Title:  To Have and to Hold

Author :  Serena Bell

Series:  Returning Home #3

Release date:  26 Jul 2016

Rating : 4 Stars

 

Blurb : In this emotionally charged novel from the bestselling author of Hold on Tight (“Sweet, sexy, and real.”—Jessica Scott)

 

a war hero fights to remember the love he left behind—and the woman who refuses to fade away. The reunion is supposed to be the start of the rest of their lives. But when Trina Levine sees the soldier she promised to love forever, Hunter Cross looks at her like she’s a stranger.

 

The connection is gone, lost in the blank stare of those soulful brown eyes. Hunter remembers his young daughter but not Trina, and he certainly can’t recall why Trina and her own child are living in his house. Although his lean, rugged frame bears the scars of battle, his mind took the worst hit.

 

But Hunter Cross hasn’t forgotten everything. His body remembers caressing Trina’s delicate curves, holding her close, never wanting to let go. Was it just a dream, or was it real life? Now, as he tries to put the pieces back together, Trina’s the one who comforts him when his night terrors strike.

 

It’s Trina whose warm touch rekindles a connection no man could deny. Even with the odds stacked against them, Hunter wants to believe. Because passion has the power to awaken the past—and remake the future.

 

Praise for Serena Bell’s Returning Home novels

 

“Sweet, sexy, and real . . . In Hold on Tight, Serena Bell has written a beautiful story about a wounded soldier and the woman strong enough to love him.”—USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott

 

“Hold on Tight is intensely sensual, with three-dimensional characters and a romance worth rooting for. Serena Bell is a master of sumptuous realism.”—Cara McKenna, author of Crosstown Crush

 

“Can’t Hold Back is a lovely story of second chances and new beginnings. Wounds that go deeper than physical pain are the most difficult to heal.”—New York Times bestselling author Kathy Clark

 

“With deceit and forgiveness, pain and addiction, healing and a second chance at love, Can’t Hold Back has it all. You do not want to miss this sexy story of a soldier coming home.”—Wendy S. Marcus, award-winning author of All I Need Is You

 

Review : To Have and to Hold: A Returning Home Novel (Returning Home #3) by Serena Bell was a surprising read. I have read my fair share of wounded warrior novels but must admit this one is special.

 

It might not be unique in its plot but the characters are so well crafted and you can almost feel the love this author placed in her creations.

 

The plot is told in a believable pace that felt real to me. I could relate to Hunter and his struggles to find his “normal” but also to Trina and her Battle. She was trapped between remembering, whishing and the hard / ugly reality – her battle felt also real. And the story is told in a way that almost (yeah just almost – so no 5 stars unfortunately) brought tears into my eyes.

 

It was the end that was a little misplaced and went a little to sappy that blew the 5th star.

 

But still that does not change that it is a great plot in a beautiful setting that I can highly recommend.

 

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