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Allegiance
Imagine walking unaware into your house and overhearing your best friend Candy and your husband Logan arguing in your bedroom about the baby they’ve made, and conspiring not to tell her husband O.B. After all, it would kill him to know that his best friend Logan has betrayed him. That is the situation in which pharmacist and independent mother of two, Keri Slater finds herself the day before her husband, Army combat medic Logan ships out on his fourth tour of duty from their idyllic home in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Both men are part of the last deployments to Afghanistan before the president’s draw down of troops in the spring of 2014, and the two couples have been friends and neighbors for four years. Four long, convenient years. Could it be that Logan has deftly concealed his affair with Candy from Keri since she’s known him, or is this just a grave misunderstanding that she lets spin out of control, leaving Keri second guessing everything she’s said, done, and seen during the last six years of her life? A wall has always surrounded the silent side of Staff Sergeant Logan Slater, but Keri has attributed his reticence to his introverted personality, along with his altruistic desire to protect her from the horrors of war he’s experienced, not to covering up an affair with her neighbor and best friend, Candy O’Brien. A horrific event forces Keri to figure out the truth for herself—the truth that could destroy all four of them as the story unravels. Her children, three-year-old Cole and five-year-old Lacey challenge her to pledge her allegiance to her friends, the way Keri and Logan have always taught them, but are they too young to understand such abstract concepts, and to fathom what really goes on in the lives of grownup men and women?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
145 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Mary Flinn
14 books48 followersA native of North Carolina, award-winning author Mary Flinn long ago fell in love with her state’s mountains and its coast, creating the backdrops for her series of novels, The One, Second Time’s a Charm, Three Gifts, and A Forever Man. With degrees from both the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and East Carolina University, Flinn has retired from her first career as a speech pathologist in the NC public schools since 1981. Writing a novel had always been a dream for Flinn, who began crafting the pages of The One, when her younger daughter left for college at Appalachian State University in 2009. The characters in this book have continued to call to her, wanting more of their story told, which bred the next three books in the series.
Flinn has recently been the recipient of the Reviewers’ Choice First Place Award for Romance Novel in the Reader Views 2011 Literary Book Awards, as well as the Pacific Book Review Best Romance Novel of 2011 for Three Gifts. Second Time’s a Charm, also released in 2011, won an Honorable Mention in the Reader Views Reviewers’ Choice Awards. The Nest, a stand-alone from the Kyle and Chelsea series, won a B.R.A.G. Medallion book award in 2015. Breaking Out, Flinn's second stand-alone was published in 2014. A Girl Like That, released in 2015 is the winner of the Reader Views Literary Book Award, as well as the B.R.A.G. Medallion.
Mary Flinn lives with her husband in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she is at work on her next novel. They have two adult daughters.
Flinn has recently been the recipient of the Reviewers’ Choice First Place Award for Romance Novel in the Reader Views 2011 Literary Book Awards, as well as the Pacific Book Review Best Romance Novel of 2011 for Three Gifts. Second Time’s a Charm, also released in 2011, won an Honorable Mention in the Reader Views Reviewers’ Choice Awards. The Nest, a stand-alone from the Kyle and Chelsea series, won a B.R.A.G. Medallion book award in 2015. Breaking Out, Flinn's second stand-alone was published in 2014. A Girl Like That, released in 2015 is the winner of the Reader Views Literary Book Award, as well as the B.R.A.G. Medallion.
Mary Flinn lives with her husband in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she is at work on her next novel. They have two adult daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 6, 2018
I wasn't a big fan of this one. The h was very much a holier than thou, patronizing basket case whose rational for certain decisions pretty much came out of left field.
I also take a HUGE exception to the obvious reader manipulation. There is one part where the h believes that her husband cheated and the OW is pregnant based on an overheard conversation. Instead of asking the MOST PERTINENT question right away - "Is she really having your child?" things get delayed for a really grossly extended time period and a whole lot of angst and damage is the result.
The h was too passive aggressive in this and it was done in the name of plot manipulation. I did not feel a sense of resolution and redemption, I only felt a huge amount of ire that this woman's actions led to so much heartbreak and pain because of blatant author manipulation.
This one wasn't a winner for me, the angst was great, the resolution was poor and obvious contrivances to make this heroine seem a saint, when she was anything but, was just tacky.
I also take a HUGE exception to the obvious reader manipulation. There is one part where the h believes that her husband cheated and the OW is pregnant based on an overheard conversation. Instead of asking the MOST PERTINENT question right away - "Is she really having your child?" things get delayed for a really grossly extended time period and a whole lot of angst and damage is the result.
The h was too passive aggressive in this and it was done in the name of plot manipulation. I did not feel a sense of resolution and redemption, I only felt a huge amount of ire that this woman's actions led to so much heartbreak and pain because of blatant author manipulation.
This one wasn't a winner for me, the angst was great, the resolution was poor and obvious contrivances to make this heroine seem a saint, when she was anything but, was just tacky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2020
2 GRRR Stars
This one is marketed with the “cheating hubs” trope, and I find myself in uncharted territory… I can’t stand the heroine, and am totally siding with the hubs. I’m writing this as I go, so it might be choppy. The first 20% is pretty boring, filled w/ everyday crap as the soldiers prepare to deploy. Our h, Keri, who is a total Debbie Downer, is married to medic soldier Logan, and has two kids. The day before their (Logan & OB) deployment; Keri returns home and overhears a disturbing convo between Logan and Candy (her BF & OB’s wife) and she assumes they are having an affair, and Candy is pregnant with Logan’s child. I 100% agree it sounds sketchy as hell, but Candy was just upset the night before telling Keri that her Dr. confirmed she’ll never conceive because of scar tissue... so somethings up. Keri confronts Logan, he tells her it’s not what she thinks; he loves her; she shuts down, and he leaves for Afghanistan.
Over the next ½ of the book, she refuses to listen to anything Logan or Candy tries to tell her, and proceeds telling EVERYONE that her husband is a cheating bastard that knocked up her BF. Months later she’s informed Logan has been in an accident, and is clinging to life. She’s upset, but still goes on her beach vacation, clinking glasses with her sis… still badmouthing her husband even while said sister encourages her to maybe ask a few questions, and determine what the deal is. Seriously, how dumb is it that she’s talking about divorce when she’s not had one real conversation getting the details?
70%- I can’t even…..
Now Keri upon learning that tidbit has this to say….
How convenient of him to have sex with her one afternoon and then to decide just days later that I was the one for him-it’s hardly flattering. What a fickle male organism he is.
Yep, isn’t she a peach? At this point she’s told her entire family, his mother, all his Dr’s and therapists that he’s a lying impregnating cheater all while withholding any affection to her injured hubs.
Bottom line This irks the crap out of me; I HATE when authors use character stupidity to manufacture conflict; 70% of the plot was created by a misunderstanding which could have been easily corrected. It’s lazy, and frankly boring, because it was glaringly obvious to everyone except the h. Also, rather than building a plot with conversations and development; the characters actions/personalities/events were constantly manipulated to make us “feel” something. For example, when the truth was FINALLY revealed, and Keri looks unfavorable. You would expect some fallout, (isn't Logan a little upset-what about his mother) at the very least some discussions. Nope, it's brushed away quickly; Keri is embarrassed, but the author quickly shifts the attention to Candy, by portraying her as a cheating ho-bag that used abortions as birth control. BUT then, she almost instantly flips it again, so we’re supposed to feel sorry for Candy, (because now she’s good) and see how kind and forgiving Keri is, so we like everyone again. It didn’t work for me, because it was forced…
This one is marketed with the “cheating hubs” trope, and I find myself in uncharted territory… I can’t stand the heroine, and am totally siding with the hubs. I’m writing this as I go, so it might be choppy. The first 20% is pretty boring, filled w/ everyday crap as the soldiers prepare to deploy. Our h, Keri, who is a total Debbie Downer, is married to medic soldier Logan, and has two kids. The day before their (Logan & OB) deployment; Keri returns home and overhears a disturbing convo between Logan and Candy (her BF & OB’s wife) and she assumes they are having an affair, and Candy is pregnant with Logan’s child. I 100% agree it sounds sketchy as hell, but Candy was just upset the night before telling Keri that her Dr. confirmed she’ll never conceive because of scar tissue... so somethings up. Keri confronts Logan, he tells her it’s not what she thinks; he loves her; she shuts down, and he leaves for Afghanistan.
Over the next ½ of the book, she refuses to listen to anything Logan or Candy tries to tell her, and proceeds telling EVERYONE that her husband is a cheating bastard that knocked up her BF. Months later she’s informed Logan has been in an accident, and is clinging to life. She’s upset, but still goes on her beach vacation, clinking glasses with her sis… still badmouthing her husband even while said sister encourages her to maybe ask a few questions, and determine what the deal is. Seriously, how dumb is it that she’s talking about divorce when she’s not had one real conversation getting the details?
70%- I can’t even…..
Now Keri upon learning that tidbit has this to say….
How convenient of him to have sex with her one afternoon and then to decide just days later that I was the one for him-it’s hardly flattering. What a fickle male organism he is.
Yep, isn’t she a peach? At this point she’s told her entire family, his mother, all his Dr’s and therapists that he’s a lying impregnating cheater all while withholding any affection to her injured hubs.
Bottom line This irks the crap out of me; I HATE when authors use character stupidity to manufacture conflict; 70% of the plot was created by a misunderstanding which could have been easily corrected. It’s lazy, and frankly boring, because it was glaringly obvious to everyone except the h. Also, rather than building a plot with conversations and development; the characters actions/personalities/events were constantly manipulated to make us “feel” something. For example, when the truth was FINALLY revealed, and Keri looks unfavorable. You would expect some fallout, (isn't Logan a little upset-what about his mother) at the very least some discussions. Nope, it's brushed away quickly; Keri is embarrassed, but the author quickly shifts the attention to Candy, by portraying her as a cheating ho-bag that used abortions as birth control. BUT then, she almost instantly flips it again, so we’re supposed to feel sorry for Candy, (because now she’s good) and see how kind and forgiving Keri is, so we like everyone again. It didn’t work for me, because it was forced…
February 6, 2018
The heroine is a better person than I!
This was quite the angsty novel for sure. I am not going to give spoilers because it would ruin the book. I will say this though, the heroine is a far better person than I would have been In the same situation. The H is wounded in battle and comes home to a very hurt and confused h. She is angry at him still for what she overheard about him and their friend Candy. She wants answers but he cannot speak very well due to a head injury. When the story finally comes out it is hard for me to forgive. There is so much angst and lies and it has tragic consequences. I am torn between a three and four star review because of the best friend. I wish it would have ended differently. But it is a good story and the h was amazing. The H too actually. I may have to re-read this at a later date and see if I feel differently about it. No spoilers either but I really did end up liking the story.
This was quite the angsty novel for sure. I am not going to give spoilers because it would ruin the book. I will say this though, the heroine is a far better person than I would have been In the same situation. The H is wounded in battle and comes home to a very hurt and confused h. She is angry at him still for what she overheard about him and their friend Candy. She wants answers but he cannot speak very well due to a head injury. When the story finally comes out it is hard for me to forgive. There is so much angst and lies and it has tragic consequences. I am torn between a three and four star review because of the best friend. I wish it would have ended differently. But it is a good story and the h was amazing. The H too actually. I may have to re-read this at a later date and see if I feel differently about it. No spoilers either but I really did end up liking the story.
August 21, 2024
It’s a good story with a lot, a lot of angst and a big huge misunderstanding like you never heard one. I honestly thought he cheated on his wife, either emotionally or physically and was going to make all the kind of conjectures possible until I eventually understood what was wrong.
The heroine and the hero are married and have two children. He’s a soldier and a very brave one, he goes away for months on missions. They have friends who of course are in the army themselves, and are very close friends with a couple, she’s a gorgeous woman some years younger than the heroine, he’s a kind man. The heroine has some self confidence issues about her body,she hasn’t lost all the weight from her two pregnancies while her friend is always flawless and beautiful. One day she overhears a conversation between her husband and her talking about a child they have made together. The hero and ow husband are leaving in a day for a mission of nine months. The heroine is appalled and confronts the hero and ow. I liked her, because she felt betrayed by both. The hero cannot say anything back because there’s no time and she blocks ow forbidding her from coming around her and her children. He is injured badly on a mission and comes back home with speech issues, so they can’t actually talk. The heroine looks after him but thinks still that she won’t take back the husband that betrayed her and made their friend pregnant so she plans to leave him, I appreciated her a lot, because despite all the family tried to guilt trip her into forgiving her hero husband, she wouldn’t relent. The truth is very different. I won’t spoil too much but he was only guilty of hiding some things about ow, which was bad because he should have been faithful and loyal first of all to his wife, and not to ow. I didn’t like the end because the one who should have paid, ow, didn’t really. She has her own happy ending somehow. She was a manipulative and selfish bitch, and she betrayed both her husband and the heroine, who was her friend. I hated that the hero accepted to lie because she asked him, and that was a betrayal to me, he could have been a hero to his country but what kind of man are you if you’re not loyal to the very first person you’ve pledged to be, your own wife? And ow, she should have gone and paid for her sins, but it was her poor husband who paid most, no, I would not want such a woman around my children and husband. But the book was good and very angsty, so I liked it.
The heroine and the hero are married and have two children. He’s a soldier and a very brave one, he goes away for months on missions. They have friends who of course are in the army themselves, and are very close friends with a couple, she’s a gorgeous woman some years younger than the heroine, he’s a kind man. The heroine has some self confidence issues about her body,she hasn’t lost all the weight from her two pregnancies while her friend is always flawless and beautiful. One day she overhears a conversation between her husband and her talking about a child they have made together. The hero and ow husband are leaving in a day for a mission of nine months. The heroine is appalled and confronts the hero and ow. I liked her, because she felt betrayed by both. The hero cannot say anything back because there’s no time and she blocks ow forbidding her from coming around her and her children. He is injured badly on a mission and comes back home with speech issues, so they can’t actually talk. The heroine looks after him but thinks still that she won’t take back the husband that betrayed her and made their friend pregnant so she plans to leave him, I appreciated her a lot, because despite all the family tried to guilt trip her into forgiving her hero husband, she wouldn’t relent. The truth is very different. I won’t spoil too much but he was only guilty of hiding some things about ow, which was bad because he should have been faithful and loyal first of all to his wife, and not to ow. I didn’t like the end because the one who should have paid, ow, didn’t really. She has her own happy ending somehow. She was a manipulative and selfish bitch, and she betrayed both her husband and the heroine, who was her friend. I hated that the hero accepted to lie because she asked him, and that was a betrayal to me, he could have been a hero to his country but what kind of man are you if you’re not loyal to the very first person you’ve pledged to be, your own wife? And ow, she should have gone and paid for her sins, but it was her poor husband who paid most, no, I would not want such a woman around my children and husband. But the book was good and very angsty, so I liked it.
February 16, 2023
Some men need a serious thumb to their forehead! Really putting a former lover before your wife in keeping a secret that would not have had a serious impact upon their marriage had it been revealed. However.....keeping the secret after the wife overhears and not clarifying the situation is just stupid.
Some reviewers had negative comments to Kerri but I found her to be strong and willing to confront a situation instead of allowing it to fester. Logan had so many opportunities to clarify the misunderstanding (and it had nothing to do with a lack of trust by Kerri) but chose to honor his promise to his former lover rather than to be honest with his wife. In my opinion, he and his former lover were maintaining an emotional affair. He is the one who disrupted this marriage with placing this ow's needs about Kerri's.
Some reviewers had negative comments to Kerri but I found her to be strong and willing to confront a situation instead of allowing it to fester. Logan had so many opportunities to clarify the misunderstanding (and it had nothing to do with a lack of trust by Kerri) but chose to honor his promise to his former lover rather than to be honest with his wife. In my opinion, he and his former lover were maintaining an emotional affair. He is the one who disrupted this marriage with placing this ow's needs about Kerri's.
June 7, 2019
Interesting premise but felt flat. Lack of communication and misunderstanding.
h jumped to wrong conclusion, didn't confront H/OW /friend but was telling everyone H cheated on her without discussing with main parties.
H at fault too as he kept from h that OW who was now h's close friend was the g/f before her who was married at the time (H dropped her when he found out, was brief relationship, ow hid that she was married and that she did get pregnant for H but terminated pregnancy)
Book should have been interesting but found it pretty flat.
h jumped to wrong conclusion, didn't confront H/OW /friend but was telling everyone H cheated on her without discussing with main parties.
H at fault too as he kept from h that OW who was now h's close friend was the g/f before her who was married at the time (H dropped her when he found out, was brief relationship, ow hid that she was married and that she did get pregnant for H but terminated pregnancy)
Book should have been interesting but found it pretty flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2017
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/17)
In “Allegiance” by Mary Flinn, pharmacist and mother Keri Slater is feeling frumpy and distant from her husband Logan. Logan is a combat medic about to go on his fourth tour of duty. Keri and Logan are very close friends to OB and Candy. OB is going to go on deployment with him. Candy is younger and has the kind of looks that draw a lot of attention from men. This hasn’t been a problem for Keri, until she accidentally overhears a conversation between Candy and Logan. She is devastated to learn that they created a baby together and it is obvious Candy is in love with him. Keri and Logan don’t have time to really hash the situation out, so when he leaves, she does not plan on him coming back to live in their home. Keri is absolutely devastated. She feels she has lost the father of her children, who is also the love of her life and her best friend. Caught up in anger and hurt, she refuses to discuss it with either of them and is horrified that she must watch Candy’s pregnancy develop because she lives across the street.
Shortly after Logan leaves, things go downhill for him and Keri must step in as the mother of his children, pull herself together, and take things day by day. Fortunately, she has parents to help her through, but no one in her family can believe that Logan would be capable of betraying her. As she reminisces back through their relationship, she remembers how it felt to fall in love with a strong loyal man, with whom she declared her allegiance to when she married him.
“Allegiance” really sucked me in. As Keri was falling in love with Logan, I felt like I was too. He seemed like the perfect, loyal man. Even if he tended to be stoic, he seemed like the kind of man who had integrity and would not let someone down. As Keri listened to the conversation that she wasn’t supposed to hear, I felt sick to my stomach. I felt devastated for Keri and her children and disgusted with her best friend. I could not see an easy way out of this situation, but the author threw a twist into the story that made the situation very different from how it originally appeared. The healing that comes from it was amazing.
"Allegiance" by Mary Flinn tells a compelling story that made it impossible for me to put the book down until I finished!
In “Allegiance” by Mary Flinn, pharmacist and mother Keri Slater is feeling frumpy and distant from her husband Logan. Logan is a combat medic about to go on his fourth tour of duty. Keri and Logan are very close friends to OB and Candy. OB is going to go on deployment with him. Candy is younger and has the kind of looks that draw a lot of attention from men. This hasn’t been a problem for Keri, until she accidentally overhears a conversation between Candy and Logan. She is devastated to learn that they created a baby together and it is obvious Candy is in love with him. Keri and Logan don’t have time to really hash the situation out, so when he leaves, she does not plan on him coming back to live in their home. Keri is absolutely devastated. She feels she has lost the father of her children, who is also the love of her life and her best friend. Caught up in anger and hurt, she refuses to discuss it with either of them and is horrified that she must watch Candy’s pregnancy develop because she lives across the street.
Shortly after Logan leaves, things go downhill for him and Keri must step in as the mother of his children, pull herself together, and take things day by day. Fortunately, she has parents to help her through, but no one in her family can believe that Logan would be capable of betraying her. As she reminisces back through their relationship, she remembers how it felt to fall in love with a strong loyal man, with whom she declared her allegiance to when she married him.
“Allegiance” really sucked me in. As Keri was falling in love with Logan, I felt like I was too. He seemed like the perfect, loyal man. Even if he tended to be stoic, he seemed like the kind of man who had integrity and would not let someone down. As Keri listened to the conversation that she wasn’t supposed to hear, I felt sick to my stomach. I felt devastated for Keri and her children and disgusted with her best friend. I could not see an easy way out of this situation, but the author threw a twist into the story that made the situation very different from how it originally appeared. The healing that comes from it was amazing.
"Allegiance" by Mary Flinn tells a compelling story that made it impossible for me to put the book down until I finished!
November 26, 2023
Grabs the heart
The author for most part writes well enough to bring emotion from the reader. But there are still questions I have. Like the conversation that the MFC overhears, she later explains the misunderstanding but my lingering question remains why did Logan and Candy have that conversation in their bedroom. Just still seems off and smells weird. That question is never answered. And Logan doesn't even mention his prior relationship with Candy either while dating or during the 6 years of married living just because of keeping a promise to Candy yet he's supposed to be an upstanding kind of guy? Sorry that didn't cut it for me. His allegiance and transparency should always be to his wife. Then the way Keri later goes back and forgives Candy letting her back into the neighbor relationship was perhaps too awkward and uncomfortable for me. She may trust her husband but I'd still worry about that woman because she's demonstrated she can't be trusted. Otherwise it's a fairly good portrayal of a military couple overcoming struggle to emerge stronger and better
The author for most part writes well enough to bring emotion from the reader. But there are still questions I have. Like the conversation that the MFC overhears, she later explains the misunderstanding but my lingering question remains why did Logan and Candy have that conversation in their bedroom. Just still seems off and smells weird. That question is never answered. And Logan doesn't even mention his prior relationship with Candy either while dating or during the 6 years of married living just because of keeping a promise to Candy yet he's supposed to be an upstanding kind of guy? Sorry that didn't cut it for me. His allegiance and transparency should always be to his wife. Then the way Keri later goes back and forgives Candy letting her back into the neighbor relationship was perhaps too awkward and uncomfortable for me. She may trust her husband but I'd still worry about that woman because she's demonstrated she can't be trusted. Otherwise it's a fairly good portrayal of a military couple overcoming struggle to emerge stronger and better
March 15, 2025
Mary Flinn's Allegiance is a masterful tale of love, friendship, fidelity, heroism, and family, woven together with richly detailed storytelling and captivating conversations. Having experienced a similar situation with my first husband and best friend during my time as a military spouse, I found the storyline to be deeply relatable on a personal level. Mary's nuanced depiction of the characters' emotional journeys as they face adversity is both authentic and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on readers. With its captivating narrative and unexpected plot twists, this book is a compelling page-turner that keeps readers engaged until the very end. In my opinion this book would make an excellent MOVIE.
January 14, 2025
I went into this with very low expectations, but I wanted something angsty. It was okay, but absolutely so annoying that it all ends up being a total misunderstanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
Cheating accusation but no actual cheating - I just couldn't fathom my husband suffering a major injury that would affect his speech, and still choosing to not read all of his emails he wrote to you explaining what happened between him and the ow. It still gets 3 stars for being a military romance that deals with infidelity (sorta).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
I really really wanted to like this. I tried so hard but I just did not like the FMC. The first references she made to her appearance and weight, especially compared to the OW made me pause. But I pushed through hoping they were just throw away lines. Yet it happened again and again. She was clearly insecure and I struggle reading FMCs like that. Then the red flags of the overly affectionate OW were on display. Good, OW angst is my catnip. But it was only a teeny-weeny bit hidden amongst pages and pages of boring everyday life. Seriously, this bit dddrraagggeeddd especially with her insecurities thrown in. I was waiting for the drama. I have kids, I don't need to read about the boring repetitive looking after them. I live it. Even skipped ahead to find out the drama still hadn't happened. Once the overheard conversation in her bedroom occurred between OW and MMC it only delivered a mild gut punch because I was so bored and leaning towards dislike of the FMC. Perhaps if we could have had the narrative broken up to include POV of MMC it would've hit better. Because the way she treated him while he was injured, her thoughts about him, the way she carried on, she was an absolute b*^#h. Like she could have spared herself and her husband months of heartache if she had been less of a coward and TALKED TO HIM. Then the vomit worthy redemption of the OW, give me a break. This woman who has been your friend for years, tells your husband she is in love with him right before he ships out again, in your house, in your bedroom, stating "I know you love me too", and you forgive her. AND allow her back into your familys life, have her around your husband like it was nothing. This chick wasn't telling him her feelings for s*^ts and giggles, she wanted him to tell her he loved her too. She made a move on your husband for g*ds sake. Even though you only found out at like 70% of the way in the book that he quiet clearly shot her down and emphasised he didn't, never had, never will love her, your like 'oh well she says shes over it, her husband died, lets be friends again'. What the hell? The MMC went through months of his wife refusing to say I love you, icing him out, refusing to talk to him, planning to leave him, telling everyone he was a cheat, not offering comfort when his world was medically destroyed. Then his selfish dumb wife forgives the person responsible for it and makes him have to have family dinners with her in their house again. Which he clearly isn't that comfortable with. What a cop out. OW did start all this with her selfishness confessing her feelings and past to MMC about the abortion. And for what? She wanted him. Yet that very part is skimmed over. The focus is on the betrayal and lies ect. I'd be super mad at MMC for lieing about having known the OW previously and his 3 dates he hid. But the FMC is her own worst enemy. She was awful. Then to kill off OW husband, the only good innocent one out of the lot of them, that's so stupid. OW should have died and her husband O.B. should have moved like he planned for the job he wanted, found a more loyal wife and lived HEA. FMC should have grovelled and seen someone about her self-esteem issues and obsession with her weight. She was an unlikeable tw^t that I started to hope the MMC would leave.
2.5 stars because at times the story felt disjointed
2.5 stars because at times the story felt disjointed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2018
This book was recommended in a book group- it sounded right up my alley so I dived in.
It’s a very compelling story about secrets, lies, miscommunication & what happens when it all comes crashing down.
I thought it was a well written book that kept me engrossed for a large part and had a strong female lead that was determined to get the truth and when she thought she had it, had the courage of her convictions.
It touched on many subjects but it’s main focus was on the veterans and the impact of war- it was written with tact and compassion and I felt that it would be very true to life.
It was angsty, heartbreaking but also uplifting when we see how certain subjects are dealt with here and one part has me shouting Nooooo very loudly- so thanks for that lol.
So thank you for a great read!
It’s a very compelling story about secrets, lies, miscommunication & what happens when it all comes crashing down.
I thought it was a well written book that kept me engrossed for a large part and had a strong female lead that was determined to get the truth and when she thought she had it, had the courage of her convictions.
It touched on many subjects but it’s main focus was on the veterans and the impact of war- it was written with tact and compassion and I felt that it would be very true to life.
It was angsty, heartbreaking but also uplifting when we see how certain subjects are dealt with here and one part has me shouting Nooooo very loudly- so thanks for that lol.
So thank you for a great read!
September 9, 2022
Emotional, powerful story intertwined between 2 couples, their marriages and then a third relationship. Very unique story and appreciate the clean writing and base to this highly emotional and complex storylines. One couple includes Logan, father and husband, children Lacey and Cole with Keri mom and wife. The other couple Candy and BO have no children but BO is in the same military unit as medic, Logan, so they are a close friendship foursome.
Also learned during this read that things aren't always so black and white, even after hearing them discussed. This leads Keri on a personal rough ride with her feelings and emotions.
Surprise and shocking ending with loads of emotional and strong reading in between beginning and end.
Also learned during this read that things aren't always so black and white, even after hearing them discussed. This leads Keri on a personal rough ride with her feelings and emotions.
Surprise and shocking ending with loads of emotional and strong reading in between beginning and end.
March 12, 2024
Good story
Hard reading and felt like it took forever to find out exactly what she overheard. I didn't like Candy and felt she was kissing Logan way to close and hugging and just way to friendly. Wanting to know their sex life was sick. She was fishing to see if they were together the same. Logan was also very friendly with Candy and Keri noticed and said nothing. It was so sad to see two couples torn by lies on the action of one person. I wish that BO had not be written out. I was glad that everything worked out for Logan he deserved a happy ending. But I could not be friends with someone who loved my husband. My first one cheated and was very friendly with other women no way would I be friends with any of them. It would have been nice to have Logan's pov in the story.
Hard reading and felt like it took forever to find out exactly what she overheard. I didn't like Candy and felt she was kissing Logan way to close and hugging and just way to friendly. Wanting to know their sex life was sick. She was fishing to see if they were together the same. Logan was also very friendly with Candy and Keri noticed and said nothing. It was so sad to see two couples torn by lies on the action of one person. I wish that BO had not be written out. I was glad that everything worked out for Logan he deserved a happy ending. But I could not be friends with someone who loved my husband. My first one cheated and was very friendly with other women no way would I be friends with any of them. It would have been nice to have Logan's pov in the story.
July 10, 2025
Cheating = perceived cheating between the H and OW as h overhears a conversation that leads the h to believe there is an ongoing affair, no actual affair. H and OW had prior relationship that had a bit of overlap to when H met h...actual cheating? YES, OW was married when she had previously hooked up with the H, turned out the OW's husband was in military with H but H did not know.
Grovel = not really as there was no actual cheating, however, was the H a douche for not letting h know that he and OW had prior entanglement? YES, especially after letting the h engage with and become good friends with the OW. That's sneaky and shady. Also, poor OW husband!! Anyhoo, the grovel that was had was mitigated by a severe injury incurred by the H so it was a bit of a cop out.
Short read.
Grovel = not really as there was no actual cheating, however, was the H a douche for not letting h know that he and OW had prior entanglement? YES, especially after letting the h engage with and become good friends with the OW. That's sneaky and shady. Also, poor OW husband!! Anyhoo, the grovel that was had was mitigated by a severe injury incurred by the H so it was a bit of a cop out.
Short read.
December 11, 2018
Whew
Man this was a life altering read. So much pain, angst, forgiveness, love it’s hard to Bri g it together. Mary did it perfectly. I felt the most anger toward Candy but Logan was close on her heels. He could have saved so much heartache by telling the truth so Ker didn’t wonder and feel so unloved. The most innocent one was O.B. bless him. It was a beautiful story in the entirety.
Man this was a life altering read. So much pain, angst, forgiveness, love it’s hard to Bri g it together. Mary did it perfectly. I felt the most anger toward Candy but Logan was close on her heels. He could have saved so much heartache by telling the truth so Ker didn’t wonder and feel so unloved. The most innocent one was O.B. bless him. It was a beautiful story in the entirety.
August 6, 2019
This is a fantastic book. The plot and characters were so in tune with betrayal. It happens and is very damaging to the partner; not forgetting the ripple affect to others. The way it is written has twists worth reading. The perception of the topic is also double sided. Not always what you think. I read this book in one sitting and was worn out by the end of the book. That good! I will re-read this book because I know I have missed some dialog because I read fast. Recommended read.
August 13, 2024
I'm on the fence
I liked a lot of this book but some parts I did not. The whole thing with Candy. It just ended up hurting others. To me Keri started the whole thing by not listening to her husband. It was just a mess and ended up being so much heartbreak. The book was very well written and I truly enjoyed most of it.
I liked a lot of this book but some parts I did not. The whole thing with Candy. It just ended up hurting others. To me Keri started the whole thing by not listening to her husband. It was just a mess and ended up being so much heartbreak. The book was very well written and I truly enjoyed most of it.
July 18, 2020
A very good story of a military family and friends. I enjoyed learning of the friendships, betrayals, and forgiveness. I gave a three star because it was the story i was looking for. Still it was well written a good story. It would be worth 4 🌟 for someone.
April 7, 2021
Thought Provoking Story
I found this book by accident and was truly blown away by the writing. Heartbreaking deceit loss love and friendship all in one story.
Very emotive well structured and thought out narrative. Loved it
1 click you will not be disappointed
I found this book by accident and was truly blown away by the writing. Heartbreaking deceit loss love and friendship all in one story.
Very emotive well structured and thought out narrative. Loved it
1 click you will not be disappointed
July 10, 2022
This needs to be a movie!
I loved EVERYTHING about this story! The characters were relatable and had great character development. It made me laugh, cry, get angry, and many more emotions from the first to the last page. I would enjoy seeing this play out on a screen.
I loved EVERYTHING about this story! The characters were relatable and had great character development. It made me laugh, cry, get angry, and many more emotions from the first to the last page. I would enjoy seeing this play out on a screen.
February 20, 2023
I enjoyed reading Allegiance and thought the author did a great job telling the story through a military’s wife point of view. She captured many special moments in a family that made me miss the sweetness of when my children were so young.
March 2, 2025
so glad I read this
This was an excellent book. I saw it on a pay app but looked on my kindle. Well written had me ready to fight Candy and Logan then the twists. Great job. Makes you mad , cry, happy and tears you apart only to round out fantastically.
This was an excellent book. I saw it on a pay app but looked on my kindle. Well written had me ready to fight Candy and Logan then the twists. Great job. Makes you mad , cry, happy and tears you apart only to round out fantastically.
March 2, 2025
Wonderful book
This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and inspirational story. The characters are so real, written so realistically and truthfully. I cried so much with these characters.
This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and inspirational story. The characters are so real, written so realistically and truthfully. I cried so much with these characters.
September 20, 2017
We are proud to announce that ALLEGIANCE by Mary Flinn is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
May 13, 2018
Loved
What a great story. I felt so many emotions reading this book. The main character Keri is such a strong, forgiving, awesome lady. I would re-read this book.
What a great story. I felt so many emotions reading this book. The main character Keri is such a strong, forgiving, awesome lady. I would re-read this book.
November 9, 2019
Wonderful re as
This book was an amazing read. I felt all the emotions from page one. It was truly a book that captivated me from start to finish!
This book was an amazing read. I felt all the emotions from page one. It was truly a book that captivated me from start to finish!
November 10, 2019
Really good.
March 26, 2020
story about secrets, lies, miscommunication & what happens when it all comes crashing down.
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