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Life Began with You
Jemma Arwin has tucked away a painful secret from even her closest friends.
As a life coach, Jemma's job is to help others improve the quality of their lives by focusing on personal and professional improvement, including leading the DIY Diva's entrepreneurial group. She just can't seem to do the same for herself. When Brock walks into her office, fresh out of the military, she encounters a new challenge.
It's been years since she let herself want something, especially a man back in her life. Brock is a handsome and humble man, a courageous volunteer firefighter, and eager to reunite with the kind woman who got his life back on track all those years ago.
As they catch up, Jemma finds herself wishing she could let him in. But the pain her ex left in his wake returns with a vengeance when he shows up at the same New Year's party, setting her on a downward spiral.
Brock is no stranger to trouble, but he knows he needs the DIY Divas' help when Jemma suddenly goes missing.
Can he find a way to help Jemma through her struggles while navigating his own return to civilian life?
A clean and wholesome military romance with mild danger, some humor, and a happily ever after.
This story depression, miscarriage, and abuse.
DIY Divas Military Romance
1 Surprise Valentine
2 Playing with Fire
3 Loving Lavender
4 A Rush to Remember
5 Dare Dating the Rebel
6 Home to Her
7 Life Began with You
As a life coach, Jemma's job is to help others improve the quality of their lives by focusing on personal and professional improvement, including leading the DIY Diva's entrepreneurial group. She just can't seem to do the same for herself. When Brock walks into her office, fresh out of the military, she encounters a new challenge.
It's been years since she let herself want something, especially a man back in her life. Brock is a handsome and humble man, a courageous volunteer firefighter, and eager to reunite with the kind woman who got his life back on track all those years ago.
As they catch up, Jemma finds herself wishing she could let him in. But the pain her ex left in his wake returns with a vengeance when he shows up at the same New Year's party, setting her on a downward spiral.
Brock is no stranger to trouble, but he knows he needs the DIY Divas' help when Jemma suddenly goes missing.
Can he find a way to help Jemma through her struggles while navigating his own return to civilian life?
A clean and wholesome military romance with mild danger, some humor, and a happily ever after.
This story depression, miscarriage, and abuse.
DIY Divas Military Romance
1 Surprise Valentine
2 Playing with Fire
3 Loving Lavender
4 A Rush to Remember
5 Dare Dating the Rebel
6 Home to Her
7 Life Began with You
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 7, 2026
Life Began With You is an emotional, friends to more, sweet romance. Jemma and Brock make a very interesting couple. Both have protective, caring, and nurturing personalities. Brock is ex-military and Jemma is a life coach. Both are battling challenges from their past. I love how Jemma rescues every living thing she can. It is sweet how much Brock helps Jemma with Jemma's latest rescue dog, Althea. Like all Ms. Strife's books, this one is full of realistic characters, some angst, a lot of personal growth and an HEA. This one also has a touch of suspense when Jemma disappears. I really enjoyed how much Brock taught Jemma while she was helping him adjust to civilian life. The ending is just perfect. I could not put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.
Jemma and Brock are set up by mutual friends, and he is immediately attracted to her character. She's humble and she freely helps others.
They actually have that in common.
The interactions they have run the gamut of emotions, and through them their bond grows stronger.
It was really fun to watch them grow together, to learn from each other, and to lean on each other. I really enjoyed this story.
Jemma and Brock are set up by mutual friends, and he is immediately attracted to her character. She's humble and she freely helps others.
They actually have that in common.
The interactions they have run the gamut of emotions, and through them their bond grows stronger.
It was really fun to watch them grow together, to learn from each other, and to lean on each other. I really enjoyed this story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jemma and Brock's story reads very realistically. It's easy to imagine all the events actually happening in the real world. Sweet, but not saccharine-sweet, LBwY is a wonderful escape into an endearing adventure.
Many parts of the story spoke to me, but this was the loudest: "You have to decide what you value within yourself to know what you can contribute and what your worth is so that you don’t let others try to challenge that.”
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
Many parts of the story spoke to me, but this was the loudest: "You have to decide what you value within yourself to know what you can contribute and what your worth is so that you don’t let others try to challenge that.”
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Life Began With You is a story that will touch your heart and will stay with you forever. We are introduced to Brock, who doesn't know how to deal with civilian life after leaving the service, not by his choice. Jemma has always been there for the other Divas, lifting them up. She needs lifting up, but doesn't want to ask. Jemma and Brock, meet by mutual friends and brick needs her life Coach experience. Will these two people learn from each other, what it takes to love yourself first. This story definitely tugs at your emotions.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jemma's a life coach who shows others how to improve the quality of the life. Brock is former military and having a hard time adjusting to civilian life.
Will Jemma be able to help him? Or could her past trauma prevent her from helping him?
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
Will Jemma be able to help him? Or could her past trauma prevent her from helping him?
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
March 6, 2026
I could not put this one down. The relationship between the main characters was very interesting, enjoyed very much. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews