In a matter of seconds my entire world changed, and it was in that moment that I stopped living and simply began to exist.

In my grief, I sent a letter to the first boy I ever loved. I hoped in writing it I’d find some peace from the nightmare I was living, some solace in my anger.

I didn’t expect him to write back. I wasn’t prepared for his words, and I certainly wasn’t ready for the impact this soldier would have on my life. A deep-rooted hate transformed into friendship, and then molded into a love like I’d never known before.

Sergeant Devin Ulysses Clay did what I couldn’t: he put the shattered pieces of my heart back together, restoring my faith in humanity and teaching me how to live again.

But now that I’m whole, I have a decision to make. Do I return to my life as I knew it and the fiancé I left behind, or do I walk away from it all for the only man to ever break my heart?

***

I’ve been living in hell, but you won’t hear me complain.

These men depend on me, as I do them, and this brotherhood is the only family I’ve ever known.

The Army saved me from a callous mother and a life on the wrong side of the tracks that was quickly spiraling out of control. So unlike most of the men in my platoon, going home wasn’t something I longed for.

I was content overseas, spending my days defending this country that gave me my life back. Fighting became my new normal … until her.

A letter from Katie Devora—a letter that I almost didn’t open. Her words put a fire back inside of me that I didn’t know I’d lost. She gave me hope during a time when I was fighting every day just to stay alive, and now it’s time I fight for her.

Goodreads

I read the book as part of the Coming Home Anthology.  I could not pass up a collection of Military books and plus the money went to a good cause. I am enjoying being introduced to authors I have never read before. K.L. Grayson and B.T. Urruela did not disappoint. They did a great job pulling me into the story and made me feel like I was there as everything unfolded and felt every emotion Devon and Katie were going through.

Katie and Devon have been friends since she busted his lip in the first grade. You see Katie was a tomboy and didn’t back down when pushed far enough. Katie and Devon grew up and into each other’s arms. However, their love would not be strong enough to keep them together when his mother moved them 800 miles away from Katie leaving Katie devastated and heartbroken. Devon didn’t want to go but knew he was not the guy for Katie she deserved better in his eyes.

After a life changing event in Katie’s life she found herself staring at a list of solder’s name to write to but the only name she could see was Devon’s the question was does she write him or one of the other solder’s on this sheet.  WELLLLL she not only decided to write to Devon and unload everything that she felt and was going through. What she did not expect was to have Devon write back.  The words these two had for each other were powerful. She had her own life but having Devon back getting a second chance could change her entire world.

The chemistry between Devon and Katie was amazing. To watch them build back trust and learn who each other were now that they were no longer kids just through the letters, emails, and video chats was great. Not only did I enjoy Devon and Katie but seeing the interactions between Devon and/or Katie’s and their best friend Navas, Magie, and even Bailey Katie’s sister interactions was wonderful.  The last chapters and epilogue had me in tears after everything these two had been through now this NO NO NO! Great job and loved the duel POV. Wonderful second chance story you never know how long you have so make the most of what you have with those you love.

My favorite line in the book:

“Love doesn’t have and expiration date, Katie. There is no cookie cutter for it, and there sure as hell aren’t instructions. It just is…”

K.L. Grayson

K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.

B.T. Urruella

BT Urruela was an infantryman in the US Army from August 2004 until February 2011. At the end of a year long tour to Baghdad, Iraq, his vehicle was hit by two roadside bombs, which took his right leg below the knee and the life of his commander. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his wounds, an Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He medically retired from the Army in 2011 and moved to Tampa, FL where he currently works as a Director and Brand Ambassador for VETSports, a veteran community sports nonprofit he co-founded in 2012. He also conducts motivational speeches, works as a cover and fitness model and he’s a personal performance trainer.
He’s a co-author of the military romance novel A Lover’s Lament and the upcoming romantic thriller and his debut solo novel, Into the Nothing.