Sara Wilson is struggling to raise her son as a widow. Everything she does isn’t good enough. She’s been floundering for three years and doubts she has the strength to turn things around. When the library she owns is on the cusp of losing its funding, she turns to the only person she can think of, her late husband’s best friend, Grant Edwards.
Navy SEAL Grant Edwards is back in Hidden Hollows on temporary leave with one mission: to persuade his mother to enter a treatment program for her depression. She’s stubborn and convinced she doesn’t need help. Every day she refuses is another day Grant lives in painful memories of his past. So when Sara asks for his help, he agrees. He needs a distraction—even if it’s wrangling five-year-olds in an after school library program.
No amount of military training could have prepared him for the tasks Sara give him. Living as a civilian isn’t something he knows how to do. Especially when his feelings start to change and the last thing Grant can imagine doing is leave Sara and her son. But how can he stay in Hidden Hollows when he’s already so broken? She deserves better than what he can offer. If he loves her, he’ll stay away. She’d fixed him once, it wasn’t fair to ask her to do it again.
Lynn Shannon is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense.
After moving from Texas to Greece, Lynn turned her passion for reading into a love of writing. She lives with her husband, two children, an extremely spoiled dog, and a pair of chirpy lovebirds. Experiencing life in a new country has introduced her to delicious foods—like Yemista and Kourabiedes—which now share a place on her favorites list alongside pecans and Blue Bell ice cream. She also never passes up coffee, chocolate, or the chance to watch cute animal videos.
Move over, Beast, Bully, Fling and Bad Boy...Navy Seal is here! Ok, if you've been following this series then you'll get my reference. If not those are the other titles of the books in this series. There's one more after this one, the Nemesis. Sounds like it's going to be some fine reading times for me when I pick that one up.
Back to the Navy Seal. Grant hasn't been home to Hidden Hollows in many years. He's stayed away because of the painful memories. But when his momma needs his help, he's back and not ready to see Sara. She's the one he's loved since high school. But one slight problem, she fell in love with and married his best friend. He's kept his distance and lived a life fraught with danger and saving others. Now can he save his mom and hide his feelings for Sara?
Sara's been struggling to keep her grandma's legacy alive by keeping the library running. When funding problems occur she has to figure out how to convince the city to continue funding the town's library, care for her 5 year old son, not stress about everything breaking down in her life...oh and don't forget to protect her heart. She's kept it protected and shielded since her husband's death. But when all the busybodies in town are trying to set her up with anyone, she works double time to put her head down and care for her son and saving the library.
When these two meet up with each other after many years, sparks fly. I loved their friendship that was still there and how they were able to continue to build upon that friendship. The struggles that they face together help them see that they need the strength and help from one another. When they realize there is more than just friendship brewing between them they have to decide if it's worth all of the ups and downs it will take to take the next step.
There's lots of fun banter between these two and some sweet and tender moments as well. I really enjoyed my time while reading this book. I couldn't imagine the emotions and pain that accompanies them with the loss of Jared (Sara's husband) as well as other losses of loved ones that you discover while reading. The addition of Ben (Sara's little boy) and his interactions with Grant were darling. Sara, you know you can't hold back your emotions for long!
I think this might be favorite in the series so far. I've enjoyed all of the books so far but I think this one is in the top spot for me. The last book just came out and I'm looking forward to finishing off the series. If you haven't had a chance to read them yet, then know that you can read them in order, out of order or just one. They will work as stand alone novels. The epilogue isn't really an epilogue for the two main characters but as a preview for the next book's main heroine. So that would be the only thing that might throw you off if you don't read them in order.
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
I love a second chance romance and this one is so sweet. Grant and Sara both needed rescuing and they were there for each other. They were so wonderful together and the chemistry was great too.
This was a sweet & poignant friends-to-lovers, love after loss story.
Sara is trying to move past, not just her grief at losing her husband, but her uncertain living while trying to raise her little boy.
Grant is struggling with the long kept family secret of his mom's debilitating depression that has become intervention-level serious.
Having known each other since high school, they are good friends, though Grant has always wanted more but stepped aside when Sara got together with his friend instead.
The way they get back together & he helps her out is funny. The author does a great job developing the characters and the storyline. The denouement felt a bit overly angsty but nothing that made me roll my eyes. It was definitely an enjoyable diversion
This addition to the Hidden Hollows series was so sweet and heartwrenching at the same time.
While local librarian Sara Wilson isn't sure she will ever recover from the death of her husband she has learned to live a new normal for the sake of her son. Now she is struggling with the possibility of losing the library her sweet grandmother founded years ago. The one thing she never expected was to find herself having feelings for her old high school friend.
Navy SEAL Grant Edwards has returned to his old home town after his aunt calls to tell him his mother is in trouble. After losing his dad unexpectedly and his mother turning inward and locking him out Grant couldn't wait to get out of town when he turned eighteen. Ten years later and he finds himself at odds with his mother once again and also having all the feelings he had for his best friend's wife resurface. Will Grant find a second chance at love with the girl he never forgot?
I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.
Grant has returned home to Hidden Hollows after ten years to try and help his Mother. He had to go say hi to Sara his best friend's widow before she hears it through the grape vine. He has been in love with Sara since high school but she never new because she was in love with his best friend. All of Sara's friends keep telling her it is time to find s new love but she doesn't think she is ready yet. They try to stay just friends but they are both fighting it for different reasons. Sara gives Grant a new way to look at his Mother's problem and he begins to work through his losses in his life and to begin to heal. She panicked and didn't believe him when he told her he loved her and was planning on staying in Hidden Hollows. She finally admits that she loves him and they start their journey to a happy ending.
Friends Sara and Grant met while in high school along with his best friend and her deceased husband. Grant has always had feelings for her but he never let them be known. Once he came back to his home town to check on his depressed mother he could no longer hide his true feelings for her. Sara didn't respond to him at that particular moment but not long after she was honest regarding her feelings for him as well. Grant was also in desperate need of his mother getting help for her depression because she had become a hoarder. This touching love story was easy to read and conveyed all topics in an acceptable manner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a,lovely sweet romance and a first for me by this author but i will be looking for more of her books
Sarah, Jared and Grant grew up together and where best of friends Sarah ended up marrying Jared and even though Grant had feelings for her he kept quite about it. Then things change Jared has died leaving Sarah a single mother trying to raise her Son. Grant is a ex Seal who has seen to much and he feels that he is broken When he returns to care for a mother that is suffering depression he is thrown back into the orbit of Sarah his feelings are still as strong as ever but doesn't she deserve more than a broken ex military man. Can they have a future together You will have to read to see
Sara is a sweet widowed woman trying to make everyone happy while raising her son and stopping her library from closing to make things even more complicated Grant her old high school friend and best friend of her husband is back in town.Grant has his own issues to deal with in regards to his mum and seeing Sara again brings back old feelings and he doesn't know how to deal with it all. I really liked how both Sara and Grant had things going on that greatly impact their lives and how they try and dance around their feelings even though those around them all know how they really feel. There are some great laughs, somber moments, wistfulness, hope and a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I continue to love this series. Sara and Grant’s story is extra special. Imagine falling in love with your best friend’s widow. Imagine falling in love with your deceased husband’s best friend? Lots of tricky curves to navigate. And of course that’s not all. There are meddlesome town gossips, a library to save, a mother and son that can’t seem to get passed perceived mistakes. And a sweet little five year old boy who matters the most as his mom struggles to give herself permission to love again. Grant will make your heart zing even as you probably get a bit perturbed with him. You will want to shake Sara to get her to realize it’s okay to love again. Together? So sweet.
Sara and Grant are long time friends They reconnect when he comes back to town to take care of his mother and see his aunt. They were best friends in high school but she married their other best friend. Sara and her son Ben are living in the home town. Her livelihood is being threatened. The old biddies from the sewing circle are trying to set her up with a boyfriend. She has too much to do while still having too much idle time on her hands. This story is sweet and cut and full of good secondary characters too. It is well written easy to read and moves logically to a wonderful HEA conclusion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such an enjoyable read. I’m so glad I gave it a try.
The pain is real and tangible. We have 2 people who have both had their share of grief. They grew up together and have helped each other through some tough times often without even knowing.
But when this Navy Seal comes comes to help his mum, he comes face to face with the woman he has loved for a long time, she was married to his best friend, who died 2 years ago. They both have a chance at a new beginning. Will they take it or will that leap of faith hold them back from their HEA.
A definite must read
I received this as a complimentary copy and I am giving my honest review voluntarily
What a great story filled with friendship, turning to love for Sara and a deepening for Grant, who had loved Sara since sophomore year of high school. However she and his best friend were together, got married and had a little boy together,but Jared died suddenly due to an aneurysm . Grant become a navy seal and been gone for ten years, and suddenly came home as a result of his aunt contacting him about his mother needing help in her worsening depression and hoarding after the death of her husband, Grant's father. He went to say hello to Sara, and the story grew! A great story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book.
This is the first book I’ve read by Lynn Shannon and I’m happy I gave this book a chance. This is a beautiful story with wonderful characters. Grant returns to Hidden Hollows after ten years, when his Aunt Suzie says his mom needs help.. Sara is the widow of his best friend Jared. They were all friends in high school and Grant had feelings for Sara, but he never told her. I recommend this book to anyone who loves small town stories with a feel good story on the side. I’m looking forward to reading more from this wonderful author.
I loved the story, and by the end, I was crying. It can be difficult and scary to start again after losing a spouse, especially if you have a child to think about. Grant and Sara aren’t perfect heroes. They sometimes stumble their way to their HEA. I also love the way the author handled April’s depression and hoarding. The only thing that I didn’t care for was that instead of using the epilogue to wrap up the story or tell what happens in the future, she used it to promote the next book in the series. But other than that, it’s a really good read.
A good, sweet read, but not my all time fav from this author
I liked that the mcs were real- stutter and all. I wish there had been more stories about Jared and some adventures the three of them shared. I felt like the SEALs thing was glossed over. The title and cover led me to believe the story would be... different. But maybe that's not where the author wanted the focus. I mean, among other things, could he just have taken that much time off spur of the moment? It felt too neatly wrapped up with mostly surface feelings.
I was so looking forward to this one in the series, I mean, who doesn't love a military hero finally coming home. But I must say I was a bit dissapointed. The story was good, well written, but it was bland. It is a clean romance, yes, but even clean romances can have a bit of pazzaz, right. This one lacked that. I was screaming at the main characters almost throughout the whole book "Would you kiss her already!" or "Kiss him you idiot!". Yeah, I had a bit of trouble with this one. Hope the next one is better.
Grant is back in town and determined to stay away from Sara. Ha - that did not last long. I normally do not like when best friends end up with the same girl or guy but this story was so good. Sara is the widow of Grant's best friend. They were all friends in school and Grant feel for her too but kept his feelings to himself. He was one class act. Now Sara is starting to have feelings for him. There is another story involving Grant's mom and I thought the author handled it really well. When Sara and Grant start hanging out sparks fly and emotions get involved. There is a slight hiccup but loved what I call a grand gesture. The ending was exceptionally sweet and left me smiling. One of the best books I have read in awhile.
Grant is suffering from PTSD but goes home to help his mother with her depression when Sara the widow of his friend ask for his help. It has been three years since Sara lost her military husband and life has not been easy but she takes care of her son best that she can along with her library that is struggling her life is full. When Grant steps in to help could she make room for another military man in her life.
A Navy SEAL gets a second chance for love when he returns to his hometown. The girl he has always loved is a widow with a young son, and everything is falling apart in her life. This is a touching love story with enough humor to make it believable. After all, this is life in a small town! I enjoyed this book so much I will be reading more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book five in the Hidden Hollows series a well written story with a good storyline. Sara Wilson is struggling to raise her son as a widow, and when she needs help she turns to Navy SEAL Grant Edwards her late husband’s best friend. A broken man that needs the love Sara offers him. I will be reading this story again. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed Loving the Navy Seal. This is a wonderful and touching romance story. The characters are great. I like how they helped each other work through their difficult and emotional situations. I enjoyed the small town setting. This book was really interesting and fun to read. It is a wonderful sweet romance story!
This was a sweet story about love, friendships, second chances, secrets, family, loss, grief, depression and life choices and decisions. I really liked the characters and could have happily continued reading about then. This is the first book I have read from this series and I liked what I read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolutely adored this sweet romance. Grant and Sarah both had things to work through before they could reach that happily ever after. Very well written characters you connect with. Family, friends , small town and heart. Definitely recommend reading. I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
I really like this whole series (even though the review thing was down for the last three books)! I love that they are completely different, even if some of the basic plots are well-documented. This was a classic three best friends, one gets the girl, the other friend leaves only to come back when the husband dies. I sure love little Ben! He was adorable!
An Interesting Tale Of Youthful Love That Grew Again
Grant is an accomplished man. He has come home to take care of his Mom. Magical feelings still exist with Sara who's Husband has died. Grant was a fried of them both, from a very young age. Feelings arise and the chemistry is still there! What happens next?
I had a great time and was highly entertaining with each turn of the page. The characters are well developed and engaging and the storyline flowed smoothly from beginning to the end. A seal and his girl.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She’s a widow of his best friend. He’s a Seal home on leave to help his Mom. He’s been in love with her forever but didn’t interfere with his best friends love. Now is a chance for him but will she give it to him?
Really like this book,Sarah and Grant really snagged my attention with their story of love denighted for years. Her love for her high school sweetheart and then he died and his best friend shows up and she falls for him.
The book was captivating from beginning to the end. Like the parts of Grant and mom working on the car together and when she gave him her engagement ring. A nice sweet romance book. Yes, I would recommend book.