Having read my first Dixie Jackson book and I am blown away. This book was captivated from start to finish. She did a beautiful job writing it. She was very thorough as well with the contents of the book. This book had a special place in my heart because as a military spouse, you go through many of the emotions mentioned in this book. It was truly a page turner and had my emotions all over the pages (pun intended)
The story is about a girl named Madi. She has been through the worst ten years of her life. Her marriage to Gage was terrible and she was never happy. Well, he gets out the picture. She is forced to move back home with not much, thanks to her late husband, and had to start over. Warding off all men due to severe trust issues caused by Gage she does not see any reason to date or put herself out there. The stars were aligned just right because Rafe was at the right place at the right time. Watching their relationship blossom and take off was magical. It was so real. You understood the emotions they felt. I highly recommend this book! It’s a stand alone with an all around happily ever after feel. I loved it!
I have fallen in love with this author's books. I was such a heartbreaking book, the pain that Madison emits can be so intense at times. I cried at times reading this book. The chemistry between Rafe and Madison was very intense. I would certainly recommend this book to others. I received an ARC of the book, and was under no obligation to leave a good review. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.
I loved this book! The chemistry between the main characters is there since the beginning, it was definitely love at first sight for both of them. I really liked Madi, even tho she´s been trough a lot of bad experiences, she´s still a strong and brave women. And I also loved Rafe, he´s so sweet and supportive and even though he makes some mistakes, he´s always looking for Madi´s happiness. The story is really good and the characters are relatable, I love how Dixie not only tells the story of Rafe and Madi but also let us know about the stories of Madi´s family and friends. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, you´re gonna cry, smile, laugh, it has a little bit of everything and it makes it even more special.
This is a realistic military story that grabs your attention and pulls at your heart. Madi's husband Gage is killed in combat and leaves her with a bunch of questions and in debt, causing her to have to move back to Fort Leonard Wood. Madi has lost her trust of men and decides to move forward without one.
Rafe lives across the road from where Madi moves and knows her mom and sister. Rafe is a player but has recently started realizing that doesn't work for him any more and wants to change.
Rafe and Madi are wonderful characters with great chemistry and they take you on a rollercoaster ride of heartbreak, ups ,downs, action, angry and regret. When they meet they both feel something but Madi is stubborn and it doesn't take Rafe long to realize she is severely broken. Rafe goes out of his way to make her happy and tries to show her he can be trusted and is nothing like her late husband.
The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt toward the end of the book it was rushed and left out things that needed to be added.
Here's my review Madison's husband Gage death in Afghanistan brings about a life Gage lived behind her back. A mountain of debt, his personal effects lost. She moves back to her hometown and takes up residence at her beloved deceased grandmother's home. On her first night back home Jared and Madi go out to the club on base where she meets Rafe. There is a instant connection that she fights due to her deceased husband's actions. Rafe asked Madi what it would take for her to go on a date with him. She told him to throw out his little black book, stop being arrogant and fix the roof her house. It takes him a little while but he does it. To find out how this book ends you'll have to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This story will drag your heart through the mud of sorrow and anger and then wash it clean with a wave of love, joy, and smiles.
Madi has been through the wringer after losing her husband on the battlefield. But, she is dragged through more pain and sorrow than anyone should have to bear when she finds out truths she never knew existed.
A new life in an old home has her pulling up her bootstraps and facing what is now her reality. A one-night quick encounter may have soothed her tattered ego but finding that same man across the street from her Grandmother's house sets off alarm bells and some leftover embers from that quick encounter.
Rafe is all Marine but, he is also a man drawn to that stubborn woman across the way. He is not one to back down from a challenge. And Madi is all challenge.
This story was wonderful! It moved at, what I think is, the right pace for this couple to discover all they needed to. The ups and downs were a great test of their mettle. The love was plain to see, as was the struggle each had with learning to love, trust and commit.
I cried a few more than a few tears for this couple but the last one was of joy.
Just One Tear is the breathtaking story of Madi, a military wife and how she carries on with her life after loss. This book made me cry and not many can do that. Sure, I feel many emotions while reading but to get my tears you have to earn them and Dixie Jackson has in buckets. It’s a story of loss and second chance love that will take your breath away. The two main characters Madi and Rafe really come to life in this story. I don’t want to give anything away but trust me if you enjoy military romance you need to read this book. *Trigger warning of infant and spouse loss*
I loved this book. A beautiful story about love, loss, betrayal, grief then exploring how to move on. A well written book with characters that draw you into their world, and take you on their journey, along side them. Share their love, laughter, raw grief and anger as both struggle put their past lives behind them and move on to try to build a future together
OMG I'm so in love with Madi and Rafe, military life isn't always easy, tragic past for Madi, finally finding love again, in her grandmother's home, Rafe as a neighbor with horses, new baby, mistakes made and words said, accidents bringing back to realization love wins, more than one tear was shed reading this book, I voluntarily read and review this ARC, a beautiful story, thank you Dana
Military stories always break my heart. But I love to read them and will continue to do so. Madi is packing up her life and moving home after the loss of her husband in combat. What she learns after his loss is more shocking news. Madi is left with more than a heartbreaking loss, she now has to face his many debts and a secret life she is yet to learn and might destroy her future. Madi moves into her grandmother's home and meets her neighbor Rafe, whom she is surprised to see. As Madi and Rafe grow closer, these two might just be made for each other. But can Madi be a military wife again? Will Rafe put her threw that, knowing what he knows about her last marriage. Rafe and Madi are great people but are the perfect couple. They have their faults and miscommunication is what might break them. Can they find a way back together? Will Madi see that Rafe is the one for her? Can Rafe see that Madi has to work threw her pain from Gabe to be able to move forward with a future with him? This is a heartbreaking, painful, and emotional roller coaster ride that is worth it the end. Madi is a strong woman that will find her HEA with Rafe. If you love military stories with all the pain and heartbreak of loss and finding love again than this one is for you. This is a first for me from this author and I look forward to reading more from her. **I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book**
I loved this book. It was a roller coaster ride of emotional upheaval and you will understand why after reading. There were some steamy scenes and I felt like a fly on the wall (hawt). I did have trouble wrapping my brain around Gage. He gave his life in trying to save the young recruit, but that action didn’t go with his hell dog character, unless he had a change of life experience in the moments before death. But all in all, I was there!! Thank you, Dixie, I couldn’t put the book down! It was like I was there watching the story play out.
“I want so much to trust you and give you a piece of myself and not feel guilty for it tomorrow.”
This book will have you grabbing the tissues. There is a lot to wrap your head around. It makes you wonder what you would do and how you would handle being in the same situation.
“There are times I wonder how much is too much and what the weight of the final straw will feel like.”
There is grief. Anger. Regret. Abandonment. Heartache. Hope. Passion. Get ready for a roller coaster of emotions.
Madi is six months into being a military widow, starting to move on by moving. She meets Rafe, a career Marine, at a bar and they hook up—only he is wanting it to be more and she is running scared. The only problem is Rafe is her neighbor so she can only run so far. She has good reason to be afraid since she found out a lot of bad things about her husband after his death. Rafe and Madi do not have an easy road between their pasts and his career. Race’s grandmother is a hoot. Very good story.
The story of Rafe and Madi is a complicated one filled with the ups and downs of a broken woman who refuses help or to open her heart after losing her husband. Rafe is a soldier who lives for the job and refuses to settle down due to the demands of his career. This is the story of what happens after a chance meeting one night at a club. I could not put this down and loved every minute of the journey. I just wish there was more.
4* Madi didn't realise how much her soldier husband Gage had kept from her until his death. Rafe is used to the ladies being a marine but the beauty in the club, Madi takes his breath away. He's smitten & she's reluctant to trust. I loved reading this story it showed really emotion and understanding of hard situations. It's my first book from this author and definitely won't be my last. A lovely story
Just One Tear is an emotional and powerfully written story of love and devotion. In the world of the military, being the spouse comes with obligations, expectations and strength. This story not only showcases those obligations but the strength it takes to remain faithful and dedicated in times of trials. Read this story to learn what it really means to sacrifice, love, and serve when your partner is a military personnel.
I am absolutely in love with this book. The story resonates in my heart. I love thst this story could actually be real life. This author has such great personal insight into military life that you can read it every word.
Excellent read! You will definitely go through all ranges of emotions with this one!! Madi and Rafe are perfect for each even while she is trying to deal with the life she was dealt. And it didn't hurt that Rafe is a Jarhead. I love me a Jarhead!
Loved it! Such an emotional and heartbreaking story. Rafe and Madison are such wonderful characters with great chemistry and are perfect together. I loved watching the journey they take together. Such a wonderfully written story and one I definitely recommend.
This is a love story for the ages. It is well written, great characters, action, adventure, and some steam. This is a journey to the heart, and all the places it holds. You get to watch love grow. But will it last? Can love over come heart break? Is the love to stand against time? Well pick it up and see for your self. Dixie has out done her self again.
Madi is a widow at 33. Her husband died while deployed with the Army. When she picks up and moves home after six months, she goes for a night on the town. She meets a man, Rafe, and has a one night stand with him. When Madi moves into her house, she realizes Rafe is her neighbor. Rafe is a career Marine. He also plays the field and has never wanted to settled down. That changes when he meets Madi. Both have a lot of issues to work through before they can make this work. Opinion What I loved: *The characters are completely relatable, even the minor characters. They are all normal folks that I could run into around town. *The military theme. I’m a former soldier and certainly enjoyed reading about Ft. Lost in the Woods (Leonard Wood) and the life style of service members. *The overall plot. Nothing is better than a new love who treats you better than the worthless piece of trash you were with before. Rafe had his problems but he more than made up for it. Big thanks to BookFunnel for providing me with an ARC of this book.