The Only One Who Cares

The Only One #3

by Cat Grant

Committed couple David Flint and Josh Walker are long past the injuries, separation, and chain-of-command issues that plagued their early years together as Navy SEALs. Now, with David embarking on a new career as a therapist, the future looms bright and promising…

Until Josh, now recovered from the post-traumatic stress that kept him sidelined for two years, goes back to active duty. David dreads the long weeks of sleepless nights and radio silence ahead—and wonders if Josh is really as recovered as he claims to be.

Counseling other traumatized vets fills David’s days and helps him find a new purpose, but it’s his act of kindness to a homeless teenager that may end up changing everything, for him and for Josh.

(Previously published in the Unconditional Surrender: An M/M Military Bundle anthology.)

Genres: M M Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Family, Novella, LGBT

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

If you're looking for epic sci-fi, fantasy, or historicals, that's not me. Contemporary all the way, baby!

However, if you're looking for down to earth, complicated characters dealing with real-world problems (and the occasional comfort read!), I might just fit the bill. :)

My Books:

Courtland Chronicles (m/m & m/m/f)
By Chance
Strictly Business
Complications
The Arrangement
Triad

Allegro Vivace (m/m)
Sonata Appassionata (m/m)

Icon Men (all m/m)
The First Real Thing (2012 EPIC Award Winner - Erotica)
Appearing Nightly
A Fool for You

Habanera (Originally titled Entangled Trio - 2012 EPIC Award Finalist - Erotica) (m/m/f)

Once a Marine (m/m)

Power Play (with Rachel Haimowitz) (m/m BDSM)
Power Play: Resistance
Power Play: Awakening

Irresistible Attraction (all m/m)
Priceless
Doubtless
Fearless
Flawless (2014 EPIC Award Finalist - Short Fiction)

Forthcoming:

The Only One Who Knows (with LA Witt) - January 2014

The Only One Who Matters (with LA Witt) - March 2014

Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1) - April 2014

Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2) - July 2014

Guarded (with LA Witt) (work in progress)

Reviews

[Princess under cover · Rating 2 out of 5]

One reader’s review is right on: each book in this series gets worse and this is the worst. Disjointed, unrecognizable vs the MCs from book 1. Suddenly they went from 2 hot Navy SEALs to an old married couple with a baby?! It’s just too much to believe, even for fiction. I don’t see any of the badassery that made me love them in book 1. BORING! Bunch of old biddy whiners!

Ugh. I give up on this author.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. David is beginning his practical training as a therapist, and finding that his life experiences help him connect with the patients. Josh is getting back into the full swing of training with his SEAL team after working through his PTSD from the previous mission. At least, he hopes he's worked through it, because a SEAL who is afraid of water would be a pretty useless commander in the field.

They have also taken steps to apply for adoption of a child, a move that is closer to Josh's heart than David's, even though David is the one who will be home more. (I wasn't totally sold on this - it felt premature even though they say that since it can take years to get approved, they are jumping the gun to get on the lists. Still, it didn't feel like they were settled and eager enough to be the ideal home to place a child yet.)

I appreciated the parts about David's psychology practice, and the way it highlights how poor care can be for people in our society, even when they are veterans and their issues may be largely due to their service. As a nation, we should be deeply ashamed of the way we put money and some warped concept of independence ("I got where I am all by myself without help, so everyone else should too - it's the American way") ahead of providing basic health care to all citizens. The cost in human lives, in mental health and social well-being, not to mention the unfairness of using our soldiers and effectively discarding them, is infuriating. So... yeah, that part resonated.

I wasn't as sold on the ending. This plot point, some device that serves to provide our boys with a cute child, sometimes works for me but I'd have liked seeing this one go a different way. Still, I like these guys and their relationship, the writing is smooth, and the story held my attention. And maybe Cat will write the next realistic one, where the baby has non-stop colic, Josh is gone too much, and David temporarily moves back in with his family to have some relief from solo child-care... That would be cool. I'd read it. :) I've enjoyed this series so far, and would happily read more.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked getting to see more of David’s civilian side that he started to show in book 2. He’s still working on his clinic hours to be a therapist. It felt like it was a good career choice for him. Josh heads out on another deployment, but we don’t get too much detail with that. The story is more focused on David.

It was a decent short read, but there were still a lot of errors and repetition that wasn’t necessary. I liked the new characters and wished there had been an epilogue.

[Bitchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like David and Josh kept taking two steps forward and then two steps back. They rehashed a lot of the same issues from the last book, all over again, as Josh is finally back to active missions. And with the event that happened at the very end, I don't think those issues were dealt with, if anything, I expect them to be worse now. David will still be left behind, only now he's left with this new, huge responsibility.

[Ay · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this one has a damn BABY in it, acquired from the chick they got off the street. I really liked the chick and want to follow her story. Happily the baby only turns up at the very end.

Interestingly, we first meet chick's PTSD out of control veteran boyfriend who retired dude has in his veteran therapy group. I thought that was well done. Then we meet the chick separately, and then realise they are - erm - involved and that violent vet dude is chick's baby daddy.

Retired dude becomes therapist for veterans which I thought was excellent.

I also liked that retired SEAL dude goes and joins demonstrations outside VA about inadequacy of care for returned soldiers.

Also the dog was good. Why would a SEAL call their dog Major?

As this is reminding me, this last book had quite a lot of good stuff in it.

[Pjm12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short conclusion to David and Josh's story. David is getting on with his counselling career, and Josh is keen to get back to active duty. Their strong commitment is just as strong, despite David's niggling anxieties, especially in regards to adding children to their little family.

How this plays out is both sad and uplifting.

Very enjoyable.

[Char Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book and series!!!

I love David and Josh so much!!! They've come so far as a couple! And this new twist in their story is so good, I just can't stand it!!! Please let there be more books with these guys!!! Love, love, love them!! Navy Seals rock!!!!

[Shawnie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was EVERYTHING.
It totally should have had a epilogue so we could see what was happening with the baby when she is older. Ugh, ended too soon.

[Harshini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would like to see more from these two! How do they cope with the new baby, another deployment?

[Pebbles1374 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Natalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing The Only One Who Matters, I felt emotionally drained and didn't want for it to influence my enjoyment of the next installment, so I decided to postpone reading this book until later. Flash forward five months and I was ready for The Only One Who Cares. Despite their flaws and alpha male stubbornness, David and Josh are one of my favorite couples because their relationship feels real, with ups and downs. I couldn't be happier with the way this series ended. Definitely recommended!

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

David and Josh are going to make Awesome parents! The love they had for one another and others around them was exceptional. I enjoyed the moments with David and Cassie and how great of a girl she turned out to be. I have to say that I did think the book could definitely have been better and more girthy if that's even a word, lol. I just thought it needed more depth and I also wish it had been longer.

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of Unconditional Surrender - An M/M Military Bundle.

This is the last of a trilogy. Even so the story is well structured and, although there're hints to said books, it admits to be read as stand-alone.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare that you get to live with two such memorable characters for 3 books! I love David and Josh!! Settled into their relationship but still dealing with life in military (at least for Josh), they are considering adoption amidst David's new role as a therapist and Josh's return to active duty. Lovely ending. Sad to see their story end.

[Leona Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet!

This a story about military life, VA and counseling, the care of a couple who takes in a homeless pregnant teenager.. plus worry about going overseas and everyday life. Don't forget the love, care. So worth reading..

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this continuation of the series. The VA crap that veterans face seemed so real. The everyday life that David and Josh have just felt right and the baby was such a gift! Can't wait for the next one.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Great final story in this series! Josh and David have been through so much and come out on the other side, stronger than ever. And now their family is complete with baby Angelica. Awesome series...seriously hunky men, hot sex, great storyline! I loved it!

[Marolyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my that was such a great book. I seriously didn't want it to end. I love this couple and this series so I'm hoping there's more to come.

[Lea Blottiaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. Great read.

[Ottilee B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel this was a perfect ending, if indeed this is a trilogy. David and Josh love each other and I feel they'd make great parents. So WHAT that Josh is a SEAL? He could get killed on the mean streets of Coronado!! David would have to raise Angelique alone. As a retired SEAL, he won't take her gifting him with crap! Damn but I feel this would be great. They're more qualified than most other parents are. Two thumbs WAY UP.

[Louisiannis Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book is amazing, at least to me it is I just wish that the other two books in this series were still on Amazon Kindle, because if I could I would read them from front to back at least a dozen times if not more they are some of my favorite books to read. I hope you that read this post think the same thing.


Thnx
S

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Flint and Josh Walker are long past the injuries, separation, and issues that plagued their early years together as Navy SEALs. Now it is time to adopt.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd in the trilogy, we have the Navy seal Walker back in combat and Flint is a therapist and baby makes 3? Good conclusion.

[Alexis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I give up. 😭

I hated it start to finish. 💀

[Lena]

Unconditional Surrender

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of the Unconditional Surrender anthology.

I can finally read this story from the anthology that came out last year or the year before last. It was nice to see more of Josh and David. Josh is finishing up two years of non-combat duty and getting ready to go back out on the field. He's come a long way but he's still got some things to work through. David's doing clinic hours as an intern for his psychology degree and helping vets with PTSD. They're thinking about adopting and just going about their lives. It was on the super predictable side though and, once again, the ending resolution was rather convenient.

I also couldn't get into the whole storyline with Cassie once her parents showed up. She's from a conservative Catholic Hispanic family. So am I, on my mother's side. I can tell you, what happened to Cassie here would NEVER happen to anyone in my family, and I say this with plenty of experience. Not saying it doesn't happen, I just couldn't relate to it at all. Especially because that side of my family is ginormous so child care really wouldn't be an issue, and if it were there'd be plenty of family to take in the baby for a few years while she goes to school and gets on her feet. Adoption wouldn't ever be on the table as an option or a necessity because she had no other choice.

But whatever. HFN ending so yay.

There were a couple of grammar things that the author does that annoyed me here too. It's one thing when she described the dog's tail as "thump-thumping" on the floor. It's kind of cute and emphasizes Major's eagerness, and was only used once or twice in the previous book. But now people are clomp-clomping everywhere too and it's annoying. Pulled me out of the story every time that happened.

[Elizabetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This third book sort of comes full circle. Or, maybe it’s an ellipse. Nothing is easy, nothing is simple. The guys are still fighting their demons. Josh continues his SEAL service which takes him away from David and puts his life in great danger. David, left at home, worries about Josh constantly. David also continues to deal with an injury that has left him in pretty constant pain. But, he’s also making progress in his counseling work with military vets, making some contribution there-- filling in where the ineffective government system has let many in need fall through the cracks.

I enjoyed visiting with these two guys again; we’ve been through a lot with them. This story is about them, separately, though, not so much, together. And we really only get David's day-to-day. I do think seeing David make such a change in his life is particularly engaging. The author has chosen to focus on what it's like for those that stay behind, that maintain. An important story to tell.

The guys are also looking into adopting a baby, growing their family. While this sounds wonderful, I am left wondering how an infant could possibly fit into two lives that are already very hectic, stretched pretty thin, with stressful careers and the personal issues that arise out of them. A baby would only make things more complicated. While a sweet (and typical) outcome in romance-land, it's clear the guys have taken on a challenge bigger than any they've faced so far.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

David and Josh are still having the issues with Josh's deployments but seem resigned to it now.
David is happier with his therpay job - which helps land Cassie on his doorstep and who leaves a cute present behind when she leaves.
A nice wind up to the previous books - both guys showing their softer sides, and their panic about dealing with Angelica!
3.5*

[MiChElLe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good start but disappointed in the ending.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it, loved it, then realized it was the 3rd book of a series that NEEDS to be read in order.

That's what happens when you put little baby feet on the cover.

Kill me know.