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Navy #2
Navy Blues
Despite her ex-husband's bullheadedness, Carol Kyle knew he'd be the perfect man to father the child she so desperately wanted. Yet she also realized that the strong, honorable man would never allow his child to be raised without a father. So Carol needed to plot, to plan, to maneuver, to seduce Steve into her bed for one last time . . . and then leave once more. Still, the passion when they were together was never the problem -- it was the absences that tore them apart. Had they grown enough to chance trying again -- especially when Carol's plan seemed about to work?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 23, 2003
171 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
895 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 5, 2018
#RitaMacomber
1,5 para Debbie y su Olivetti
No sé ni qué decir, porque es aquello de que cuanto más lees más absurdo te parece. Decir que Steve es obtuso es quedarse corta. Es de esos hombres que coge el submarino cuando no lo tiene que coger, porque estás esperando que se quede en tierra y se le pase de golpe el "cabezonerío" tan grande que tiene y se acabe la historia.
Carol, pues bueno.... es que hay cosas que me han hecho reír de lo absurdas que me han parecido
Y de los boniatos no quiero ni hablar..... lo solucionan todo y te hacen ver la verdad absoluta. Es tremendo, de verdad.
Me he acordado un montón de veces del Sr. de Harlequin que no quiso publicar a Debbie, con todos mis respetos para Debbie pero, ese Sr. no iba desencaminado, al menos con este libro y en mi opinión después de haberlo leído.
1,5 para Debbie y su Olivetti
No sé ni qué decir, porque es aquello de que cuanto más lees más absurdo te parece. Decir que Steve es obtuso es quedarse corta. Es de esos hombres que coge el submarino cuando no lo tiene que coger, porque estás esperando que se quede en tierra y se le pase de golpe el "cabezonerío" tan grande que tiene y se acabe la historia.
Carol, pues bueno.... es que hay cosas que me han hecho reír de lo absurdas que me han parecido
Y de los boniatos no quiero ni hablar..... lo solucionan todo y te hacen ver la verdad absoluta. Es tremendo, de verdad.
Me he acordado un montón de veces del Sr. de Harlequin que no quiso publicar a Debbie, con todos mis respetos para Debbie pero, ese Sr. no iba desencaminado, al menos con este libro y en mi opinión después de haberlo leído.
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December 10, 2018La reseña en el blog http://alacamaconunlibro.blogspot.com...
February 25, 2019
This is the second book in Debbie Macomber’s “Navy” series.
As much as I love her writing (Heart of Texas/Promise, Texas series; Cedar Cove Series; Blossom Street Series; and Dakota Series – have yet to read the “Rose Harbor” series) – this “Navy” series after two books, is starting to wear on me.
Since I had “Navy Wife”, I got the rest of the books: “Navy Blues”, “Navy Brat”, and “Navy Woman”. I also need “Navy Baby” and “Navy Husband” (part of the “Navy Families” book), which I am not sure I want after reading this one.
This book features Steve Kyle, the older brother of Lindy (“Navy Wife”), who is divorced from his wife Caro. The reason? Her “alleged” infidelity – this is based on a miscommunication which is never really clarified.
Carol, hearing her biological clock ticking, wants a baby. Knowing her ex-husband, and still having feelings for him, thinks he’s perfect to be the father. This is despite the fact he accused her of cheating on him which lead to their divorce.
She tricks him into spending Christmas with her – and that doesn’t do the trick. One month later, she’s lucky – she’s pregnant. Thinking they’re on solid footing again, and might re-kindle their romance, she waits to tell him the good news until he returns from sea duty.
Steve isn’t happy – he isn’t even pleased. He, throughout most of the book, believes the baby is someone else’s and grows to “try to accept” the child because he loves Carol. Carol is heart-broken. She has emergency surgery which thankfully doesn’t result in the pregnancy terminating which Steve isn’t too upset about – that way when they try again (which isn’t needed), there would be no question of who the father is.
This constant tug-of-war isn’t resolved until nearly the birth of the child.
To be candid – this novel was half-way titled properly “Blues”. It made me heart-broken for Carol that Steve was such an a$$. I’m sorry, but as much as I love a good romance – I wouldn’t go back to someone who thought I was dishonest or unfaithful when I hadn’t been – especially being pregnant. More of this seemed to be Steve’s own insecurities which were, dare I say, immature. I agree with one reviewer with the amount of anger and resentment shown by Steve. Also, while I understand that military life isn’t easy, I don’t think the way Steve acted outside of his work was conduct unbecoming. I felt Carol was too needy. Yes, she still loved him, but the miscommunication and his distrust of her was insulting to her.
Again, the graphic sex scenes are a turn off and I felt like a voyeur for reading them. Some might like it, others may not. Since this is just my opinion and preference – take it for what it is worth. For me, it’s an FYI to future readers who might want the cleaner romances.
Since this is some of Debbie’s earlier work, and a “notorious” Harlequin romance novel, I gave it a chance. This is not her best work, however If not for these early novels we perhaps wouldn’t have some of the better work today. Anyone wanting an introduction to her work – I’d recommend the series I mentioned earlier in this review.
I’ve read “Navy Brat” which I will be reviewing, and am in the middle of “Navy Woman”.
As much as I love her writing (Heart of Texas/Promise, Texas series; Cedar Cove Series; Blossom Street Series; and Dakota Series – have yet to read the “Rose Harbor” series) – this “Navy” series after two books, is starting to wear on me.
Since I had “Navy Wife”, I got the rest of the books: “Navy Blues”, “Navy Brat”, and “Navy Woman”. I also need “Navy Baby” and “Navy Husband” (part of the “Navy Families” book), which I am not sure I want after reading this one.
This book features Steve Kyle, the older brother of Lindy (“Navy Wife”), who is divorced from his wife Caro. The reason? Her “alleged” infidelity – this is based on a miscommunication which is never really clarified.
Carol, hearing her biological clock ticking, wants a baby. Knowing her ex-husband, and still having feelings for him, thinks he’s perfect to be the father. This is despite the fact he accused her of cheating on him which lead to their divorce.
She tricks him into spending Christmas with her – and that doesn’t do the trick. One month later, she’s lucky – she’s pregnant. Thinking they’re on solid footing again, and might re-kindle their romance, she waits to tell him the good news until he returns from sea duty.
Steve isn’t happy – he isn’t even pleased. He, throughout most of the book, believes the baby is someone else’s and grows to “try to accept” the child because he loves Carol. Carol is heart-broken. She has emergency surgery which thankfully doesn’t result in the pregnancy terminating which Steve isn’t too upset about – that way when they try again (which isn’t needed), there would be no question of who the father is.
This constant tug-of-war isn’t resolved until nearly the birth of the child.
To be candid – this novel was half-way titled properly “Blues”. It made me heart-broken for Carol that Steve was such an a$$. I’m sorry, but as much as I love a good romance – I wouldn’t go back to someone who thought I was dishonest or unfaithful when I hadn’t been – especially being pregnant. More of this seemed to be Steve’s own insecurities which were, dare I say, immature. I agree with one reviewer with the amount of anger and resentment shown by Steve. Also, while I understand that military life isn’t easy, I don’t think the way Steve acted outside of his work was conduct unbecoming. I felt Carol was too needy. Yes, she still loved him, but the miscommunication and his distrust of her was insulting to her.
Again, the graphic sex scenes are a turn off and I felt like a voyeur for reading them. Some might like it, others may not. Since this is just my opinion and preference – take it for what it is worth. For me, it’s an FYI to future readers who might want the cleaner romances.
Since this is some of Debbie’s earlier work, and a “notorious” Harlequin romance novel, I gave it a chance. This is not her best work, however If not for these early novels we perhaps wouldn’t have some of the better work today. Anyone wanting an introduction to her work – I’d recommend the series I mentioned earlier in this review.
I’ve read “Navy Brat” which I will be reviewing, and am in the middle of “Navy Woman”.
May 11, 2018
The blurb for this book states that it includes "affable" characters and I had to look up the definition of affable - just in case I have a basic misunderstanding for the word. Turns out I don't. The definition of affable is: friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
The two main characters in this book, Steve & Carol are the least affable characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. Steve is unbearable, completely pig-headed, disrespectful, and beyond insufferable. How anyone could ever have a conversation, much less hold a torch for, MUCH LESS is. beyond. me.
Carol is hardly any better. Her plotting and manipulation is just.....awful.
I try not to write negative reviews. My mother taught me to treat others how I want to be treated. But .. this book was just a lot of things, and likable was not one of them for me. The only thing I "sort of" enjoyed was seeing the progression of Rush & Lindy. They were so much more enjoyable once I had to put up with Steve & Carol.
The two main characters in this book, Steve & Carol are the least affable characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. Steve is unbearable, completely pig-headed, disrespectful, and beyond insufferable. How anyone could ever have a conversation, much less hold a torch for, MUCH LESS is. beyond. me.
Carol is hardly any better. Her plotting and manipulation is just.....awful.
I try not to write negative reviews. My mother taught me to treat others how I want to be treated. But .. this book was just a lot of things, and likable was not one of them for me. The only thing I "sort of" enjoyed was seeing the progression of Rush & Lindy. They were so much more enjoyable once I had to put up with Steve & Carol.
May 24, 2013
I didn't find this to be as good as her other books, and came away from it feeling rather disappointed. The entire book left a bad taste in my mouth, as I couldn't connect to the amount of anger and poor judgement the characters show. It left me frustrated at the characters the whole time, but not rooting for them. So, two stars: one since I finished it, and two since she made me, as a reader, feel something strongly (even if it was a negative emotion, I greatly admire authors that can pen words that move you). I am still a fan of her work, in general, and will read on in the series.
February 7, 2020
Carol Kyle was Steve Kyle's wife. Steve is a jerk. They'd been married for 5 years and clearly he didn't trust her. He assumed she'd had an affair on him, so he divorced her. A year later, as Carol is turning 30, she realizes her "clock" is ticking and wants a baby, so she scheme's to entice Steve to her "bed" so he can father the child. Carol is a jerk too. Along the way apparently they decide they still love each other. The whole premise of this book, the "scheme", is laughable. He says all these mean things to her but not once does Carol suggest he see a therapist for his "shit", and neither does anyone else. If they were real people would be screaming at them, "GET COUNSELING!!!"... Carol gets pregnant (somehow she's become psychic and knows it's a girl), then gets sick with gall bladder problems. She has her gall bladder removed, but during surgery she supposedly almost dies. Whatever... By the end of the book everything is just fine in La-la land...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2018
Navy Blues is by Debbie Macomber. This is a delightful story of second chances set in Seattle. Steve Kyle and his wife Carol had divorced after he finds her boss in their bathroom taking shower when he comes home early. Carol denies having an affair; but he divorces her anyway. A year has gone by and he still thinks of her often and still loves her; but can’t get beyond his suspicions. Carol, still in love with her ex, decides it is time to have a baby and after what he put her through, she decides Steve owes her one. Set sets out to seduce him on Christmas Eve but it backfires! The two just can’t get enough of each other. By the time he sets out on maneuvers again, she is pregnant; but all is not smooth sailing. She is really sick and he doesn’t believe the baby is his. How will the come to terms with what is happening?
November 28, 2017
Ugh! If book one was a carousel ride, then this one is a tilt-a-world ride. Around and around, up and down. The characters love each other, the characters can't stand one another, the characters are ready to get remarried, the characters are berating each other, the characters have a love scene, the characters jump to conclusions and walk out. You can definitely tell that Macomber's writing changed from her early books, there are hints of what would later become"her style" (like the coffee drinking) but the romance scenes just make me roll my eyes and skip ahead. This one was not for me.
December 18, 2022
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Classic Debbie Macomber.
I could almost say word-for-word what I wrote about Navy Wife, the first book in Debbie Macomber’s Navy series but I won’t 😊. While this story was a bit dated, I still loved it. Kristin Kalbli did a fantastic job performing the audiobook.
This was a great second chance story. A stubborn husband (now ex-husband) who refused to believe what his wife told him. Now she wants a baby and doesn’t mind luring him into her bed to help accomplish that goal. This creates a new problem and he’s still stubborn and won’t believe her. The story isn’t too angsty and they do finally get their HEA.
I'm sure I read this book with my eyes many years ago but I enjoyed it even more listening to this audio version.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request. My review was voluntary and not influenced by the author or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Classic Debbie Macomber.
I could almost say word-for-word what I wrote about Navy Wife, the first book in Debbie Macomber’s Navy series but I won’t 😊. While this story was a bit dated, I still loved it. Kristin Kalbli did a fantastic job performing the audiobook.
This was a great second chance story. A stubborn husband (now ex-husband) who refused to believe what his wife told him. Now she wants a baby and doesn’t mind luring him into her bed to help accomplish that goal. This creates a new problem and he’s still stubborn and won’t believe her. The story isn’t too angsty and they do finally get their HEA.
I'm sure I read this book with my eyes many years ago but I enjoyed it even more listening to this audio version.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request. My review was voluntary and not influenced by the author or narrator.
July 21, 2019
Baby Girl!
Incredible amount of problems kept creeping up in the Kyle family's lives. Steve was a career Navy officer which meant he was deployed on a sub for three months at a time with no contact with his family during that time. Their physical attraction was not a problem at all but convincing Steve that his wife had remained loyal was difficult when her boss was coming out of their shower when Steve came home...
Incredible amount of problems kept creeping up in the Kyle family's lives. Steve was a career Navy officer which meant he was deployed on a sub for three months at a time with no contact with his family during that time. Their physical attraction was not a problem at all but convincing Steve that his wife had remained loyal was difficult when her boss was coming out of their shower when Steve came home...
August 29, 2025
Only read this as it was combined with “Navy Wife” in one book. To state it has to do with the Navy is misleading. There were only short references to navy life. Nothing indepth. I generally enjoy Debbie Macomber’s work. This was awful. The repetitive sex scenes were unnecessary. The plot has shallow. I realize this is some of Ms. Macomber’s early work. In the future, I will make sure to check the publication date and avoid earlier works.
April 15, 2020
The characters and their situation was just not realistic to me. Both characters annoyed me, and Carol enraged me. The lack of communication was just too extreme for people technically in a six-year relationship. I just could not connect the characters and care about the 'consequence' of them not working, especially since the consequence was already a reality when the book started.
February 8, 2021
I only give this three stars because i absolutely HATED the character Steve. He’s such an ass, he created all these stories in his mind ruining his own relationship and not taking any responsibility or accountability for his decisions. He was so disrespectful to Carol. However, like the first book and most books in the series it was an easy, while irritating, read.
September 27, 2022
Wow if there ever was a misunderstanding this book had quite a few of them! I wanted to shake the characters and say open your eyes! Don’t ruin a good thing when you have it. Angst through the book. Hurt, love, flip flopping about like fish being tossed back into the water! But of course it’s a love story so all ends well. Thank goodness!
September 3, 2024
Wonderful!
What a perfect second book in this series! I loved it and can't wait to read book number 3. This book made me laugh at Carol and Steve at their love/hate relationship! Towards the end, I got tears in my eyes, it was so bittersweet. Debbie Macomber did a great job with this series!
What a perfect second book in this series! I loved it and can't wait to read book number 3. This book made me laugh at Carol and Steve at their love/hate relationship! Towards the end, I got tears in my eyes, it was so bittersweet. Debbie Macomber did a great job with this series!
December 24, 2019
Because Carol Kyle wants to be a mom so she schemes to get her estranged ex husband to sleep with her in order to get pregnant. When she tries to tell her ex the baby is his he goes into total denial and accuses her of having an affair. A realistic story about being a military spouse.
August 13, 2020
Another tale of life in the navy. Taking her tale Debbie adds new characters and stories bringing Steve’s and Carols past to the future. Both stubborn loving each other but not knowing how they navigate and find their happily ever after
May 16, 2021
THIS SEQUEL GET INTERESTING FOR ME!
In this book only title tell more about "navy" rather than book I think, nevertheless this love story appeals me more than I waited. I really liked the main character Carol, but Steve is approximately 60% good as for me. Mistrust of Steve to Carol became hilarious throughout the story.
In this book I liked Carol's stubborn decisions about getting pregnant , 'cause these scenes the most interesting and funny parts of this book. For example: with Christmas tree 🌲 and etc. Briefly I'm talking about seducing Steve scenes...
Okay, thank you Debbie Macomber for this funny, sexy, short, irritating story.
In this book only title tell more about "navy" rather than book I think, nevertheless this love story appeals me more than I waited. I really liked the main character Carol, but Steve is approximately 60% good as for me. Mistrust of Steve to Carol became hilarious throughout the story.
In this book I liked Carol's stubborn decisions about getting pregnant , 'cause these scenes the most interesting and funny parts of this book. For example: with Christmas tree 🌲 and etc. Briefly I'm talking about seducing Steve scenes...
Okay, thank you Debbie Macomber for this funny, sexy, short, irritating story.
December 31, 2022
Second time with this book. First time I read it the second was an audio book. Again, Debbie has developed her characters well and let the story line open ended to continue with the series. Will be reading/listening to book 3 soon.
January 31, 2024
There were aspects of the characters’ situations and reactions that were interesting to read about and ponder. However, that oftentimes was the impetus of the plot and it continued on and on such that for me, I lost interest.
December 24, 2024
Story was good but explicit sex scenes ruined it for me. Took all I had and lots of skipping to finish. Did a little more looking at the rest of series and decided I am not reading. I’ll stick with DM later books.
May 28, 2025
Very touching book!
I love how you could just imagine everything you read. Debbie Mariner is a very talented author. It gave you a truly great imagine of what its like to be a military wife and the struggles of there separations. I would highly recommend this book to other women.
I love how you could just imagine everything you read. Debbie Mariner is a very talented author. It gave you a truly great imagine of what its like to be a military wife and the struggles of there separations. I would highly recommend this book to other women.
October 3, 2025
All of her Navy Babies series are intertwined. I read this years ago, but it was a fast two-hour revisit!
The couple divorced due to misunderstandings.
Now, she wants a baby!
P.S. She gets one.
I had forgotten the whoppie in Macomber's books was so detailed! LOL
The couple divorced due to misunderstandings.
Now, she wants a baby!
P.S. She gets one.
I had forgotten the whoppie in Macomber's books was so detailed! LOL
November 3, 2017
Just a good book, not like a lot of her's I've read, but I enjoyed it and it was a quick read!
February 11, 2018
Quick read
April 9, 2018
More like a 2 and a half star read. Not bad but not really good either, too predictable.
May 13, 2018
This book is a solid 3.5 stars. Decent and I will keep the book, but not an over the top read.
December 11, 2018
Enjoying the series
January 3, 2019
Great book
Love the author and the fact that it refers to the seattle area. Made me laugh and cry at the same time!!
Love the author and the fact that it refers to the seattle area. Made me laugh and cry at the same time!!
March 24, 2019
Communication and trust is important in a relationship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews