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lmrivas54's review
5.0
I loved this book, even though the pace was a bit slow sometimes. I thought it had a great message and it dealt with important issues. A military widow is living a blah existence, just working at a blah job, living her life for her little boy. She lives with her mother, who seems to be having a more exciting and fulfilling life than she is. She goes to visit her friend Allison, another military wife, who was her support when she lost her husband, and finds that other military wives are also living unfulfilled lives, just like hers. Discussing options for a business that could improve the lot of military wives, she realizes that she received a huge amount of money from Bennett Grant and learns from Allison that there is no such award as he stated.
When she goes to confront the guy, she finds the one man who can jump-start her life, make her existence the fun and exciting life that she should be enjoying. Problem was, there are guilt feelings, loyalty to a wonderful husband who died serving his country, the needs of a little boy who never met his dad and needs a father figure, and just plain distance. He lives hours away from her town, and she needs to establish her business near the base in order for it to work.
The book touches on two issues that I thought were important. One is the emotional state that soldiers are left in when they return from battle. Wives try to help their husbands but these soldiers are proud, trained to withhold information and feelings, and just plain stubborn. It’s not an easy job, on top of keeping their children emotionally stable facing a father who is losing it.
The other issue that was new to me and no less important is the limbo that professional women get into when they marry military men. As a necessity, they have to relocate where their husbands are assigned. Then sometimes they won’t find a job that caters to their qualifications. Oftentimes, they’re not given the job they want because the employer don’t want to waste time and resources on an employee that may relocate soon. There is a lot of discontent because the wives can’t fulfill their career ambitions, and many times are relegated to housewives because they are overqualified for the jobs available.
In this story, we see Harper setting up a business with other three wives, and plans to broaden the scope to other bases so other wives will have an outlet for their talent. She also helps her friend Allison face her marriage problems due to a troubled husband. And all the while, falling in love with this taciturn, quiet man with a poker face that seldom smiles but makes her skin tingle every time she touches him. I loved that he found love, after years of having no one. Harper brought him to laughter and happiness and Bennett brought Harper to the lively and decisive woman she used to be.
It was an entertaining and informative story, with important issues and a lovely love story.
When she goes to confront the guy, she finds the one man who can jump-start her life, make her existence the fun and exciting life that she should be enjoying. Problem was, there are guilt feelings, loyalty to a wonderful husband who died serving his country, the needs of a little boy who never met his dad and needs a father figure, and just plain distance. He lives hours away from her town, and she needs to establish her business near the base in order for it to work.
The book touches on two issues that I thought were important. One is the emotional state that soldiers are left in when they return from battle. Wives try to help their husbands but these soldiers are proud, trained to withhold information and feelings, and just plain stubborn. It’s not an easy job, on top of keeping their children emotionally stable facing a father who is losing it.
The other issue that was new to me and no less important is the limbo that professional women get into when they marry military men. As a necessity, they have to relocate where their husbands are assigned. Then sometimes they won’t find a job that caters to their qualifications. Oftentimes, they’re not given the job they want because the employer don’t want to waste time and resources on an employee that may relocate soon. There is a lot of discontent because the wives can’t fulfill their career ambitions, and many times are relegated to housewives because they are overqualified for the jobs available.
In this story, we see Harper setting up a business with other three wives, and plans to broaden the scope to other bases so other wives will have an outlet for their talent. She also helps her friend Allison face her marriage problems due to a troubled husband. And all the while, falling in love with this taciturn, quiet man with a poker face that seldom smiles but makes her skin tingle every time she touches him. I loved that he found love, after years of having no one. Harper brought him to laughter and happiness and Bennett brought Harper to the lively and decisive woman she used to be.
It was an entertaining and informative story, with important issues and a lovely love story.
kle105's review
4.0
As the daughter of a veteran I really appreciated the different viewpoints of a soldiers return, and also to the family members when they don’t return.
Harper has had to figure out life without her husband. Being a single mom wasn’t what she wanted, but her son is her world. She is trying to figure out how to make her life more meaningful while also wanting answers to help her move on.
Bennett has the answers but he won’t tell her about her husbands final days. He doesn’t want her to take on that burden. They strike up an unlikely friendship which grows into more.
You also see other military wives dealing with issues relating to work, and their husbands PTSD. A rollercoaster of emotions, making each character come to life!
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Harper has had to figure out life without her husband. Being a single mom wasn’t what she wanted, but her son is her world. She is trying to figure out how to make her life more meaningful while also wanting answers to help her move on.
Bennett has the answers but he won’t tell her about her husbands final days. He doesn’t want her to take on that burden. They strike up an unlikely friendship which grows into more.
You also see other military wives dealing with issues relating to work, and their husbands PTSD. A rollercoaster of emotions, making each character come to life!
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
blogginboutbooks's review
4.0
Considering its plain Jane title, it's probably no surprise that THE MILITARY WIFE isn't anything original or special. With likable characters, an engaging (enough) plot, and a sweet, second chance romance, it's not a bad read. Just not a terribly great or memorable one. I liked it enough to finish it, but I'm certainly not enthralled enough to carry on with the series. I'd give this one somewhere between a C+ and B- (I always rate up since GR won't let me give half stars).
kdurham2's review
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A book that intrigued me from the minute I was pitched it to review. I am a wife of a police officer and I always wonder how close and far apart the life of a wife of a military personnel was compared to a police officer. I am not sure that I have had my eyes open and looking, but I was unaware of any other book that solely looks at life through the lens of a military wife.
A book that intrigued me from the minute I was pitched it to review. I am a wife of a police officer and I always wonder how close and far apart the life of a wife of a military personnel was compared to a police officer. I am not sure that I have had my eyes open and looking, but I was unaware of any other book that solely looks at life through the lens of a military wife.
teresajluvs2read's review
5.0
**I received a copy of The Military Wife from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
The Military Wife by Laura Trentham is the start of her A Heart of a Hero series. Ms. Trentham is a new author for me and this book is well worth reading. The story does go back to when Noah Wilcox and Bennett Caldwell start Navy SEAL BUD/s plus when Noah and Harper Lee first meet in Kitty Hawk, NC. Half of the story is Harper Lee, her young son Ben and her mother affectionately known at Yaya and finding love again with Bennett Caldwell when Noah dies leaving too many questions that no one will give answers and Allison and her husband Darren's battle with PTSD and guilt from the op that took Noah's life.
Harper Lee is just trying to finish up the summer working at a ice cream shop when she meets Noah Wilcox. He's very persistent that she's going to be his wife but first he has to complete BUD/s. She's due to leave for University of North Carolina so they write letters frequently which Noah reads to Bennett. When Noah is killed on a SEAL Team mission Harper Lee is pregnant and due to have their fist child she searches for way to carry on without Noah. When she decides to invest the money from Bennett into a business that will give some of the military wives a job that will give them a job to take to each new home she meets Bennett again. They will soon find out that the survival school that he runs can also be a outlet for the veterans to be around others who are trying to cope with PTSD. Their burgeoning love will be very slow and sweet.
Bennett Caldwell grew up as a foster kid moving around frequently until he finally finds a home with Sarge his case workers uncle. Sarge gives him a home and when he's old enough he joins to Navy BUD/s. But when his buddy Noah starts sharing his letters from Harper Lee he yearns for a life like Noah and Harper Lee. When Noah makes him promise to watch over his family if he doesn't come home it's a promise that will become love five years later when she comes to him for how Noah dies.
The Military Wife is a sweet love story between Noah and Harper Lee, Adele (Yaya) and Ben, Allison and Darren who fight to understand the toll of PTSD on their lives plus the new life for Harper, Ben and Bennett.
The Military Wife by Laura Trentham is the start of her A Heart of a Hero series. Ms. Trentham is a new author for me and this book is well worth reading. The story does go back to when Noah Wilcox and Bennett Caldwell start Navy SEAL BUD/s plus when Noah and Harper Lee first meet in Kitty Hawk, NC. Half of the story is Harper Lee, her young son Ben and her mother affectionately known at Yaya and finding love again with Bennett Caldwell when Noah dies leaving too many questions that no one will give answers and Allison and her husband Darren's battle with PTSD and guilt from the op that took Noah's life.
Harper Lee is just trying to finish up the summer working at a ice cream shop when she meets Noah Wilcox. He's very persistent that she's going to be his wife but first he has to complete BUD/s. She's due to leave for University of North Carolina so they write letters frequently which Noah reads to Bennett. When Noah is killed on a SEAL Team mission Harper Lee is pregnant and due to have their fist child she searches for way to carry on without Noah. When she decides to invest the money from Bennett into a business that will give some of the military wives a job that will give them a job to take to each new home she meets Bennett again. They will soon find out that the survival school that he runs can also be a outlet for the veterans to be around others who are trying to cope with PTSD. Their burgeoning love will be very slow and sweet.
Bennett Caldwell grew up as a foster kid moving around frequently until he finally finds a home with Sarge his case workers uncle. Sarge gives him a home and when he's old enough he joins to Navy BUD/s. But when his buddy Noah starts sharing his letters from Harper Lee he yearns for a life like Noah and Harper Lee. When Noah makes him promise to watch over his family if he doesn't come home it's a promise that will become love five years later when she comes to him for how Noah dies.
The Military Wife is a sweet love story between Noah and Harper Lee, Adele (Yaya) and Ben, Allison and Darren who fight to understand the toll of PTSD on their lives plus the new life for Harper, Ben and Bennett.
jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just. Wow.
I have avoided reading Military romance/fiction for the past few years due to my personal experience as the spouse of a former soldier living with PTSD. Something about the blurb and my previous experience reading this author made me set aside my fear and request to read it despite my anxiety about the theme. To say that I’m blown away feels like an understatement. This feels like the most honest and real (fictional) depiction of PTSD (speaking from the spouse POV only) and how it affects families that I’ve ever read.
It wasn’t just the PTSD angle of this story that blew me away though. The whole story and the care that the author took to tackle extremely difficult themes had me glued to my Kindle to finish this book in a matter of hours. I felt every emotion that the characters were feeling throughout. The anger, the sadness, the hope and love.
This story was not an easy one to read. I cried. A lot. I felt too much and the pain, fear and anger felt eerily familiar to me, but so did the hopefulness and love and, essentially it’s that love and hope that got me through it. This is a beautifully written story that I imagine I’ll come back to reread often.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
I have avoided reading Military romance/fiction for the past few years due to my personal experience as the spouse of a former soldier living with PTSD. Something about the blurb and my previous experience reading this author made me set aside my fear and request to read it despite my anxiety about the theme. To say that I’m blown away feels like an understatement. This feels like the most honest and real (fictional) depiction of PTSD (speaking from the spouse POV only) and how it affects families that I’ve ever read.
It wasn’t just the PTSD angle of this story that blew me away though. The whole story and the care that the author took to tackle extremely difficult themes had me glued to my Kindle to finish this book in a matter of hours. I felt every emotion that the characters were feeling throughout. The anger, the sadness, the hope and love.
This story was not an easy one to read. I cried. A lot. I felt too much and the pain, fear and anger felt eerily familiar to me, but so did the hopefulness and love and, essentially it’s that love and hope that got me through it. This is a beautifully written story that I imagine I’ll come back to reread often.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review
scoutmomskf's review
5.0
This was a fantastic story of love, loss, and friendship. I was surprised to discover that the author is not a military spouse herself because the depth of her understanding is spot-on. The format of the book is also unusual, alternating chapters between the present and the past. The present chapters are linear, but the past chapters bounce around, dependent on whatever event in the present brought that memory to mind. I very much enjoyed those flashbacks as they fleshed out the characters' stories and showed what made them the people they are today.
Five years after her husband's death, Harper was still haunted by questions about what really happened. She has mostly moved on, raising her son Ben and working for several local businesses. She also felt a growing restlessness and dissatisfaction with her life. Encouraged by her mother to look for her "passion" Harper found inspiration while helping an old friend.
Allison was at the end of her rope. Her husband returned from his last mission a changed man, fighting PTSD but refusing to ask for help. Trying to keep the family on an even keel while presenting the image of the perfect family, Allison also needed help that she was reluctant to ask for.
I loved the friendship between Harper and Allison. It is indicative of the bonds that form among military wives who understand the stresses and unique challenges of being married to a military man. When Harper realized that Allison needed her, there was no question about dropping everything to be with her friend. I liked how Harper drew on her own experiences to help Allison. The scene at the wives' meeting was deeply emotional as Allison opened up about her problems and the other wives told their own stories and offered their support. It was during this meeting that another challenge of military wifehood was brought up. The lack of career opportunities for military wives is a real problem, as employers are reluctant to hire someone who will probably leave within a few years. With a brainstorming session among the wives, Home Front Coffee was born, and Harper found her passion.
In the planning process for the coffee house, Harper discovered that not everything about Noah's death was as straightforward as she thought. Looking for answers, Harper confronted Bennett Cardwell, Noah's best friend, and fellow SEAL. Unknown to Harper, Bennett had made a promise to look after Harper if anything happened to Noah. His method of doing so blew up in his face when Harper showed up to confront him about it.
I loved the development of the relationship between Harper and Bennett. Bennett thought he knew Harper pretty well, though he'd never met her, thanks to the letters and emails that Noah had shared with him during their deployments. He didn't expect the reality of the feisty, stubborn, and sexy woman who confronted him. Harper was taken aback by the attraction she felt for Bennett, a feeling she hadn't experienced since Noah's death. Though he refused to enlighten her about Noah's death, Bennett did offer his help in setting up the coffee business. As they spent time together setting up the business, they began to fall for each other. Though Harper knew that Noah wouldn't want her to be alone for the rest of her life, there was a part of her that felt guilty about her growing feelings for Bennett. Meanwhile, the emotions that Bennett first noticed, and squashed, years ago, grew stronger the more time he spent with Harper. Haunted by Noah's death, Bennett was sure that Harper would want nothing to do with him if she knew the truth. With emotions stirred up by a crisis with their friends, both Harper and Bennett were finally able to get past the final barriers that kept them apart. I ached for Bennett as he prepared himself for the worst, and cried tears of happiness for him when those fears proved unfounded.
The secondary story of Allison and Darren was heartbreaking. You could see that Darren knew he was struggling, but could not bring himself to ask for help. Allison loved her husband but had no idea how to help him. I loved the support that Allison received when Harper encouraged her to share her troubles. I liked how Harper brought Bennett into the equation. There was some regret there as Bennett realized that he had put distance between himself and his old teammates, but his determination to help was immediate. There was a very emotional scene at the end that showed how deep the struggle was.
I loved the chapters that dealt with the pasts of Harper and Bennett and their relationships with Noah. Harper's love for her husband was unquestionable, but there was also the reality of the ups and downs of their married life. Resentments were realistically portrayed, as were the happier times. It was fascinating to see how the friendship between Bennett and Noah was formed and grew. I especially liked how the irrepressible and optimistic Noah got past Bennett's barriers. The scenes from their SEAL training were especially enlightening. The final chapter from the past was the most intensely emotional and left me aching for Bennett.
Five years after her husband's death, Harper was still haunted by questions about what really happened. She has mostly moved on, raising her son Ben and working for several local businesses. She also felt a growing restlessness and dissatisfaction with her life. Encouraged by her mother to look for her "passion" Harper found inspiration while helping an old friend.
Allison was at the end of her rope. Her husband returned from his last mission a changed man, fighting PTSD but refusing to ask for help. Trying to keep the family on an even keel while presenting the image of the perfect family, Allison also needed help that she was reluctant to ask for.
I loved the friendship between Harper and Allison. It is indicative of the bonds that form among military wives who understand the stresses and unique challenges of being married to a military man. When Harper realized that Allison needed her, there was no question about dropping everything to be with her friend. I liked how Harper drew on her own experiences to help Allison. The scene at the wives' meeting was deeply emotional as Allison opened up about her problems and the other wives told their own stories and offered their support. It was during this meeting that another challenge of military wifehood was brought up. The lack of career opportunities for military wives is a real problem, as employers are reluctant to hire someone who will probably leave within a few years. With a brainstorming session among the wives, Home Front Coffee was born, and Harper found her passion.
In the planning process for the coffee house, Harper discovered that not everything about Noah's death was as straightforward as she thought. Looking for answers, Harper confronted Bennett Cardwell, Noah's best friend, and fellow SEAL. Unknown to Harper, Bennett had made a promise to look after Harper if anything happened to Noah. His method of doing so blew up in his face when Harper showed up to confront him about it.
I loved the development of the relationship between Harper and Bennett. Bennett thought he knew Harper pretty well, though he'd never met her, thanks to the letters and emails that Noah had shared with him during their deployments. He didn't expect the reality of the feisty, stubborn, and sexy woman who confronted him. Harper was taken aback by the attraction she felt for Bennett, a feeling she hadn't experienced since Noah's death. Though he refused to enlighten her about Noah's death, Bennett did offer his help in setting up the coffee business. As they spent time together setting up the business, they began to fall for each other. Though Harper knew that Noah wouldn't want her to be alone for the rest of her life, there was a part of her that felt guilty about her growing feelings for Bennett. Meanwhile, the emotions that Bennett first noticed, and squashed, years ago, grew stronger the more time he spent with Harper. Haunted by Noah's death, Bennett was sure that Harper would want nothing to do with him if she knew the truth. With emotions stirred up by a crisis with their friends, both Harper and Bennett were finally able to get past the final barriers that kept them apart. I ached for Bennett as he prepared himself for the worst, and cried tears of happiness for him when those fears proved unfounded.
The secondary story of Allison and Darren was heartbreaking. You could see that Darren knew he was struggling, but could not bring himself to ask for help. Allison loved her husband but had no idea how to help him. I loved the support that Allison received when Harper encouraged her to share her troubles. I liked how Harper brought Bennett into the equation. There was some regret there as Bennett realized that he had put distance between himself and his old teammates, but his determination to help was immediate. There was a very emotional scene at the end that showed how deep the struggle was.
I loved the chapters that dealt with the pasts of Harper and Bennett and their relationships with Noah. Harper's love for her husband was unquestionable, but there was also the reality of the ups and downs of their married life. Resentments were realistically portrayed, as were the happier times. It was fascinating to see how the friendship between Bennett and Noah was formed and grew. I especially liked how the irrepressible and optimistic Noah got past Bennett's barriers. The scenes from their SEAL training were especially enlightening. The final chapter from the past was the most intensely emotional and left me aching for Bennett.
mindfullibrarian's review
4.0
(free review copy from publisher) Military stories are ones I definitely want in the world, especially stories like this one - about PTSD and the hardships that military families face, but until recently I haven't actually been able to read them. Due to a personal reason, the stories have either been way too close to home, or infuriate me by romanticizing something that isn't romantic in the least. With time being a healer, I just this winter have been able to read stories like this one, and am so happy that I did because it means I can recommend them to others.
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The Military Wife is a full-hearted story of a young widow of a Navy SEAL and her relationships with other military families, as well as one of her husband's friends. There is a strong romantic element, which makes sense given the author's history as a romance author, but the book is about so much more than that too. It's about the trauma of war, PTSD, the struggle of military spouses, and the indoctrination that military personnel endure to be able to do the jobs they do. While the author is not herself a military wife, the book was written with the input of a former Navy SEAL as well as a military wife - this definitely adds to the authenticity of the story.
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I loved this book, and am so happy that Trentham wrote it - I hope it brings much wider awareness to the struggles that our military members face when returning from combat, and also the unique issues that military families face on the home front. The characters aren't perfect, but neither are real humans, and the character of Noah was so reminiscent of young men I have known who have joined the armed forces.
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If you read women's fiction and appreciate romantic themes, I definitely recommend this one. There is sex in the book, but it's not at all steamy. I really like how consent was handled in the book, as well. I haven't found a review yet by an actual member of the SEALs or a military spouse, but please do let me know if you've written one or have read one! I am sure this book might be a tough read for either of those groups, and I completely understand them not wanting to read fiction based on these experiences.
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Content warning: Mentions of suicidal thoughts/attempt, brief mentions of remembered child abuse, remembered graphic combat violence.
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The Military Wife is a full-hearted story of a young widow of a Navy SEAL and her relationships with other military families, as well as one of her husband's friends. There is a strong romantic element, which makes sense given the author's history as a romance author, but the book is about so much more than that too. It's about the trauma of war, PTSD, the struggle of military spouses, and the indoctrination that military personnel endure to be able to do the jobs they do. While the author is not herself a military wife, the book was written with the input of a former Navy SEAL as well as a military wife - this definitely adds to the authenticity of the story.
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I loved this book, and am so happy that Trentham wrote it - I hope it brings much wider awareness to the struggles that our military members face when returning from combat, and also the unique issues that military families face on the home front. The characters aren't perfect, but neither are real humans, and the character of Noah was so reminiscent of young men I have known who have joined the armed forces.
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If you read women's fiction and appreciate romantic themes, I definitely recommend this one. There is sex in the book, but it's not at all steamy. I really like how consent was handled in the book, as well. I haven't found a review yet by an actual member of the SEALs or a military spouse, but please do let me know if you've written one or have read one! I am sure this book might be a tough read for either of those groups, and I completely understand them not wanting to read fiction based on these experiences.
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Content warning: Mentions of suicidal thoughts/attempt, brief mentions of remembered child abuse, remembered graphic combat violence.