All For You

Coming Home #4

by Jessica Scott

"Touchingly sincere...Trent and Laura are both rendered as wounded, lovable people, and readers will cheer for each stumbling, shy step toward the couple's reunion. Scott's prose is witty and sharp, and her delightful cast of characters keeps this delectable page-turner vibrant throughout." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) on BACK TO YOU He trains men for war… The only thing Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli cares about is taking care of his men and making sure they’re ready for the next combat deployment to the Surge in Iraq. Nothing will stand in the way of him taking care of his soldiers — especially not some direct commission captain who doesn’t even know how to put on her body armor. He has no idea what she’s even doing in the Army, other than getting under his skin. She’ll fight for his men… Army Captain Emily Lindberg knows one thing about the Army and that is it is terrible about taking care of its Soldiers. She may not know much about the Army but when Sergeant Iaconelli attempts to tell her how to do her job, she’ll stand up to the big NCO and dare him to be better than he thinks he is. Behind the angry exterior, she sees a man who’s hiding — using war as a means to escape the demons from his past. He needs her more than he knows… When one of his soldiers commits suicide, Reza faces his toughest challenge yet. As his efforts to remain sober start to fail, he’ll need to find the strength to ask her for the one thing she alone can give him — and it may be more than he’s capable of. RAVES FOR JESSICA SCOTT and BACK TO YOU "Jessica Scott's BACK TO YOU is a moving story with rich, layered characters and real, heart-felt emotion. Don't miss this fabulous read!"~Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author"Jessica Scott's novels are beautifully written, honestly authentic, and richly emotional."~JoAnn Ross, New York Times bestselling author"Few writers can reach the psychological and emotional depths with their characters as Jessica Scott can. A gripping, deeply emotional story that will grab the reader and not let them go."~Lindsay McKenna, New York Times bestselling author of NEVER SURRENDER

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Military Romance, Fiction, War

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2014

About the author

Sign up for Jessica’s newsletter https://jessicascott.net/subscribe/

Jessica Scott Jessica Scott is a USA Today bestselling American author of more than 20 novels, including Because of You which launched Loveswepts Digital Imprint in 2011 as well as Homefront, and Before I Fall. She is an Army veteran, a veteran of the Iraq war, the mother of two daughters, a small zoo consisting of too many cats, dogs and the occasional domesticated rodent, and wife to a retired NCO.

Her novels comes from her personal experiences as a soldier, a mother, and an army wife and often explores themes of family, the legacy of war, challenges of military life, and includes contemporary military romances, psychological suspense, and nonfiction works.

Follow Jessica

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaScottAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadscott09/


She's also written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/New Dawn and has had the honor of serving as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas twice.

She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.

Author photo courtesy of Buzz Covington Photography


Learn more at https://www.jessicascottbooks.com

Reviews

[Michele Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first romance about the military. I really loved it. The story line was great. It gives you a good look at what some of our soldiers go through when they get back from war. My heart goes out to them, their families and doctors.

Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for letting me win an autograph copy!

[♥Sharon♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!!!



This is the first book that I have read by Jessica Scott and though for me it started off a bit slow I ended up enjoying it.

I have only read a few books that were based on the lives of military personnel but I have to say All For You really gave me a true sense of how challenging their lives are. Things that happen “behind” closed doors can sometimes be painful, shameful and just plain wrong.

Reza ~ I have to be honest. In the beginning I wasn’t sure what to think about Sergeant Reza Iaconelli. He really was a hard ass. But a HOT, SEXY one at that! ;) Everything that comes out of his mouth was laced with agitation. Things that have happened to Reza have hardened him. For him getting through each day was a battle. He battled his need to drink and his need to forget. It seemed as though there was no end to this vicious cycle, until he meets Emily Lindberg.

Emily ~ She was easy to love. She was so sweet. But she was also strong too. In her job as a Psychiatrist she sees the pain that breaks down these strong men. And even though some of them scare the hell out of her she wasn’t about to turn away and run. Emily isn’t only proving something to herself and her family by joining the military staff; she also loves what she does.

Emily and Reza‘s first meeting it is under circumstances that Reza really isn’t happy about. Keeping track of one of his men who is dealing with some health issues takes him away from what he really wants to be doing and he just doesn’t have the patience for it. But Emily isn’t going to just give in to Reza’s demands and bullying. She stands her ground and quickly finds herself in a few heated situations with him.

When Emily decides that the situation surrounding Reza and a couple of his men appears to be more than what is at the surface, she asks for Reza’s help in trying to understand everything. At first Reza isn’t thrilled about it but slowly his feelings for Emily is changing. He sees her strength and determination. He also sees a very sexy and desirable woman. But how far will things go between them before he screws up again, before his demons resurface again.

Emily and Reza had quite a lot to work through. They had a strong physical connection that was undeniable but Reza didn’t have a lot to offer Emily. He wanted to give her everything she deserved but all the goodness in him was buried deep underneath his pain. But Emily could see past his imperfections and saw the good in Reza. She just needed to figure out how to get him to see it too.

This really was a great story. Things play out a bit different then my typical reads. There was no rush in bringing Emily and Reza together and I loved that. There was a gradual build up which made their relationship relatable. Was there sexy times? Absolutely! Talk about delayed gratification. When things get shaking with these two between the sheets, it was HOT!

This is the 4th book in the Coming Home series and since this is my first book by Jessica Scott, it appears I am reading them out of order. But it really didn’t matter. I didn’t feel lost at all with all the other characters. I hope to read some of her other books soon.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This really was a fantastic read. I have had this book for years but for some reason never picked it up until now. Let me tell you that this was a big mistake. Huge mistake. This book was really good and made me think. It made me feel which is always a good thing. I think that I had expected this book to be a more typical military romance before reading it but I was completely wrong. I am really glad that I took the time to read this powerful story.

This book deals with military suicide and PTSD which are some pretty tough topics. Most of the soldiers in this story are affected by their time in combat in one way or another. Reza is a Sergeant First Class and tries to watch out for his men while dealing with his own issues. He often has to spend a lot of valuable time trying to find out what is going on with his me. Time that could be spent in training before their next deployment.

Emily, a Psychiatrist, is new to the Army and really wants to help the soldiers that come to her for help. Her family is not in favor of her decision to enlist in the army but she is determined to make a difference. She quickly learns that there are a lot of things that she does not understand in regards to what the soldiers have been through so she works to learn what she can.

I really liked Reza and Emily together. They had such great chemistry even though they were not at all alike. They both seemed to be able to support each other in exactly the way that was most needed. I really appreciated the fact that the romance didn't overpower the other issues that the book was dealing with. If anything, I would say that the romance aspect of the book was secondary to turmoil with Reza and his soldiers.

I really liked how this book was able to show such tough topics in a way that felt realistic. Reza's battle with alcohol was painful to watch. There were some pretty graphic scenes that really got to me. I understood how Reza and Emily were taking thing hard because I was right there with them. I also really appreciated the fact that the book ended on a very hopeful note because I really wanted to see both of these characters get their happy ending.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought it was a really well done story that was quite eye opening. This book is the forth book in the Coming Home series but I read it as a stand alone without any trouble. I would definitely read more from this talented author in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. The book had a very strong focus on suicide and PTSD for soliders that have been to war. I think that the romance was good but it wan't really the main focus of the story. I liked Reza a lot and thought he showed a lot of growth during the course of the story. Emily was a good match for him and I really liked how seriously she took her job. I am really sorry that I let this book sit on the review pile for over 4 years since I really ended up enjoying it.

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ‘edgy but poignant, agonizing but hopeful’ stars!

The thing I love most about Jessica Scott’s stories is the humanity of them. The behind the scenes graphic, candid look at how the survivors of war – and in this case I mean the soldiers – deal with their emotional and physical scars. And further testament to her ability to tell a tale is that she can show us all this without making statements of political correctness. Whether war is right or wrong, good or evil…

All For You is gut wrenching, heartbreaking, and gritty. It’s romantic, poignant and sexy. It’s thought provoking, uplifting and inspiring. It’s one helluva brilliant read.

An eARC was provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley and in exchange I’m giving them an honest review.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read by Jessica Scott and I’m impressed by her beautiful and realistic portrayal of romance. I felt an emotional connection to these characters and their story, and rooted for their happy ending!

Captain Emily Lindberg left the privileged life she led in Cape Code to be a therapist in the army in hopes of making a difference in the lives of soldiers damaged emotionally by wars. But joining the army has proved to be more of a challenge that she thought. To help at risk soldiers Emily must battle against commanders that think the Rest and Resiliency Center is a place where the screw-ups come to get out of working, a place for “sissies” instead of refuge for those on the edge.

On first meeting Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli, Emily is struck by how absolutely gorgeous and powerful looking he is, waking up desires in her long buried:

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the single most beautiful man she’d ever seen.—
Dear Lord, men actually came put together like this? She’d never met a man who embodied the fantasy man in uniform like this one.

Immediately after laying eyes on Reza, he opens his mouth and she puts him firmly in the column with the jerks she’s constantly fighting against. But there’s a lot more to Reza than what he presents on the surface and Emily soon realizes there’s a big heart residing in this powerful, yet vulnerable warrior.

Reza has a whole mess of issues, first from his upbringing and second from his experiences in war. He carries a load of guilt and anger and has tried to cope by using alcohol to numb the pain. He’s sober, but always just on the edge with the stress of responsibility for his soldiers and the climate of intolerance nurtured by his commander. Reza’s become cynical, but meeting Emily has him looking at things in a new light. She’s awakened new feelings in him, a desire to be a better man, a man good enough for her.

Although I have no experience with military life, Jessica Scott seemed to capture the harsh realities in a way that touched my heart. Instead of making Reza a sexed-up alpha army man like we get in a lot of romances, I felt like he was a more of a true-to-life portrayal of man in uniform. Make no mistake, though, I was drooling over Reza! He struck a tantalizing picture of masculine power and protection, enough to make me a little weak in the knees! His desire to protect and care for Emily was a potent aphrodisiac! What woman doesn’t want a knight in shining armor? Yet, Emily was a bit of a savior as well, providing comfort and understanding to Reza without judgment. Something Reza desperately needed.

While their romance ends with a satisfying resolution, I hope to catch more of Emily and Reza in the next installment! It’s Always Been You is next and centers on Reza’s friend, Captain Ben Teague. Can’t wait!

A copy was kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captain Emily Lindberg is the psychologist at Fort Hood. Emily went against what her family wanted and left behind a life of privilege, so she could make a difference by devoting her life to soldiers who are in desperate need of care. She recently moved to Fort Hood because it was the place considered most in need of psychiatric services, due to the highest active-duty suicide rate in the army. But the soldiers needing care was relentless. Not to mention she has to deal with angry Commanders and Sergeants that believe broken soldiers are weak and don’t belong in the military. But Emily’s refuses to back down, even if it means facing down the powerful, sexy, and intimidating, alpha warrior, Sergeant Reza Iaconelli.

“My job is to keep soldiers from killing themselves.” - Emily

“And my job is to keep soldiers from dying in combat.” - Reza

Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli lives for leading his men. It’s what he’s good at. What he loves. For years, Reza has struggled with being an alcoholic. It’s his way of coping with his abusive childhood and heavy baggage that comes with war; both leaving deep scars inside and outside. He just wants to do his job and to be left alone, not deal with the smart and sexy shrink who revs his body up with desire and makes his head spin with anger. No other woman has ever gotten his skin like she did. Not to mention how she manages to convince Reza to agree to help her understand what it’s like to be a soldier so she can better help them by taking her to a training session, where things begin to heat up between them.

As they get to know one another, they start to understand one another and the different worlds they live in. Emily is dedicated to making a difference for these soldiers and Reza starts to understand the importance of her job, realizing there are soldiers who truly need help. Emily wants to understand Reza better, peel back the layers that make up this complicated man with an addiction to alcohol and emotional baggage, and help him breakthrough darkness that consumes him. Reza’s issues go deep. He’s used to taking care of his men and leading them and he doesn’t realize he needs to be taken care of, until Emily walks into his life.


“You’ve taken care of soldiers at war for so long, maybe it’s time someone took care of you.”

This story mostly focuses on broken soldiers, who struggle with depression and PTSD, due to stress of the military and war. Sometimes a soldier just can’t handle the stress and turns to alcohol and drugs and, sadly, suicide. It’s admirable of Jessica Scott to write such an honest story. She doesn’t gloss over the unsavory details of war and the aftermath of war. Rather she writes a realistic and sympathetic story about soldiers who are suffering from PTSD.

I like deeply flawed, imperfect relationships with hot chemistry. And that’s exactly how I would describe Reza and Emily’s relationship. I love how Emily refused to back down from Reza and how the big bad Reza was putty in Emily’s hands. They strongly desired each other and made love with passion. So, while I really like this couple together, I found the relationship development to be lacking. Mostly due to the dark subjects written in the story, which took front and center over the romance.

I often feel frustrated when a relationship is not well-developed in a romance. I felt like the romance aspect of the story was overshadowed by the heaviness of the storyline. It’s a shame too, because I really would have liked more focus on this couple, since they have a nice dynamic together. I also found the pacing of the book to be slow. The entire story from beginning to end was unrelentingly sad. All of the angst and sadness grew tiresome. It would have been nice to have more scenes where Emily and Reza weren’t dealing with so many problems and just having fun together as they got to know one another. There is some playful banter but I wanted more personal time between them without all the emotional baggage weighing down their relationship.

While I can’t say this book blew me away like Back to You, the third book in the Coming Home series, it’s a good book overall. Jessica Scott is a talented writer, who knows how to write emotional and meaningful stories that touch the soul deeply. I do like this author’s voice and plant to continue on with this series.

Rating: C+
Heat: Hot

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review


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[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to give contemporaries another try, this time with a military romance. the author is in the military herself, deployed 2009, writes about the Iraq/Afghanistan war for NPR, PBS, and the NYT, and is currently getting her PhD in sociology. That is one heck of a resume! Clearly she really knows whereof she writes.

I don't know if this wasn't an awesome effort or if it was just me not being the right reader. What I couldn't get past was the heroine's voice and characterization. How could an intelligent woman who got through medical school and enlisted as a military psychologist possibly be so clueless about military life? Especially if she's "watched every war movie she could find"?

for example:
"All right, pay attention. You want your ammo pouches where you van easily access them and where they don't hinder your movement."
She blinked at the abrupt transition. "I have no idea what you just said."
He turned to stare at her, his eyes glittering darkly. "Which part?"
"Any of it."
"Ammo. Ammunition? The little bullets you put in the magazine and shoot people with." He frowned. "You know what a magazine is?"
Emily pursed her lips as heat crept up her neck. "Can I just not answer any more questions?"


What. That is utterly ridiculous. Even I, a queer lady librarian who never watches war movies or reads war books, can understand a straightforward statement like that. I understand that she hasn't been in combat and lacks a real emotional and visceral understanding of combat, and I totally believe she wouldn't know how to put her body armor on, but there are moments of sheer befuddlement in this book. And there were enough of them that it was hard to engage emotionally at all. Maybe the real challenge was that it was awfully hard to respect her at all, and without that there's no point in reading romance.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before starting this book I wasn't sure I wanted to read about Reza, in the other books he came across as a selfish, insensitive, alcoholic douche and he is all of that but in this book I saw his human side, the guilt and responsibility he carried, the toll the war had taken on him.

The heroine Emily is new to the army and she has to put up with men being men but she wants to help people, even though most army-men want to avoid shrinks. Her parents do not understand her choices but Emily knows she can make a difference but we see her grapple with how. Reza and Emily clash over a man Reza is serving with and somehow keep coming into each others orbits. I loved how Reza helped Emily understand combat in a way, when Emily is there for him, actually everything about their relationship.

Honestly, I loved the book, it seemed real, all characters were human and flawed and even the romance wasn't sugary sweet, it was realistic. We see Reza fall of the wagon, deal with tragedy and accept he needed help and Emily was there for him all through.

Honestly, Jessica Scott brings the army and the people in it come alive and I love that she doesn't sugar-coat the ugly truths.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on TheBook Nympho

I've looked forward to Reza's story since the second book where his life seemed to completely fall apart and it was well worth the wait.

The setup
Reza Iaconelli is an incredible leader, preparing the men in his division for deployment and keeping them safe once at war. But when he's not deployed, his excessive drinking is a problem. He's taken it upon himself to self manage his sobriety but Reza's private pain is sorely testing his resolve. When he crosses paths with Army psychiatrist Emily Lindbergh, his life changes overnight.

The issues
Reza's used up all of his command's goodwill and no one is going to come to his rescue anymore. He's a loner and realistically can't heal himself anymore. He's near drowning but sees hope in the idealism of Emily, who still sees possibility in him and the ability to provide needed mental health treatment to the troops who are suffering from the effects of too many deployments. They have a passionate relationship based on respect and affection of each other. He's not her patient, nor does she relate to him that way.

What works about this story
Emily is the light Reza needed at this moment in his life and he embodied all that she respected in a military leader. She saw in him what he had trouble acknowledging for himself. Their developing romance just sizzled in all the right ways and it was lovely how they supported each other without really trying. They were so natural and honest with each other, just what I had hoped for this troubled and formidable man.

Reza's selflessness in helping Emily understand the world of the damaged men she was treating made such a difference in the story. It exposed the true man and leader. I loved how she got him but didn't tolerate his self abuse when it mattered the most. All of this occurred against the backdrop of a seriously flawed military system that didn't offer easy solutions and presented all sides of the issues.

The bottom line
While this is a tough story, it's one I expected but was also delighted in the romance. The contrast between Emily's optimism and Reza's futility provided a balance in the relationship that anchored both of them. It's a sensitively portrayed love story that captured me, in spite of the sometimes harsh circumstances. Reza is symbolic of many of the men serving our country and they are well represented here. Again, well done.

(I received an ARC from the publisher)

[Kame · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be 5+ stars

Reza has a thin hold on his life. He is trying to make it through one sober day at a time. All he wants to do is keep his men safe; well that and try not to get chewed out by his commander. He is tired of the soldiers who are shirking their duty. One day when his grip on keeping it together is tenuous at best he is determined to go to the clinic and get the answers he needs. Dr. Emily Lindberg has never seen a minute of combat but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want to do what is best for these soldiers. No matter how much Reza pushes she does not back down; she actually challenges him like no one has ever before.

Yes this book is classified as a contemporary romance; but this is so much more. The romantic elements of this book are great and border on steamy; however it was the griping tale of Reza’s men that kept me reading. Take out all the steamy scenes and you would still have a 5 star read in my opinion. (But please don’t as they were really good scenes!). Because of Jessica Scott’s military service I know that the scenarios and circumstances she writes in her fictional stories are not implausible, I find her books give me something very few other contemporary fiction books do; they give me insight and a greater appreciation for our military and the scars you can not see.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review – and I have already preordered a copy of this book for my Kindle.

Check out my complete review with quotes on release day 2/4/2014 @ http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...

[Luli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.

Well, it's not the first time I've read this author and I already knew that I was going to find something more intense than my typical romance, even so, it has been difficult to read Reza & Emily´s story.

It has been too realistic. Too honest. Too sincere. And worst of all, I'm sure the author has sugar-coated some things a bit so that, at the end of the story, there would still be a glimmer of hope.

The romance isn't the most important thing, it's another character, or a necessity, I would say, a kind of glue that makes all the plots in the story come together.

And I loved the epilogue. It has been just as sincere and honest as the rest of the story. Nothing cloying or sappy.

As for the plots… they will end when they end. The author is too realistic to wrap everything up in a big pink bow, but she manages to leave you with the feeling that (for now) everything is going to be all right.

I love it. I cannot say otherwise.

Note: This story deals with serious subjects as suicide and alcoholism.


***

Bueno, no es la primera vez que leo a esta autora y ya sabía que me iba a encontrar con algo más intenso que el típico romance, aún así, ha sido difícil leer la historia de Reza y Emily.

Ha sido demasiado realista. Demasiado honesta. Demasiado sincera. Y lo peor de todo es que estoy segura de que la autora lo ha endulzado todo un poco para que, al final de la historia, aún hubiese un rayito de esperanza.

El romance no es lo más importante, es otro personaje más, o una necesidad, diría yo, una especie de pegamento que hace que cohesionen todas las historias que hay dentro del relato.

Y me ha encantado el epílogo. Ha sido igual de sincero y honesto que el resto de la historia. Nada empalagoso ni ñoño.

El resto de las historias… terminarán como terminen. La autora es demasiado realista para envolverlo todo en un gran lazo rosa, pero consigue dejarte con la sensación de que (por ahora) todo va a ir bien.

Me ha encantado. No puedo decir otra cosa.

Nota: Esta historia trata con problemas muy serios como suicidio y alcoholismo.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 5 out of 5]

02/19/2014 --

Overall Rating = 5 Stars [deserves so much more]
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 5 / 3 / 1 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = Off the Charts Stars
Character Development = 5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Moderate
289 pages

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STORY hidden in a romance. I hope it finds its' way to you.

Ms. Scott has done it again. She has ripped my heart out and then given me hope. This book holds an important message and you don't have to struggle to understand it. She puts it together for us very easily and simply through her wonderfully drawn characters.

What is the message? Our returning warriors, our veterans, may be under-served by the health system they are required to exist in. To add to this, there may be real prejudice within the ranks and military leaders for seeking help from this system. This can lead to any number of mental and physical issues. Did you know the suicide rate of our returning warriors has hit an all time high. This has never before been experienced. It is alarming. It is atrocious. It is criminal.

Whatever you feel about the war, you can't argue that these men and women deserve more for their service. Awareness is the first step.

This is a terrific book, but is very hard to read. That doesn't mean you should pass. It means you should pull on your Big Girl / Big Boy Panties and dive in. It will make you feel. It will make you think. It will make you act.

What did I like about this one? Everything. There is not one criticism I would offer. You can tell Ms. Scott feels this story deep in her soul. When I read Back To You [another book in this series], I said it was a story Jessica Scott was destined to tell. I have to add this story to that and say this whole series she is destined to tell. I commend her for her heart, her courage and her talent. If Reza's story ripped my heart out and I've personally experienced nothing of war, imagine what it took from Ms. Scott to reflect and put it out there for us. The cathartic pain she experienced pulling from her own intimate war experiences.

She indicates at the end of this book just how difficult this story was for her to tell. I thank her for this effort. A most powerful story. One I'll remember and recommend. As difficult as it is, I'm sure I'll read it again. Nothing simple about this one.

Happy Reading!

Note: Some books are invaluable. Priceless. These books by Jessica Scott fit that category. They are an important message wrapped in a easy to read package. I sincerely hope you try this one.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a shrink and a wounded warrior where Ms Scott does not shrink from dealing with the true realities of life, army, war and the people who get caught up in between them.

The warrior who could face war, time and time again but could not bring himself to face the battle within him. Heartwarming because this book is not about superheroes but about people. People who are strong in some places and weak in others, like all of us.

As I get older I've come to realise that the world sells you a false picture of how to be. A picture of perfection, of super men and women, all beautiful and able. Totally false, we are all imperfect (and that is okay) and all we can do is acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, pick ourselves up when we fall and continue walking, breathing, etc.

Another theme dealt with in this book is the following. Hope I make sense, bear with me please. Sometimes we get ticked off and angry at traits in others and we became all out against a particular person/group because of this. Why all the anger from our end? One of my life teachers asked me to ask the following question 'Are you seeing a mirror of yourself in that person's actions?' Than the anger is more understandable. There are things inside ourselves we do not acknowledge, things we do not want, so when we see them in others we get all angry and bothered, to further reinforce our detachment from the things inside us. Dealing with this is difficult because we have to deal with ourselves. It is easier to create a monster outside.

I enjoyed this book as much as Because of You, the first in this series, if not more.

I was given a free arc of this book by the author via Netgalley.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I somehow ended up skipping a book and so I read Reza’s story before Clair. I think it may have been subconsciously, because for some reason Reza Iaconelli struck a cord somewhere and I just couldn’t wait to get to his story.
I loved this book. I loved his character. Maybe because he is so flawed but still so strong. Reza was one of my favourite characters in this whole series. All of the guys are great, but he has my soft spot.




I loved Emily as well. I liked how even though she’s a shrink she still didn’t try to get into his head every time she got close. She didn’t have this “I’m the one who knows better “ thing going for her. She wasn’t afraid to “need” him when she did, she wasn’t overbearing. She was just great!



Only thing I would change about the story? I would love more. I’d love more about their history and their future and more moments together. Their “together” was so amazingly beautiful when we got it that I could use a truck load more where that came from.

[KathyAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did an excellent job of addressing the issues of suicide and PTSD in the military. It is a difficult read in that regard. I respected the two main characters immensely... they both have their hearts in the right place because they both want what's best for the soldiers they work with. There are definitely no easy answers or cures to the emotional damage our men and women face after returning home from deployments.
Having said that... this heavy topic seemed to overshadow the romance portion of the book. It was hard for me to get into the romance when my mind is so heavily weighted down with the subject matter that was being addressed. I guess it kind of killed the mood... that's the only way I can describe it.
There were a lot of scenes where I felt like the story was being told to me instead of written in a way for me to actually feel what they were feeling. Lots of dialogue about what they were thinking... I skimmed a lot of these parts because it seemed to drag on in places and was often repetitive.
Despite the small negatives I had, this is still a good read overall. Very talented author who definitely knows her military lingo!
This can be read as a stand alone... I haven't read the previous books in this series but after reading this one I definitely want to go back and start from the beginning.

ARC was provided by Forever Publishing


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[Kate Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book that I was really excited about at the start, and then found disappointing.

I LOVED it that there was a real, substantive conflict between the hero and heroine. They're on different sides of a serious issue. And I love damaged heroes.

And there are some good scenes, some painful conversations.

But overall, I got tired of the coincidences (the two just HAPPEN to run into each other ALL THE TIME, even when they're off doing things in totally remote places), found the conversations repetitive, and, I think most significantly, I didn't really think they should be together. I also didn't think Reza should stay in the military. Not because I don't have compassion for him, but because he's out of control and therefore dangerous to himself and others. Not a man who should have access to guns and explosives.

I just finished listening to Sebastian Junger's War, so I was in the mood for a gritty military story. I guess this one delivered the grit, but it didn't really give me the romance I'd been hoping for.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tough book to read. The subject matter is dark and deals with something none of us what to think about - military suicide. While Scott's other books took a look at some of the darker sides of our military forces, I think this was by far the most heavy.

I was left feeling a bit sad and morose at the end. Kudos to Scott for tackling some of the things others don't want to talk about.

Though the story was dark, it didn't disappoint.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received All For You in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jessica Scott has yet to disappoint me with any of the books she has written in this series. I’m not sure if it’s her writing, or the fact that I am getting to know the characters or if it’s just the continuity of the series itself, but these books continue to get better and better. Obviously, All For You drilled that point home.

This is the 4th installment of the Coming Home series and the characters that were front and center were totally different than any so far. Up until now, the female leads have had some connection to the Army. Either through service, association or being a long time spouse. Emily had none of that. She was totally ‘green,’ but that didn’t lesson her dedication. It just left her ‘out of the loop.’

As far as Reza is concerned… yeah, he was pretty damaged. He came into the Army that way though. So far the male leads have been damaged by their experiences. Not that Reza hadn’t. He just had a background that provided a pretty shaky head start. One that set the tone for his character throughout All For You. His story wasn’t an easy one and being inside his had wasn’t always a fun place to be, but I still liked getting to know him. As determined as he was to get himself straight – he was still messing up. He was on shaky ground and sometimes he knew it and even then there were times he didn’t care. As hard as his friends and superiors were on him, his biggest obstacle was himself.

Together these two just worked. Emily needed help understanding where the men she was trying desperately to help were coming from and Reza needed someone to love him unconditionally. He also needed someone he could trust enough to give him a different way of looking at things. Their relationship was rocky at best and they didn’t make it easy on each other, but that’s what kept things interesting and most importantly…. real.

Once again, Jessica Scott’s first hand knowledge of military life brought realism to this series. The subject was tough and it wasn’t sugar coated. There are people that are cut out to be soldiers regardless of how they enter the military and there are people who aren’t. I’ve personally (as a civilian) seen the pressure and discipline turn someone’s life around, but I’ve also seen it totally crush others. Those facts made All For You more than just a simple military romance, at least for me. It was packed with emotion and those feelings didn’t stop once the last page was read. This one stuck with me for a while. *sigh*

Coming Home is most definitely a character driven series. I have loved them all so far. As serious as the subject was in All For You, there were still light moments and yeah, there were some heated ones too (the good kind ) It was interesting seeing Carponti and Shane as ‘outsiders’ instead of being part of the inner circle. I kind of liked seeing them from a different perspective. It was also fun seeing Evan and Claire again under totally different circumstances. It made me want to pick up Until There Was You again… of course I don’t need much of an excuse to re-read any of the books in this series. Next up in the Coming Home series is It’s Always Been You and I’m looking forward to it already.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Emily Lindberg comes from a family of privilege. Like both of her parents, she is a psychologist. Unlike them she doesn’t want to listen to other people of affluence spout their problems, instead she chooses to join the Army in hopes to make a real difference. After the first few months of Fort Hood’s newest head doc, she’s still trying to adjust to life in the armed forces. Following an encounter with Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli, she looks to him to teach her the ways of the combat forces of which she would otherwise not know firsthand.

An alpha male through and through, Reza enjoys leading his men into combat. It’s what he knows. It’s what he’s good at. All of these years of battle coupled with an abusive childhood have left deep scars on this man. Some are displayed physically on his skin, while perhaps the worst have manifested into issues with alcohol and a short temper. Despite spending his entire career as an infantryman he has never desired to take care of himself, even going as far as a viewing that as pansy behavior for a soldier.

This is a vastly intense read. Really there are two significant themes running in the book. First and perhaps most significant is the focus on the soldiers who are broken. They’ve fought for us and returned damaged, some physically and most other mentally. The situations are entirely plausible and perhaps some parts are from personal experiences. The sometimes unknown or forgotten realities of PTSD and suicide which soldiers face, whether it is upon return from deployment or from existing concerns at home, is brought to the forefront.

The second topic is of course the romance which develops organically between the Reza and Emily. It begins with their professional interaction where he feels he can push her around like the rest of the shrinks, but he is quickly stunned to find she has a backbone and won’t allow him to goad her. They soon expand on their chance encounters and create a friendship/mentorship which expands into the romance. She’s allowed for the first time in her life to make her own decisions and not worry what or how her parents will feel about it. Reza learns that despite his self-recrimination, he can change, be genuinely loved, and let someone in.

I was truly exhausted when I finished this one although I also felt it is an important read. It allowed me to see a different side to the military which as a civilian I know I can take for granted, albeit still appreciative of their service. It’s a nice change of pace to have a more substantial for a genre that sometimes can be fluffy.

~ARC received in exchange for honest review.~

[Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Jessica Scott has a flare for putting her readers right in the middle of army life, whether it be in the middle of a firefight, or on-base dealing with the aftermath.

Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli's life is the army. Preparing his men and women for what's ahead, shipping out with them, and leading them through the sand. His only problem with deployments though, withdrawal. Reza is an alcoholic. But after being grounded and confronted by his superior; either sober up for good or be discharged, Reza decides to give up the booze. Because without the army, what does he have? Easier said then done. Especially when everything and everyone around him is going to hell in a hand-basket. Half of his troop is suffering from PTSD but they can't get the care they need and deserve because the base clinic is too overwhelmed. But when Reza goes to confront to situation he runs into the spitfire psychiatrist, Captain Emily Lindberg. Not only does she test his patience and good intentions, but she also tests his beliefs, the strength of his demons and his commitment. He's failed everyone around him though and he won't let her name be added to that list, no matter how tempting it is to open up to her and allow her closer.

All For You is not a light story. It deals with the affects of war on our servicemen, battling alcoholism and parental abuse, and coming face to face with your failings, despite giving something your all. The story dives head first into the mental health issues facing our servicemen. Which is a real issue that is not only incredibly sad, but disappointing that our country can fail at something so important. It's a heart-wrenching story.

While I enjoyed that aspect of the book and thought it was masterfully written, I did feel like it overshadowed the romance happening between Reza and Emily. The intensity that Reza showed in previous books and I thought for sure would be front and center when it came to love, seemed be to lacking. There was no denying the chemistry between these two, the romance just didn't punch me in the gut like the previous books in this series did. However, I did like bother characters. Emily was a commendable character, dedicated to her work and possessing a huge heart. And while Reza was a strong character battling many inner demons, the thing I enjoyed most was watching his character grow as the story progressed.

All For You might not have ended up being my favorite of the series, but it was still a good read packed with the emotion that I have come to expect when reading Jessica Scott's books.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read All For You in advance. This was so brilliantly written that I am still pondering through all of the emotions I felt long after reading this story. All For You is a definite must read. You will feel emotions on every level, for every character and guaranteed, you will cry and as well, you will find yourself chuckling in parts. The dialogue between the characters is superbly written. Jessica implemented balance to offset the bitterness, the trauma of PTSD by adding humor at just the right moments that takes this from a dark read to an inspirational if not a very realistic read. On every level, All For You exposed every emotion. That says quite a bit about how this story was written and delivered. Be prepared to experience an understanding in the world of the PTSD soldier. You will think differently afterwards.

All For You is somewhat of a darker read, not meaning it is all doom and gloom. In fact, the story is very sweet and tender and it is a very enlightening read. The characters, both the main and sub characters are very realistic, true to life. They could be someone you even know. It's as if you are watching the story unfold on a big screen. That's just how captivating this story is.

Reza and Emily, the leading characters are so well suited, both offsetting each others character in a positive way. Where one is experiencing trauma, the other has a soothing effect, an understanding. Where one doesn't have much hope for the future, the other is their beacon, their hope. Their interactions have you wishing you were in Emily's shoes especially when they become intimately involved. Their is heat between them and I mean steaming heat.

The sub characters without a doubt will have you crying out wanting to help them. You will be sympathetic towards what they are going through, shocked and angered towards a system that lets them down.

Jessica has delivered a story that needs to be voiced loudly and shared openly. She has witnessed firsthand the harshness and the devastating results caused from PTSD that so affects her comrades. She has heard their stories and their suffering by listening and is doing something about it by writing a story based on PTSD. Her voice reached out to me from this story.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author as I'm trying to become a more informed reader and not just a lover of paranormal romance. I've seen this authors work recommended and thought I'd give her a go and I'm so pleased that I dd. This is clearly aimed at contemporary romance readers but should appeal to those who enjoy a military romance as well. Although for me it was a book full of hope.
Reza is an alcoholic or should I say functioning alcoholic? He's a man savaged by his own inner demons and escapes by climbing into a bottle. O he can abstain when he's in the thick of bloody battle in the theatre of war but when home in the US he doesn't know how else to cope with the pain he carries.
Emily has had a sheltered life and has gone against all parental advice to join the army as a serving psychiatrist but she's still not really achieving all that she hoped. Meeting the demanding Sergeant Reza Iaconelli reminds her that she's a woman but she's not going to just roll over for him! Emily fully realises that to most she's just a "shrink" who hasn't seen combat but she has a crazy idea to change all that and Reza might just be the man to help!
It's a tough world in the army and not always what civilians imagine. Reza wants to protect his men but sometimes even he needs help. Combat may be scary but real life can be just as deadly and both Emily and Reza are in the firing line!
I didn't really know what to expect from this book if honest. I think that I thought it would be a nice easy romance but instead I got a book that surprised me. It's a book that explores not just PTSD but also our attitudes towards what that truly means. This is a story that made me stop and think and will not be easily forgotten.
Yes it explores a romance and the beginning of a relationship that is passionate and it's very well written and easy to follow. Interesting side characters and even the odd bit of black humour but for me my highest praise would be that it made me stop and think! Well done Ms Scott and please write more.
Copy received via Netgalley

[Sassy Moms Say Read Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's Review:
Thanks to Jessica Scott and Netgalley for providing an ARC for this great story! I am addicted to this series and I can't wait for more. There is something about the Coming Home series that I love. The biggest thing is that Ms. Scott tackles real issues that impact or affect our returning soldiers.

We met Reza in "Until There Was You" since he is Claire's friend. I know Reza has been mentioned in other book because Garrison and Carponti don't like him. I was glad that I was able to read more about Reza because there was something that I liked about him in "Until There Was You".

In this story, Ms. Scott tackles very important issues that affect our troops and their families. She wasn't afraid to tackle how troops are treated if they are experiencing mental health issues. She tackles suicides that are occurring with our returning troops.

I chose the excerpt above because it was the most powerful for me. This particular section left a powerful feeling and made me love Carponti even more!
“Girls, girls. Can we please listen to the good captain explain to us the services she offers? I for one would like more information on how to not accidentally almost kill myself in the future.”
The room groaned beneath the joke and Emily saw his name tag. Staff Sergeant Carponti. His eyes lit with an impish grin and she wished she knew the story behind how the young sergeant was able to defuse the anger between the two big sergeants with such ease.
“That’s not funny, Carponti.” Reza settled back against the wall.
“It was my accidental overdose. I’ll make jokes if I want to,” Carponti said. “You can’t because that would just be wrong on multiple levels. But I can make all the inappropriate jokes I want.” He turned and grinned in Emily’s direction and she instantly liked him. “How do we fix this shit, ma’am?”
Reza and Emily's relationship at the beginning and how it progressed was perfect for the situation they were in. Something about these two made them my favorite couple of the series.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very emotional story from Jessica Scott. I knew Reza's story would be a roller coaster ride with my emotions.

I was lucky enough to be approved for a review copy from NetGalley thanks to the publisher. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Scott's and couldn't wait to read All For You.

Let me put this out there right now. This is a very hard book to read. It deals with suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, and even hazing. I knew Reza's book would be a tough one before I ever started it, but have wanted his story for so long, I couldn't wait to read it. It however a very hard book to talk about without giving too much of the story away.

I wanted to know more about Reza from the moment he first appeared in the series. I knew he had major struggles with alcohol. Something about him really just made me want to know more. He was such a hard-ass when this book started. He was still on the same collision course to destruction he had been on for years. Reza was attracted to Emily the first time he saw her, even when he thought he was protecting an unworthy soldier. The more time he spent around Emily, the more he changed. Emily is such a strong character, even when she didn't see that about herself. She got stronger as the story progressed. I really loved Emily and Reza as a couple. I felt like they made each other stronger. Emily and Reza had a tough road to travel and while I liked both characters at the beginning of the book, I loved them by the end.

[Wendy Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the gritty honesty of this book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

“She didn’t mention that she’d caught her best friend with her mouth on her fiancé’s erection in the pool house earlier that afternoon.”

I thought it was remiss that after the conversation Reza had with his friend Ben Teague, where it was said he had brown skin and Reza said he looks like every stereotype jihadi people think of, and that people think he’s Mexican half the time. With the name Reza Iaconelli had taught him how to fight at a young age. But the author didn’t even say what he was. If you’re going to bring something up you should clear it up. I recognized it was an Italian last name, with no help from the author. I just knew it myself, but I couldn’t believe the author hadn’t said. It wasn’t until pg. 145 that the topic came up again when Foster said “I know that like half of them are your cousins and all but I really f’ing hate Irag.” Reza said his mom was Iranian. Odd it took 145 pages before half of the race of the hero was revealed. It wasn’t until pg. 176 that Emily asked what kind of name it was and he said Italian and Iranian. Thank you!

“I thought you were giving up on your stuck-up North-eastern Old Money ways, Em,” Olivia said with a grin.
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to run around screwing the first thing that winks my way. I’m trying to be more selective than a hamster in heat.”

Wow, talk about no class. And why a hamster? Out of any animal in heat you’re going to choose a rodent?

It was instant lust. She’s noticing his size and the effect his presence has. After their first meeting where they argued over the fundamentals of war and what made someone strong and worthy, they got under each other’s skin. For the fun night where the officers go to the bar, she’s there and he makes his way over to her and they talk and flirt a little. Then they’re always thinking about each other, getting affected and wanting more.

I liked the parts where Reza was helping her with her equipment and in the shoot house, using his body to shield her from getting shot.

“Miller would likely bust his balls later because Reza knew how it looked. And no matter that he wanted to sleep with Emily, the simple fact was that his reputation preceded him and everyone was simply assuming based on his past. He didn’t want them thinking that Emily was just a cheap screw.”

There’s that class again.

��He always ended up taking care of the strays in his platoon, the kids with no father, a bad home life. And he’d never admit it but he needed them as much as they needed him.
Maybe if he’d managed to protect them, he could make up for failing to protect his mom from the violence in their home. It was a stupid fantasy. Like he was searching for something he would never find. Something he should have known better and given up on a long time ago.
Emily wasn’t like that. She knew what she wanted out of life, knew what she was doing.
She was stronger than he’d ever been or could ever hope to be.”

Wait, you’re having this man scorn the psych docs for having never seen combat and knowing nothing of being blown up and shot at and risking death, but at their third or so encounter he’s saying she’s stronger than him? How could she be stronger than him, she does paperwork and handles patients, she’s never even been to war. He is so much stronger than her! And how could he even make such an assessment, he doesn’t even know her! One kiss and he’s over the moon for her singing her praises. Instant lust sucks.

He hands her an M-4 and this idiot puts her finger over the trigger. Come on, I get she hasn’t been to war and doesn’t know jack, but anyone off the street knows not to put their finger on the trigger of a gun. She couldn’t have looked any dumber. This followed by her not knowing what ammo was. The man is helping her put her armor on, which was fine because she never wore it before, but her stupidity after that there was no excuse for. He says you want your ammo pouches where you can easily access them and they won’t hinder your movements and she says she had no idea what he just said. He asks which part and she says any of it. What he said was not hard to understand. He said the word ammo and she’s totally clueless; he has to say ammunition, and then mentions you put the ammo into the magazine and she doesn’t know what that is either. Ignorance is not funny to me. It’s only made worse when later she tells him she’s watched every war movie she could to learn about the military. I guess none of it stuck, even simple terminology that civilians know. And word on the street is that military movies are so far off, just way off base from reality and doesn’t capture military life at all so I was surprised the author was using military movies Then in the shoot house shots are going off and she curls up on her knees and closes her eyes. Someone has to tell her to shoot; Reza had already got done saying what they were going to do and this baby turns to mush when anything happens. She was just pathetic. You can have her angle her chin at him as many times as you want, it doesn’t mean she’s strong.

I thought they slept together too soon and I wanted them to wait, but I did like their banter and flirting. He wanted her to say something dirty, kept trying to get her to say blow job. She said her friend had given her ex-fiancé oral sex and he says can you say blow job?

“He wanted to turn around and shout at the dumbass captain behind him.” Reza is definitely rough around the edges. I couldn’t believe he’d called her a dumbass, even though she went outside knowing Sloban, the young man using drugs and wielding a gun, was out there. She was trying to help, and no matter what she was doing it isn’t right to call the woman a dumbass. That’s taking it too far. It also took it too far to have Sloban kill himself. I get that it happens but I had held out hope they would help him.

“Not drink himself into oblivion or fuck until he passed out.” So classy! I was so sick of hearing about the drinking and him having to be drunk to have sex with women. And near the end he said he was good at three things, leading men, fucking and drinking. Very crass, and I was hoping he’d quit referring to it.

There was too much repetition in here. The same phrases and expressions and thoughts were used all throughout the book, over and over again. If they said it once they said it ten times. I think Reza said “Marshall would have kittens if he knew…” or something along the lines of Marshall having kittens about something or other four or five times. Once was enough, we’re going to remember it if you use it again. That expression wasn’t good to begin with, going on to say it multiple times was not a good idea. I was so sick of it and wished the author just could’ve had him say another thought to express the emotion of his superior. Finding different ways to say the same thing would’ve really helped this. Also, the drinking really got old. He had the flask in his truck, opening and closing the lid on it. “On. Off. On Off.” Him falling off the wagon in here twice was a bad idea, he had been sober for a while at the beginning then he drinks after Sloban’s suicide and then ends up drinking again after he thinks his career is over. Him and his commanding officers are being investigated for the suicides. It was a nice moment when he admitted to one of them, Idr the name, that he was guilty of not caring about them and it needed to be fixed. He had made a mistake in not honoring all soldiers and helping them, and they needed a new system. I was disappointed in him though when he drank the last time and was purposely mean and crude with Emily, pushing her away when she was trying to help him. He goes to rehab at the end and is allowed to keep his job. They’re both running and run into each other in another one of those convenient encounters that are just too coincidental to be realistic. And Emily, the author had Reza say she was strong, but I never saw it. Authors seem to think the only way women express stubbornness is to lift their chins. Idk how many times Emily lifted her chin, tilted her chin or did some movement with her chin to convey that she was confronting and resisting his male opinion of her strength. I long for a real strong female lead instead of one that is supposedly tough but her toughness is displayed not in actual strong acts but consists of persisting on an issue or being consistent in a decision. So strong! The only thing I liked about her was that she stood up to Reza. She’d get her shots in if he took them at her, and she’d get her point across. She wasn’t going to put up with him drinking. When he learned her ex was a senator’s son he said she was really slumming with him and she said he had more honor than her ex did and I liked the way she admired his strength.

Reza had mentioned how scared he would be of her going to war; she had said she’d have her time in war, so I thought in the beginning it was leading up to her going off to war and him protecting her over there, but I guess there wasn’t enough time for that because this wasn’t the longest book. There actually wasn’t a lot that happened in here, they did have sex a few times though I would have enjoyed more detail and length but their conversations and teasing were enjoyable. I enjoyed Teague and his sarcastic and smartass comments. It was a pleasure reading about him, and also Reza’s disrespect and insults to his superiors and commanders. You could tell the author knew about the military and how it ran, how the guys were supposed to act. That’s what I liked about this one, but it became dominated by mental health issues and alcoholism which took so much away from the romance. The romance took a backseat and if I read this again there would be a lot I could skip over without caring. I wish there had been more romance, time for them to get to know each other outside of the war. I liked Reza’s tattoos of the fallen soldiers’ names but he was too broken for my liking and I really didn’t like that he couldn’t stay away from and stop thinking about drinking all the time, and that he always said he pushed people away and he always hurt everyone.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2014/02/review-...


Favorite Quote: “I’m tired of losing our brothers to an enemy we can’t see.”

Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli is back home and fighting his hardest battle to date; his alcoholism. All he wants is to take care of his platoon, ready them for the next deployment, and try and stay sober. When one of his men is sent to rehab, Reza is angry that resources needed elsewhere are being wasted on this soldier when the solution is obvious–discharge him. But a certain psychiatrist isn’t ready to give up on this man…or Reza himself.

Captain Emily Lindberg joined the military when she caught her fiance with another woman. Feeling used and overlooked by her powerful family, she decided to use her degree to help those who need it the most and are the most often overlooked. She may not have seen live combat, but she knows the minds of her patients and fights her own battles everyday for their sanity and well being. She goes toe to toe with Reza, wanting to see what makes a combat soldier tick and show him that everyone matters. When he agrees to show her, she’s thrilled. But Emily wants more than Reza’s expertise on the battlefield. She wants his body, mind, and soul. But for a man whose only at peace when in combat, this may be her hardest fight yet.

We all knew Reza’s story would be an emotional one. We have watched him fight his demons throughout the series, often helped by alcohol. Back in the states now, he finds himself trying to dry out and is overwhelmed by anger and guilt. Guilt for those who died while he lived. Guilt for those he couldn’t save those who have to go to rehab. Anger at those who need rehab. And a combination of anger and guilt because he can’t feel sympathetic towards those who need the services of someone like Captain Emily Lindberg.

“Ma’am, I just need to know if he’s here. Why is this such a big deal?”
“Because Sergeant Wisniak has told this clinic on multiple occasions that his chain of command is targeting him, looking for an excuse to take his rank.”
“Well, maybe if he was at work once in a while he wouldn’t feel so persecuted.”
The small captain lifted her chin. “Sergeant, do you have any idea what it feels like to be looked at like you’re suspect every time you walk into a room?”
Something cold slithered across Reza’s skin, sidling up to his heart and squeezing tightly. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to send soldiers back to combat knowing they lost training days chasing after a sissy-ass soldier who can’t get to work on time?”
A shadow flickered across her pretty face but then it was gone, replaced by steel. “My job is to keep soldiers from killing themselves.”
“And my job is to keep soldiers from dying in combat.”
“They’re not mutually exclusive.”
Silence hung between them, battle lines drawn.

In All For You, Scott expertly sifts through the layers to reveal the pain and dissociation that many multi-tour combat soldiers battle daily. Too often, we see a hero in a uniform but not the person beneath the uniform. We send these men and women into battle not thinking about what happens while they are there. What they see. What they experience. What they feel. Scott shows us that you can only compartmentalize for so long before the emotions can no longer be contained and the choices used to incapacitate the demons are often drug related and/or suicide. When these war weary, battle scarred vets come home, they are subjected to attitudes that are similar to Reza’s. Those who can’t “suck it up” don’t deserve to be in the military.

Well written with an engaging character base and a bittersweet storyline that appeals to your sense of justice and tugs at your heart. Scott’s clear, concise voice takes a serious and isolated (from a civilian’s POV) subject and makes what’s happening to our men and women in the military personal. She doesn’t manipulate the reader but uses the storyline to effectively humanize our soldiers by removing our rose colored glasses and letting us see they are not infallible. Love, loss, hope, and redemption are the bases in which this story is built upon.

Reza and Emily ignite sparks from their first meeting; the chemistry starting out as antagonism and morphing into something more combustible and dangerous as they find themselves in each others company more and more. Emily knows Reza doesn’t have a lot of respect for her or her job. He feels her non-combat status leaves her less than qualified to stand in judgement on him or any combat soldier. Like those who couldn’t cut it in combat and have need of her services, he judges her weak. A feeling that Emily secretly agrees with.

He doesn’t belong in the army.” He swept his gaze down her body deliberately. Trying to provoke her. Her face flushed as he met her eyes coldly. “Neither do you.”

Emily is determined to prove to Reza that she does belong in the military and so do her patients. Soon, she and Reze embark on an affair that flays them both open, exposing all their pain and insecurities to the open air like exposed nerves. Emily tries to help Reza understand that everyone should be able to ask for help without ridicule and Reza’s job is to be a leader to all his men…not just those he deems worthy.

The main conflict blends well with the romance. Sexy and bittersweet love scenes convince you that no matter the external issues, Emily and Reza deserve their chance at happiness. Secondary characters are introduced who help to facilitate the storylines. Scott shows us that not everyone is cut out to be in the military; from a traumatised Private to an over zealous LT. Some humor permeates the story, giving us a brief respite from the serious and sometimes heartbreaking scenes that make up this book.

“Can you say ‘blow job’?” His tongue traced over her ear. She gasped and arched her neck.
“I’m sweaty,” she said, dodging his request
“I think that’s okay.” He tugged her earlobe gently with his teeth. “If we do this right, we’ll be sweaty again.” He bit down. “Say ‘blow job.’”
“Why is that important to you?” Her words were a gasp.
“Because I want to hear you say something dirty.”


The ending is climatic series of events that addresses all the major conflicts but leaves us with some open ended questions. It also leaves us comfortable in the knowledge that Reza and Emily have a good shot at love and happiness if they both are willing to work for it.

“The docs said this wasn’t going to be easy.” Fear choked his words.
“It won’t be.” Her arms tightened around his waist. “But you won’t be alone.” She pressed her lips to his.

Scott’s skill and knowledge once again shines brightly in All For You. Reza and Emily’s story is an emotional read but the journey is well worth it. I look forward to reading It’s Always Been You which releases March 4, 2014 from Forever.

RATING: B+

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories stay with you long after you read them and this will be one of them. Not because this is an incredible romance, though in ways it is that, but because it is more than a romance- so much more. I love this series very much and in part is is because the characters and their situations resonate as the real deal with me. This is fictional, but the circumstances are true in some situations. I grew up military and I listened to my parents talk so I know. In my mom's command, she dealt with counseling at least two people about suicide, but there were GIs with many other issues like anger, substance abuse, family issues, gambling etc. that she had to watch for and try to get them help. That was decades ago and it sounds like the I&A vets and enlisteds have it even worse. I am so glad that the author didn't shy away from telling this story that delves into some serious stuff, but yet it is also a story of hope and love too.

And that segues me into saying that if you have a sensitivity to substance abuse/suicide stories then you might wish to approach this book cautiously.

Okay...so this is Reza's story. Reza Iaconnelli got my attention when he was introduced in Until There Was You and kept popping up in subsequent books. I am thrilled that he took center stage and I was finally able to get into his head and find out why he has been this big hot mess since the beginning.

Sar'nt Ike is a career man who is on his last chance when it comes to his alcoholism and snarling issues with his commander, but the pressure he is under and the guilt that weighs him down has him near the breaking point. He has little patience for those men under him who can't get with the program and seem to be milking the system. He really has no patience for the docs who enable these guys to stay in when they aren't cut out to be in the army.

Who does this big, gruff, angry hurting man get paired with? Captain Emily Lindberg late of Boston and wetter behind the ears than any new recruit when it comes to the Army and dealing with combat veterans. Emily is light and hope. She wants to make a difference, but she learns that she is woefully unprepared for what delivering mental health treatment in the army can be like. Just one more place that she's the outsider and doesn't fit in when she thought she left all that behind. That being said, she juts out her chin and won't let the huge man filling her door frame intimidate her- much.

Sparks fly when Reza and Emily meet as a result of him tracking down one of his men to the treatment center. She insists the guy has issues and Reza just thinks the guy needs his boot up his butt. Each new encounter brings more understanding between them. The pressures of work and shadows of the past slip away when they are together. Reza has never felt this way before and he's terrified of screwing it up. Emily knows there are dark deep waters running through Reza and she should run away fast, but she can't because he makes her feel wanted and secure when she's in his arms. They go through the daily pressures of their jobs and then the unthinkable happens which may be the breaking point for Reza.

I'm sorry to say that my first reaction when I learned who the love interests for this story was to laugh my butt off. Talk about opposites. For that alone, I would have grabbed this up and read it intently. There was also a part of me that was really rooting for Iaconelli to beat the alcohol and find a way to make peace with his demons. Battered and beaten down, he still shone brightly as a true hero. He owned his mistakes and supported his guys. When he got up and spoke at that Memorial service, I was gulping back tears. He had Claire, but he needed a lover too. For that, he needed a strong, understanding and wise woman who knew when to shower him with peace and when to look him in the eye and speak. I loved being along for the progression of Reza and Emily's romantic development. It was the beautiful center stone in this story with its stormy passion and tender calm moments. My favorite scene was when they were out at the dam with Emily settled quietly in the shelter of Reza's arms. I have nothing but praise for the characters or their connectedness in this story. Only niggle, I thought the end came fast and left me wondering about a few things like the changes in command or Reza's future or a bit more about their future together. Hopefully that will come out in the next book.

There are brief appearances by Shane and Carponti, but of all the books and recurring characters in the series this one is most connected to Until There Was You which was Evan and Claire's story with Reza as the strong secondary. They make the most appearances aside from new characters. This is almost like a sequel to it which yes, that is a hint that this book does not make a good standalone.

To wrap it up, I can only say good things about this book and the series to which it belongs. Well plotted, nice pacing, strong character development and worldbuilding. In my opinion, this is one of the best military romance series out there and I recommend it highly to those who love this sub-genre of romance.

My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot praise the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott enough. This series is an honest outlook at military life, those who chose the military as lifetime careers, the ramifications this career will have on their own personal being, how their professional and personal lives are affected by their choices and how love is the strength that holds these courageous men and women together. Each and every book has been outstanding and has featured different aspects of military life. The writing is exceptional, the romance is sizzling, the story themes are compelling, and the unique blend of humor mixed in with emotional issues keep readers begging for more of this series. All For You is no exception. It maintains the same excellence as all the other books in this series.

All For You is Reza Iaconelli’s story. Reza Iaconelli, known as Sarn’t Ike, has been an enigma throughout this series. He is a man of steel, a hardened warrior, a soldier you want protecting your back and a strong leader for his men. He has deployed several times and has faced almost every horror that comes with war. His strength, attitude, and dedication in times of war are what heroes are made of. Despite all his admiral traits and dedicated service, his flaws are the very thing that could destroy his military career. Reza is an alcoholic.

During deployment Reza is stone cold sober. He can deal with the realities that he has to face in the war arena. Being stateside is a different story. Without the high adrenaline rush of war he has to deal with the everyday stress, as well as the realities of wartime experience. He has to deal with his men on a different level. He has to deal with military politics, the chains of command and officers that should not be leaders. He is responsible for keeping his troop in tip top shape and molding them into solid soldiers. To top that off, he has to deal with his own personal demons as well as the nightmares from war. His coping mechanism is alcohol.

Some of his soldiers are having emotional issues that are leading to destructive behaviors that could lead to the end of their service. His commanding officer is demanding that these soldiers be evaluated and discharged. He is ordering Reza to get to the bottom of this and get their records from medical. It is another unpleasant duty that Reza will have to perform. As he follows through on his latest order he meets Captain Emily Lindberg, the psychiatrist working on his soldiers files.

Although Reza and Emily’s professional opinions clash, they are drawn together. They will enlighten each other and give each other a different view on military life and it’s affects on a soldier’s psyche. They will also find that, by leaning on each other, it will strengthen them both. It will give Reza a reason to cope with his past and look to his future. It will help him recognize that his drinking problem is more than he can handle on his own.

With the suicide rate up among the enlisted, the army will have to find new ways of dealing with their soldiers. They will have to learn to recognize when a soldier may be in trouble. Not only is PTSD a problem in the suicide rate, there are others that fall through the cracks because of their own personal backgrounds. There is a fine line in what can break a soldier.

This book is a real eye opener to one of the bigger problems in all branches of the military. What makes this problem harder to deal with is that the military is a combination of people from all walks of life coming together to make one unit. These people are molded into soldiers that will perform together in the best interest of their unit. They are not recognized as individuals. They are only a number in a large unit. It is harder to recognize the signals that something may be amiss until it has done damage. It is hard for leading officers to single out problems when they have so many that they are responsible for.

Jessica Scott wrote a very touching story that brings awareness of mental health issues in the military. Not only did All For You give an honest insight to this problem, it gave the readers a beautiful love story for a very flawed and damaged man. This man is a true hero because he faced his demons and recognized that his coping mechanisms did not work.

Well done Jessica Scott, All For You is by far the best book in the Coming Home series.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much emotion within these pages. I loved it.

Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli lives with the everyday stress of commanding men, training soldiers to survive in combat, and dealing with officers who don’t seem to give a rat’s ass about the men but only promotions and looking good in reviews. In addition to the everyday stress, Reza battles the demons from his past, from his multiple deployments, and the sense of failure that haunts him as he comes to realize he may be losing the battle on the home front as well as on the battlefield. He refuses to see the ghosts that haunt those around him until a tough little head doctor stands up to him and punches him in the gut with her feisty attitude and the truth.

Captain Emily Lindberg joined the Army to escape a world where she felt she wasn’t doing any good as a doctor, and a family who wanted her to do things their way, including marry a man who cheated on her with her best friend. The Army wasn’t exactly what she expected, and neither are the men in uniform with whom she must deal. One man in particular is bigger than life with an attitude like a brick wall, but she’s sees something beneath that hard exterior and it’s touched something deep inside her that wants to help him help his men who are in trouble. Even more so, she wants to try to save the men who are the verge of destroying themselves, and one of those men might just be the one she’s come to care about the most.

Jessica Scott writes with a passion that could only come from someone who truly knows her characters, inside and out, or having known someone who has walked in similar shoes. This is not to say that she suffers the same demons, but like anyone who has ever known or dealt with someone suffering traumatizing after affects or addiction; she’s seen things that once branded on our brains never fades away. Within Reza exists the hero warrior, the traumatized boy who saw more than he should have for one so young, and a man who questions his own actions every moment out of fear of causing another’s demise because he may not be paying attention when it’s most important. He drowns his demons, his fears, and his desires in alcohol and then curses the drink for making him weak when he needs to be strong to lead his men. Reza Iaconelli is a broken, torn man that we cannot help but commiserate with, fall in love with, and wish to save just as Emily Lindberg does in ALL FOR YOU.

Jessica touches on subjects that most people don’t want to admit exist in our Armed Forces. Subjects that, as in ALL FOR YOU, are swept under the rug, ignored, or blamed on the drugs and alcohol used to self-medicate so that traumatized soldiers can sleep even a few hours a night. War is hell is an understatement – life after war is the true hell.

I highly recommend ALL FOR YOU, book four in the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott because it’s more than just a touching and emotional love story but because it’s a look into the world of the soldier from a view we’d all much rather pretend doesn’t exist. In ALL FOR YOU by Jessica Scott, we watch as a young, inexperienced officer takes a turn in a shoot house that leaves her understanding that a lot of training goes into the making of a good soldier. We watch men who want more than anything to prove themselves good soldiers succumb to the pressures of Army life, and experience the heartbreak of a hero taking his life because everything is about to be taken away from him that he worked so hard to gain. ALL FOR YOU is a must read romance that will leave you with more than a happily-ever-after, you’ll find yourself wishing you could do so much more for our men in uniform.

***eARC provided by author via NetGalley as a win in a giveaway. I'm sharing my thoughts in an honest and unscripted review because I love this book.