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teresajluvs2read's review against another edition
5.0
**I received a copy of An Everyday Hero from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. **
An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is the second book in her A Heart of a Hero series. This was such a wonderful book that I had a hard time putting it down and I'd say its worth all 5 stars and many more. I truly can't wait for the next book perhaps Dr Ryan and Karen could get a book in the future?
Greer Hadley has come back to Madison, TN after trying to make it big in Nashville. But a few too many drinks, a cheating ex-boyfriend and attacking a juke box has lead to community service hours at Music Foundation courtesy of the Judge (her uncle). Her first client is a surly 15 year old girl, Ally, whose active duty father was recently killed. Can Greer use her music talents on Ally and bring her the love and also help her mother who's lost without her husband ?
Emmet Lawson doesn't want to be a hero as he feels like he failed to keep his soldiers safe but he's Greer's second client and she'll find out that he's going to need more than music to give peace after losing one of his teammates and his leg to a IED. Because they went to school together hopefully she can convince him to put away his shotgun and whiskey and realize that he find himself with the help of Greer, Ally and his parents horse farm. All three of them will need to find their way again when given a second chance to start over in Madison. When Ally needs help for her mother Greer and Emmett won't hesitate to be there giving them both the help they need.
An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is the second book in her A Heart of a Hero series. This was such a wonderful book that I had a hard time putting it down and I'd say its worth all 5 stars and many more. I truly can't wait for the next book perhaps Dr Ryan and Karen could get a book in the future?
Greer Hadley has come back to Madison, TN after trying to make it big in Nashville. But a few too many drinks, a cheating ex-boyfriend and attacking a juke box has lead to community service hours at Music Foundation courtesy of the Judge (her uncle). Her first client is a surly 15 year old girl, Ally, whose active duty father was recently killed. Can Greer use her music talents on Ally and bring her the love and also help her mother who's lost without her husband ?
Emmet Lawson doesn't want to be a hero as he feels like he failed to keep his soldiers safe but he's Greer's second client and she'll find out that he's going to need more than music to give peace after losing one of his teammates and his leg to a IED. Because they went to school together hopefully she can convince him to put away his shotgun and whiskey and realize that he find himself with the help of Greer, Ally and his parents horse farm. All three of them will need to find their way again when given a second chance to start over in Madison. When Ally needs help for her mother Greer and Emmett won't hesitate to be there giving them both the help they need.
booklover1974's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book a lot but it was not an earth schattering novel. I thought it was well written and I liked the characters, I just missed more to the story.
spowers2627's review against another edition
5.0
From the beginning I could not put down this book!
Greer is such a relatable heroine. Her predicament that lands her a community service assignment that she resists. The relationships she develops with a local teen and an old high school acquaintance are believable and draw the reader in. I especially enjoyed the sarcastic humor and touching dialogue. Throughout reading this story I both wiped away tears and laughed out loud. There were so many themes explored including family and friendship. The most pronounced theme for me was facing your biggest fears. Both Emmett and Greer find that coming home because they thought they had exhausted their possibilities in life, might actually be the beginning of new possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will definitely look for my by this new-to-me author.
Greer is such a relatable heroine. Her predicament that lands her a community service assignment that she resists. The relationships she develops with a local teen and an old high school acquaintance are believable and draw the reader in. I especially enjoyed the sarcastic humor and touching dialogue. Throughout reading this story I both wiped away tears and laughed out loud. There were so many themes explored including family and friendship. The most pronounced theme for me was facing your biggest fears. Both Emmett and Greer find that coming home because they thought they had exhausted their possibilities in life, might actually be the beginning of new possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will definitely look for my by this new-to-me author.
jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Laura Trentham continues to knock me off my feet with her incredible story-telling and careful crafting of broken but not beaten characters.
Greer an Emmett had fantastic chemistry that I felt from the very first page they shared together. Feeling broken and discouraged by their recent, individual setbacks, they find love through a passion for music, friendship and community. I loved every second of the journey.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
Greer an Emmett had fantastic chemistry that I felt from the very first page they shared together. Feeling broken and discouraged by their recent, individual setbacks, they find love through a passion for music, friendship and community. I loved every second of the journey.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
jomccullough's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic story of love, loss, and second chances. The characters are relatable, real people with believable problems and reactions. I loved that they all had good days and bad days, the occasional foot-in-mouth moment, and undeniably good hearts that were buried beneath layers of pain.
Greer left her small hometown to follow her dream of stardom in Nashville. Ten years later, she returned home, broke, and with her dreams shattered. Adding insult to injury, she found her boyfriend in bed with another woman. The book opens with Greer in front of a judge after combining too many drinks with her anger led her to inflict damage on the local bar. The judge sentences her to community service hours at an organization that uses music to help veterans and their families. Having put her music behind her, Greer is none too happy with the charge. That starts to change with her first assignment.
Ally is a fifteen-year-old girl hiding a lot of pain behind an armor of attitude. Her father died in Afghanistan, and her mother isn't handling her grief well, leaving Ally floundering. Greer is no soft-spoken therapist, and she and Ally butt heads before Greer finds a small crack in the armor. I loved watching Greer encourage Ally to express her feelings by writing song lyrics. Greer's honesty about the efforts (they're going to suck at first, but they'll get better) goes a long way toward earning Ally's trust. Greer doesn't expect to care as much as she does, and that caring leads to some heartwrenching moments. Not only does Greer help Ally deal with her pain, she receives some unexpected healing in return.
Greer's other challenge is recently returned veteran Emmett. Emmett came home missing a leg and suffering from overwhelming survivor's guilt. He isolated himself from everyone, hiding out in a cabin on the family property, drinking too much, and wallowing in self-pity. Greer remembers Emmett from high school as the golden-boy football hero and her secret crush. Emmett tries to run Greer off with anger, and a shotgun blast in the air in their first encounter. She's made of sterner stuff, though, and faces him down. Though tempted to give up on him at first, Greer persists. It was fun to watch her call him on his attitude, and it wasn't long before he looked forward to her visits. I especially enjoyed watching her drag him back into the world of the living with some not-so-gentle boots to the rear.
I liked watching the relationship between Emmett and Greer develop. They begin as adversaries, as Emmett wants to be left alone, and Greer refuses to indulge him. Emmett resents the pity and ultra-caring he experiences from most people and finds Greer's sass and sarcasm refreshing. I loved his surprise when he realized that he was ready to come out of isolation. I also liked that it wasn't all one-sided. As Emmett got to know Greer, he found himself wanting to help her the way she helped him. There are some sweet scenes of him offering support as she faces her demons. And under it all is a simmering attraction that soon draws them even closer.
An unexpected twist reveals a connection between Ally and Emmett. I ached for Emmett and its effect on him and loved the straight talk from Greer that helped him through it. Ally also helped by being her practical, honest, and straightforward self. The scene between Ally and Emmett was amazing in its depth of emotion and its impact on both of them. I loved the solution they came up with to deal with the crisis. The epilogue was terrific. I loved witnessing the changes a year made in their lives.
Greer left her small hometown to follow her dream of stardom in Nashville. Ten years later, she returned home, broke, and with her dreams shattered. Adding insult to injury, she found her boyfriend in bed with another woman. The book opens with Greer in front of a judge after combining too many drinks with her anger led her to inflict damage on the local bar. The judge sentences her to community service hours at an organization that uses music to help veterans and their families. Having put her music behind her, Greer is none too happy with the charge. That starts to change with her first assignment.
Ally is a fifteen-year-old girl hiding a lot of pain behind an armor of attitude. Her father died in Afghanistan, and her mother isn't handling her grief well, leaving Ally floundering. Greer is no soft-spoken therapist, and she and Ally butt heads before Greer finds a small crack in the armor. I loved watching Greer encourage Ally to express her feelings by writing song lyrics. Greer's honesty about the efforts (they're going to suck at first, but they'll get better) goes a long way toward earning Ally's trust. Greer doesn't expect to care as much as she does, and that caring leads to some heartwrenching moments. Not only does Greer help Ally deal with her pain, she receives some unexpected healing in return.
Greer's other challenge is recently returned veteran Emmett. Emmett came home missing a leg and suffering from overwhelming survivor's guilt. He isolated himself from everyone, hiding out in a cabin on the family property, drinking too much, and wallowing in self-pity. Greer remembers Emmett from high school as the golden-boy football hero and her secret crush. Emmett tries to run Greer off with anger, and a shotgun blast in the air in their first encounter. She's made of sterner stuff, though, and faces him down. Though tempted to give up on him at first, Greer persists. It was fun to watch her call him on his attitude, and it wasn't long before he looked forward to her visits. I especially enjoyed watching her drag him back into the world of the living with some not-so-gentle boots to the rear.
I liked watching the relationship between Emmett and Greer develop. They begin as adversaries, as Emmett wants to be left alone, and Greer refuses to indulge him. Emmett resents the pity and ultra-caring he experiences from most people and finds Greer's sass and sarcasm refreshing. I loved his surprise when he realized that he was ready to come out of isolation. I also liked that it wasn't all one-sided. As Emmett got to know Greer, he found himself wanting to help her the way she helped him. There are some sweet scenes of him offering support as she faces her demons. And under it all is a simmering attraction that soon draws them even closer.
An unexpected twist reveals a connection between Ally and Emmett. I ached for Emmett and its effect on him and loved the straight talk from Greer that helped him through it. Ally also helped by being her practical, honest, and straightforward self. The scene between Ally and Emmett was amazing in its depth of emotion and its impact on both of them. I loved the solution they came up with to deal with the crisis. The epilogue was terrific. I loved witnessing the changes a year made in their lives.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very heartwarming story with lives that intersect each other from various points. There are some hardships, heartbreak, learning to live again, learning to trust yourself, and love.
I enjoyed this book more than I ever expected. I love music and always appreciate what it must take for songs to be written, melodies composed to accompany those lyrics, and the anguish composers sometimes feel watching their words transform into works of art.
Emmett is dealing with demons from the attack that caused him to lose one of his soldiers and part of his leg. I think anyone would be able to relate to this, thinking that you didn't do everything you could have to prevent this from happening.
Greer has her demons from panicking on stage despite her love for playing and singing. It could happen to the best of us but one event is no reason to give it all up. The community service she is assigned with a music foundation is one thing that helps her realize that music is in her blood and she can't just give it all up for one night.
Ally is a teen that has lost her dad and is assigned to Greer at the foundation. I really fell in love with Ally and her tough spirit but a softness that was hidden beneath that tough exterior. She is a no nonsense type of young woman. I enjoyed watching her bloom and transform over the course of the book.
There are various other characters that play a supporting role to these three main characters such as Emmett's parents. Both of them have some issues to address as well which blends in beautifully with the story.
This book will touch your heart and I recommend it to all.
I enjoyed this book more than I ever expected. I love music and always appreciate what it must take for songs to be written, melodies composed to accompany those lyrics, and the anguish composers sometimes feel watching their words transform into works of art.
Emmett is dealing with demons from the attack that caused him to lose one of his soldiers and part of his leg. I think anyone would be able to relate to this, thinking that you didn't do everything you could have to prevent this from happening.
Greer has her demons from panicking on stage despite her love for playing and singing. It could happen to the best of us but one event is no reason to give it all up. The community service she is assigned with a music foundation is one thing that helps her realize that music is in her blood and she can't just give it all up for one night.
Ally is a teen that has lost her dad and is assigned to Greer at the foundation. I really fell in love with Ally and her tough spirit but a softness that was hidden beneath that tough exterior. She is a no nonsense type of young woman. I enjoyed watching her bloom and transform over the course of the book.
There are various other characters that play a supporting role to these three main characters such as Emmett's parents. Both of them have some issues to address as well which blends in beautifully with the story.
This book will touch your heart and I recommend it to all.
bhunsberger's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced copy of this book.
This book is second in a series but serves as a standalone book. Greer has made some poor choices and is assigned to volunteer in a music therapy situation. She interacts with a troubled teen, and a Veteran who has just returned home with a war injury and a lot of memories. The book explores these different topics and draws out the emotions tied to each of them. The characters struggle but grow as they find themselves together bound by their common interest in music.
This book is second in a series but serves as a standalone book. Greer has made some poor choices and is assigned to volunteer in a music therapy situation. She interacts with a troubled teen, and a Veteran who has just returned home with a war injury and a lot of memories. The book explores these different topics and draws out the emotions tied to each of them. The characters struggle but grow as they find themselves together bound by their common interest in music.
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
*NetGalley Review*
After reading The Military Wife by this author I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I really like Greer, she was sassy and took no mess but behind that exterior she was vulnerable as well. Emmett is dealing with some serious ptsd after serving in the army and isn’t the man he once used to be and lives a life of solitude.
The two of these characters were fun to read about who made me smile and laugh. They were both stubborn and stuck in their ways. They had good banter and chemistry. I love that once they finally broke each other walls down they both were able to heal in their own ways. I love when couples can learn and grow from each other.
This is my second novel by Laura Trentham and the story held my attention from beginning to end. The characters are flawed but relatable. This book is a little on the heavy side with certain themes but it was still a good read with an important message.
After reading The Military Wife by this author I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I really like Greer, she was sassy and took no mess but behind that exterior she was vulnerable as well. Emmett is dealing with some serious ptsd after serving in the army and isn’t the man he once used to be and lives a life of solitude.
The two of these characters were fun to read about who made me smile and laugh. They were both stubborn and stuck in their ways. They had good banter and chemistry. I love that once they finally broke each other walls down they both were able to heal in their own ways. I love when couples can learn and grow from each other.
This is my second novel by Laura Trentham and the story held my attention from beginning to end. The characters are flawed but relatable. This book is a little on the heavy side with certain themes but it was still a good read with an important message.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is a beautiful novel of healing, redemption and love. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Heart of a Hero series, it can be read as a standalone.
Thirty year old Greer Hadley is back in her small hometown of Madison, TN after years of trying to launch her music career in Nashville. Living with her parents and performing court ordered community service, she is uncertain what she wants to do next. Although nervous and unsure, Greer begins her community service. She is initially skeptical that she can help fifteen year old Ally Martinez work through her issues stemming from her military father's death in Afghanistan. But she is very pleased as she starts to make a progress in connecting with Ally.
Despite her small successes with Ally, Greer is less certain she will be able to help former classmate Emmett Lawson. Emmett is a military veteran discharged from service after he was wounded in action. He has retreated from everyone as he spends his days in isolation in a cabin on his family's horse farm. Greer refuses to give up, but he is not exactly cooperative as she continues working on bringing him back from the darkness that envelopes him. Her persistence gradually begins to pay off, but Emmett's emergence from grief and survivor's guilt is a slow, fragile process.
Despite her feelings of failure and uncertainty, Greer is surprisingly upbeat and positive as she helps both Ally and Emmett. She is also little taken aback at how glad she is to be in Madison. Greer's journey of self-discovery is a work in progress as she finds herself taking employment that feels like a step backward. But with her self-confidence beginning to return due to her sessions with Ally, Greer feels much optimistic about her future.
Greer and Emmett's relationship is a delicate dance as they both try to deal with their respective issues. Greer does not back down from Emmett's somewhat adversarial attitude and he slowly but surely begins to emerge from his self-imposed isolation. Greer is uncertain what her next steps will be and Emmett offers her unexpected support and encouragement. Their friendship slowly turns into a real relationship but do they have a future together?
An Everyday Hero is an warm and engaging novel with a vibrant cast of characters and a heartfelt storyline. Greer and Emmett are multi-layered, true to life characters who are working on personal problems that are realistic and relatable. Ally's grief is palpable as she tries to come to term with her heartbreaking loss. Although there is slight romantic element, the main focus of the novel is the characters' growth as they work to overcome their issues. Laura Trentham brings this captivating novel to an uplifting conclusion that tugs on the heartstrings.
I absolutely loved and highly recommend this latest addition to the Heart of a Hero series to readers of the genre.
An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is a beautiful novel of healing, redemption and love. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Heart of a Hero series, it can be read as a standalone.
Thirty year old Greer Hadley is back in her small hometown of Madison, TN after years of trying to launch her music career in Nashville. Living with her parents and performing court ordered community service, she is uncertain what she wants to do next. Although nervous and unsure, Greer begins her community service. She is initially skeptical that she can help fifteen year old Ally Martinez work through her issues stemming from her military father's death in Afghanistan. But she is very pleased as she starts to make a progress in connecting with Ally.
Despite her small successes with Ally, Greer is less certain she will be able to help former classmate Emmett Lawson. Emmett is a military veteran discharged from service after he was wounded in action. He has retreated from everyone as he spends his days in isolation in a cabin on his family's horse farm. Greer refuses to give up, but he is not exactly cooperative as she continues working on bringing him back from the darkness that envelopes him. Her persistence gradually begins to pay off, but Emmett's emergence from grief and survivor's guilt is a slow, fragile process.
Despite her feelings of failure and uncertainty, Greer is surprisingly upbeat and positive as she helps both Ally and Emmett. She is also little taken aback at how glad she is to be in Madison. Greer's journey of self-discovery is a work in progress as she finds herself taking employment that feels like a step backward. But with her self-confidence beginning to return due to her sessions with Ally, Greer feels much optimistic about her future.
Greer and Emmett's relationship is a delicate dance as they both try to deal with their respective issues. Greer does not back down from Emmett's somewhat adversarial attitude and he slowly but surely begins to emerge from his self-imposed isolation. Greer is uncertain what her next steps will be and Emmett offers her unexpected support and encouragement. Their friendship slowly turns into a real relationship but do they have a future together?
An Everyday Hero is an warm and engaging novel with a vibrant cast of characters and a heartfelt storyline. Greer and Emmett are multi-layered, true to life characters who are working on personal problems that are realistic and relatable. Ally's grief is palpable as she tries to come to term with her heartbreaking loss. Although there is slight romantic element, the main focus of the novel is the characters' growth as they work to overcome their issues. Laura Trentham brings this captivating novel to an uplifting conclusion that tugs on the heartstrings.
I absolutely loved and highly recommend this latest addition to the Heart of a Hero series to readers of the genre.