Reviews

A Soldier's Wish by N.R. Walker

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licelotd's review against another edition

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4.75

N.R never lets me down...excellent as always...read it in one sitting

papercranestitches's review

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4.0

I should know by now not to start an NR Walker book before bed. There is no "one more page" or "one more chapter" with Walker's books and me - it's "whelp, I'm going to be tired and bitchy tomorrow at work because there is no way I'm putting this down until I finish it."

But I didn't listen to my better judgment.

I started the book and stayed up far too late and shed more than a few tears and woke up with the worst book hangover. I was tired and bitchy and had a headache all day (thank goodness my boss is on vacation and my workplace was pretty empty for most of the day so the damage was minimized).

But it was totally worth it, you guys. This was yet another stellar book from this series!

bookworm_86's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mommasaystoread's review

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4.0

The angel has arrived in California. It's the Vietnam Era and while the angel's magic may not be needed for the romance in this one, she certainly brings some much needed comfort for a soldier wounded in battle. This one is the most emotional story so far in the series, and some parts are absolutely heart-wrenching. It's also a thoroughly compelling read with a beautiful love story. Gary and Richard are complete opposites in so many ways, but at the same time, they fit perfectly. Gary is everything Richard needs both during and after the war, and the author does an excellent job of showing the turmoil Richard experiences and the toll it takes on him emotionally, and it's done with the utmost respect due a soldier. Everything, from Gary and Richard's first meeting, to their time at Woodstock, the letters back and forth, to finally being together as Richard heals is wonderfully written and kept me turning the pages.

bookcraft's review

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3.0

This felt oddly fluffy to me, given the setting and subject matter.

The angel didn't come into play until really late in the story, and felt shoehorned in to try to make the story fit the series. Unfortunately, it didn't work very well, because not only was the relationship pretty firmly established by the time the angel showed up, but it really didn't need any kind of magical help.

ccgwalt's review

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3.0

3.5 C+

This is a sweet and sometimes moving story, but the quality of writing is not what I'm used to from the author of the Thomas Elkin series or the Red Dirt Heart books.

josy's review

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4.0

suze_1624's review against another edition

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4.0

Despite being written by a favourite author this was the one I was most worried about reading, probably being set in the time of the Vietnam war - should not have worried at all, it was great!
4.5*, not quite to the 5, probably coz of those lingering thoughts.
The war is there as Richard goes but we get it second hand through his letters.
I liked that we had the Woodstock bit - so fun and set me off googling again, then the letters, then the visits and then the SD years followed by a brief Canadien adventure.
Gary was solid and constant throughout - we all need a Gary!
Richards road to recovery shows the plight, and abandonment, of the returning vets.
But for all that it was a light and enjoyable read as two guys go about making a family and traditions in a time when life was difficult for gay people.

tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition

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5.0

A really good read, enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Recommended.

teenykins's review

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4.0

This, this was amazing!!! It made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me happy!! A true Christmas story.

EDIT: I had a nice big review but I decided to delete it 'cos it was more my wonderment about both the political and religious propaganda N.R. Walker raises as an issue within the story than about the story itself. So if you wonder about them go and read it and find out.

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