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Bad Boy #1
American Bad Boy
A Military Romance
I lost my men. I lost my leg. I lost my career. And all I could think of was Lauren.
I left for West Point with two things: a broken heart and a promise to never let it happen again.
Now I'm back in Colorado as a war hero. F*ck that, I'm a celebrity.
And every woman wants to open her legs for Captain America.
So why do I only want her?
***
Even with one leg, Mack Forrester hasn't lost his swagger.
It's been a decade since he left. But under his tattoos, I still see the guy who broke my heart when he chose his country instead of me.
I told myself I was over it.
Over him.
One glimpse in his crystal blue eyes and I knew it was a lie.
Now he wants me back, but ten years is a long time. There's so much he doesn't know.
Like, that I had his child.
I lost my men. I lost my leg. I lost my career. And all I could think of was Lauren.
I left for West Point with two things: a broken heart and a promise to never let it happen again.
Now I'm back in Colorado as a war hero. F*ck that, I'm a celebrity.
And every woman wants to open her legs for Captain America.
So why do I only want her?
***
Even with one leg, Mack Forrester hasn't lost his swagger.
It's been a decade since he left. But under his tattoos, I still see the guy who broke my heart when he chose his country instead of me.
I told myself I was over it.
Over him.
One glimpse in his crystal blue eyes and I knew it was a lie.
Now he wants me back, but ten years is a long time. There's so much he doesn't know.
Like, that I had his child.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2016
506 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Eddie Cleveland
58 books939 followersEddie Cleveland is an Amazon bestselling author who, after over a decade of military service, took a chance on his dream and wrote his first book. Since publishing his debut novel in 2016, he has soared to the top of the best-seller list several times in multiple categories. Now Eddie is living his passion of writing full time.
His characters are so realistic you'll wonder if you've known them your entire life. These aren't just interchangeable, faceless men. These book boyfriends will seize a piece of your heart forever. Each book drags you into a world of lighthearted laughter, heart wrenching romance and sizzling sexual tension that holds you captive until the last word.
After leaving the military, Eddie found his perfect place by the sea—a small East Coast town. Now, he's living his dream with the love of his life, their adorable little girl, and their goofy golden retriever, who reminds them that life is better with wagging tails and slobbery kisses.
His characters are so realistic you'll wonder if you've known them your entire life. These aren't just interchangeable, faceless men. These book boyfriends will seize a piece of your heart forever. Each book drags you into a world of lighthearted laughter, heart wrenching romance and sizzling sexual tension that holds you captive until the last word.
After leaving the military, Eddie found his perfect place by the sea—a small East Coast town. Now, he's living his dream with the love of his life, their adorable little girl, and their goofy golden retriever, who reminds them that life is better with wagging tails and slobbery kisses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
October 2, 2016
2 Stars
“I can still taste the powder
From the barrel of my gun
I can hear my Sergeant screaming,
"Run, Soldier, run."
I can feel the backpack on my shoulders
God, it weighed a ton
I see death in every single thought
They taught me how to put that uniform on
I just can't get it off
Yeah there's no end in sight
Cuz even though I'm home now
I'm still fighting for my life”
(Lyrics from “A Soldier’s Memoir” by Joe Bachman)
Now would be the time I would normally say that this book simply isn’t my cup of java. And there is an element of that here, I have to admit, but the truth is that I love military romance. The sense of duty, the shattering realities of war, watching a man (or woman) who has sacrificed for their country find love is something that I will never stop wanting more of. My problem is with the execution of this story. There is FAR TOO MUCH going on in American Bad Boy. And because there are so many different moving parts in this story, the all too real issues come off cavalier and flippant.
There is an inherent problem with giving characters as many issues or obstacles as most regular people have in their lives. That problem is duration. Most romances last somewhere between 300 and 600 pages, and while that is ample time to showcase the discovery of love and some of the nitty gritty issues that crop up when trying to blend two lives into one forward moving path, it doesn’t leave much space for anything else.
This story is a trauma-fest. There are so many different emotional and physical issues going on that none of them get enough page time.
That is the difference between a person and a character dealing with trauma, as much as a writer may try (and I think that Cleveland did try) it’s hard for me to get invested when I feel like an emotional pinball machine. With a person who has suffered, or is suffering through, trauma there is a length of time that generally gets devoted to healing or coming to terms with same. Unfortunately with the length of a novel, and the time that I (as a reader) spend with a character there is only so much I can digest and come to terms with. I really wish that this novel had focused on Mack’s PTSD as the primary emotional obstacle rather than throwing so many other things into the mix.
Had Cleveland pared down on the issues presented in this novel, and given more than a couple chapters on Mack accepting and working through his horrifying past, I probably would have enjoyed Mack and Lauren’s story a lot more. However with the addition of “other issues” I felt torn in too many different directions and ultimately stopped trying to suss through the emotional muck of their lives.
Thank you for the buddy-read, ladies! I’m sorry that none of us ended up enjoying it as much as we wanted to.
------------PRE-REVIEW------------
For those of you who have Kindle Unlimited and feel faint - like I do - just looking at that cover and blurb, this is currently a whole ZERO DOLLARS!
Buddy-read with my lovelies, Kat & Jenn! (It's been far too long since Kat and I read anything together!!)
“I can still taste the powder
From the barrel of my gun
I can hear my Sergeant screaming,
"Run, Soldier, run."
I can feel the backpack on my shoulders
God, it weighed a ton
I see death in every single thought
They taught me how to put that uniform on
I just can't get it off
Yeah there's no end in sight
Cuz even though I'm home now
I'm still fighting for my life”
(Lyrics from “A Soldier’s Memoir” by Joe Bachman)
Now would be the time I would normally say that this book simply isn’t my cup of java. And there is an element of that here, I have to admit, but the truth is that I love military romance. The sense of duty, the shattering realities of war, watching a man (or woman) who has sacrificed for their country find love is something that I will never stop wanting more of. My problem is with the execution of this story. There is FAR TOO MUCH going on in American Bad Boy. And because there are so many different moving parts in this story, the all too real issues come off cavalier and flippant.
There is an inherent problem with giving characters as many issues or obstacles as most regular people have in their lives. That problem is duration. Most romances last somewhere between 300 and 600 pages, and while that is ample time to showcase the discovery of love and some of the nitty gritty issues that crop up when trying to blend two lives into one forward moving path, it doesn’t leave much space for anything else.
This story is a trauma-fest. There are so many different emotional and physical issues going on that none of them get enough page time.
That is the difference between a person and a character dealing with trauma, as much as a writer may try (and I think that Cleveland did try) it’s hard for me to get invested when I feel like an emotional pinball machine. With a person who has suffered, or is suffering through, trauma there is a length of time that generally gets devoted to healing or coming to terms with same. Unfortunately with the length of a novel, and the time that I (as a reader) spend with a character there is only so much I can digest and come to terms with. I really wish that this novel had focused on Mack’s PTSD as the primary emotional obstacle rather than throwing so many other things into the mix.
Had Cleveland pared down on the issues presented in this novel, and given more than a couple chapters on Mack accepting and working through his horrifying past, I probably would have enjoyed Mack and Lauren’s story a lot more. However with the addition of “other issues” I felt torn in too many different directions and ultimately stopped trying to suss through the emotional muck of their lives.
Thank you for the buddy-read, ladies! I’m sorry that none of us ended up enjoying it as much as we wanted to.
------------PRE-REVIEW------------
For those of you who have Kindle Unlimited and feel faint - like I do - just looking at that cover and blurb, this is currently a whole ZERO DOLLARS!
Buddy-read with my lovelies, Kat & Jenn! (It's been far too long since Kat and I read anything together!!)
July 21, 2016
DNF
From the first few chapters I found the following personal triggers:
> the heroine leading on another guy just to make the hero jealous
> the hero is an epic manwhore and the author decides to give me the image of him enjoying fucking two women at the same time
> the heroine is very self absorbed and comes across as immature
I am sure there would have been other triggers but I didnt want to waste my time finishing this so-called romance
From the first few chapters I found the following personal triggers:
> the heroine leading on another guy just to make the hero jealous
> the hero is an epic manwhore and the author decides to give me the image of him enjoying fucking two women at the same time
> the heroine is very self absorbed and comes across as immature
I am sure there would have been other triggers but I didnt want to waste my time finishing this so-called romance
dnf
March 5, 2017No rating as I DNF'd this at 30%.
The zero acted like a hormonal 15 year old with his dick being the only functioning part of him, he certainly didn't have a brain seeing as his dick did all the thinking for him.
I'm out.
The zero acted like a hormonal 15 year old with his dick being the only functioning part of him, he certainly didn't have a brain seeing as his dick did all the thinking for him.
I'm out.
September 29, 2016
Welp. This book still pisses me off. So now a .5 star.
Okay. I had to drop a star because thinking about this one more this morning just pissed me off like no ones business. So it's technically a 1.5 star rating now.
I still haven't really gathered my thoughts on how I really feel about this book. Just know that I'm giving it a 2.5 star rating due to the fact that out of this whole thing, Mack is the only believable character. So here I go, sitting on my porch having a smoke so I can figure out what to say about how I feel.
Onto the characters...
I did not like Lauren, the MC in this. I understood her character in the beginning due to the fact of being a teen and making stupid choices due to being selfish, being stupid.
But later, when we see her as an adult?
I don't understand how TF this character just fell in the biggest pile of shit and just laid in it, buck naked. I don't like how she was made to be this .... bimbo. Ugh I don't know how to adequately describe this woman. She's just downright pissing me off just being alive in this fictional world. She wasn't even sexy during the smutty scenes for goodness sake. It was boring. The SEX WAS BORING TO ME!?! (Maybe it's all the smut I've been reading every day, but damnit... the sex was dryer than the Sahara Desert. And that's saying something.)
Yes, I'm going to piss all over that parade.
Mack: Damn, I still can't get the image of her on all fours, shaking her fat ass for me out of my head.... I always knew that she had a wild streak in her...' Dude. I can get more wild than that woman's best day. Like there were two times she got WILD .
The only quote I liked that came out of her thoughts, 'Damn Chelsea and her love of stilettos. I swear she must have worked the pole in another life.' I have people at work that wonder than about me too. haha.
Don't even get me started on her kid. Like TF. It wasn't even until a certain part of the book that I even knew she was african american, or at least mix. There was no description of her and what she looked like, even Mack never really describes her in full detail. It felt as if that was thrown into the story like an after thought. Like W.T.F.
I liked the other characters at least. Just Lauren and Chris (the son) just didn't fit into this what so ever to me. Everyone else was perfectly fine for this particular story.
Mack... Mack my man. The representation and execution of the MC Mack, was believable to me. And that's why, regardless of his being a womanizing douche bag with a mighty solid-gold-dick, it worked for me.
Once you've had an exquisite work of art, paint by numbers just don't cut it anymore.
________
Just my thoughts here...I was raised around the military my whole life so I've seen first hand how our men (and women) leave for a tour over in the middle east and when they returned. And when they didn't. I've seen PTSD first hand and the loss of limbs. And there is nothing that breaks my heart more then to see the pain and suffering. And not just the soldiers that came back, their families, their friends. If a solider came back with PTSD and or a missing limb (or more), it effects their families and their way of life. They come back from being in a war zone, from always being on constant alert, with weight loss and sometimes looking completely different from when they left and try and live the life they haven't lived in most cases years. Do you know how hard that is? They have to figure out where to work, to write their resume's to hope that someone out there will hire a war vet who has these problems.
So in thinking about all of this, most of the story was good for me.
Buddy read with my girls Kat and Karly! Bring on the ex-military sexy man!
Okay. I had to drop a star because thinking about this one more this morning just pissed me off like no ones business. So it's technically a 1.5 star rating now.
I still haven't really gathered my thoughts on how I really feel about this book. Just know that I'm giving it a 2.5 star rating due to the fact that out of this whole thing, Mack is the only believable character. So here I go, sitting on my porch having a smoke so I can figure out what to say about how I feel.
Onto the characters...
I did not like Lauren, the MC in this. I understood her character in the beginning due to the fact of being a teen and making stupid choices due to being selfish, being stupid.
But later, when we see her as an adult?
I don't understand how TF this character just fell in the biggest pile of shit and just laid in it, buck naked. I don't like how she was made to be this .... bimbo. Ugh I don't know how to adequately describe this woman. She's just downright pissing me off just being alive in this fictional world. She wasn't even sexy during the smutty scenes for goodness sake. It was boring. The SEX WAS BORING TO ME!?! (Maybe it's all the smut I've been reading every day, but damnit... the sex was dryer than the Sahara Desert. And that's saying something.)
Yes, I'm going to piss all over that parade.
Mack: Damn, I still can't get the image of her on all fours, shaking her fat ass for me out of my head.... I always knew that she had a wild streak in her...' Dude. I can get more wild than that woman's best day. Like there were two times she got WILD .
The only quote I liked that came out of her thoughts, 'Damn Chelsea and her love of stilettos. I swear she must have worked the pole in another life.' I have people at work that wonder than about me too. haha.
Don't even get me started on her kid. Like TF. It wasn't even until a certain part of the book that I even knew she was african american, or at least mix. There was no description of her and what she looked like, even Mack never really describes her in full detail. It felt as if that was thrown into the story like an after thought. Like W.T.F.
I liked the other characters at least. Just Lauren and Chris (the son) just didn't fit into this what so ever to me. Everyone else was perfectly fine for this particular story.
Mack... Mack my man. The representation and execution of the MC Mack, was believable to me. And that's why, regardless of his being a womanizing douche bag with a mighty solid-gold-dick, it worked for me.
Once you've had an exquisite work of art, paint by numbers just don't cut it anymore.
________
Just my thoughts here...I was raised around the military my whole life so I've seen first hand how our men (and women) leave for a tour over in the middle east and when they returned. And when they didn't. I've seen PTSD first hand and the loss of limbs. And there is nothing that breaks my heart more then to see the pain and suffering. And not just the soldiers that came back, their families, their friends. If a solider came back with PTSD and or a missing limb (or more), it effects their families and their way of life. They come back from being in a war zone, from always being on constant alert, with weight loss and sometimes looking completely different from when they left and try and live the life they haven't lived in most cases years. Do you know how hard that is? They have to figure out where to work, to write their resume's to hope that someone out there will hire a war vet who has these problems.
So in thinking about all of this, most of the story was good for me.
Buddy read with my girls Kat and Karly! Bring on the ex-military sexy man!
November 11, 2016
manwhore + jerk + asshole + dumb heroine
----------------------
fuck everything that moves and breathes.
----------------------
the cover deserves 5 stars #coverwhore
----------------------
fuck everything that moves and breathes.
----------------------
the cover deserves 5 stars #coverwhore
August 27, 2016
Military bad boy, Mack gets a second chance at loving Lauren, the one who broke it off when he goes off to the military training academy, West Point after high school.
Ten years later Mack is back in Colorado injured but a war hero with PTSD. Lauren never left but Mack sees exactly what he left behind along with secrets and twists and turns taking center stage.
A must read if you enjoy second changes with push and pulling events all the way through the story!
Ten years later Mack is back in Colorado injured but a war hero with PTSD. Lauren never left but Mack sees exactly what he left behind along with secrets and twists and turns taking center stage.
A must read if you enjoy second changes with push and pulling events all the way through the story!
September 9, 2016
Only read about 60% of this one and then gave up. I am super super critical at the moment and just really not in the mood for really crap characters/ storylines/ books.
This one just had a crap hero. He was an egotistical tool. And the storyline was repetitive. I get the heroine was in love but he was an ass and to keep going back to him every time he chucked a tantrum and ran off. And yeah, he cheated on her a LOT!!!! Even though they weren't "together" at the time. The sex might have been awesome but he was like a selfish child in every other area.
Whatever and blergh!!!
This one just had a crap hero. He was an egotistical tool. And the storyline was repetitive. I get the heroine was in love but he was an ass and to keep going back to him every time he chucked a tantrum and ran off. And yeah, he cheated on her a LOT!!!! Even though they weren't "together" at the time. The sex might have been awesome but he was like a selfish child in every other area.
Whatever and blergh!!!
November 27, 2016
***SOME SPOILERS***
I was looking forward to reading this book because of the military aspect. I'm a sucker for military reads because I grew up in a home with a parent who served and was deployed a lot when I was young so I like to see how realistic these books are when it comes to family life. Mack Forrester and Lauren Brickman are high school lovers who go their separate ways after prom but rekindle their love ten years later.
Mack, while deployed in Afghanistan lost his leg in a bombing. Because of this incident he was discharged. Mack returned back to the US where he was dubbed Captain America and to the hometown where his high school love Lauren still resided and ironically became his nurse at the Spalding Center where Mack was to continue physical therapy.
What I like most about this read was the treatment of PTSD and claustrophobia once discharged from the military. I appreciated how the author described each of Mack's triggers and flashbacks of Afghanistan as an indication he was slowly deteriorating. As these episodes occurred and a suggestion was made to see a therapist, Mack's reaction of not needing help and just needing time to figure things out on his own is a very real response. When Mack finally admits help is needed, I thought the author nailed it when stated:
Book 2: Gridiron Bad Boy: A Football Romance
I was looking forward to reading this book because of the military aspect. I'm a sucker for military reads because I grew up in a home with a parent who served and was deployed a lot when I was young so I like to see how realistic these books are when it comes to family life. Mack Forrester and Lauren Brickman are high school lovers who go their separate ways after prom but rekindle their love ten years later.
Mack, while deployed in Afghanistan lost his leg in a bombing. Because of this incident he was discharged. Mack returned back to the US where he was dubbed Captain America and to the hometown where his high school love Lauren still resided and ironically became his nurse at the Spalding Center where Mack was to continue physical therapy.
Fixing me to the spot with her mahogany eyes is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen or ever will see.Lauren has a lot on her plate. Her husband Joel recently died, her son is acting out, her true love has returned, and she is harboring a secret. One thing is for sure through all the ups and down she never had to worry about Mack entertaining other woman. It has always been her.
Mack's eyes light up when he sees me, like I just woke him from a dream. I love when he looks at me like that. If there were other girls in the room, you wouldn't know it by the way he smiles at me. It's like I'm the only woman in the world,...Prior to Mack and Lauren making love one evening, Lauren discovers her son has snuck out of the house. Mack tells Lauren he's pretty sure he knows where Chris is and promises to return her son safely home. Mack finds Chris at the graveyard speaking to Joel. As Mack approaches Chris, he remembers the family photos that piqued his suspicions about Chris' paternity.
The pictures on the mantle flash in my mind, the only thing is, Chris didn’t look like Joel as a toddler. He didn’t look like Lauren either except for her beautiful skin tone. No. He looked like me.To say this conversation was nine years overdue and awkward is an overstatement.
I didn’t keep Chris from you because you left me for West Point. It wasn’t some kind of revenge, Mack. I kept him from you because I knew how much West Point meant to you. I knew you would come back and look after us, but that you’d always be full of regret. You’d never get the chance to go again. Ever. I didn’t want us to be a weight around your neck.” I confess.This area of the story left me uncomfortable. I understood why Lauren did not contact Mack about Chris not that I agree however this subplot had too many holes and I felt the author could have tidy up this portion of the story some especially where Chris was concerned. This kid was struggling not having a father around and how he found out who his bio father was horrified me as no discussion was done. There was no follow through with either parent and this was a major point the author should have addressed in my opinion.
What I like most about this read was the treatment of PTSD and claustrophobia once discharged from the military. I appreciated how the author described each of Mack's triggers and flashbacks of Afghanistan as an indication he was slowly deteriorating. As these episodes occurred and a suggestion was made to see a therapist, Mack's reaction of not needing help and just needing time to figure things out on his own is a very real response. When Mack finally admits help is needed, I thought the author nailed it when stated:
"I've been having flashbacks of the war ever since I returned home. I'm back there every night fighting in my dreams, and I'm often transported back in the day when something sets me off. I, well, I think that people look at me and they see that I've learned to walk again, and they say 'oh, he's better. He's healed.' But I haven't healed. Because I have scars on the inside that no one can see, and they keep splitting open. I'm not better just because I can walk again. Not when my mind is still fighting a war." ..."I need help. I'm going to get professional help."I was also touched reading Mack describe his feelings with the Odyssey Project with the Wounded Warriors. All I can say is ahh.
I liked the premise of the story and the alternating POVs also helped paint a complete picture of each characters thoughts which I always like. The sex scenes in the book are descriptive and sexy as heck. This was not a complete win for but it wasn't a epic fail either. Overall for this to be Eddie Cleveland's first novel, it wasn't bad. There was some items that made me raise my eyebrows but for a first time author like I said not bad and I would read something else written by him. American Bad Boy: A Military Romance gets 3.5 stars upgraded to 4 for an engaging story, the realistic military scenes, and the effects war has on an individual and its loved ones!
Book 2: Gridiron Bad Boy: A Football Romance
July 13, 2016
This is the love journey on Lauren and Mack. These two have known each other since they were six years old. He was her night in shining armor. If she got bullied you better believe that bully got beat up. Of course that's how it starts when you're young nevertheless these two grew up I learn to love each other. Fast forward to prom night. Lauren and Mack lost their virginity to each other they love each other everything's going good until there's miscommunication and misunderstanding and which tears them apart. He goes on to west point she stays in their hometown and goes to college with a secret. Mack returns to the states after 10 years and he's an American hero. However that hero status comes with serious mental baggage and a lost leg. Little does Mack know but Lauren is also battling with baggage from the past and a Secret. This was a great first novel by Eddie Cleveland and I recommend this book to you!
November 17, 2017
I really didn't care for this book. The hero, Mack, annoyed me, the heroine, Lauren, annoyed me AND the kid, Jordan, annoyed me. I just kept reading thinking this book was going to get better and it really never did. Not even to the end.
June 17, 2016
For a first novel, Eddie Cleveland knocked it out the park!! Mack and Lauren have known each other since they were six years old. They grew up together and fell in love along the way. But, when a family tragedy tears them apart, Lauren's world will never be the same. Now ten years later, Mack is back for what's his. In this story, there was no otp drama. These characters and their story felt real. Especially moments where Lauren broke down when dealing with their son. That really resonated deep with me. My mom went through the same thing with my brother. You were able to feel the connection with the characters of this story so easy. They were relatable to the point where you didn't feel like you were reading a story about fictional characters but about real people. I admire the way he took the time to either research or include personal experience about the army and sufferers of PTSD. There are some things you just shouldn't fake and it made the story even better knowing that he didn't. This took his book to a whole new level. Eddie Cleveland wrote an amazing story that is funny, sexy, and full of emotion. I can definitely see myself reading more of his work in the future. In fact, I look forward to Chelsea and Cameron's story. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2016
Okay, so I finished American Bad Boy this morning. I was so emotionally invested in this story that I had to let it all absorb before I could begin composing my review. For a debut novel, Eddie Cleveland has definitely shown that he's a very talented writer and can draw his audience into the story like they're actually living it. There were times I just had to put my ereader down and take a little break from it, while I fought back the tears.
This is a story about first loves, and a second chance at reconnecting. For those of you dirty talking, tattooed, alpha, bad boy fans out there. Yes, Mack is ALL of that and then some. As fantastic as all that was, it's really just the backdrop for the story.
For me the real story was a boy, who gave up love to do what he thought was right and what he needed to do after the attacks on September 11, 2001. He went to war for his country and in doing so lost his girl, lost his leg, and lost his brothers. Then after enduring all that, he had to return home to a civilian life where he was celebrated as an American Hero. Nobody realizing he's dealing with personal demons and struggling to live a normal life.
2016 is turning into a year full of must reads, and American Bad Boy has definitely made the list. I look forward to future work from this author.
This is a story about first loves, and a second chance at reconnecting. For those of you dirty talking, tattooed, alpha, bad boy fans out there. Yes, Mack is ALL of that and then some. As fantastic as all that was, it's really just the backdrop for the story.
For me the real story was a boy, who gave up love to do what he thought was right and what he needed to do after the attacks on September 11, 2001. He went to war for his country and in doing so lost his girl, lost his leg, and lost his brothers. Then after enduring all that, he had to return home to a civilian life where he was celebrated as an American Hero. Nobody realizing he's dealing with personal demons and struggling to live a normal life.
2016 is turning into a year full of must reads, and American Bad Boy has definitely made the list. I look forward to future work from this author.
August 21, 2016
This was good. I appreciated the realistic portrayal of a veteran with Ptsd and I was emotionally invested in the couple. 4 big gold stars!
Read
September 22, 2017DNF at 41%, I had high hopes for this one but the H is to much of a man h*e, and I don't want to hear about it all I we hear a lot....too much. I also didn't like the heroines decision in this book, well a few of them to be honest . This one just doesn't work for me. I did like the authors writing style but this book just isn't for me.
March 13, 2020
3⭐️ NB: There is also an alternate cover and title, Fall To Pieces: A Military Romance by E. Cleveland.
The story opens with Mack and Lauren attending their senior prom. Lauren’s head is filled with fantasies about their life in college, their inevitable marriage and the children they will have. She even romanticizes how they will grow old together, how they will be together-forever. Lauren is slated to attend The University of Colorado on a full scholarship to study nursing. They sneak out of the dance and run off to have sex. As Lauren prattles on and on about the fantasies she’s made up in her head about their relationship going forward, Mack drops a bombshell; he’s leaving to go to West Point. Therefore, Lauren is blindsided by this because Mack never told her that he had even applied. He never hinted that he wasn’t going to U of Colorado. (I personally thought withholding that information from Lauren was a D**K move). Since his brother had been killed while working in the twin towers on 9/11, it had always been Mack’s dream to join the military. Inevitably, they go their separate ways.
The book fast tracks to 7 or 8 years later, where Mack, who is now a captain, is finishing up a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan. As the story progresses, Mack loses a leg and returns home, to Colorado as a hero. Lauren happens to be the nurse in charge of his rehabilitation-learning to use the blade prosthetic for running. Mack has already mastered the use of a prosthetic leg, but the reader is not made aware of the struggles Mack had to contend with. He also struggles with PTSD and nightmares which are worsening, but he refuses to believe he needs outside help. As for Lauren, the book, inexplicably, is silent concerning her life during this 8-10 year time period.
I think this book could have been awesome, but I found it wanting on several levels. For me to become engaged in this type of book, an emotional component is imperative; however, with the exception of a few scenes near the end of the book, the emotional connection I craved was missing. I can’t even say that I really liked Mack, although I readily acknowledge and praise him for his bravery, leadership and the sacrifices that he made during his military service. That cannot be minimized, period. But, Mack as a person had little depth IMO.
Similarly, Lauren lacked dimension. It seemed that Lauren was a strong woman at times—except she would simply “melt” when Mack touched her or kissed her or looked at her . . . . One thing I know for certain: sexual fantasies were alive and well in the couple’s minds, all the time. I actually found myself skimming through the couple’s sexual escapades—who me😳😳😳???!! Their sexual encounters and their fantasies relating to sexual encounters bored me. Additionally, there were some editing issues.
In sum, I was really fired up to read this book, but my enthusiasm waned early. I expected some discussion about how Mack fared in dealing with the pain and challenges inherent in the loss of his leg and the two years he spent in the hospital and rehab. Unfortunately, that aspect was skimmed over and never really addressed in a meaningful way. The PTSD aspect of the story was emotionally charged, and it was dealt with quite well. The rest of the book seemed to be impassive. I wasn’t apathetic about the relationship between Mack and Lauren; I did have some interest in the outcome, just not invested. Others may have different viewpoints and perspectives about this book which I wholeheartedly respect. All I can attest to is that it didn’t work for me.
The story opens with Mack and Lauren attending their senior prom. Lauren’s head is filled with fantasies about their life in college, their inevitable marriage and the children they will have. She even romanticizes how they will grow old together, how they will be together-forever. Lauren is slated to attend The University of Colorado on a full scholarship to study nursing. They sneak out of the dance and run off to have sex. As Lauren prattles on and on about the fantasies she’s made up in her head about their relationship going forward, Mack drops a bombshell; he’s leaving to go to West Point. Therefore, Lauren is blindsided by this because Mack never told her that he had even applied. He never hinted that he wasn’t going to U of Colorado. (I personally thought withholding that information from Lauren was a D**K move). Since his brother had been killed while working in the twin towers on 9/11, it had always been Mack’s dream to join the military. Inevitably, they go their separate ways.
The book fast tracks to 7 or 8 years later, where Mack, who is now a captain, is finishing up a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan. As the story progresses, Mack loses a leg and returns home, to Colorado as a hero. Lauren happens to be the nurse in charge of his rehabilitation-learning to use the blade prosthetic for running. Mack has already mastered the use of a prosthetic leg, but the reader is not made aware of the struggles Mack had to contend with. He also struggles with PTSD and nightmares which are worsening, but he refuses to believe he needs outside help. As for Lauren, the book, inexplicably, is silent concerning her life during this 8-10 year time period.
I think this book could have been awesome, but I found it wanting on several levels. For me to become engaged in this type of book, an emotional component is imperative; however, with the exception of a few scenes near the end of the book, the emotional connection I craved was missing. I can’t even say that I really liked Mack, although I readily acknowledge and praise him for his bravery, leadership and the sacrifices that he made during his military service. That cannot be minimized, period. But, Mack as a person had little depth IMO.
Similarly, Lauren lacked dimension. It seemed that Lauren was a strong woman at times—except she would simply “melt” when Mack touched her or kissed her or looked at her . . . . One thing I know for certain: sexual fantasies were alive and well in the couple’s minds, all the time. I actually found myself skimming through the couple’s sexual escapades—who me😳😳😳???!! Their sexual encounters and their fantasies relating to sexual encounters bored me. Additionally, there were some editing issues.
In sum, I was really fired up to read this book, but my enthusiasm waned early. I expected some discussion about how Mack fared in dealing with the pain and challenges inherent in the loss of his leg and the two years he spent in the hospital and rehab. Unfortunately, that aspect was skimmed over and never really addressed in a meaningful way. The PTSD aspect of the story was emotionally charged, and it was dealt with quite well. The rest of the book seemed to be impassive. I wasn’t apathetic about the relationship between Mack and Lauren; I did have some interest in the outcome, just not invested. Others may have different viewpoints and perspectives about this book which I wholeheartedly respect. All I can attest to is that it didn’t work for me.
December 19, 2016
So...this book was a surprise. I found myself pulled into the story and in love with the characters in the first couple chapters. The teenagers, Mack and Lauren, we meet at the beginning of the book are believable and relatable. I was impressed with the emotions that Cleveland was able to elicit. In just a few pages, Cleveland had me remembering those butterflies that came with the first love in high school and the heart wrenching pain that came with the good bye.
Fast forward 10 years- Mack has returned from the war a hero and Lauren is now a widow and mother. He's known as "Captain America" all over the US and with that title comes the spoils of fame, including the bevy of women who want to say they had him. He lost his leg, but not his sex drive and he's happy to make the ladies famous. His reputation precedes him and when he finally sees Lauren again, he's not prepared for the way it makes him feel. He's also not prepared to learn she married another guy from their high school and that she has a son.
The two have some old emotions to deal with and while Mack is still the swaggering guy he was in high school, Lauren is not the swooning girl she was. She is a single mom who is good at her job and wants nothing more than to get Mack's physical therapy going so she can move on with her life. The attraction between them is too much to resist though and they fall back into the familiar relationship they ended in high school. Lauren is hiding a secret though and she isn't sure she's ready for Mack to know the details of her marriage and her son.
This is the only thing that left me a little perplexed. I guess I wanted more from Mack when he discovered Lauren's secret. More emotion. More angst. More something. It just fell flat. They seemed to just roll with it and knowing that she had been raising his son for 10 years without him should have, in my opinion, elicited MORE....
I loved the characters and the storyline. I loved the writing style. I loved the pace. It is an excellent story and I guess, after the beginning of the book and the emotional impact it had, I expected more in the end. That being said, I want to know more about them. What happens next?
Fast forward 10 years- Mack has returned from the war a hero and Lauren is now a widow and mother. He's known as "Captain America" all over the US and with that title comes the spoils of fame, including the bevy of women who want to say they had him. He lost his leg, but not his sex drive and he's happy to make the ladies famous. His reputation precedes him and when he finally sees Lauren again, he's not prepared for the way it makes him feel. He's also not prepared to learn she married another guy from their high school and that she has a son.
The two have some old emotions to deal with and while Mack is still the swaggering guy he was in high school, Lauren is not the swooning girl she was. She is a single mom who is good at her job and wants nothing more than to get Mack's physical therapy going so she can move on with her life. The attraction between them is too much to resist though and they fall back into the familiar relationship they ended in high school. Lauren is hiding a secret though and she isn't sure she's ready for Mack to know the details of her marriage and her son.
This is the only thing that left me a little perplexed. I guess I wanted more from Mack when he discovered Lauren's secret. More emotion. More angst. More something. It just fell flat. They seemed to just roll with it and knowing that she had been raising his son for 10 years without him should have, in my opinion, elicited MORE....
I loved the characters and the storyline. I loved the writing style. I loved the pace. It is an excellent story and I guess, after the beginning of the book and the emotional impact it had, I expected more in the end. That being said, I want to know more about them. What happens next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2016
APB Perspective Review:
This author has started his writing career of in a good place . I loved the way he told this story, the protagonist were easy to relate to and live. The secrete baby theme has been done more times that I can count in romance novels , but this story was entirely different . I understood why Lauren kept the birth of her son from Mack , it made sense no matter how misguided . I often find myself mad at the women in this type story but I could truly understand why Lauren made the choice that she did. Mack is a force to be reckoned with and losing the bottom half of his leg doesn't change that fact . I liked his sexiness , his confidence and his acknowledgement of his undying love for Lauren. PTSD was covered in this book ,and I liked they way the author made us see what Mack felt . The one thing I missed in this book is a deeper relationship between Mack and Lauren . Yes he loved her when they ere 18 but I would have loved to read their new journey to rekindle their love again more that the sex . Why don't men make love in books anymore ? The f? Come on now! I also wanted more of Mack and Chris relationship . Will I read this authors next book ? Heck Yes! I can't wait to see what he does next!
This author has started his writing career of in a good place . I loved the way he told this story, the protagonist were easy to relate to and live. The secrete baby theme has been done more times that I can count in romance novels , but this story was entirely different . I understood why Lauren kept the birth of her son from Mack , it made sense no matter how misguided . I often find myself mad at the women in this type story but I could truly understand why Lauren made the choice that she did. Mack is a force to be reckoned with and losing the bottom half of his leg doesn't change that fact . I liked his sexiness , his confidence and his acknowledgement of his undying love for Lauren. PTSD was covered in this book ,and I liked they way the author made us see what Mack felt . The one thing I missed in this book is a deeper relationship between Mack and Lauren . Yes he loved her when they ere 18 but I would have loved to read their new journey to rekindle their love again more that the sex . Why don't men make love in books anymore ? The f? Come on now! I also wanted more of Mack and Chris relationship . Will I read this authors next book ? Heck Yes! I can't wait to see what he does next!
August 10, 2016
American Bad Boy: A Military Romance started off well. Then something happened. The further I read, the harder it got, the more I rushed to finished. Here's my theory about me and this novel. The plot and characters all felt too, well, cliched. I've read this scenario and met these people so many times in books, plays, and movies, that I just wasn't interested. It all felt contrived.
I was disappointed at myself for feeling this way because this author put his guts into this book. The connection for his writing and characters resonates; his feelings for this novel were real. It just bombed for me.
Mack and Lauren had a good foundation but came off as 2-D the more I read this until I stopped caring. Somehow I made it to the end, still disappointed but grateful this didn't end up on the DNF pile.
Again, this book may work for some but not for all.
I was disappointed at myself for feeling this way because this author put his guts into this book. The connection for his writing and characters resonates; his feelings for this novel were real. It just bombed for me.
Mack and Lauren had a good foundation but came off as 2-D the more I read this until I stopped caring. Somehow I made it to the end, still disappointed but grateful this didn't end up on the DNF pile.
Again, this book may work for some but not for all.
September 6, 2016
This was a real shocker for me. What I mean by that statement is that this man managed to write a very profound, romantic second chance book. He took a subject like PTSD and and he made it real for his readers. The storyline was good and the characters were easily relateable. I am looking forward to the next book.
October 20, 2016
3.5 stars
This was a new to me author. Nice story. Felt a little rushed in places and I thought the "second Chance At Love' aspect felt a little too easily accomplished. But overall nice read.
This was a new to me author. Nice story. Felt a little rushed in places and I thought the "second Chance At Love' aspect felt a little too easily accomplished. But overall nice read.
July 3, 2016
Holy Wow!! AMERICAN BAD BOY by Eddie Cleveland is all kinds of wonderful! This debut novel, penned by a real time Navy vet, is a powerful story of courage, heroism, sacrifice, hope, healing, forgiveness, and celebrates the abiding power of true love. From the stellar quality of writing I would never believe this is his first book. An impressive debut for sure!!
The plot revolves around Mack “Captain America” Forrester, a highly decorated war veteran who returns to his Colorado hometown after 10 years of selflessly serving his country. He receives a hero’s welcome for his unflinching act of bravery where he lost his leg in battle to save one of his brothers in arms during a catastrophic fire fight in Afghanistan. Due to his newfound celebratory status, he has become quite the ladies’ man and there is certainly no shortage of females willing and eager to warm his bed. But there is only one face he searches for among the hoards of well-wishers— Lauren Brickman, the exotically beautiful childhood sweetheart he left behind to pursue his dreams at West Point. The only woman who still has a stronghold on his heart. They were once deeply in love and planned to spend their lives together but they had a horrible falling out on prom night and she balked at his decision to serve his country as a tribute to his brother losing his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now if only he could get his eyes to stop searching for her in a crowd and his heart to stop beating her name.
However, in an ironic twist of fate, she ends up being the physical therapy nurse assigned to his care while he finishes his yearlong treatment at the Spalding Center. Time stands still the moment their eyes lock on one another again and it’s clear these former flames still carry a torch for each other. But so much has changed in the ensuing years. Lauren is no longer a starry eyed teenager but a widowed single mom and a dedicated nurse struggling to raise her trouble young son alone. No matter, Lauren is his one regret and he longs to make up for his past mistakes and reconcile with his soulmate. But can she forgive him for choosing his country over her and can they truly start anew when a shocking revelation from the past, and the devastating effects of PTSD, threaten to once again detonate both their lives??
There is so much to exalt about this book…where to begin?! I just adore second chance military romances--especially wounded warrior tales featuring big, macho Alpha heroes-- and this talented new author sure did this one justice. Mack was not only hot and sexy but he had a swoony swagger and a dominant nature that I found irresistible, and I loved how he did not allow his war injury to define him. There is an emotional depth, gentle tenderness and eloquence to this author’s writing that I find quite affecting. Also there is great character development throughout, the plotline is provocative, relevant and impactful, and the narrative was engaging and emotionally engrossing.
And holy HOTNESS!! The chemistry between the couple was electrifying! In fact, their love scenes were so deliciously naughty and scorching hot they rendered me breathless. Moreover, Mac and Lauren have delightful flirtatious sparks and a bond that definitely tugs at the emotions, especially in their interactions with the heroine's delinquent young son, Chris. This trio certainly deserves a second chance at happiness after all they have endured.
The author’s real life in the military lends a rich authenticity and palpable emotion to this wounded warrior tale. I was truly blown away by his BRILLIANT depiction of a military vet struggling to combat PTSD, reacclimate to civvie life, and hide his valiant struggle to soldier on all on his own. To the outside world he has been hailed a hero (hence the Captain American moniker) but he feels like anything but and still bears the invisible scars of war. His stubborn refusal to seek help and fierce male pride are true stumbling blocks on his road to wellness and adds a credible source of tension between him and the heroine. Mr. Cleveland does an outstanding job of shedding light on how hard it may be for these military vets to admit they have a problem and embrace help.
There is so much awesomeness about AMERICAN BAD BOY, but if I’m being honest, I did have some concerns with the development of the love story. Although this couple has a ton of rooting value, I never got fully swept up in this reunion romance, partly because, aside from the hero's struggle to get help with his PTSD, at times there was a decided lack of romantic tension and passionate discord between them. So while their physical attraction was undeniable, I never got the full throttle heart achy feels that you would expect for a couple with such a tumultuous history. Where was the angst? The anger? The intense yearning and and irresistible magnetic pull? Those elements were kind of underplayed in this book and I feel if the author had dug a little deeper into the hearts and minds of these characters via romantic narrative as well as highly charged interactions that played up their fiery friction and their all-consuming love for one another, it may have resonated more.
I especially wanted a bit more exploration into the emotional fallout of Mack choosing his country over her and the emotional ramifications of the secret she had been harboring all these years. In my opinion a decade of pain and loss cannot be resolved in one conversation, no matter how well written or riveting it is. Ultimately,I feel that they fell back into each other’s lives a bit too easily and I may be a glutton for punishment but I wanted more heart shattering romantic angst to wade through before they got their HEA. It's always about the journey for me and this one probably could have used a couple more landmines!!
That said, I do feel this book is MORE than worthy of four GLOWING stars! The reason being is that the overall story still struck a deep visceral chord in me and the romantic denouement was so exquisitely beautiful it brought tears to my eyes! And I also do take into consideration that this is the author's first book so there is a definite learning curve. There is no doubt Eddie Cleveland has writing chops, and as mentioned throughout this review, there were many DEEPLY moving, gutwrenching moments in this book. In addition to the author’s sensitive depiction of Mack’s daily struggle to conquer his PTSD, I was particularly touched by the poignant exchanges between the hero and young Chris as Mac helped him work through his dad’s death and find a reason to smile again.
Bottom line? With time I feel confident that that Mr. Cleveland will continue to grow and evolve as a writer, and I look forward to reading many more military romances by this talented newcomer!!
The plot revolves around Mack “Captain America” Forrester, a highly decorated war veteran who returns to his Colorado hometown after 10 years of selflessly serving his country. He receives a hero’s welcome for his unflinching act of bravery where he lost his leg in battle to save one of his brothers in arms during a catastrophic fire fight in Afghanistan. Due to his newfound celebratory status, he has become quite the ladies’ man and there is certainly no shortage of females willing and eager to warm his bed. But there is only one face he searches for among the hoards of well-wishers— Lauren Brickman, the exotically beautiful childhood sweetheart he left behind to pursue his dreams at West Point. The only woman who still has a stronghold on his heart. They were once deeply in love and planned to spend their lives together but they had a horrible falling out on prom night and she balked at his decision to serve his country as a tribute to his brother losing his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now if only he could get his eyes to stop searching for her in a crowd and his heart to stop beating her name.
However, in an ironic twist of fate, she ends up being the physical therapy nurse assigned to his care while he finishes his yearlong treatment at the Spalding Center. Time stands still the moment their eyes lock on one another again and it’s clear these former flames still carry a torch for each other. But so much has changed in the ensuing years. Lauren is no longer a starry eyed teenager but a widowed single mom and a dedicated nurse struggling to raise her trouble young son alone. No matter, Lauren is his one regret and he longs to make up for his past mistakes and reconcile with his soulmate. But can she forgive him for choosing his country over her and can they truly start anew when a shocking revelation from the past, and the devastating effects of PTSD, threaten to once again detonate both their lives??
There is so much to exalt about this book…where to begin?! I just adore second chance military romances--especially wounded warrior tales featuring big, macho Alpha heroes-- and this talented new author sure did this one justice. Mack was not only hot and sexy but he had a swoony swagger and a dominant nature that I found irresistible, and I loved how he did not allow his war injury to define him. There is an emotional depth, gentle tenderness and eloquence to this author’s writing that I find quite affecting. Also there is great character development throughout, the plotline is provocative, relevant and impactful, and the narrative was engaging and emotionally engrossing.
And holy HOTNESS!! The chemistry between the couple was electrifying! In fact, their love scenes were so deliciously naughty and scorching hot they rendered me breathless. Moreover, Mac and Lauren have delightful flirtatious sparks and a bond that definitely tugs at the emotions, especially in their interactions with the heroine's delinquent young son, Chris. This trio certainly deserves a second chance at happiness after all they have endured.
The author’s real life in the military lends a rich authenticity and palpable emotion to this wounded warrior tale. I was truly blown away by his BRILLIANT depiction of a military vet struggling to combat PTSD, reacclimate to civvie life, and hide his valiant struggle to soldier on all on his own. To the outside world he has been hailed a hero (hence the Captain American moniker) but he feels like anything but and still bears the invisible scars of war. His stubborn refusal to seek help and fierce male pride are true stumbling blocks on his road to wellness and adds a credible source of tension between him and the heroine. Mr. Cleveland does an outstanding job of shedding light on how hard it may be for these military vets to admit they have a problem and embrace help.
There is so much awesomeness about AMERICAN BAD BOY, but if I’m being honest, I did have some concerns with the development of the love story. Although this couple has a ton of rooting value, I never got fully swept up in this reunion romance, partly because, aside from the hero's struggle to get help with his PTSD, at times there was a decided lack of romantic tension and passionate discord between them. So while their physical attraction was undeniable, I never got the full throttle heart achy feels that you would expect for a couple with such a tumultuous history. Where was the angst? The anger? The intense yearning and and irresistible magnetic pull? Those elements were kind of underplayed in this book and I feel if the author had dug a little deeper into the hearts and minds of these characters via romantic narrative as well as highly charged interactions that played up their fiery friction and their all-consuming love for one another, it may have resonated more.
I especially wanted a bit more exploration into the emotional fallout of Mack choosing his country over her and the emotional ramifications of the secret she had been harboring all these years. In my opinion a decade of pain and loss cannot be resolved in one conversation, no matter how well written or riveting it is. Ultimately,I feel that they fell back into each other’s lives a bit too easily and I may be a glutton for punishment but I wanted more heart shattering romantic angst to wade through before they got their HEA. It's always about the journey for me and this one probably could have used a couple more landmines!!
That said, I do feel this book is MORE than worthy of four GLOWING stars! The reason being is that the overall story still struck a deep visceral chord in me and the romantic denouement was so exquisitely beautiful it brought tears to my eyes! And I also do take into consideration that this is the author's first book so there is a definite learning curve. There is no doubt Eddie Cleveland has writing chops, and as mentioned throughout this review, there were many DEEPLY moving, gutwrenching moments in this book. In addition to the author’s sensitive depiction of Mack’s daily struggle to conquer his PTSD, I was particularly touched by the poignant exchanges between the hero and young Chris as Mac helped him work through his dad’s death and find a reason to smile again.
Bottom line? With time I feel confident that that Mr. Cleveland will continue to grow and evolve as a writer, and I look forward to reading many more military romances by this talented newcomer!!
June 8, 2017
When I read American Bad Boy I was pulled into the story and found it hard to put the book down. Mr. Cleveland wastes no time breaking the hearts of the hero and heroine, and he develops his characters very well. However, after ten years, putting Mack and Lauren back together is a little more problematic. Mack is a national hero, while Lauren has been struggling to raise her son and coming to terms with the death of the man who tried to fill Mack's shoes. Yet as soon as the couple is reunited at the rehab hospital their attraction rekindles.
What follows is a well-paced story of love, loss, and dealing with the aftermath of war. Mack has tried unsuccessfully to wipe Lauren from his heart, but in the heat of battle hers is the face he sees. Time, distance, and other women could not clear her from his mind. The issues the characters face are handled with care and sincerity. Mack faces a battle with not only losing part of his leg, but also the guilt of losing his men, while Lauren's son faces the loss of his dad and acts out because of it. Poor Lauren struggles with both Mack and her son.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward. It's nice to see that Mr. Cleveland cannot only write hot, steamy sex but he can totally turn on his alpha's romantic charms. I look forward to reading more by this author.
What follows is a well-paced story of love, loss, and dealing with the aftermath of war. Mack has tried unsuccessfully to wipe Lauren from his heart, but in the heat of battle hers is the face he sees. Time, distance, and other women could not clear her from his mind. The issues the characters face are handled with care and sincerity. Mack faces a battle with not only losing part of his leg, but also the guilt of losing his men, while Lauren's son faces the loss of his dad and acts out because of it. Poor Lauren struggles with both Mack and her son.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward. It's nice to see that Mr. Cleveland cannot only write hot, steamy sex but he can totally turn on his alpha's romantic charms. I look forward to reading more by this author.
March 13, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this book....the premise of it sounded so promising, and I love the military aspect...unfortunately this book lacked the substance needed to sustain the story...the story follows Mack and Lauren, childhood sweethearts who go their separate ways due to life decisions and then are reunited in adulthood trying to overcome their personal demons...from the beginning of the book these characters are presented as shallow and selfish; of course they are teenagers, but the lack of a substantial backstory adds to their superficial nature, and their cocky attitudes and impulsive natures do not seem to change as they progress into adulthood......there are moments of maturity and conviction for our characters, but it is overshadowed by unrealistic decisions and choices....one aspect of the story that I did appreciate was shining a light on PTSD and the consequences of not seeking treatment as well as the barriers to doing so...our military men and women's sacrifices and personal battles need to be remembered and treated with respect, and I thank Eddie Cleveland for doing just that in his story:)
July 4, 2016
Mack and Lauren have know each other forever, dated thru high school and made promises to each other. Then came senior yr and Mack tells Lauren he's leaving to attend West Point. Devastated, Lauren breaks up with Mack.
Lauren goes on to graduate and becomes the nurse that she said she would and remains in the same town working at a very elite rehab hospital.
Mack becomes the military leader and is in Afghanistan when his unit is under attack. Returning to his old stomping grounds after getting out of the military, Captain America is home.
This was a good story dealing with the military man coming home and trying to deal with PTSD.
I think the author did a good job with this book, can only imagine his writing to go up from here. There were a couple things that werent very clear in this book...not that it was a big show stopper but for me the reader, would have liked more clarification.
3.5-4 Stars for me
June 22, 2016
5+ Stars
First let me say THANK YOU to Eddie for serving our military.
This book got me from the first page. I could not put it down. I read it all in one day. I just couldn’t walk away from these characters. I felt for them. I wanted to protect them…especially Chris. What a young man! The connections these characters had was amazing.
This story is more than just a romance story of two long lost loves. It’s about second chances, not only in love but in life. It’s a military story, the sacrifices our soldiers endure and the scars they bear not only on the outside but on the inside. It’s about the struggle of returning home and trying to find closure.
I was surprised when I found out this is the first novel for this author. Job well done!! It was beautifully written. I loved the side characters. I can’t wait to get Chelsea and Cameron’s story.
First let me say THANK YOU to Eddie for serving our military.
This book got me from the first page. I could not put it down. I read it all in one day. I just couldn’t walk away from these characters. I felt for them. I wanted to protect them…especially Chris. What a young man! The connections these characters had was amazing.
This story is more than just a romance story of two long lost loves. It’s about second chances, not only in love but in life. It’s a military story, the sacrifices our soldiers endure and the scars they bear not only on the outside but on the inside. It’s about the struggle of returning home and trying to find closure.
I was surprised when I found out this is the first novel for this author. Job well done!! It was beautifully written. I loved the side characters. I can’t wait to get Chelsea and Cameron’s story.
July 3, 2016
This is my first book by this author.
This is Mack and Lauren's story. This book is well written and unfolds for you in a very clear way the trauma that soldiers face when they return home from a conflict. Due to his decision to enlist Mack loses the girl he has loved for most of his life. They end up on different paths until he is forced to leave the military due to his injury.
I enjoyed the story but it lacked intimacy for me. There was love between the couple however, if there was a lot more dialogue between them sharing how they really felt about the choices they had made in their lives, I think the real depth of the love they shared would have communicated itself better to the reader.
Definitely worth a read.
This is Mack and Lauren's story. This book is well written and unfolds for you in a very clear way the trauma that soldiers face when they return home from a conflict. Due to his decision to enlist Mack loses the girl he has loved for most of his life. They end up on different paths until he is forced to leave the military due to his injury.
I enjoyed the story but it lacked intimacy for me. There was love between the couple however, if there was a lot more dialogue between them sharing how they really felt about the choices they had made in their lives, I think the real depth of the love they shared would have communicated itself better to the reader.
Definitely worth a read.
January 11, 2017
3.5 Stars.
The overall story was well written and I enjoyed the chemistry between Mack and Lauren. There were however a few holes in the story that I couldn't over look and they all involved Chris. I also felt like the Mack and Chris storyline was missing the "Truth".
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the next book.
The overall story was well written and I enjoyed the chemistry between Mack and Lauren. There were however a few holes in the story that I couldn't over look and they all involved Chris. I also felt like the Mack and Chris storyline was missing the "Truth".
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the next book.
July 6, 2016
Arc review For honest review. Wow that was great .I even cried in some parts. The characters in this book definitely are stronger, loving ,etc . And to honor our heroes that have given their lives .God bless you.
March 27, 2020
Drop Everything and Read This
Here's my Succinct Review
Here's my Succinct Review
June 16, 2016
This is Eddie Cleveland's first novel. He killed it. I will be recommending this book sure. I am really into 2nd chance love stories these days and this one delivers! Five stars!
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