True Beginnings

The Lost and Found series #3

by Amanda Mackey

I’m addicted to it. War, battle—the thrill of being in mortal combat and constant danger. Not knowing whether I’ll still be breathing one moment to the next is a rush I can’t explain. But I hate that I love it. It’s like a sickness that sank its hooks into my psyche and refuses to let go. I’m living with nightmares and the strange reality of civilian life, while I crave my next mission. Until I meet a sassy redhead with sharp wit and scalding green eyes. She stirs the same adrenaline rush I experienced while dropping from the sky into enemy territory. Charlotte is everything that’s right in this wretched world. There’s a kindness in her, but I’m afraid the darkness lurking within me will destroy it. I’m not the kind of man she deserves. She’s too good for me. I shouldn’t want her the way I do, and if I were a good man, I would walk away. Problem is…I’m not.

Genres: Military Fiction

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/3/2020)! 🎁

[Karja26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a first read of mine by Amanda Mackey, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the first page, it just sucked you in! Viper is an absolute alpha and Charlotte is no shrinking violet, she totally stands her own.

My only problem with it (and its teeny tiny and no way affects the book as a whole), I thought it finished abruptly. Throughout the book the build up between these characters were amazing! However, around the 70-80+% mark something life changing occurred and it was written really quickly and then book ended. I want more :( hungry for more Viper :D

Got really interested in this series, as Dec & Mac (who were the secondary characters in this book) had intrigued with hints of what occured in their story True Identity. So I'm off to read book 1 & 2 as I was told TB is a 3rd installment. Even though Amanda mentions its standalone, i felt it would be more enjoyable if you read book 1 & 2. So I'm of to rectify that :P

Amanda love great job!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.. what a realistic story. Two soldiers, Declan/Dec and Viper, closer than brothers deal with PTSD while still taking on dangerous military missions. This is Viper's story. Viper is a physically fit, intimidating soldier. He butts head with Dec's woman's best friend Charlotte/Char. Every time they are in each other's company their animosity for each other erupts. When Char is robbed at gunpoint, her stern personality falls apart. Wanting to give Mac and Dec their privacy, she opts out to stay with Viper. She does not look forward to the confrontations nor does she have the energy to do so. Viper thinks he is out of his gd mind for letting her stay. When Char has a meltdown, Viper takes control and comforts Char. Over the next several days Viper continues to amaze Char at his sensitivity for her. Then Viper gets a call back to duty. Will Char get over the assault? Will Char and Viper ever have a truce? This book hit upon the subject of PTSD and hit a home run. When I got to the last page, I was not dissapointed. I do hope there is a sequel that moves forward with Dec and Mac, Char and Viper. I totally and whole heartily recommend this book. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raquel A · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

He's a soldier suffering from PTSD.

She's a nurse. They know each other through mutual friends but
despite the attraction they rub each other the wrong way.

By the 29% mark I was bored with the story. Nothing important
had really happened up until this point but I made the choice to start speed reading.

The H starts treating the h differently because he feels bad for her.
He actually starts acting nice towards her :o

I stopped reading at the 35% mark; read quite a few other books,
& decided to come back to finish this one.

Something finally happened around the 60% mark. It actually
made me sad instead of boredom. I won't say what happens but I already have a feeling how the rest of the book is gonna play out.

Overall, the ending was ok. Wouldn't recommend or re-read.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Char and Viper’s story a lot more than Mac and Dec’s, mainly because Char wasn’t a selfish person like I found Mac to be.

Both Viper and Char are feisty characters who piss each other off, but also bring out the best in one another. They protect each other, are there for one another in their worst times and even though their banter is full of piss and vinegar, underlying it all is the strength of their care for one another. I honestly don’t think they would work if either of them was more agreeable. Their journey together is very empowering.

This was a really good story.

[Heather Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Char was a nurse who didn't do relationships but when her friend found love with a Navy Seal she found herself carving it herself. When she is hurt the man who she loved to hate comes to her rescue.
Viper has PTSD and doesn't want to have a woman in his life after he was almost married once. This story is about two people who don't really know what they really need or want, but life has a way of bring them together to make each other whole again. Great read that all will love.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story and was very entertaining. Once I started I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is sizzling hot. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a great love story.

"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."

[kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Loved this 3rd book in the series. Love the alpha, passion and heat. Got my heart going in some places.

[Debra Johnson]

Purchased February 15, 2025

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "The Lost and Found Series"