Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good second chance romance. Jake and Sally have been married for almost nine years, but he has been gone on deployments for most of it. Three years earlier, Jake had re-enlisted without talking to Sally about it. They fought bitterly just before he left on another deployment. Then Jake went MIA and was presumed dead.
Sally was devastated by his loss and the bitter words that were the last they shared. She pulled herself together for the sake of their three sons and moved on with her life. She started a business that she loves and became an integral part of the community. Then came a visit from some top Pentagon officials. Jake is alive after all and will be coming home soon.
Jake spent the last three years as a captive of terrorists, beaten, tortured, and maimed. He has spent several months in the hospital undergoing various surgeries and attempting to recover. Besides the physical injuries, Jake also deals with severe PTSD, which he likens to a "red tide" taking him over. He refused to let officials inform his family that he is alive, as he has no idea if he wants to go home. He feels that he is too broken to be around anyone, much less his family. As the story opens, Jake is informed that he has no choice and will go home. His rescue was kept top secret because the terrorists who had him are now high-placed officials in their country's government. But the secret is out, and Jake must play his part. He is not at all happy when he finds out about the spin being placed on his return.
I hurt for Jake and the way what he has been through is covered up. The lack of control he had as a captive is now continued by his own government. He'll go along with it for now, but has no idea what his future holds for him. His captivity changed him and has left him unsure of where he belongs. Should he take the desk job offered to him, join his father in his fishing business, or just disappear into the wilderness somewhere?
The rekindling of the relationship between Sally and Jake is not an easy one. Both of them have changed and must get to know each other all over again. Because Jake was away so much during their marriage, he has some eye-opening moments as he experiences the family's day-to-day life. One thing that hadn't changed was the strength of their love. I liked watching them fight for their marriage. I liked the flashbacks to their early years together and how those memories reminded them of the love that they shared. It was fun to see how their friends and family got involved in helping the two along. I loved seeing Sally's efforts to help Jake, especially once she began to suspect the truth about his absence. I ached for Jake and his fears of hurting his family. The singing scene was a defining moment for Jake. I loved how he took back control of his life in an unexpected way. I liked the ending as Sally made her own stand for their love.
The secondary characters were great. I especially loved Jake and Sally's three sons, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The scenes with them were fun and were a sweet relief from some of the more intense segments. I also enjoyed the scenes with Jake's father, Joe. His scheme to push Jake and Sally together was a hoot, and I loved seeing him make it happen. The parts with Jake's friend Izzie were great. Their friendship is a long-standing one, and I liked seeing how well Izzie understands his friend. He's there when Jake needs him and has no trouble giving him advice. There is an interesting scene between Izzie and his ex-girlfriend, with plenty of sparks flying. I'd like to see a book for them. There were also plenty of scenes with the assorted residents of Bell Cove, providing lots of love and laughter.
Sally was devastated by his loss and the bitter words that were the last they shared. She pulled herself together for the sake of their three sons and moved on with her life. She started a business that she loves and became an integral part of the community. Then came a visit from some top Pentagon officials. Jake is alive after all and will be coming home soon.
Jake spent the last three years as a captive of terrorists, beaten, tortured, and maimed. He has spent several months in the hospital undergoing various surgeries and attempting to recover. Besides the physical injuries, Jake also deals with severe PTSD, which he likens to a "red tide" taking him over. He refused to let officials inform his family that he is alive, as he has no idea if he wants to go home. He feels that he is too broken to be around anyone, much less his family. As the story opens, Jake is informed that he has no choice and will go home. His rescue was kept top secret because the terrorists who had him are now high-placed officials in their country's government. But the secret is out, and Jake must play his part. He is not at all happy when he finds out about the spin being placed on his return.
I hurt for Jake and the way what he has been through is covered up. The lack of control he had as a captive is now continued by his own government. He'll go along with it for now, but has no idea what his future holds for him. His captivity changed him and has left him unsure of where he belongs. Should he take the desk job offered to him, join his father in his fishing business, or just disappear into the wilderness somewhere?
The rekindling of the relationship between Sally and Jake is not an easy one. Both of them have changed and must get to know each other all over again. Because Jake was away so much during their marriage, he has some eye-opening moments as he experiences the family's day-to-day life. One thing that hadn't changed was the strength of their love. I liked watching them fight for their marriage. I liked the flashbacks to their early years together and how those memories reminded them of the love that they shared. It was fun to see how their friends and family got involved in helping the two along. I loved seeing Sally's efforts to help Jake, especially once she began to suspect the truth about his absence. I ached for Jake and his fears of hurting his family. The singing scene was a defining moment for Jake. I loved how he took back control of his life in an unexpected way. I liked the ending as Sally made her own stand for their love.
The secondary characters were great. I especially loved Jake and Sally's three sons, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The scenes with them were fun and were a sweet relief from some of the more intense segments. I also enjoyed the scenes with Jake's father, Joe. His scheme to push Jake and Sally together was a hoot, and I loved seeing him make it happen. The parts with Jake's friend Izzie were great. Their friendship is a long-standing one, and I liked seeing how well Izzie understands his friend. He's there when Jake needs him and has no trouble giving him advice. There is an interesting scene between Izzie and his ex-girlfriend, with plenty of sparks flying. I'd like to see a book for them. There were also plenty of scenes with the assorted residents of Bell Cove, providing lots of love and laughter.
