WW group but it’s Tom and Lexi who you’ll find yourself cheering for this time around.
Lexi has already known such loss, and when something happens to her friend, it all comes rushing back. Tom is so patient as he helps Lexi find her next chapter.
While you can read this as a stand alone story, I highly recommend all the books in this thoughtful and inspiring series.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Lexi and Tom's story. Tom has cared for Lexi for the year since she moved into his house as a roommate. But when she arrives home and finds him out cold on the floor, all her trauma of losing her husband to ALS, comes back to haunt her. With help from the Wild Widows and Tom admitting to feelings for her, she begins to think of her second chapter. I enjoyed this book but wish there had been more of other people from the group and their struggles.

[Suzie Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another perfect book that understands widows/widowers.

I gave this book five starts because the author really does a fabulous job of understanding what it is like to be a widow or widower. This is the fourth book in the Wild Widow series. Lexi lost her young husband to ALS. Lexi and Jim moved into her parent’s home for help and financial support. Jim is gone and the bills may last her a lifetime. She has a boring job that doesn’t even pay that great. She runs into Tom whom she went to high school with. When her hears all that Lexi has been through he offers her a wing in his house to help her save money. For almost a year they have been roommates. It is fun to discover each of them had a crush on the other but never brought it up.

Lexi comes home from work and finds Tom on the floor. She called an ambulance and discover Lexi literally saved Tom’s life. He had a heart attack - the widow maker one. Lexi panics and tells the group she cannot do this. She doesn’t have it in her anymore to take care of someone. Tom is mad at himself because he knows this will take Lexi back a lot of steps. Iris is there for Lexi. I admit Lexi whines a tad in this story but it is so understandable.

Soon they each learn that this is more than a roommate thing. Tom wants it to be an out in the open “us” thing. Lexi gets let go from her job. One of the widows knows a foundation that would help with some or maybe all of Lexi and Jim’s debt. She also gets offered a job at the ALS office in DC.

So much going on and Ms. Force nails the thoughts and actions of those who have been left behind. This group is amazing. I want a group like this. We also meet two new “members” of the only club you don’t want to belong to. Angela, sister of a cop and the wife of the President (The First Family Series) and Luke who lost his wife to cancer.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi has lost her husband to ALS. Once she starts getting her life back on track thanks to the support of her wild widows group, she met her Highschool crush Tom again. He offers her a much needed place to live and everything turns upwards until she find him unresponsive on the floor one night.
She learns that serious heart conditions run in his family and has to face the question how she wants to go on. Is she willing to geht hurt again for the man she fell in love with through living together as friends.
At the same time Tom opens up about his feelings and his past.
I really enjoyed the story. The story and characters are relatable even though it’s a little over the top. I also love the wild widows group and that they show up again and again. They are hilarious and probably right what you need when in grief.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a struggle for me. For one thing, I had to keep reminding myself that the characters in the book were young people. Given the fact that the majority of the characters were widows, and the book opens with one of the main characters having a heart attack, it was just difficult for me to picture the characters as young. Also, while there were some serious topics covered in the book, I found the story itself pretty boring and drawn out. I kept waiting for a plot twist of some kind, but it never came. Third, I found Tom’s character to be a little overly sappy. I love genuine good guys, but his patience and kindness and willingness to do anything for Lexi just was a bit over the top, in my opinion. It seems like others really enjoy this author and the Wild Widows Series. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Shelly Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to read, but fabulous

This one was double hard to read for me. Being a widow myself due to alcoholism which is a hard pill to swallow, but also due to the fact that I lost my Mom from ALS just two short years before I lost my husband. My Dad was the hero in that story. He kept Mom at home all through the terrible disease.

These stories are really good especially if you are a widow, have a friend that’s a widow, or if you want to date a widow. After the first of these stories I asked my therapist to help me put together a widows group. It really has helped to have a new group of friends in the same boat that I am, because the friends I had before couldn’t handle the intense sadness and the intense guilt.

[Ann-marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lexi is recovering from losing her husband a few years ago to ALS(ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord.) She moves in with her high school crush from years ago Tom(due to feel overwhelmed and living with her parents in the same area her husband died) They are just roommates but nearly living a year now and it things seem to be going smoothly when one night she finds Tom unconscious. We find out he had a heartache and now Lexi is worried can she go down this road again of possible losing another man who she's starting to fall in love with. This 4th book in Ms. Force series of a widower/widow group where the individuals are finding love again after a devastating loss.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing

Lexi is still recovering from losing her husband and being a part of the amazing Wild Widows group has been her saving grace. Not to mention her roommate happens to be her high school crush Tom. When she needed a place to move to get put from under her parents roof, Tom who she ran into one night a a bar offers up a room in his home for her!
He wants her but knows she needs time to grieve before she can be with him. When she comes home one night and finds him on the floor, she can't believe this is going to happen to her again.
Watch as love takes over even through fear of taking a chance again on love!
This series has been one of my favorites! Grab it now!

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the last book in this series for now, i'm glad there are going to be more, must get into the faital series at some point so I can catch up with the back stories of those characters from that series plus get to know Sam and nick better.

May be a project for the new year while i'm waiting for the wild widows next book. It's good that the faital series was not required reading before that as between that and the first family that's a lot of reading. Really liked Lexie and Tom's story and it was lovely to meet all the widow's partners who are not actually widdow's such as Tom, Tray and robyn.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Tom and Lexi had known each other from high school, and both had harbored crushes on each other. Running into one another after all that time was definitely kismet. It was beautiful the way he was here for her, and they built a strong friendship that could blossom into more. He was so patient and understanding with her, knowing that she had to be ready. Lexi had been through so much as a caregiver for her husband while he fought ALS. She was incredibly strong and was able to move forward with the help of the Wild Widows. I love this group and all of their stories. As much as they are heartbreaking, they are equally as heartwarming.

[xxxxxxxxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fabulous Enlightening Read

Marie Force has done it again! I always enjoy how well she develops her characters. Each are unique and give you an understanding to the difficulty they face daily. Her books are well researched and love getting acquainted with the characters and what they are living through. Having friends who lost someone in similar situations brought it more real.
Thanks for another great book! I have read them all (every book she has written)! Not just this series! Guess they are addictive! Look forward to more!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!
Tom and Lexie had crushes on each other in high school but they never even talked to each other. Now years later, they've run into each other. She's a widow and he's never married. He offers her a place to live in his house. Their crushes hasn't dimmed through the years. Lexie finds Tom unconscious. His family has a history of heart problems. Will she be able to handle it if he dies? The Wild Widows Club is a great support for Lexie and helps her work through everything. I like how the widows help everyone out. The narration was perfect. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[thespicybooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wild Widows continues to be the most amazingly beautiful series about life, loss, amazing friendship, and finding a second chance at love. I just adore the Wild Widows group and their bond. The way they fold people into their family and into the group they know no one willingly wants to be in. The lengths they go to for each other in friendship and care is beautiful. Lexi and Tom are such a sweet story of friendship, high school crushes, second chances, understanding, and deep love.

"Nothing is forever, except love. That outlives us all."

[Lisa Tantsits · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s another home run for Marie Force! Book 4 in the Wild Widows series was amazing and I couldn’t put it down! Lexi and Tom have been living together for a year as friends but after finding Tom unconscious in the kitchen from a massive heart attack, the feelings they have had for each other since high school come rushing back. Lexi isn’t sure she can handle falling for someone who she could lose any moment but can she handle not having him in her life at all? This book has all the feels and keeps you wanting more with every turn of the page.

[Arthur Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone to Watch Over Me

Death in families and grief go hand in hand, but when it’s a long term partner, husband, wife, mother, father, daughter, son only compounds the grief, but when it’s a shorter time (this is all relatively based on the presupposition) it can be completely devastating and debilitating to those left behind. These stories tgat Marie Force has written in this series are stand alone stories but all linked by one factor that brings stability and comfort to those dealing with grief. These Widow’s club. You’d think that this would be everywhere, but is it?

[Sue Longoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance

Lexi and Tom's story was heartbreaking and exciting at the same time.

Losing alone one is never easy, but you learn to survive. The emotions throughout this book kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. I could feel the emotions coming off the pages, and that kept me turning the pages.

If you can cry or laugh while reading the book, then I'll have to say it's an amazing story!

Bravo Marie Force for another amazing story! Can't wait for the next book!

[Rebecca Adams fresquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I love everything that Marie Force writes. She is an amazing author. When I read the first 3 books of the Wild Widows Series, I was not a widow. Unfortunately, I am now and took an amazing amount of comfort from this book. The author writes from a place of knowledge and understanding. I highly recommend for any widow or widower so they realize they are not alone in the daily struggles of a life none of us asked for. Highly recommend this book - great storyline and you don’t have to be a widow to enjoy this series.

[Mary G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about the full gambit of emotions!

Tom and Lexie's story is filled with all the emotions! Lexie has been to he'll and back with her widowhood journey. She runs into Tom again quite by accident. Tom and Lexie were each others childhood crushs, even though neither knew it. I highly recommend this book but be ready for tears, joy and everything in between! Marie Force did herself proud with this one! I promise you will love it too! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi's story just broke my heart but i loved this chapter 2 story. You can just feel the emotion coming off the page and the way that these two fight for each other was perfect in every way. I love these wild widows so much and how Marie always finds a way for all the stories to continue and how when this story ends we will continue to see Lexi & Tom in the other stories in the series. Just perfect

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi’s teen would’ve been ecstatic that her crush Tom spoke to her let alone become her platonic roommate, but he did... a couple of years after she’d been her husband’s caregiver over four years before he succumbed to ALS. Certain Tom wants their relationship to go to the next level, Lexi’s considering it. But walking in, Lexi’s mind is thrown back to reliving her husband’s final years when she came home and finds Tom unconscious and barely breathing.
Rating: 4stars

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance love story with your childhood crush!! After losing her husband, fate brings Lexi back together with her childhood crush Tom and the sparks fly!! When he offers her a place to stay it takes a years and a heart attack to prompt the sparks to grow!! Loved this book and revisiting all the Wild Widows in their meetings!! A must read series that will have you laughing, crying and rooting this bunch of survivors on!! Grab your copy today!!

[Lucia Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how she does it.

This series grabs and twists your heart like a vice. I have read a few and each story is different yet the topic is the same. She masterfully weaves these tales as they intersect with the previous story and the others in this group of friends. Each story is unique and uncommon. Once I start, I cannot stop until its over. I found this author last year and read an entire series in three days. She is now one of my top favorites.

[Wendy Stiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never ending yumminess

Can't get enough of Marie's books. Once I start one I can't put it down till it's finished. As a widow I can relate to her characters and envy their closeness and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please don't stop these heartfelt stories. They don't come often enough but then again none of your series do. I'm probably a 3rd time reader of all your series, can't get enough

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love the Wild Widows Series. With such a diverse and delightful cast of characters, there's never a dull moment and the friendships continue to grow and new characters are introduced searching for a safe place to land as they carry their heavy burdens of loss. Readers are going to love the latest arrivals -- count on it!


RELEASE DATE: November 2024

[Sharon Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is wonderful! It is hard to read at times because of the grief that they are feeling over losing their spouse. But it is so wonderful to see the friends that they’re making that help them get through this very difficult time in their lives, I love reading about the characters and I love that they continue throughout the series, I love seeing them grow and find love again

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to the Wild Widows series.
Lexi nursed her husband through ALS until the end. Four years of agony for them both.
Tom has loved her since high school and offered her a room in his home so she could get away from her parents basement and reclaim her life. Easy to say, hard to do.
Their story is a bit magical and lovely.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW!!!

I'm not sure how you always find the way to weave your stories into the hearts of your readers so profoundly that we are sure we are reading about our own lives or of loved one's lives. I will forever read a newly released book immediately if the author is Marie Force.

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, yet so full of healing

I love this series and HEAs. Although I have to say, in many ways, these Wild Widows’ 2nd Chapters are beyond satisfying. Lexi and Tom stole my heart and I can’t wait for book 5 to catch up on them and all the others,
Someone to Watch Over Me is a touching, heartwarming, and steamy phenomenal read.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL STORY OF HOPE❤️❤️

Marie, your writing is absolutely brilliant. These folks’ tragic life circumstances are just unbearable. The loving support they give each other is just amazing. Your insight into their thoughts and feelings make you the excellent author you are. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent. ❤️❤️❤️❤️