What do you think?
Rate this book
Men in Uniform #2
Hero of Mine
The men of Alpha Dog, a second chance program for at-risk teens, work hard and play hard. And when it comes to protecting the women they love . . . nothing stands in their way.Danielle Hill used to live on the wild side, until a surprise pregnancy forced her to get her act together. Now her whole life revolves around her young son, and she will do anything to keep Noah’s heart protected, even if it means avoiding the Marine who makes her want to be oh so bad . . .Tyler Best loves his family, his friends, and his life, and he plans on living it to the fullest after nearly losing it. But Tyler didn’t bank on running into a beautiful blond with blazing green eyes and temper to match his. Tyler always thought he wasn’t ready to settle down, but Dani and Noah make him rethink his playboy ways . . .Only just as these two start to build something, a shadow from Dani’s past comes back to haunt them. But Tyler will do anything to keep her and Noah safe . . . anything.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2016
5 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Codi Gary
32 books981 followersFrom the time I could put a Disney Book cassette into my little stereo,and read along, books have held a fantastic distraction. When I was eleven, I decided I wanted to be one of those magical people that brought stories to life. Devouring a book a day sometimes, my first romance novel stuck with me. I've always been a sucker for a happy ending (and the great romantic gesture)and that's what I try to put into my stories. I am so honored to be a part of Avon, and am so excited to have my own dreams coming true.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 16, 2016
NOW LIVE!
*Amazon*Barnes & Noble*
3.5 Stars
Hero of Mine is the type of book you're going to want to read if you're in the mood for a swoon-worthy, cute story. These characters were able to squeeze my heart and make me fall in love with their romance, all while rooting on them to make it through the troubles they faced.
My 3.5 rating mostly reflect on the fact that I just couldn't make my mind up about Danielle. On one hand I liked that her focus stayed on her son and she didn't let having a personal life distract her from his needs. But on the other, there were many times where I felt as if Danielle was being selfish and just using her son as an excuse. Even now after finishing the book it's hard for me to figure out whether or not I actually liked Danielle.
Tyler, though, no question about it, I loved him. He was genuinely a good person and seeing him pursue Danielle was very cute and made my heart skip a beat. Sure he had a past as a bit of a player, but there was still a goodness about it that was always evident.
This is my first book from Codi Gary so I haven't read the first in the Men in Uniform series, but I plan on rectifying that very soon. Bottom line, you should definitely read this book to get your dose of sweet romance.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
*Amazon*Barnes & Noble*
3.5 Stars
Hero of Mine is the type of book you're going to want to read if you're in the mood for a swoon-worthy, cute story. These characters were able to squeeze my heart and make me fall in love with their romance, all while rooting on them to make it through the troubles they faced.
My 3.5 rating mostly reflect on the fact that I just couldn't make my mind up about Danielle. On one hand I liked that her focus stayed on her son and she didn't let having a personal life distract her from his needs. But on the other, there were many times where I felt as if Danielle was being selfish and just using her son as an excuse. Even now after finishing the book it's hard for me to figure out whether or not I actually liked Danielle.
Tyler, though, no question about it, I loved him. He was genuinely a good person and seeing him pursue Danielle was very cute and made my heart skip a beat. Sure he had a past as a bit of a player, but there was still a goodness about it that was always evident.
This is my first book from Codi Gary so I haven't read the first in the Men in Uniform series, but I plan on rectifying that very soon. Bottom line, you should definitely read this book to get your dose of sweet romance.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2019
I like the theme of this book. The moral of the story (for me) is love yourself. Take a risk and when you find the one, hang on tight. I especially love the phase: Dani and Noah against the world. It hits home with me. All my adult like I do feel like me against the world. It feels lonely and scary at the same time. But like this book, now and then you get a glimpse of silver lining in life.
Now back to the book. The characters are likeable. Dani is a single mother. Her life is about Noah. She sacrifices everything for Noah and no time for anything else. Until she met with Tyler. Tyler is a alpha male character. He is a bit brooding but have soft heart for dogs. They bound by their loneliness and need of each other. I have a bit dislike toward Dani. Her judgement toward Tyler at the end of the story is unnecessary and bitchy.
Overall, I do enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
Now back to the book. The characters are likeable. Dani is a single mother. Her life is about Noah. She sacrifices everything for Noah and no time for anything else. Until she met with Tyler. Tyler is a alpha male character. He is a bit brooding but have soft heart for dogs. They bound by their loneliness and need of each other. I have a bit dislike toward Dani. Her judgement toward Tyler at the end of the story is unnecessary and bitchy.
Overall, I do enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
July 30, 2016
Hero of Mine by Codi Gary is a 2016 Avon Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I am unfamiliar with this author, but anytime I see a storyline involving animals, and military heroes, I usually can’t resist the temptation to try it.
I have to admit that after reading the first few chapters I was not sure if I was going to like this one mainly because of all the extreme cynicism and Dani’s over the top defensiveness. But, the more I read, the more the story grew on me.
Dani is a single mom who has sworn off men and dating in order to focus on being a good mother to her son, Noah. She’s been attracted to bad boys in the past, and doesn’t trust her choices in men. Not only that, she is finds that while parenthood is rewarding, she is always worried about her parenting decisions. She is way, way, way too hard on herself and if anyone offers advice or questions anything in regards to Noah, she gets really uptight and takes it too personally, which makes her appear rude and shrill.
Tyler is a player, no two ways about it. But, he also has some redeeming qualities, such as being a member of the ‘Men of Alpha Dog’, an organization that works with at risk teens, plus he works with dogs, trying to give them a second chance too.
When Tyler and Dani cross paths, they don’t exactly hit it off, but they keep bumping into each other, sometimes in a comical way. Once they get to know each other a little, Tyler begins to wonder if he is missing out on something special by avoiding a committed relationship and Dani begins to think she and Tyler have made a connection. But, with their combined issues, they decide to take it slow and easy. Things are going pretty well, until Noah’s biological father makes an appearance and begins to aggressively pursue a relationship with Noah.
I think this story takes a realistic approach to the contemporary dating dilemmas many single moms endure, and the admission that each of us brings a certain amount baggage with us, because we have all made mistakes and life is not a fairy tale. So, Tyler and Dani both brought problems from their past into the relationship, but for the most part they handled the challenges well. There are some misunderstandings, moments of doubt, a little angst, but in the end the characters blossomed and grew, which has a huge impact on the lives of others, which made the journey extra special.
I’m glad I decided to give this book a try because I ended up really liking it.
4 stars
I am unfamiliar with this author, but anytime I see a storyline involving animals, and military heroes, I usually can’t resist the temptation to try it.
I have to admit that after reading the first few chapters I was not sure if I was going to like this one mainly because of all the extreme cynicism and Dani’s over the top defensiveness. But, the more I read, the more the story grew on me.
Dani is a single mom who has sworn off men and dating in order to focus on being a good mother to her son, Noah. She’s been attracted to bad boys in the past, and doesn’t trust her choices in men. Not only that, she is finds that while parenthood is rewarding, she is always worried about her parenting decisions. She is way, way, way too hard on herself and if anyone offers advice or questions anything in regards to Noah, she gets really uptight and takes it too personally, which makes her appear rude and shrill.
Tyler is a player, no two ways about it. But, he also has some redeeming qualities, such as being a member of the ‘Men of Alpha Dog’, an organization that works with at risk teens, plus he works with dogs, trying to give them a second chance too.
When Tyler and Dani cross paths, they don’t exactly hit it off, but they keep bumping into each other, sometimes in a comical way. Once they get to know each other a little, Tyler begins to wonder if he is missing out on something special by avoiding a committed relationship and Dani begins to think she and Tyler have made a connection. But, with their combined issues, they decide to take it slow and easy. Things are going pretty well, until Noah’s biological father makes an appearance and begins to aggressively pursue a relationship with Noah.
I think this story takes a realistic approach to the contemporary dating dilemmas many single moms endure, and the admission that each of us brings a certain amount baggage with us, because we have all made mistakes and life is not a fairy tale. So, Tyler and Dani both brought problems from their past into the relationship, but for the most part they handled the challenges well. There are some misunderstandings, moments of doubt, a little angst, but in the end the characters blossomed and grew, which has a huge impact on the lives of others, which made the journey extra special.
I’m glad I decided to give this book a try because I ended up really liking it.
4 stars
August 16, 2016
Some military books can be hit or miss for me but Hero of Mine took me to a whole other level. Tyler might have not been in active duty but what he was doing was just swoon worthy.
When I first started this series I knew Tyler's story would be a good one. One that I couldn't put down. He comes off as a playboy but damn he has a another side which I absolutely loved!
Dani who is a single mom and questions her parenting skills became real from the first page. She was smart, determined and a little defensive but she was really passionate not only about her son but the dogs.
When these two meet I wasn't sold on them being a couple but as their time together grew I began to see it. They did have chemistry but they also had cute moments that kept it going.
The dating dilemma seemed so realistic and reminded me of my single mom friends. Gary I felt did an excellent job on finding what worked and didn't work for these two. While each of them brought problems from their past they still stuck it out to make it work and they had there work cut out for them.
With each chapter the characters grew and took them both to another level. The storyline was interesting and kept me involved and wanting to read. What happened I wasn't expecting which was a good thing. The more I read this series the more I love it. It's definitely one I will be coming back to over time and always looking forward to the new ones.
When I first started this series I knew Tyler's story would be a good one. One that I couldn't put down. He comes off as a playboy but damn he has a another side which I absolutely loved!
Dani who is a single mom and questions her parenting skills became real from the first page. She was smart, determined and a little defensive but she was really passionate not only about her son but the dogs.
When these two meet I wasn't sold on them being a couple but as their time together grew I began to see it. They did have chemistry but they also had cute moments that kept it going.
The dating dilemma seemed so realistic and reminded me of my single mom friends. Gary I felt did an excellent job on finding what worked and didn't work for these two. While each of them brought problems from their past they still stuck it out to make it work and they had there work cut out for them.
With each chapter the characters grew and took them both to another level. The storyline was interesting and kept me involved and wanting to read. What happened I wasn't expecting which was a good thing. The more I read this series the more I love it. It's definitely one I will be coming back to over time and always looking forward to the new ones.
August 22, 2016
This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.
Dani is a single mom who gave up dating so she could focus on her son, Noah. She doesn't have a good record with men so she steers clear from them since she's always attracted to the bad boys. While Dani is a great mom, she's always doubting herself because she had her son at a young age so she's always guarded when it comes to her son.
Tyler is a player. He doesn't want to commit because he likes playing the field. Aside from that, he's actually a great guy who works with at-risk teens. He likes to take advantage of every opportunity to help someone or simply to live life. When he meets Dani, he can't help but be very attracted to her. But there's something more there that he'd like to explore.
Having loved One Lucky Hero , I knew I needed to read Hero of Mine. However, this sequel lacked the charm of the first book, but it was still a great read. I really liked the realistic take on single moms. Dani used to have friends she'd hang out with. After having Noah, she had to stop going out and realize that being a mother was a major responsibility and it meant putting someone else before herself. I didn't like that she would come off as a little rude when someone would ask her a question about Noah. She felt like they were judging her on her parenting.
I really liked Tyler. Even though he's the player, in this book, he doesn't do much playing. Once he starts seeing Dani, he knows what he wants and he knows he'd be stupid enough to screw it up. I love reading about a player slowly leaving that persona to settle down. It always brings a smile to my face when they realize they have feelings for someone. This book was no exception to that.
Noah's addition to the story was actually great. We have this player guy who doesn't want to commit but life throws a single mom at him with the cutest son who takes a liking to Tyler almost immediately. Their relationship blossomed throughout the entire novel. Reading about Tyler wanting to protect this little guy from anything and everything as well as his mom warmed my heart.
Once again, the Alpha Dog Program is very present in this book, which I loved. It also feels so realistic. It's a program where wounded soldiers go to help at-risk teens and help them get better through whatever they are going through. Codi Gary has a way with words and for creating a wonderful story-line involving the military that was very well done. Ever since she talked about ADP in her first novel, I kept wanting more and I definitely got more. I cannot wait to find out what else the author has in store for this program in the following book.
Overall, Hero of Mine is a heart-warming and sizzling romance story with just the right amount of angst.
I received an eARC from the publisher for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.
Dani is a single mom who gave up dating so she could focus on her son, Noah. She doesn't have a good record with men so she steers clear from them since she's always attracted to the bad boys. While Dani is a great mom, she's always doubting herself because she had her son at a young age so she's always guarded when it comes to her son.
Tyler is a player. He doesn't want to commit because he likes playing the field. Aside from that, he's actually a great guy who works with at-risk teens. He likes to take advantage of every opportunity to help someone or simply to live life. When he meets Dani, he can't help but be very attracted to her. But there's something more there that he'd like to explore.
Having loved One Lucky Hero , I knew I needed to read Hero of Mine. However, this sequel lacked the charm of the first book, but it was still a great read. I really liked the realistic take on single moms. Dani used to have friends she'd hang out with. After having Noah, she had to stop going out and realize that being a mother was a major responsibility and it meant putting someone else before herself. I didn't like that she would come off as a little rude when someone would ask her a question about Noah. She felt like they were judging her on her parenting.
I really liked Tyler. Even though he's the player, in this book, he doesn't do much playing. Once he starts seeing Dani, he knows what he wants and he knows he'd be stupid enough to screw it up. I love reading about a player slowly leaving that persona to settle down. It always brings a smile to my face when they realize they have feelings for someone. This book was no exception to that.
Noah's addition to the story was actually great. We have this player guy who doesn't want to commit but life throws a single mom at him with the cutest son who takes a liking to Tyler almost immediately. Their relationship blossomed throughout the entire novel. Reading about Tyler wanting to protect this little guy from anything and everything as well as his mom warmed my heart.
Once again, the Alpha Dog Program is very present in this book, which I loved. It also feels so realistic. It's a program where wounded soldiers go to help at-risk teens and help them get better through whatever they are going through. Codi Gary has a way with words and for creating a wonderful story-line involving the military that was very well done. Ever since she talked about ADP in her first novel, I kept wanting more and I definitely got more. I cannot wait to find out what else the author has in store for this program in the following book.
Overall, Hero of Mine is a heart-warming and sizzling romance story with just the right amount of angst.
I received an eARC from the publisher for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.
August 26, 2016
Dani Hill doesn’t have time to get involved with anyone, as a single mom with 2 jobs she doesn’t have much time to socialise let alone get involved with a man. Enter Sergeant Tyler Best, a dog trainer at Alpha Dog training facility. He doesn’t do relationships at all that is until he sees a pint sized blonde take on a man for a dog. Doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful.
I enjoyed how they were during their actual relationship with their banter, laughter and some sweetness.
The overall plot was good, however nearer to the end it was a lot of stuff just happening one after the other.
Tyler was a great hero, once he decided that Dani and Noah made him happy and he gave his best. It was adorable seeing him with Noah and Dani. Everyone kept saying that Tyler was an ass but I didn’t see it, he could be a jerk at times (and was a player before he met Dani) but he wasn’t a bad guy or maybe Dani made him want to be better.
Dani though I had problems connecting with her, while her insecurities as a mother were understandable her other behaviour like was she very defensive towards anything said to her by anyone and she would get riled up really fast. She kind overreacted to somethings where she didn’t have to and other times didn’t react as much when the situation was serious. She did get better as the story went on but it was still at times frustrating. Her behaviour at times made me feel really conflicted towards her. Also I just didn’t understand what the exact point of introducing that friend of Dani’s and then never mentioning her again because all that conversation showed was she needed to socialise more and make an effort for her friend and her friend needed to do the same.
Overall, it’s a cute sweet story involving adorable dogs and a child and individuals who weren’t looking for love but love found them.
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed how they were during their actual relationship with their banter, laughter and some sweetness.
The overall plot was good, however nearer to the end it was a lot of stuff just happening one after the other.
Tyler was a great hero, once he decided that Dani and Noah made him happy and he gave his best. It was adorable seeing him with Noah and Dani. Everyone kept saying that Tyler was an ass but I didn’t see it, he could be a jerk at times (and was a player before he met Dani) but he wasn’t a bad guy or maybe Dani made him want to be better.
Dani though I had problems connecting with her, while her insecurities as a mother were understandable her other behaviour like was she very defensive towards anything said to her by anyone and she would get riled up really fast. She kind overreacted to somethings where she didn’t have to and other times didn’t react as much when the situation was serious. She did get better as the story went on but it was still at times frustrating. Her behaviour at times made me feel really conflicted towards her. Also I just didn’t understand what the exact point of introducing that friend of Dani’s and then never mentioning her again because all that conversation showed was she needed to socialise more and make an effort for her friend and her friend needed to do the same.
Overall, it’s a cute sweet story involving adorable dogs and a child and individuals who weren’t looking for love but love found them.
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2016
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and Edelweiss***
This is a tough review to write, as I struggled a bit with this one. Tyler, I liked a lot. He seemed like a good guy, a good friend, a guy who was truly intereated in Dani and willing to change who he was to be with her.
Dani, however, was a tough sell for me. There was something about her that make me not really like her all that much. I found her quick to judge, harsh, and a little selfish. There is a point in the book where a friend of hers reaches out to include Dani in her wedding, and her response is to first process the cost and say that she thinks it will be enough time to swing it. The friend gets mad and tells Dani that she is selfish. And the conversation ends. I think this was intended to illustrate that she was a struggling single mother, and I think as readers we understand, but in this instance, I agreed with the friend, that maybe, just once, it could be about someone else first, that Dani's first reaction not be her and what she was focused on. In this book, I felt that Dani in a lot of ways used her son to justify closing herself off from others, but without further addressing this, it just came across as a little shallow and selfish. I was hoping, through the entire book, that something would come of this conversation, possibly a realization that she was harsh and judgmental, but nothing ever did.
So, I guess I can say I believed Dani, and I was able to engage with the story...just not that I would want to be friends with her. But, I did believe Tyler would, that he loved her, that he would want something with her, which is why, even though I am not a fan of Dani, I think this one is worth the read.
***This and other reviews also featured on “I’m A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore” http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com***
This is a tough review to write, as I struggled a bit with this one. Tyler, I liked a lot. He seemed like a good guy, a good friend, a guy who was truly intereated in Dani and willing to change who he was to be with her.
Dani, however, was a tough sell for me. There was something about her that make me not really like her all that much. I found her quick to judge, harsh, and a little selfish. There is a point in the book where a friend of hers reaches out to include Dani in her wedding, and her response is to first process the cost and say that she thinks it will be enough time to swing it. The friend gets mad and tells Dani that she is selfish. And the conversation ends. I think this was intended to illustrate that she was a struggling single mother, and I think as readers we understand, but in this instance, I agreed with the friend, that maybe, just once, it could be about someone else first, that Dani's first reaction not be her and what she was focused on. In this book, I felt that Dani in a lot of ways used her son to justify closing herself off from others, but without further addressing this, it just came across as a little shallow and selfish. I was hoping, through the entire book, that something would come of this conversation, possibly a realization that she was harsh and judgmental, but nothing ever did.
So, I guess I can say I believed Dani, and I was able to engage with the story...just not that I would want to be friends with her. But, I did believe Tyler would, that he loved her, that he would want something with her, which is why, even though I am not a fan of Dani, I think this one is worth the read.
***This and other reviews also featured on “I’m A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore” http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com***
June 7, 2016
I LOVED this book! If your heart is beating, you'll be swooning...
August 17, 2016
With sincerity, wit, and those oh so sexy moments, Codi Gary delivers a wonderfully emotional and heartfelt read that will make the romance lover in you rejoice. Simply stated…HERO OF MINE is a swoon worthy story that make you fall in love head over heals for a man in uniform.
In the latest Men in Uniform book, we meet Dani and Tyler. Though we have had a glimpse of Tyler Best in the previous books, HERO OF MINE is where the reader truly gets to know him. I will be honest with you all, I didn’t think I would like Tyler, but boy was I wrong! Finding out his story as well as learning about Danielle Hill was so much fun. Of course, each of these two have their own baggage. Dani is a single Mom who keeps all men at arms length. Her son will always come first to her and nothing will get in her way of keeping him happy and safe. Now, Tyler is a no strings attached type of guy. He isn’t looking for anything longterm and lets the women he sleeps with know that. However when they meet, something just clicks. The chemistry is undeniable, but there is something more that these two are dancing around. The real question is can they both get out of their heads and follow their hearts to the forever type of love?
So let’s just put this out there. I love Codi Gary’s books. This is the seventh book that I have reviewed and I am never disappointed with her stories. In my humble opinion, she always delivers the perfect combination of real life issues, clever retorts, humor, and sexiness. Of course, I love some characters more than others and will always have my favorites that I like to revisit from time to time, but with each new novel (or novella) in a series, I am instantly hooked.
If you have never read one of Codi’s books, I strongly suggest you start. There isn’t a moment I spend in the pages of any of her series that I don’t enjoy. So what are you waiting for? You hero is waiting for you. ;)
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Follow the Highly Caffeinated Victoria Colotta: Website | Facebook | Twitter @vcolotta | Instagram | Goodreads
Follow Art, Books, & Coffee: Website | Facebook | Twitter @ArtBooksCoffee_ | Instagram
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
August 22, 2016
I've read enough of Codi Gary's books to know that when you're in the mood for a sweet romance with military heroes, she's one author that can give you that and HERO OF MINE is proof positive. And it's not just the military hotties, it's also the second chances that fill this story that make it such an enjoyable one.
Danielle Hill's focus is on her son and she's not looking to be distracted by any man but when she keeps crossing paths with the one man who makes her feel like a woman in a long time, it's hard to not be distracted. Tyler Best has always had a very carefree attitude towards women and relationships: short and fun, no promises, but lately Dani has him wondering if there is more to life than a series of hook-ups. Even though single moms are a no-go for him, he can't seem to resist her.
I have to admit that Dani's feisty persona won me over from the first page and her dedication to her son's well-being sealed it for me. Tyler on the other hand was a hard sell for me and his friends' reactions when he showed up with Dani and revealed that she was a single mom were very telling. It was actually his interactions with his mom that finally won me over to his side. It's hard to hold out against someone who obviously loves his mom so much and treats her with respect.
The beauty of this story though is that while both Dani and Tyler came with baggage that was at times dangerous, they personally were constantly growing with every experience. I also like that Ms. Gary doesn't downplay the challenges that come with dating for a single parent and someone interested in dating one. Their families and friends also make this story a very engaging one and I recommend it for anyone looking for a lighthearted, fun read.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
Danielle Hill's focus is on her son and she's not looking to be distracted by any man but when she keeps crossing paths with the one man who makes her feel like a woman in a long time, it's hard to not be distracted. Tyler Best has always had a very carefree attitude towards women and relationships: short and fun, no promises, but lately Dani has him wondering if there is more to life than a series of hook-ups. Even though single moms are a no-go for him, he can't seem to resist her.
I have to admit that Dani's feisty persona won me over from the first page and her dedication to her son's well-being sealed it for me. Tyler on the other hand was a hard sell for me and his friends' reactions when he showed up with Dani and revealed that she was a single mom were very telling. It was actually his interactions with his mom that finally won me over to his side. It's hard to hold out against someone who obviously loves his mom so much and treats her with respect.
The beauty of this story though is that while both Dani and Tyler came with baggage that was at times dangerous, they personally were constantly growing with every experience. I also like that Ms. Gary doesn't downplay the challenges that come with dating for a single parent and someone interested in dating one. Their families and friends also make this story a very engaging one and I recommend it for anyone looking for a lighthearted, fun read.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
August 13, 2016
4.5 SMOOCHES REVIEW
'But the tiny, smiling little boy on her phone screen was like a big fat stop sign. He didn’t do single moms’
As a longtime fan of Codi Gary I was excited to get and start this new book in the Men In Uniform series. I enjoy her easy to read with just enough action plots and though third person is not my favorite style to read, hers doesn’t bother me. Like the previous book and novella in the series, this is a standalone about a Marine working at the Alpha Dog training facility and the woman who captures his attention.
‘But nothing had changed. He was the guy with nothing to lose, and she was a mom. Nothing simple or east, not where them hooking up was concerned.‘
Playboy Tyler has a few rules he NEVER breaks and single moms top that list. Growing up the son of a single mom himself he knows how important it is to only get involved in a kids life if he plans to stay there. So though he incredible attracted to Dani he walks away. Fate however had other ideas and constantly threw these two unlikely people together. Individually, I liked both Dani and Tyler and while at first her stubbornness and his refusal to get involved was frustrating it did not take long for me to be rooting for them. I spent a good part of the book convinced that I really liked it and as a simple low drama four star good book, where I thought that her being a single mom was all the only real issue we would encounter, I will say that the last 25% blew me away. So much happens and I couldn’t stop. I was delighted and surprised by the twists that happened and mad at myself for ever doubting that Codi could deliver.
‘Could ovaries really explode? Because Dani was pretty sure her just had.’
I am a sucker for a small town romance and at the heart of it all that is what this is. Sexy, sweet and surprising. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
~miranda
'But the tiny, smiling little boy on her phone screen was like a big fat stop sign. He didn’t do single moms’
As a longtime fan of Codi Gary I was excited to get and start this new book in the Men In Uniform series. I enjoy her easy to read with just enough action plots and though third person is not my favorite style to read, hers doesn’t bother me. Like the previous book and novella in the series, this is a standalone about a Marine working at the Alpha Dog training facility and the woman who captures his attention.
‘But nothing had changed. He was the guy with nothing to lose, and she was a mom. Nothing simple or east, not where them hooking up was concerned.‘
Playboy Tyler has a few rules he NEVER breaks and single moms top that list. Growing up the son of a single mom himself he knows how important it is to only get involved in a kids life if he plans to stay there. So though he incredible attracted to Dani he walks away. Fate however had other ideas and constantly threw these two unlikely people together. Individually, I liked both Dani and Tyler and while at first her stubbornness and his refusal to get involved was frustrating it did not take long for me to be rooting for them. I spent a good part of the book convinced that I really liked it and as a simple low drama four star good book, where I thought that her being a single mom was all the only real issue we would encounter, I will say that the last 25% blew me away. So much happens and I couldn’t stop. I was delighted and surprised by the twists that happened and mad at myself for ever doubting that Codi could deliver.
‘Could ovaries really explode? Because Dani was pretty sure her just had.’
I am a sucker for a small town romance and at the heart of it all that is what this is. Sexy, sweet and surprising. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
~miranda
August 11, 2016
*ARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Avon*
October 18, 2017
Dani and Tyler are just perfect for one another. Don't get me wrong they both have there moments and I loved to see how everything turn out in the end. I just adored Dani son Noah and his relationship with his mom and Tyler. This book was absolutely perfection.
August 17, 2016
Danielle Hill learned the hard way that living on the carefree and wild side comes with consequences, she went from being free to do as she pleased to now having to completely realign her life. She is a single mother struggling to keep her life afloat and doing all she can to provide a stable and safe environment for her young son. After a disastrous end to her relationship with her son's father she has sworn off men, and anything resembles dating, she can't afford to have her son get attached to someone and then have them have them walk away when it gets to tough. She has built an impenetrable wall around her heart and is constantly armed with a guarded attitude and hopes it's enough to keep her heart safe... but she didn't account for a man like Tyler Best to walk into her life.
The minute Tyler Best meets Danielle Hill he is intrigued with her, she is a triple threat... feisty as hell, gorgeous, and oh SO tempting. But she isn't interested with anything he has to say, and definitely doesn't want to have anything to do with him... but that doesn't discourage him from trying! Once he figures out why she is so guarded though, it has him questioning rather or not is a path he wants to keep pursuing... she has a life he never envisioned for himself.
I have been anxiously awaiting for the opportunity to return to this series and get better acquainted with another one of Ms. Gary's sexy heroes, and I have to say Mr. Best was definitely worth the wait!! The minute the man walked onto the page, he had my attention, and had me handing over my heart, and desperately wanting to follow him on his journey to find true love! His caring nature, swoon worthy good looks, and dedication to animals made him hard not to fall for almost immediately... Ms. Gary definitely did her best work on character development with this one!! I also enjoyed meeting the woman who managed to catch this eternal bachelors heart, and I have to say I really liked her, and found that she resonated with me more than any other character has in a long while, she was strong willed, dedicated to being a good mother, and wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in... no matter the costs!! If you like stories brimming with feeling, equipped with swoon worthy heroes, and a story line sure to tug on your heartstrings and leave you inspired, then I highly recommend you pick up this book from Ms. Gary!!
ARC requested through Edelweiss, and kindly provided by the Avon Impulse in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
The minute Tyler Best meets Danielle Hill he is intrigued with her, she is a triple threat... feisty as hell, gorgeous, and oh SO tempting. But she isn't interested with anything he has to say, and definitely doesn't want to have anything to do with him... but that doesn't discourage him from trying! Once he figures out why she is so guarded though, it has him questioning rather or not is a path he wants to keep pursuing... she has a life he never envisioned for himself.
I have been anxiously awaiting for the opportunity to return to this series and get better acquainted with another one of Ms. Gary's sexy heroes, and I have to say Mr. Best was definitely worth the wait!! The minute the man walked onto the page, he had my attention, and had me handing over my heart, and desperately wanting to follow him on his journey to find true love! His caring nature, swoon worthy good looks, and dedication to animals made him hard not to fall for almost immediately... Ms. Gary definitely did her best work on character development with this one!! I also enjoyed meeting the woman who managed to catch this eternal bachelors heart, and I have to say I really liked her, and found that she resonated with me more than any other character has in a long while, she was strong willed, dedicated to being a good mother, and wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in... no matter the costs!! If you like stories brimming with feeling, equipped with swoon worthy heroes, and a story line sure to tug on your heartstrings and leave you inspired, then I highly recommend you pick up this book from Ms. Gary!!
ARC requested through Edelweiss, and kindly provided by the Avon Impulse in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
August 26, 2016
For me Codi Gary is a newer author. I didn't start reading her until this series. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. I think that for some reason I saw one cover I didn't like and that was it for me. This is why I try not to choose my books by the covers. Sometimes it works out, other times I kick myself in the ass.
The real sad part is that I now need to read all those stories I missed and have very little time to read them. I will be slowly fitting them in one story at a time.
Fingers crossed.
Either way, I will be reading the ones coming down the pike! As you can tell I'm very happy that I started reading her. I find her books very easy to get into with characters I want to know more about.
Hero of Mine might be the second book in the series but there is a novella to go with it. I would really read this series in order to truly get the feel for these characters.
I will admit that I didn't think I'd like Best in the beginning. Sometimes it's hard to forget what a person did in their past, or one book ago. Best was a player...
As I started this book I figured it would be that one book in the series that I liked, but didn't love. I was so wrong. So far, it's my favorite book. I might change my mind when I read Holding Out for a Hero, we shall see.
For some reason Best turned out to be such a great guy. He worried so much about doing everything right with Dani and her son Noah. Sometimes though she didn't cut him a break. At times that chip on her shoulder drove me crazy. I think that was because I knew how hard he was trying.
It wasn't that I didn't like her, because I did. She just needed to get out of her own way. I know, much easier said, then done.
Both Tyler and Dani had baggage that the didn't to deal with and I think you'll see that the player was able to get over his issues much quicker then her. I might be bias...
You'll love this series and really should give it a try. Like I already said, HOW THE HELL DID I MISS READING HER AS A AUTHOR!!!!
Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Romancing the Readers Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
ARC received for a honest review
The real sad part is that I now need to read all those stories I missed and have very little time to read them. I will be slowly fitting them in one story at a time.
Fingers crossed.
Either way, I will be reading the ones coming down the pike! As you can tell I'm very happy that I started reading her. I find her books very easy to get into with characters I want to know more about.
Hero of Mine might be the second book in the series but there is a novella to go with it. I would really read this series in order to truly get the feel for these characters.
I will admit that I didn't think I'd like Best in the beginning. Sometimes it's hard to forget what a person did in their past, or one book ago. Best was a player...
As I started this book I figured it would be that one book in the series that I liked, but didn't love. I was so wrong. So far, it's my favorite book. I might change my mind when I read Holding Out for a Hero, we shall see.
For some reason Best turned out to be such a great guy. He worried so much about doing everything right with Dani and her son Noah. Sometimes though she didn't cut him a break. At times that chip on her shoulder drove me crazy. I think that was because I knew how hard he was trying.
It wasn't that I didn't like her, because I did. She just needed to get out of her own way. I know, much easier said, then done.
Both Tyler and Dani had baggage that the didn't to deal with and I think you'll see that the player was able to get over his issues much quicker then her. I might be bias...
You'll love this series and really should give it a try. Like I already said, HOW THE HELL DID I MISS READING HER AS A AUTHOR!!!!
Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Romancing the Readers Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
ARC received for a honest review
August 17, 2016
Posted on What I'm Reading
This series is a cute one. I mean you have military guys working with dogs and trouble teens, talk about bursting ovaries here. Nothing like bursting ovaries and melting hearts. Basically, Tyler Best is like a player. He loves the ladies, but doesn't want to attach himself to one. He has a couple rules when it comes to the ladies: 1)No crazies. I completely agree there. You don't want some crazy chick. 2) No attached or married women. That should be a give, but there are some guys and gals that don't care. 3) No moms. I mean they come with baggage he's not ready to commit to. Those are pretty good codes to live by. However, he's willing to chuck rule three out the window with Dani Hill. That might be a stretch, he does try to steer clear from her, but divine intervention has some say in this. We see these two get together.
Anyway, Hero of Mine is a pretty cute story. I mean Best doesn't have the best track record with the ladies, but he's willing to try with Dani. He' gets all protective over her and her son. *Sigh*. Dani is a single mom trying to do the best that she can. She does have a few challenges and one of them is her mother. Gotta love mothers. There were a couple of times I wanted to go really, you are going to nitpick on that. Overall, a pretty good read that went fairly fast. Dani and Tyler are adorbs together. So, if you are in the mood for something light and fun with a tad of drama. There is a tad, because she does have a child. Noah is a good kid, it's others. Might want to give Hero of Mine a go.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
This series is a cute one. I mean you have military guys working with dogs and trouble teens, talk about bursting ovaries here. Nothing like bursting ovaries and melting hearts. Basically, Tyler Best is like a player. He loves the ladies, but doesn't want to attach himself to one. He has a couple rules when it comes to the ladies: 1)No crazies. I completely agree there. You don't want some crazy chick. 2) No attached or married women. That should be a give, but there are some guys and gals that don't care. 3) No moms. I mean they come with baggage he's not ready to commit to. Those are pretty good codes to live by. However, he's willing to chuck rule three out the window with Dani Hill. That might be a stretch, he does try to steer clear from her, but divine intervention has some say in this. We see these two get together.
Anyway, Hero of Mine is a pretty cute story. I mean Best doesn't have the best track record with the ladies, but he's willing to try with Dani. He' gets all protective over her and her son. *Sigh*. Dani is a single mom trying to do the best that she can. She does have a few challenges and one of them is her mother. Gotta love mothers. There were a couple of times I wanted to go really, you are going to nitpick on that. Overall, a pretty good read that went fairly fast. Dani and Tyler are adorbs together. So, if you are in the mood for something light and fun with a tad of drama. There is a tad, because she does have a child. Noah is a good kid, it's others. Might want to give Hero of Mine a go.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
August 16, 2016
4 out of 5 stars
I loved Tyler & Dani’s story. I enjoyed the way that they both fought their inevitable relationship and the playful banter they created with each other. I enjoyed Dani’s little guy and his incorporation into the story. I loved when they succumbed to their feelings and started a real shot at a relationship.
I felt like Ms Gary did a great job of incorporating the drama that was required for this story without making it feel too dramatic. The story was fun still even though there were times of intense stress for the characters and the storyline. I also felt like the heroics were well played and not cheesy. I liked the way the scenes played out allowing the characters to take the front and not their actions. AND I liked the “extras” in the book from the kids that Tyler worked with to the friends they each had. They all had a role to play in the story and they all entertained me as I read.
This was a first for me by this author, but it won’t be the last.
*** I received an advance copy thru the publisher in exchange for an honest review ***
I loved Tyler & Dani’s story. I enjoyed the way that they both fought their inevitable relationship and the playful banter they created with each other. I enjoyed Dani’s little guy and his incorporation into the story. I loved when they succumbed to their feelings and started a real shot at a relationship.
I felt like Ms Gary did a great job of incorporating the drama that was required for this story without making it feel too dramatic. The story was fun still even though there were times of intense stress for the characters and the storyline. I also felt like the heroics were well played and not cheesy. I liked the way the scenes played out allowing the characters to take the front and not their actions. AND I liked the “extras” in the book from the kids that Tyler worked with to the friends they each had. They all had a role to play in the story and they all entertained me as I read.
This was a first for me by this author, but it won’t be the last.
*** I received an advance copy thru the publisher in exchange for an honest review ***
August 10, 2016
Codi Gary continues to get better with each Men In Uniform novel. She really steps up her game with Tyler and Danielle. Past events have caused each to look at life life differently. For Tyler, he's gained a deeper appreciation of his surroundings and takes full advantage of every adventure life has to offer. For Danielle, maturity brought surprise motherhood and an inability to fully open her heart to anyone but her most prized achievement, her son. With Hero of Mine, Ms. Gary delves into a world of regret, self - doubt and second chances that don't come easily but are worth all the blood, sweat and tears to be faced along the way. Danielle was somewhat hard to get a read on because of how closed off she was, yet her strength was her will to tackle a tough situation and come out on top.
August 18, 2016
I finished this last night before bed and therefore went to bed with a smile on my face :)
Dani and Tyler were perfect together. Both had a past...his included not staying with any one woman and hers included a druggie ex who is the father of her son. But when they meet, they feel a connection. Was it a perfect relationship? No. Tyler is military and deals with some stuff, Dani is an nervous young mom who is scared of doing it wrong. Thankfully they talk through the misunderstandings and don't run. Tyler had me swooning several times in here. Especially when he had that talk wit his mom. I about melted LOL
This was my first book by Codi Gary but definitely won't be my last!
*thanks to Avon for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
Dani and Tyler were perfect together. Both had a past...his included not staying with any one woman and hers included a druggie ex who is the father of her son. But when they meet, they feel a connection. Was it a perfect relationship? No. Tyler is military and deals with some stuff, Dani is an nervous young mom who is scared of doing it wrong. Thankfully they talk through the misunderstandings and don't run. Tyler had me swooning several times in here. Especially when he had that talk wit his mom. I about melted LOL
This was my first book by Codi Gary but definitely won't be my last!
*thanks to Avon for sharing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*
June 20, 2016
Dani and Tyler both have Baggage when they meet; sparks fly but they are on each other's no-no list for a host of reasons. But they keep running into each other.
April 24, 2016
#TeamBest
August 13, 2016
4.5 Smooches Review coming at Red Cheeks Reads
October 27, 2017
I am enjoying this series. The alpha dog program in association with the dogs and military is very interesting.
December 18, 2018
Liked this story .
October 15, 2020
You will fall in love with the male lead on this book... I wish I could find someone like him...
August 20, 2023
⛔️(in notes)
August 12, 2016
Dani Hill used to be a bad girl until she got pregnant and the father left her high and dry. She changed her life around, and her sole focus is her 2 year-old son, Noah. Dani works at a veterinary clinic, and also volunteers at a shelter. The day she met Tyler Best was when she was arguing with her boss about not euthanizing a dog that had an accident and seemed lost. Tyler took her side, and got the dog to the vet. Tyler is a dog trainer for the Alpha Dog Program, and lost causes are his specialty. Tyler, ever the player, ogles Dani, but when he sees that she has a son, a red flag comes up: he doesn’t do single mothers, but still Dani stirs something in him… Besides, Fate seems to be conspiring against him: Tyler keeps running across Dani everywhere he goes. At 28, Tyler has never had a girlfriend, only hook-ups, whom he never called back; that was understood from the onset from both parties. Tyler then has an epiphany when a friend of his dies, and Tyler realises that maybe something is missing from his life after all.
While Dani tends to be abrasive sometimes, I really liked her; her defensiveness comes from being extremely protective of her son, which I could entirely relate to, but also from having made very poor choices about men in the past. Dani is certainly not impervious to Tyler’s lethal charm, and he understands her point of view when it comes to the type of men she doesn’t want around her son. She thinks Tyler is very sweet; he is good to her son, to animals, and children, and their first “non-date” is pretty hilarious; I couldn’t fault Dani for succumbing to his charm. My problem with Tyler is that I, as the reader, witnessed another side of him which Dani never saw. Tyler has quite a violent streak that made me uneasy, and this happened on a few occasions in the book, the most notable being when a friend at Alpha Dog points out that Tyler, until very recently, was quite the player, and said friend likes Dani and doesn’t want to see her hurt, which is promptly dealt with by Tyler punching his friend in the face. Tyler’s epiphany results in him deciding to take it slow with Dani, which he does, but it took a bit of suspension of disbelief on my part; this dealt with, the romance was indeed lovely.
Codi Gary is the queen of dialogues, and once again in HERO OF MINE, she demonstrates her unmistakable ability at making her characters totally genuine in their interactions with each other. The author is also very proficient at creating a realistic world with the Alpha Dog Program and the troubled teenagers who get instructions on dog training, and where serious issues arise in HERO OF MINE. Although I am not especially fond of children in romances, I really loved Noah: he came off as a real child, not some caricature one way or another. This said, I think the over-the-top drama regarding Noah’s father and grandmother could have been dispensed with; I don’t think it was necessary unless it was for another demonstration of what I surmise was to show Tyler’s “protective instincts”. If you like your romance with some sizzling and realistic sex scenes, and some drama, you will love HERO OF MINE.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While Dani tends to be abrasive sometimes, I really liked her; her defensiveness comes from being extremely protective of her son, which I could entirely relate to, but also from having made very poor choices about men in the past. Dani is certainly not impervious to Tyler’s lethal charm, and he understands her point of view when it comes to the type of men she doesn’t want around her son. She thinks Tyler is very sweet; he is good to her son, to animals, and children, and their first “non-date” is pretty hilarious; I couldn’t fault Dani for succumbing to his charm. My problem with Tyler is that I, as the reader, witnessed another side of him which Dani never saw. Tyler has quite a violent streak that made me uneasy, and this happened on a few occasions in the book, the most notable being when a friend at Alpha Dog points out that Tyler, until very recently, was quite the player, and said friend likes Dani and doesn’t want to see her hurt, which is promptly dealt with by Tyler punching his friend in the face. Tyler’s epiphany results in him deciding to take it slow with Dani, which he does, but it took a bit of suspension of disbelief on my part; this dealt with, the romance was indeed lovely.
Codi Gary is the queen of dialogues, and once again in HERO OF MINE, she demonstrates her unmistakable ability at making her characters totally genuine in their interactions with each other. The author is also very proficient at creating a realistic world with the Alpha Dog Program and the troubled teenagers who get instructions on dog training, and where serious issues arise in HERO OF MINE. Although I am not especially fond of children in romances, I really loved Noah: he came off as a real child, not some caricature one way or another. This said, I think the over-the-top drama regarding Noah’s father and grandmother could have been dispensed with; I don’t think it was necessary unless it was for another demonstration of what I surmise was to show Tyler’s “protective instincts”. If you like your romance with some sizzling and realistic sex scenes, and some drama, you will love HERO OF MINE.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2016
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Hero of Mine is the third book in the Men in Uniform series from Codi Gary. I have enjoyed this series so far, and I really like Codi Gary's writing style. If you are a contemporary romance fan and haven't read Codi Gary yet, she is definitely one worth looking into. If you are already a fan, I think that this book is a cute story that most readers will enjoy.
Dani Hill was a bit of a wild child, until she found herself pregnant and facing parenthood alone. With the help of her parents, Dani made Noah her top priority and devoted her life to being the best mom she could be. So when she meets Tyler Best, she immediately sees him for the player he has been and assumes that is all he is interested in. But when Dani and Tyler keep running into each other, they both begin to wonder if there is a reason they keep meeting. Noah has never wanted a girlfriend and doesn't do anything serious, so he knows that he needs to steer clear of single mom Dani and her son Noah. But when the attraction becomes too much for him to fight, he soon realizes that Dani and Noah are different and with them might just be where he belongs.
I liked Dani and Noah. I thought that they were good together and they had some really sweet moments together. For all of Noah's protests about not being good with kids and not wanting that in his life, he was fantastic with Noah. They were super cute together and I loved the fact that he was so caring. He had a big heart, and after everything that he had been through he deserved some happiness. I also loved that he was so good with the boys and dogs in the program, he was just a genuinely good guy despite what he might have said about himself. Dani was a good mom, and I loved that she put her son first always. I do think that she was too much of a pushover when it came to her mom, and I wish that she would have stood up to her more than she did here. But besides that, she was likable. Dani and Noah had good chemistry and I think that they made a great couple.
Overall, this one was good and had some cute moments. It was on the predictable side though, and it didn't really break any new ground. I could pretty much see how everything was going to go, and while I liked it, it isn't anything that will really stand out or be super memorable in the long run. There were times that the characters did frustrate me a bit with their actions, but this was a good story. I think fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this one, especially for those that have read previous books in this series. This is a standalone story, so there is no problem with understanding anything for those that haven't read previous books in the series. I have liked those that I have read in this series, and will continue to look for books from Codi Gary in the future.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Hero of Mine is the third book in the Men in Uniform series from Codi Gary. I have enjoyed this series so far, and I really like Codi Gary's writing style. If you are a contemporary romance fan and haven't read Codi Gary yet, she is definitely one worth looking into. If you are already a fan, I think that this book is a cute story that most readers will enjoy.
Dani Hill was a bit of a wild child, until she found herself pregnant and facing parenthood alone. With the help of her parents, Dani made Noah her top priority and devoted her life to being the best mom she could be. So when she meets Tyler Best, she immediately sees him for the player he has been and assumes that is all he is interested in. But when Dani and Tyler keep running into each other, they both begin to wonder if there is a reason they keep meeting. Noah has never wanted a girlfriend and doesn't do anything serious, so he knows that he needs to steer clear of single mom Dani and her son Noah. But when the attraction becomes too much for him to fight, he soon realizes that Dani and Noah are different and with them might just be where he belongs.
I liked Dani and Noah. I thought that they were good together and they had some really sweet moments together. For all of Noah's protests about not being good with kids and not wanting that in his life, he was fantastic with Noah. They were super cute together and I loved the fact that he was so caring. He had a big heart, and after everything that he had been through he deserved some happiness. I also loved that he was so good with the boys and dogs in the program, he was just a genuinely good guy despite what he might have said about himself. Dani was a good mom, and I loved that she put her son first always. I do think that she was too much of a pushover when it came to her mom, and I wish that she would have stood up to her more than she did here. But besides that, she was likable. Dani and Noah had good chemistry and I think that they made a great couple.
Overall, this one was good and had some cute moments. It was on the predictable side though, and it didn't really break any new ground. I could pretty much see how everything was going to go, and while I liked it, it isn't anything that will really stand out or be super memorable in the long run. There were times that the characters did frustrate me a bit with their actions, but this was a good story. I think fans of contemporary romance will enjoy this one, especially for those that have read previous books in this series. This is a standalone story, so there is no problem with understanding anything for those that haven't read previous books in the series. I have liked those that I have read in this series, and will continue to look for books from Codi Gary in the future.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
August 23, 2016
I read and adored the prequel, I Need a Hero, so I had some idea of the premise in this series, but each book brings in something new. In Hero of Mine, the story is centered on former wild child Danielle, and her son Noah. She’s not a particularly ‘open’ person, bruised from her former relationships and focusing on her son, she’s both highly guarded and overly self-critical. This makes her a bit of an insecure mess, especially where her parenting skills are considered. More than once I needed Danielle to go to a quiet corner and regroup, particularly early on, as there’s little thought happening before she has a knee jerk reaction.
The other half of the story is Tyler’s. He’s a bit of a playboy as he grasps every moment and opportunity. What saved him early on is the heart and compassion he shows, and the fact that he’s seen the darker side of things gives him a tiny pass. But, even more important than his experience and compassion is his dedication to The Men of Alpha Dog, working with at risk teens and his personal mission to work with at risk dogs.
Danielle and Tyler are electric – but while she’s all push away, he’s intrigued and can’t help but enjoy their fiery interactions. She’s obviously pricklier than a hedgehog, and the sort of girl that you commit to….perhaps he’s missing out on something? That’s what makes Tyler adorable… he’s got the attitude of a toddler in a toy store – never wanting to miss anything. But, he and Dani do have a connection, but since this is a first for them both…they are going slow. And when Noah’s father appears after his absence and is determined to throw a kink in their works, Tyler has to step up in more than one way.
The gradual development of the relationship between these two allows for them both to grow and develop as a couple and individuals. While Dani’s guarded nature and rather cynical approach to life pre-Tyler are believable, the true enjoyment was in her growth and the connection with Tyler that allowed them both to thrive and grow into better versions of themselves. Reasonably low angst, with plenty of moments that ring true and authentic, this is a wonderful story.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
The other half of the story is Tyler’s. He’s a bit of a playboy as he grasps every moment and opportunity. What saved him early on is the heart and compassion he shows, and the fact that he’s seen the darker side of things gives him a tiny pass. But, even more important than his experience and compassion is his dedication to The Men of Alpha Dog, working with at risk teens and his personal mission to work with at risk dogs.
Danielle and Tyler are electric – but while she’s all push away, he’s intrigued and can’t help but enjoy their fiery interactions. She’s obviously pricklier than a hedgehog, and the sort of girl that you commit to….perhaps he’s missing out on something? That’s what makes Tyler adorable… he’s got the attitude of a toddler in a toy store – never wanting to miss anything. But, he and Dani do have a connection, but since this is a first for them both…they are going slow. And when Noah’s father appears after his absence and is determined to throw a kink in their works, Tyler has to step up in more than one way.
The gradual development of the relationship between these two allows for them both to grow and develop as a couple and individuals. While Dani’s guarded nature and rather cynical approach to life pre-Tyler are believable, the true enjoyment was in her growth and the connection with Tyler that allowed them both to thrive and grow into better versions of themselves. Reasonably low angst, with plenty of moments that ring true and authentic, this is a wonderful story.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
September 16, 2016
This is the first book that I have read by Codi Gary and I loved it!! This is the second book of the Men in Uniform series and I am for sure going to go back and read the first book!! Hero of Mine focuses on Tyler, Danielle & her so Noah (who is just the best) and the dynamic of these 3 personalities in this book was beautifully written.
Danielle is a former wild child, but as soon as she got pregnant with Noah she changed her ways. She is seriously a great mom, even though she has doubts. She had a horrible relationship with Noah's biological dad and so she has walls put up and firmly in place, but let me tell you, she has a mouth on her. She will not mince the truth up, she will tell you straight up what is going on. I loved that about her and I loved that she was so caring, and not just with her son, but with animals. When she meets Tyler, she knows that he is not a good idea, so she pushes him away, but their energy is just too strong to keep denying and Tyler is very persistent.
I absolutely loved Tyler!! He made me swoon so hard throughout this book. His pursuit of Danielle, even though she has a child, was relentless. She was on his mind all the time and seriously, whenever they were near each other, I felt their connection come through the book, it was that powerful. Tyler is a bit of a playboy, well until he met Danielle. I really love watching Tyler transform from playboy to husband material. He was funny, loved Noah like his own, and treated Danielle with respect and supported her and loved her. He knew that she had walls 10 feet high, but he pushed through and showed her what real love is and I his persistence is one of the things that I most admired about Tyler's character.
These two have some past issues to deal with and in one part, I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails because I was so nervous about what was going to happen next. The passion in this book was off the charts HOT and I loved that the connection between Tyler & Danielle grew throughout the whole book. Codi Gary really wrote a beautiful story and I am very excited about what the author comes out with next!!
Danielle is a former wild child, but as soon as she got pregnant with Noah she changed her ways. She is seriously a great mom, even though she has doubts. She had a horrible relationship with Noah's biological dad and so she has walls put up and firmly in place, but let me tell you, she has a mouth on her. She will not mince the truth up, she will tell you straight up what is going on. I loved that about her and I loved that she was so caring, and not just with her son, but with animals. When she meets Tyler, she knows that he is not a good idea, so she pushes him away, but their energy is just too strong to keep denying and Tyler is very persistent.
I absolutely loved Tyler!! He made me swoon so hard throughout this book. His pursuit of Danielle, even though she has a child, was relentless. She was on his mind all the time and seriously, whenever they were near each other, I felt their connection come through the book, it was that powerful. Tyler is a bit of a playboy, well until he met Danielle. I really love watching Tyler transform from playboy to husband material. He was funny, loved Noah like his own, and treated Danielle with respect and supported her and loved her. He knew that she had walls 10 feet high, but he pushed through and showed her what real love is and I his persistence is one of the things that I most admired about Tyler's character.
These two have some past issues to deal with and in one part, I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails because I was so nervous about what was going to happen next. The passion in this book was off the charts HOT and I loved that the connection between Tyler & Danielle grew throughout the whole book. Codi Gary really wrote a beautiful story and I am very excited about what the author comes out with next!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews