The Marine's Reluctant Return

The Stirling Ranch #3

by Sabrina York

A second chance definitely worth coming home for in New York Times bestseller Sabrina York's latest entry in The Stirling Ranch miniseries!

She’d been the girl he’d always loved.

Until she married his best friend.

Now Crystal Stoker was a widowed single mom and Luke Stirling was trying his best to avoid her. That was proving impossible in their small town, especially when Luke learned her young son needed help that only he could provide. The injured marine was just looking for a little peace and quiet—not expecting any second chances, especially ones he didn’t dare accept.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

The Stirling Ranch

Book 1: Accidental Homecoming
Book 2: Recipe for a Homecoming
Book 3: The Marine's Reluctant Return

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Category Romance

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2022

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling Romance Author

To check out coming books visit www.sabrinayork.com

Amazon Page: amazon.com/author/sabrinayork
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
Twitter: @sabrina_york

Reviews

[Deb Diem]

I loved the first two Stirling Ranch books but I was sooo waiting for our wounded warrior Luke's book. It did not disappoint. The Marine's Reluctant Return is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Sabrina York. Ms. York has delivered a well-written book populated with a phenomenal cast of characters. Two things I am always confident I'll find in Ms. York's books, snappy & snarky dialog and lovable characters. Luke, discharged from the Marines after his injury, is back in his home town. Crystal's husband was killed at the same time Luke was injured and she is now raising her son alone. Luke and Crystal's story is packed with drama, humor and spice. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Sabrina York. The Marine's Reluctant Return is book 3 of The Stirling Ranch Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan]

Terrific book. Luke has been back in his hometown for a year after his medical discharge from the Marines. He is doing his best to avoid Crystal, whose husband Brandon, Luke's best friend, was killed in the same IED attack. Luke blames himself for Brandon's death and is sure that Crystal would want nothing to do with him.

Crystal's son Jack has changed since his father's death, constantly in trouble at school for fighting. She's at her wit's end trying to get through to him. When circumstances make it impossible for Luke to continue avoiding Crystal, he realizes there is something he can do to help Jack and honor his friend's memory.

Luke's school years were miserable because of undiagnosed dyslexia. His home life wasn't much better, thanks to the cruel taunts of his grandfather. It wasn't until Luke left home and joined the Marines that he found out what the trouble was. Thanks to the help he received, Luke found a new way to learn, opening up the world of education to him. I loved hearing about his extensive experiences and the vast difference they made to his life. Unfortunately, recovery from his injuries was a long, slow process, and he still suffers from pain and PTSD.

Like Luke, Brandon had had dyslexia, and Jack inherited the issue. Luke tells Crystal he will work with Jack, teaching him ways to work around the problem. It warmed my heart to see the nearly immediate difference that Luke's lessons had on Jack. Because of his own experiences, Luke knew precisely how to reach Jack, and there are some great scenes of the two of them together.

The amount of time Luke spends with Jack creates other complications. Luke has always had feelings for Crystal, but she was his best friend's wife. Though Brandon is gone, Luke's guilty feelings make him feel unworthy of her. Crystal was stunned to discover that Luke rouses feelings in her that have been numb since Brandon's death. Too bad that Luke doesn't show any signs of returning those feelings, keeping her firmly in the friend zone. Fortunately, a hint of jealousy when she goes on a date with another man gives her hope. A bit of boldness on her part, and the sparks between them burst into flame.

I loved watching them grow closer over the next few weeks, though each was wary of being the first to express their feelings. It takes a frightening accident and Luke's fear of a return of an old injury for them to break through their reluctance. I loved the epilogue and how Luke involved Jack in the planning for his big moment.

My favorite scene was when Crystal, a certified massage therapist, finally convinced Luke to let her work on him. I loved seeing him go from skeptic to believer in one session.

[Jeriann Fisher]

Luke's Reunites with Childhood Friend

I've been waiting for Luke's story. He's the quit, haunted brother who saved his surprise niece, Emma's life with bone marrow donation back in book one, Accidental Homecoming.

Single mom Crystal, is the widow of Luke's best friend Brandon, who died in the IED explosion that almost killed Luke. When Crystals son, Jack, needs help coping with his dyslexia, Luke offers to help, even though he's trying to avoid Crystal.

I enjoyed this story and would have given 5 stars but for the typos and editing errors.

[Ann Lorz]

I have been really enjoying this series. I loved the first two books and really hope we get more from this series. You can't help but feel bad for Luke. The woman he loves is the widow of his best friend. He does all he can to not be around her because of this. Only to realize how much her and her son needs him and that his guilt is what's keeping him away.

From the beginning I really liked Luke. I got that he had issues, and I was hoping that he'd be able to work through them. Because of those emotions this book tugged at my heartstrings more than once.

You'll also feel for Crystal and her son. They both are going to so much and with Jack having issues with dyslexia and the death of his dad it just makes for a storm. She does all she can to help her son get through it all, but she is hanging by a thread herself.

Luke learns about what is going on and does his best to help Jack with his dyslexia which he also suffers from. Doing this helps both Jack and Luke heal some. Luke learns to handle his guilt and realizes he doesn't really have to shoulder it. He also learns that it's okay to share that he loves Crystal.

I enjoyed watching their love grow and them all becoming a family. This is a sweet, emotional story that will keep you reading.

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[Becky Tatar]

Luke Stirling has been home for a year, but is living in town in Butterscotch. And is doing his best to avoid Crystal Stoker, wife of his best friend, mother to troubled 8 year old Jack, and struggling single mom. Standard second chance love story, but Luke is suffering PTSD, survivor's guilt, and injury issues. He feels totally guilty that Brandon, Crystal's husband died in combat and feels responsible that Brandon enlisted in the first place. But Luke recognizes that Jack is like him, and Jack's dad, in that Jack has dyslexia. And Luke's in to the family is helping Jack learn techniques on dealing with his learning challenges. And it does get him closer to Crystal, which brings more guilt.

[Shel]

Luke, Brandon and Crystal were inseparable and dubbed themselves the Three Musketeers. That was until Luke and Brandon joined the Marine's together and an IED left Luke with scars and pain and left Crystal a widowed mother.

She wants her friend back but all he sees is the little family left behind by his best friend's death and Luke's guilt about why.

This third story of the Stirling family is every bit as emotional as the first two. You see the longing, love and pain of Luke and Crystal. You feel the sadness and then excitement of Jake coming out of his shell. You feel the pull that helps to heal all involved. The passion and the sweetness make them a great couple and a great story.

[Fedora]

Four and a half stars

The Marine’s Reluctant Return by Sabrina York is the third in her Stirling Ranch series. Luke Stirling and Crystal Stoker have been friends since kindergarten. So it’s especially hard when Luke comes back from his overseas service wounded in body and spirit, and their third Musketeer, Brandon, doesn’t come back at all.

Sabrina York’s story is a moving one, and one about family and community, as well as healing and heart. Loved seeing Crystal advocate for her son and herself, and how her patient friendship helps Luke find some peace and joy as well.

Eagerly awaiting more from Ms York!

[Pansy]

All of the Stirling Ranch stories have been marvelous, but this one is my favorite. Maybe because it features a wounded warrior. Maybe because he had trials even before he became a warrior which makes him uniquely qualified to help his best friends son. These items touched my heart, deeply. A beautifully written story. You have done it again Sabrina York! Now, are we going to get Sam's story?

[Shirley Penick]

Loved Luke's story, always fun to read how something he struggled with in the past, allows him to help the next generation. Life is often like that.

[Candy Laine]

I love how each book in the series handles emotional and physical traumas. I'm so glad Luke got his HEA

[Elizabeth Mckernan]

Good book I enjoyed it

[Cris]

Story about the romance between a badly injured Marine and his dead buddy's wife and child. Usual complications but things eventually work out.

[Kathy Church]

I enjoyed this book.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Stirling Ranch (Book #3)