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Pine Falls #2
In Name Only
He gave his name to protect her. All she wanted was his heart.
Dani Kramer used to think growing up in foster homes was the most difficult thing she would ever have to do until all her dreams come true. Married to the love of her life, Dr. Brock Holland, and running a foundation that specializes in finding jobs for kids out of foster care, Dani seems to have it all. What no one knows is that it could all go away tomorrow if anyone finds out about the precious secret she carries.
For Brock Holland, military doctor, life has always been about duty to his career and country. But when he’s captured during a joint allied training mission, thoughts of Dani, his best friend, the woman he’s tried for years not to fall in love with, help him not only survive but reevaluate his priorities. However, when he returns home, he finds Dani is pregnant. In a cruel twist, duty calls again. He must marry Dani to save her from becoming a political pawn in a dangerous game she didn’t know she had signed up to play.
But who will protect Dani’s and Brock’s hearts from each other? Or will they discover their marriage is more than only sharing a last name?
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
Dani Kramer used to think growing up in foster homes was the most difficult thing she would ever have to do until all her dreams come true. Married to the love of her life, Dr. Brock Holland, and running a foundation that specializes in finding jobs for kids out of foster care, Dani seems to have it all. What no one knows is that it could all go away tomorrow if anyone finds out about the precious secret she carries.
For Brock Holland, military doctor, life has always been about duty to his career and country. But when he’s captured during a joint allied training mission, thoughts of Dani, his best friend, the woman he’s tried for years not to fall in love with, help him not only survive but reevaluate his priorities. However, when he returns home, he finds Dani is pregnant. In a cruel twist, duty calls again. He must marry Dani to save her from becoming a political pawn in a dangerous game she didn’t know she had signed up to play.
But who will protect Dani’s and Brock’s hearts from each other? Or will they discover their marriage is more than only sharing a last name?
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2020
458 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Peel
63 books1,359 followersJennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-two years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
May 20, 2021
My heart went on another rollercoaster! I listened to this book and loved it so much! I'm just in awe of this author and her talents. The narrator was phenomenal. She breathed so much life into the book through her talents. The emotion was palpable and felt so real and raw through her narration. Well done! Now I'm ready for the third book when it releases in a few weeks. *Squeal* I'm really excited if you can't tell. Lol! Please read my content section at the end of the review before reading/listening to this book. I love it and want everyone to read it but I know that there are some who will be triggered.
***Review from my first time reading the book Oct 2020***
Oh. My. Heart! Y'all...this book. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride with a big drop off right at the beginning, loop dee loops throughout, a couple straightways, several climbs followed by drops, and then the final stretch of feeling happy and satisfied after the ride. Yep. That pretty much describes my emotions throughout this book, and the characters' emotions as well. Actually, they might have had a few more loop dee loops and massive climbs and drop offs than my rollercoaster ride. Just saying!
But with all of that being said, I loved it. It's my favorite of the first two books. I didn't want to stop reading it. I needed to figure out what was happening, why the secrets, how were the secrets revealed, why, does everything work out, what about her sisters, can their hearts heal. And there were so many more things I needed to know. So obviously I read all night. Well...almost. It was worth it.
While I was reading the first book, Return to Sender, I kept thinking that I could not wait to read Dani's story. She has been in love with Brock for years and years. They've circled around each other. I wanted to know if they finally stopped circling and stopped denying their feelings for each other. I loved diving further into Dani and Brock's story. I love a good marriage of convenience story and this one did not disappoint. There are several barriers that these two had starting off the beginning of their marriage and it takes a lot to climb over them and tear them down. But I loved the strength of these two. They had to learn to build their trust again. I loved watching the strengthening of their friendship and the growth of their relationship. It was achingly beautiful.
There's lots of drama and some mystery surrounding Brock's family and I kept trying to guess what the reason was. You'll find that there are some family members you won't care for...or maybe just family member. But the others you'll love. There are some heartbreaking scenes that had me shedding some tears. I ached for these characters. But with the pain comes growth and healing and peace.
I want to tell you about so many scenes and moments and lines from this book that I loved. But I really don't want to spoil it for you. So I'll just grin *imagine me grinning* and tell you that this is a book that I will be rereading and thinking a lot about and encourage you to pick up this series. If you've ever read a book by Jennifer Peel you know her style of writing and the way she portrays characters. If you haven't ever read a book by her and enjoy reading about characters who are real and raw, ones that you feel like you can connect with, her books are for you! Plus they're witty, and have great love stories! Just saying!
Content: Both books in this series deal with some sensitive topics that can be triggers for some people. This book talks about PTSD, pregnancy, divorce, and a few other topics. There is some mild swearing. The characters do talk about sex but in the context of it being part of a healthy relationship. There are mild innuendos, some passionate kissing, and a fade out scene. You can check out Jennifer Peel's blog for more information about the topics discussed in the book. I would recommend this book for more mature readers and will also say that the way the author wrote about these topics was done in a tasteful way.
Happy Reading!!!
***Review from my first time reading the book Oct 2020***
Oh. My. Heart! Y'all...this book. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride with a big drop off right at the beginning, loop dee loops throughout, a couple straightways, several climbs followed by drops, and then the final stretch of feeling happy and satisfied after the ride. Yep. That pretty much describes my emotions throughout this book, and the characters' emotions as well. Actually, they might have had a few more loop dee loops and massive climbs and drop offs than my rollercoaster ride. Just saying!
But with all of that being said, I loved it. It's my favorite of the first two books. I didn't want to stop reading it. I needed to figure out what was happening, why the secrets, how were the secrets revealed, why, does everything work out, what about her sisters, can their hearts heal. And there were so many more things I needed to know. So obviously I read all night. Well...almost. It was worth it.
While I was reading the first book, Return to Sender, I kept thinking that I could not wait to read Dani's story. She has been in love with Brock for years and years. They've circled around each other. I wanted to know if they finally stopped circling and stopped denying their feelings for each other. I loved diving further into Dani and Brock's story. I love a good marriage of convenience story and this one did not disappoint. There are several barriers that these two had starting off the beginning of their marriage and it takes a lot to climb over them and tear them down. But I loved the strength of these two. They had to learn to build their trust again. I loved watching the strengthening of their friendship and the growth of their relationship. It was achingly beautiful.
There's lots of drama and some mystery surrounding Brock's family and I kept trying to guess what the reason was. You'll find that there are some family members you won't care for...or maybe just family member. But the others you'll love. There are some heartbreaking scenes that had me shedding some tears. I ached for these characters. But with the pain comes growth and healing and peace.
I want to tell you about so many scenes and moments and lines from this book that I loved. But I really don't want to spoil it for you. So I'll just grin *imagine me grinning* and tell you that this is a book that I will be rereading and thinking a lot about and encourage you to pick up this series. If you've ever read a book by Jennifer Peel you know her style of writing and the way she portrays characters. If you haven't ever read a book by her and enjoy reading about characters who are real and raw, ones that you feel like you can connect with, her books are for you! Plus they're witty, and have great love stories! Just saying!
Content: Both books in this series deal with some sensitive topics that can be triggers for some people. This book talks about PTSD, pregnancy, divorce, and a few other topics. There is some mild swearing. The characters do talk about sex but in the context of it being part of a healthy relationship. There are mild innuendos, some passionate kissing, and a fade out scene. You can check out Jennifer Peel's blog for more information about the topics discussed in the book. I would recommend this book for more mature readers and will also say that the way the author wrote about these topics was done in a tasteful way.
Happy Reading!!!
October 28, 2020
What just happened?! I'll tell you exactly what just happened. I fell in love. My heart broke. Then it fluttered with hope. Then it broke again. Then it celebrated. Then it got stomped on. Torn out. But then put back together, a little different then when it started but still beating and hopeful and full of love. Does this sound like an emotional roller coaster? Yes. Yes it does. But in the very best of ways.
Dani and Brock have history. It's a bit complicated (and by a bit, I mean a LOT), in the past and at the present time. Both are battling their own demons while trying to navigate a very sticky and stressful situation.
Author Jennifer Peel has said that this Pine Falls series is a bit like a soap opera, and it really is! But again, in the very best of ways. There is so much drama. DRAMA LAMA. I LOVED it. There aren't enough hearts to convey my love for this book. That's because this author does such a good job of making me feel things. I am invested in her characters and I'm full of emotions. That's a win. I'm willing to be put through the wringer if I come out with heart eyes in the end and have real emotions all the way through.
It was really hard to drag myself away from this book. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. I can't wait to go back and read it again! Oh, and this might be one of my favorite covers ever. I am in love with it as well as what's inside!
Content warning: Mention of intimate relations but nothing in detail. Kissing. This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
Dani and Brock have history. It's a bit complicated (and by a bit, I mean a LOT), in the past and at the present time. Both are battling their own demons while trying to navigate a very sticky and stressful situation.
Author Jennifer Peel has said that this Pine Falls series is a bit like a soap opera, and it really is! But again, in the very best of ways. There is so much drama. DRAMA LAMA. I LOVED it. There aren't enough hearts to convey my love for this book. That's because this author does such a good job of making me feel things. I am invested in her characters and I'm full of emotions. That's a win. I'm willing to be put through the wringer if I come out with heart eyes in the end and have real emotions all the way through.
It was really hard to drag myself away from this book. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. I can't wait to go back and read it again! Oh, and this might be one of my favorite covers ever. I am in love with it as well as what's inside!
Content warning: Mention of intimate relations but nothing in detail. Kissing. This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
November 17, 2020
I adore Jennifer Peel's books! This one had me from the first page, such a complicated love but so sweet!
January 18, 2023
5+ Stars!
You guys. I am speechless. Where do I even begin with my review? What can I say that's going to do this book justice?
I knew going into this book that Brock and Dani's journey was going to be intense. But I was not prepared for it being wrought with so much pain and heartache. But with pain, comes strength. With ugliness comes beauty. With heartache comes love. This book is phenomenal! Here it is, days later, and I'm still thinking about everything Brock and Dani went through to get to where they are. Their love is a love worth fighting for. A love that was put through the refiners fire to become the most beautiful love they could ever imagine. Their story will stick with me for a long, long time to come.
I can say that, without a doubt, the Pine Falls series is definitely one of my favorites. It's so real, so raw, so beautiful. I have fallen in love with every single one of the characters. I'm excited for Brant and Kinsley's journey. I have a feeling that theirs is going to be the toughest one of all. And I'll be right there by their sides, encouraging them and hanging on every single word.
I am in serious awe of Ms. Peel's talent. She has an extraordinary gift when it comes to telling her stories. From the moment you start reading her books, you are transported to the setting of that book where you live, eat and breathe with her characters. You feel every single emotion that they feel. You will laugh with them, cry with them, celebrate their triumphs, mourn their losses and cheer them on as they fight for their friendships, their love and their happily ever after.
There is so much more I could say about this book. But this is one of those times where less is more. My advice to you would be to grab a box of tissues, have a pint of cookie dough or your favorite comfort food on hand, open your heart, open your mind, let yourself feel, just be. It's not going to be easy, but it IS going to be worth it.
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
You guys. I am speechless. Where do I even begin with my review? What can I say that's going to do this book justice?
I knew going into this book that Brock and Dani's journey was going to be intense. But I was not prepared for it being wrought with so much pain and heartache. But with pain, comes strength. With ugliness comes beauty. With heartache comes love. This book is phenomenal! Here it is, days later, and I'm still thinking about everything Brock and Dani went through to get to where they are. Their love is a love worth fighting for. A love that was put through the refiners fire to become the most beautiful love they could ever imagine. Their story will stick with me for a long, long time to come.
I can say that, without a doubt, the Pine Falls series is definitely one of my favorites. It's so real, so raw, so beautiful. I have fallen in love with every single one of the characters. I'm excited for Brant and Kinsley's journey. I have a feeling that theirs is going to be the toughest one of all. And I'll be right there by their sides, encouraging them and hanging on every single word.
I am in serious awe of Ms. Peel's talent. She has an extraordinary gift when it comes to telling her stories. From the moment you start reading her books, you are transported to the setting of that book where you live, eat and breathe with her characters. You feel every single emotion that they feel. You will laugh with them, cry with them, celebrate their triumphs, mourn their losses and cheer them on as they fight for their friendships, their love and their happily ever after.
There is so much more I could say about this book. But this is one of those times where less is more. My advice to you would be to grab a box of tissues, have a pint of cookie dough or your favorite comfort food on hand, open your heart, open your mind, let yourself feel, just be. It's not going to be easy, but it IS going to be worth it.
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
May 4, 2021
I can’t take the melodramatic angst anymore. MC is a Mary Sue martyr who is suffering for the sake of her unborn child, and the story is told 1st person from her POV. I just cannot buy this kind of a forced marriage in a contemporary story. This is not Regency England! It’s modern day United States. The blackmail threat is lame. Nobody cares if your parents did bad stuff; it doesn’t ruin your chances at happiness. She should’ve just been a single mom, and the child support could’ve been from the super tragic martyr twin instead of the twin bro/baby daddy aiming to be a senator. The idea that both of them accepted a miserable, loveless, sexless marriage because the twins’ powerful daddy forced them into it is plain ridiculous!
I have discovered that Jennifer Peel’s books are most definitely not my cuppa tea. I keep getting tempted by the blurbs and the clean romance aspect. I will be strong and say NONONO next time.
I have discovered that Jennifer Peel’s books are most definitely not my cuppa tea. I keep getting tempted by the blurbs and the clean romance aspect. I will be strong and say NONONO next time.
October 28, 2020
Readable but not author's best
I really enjoyed several of this writer's novels but I never warmed up to the male lead. He loved her at first glance but delayed doing anything about it for 14 years, all the while dating other women? Oh, please! Who does that? And the female lead just hangs around being his friend, longing for him? I was so annoyed with both characters I had trouble believing later professions of love. Not one of Ms Peel's best.
I really enjoyed several of this writer's novels but I never warmed up to the male lead. He loved her at first glance but delayed doing anything about it for 14 years, all the while dating other women? Oh, please! Who does that? And the female lead just hangs around being his friend, longing for him? I was so annoyed with both characters I had trouble believing later professions of love. Not one of Ms Peel's best.
October 18, 2020
I'm emotionally raw...but also fulfilled
I always wonder what I would do in given situations and it's hard to know until I'm actually in them. I could see both sides to these heartbreaking circumstances and I still don't know what I could do, even though I was treated to a front row seat in this emotionally charged novel that took me through all the feels.
Peel is a master at drawing the reader right into the book, and this one was no exception. As always, she does a fantastic job of creating characters to care about. They become realistic and friend-like, and I was beyond emotionally invested in this story, even though I had my feelings jerked all over the place. I personally know someone who went through a snippet of what Brock and Dani did and while shattered trust is tragic, I loved that Peel sprinkled glimmers of hope throughout.
In this modern twist of a marriage of convenience, Brock and Dani shine in their individual and joint journeys towards healing and wholeness. I loved these characters and enjoyed watching them grow and become strong in their convictions and relationships.
Content: moderate romance; moderate language; moderate triggers
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I always wonder what I would do in given situations and it's hard to know until I'm actually in them. I could see both sides to these heartbreaking circumstances and I still don't know what I could do, even though I was treated to a front row seat in this emotionally charged novel that took me through all the feels.
Peel is a master at drawing the reader right into the book, and this one was no exception. As always, she does a fantastic job of creating characters to care about. They become realistic and friend-like, and I was beyond emotionally invested in this story, even though I had my feelings jerked all over the place. I personally know someone who went through a snippet of what Brock and Dani did and while shattered trust is tragic, I loved that Peel sprinkled glimmers of hope throughout.
In this modern twist of a marriage of convenience, Brock and Dani shine in their individual and joint journeys towards healing and wholeness. I loved these characters and enjoyed watching them grow and become strong in their convictions and relationships.
Content: moderate romance; moderate language; moderate triggers
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
April 30, 2021
In Name Only is a modern-day marriage of convenience, which happens to be one of my favorite tropes I have to be honest, it took me a minute to like the heroine. But, the author did a good job of winning me over and I wanted to be friends with Dani about half way through the book. The hero is a war hero and son of a famous Senator. There is so much going on and the emotions high. The second half of the book is by far my favorite and it ended like I love for a book to end. I can't wait for Kinsley and Brant's story!
September 28, 2023
3.2 stars
Hmm not a bad book. It deals quite heavishly, but well, with certain sensitive topics (). And I did not know it when I started this book, but it is a Clean, Christian romance (no big preachy overtones though 😌).
About the romance... I kept saying in my head all through the painful reading, 'What an unholy mess they did'. Painful not because it was badly written (bien au contraire), but because right from page 1, I was plunged into a very sombre story, reeking of the characters' suffocating misery. They (all of them, not just the h and H) did indeed make a big mess of it all. No judgement on my part, but it made me think twice on how f*cked up the consequences of can be. Add in twin brothers, foster sisters, and high echelon political intrigue and you got yourself a nuclear level situation.
I think JP handled the story quite well given how deep the cracks of the heartbreaking story were. I perfectly saw how each main character (again not just the h and H) found themselves stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place, making them be tormented, hurting, and lashing at others. I empathised with them. They felt real to me.
However, that did not make me love them better, esp. the h, Dani. She was all contradictions sometimes, which I got the why. But still her tendency of being 'poor me Misery Bear' at times translated to me as being quite selfish, given that she was after all one of the main catalyst to the drama of her life. And this was not helped by most other characters (who are in the know of her secret) treating her like she was automatically absolved of everything. I did like the H, Brock better because all his actions, even those where he was still angry with Dani, felt more selfless as he was constantly at war with himself. His growth as a character felt genuine while Dani's path felt more stagnant.
And I think that the story relied on too much tell (and even that, details were too vague imho and the lack of linear story revealing kind of added confusion to what happened exactly) than show for key moments, namely . All those needed on page development to really make me care for the characters. I know the book was already long, but I think that instead of pouring out pages and pages of stagnant misery (at least the first 56% of the book!), many of these pages could have been redirected towards developing those key moments. Also, a handful of chapters from Brock's POV would definitely have elevated the story imho.
The story definitely got better in terms of pace and plot development as from the 56% mark, but I know it could have been a 5 star read in terms of angst and viscerality if the author had not shied away from getting into the rough of things. Since this is Book 2 in a series, I don't know whether the missing pieces were told in other books. But that doesn't matter if they were because these pieces should have been told here if they are directly linked to Dani and Brock's story.
P.S. Lovely book cover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2020
Love In Adversity
I love Jennifer Peel’s books!
1. I love the cover! So gorgeous.
2. Brock and Dani have a strong history as best friends, but get off to a rough start in their marriage. Their story was heart wrenching and beautiful.
3. I loved the strength they found to forgive and to start again.
4. Dani’s relationship with her mother-in-law, Sheridan, melted my heart. I’m glad they could be there for each other.
5. I couldn’t put it down. The only reason my kids got dinner tonight is because they picked something really easy.
The only thing I would change is a few stronger curse words in this story.
Content: clean (mostly mild language-d... and h..., but a few uses of b...... too, one case of sex out of wedlock in the backstory, not described, mild innuendo, making out, miscarriage)
I love Jennifer Peel’s books!
1. I love the cover! So gorgeous.
2. Brock and Dani have a strong history as best friends, but get off to a rough start in their marriage. Their story was heart wrenching and beautiful.
3. I loved the strength they found to forgive and to start again.
4. Dani’s relationship with her mother-in-law, Sheridan, melted my heart. I’m glad they could be there for each other.
5. I couldn’t put it down. The only reason my kids got dinner tonight is because they picked something really easy.
The only thing I would change is a few stronger curse words in this story.
Content: clean (mostly mild language-d... and h..., but a few uses of b...... too, one case of sex out of wedlock in the backstory, not described, mild innuendo, making out, miscarriage)
February 16, 2021
Welcome back to Pine Falls! We met Brock and Dani in the first book in this series, Return to Sender. Side note: I don't think you need to have read Return to Sender to enjoy this book (but you should probably read it anyway if you haven't, just because it's a really good book!).
For 14 years Brock and Dani have been friends only, even though she has always liked him more than that. But as a doctor and a Major in the Army Reserve, career and country have always come first for Brock. Until he almost died in Afghanistan. Then he realized how important Dani was to him.
But when everyone is told that Brock has been killed, Dani made some choices in her grief that bear heavy consequences. Now Brock and Dani are forced to get married to save her from becoming a political pawn. What should have been a beautiful love match has instead become a marriage in name only - but they have to keep up the appearances of a happy marriage to protect their families.
Dani is trying to work through the guilt she feels for what she has done, and Brock is trying to learn to forgive when he has felt betrayed. One of the things I love the most about Jennifer Peel's books is her ability to write beautiful, broken, flawed characters and help them heal and find a way back to each other.
We learn a lot more about the Holland family in this book. Brock and his twin, Brant, don't realize that they have been their father's pawns. John Holland, their father, is an ex-senator, and the CEO/Owner of Holland Industries. Sheridan, their mother, personifies everything that is gentle and good. Things for the Holland family are really heating up in this book. While this book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it definitely has me anxiously awaiting Book 3 to see how things are going to resolve for everyone.
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
For 14 years Brock and Dani have been friends only, even though she has always liked him more than that. But as a doctor and a Major in the Army Reserve, career and country have always come first for Brock. Until he almost died in Afghanistan. Then he realized how important Dani was to him.
But when everyone is told that Brock has been killed, Dani made some choices in her grief that bear heavy consequences. Now Brock and Dani are forced to get married to save her from becoming a political pawn. What should have been a beautiful love match has instead become a marriage in name only - but they have to keep up the appearances of a happy marriage to protect their families.
Dani is trying to work through the guilt she feels for what she has done, and Brock is trying to learn to forgive when he has felt betrayed. One of the things I love the most about Jennifer Peel's books is her ability to write beautiful, broken, flawed characters and help them heal and find a way back to each other.
We learn a lot more about the Holland family in this book. Brock and his twin, Brant, don't realize that they have been their father's pawns. John Holland, their father, is an ex-senator, and the CEO/Owner of Holland Industries. Sheridan, their mother, personifies everything that is gentle and good. Things for the Holland family are really heating up in this book. While this book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it definitely has me anxiously awaiting Book 3 to see how things are going to resolve for everyone.
Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.
February 17, 2021
*Mainstream Fiction
I’m was little conflicted on how to rate this one. It’s a great read but I have a couple of issues with it. The main one being it’s too unrealistic. The relationship between Brant and Brock and Brant and Dani and then Brock and Dani was a bit hard to believe. Men are jealous creatures and I just don’t know that in any of these circumstances would forgiveness have come so quickly. Yes there were struggles but then it was like it all got swept under the rug and Brock was okay with everything. My other issue was why Brock waited 14 years before deciding he wanted to marry the women he claimed he’d always loved. Seemed weird to me. I’m all about stories of redemption and forgiveness, overcoming and HEAs but this sentiment kept popping up in my mind. So why did I rate five stars? Well, I couldn’t put it down. So I believe it deserves 5 stars. I read it in one day. The plot was well constructed and I plan to read more of this author.
I’m was little conflicted on how to rate this one. It’s a great read but I have a couple of issues with it. The main one being it’s too unrealistic. The relationship between Brant and Brock and Brant and Dani and then Brock and Dani was a bit hard to believe. Men are jealous creatures and I just don’t know that in any of these circumstances would forgiveness have come so quickly. Yes there were struggles but then it was like it all got swept under the rug and Brock was okay with everything. My other issue was why Brock waited 14 years before deciding he wanted to marry the women he claimed he’d always loved. Seemed weird to me. I’m all about stories of redemption and forgiveness, overcoming and HEAs but this sentiment kept popping up in my mind. So why did I rate five stars? Well, I couldn’t put it down. So I believe it deserves 5 stars. I read it in one day. The plot was well constructed and I plan to read more of this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
This was a beautiful love story with a lot of layers and depth. It deals with some heavy topics, but the author handles each of them beautifully and with compassion and empathy. I appreciated the mental health rep, and the themes of healing and forgiveness. The characters were well drawn, and the romance between Dani and Brock was messy but so swoony as they worked through their issues. Loved it.
October 10, 2020
In Name Only is a well done marriage of convenience story. This isn’t one of those books where things are resolved quickly. Brock and Dani’s relationship is complicated, messy, and emotionally intense. I laughed, cried, and rooted for them. In Name Only is an emotional journey. I’m still thinking about these characters long after finishing this incredible story.
I loved revisiting characters from Return to Sender and I’d recommend you read it first, but you’d still enjoy this book if you haven’t read it. I’m so looking forward to book 3. Jennifer Peel is a masterful writer, and I highly recommend all of her books.
I loved revisiting characters from Return to Sender and I’d recommend you read it first, but you’d still enjoy this book if you haven’t read it. I’m so looking forward to book 3. Jennifer Peel is a masterful writer, and I highly recommend all of her books.
April 17, 2021
3.5 Stars
I liked this one far more than I like the first book of the series, thank goodness!
The one thing that kept me from really liking the story is the “hero” - to be clear, I had no issue with the way he reacted to the news the heroine gave him when he returned from being held in captivity. My issue comes from the fact that he basically strung the heroine along for 14 years for no reason. I kept think it must be some reason like he didn’t want her mixed up with his family, but NOPE, he just wanted to play the field and be with as many women as he could before he felt it was time to settle down.
😡
That is SO not hero-like behavior. And because of that I couldn’t fully like the selfish, jerk face hero.
But other than that, this was a great story with soap opera storylines of epic proportions!
I liked this one far more than I like the first book of the series, thank goodness!
The one thing that kept me from really liking the story is the “hero” - to be clear, I had no issue with the way he reacted to the news the heroine gave him when he returned from being held in captivity. My issue comes from the fact that he basically strung the heroine along for 14 years for no reason. I kept think it must be some reason like he didn’t want her mixed up with his family, but NOPE, he just wanted to play the field and be with as many women as he could before he felt it was time to settle down.
😡
That is SO not hero-like behavior. And because of that I couldn’t fully like the selfish, jerk face hero.
But other than that, this was a great story with soap opera storylines of epic proportions!
October 29, 2020
Tender, emotional, and sweet romance
Jennifer Peel does it again in this newest book! I couldn’t wait to read Brock and Dani’s story after reading the first in this series, “Return to Sender”, and this book did not disappoint. I don’t know what I was expecting, but not this.
The plot had me hooked from page one, dying to know how things would ever turn out, and there were times I ached so badly for the characters that I wept. There is such a depth to this book, with a tender and emotionally gripping story you just can’t put down.
I love how “real” her characters are- their feelings are valid and sometimes raw, and nothing is sugar-coated or unbelievable. I adored Dani and loved seeing lots of characters from the previous book (you’ll definitely want to read these books in order!).
Having been a foster parent and adopted children from foster care myself, I felt the author did a tremendous job showing the emotional scars trauma can leave. Brock has quite a lot to deal with himself, and I was glad to see it took him some time and effort to work though his pain.
While there was so much going on in this story, at the heart of it was a tender romance between two best friends, friends who have loved each other for so long, and are finally given a chance to learn to be loved and truly love another. There were definitely some swoony moments (dreamy sigh) but it stayed clean as well.
Each book by Jennifer Peel is a gift, and this one is no different, so get ready and give yourself lots of time cause you won’t want to put this one down!
Jennifer Peel does it again in this newest book! I couldn’t wait to read Brock and Dani’s story after reading the first in this series, “Return to Sender”, and this book did not disappoint. I don’t know what I was expecting, but not this.
The plot had me hooked from page one, dying to know how things would ever turn out, and there were times I ached so badly for the characters that I wept. There is such a depth to this book, with a tender and emotionally gripping story you just can’t put down.
I love how “real” her characters are- their feelings are valid and sometimes raw, and nothing is sugar-coated or unbelievable. I adored Dani and loved seeing lots of characters from the previous book (you’ll definitely want to read these books in order!).
Having been a foster parent and adopted children from foster care myself, I felt the author did a tremendous job showing the emotional scars trauma can leave. Brock has quite a lot to deal with himself, and I was glad to see it took him some time and effort to work though his pain.
While there was so much going on in this story, at the heart of it was a tender romance between two best friends, friends who have loved each other for so long, and are finally given a chance to learn to be loved and truly love another. There were definitely some swoony moments (dreamy sigh) but it stayed clean as well.
Each book by Jennifer Peel is a gift, and this one is no different, so get ready and give yourself lots of time cause you won’t want to put this one down!
September 26, 2022
I love Jennifer Peel and was a fan of the first book in this series, but this one fell a little flat to me.
I think part of it was that it was so bogged down by family and political drama. While I was interested in some of those aspects, it took away from Dani and Brock's relationship and character development, so by the end of the book I was more interested in learning more about what would happen with Brant and Kinsley or Sheridan and John.
Some of my main problems were:
1. There was a lot in this book we're told and not shown. I get that authors need to balance what they show and what they just tell you or else books would just be too long, but here it felt like all the big plot points were told and not shown, which made it hard to believe certain things or to understand the mindset and motivations of the character who did them.
We are told Brock and Dani have been in love and dancing around it for 14 years, but not shown anything about it. A few flashbacks would have gone a long way in making me believe their relationship and understand why they (especially Brock), put themselves through that.
We are told about the the main action that drives the plot (), but not really shown anything about it, and it's hard to understand how and why Brant and Dani did what they did.
We are told how that action led to Dani and Brock getting married, but since we're not shown why Dani made her choice, how it happened, what Brock was like etc., that whole aspect was confusing and made it difficult to understand why anyone thought getting married was the right solution.
We are told Dani had a rough childhood, but only vaguely and shown nothing about it, and it makes her difficult to understand or sympathize with.
We are told Brock has PTSD and that he gets help, but since we're not shown the specifics and it's done off scene, it felt too convenient and neatly wrapped up.
There's a lot more, but you get the idea.
2. The character development between the main characters was lacking. Again, I think this has to do with how we are told and not shown a lot, but it made me not like the main characters that much.
I got tired of Dani pretty quickly: Yes, Brock didn't have a right to be mad, but she seemed very unwilling to understand any of his emotions. She also came across as self-centered and uncaring at times. Brock just came back from war and being tortured and clearly is struggling, but she never seems to take that as seriously as she should or feel as worried about it as someone supposedly in love should. The extent of her caring about it seems to be telling him he needs help, and giving up quickly when he disagrees. Also, while Dani may not have betrayed Brock with her actions, she definitely betrayed Kinsley, and the longer she kept that secret from her the more it made me lose respect.
While Dani was tiring and not that likable for me, Brock fell flat and didn't make any sense. His reasoning for never pursuing Dani despite supposedly loving her since they met was immature and dickish, but also seemed very illogical. His decision to marry Dani and the way he treated her also didn't seem to make much sense.
3. The actions and choices that drive the novel were just a little too ridiculous for me. At first, I was onboard and was interested to see how they could make the situation work, but it quickly become apparent that Brock, Brant and Dani put themselves in an impossible situation were no one could be happy unless something external changed.
4. A lot of the family and political drama felt melodramatic to me. There's a lot of blackmail happening that drives choices, but the only believable one and the only one where it felt like someone was reacting realistically was the blackmail of John (and yet, that's the one all of the characters judge the most). What didn't make sense to me was how John blackmailed Dani and why that would work, and how dramatic she was about it. She's not a public figure and it's known she had a tough past, why would any of the specifics coming out matter? (By the end of the book, I still don't know what those specifics are so maybe if I did it would make more sense). Similarly, why would she go so far to hide anything about Ariana's mother? Ariana knows her mother wasn't perfect and she's not around, so who would that really harm now?
Overall, Brock and Dani ended up being my least favorite characters in the book and the couple I was the least invested in. I just needed more from them — more of their individual histories and also more of their mutual history to really feel how much they've loved each other and understand why and how they put themselves in the complicated situation they did.
I think part of it was that it was so bogged down by family and political drama. While I was interested in some of those aspects, it took away from Dani and Brock's relationship and character development, so by the end of the book I was more interested in learning more about what would happen with Brant and Kinsley or Sheridan and John.
Some of my main problems were:
1. There was a lot in this book we're told and not shown. I get that authors need to balance what they show and what they just tell you or else books would just be too long, but here it felt like all the big plot points were told and not shown, which made it hard to believe certain things or to understand the mindset and motivations of the character who did them.
We are told Brock and Dani have been in love and dancing around it for 14 years, but not shown anything about it. A few flashbacks would have gone a long way in making me believe their relationship and understand why they (especially Brock), put themselves through that.
We are told about the the main action that drives the plot (), but not really shown anything about it, and it's hard to understand how and why Brant and Dani did what they did.
We are told how that action led to Dani and Brock getting married, but since we're not shown why Dani made her choice, how it happened, what Brock was like etc., that whole aspect was confusing and made it difficult to understand why anyone thought getting married was the right solution.
We are told Dani had a rough childhood, but only vaguely and shown nothing about it, and it makes her difficult to understand or sympathize with.
We are told Brock has PTSD and that he gets help, but since we're not shown the specifics and it's done off scene, it felt too convenient and neatly wrapped up.
There's a lot more, but you get the idea.
2. The character development between the main characters was lacking. Again, I think this has to do with how we are told and not shown a lot, but it made me not like the main characters that much.
I got tired of Dani pretty quickly: Yes, Brock didn't have a right to be mad, but she seemed very unwilling to understand any of his emotions. She also came across as self-centered and uncaring at times. Brock just came back from war and being tortured and clearly is struggling, but she never seems to take that as seriously as she should or feel as worried about it as someone supposedly in love should. The extent of her caring about it seems to be telling him he needs help, and giving up quickly when he disagrees. Also, while Dani may not have betrayed Brock with her actions, she definitely betrayed Kinsley, and the longer she kept that secret from her the more it made me lose respect.
While Dani was tiring and not that likable for me, Brock fell flat and didn't make any sense. His reasoning for never pursuing Dani despite supposedly loving her since they met was immature and dickish, but also seemed very illogical. His decision to marry Dani and the way he treated her also didn't seem to make much sense.
3. The actions and choices that drive the novel were just a little too ridiculous for me. At first, I was onboard and was interested to see how they could make the situation work, but it quickly become apparent that Brock, Brant and Dani put themselves in an impossible situation were no one could be happy unless something external changed.
4. A lot of the family and political drama felt melodramatic to me. There's a lot of blackmail happening that drives choices, but the only believable one and the only one where it felt like someone was reacting realistically was the blackmail of John (and yet, that's the one all of the characters judge the most). What didn't make sense to me was how John blackmailed Dani and why that would work, and how dramatic she was about it. She's not a public figure and it's known she had a tough past, why would any of the specifics coming out matter? (By the end of the book, I still don't know what those specifics are so maybe if I did it would make more sense). Similarly, why would she go so far to hide anything about Ariana's mother? Ariana knows her mother wasn't perfect and she's not around, so who would that really harm now?
Overall, Brock and Dani ended up being my least favorite characters in the book and the couple I was the least invested in. I just needed more from them — more of their individual histories and also more of their mutual history to really feel how much they've loved each other and understand why and how they put themselves in the complicated situation they did.
July 10, 2021
At first I was a little worried about the topic and subject. I nearly stopped reading it because I don’t like triangle romances, (this was all in the first three chapters), but i was wrong about the direction the story took. The characters and plot line thickened and a deep, beautiful story emerged. I’m glad I didn’t stop reading!
Jennifer peel has a way of tackling strong topics. topics other authors skip over or briefly mention, but Jennifer peel dives head first into them and makes it raw and vulnerable. You feel the pain of the characters thick and real. That is why I kept reading. She draws you in!
Jennifer peel has a way of tackling strong topics. topics other authors skip over or briefly mention, but Jennifer peel dives head first into them and makes it raw and vulnerable. You feel the pain of the characters thick and real. That is why I kept reading. She draws you in!
January 13, 2021
I'm a massive fan of Jennifer Peel. I adore her books. I love how her stories feel so life like especially regarding women: their relationships with family, kids and their husbands. She writes strong, emotional, relatable female characters who I can fully stand behind.
It pains me to say I just wish I could have liked this more than I did. I wanted to love In Name Only as much as I loved her previous books. I had been really looking forward to it because I had adored Ariana/Jonah's story. But this one just missed something for me.
It was Dani I had the issue with. I struggled to like or understand where Dani was coming from. Her constant insecurity and lack of faith in her marriage/love with Brock wore me down. She didn't seem to want to fight for them and that bothered me. Her husband had just been through a terrible ordeal overseas and comes back to her being pregnant with his brother's baby. I know they weren't together at the time he left for his mission but it was obvious that something was happening between them. He wanted to talk about "us" when he came back. I think Dani understood what that meant. What she meant to him.
The fact that Brock married her even though she was carrying his twin's baby has to have proved how much Brock loved her. Not many men would do that. But the whole book she kept waiting for hope. And I felt like Brock tried his best to give her that hope despite the circumstances. He was just hurt, angry and dealing with what happened to him overseas. It would have been a lot to deal with. Dani while she claimed she was so guilty about her night with Brant... she didn't really meet Brock halfway to fix things between them. She just expected him to accept her pregnancy and forgive her. In his frame of mind after captivity and then the knowledge she had been with his brother and gotten pregnant... I doubt it was easy for him. I wish she could have been more patient and understanding. Given him more time to adjust to the baby. Maybe try to talk about the baby like it was theirs instead. Brock's gift at the end spoke volumes that he had been trying imagine life with a baby. The whole scene where he rejected her while they were in DC was blown out so far out proportion. He puts up one roadblock and she just cuts him off emotionally from then on. She held that moment against him pretty much the entire book even though he came back a few hours later to apologise and make it up to her. I know she was only trying to protect her heart... but she never let him explain. They never really talked much. I kept waiting for them to have this blow up fight to get their anger, resentments and pain out.... so they could move forward and then have a deep and meaningful conversation. But it didn’t really happen. A lot of their relationship was just misunderstandings or miscommunication. I actually agreed with Brock's decision not to make love that early in the story in DC. They still had so much to sort out. It felt like Dani needed sex because to her it would mean forgiveness and I didn't agree with that. What they needed was time and some brutal honesty.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike Dani. I don’t think it’s possible for me to dislike any of Jennifer Peel’s leading characters. She writes them so well, flaws and all. Dani has been through a lot in her life. Forster care. Reuniting with lost family. Thinking she lost Brock, her best friend. Getting pregnant by his brother. Being blackmailed into marriage for the sake of her child. I didn’t begrudge her and Brant sharing that moment, the only two who loved Brock most and turned to comfort each other when they thought he was gone... but I just couldn’t always agree with her thinking and her actions especially towards Brock. She even admits it herself in the book that her guilt makes her act out. She kept lashing out at him, like to punish him too. Which I just felt was unfair. I just struggled to connect with her.
And their reunion came to late for me in the book. This didn't really feel like a romance... it felt felt more like a family drama.
I'm really glad Brock sought out help for his PTSD but I also think Dani should have gotten help for her miscarriage. Maybe even marriage counselling for them both.
The miscarriage was utterly devastating. I was heartbroken for Dani. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child. Her grief was so visceral, I'm glad Jennifer Peel didn't shy away from the trauma and heartbreak as hard as it was to read.
I LOVED Sheridan. What an amazing woman and mother in law!!! I'm interested to see if she does in fact reconcile with her husband. I thought their relationship was very interesting. He seemed to truly love and worship his wife, their backstory meet cute was so adorable... and yet he couldn't face the choices/mistakes he'd made that destroyed his family.
I'm also a little annoyed that Kinsley never found out the truth in this book. I'm sure it will come up in her book with Brant but the amount of times Dani complained about lying... she's still lying to her sister. And I bet Brant is the one who has to deal with that fallout in the next book and not Dani.
The person I felt for most in this book was actually Brant. My god, the poor guy. I feel like everyone's bad decisions cost him greatly.
It pains me to say I just wish I could have liked this more than I did. I wanted to love In Name Only as much as I loved her previous books. I had been really looking forward to it because I had adored Ariana/Jonah's story. But this one just missed something for me.
It was Dani I had the issue with. I struggled to like or understand where Dani was coming from. Her constant insecurity and lack of faith in her marriage/love with Brock wore me down. She didn't seem to want to fight for them and that bothered me. Her husband had just been through a terrible ordeal overseas and comes back to her being pregnant with his brother's baby. I know they weren't together at the time he left for his mission but it was obvious that something was happening between them. He wanted to talk about "us" when he came back. I think Dani understood what that meant. What she meant to him.
The fact that Brock married her even though she was carrying his twin's baby has to have proved how much Brock loved her. Not many men would do that. But the whole book she kept waiting for hope. And I felt like Brock tried his best to give her that hope despite the circumstances. He was just hurt, angry and dealing with what happened to him overseas. It would have been a lot to deal with. Dani while she claimed she was so guilty about her night with Brant... she didn't really meet Brock halfway to fix things between them. She just expected him to accept her pregnancy and forgive her. In his frame of mind after captivity and then the knowledge she had been with his brother and gotten pregnant... I doubt it was easy for him. I wish she could have been more patient and understanding. Given him more time to adjust to the baby. Maybe try to talk about the baby like it was theirs instead. Brock's gift at the end spoke volumes that he had been trying imagine life with a baby. The whole scene where he rejected her while they were in DC was blown out so far out proportion. He puts up one roadblock and she just cuts him off emotionally from then on. She held that moment against him pretty much the entire book even though he came back a few hours later to apologise and make it up to her. I know she was only trying to protect her heart... but she never let him explain. They never really talked much. I kept waiting for them to have this blow up fight to get their anger, resentments and pain out.... so they could move forward and then have a deep and meaningful conversation. But it didn’t really happen. A lot of their relationship was just misunderstandings or miscommunication. I actually agreed with Brock's decision not to make love that early in the story in DC. They still had so much to sort out. It felt like Dani needed sex because to her it would mean forgiveness and I didn't agree with that. What they needed was time and some brutal honesty.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike Dani. I don’t think it’s possible for me to dislike any of Jennifer Peel’s leading characters. She writes them so well, flaws and all. Dani has been through a lot in her life. Forster care. Reuniting with lost family. Thinking she lost Brock, her best friend. Getting pregnant by his brother. Being blackmailed into marriage for the sake of her child. I didn’t begrudge her and Brant sharing that moment, the only two who loved Brock most and turned to comfort each other when they thought he was gone... but I just couldn’t always agree with her thinking and her actions especially towards Brock. She even admits it herself in the book that her guilt makes her act out. She kept lashing out at him, like to punish him too. Which I just felt was unfair. I just struggled to connect with her.
And their reunion came to late for me in the book. This didn't really feel like a romance... it felt felt more like a family drama.
I'm really glad Brock sought out help for his PTSD but I also think Dani should have gotten help for her miscarriage. Maybe even marriage counselling for them both.
The miscarriage was utterly devastating. I was heartbroken for Dani. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child. Her grief was so visceral, I'm glad Jennifer Peel didn't shy away from the trauma and heartbreak as hard as it was to read.
I LOVED Sheridan. What an amazing woman and mother in law!!! I'm interested to see if she does in fact reconcile with her husband. I thought their relationship was very interesting. He seemed to truly love and worship his wife, their backstory meet cute was so adorable... and yet he couldn't face the choices/mistakes he'd made that destroyed his family.
I'm also a little annoyed that Kinsley never found out the truth in this book. I'm sure it will come up in her book with Brant but the amount of times Dani complained about lying... she's still lying to her sister. And I bet Brant is the one who has to deal with that fallout in the next book and not Dani.
The person I felt for most in this book was actually Brant. My god, the poor guy. I feel like everyone's bad decisions cost him greatly.
August 29, 2025
heart warming
The story was full of so much beautiful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking tenderness. I really liked how everything played out even though it made me cry and laughed so many times.
The story was full of so much beautiful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking tenderness. I really liked how everything played out even though it made me cry and laughed so many times.
December 21, 2020
All the feels, people. All the feels.
Jennifer Peel has a way of writing real and raw stories with the perfect balance of depth and hope. She fearlessly tackles hard topics while simultaneously adds just the right amount of lighthearted banter to infuse hope to the reader.
Jennifer Peel has a way of writing real and raw stories with the perfect balance of depth and hope. She fearlessly tackles hard topics while simultaneously adds just the right amount of lighthearted banter to infuse hope to the reader.
October 27, 2020
Breaks your heart and then puts it back together!
[Book 2 in the Pine Falls series has some appearances of characters from Book 1 but can be read as a standalone]
Dani loves Brock, but after he's declared dead, she finds comfort in his twin's arms. When Brock is finally found as a POW and returned home, he has PTSD - and she has a baby on the way. As if that's not enough, the family situation is... complex.
The two wounded souls end up in a marriage of convenience & have to maintain a happy facade while they both struggle to find healing & some form of reconciliation.
The story grabs your heart and doesn't let go till the end - expect all the feels & keep tissue nearby!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, out of wedlock pregnancy, but nothing sexually graphic
***COMPLETE CONTENT WARNING INCLUDES A SPOILER***
Description of a life-threatening miscarriage & the associated grief, description of gritty war situations that led to PTSD. Details aren't unnecessarily detailed or graphic, but are realistic.
[Book 2 in the Pine Falls series has some appearances of characters from Book 1 but can be read as a standalone]
Dani loves Brock, but after he's declared dead, she finds comfort in his twin's arms. When Brock is finally found as a POW and returned home, he has PTSD - and she has a baby on the way. As if that's not enough, the family situation is... complex.
The two wounded souls end up in a marriage of convenience & have to maintain a happy facade while they both struggle to find healing & some form of reconciliation.
The story grabs your heart and doesn't let go till the end - expect all the feels & keep tissue nearby!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, out of wedlock pregnancy, but nothing sexually graphic
***COMPLETE CONTENT WARNING INCLUDES A SPOILER***
Description of a life-threatening miscarriage & the associated grief, description of gritty war situations that led to PTSD. Details aren't unnecessarily detailed or graphic, but are realistic.
October 22, 2020
This is an intense, tragic, great romance about Dani and Brock. Brock went to active duty and was reported dead, which led Dani to Brant, his twin brother, for comfort which turned into more than just comfort. Brock returns after suffering much as a prisoner of the enemy. Dani informs Brock of that night and later reveals she is pregnant with Brant’s baby. Can Brock get over the betrayal? Can Dani get over the guilt? Will Brock get help for his PTSD?
I really enjoyed this book as it draws you into the story as all Jennifer Peel book do. I felt the pain that both Brock and Dani were going through, I’m not ashamed to say I got very emotional and cried. In my opinion this is Jennifer Peel’s most intense book, so if you can’t handle tragic or intense stories, this book may not be for you. I’m looking forward to “Silent Partner” and hope to see a story John and Sheridan. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book as it draws you into the story as all Jennifer Peel book do. I felt the pain that both Brock and Dani were going through, I’m not ashamed to say I got very emotional and cried. In my opinion this is Jennifer Peel’s most intense book, so if you can’t handle tragic or intense stories, this book may not be for you. I’m looking forward to “Silent Partner” and hope to see a story John and Sheridan. I highly recommend it.
October 30, 2020
A sequel to Return to Sender, I loved Dani's story, so tender. Beautiful cover.
A story of betrayal, friendship, family and love.
I can't wait for the next book.
A story of betrayal, friendship, family and love.
I can't wait for the next book.
May 3, 2024
In Name Only
In this story, like all that I have read by JP, there is much angst and deep feelings that are very thought provoking. The emotional Rolla coaster in this book drew me in. When I see books by this author I know I need to gear up for the ride of a life time. Dani has loved Brock for over fourteen years. But he placed her in the friend zone. She watched as he dated many other women. Just as she was going to give up he leaves for another deployment that ends with her being told he died. He was captured and if it wasn't for those who rescued him he would have died. But when he comes back he finds out that she is pregnant. This is an amazing angst mixed with drama story. If I say more it would be spoiling the enjoyment of the storyline. I will be rereading this again.
In this story, like all that I have read by JP, there is much angst and deep feelings that are very thought provoking. The emotional Rolla coaster in this book drew me in. When I see books by this author I know I need to gear up for the ride of a life time. Dani has loved Brock for over fourteen years. But he placed her in the friend zone. She watched as he dated many other women. Just as she was going to give up he leaves for another deployment that ends with her being told he died. He was captured and if it wasn't for those who rescued him he would have died. But when he comes back he finds out that she is pregnant. This is an amazing angst mixed with drama story. If I say more it would be spoiling the enjoyment of the storyline. I will be rereading this again.
August 29, 2020
* I was given an arc for an honest review.
WOW! There are many reasons I adore Jennifer's writing style. She doesn't shy away from hard topics and she allows her readers to get to know her characters and connect with them like they are real. I cried and laughed because I just really love Dani and Brock. There were (big) mistakes made. Not only by the main characters but also supporting cast. Hearts were broken and trust was shattered. It was a long, messy, tragic road but they made a conscious choice to love each other. I'm already looking forward to book 3!
WOW! There are many reasons I adore Jennifer's writing style. She doesn't shy away from hard topics and she allows her readers to get to know her characters and connect with them like they are real. I cried and laughed because I just really love Dani and Brock. There were (big) mistakes made. Not only by the main characters but also supporting cast. Hearts were broken and trust was shattered. It was a long, messy, tragic road but they made a conscious choice to love each other. I'm already looking forward to book 3!
February 28, 2025
Dani has you holding on for dear life as you hope for a good resolution. Love that even bad decisions can be turned around with hardwork and open communication. The story holds you from page one to the end
did-not-finish
November 29, 2025I got to about 76% and couldn’t do it any more. I wasn’t at all connected to this couple. She waited over a decade for him to return her feelings, but sleeps with his brother the very night she hears he’s been killed. Maybe it’s just me, but getting a phone call like that would cause sex to be the literal last thing on my mind.
He spends all those years being her best friend and sleeping around, then is mad when he comes home and discovers she’s pregnant? Yeah, man, way to be an a-hole. We’re supposed to feel bad that you had a ring you wanted to give her when you got home, after years of apparently showing her no interest? No sympathy from me.
And as readers, we can only go by what we’re told. Nothing has been shown for us to decide for ourselves that she was being reasonable when waiting for him. Or that his expectation of her loyalty was founded in anything other than his own mind.
So he spends the first half of the book being angry and distant because of her disloyalty (which it wasn’t but whatever), and she spends that same time figuratively throwing herself on couches with her wrist over her eyes, dramatically asking “why me?” Did either of them organically come to the conclusion they were wrong? No, he has PTSD (which does affect emotions and behaviors, I’m not taking away from that at all) and therefore all his words and actions are excused and justified. This makes me angry because, had she not been pregnant when he came home, his behavior would have been different. It’s not because of PTSD, it’s because he’s spoiled and immature. And at some point I wanted to see her demand more for herself. No wonder he walked all over her for years, she was a willing victim.
Maybe I was expecting more, and after the drama and trauma of the first half of the book, a messy and emotional reconciliation between the two would have felt like better payoff. I quit when he talked to her on the phone from the treatment center and told her they need to work through the loss of the baby together. What? You mean the baby you barely wanted to even acknowledge, let alone actually have? That baby? And she’s just like “yay I have my best friend back!” Maybe let’s start with working through the actual issues that led to the pregnancy and the idiotic behavior of both of them during said pregnancy, then we’ll name the baby.
Maybe I’m just in a mood today, but I’m done with soppy behavior masquerading as emotional development.
He spends all those years being her best friend and sleeping around, then is mad when he comes home and discovers she’s pregnant? Yeah, man, way to be an a-hole. We’re supposed to feel bad that you had a ring you wanted to give her when you got home, after years of apparently showing her no interest? No sympathy from me.
And as readers, we can only go by what we’re told. Nothing has been shown for us to decide for ourselves that she was being reasonable when waiting for him. Or that his expectation of her loyalty was founded in anything other than his own mind.
So he spends the first half of the book being angry and distant because of her disloyalty (which it wasn’t but whatever), and she spends that same time figuratively throwing herself on couches with her wrist over her eyes, dramatically asking “why me?” Did either of them organically come to the conclusion they were wrong? No, he has PTSD (which does affect emotions and behaviors, I’m not taking away from that at all) and therefore all his words and actions are excused and justified. This makes me angry because, had she not been pregnant when he came home, his behavior would have been different. It’s not because of PTSD, it’s because he’s spoiled and immature. And at some point I wanted to see her demand more for herself. No wonder he walked all over her for years, she was a willing victim.
Maybe I was expecting more, and after the drama and trauma of the first half of the book, a messy and emotional reconciliation between the two would have felt like better payoff. I quit when he talked to her on the phone from the treatment center and told her they need to work through the loss of the baby together. What? You mean the baby you barely wanted to even acknowledge, let alone actually have? That baby? And she’s just like “yay I have my best friend back!” Maybe let’s start with working through the actual issues that led to the pregnancy and the idiotic behavior of both of them during said pregnancy, then we’ll name the baby.
Maybe I’m just in a mood today, but I’m done with soppy behavior masquerading as emotional development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
No. Just no.
Had this book been set in a much earlier time period than modern day, it would probably have worked better. Or if Dani had ended up with Brant instead, then I would have been all on board for it. But to say that Dani and Brock were always meant to be together was unbelievable. Especially seeing as he knew from when they were young that Dani was the type of girl he would settle down with, but he wasn't ready to stop sleeping around so he ignored her and continued hooking up with other women. She, of course, was pining for him...blah blah blah...until Brant (but even then, she was all about Brock). For 14 years, he strung her along...and she held on to the belief that he was always meant to be with her because...well, I don't know why. Brock also acts like a complete tool in the beginning, treating Dani with disdain and not wanting anything to do with her...and yet toward the end he tells her that he married her because he loved her. Sure, buddy. Whatever you say 🙄
Brant and Dani's 'connection' also didn't really make any sense to me. Probably because you never really saw them interact. And then to find out who Brant apparently wants to be with (even though that didn't make any sense either due to his actions) and her connection to Dani...well, let's just say I won't be reading their story either. Not a fan of double-dipping where the hero has been with the heroine's sister before. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I like messy characters, but it all just seems way too far fetched to believe in their HEA for the next book.
Huge trigger warning for miscarriage. And it was done in such a horrible way that it pissed me off. It seemed like the author chose to choose the more traumatic option (not that a D&C is particularly pleasant) because of personal beliefs...so that took me out of the story and I pretty much lost all interest from there on out.
I wasn't expecting this kind of storyline when I picked up this book. I also wouldn't call this a romance. More like a drama. Nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting something different. Something not so depressing.
Not for me.
Had this book been set in a much earlier time period than modern day, it would probably have worked better. Or if Dani had ended up with Brant instead, then I would have been all on board for it. But to say that Dani and Brock were always meant to be together was unbelievable. Especially seeing as he knew from when they were young that Dani was the type of girl he would settle down with, but he wasn't ready to stop sleeping around so he ignored her and continued hooking up with other women. She, of course, was pining for him...blah blah blah...until Brant (but even then, she was all about Brock). For 14 years, he strung her along...and she held on to the belief that he was always meant to be with her because...well, I don't know why. Brock also acts like a complete tool in the beginning, treating Dani with disdain and not wanting anything to do with her...and yet toward the end he tells her that he married her because he loved her. Sure, buddy. Whatever you say 🙄
Brant and Dani's 'connection' also didn't really make any sense to me. Probably because you never really saw them interact. And then to find out who Brant apparently wants to be with (even though that didn't make any sense either due to his actions) and her connection to Dani...well, let's just say I won't be reading their story either. Not a fan of double-dipping where the hero has been with the heroine's sister before. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I like messy characters, but it all just seems way too far fetched to believe in their HEA for the next book.
Huge trigger warning for miscarriage. And it was done in such a horrible way that it pissed me off. It seemed like the author chose to choose the more traumatic option (not that a D&C is particularly pleasant) because of personal beliefs...so that took me out of the story and I pretty much lost all interest from there on out.
I wasn't expecting this kind of storyline when I picked up this book. I also wouldn't call this a romance. More like a drama. Nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting something different. Something not so depressing.
Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2021
I very much enjoyed this book. The characters were very well developed; especially Dani Kramer. Of all the books I have read and there have been many that have had well developed characters, but none as well developed as Dani Kramer is in this book. She almost seems like a living breathing person to me. Especially when Maya writes the heart warming letter to Dani thanking her for being her “guardian angel.” I think that added more dimension to the character of Dani Kramer. I also liked Brock Holland. He is a multifaceted character to. He is a son, brother, husband to Dani, physician, veteran suffering from PTSD. He loves Dani but comes to the realization that he must do something about his demons in order to be the kind of husband he wants to be. The character of Sheridan is a great character in this book too. She is Mother to Brock and his twin brother Brant. She is both Mother-in-Law and dear friend to Dani. She is also a wife to her husband, John. She is going through lots of challenges with her husband and working to protect her children from some of her husband’s actions. There were other characters in the book that I thought were well developed and important to the telling of the story. One character that I particularly liked although she had a relatively small part in this book and that is little Gemma.
I enjoyed the storyline very much. There was a number of twists and turns as the story progressed to its conclusion. I thought the pace of the story was very good. There wasn’t any dull moments. I like that there is no profanity and no sexually explicit dialogue. It shows the expertise this Author has at storytelling.
I look forward to reading more from this Author.
I enjoyed the storyline very much. There was a number of twists and turns as the story progressed to its conclusion. I thought the pace of the story was very good. There wasn’t any dull moments. I like that there is no profanity and no sexually explicit dialogue. It shows the expertise this Author has at storytelling.
I look forward to reading more from this Author.
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