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Pine Grove #1

Unpredictable Love

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When Amber signed her sister’s name on a pen pal letter to a Marine, it was only meant to be a little white lie. As usual, Jory Walker, older sibling, stepped in to make her sister’s mistake right. Jory didn’t intend to send more than one or two letters.
When faced with four letters from SSGT Trent Stevens in Afghanistan, Jory had no choice but to correspond. What harm could it do? After all, she was Jory, that was no lie. But the picture Amber had sent, of herself in a bikini –well, that wasn’t Jory by a long shot.
Since she was in no danger of falling for a man so far away –Jory kept writing. SSGT Stevens could never be the man of her dreams. They had nothing in common. Or did they?
What started off as an innocent ruse, morphed into a monstrous web of deceit. Would unpredictable love break her heart?

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2016

65 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Jean C. Joachim

108 books587 followers
I've been making up stories for as long as I can remember. When other kids wanted to be doctors, teachers or firemen, I wanted to be a writer.
As soon as I could read, I began devouring books. I'd read anything I could get my hands on, but Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" and Nancy Drew mysteries were early favorites.
In school, term papers were my favorite homework. While others bemoaned the amount of work involved, I jumped in, burying myself in research and writing the document with care.
Still fiction was my first love. After college and a degree in English, I fell into the world of advertising. After many years in corporate America, I went my own way. Working and raising two kids took all my energy and creativity. But when the youngest went off to school, all the stories ideas in my head came to life. Mac Caldwell and Callie Richards landed in my head and refused to leave. So I told their story. What started as one book has become six. Now I greet my characters every morning at six and jump back into their story, enjoying every minute. I'm blessed to be able to work at something I love. More than 70 books later, I'm still up at the crack of dawn, crafting the tales of the people who live in my head while nursing a cup of tea and a few pieces of black licorice.

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5 stars
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31 (28%)
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28 (25%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Amy ~ Love At 1st Read.
546 reviews40 followers
June 1, 2016
Amber signs her sister's name on a pen pal letter to a Marine in Afghanistan but encloses her own bikini clad photo. Older sister, Jory, is left with the task of keeping up with the correspondence. She intended to only write a couple of letters and then quit, but as she got to know SSGT Trent Stevens through his letters, she didn't want to let him go. Which leaves her with a problem. What will Trent do when he discovers Jory isn't the bikini clad beauty he thought he was writing to?
This story sounded so promising and I really wanted to love it but it just fell flat for me. I almost felt like I was reading a first draft that just hadn't been polished yet. The story didn't flow for me. What aggravated me the most was the overuse of "the reporter", "the soldier", etc, rather than just using the character's names or a pronoun. It made me feel disconnected from the story.
Though I didn't care for the book as much as I had hoped, I'm not writing this author off. As I said, the premise was cute and had potential. I intend to sample other works by this author. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection
579 reviews17 followers
April 21, 2016
This is a cute, short story and the start of a new series. I think the story line had great potential but there were a couple issues that stuck out. One major one being Jory was writing a letter to Trent on Saturday evening during a storm and discussed her feelings about thunderstorms. In the next chapter it states by morning the storm had passed, talks about Jory giving the letter to Nan to mail on her way to church and then that night she reads a letter from Trent where he states he wishes he could be there with her on stormy nights. I also felt some of the dialogue was stilted or odd in some areas, just not as smooth as I’m used to reading from Jean.

I loved the concept of the story, older sister stepping in and continuing to be a pen pal to a military member when her younger sister signed her name and then begged off. The two of them forming a real relationship and feelings for each other through the letters, what happens when the façade comes to light, etc. Overall, it was a good book, the characters-lead and secondary-were normal, everyday people and it felt realistic and not some over-the-top situation that was hard to fathom.
368 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2016
Mistaken identity due to a troublesome sister.
When Jorys sister Amber signs Jorys name on a letter no one thought anything would come of it. But when letters started to pile up Jory decides to reply. When Jory starts corresponding with Trent whille he is overseas she thought she would end it after a few letters. No one thought that Jory and Trent would start to fall for eachother.
Trent was just looking for someone to talk to so when he combines Ambers photo with Jorys amazing letters he fell hard. When he ends up in Jorys neck of the woods he believed they would finally be together. He never expected a lie.
I liked how the story progressed, especially the growing love between Jory and Trent. I just wish it was a bit more indepth. Overall it was a nice read.
~A Book Obssesed Chicks Review Team Selection.
Profile Image for Kristine .
1,806 reviews12 followers
February 24, 2018
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The story captured my attention right away and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I liked the characters and enjoyed getting to know them. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but in some areas the story drug on too long and in others it could have used more. I would be interested in reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Sassy Beta Reading & Review.
1,239 reviews24 followers
April 21, 2016
Jean does it again with this start to a new series.

Unpredictable Love is a contemporary romance starring Trent and Jory.

Trent is a Marine stationed over in Afghanistan while Jory is a journalist in the states. She lives with her aunt and sister and as always, needs to bail her baby sister out of one mess after another. What she didn't expect was her sisters latest mess would cost her, her heart.

Trent is excited when he gets letters from Jory...not realizing Jory is not who he assumes her to be. Emotions begin to run deep between these two when tragedy strikes.

This takes us on their journey of discovery. It's an emotional roller coaster ride that had me bawling like a baby a time or two. Yep, I was one big blubber ball, gut wrenching sobs at one point. Thank the good lord I was home when I was at that point and not at lunch at work. That could have been awkward :)

The story line was great, the characters were easy to become emotionally attached to (though I wanted to thump the sister between the eyes a time or two but she turned out okay), the dialogue flowed nicely and the descriptions to details were done well.

All in all, a great start to a new series.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading & Review

824 reviews9 followers
April 18, 2016
WOW! Jean has started a new series with a bang! This one is not like any of her others but it is terrific like the rest! Amber and Jory are sisters, but are complete opposites. Everyone describes Amber as the pretty one and Jory as the smart one. They lose their parents at an early age and Jory steps up to raise her younger sister. They move in with their aunt and become a tight knit family. Amber has been spoiled by her sister and her aunt, so she is not very responsible. Amber decides to help out with a write the military volunteer campaign, she writes a letter, sends in a picture of herself in a bikini, but signs it with her sister's name! She planned on just sending one letter then stopping, but when Jory finds out she can't bring herself to hurt the Marine, so she continues the letter writing. I loved how the letters were included in the story and you learned more about both Jory and her life, as well as, Trent (the Marine) and his. Jean's stories usually have an animal in them and this time we have birds! Loved this love story and I think this will be another terrific series!
Profile Image for Miriam.
738 reviews39 followers
August 2, 2016
This was a surprising story. It's short, sweet, and sexy. It's deep and evocative. Or maybe it's deeply evocative? *smiles*

The exchange of letters between Jory and Trent began because of Jory's sister Amber. Pretending to be someone else is always easy to do when not done in person, you know? Left uncorrected though... Well, that could end up causing more damage than originally thought.

That nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind as Jory and Trent got to know one another through pen and paper. I kept wondering if and when that exchange would happen and what the result would be. But I also kept hoping the connection Jory and Trent shared through their letters made that sin easier to forgive.

Ms. Joachim isn't a new to me author but her books continue to show me how incredibly talented she is. I find myself either loving or hating her characters while experiencing a wide range of emotions as I read her stories. She did that with Jory and Trent's story. I'm glad for the chance to read it. The ending was worth all the uncertainty and certainty I felt while reading.

Received from author for an honest review
Profile Image for **Elle**Bee**Double U**.
2,207 reviews24 followers
February 17, 2018
This poor book...The story just seemed to drag on with unnecessary details that I feel it bogged down the story. There were times I was skipping over all the details because I just wanted to find out what happened next.

Jory...This woman got on my nerves. I love him, I don't love him. I want to be with him, I don't want to be with him. She couldn't seem to make up her mind about anything.
**side note...I don't think the author could make up her name what last name she wanted to use. At the beginning it's Jory Wheeler, then later it's Jory Walker. **

I got kind of aggravated with the women in this book. Amber is 25, yet she acts so immature I honestly thought she was 16. She blames her sister for getting embarrassed in the store, yet she wouldn't have been put in that position had she not lied to the Marine. Also what was with all the "the journalist" "the marine"? Why not just say their names?

All in all, it was a good story, just bogged down with WAYYY too many details! The women couldn't seem to decide if they were adult independent women or wanted to act like gossiping teenagers.
Profile Image for Niki Driscoll.
889 reviews17 followers
April 20, 2016
Once again Ms. Joachim has created a story that touch your emotions. This author has a way with words that brings the towns and characters to life creating an almost 3D picture of the events taking place. The characters a real people, easy to relate too and their actions and reactions only help to bring the story to life. Jory longs for love but is shadowed by her beautiful sister. Always compared and feeling lacking she doesn't think there is a prince charming for her. Trent is a soldier needing a connection to home while he serves his country and Jory's letters bring him hope for the future. This was a well written and a well thought out storyline. The main charterers are easy to like, their journey to find each other is filled will detours and distractions, twist and turns and sometimes their greatest obstacles were themselves. This was a great story that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.
Profile Image for Crystal Yawn.
602 reviews3 followers
April 18, 2016
I love a Train crash waiting to happen type book, and what better way to describe this one.
Amber is Flakey, she wrote a pen pale letter to a soldier, added a hot picture and signed her sister's name instead of her own. Jory is a wonderful character, she continues to write to Trent but is scared to tell him the truth, that she is not nearly as pretty as her sister- Hence Train crash. The love letters back and forth are very cute, heart warming, but a bit rushed. I needed a bit more intimate conversation, more connection. Otherwise it's a fun ride with light hearted moments, a bit of sexy moments and some pain mixed in. A great afternoon read
Profile Image for SiKReviews.
1,325 reviews5 followers
April 21, 2016
One thing about books from Jean, is that they always have something in them that leaves you emotional with tears of happiness in them. This book is no different. Although after reading it, it did leave me a bit nostalgic of a time gone by where you actually took a pen to paper and actually wrote a letter. I am a collector of pens and paper. I hoard them even. I find that the letter is an excellent way to fall in love with someone for them and not just their pretty wrappings. That is exactly what happened in this book. Jory and Trent fall in love on the inner beauty of the other. That too me is special an precious.
Profile Image for V.L. Locey.
Author 219 books732 followers
May 1, 2016
What a wonderful novel to kick off a new series!

Ms. Joachim once again brings us a book filled with drama, romance, and a lesson learned. I loved the leading man in this one. A Marine who sketches birds?! Yes, please! The story line was tight and kept me involved as I waited for the inevitable explosion to happen between our couple. When it did it was well-written and powerful and I was rooting for them to work it out. This new set of tales by Ms. Joachim has a lovely small town feel and the supporting characters are warm and friendly, just as you'd expect in a quaint little hamlet. The sex scenes were smoky hot and the dialog crackling. All in all a marvelous start for a new series!
Profile Image for Pamela.
1,263 reviews12 followers
July 9, 2016
This was a book full of emotions with each page your turn
you was drawn in deeper into a amazing love story.
A marine who loves to draw birds a women who had
To take care of issues that was never caused by her.
Tears fell and my heart went threw emotions that was
Like a storm that never ended. Jory and Trent found
Love that started out under false pretense but never
Meant to hurt anyone........ But could it end well
They over come and find a true love. Jean Joachim
Is starting a new journey and this is a amazing start
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,097 reviews23 followers
February 16, 2018
This was a touching read as I read it I thought this is going to become one big mess. A sister writes a letter but doesn’t sign her name but her sister. This is a heartbreak waiting to happen. The author spins a sad tale of a soldier that needs a friend, needs to connect with someone back home as he puts his life on the line. They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and as Jory beholds herself she finds she is lacking more so when she stands beside her beautiful sister. She really just wants to be loved and needed, wanting a reason to get up in the morning, some fun, helping someone feel important, wanting to feel important to someone. As they start writing they build a relationship. He thinks he is writing to this beautiful sexy lady when in fact he is writing to a normal everyday woman with issues.

It is a very touching read that has some steamy moments, the letters are cute as they learn more about each other. It really warmed my heart but as we all know things must come out. How will Trent feel when he finds out he has been lied to? What a mess….

I would have liked it to have been a little longer with a little more detail given. It was a little rushed but a nice read that holds your attention making your heart go out to the characters. There are some wonderful characters you have no trouble relating to. An enjoyable short read filled with emotions that are very heartwarming.
*******************
857 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2019
Such A Sweet Romance

I really enjoyed the developing relationship between SSGT. Trent Stevens who is stationed in Afghanistan and Jory Walker a 32 year old journalist. Jory’s younger sister Amber had sent a letter to Trent with her picture as part of a pen pal program with soldiers in the Mideast, however she signed her sisters name to the letter in hopes that Jory will continue with the letters. Some guilt and a promise from Amber to cook three days a week has Jory continuing with letters with the smart, sexy, handsome and caring soldier. This is a sweet, well written book about how sometimes you can overlook how two people who seems miles apart, can have so much in common. When finding truth is all important to you, imagine how foolish and deceived Trent feels when he learns about how Jory’s deceit in allowing her sister’s picture to pave the way to her introduction to Trent. I was mesmerized by the storyline, the hot physical attraction between Jory and Trent, but I was sorely disappointed in the epilogue that had little to do with Jory and Trent and more about the next book in the series.
1,006 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2019
Jory is conned into writing back the soldier her sister lied to by signing Jory’s name to the letter she also sent a photo of herself. Jory so used to doing for her sister after the death of their mother she agrees to write to him out in Afghanistan. Jory only decides to write him a few letters at the most but finds herself really corresponding with him and possible falling for the man she never met.
She was also in a relationship with s man she is not attracted to but is okay with it , because he was better than nothing.


What will Trent think when he finds out the truth and then the unexpected happens which throws a huge curveball and may possibly give Jory a second chance to fix her mistakes.

At first this story is told all in Jory’s POV until the Fifth chapter where we get to get into the head of Staff Sergeant Trent. This story did drag in some parts and I wish their was more to the epilogue.
Profile Image for Gladys.
14.1k reviews166 followers
January 23, 2019
This was such an emotionally moving read. Jory and Trent's story is a charming blend of cuteness, sweetness, heartache, drama, angst, emotional turmoil and a nice touch of heat. It was easy to feel for these characters. Trent is completely clueless to the lie that is looming over his relationship with Jory and although I wished Jory had come clean much sooner, I do think her heart was in the right place. I also felt that Jory was a very relatable character. I think many readers will relate to how she thinks, feels and sees herself because of her "beautiful sister". This is a situation that many women find themselves in whether it involves a family member of friend. I really enjoyed this book but I do wish it had been longer. I would have loved a deeper look at these characters and added details and depth to the story. I am freely posting a frank review.
Profile Image for Laura.
527 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2018
I wasn't sure about Unpredictable Love when I started it but as I was reading about Jory writing to Trent, something touched my heart. Jory never thought she would have her dream of a husband, or children. But when she wrote the letters to Trent, I felt something shine thru her and though Trent thought he was writing to Amber he learned more about Jory and loved her, not her sister. So many times I had to stop reading and dry my tears as their story touched my heart. I could almost feel how they felt with each other, their dreams, hopes, and love. At first I thought that there should have been more about Jory and Trent instead of those around them but realized those would be the next stories, just waiting to be told.
I truly loved this book
Profile Image for Pat Bettinger.
239 reviews
October 31, 2019
Pretty good book. Jory,the heroine, at times makes you want to just shake the crap and dumb out of her. After her sister signs her name to a pen pal letter for a soldier in Afghanistan, she decides to write to him after all but does not tell him it is her and not the prettier sister who sent the first letter and a photo to him. He thinks she is the girl in the photo.
They finally meet and he can't see her because of an explosion that sent him home. She still does not tell him the truth about the letters being from her and not her sister. Trent does find out and of course and it is a little rough. Truths have to come out and decisions have to be made about the future of their relationship. I did enjoy it and we do get an ending that works.
Profile Image for Connie.
1,672 reviews6 followers
May 26, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a wonderful book. It was quite a ride. There were twists and turns throughout. Once I started, I didn't put this down. I was eager to see what would happen next. This book did not disappoint me. It brought tears to my eyes several times. No spoilers but bring the tissues. I just fell in love with these characters. What a wonderful start to a series.
Profile Image for Staci Black.
564 reviews4 followers
February 24, 2018
No better ending could be asked for by any of us. Beautifully written story of very realistic life. Love doesn't really just get handed to most wrapped perfectly with a bow. It takes time an understanding. Often mistakes happen. To read such a heartwarming tale of two souls coming together despite those pitfalls is refreshing.
2,617 reviews25 followers
February 19, 2018
this was a first book of yours i read and i loved it! she only wrote him one letter but all of a sudden there were several more. her sister is to blame. he has seen her picture and cant wait to meet her. only there is so many lies going on that could bite her in the butt.
Profile Image for Terra Oenning.
3,574 reviews
January 15, 2019
Omg absolutely loved it!!

Holy smokes what a freaking Amazing start to a new series and now I'm hooked. You can feel the pain and love between the characters and the storyline absolutely flowed and kept you hooked until the end.
Profile Image for Lori Morris.
109 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2021
Not too bad.

Very well written. Great characters. But it's missing something. It could have been richer. More... I didn't like the epilogue. It wasn't one. It is more a prelude for the next book. Sorry... 😦
Profile Image for Molly.
Author 34 books27 followers
March 12, 2019
Loved, loved, loved this story! Found it hard to put down, and every time I thought it was about to end, the author threw another twist in. Very well thought out story line!
67 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2020
It was nicely written. I just did not seem to quite get mentally into the story.
252 reviews
April 17, 2016
Unpredictable Love is the starter for a new Jean Joachim series. I really enjoyed the spin on this story, I've read many of Jean's books and I feel like this story had a little bit of a different feel to it, especially following the First and Ten series. I loved the amount of vulnerability in this story, the reader sees the weakness in virtually every character we meet, but particularly Jory and Trent. It was very easy to fall for Trent, the way he wrote to Jory, the content of his letters, his determination to push her away and then to reach their HEA.

Jory ends up as Trent's pen pal because of her sister's spontaneity and quickly finds herself caught up in the budding relationship between her and Trent. I love how they were able to connect so deeply without the benefit of being together in the same space. The chance to get to know each other from the inside out. I think that is the true beauty of this story, the deeper connections people can make when you look past the surface.

This story takes you on an roller coaster of ups and downs as Jory and Trent try to navigate themselves to their HEA. The reader is introduced to a flurry of interesting secondary characters that add flavor and flair. I loved Nan and her antics, she intervened just enough to make a difference but not enough to be irritating. Amber was selfish and self-absorbed, but I enjoyed her evolution through the story. The small town feel and the events added to the atmosphere of the story.

I'm excited to see where this series is going to take the readers!
Profile Image for Julianne Redmon.
267 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2016
I had a hard time liking Jory as she played along with Amber's deception of Trent. But the way she felt about it and what she eventually did to avoid hurting him was a heart-wrenching redemption in my mind. I love that Jory is smart and hard-working, a complete opposite to Amber in both looks and tempermant. Sort of a high-five for all of us who aren't blond super model looking types LOL And Trent ::heavy sigh:: a military man with a penchant for drawing birds?? He's rough and ready, kind and compassionate wrapped up in one very delicious package.

You know an author is good when they can make you SERIOUSLY dislike some of the characters in the story. I didn't like Amber, even at the end. I can't believe what a spoiled brat she was and that Nan and Jory just let her get away with it. I swear if my kids acted half as idiotically as she did I would spank their rear ends, I don't care how old they are!

The story itself was very sweet, but I was uncomfortable with the fact that Jory didn't come right out and tell Trent what Amber had done. I understand her reasoning and the author does a great job of helping you sympathize with her situation, but I still had that niggling disapproval for the way that she handled the whole scenario. But with Nan's help it all worked out in the end. If it wasn't for Nan always there supporting and being the voice of reason (even if she was meddlesome at times), I don't think that I could have handled the drama between the sisters and Jory's self-pity.

All in all it ends up being a very sweet small-town love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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