Just a kiss
by: Denise Hunter
Book Description: Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for
his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in
Afghanistan.
Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.
But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.
As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?
My review: "Improve. Adapt. Overcome." Words of solidity, strength, courage - words that Riley has beaten into himself as he struggles to live the life now his and the memories of what used to be. These three powerful words resonate through the depth of this book. I am passionately interested in books that have love stories entwined with scripture quotes and faith based themes!
Riley Callahan just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to winning the girl of his dream, Paige. Paige Warren is dating his brother and it's tearing him apart, so after his father's death he abruptly leaves for the Marines. While there, he is injured and sent home to recover, mentally, physically, spiritually. Paige is struggling to keep her dog rescue shelter open and suggests Riley stay with her while he continues to heal, as they are best friends. Or so she thinks! She soon realizes that not only do her feelings run deeper than just 'best friend status', but they overcome obstacles together - from Riley forgetting the faucet and flooding the rescue shelter to Paige needing Riley to be one of the 12 men at the bachelor auction.
I loved the complicated relationship that Paige and Riley share and conquer. The author does a good job of showing profound emotion through her writing. At times I wanted to shake the book and make Riley wake up and see the love Paige was offering him! I can also understand how Riley's amputated leg could make him feel like he is less of a man and wasn't enough to offer Paige. She's suffered enough and the loss was already weighing heavy on her heart. The mix of the rest of the supporting cast like cantankerous Miss Trudy and her strife with Sheriff Colton, and Lucy and brothers Beau and Zac just really gave this novel a well rounded homespun, family feel.
"Help her, God. Remind her that she's loved."
Indeed, with the blessings of His grace in our lives, we are always loved. The friendship blossoming into romance for Paige and Riley is a wonderful reminder that indeed, we are!
4/5 stars
Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.
But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.
As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?
My review: "Improve. Adapt. Overcome." Words of solidity, strength, courage - words that Riley has beaten into himself as he struggles to live the life now his and the memories of what used to be. These three powerful words resonate through the depth of this book. I am passionately interested in books that have love stories entwined with scripture quotes and faith based themes!
Riley Callahan just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to winning the girl of his dream, Paige. Paige Warren is dating his brother and it's tearing him apart, so after his father's death he abruptly leaves for the Marines. While there, he is injured and sent home to recover, mentally, physically, spiritually. Paige is struggling to keep her dog rescue shelter open and suggests Riley stay with her while he continues to heal, as they are best friends. Or so she thinks! She soon realizes that not only do her feelings run deeper than just 'best friend status', but they overcome obstacles together - from Riley forgetting the faucet and flooding the rescue shelter to Paige needing Riley to be one of the 12 men at the bachelor auction.
I loved the complicated relationship that Paige and Riley share and conquer. The author does a good job of showing profound emotion through her writing. At times I wanted to shake the book and make Riley wake up and see the love Paige was offering him! I can also understand how Riley's amputated leg could make him feel like he is less of a man and wasn't enough to offer Paige. She's suffered enough and the loss was already weighing heavy on her heart. The mix of the rest of the supporting cast like cantankerous Miss Trudy and her strife with Sheriff Colton, and Lucy and brothers Beau and Zac just really gave this novel a well rounded homespun, family feel.
"Help her, God. Remind her that she's loved."
Indeed, with the blessings of His grace in our lives, we are always loved. The friendship blossoming into romance for Paige and Riley is a wonderful reminder that indeed, we are!
4/5 stars
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Program, in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
No comments:
Post a Comment