Love Makes Way

Love and Honor #4

by Hallee Bridgeman

U.S. Army Special Forces sniper Gerald "Jerry" McBride is no stranger to danger, but his heart faces uncharted territory when he reconnects with surgical nurse Olive Duncan. Years after she patched his wounds in a German hospital, their chance reunion at Fort Campbell sparks a romance the sweeps both of them off their feet. When Jerry invites Olive as his plus-one to a friend's wedding on a Caribbean cruise, he's ready to take the leap with a ring in his pocket.
But the ship's idyllic voyage hides a deadly undercurrent. A Chinese-backed plot to smuggle thousands of weapons into Haiti threatens to destabilize the region, and the pirates orchestrating it have infiltrated the crew.
When the pirates take the cruise ship with Jerry's special forces team on board, it turns the wedding venue from a celebration into a battlefield.
They have no weapons and no gear. Can they take back the ship and save the people they love, or will celebration turn to tragedy?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2025

About the author

With nearly a million book sales, USA Today bestselling author Hallee Bridgeman writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy.

An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee and her husband finally settled in central Kentucky so they could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. Hallee’s oldest daughter is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, her middle son struggles as a hexagonal “autism spectrum” peg in this round world, and her youngest son fills the house with wooshes and bangs as he fights imaginary bad guys while wearing a Spiderman costume and wielding a Ninja sword.

When she’s not penning novels, you will find her in the kitchen, which she considers the ‘heart of the home’. Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture.

Hallee has served as the Director of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, President of the Faith-Hope-Love chapter of the Romance Writers of America, is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the American Christian Writers (ACW), and Novelists, Inc. (NINC). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between.

Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you and would love to hear from you. You can reach Hallee at hallee@halleebridgeman.com

Reviews

[Renee Gentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this one for a few years, and it did not disappoint! Love Makes Way hooked me in from the first scene, and I *may* have lost several hours of sleep over it! It was so fun to have appearances from characters in previous books in the series. Jerry and Olive have a very mature approach to their relationship, so there's no real 'this misunderstanding could be cleared up with just one conversation' situation, which I appreciate. There's still plenty of romance and sweet moments, and the action is nail-biting! A fantastic next addition to the series.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Makes Way had me hooked from start to finish. Jerry and Olive are mature characters with a mature approach to their relationship. Fans of faith-filled romantic suspense will enjoy Love Makes Way as it has an engaging plot, fast paced suspense, and wonderful characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping and heartfelt story from Hallee Bridgeman! I’ve read the earlier books in this series more than once, and this one immediately became a favorite. Rich characters, page-turning suspense, and a beautiful HEA kept me engaged from beginning to end. Fans of faith-filled romantic suspense will be delighted with this installment. Hallee Bridgeman is a master storyteller—well done, ma’am.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Makes Way by Hallee Bridgeman is not a story you will cruise through. Although yes, you will end up on a cruise.

The first pages give us the meaning of the jargon to come. In truth, I skipped past that, choosing to let context clues fill me in. And they did. I appreciated all the military jargon and signals. It gave validity. Lifted the story. To me, the story flowed beautifully.

We meet Jerry McBride on a mission. He is shot and taken to a base hospital in Germany, where he meets his nurse. A beautiful redhead that he can't forget. Back in the States, the two happen into each other again.

Jerry continues to be sent on missions. Olive continues her surgical nursing in a hospital in the States. In between, they tried to find time for each other. We watch their relationship grow.

Jerry's friend is getting married and has invited all his buddies and their plus ones. The wedding will take place on a cruise ship. Unbeknownst to anyone on board, pirates have hidden weapons.

The pirates take over after emptying the ship of what they think are all the passengers, not knowing they are interrupting a secret wedding.

Fast action. Great suspense. A wonderful tale for military fiction readers.

Highly recommend.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Jerry and Olive's story!! Jerry and Olive meet when Jerry is injured during one of the team's ops, and Olive was the surgical nurse who took care of him. Now, they meet again at a chapel service. Olive is now out of the military and working at a hospital in KY, and Jerry and his team are there until they're sent out on their next mission. Neither has forgotten the other, and now that they're in the same place, Jerry decides to ask her out. When Jerry needs a plus one for a friend's wedding, he asks Olive to go with him, and tells her it's going to be a cruise ship. Olive goes, and things are going well, until Olive asks Jerry a question in almost the exact same way someone else asked him. Then, their cruise ship is overtaken by pirates. Now, if Jerry and his team can figure out a way to save themselves and their fellow passengers from harm, maybe he and Olive can work things out, too. Love how the team all depends on God, and how they all work together to get the job done. I LOVE this series!!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Valri Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the books I've read by this author. I like military romantic suspense very much. For some reason, I didn't connect as much with this book as I have others by this author. I loved the characters, that wasn't the problem! I also loved the storyline! What's not to love? A wedding on a cruise ship that is suddenly taken over by a Chinese group trying to take weapons to Haiti! Unlucky for this group that the whole wedding party is filled with military personnel!
The part that "bored" me, I guess" was the constant use of every possible military jargon for every single weapon or situation! It's obvious the author is very knowledgeable about military weaponry and that way of life. However, it seemed like every single paragraph was filled with every specific weapon used and the language the characters spoke to each other. It tired me out just reading it! I didn't need to know the intricate details of every scene in every paragraph! It took me out of the overall story many times!
I did enjoy the story, though, and look forward to reading more by Ms. Bridgeman.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When pirates target a cruise ship they get more than they bargained for! They had no idea there was a wedding on board ship for a member of an elite Military Special Operations team where most everyone in attendance was a member of the same unit. You will be on the edge of your chair and you will not be able to put this one down until you know how it ends. Hallee Bridgeman’s attention to details makes you feel like you are in the middle of the action. It is great to read a suspenseful, clean, romance full of brotherhood, and dedication to duty and God. This is a standalone book but you will definitely want to go back and read the earlier stories to see how they came to this point. Don’t miss it!

[Carlien Peens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallee Bridgeman took a well-deserved hiatus for a while but I must tell you I am extremely happy that she is back!
She crafted an exceptional story filled to the brim with suspense, drama, not-blood family, and faith. This story blessed me beyond words!
Jerry and Olive, are in a fight for their lives. Bad guys with plans set on destruction need to be stopped. Luckily there are enough heroes on this exotic cruise ship to fight evil.
This story swept me away(from work) to some friends who were sorely missed. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates awesome fiction!

[Lisa Cobb Sabatini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Military Romances will thoroughly enjoy reading Love Makes Way by Hallee Bridgeman. Beginning with establishing the two protagonists' military credentials and then their budding romantic feelings, the novel presents readers with a cast of characters engaged in every way in the military life. The plot then builds suspense as these characters are drawn into an unexpected situation in which their military training will be called upon to save many lives. Filled with military jargon and procedures, this book in the Love and Honor series will have readers anxious to read more stories in this series.

[hoadbear · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an unexpected delay in completing the Love and Honor series Hallee Bridgeman has returned with what may be her best work yet. Love Makes Way brings this series to an impactful end. I really hate to see this team of elite soldiers go. I have enjoyed this series so much.
Bridgeman pours her heart in to this story and brings the team hold out to his forever love. I am super thankful I am not one of her characters as I do not think I could survive all the drama they encounter! :) If you haven't read this series wait no longer; all the books are now available!

[Diane B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Hallee Bridgeman’s writing, and this book completes the Love & Honor series. I believe. Jerry and Olive met briefly years before, but they have more time to explore a relationship as the book picks up their present circumstances. Military adventure against bad guys is a theme of the series, and even though it’s not expected, the team finds themselves in the thick of it. Olive, a surgical nurse, adds her skills to the group. Military precision, romance and good conquering evil bring the team home.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Makes Way

Jerry and Olive have such a wonderful and adventurous book! I highly recommend this book! Trust me, You will not be disappointed. Olive is a surgical nurse in the Army stationed in Germany when she first meets U. S. Army Special Forces Gerald “ Jerry “ McBride. When they take a cruise to attend the wedding of one of Jerry friends, the team members find themselves defending the wedding party and others from pirates.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have gotten an eARC of this book and it was very well written and a page turner for sure as well as action packed loved the story line and plot and how the author brought them together and I most likely would've rate book a 5 star if it had been in print format
Look forward to reading in print
A real favorite of mine for sure
I highly recommend this book

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about your heart beating out of your chest! That’s exactly the reaction I had while reading this book full of suspense and danger. This author has a way of making the story so real one cannot imagine it’s a work of fiction. And the thread of romance woven throughout, in addition to the acknowledgment of Christ guiding and leading each step, completes the tapestry so beautifully arranged.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting storyline with all the Love and Honor series characters together in a civilian setting using the special teams skills in unexpected ways. I couldn’t put it down! And I’m sad to see that series end.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been way too long since I read a new book by this author...and it was totally awesome

[JEANINE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed. Great end to the series. Loved it.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited a long time for this story and am so glad Ms. Bridgeman has been able to write it. It is engaging, surprising, and full of action. Very enjoyable read. I purchased a copy from the author.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It was different in a good way.