The Weight We Carry: A Single Mom and Military Veteran Romance

by Salisa K. Garrand

The Weight We Carry is a tender, slow-burn romance about healing, found family, and falling in love when it feels impossible.

Camille wasn’t supposed to fall in love again.
She swore she was done with it. Between raising three kids, finishing her degree, and rebuilding her life after being abandoned by the men in her past, she didn’t have room for romance, or for the man who saw her in ways no one else ever had.

Hunter never thought he deserved a second chance.
After a decade in the Marine Corps, he’s still trying to find his footing. He’s quiet, guarded, and the last thing he expects is a single mom who laughs too loud, feels too deeply, and changes everything.

What begins on a dating app, and a playful mini golf date, soon turns into late-night talks and motorcycle rides along the coast. Between messy mornings and whispered promises, they find a rhythm that feels like healing. But love doesn’t come easy for two people who’ve spent their lives surviving it.

When the past threatens to pull them both under, Camille and Hunter have to keep carrying the weight alone, or learn to let someone else help shoulder it.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

About the author

Salisa K. Garrand is a California girl now soaking up the Florida sunshine. She’s a mom of four amazing kids and is married to a Marine Corps veteran, who always keeps her laughing.

By day, she empowers and helps others heal as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist specializing in trauma and maternal mental health, with a passion for researching mental health in BIPOC communities.

Salisa has had her face buried in books since childhood: first obsessing over vampires and werewolves (Team Jacob, obviously), and now falling head over heels for romance and fantasy books. Writing a book has been her dream since she was a teen, and The Weight We Carry is proof that some dreams are worth holding onto.

When she’s not writing or chasing her kids, you can find her sipping iced coffee, daydreaming about fictional love stories, and probably reading “just one more chapter.”

Follow me on TikTok and Instagram: @SGarrand_author

Reviews

[_Alexis.Reeds_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a warm hug i didn’t know i needed 🥹

cami & hunter’s story was so raw and real… two people carrying so much, still choosing to show up for each other in the most gentle, intentional ways

the weight we carry is such a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t linear ❤️‍🩹
but that doesn’t mean you’re not growing through it

“he’s not just showing up when it’s convenient… he’s showing up in the cracks of your day.” 🥹💕

and the way he never made her feel like a burden?? yeah… i’m unwell

if you love emotional, healing romances that actually feel real… read this 🤌

Tropes:
single mom x veteran
slow burn
found family
mental health rep

[Carmen A · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an eye opener on the mental health on veterans and the mental health of women that also have children, with feeling like they are enough.

[Mariah]

Oh my heart. Single moms do it for me every time. Being one myself I always try to oh myself in their shoes and this one.. I connected to Cami so much, my heart hurt. Being on the go constantly, doing any and everything for her babies despite the exhaustion? Believing love was just not in the cards for her? Yeah, that it close to home.

I struggled a little at first with how in depth we got into both Cami and a Hunters mind, not because it wasn’t good but because it pulled emotions out of me that I wasn’t expecting. Empathy. That’s all I could feel! It swallowed me whole.

Two people who struggled and just about gave up on love and a real future was beautiful to watch unfold. Can’t wait for Dani’s story!

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ What started as a right swipe on a dating app turns into a love that grows deeper with time. I was rooting for Camille, a single mom trying to juggle everything on her own, and for Hunter, a military veteran battling PTSD. In so many ways, they both needed and deserved each other.

I loved the sweet family bonding moments, the way he embraced both her and her kids so naturally. And those quiet, intimate scenes where I could feel their connection in every lingering glance and gentle touch.

Both showed a great level of patience and understanding towards one another. Things got rough and emotional at times, especially as they worked through healing, but that’s what made it feel so genuine.

This story is a reminder that love isn’t about everything being perfect. It’s about showing up, supporting each other, and facing the chaos together.

[Jeenal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salisa Garrand, thank you so much for an ARC of this book and for writing this book! The story of Hunter and Camille was absolutely amazing. Never have I had a story tug on my heart strings the way this one did. I loved the slow blossoming of Hunter and Camille’s relationship and also how much they kept fighting their past demons but were slowly able to overcome them. The mental health theme ran strong throughout the book and was a big part of how these characters evolved, not only as individuals, but as a couple. There were so many times throughout the book I was so close to crying because it was just so beautiful! I highly recommend reading this book and cannot wait to read more by Salisa Garrand.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that this is Salisa’s debut novel, and I must say it was so well done! You can really tell how important mental health is to her because it is so central to the story. I appreciated her tact with approaching such sensitive subjects. The relationship itself wasn’t fluffy or fairytale-like. It was a realistic picture of a relationship between two flawed people who both have traumatic pasts and are simply trying to navigate through the natural ups and downs of life.

As a mom and military spouse myself (who is also studying psych) I really resonated with the characters and enjoyed seeing their progression and growth both together and apart. I really loved the continuation of their story that we got in the epilogue, and I will definitely be reading the next book asap!

[Megan Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who is married to a veteran this book gave me an in depth look in to Hunter’s mind set and struggles with mental health. We also get to learn about Camille and her traumatic past resulting in her being a single mom to 3.

These two have so many similarities and they learn to grow separately and continue to show up for each other. Right as they think they will lose it all they come back stronger.

Overall truly enjoyed the mental health representation. I can’t wait to read Dani’s story.

[Carmen Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say this book is a MUST READ... I received early access to this book on an ARC Read. When I say it had my total attention from page one. The characters were so relatable. I laughed, I cried, I could not wait to finish this book. The Second Chance romance, the way the character building and their real life struggles were related in the book... Chef's Kiss... This is a Must Read. For all the girlies who thought they were too much of a burden for true, imperfectly pure love, the single moms struggling and hoping to be SEEN... This ones for you!

[LaTia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure ARC reading this book. If you love a slow burn romance novel this is the book for you. This book is about a single mom of three and a veteran that finds love with each other. In the midst of falling in love they realize trauma from the past that cause bumps in the relationship. Until they realize they need each other. This is a good book not written like most romantic books. It will have you laughing and maybe even cry. I truly enjoyed it. It didn’t move slow as some slow burn books do. It has you attention all the way through.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning!! My heart hurt for both Hunter and Cami, Hunter is a military veteran with PTSD and Cami is a single mom of 3 and they both have struggles. Hunter see’s Cami and Cami can see Hunter’s struggles. They are so perfect for each. Cami’s kids are too cute and I just loved Dani (Cami’s Best-friend). I couldn’t get enough of this book and I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you Salisa for letting me be part of the ARC team.

[Ashlee King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Hunter ex marine and Camille the single mom who runs herself thin. Being a single mom and doing all the things and thinking she has no time for dating. Hunter comes along and gets her smile back. It was a great read and getting to know the characters is always a plus. You can picture everything that’s going on in the book. You feel everything they feel. If you’re a single mom,recently divorced or an ex marine you’ll definitely relate to the characters.

[Dalia Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Weight We Carry is a raw, heartfelt look at the emotional burdens we hold and the strength it takes to heal. Garrand’s writing is honest and relatable, offering comfort and clarity without sugarcoating the hard parts. It’s a beautifully written reminder that growth is possible, even through pain. A powerful, uplifting read for anyone navigating their own healing journey.

[Kourtney Wisniewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars! I am so glad I found the ARC for this book. This story pulls you in right away on the story of Camille, who is a single mother, and hunter who is a veteran. Their love story keeps pulling you in more and more while they are figuring out their own insecurities.

I can’t wait to read Dani’s story!

[Ky Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was really needed in my life at the time of reading. It felt like a warm hug! I deal with mental health issues and this story reminded me that there will still be sunshine at the end of the day. This book was a 5 star read. I highly recommend to anyone who loves love, found family and acceptance. Plus who doesn’t love a good single mom x veteran story.

[Katheryn DeBaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man what a great book. I couldn't put it down once I started I had to finish. It had all the feels and had me hooked straight from page 1. I love the main characters and the themes that really touched home. Can't wait to read more from this author.

[Parker Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this and I am so greatful! No spoilers but it was refreshing to read a romance outside of my usual comfort zone. I cant wait to read more of Salisa K. Garrand's future work!

[Sandra Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read. Ex Marine and Single Mom. A slow romance at finding love when all your hope was gone and felt impossible. You get a glimpse at how ex marine deal with PTSD and single mom life but at the end love wins.

[Meg Bozarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weight we carry by salisa k. Garland is a beautiful, healing read!
It really is a must read. It made me so emotional, and I really want as many readers as possible to read.
It’s marketed as a slow burn, but I really did like the pacing of the story!
I recommend this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Trelia Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read to remind you that no matter what you matter and deserve to have goals and dreams and your past don't define your future.

[Candace Marcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this and it’s a really great book! They were a few parts that were repetitive and could have been left out but it didn’t take away from the story. The character building was great! Look forward to more from this author!

[Kayla Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute read. I wish there wasn't so much back & forth between the main characters. I get that trauma makes us question things but it was just a lot.