After The War

Coming Home #7

by Jessica Scott

The second book in the all new Homefront series from USA Today Bestselling author Jessica Scott

A terrible loss…

Captain Sarah Anders lost her husband to the war and has nearly lost the career she loves. Sent to Fort Hood, she only wants to do her job and take care of the daughter she’s raising on her own. She never counted on running straight into a memory she’d tried to forget.

A love he never forgot...

Captain Sean Nichols never got over Sarah. He simply tried to forget her amidst the war and the chaos of combat. But when she’s assigned to investigate his unit, he comes face to face with the woman no war or any amount of could make him forget.

Genres: Military Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Adult, Second Chance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2015

About the author

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Jessica Scott Jessica Scott is a USA Today bestselling American author of more than 20 novels, including Because of You which launched Loveswepts Digital Imprint in 2011 as well as Homefront, and Before I Fall. She is an Army veteran, a veteran of the Iraq war, the mother of two daughters, a small zoo consisting of too many cats, dogs and the occasional domesticated rodent, and wife to a retired NCO.

Her novels comes from her personal experiences as a soldier, a mother, and an army wife and often explores themes of family, the legacy of war, challenges of military life, and includes contemporary military romances, psychological suspense, and nonfiction works.

Follow Jessica

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaScottAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadscott09/


She's also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

Author photo courtesy of Buzz Covington Photography


Learn more at https://www.jessicascottbooks.com

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - "I'm glad you came home." Stars!

After the War is the second book in Jessica Scott’s Homefront series, whereas book one, entertained but didn’t really blow me away, Sarah and Sean’s story pulled me in, and gradually turned me into a blubbering mess, as it progressed.

Funny how a decade at war changed everything.

I get a perverse pleasure when a book evokes such a strong emotional reaction from me, as it happens very rarely nowadays. This couple, their past, the potential for their future and everything that happens in the course of their lives in the nine intervening years before their reconnection has been put together into a story that you cannot help but get invested in.



I think the one thing that always rings true for me when I read a book by Jessica Scott, regardless of how much I like the storyline or characters, I know I am getting a ‘true grit’ version of life for someone who is in the Army, has spent time in the theatre of war, or is now dealing with the aftermath of those two things. Jessica writes from the heart, you can feel the authenticity of the experiences her characters go through not to mention the depth of their emotions and the feelings it provokes in you as a reader because of it.

”This doesn’t feel wrong to me. I just wanted you to know that.”

There is a lot going on in this book, but each and every part of it is relevant to Sarah and Sean’s blossoming relationship, a little intrigue and suspense, characters you will love and others you will hate, Jessica for me ticked every box with their story, in relation to the type of book I want to read, and exceeded my expectations with others (see the paragraph outlining my emotional blubbering!)

”You will always be first in my life.”

I don’t know anything about life in the Army, having a family while serving in the Army, raising a child as a single parent in the Army, or losing someone who is serving in the Army, but After the War has given me at least a small insight into all those things, it’s not all hearts and flowers, the risk definitely outweighs the reward most of the time, and you are most certainly a very special person if you have the strength of character, and the willingless to act in such a selfless manner for others, who a lot of the time do not even appreciate the sacrifices that are being made for them.

Face the Fire the next book in the series is due in June, and I look forward to seeing where Jessica takes this series next.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Sarah Anders never counted on being a single mother, but being in the Army she understood the risk when she married a soldier. But before she married, there was another man in her life, one she’s tried and failed to forget, Captain Sean Nichols. Now years later when an injury brings her back to the States, serving at Fort Hood, Sarah is face to face with the man that broke her heart. Can they put the past behind each other and work together peacefully or even better (IMO) have a second chance at love?

Captain Sean Nichols has never loved another woman since Sarah, but she chose the Army over him, or at least that’s what he thought so many years ago. It’s funny what growing up can do to your perspective and Sean realizes now what an idiot he was to let Sarah get away back then. When he comes face to face with her again, pain overrides his sensibilities and Sean lashes out, but an investigation forces them to put the past behind them and work together. Realizing the amazing opportunity he has before him again, Sean sets out to right the wrongs of the past and win the woman he never forgot.

Life in the Army is no walk in the park. Navigating the politics and personalities is difficult. Dealing with the demons these soldiers dragged home from war complicates things further. Sean’s team has two men fighting in what seems like a cut and dry situation until Sarah is called in to investigate. It’s tricky and heartbreaking trying to do right by these men who’ve given up so much for their country. Sean struggles to balance what’s right with loyalty to a man that had his back in battle years ago. My heart went out to all involved.

After the War was a touching second chance romance, and I found myself tearing up over Sean and Sarah’s story. Jessica Scott writes beautiful, emotional romances, and I think her background in the military makes the stories feel authentic and relatable. The troubles and growing pains Sean and Sarah went through felt realistic, and I could easily understand how they bungled things up when they were young, even though they were so passionately in love. Of course, I was thrilled that these two would have a second chance at happiness.

A copy was kindly provided by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Demand too dear and a cost too high...it is war and what comes after. I don't know what to make of this story. I loved it and it broke my heart. Decisions were made, sacrifices were made and there was so much loss as a result. Was it worth it? These two think it was. Oh the costs that some folk pay...

There is love and there is happiness, but it is tempered after the hard road it took to get there. This was not easy and the rose-colored glasses are no where in sight for the reader to view this story. I do not think this story will be for everyone. Don't grab it if you want light and easy and definitely not if you don't want to be challenged in the mind about what you would give up to be who and what you really want or need to be to be you.

If you can't tell already, I reacted to this story. Strongly. I also couldn't read it in my usual way which leaves me at a loss for how to share my review thoughts with other readers. I can't imagine anyone being indifferent once they engage this book.

I felt compelled to read on and get Sarah's story- or I should say, Sarah and Sean's story. I love this author's work and I trusted her to take care of this special and delicate-type plot she wove into a story about a woman who was driven to have her career as a soldier and the personal heartache she experienced along the way and the story of a man who must live with nightmares because in war there is loss and life-long shadows.

Captain Sarah Anders basically got fired from her previous job because of an incident that was beyond her control and little more than an opportunity for her boss to get rid of an unwanted employee. Her unit had just arrived in Afghanistan, but now she has been yanked out and moved to headquarters at Ft. Hood. Her new assignment is working for a hard woman major who has it in for someone like Sarah- widowed, single mom. Sarah is given the task to investigate what should have been an open-shut situation of an officer and one of his men getting in a bar brawl over a woman. Her past stands before her suddenly when she learns both men are under the command of none other than Captain Sean Nichols, her ex-fiance' and the man who couldn't handle her choice to be a soldier and wanted her to change. She left him and found a man who accepted and made no demands, but she lost him a few years back during his deployment. She thought she had buried all that and now knows that she never really dealt with the feelings she thought were all hate and pain.

Sean can't believe it. First he is dealing with the mess in his company and trying to keep doing what he can for guys he owes so much, but they can't seem to stay out of trouble and an investigation is started. And the investigating officer? The woman he loved and who rejected him. After all these years, he is faced with Sarah Anders, the woman who said she couldn't marry him, walked out of his life without looking back, and goes on to do with another man what she refused him- marriage and a child. To complicate it further, her dead husband was one of his best friends that he had to helplessly watch die and couldn't save. He wants to hate her, but instead he hates himself and the guilt he feels for surviving and coming home when her man and the father of her child didn't come back. This is another chance when they are older and different people, but he doesn't know if it is right.

The story is told in alternating perspectives by Sarah and Sean. This is a second chance romance, but man, it felt like no second chance romance I had read before. The surrounding plot offered a strong conflict and swirling emotions as the truth behind the incident at the bar come out. I liked how the romance wove into this situation so well as it forces Sean and Sarah to really see the new people they have become and realize that the trouble before was that they were so young and inexperienced compared to the world-weary people they are now. The added stress of his work to shape up his command team and for her to deal with a hard woman boss who is looking for her to screw up made for constant pressure and start to deal with the possibility that she may never see combat and how she feels about that now that she's the sole surviving parent of her little girl.

As is this author's forte, she lightens things up with humor between friends and co-workers that have your back no matter what and the fun sweet moment's that Sarah's little girl brings to it all. I loved the inclusion of Claire and Evan along with even a Reza sighting with this story's tie-in to the characters of Until You from the original Coming Home series. The scene of little Anna and Sean in his office as she draws over his organizational thoughts on the whiteboard telling him about the paratrooper hamsters, the bad rats, the strawberry mission and the HIC (Hamster in Charge) cracked me up and gave me a warm fuzzy moment.

The romance itself was heartwarming. They circled each other warily and still felt that old attraction. They communicated. They were mature in how they faced their issues and demons. The sensual side of the relationship felt organic when it came. I loved them together and loved seeing it happen along the way. That epilogue was the perfect touch.

In summary, it was brilliant, tough on the feels and yet full of warmth and hope. This is part of a series, but can be read out of order in a pinch. I would recommend these for those who enjoy hard fought for and emotional spicy military romances.

My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

Note: This ARC was provided by Rock Star Lit PR in exchange for an honest review.

After the War is the second novel in the Homefront series by bestselling author Jessica Scott and is a contemporary military and second chance romance. Jessica Scott has an undeniable gift of creating something beautiful out of the terrible circumstances that war can bring about. Her knowledge of the military brings a sense of realism to her stories and her characters are often flawed and scarred yet have traits that make them heroes in the eyes of others. The subject matter of war brought together with the love the characters in her stories find is often heavy and dark but also always hopeful and insightful.

Sarah Anders and Sean Nichols carry with them a lot of baggage, courtesy of their break-up as a couple nine years ago and their own experiences with the war plus the death of Sarah's husband Jack. With this being a second chance romance, I'm glad that there wasn't this immediate need for either of them to rekindle what they once had because then it would have felt forced or somewhat unnatural. The pace in which their relationship went through reconciliation and re-establishing love and trust for each other gave me the chance to fully appreciate the highs and lows of Sarah and Sean falling in love all over again.

This isn't your typical story about a couple who parted ways years before but never stopped loving each other and then reconcile. Sarah truly did fall in love with her late husband and they had a good life together. Life went on for the lead characters during their nine years apart which was more real than had everything been put on pause or they spent all that time thinking about only each other. There are some emotional moments in the story and I know when it starts affecting me because I had that heart-squeezing feeling in my chest time and again. After the War is a love story worth reading and gets five stars. ♥

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

original post at http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspo...
Whenever I see a book by Jessica Scott I jump at the chance to read it. I’ve read many of her books and have really enjoyed them. “After the War” is the second book in the Home Front Series. Just like the previous book “ Homefront” deals with the life of soldiers and the way their lives and their families lives have been affected by the army and combat.

In true Jessica Scott fashion, she presents very complex and multi-layered characters. Her characters always portray raw emotion and the raw truth of what life is like in the military. Captain Sarah Anders and Captain Sean Nichols are no exception.

Sean and Sarah use to date when they were still very young and both were still new in the military. Although Sean asked Sarah to marry him she said no. Sarah explains that she wanted to make something of herself in the military before she became someone’s wife. Sarah ends up marrying another soldier named Jack and they have a daughter together. Jack does not make it back from Iraq and Sean feels a sense of responsibility. When Sean and Sarah are reunited many of their old feelings come back but so do new feelings. Sarah realizes that Sean has grown and changed since they were last together. Sean realizes that he made the mistake of losing Sarah once but does not want to make the same mistake again.

Scott is very honest and raw about military life and about the impact it has on a person. Her heroes are often wounded and trying to become better people while battling their demons. She is also very candid about the pitfalls of the military, the chain of commands and the less than stellar conduct of some military personal. This includes people in command. Sarah is a recipient of unfair judgement placed on her by superior simply because she is a single mother. Her superior, although a woman herself, makes Sarah’s life as difficult as possible all in an effort to prove that women don’t belong in the military.

I have to say that although I really enjoy Jessica Scott I had a hard time staying interested in the story. One reason is that Sarah seemed almost identical to Melaine from Homefront. They were both single mothers and both portrayed the struggles of balancing motherhood and work. Their personalities were also very identical. Also, Sean and Gael, from Homefront, were also very similar. They both wanted desperately to make up for past mistakes. They also seemed very similar. I also felt that there were parts of the story that were very repetitive. Sarah and Sean seem to have the same conversation over and over. Although I really enjoy the realistic military-life feel that Scott gives many of the scenes and scenarios she described went over my head and I just did not understand.

Putting the above aside, I enjoyed reading about both Sarah and Sean. I kept hoping that they would find their way back together and loved that she had them rebuild their relationship based on friendship. I know that Jessica Scott fans will cheer with “After the War” and I’m personally looking forward to reading “Face the Fire” the next book in the series.

[Escape Reality with Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are ever wanting to read a realistic, emotional, heartbreaking, steamy military romance, then I implore you to go no further than Jessica Scott’s books. Her books have all of these elements and more.

After the War is about two Army Captains who were former lovers and are brought back into each other’s lives when they are both based in Fort Hood, Texas and are required to work on an investigation together. Their previous relationship was filled with hurt and anger which both are still holding onto despite the many years and life events that have come between them.

Both Sarah and Sean have had to endure so much and continue to before they can have their HEA and their struggles and the many emotions in how they handle it are what makes this a 5 star book for me!

I was given a complimentary copy I exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Tanya.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and the second book I've read by this author. I absolutely loved this story.

This is a story about second chances. It's a story of the repercussions of war. It's Sean and Sarah's story. Sean and Sarah thought they'd never see one another again. When they did they were both shocked. Can they get past their past and move on?

Like book one this author was able to pull big fat tears out of me. It's a brilliantly written emotional story that pulled on my heart strings.
I would have liked a little more on the daughter at the end but heck that's only my point of view. Can't fault this story at all. I truly loved it. Really need to get 1-clicking this authors other books:)

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, heartrending and honest! Full review will be posted closer to release day.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story between main characters Sarah Anders and Sean Nichols. They were both great characters, each with lots of baggage. This second chance at love story captured my interest right away and kept me engrossed. The inclusion of Sarah's cute little daughter added some entertainment and cuteness to the story. I really liked this one!

[Lustful Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth's 4.5 Star Review



 

 

Sarah Anders has many scars, the physical and emotional ones from war, but also the emotional ones of losing her husband to war. She has always wanted to be a solider, it was the one thing she was always good at but many years ago it cost her the love and life her and Sean shared, but she moved on and fell in love with Jack, a man who loved her for who she was, a soldier. Sarah never wanted or planned on having a family but found herself without her husband, on her own and pregnant. Now years later she has been transferred to Fort Hood and as her and Anna begin to start their new life and future there, she runs run into her past, Captain Sean Nichols. There is not only years apart between them but also secrets but many years later is there still feelings that were once there.



After the War was such an amazing yet heartbreaking story. It is a story of war of in another country but also the story of a war that wages in every soldier when they go home, but it’s a war that never ends. My heart broke for so many characters in this story, they were all once whole people, but fighting a war and fighting for their country took that away and now they are back home struggling to survive the nightmares that haunt them and to move on with life when not everyone came home, they watched their fellow soldiers die, nothing they did to help could change that. These men and women are left to question why did they survive and some are left to wonder what is left to live for now. As much as these stories going on in this book gutted me, it also touched me on a level that most military books do not. It made me see the true ugliness and the realness of effects war has on those that survive, that they are left almost wishing that they didn’t survive and feeling that the ones that died were the lucky ones. It truly showed me what a war can do to a person, how it can make them do things they never thought they were possible of and how it can change them to never be that person they once were.



Sarah was such a strong and amazing heroine. She always knew from a young age that she wanted to be a soldier, she never wanted to be a mom or a wife, just a soldier. And when she was faced with a choice between love and being a soldier, she chose the latter walking away from a man she truly loved, a man that wanted her to be a wife and mom and not a soldier. She found love again only to have it taken away yet again, but this time left with so much more on her plate and is now left to be not only a soldier but a single mom. I loved how strong she was to get through the heartbreak, twice , but also to accept something she never wanted but along with accepting it, she owned it completely, she was such an amazing mom to that little girl.



Sean was such a strong and caring man. He was so protective of Sarah but also of his men. He was ready to put his own career on the line to try to save the men that have now come back broken, and he did it time and time again.



Overall this was such an amazing story with some amazing characters. I am truly enjoying this series, these stories are touching me in a special way, a way no other military romance has. They are so well written, the flow and the playout of the story line is so well done but the storyline and characters are so well thought out, it feels like you are reading a true story the way it plays out. The only thing I did find with this story is the flow of it was very well done until the end. I enjoyed how the story ended but found that compared to the flow of the rest of the book, it felt very rushed to me and I would have loved to see the ending playout a little bit slower. But on the upside I love how little time span there is in between the books in this series, cannot wait for the next one in this series, Face the Fire which is just weeks away, I love that we don’t have to wait months to get the next story.

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 6 Star Review ***

After The War by Jessica Scott is the second book in her new Homefront Series.

After The War is Jessica Scott’s best book to date. It was a powerful and emotional book that was obviously a very personal look into the person Jessica Scott is. Jessica poured a lot of herself into this novel and gave the readers a real look at the hardships of being a female officer, a mother, and a woman. The difficulties of combining a military career and family life are hard enough but add being a single parent to a pre schooler adds more to an already full plate. She also showed that even though one can be a soldier prepared for war that you are never prepared for the loss personally. The fears are very real. The devastation is even harder because no matter how the pieces fall you still have to soldier on. You still have to be a parent to your child.

Captain Sarah Anders has struggled and had adversity since she began her military career. She lost one man she loved because of her career. He could not accept her choice of being a soldier. He wanted a wife and children at home while he was pursuing his own career as a soldier. She lost her husband, the only man that accepted her choices and career, to the casualties of war. She gave birth to her daughter alone. She has spent the last five years trying to combine her career and be the best parent to her ability.

When she is fired from one position and sent to Fort Hood it is like a slap in the face for her endeavors in the Army. She is assigned to a senior officer that believes no single parent , especially a woman, should be in the Army. Her superior officer (although being a woman herself) is much harder on her female officers than she is on her male officers. Sarah is assigned to investigate a case of the arrests of two soldiers fighting in a local bar. It should be a cut and dry case but as the investigation begins to unfold there is much more buried below the surface. One the main problems is dealing with the soldiers commanding officer. That officer is the same man that could not accept her career choices and walked away. Now nine years later they are forced to work together.

A lot of changes can take place over nine years. Sarah is living proof of that. She is a mother and widow. She is an officer walking a fine line in her career because of Army politics and her home life.

Captain Sean Nichols has also changed. He was once an idealistic naive young soldier that thought he could change the world. He thought going to war would make a difference. War has a way of changing a man’s perspective on life and his view of the world. He may be a career warrior but he is also a compassionate man. He understands the nightmares and devastation that stays within a man’s soul after the war. He is trying to keep his men sane, focused, and prepared. Two of his soldiers are falling off course. It is more than homefront problems affecting these men. Something happened while they were on the front that is causing these men conflicts.

Sean never dreamed he would see Sarah again. He is shocked to find out she married soon after they broke it off. He was even more shocked that she was a mother. Then when he found out who her husband was, he was devastated. He witnessed her husband’s death. Now he wants a second chance to get to know Sarah once more. He has changed and respects her career. He also admires her sense of dedication to her young daughter. He wants another chance with Sarah.

Can Sarah put aside her fears, mistrusts, and resentments and give Sean another chance? Will she be able to hold onto her career and have a personal life? Can she still be a good parent and a good soldier at the same time? She thought she knew how to do it. Coming to Fort Hood has changed everything. It could be for the worse or it could be for the better. Sarah has tough choices to make. The one thing that seems most important is taking a second chance at love.

After The War was a powerful story of a strong woman surviving her losses, her career choices, and being the best person she can be.

I admire Jessica Scott for writing this story.

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
Nobody writes military romance like Jessica Scott, and that holds true in this latest installment of her military series set at Fort Hood, Texas.

This book is about former lovers, Sarah and Sean, but they broke up because Sean wanted Sarah to get out of the military and just be a military wife and mother...something Sarah never wanted. So they broke up and haven't seen one another again. The book takes place 9 years later. In the meantime, Sarah got married, lost her husband in the war with Iraq, and had a daughter. Sean didn't know any of this, but it's especially shocking since he was friends with Sarah's husband and was there the day he died. Sean still hasn't recovered from that day.

But this book is not just about Sean and Sarah. It's also about the difficulties of war and what the after-effects are...on all of them. War leaves a long-lasting scar on even the strongest of men and women. It doesn't matter where they were at during it all. Sean and Sarah have both sacrificed huge, although Sean is the one who's truly been in combat. But there are other examples of this throughout the story and they all deal with the stresses in very different, often complex ways. Jessica Scott's books are never feel-good, easy reads, but I think they are important to understand what soldiers go through.

As an active duty officer, she's been there and that shows 100% in her writing. Like I said, the stories are never easy, but don't let that worry you...they do end with an HEA for the characters and there's always some amazing character growth all the way around. She writes the emotions so incredibly well and I particularly liked this one because of the heart-wrenching history between Sean and Sarah. There are some amazingly beautiful moments between them as he's working through his stress. It's just beautiful. It was also interesting to see military life from the aspect of a single mother who's torn between her duty and love for her life in the Army and doing what's right for her child who she could leave as an orphan if she's killed in action. There are no easy choices, but Jessica Scott presents all sides to show how much grey area there really is, especially when it comes to the hardships of war. Definitely emotionally impacting.

Note: I received an ARC and I really hope that this book has one more final editing pass before publication. There seemed to be a higher number of edit issues than normal for an ARC and a few timeline/story situational inconsistencies that needed to be fixed in the edition I read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Jessica Scott's military romances, I knew I would have to give this one a go. I love second chance romances, so it was a no brainer I had to read it. The romance in this one takes a back seat to the actual storyline though. This didn't bother me because I was so engrossed in what was happening and seeing Sean and Sarah deal with the aftermath of a fight between soldiers. Still, what we do get of Sarah and Sean is really well done and I liked the slow building nature of their relationship.

Sarah and Sean have quite the past together and even though time has passed, they still remember the hurt they caused one another when they ended. Now, Sarah has been widowed by a good man whom she loved dearly and now has a daughter to care for. Sarah is hesitant to start something with Sean, as she feels it would be a betrayal to her late husband's memory. She has so much on her plate as it is, with dealing with her confusing feelings for Sean, being a single career mom, and dealing with an unforgiving supervisor. Sean is no different, with both of the fighting men being in his unit. It is hard for him to step back and look at the situation clearly, as he has served downrange with both, and one of which has been with him through some pretty dark times.

These last few books by Scott have been so enlightening as to what goes on between deployments and what it's like to be back on base, trying to acclimate. They are also incredibly heartbreaking, as some of them do not acclimate well and their drinking and drug use really become huge problems for them and their ability to do what is necessary for their jobs.

While the romance in this one is more on the subtle side, I did really like seeing Sarah and Sean find their way back to one another and giving the other some much needed hope that they can move forward and be happy.

*Received a copy of this book via the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in Jessica Scott's Homefront series, After the War is an engaging read with a storyline that goes beyond romance. Life in the army is often glamourised and to be presented with serving officers and the situations they have encountered and continue to face, was quite humbling; running parallel to this second-chance love-story is one that makes you realise just what these men and women sacrifice.

"Sean Nichols was nothing more than a bad memory. One she was determined to leave exactly where he belonged. In the past."

Sarah and Sean have a history, Rewind several years and we have a young man who didn't want the woman he intended to marry to become a soldier, and a woman who didn't see her role in life as that of an army-wife and mum. Ending their relationship, Sarah pursued her dreams, married, had a daughter and faced her own tragic loss. But when circumstance places them in the same place eight-years later, they discover war may have changed them, but their feelings for one another remain.



Whilst at times it felt a little steady, it was an enjoyable read. Sean and Sarah were likeable and their reconnection was touching, emotional and at times a little heart-wrenching. I have no idea what army-life is like, but with a gritty accompanying storyline it's given me what I can only perceive as a reality to the struggles officers face. Jessica Scott is an author that I will certainly read again and I look forward to the next book in this series.

Copy received courtesy of Rock Star Lit PR via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Kame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life goes on after you say goodbye to a love.

Sean can not believe the only woman he has ever loved, the one who said "No" when he proposed is the widow of the buddy he watched die in Iraq.

I have a lot of emotions about Sean. As with many of Jessica Scott's heroes he has an unwavering dedication to his soldiers, and if possible even a stronger bond with the men who helped him through what he considers his darkest hour. He was immature and narrow minded when he was with Sarah, and it is something he regretted deeply. Now Sarah is no longer a memory but someone in his life. It seems like he may have been given a second chance, but he truly questions if he is worthy of it. Sarah has a life she never imagined on many fronts, and for the first time her new boss is making her question her goals. Sarah is torn between two loves she has lost; one who has died, and one who unexpectedly walks back into her life. They learn to be friends again before they put a name to the feelings that have been brought to the surface.

As with all Jessica Scott books, there will be a few moments you laugh, a few you shake your head, one or two you will cry and there will be some point you fan yourself to cool down. Her books are like no others you will ever read.

I received this book from the author for my honest review - and the copy I purchased will be on my Kindle on release day!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Jessica Scott has written a very emotionally charged drama featuring our military heroes. This is the second book in a series but it can be read a stand-alone novel. However, if you have read the books from the Coming Home series, you will recognize some familiar secondary characters.
Having served in Iraq herself, Scott knows first hand many of the problems that her characters face as they transition home or even as they get ready to deploy again. In this novel, Captain Sarah Anders has lost her husband in the war and is trying to continue her career in the army while also being a single mom. Her latest assignment forces her to work with her ex-fiance, Sean, who feels guilty not just in how things ended with Sarah but also feels guilty for not being able to save her husband Jack. Both Sean and Sarah face a myriad of problems one of which being their attraction to one another all while trying to serve the army's needs.
I can't say enough about the books I have read by Jessica Scott and I certainly look forward to more. She is able to express what so many soldiers are dealing with every day and puts the focus on just some of the problems they are dealing with while still writing a gripping story.

[Susan Owensby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by author Jessica Scott that I have read. I was not disappointed in the least. As a lover of Military Romance this was a refreshing change getting the view point of a woman that had been to war, been injured and lost her husband.

Sarah is left widowed and raising her child as a single parent while in the military. She has no family to help her and finds her self overwhelmed at times. I love how strong she is and how much she loves her little girl and does not give up.

Now Sean is back in her life. A love from long ago. Can they forgive each other and make a life together? I was cheering for them the entire time!

This was an amazing and heart warming story from start to finish. The characters were very likable, well developed and the story flowed beautifully. I highly recommend this wonderful story.


*I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean and Sarah’s tumultuous second chance romance is a story of tragedy, separation, and reunion as she juggles the responsibilities of service as a war widow and single mom while he tries to cope with the unending responsibilities of command and the personal struggles of his service members. I hated the judgmental prejudices of Sarah’s commanding officer and her faulty notion that single mothers are inferior soldiers. As a feminist I wanted to kick butt and take names because the patriarchal system in the military and the offending character’s bias, especially as a female, was especially revolting. I had great empathy for Sean’s moral struggles as he learns a tough lesson about misplaced loyalties and the grey moralities of war. Most of all I loved the intense emotional connection that grows between Sarah and Sean as they share their tragedies, fears, vulnerabilities, and a shared past that leads them to a brighter future together.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This one touched me in so many ways I don't know where to start. There are several stories going on in this one, each one special and unique. It's a touching reunion story between the H/h, Sarah and Sean, but the rekindling of their feelings for each other brings along feelings of guilt and great loss. This series sheds light on what our soldiers face once they return from war, and how difficult it can be dealing with day to day life while serving in the military. This is a fantastic story and I highly recommend everyone have it on their must read list.

[Sheryl C. Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant addition to this series, but one that was so, so hard to read... Jeez, the FEELS!!!!

[Talltree]

DNF...meh

[Steamywindows♥♫ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. This story explores what can happen if you get a second chance at a relationship you thought was gone forever...loved it.

[Me Like Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Personal ‘After the War’ soundtrack: ‘Feel Again’ by Lucy Clearwater

“The kindred spirit of loss wrapped around them. For a moment, the harsh words and breathtaking disappointment were gone, and they were just two soldiers, each with their own scars from the war that had taken those they care about.” - After the War, Chapter 5

A very emotional read and very well written. Again, I’m often leery about second chance romances and, again, this author has managed to pull off such a novel brilliantly. Lieutenant Sean Nichols and Captain Sarah Anders truly have changed and matured over time (almost a decade!) and, as the fates would have it, have been brought back together to discover their love for each other never left and only continues to flourish while helping heal emotional wounds, including that of a five year old little girl who never met her father who died during deployment in Iraq.

There was also an element of suspense that actually drew me in this time compared to previous books in this series, probably because of the close ties that Sean has with fellow soldiers he fought alongside with and who are under an investigation led by Sarah and which lead to devastating findings that leave many involved emotionally destroyed.

I also never thought sexy times could be so sizzling over the phone. Much like Pavlov’s dog, the words ‘Think about me tonight?’ has me panting like, well, probably Pavlov’s dog.

My only beef with this series? Seemingly significant details that are repeated at certain points in the book but are then never explained. Such as, what’s up with the quarters in Sean’s pocket? Or am I really thick as a plank and missed something? Time and again I have been left pondering the relevancy of such minor unsolved mysteries by the end of the epilogue of any given ‘Coming Home’ story that perhaps should’ve been left under the book editor’s red marker as they don’t provide anything except perhaps confusion and frustration.

Think about me tonight?

Okay, feeling better now...

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching and emotional story of 2 characters that separated years before reconnecting, but it's not plain sailing as friends are being investigated and Sean was not only friends with, but also was a witness to her husband's death, it's a shock to find out though that the wife he hadn't known turns out to be the one that turned him down. This was complex, quite a bit in play on various grounds and who was telling lies? It is also pretty raw at times, painfully tear jerking for many reasons. It's about as realistic as you can get and written by an author who has been to war, suffered the worry of a husband being at war and the conflict of children being born into this scenario with the risks. This is a fictional story and characters but told by someone with direct knowledge. It comes across in the words and the plot, terminology. It's a can't put down read and at some point I hope I get to read more of this series.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the war is another second chance military romance by Jessica Scott. It’s second in the series and a little different than the first.

Sarah has always wanted to be in the military thanks to her past, but then mans she loves doesn’t quite agree with her. And well she needs to do what’s best for her and leaves him behind to make her mark.

Sean knows now years later his life isn’t where he wants it. He’s worn down but still Army. War has not been easy and now Sarah is on his base and he can’t help the feelings he’s never let go of.

There are secrets that both hold but Seans might be the final straw to their happily ever after. Will they survive?

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real, relevant, and reflective

This was one of my favorite of the series because it really dealt with the realities of war and the choices that soldiers, both men and women, have to make “downrange” and when the get home. Many of the choices the characters had to make about love, relationships and loyalty are compounded by the fact that people’s lives are on the line. I love that Scott was a solider herself, so she can tell the story with a realistic viewpoint. I think you’ll love Sean and Sarah, especially if you love second chances.

[Lisa Zeigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel very fortunate to have received a copy of this book for a review. I have read some of the books in Ms. Scott’s Coming Home series and enjoyed each one. It was good to see Claire and Evan again and their happy news. Ms. Scott is adept at crafting plot lines, building a trail to follow with some suspenseful situations, and describing the characters. I could visualize just what was going on in a scene and could feel the emotions of the characters.

Ms. Scott doesn’t give us a sugarcoated romance story with a fairytale HEA. I have/had many family members in the military (USMC & USAF) so these stories are of particular interest to me. She doesn’t hesitate to take on serious issues like illness, injury, parent’s leaving their young children, addiction, PTSD, and death. I appreciate that she has taken on such serious issues and written such a moving story. At times, I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough!

I love a second chance romance but this one especially pulled at my heartstrings. Sean and Sarah knew each other when they were young and they fell in love, but didn’t have the maturity to figure out how to make a relationship work. Sean wanted Sarah to leave the military and follow him, whereas she wanted her own career. Many years later she married a man who made her feel like an equal, who didn’t make her choose between him and a career, and then she lost him in the war.

As Sarah’s career path changes, she and her daughter end up at Fort Hood, Texas. Unknown to both, Sean has also been stationed there and they meet at the beginning of an investigation. The story follows the loyalty Sean has to his team members, along with Sarah’s trouble with her battalion executive officer. Major Wilson believes that only women who are unmarried and without children should be in the Army. Otherwise, she believes they work less due to family needs and cause others to work more in their place. Every scene between the two women just irritated me with the attitude of the Major and felt such empathy for Sarah trying to do her best at both her job and as a single parent.

Unfortunately, without getting into a political debate, I can certainly understand that things happen during war that wouldn’t happen at other times. Parts of military life can be terribly uncomfortable depending on the location you are based or deployed, and long absences from family can cause physical, emotional, and financial strains, dealing with the loss of team members, stressful situations, etc. The men and women have to leave their families behind, live and work through difficult situations, then deal with re-entering their ‘normal’ lives.

Sarah got over her love for Sean and still loves her husband, even though he was killed six years ago. As Sean and Sarah spend more time together, he realizes that he never stopped loving her and wants her back and the family he had always dreamed of. Sarah is hesitant but you can just feel the chemistry that is still there between the two. I could feel the conflict in her heart and mind, not wanting to betray her husband and the confusion of finally feeling something for another man. Sean has matured and realizes what he had asked of Sarah all those years ago and has lived with overwhelming regret. Sean has dated but never felt about another woman like he did for Sarah. He decided to focus on training for war and has become a battle-hardened warrior-soldier.

My heart just ached for the two of them but especially Sean, since he never really found someone else. I fell a little bit in love with Sean, not only his physical description but his strength and loyalty. I was holding my breath for Sean and Sarah to get back together, knowing there were several conflicts. Ms. Scott can definitely write sensual love scenes!

Sarah is like most moms that work outside the home; they feel guilty to a certain degree being away from their child/children, and yet having a career is important also. Mothers are made to feel bad by family, friends, co-workers, and bosses for either staying at home or having a career. A child is never going to be ill when it is convenient and I know the guilt from having to leave work, and wishing someone else could help with your child. Most employers believe that mothers will always have to take off work and the fathers/husbands are too busy working to take care of a child. Ms. Scott provides the reader with a story of a strong woman, one that we don’t see that often.

This story is more realistic than most, with deployments still scheduled, absences to be endured, and worry for their loved ones safety. I’m glad that Ms. Scott noted that the book was initially written while her husband was on his second deployment. She mentions that his first tour was bad but doesn’t give specific details, which I’m sure her husband and the military appreciate. Both she and her husband made difficult decisions to stay in the military, where the threat of injury and death are much higher than most civilian jobs. Any job that routinely takes you away from your family is a difficult one.

I love epilogues and while this one was short, it wasn’t lacking in emotion. I think you could call this a HEA with the normal hope of a beautiful future together. I highly recommend Ms. Scott’s compelling work and look forward to reading more of her intriguing stories.

I give this a solid 4.5 stars.

[Amee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Scott has done it again. Real story, with pure emotion, well thought out characters and scenarios, and some hot moments too. It was interesting watching Sarah dig through the layers of what appeared to be simple to begin with. As we all know, I'm a sucker for HEA, and I got it.

[Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give 5 stars easily. This author continues to write compelling stories with instantly profound characters that linger in my mind for a long time. The things we ask military men and women to do; then fail them when they return home.

[ItsAboutTheBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can be read at It's About The Book

4.5 stars

This is a great novel about second chances and love found again. But it’s also a book that can be read on several levels. Jessica Scott is a writer that continues to best herself with every novel that she writes, and this one is by far my favorite. I just can’t wait for the next!

This is a very complex novel about people who have changed. Sometimes it’s because of events that happened to them during the war. Sometimes it’s because of meeting a different person. And sometimes it’s because they weren’t given a choice. But no matter the cause, circumstances force people to either adapt or break. This novel deals with the fallout of these changes–good and bad.

Sarah Anders has made choices in life that have haunted her, but these same choices have led her to where she is today. With a child from her deceased husband, Jack, that she’d never give up. With a career in tatters that she’s desperately trying to rebuild. And with strong feelings for an ex-lover who made her choose between a relationship with him and the military career she loved.

After getting removed from a command position, Sarah’s decision to stay in the military is an uphill battle, emotionally and physically, and she has to work hard at regaining the trust of her superiors. But her new boss has made it clear to her with each meeting that she is going to try to do everything she can to make Sarah quit. Major Wilson doesn’t like women with children in the military–especially single mothers–and she’s actually told Sarah she doesn’t belong in the there. No matter how hard Sarah works, she’ll never do enough–be enough–for Major Wilson. But is that fair to her child? Anna deserved the one parent she had left to be fully engaged in being there for her, too.

Sean Nichols has served in the military his entire adult life, and he’s used to the hurry up and wait attitude. But what he doesn’t like is watching the men he served with implode, one by one. Former medic Haverson has been transferred to the WTU Division for transition to civilian life. Sean served with him and understands the demons that caused him to dive into drugs and try to escape the memories, but he’s very concerned about what his future outside of the military is going to be. Kearney is another soldier he’s worried about, and his shenanigans with LT Smith are causing their unit a lot of trouble. Luckily a new investigator has been named to take care of it–Captain Sarah Anders. Only when he meets her does he realize that it’s his Sarah…who’d apparently married Jack Anders, a man he’d watched get blown up in Afghanistan six years earlier.

Sarah and Sean had a relationship way back when. When Sean had gotten orders to go to Korea, he’d asked Sarah to marry him and go along–and for her to quit the military. She’d been hurt that he’d expected her to just give up all that she’d worked for, and their relationship had ended. But Sean had never gotten over her. Seeing her again now, nine years later, was like a fist to the gut. And to realize that she’d gotten married two years after he’d asked her to marry him–and she’d refused–hurt like nothing else. She’d said she didn’t want to EVER get married. Obviously she just never wanted to get married to HIM.

While Sean is seeing new sides to Sarah, she’s also seeing a lot of changes in him. But is she willing to listen when he wants to tell her the biggest secret of all? And will she open her heart…or run away again?

Great story with an amazing connection between the two main characters. Gives a great front seat on the sacrifices and stories of our military families today. Read it for the great story, but open your heart to the message as well. Thanks Jessica Scott!