Shielding His Heart

Battleboro Fire & Rescue #1

by Nicole Blanchard

From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Nicole Blanchard comes a captivating new standalone tale of redemption and romance.

Waking up in the hospital after an accident is bad enough...but realizing I can’t remember a thing—not even the sexy paramedic who claims to be my husband—is infinitely worse. They tell me my name is Tana Dorran, but I don’t recognize it, or the face in the mirror.

Alec Dorran has made a living from solving problems, but the one problem he can’t solve is how to restore the woman he used to love. He says he’ll wait as long as it takes, and he seems like a good man. I’d be a terrible person if I let him waste his time reviving a version of his wife that may never resurface.

For some, love may be eternal...but can the same be said for ours?

This is a special edition cover of Eternal by Nicole Blanchard.

Genres: Second Chance, Contemporary, Romance, Small Town Romance, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Childrens

252 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2024

About the author

Nicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the TikTok-viral dark romance Toxic, a wildly addictive bestseller that has sold over 90,000 copies worldwide. Known for her morally gray antiheroes, off-the-charts heat, and jaw-dropping twists, Nicole’s stories drag readers deep into love’s darkest corners—where no one escapes unscarred.

When she’s not crafting twisted love stories that break your heart and then heal it, you can find her soaking up beach sun with a glass of sweet tea, getting inked, or running a farm full of lovable misfit animals.

You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...

Reviews

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the ABCs of Love


3.5 stars
2 on the spice scale

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so sadly beautiful. Talk about a man who will do anything for his wife.

I wish it had ended differently for them but it was more realistic the way it did. I love that they were able to work through everything as a family.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon



Coming upon the worst sight imaginable means Alec's life is now upside down and off kilter. But when his wife comes home finally, he realizes he, they, have a chance to figure out how to be together again. But how can they possibly have a second chance when she doesn't even remember him or their children?



This story really got to me. Amnesia stories can be, often are, over the top dramatic in an unlikable way, but Nicole handled the idea in a more delicate way that I really appreciated. I loved the way they slowly came back together, the way they healed, and came to terms with their new reality.



ARC provided by author for an honest review.

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[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by this author & even though I started mid series I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. It can be read as a standalone.
I liked the tropes & the blurb attracted me right away, but I was a little disappointed that by the end Tana hadn’t regained her memory at all. It was heartbreaking to watch not only her struggle but Alec & their girls. I couldn’t imagine not remembering my family, or having my mom not remember me. This was a bit of a sad emotional journey watching this family struggle to pick up the pieces after such a horrible tragedy & try to find a new normal. But I thought Alec was fantastic. He had everything on his shoulders & so much stress, but how he handled it was incredible.

[K.E. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When can I love to Batteboro?

Small town, hot paramedic. You might think you're getting another small town romance between a man in a uniform and the new girl in town. Not so.
Our hero and heroine, Alex and Tana, are already married, but when Alec arrived at a motor vehicle accident and finds his wife critically injured things change in a big way. When Tan a awakes from her coma she doesn't remember anything- not herself, not her two daughters, nor the husband who's madly in love with her.
This is a really interesting, touching love story watching two people navigate the pitfalls of having such a dramatic experience thrust in them. Alec, determined to hang on to and fight for the woman he loves. Tana discovering who she is, knowing her memories may never come back, and the sweet way they fall in love with each other all over again.

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tana and Alec.

Tana gets in a car accident and loses her memory. This is one of my favorite tropes because usually the storyline is high angst and emotional with the victim trying to find or re-write their life.

While this was a quick and cute read, it lacked all angst for me. Tana and Alec fell back in love quite quickly. And it fell a bit flat for me. I did finish and enjoy the story, it was simply meh.

But I would totally try another book from this author again. 💙

[Richard Kruzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec & Tana

This story has it all. Tear, grief , loss of memory, life as it was, patience, love, intimate scenes,..it's all there. What a great read!!! Highly recommend this unusual second chance with existing wife due to amnesia. (Reviewed by Lin)

[drusilla duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec has become a new favourite book boyfriend

I normally choose not to read amnesia trope books because they are rarely done well, but this one was amazing. Getting to see both Alec's and Tana's POVs helped me see how the accident affected them in different ways. Tana was living the life of someone she couldn't remember and Alec was living with someone who no longer felt like his wife. The way Nicole Blanchard wrote Alec had me falling in love, he was everything you would want in a book boyfriend/ husband.

I received a free copy from Hidden Gems Books and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me all the feels. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of Alec & Tana. Another amazing read that had me glued too my kindle.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A storyline with an unconventional premise. After a near fatal car accident, Alec faces an uncertain future when his wife wakes up from her medically induced coma with no memories of him, their daughters or even herself. He loves her and is determined he will do anything to keep her, including giving her time and space to figure out who she is and get resettled into life outside the hospital.

Tana is frustrated and scared with her memory loss, nothing is familiar and she’s very different from ‘before-her’.

I loved the premise, but was a bit frustrated with the storyline. I can accept Alec wanting to give her space while she’s in the hospital and when she first comes home, but he literally just makes decisions without any discussion with Tana. Yes, he’s used to taking care of his wife, but he isn’t giving her much of a chance to live her life. She may not have any memories, but she can voice her opinion on what would make her happy or more secure.

I enjoyed how she asked him to tell her about how they ended up together and the game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ was fun and eye-popping in some of the answers! Seeing Alec and Tana fall in love again was great, and her inner comments about her body having the hots for him despite not really knowing him was a fun.

I received a free ARC from the author and Hidden Gems; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Sarah Cudlipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of this book sounded too good to pass up, so I gave it a shot. And I'm glad that I did. While it was an emotional roller coaster, it was one that was worth the ride. The story kicks off with the two main characters already married. But Tana gets into a car accident that causes her to lose her memory. She can't remember her husband, Alec, or their two children.

Alec was desperate to get Tana to remember their lives together and how much they love each other. Which was part of what made his character one to remember. The amount of love he held for Tana and their children was truly beautiful. He was a man willing to do anything to put his family back together.

While this is a love story, there was plenty of sadness and angst thrown in there as well. Everything went together and created one beautiful story that will probably have you tearing up at least once. So I definitely recommend having some tissues handy. This is not the first book I have read by Nicole Blanchard and it certainly won't be the last. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance. I received a free ARC of this book from HiddenGems in return for my honest review and opinions.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart in so many ways. Alec was a firefighter and paramedic who worked hard to give his family everything they needed. He and Tana had a busy life with two young children. I can’t begin to imagine how Alec felt when he went to an ambulance call and it was his wife they were trying to get out of the wrecked and tangled car. Then to hear she had amnesia and didn’t remember anything about her life or sho she is! We all get wrapped up in our own feelings and don’t always think of others’ feelings. Here you had a woman who had a husband and two children that she didn’t even know. I can’t imagine how lonely she must have felt. Then there is Alec who lost the love of his life as she was a different person after the accident. The worst part was the feelings of the children. Once again I can’t imagine how they would feel where the only mother they have know and loved doesn’t even recognize them. This is a very emotional book, but such a good read. I strongly encourage you to read the book.

[Diana Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a feel good read. Heartwarming romantic and sexy It’s story can happen to anyone and the challenges are real. This book was a free read for me and so was the epilogue (which I was disappointed that it wasn’t part of the original book and I had to download it separately) but I’m looking forward to read more from the author. My following note is not a reflection of this author as I could have been context without the Epilogue but…
A note to some authors : Although a book is given free to introduce readers to a new author it can actually cause a reverse reaction. I do not like cliffhangers. A story can be written with an ending and still be a successful series- example Patricia Briggs. I downloaded a free book of hers and read every one I can - about 20 so far. Cliffhangers I tend to dismiss the following books as I know it’ll just keep going like that. It’s annoying!

[Jaymie | Girlogic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story.

The beginning is absolutely devastating but the journey is everything.

In a flash Alec’s life is turned upside down when he responds to a trauma call and finds his wife is the patient who’s been in a horrible car wreck.

Tana lost everything the night she was in a car accident. She lost her memory, herself and her what her life was but the one thing she didn’t lose was her husband, Alec.

Tana is trying to find herself, her passion and her memory all while trying to figure out how to be a wife and a mum. But sometimes, you just have to start from scratch.

Seeing Alec and Tana fall back in love even with her memories gone is absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful. Then watching Tana fall deeply in love with her children is even better. It’s so heart warming.

If you like the Amnesia trope and second chance then this is a book for you.

3.5 stars.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well…it’s not at all what I expected. It definitely had its moments, but it just seemed like something was missing. I really wanted to like this book but it just seemed a tad ‘off’ if you get my drift. The storyline was okay; the characters were somewhat weak; no real plot twists to speak of; and I was worried that we might not have a true HEA! Thank goodness one appeared at the end. I really hope others will grab a copy of this book to read it for themselves. It’s actually quite good—just not what I expected. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and found it different from what I expected.) ❤️

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one, it's only my second time reading a book which centers around amnesia, and while it's so devastating for the characters I kind of like it - the journey to find back to what was or accept a new reality. It didn't end the way I would have liked or expected it to, but all in all I did like the way it did. And while I felt it was sover too quick and in some terms could have been more detailed in some areas - perhaps more of a slow burn of Tana andAlec finding their way back to each other, I adored Alec's devotion to his wife and family, and never losing hope - even if it meant never having his wife return as she once was.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
This wasn't the best written thing but this story was so well done.

The first two chapters gripped me and I couldn't put this down. Alec is a paramedic and he gets called to an accident and his wife is one of the people that was in the accident.

She ends up surviving but doesn't remember anything. And I think I'm a sucker for an amnesia romance. Because this one slapped.

I also think that the kids were well written. And I felt for both Tana and Alec as they tried to rekindle everything.

And the author is even able to throw in some curveballs. And let me tell you I fo d that difficult in such a short book.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional romance must read.

Book one in the Battleboro Fire and Rescue series and my first read by the author and it did not disappoint. This was a tear jerker, a second chance romance for Tana and Alec after she was involved in an accident that change their family’s world. The drama and steam did not take away from the storyline and as the characters reconnect their relationship grew to find their HEA. This was a definite must read for fans of romance story with likable characters and heartfelt story.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this one during a stuff your kindle day event. I loved the premise with amnesia as I haven't read a story based around that, but I didn't totally love this one. I know it's a short book with 170 pages but it felt rushed for the last 3 chapters. I think adding another 20 pages would have made this story better. Would I read it again? No. Would I recommend to people to try out the amnesia trope? Yes.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found Again

Love that they found their way back to each other. So many struggles but the love never faded between them. Such a good story that looped the kids into it and their everyday lives. Excited to read more of the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy

[Heather Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb on this book pretty well describes the story. However what it doesn't do is tell you how much your emotions will be engaged as you read.
A well crafted emotional, tearjerker. Definitely need a hanky to hand for this one.
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erin Molta · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for heartwrenching

This book plays with all the heart strings. I’m a sucker for amnesia books because it’s a little like starting over—a second chance without the bad feelings. Though Though Tana and Alec have innate chemistry they don’t know each other anymore and it’s great to see them find their way back.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alec and Tana's world is torn apart when the unthinkable happens. Their last words on the phone was disappointment about him not spending more time with her and their girls. He's an EMT trying to work extra hours for more money. Keeping up with his wife I guess. Now the call they get to a serious car wreck turns his world upside down. HEA.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tana gets into a car crash where she looses her memory. She can’t remember her husband, 2 children or any of her friends. I feel like the plot had a lot of potential but book was a bit of a let down. I would have given it a 2.5 stars

[Kitsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

amnesia

I read this for the amnesia in story line. Honestly. I pull to it mentally as I lost my memory after a car accident and felt along and out of place. My memory slowly relented but it’s a scary place and time and I still have flash backs and fear today - 17 years later

[Claudia Reinbrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

felt flat

[MT Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok, not really my cup of tea, but it was written well.

[Karla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so cute im sick

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know if I would be a fan of the trope, I don't love it but I don't hate it. Book was alright otherwise.

[meg bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a cute book! this was a fun quick read that had me smiling and happy!