Nothing Else Matters

Witmer Warriors #2

by Jean Stokes

Is there anything more aggravating than a man who is incredibly buff, gruff, and acts all tough when I’m around him?
Yes. Yes, there is.

A man who is buff, gruff, and acts all tough––and has a baby daughter that he looks after too.
I can’t pretend that I’m not affected by the guy that I met at the courthouse, especially since I know he has a daughter that he adores.
I had been minding my own business, like I always do, working my job at the front desk and not looking for any drama. Until he stormed into my life.
Jamie Armistead is in the middle of a rather messy divorce and custody battle, and yet, all I can think about is how big his arms are... and his heart.
It’s knowing that underneath his hard exterior and reinforced armour, there’s a big softie, that’s driving me nuts. His drive to have full custody of his daughter is admirable, but his gruffness is terrifying. Perhaps I want to cause trouble for myself, because, in the end, nothing good can come of this.
With a vengeful ex-wife in town, I know that thinking and wanting Jamie is a disaster waiting to happen, and yet he refuses to leave my thoughts.
Author's Note

This is the Witmer story of Sophia & Jamie, a second chance single dad military romance in a small-town western setting with an independent heroine, an alpha hero, a dash of humor, no cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after! There is a healthy dose of steamy scenes. There is no cliffhanger and can be read standalone but is ideally read along with the rest of the Witmer series as you will love the characters and want to find out what happens to them!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2020

About the author

Please subscribe to Jean's free VIP Newsletter at JeanStokes.com for an instant free book, new book releases, and fun juicy gossip!

Jean came late to writing...only after a couple of failed career paths and finishing a messy divorce did she manage to dedicate herself long enough to string together her first novel...that initial writing was mediocre but the experience fantastic and an addiction was born!

Ever since then it's been Jean's outlet for frustrations, dreams, and desires. Romance is her niche and she loves to write them boldly, with alpha-males, independent women, and always looking for the perfect happily ever after!

Jean is an American exiled in London with eccentric dogs and lazy cats. When she's not in her cave writing or dreaming up the next book, she's watching trashy TV, drinking good coffee/wine with friends, and catching up on her backlog of romance reading!

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/23/2020)! 🎁

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.

Jamie is going through a nasty divorce and custody battle for his daughter, Cindy. He is a military man built like a wall who keeps all his emotion tucked under a stern expression. Except for his daughter. He is every bit the doting father being so sweet and tender with Cindy.

Sophia is putting herself through remote law study while working part time at the courthouse. She comes from a strict Catholic upbringing with parents believing marriage is for life. Due to this, Sophia struggles with her feelings for Aaron and Cindy. Growing up Catholic I know this is the belief of the church. In today's world it doesn't seem practical. As in this story both parties are also not fully to blame for the divorce.

I want to tell Sophia to make her choice already and stop holding back on Jamie. All he is trying to do is move on with his life for himself and his daughter.

Jamie is like a big kid when he decides to try with Sophia. He is described as such a muscly, stone faced military man but he will melt your heart as he reveals what he is feeling.

Also brought back for this book are the Burchell brothers. I really want them to be put down permanently.

This is book 2 in the series. It is a standalone book with a happily ever after. We do however get the characters from book 1 in this one too. In addition to the Burchell brothers, Talia befriends Sophia and Jamie and Aaron are old buddies going back to high school. It is always fun to check in with them.

The story has plenty of good in it. However, my biggest problem is that I cannot relate to the conflict that Sophia feels. Because of this I just didn't like her that much.

[Susanne M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

SLOW 😩

I had high hopes for the prelude looked so interesting. Yet, after 40% of the story, it wasn't developing into a romance and nothing steamy. If anything it alluded to being VERY sweet and clean. Nothing wrong with that!! But, the prelude states otherwise. I normally like to finish what I start, but after my previous read taking so long for similar reasons, I just couldn't. Maybe you'll have better luck 🧐

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the second book in the Witmer Warriors series. In this book, Jamie is a soldier who works at the local army base as a pilot. Jamie is getting a divorce and is the father to a toddler daughter. Jamie is trying to get full custody of Cindy and when he goes to the courthouse, he meets Sophia, a clerk who works there. Sophia is working at the courthouse while she puts herself through law school. When she meets Jamie, she thinks he is attractive, but she is very religious and doesn't want to get involved with someone going through a divorce. Sophia thinks her family would never accept Jamie, but when he asks her out, she accepts anyway. Sophia feels something for Jamie and she adores Cindy. When Jamie explains the circumstances of his divorce, Sophia feels better and starts to wonder if they could have a future. Jamie is waiting for the court date and hoping to win custody, but soon he learns of threats from his soon to be ex and the Burchell brothers. I liked this story, i think the storyline with the Burchell brothers was better understood if you read book one and realize they take place at the same time. I liked Jamie and thought he was a great father and i think Sophia had to decide if her happiness was more important than pleasing her family. Good one.

[Jericho 1-4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a decent half closed door semi romantic book it lacks a lot of key elements to make it a true romance novel. The author doesn't spend enough time developing the two main characters and exploring their romance. Sophia comes across as at best a mid teen in emotional responses and maturity. Sorry if that sounds insulting but that's just the way the story read for me, There was obviously a clear attraction but it's very stinted and lacks the relationship building arc needed to sell the love story as even remotely possible, even in a fictional setting. Jamie is also kind of off kilter and isn't well fleshed out, there are just too many details missing in this story and as they say the devil is in the details which this book has an abundant lack of. the intimacy was luke warm at best and kind of rushed it seems. This entire books seems like the blarb of a good story that had a ton of potential that got left out either in the editing or by the authors choice. It playrd more like a summarized version of a book and not the actual finished novel by giving readers the bare bones of the story itself. Hopefully this Author includes more details and character/relationship building in the next few books mastering their craft.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Witmer Warriors series. It’s Sophia and Jamie’s story. It’s set in a small town and is a second chance, single dad military romance. It’s told through duel POVs. It’s an enjoyable, fast paced, steamy read. It reads as a standalone. I haven’t read book one yet but I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing anything. I’ll definitely go back and read the first book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Jamie meets Sophia at the courthouse where she works as an admin while she goes to school online to become a lawyer. Jamie is in the middle of a divorce and custody battle with his ex. Jamie and Sophia are attracted to each other but they kind of dance around each other. Jamie’s dealing with his ex and Sophia is having a hard time putting her family’s religious views aside. Divorce is a big sin especially when children are involved. Jamie divorced his ex because she cheated on him and pretty much checkout of the relationship with him and their daughter. Can Jamie get away from his horrible ex? Can Sophia go against her family’s religious beliefs?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Stokes has written a 5-star book that will grab you from the first page to the last page. Sophia works as a clerk at the courthouse and needs Jamie to sign some papers for his case. Sophia feels a connection to Jamie but because of the way she was raised, she doesn't believe in divorce. Sophia thinks that Jamie is the reason for his divorce at first until she is told otherwise. Jamie gets Sophie to go out with him and his daughter Cindy and they have a good time. They start seeing each other and one night Sophia stays with Jamie and she gets upset when he said Jennifer, his ex-wife's name. She tells him that she is not going to be used as a rebound and leaves him. He tries to explain to her but she won't listen to him.
Will Jamie get the divorce and custody over with the way he wants it to be?
Will Sophia let Jamie explain to her about calling Jennifer's name and let him in?
This is a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolyn Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I liked this book a lot. Sophia who worked for Jamie's divorce attorney should not have been dating him because not only was it a breech of ethics but she had been raised a strict Catholic and divorce was considered a mortal sin. The more she got to know him and his sweet baby daughter the more she found herself falling for him. Despite the custody battle that he is waging with as he says "his crazy ex-wife" and he feels sure his ex is going to use his relationship with Sophia against him he can't help but want to continue dating Sophia. Sophia has her own problems with her parents as they feel Sophia has turned her back on the teachings of the church and they can't have her in their life if she is going to continue to date a divorced man. How these two overcome their problems is what kept me turning the pages to see how everything worked out. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a happily ever after ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Jacklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A military second chance romance you don’t want to miss!

**Presented with an ARC by the author via BookSprout in exchange for an honest review.**

I truly appreciate the effort Jean put into this book, the way she wove dialogue with body language. With a dueling first person POV, Nothing Else Matters brings to life the story of Jamie Armistead, a military man burned deeply by a spiteful, vengeful ex, still has hope for something better for both himself and his daughter. He reaches out to Sophia, a woman so comfortable in her safety that she truly has very limited understanding for the real depths of the world while also trying hard to rise above her anxieties and limitations.

Nothing Else Matters takes us though their story, allowing us to watch their romance unfold slowly, yet gracefully into something more, something deeper.

If you like L.A. Pepper, Eliza Quinn, or Stephanie Rowe, you will love this book!

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story about the aftermath of divorce and the drama that enfolds during the negotiations.
Jamie is involved with a divorce and every negative thing happened to him. But one good thing was he met Sophia a clerk at the law court.
It was very good, I especially liked the give and take between Jamie and Sophia. They fought for each other and him for Cindy. For a book that I usually steer clear of, this is very good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Loreli Jessee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an excellent story. I really enjoyed how Sophia was just doing her job when she’s blindsided with this hunk of a man. Jamie has so much going on in his life that’s stressful, but he doesn’t let it stop him going for what he wants. I loved the way they got to know each other. They both had issues to overcome, and were able to, with the help each other and a few awesome friends. Was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down till I had finished this excellent book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things are worth fighting for.

Sophia is a secretary at the courthouse. Not were she expected to be, but satisfied for now with her life. She will be a lawyer some day. When he walks into the courthouse, my jaw drops. He is hot. But my career comes first.

Jamie never thought that he’d have to request an indefinite leave from the military. This wasn’t his plan. If she would just sign the divorce papers, things would be so much better. When he walks into the courthouse, he stops in his tracks, she us gorgeous. But my daughter comes first.

[B4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Spoilers* This was a very short book and I enjoyed it. Since it was so short it was hard to do much building and I would have liked to read a neener neener (thumb on nose, fingers waving) at the witchy ex-wife. I didn't understand how Jamie (a tough and trained military man) got beaten so badly in his first fight with his rival but at the end seemed to easily win a fight with the same guy. 3 1/2 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is at the court house working when Jamie comes storming into her life! He’s involved in a terrible divorce and he’s fighting for full custody of his infant daughter. He’s a large military man and Sophie thinks he’s scary but gets to know him and he’s a teddy bear especially around his daughter. Will they become more?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read that will keep you reading till the end to see what will happen next. The chemistry between the characters is sizzling. The story is enjoyable, steamy, fast paced. This is the second book in this series. This is a new author for me and I will be looking out for more to read. Looking forward to red more in this series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margarette Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia was raised to be a good Catholic girl, Jamie is struggling to take care of his baby and get a divorce and full custody of his baby.

I would recommend this book and series for mature readers (sexual content) that enjoy funny situations, steamy scenes, and lots of romantic gestures, and strong characters both male and female.

[Sandy Gutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book #2 of a good series or you can read them in any order as a stand alone. They were interesting romance books, the reading went fast and seemed like it was over when it barely started. I wish they would have been a little longer in length so the romance could have taken more time. It seemed like the relationship just started and the book was over.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable, sweet story with plenty of emotion and drama. Jamie and Sophia made an engaging couple. Book 2 in this series was captivating.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This NC17 second-chance romance between an army pilot with a baby, and a twenty-nine year old law student can be read in a long morning.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced, easy to read romance. There are steamy scenes, some humor, strong characters and an entertaining storyline. It is a stand-alone with a nice hea. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review

[Angelica Larsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wellwritten book with a great storyline and intriguing characters. I enjoyed the bond between Sophie and Jamie.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priorities

I like how this book is a little different. It shows more of a man's view (Jamie ) is willing to give up his career and make more time to be with his daughter. How he handles going through a divorce while trying to get sole custody. I love how it ends .

[Pauline Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. This one about Jamie and the struggles he goes through. How Sophia makes the small town life her great way of living. Family and friends are important. A standalone read but a series you can easily follow.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie is in the Army and willing to do whatever he has to to protect his little girl. Protecting his child is what makes him an even a bigger hero to me. Sophia is added I to that protection as they get to know each other.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an arc copy. It was a great story. It is truly a must read. The characters were well matched. They made you laugh and made you want to smack them upside the head

[robert tabora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeless Romantic

Really loving this series. Like that they are military friends that are close as family. Sophie and Jamie are so sweet together.

[Chade66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quick, breezy romance read sans sex, this might be for you. I did find myself a little impatient with the characters at times.

[MARY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book. I liked reading this very interesting book.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light reading

Story keeps you interested from page 1. This has an Outcome that you do not fully expect. The book keeps you hanging with a lot of questions at the end.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly sweet story with a variety of issues, a messy divorce, a child, some disapproving parents, a crazy ex wife and a few bullies thrown in. A short holiday read.