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Healing on Base: A Military, Emotional Healing Romance
This wounded major could cost me everything, but there’s something about him that feels like finally coming home.
I’ve never done anything traditionally. That’s what makes me such a good therapist. I’m not what these military men expect. I get them out of the office and talking, and in doing so help them get back to their unit faster than expected. That is exactly what I had planned for Major Steward Harris until he walked into my office. I wasn’t prepared for the doctor suffering from PTSD or the charm and humor he uses to hide his pain. I definitely am having a hard time handling his smile that could make anyone forget their name, and his body that was built to drive a woman wild. I’m his therapist. He’s my patient, and crossing that line would destroy us both. Thankfully, I have the perfect excuse to end our sessions and give him to a colleague when he gets a glimpse into the part of my life I keep secret.
I thought that would be the end of things, but neither of us can seem to stay away from the other. Accidental run-ins turn into late night confessions, and the more time we spend together, the harder it is to remember why he can’t be in my life. Why I keep not only my clients, but everyone at a distance. Yet this man’s touch feels like it’s healing us both, and I can’t help but wonder which one of us is really the one with scars. Some hearts are meant to find their match, no matter how forbidden, and this love might just be the one thing neither of us can do without.
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Welcome to Ridgeway Base, where duty meets desire in a heartbeat. Hearts on Base is a series of swoon-worthy instalove military romances featuring rugged servicemen, fierce heroines, and the kind of heat that doesn’t quit! Each book delivers a complete, feel-good love story with high stakes, instant sparks, and a guaranteed happy ending. Who says love can’t be a tactical advantage?
Join 13 of your favorite (or soon to be favorite) contemporary romance authors for an exciting and steamy military series!
I’ve never done anything traditionally. That’s what makes me such a good therapist. I’m not what these military men expect. I get them out of the office and talking, and in doing so help them get back to their unit faster than expected. That is exactly what I had planned for Major Steward Harris until he walked into my office. I wasn’t prepared for the doctor suffering from PTSD or the charm and humor he uses to hide his pain. I definitely am having a hard time handling his smile that could make anyone forget their name, and his body that was built to drive a woman wild. I’m his therapist. He’s my patient, and crossing that line would destroy us both. Thankfully, I have the perfect excuse to end our sessions and give him to a colleague when he gets a glimpse into the part of my life I keep secret.
I thought that would be the end of things, but neither of us can seem to stay away from the other. Accidental run-ins turn into late night confessions, and the more time we spend together, the harder it is to remember why he can’t be in my life. Why I keep not only my clients, but everyone at a distance. Yet this man’s touch feels like it’s healing us both, and I can’t help but wonder which one of us is really the one with scars. Some hearts are meant to find their match, no matter how forbidden, and this love might just be the one thing neither of us can do without.
********
Welcome to Ridgeway Base, where duty meets desire in a heartbeat. Hearts on Base is a series of swoon-worthy instalove military romances featuring rugged servicemen, fierce heroines, and the kind of heat that doesn’t quit! Each book delivers a complete, feel-good love story with high stakes, instant sparks, and a guaranteed happy ending. Who says love can’t be a tactical advantage?
Join 13 of your favorite (or soon to be favorite) contemporary romance authors for an exciting and steamy military series!
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2026
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 21, 2026
Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. Some are the only way through.
Major Stewart has one job: keep his unit safe. But when an explosion upends everything, the decorated military doctor finds himself off duty and stuck in therapy. He’s furious, haunted, and barely keeping it together. What he doesn’t expect is a therapist who sees straight through him or the way her presence starts to crack open everything he's been holding in.
Rita doesn’t do traditional. She’s built her reputation on breaking rules that hold people back, but Stewart challenges her in ways she never saw coming. He’s off-limits, and yet, every session pulls her deeper into something real. When her own walls start to shake, she makes the hardest call she can think of and steps away.
But neither of them can let go. Missed calls turn into quiet run-ins, and the emotional distance they’re trying to keep collapses under the weight of everything unsaid. What started as a clinical requirement becomes something messy, magnetic, and impossible to walk away from.
Stewart and Rita start guarded and bruised, both carrying past pain they’ve never truly faced. He hides behind control, she hides behind professionalism, but the closer they get, the harder it is to pretend. Letting go of fear becomes the first step toward something neither of them thought they’d find. Their relationship shifts from tension and restraint to something built on honesty, care, and earned trust.
A slow burn to steamy, forbidden military romance featuring a wounded hero and an unconventional therapist, this story blends emotional tension, resilience, and the kind of intimacy that comes from seeing someone at their most unguarded. It’s about breaking your own rules to move forward, facing what hurts to find what heals, and learning to choose love even when it feels impossible.
The Elevator Pitch: A military doctor battling guilt and PTSD is forced into therapy with a sharp, unconventional counselor who challenges everything he thinks he knows about healing. Their sessions ignite a forbidden connection that becomes impossible to ignore as professional boundaries blur and emotional walls break. It's a slow burn, emotionally charged romance about trust, vulnerability, and a love that changes everything.
Major Stewart has one job: keep his unit safe. But when an explosion upends everything, the decorated military doctor finds himself off duty and stuck in therapy. He’s furious, haunted, and barely keeping it together. What he doesn’t expect is a therapist who sees straight through him or the way her presence starts to crack open everything he's been holding in.
Rita doesn’t do traditional. She’s built her reputation on breaking rules that hold people back, but Stewart challenges her in ways she never saw coming. He’s off-limits, and yet, every session pulls her deeper into something real. When her own walls start to shake, she makes the hardest call she can think of and steps away.
But neither of them can let go. Missed calls turn into quiet run-ins, and the emotional distance they’re trying to keep collapses under the weight of everything unsaid. What started as a clinical requirement becomes something messy, magnetic, and impossible to walk away from.
Stewart and Rita start guarded and bruised, both carrying past pain they’ve never truly faced. He hides behind control, she hides behind professionalism, but the closer they get, the harder it is to pretend. Letting go of fear becomes the first step toward something neither of them thought they’d find. Their relationship shifts from tension and restraint to something built on honesty, care, and earned trust.
A slow burn to steamy, forbidden military romance featuring a wounded hero and an unconventional therapist, this story blends emotional tension, resilience, and the kind of intimacy that comes from seeing someone at their most unguarded. It’s about breaking your own rules to move forward, facing what hurts to find what heals, and learning to choose love even when it feels impossible.
The Elevator Pitch: A military doctor battling guilt and PTSD is forced into therapy with a sharp, unconventional counselor who challenges everything he thinks he knows about healing. Their sessions ignite a forbidden connection that becomes impossible to ignore as professional boundaries blur and emotional walls break. It's a slow burn, emotionally charged romance about trust, vulnerability, and a love that changes everything.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Healing on Base by T. L. Russ is a tender, emotionally rich romance that proves some connections are worth the risk—even when the rules say otherwise. This story doesn’t rush healing or love; it lets both unfold slowly, honestly, and with deep emotional impact.
At the heart of the book is Rita, a therapist who does things her own way. She’s unconventional, guarded, and deeply compassionate, using movement and real conversation to help wounded military men find their footing again. Rita believes in keeping her distance—for her own protection as much as her clients’—until Major Stewart Harris walks into her office. He’s charming, quick-witted, and quietly shattered by PTSD, masking his pain with humor and a smile that hides how deeply he’s hurting.
Their dynamic is instantly compelling. The push and pull between professional boundaries and undeniable attraction creates a constant emotional tension that feels real and earned. Stewart isn’t portrayed as “fixed” by love, and that’s one of the book’s greatest strengths. His struggles are treated with care and respect, making his vulnerability feel authentic rather than romanticized.
What truly sets Healing on Base apart is how mutual the healing is. As accidental run-ins turn into late-night confessions, it becomes clear that both Rita and Stewart are carrying scars—some visible, some carefully hidden. Their connection isn’t about saving each other, but about finally being seen and understood. The forbidden nature of their relationship only heightens the emotional stakes, making every shared moment feel fragile and meaningful.
This is a story about trust, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to let someone in when you’ve built your life around keeping people out. Healing on Base is heartfelt, intimate, and deeply satisfying—a romance that lingers long after the last page and reminds you that sometimes love isn’t a distraction from healing… it’s part of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At the heart of the book is Rita, a therapist who does things her own way. She’s unconventional, guarded, and deeply compassionate, using movement and real conversation to help wounded military men find their footing again. Rita believes in keeping her distance—for her own protection as much as her clients’—until Major Stewart Harris walks into her office. He’s charming, quick-witted, and quietly shattered by PTSD, masking his pain with humor and a smile that hides how deeply he’s hurting.
Their dynamic is instantly compelling. The push and pull between professional boundaries and undeniable attraction creates a constant emotional tension that feels real and earned. Stewart isn’t portrayed as “fixed” by love, and that’s one of the book’s greatest strengths. His struggles are treated with care and respect, making his vulnerability feel authentic rather than romanticized.
What truly sets Healing on Base apart is how mutual the healing is. As accidental run-ins turn into late-night confessions, it becomes clear that both Rita and Stewart are carrying scars—some visible, some carefully hidden. Their connection isn’t about saving each other, but about finally being seen and understood. The forbidden nature of their relationship only heightens the emotional stakes, making every shared moment feel fragile and meaningful.
This is a story about trust, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to let someone in when you’ve built your life around keeping people out. Healing on Base is heartfelt, intimate, and deeply satisfying—a romance that lingers long after the last page and reminds you that sometimes love isn’t a distraction from healing… it’s part of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2026
This military romance stands out because of its very unique and morally complex setup. Both main characters are serving in the military: she is a therapist, he is a medical doctor, and she is supposed to evaluate and treat him so he can return to duty. From the very beginning, the chemistry between them is intense — and absolutely problematic.
He is clearly struggling with trauma and doesn’t want to admit that he needs help, while the emotional and physical tension between them keeps escalating. That push and pull makes the story feel heavy, charged, and constantly on edge. This is not a light or easy romance; it’s one that challenges both the characters and the reader.
Despite (or because of) the ethical tension, the romance is incredibly intriguing. The characters feel believable, flawed, and human, and the emotional conflict is written in a way that feels raw rather than exaggerated. You may find yourself wrestling with how you feel about the relationship — but that’s also what makes this book compelling.
Overall, this is a well-written, intense military romance with a very distinctive premise. If you’re looking for something that goes beyond standard tropes and isn’t afraid to be uncomfortable, this one is definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He is clearly struggling with trauma and doesn’t want to admit that he needs help, while the emotional and physical tension between them keeps escalating. That push and pull makes the story feel heavy, charged, and constantly on edge. This is not a light or easy romance; it’s one that challenges both the characters and the reader.
Despite (or because of) the ethical tension, the romance is incredibly intriguing. The characters feel believable, flawed, and human, and the emotional conflict is written in a way that feels raw rather than exaggerated. You may find yourself wrestling with how you feel about the relationship — but that’s also what makes this book compelling.
Overall, this is a well-written, intense military romance with a very distinctive premise. If you’re looking for something that goes beyond standard tropes and isn’t afraid to be uncomfortable, this one is definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2026
Healing On Base by T L Russ is the first title I've read by this author and I wasn't disappointed.
As a heart warming slow burn military forbidden romance it had me hooked from the start with it's engaging main characters, Major Stewart Harris and Rita Fontaine.
Stewart, Ranger and doctor, is required to attend therapy after an injury and incident with his unit before being able to return to work and Rita initially is his appointed therapist.
Stewart is struck by Rita and pursues his attraction but Rita resists on professional grounds, but, due to her own past, her feelings are confused.
The attraction is mutual but it soon turns to simmering chemistry as Stewart tries to win Rita over.
The storyline was well paced for a short story and the steam and spice kept me turning the pages to see how their HEA comes about.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As a heart warming slow burn military forbidden romance it had me hooked from the start with it's engaging main characters, Major Stewart Harris and Rita Fontaine.
Stewart, Ranger and doctor, is required to attend therapy after an injury and incident with his unit before being able to return to work and Rita initially is his appointed therapist.
Stewart is struck by Rita and pursues his attraction but Rita resists on professional grounds, but, due to her own past, her feelings are confused.
The attraction is mutual but it soon turns to simmering chemistry as Stewart tries to win Rita over.
The storyline was well paced for a short story and the steam and spice kept me turning the pages to see how their HEA comes about.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2026
Part of a multi-author series, this book focuses on a physician forced to attend therapy to gain his release back to work following an "incident in the field". Stewart, the Dr, is a highly likeable and caretaking guy. He's invested in his group that he deploys with and wants to get back with them. Rita is a therapist who works differently than most to get patients to talk. They hit it off immediate, though not therapeutically. When he sees her in pain she knows she should transfer him. He's determined to get to know her, as determined as she is to keep them apart. It's a tug-of-war only one can win. This story had me frusterated beyond measure at some of the actions, applauding others. I became invested in Stewart and his team, and wanted him to get back to them and their support. Grab your copy to find out what happens.
I was gifted a copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚
I was gifted a copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚
January 20, 2026
Military romance.
Steward is a soldier returning home after an accident during a mission. But while he feels fit to go back on duty, he's forced to seek treatment for PTSD, which he prefers to deny. When he meets his beautiful psychiatrist, he's torn between quickly finishing his sessions to return to duty and wanting to spend time with her to get to know her.
Rita is a young woman with a broken past, and she's still learning to rebuild her life. Her closeness to the handsome Steward helps her hope for new things, but she's afraid of ruining the career she's worked so hard to build.
Will Rita and Steward have a beautiful story, or will their past wounds prove too strong….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Steward is a soldier returning home after an accident during a mission. But while he feels fit to go back on duty, he's forced to seek treatment for PTSD, which he prefers to deny. When he meets his beautiful psychiatrist, he's torn between quickly finishing his sessions to return to duty and wanting to spend time with her to get to know her.
Rita is a young woman with a broken past, and she's still learning to rebuild her life. Her closeness to the handsome Steward helps her hope for new things, but she's afraid of ruining the career she's worked so hard to build.
Will Rita and Steward have a beautiful story, or will their past wounds prove too strong….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2026
An emotional story. A Dr who is a Major is carrying the guilt of his team getting hurt. A Therapist who has suffered through guilt of her own. As they get closer, she thinks of the lines she wants to cross and how helping people is her passion. Is her job worth losing over love? He is willing to keep their relationship secret but isn’t willing to be treated like one of her patients? Their journey to healing and love is amazing to watch unfold.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2026
This was a great stand romance novella. How Steward hid his pain just felt so real to me. I’ve been there, done that. But it was great to see them always running into one another. And when things started to blossom between them, it turned into fire real fast. I enjoyed this one. It was sweet and steamy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2026
Loved it!!!
What a great book, that had a great blend of heart, heat and all the feels, wrapped up in a great read. So if you want to get lost for a while, this is the perfect book to do it. Not read many books by this author but will be reading more after this one. Loved it. Happy reading
What a great book, that had a great blend of heart, heat and all the feels, wrapped up in a great read. So if you want to get lost for a while, this is the perfect book to do it. Not read many books by this author but will be reading more after this one. Loved it. Happy reading
January 27, 2026
When Damaged Souls Meet
Rita met Stewart when he first came for therapy, but he was hoping to talk her into releasing him back to work. Of course that didn’t happen that day. Their chemistry was amazing and Rita didn’t feel comfortable still being his therapist. So she requested Aspen to accept his transfer. Must read to see what happens!
Rita met Stewart when he first came for therapy, but he was hoping to talk her into releasing him back to work. Of course that didn’t happen that day. Their chemistry was amazing and Rita didn’t feel comfortable still being his therapist. So she requested Aspen to accept his transfer. Must read to see what happens!
February 3, 2026
Great characters with interesting personalities and backgrounds. Liked how Rita approaches her therapy sessions. Enjoyed the way they both handled in dealing with their trauma and emotions. Happy the way this ended for the couple.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Steward and Rita finally get past their initial meeting to admit they love each other. I admit her concern was valid but she acted quickly so it was dealt with.
February 4, 2026
Fighting for Love
This story has is the epitome of a slow-burn. The tension and doubt leading up to the Rita’s decision to say yes to Stewart is a perfect balance. I really enjoyed reading this story.
This story has is the epitome of a slow-burn. The tension and doubt leading up to the Rita’s decision to say yes to Stewart is a perfect balance. I really enjoyed reading this story.
February 10, 2026
3.5* Story was so, so. It was not bad, but nothing exciting either. But still an entertaining read, so not all bad.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews