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Always a Cowboy #1
Forever a Soldier
A wounded soldier searching for healing...
Hank Moreno returned home from combat not quite broken, but definitely battered. His job now is to recover and to keep a hundred-year-old house from falling down around his ears. No one calls, no one visits--just as he likes. But then one irrepressible woman invades his sanctuary, hunting the secrets hidden within.
A determined scholar searching for a legend...
Graduate student Lale Pehlivan is investigating a century-old mystery. Unraveling it will guarantee she becomes a star history professor. But one surly former soldier is guarding the family archives--and standing between her and the information she needs.
There's no escape from the person destined to break your heart...
Lale launches a charm attack Hank can't resist, and the sterling honor Lale finds under Hank's surliness tunnels under her own defenses. But when Lale threatens to unearth Hank's secrets along with those in the archive, their hearts might not survive the upheaval.
Hank Moreno returned home from combat not quite broken, but definitely battered. His job now is to recover and to keep a hundred-year-old house from falling down around his ears. No one calls, no one visits--just as he likes. But then one irrepressible woman invades his sanctuary, hunting the secrets hidden within.
A determined scholar searching for a legend...
Graduate student Lale Pehlivan is investigating a century-old mystery. Unraveling it will guarantee she becomes a star history professor. But one surly former soldier is guarding the family archives--and standing between her and the information she needs.
There's no escape from the person destined to break your heart...
Lale launches a charm attack Hank can't resist, and the sterling honor Lale finds under Hank's surliness tunnels under her own defenses. But when Lale threatens to unearth Hank's secrets along with those in the archive, their hearts might not survive the upheaval.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2016
1174 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 17, 2018
I was expecting something sweet and wholesome. You know the books that make your heart happy because you get to watch the couple falling in love but physically the relationship doesn't go much beyond intense hand holding and a goodnight kiss. This book was indeed sweet.
Forever a Soldier gave me the cleanest, dirty talk I've had the pleasure of reading.
"I'm a gentleman. I'm not going to fuck a lady until I've made her come at least once."
That's about as crude as it gets. But, who wouldn't melt hearing that early in a relationship? Plus, you know, genuinely good advice for any men reading this.
I found the characters relatable. From Lale's sunny disposition to Hank's grumpy reluctance to let her in and his struggle with a PTSD-like disorder, they could have been anyone. I fell in love with them both. But, my most favorite character in the entire book was Gus. I wanted to give the poor dog all the treats.
The connection between them was undeniable. They fought it for a while. But, the moment Hank decided he could trust Lale was powerful. There was drama and angst, I didn't love some of that because I want all rainbows and unicorns all the time. But I understand a book can't be 100% happy so I let it go. Then I smiled because Hank and Lale worked everything out in the end and I got my satisfying happy ever after.
Overall, Forever a Soldier was a sweet feel good read. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a book that's naughty enough to be interesting but not so naughty you'd get caught blushing if you read it in public.
This is the first book in the Genevieve's Always a Cowboy series. It is a standalone with no cliff-hanger but I think I might have to read the rest of the series, anyway.
Forever a Soldier gave me the cleanest, dirty talk I've had the pleasure of reading.
"I'm a gentleman. I'm not going to fuck a lady until I've made her come at least once."
That's about as crude as it gets. But, who wouldn't melt hearing that early in a relationship? Plus, you know, genuinely good advice for any men reading this.
I found the characters relatable. From Lale's sunny disposition to Hank's grumpy reluctance to let her in and his struggle with a PTSD-like disorder, they could have been anyone. I fell in love with them both. But, my most favorite character in the entire book was Gus. I wanted to give the poor dog all the treats.
The connection between them was undeniable. They fought it for a while. But, the moment Hank decided he could trust Lale was powerful. There was drama and angst, I didn't love some of that because I want all rainbows and unicorns all the time. But I understand a book can't be 100% happy so I let it go. Then I smiled because Hank and Lale worked everything out in the end and I got my satisfying happy ever after.
Overall, Forever a Soldier was a sweet feel good read. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a book that's naughty enough to be interesting but not so naughty you'd get caught blushing if you read it in public.
This is the first book in the Genevieve's Always a Cowboy series. It is a standalone with no cliff-hanger but I think I might have to read the rest of the series, anyway.
January 26, 2018
While this is the first in a new series, Lale is diving into family history that harks back to a different series by the author. I haven't read those books and I felt that lack a bit as there are questions that would probably be clear if you had read those stories.
This was a lovely romance, with main characters I really enjoyed. Hank was tough to attach to (mainly because Turner is a little too coy about the actual disability keeping him isolated) but I was happy to melt along with Lale as she learned more about who he was and how he chose to live. I have a little more familiarity with his kind of mental disorder than is common, so I figured him out sooner than others might. And that speaks to how well Turner depicts his struggle because it isn't until after the 40% mark that we hear the official verdict. It was a huge duh moment for me, but the kind that reinforced how well Turner was doing with these characters and pulled me in rather than pushing me out.
It helps, of course, that Lale was made of win. I loved her open honesty and that she would actually say explicitly that "I don't do casual". Not that that was what Hank was after. Which made it even stronger because she was honest enough to communicate her need up front. I love that kind of honesty and it set a great foundation to offset their obvious mutual attraction.
There were really only two downsides. The first is that the editing is really poor. Some parts were particularly rough with multiple errors on a page. I hate to see an otherwise strong story suffer for something it should have been able to fix with a bit of effort.
The second is more serious and drags the story down a full star. The late-story conflict felt manufactured to me. I get that Hank has issues but to offset them so blatantly on an external source and then let that damage (and potentially destroy) a relationship he has come to care very much about was very weird to me. He knows Lale at this point and she has proven trustworthy in every way. Having him go all mental countered how well his character had been drawn to that point and they lost a lot of engagement there.
That misstep aside, I really enjoyed the rest of the story and I'm really good at pretending dumb things didn't happen. So a solid four-star read and I look forward to picking up more in the series.
A note about Steamy: There are two and a half explicit sex scenes and they work very well with the emotional arc of the characters. Further, they serve to illustrate the rough road they have to go in coming to terms with Hank's mental disorder. I loved that sex/love wasn't seen as an easy fix and that everything went smoothly just because it was the right relationship at the right time. At any rate this is the middle of my steam tolerance, and very well-done into the bargain.
This was a lovely romance, with main characters I really enjoyed. Hank was tough to attach to (mainly because Turner is a little too coy about the actual disability keeping him isolated) but I was happy to melt along with Lale as she learned more about who he was and how he chose to live. I have a little more familiarity with his kind of mental disorder than is common, so I figured him out sooner than others might. And that speaks to how well Turner depicts his struggle because it isn't until after the 40% mark that we hear the official verdict. It was a huge duh moment for me, but the kind that reinforced how well Turner was doing with these characters and pulled me in rather than pushing me out.
It helps, of course, that Lale was made of win. I loved her open honesty and that she would actually say explicitly that "I don't do casual". Not that that was what Hank was after. Which made it even stronger because she was honest enough to communicate her need up front. I love that kind of honesty and it set a great foundation to offset their obvious mutual attraction.
There were really only two downsides. The first is that the editing is really poor. Some parts were particularly rough with multiple errors on a page. I hate to see an otherwise strong story suffer for something it should have been able to fix with a bit of effort.
The second is more serious and drags the story down a full star. The late-story conflict felt manufactured to me. I get that Hank has issues but to offset them so blatantly on an external source and then let that damage (and potentially destroy) a relationship he has come to care very much about was very weird to me. He knows Lale at this point and she has proven trustworthy in every way. Having him go all mental countered how well his character had been drawn to that point and they lost a lot of engagement there.
That misstep aside, I really enjoyed the rest of the story and I'm really good at pretending dumb things didn't happen. So a solid four-star read and I look forward to picking up more in the series.
A note about Steamy: There are two and a half explicit sex scenes and they work very well with the emotional arc of the characters. Further, they serve to illustrate the rough road they have to go in coming to terms with Hank's mental disorder. I loved that sex/love wasn't seen as an easy fix and that everything went smoothly just because it was the right relationship at the right time. At any rate this is the middle of my steam tolerance, and very well-done into the bargain.
July 25, 2018
I really, really liked this. Hank is an AMAZING grumpy hero and I am always down for an academic/historian heroine. I really do need to read more of Genevieve Turner's solo work. I don't know why I haven't.
**Read for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo, Heroine's Eyes are Described Using the Ocean - THANK YOU, EMMA**
**Read for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo, Heroine's Eyes are Described Using the Ocean - THANK YOU, EMMA**
May 27, 2021
I liked this one a lot. Hank is a VERY grumpy hero - but it's fueled by anxiety. I think it's portrayed quite well. I would have liked to spend a little more time with these two - I felt like we were just getting started. I like this author's voice a lot.
August 7, 2022
*ARC provided via author & NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review*
Very fulfilling and rewarding from all points of view – plot, delivery, characters, writing style.
The characters seem so real and human, strong and vulnerable at the same time.
I loved how they fell in love, fought for each other and tried to overcome the problems.
I’m not familiar with the hero’s condition but its depiction seems very credible and realistic and is well dramatized and interwoven in the plot. Above all, there is no magical cure.
I appreciated the heroine’s resilience and sweetness and how she felt for this “laconic, compelling man” who lives with horses too old and lame to be ridden and retired chicken. Seeing the hero through her eyes we cannot but fall for him too (all that leaning against things is really seductive).
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
Very fulfilling and rewarding from all points of view – plot, delivery, characters, writing style.
The characters seem so real and human, strong and vulnerable at the same time.
I loved how they fell in love, fought for each other and tried to overcome the problems.
I’m not familiar with the hero’s condition but its depiction seems very credible and realistic and is well dramatized and interwoven in the plot. Above all, there is no magical cure.
I appreciated the heroine’s resilience and sweetness and how she felt for this “laconic, compelling man” who lives with horses too old and lame to be ridden and retired chicken. Seeing the hero through her eyes we cannot but fall for him too (all that leaning against things is really seductive).
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
June 20, 2021
Leigh told me to read this for my next Genevieve Turner, and I pretty much read everything Leigh tells me to, so, here we are.
I liked it a lot. Lale is a very believable history phd student, 5 years into her thesis and still searching for her archival breakthrough. She thinks what she’s looking for might be in the Moreno/Merrill family archives, but it’s not your average archival set-up. The collection is overseen by Hank Moreno, a surly war vet struggling to accept his anxiety diagnosis and living alone in the family museum with a menagerie of discarded animals. He’s a stickler for privacy, his own and his family’s, so the last thing he wants is for a nosy researcher in his space day in day out. But then, whoops, they’re kissing…
The mental health rep leaves a bit to be desired: Hank is carrying a lot of internalised shame about his diagnosis, wrapped up in toxic masculinity for good measure. Several times he wishes he had something more understandable, like PTSD. Lale doesn’t ‘fix’ him, and the way it ends worked for me, but there is a lot of time spent going over and over his embarrassment and self-loathing.
On the plus side, there is a great thematic arc about privacy and history and the individual, which I didn’t expect to find here, and Lale and Hank have excellent chemistry.
I liked it a lot. Lale is a very believable history phd student, 5 years into her thesis and still searching for her archival breakthrough. She thinks what she’s looking for might be in the Moreno/Merrill family archives, but it’s not your average archival set-up. The collection is overseen by Hank Moreno, a surly war vet struggling to accept his anxiety diagnosis and living alone in the family museum with a menagerie of discarded animals. He’s a stickler for privacy, his own and his family’s, so the last thing he wants is for a nosy researcher in his space day in day out. But then, whoops, they’re kissing…
The mental health rep leaves a bit to be desired: Hank is carrying a lot of internalised shame about his diagnosis, wrapped up in toxic masculinity for good measure. Several times he wishes he had something more understandable, like PTSD. Lale doesn’t ‘fix’ him, and the way it ends worked for me, but there is a lot of time spent going over and over his embarrassment and self-loathing.
On the plus side, there is a great thematic arc about privacy and history and the individual, which I didn’t expect to find here, and Lale and Hank have excellent chemistry.
Read
November 3, 2017This was a pleasant enough read , but it waffled a lot. And there was the usual - 'First book in a series' set of extra characters who are all introduced in some minor way so that the reader is supposed to 'latch onto' them and buy the next book. To be honest, if I am reading a series, I prefer follow-on books to carry on the story (and the main characters) from the first book.
The real problem for me with this story was the 'plot' about the various women in the family history. I got awfully confused at times as to what really happened in the past and I think the whole thing could have been tightened and made a great deal simpler.
Not rating.
The real problem for me with this story was the 'plot' about the various women in the family history. I got awfully confused at times as to what really happened in the past and I think the whole thing could have been tightened and made a great deal simpler.
Not rating.
January 17, 2021
4.5 stars
Major Plot Spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
First off I thought the premise for this one was a very interesting one. That said premise promised some mystery elements as well as a romance mixed together, which fit my mood perfectly. This said mystery where Lale was researching her dissertation that had to do with Hank’s family. She had been doing this for years, and this was the final puzzle with all the family in possession of letters and diaries that could help her figure out this mystery, but the interesting part was the fact that Hank was a hermit and in charge of keeping watch over all the families possessions including said diary.
The problem was that Hank didn’t want to deal with people and had kept himself isolated for fear that people would find out about his anxiety disorder so that last thing that he wanted was Lale coming to his home to do this research and basically poke around and possibly expose his secret of his hidden anxiety from the world. It was interesting to see him dealing with his anxiety as well as his feelings about them and how he related them to himself. It caused him to alone. I thought this did a very detailed account on not only the panic attacks and the feelings he got right before he got but the feelings he had over them, which he thought made him weak. It felt very real and very raw. I think it showed how he had been struggle with this all of his life and kept struggling hence why he kept away from people not wanting them to see him like that. It was a lot emotionally going on.
What I really loved though was the growth and development of Lale and Hank’s relationship. It started skittish at first because Hank didn’t know what Lale was going to do or if he trust or if he would even have a panic attack in front of her. So, at first kept his distance and had that wall up. Then as they spent more time together they developed a really nice friendship and trust between them. They liked spending time together and talking together especially Hank when he revealed his struggles in life and his dealing. The more that they got to know each other then the more the attraction built between them. It was a steady build that just got more intense as it went along. Feelings got involved, and they wanted that closeness between them in every way. It was gradual build, which I liked seeing happen. It finally got to the point where they got physically with heated kisses and encounters before finally progressing to the bedroom. It was pretty hot and steamy yet it showed off their closeness and intimacy that had been building for quite sometime throughout the story. This was the first time they felt like they could been each other’s partners in life. Hank was willing to step out of his comfort zone for Lale when it came to his feelings for her because he loved her. He wanted to make what they had work. I loved so much.
I absolutely loved the grand gesture he made that truly showed the depth of his love for her. It wasn’t easy because of his anxiety but he did if for her. In reality he made two huge gestures, it was really lovely and sweet to see happen. It made swoon. It also gave me hope that with Lale by his side he would be able to deal with his anxiety better than when he was alone. The final chapter (not the epilogue) was just a beautiful scene that said so much as well as screamed love from the top of iit’s lungs. It was so freaking amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better last chapter than that one.
The only part that I was a little overwhelming at time was the stuff with Hank’s ancestors. It was a little confusing of who was who and how they were related to Hank. What Lale was trying to accomplish with her paper. Even though, I got the connection that Lale was trying to make, I didn’t how important that was in the grand scheme of things. Just some of it didn’t sink into my head. Maybe that had to do with the fact that hadn’t read those family members stories that this author had written, but I just know for me it felt a little like jumble mess.
I know I’m not doing this book justice by this review because this story was freaking so awesome. I loved the romance. I loved seeing the struggle that Hank had to deal with in his anxiety and what he was willing to do in order to overcome so he could be with Lale. I loved seeing the intimacy build between them throughout the story. Even though this wasn’t a slow burn, it was a gradual build where things didn’t just happen between them instantaneous, and I really, really liked that. I just loved seeing them together. I loved how they brought out the best out of each other and wanting to make the other person happy. I loved how they accepted each other and loved other even when it wasn’t easy. There was some sweet and tender moments between them. They were some great family moments. There were some great grand gestures. The romance just hit out of the park. With the mystery, I did like it, but did find it confusing at the same time so that wasn’t my favorite part of the story. It was the journey to Lale and Hank falling in love. It was amazing and I could go on forever about it too because it did it that much for me. It makes want to read more by this author in the future because the romance was just so, so good. I would reread this one again in the future.
Highly recommend for lovers of intense, raw, and emotional romances and great romantic build up between the couple to their journey of falling in love.
Major Plot Spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
First off I thought the premise for this one was a very interesting one. That said premise promised some mystery elements as well as a romance mixed together, which fit my mood perfectly. This said mystery where Lale was researching her dissertation that had to do with Hank’s family. She had been doing this for years, and this was the final puzzle with all the family in possession of letters and diaries that could help her figure out this mystery, but the interesting part was the fact that Hank was a hermit and in charge of keeping watch over all the families possessions including said diary.
The problem was that Hank didn’t want to deal with people and had kept himself isolated for fear that people would find out about his anxiety disorder so that last thing that he wanted was Lale coming to his home to do this research and basically poke around and possibly expose his secret of his hidden anxiety from the world. It was interesting to see him dealing with his anxiety as well as his feelings about them and how he related them to himself. It caused him to alone. I thought this did a very detailed account on not only the panic attacks and the feelings he got right before he got but the feelings he had over them, which he thought made him weak. It felt very real and very raw. I think it showed how he had been struggle with this all of his life and kept struggling hence why he kept away from people not wanting them to see him like that. It was a lot emotionally going on.
What I really loved though was the growth and development of Lale and Hank’s relationship. It started skittish at first because Hank didn’t know what Lale was going to do or if he trust or if he would even have a panic attack in front of her. So, at first kept his distance and had that wall up. Then as they spent more time together they developed a really nice friendship and trust between them. They liked spending time together and talking together especially Hank when he revealed his struggles in life and his dealing. The more that they got to know each other then the more the attraction built between them. It was a steady build that just got more intense as it went along. Feelings got involved, and they wanted that closeness between them in every way. It was gradual build, which I liked seeing happen. It finally got to the point where they got physically with heated kisses and encounters before finally progressing to the bedroom. It was pretty hot and steamy yet it showed off their closeness and intimacy that had been building for quite sometime throughout the story. This was the first time they felt like they could been each other’s partners in life. Hank was willing to step out of his comfort zone for Lale when it came to his feelings for her because he loved her. He wanted to make what they had work. I loved so much.
I absolutely loved the grand gesture he made that truly showed the depth of his love for her. It wasn’t easy because of his anxiety but he did if for her. In reality he made two huge gestures, it was really lovely and sweet to see happen. It made swoon. It also gave me hope that with Lale by his side he would be able to deal with his anxiety better than when he was alone. The final chapter (not the epilogue) was just a beautiful scene that said so much as well as screamed love from the top of iit’s lungs. It was so freaking amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better last chapter than that one.
The only part that I was a little overwhelming at time was the stuff with Hank’s ancestors. It was a little confusing of who was who and how they were related to Hank. What Lale was trying to accomplish with her paper. Even though, I got the connection that Lale was trying to make, I didn’t how important that was in the grand scheme of things. Just some of it didn’t sink into my head. Maybe that had to do with the fact that hadn’t read those family members stories that this author had written, but I just know for me it felt a little like jumble mess.
I know I’m not doing this book justice by this review because this story was freaking so awesome. I loved the romance. I loved seeing the struggle that Hank had to deal with in his anxiety and what he was willing to do in order to overcome so he could be with Lale. I loved seeing the intimacy build between them throughout the story. Even though this wasn’t a slow burn, it was a gradual build where things didn’t just happen between them instantaneous, and I really, really liked that. I just loved seeing them together. I loved how they brought out the best out of each other and wanting to make the other person happy. I loved how they accepted each other and loved other even when it wasn’t easy. There was some sweet and tender moments between them. They were some great family moments. There were some great grand gestures. The romance just hit out of the park. With the mystery, I did like it, but did find it confusing at the same time so that wasn’t my favorite part of the story. It was the journey to Lale and Hank falling in love. It was amazing and I could go on forever about it too because it did it that much for me. It makes want to read more by this author in the future because the romance was just so, so good. I would reread this one again in the future.
Highly recommend for lovers of intense, raw, and emotional romances and great romantic build up between the couple to their journey of falling in love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Not what I expected
Story wasn't interesting characters lacked depth. Predictable and boring. Wouldn't recommend this book at all. Glad to be done with it.
Story wasn't interesting characters lacked depth. Predictable and boring. Wouldn't recommend this book at all. Glad to be done with it.
May 22, 2021
Genevieve Turner has enchanted me, from her characters to her settings to the way she builds emotional arcs. Any character who doesn't feel worthy of love immediately sneaks right into my heart and I will defend them at all costs. Therefore I was immediately all in for Hank. He has tattoos and rescues animals and he likes carrying Lale around. Very much into it.
Lale is a true sunshine character but she was also endearing. Her love of history and her passion for her dissertation subject matter made everything really come alive. She’s Turkish and there’s a pronunciation guide at the start. Such a big fan of that detail!
I was not familiar with Californio history before this so Lale’s knowledge and Hank’s history was extra fascinating. Californio were were Spanish colonists in that region. I would have liked to know more about what Hank’s heritage meant to him personally but I enjoyed learning about his ancestors and the hardships they faced. The author was precious about when she included actual letter or diary excerpts and that made the ones she included that much more powerful. This is what I wish more authors recognized about epistolary elements.
This story was incredibly strong for the first 80% or so and then it started to break down for me. I have major reservations about the depiction of Hank’s mental health.
I also felt like the ending needed more time to breathe. At the same time, I loved Hank and Lale together and I’m so glad they figured out a way to make it work. I’m in their corner, even if the ending wasn’t as strong as I hoped.
I usually read series in order but since this is a series of standalones, I read Forever a Maverick first, which turned out to add to my delight. This series, or at least the first two books, happens concurrently and I practically cackled the few times Juniper or Ash appeared on page because of my additional knowledge. I’m looking forward to reading book 3 soon!
Character notes: Hank is a 31 year old white caretaker and former Army sniper. He has a dog named Gus (Belgian Malinois), horses, chickens, and goats. Lale is a Turkish history PhD student. This is set in Cabrillo, CA.
CW: anxiety, on-page panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, hero uses ableist language to describe his mental health, past war references, hero was an Army sniper injured in the line of duty , hero has scars (mostly on chest, also on thighs) from past injuries, rescue dog injured in a blast and lost sense of smell , internalized ableism, alcohol, gender essentialism, transphobic line , ableist language, heroine’s research centers on the mistreatment of three Latinas
Lale is a true sunshine character but she was also endearing. Her love of history and her passion for her dissertation subject matter made everything really come alive. She’s Turkish and there’s a pronunciation guide at the start. Such a big fan of that detail!
I was not familiar with Californio history before this so Lale’s knowledge and Hank’s history was extra fascinating. Californio were were Spanish colonists in that region. I would have liked to know more about what Hank’s heritage meant to him personally but I enjoyed learning about his ancestors and the hardships they faced. The author was precious about when she included actual letter or diary excerpts and that made the ones she included that much more powerful. This is what I wish more authors recognized about epistolary elements.
This story was incredibly strong for the first 80% or so and then it started to break down for me. I have major reservations about the depiction of Hank’s mental health.
I also felt like the ending needed more time to breathe. At the same time, I loved Hank and Lale together and I’m so glad they figured out a way to make it work. I’m in their corner, even if the ending wasn’t as strong as I hoped.
I usually read series in order but since this is a series of standalones, I read Forever a Maverick first, which turned out to add to my delight. This series, or at least the first two books, happens concurrently and I practically cackled the few times Juniper or Ash appeared on page because of my additional knowledge. I’m looking forward to reading book 3 soon!
Character notes: Hank is a 31 year old white caretaker and former Army sniper. He has a dog named Gus (Belgian Malinois), horses, chickens, and goats. Lale is a Turkish history PhD student. This is set in Cabrillo, CA.
CW: anxiety, on-page panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, hero uses ableist language to describe his mental health, past war references, hero was an Army sniper injured in the line of duty , hero has scars (mostly on chest, also on thighs) from past injuries, rescue dog injured in a blast and lost sense of smell , internalized ableism, alcohol, gender essentialism, transphobic line , ableist language, heroine’s research centers on the mistreatment of three Latinas
December 3, 2016
Forever a Soldier by Genevieve Turner
Always a Cowboy #1
Such a good book! Genevieve Turner manages to bring stories to life through believable characters and plots and this new series is one I am definitely looking forward to reading!
Hank is a recluse – a hermit – a man who avoids even his family – so when his cousin and head of the family tells him that he will be in charge of overseeing a PhD student doing research using the history archives he is in charge of he is challenged in new ways. How will he “maintain” and “deal” and get along? As a veteran he is getting help for his problems through the VA but will that be enough?
Lale Pehlivan, an immigrant from Turkey and PhD student, is eager to get into the letters written by Hank’s ancestors. She has a theory and believes she might find out something that will make her doctorate a done deal and perhaps provide fodder for a book or even a movie – if she can find that one key piece of information.
Neither Hank nor Lale want a relationship that is casual and don’t see a future together since they are so very different with future goals that are so very dissimilar. That said, they have a difficult time keeping their hands off of one another. The interactions between the two are special and caring and a delight, though painful at times, to read. I have to say that I thought of sharing this book with a family member who has Hank’s “problem” because this book made me so much more aware and thoughtful and understanding.
I loved this book and hope you will, too. Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
5 Stars
NOTE: for a family tree that might be helpful – check out: https://i2.wp.com/www.genturner.com/w...
Always a Cowboy #1
Such a good book! Genevieve Turner manages to bring stories to life through believable characters and plots and this new series is one I am definitely looking forward to reading!
Hank is a recluse – a hermit – a man who avoids even his family – so when his cousin and head of the family tells him that he will be in charge of overseeing a PhD student doing research using the history archives he is in charge of he is challenged in new ways. How will he “maintain” and “deal” and get along? As a veteran he is getting help for his problems through the VA but will that be enough?
Lale Pehlivan, an immigrant from Turkey and PhD student, is eager to get into the letters written by Hank’s ancestors. She has a theory and believes she might find out something that will make her doctorate a done deal and perhaps provide fodder for a book or even a movie – if she can find that one key piece of information.
Neither Hank nor Lale want a relationship that is casual and don’t see a future together since they are so very different with future goals that are so very dissimilar. That said, they have a difficult time keeping their hands off of one another. The interactions between the two are special and caring and a delight, though painful at times, to read. I have to say that I thought of sharing this book with a family member who has Hank’s “problem” because this book made me so much more aware and thoughtful and understanding.
I loved this book and hope you will, too. Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.
5 Stars
NOTE: for a family tree that might be helpful – check out: https://i2.wp.com/www.genturner.com/w...
February 1, 2017
I enjoyed this book so much. Autumn Sage is my favorite of Genevieve Turner's novels, and this one calls back to it a lot. Though reading it is not necessary to enjoying Forever a Soldier, it was an added bonus for me. The heroine, Lahle, is working on her history dissertation and is looking through the Moreno family archives for sources. The hero, Hank, is the keeper of those archives. He is a former soldier and hermit who suffered from a severe anxiety disorder. The heroine is full of sunshine, rainbows, and optimism. The hero is afraid to leave his house. Turner handles this dynamic well. Lahle is not Hank's savior, but she is a catalyst for his changing some stuff about his life and the way they grow close and he lets her into his small world is wonderful.
May 13, 2018
Misleading feel-good drivel
In this book, love takes just a few months to conquer a severe anxiety condition. I fear that unrealistic books like this will give sweet, nurturing, naive women the idea that their love can save some man. Having been married to a man with an anxiety disorder, I know this is a bad idea.
In this book, love takes just a few months to conquer a severe anxiety condition. I fear that unrealistic books like this will give sweet, nurturing, naive women the idea that their love can save some man. Having been married to a man with an anxiety disorder, I know this is a bad idea.
May 3, 2018
Forever a Soldier
This is the most drawn out and depressing book I've ever read! This not the regular Genevieve Turner I expected. I also do not understand how this is related to always a cowboy.
This is the most drawn out and depressing book I've ever read! This not the regular Genevieve Turner I expected. I also do not understand how this is related to always a cowboy.
December 23, 2021
I snagged this on sale a while back and spent several months reading a few chapters, then forgetting about it for a few weeks, then reading a few more chapters, then walking away for another few weeks, repeat until end of book. I like a lot about Forever a Soldier: the writing, the setup of the emotional stakes, the setting. It felt a little unorganized to me overall, with a lot of threads of other plot bunnies thrown in there and then a quick third-act breakup that I didn’t quite believe.
I also am not that thrilled with the treatment of mental health here. Hank is dealing with some shit, and in some ways it’s portrayed really well and in other ways not so much.
I still enjoyed the book while I was reading it and I have been told by trusted sources that others in this series are better, so I will look into books later in the series.
Overall rating: 3.5
Hannah Angst Scale™ Rating: 2
Content notes: anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, internalized ableism, military service-related trauma (hero was Army sniper injured in line of duty), use of prescribed anti-anxiety medication, gender essentialism, on page alcohol use, on page sex
I also am not that thrilled with the treatment of mental health here. Hank is dealing with some shit, and in some ways it’s portrayed really well and in other ways not so much.
I still enjoyed the book while I was reading it and I have been told by trusted sources that others in this series are better, so I will look into books later in the series.
Overall rating: 3.5
Hannah Angst Scale™ Rating: 2
Content notes: anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, nightmares, internalized ableism, military service-related trauma (hero was Army sniper injured in line of duty), use of prescribed anti-anxiety medication, gender essentialism, on page alcohol use, on page sex
December 15, 2023
Then it goes on and on about nothing.
It was so depressing so Dnf
It was so depressing so Dnf
June 15, 2018
This was just such a beautiful romance and I couldn't put it down. Lale and Hank are both fascinating characters and I love how much their families shaped who they are. Lale's optimism and love of stories made her sweetly compelling, but Hank's struggle with naming, let alone confronting, his issues was also so powerful. And the writing is really beautiful too. And the love scenes are SO GOOD, there's so much intimacy and character building. And the historical research aspect, especially given that the author has written those stories.. there's just a lot to love about this book.
Fun story: I didn't use the Turkish glossary at the beginning out of laziness, so for a while I thought the heroine was sassing her mother by putting emphasis on her given name. Nope, _Anne_ means mother, haha. Don't be like me, check out the glossary!
Fun story: I didn't use the Turkish glossary at the beginning out of laziness, so for a while I thought the heroine was sassing her mother by putting emphasis on her given name. Nope, _Anne_ means mother, haha. Don't be like me, check out the glossary!
December 6, 2016
PHENOMENAL - IS THE ONLY WORD NEEDED TO DESCRIBE THIS BOOK! OH MY WORD! YOU HAVE TO READ IT!
This is a standalone novel, book one, in the Always a Cowboy series. However, it is also an addition to the Las Morenas series. You do NOT need to have read the Las Morenas series to LOVE this book. However, it only adds to its AWESOMENESS!!!!!
The book revolves around Hank's family history and the love that Lale has for it, and unexpectedly for him. As Lale is working on her PHD dissertation, it takes her to Hank and the family treasures that he holds. It was beautiful to watch their relationship develop and learn more, or want to correct for them what they thought, about his family.
This was a VERY WELL written book with characters you have no choice but to fall in love with and cheer on. The story-line was easy to follow and included what many of our men and women in the service experience after coming home and trying to get back to "normal," whatever that is. There were times I got so frustrated that I wanted to "Gibbs" slap Hank and my heart felt for, and I cheered for, both he and Lale. As Lale has a family background similar to my own it made this even more enjoyable.
As I had already read the Las Morenas series, with this book I kept interjecting with "No, that isn't right. Its not that way. Keep looking!!!!!" and found myself looking back at the Las Morenas series to correct what Hank and Lale had gotten wrong in his families history. I LOVE when I get so into a book and can do this that all time stops for me.
I can go on and on with how great this book was!! I can't wait for the next one!
As a Thank you for this AMAZING advanced reader copy, I am voluntarily leaving this AWESOME review!
This is a standalone novel, book one, in the Always a Cowboy series. However, it is also an addition to the Las Morenas series. You do NOT need to have read the Las Morenas series to LOVE this book. However, it only adds to its AWESOMENESS!!!!!
The book revolves around Hank's family history and the love that Lale has for it, and unexpectedly for him. As Lale is working on her PHD dissertation, it takes her to Hank and the family treasures that he holds. It was beautiful to watch their relationship develop and learn more, or want to correct for them what they thought, about his family.
This was a VERY WELL written book with characters you have no choice but to fall in love with and cheer on. The story-line was easy to follow and included what many of our men and women in the service experience after coming home and trying to get back to "normal," whatever that is. There were times I got so frustrated that I wanted to "Gibbs" slap Hank and my heart felt for, and I cheered for, both he and Lale. As Lale has a family background similar to my own it made this even more enjoyable.
As I had already read the Las Morenas series, with this book I kept interjecting with "No, that isn't right. Its not that way. Keep looking!!!!!" and found myself looking back at the Las Morenas series to correct what Hank and Lale had gotten wrong in his families history. I LOVE when I get so into a book and can do this that all time stops for me.
I can go on and on with how great this book was!! I can't wait for the next one!
As a Thank you for this AMAZING advanced reader copy, I am voluntarily leaving this AWESOME review!
August 3, 2018
As I was reading this book, for a while I kept wondering why? Then I allowed myself to get into Lale’s mind as she worked on historic research for her dissertation. In looking at the unfolding story from her point of view, I saw shank as he developed into more than a selfish ass.....he described himself this way, not my wording.
The sexual tension unfolded quickly and as it did, you learn about the pain and hurt both had suffered.....of course, romance takes place....becomes a big part of the book and an important part of healing processes. Now, I will say the sex scenes were good ones, which is a plus in a book, and while this may sound silly, I appreciated the fact that there was mention of condoms being used. This may sound like a minor detail, but these days, casual sex can lead to severe problems yet in most novels in which sex becomes a major part, condoms are never mentioned. So, I appreciated that the author thought that through.
Both characters have suffered pain in different ways.....Lale from past heart-braking relationships and Hank as a injured war veteran. Near the end of the book, I thought about the fact that he author had shown the struggle of a veteran to return home and try to live a normal life. The mental and emotional anguish was evident and to see the struggle within the man was something people often don’t consider. Men are too often portrayed as the macho, no-emotion person yet this character suffered from the need to be “ a man” who had to deal with hie internal struggles and the desire to have Lale in his life.
So, I. The end, I rated this book higher than I originally thought I would since it gave that much needed insight to a vet’s struggle.
The sexual tension unfolded quickly and as it did, you learn about the pain and hurt both had suffered.....of course, romance takes place....becomes a big part of the book and an important part of healing processes. Now, I will say the sex scenes were good ones, which is a plus in a book, and while this may sound silly, I appreciated the fact that there was mention of condoms being used. This may sound like a minor detail, but these days, casual sex can lead to severe problems yet in most novels in which sex becomes a major part, condoms are never mentioned. So, I appreciated that the author thought that through.
Both characters have suffered pain in different ways.....Lale from past heart-braking relationships and Hank as a injured war veteran. Near the end of the book, I thought about the fact that he author had shown the struggle of a veteran to return home and try to live a normal life. The mental and emotional anguish was evident and to see the struggle within the man was something people often don’t consider. Men are too often portrayed as the macho, no-emotion person yet this character suffered from the need to be “ a man” who had to deal with hie internal struggles and the desire to have Lale in his life.
So, I. The end, I rated this book higher than I originally thought I would since it gave that much needed insight to a vet’s struggle.
June 7, 2023
3.5 stars
The couple: Hank and Lale
Romance trope: overcoming mental health issues
Series: Always a Cowboy
Length: 298 pages
Plot: Hank is back from war and not doing well. He's suffering with issues that have plagued him his whole life and that war has exacerbated. He's managing - barely - at his family's ancestral home, alone and on his own. But his cousin has allowed a grad student to look through their family papers for her research. He isn't ready for Lale - beautiful and irrepressibly upbeat. She wants to help him but he's certain he's unhelpable.
Commentary: I normally am not interested in the small details of someone's job when I'm reading a romance novel, but I actually found Lale's process interesting. That actually made the book a higher rating for me. She was the prototypical academic in the pursuit of truth - but ethical enough that she wouldn't reveal the truth if it would hurt Hank. I did find the convergence of the two women that she was investigating to be a little too coincidental, but all in all, this was an enjoyable story.
Next book in the series: Forever a Maverick
The couple: Hank and Lale
Romance trope: overcoming mental health issues
Series: Always a Cowboy
Length: 298 pages
Plot: Hank is back from war and not doing well. He's suffering with issues that have plagued him his whole life and that war has exacerbated. He's managing - barely - at his family's ancestral home, alone and on his own. But his cousin has allowed a grad student to look through their family papers for her research. He isn't ready for Lale - beautiful and irrepressibly upbeat. She wants to help him but he's certain he's unhelpable.
Commentary: I normally am not interested in the small details of someone's job when I'm reading a romance novel, but I actually found Lale's process interesting. That actually made the book a higher rating for me. She was the prototypical academic in the pursuit of truth - but ethical enough that she wouldn't reveal the truth if it would hurt Hank. I did find the convergence of the two women that she was investigating to be a little too coincidental, but all in all, this was an enjoyable story.
Next book in the series: Forever a Maverick
March 20, 2021
History, His story, and Her Story
When Lale and Hank meet, neither of their lives will ever be the same. Hank is a hermit hiding in the past because of his anxiety disorder, which was worsened by his combat while a soldier. He works to preserve and protect the past, keeping his ancestors' secrets along with his own. Lale needs Hank to share these secrets. Her sunny personality brings light and hope into Hank's bleak, solitary existence. Her presence at Hank's family home is necessary to her research. Past secrets is not the only discovery Lale makes while there. I like the interesting plot and progression of this story and how it addresses Hank's disorder in a sensitive and respectful manner. Be prepared for plenty of heat and strong emotions. Even though the title of this series is Always a Cowboy, I do not think this story characterizes Hank as a cowboy. I also do not consider him a soldier at this point in his life even though he is fighting internal battles. Real cowboy, soldier, or not, I like Hank for his honesty and strength of character. Journey with Hank and Lale as they navigate the secrets of the past and write their own story. Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this title.
When Lale and Hank meet, neither of their lives will ever be the same. Hank is a hermit hiding in the past because of his anxiety disorder, which was worsened by his combat while a soldier. He works to preserve and protect the past, keeping his ancestors' secrets along with his own. Lale needs Hank to share these secrets. Her sunny personality brings light and hope into Hank's bleak, solitary existence. Her presence at Hank's family home is necessary to her research. Past secrets is not the only discovery Lale makes while there. I like the interesting plot and progression of this story and how it addresses Hank's disorder in a sensitive and respectful manner. Be prepared for plenty of heat and strong emotions. Even though the title of this series is Always a Cowboy, I do not think this story characterizes Hank as a cowboy. I also do not consider him a soldier at this point in his life even though he is fighting internal battles. Real cowboy, soldier, or not, I like Hank for his honesty and strength of character. Journey with Hank and Lale as they navigate the secrets of the past and write their own story. Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this title.
December 12, 2016
Lale Pehlivan is doing research for her dissertation on a founding family in the early days of California. Her research leads her to an old family home and its caretaker, Hank Moreno. Hank is a vet who lives alone with his dog and the last thing that he wants or needs is someone snooping around in his family archives. Lale's personality is a breath of sunshine and sweet smells to Hank. Hank is a cantankerous hermit who doesn't like people around him. When they are together, something or someone has got to give! I really enjoyed this story. The author has written a beautifully crafted story with fabulous characterization that had me savoring the story to the very last page. This book is highly recommended to anyone who loves contemporary romance.
Forever a Soldier by Genevieve Turner is now available by Victory Editing Publishing. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Forever a Soldier by Genevieve Turner is now available by Victory Editing Publishing. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
April 3, 2018
Turner co-writes the AMAZING Fly Me to the Moon series (with Emma Barry) so when I saw that one of her "own" books was available for free I just had to pick it up. (Actually she has more than one book free at the moment - including the first book in the Fly Me to the Moon series!)
This book deals with mental illness and does it well (as far as I can tell of course). I liked the writing and the characters but I just couldn't believe the conflicts. Especially the second one with
Also, MINOR pet peeve but still: if you eat chicken but don't want to eat the cute ones you see at the farm I will judge you HARD.
Refreshingly free of cliches although still a bit too... cowboyey (?!) for me. Well DUH the cover was a bit of a hint there.
This book deals with mental illness and does it well (as far as I can tell of course). I liked the writing and the characters but I just couldn't believe the conflicts. Especially the second one with
Also, MINOR pet peeve but still: if you eat chicken but don't want to eat the cute ones you see at the farm I will judge you HARD.
Refreshingly free of cliches although still a bit too... cowboyey (?!) for me. Well DUH the cover was a bit of a hint there.
March 7, 2019
I am not sure what I was expecting in reading this but it turned out to be something overly sweet, nice, and wholesome. This was my first book by Genevieve Turner and I can honestly say that I would read another one of hers if I found it and needed a feel good book read. This is book one of a series called "Always a Cowboy", and it is a standalone book, no cliff hangers.
I found that the plot development and the character development were spot on, not too slow and not jumping in from the beginning. You can totally relate to each character and understand his issues as well as hers.
There are sex scenes in this book, but they are not vulgar or crude, they are romantic but hurried, but believable not marathon sessions like some books.
If you are looking for a read that will make you feel good with a HEA, I would recommend this book.
I found that the plot development and the character development were spot on, not too slow and not jumping in from the beginning. You can totally relate to each character and understand his issues as well as hers.
There are sex scenes in this book, but they are not vulgar or crude, they are romantic but hurried, but believable not marathon sessions like some books.
If you are looking for a read that will make you feel good with a HEA, I would recommend this book.
November 28, 2017
Forever A Soldier by Genevieve Turner is a fabulous read. Ms. Turner has delivered a well-written story that will pull on your heartstrings. A+ to Ms. Turner for her outstanding characters in this book. I totally love them. Hank is a wounded warrior with an anxiety disorder, not PTSD. Lale is a graduate student digging into Hank's family history. Their story is touching with plenty of drama, sizzle, bits of suspense and humor. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Genevieve Turner in the future. Forever A Soldier is book 1 of the Always A Cowboy Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
December 12, 2017
I enjoyed Hank, Lale, and their story. It was a bit of a take of Beauty and the Beast - with Hank and his anxiety attacks playing the part of Beast.
The main thing that kept this from being a higher rated read was the zero to 100 mph on the physical relationship- the first truly intimate encounter these two had kind of came out of left field for me.
My other issue was the conclusion - it was a “wham, bam, thank you ma’am” here is everything is a pretty bow type that seemed as if the author suddenly realized she only had a certain number of pages left to wrap everything up.
Overall, an okay free read. I was entertained, but I don’t know if I want to read more of the series.
The main thing that kept this from being a higher rated read was the zero to 100 mph on the physical relationship- the first truly intimate encounter these two had kind of came out of left field for me.
My other issue was the conclusion - it was a “wham, bam, thank you ma’am” here is everything is a pretty bow type that seemed as if the author suddenly realized she only had a certain number of pages left to wrap everything up.
Overall, an okay free read. I was entertained, but I don’t know if I want to read more of the series.
June 15, 2019
Family Secrets
Lale is working hard to solve an age old mystery. She needs to succeed or she will never earn her graduate degree. It has to be more than a legend but will she ever find the documentation to prove her theory?
Hank returned home from combat. While he isn't completely broken he definitely has hidden scars that he tries to hide from everyone that knows him. When Lale ends up at the family's 100 year old home Hank can not explain their attraction nor can he refuse to help her uncover secrets.
Will Lale find what she needs in time or are these secrets destined to remain out of reach?~
Lale is working hard to solve an age old mystery. She needs to succeed or she will never earn her graduate degree. It has to be more than a legend but will she ever find the documentation to prove her theory?
Hank returned home from combat. While he isn't completely broken he definitely has hidden scars that he tries to hide from everyone that knows him. When Lale ends up at the family's 100 year old home Hank can not explain their attraction nor can he refuse to help her uncover secrets.
Will Lale find what she needs in time or are these secrets destined to remain out of reach?~
November 21, 2019
A strong and understanding tale of a wounded warrior fighting anxiety while acting as the guardian for his families repository of historical records.
A grad student working on her dissertation has shown up at his door, with permission from the family head to investigate their collection of letters and records, little does he know how her presence will change his life and hers. This story hits on mental illness in vets and how they deal with some of the aftermath of their service once they are discharged, an empathic look at this as well as the upheavals of falling in love and changing their lives.
A grad student working on her dissertation has shown up at his door, with permission from the family head to investigate their collection of letters and records, little does he know how her presence will change his life and hers. This story hits on mental illness in vets and how they deal with some of the aftermath of their service once they are discharged, an empathic look at this as well as the upheavals of falling in love and changing their lives.
January 23, 2024
Four cowboy romances. Forever a Soldier (Book One) A deeply wounded soldier, a determined scholar searching for a legend, and two hearts ready to break… or to heal. Forever a Maverick (Book Two) A parched farmer, a single mom in need of hope, and a convenient marriage that might become more. Forever a Heartbreaker (Book Three) A famous cowboy searching for more from his hectic life, a no-nonsense woman entranced by a man she couldn’t dream of, and a secret crush that threatens very real feelings. Forever a Bad Boy (Book Four) A bad boy in need of a good woman, a good woman in need of a hero, and two restless hearts in need of forever.
December 23, 2017
I thought this was a fantastic book. It's not an easy read. Make sure you have time for this one. I didn't want to put it down. The characters feel real and I appreciate that in any book. Mental illness is still some what a taboo subject. Genevieve Turner did a fantastic job with the subject of mental illness. This is the first book I have read by Genevieve Turner but it won't be the last I am hoping that some of the secondary characters from this book get their own stories. I encourage you to get this book it is worth your time and effort.
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