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Healing Hearts #4
Remember Joy
Cora Dillion thrives on control. After being abandoned and homeless on the streets, it had taken everything in her to climb back to a life she recognized. A self-proclaimed workaholic, she remains focused to prevent anyone from disrupting the existence she’s built for herself. When she receives a flurry of emails from a soldier, she realizes that the man pouring out his soul could be dangerous to her structured world… and her heart.
Mike Cooper lived for the moment. Reckless and arrogant- that was the image he presented to his buddies in the barracks. Deep down inside, he needed a friend to keep him focused and was desperately afraid of the nightmarish world he existed in. Envious of the relationships around him, Mike puts his very heart on the line hoping that Cora will be the one to snatch it up.
Will Cora realize that Mike could be the very man she needs to come out of her shell? Can both of their hearts find strength in each other’s weaknesses? Will the spirit of the season remind them both how to remember joy?
*** These standalone sweet, clean romances follow a team of soldiers that were once stationed in Afghanistan, bound by friendship. They can be read alone but if you read them together, their stories are so much richer.
Mike Cooper lived for the moment. Reckless and arrogant- that was the image he presented to his buddies in the barracks. Deep down inside, he needed a friend to keep him focused and was desperately afraid of the nightmarish world he existed in. Envious of the relationships around him, Mike puts his very heart on the line hoping that Cora will be the one to snatch it up.
Will Cora realize that Mike could be the very man she needs to come out of her shell? Can both of their hearts find strength in each other’s weaknesses? Will the spirit of the season remind them both how to remember joy?
*** These standalone sweet, clean romances follow a team of soldiers that were once stationed in Afghanistan, bound by friendship. They can be read alone but if you read them together, their stories are so much richer.
- GenresContemporary
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
72 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Ginny Sterling
398 books727 followersGinny Sterling is an avid romance writer. She lives to tell sweet, inspirational, tender tales that tug at the heart, leaving the reader smiling, laughing, or crying. Her book series include many titles such as FLYBOYS, Healing Hearts, Flirt’s Battalion, Reserve Ranch, Hotshots, and more.
Each book written is sure to be an adventure, bringing laughter and love to your heart!
https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling
Each book written is sure to be an adventure, bringing laughter and love to your heart!
https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 17, 2024
Such a lovely book. Cora had been hurt in the past and had a hard time trusting people, she pushed everyone away. But Mike wouldn't let her do that to him, he was there to stay, no matter what. Mike loved her so much, he just wanted to be with her and loved her
October 27, 2019
TRUST SOMEONE BUT CREATE THE BOUNDARIES YOU NEED
What an amazing third story to the series, Healing Hearts, a clean contemporary and extremely emotional tale. I loved the characters, the angst, and the honest discussions, along with the chemistry and interactions. The people are broken, but with encouragement, friendship, and the added benefit of animals, it is the beginnings for healing. While this is a series, you probably could read this as a stand-alone, but it works better if you read them in written order since each book segues into the next and has some of the same characters in them.
Mike Cooper is stationed in Afghanistan and is known as a jokester, always cutting up, and he has a passion for playing Candy Crush. Due to the limited computers, he is only assigned a one hour slot once a week. His world will change soon when he gets an email from Cora, another person who loves Candy Crush and needs a friend.
“In a sea of sand, surrounded by soldiers, Mike realized the truth. He was lonely.”
Cora Dillon is a loner; she has not had an easy life, losing her family and being on her own since she was only fifteen, surviving the asphalt jungle one day at a time. She will trust someone who will shatter her world, cleaning her out of house and home and faith. Slowly, she is trying to get her life back in some order, but what she won’t do is allow anyone to get close, to trust another soul. She lives on the belief of ‘me, myself, and I’ for existence. The closest she comes to allowing anyone in will be Daisy and Ava—but even then, she is very standoffish.
The plot will have Ava convincing Cora to reach out via the internet and become an email pal with a soldier who could use a friend—another person who understands her passion for Candy Crush. Cora will write to Mike Cooper, but she is blunt, even brutally honest about this only being a means of friendship and can be no more. She has been hurt so bad that she refuses to allow anyone into her world—but she will open up and share her deeper inner feelings.
“I want the Hallmark Channel movie of the week. I don’t want the moon and stars—I simply want to blossom into the person I know I can be, the one that is struggling to be discovered—and I want to remember the joy of the journey with fondness, not hatred or disgust. ‘Be the best person you can be, and you’ll have no regrets’ was what my mother always told me before she died—and I’ve taken that to heart.”
Mike is shocked to receive an email from Cora, but it starts a computer-based friendship and one where he has something to think about, sharing tokens within Candy Crush to help her along. He understands her emotions and the feeling she has poured out in her email.
“Her words, ‘a broken, barren life’ resonated inside and gave him goosebumps.”
Cora is so confused, afraid to trust, afraid to allow anyone in, and she fears that Mike will want more from her than she has to give. Mike is falling for her, he gets her, more than anyone he knows. But how to break down her walls that keep everyone and everything locked out will be a challenge—one another thinks he should forget and move on.
“Women are like games. They don’t like games; they are similar to one, though. You have to know when to wait your turn, when to step forward, when to put down your cards on the table, and when to cash out and run like crazy.”
What happens when Cora agrees to join her few friends for Thanksgiving day dinner, and Mike shows up? This isn’t supposed to happen—can she run and hide? Will he pursue her or walk away from her? He is only home on leave for several weeks, what will happen when she takes a chance? Is it time to let go of her fears and open her heart for a chance at happiness?
“Loving someone means accepting them regardless of their crazy work schedule or how far away they are from home.”
“Cora knew in that very moment that she’d discovered the other half of her soul. Mike was everything she’d wanted and nothing she could have ever expected.”
I loved the chemistry between Mike and Cora and how he doesn’t push but lets her know he will wait for her. He shows her that he is a man to be trusted; he won’t hurt her and wants only the best for her—he just hopes it includes being in her life. The one thing he won’t let her do is to give up.
“You are my home, my everything, and I can’t imagine life without you anymore. I want to make you laugh, smile, and dance like we’re in the middle of an earthquake.”
What an amazing third story to the series, Healing Hearts, a clean contemporary and extremely emotional tale. I loved the characters, the angst, and the honest discussions, along with the chemistry and interactions. The people are broken, but with encouragement, friendship, and the added benefit of animals, it is the beginnings for healing. While this is a series, you probably could read this as a stand-alone, but it works better if you read them in written order since each book segues into the next and has some of the same characters in them.
Mike Cooper is stationed in Afghanistan and is known as a jokester, always cutting up, and he has a passion for playing Candy Crush. Due to the limited computers, he is only assigned a one hour slot once a week. His world will change soon when he gets an email from Cora, another person who loves Candy Crush and needs a friend.
“In a sea of sand, surrounded by soldiers, Mike realized the truth. He was lonely.”
Cora Dillon is a loner; she has not had an easy life, losing her family and being on her own since she was only fifteen, surviving the asphalt jungle one day at a time. She will trust someone who will shatter her world, cleaning her out of house and home and faith. Slowly, she is trying to get her life back in some order, but what she won’t do is allow anyone to get close, to trust another soul. She lives on the belief of ‘me, myself, and I’ for existence. The closest she comes to allowing anyone in will be Daisy and Ava—but even then, she is very standoffish.
The plot will have Ava convincing Cora to reach out via the internet and become an email pal with a soldier who could use a friend—another person who understands her passion for Candy Crush. Cora will write to Mike Cooper, but she is blunt, even brutally honest about this only being a means of friendship and can be no more. She has been hurt so bad that she refuses to allow anyone into her world—but she will open up and share her deeper inner feelings.
“I want the Hallmark Channel movie of the week. I don’t want the moon and stars—I simply want to blossom into the person I know I can be, the one that is struggling to be discovered—and I want to remember the joy of the journey with fondness, not hatred or disgust. ‘Be the best person you can be, and you’ll have no regrets’ was what my mother always told me before she died—and I’ve taken that to heart.”
Mike is shocked to receive an email from Cora, but it starts a computer-based friendship and one where he has something to think about, sharing tokens within Candy Crush to help her along. He understands her emotions and the feeling she has poured out in her email.
“Her words, ‘a broken, barren life’ resonated inside and gave him goosebumps.”
Cora is so confused, afraid to trust, afraid to allow anyone in, and she fears that Mike will want more from her than she has to give. Mike is falling for her, he gets her, more than anyone he knows. But how to break down her walls that keep everyone and everything locked out will be a challenge—one another thinks he should forget and move on.
“Women are like games. They don’t like games; they are similar to one, though. You have to know when to wait your turn, when to step forward, when to put down your cards on the table, and when to cash out and run like crazy.”
What happens when Cora agrees to join her few friends for Thanksgiving day dinner, and Mike shows up? This isn’t supposed to happen—can she run and hide? Will he pursue her or walk away from her? He is only home on leave for several weeks, what will happen when she takes a chance? Is it time to let go of her fears and open her heart for a chance at happiness?
“Loving someone means accepting them regardless of their crazy work schedule or how far away they are from home.”
“Cora knew in that very moment that she’d discovered the other half of her soul. Mike was everything she’d wanted and nothing she could have ever expected.”
I loved the chemistry between Mike and Cora and how he doesn’t push but lets her know he will wait for her. He shows her that he is a man to be trusted; he won’t hurt her and wants only the best for her—he just hopes it includes being in her life. The one thing he won’t let her do is to give up.
“You are my home, my everything, and I can’t imagine life without you anymore. I want to make you laugh, smile, and dance like we’re in the middle of an earthquake.”
July 21, 2024
Sweet, contemporary military romance
Romance, sweet, contemporary, military; series but stand alone read
Mike/Cooper and Cora’s story again with pen-pal start was a sweet fall. Cora’s trust issues from being an orphan at 15, stolen from later lead her to hole up and pull inside herself not letting anyone in. She writes to Mike at the request of her coworker, and friend Ava, realizing he’s so far away she can be open and not have to meet any expectations with regard to a relationship.
Sweet fall as Mike gradually erodes her walls, and lovely chemistry with them. Mentions of characters from the Afghanistan unit, and the couples inTX build her friends and create a family for her. Lovely sweet fall. Mike was great character as well.
Romance, sweet, contemporary, military; series but stand alone read
Mike/Cooper and Cora’s story again with pen-pal start was a sweet fall. Cora’s trust issues from being an orphan at 15, stolen from later lead her to hole up and pull inside herself not letting anyone in. She writes to Mike at the request of her coworker, and friend Ava, realizing he’s so far away she can be open and not have to meet any expectations with regard to a relationship.
Sweet fall as Mike gradually erodes her walls, and lovely chemistry with them. Mentions of characters from the Afghanistan unit, and the couples inTX build her friends and create a family for her. Lovely sweet fall. Mike was great character as well.
July 9, 2022
I read this book through the kindle Unlimited program. This is the story of Cora and Mike. Cora absolutely does not trust anyone! She is always looking to see what is in it for you, like are you doing this nice thing for her? It must be because you want something from her. She good reason to feel this way. Her trust was broken in a major way and she is not about to go down that road again. Can you blame her. Mike, in his own way is broken too, but is a very good man. When life bring Cora and Mike together can they work though their baggage to fins the joy and love they each so deserve. It will take opening their hearts and trusting.
November 12, 2023
Swoonworthy
All of my thanks to and prayers for the service members, veterans, leos and first responders of our great nation. We are able to be who we are only because of who you are.
I absolutely loved this book! Remember Joy is the fourth book of now 29 in Healing Hearts. While I'm glad I'm reading them in order because I love the backstories and the community, these books ARE HEA STANDALONES and it is not necessary to read the previous books.
Mike and Cora are two people who have struggled to find the joy of goodness in others. Together, they'll find it.
I would highly recommend this totally clean book for anyone.
All of my thanks to and prayers for the service members, veterans, leos and first responders of our great nation. We are able to be who we are only because of who you are.
I absolutely loved this book! Remember Joy is the fourth book of now 29 in Healing Hearts. While I'm glad I'm reading them in order because I love the backstories and the community, these books ARE HEA STANDALONES and it is not necessary to read the previous books.
Mike and Cora are two people who have struggled to find the joy of goodness in others. Together, they'll find it.
I would highly recommend this totally clean book for anyone.
June 21, 2020
A fantastic story of love and trust
Cora was afraid to trust since she was robbed of everything by her room mate. Ava suggested that she start emailing a soldier who liked candy crush game like she did. Their friendship grew and her world widened to his service brothers and their significant others. Gradually she came to love Mike and they married the day he was returning to Afghanistan. This book is well worth the reading time and you will love how it all turned out.
Cora was afraid to trust since she was robbed of everything by her room mate. Ava suggested that she start emailing a soldier who liked candy crush game like she did. Their friendship grew and her world widened to his service brothers and their significant others. Gradually she came to love Mike and they married the day he was returning to Afghanistan. This book is well worth the reading time and you will love how it all turned out.
February 19, 2024
This story was SO sweet!!
Mike is hilarious, loyal and extremely generous. He is willing to fight for his girl and to know she feels protected.
Cora struggles with trust and opening herself up to communication and relationships. When she agrees to attend a larger gathering - will she be able to handle the social aspects well and what happens when there is a plot twist that triggers her fight or flight mode?!
Mike is hilarious, loyal and extremely generous. He is willing to fight for his girl and to know she feels protected.
Cora struggles with trust and opening herself up to communication and relationships. When she agrees to attend a larger gathering - will she be able to handle the social aspects well and what happens when there is a plot twist that triggers her fight or flight mode?!
May 4, 2023
Mike and Cora’s story
This was a sweet, quick, clean romance. I liked how Mike and Cora become pen pals and connect. Their romance seems a little rushed especially with Cora’s past, but I really enjoyed the story. It was fun and romantic. I liked reading about the other characters is the series as well.
This was a sweet, quick, clean romance. I liked how Mike and Cora become pen pals and connect. Their romance seems a little rushed especially with Cora’s past, but I really enjoyed the story. It was fun and romantic. I liked reading about the other characters is the series as well.
July 30, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this military romance story. I really enjoyed the characters and the way they grow as the story goes. It is so fun they start with emails because of a common interest that started the ball rolling for a friendship to happen. This is very well written and can read as a standalone.
September 21, 2020
Cora
A lonely woman who doesn't trust and I'd independent discovers the guy who needs a friend playing computer games. She has to accept his friendship and learn to trust. A well written story.
A lonely woman who doesn't trust and I'd independent discovers the guy who needs a friend playing computer games. She has to accept his friendship and learn to trust. A well written story.
December 23, 2020
An enjoyable read by a cozy fire in winter. Ginny Sterling created characters that came alive on the page and brought the reader into a nice little story with the perfect ending. This is a great quick read to enjoy while house bound due to bad weather or government restrictions.
April 19, 2021
A very good book
This book is so good covering trust, friendship, and love. I think everyone has experienced someone doing them wrong and it is hard to trust but there are many good people in the world. And who doesn't want to be loved. You will enjoy this book.
This book is so good covering trust, friendship, and love. I think everyone has experienced someone doing them wrong and it is hard to trust but there are many good people in the world. And who doesn't want to be loved. You will enjoy this book.
July 3, 2021
I’m enjoying this series about soldiers who find love. This story, like most in the series, began as pen pals. Fun! I recommended reading the books in order as so far, each of the couples has carried into the next books, so we get to continue visiting with friends.
August 22, 2021
Awww
Cora starts a corresponding with Mike, she isn't it's a good idea. He keeps writing her. He arrives in Texas in time for Thanksgiving and he slowly wins her heart. I love this book. If only I could find my guy.
Cora starts a corresponding with Mike, she isn't it's a good idea. He keeps writing her. He arrives in Texas in time for Thanksgiving and he slowly wins her heart. I love this book. If only I could find my guy.
January 8, 2022
Remember Joy
This story is about a young woman who has been wronged in her life and will not let anyone close. Her friend at work talks her into being an email friend to a lonely soldier which does only to fall in love with him. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This story is about a young woman who has been wronged in her life and will not let anyone close. Her friend at work talks her into being an email friend to a lonely soldier which does only to fall in love with him. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
July 12, 2022
Remember Joy
This story is set around Christmas, explaining the cover. Cora has had a bad hand deal t to her and her trust levels are very low. When she and Mike start writing you can see where the plot is going but it is a sweet story.
This story is set around Christmas, explaining the cover. Cora has had a bad hand deal t to her and her trust levels are very low. When she and Mike start writing you can see where the plot is going but it is a sweet story.
January 23, 2023
Another great story!
While there was a lot of sad parts this one wasn't nearly as emotional as some of the others in this series! For some one who was such a goof Mike turned out to be a really neat guy! Great writing!
While there was a lot of sad parts this one wasn't nearly as emotional as some of the others in this series! For some one who was such a goof Mike turned out to be a really neat guy! Great writing!
February 8, 2023
Loved it!
I just love the way Ginny Sterling brings her characters to life. If you're looking for entertaining characters,sweet romance, and intriguing storylines this is a series and a book for you!
I just love the way Ginny Sterling brings her characters to life. If you're looking for entertaining characters,sweet romance, and intriguing storylines this is a series and a book for you!
November 26, 2023
Cora and Mike seem like total opposites and yet they have some of the very same feelings and needs. I really laughed at some of the things that happened in this book. Mike throws Cora so off balance but so truly cares about her.
June 5, 2020
Review of Remember Joy
I really enjoyed this book and this series. Ginny is a wonderful writer and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels.
I really enjoyed this book and this series. Ginny is a wonderful writer and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels.
July 20, 2021
Ginny books
Ginny's book's keep getting better and better.I love how she brings in the other characters into the book that I am reading.
Ginny's book's keep getting better and better.I love how she brings in the other characters into the book that I am reading.
May 30, 2022
Love to read
After reading nearly the whole series I've run out of things to say about this series - except that everyone should read this it.
After reading nearly the whole series I've run out of things to say about this series - except that everyone should read this it.
October 24, 2022
What a great way to meet someone and really get to know them. I enjoyed these pen pal's communications. This is a quick read that is sweet and clean.
December 18, 2023
Loved this
Trust needs to be earned. The only exception is God. People who have been burned badly all feel this way. I love the way this author addressed this. Love her books.
Trust needs to be earned. The only exception is God. People who have been burned badly all feel this way. I love the way this author addressed this. Love her books.
January 13, 2024
Never give up could have been the title of this book. A light short read that kept me smiling!
March 15, 2025
Cora and Mike seemed like such opposites, but they really have more in common than anyone realizes. I loved seeing Mike help Cora relax and let go of the death trip she had on wanting to control her life. These friendships that turn to more in this series are just precious and so moving.
March 19, 2023
Totally enjoyed reading this book
August 21, 2023
I absolutely love Mike & Cora's sweet,funny, caring, loving, swoony story!!!
November 2, 2019
(3.5 stars)
First off, this was a really sweet story & I loved the premise. The characters are well done and the writing is engaging. And the scene where Mike proposes to Cora - that they spend Christmas together - was so cute! I loved it!
There were a few issues though. Having pushed time forward at several points in the story already, I was startled by how quickly Mike decides he wants to be more than friends, rather than the author simply skipping forward in time again to account for the time needed for their friendship to develop. Mike barely knew Cora or anything about her, hadn't even seen her yet. So instead it came across as if he was really just in love with the idea of being in love like his friends.
And Cora is so closed in and mistrusting that it's difficult to believe that she would have put up so little resistance to Mike latching on so tightly and taking over her life.
So I loved the story, but it's a fair-sized road bump, and I had to consciously ask my inner skeptic to be quiet while I finished reading the book. How much it impacts readers will depend on how much blatant insta-love stories bug them.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
First off, this was a really sweet story & I loved the premise. The characters are well done and the writing is engaging. And the scene where Mike proposes to Cora - that they spend Christmas together - was so cute! I loved it!
There were a few issues though. Having pushed time forward at several points in the story already, I was startled by how quickly Mike decides he wants to be more than friends, rather than the author simply skipping forward in time again to account for the time needed for their friendship to develop. Mike barely knew Cora or anything about her, hadn't even seen her yet. So instead it came across as if he was really just in love with the idea of being in love like his friends.
And Cora is so closed in and mistrusting that it's difficult to believe that she would have put up so little resistance to Mike latching on so tightly and taking over her life.
So I loved the story, but it's a fair-sized road bump, and I had to consciously ask my inner skeptic to be quiet while I finished reading the book. How much it impacts readers will depend on how much blatant insta-love stories bug them.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
October 22, 2019
Cora and Mike's story is so tender! When you read about what happens to Cora at the beginning of the book, you can understand her behavior the rest of the book! She is totally afraid to trust others and afraid to make friends. Her goal is to have financial stability and be self-contained, even at the risk of being alone the rest of her life. Mike seems to be happy go lucky but deep down inside, he wants to have that special someone like his military buddies seem to be getting lately but he's not going to show it! He's in a war zone and he needs to focus on his job, but it sure would be nice to email someone who cares about him like his buddies do. Can these two "lost souls" make a difference in each others lives in they can ever find each other? Well, they do have friends in common so we shall see! A very sweet book about how friendship and love can make so much difference!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews