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The Ring
A story of love, loss and hope.
Amanda knows three things about her life - she loves living in Tacoma, she wants to be a teacher and she will never marry a man in the military. Yet, when Lucas comes into the coffee shop where she works wearing a flight suit, he starts to change her mind about her future. She is determined to just be his friend, but the chemistry between them is undeniable and their relationship survives through two deployments and him being on work trips almost half of the time.
After they get married, they move across the country to Charleston, S.C., and Amanda finds a job, which helps somewhat with the loneliness of Lucas being gone a lot. She thought she was prepared for life as a military wife, but then she starts finding out the true sacrifices military families make.
Amanda knows three things about her life - she loves living in Tacoma, she wants to be a teacher and she will never marry a man in the military. Yet, when Lucas comes into the coffee shop where she works wearing a flight suit, he starts to change her mind about her future. She is determined to just be his friend, but the chemistry between them is undeniable and their relationship survives through two deployments and him being on work trips almost half of the time.
After they get married, they move across the country to Charleston, S.C., and Amanda finds a job, which helps somewhat with the loneliness of Lucas being gone a lot. She thought she was prepared for life as a military wife, but then she starts finding out the true sacrifices military families make.
- GenresFiction
214 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2019
12 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Anne Carter
5 books58 followersSarah Anne Carter is the author of The Ring, Life After, Orphan Wish Island, The Cookie Connection and A Summer in Springfield.
Sarah Anne fell in love with reading and writing at an early age. As a child, she could be found curled up with a book or writing a creative story. She had a poem published at age 10 and won many summer library reading programs. As a military brat, she grew up all over the world, including Japan and Germany. She has a master’s degree in Journalism and has worked for several newspapers, including Air Force publications. She worked in Air Force Public Affairs for many years at three military bases. Freelance work has led her to the blogging world where she has numerous guest blog posts and a book review blog of her own.
Sarah Anne fell in love with reading and writing at an early age. As a child, she could be found curled up with a book or writing a creative story. She had a poem published at age 10 and won many summer library reading programs. As a military brat, she grew up all over the world, including Japan and Germany. She has a master’s degree in Journalism and has worked for several newspapers, including Air Force publications. She worked in Air Force Public Affairs for many years at three military bases. Freelance work has led her to the blogging world where she has numerous guest blog posts and a book review blog of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2020
A sweet romance and an honest look at the challenges faced by military families. The reader glimpses everything from decisions about dating, marriage, and family to deployments, moves, benefits, practical support, and loss. Lucas and Amanda's story tugged at my heart and made me more grateful for the sacrifices our military families make.
November 26, 2019
The Ring, by Sarah Anne Carter, is a military romance book that will take you on an emotional roller coaster of love.
In all honesty, I wasn’t crazy about the start of the book. The main character, Amanda, meets Lucas while she’s working at a coffee shop. She repeatedly says that she doesn’t want to get seriously involved with a military man, but doesn’t really discuss why too much. I would have liked for the character to dive deeper into her reasons and open up to readers a smidge more. I felt the first few chapters were a little rushed and it was hard for me to connect with Amanda because I wasn’t getting enough of her.
However, once Amanda and Lucas start dating there’s a shift and as a reader I was not only able to connect with Amanda, but I felt emotionally involved.
I was definitely drawn to the innocence and simplicity of the dating relationship between Amanda and Lucas. There was no mention of social media, no drama, or bedroom activity. It was refreshing to see love blossom between two characters in such an authentic and traditional way.
As a character, I really like how determined Amanda is. She has her own personal goals that are realistic and she will do whatever it takes to achieve them. She works two jobs to pay her way through school, which is NOT an easy thing to do. She studies her butt off to earn her teaching certification and get a full time job. I LOVE that she doesn’t stop pursuing her dreams just because she meets a guy.
Personally, no one in my immediate family has ever been in the military, so I don’t have personal experience with deployments. The author did a lovely job explaining all of the military jargon that Lucas used, and kept the events simple enough for someone like me to understand.
Carter also did a really great job of communicating how strong the military community is. I really loved how she included the different events that military wives created among themselves, like book club. As a complete outsider to this world, I was able to get a sense of how much of a family military life can be, and the incredible bond between all of those involved.
The longer Amanda and Lucas are married, the more we see the true sacrifices of being married to the military. This book had me in tears and took me on such an emotional roller coaster. The plot twists were crafted beautifully and implemented seamlessly. I can’t say any more than that because you just have to read it to appreciate the strength of the incredible women married to military men.
If you’re looking for a sweet story that takes you on an emotional roller coaster, this book is perfect for you.
In all honesty, I wasn’t crazy about the start of the book. The main character, Amanda, meets Lucas while she’s working at a coffee shop. She repeatedly says that she doesn’t want to get seriously involved with a military man, but doesn’t really discuss why too much. I would have liked for the character to dive deeper into her reasons and open up to readers a smidge more. I felt the first few chapters were a little rushed and it was hard for me to connect with Amanda because I wasn’t getting enough of her.
However, once Amanda and Lucas start dating there’s a shift and as a reader I was not only able to connect with Amanda, but I felt emotionally involved.
I was definitely drawn to the innocence and simplicity of the dating relationship between Amanda and Lucas. There was no mention of social media, no drama, or bedroom activity. It was refreshing to see love blossom between two characters in such an authentic and traditional way.
As a character, I really like how determined Amanda is. She has her own personal goals that are realistic and she will do whatever it takes to achieve them. She works two jobs to pay her way through school, which is NOT an easy thing to do. She studies her butt off to earn her teaching certification and get a full time job. I LOVE that she doesn’t stop pursuing her dreams just because she meets a guy.
Personally, no one in my immediate family has ever been in the military, so I don’t have personal experience with deployments. The author did a lovely job explaining all of the military jargon that Lucas used, and kept the events simple enough for someone like me to understand.
Carter also did a really great job of communicating how strong the military community is. I really loved how she included the different events that military wives created among themselves, like book club. As a complete outsider to this world, I was able to get a sense of how much of a family military life can be, and the incredible bond between all of those involved.
The longer Amanda and Lucas are married, the more we see the true sacrifices of being married to the military. This book had me in tears and took me on such an emotional roller coaster. The plot twists were crafted beautifully and implemented seamlessly. I can’t say any more than that because you just have to read it to appreciate the strength of the incredible women married to military men.
If you’re looking for a sweet story that takes you on an emotional roller coaster, this book is perfect for you.
January 31, 2020
There’s a wonderful Transition
Where this book goes from romance to self examination. The main character, Amanda, is a headstrong woman who thinks she has her life figured out until fate steps forward in the form of Lucas. They have a well written romance that anyone whose ever loved understands, which blooms into a future together. As the book progresses and the characters relocate, we learn that the most vital part of a romance isn’t the exciting beginning, but the weary long run. Read this book if you like realistic stories about the trials of love.
Where this book goes from romance to self examination. The main character, Amanda, is a headstrong woman who thinks she has her life figured out until fate steps forward in the form of Lucas. They have a well written romance that anyone whose ever loved understands, which blooms into a future together. As the book progresses and the characters relocate, we learn that the most vital part of a romance isn’t the exciting beginning, but the weary long run. Read this book if you like realistic stories about the trials of love.
September 16, 2019
Realistic and heartwarming
Carter writes as an inside observer, a wife and friend of military wives. Her respect is clear through the entire story. The story is realistic and just detailed enough to help readers feel the deepest emotions without drama or sensationalism.
From the first page, I was drawn into Amanda's life and love. I recommend this book for others, like me, who love a military family.
Carter writes as an inside observer, a wife and friend of military wives. Her respect is clear through the entire story. The story is realistic and just detailed enough to help readers feel the deepest emotions without drama or sensationalism.
From the first page, I was drawn into Amanda's life and love. I recommend this book for others, like me, who love a military family.
August 11, 2019
This is a really sweet and thoughtful story. It's the first title I have read by Sarah Anne Carter but I throughly enjoyed it. Amanda is our hero, and she goes through the trials and tribulations that I expect many military wives do. She has fallen in love with Lucas, a pilot, despite her better judgement and the story follows what happens to them both. A fantastic debut.
August 13, 2019
Great story
A story that shows the difficulties many of the partners of our military have. A great love story with gritty detail about falling for someone who spends so much time away.
I liked the way this book was written and have to day it surprised me and brought a lump to my throat. If you love a good tale of what it's like to fall in love then you should read this.
A story that shows the difficulties many of the partners of our military have. A great love story with gritty detail about falling for someone who spends so much time away.
I liked the way this book was written and have to day it surprised me and brought a lump to my throat. If you love a good tale of what it's like to fall in love then you should read this.
October 24, 2019
This book was an interesting story about a young woman married into the military. It does address loss and hard times, but I wished it had wrapped up a little more settled. It had some great points throughout the novel and would appeal to those struggling with loss and those with military struggles.
August 31, 2019
I loved this book...I looked forward every time I picked it up to continue the story....Beautiful love story and fun to read about the military life since I grew up in the military and married a man who would join the Air Force....Can’t wait until her next book!!!
January 18, 2020
Very sweet easy to follow story about military life! I really enjoyed this read!!
November 28, 2020
Ouch - sweet, and heartbreaking
I love a good sweet, clean romance, but normally I take mine with a guaranteed happily ever after... this time, however, that wouldn’t have been as meaningful and precious as this military wife’s love story deserved. The realistic detail is truly wrenching, and beautifully done.
I love a good sweet, clean romance, but normally I take mine with a guaranteed happily ever after... this time, however, that wouldn’t have been as meaningful and precious as this military wife’s love story deserved. The realistic detail is truly wrenching, and beautifully done.
July 24, 2020
Being a member of a military family is hard.
Sarah Anne Carter has thoughtfully captured one of the hardest parts of military family life. This book will grab your heart. It is a romance for a lifetime. It is an easy read that anyone will enjoy and maybe cry a little at the end.
Sarah Anne Carter has thoughtfully captured one of the hardest parts of military family life. This book will grab your heart. It is a romance for a lifetime. It is an easy read that anyone will enjoy and maybe cry a little at the end.
July 28, 2020
Such a sweet story
This book was very sweet. It is a tale of love and loss. I enjoyed reading this well written novel. This author is well versed in the military lingo. Five stars handed down! ❤️❤️
This book was very sweet. It is a tale of love and loss. I enjoyed reading this well written novel. This author is well versed in the military lingo. Five stars handed down! ❤️❤️
July 22, 2020
Incredible story of a military relationship! Be ready for all of the emotions! Must read!
December 24, 2019
This is an incredible and heartwarming novel. I loved every minute of reading it and look forward to Ms Carter’s next novel!!
August 11, 2019
Missing Something Military Love Story
I wanted to love this novel because the author and I know each other in real life but I just cousins. Throughout the entire novel I found it to lack depth. While it was a quick read, I fell like it was just a little “blah” from time to time. Maybe I don’t know enough about the military world but I felt like the storyline was just so rushed and didn’t make me love or connect with any one character.
I wanted to love this novel because the author and I know each other in real life but I just cousins. Throughout the entire novel I found it to lack depth. While it was a quick read, I fell like it was just a little “blah” from time to time. Maybe I don’t know enough about the military world but I felt like the storyline was just so rushed and didn’t make me love or connect with any one character.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews