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The Soldier's Refuge
When two friends rediscover one another…
It might be for keeps.
Natalie Tuttle fled her hometown—and its humiliations—for big-city life. When she must return after her mother falls ill, the last person she wants to see is Jaxon Stringfellow, the onetime friend who shattered her heart. But military veteran Jax is so much more than the boy he once was. And he’s coming to terms with his own demons. Can Nat grant him the forgiveness he seeks…and so much more?
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove
Book 1: The Soldier's Refuge
It might be for keeps.
Natalie Tuttle fled her hometown—and its humiliations—for big-city life. When she must return after her mother falls ill, the last person she wants to see is Jaxon Stringfellow, the onetime friend who shattered her heart. But military veteran Jax is so much more than the boy he once was. And he’s coming to terms with his own demons. Can Nat grant him the forgiveness he seeks…and so much more?
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove
Book 1: The Soldier's Refuge
- GenresRomance
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 23, 2023
9 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina York
99 books1,492 followersNew 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
To check out coming books visit www.sabrinayork.com
Amazon Page: amazon.com/author/sabrinayork
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
Twitter: @sabrina_york
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 28, 2023
Brats and Vets
I am a Vet myself which could be why I like the Author. Her being a brat, well it kinda gives us something in common besides books. She writes them, I read them. Anyway, there were so many things in this story I could identify with. I may not be a brat, but I am very close with with more than one. I may not have night terror like Jax, but I do have PTSD and understand it. Then there is the artistic aspect of this story. I work in a different medium, but I also get the passion and focus of an artist. A beautiful story with interesting characters. I look forward to more of this series.
I am a Vet myself which could be why I like the Author. Her being a brat, well it kinda gives us something in common besides books. She writes them, I read them. Anyway, there were so many things in this story I could identify with. I may not be a brat, but I am very close with with more than one. I may not have night terror like Jax, but I do have PTSD and understand it. Then there is the artistic aspect of this story. I work in a different medium, but I also get the passion and focus of an artist. A beautiful story with interesting characters. I look forward to more of this series.
June 3, 2023
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
The Soldier’s Refuge begins The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove series with a poignant romance between two people who have an unpleasant high school history and have been through so much in the years since that they are both, in their own way, wounded souls searching for something. Forgiveness? Redemption? Justice? Yes, and perhaps something more… peace. Peace with the past and something more for the present than long held-onto memories and hurts that simply are not being mended by time alone.
Natalie left Coho Cove the moment she turned eighteen and never looked back. Oh, she’s returned for very brief visits to her mother and sisters — but she was quite happy to shake off the dust and the memories of this small town and the high school students who took such great delight in bullying her. Especially the one boy who she had a crush on, who she thought was her friend… only to have Jaxon deliver the worst nightmare of her teen years. Too bad, since to this day he still wanders freely around her mind. She won’t forgive, but she also cannot forget.
Jaxon returned home a broken man. His time in the military has left him with PTSD and an almost desperate need for solitude. It’s taken him years of therapy, discipline, and hard work to get to the point he is today… still broken, but maybe not as much. When Natalie returned home to help take care of her mother, he finally has the chance to apologize for the horrendous thing that happened between them in high school. If, and that’s a big if, she will let him.
I enjoyed Natalie and Jaxon’s story so much. I loved that art connected them in such a strong way without either being truly aware of it at first. Natalie is an art director in film, and television and Jaxon is a wood carving artist (and also part of his art therapy). Their story is at times very painful to read; bullying tactics remembered always are. Watching them come to terms with their shared past was emotional and eventually satisfying. Family is always complicated, and Natalie’s is no less. Misconceptions play a part, but distance and the past do as well for her and her sisters as they all deal with their mother’s declining health.
There is something subtle about Jax and Nat’s story that caught my attention in a good, satisfying way. Through descriptions of the locations, the homes, and the community center, or through dialogue we are told that there are many Indigenous Americans within this world; some characters who are now (or will be in the future ) the main focus of the story. There wasn’t a proclamation of that fact, simply a natural, developing part of the story. Now, I am a melting pot of backgrounds so I cannot speak for anyone but myself in that The Soldier’s Refuge told me a wonderful, emotional tale in a way that gave me a look into another culture’s life in a way that felt natural, it simply is the life these characters live. It was subtle but also stood out in my memory of this story.
Natalie and Jaxon gave The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove series a strong foundation, an emotional journey that ended in a promising future for two very deserving people. I’ll eagerly be watching for the next release in this series.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
The Soldier’s Refuge begins The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove series with a poignant romance between two people who have an unpleasant high school history and have been through so much in the years since that they are both, in their own way, wounded souls searching for something. Forgiveness? Redemption? Justice? Yes, and perhaps something more… peace. Peace with the past and something more for the present than long held-onto memories and hurts that simply are not being mended by time alone.
Natalie left Coho Cove the moment she turned eighteen and never looked back. Oh, she’s returned for very brief visits to her mother and sisters — but she was quite happy to shake off the dust and the memories of this small town and the high school students who took such great delight in bullying her. Especially the one boy who she had a crush on, who she thought was her friend… only to have Jaxon deliver the worst nightmare of her teen years. Too bad, since to this day he still wanders freely around her mind. She won’t forgive, but she also cannot forget.
Jaxon returned home a broken man. His time in the military has left him with PTSD and an almost desperate need for solitude. It’s taken him years of therapy, discipline, and hard work to get to the point he is today… still broken, but maybe not as much. When Natalie returned home to help take care of her mother, he finally has the chance to apologize for the horrendous thing that happened between them in high school. If, and that’s a big if, she will let him.
I enjoyed Natalie and Jaxon’s story so much. I loved that art connected them in such a strong way without either being truly aware of it at first. Natalie is an art director in film, and television and Jaxon is a wood carving artist (and also part of his art therapy). Their story is at times very painful to read; bullying tactics remembered always are. Watching them come to terms with their shared past was emotional and eventually satisfying. Family is always complicated, and Natalie’s is no less. Misconceptions play a part, but distance and the past do as well for her and her sisters as they all deal with their mother’s declining health.
There is something subtle about Jax and Nat’s story that caught my attention in a good, satisfying way. Through descriptions of the locations, the homes, and the community center, or through dialogue we are told that there are many Indigenous Americans within this world; some characters who are now (or will be in the future ) the main focus of the story. There wasn’t a proclamation of that fact, simply a natural, developing part of the story. Now, I am a melting pot of backgrounds so I cannot speak for anyone but myself in that The Soldier’s Refuge told me a wonderful, emotional tale in a way that gave me a look into another culture’s life in a way that felt natural, it simply is the life these characters live. It was subtle but also stood out in my memory of this story.
Natalie and Jaxon gave The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove series a strong foundation, an emotional journey that ended in a promising future for two very deserving people. I’ll eagerly be watching for the next release in this series.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
February 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this first book in The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove. From almost the first page you can feel the pain of childhood. We all have gone through something as a kid but being bullied has to be the worse. I didn't like it as a kid, and it still pulls at my heart as an adult. Having a crush on a boy and then him breaking your heart and siding with the bullies it just sometimes too much.
You understand why Natalie has left her small town and refused to come back. She wasn't treated very well when she was younger and had no one, not even those closest to her to stick up for her. She loves her family but her one sister always finds fault with her even when she doesn't do anything wrong. He mother is pretty much the same way. Her other sister is the main reason she finally comes home after her mother's fall. She comes to help her out.
Right away you feel the tension within this family. Natalie is already strung pretty tight with coming home but the interaction between her and her family stresses her out and confuses her at the same time. In a small way she misses home. When she runs into Jaxon, she remembers all those childhood feelings she had for her.
There is a lot that happens in the story, and you get to see things from other people's sides which I really liked. Jaxon was able to get forgiveness and Natalie learned to move on from her childhood. Our pasts shape us and sometimes we rise up from that past and become better people, other times we are stuck in the past and the glory of yesterday.
This a good story of forgiveness and new love. The story moves quickly, and the funny part is most of the upset isn't between Natalie and Jaxon, it's more about her and her family. I like how Jaxon and Natalie fell back into a friendship and opened up to each other. They have much in common and that helps. The best part is seeing others with adult eyes instead of a kid.
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October 22, 2023
This book contains my two least favourite romance tropes:
1. Men who talk to each other like women. Nora Roberts has done a lot of this: "So, Tom, do you think you'll take her to bed? Will you make love?" Much as I dislike "all men do ____ and all women do ____" - personalities and actions are highly individual and land on a spectrum - I couldn't shake the feeling that I was listening to Grease's "Summer Nights" when Jax was talking to his buddy. I can't explain it. I can just say that Jax was very... OK, Jax was gentler and more in tune with his feelings than any guy I've known. I mean, he cried when they had sex for the first time.
2. A successful woman with a great career who gives it all up to move back to F-ckberg to be with a man.
Come to think of it, I have NEVER read a story like this where the guy moved. Ever.
1. Men who talk to each other like women. Nora Roberts has done a lot of this: "So, Tom, do you think you'll take her to bed? Will you make love?" Much as I dislike "all men do ____ and all women do ____" - personalities and actions are highly individual and land on a spectrum - I couldn't shake the feeling that I was listening to Grease's "Summer Nights" when Jax was talking to his buddy. I can't explain it. I can just say that Jax was very... OK, Jax was gentler and more in tune with his feelings than any guy I've known. I mean, he cried when they had sex for the first time.
2. A successful woman with a great career who gives it all up to move back to F-ckberg to be with a man.
Come to think of it, I have NEVER read a story like this where the guy moved. Ever.
August 3, 2023
Jaxon Stringfellow has returned to his hometown of Coho Cove in Washington State, after leaving the military with PTSD. But his woodworking sculpture business helps. And back in town now is Natalie Tuttle, art director for a popular television show in LA, to help her two sisters take care of their mother, who is recovering from a stroke. And Natalie hates the town, not able to forget the humiliation in high school, that Jax was part of. But 10 years later, can they reconnect?
Nice start to the series.
Nice start to the series.
December 10, 2023
I received this in paperback as a free read ARC as part of the Street Team and in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this storyline. Sweet, but sad too, and a good story involving returning military and their struggles. Cast of characters interesting and I love Sabrina's work. I recently received and read book #2, posted a review, and liked this book just as much. I look forward to book #3 when available in 2024 and reading all three in a row/without a wait in between, to catch the mentions of previous books in the newer books. Happy Reading!
I loved this storyline. Sweet, but sad too, and a good story involving returning military and their struggles. Cast of characters interesting and I love Sabrina's work. I recently received and read book #2, posted a review, and liked this book just as much. I look forward to book #3 when available in 2024 and reading all three in a row/without a wait in between, to catch the mentions of previous books in the newer books. Happy Reading!
May 24, 2023
I love this story! The characters are so real, the author did a great job telling their story in a way you can relate. They knew each other when they were kids and were friends until something happened. Now Natalie is back to help with her mom and runs into Jax. This is the story of 2 people getting to know who they are now and family. It's a wonderful story that you'll love! Can't wait for more!
December 11, 2023
In Sabrina York's newest release, she's combined two of my favs--second chance and friends to lovers (or enemies depending on your feelings on the start of the book). Snarky wit, heartwarming family characters and a happily ever after that I've grown to expect from one of Sabrina's romances, the Soldier's Refuge has it all. Loved and highly recommend!
February 8, 2024
I liked this book. It had some funny moments, but also some sweet ones. I liked both main charcters. They both had some growth and realization of what is important in their lives. Overall, an enjoyable story.
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May 2, 2023Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove (Book #1)
Miniseries
The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove (Book #1)
December 4, 2023
Terrific story about two people with painful pasts who find peace, healing, and love when they return to their hometown. Natalie shook the dust of Coho Cove from her shoes as soon as she graduated from high school. The painful memories of those years still haunt her, especially the one betrayal that broke her heart. When she returns to help her sisters care for their mother, Jax is the last person she wants to see.
Jax also left town after graduation and joined the military, returning home a changed man. Thanks to his PTSD, he craves solitude and spends most of his time in his studio. Years of therapy and hard work have helped somewhat. He is still haunted by his mistake with Natalie and hopes her return will allow him to finally apologize.
I loved watching the relationship develop between Natalie and Jax. A stunned Natalie listens to Jax as he apologizes despite her lingering anger and hurt. She never expected that to happen. I loved watching them reconnect and rekindle their friendship and then see that friendship grow into more. I loved how they understood each other and their traumas and how the depth of that understanding intensified their connection. The scene after Jax's nightmare was incredibly moving, and his reaction was heart-wrenching. On the other hand, I loved Jax's support when Natalie encountered the bullies of her teen years and how that helped her put that past behind her. But as their feelings for each other deepen there are obstacles to overcome, such as her work in LA and his need for the peace of their small town. I loved how they faced their fears, looking deep inside themselves to understand what had changed and what they wanted moving forward. The ending was terrific; I hope to see more of them in future books.
The secondary characters were fantastic, showing the importance and complexities of family. Because of her flight from home and reluctance to return, Natalie's relationships with her mother and sisters are strained and complicated. Her mother's stroke has changed her. Gone is the polished woman who did everything possible to enhance her husband's military career. In her place is someone who is blunt and not much interested in what other people think. Natalie's sisters, Amy and Celeste, have been carrying the load and aren't shy about sharing that it's Natalie's turn. Jax's sister, Sheida, was fantastic. I loved her caring nature and how it comes out with her work, friends, and family. She worries about Jax and constantly fusses at him about not getting out. She also tries to fix him up with random women. She's excited when Natalie comes home and wants her to stay, so she tries to match Natalie with her male friends.
I enjoyed reading about Natalie's background as a military kid. As a Marine junior and Marine wife, I am familiar with the challenges of a transient lifestyle, and Natalie's story hit home. It isn't always easy to make friends as a child or adult, and I ached for Natalie and her high school experience. I could also identify with her memories of the benefits of her travels. Her comment about trips to Munich and Paris from Stuttgart, Germany, resonated with me because I currently live in Stuttgart, and the travel opportunities have been incredible. The culture shock from Europe to a tiny American town made Natalie's transition much more difficult.
Jax also left town after graduation and joined the military, returning home a changed man. Thanks to his PTSD, he craves solitude and spends most of his time in his studio. Years of therapy and hard work have helped somewhat. He is still haunted by his mistake with Natalie and hopes her return will allow him to finally apologize.
I loved watching the relationship develop between Natalie and Jax. A stunned Natalie listens to Jax as he apologizes despite her lingering anger and hurt. She never expected that to happen. I loved watching them reconnect and rekindle their friendship and then see that friendship grow into more. I loved how they understood each other and their traumas and how the depth of that understanding intensified their connection. The scene after Jax's nightmare was incredibly moving, and his reaction was heart-wrenching. On the other hand, I loved Jax's support when Natalie encountered the bullies of her teen years and how that helped her put that past behind her. But as their feelings for each other deepen there are obstacles to overcome, such as her work in LA and his need for the peace of their small town. I loved how they faced their fears, looking deep inside themselves to understand what had changed and what they wanted moving forward. The ending was terrific; I hope to see more of them in future books.
The secondary characters were fantastic, showing the importance and complexities of family. Because of her flight from home and reluctance to return, Natalie's relationships with her mother and sisters are strained and complicated. Her mother's stroke has changed her. Gone is the polished woman who did everything possible to enhance her husband's military career. In her place is someone who is blunt and not much interested in what other people think. Natalie's sisters, Amy and Celeste, have been carrying the load and aren't shy about sharing that it's Natalie's turn. Jax's sister, Sheida, was fantastic. I loved her caring nature and how it comes out with her work, friends, and family. She worries about Jax and constantly fusses at him about not getting out. She also tries to fix him up with random women. She's excited when Natalie comes home and wants her to stay, so she tries to match Natalie with her male friends.
I enjoyed reading about Natalie's background as a military kid. As a Marine junior and Marine wife, I am familiar with the challenges of a transient lifestyle, and Natalie's story hit home. It isn't always easy to make friends as a child or adult, and I ached for Natalie and her high school experience. I could also identify with her memories of the benefits of her travels. Her comment about trips to Munich and Paris from Stuttgart, Germany, resonated with me because I currently live in Stuttgart, and the travel opportunities have been incredible. The culture shock from Europe to a tiny American town made Natalie's transition much more difficult.
May 22, 2023
A SOLDIER’S REFUGE is the first in Sabrina York’s new series, The Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove.
Artistic director Natalie Tuttle is finally back in Coho Cove for a visit. She left the small town behind years ago, immediately after graduating from high school, leaving it and the achingly painful experiences and memories of being shown time and again what an outsider she was. However her mother’s health crisis means her sisters really need her help and support, so she’s reluctantly returned temporarily.
Jaxon Stringfellow is also back in town, but to stay. He’s missed Natalie and their steady friendship way back when. But he’s not the same kid he was back then, and that’s something both of them will need to face.
Sabrina York’s story is lonely and frustrating and lovely and joyful and oh so satisfying. Natalie and Jax need to confront their pasts and differences before they can find their way forward. And when they do, they find it can be glorious indeed. A beautiful start to this family centered series.
Artistic director Natalie Tuttle is finally back in Coho Cove for a visit. She left the small town behind years ago, immediately after graduating from high school, leaving it and the achingly painful experiences and memories of being shown time and again what an outsider she was. However her mother’s health crisis means her sisters really need her help and support, so she’s reluctantly returned temporarily.
Jaxon Stringfellow is also back in town, but to stay. He’s missed Natalie and their steady friendship way back when. But he’s not the same kid he was back then, and that’s something both of them will need to face.
Sabrina York’s story is lonely and frustrating and lovely and joyful and oh so satisfying. Natalie and Jax need to confront their pasts and differences before they can find their way forward. And when they do, they find it can be glorious indeed. A beautiful start to this family centered series.
May 23, 2023
The Soldier's Refuge is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York. Ms. York's wordsmith talents shine in this well-written book. This is a friends to enemies to ??? story is fast-paced and filled with outstanding characters. Natalie, the nerd that never fit in in high school is back in town after her mother's stroke. Jax is a military veteran with PTSD and night terrors, and is the worst of Natalie's memories from high school. Natalie and Jax's story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle and a touch of suspense. I loved every page of this book and warn you, this book is impossible to put down once you start it. The Soldier's Refuge is book 1 of The Tuttle Sisters Of Coho Cove Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.
I read a print copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read a print copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 28, 2023
I loved the first book in @sabrinayorkhrh new series Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove - Natalie comes back to town to help her family after her mum’s health crisis, despite the waves of old humiliations and feelings of not belonging she Carrie’s with her from school. Jaxon Stringfellow is the boy who shattered her heart and the one person she didn’t want to run into. Jaxon is a military veteran who has his own demons he’s fighting to overcome and is a very different man to the boy Natalie once knew. This story is every bit emotional, real and relatable with second chances, close family ties and the perfect launching point for the next story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews