What happens when happily ever after isn't happy? When everything you thought you knew changes? Obligation...Marriage Betrayal...FreedomUntil him. Until her.Second chances... Until them.Deceit...Doubt. The past may have won the battles, but can Love win the War?
Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee drinking, sometimes sailor swearing, Spotify addict, lover of all things books!
When not pushing women down the stairs in the fictional world, Cary has her hands full. Soccer mom in all sense of the word to two wild and crazy, spoiled kiddos, and wife to the most supportive husband. In addition to writing full time, she enjoys binge watching Netflix, laying around in her hammock and baking up cookies for her family and friends.
Cary writes real, raw romance! In her stories the characters deal with life's everyday struggles and unwanted drama, they talk about the ugly and they become the broken. Everyone deserves a happy ending, but sometimes before you can appreciate the light, there has to be darkness.
Growing up, if someone would have told her she would become a writer, she wouldn't have believed them. It wasn't until she got her hands on her first romance novel, that the passion grew. Now she couldn't imagine her life any other way - she's living her dream.
When you get married you think it is going to be forever but what happens when the one you love is not enough for you. The one you marry isn't the person you thought they were. For Aubrey her husband Doug is not the person she thought he was when they married. So she decides that she is going to file for divorce and start her life over again with her daughter. Aubrey decides she is going to to remodel the B&B that was her grandmother's dream. So she hides out at her friends house while she thinks about what to do next. Then her friend decides they need a girls night out and they go out and that is when Aubrey's life is about to change.
Andrew is in the process of divorcing his wife after he found her cheating. He is ready to move on with his life. He thought his marriage was going to be forever but boy was he wrong. After serving his wife with the divorce papers he and his friend Kyle go out to relax. That is when Kyle notices Aubrey and tells Andrew to look at her. That is all it takes for them and they have a dance and feel a connection but Andrew runs.
Then Andrew finds out that his construction company will be rebuilding the B&B that Aubrey is restoring. With this information he decides to see where things will go. Their daughters meet and they hit it off so they begin a relationship but you know what they say just when you think you have found happiness someone is there to steal it. Both Andrew and Aubrey will have to fight for their relationship.
I had to think about what rating I wanted to give the book. While it is a romance, there are some situations in the story that seem like they probably happen in real life. Won't say any more about that as I don't want to give away the plot of the book. I couldn't help but fall in love with Drew even though he wasn't as open in the beginning of the relationship as Aubrey was. Glad there was happy ending and would recommend reading the book.
Love War is the perfect name for this book. And unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it is a modern day example of families. Doug Harris is ex husband of Aubrey and dad of Reece. Aubrey Harris - stay at home mom to Reece, low self esteem, ex wife of Doug soon to be B&B owner. Drew Williams - soon to be ex husband of Sarah Harris and owner of Williams Construction and dad of Andie. Sarah Harris - soon to be ex wife of Drew Williams and mom of Andie. After and during a divorce each person involved has to learn to live with the new direction of their lives and the lives of their child. You have to learn to find your footing in all walks of everyday life. You will all stumble and even fall until you get your footing. Love War is a perfect example of finding your way and moving on. Cary Hart is a writer that draws you into her books. You will feel the emotions of the characters as the tale unfolds. You will absolutely fall in love with "Love War".
This story isn't about just two people, there are many. This book touches on so many things... divorce, separation, love, hate, guilt, deception, passion, family, friends are just some.
When you think you are bound to live life on auto pilot something snaps. Time to take your life in your own hands and be happy. That's what these four people thought except too many secrets, too many lies. How many people can handle heartbreak not once but twice?!?!
"Bombs are falling all around us and I’m tired of taking cover. If we want this, we have to fight for what is ours, this time around we have go to battle. Love isn’t easy...love is war.”
💭My Thoughts... When I read the first few pages of this book I thought "Oh man this isn't the type of book I usually read, I am probably not going to like it", and almost stopped reading. BUT I kept reading and realized this isn't just some book about a lady empowering herself after divorce. This book is about so much more!! It's like a soap opera. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! Actually by like the 2nd chapter I didn't put it down again. Some of it was slightly predictable and that's why I couldn't give it 5 stars but damn if there wasn't twists everywhere, ones that I did not even see coming. And I absolutely love Niki and Aubrey's relationship. They had me laughing so loud. And of course Andie and Reece's relationship as well. This book had a little bit of everything. And can I say I am in love with Drew. I mean when he came to rescue with the Transformers band aids, I was putty in his hands.
I think minus the little twists, this book can really be some people's real life and I enjoyed being able to relate to this story. This was very well written and I definitely want to read the next book!!
**I received this book as an ARC and in return I gave my honest review**
Wow, what a great read! I wasn't sure how I felt about Aubrey right off the bat but I ended up really liking her. She realized she wasn't happy in her marriage but didn't just give up. She tried for herself and her daughter but finally realized it just wasn't working for anybody. I liked Drew right away but he was in an equally difficult situation. Whereas Aubrey didn't hold anything back Drew did but out of what he believed was for the best. I liked how they confronted their spouses and came out for the better. Very happy with how the story was wrapped up.
This is an awesome book a definite read. Don't want to say to much and spoil the book. Have to save ful of love lust tears laughter heartache anger. just amazing like the author.
I’m shocked and not in the good way. The book was fine I think my problem is that I went into the book with so many HIGH expectations. See, I get the whole concept of the book but there were some aspects that I didn’t like.
I didn’t like Audrey’s character at all. She was simply way to forgiving even in situations which were unforgivable.
I know Reece was a child but she was wayyy to annoying. It’s maybe because I don’t have much experience with small children or maybe because I’ve never read about such an outspoken child before.
Andie was really the same as Reece however I liked her a little bit more.
Finally we have Drew. I don’t really know if I love him. I don’t hate him but he is definetly not the best character I’ve read about.
Honestly the best part of the book was Nikki. She must be having back problems from carrying the whole book.
This book had so much emotion. I’m having a hard time putting words to how I’m feeling. I absolutely loved this book. It was gripping, I didn’t want to put it down. There was heartache and love and forgiveness throughout this book. Defiantly some very questionable things that certain people did. I loved Drew and Aubrey their chemistry was hot and they definitely deserved to find each other and get the HEA they deserved, they both go through so much throughout this book. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and won’t be the last.
When life twists and turns and sometimes falls apart where do you go from there? HOLY COW THIS BOOKS WAS AMAZING! Had me flipping pages like they were on fire. Great read and hea!
Love War: It was a suspenseful, emotional and fantastic story! It always hard for anyone that has been in a bad relationship to start over and trust again especially if you have children of any age. It was a great story and well written. Loved the cover and the title. I could not put it down it was good.
When you've tried but you're all tried out. When you know someone is wrong but you can't quite figure out how....A fantastic second chance romance filled with love, forgiveness, hope, a jealous bitch, passion, betrayal, heartache, new beginnings, Putter lol, and a HEA. Well written and creative plot twists and nuances make this a MUST read for summer! LOVED IT!! I received an ARC and am voluntarily reviewing the story.
Read this book! Just read it. So many emotions! We follow Aubrey through her marriage and divorce, finding her way as a single mom and the promise of a new adventure. There are so many twists and turns in this story! I literally could not put it down. So good!!
Aubrey. To put it bluntly, she was a fool. She didn't respective herself or value herself. Doug cheated on her and was constantly mean to her and manipulating her and she just took it like the doormat she is.
And the Drew and Sarah birthday thing..... Aubrey finds out that Drew is still married and recently slept with Sarah (wife) and she is still trying to tell him they can make it work and she is running after him after HE breaks off their relationship. She only breaks off when she finds out Sarah is pregnant, but not for long.
Like where is yourself respect????
She finds out the truth about Sarah and goes to tell Drew, he pretty much curses her out and he is all like "I'm still here if you need me." REALLY?
He then goes to her house to apologize and saying he doesn't deserve her. She says that he does deserve her and forgives him right away. She didn't even care about the "apology"
Ohh she forgives him believing that he cheated on her and has a baby on the way. She say they get through this together.
I was BLOWN AWAY.
They later find out the Sarah is not really pregnant, but there is no light shed on her (Sarah) and Drew's night on her birthday.
So readers are led to believe that Drew did sleep with Sarah while he was in a relationship with the Aubrey (heroine)
There is other BS in this story including Aubrey's ex, but I won't go into that
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh what a tangled web Doug and Sarah weaved. The drug their perspective families through some mess and I wanted to slap them both on several occasions. Who acts like that? These narcissists do.
Aubrey is freshly divorced and a single mom. She is trying to make it without Doug’s help. He tries to control her life even though they aren’t married and he makes her feel bad about how she mothers their beautiful daughter Reece. She wants to recognize her grandmothers wish to open a B&B in her old home and use it for the income to support her and Reece. When she has a free weekend her friend gets her to finally go out and let go. It’s here she meets a handsome stranger that sparks a fire in her. When it’s time to start the remodel of the home she is stunned at who shows up on her doorstep. She feels drawn to him and the only thing standing in her way Doug and his idiot ways.
Drew thought he had the perfect family in a sense until he caught Sarah with her boss. He’s newly single and trying to accept that he’s now a part time dad. He fights with Sarah day in and day out about everything. She’s manipulative and blames everyone else. He meets this beautiful enigmatic woman on a dance floor and gives himself one moment to just live in the moment. When he shows up for work the next day, he is stunned to find Aubrey. He thinks this is his chance to start again but it could all come crashing down thanks to Sarah.
I loved Aubrey and Drew. They just wanted a family and someone to love and support them. Is that so wrong? I would have never guessed the drama this book mounted up to at the end and was like whoa. Sarah I get why she was the way she was but I didn’t like her one bit. I can’t even sympathize with her. Doug you dug a serious hole. Should have been honest!! Andie and Reeses pieces were adorable those little girls just bonded instantly and that sparked a life long friendship. If you are looking for a story with some swoon, drama, douchy ex’s and cute kiddos then Love War is for you.
When you get married you think it is going to be forever but what happens when the one you love is not enough for you. The one you marry isn't the person you thought they were. For Aubrey her husband Doug is not the person she thought he was when they married. So she decides that she is going to file for divorce and start her life over again with her daughter. Aubrey decides she is going to to remodel the B&B that was her grandmother's dream. So she hides out at her friends house while she thinks about what to do next. Then her friend decides they need a girls night out and they go out and that is when Aubrey's life is about to change.
Andrew is in the process of divorcing his wife after he found her cheating. He is ready to move on with his life. He thought his marriage was going to be forever but boy was he wrong. After serving his wife with the divorce papers he and his friend Kyle go out to relax. That is when Kyle notices Aubrey and tells Andrew to look at her. That is all it takes for them and they have a dance and feel a connection but Andrew runs.
Then Andrew finds out that his construction company will be rebuilding the B&B that Aubrey is restoring. With this information he decides to see where things will go. Their daughters meet and they hit it off so they begin a relationship but you know what they say just when you think you have found happiness someone is there to steal it. Both Andrew and Aubrey will have to fight for their relationship.
This book was not what I was expecting, from both the title and the blurb, but in a good way. The blurb is vague, but when you get to the end of the book you can see that it is actually rather fitting.
So first, a tiny introduction.
Aubrey is married to Doug, and they have a daughter Reece. After 12 years of being married and life happening Doug has an affair with his assistant and Aubrey and Doug divorce; they maintain shared custody of the daughter. Trying to get her life together now that she is alone, Aubrey decides to renovate a house that was left to her by a realitive and turn it into a Bed and Breakfast so that she can support her and her daughter.
Now, enter Drew, Aubrey’s new contractor that is putting in the new floors, bath tubs, ceiling fans, you get it. Drew is getting a divorce from his wife, Sarah, because, boy, she’s really something. They have a daughter named Andie that is close to the same age as Aubrey’s. Drew and Aubrey catch each other here and there a few times, in the house, once with their kids at the same park, where the young girls fall fast into the clutches of girlhood friendship.
You can tell that him and Aubrey have a thing for each other, and now since their kids are friends that are forced to spend even more time exploring their chemistry.
So I’m going to stop with the narrative there, because I don’t want to give any more of the plot away, the story is better if you go in blind. But we can discuss a few things about the story still.
Two divorces, with kids, which is messy to begin with. There were scenes in this book that had my heart up in my throat and it felt like it was something that I wasn’t supposed to be watching. You know that feeling you get when your out with a couple and they start fighting like you aren’t even there. That’s what parts of this book were like, because this book was real life. Even with the twists as the book went along, I thought Oh My Gosh I could be reading a true story here. These are the kind of secrets that people keep behind closed doors.
Not only two divorces, but one new romance. So the flighty weightlessness of a new relationship sometimes weighted down with the sting of the old one still felt at times. Internal parental struggle of always questioning if you are doing the right thing for your kids, and for you, and are they the same thing in the end?
Aubrey was a vulnerable character, wanting to do the right thing for her daughter every time. When is starting to date again after a divorce OK? She had been married for 12 years to her husband, you could tell that even though she wanted to start a new life with this new different guy, there were times when her ex-husband was around and she would question if splitting up was the right thing to do.
This is real life. This is really the emotions that you go through when you get a divorce. There are other added lies and deceits that are happening here too, and they just add to the complexity of this well woven story.
I thought that Drew was a little possessive and controlling right up front, which would have sent up a red-flag right away for me. The way he lectures her about leaving the door open for the pizza guy and then he even moves a bed into the unfinished B&B upstairs so they can have a place to tryst! Without even asking! I thought maybe at those times Aubrey was just accepting his eager behavior because she liked him so much, she didn’t want to rock the boat. I can commiserate, I have sadly been there too.
Best part of the whole book, it gets better and better as it goes along, a mystery looms and soon the twists start coming. And you won’t even see the end until it smacks you right in the face.
Wonderful work, bravo. Can’t wait for the next one!
Oh is this story something special! Aubrey is a newly divorced mom, her BFF Niki takes her out to try and get her groove back. Aubrey allows herself this one night when she meets a mysterious man during a spotlight dance. Drew is also a newly divorced dad that happens to be Aubrey's dance partner in the spotlight. No names are exchanged but fate has other plans for these two. Anyone that has been divorced, has kids, or knows someone that has been through these very complicated and sensitive issues can see something special in this story. It has funny, sweet, and sexy moments, a gem in the rough. Even though this is a standalone book the character of the next book is mentioned and I can't wait to read it.
This specific video review will be included in the May 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
This book was a lovely mix of every emotion. It had me happy, sad, angry, gushing at something the male lead Drew did and laughing out loud at something funny. I honestly loved every page. It has a great mix of characters and a great plot with a twist that had me ohmygoding! I was hooked from the beginning the characters are so likeable I couldn't put the book down. The children's characters were fantastic, it's so rare for them to feature so much but it was a lovely addition. I hate spoilers so won't reveal too much but the ending was refreshingly different but still a HEA. I love the writers style, it flowed so well and felt so real. I can't wait to read more from her.
4.5 Stars How refreshing Cary Hart's book Love War was to read. We got characters in their thirties, single moms, divorcees, and children. The story follows a recently divorced Aubrey who is learning how to co-parent with her ex-husband and be single after a 12 year marriage. Enter single dad Drew who is a hard working contractor hired to do work on Aubrey's home. Together their chemistry hits the nail on the head, but love is not so easy when children and ex's are involved. "What happens when happily ever after isn't so happy?"
This is the first book in a series. This was a good, quick, read. I really liked Drew and Aubrey. And OMG - the drama!!! It made it kind of fun to read, because of trying to figure out what could happen next. I also really liked how the universe kept throwing them together. Their kids were so cute, too. And I absolutely loved Aubrey's friend, Nina, and I can't wait to read her story.
This book had me up all night reading. You will go through an emotional roller coaster ride with Drew and Aubrey as they learn to navigate their way to a new normal life after divorce and to finding out how to figure out how to date with having children, ex’s and a puppy who comes crashing in at every opportunity.
I love a twisted love story! The ending was shocking and I couldn't stop reading till I found out what happened! I also really enjoyed that there were kids involved in the story! I think it added that extra connection to the characters and their story.
Not what I was expecting. This was intense from the beginning to the end. Many different parts to this story line I did not see coming. Very interesting story line. Loved the characters. Drew wasn't my favorite because of what he does. But in the end I realized what the writer was doing with his character. He wasn't the bad guy after all. It was indeed a very well written book. Enjoyable with some twists and turns you definitely don't see coming. Can't wait to read the next one.
Cary Hart wrote a unique love story with an interesting take on the roads that people end up. The book is about divorce, becoming a single-parent and finding love again, which many readers can relate to in their real-life. The prologue is gripping and emotion, sending you down into the dark hollows of your soul. You feel so strongly for Aubrey, who is dealt a blow after twelve years of marriage. “When I asked for a divorce after 12 years of marriage, I never thought this is where I would end up.” This is a weighty matter, but Cary leverages humor throughout the book to keep the reader on an even plain, where she captures the first spark of new love and the trials of dealing with the aftermath of divorce. “We are two recently divorced individuals with children we adore. Getting into a relationship this soon would be complicated…” I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy second-chances at love and life. Cary Hart writes with depth and emotion, and you feel deeply the characters. And there’s also a twist toward the end that I wasn’t expecting!