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Strong

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When British Army medic Kate Sanderson arrives at Cobel, an American checkpoint deep inside Afghanistan's Helmand Province, the only thing on her mind is her mission to save lives. There she meets USMC Captain Tyler Jackson, a talented young officer who uses her career as an excuse to avoid personal relationships. The handsome captain has learnt the hard way that love can hurt beyond life itself, but Kate's presence in camp is making it difficult for her to keep her distance. When fate blows them apart, both women will discover the power of hope, trust, and that destiny really is only a matter of choice.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2014

69 people are currently reading
378 people want to read

About the author

Natalie Debrabandere

41 books243 followers
My novels are about strong, grounded women who live, love, and thrive in adventurous worlds.

As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist.
As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.

If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.

The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share!
My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.

You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com

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5 stars
244 (47%)
4 stars
179 (35%)
3 stars
71 (13%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Diane Wallace.
1,459 reviews175 followers
October 21, 2017
**! just could not get a feel for this book..i really tried..is it me or am i the only one who read a plain-jane book on just two females meeting in combat and there is no chemistry at all. The action was somewhat but not much to write about. Could not even finish and don't know how to write the ending because that's how boring this book was..
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,876 followers
July 21, 2017
I thought this was a decent read. It was well written and edited. One of the better quality Kindle Unlimited books I've read lately. I think the only thing that held me back from liking it more, was I just recently read a very similar story. It was a bit of deja-vu.
The characters were decent. I thought there was enough action and plot to keep me reading, but it was a bit predictable. When it comes to the romance, you definitely believed the two mains liked each other and had chemistry. But overall it was very low-key. Maybe because of everything the characters went through, the romance was just not a huge part of the book. This book does touch on PTSD, but more that you know a character is dealing with it, then seeing a character get help. I did like that the book showed you some of the things a person with a life changing injury might deal with.
A well written decent book, that would make a good Kindle Unlimited rental.
Profile Image for Tere.
261 reviews57 followers
July 6, 2021
3.5 rounded up because it did keep me reading. I was in the mood for military and certainly this one delivered there. The second part of the book seemed a bit more…almost random? But again, I found myself reading at work so I could get to the end. Ultimately that’s a ‘something’ (compelling, good, engaging, etc) story.
Profile Image for Lady Olenna.
856 reviews67 followers
February 25, 2024
3 Stars

Standard soldier story. Not bad. It’s just hard to follow Ask,Tell tbh. It’s like the one lover you compare everyone to.
157 reviews9 followers
February 20, 2018
I was pointed to this book from my friend "Lex Kent" and I like to say thank you.

This story about Kate and Tyler it is not only romance story. This story also show the ugly war, which is still there and how it effects the lifes of the soldiers and their families after they come home.
The book show that the situation in Afghanistan is very difficult to solve with power.

For a few minutes I was worried about happy end, but the story have one so I was happy :)
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,349 reviews104 followers
March 21, 2019
Well, excuse me people, why hadn't anyone tipped me the wink on this one? I loved it - a new author to me & I'll download some more. A definite re-read! Loved it, though a bit relentless - give them some down time! :)
Profile Image for Nolly  Frances Sepulveda.
383 reviews23 followers
March 12, 2016
Great story

Great story, great characters. Tyler and Kate are great together and good for one another. I enjoyed their chemistry from the beginning as two very strong and unique individuals, the secondary characters made for a strong impression, though they were not placed together for long. Kate and Tyler really make a wonderful pair. This was a romantic paring with good laughs and good loving.
Profile Image for Jane Shambler.
799 reviews32 followers
March 18, 2016
My first by this author

And by far it won't be the last. Excellent story about two women Kate and Tyler. Two extraordinary women who chose to defend their countries with bravery and courage in war torn Afghanistan. We experience their reasons to love and laugh and their reasons to surrender and grieve. An excellent and compelling story of two women who survived and found love. Read it you'll love it too. I certainly will again.
Profile Image for XR.
1,980 reviews107 followers
June 23, 2019
I liked this, but I didn't get why Tyler shut Kate out... what was the point of that? Kate's a top chick, PLUS she's a doctor who knows her shit, it just didn't make sense. There's a thing as too brooding and too strong, it seems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
113 reviews
August 30, 2015
Well written story.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Story line was interesting and the characters were real. Great to find love and friendship in a horrendous location. Thumbs up to Natalie Debrabandere.
104 reviews
September 16, 2015
Another winner

I loved this story. I didn't want to put it down. It's enjoyable to read a romance story where there is an actual story besides the sex. Tastefully written. I can't wait for the next book from Natalie!
Profile Image for JAYNE.
211 reviews12 followers
April 8, 2022
This book and new to me author was recommended by a friend. I could not put this book down, excellent writing with two strong MCs which took me through a range of emotions. It hits a lot of tropes for any of those doing a reading challenge.

Look forward to reading more books from this author.
25 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2015
Very good read

This is a well written book.. it is so nice read a book about our women soldiers and their part in these horrible wars. This book will not disappoint
Profile Image for Jax.
Author 7 books119 followers
January 5, 2018
Feels real

I didn’t serve during the wars, but there were a lot of elements of this story that I related to. It brought up some complicated feelings about my experiences, which isn’t a bad thing. I feel like the author really understands how complicated it is to be gay in the military.
Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it for those who have served or want to understand it a bit better.
Profile Image for Michele Howell.
207 reviews
December 9, 2018
A Great Story

Another great novel! I enjoyed Kate and Tyler's story. Tyler had a lot of sadness and PTSD she was dealing with but was able to continue leading her group without them knowing these things. Kate was stationed with her in Afghanistan. Kate was a medic. She could see through Kate and they became a comfort to each other. Out on rounds one day, they met up with a suicide bomber and it changed their lives.
Profile Image for Carolyn G. Manuel.
1,070 reviews
April 18, 2023
Always Ready

British Army Medic Doctor Kate Sanderson lands in Afghanistan to assist the U.S. Marines at a checkpoint. Captain Tyler Jackson is the commander and an extraordinary soldier and leader. They develop a friendship and deep feelings for each other. The danger and turmoil of constant conflict and tension draws them in deeper and deeper. A story of camaraderie, friendship and love amidst the chaos of the battlefield. Great author.
133 reviews2 followers
April 26, 2024
Needs serious editing

The author needs to go back and do some serious editing on this story. There's broken sentences and all kinds of issues.

Having said that it was a very good story. It was told well and you could feel all the emotions.

The other problem I always have with this author is the vernacular. Americans saying English things just doesn't make any sense. Never has, never will.
Profile Image for Katia M. Davis.
Author 3 books18 followers
August 15, 2021
Page turner

This was a page turner, grabs you right from the start and keeps on going.I enjoyed the way the budding relationship was dealt with between Kate and Tyler. We sort of got two starts to it. They worked well together, although Tyler was incredibly stubborn.I wanted to slap her a couple of times. I got through this in a single sitting.
32 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2019
It was okay

I've read most of her books and I've really enjoyed them, but this one not so much. The first half was set in Afghanistan and it was good but after that I thought it went downhill fast and bored me.
Profile Image for shelly j. bonsall.
18 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2020
A Must Read

I have enjoyed all of Natalie Debrabandere's books. Strong was not a disappointment. I highly recommend this book. Two very capable women confronting dangerous situations and navigating the emotional fallout. A good read.




543 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2021
Very worth reading

As a combat veteran and lesbian I was moved by the care with which this was written. Nothing in writing will ever come close to being in combat but Natalie has done a wonderful job in telling of possibilities.
826 reviews19 followers
February 28, 2022
Omg wow must read

Omg wow must read I laughed cried was scared for the main characters it was exception it's like your their with them going through it all this one will stay with me forever congratulations
183 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2025
strong

Wow another great read strong is the right word for these two female soldiers and what they had to go through only to be reunited some time later but fir their happy ever after 🌈🌹
Profile Image for Shula McCann.
218 reviews3 followers
May 9, 2025
Part 1 of the story wasn’t bad, although they were a few errors that always pulls me out of the story.

Part 2 felt quite random, and there didn’t seem a lot of real reasoning behind how it played out.

The premise was interesting, but it just wasn’t pulled off well enough for me.
61 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2018
Another Hit

Again, Natalie Debranbandere has hit another story out of the park. Her style is just amazingly brilliant. Cannot get enough of her writing. Thank You.
Profile Image for M L Brooks .
593 reviews9 followers
August 21, 2021
A sweet story

This was a pretty sweet story of a stubborn marine captain and the caring British army medic who cares about her.
Profile Image for Kayla Brahm.
279 reviews
February 3, 2024
4.5
This book is amazing! The writer keeps you on your toes throughout and the banter between Tyler and Kate is brilliant. You feel their chemistry right from the beginning. The twists and turns in this book are captivating. The writer was able to incorporate such difficult topics with ease. This book is definitely an emotional roller-coaster.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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