The author reminds me to state that I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
She also says, “This has not been proofread yet. There may be the occasional spelling or grammar error. Before the book is released, it will have a full, professional proofread.” I find this statement disappointing. If authors want a favor from me or want me to spend my money on their books, it seems to me that there is an implied contract that what they offer will be in readable condition. At the very least that means it is has been proofread, not merely spellchecked. I feel quite strongly about this.
Going in… Happy to report that despite my fears about the proofreading, I found not a single thing to distress me on that point.
Something that jolts me out of a story is the mention of a name or an event without any context. This happened to me when I read “Royce is late.” Who is Royce, why does it matter if he is late. I found my mind circling back to that instead of concentrating on what I was reading. Three pages later, I still have no idea who Royce is, but West is introduced as a former SEAL and gaming partner. Why not simply insert something that identifies Royce? I am guessing he is her business partner but I don’t like to guess because guesses lead to misunderstandings.
There are several references to Cam’s cane and pain, but no reason is offered until well into the first chapter and she signs onto something called VetNet, which I personally have never heard of but eventually deduce that it is social media for veterans. Is Cam a veteran? I assume so, but I don’t like to make assumptions because assumptions lead to misunderstandings.
Must admit to a certain bemusement over the coffeehouse scene in Chapter Two. At last, I learn she was in the army. She and West “met” on VetNet, have been gaming for a few weeks and now they are meeting for a coffee date. Another customer makes a loud noise, it startles Cam, she drops her coffee mug, splashing coffee all over herself, and falls off her chair when she attempts to pick up a broken piece of the cup. She is so embarrassed she fakes a work emergency and leaves, determined never to see West again, despite her instant and strong physical attraction to him.
I don’t understand why she is so embarrassed. We are told that she is, but surely a combat veteran has endured worse things than stained clothing. In fact, we know Cam has because of all the references to her cane and her pain so why not offer an explanation for this embarrassment? Just doesn’t seem real to me.
And I still have no idea who Royce is.
Having completed Chapter Three, I have learned that Royce is Cam’s boss. I’ve also learned that Cam, Royce, and West all have PTSD and the reason Cam was so freaked out by the coffee stains and falling off her chair is that she doesn’t wish to appear weak. To which my reaction is that while I am not a Vet, I have known plenty of people with PTSD who have met together in groups and they all cut each other some slack, just as Cam sits slack for HuskyFan on VetNets, which I learned is not an actual thing but a social media thing Cam created.
All the explanations seem to sneak in and in the meantime, I am constantly jolted out of the story thinking, “well, why didn’t you just say that when you first mentioned so and so." As in, my boss, Royce, is late. As in VetNet the social media thingie I started, we support each other. As I, I can’t appear weak just because I live in constant pain. Honestly, leaving out such details makes the story confusing to follow.
By Chapter Five, the story is flowing better. I have a much better sense of who people are now and I am not continuing to be jolted out of the story muttering “huh?”
However, in one scene West has gone to Cam’s apartment, bringing Thai and beer. Cam has a positive thought about his beard stubble. I personally hate beard stubble. For one thing, I do not find beard burn a turn on. For another beard stubble feels to me like a failure to commit. Either shave or grow a beard, make up your mind, fella.
There are a lot of hurting people in this book they all seem to talk around their hurt instead of engaging in conversation about it. While I suppose it lends itself to the drama of the story, in some cases it feels forced.
Let’s take Cam as an example. Eddy makes it clear that Cam is active in therapy and a support group in VetNet. Ten years in therapy and she is still in the same place, has not made progress, hasn’t resolved her issues, and still has this idea that she can’t appear weak? I really can’t say more because “Spoilers, sweetie,” channeling River Song there for a moment.
Cam’s issues with Royce actively hurt her.
Now, I get it that PTSD is not something that just goes away. I am aware that some issues are lifelong. But many of us have PTSD and we have been able to resolve many of the worst of our symptoms.
There is one scene toward the end of the book that I simply can’t believe could ever be real. But again channeling River Song, “Spoilers, sweetie!” If a person has what West has at the end of the book, I fail to understand how he could have done what he did with Cam without some very negative results. Just sayin’.
On the whole, I am glad I read it, especially as it was free. I will give the author a great deal of credit for avoiding a serious mistake that too many romance authors writing about PTSD have made. Eddy understands that the love of a good woman, a good friend, or a good man will not cure anyone’s PTSD and that PTSD is much more complicated than that. On behalf of all with PTSD, thank you.
Something I really enjoyed is that even secondary characters are well-developed with personalities and problems just like real people. I did guess quite early on who the bad guy was, but then that’s pretty much why I gave up reading mysteries because it’s not much fun when I figure it out so early.
I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I’d be willing to.
Thank you for the introduction to your work, Ms. Eddy.