Saving Luke

by Kaci Rose

He’s a wounded soldier just trying to make it through Christmas. She’s the nurse assigned to take care of him.

Luke

Oakside was my sister’s idea. I would've stayed in the hospital, but here I am, surrounded by decorations and people who want to celebrate when I can barely stand to face my own reflection. But Brooke? She sees past the anger and pain, refusing to let me drown in either. She’s sunshine in a world I thought would always be dark.

But I can’t ask her to wait around for a broken man still figuring out how to live again. Maybe, just maybe, this Christmas, I can find the courage to be the man she deserves.

Brooke

I’mdecking the halls of Oakside for our first Christmas, and I want it to be unforgettable for the patients here. Then he shows up—Luke, our newest arrival, barely healed from a military blast, his whole life flipped upside down. He's grumpy and withdrawn, but the moment I see him, something clicks. His eyes are haunted, but I can feel the fighter in him beneath it all. I tell myself to keep it professional, but I can’t ignore the warmth that stirs in me every time I’m near him.

She starts showing up at Christmas events and even lets me take him shopping. I realize I’m drawn to more than just his resilience. I’m fighting my own battle, one between being the caregiver he needs and letting myself hope for something more.

Genres: Military Fiction, Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Military Romance

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2025

About the author

Join Kaci's VIP mailing list and get 2 FREE Novellas at
http://www.kacirose.com/free-books

Kaci runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.

Kaci loves romance books and has been jotting down ideas since she was in high school and is now putting the ideas down on paper. She believes in satisfying, happily ever afters with a lot of steam on the way.

Follow Kaci Rose
Facebook @KaciRoseAuthor
Instagram @KaciRoseAuthor

Reviews

[Kirsty Elms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke and Brooke's story

I love this series so much, hope it never ends! Kaci Rose is on my 'Must read everything she writes' author list and this book reinforced that for me. I love the characters and always look forward to revisiting the ones from previous books.
Luke is unable to walk after a humvee accident and meets nurse Brooke. Their story is another story of strength, believing and determination. Had to read this in one sitting as couldn't put it down 🥰

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great military recovery, after injury story. Coming to rehab at Oakside Is a step in the direction of healing, recovery and dealing with their demons, and issues holding them back. In particular Luke finds himself in a quandary of drama when he finds he has feelings for a nurse, yet his younger sister feels it's a determint to his recovery. beautifully written story about healing, recovery and dealing with healing of not only physical, emotional injuries but also the heart.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. I really enjoyed it

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke fell for Brooke the moment he saw her. A great read that will have you wanting more. No disappointments and looking forward to reading the rest of the Oakside series

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Luke and Brooke met at Oakside where she's the head nurse and he's a patient. Luke is talking to his sister Gabbie who insisted he come to Oakside. While Brooke is decorating for Christmas, Luke spots her and wants to know her. Luke is assigned a room on the second floor and has a fear of enclosed spaces since his accident. Luke can't walk and is at Oakside until the swelling around is spine goes down. When Luke's nurse finds out that he isn't going out of his room she finds out what's wrong and gets a room on the first floor with Brooke. Luke doesn't talk to Brooke for a few days because he doesn't know what to say to her. Brooke suggests to Luke that he does the secret Santa and will even take his shopping. When Brooke and Luke go shopping he buys her a necklace he caught her looking at. Luke also does some shopping for his sister Gabbie. Luke ends up kissing Brooke while on there way back to Oakside. Luke finds out his sister went and had a talk with Lexi Saving Noah about Brooke being inappropriate towards her brother. Brooke has a talk with Lexi then goes to tell Luke that she can't loose her job over him so she wants to cool their relationship. When Gabbie shows up a few days later, Luke lets her know he's not happy with what she did. Luke is starting to walk so he and Brooke head out to look at Christmas lights. Luke suggests they go back to Brooke's place where they make love. A few days later when Brooke sees Gabbie ready to leave she has a talk to her about Luke. Brooke finds out that Gabbie is just afraid of losing her brother. Brooke invites Luke and Gabbie to her house for dinner with her brother, sister in law, grandmother, niece and nephew. When Luke and Gabbie show up she sees what it's like to have family. Brooke invites Luke and Gabbie over to her brother's home for Christmas. Luke finds out he got the job he wanted and is able to stay near Brooke and his sister is planning to change college to be closer to her brother. Brooke sleeps over at her brother's house so that she doesn't have to make the drive. When Luke and Gabbie show up the adults open presents. Luke gives Brooke a small box and when she opens it he asks her to marry him and she tells him yes.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke is getting everything decorated for Oakside’s first Christmas. Oakside is a facility for injured military men and women to heal mentally and physically when they leave the hospital. It was started by Noah and Lexi. Brooke was Noah’s nurse when he was in the hospital. The three became good friends so they hired Brooke to be in charge of the nursing staff at Oakside.

Luke is the new arrival. He was trapped in a Humvee and then thrown from the vehicle right before it exploded. His spine is swollen so he is temporarily paralyzed. The doctors think he will make a full recovery once the swelling goes down. His sister, Gabbie heard good things about Oakside so she brought him there. He will have physical therapy and counseling.

Brooke and Luke stare at each other in the lobby. He thinks she is beautiful, and she thinks he is handsome. Brooke thinks the woman with Luke is his girlfriend. She has avoided him for the first few days that he is at Oakside. However, Luke is afraid of confined spaces since the accident. They have to move him downstairs and now Brooke is his assigned nurse. For the first week, Luke doesn’t talk at all to Brooke. One morning, Brooke tells Luke that he is going to participate in the Secret Santa gift exchange.

I was worried that Luke’s sister would make him choose between her and Brooke. These two were cute together.

[Karen J Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaci Rose packed so much joy, hope, love, and Christmas spirit in this book. Luke wasn't sure it was necessary to move to Oakside to continue his rehab, but he would do anything to make his sister, Gabby, happy. Once he gets his first glimpse of the nurse decorating for Christmas, he realizes it's the best decision of his life. Brooke notices their newest patient immediately. When they lock eyes, she is drawn to him instantly. She knows that as the head nurse, she needs to keep her feelings in check, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stay apart. Will their budding love be forced to end because of Gabby's strong views against it? Will Brooke lose her job for inappropriate professional behavior? Can a beautiful love bloom and grow this Christmas season, and let two families join together? This is an amazing addition to the Oakside Military Heroes series.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What made this one interesting was how Brooke and Luke dealt with his sister Gabbie. I was a bit surprised by how she felt over the couple and how far she went. Both Luke and Brooke talked to Gabbie in a way that let her know how they felt and where she would fit in, yet it didn't help at the start. It was nice to see that between the couple they had a united front and both thought they had something worth fighting for. Also interesting was how everyone at Oakside chimed in on their thoughts and what would help.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding A Connection
He is staying at a Rehab facility when he sees her. She is head nurse and needs to stay professional. His little sister wants him to live with her and be a family. The solution takes some work. The people are endearing and real, the story kept me reading and the ending was the best! I received my copy as a gift. Thank you for sharing Ms. Rose.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Christmas story!

It's especially sweet because of Oakside and what they do there!

Brooke is fighting professional and personal!
Luke is enjoying Brooke's Christmas spirit.

But, is there a chance for them based on their circumstances!
This reader was hoping for a little Christmas magic!
Will Ms. Rose let them have some?

Definitely put a smile on my face!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Luke is book 3 in the Oakside Military Heroes series by Kaci Rose 4.5 stars

Up next is Luke and Brooke’s story between the nurse and wounded soldier in recovery during the holidays… Grumpy/sunshine, instant attraction, seeing friends from prior books, holiday, fun, and finding their HEA!

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Evy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good story by Kaci. A new wounded soldier Luke who went to Oakside for healing. There he met Brooke and they instantly are drawn to each other. His sister Gabbie was something special, a bit rude and over the top but she gave schwung to the story.

[Hez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This whole series needs to be proofread.

A light, easy, formulaic romance with a distracting amount of grammatical errors. I wish the author would learn or hire someone to edit her work.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Luke turns up at Oakside rehabilitation after suffering injurys in the line of duty, its nurse Brooke who brings him purpose, but his sister isnt to happy about it, but can Luke and Brooke show they can go the distance. Well written quick, steamy, high emotions and more

[Joycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author & the Hot & Bothered Book Club for this freebie.

I enjoyed the evolution of Luke’s and Brooke’s relationship, and the resolution of the family mini-conflict/drama.

I look forward to other stories by Ms. Rose!

[Denise J. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Lord, I love this series

I swear, I am addicted to these books. My only wish is that the stories were longer, like 20 chapters. They end far to quickly.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet and uplifting holiday tale. Luke and Brooke are so cute together despite Luke’s sister Gabbie and her issues.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read by Kaci Rose. I enjoyed getting to know Brooke and Luke.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “Santa's Naughty List” Reading Challenge - week 6
Saving Luke by Kaci Rose

3.5 stars
Cute, fast paced, problems are solved quickly.

[Cynthia Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story. It had all the feels. This is not my normal type of read but I am going to check out the reat of the books in the series.

[Amy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet and original story. wounded Luke comes to Oakside to heal and meets Brooke, his nurse. great love story and a happy ever after.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brook's Turn

I love the Oskside Military Heroes series. Stories that have wonderful characters, strong men and stronger women, warm and complicated relationships. Brooke is a much beloved character, appearing in many (all) of the books. It is her fun for love. Bravo!