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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.
shellysbookcorner's review
4.0
“I received a review copy from NetGalley and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.’
Harper has been alive but not really living ever since her husband, Noah, died. Noah was a Navy Seal and Harper’s life pretty much revolved around him and his career and then their child. Fast forward 5 years later and Harper is feeling unfulfilled and decides to open up a coffee house to give the other military wives and herself something to do while their husbands are deployed. I really liked this idea and I felt it was a good venture for the women. People often forget about the wives and how much they sacrifice while their love ones are fighting to keep us safe. Thank you both for your service and sacrifices.
During the story we are introduced to Bennett and he was best friends with Noah. Harper and Bennett developed feelings for each other but they think it’s disrespectful to Noah’s memory. Honestly, it does make sense they would be together because they both loved Noah in their own way. I didn’t find their relationship as taboo as I thought I would.
My heart ached for the secondary characters Allison and Darren. They struggled with Darren coming home from war and not being himself. Allison is trying to be strong and take care of the house and kids and makes it seem like everything is fine. I’m happy the author shed a light on the emotional side of coming home from war and trying to readjust to civilian life after a traumatic experience.
I really don’t read a lot of military books but I’m glad I gave it a shot. The story was told in past and present which I enjoyed. I liked seeing how Noah and Harper met when they were younger. I loved how the army wives were active in the communities and helped each other out when things got tough.. I really enjoyed the book but I did feel the ending was slightly rushed. This was the first time I read a book by this author and it was a pleasant surprise!
kbranfield's review
5.0
The Military Wife by Laura Trentham is a poignant, heartwarming and emotional novel about many different aspects of military life for spouses, veterans and active duty members.
Five years after the death of her Navy SEAL husband, Harper Wilcox is comfortable with her life yet she is not fulfilled. She and her young son, Ben, live with her mom, Gail, who is supportive yet refreshingly direct when talking with her daughter about her future. Much of her five years of marriage to Noah was spent apart due to multiple deployments so Harper has tends to gloss over the unhappier parts of their wedded life. Harper pushed aside her own career ambitions as she ran up against the very real discrimination military spouses face from potential employers. In the present, Harper might have been content to continue coasting along, but an unexpected call from her friend Allison Teague turns out to be life altering.
Allison's husband, Darren, has recently returned from yet another war zone deployment and she barely recognizes the man she married. He is suffering from a serious case of post traumatic stress disorder but he rebuffs all of her efforts to help him. Allison and their three children walk on eggshells around Darren, whose nightmares, insomnia and hair trigger temper leave everyone fearful. Allison is in desperate needs support and Harper never hesitates to rush to her friend's side.
During the course of her visit, Harper discovers some troubling information about a cash payment she received from Noah's friend and fellow SEAL Bennett Caldwell. Bennett is now a civilian so she tracks him down at his survival training business but he refuses to answer her questions. He is the epitome of the strong, silent type and he sees no need to revisit his painful memories. He remains deeply affected about losing his brother in arms and he continues to struggle with survivor's guilt and residual PTSD. Bennett's feelings toward Harper are complicated yet he cannot resist spending time with her and young Ben. But before their unexpected relationship can move forward, Bennett will have to decide whether or not he can provide answers for Harper's questions about Noah's death.
The Military Wife is an insightful novel that touches on many relevant issues that provide a realistic glimpse into military life. Harper's story arc highlights the reality of loving then losing a spouse during a combat mission. Bennett's struggle with survivor's guilt and the painful loss of his best friend is realistically depicted. His reticence to reopen old wounds is understandable as is his cautious approach to a relationship with Harper. Allison and Darren's storyline is a heartbreaking glimpse of the military member's hidden wounds of war along with its devastating effects on their family. Laura Trentham's sensitive portrayal of military life is incredibly accurate and shines a much needed light on the challenges spouses, children and servicemen face during their careers. This heartfelt novel will make readers laugh, cry and ultimately, rejoice, as they follow Harper, Bennett, Allison and Darren on their healing journey to happily ever after.
Just a side note, I am a military wife so I attest to the authenticity of the characters' experiences. During the course of my husband's twenty-six year career, I witnessed or experienced many to the events depicted in the novel.
Five years after the death of her Navy SEAL husband, Harper Wilcox is comfortable with her life yet she is not fulfilled. She and her young son, Ben, live with her mom, Gail, who is supportive yet refreshingly direct when talking with her daughter about her future. Much of her five years of marriage to Noah was spent apart due to multiple deployments so Harper has tends to gloss over the unhappier parts of their wedded life. Harper pushed aside her own career ambitions as she ran up against the very real discrimination military spouses face from potential employers. In the present, Harper might have been content to continue coasting along, but an unexpected call from her friend Allison Teague turns out to be life altering.
Allison's husband, Darren, has recently returned from yet another war zone deployment and she barely recognizes the man she married. He is suffering from a serious case of post traumatic stress disorder but he rebuffs all of her efforts to help him. Allison and their three children walk on eggshells around Darren, whose nightmares, insomnia and hair trigger temper leave everyone fearful. Allison is in desperate needs support and Harper never hesitates to rush to her friend's side.
During the course of her visit, Harper discovers some troubling information about a cash payment she received from Noah's friend and fellow SEAL Bennett Caldwell. Bennett is now a civilian so she tracks him down at his survival training business but he refuses to answer her questions. He is the epitome of the strong, silent type and he sees no need to revisit his painful memories. He remains deeply affected about losing his brother in arms and he continues to struggle with survivor's guilt and residual PTSD. Bennett's feelings toward Harper are complicated yet he cannot resist spending time with her and young Ben. But before their unexpected relationship can move forward, Bennett will have to decide whether or not he can provide answers for Harper's questions about Noah's death.
The Military Wife is an insightful novel that touches on many relevant issues that provide a realistic glimpse into military life. Harper's story arc highlights the reality of loving then losing a spouse during a combat mission. Bennett's struggle with survivor's guilt and the painful loss of his best friend is realistically depicted. His reticence to reopen old wounds is understandable as is his cautious approach to a relationship with Harper. Allison and Darren's storyline is a heartbreaking glimpse of the military member's hidden wounds of war along with its devastating effects on their family. Laura Trentham's sensitive portrayal of military life is incredibly accurate and shines a much needed light on the challenges spouses, children and servicemen face during their careers. This heartfelt novel will make readers laugh, cry and ultimately, rejoice, as they follow Harper, Bennett, Allison and Darren on their healing journey to happily ever after.
Just a side note, I am a military wife so I attest to the authenticity of the characters' experiences. During the course of my husband's twenty-six year career, I witnessed or experienced many to the events depicted in the novel.
jlynnautumn's review
4.0
Emotional read for me since it hits my "I don't read that" category big time. My MIL bought this for me for Christmas so I decided to give it shot since she tried to find something she thought I'd enjoy not knowing I have a strict "no military" rule.
The book is well written and has great characters. I went in expecting the typical cookie cutter romance - wounded soldier comes home and falls in love. Technically, that's partially true but there are so many additional layers that the book was a surprising good read.
I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
The book is well written and has great characters. I went in expecting the typical cookie cutter romance - wounded soldier comes home and falls in love. Technically, that's partially true but there are so many additional layers that the book was a surprising good read.
I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
rachelleoliver's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War
allee_waters's review
4.0
4 stars - really liked it.
This isn’t my usual genre read, but I won this copy in a Goodreads Giveaway a few months ago and finally picked it up to read. Although it was pretty cheesy (not surprising because all military romance works are), I enjoyed the story. It was a cute read and something I could emotionally connect to being a military wife with a husband who battles PTSD. I felt it did a great job avoiding the ‘pity me’ aura many military wives books/movies/shows portray, and I really liked that a big element of the story was military spouses empowering each other to have careers and do more than just be a wife. A feel good read that incorporates heavier topics nicely.
This isn’t my usual genre read, but I won this copy in a Goodreads Giveaway a few months ago and finally picked it up to read. Although it was pretty cheesy (not surprising because all military romance works are), I enjoyed the story. It was a cute read and something I could emotionally connect to being a military wife with a husband who battles PTSD. I felt it did a great job avoiding the ‘pity me’ aura many military wives books/movies/shows portray, and I really liked that a big element of the story was military spouses empowering each other to have careers and do more than just be a wife. A feel good read that incorporates heavier topics nicely.
momwithareadingproblem's review
5.0
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
I picked up The Military Wife by Laura Trentham after reading [b:Dark Harmony|42042471|Dark Harmony (The Bargainer, #3)|Laura Thalassa|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1543531987s/42042471.jpg|56566485]. I needed an HEA, a light hearted read to break my book hangover. Y’all this ain’t it! The Military Wife wrecked me. Like utterly destroyed me. I sobbed and woke my husband up needing a hug. Don’t get me wrong. This is a fantastic read, but it is heartbreaking all the same.
The Military Wife follows the story of Harper Lee Wilcox five years after the death of her Navy SEALS husband. She’s walking through life like a ghost of her former self. She’s convinced herself she’s happy, but it’s clear to the reader she isn’t. She’s living her life without taking any risks, she’s not dating, she’s wholly focused on her son and protecting what is left of her heart. When she discovers that an award her husband was given posthumously is a fake, she decides to hunt out the man who gave it to her and seek answers surrounding her husband’s death.
Bennett Caldwell was Noah Wilcox’s best friend and witnessed his death. He kept up his promise to take care of Noah’s wife and unborn child by giving the widow a bunch of money. He never expected to see her again, much less fall for her. Bennett is a deeply broken man who in the last five years discovered how to live thanks to Noah’s sacrifice. Now Harper is in his life and may derail his progress.
In addition to being a romance, the plot of the story centers around helping military wives while their husbands are deployed. It touches on the wives’ need to contribute to the household and their inability to find jobs. The guilt of forgetting to be worried when they are deployed to the sleepless nights of worry and then the adjustment when the husbands return home. I found myself aching for these families. The author writes with real-world experience and it shows in the details.
I loved the alternating time line as well. While most of the book is set in the present, some chapters are in the past. This allows the reader to fall in love with Noah as Harper did, which again utterly broke me.
Overall I really enjoyed The Military Wife. This is the first book by Laura Trentham I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last! And y’all I’m really hoping that Darren and Allison get their own book. Their story was a side story to the main plot and ugh!!! I need more of them 😀 If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend you grab a copy with a box of tissues.
I picked up The Military Wife by Laura Trentham after reading [b:Dark Harmony|42042471|Dark Harmony (The Bargainer, #3)|Laura Thalassa|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1543531987s/42042471.jpg|56566485]. I needed an HEA, a light hearted read to break my book hangover. Y’all this ain’t it! The Military Wife wrecked me. Like utterly destroyed me. I sobbed and woke my husband up needing a hug. Don’t get me wrong. This is a fantastic read, but it is heartbreaking all the same.
The Military Wife follows the story of Harper Lee Wilcox five years after the death of her Navy SEALS husband. She’s walking through life like a ghost of her former self. She’s convinced herself she’s happy, but it’s clear to the reader she isn’t. She’s living her life without taking any risks, she’s not dating, she’s wholly focused on her son and protecting what is left of her heart. When she discovers that an award her husband was given posthumously is a fake, she decides to hunt out the man who gave it to her and seek answers surrounding her husband’s death.
Bennett Caldwell was Noah Wilcox’s best friend and witnessed his death. He kept up his promise to take care of Noah’s wife and unborn child by giving the widow a bunch of money. He never expected to see her again, much less fall for her. Bennett is a deeply broken man who in the last five years discovered how to live thanks to Noah’s sacrifice. Now Harper is in his life and may derail his progress.
In addition to being a romance, the plot of the story centers around helping military wives while their husbands are deployed. It touches on the wives’ need to contribute to the household and their inability to find jobs. The guilt of forgetting to be worried when they are deployed to the sleepless nights of worry and then the adjustment when the husbands return home. I found myself aching for these families. The author writes with real-world experience and it shows in the details.
I loved the alternating time line as well. While most of the book is set in the present, some chapters are in the past. This allows the reader to fall in love with Noah as Harper did, which again utterly broke me.
Overall I really enjoyed The Military Wife. This is the first book by Laura Trentham I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last! And y’all I’m really hoping that Darren and Allison get their own book. Their story was a side story to the main plot and ugh!!! I need more of them 😀 If you enjoy contemporary romance, I highly recommend you grab a copy with a box of tissues.
saschadarlington's review
5.0
The Military Wife by Laura Trentham worked for me on all levels. Told in two povs, Harper's and Bennett's, the novel moves between the past when Noah pursued and won Harper's heart, when Noah and Bennett became friends during SEAL training and then to the present day as Harper discovers that the sizable amount of money Bennett had given to her after Noah's funeral was not really a courage award.
Have you ever read a romance in which the widow starts a new relationship, but then the author slowly destroys the character of the man she was married to? That is a huge pet peeve of mine so I was so very glad that Trentham allowed Noah to remain a good guy, the guy that Harper fell in love with. And, it's because of this that when I was presented with Noah's death scene and Ben's birth that my tears were falling. I almost thought it might be a mistake to have Noah be such a huge part of this novel, but it wasn't. I think it made the reader miss him as much as Harper and Bennett missed him.
All of the characters were believable, their reactions on target.
The Military Wife had so many emotions on its pages, so many feels, that it was a difficult novel to put down. I am very much looking forward to reading future entries in the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever read a romance in which the widow starts a new relationship, but then the author slowly destroys the character of the man she was married to? That is a huge pet peeve of mine so I was so very glad that Trentham allowed Noah to remain a good guy, the guy that Harper fell in love with. And, it's because of this that when I was presented with Noah's death scene and Ben's birth that my tears were falling. I almost thought it might be a mistake to have Noah be such a huge part of this novel, but it wasn't. I think it made the reader miss him as much as Harper and Bennett missed him.
All of the characters were believable, their reactions on target.
The Military Wife had so many emotions on its pages, so many feels, that it was a difficult novel to put down. I am very much looking forward to reading future entries in the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.