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Loving a Warrior #3
Trusting a Warrior
Heartbroken after her fiancé falls in love with another woman, Lani Abuel seeks comfort in the arms of a stranger, only to find herself alone…and pregnant. Fiercely determined to be a good mother, she’ll do whatever it takes, which means finally facing the trauma in her past. The last thing she needs is a warrior with wounds all too similar to her own finding his way into her heart.
George Monteverdi always had one goal—become a navy SEAL. Now both a SEAL and a K-9 handler, saving lives is his priority. Although he’s experienced the unspeakable, he handles it. SEALs are built tough—until they’re not. Lani understands him, and in her quiet strength, he finds a soft place to land.
As their worlds entwine, Lani and Geo find the redemption they’ve been seeking. But despite the sanctuary they’ve discovered with one another, a relationship seems impossible. A SEAL who spends most of his time deployed is far from what Lani—or her baby—needs, and Geo can’t imagine a future doing anything else.
Publisher’s Note: Trusting a Warrior deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including the suicide of a secondary character, as well as descriptions of grief therapy and a suicide survivors’ support group.
This book is approximately 81,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
George Monteverdi always had one goal—become a navy SEAL. Now both a SEAL and a K-9 handler, saving lives is his priority. Although he’s experienced the unspeakable, he handles it. SEALs are built tough—until they’re not. Lani understands him, and in her quiet strength, he finds a soft place to land.
As their worlds entwine, Lani and Geo find the redemption they’ve been seeking. But despite the sanctuary they’ve discovered with one another, a relationship seems impossible. A SEAL who spends most of his time deployed is far from what Lani—or her baby—needs, and Geo can’t imagine a future doing anything else.
Publisher’s Note: Trusting a Warrior deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including the suicide of a secondary character, as well as descriptions of grief therapy and a suicide survivors’ support group.
This book is approximately 81,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2020
About the author
Melanie Hansen
10 books738 followersMelanie Hansen has spent time in Texas and Florida prisons…for work. She’s been in a room with a 17-year-old mass murderer who was also one of the most soft-spoken and polite teenagers she’s ever met. After a 13-year career as a court reporter, she can tell many stories both hilarious and heartbreaking.
She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.
Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
She grew up with an Air Force dad, and ended up marrying a Navy man. After living and working all over the country, she hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.
Melanie left the stressful world of the courtroom behind and now enjoys a rewarding career transcribing for a deaf student. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 8, 2021
*4.5 stars*
Melanie Hansen should be very proud of Trusting a Warrior, which is another stellar book in the Loving a Warrior series. Though it is a very serious book about suicide and grieving, it also had a stand-out romance and an emotionally-packed plotline.
Right off the bat, I was supremely impressed that we got a bisexual male MC in a M/F romance. when I say that is rare, I mean it is rare. I can count on one hand the number of times I've read bi-men out of the context of a M/M romance. I was extremely excited, and I loved how Melanie Hansen portrayed Geo's sexuality without any bi-erasure. Geo is a bi man, and proud of that fact, and it wasn't glossed over. Beautifully done.
If you've read the other books in the series, you'll remember Lani. I don't think you need to have read the previous books, but it helps you know the side characters' backstories. I really liked how Lani was portrayed in this book, and I enjoyed seeing all of her relationships evolve though the course of this story. Lani is hurting from both the loss of her brother and the loss of her long-time relationship, plus an unplanned pregnancy, and the author unpacked her trauma with grace. I felt like I got to know Lani very well, and I loved how her relationship with Geo grew organically.
Geo was going through an equal amount of trauma. His backstory was no less difficult, and I liked how he also got the page-time to unravel his web of emotions. Parts of his story were difficult to read, and I'll admit that I cried at times, but it's not truly a Melanie Hansen book if my emotions aren't put through the ringer.
My only criticism would be that the romance took a slight backseat to the emotional journey that both characters were going through, but I still think that Melanie Hansen did a remarkable job juggling everything. If I'm being perfectly frank, nothing will ever hold a candle to Point of Contact for me from Melanie Hansen, but I think this book was pretty outstanding. It felt personal, to me, like Melanie Hansen had a deep connection to this storyline.
A very moving story in the Loving a Warrior series, Trusting a Warrior was another win for Melanie Hansen.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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Melanie Hansen should be very proud of Trusting a Warrior, which is another stellar book in the Loving a Warrior series. Though it is a very serious book about suicide and grieving, it also had a stand-out romance and an emotionally-packed plotline.
Right off the bat, I was supremely impressed that we got a bisexual male MC in a M/F romance. when I say that is rare, I mean it is rare. I can count on one hand the number of times I've read bi-men out of the context of a M/M romance. I was extremely excited, and I loved how Melanie Hansen portrayed Geo's sexuality without any bi-erasure. Geo is a bi man, and proud of that fact, and it wasn't glossed over. Beautifully done.
If you've read the other books in the series, you'll remember Lani. I don't think you need to have read the previous books, but it helps you know the side characters' backstories. I really liked how Lani was portrayed in this book, and I enjoyed seeing all of her relationships evolve though the course of this story. Lani is hurting from both the loss of her brother and the loss of her long-time relationship, plus an unplanned pregnancy, and the author unpacked her trauma with grace. I felt like I got to know Lani very well, and I loved how her relationship with Geo grew organically.
Geo was going through an equal amount of trauma. His backstory was no less difficult, and I liked how he also got the page-time to unravel his web of emotions. Parts of his story were difficult to read, and I'll admit that I cried at times, but it's not truly a Melanie Hansen book if my emotions aren't put through the ringer.
My only criticism would be that the romance took a slight backseat to the emotional journey that both characters were going through, but I still think that Melanie Hansen did a remarkable job juggling everything. If I'm being perfectly frank, nothing will ever hold a candle to Point of Contact for me from Melanie Hansen, but I think this book was pretty outstanding. It felt personal, to me, like Melanie Hansen had a deep connection to this storyline.
A very moving story in the Loving a Warrior series, Trusting a Warrior was another win for Melanie Hansen.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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November 12, 2020
What an amazing tribute and emotional story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really wasn’t expecting the depth of emotion that this author was able to achieve. But when I read her bio I completely understand how she was able to convey that level of understanding and balance.
I found myself smiling one minute and tears rolling the next. The author beautifully depicts a budding romance that starts with a true friendship. Both main characters are struggling with the death of a loved one; learning how to manage their emotions and feelings plus acceptance of not only death of a loved one, but how to live again.
Yes, this book deals with some dark subjects, but it’s not like it isn’t what people deal with on a regular basis. I commend her for taking a touchy subject and building not only awareness but passionate and deep romance out of it as well.
Written with a deep understanding of pain and grief but with lightness and clarity to accept happiness, find joy, plus grow and heal within those feelings is passionate storytelling. Hansen nailed it with this emotionally charged story that balances military service, deployments, PTSD, love, friendships, growth, and tenderness.
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/trusting-a-w...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really wasn’t expecting the depth of emotion that this author was able to achieve. But when I read her bio I completely understand how she was able to convey that level of understanding and balance.
I found myself smiling one minute and tears rolling the next. The author beautifully depicts a budding romance that starts with a true friendship. Both main characters are struggling with the death of a loved one; learning how to manage their emotions and feelings plus acceptance of not only death of a loved one, but how to live again.
Yes, this book deals with some dark subjects, but it’s not like it isn’t what people deal with on a regular basis. I commend her for taking a touchy subject and building not only awareness but passionate and deep romance out of it as well.
Written with a deep understanding of pain and grief but with lightness and clarity to accept happiness, find joy, plus grow and heal within those feelings is passionate storytelling. Hansen nailed it with this emotionally charged story that balances military service, deployments, PTSD, love, friendships, growth, and tenderness.
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/trusting-a-w...
October 11, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
3.5 stars.
Addressing serious, delicate issues and featuring characters deeply affected by them, “Trusting a Warrior”, by Melanie Hansen (Harlequin – Carina Press), shows the important role friendship, love, and professional help play in the healing process.
Geo and Lani are likeable characters, both a little lost when they meet and connect. Sometimes they seem more like friends than lovers, while they both navigate through feelings of loss, guilt, remorse and sadness.
Lani’s quiet strength is the perfect answer to the nature of Geo’s fear of assuming the real magnitude of his problems.
I felt the protagonists’ relationship needed a bit more build-up in the beginning and although I liked how they bonded and were supportive of each other I found the romantic dimension was a bit lacking; I would prefer more romance and less extended sex scenes.
The fondness and affection between characters is heartwarming, even though sometimes the closeness felt too quick (Lani and Devon, for example).
Bosch is an incredible animal character and I missed him in the second half of the book, but, as the author showed so well, he is a highly intelligent military working dog, and not a pet.
3.5 stars.
Addressing serious, delicate issues and featuring characters deeply affected by them, “Trusting a Warrior”, by Melanie Hansen (Harlequin – Carina Press), shows the important role friendship, love, and professional help play in the healing process.
Geo and Lani are likeable characters, both a little lost when they meet and connect. Sometimes they seem more like friends than lovers, while they both navigate through feelings of loss, guilt, remorse and sadness.
Lani’s quiet strength is the perfect answer to the nature of Geo’s fear of assuming the real magnitude of his problems.
I felt the protagonists’ relationship needed a bit more build-up in the beginning and although I liked how they bonded and were supportive of each other I found the romantic dimension was a bit lacking; I would prefer more romance and less extended sex scenes.
The fondness and affection between characters is heartwarming, even though sometimes the closeness felt too quick (Lani and Devon, for example).
Bosch is an incredible animal character and I missed him in the second half of the book, but, as the author showed so well, he is a highly intelligent military working dog, and not a pet.
December 30, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Trusting a Warrior is the third book in Hansen’s Loving a Warrior series and features Lani, who has been seen in the earlier books. Lani and Geo’s relationship is new to the series and works on its own, but it would be helpful to be grounded in the relationships and stories of other characters that appear in this book, as they all have continuing stories.
Hansen approaches and handles the difficult and traumatic subject of suicide as it affects both Geo and Lani. They both have lost someone close to them and neither has gotten the help or support they need. As Geo learns, suicide is not something that is discussed or tolerated by many in the military and he really has no where to turn, so he locks down his trauma—or tries to.
The book also further wraps up the relationships between former MCs Matt and Shane, and Devon and Rhys, and their inclusion added to the overall feel of the book and the series. Trusting a Warrior is a great addition to this series as it tackles falling in love while navigating real issues of grief and moving forward, while honoring and remembering the past.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Trusting a Warrior is the third book in Hansen’s Loving a Warrior series and features Lani, who has been seen in the earlier books. Lani and Geo’s relationship is new to the series and works on its own, but it would be helpful to be grounded in the relationships and stories of other characters that appear in this book, as they all have continuing stories.
Hansen approaches and handles the difficult and traumatic subject of suicide as it affects both Geo and Lani. They both have lost someone close to them and neither has gotten the help or support they need. As Geo learns, suicide is not something that is discussed or tolerated by many in the military and he really has no where to turn, so he locks down his trauma—or tries to.
The book also further wraps up the relationships between former MCs Matt and Shane, and Devon and Rhys, and their inclusion added to the overall feel of the book and the series. Trusting a Warrior is a great addition to this series as it tackles falling in love while navigating real issues of grief and moving forward, while honoring and remembering the past.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
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January 25, 2021Thought I’d have a go of reading an m/f by someone who writes m/m....
The MCs were instantly in a power imbalance with the f needing to be helped/rescued. I’m out.
The MCs were instantly in a power imbalance with the f needing to be helped/rescued. I’m out.
November 21, 2020
Trusting a Warrior is the third book in the Loving a Warrior series and the first I have read by this author. This was one of those books that felt like it could be someone’s real-life story. I cried through the entire book but loved every minute of it. Maybe because as a veteran myself, I have experienced the long deployments and the stress military life has on families so this was near and dear to my heart. I admire the way the author approached the touchy subject of suicide and the loss of everyone in a person’s life experiences. She was able to show through the characters the emotions and doubts that friends, spouses, siblings, and children have after losing a loved one to such a tragedy. In this book, both the hero and heroine were struggling to get past the pain, anger, and “what ifs” from losing someone very close to them to suicide. They were each in different phases and were able to help each other over time. I enjoyed meeting all the characters from the series and the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 1, 2023
Oooooh, boy. A sweet, romantic romp this book is NOT. No, this book is an emotional heavy hittter. But damn! Hansen knows how to write the hell out of a believable, deepening relationship. Every scene had a purpose to bring these characters closer to accepting themselves or loving the other person and it was sometimes hard to read, but always worth it in the end. What a fabulous book to end my 2022 reading year with!
October 13, 2020
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
**Trigger Warnings** suicide, PTSD, mental illness
Definitely not your typical romance. George is a SEAL who's also a K9 handler. His dog has saved many lives and gotten them both out of hot spots alive and well. It's only when George is home and away from base that he's a bit lost. He's not sure what he wants in life - or who. He's had several girl friends and boyfriends over the years, but his last serious relationship left a scar on his heart that will never heal. George was ready to come out to the Navy as bisexual but his partner was not.
Meeting Lani, the bartender with an attitude, changes something in him. Listening to each other's problems that night and exchanging phone numbers is the beginning a friendship that they both need.
Lani's past often comes back to haunt her in a myriad of ways. She knows that she needs help in dealing with the pain of her past but she's just not sure how to do it. Reluctantly she begins to see a therapist and joins a support group. As she begins to heal herself, she can see the same wounds in George's soul.
As the days turns into weeks into months, George and Lani's relationship begins to grow. Love based on friendship makes any relationship stronger.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
**Trigger Warnings** suicide, PTSD, mental illness
Definitely not your typical romance. George is a SEAL who's also a K9 handler. His dog has saved many lives and gotten them both out of hot spots alive and well. It's only when George is home and away from base that he's a bit lost. He's not sure what he wants in life - or who. He's had several girl friends and boyfriends over the years, but his last serious relationship left a scar on his heart that will never heal. George was ready to come out to the Navy as bisexual but his partner was not.
Meeting Lani, the bartender with an attitude, changes something in him. Listening to each other's problems that night and exchanging phone numbers is the beginning a friendship that they both need.
Lani's past often comes back to haunt her in a myriad of ways. She knows that she needs help in dealing with the pain of her past but she's just not sure how to do it. Reluctantly she begins to see a therapist and joins a support group. As she begins to heal herself, she can see the same wounds in George's soul.
As the days turns into weeks into months, George and Lani's relationship begins to grow. Love based on friendship makes any relationship stronger.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
September 28, 2020
Trusting a Warrior (Loving a Warrior #3) by Melanie Hansen
5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Suicide, depression, grief
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lani is a bartender who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a past she hates to think about and a future that is shaping up to be somewhat unsteady, what she can't know is that her future is going to change forever.
Geo is a K-9 handler who loves his job. But, he also knows that his job comes with no guarantees. While toasting a fallen soldier, he meets Lani one night. He knows that pain - would recognize it anywhere. It mirrors his own.
This is a story about overcoming guilt, grief and finding a new normal. It is heart breaking, heart warming and makes you really have to feel the characters' grief and emotions. Get a box of Kleenex in order to read this book. There were several places that I needed to have a tissue on hand.
There is no getting around grief, you just have to get through it and find a new normal. You'll be cheering them on, wanting to hug them and, at times, wanting to shake them. It's a very beautifully written story that will have you sighing in happiness.
5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Suicide, depression, grief
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lani is a bartender who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a past she hates to think about and a future that is shaping up to be somewhat unsteady, what she can't know is that her future is going to change forever.
Geo is a K-9 handler who loves his job. But, he also knows that his job comes with no guarantees. While toasting a fallen soldier, he meets Lani one night. He knows that pain - would recognize it anywhere. It mirrors his own.
This is a story about overcoming guilt, grief and finding a new normal. It is heart breaking, heart warming and makes you really have to feel the characters' grief and emotions. Get a box of Kleenex in order to read this book. There were several places that I needed to have a tissue on hand.
There is no getting around grief, you just have to get through it and find a new normal. You'll be cheering them on, wanting to hug them and, at times, wanting to shake them. It's a very beautifully written story that will have you sighing in happiness.
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February 1, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance, Military, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Loving a Warrior (Book #3)
Contemporary Romance, Military, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Loving a Warrior (Book #3)
November 5, 2020
Having read and enjoyed Melanie Hansen's novel, Keeping a Warrior, I was eager to read the next novel in her Loving a Warrior series, and she didn't disappoint. With great sensitivity and skill, Ms. Hansen has written an excellent novel with many deeply emotional triggers, including PTSD, suicide, wounded warriors, survivor's guilt, bisexuality, homosexuality, pregnancy with an unknown father, parental abuse, and loneliness. If any of these are triggers for you, you may want to read something else, but although I was able to relate to some of these issues, the delicacy and inherent decency with which this author handled them made this a 5-star read for me.
The main characters in this novel are George (Geo), a K9 handler with the Navy Seals, and Lani, an unwed, pregnant woman, who had a one night stand and doesn't know who the father of her child is. She also was dumped by her friend turned lover, turned fiance after a decade-long relationship, Rhys, also a Navy SEAL, who was gone on deployments more than he was present, and who then met and fell in love with someone else. Pregnant and alone, Lani is working as a bartender when she meets Geo, also a Navy SEAL, drinking alone and staring at a second drink he ordered but hasn't touched. Both of these characters have experienced major trauma in their lives. For Lani, the suicide of her beloved brother, and her inability to deal with it, and for Geo, the loss of his closest friend and mentor, Cade, who also chose to end his own life, and the guilt Geo feels for not seeing it coming, and that's just for starters.
When Lani and Geo first meet they each seem to sense each other's pain and brokenness, and find in each other a good listener, as they slowly form a friendship. As you begin to learn their individual stories, you'll be going through an emotional wringer of guilt and loss along with them, especially if you have dealt with similar experiences in your own life, but you'll also see how simply having someone else to talk to, someone who understands your grief without judging you, and shares your feelings of pain and loss, and the way in which two broken souls can help heal each other.
At the very least, Geo, who has been consumed by guilt and grief, has found his K9 partner, Bosch, to help him function and find purpose in his work with the SEALs, but his growing inability to deal with his feelings in an environment where men are supposed to be able to compartmentalize and never show weakness is slowly but surely affecting his performance. When Lani becomes his friend and sounding board, it helps, but she has as many emotional scars as he does, and is also attempting to deal with her own issues. While I'm not entirely sure why the author needed to make Geo bisexual, it certainly didn't bother me, and we do get a chance to see a wonderful and loving gay couple who we met in the previous novel get their HEA ending in this one. While not essential to the plot of this novel, their happiness was a nice change from the much of the sadness the two primary characters are dealing with.
There was absolutely nothing about this book or its characters that didn't resonate with me. My marriage to a man whose military service left him with PTSD certainly gave me insight into the emotional issues that these characters need to face and come to terms with, and having lost more than one friend to suicide helped me to understand the why of it, and the tendency to blame oneself for not seeing the warning signs. I very much liked the fact that the author understood that healing from grief and guilt is an ongoing and long-time process, and she offered excellent advice on how to deal with it and how to help those in your life who may be experiencing it too.
While this novel doesn't offer much in the way of a complicated or ultra-suspenseful plot, what it did extremely well was delve deeply into the human psyche, into feelings that are hard to express or share, and did it brilliantly. It was a heartfelt read I'm happy to recommend with one warning--make sure to keep your tissues handy.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
The main characters in this novel are George (Geo), a K9 handler with the Navy Seals, and Lani, an unwed, pregnant woman, who had a one night stand and doesn't know who the father of her child is. She also was dumped by her friend turned lover, turned fiance after a decade-long relationship, Rhys, also a Navy SEAL, who was gone on deployments more than he was present, and who then met and fell in love with someone else. Pregnant and alone, Lani is working as a bartender when she meets Geo, also a Navy SEAL, drinking alone and staring at a second drink he ordered but hasn't touched. Both of these characters have experienced major trauma in their lives. For Lani, the suicide of her beloved brother, and her inability to deal with it, and for Geo, the loss of his closest friend and mentor, Cade, who also chose to end his own life, and the guilt Geo feels for not seeing it coming, and that's just for starters.
When Lani and Geo first meet they each seem to sense each other's pain and brokenness, and find in each other a good listener, as they slowly form a friendship. As you begin to learn their individual stories, you'll be going through an emotional wringer of guilt and loss along with them, especially if you have dealt with similar experiences in your own life, but you'll also see how simply having someone else to talk to, someone who understands your grief without judging you, and shares your feelings of pain and loss, and the way in which two broken souls can help heal each other.
At the very least, Geo, who has been consumed by guilt and grief, has found his K9 partner, Bosch, to help him function and find purpose in his work with the SEALs, but his growing inability to deal with his feelings in an environment where men are supposed to be able to compartmentalize and never show weakness is slowly but surely affecting his performance. When Lani becomes his friend and sounding board, it helps, but she has as many emotional scars as he does, and is also attempting to deal with her own issues. While I'm not entirely sure why the author needed to make Geo bisexual, it certainly didn't bother me, and we do get a chance to see a wonderful and loving gay couple who we met in the previous novel get their HEA ending in this one. While not essential to the plot of this novel, their happiness was a nice change from the much of the sadness the two primary characters are dealing with.
There was absolutely nothing about this book or its characters that didn't resonate with me. My marriage to a man whose military service left him with PTSD certainly gave me insight into the emotional issues that these characters need to face and come to terms with, and having lost more than one friend to suicide helped me to understand the why of it, and the tendency to blame oneself for not seeing the warning signs. I very much liked the fact that the author understood that healing from grief and guilt is an ongoing and long-time process, and she offered excellent advice on how to deal with it and how to help those in your life who may be experiencing it too.
While this novel doesn't offer much in the way of a complicated or ultra-suspenseful plot, what it did extremely well was delve deeply into the human psyche, into feelings that are hard to express or share, and did it brilliantly. It was a heartfelt read I'm happy to recommend with one warning--make sure to keep your tissues handy.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 30, 2020
This book was so not what I was thinking it would be. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does make it hard for me to get my thoughts straight enough to write the review...especially when the misleading synopsis is partly to blame.
Newly pregnant bartender Lani Abuel is having a bad day when she meets customer George Monteverdi, who is in the bar to toast the memory of his Navy SEAL teammate, mentor, and friend on the first anniversary of his death. Little do they know the night they met, Lani and Geo share similar tragedies in their pasts, and the key to healing is working through their pain - both on their own and together.
There is a lot to unpack in this book, so get comfy. I have lots of thoughts.
First off, as I said, the synopsis is misleading. Lani’s fiance was no longer Lani’s fiance when he fell in love with another woman. She wasn’t done wrong by the ex, who is actually a really decent person (and so is the new lady in his life - incidentally, the second book in this series is about them, but I haven't read it, so maybe it was more messy than this book made it seem 🤷). Lani even knows the end of that relationship was for the best, even if she is still sad the close relationship is over. It was actually refreshing to see how this part of the storyline played out without all kinds of drama and angst. I loved seeing Lani’s growth in accepting how her past affected her relationship with Rhys - and it was good to see it evolve into a healthy relationship with him, along with becoming friends with his new girlfriend.
The next thing I want to bring up is that this story went in a direction I didn’t see coming...at all. I was prepared for the talk of war and PTSD, the difficult topic of suicide. What I was not expecting was the story to start out with the hero being involved in a relationship with another man. Which I just want to be clear here, isn’t an issue. But it was a little...confusing. There was no hint whatsoever that the hero is bisexual until the revelation is tossed out in a conversation with the heroine, and is then never discussed at all. And I can’t decide how I feel about it. Should that aspect of a person’s sexuality be treated as unceremoniously as the color of their hair? Or, does being in a relationship with a bisexual person involve nuance and unique challenges that deserve to be a more integral and developed part of the storyline/relationship? Had I done some research on the author (or read the other two books in the series) I may have seen this coming, but alas, I did not. So mentally I wasn’t prepared to have these kinds of jumbled thoughts.
Which brings me to the romance part of this book. I loved how Lani and Geo started out as friends and their relationship developed organically. It was so sweet to see Geo check in on Lani when he was away, and that when Geo’s walls started to crumble he turned to Lani for comfort.
But I really feel like the romance was a secondary storyline, taking a backseat to descriptions about military training, Geo’s job as a K9 handler, and then the therapy both Lani and Geo need to deal with the traumas in their pasts. And while I’m always a big fan of a book that shows the importance of mental health and treats therapy in a positive light, it was disappointing to only see Lani doing the hard work. We know Geo finally got to a place of peace and acceptance with his past, but I would have liked to see it happen.
Sometimes writing my review helps me sort things out in my head, helps me solidify what I think or feel about a book. But it hasn’t this time. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that while I enjoyed the characters and their story, I was here for the romance. I was here for a story where a hurting woman needed to learn to trust a warrior. Instead, I feel like we got a good story about a woman who learned to trust herself, and led another hurting soul along on her journey to healing. Which is not a bad thing...it’s just not what I was expecting. Throw in several different storylines and some topics that left me feeling unmoored, and you have a recipe for a muddled, rambling review.
* thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Carina Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Newly pregnant bartender Lani Abuel is having a bad day when she meets customer George Monteverdi, who is in the bar to toast the memory of his Navy SEAL teammate, mentor, and friend on the first anniversary of his death. Little do they know the night they met, Lani and Geo share similar tragedies in their pasts, and the key to healing is working through their pain - both on their own and together.
There is a lot to unpack in this book, so get comfy. I have lots of thoughts.
First off, as I said, the synopsis is misleading. Lani’s fiance was no longer Lani’s fiance when he fell in love with another woman. She wasn’t done wrong by the ex, who is actually a really decent person (and so is the new lady in his life - incidentally, the second book in this series is about them, but I haven't read it, so maybe it was more messy than this book made it seem 🤷). Lani even knows the end of that relationship was for the best, even if she is still sad the close relationship is over. It was actually refreshing to see how this part of the storyline played out without all kinds of drama and angst. I loved seeing Lani’s growth in accepting how her past affected her relationship with Rhys - and it was good to see it evolve into a healthy relationship with him, along with becoming friends with his new girlfriend.
The next thing I want to bring up is that this story went in a direction I didn’t see coming...at all. I was prepared for the talk of war and PTSD, the difficult topic of suicide. What I was not expecting was the story to start out with the hero being involved in a relationship with another man. Which I just want to be clear here, isn’t an issue. But it was a little...confusing. There was no hint whatsoever that the hero is bisexual until the revelation is tossed out in a conversation with the heroine, and is then never discussed at all. And I can’t decide how I feel about it. Should that aspect of a person’s sexuality be treated as unceremoniously as the color of their hair? Or, does being in a relationship with a bisexual person involve nuance and unique challenges that deserve to be a more integral and developed part of the storyline/relationship? Had I done some research on the author (or read the other two books in the series) I may have seen this coming, but alas, I did not. So mentally I wasn’t prepared to have these kinds of jumbled thoughts.
Which brings me to the romance part of this book. I loved how Lani and Geo started out as friends and their relationship developed organically. It was so sweet to see Geo check in on Lani when he was away, and that when Geo’s walls started to crumble he turned to Lani for comfort.
But I really feel like the romance was a secondary storyline, taking a backseat to descriptions about military training, Geo’s job as a K9 handler, and then the therapy both Lani and Geo need to deal with the traumas in their pasts. And while I’m always a big fan of a book that shows the importance of mental health and treats therapy in a positive light, it was disappointing to only see Lani doing the hard work. We know Geo finally got to a place of peace and acceptance with his past, but I would have liked to see it happen.
Sometimes writing my review helps me sort things out in my head, helps me solidify what I think or feel about a book. But it hasn’t this time. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that while I enjoyed the characters and their story, I was here for the romance. I was here for a story where a hurting woman needed to learn to trust a warrior. Instead, I feel like we got a good story about a woman who learned to trust herself, and led another hurting soul along on her journey to healing. Which is not a bad thing...it’s just not what I was expecting. Throw in several different storylines and some topics that left me feeling unmoored, and you have a recipe for a muddled, rambling review.
* thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Carina Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2021
Check out our full post for TRUSTING A WARRIOR on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Suicide, Depression, Grief
Lani is a bartender who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a past she hates to think about and a future that is shaping up to be somewhat unsteady, what she can't know is that her future is going to change forever.
Geo is a K-9 handler who loves his job. But he also knows that his job comes with no guarantees. While toasting a fallen soldier, he meets Lani one night. He knows that pain – would recognize it anywhere. It mirrors his own.
This is a story about overcoming guilt, grief, and finding a new normal. It is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and makes you really have to feel the characters' grief and emotions. Get a box of Kleenex in order to read this book. There were several places that I needed to have a tissue on hand.
There is no getting around grief, you just have to get through it and find a new normal. You'll be cheering them on, wanting to hug them, and, at times, wanting to shake them. It's a very beautifully written story that will have you sighing in happiness.
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Triggers: Suicide, PTSD, Mental Illness
Definitely not your typical romance. George is a SEAL who's also a K-9 handler. His dog has saved many lives and gotten them both out of hot spots, alive and well. It's only when George is home and away from base that he's a bit lost. He's not sure what he wants in life – or who. He's had several girlfriends and boyfriends over the years, but his last serious relationship left a scar on his heart that will never heal. George was ready to come out to the Navy as bisexual, but his partner was not.
Meeting Lani, the bartender with an attitude, changes something in him. Listening to each other's problems that night and exchanging phone numbers is the beginning a friendship that they both need.
Lani's past often comes back to haunt her in a myriad of ways. She knows that she needs help in dealing with the pain of her past but she's just not sure how to do it. Reluctantly, she begins to see a therapist and joins a support group. As she begins to heal herself, she can see the same wounds in George's soul.
As the days turns into weeks into months, George and Lani's relationship begins to grow. Love based on friendship makes any relationship stronger.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
September 28, 2020
This book really touched my heart in ways I never expected. This book includes a main character story line that deals with a loved one who has taken their own life. It is a difficult topic, but it was handled in a thoughtful way. I really enjoyed the insight into the K9 program in the Navy.
A chance meeting between Lani, a pregnant bartender, and Geo, a Navy SEAL K9 hander, led to the beginning of a friendship. Through their initial conversation and walk later the beach, they both found they had something in common, both had suffered a tremendous loss in their life.
Geo give Lani the courage to start to truly deal with her loss. Lani starts counseling and begins to see herself and the loss of her brother differently. Geo struggles to keep moving forward, trying so hard to put the pain in a box and continuing with training. Geo provides the encouragement to Lani to attend a group counseling session. Their friendship grows and they really start to be attracted to each other, but both don’t think that is a good idea.
When Geo finds himself in a crisis and his career as a Navy SEAL on the line, he turns to Lani for support. Will Geo get the help he needs? Will Lani and Geo get past their pain to give their feelings a chance?
“What was the deal with him? One minute he’d been talking to Lani, the next swamped by a tidal wave of grief so strong he’d almost started howling. An ambush moment, she’d called it, a like any ambush, he’d immediately fought back against it. He’d won, but it was a narrow victory, and he’d managed to wound Lani during the battle.”
“For others of you, acceptance might simply be conceding that even though your loved one’s life ended, yours goes on. There’s no right or wrong answer here, but I can tell you firsthand, there is a measure of peace that comes along with identifying it.”
Above are examples of the insights into the grieving process for suicide survivors. I found these insights to be extremely helpful in my own life.
While the topics in the story are difficult, it was well written and helped to understand the pain and suffering the people left behind face as survivors of suicide.
Thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
A chance meeting between Lani, a pregnant bartender, and Geo, a Navy SEAL K9 hander, led to the beginning of a friendship. Through their initial conversation and walk later the beach, they both found they had something in common, both had suffered a tremendous loss in their life.
Geo give Lani the courage to start to truly deal with her loss. Lani starts counseling and begins to see herself and the loss of her brother differently. Geo struggles to keep moving forward, trying so hard to put the pain in a box and continuing with training. Geo provides the encouragement to Lani to attend a group counseling session. Their friendship grows and they really start to be attracted to each other, but both don’t think that is a good idea.
When Geo finds himself in a crisis and his career as a Navy SEAL on the line, he turns to Lani for support. Will Geo get the help he needs? Will Lani and Geo get past their pain to give their feelings a chance?
“What was the deal with him? One minute he’d been talking to Lani, the next swamped by a tidal wave of grief so strong he’d almost started howling. An ambush moment, she’d called it, a like any ambush, he’d immediately fought back against it. He’d won, but it was a narrow victory, and he’d managed to wound Lani during the battle.”
“For others of you, acceptance might simply be conceding that even though your loved one’s life ended, yours goes on. There’s no right or wrong answer here, but I can tell you firsthand, there is a measure of peace that comes along with identifying it.”
Above are examples of the insights into the grieving process for suicide survivors. I found these insights to be extremely helpful in my own life.
While the topics in the story are difficult, it was well written and helped to understand the pain and suffering the people left behind face as survivors of suicide.
Thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 26, 2020
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Loving A Warrior, and I STRONGLY suggest you read both books one, Loving A Warrior, and book 2, Keeping A Warrior, before you read this one. There is much referenced here that is not fully recapped. And you know, cos I said so! Both are 5 star reads.
As is this one!
Lani meets Geo on possibly the worst day of her life. Geo's ain't much better. Together they begin to navigate a relationship, while dealing with a huge amount of grief at the death of their loved ones.
Hansen has a knack of roping you in, pulling you close, and not letting you go. She can grab you, by the heart strings, and drag you kicking and screaming through every single emotion known to man, and then expect you to write a coherent review after!
I mean, I loved this book, I really did. It carries some difficult story lines, but again, Ms Hansen delivers them in a way that you cannot fault. Grief is a fickle thing, and everyone deals with that differently. I know, my sister and I dealt with my mother and father's death very different, but there is no right or wrong way. Here, Lani's grief is a decade old, but she still suffers. Geo's is much fresher, and it's HIS pain that hit me the most.
I have no personal experience of war, or those who serve. I can only imagine the horrors that are presented on a daily basis. It's to be expected that some will struggle with that, but put on a "brave face" The way Hansen describes Geo's grief and his own spiral downwards is heartbreaking, it really is. Only his relationship with Lani saves him.
I loved how the others in this series; Matt and Shane and Rhys and Devon, play a huge part here. I loved that Devon and Lani become such good friends, even if Lani is Rhys' ex.
What I want to know now, Ms Hansen, is this! Will we be privvy to want happened in Keeping A Warrior, and here, to Matt and Shane?? Cos let me tell ya, I does NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know! We get an inkling of what Matt suffers here, but not enough. So, please, write a followup!
Love, love LOVED the epilogue! And I loved Bosch, Geo's military dog.
I can't, in any honesty, give this book any less than. . .
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 3 in the Loving A Warrior, and I STRONGLY suggest you read both books one, Loving A Warrior, and book 2, Keeping A Warrior, before you read this one. There is much referenced here that is not fully recapped. And you know, cos I said so! Both are 5 star reads.
As is this one!
Lani meets Geo on possibly the worst day of her life. Geo's ain't much better. Together they begin to navigate a relationship, while dealing with a huge amount of grief at the death of their loved ones.
Hansen has a knack of roping you in, pulling you close, and not letting you go. She can grab you, by the heart strings, and drag you kicking and screaming through every single emotion known to man, and then expect you to write a coherent review after!
I mean, I loved this book, I really did. It carries some difficult story lines, but again, Ms Hansen delivers them in a way that you cannot fault. Grief is a fickle thing, and everyone deals with that differently. I know, my sister and I dealt with my mother and father's death very different, but there is no right or wrong way. Here, Lani's grief is a decade old, but she still suffers. Geo's is much fresher, and it's HIS pain that hit me the most.
I have no personal experience of war, or those who serve. I can only imagine the horrors that are presented on a daily basis. It's to be expected that some will struggle with that, but put on a "brave face" The way Hansen describes Geo's grief and his own spiral downwards is heartbreaking, it really is. Only his relationship with Lani saves him.
I loved how the others in this series; Matt and Shane and Rhys and Devon, play a huge part here. I loved that Devon and Lani become such good friends, even if Lani is Rhys' ex.
What I want to know now, Ms Hansen, is this! Will we be privvy to want happened in Keeping A Warrior, and here, to Matt and Shane?? Cos let me tell ya, I does NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know! We get an inkling of what Matt suffers here, but not enough. So, please, write a followup!
Love, love LOVED the epilogue! And I loved Bosch, Geo's military dog.
I can't, in any honesty, give this book any less than. . .
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
August 26, 2022
Geo ha estado con los SEAL desde hace mas de 10 anos, pero el ultimo ano ha sido especialmente dificil desde que su mejor amigo se suicido. Por eso se ha descontrolado un poco, todo le recuerda a el, y solo bebiendo y/o peleando es que logra olvidarlo. Asi que cuando una noche de miercoles se encuentra en la barra de un bar, lo que menos espera es conseguir a una cantinera embarazada con el mismo humor que el. Y lo que comienza como una amistad y apoyo emocional, poco a poco se va convirtiendo en algo mas, algo que penso que tal vez nunca tendria, una familia fuera de los SEALs.
Leni ha cometido muchos errores en su vida, sobre todo el depender tanto fisica, monetaria y emocionalmente a Rhys, asi que cuando el consigue enamorarse ella se siente sola, y mas aun ahora que esta embarazada de que desaparecio. Pero esa noche de miercoles conoce al hombre que le va a cambiar la vida y la va a ayudar a ver el camino que esta delante de ella, ensenandola a confiar en ella misma y en buscar ayuda cuando la necesita.
Ambos deberan navegar entre las penas y los duelos, para poder encontrar el punto medio donde podran ser ellos mismos y tener el apoyo que necesitan cuando lo necesiten.
Este libro es brutalmente emocional, trata un tema bastante delicado, como es el suicidio y sus efectos en los sobrevivientes. El romance es solido, suave, romantico, sin mucho erotismo, pero con toques de diversion. El autor nos sigue mostrando pequenos vistazos de las parejas anteriores (sobre todo Matt-Shane, que son los que mas me gustaron), lo que cierra el circulo de la serie bastante bien.
En fin, es un libro entretenido, bastante fuerte de leer (sobre todo las partes psicologicas), asi que si eres sensible al tema del suicidio, no recomiendo que lo lean, porque puede ser brutalmente honesto en muchas cosas.
Me gusto esta serie, con sus altos y bajos, lo que mas me gusto fue la primera pareja, esta ultimo se le siento su evolucion sentimental, y psicologica pero no tanto como a Matt-Shane, y si hablamos de Devon-Rhys (2do libro) casi ni senti su evolucion. Pero vale la pena leerla si te gustan los romances militares.
Leni ha cometido muchos errores en su vida, sobre todo el depender tanto fisica, monetaria y emocionalmente a Rhys, asi que cuando el consigue enamorarse ella se siente sola, y mas aun ahora que esta embarazada de que desaparecio. Pero esa noche de miercoles conoce al hombre que le va a cambiar la vida y la va a ayudar a ver el camino que esta delante de ella, ensenandola a confiar en ella misma y en buscar ayuda cuando la necesita.
Ambos deberan navegar entre las penas y los duelos, para poder encontrar el punto medio donde podran ser ellos mismos y tener el apoyo que necesitan cuando lo necesiten.
Este libro es brutalmente emocional, trata un tema bastante delicado, como es el suicidio y sus efectos en los sobrevivientes. El romance es solido, suave, romantico, sin mucho erotismo, pero con toques de diversion. El autor nos sigue mostrando pequenos vistazos de las parejas anteriores (sobre todo Matt-Shane, que son los que mas me gustaron), lo que cierra el circulo de la serie bastante bien.
En fin, es un libro entretenido, bastante fuerte de leer (sobre todo las partes psicologicas), asi que si eres sensible al tema del suicidio, no recomiendo que lo lean, porque puede ser brutalmente honesto en muchas cosas.
Me gusto esta serie, con sus altos y bajos, lo que mas me gusto fue la primera pareja, esta ultimo se le siento su evolucion sentimental, y psicologica pero no tanto como a Matt-Shane, y si hablamos de Devon-Rhys (2do libro) casi ni senti su evolucion. Pero vale la pena leerla si te gustan los romances militares.
October 28, 2020
George and Lani will make you feel all the "feels". They'll put you through the wringer, give you a breather and then do it again. These two lost and slightly broken souls are just what each other need.
Lani can't handle the guilt of being a soon-to-be-mum. She had a fiance but they were together for all the wrong reasons; missing the brother and friend they had lost, guilt at not heloing him more, survivors guilt. She almost wrecked his new relationship with her stupid attempt to get back together. To commiserate she had a desperate rebound fling and now she is pregnant. Bio-dad has left her high and dry and now it's her and peanut against the world.
Enter Geo. He has his own hurt to deal with. He and his K9 partner function well enough but the scars he carries make him feel he'll never be whole again. Meeting Lani helps soothe the ragged edges. But can they make a real go of this relationship or are they doomed before they ever really take off?
These two very much grow from friendship. With the complication of Lani being pregnant and actually still being friends with her ex-fiance, their experiences with grief and trust issues. I did enjoy the emotion-filled ride. They certainly don't have an easy road to their HEA.
I was caught up in the odd but very happy friendship that Lani and her ex and his new partner find together. The author doesn't shy away from showing different loving relationships with a brilliantly written same sex couple who are just accepted by their rough, tough, gruff comrades. Sure there is teasing but the teams just see them for them not as something odd or to be feared or hidden. Absolutely loved that.
Bosch is a brilliant character on his own. I'm a sucker for dogs and K9's in particular. He was very much a working dog and not a pet but I still missed him in the 2nd half of the book.
Great writing and I'd say this is most definitely a read you need tissues handy for. More romance and feels than romantic suspense.
#Triggers: suicide, suicide survivors
Lani can't handle the guilt of being a soon-to-be-mum. She had a fiance but they were together for all the wrong reasons; missing the brother and friend they had lost, guilt at not heloing him more, survivors guilt. She almost wrecked his new relationship with her stupid attempt to get back together. To commiserate she had a desperate rebound fling and now she is pregnant. Bio-dad has left her high and dry and now it's her and peanut against the world.
Enter Geo. He has his own hurt to deal with. He and his K9 partner function well enough but the scars he carries make him feel he'll never be whole again. Meeting Lani helps soothe the ragged edges. But can they make a real go of this relationship or are they doomed before they ever really take off?
These two very much grow from friendship. With the complication of Lani being pregnant and actually still being friends with her ex-fiance, their experiences with grief and trust issues. I did enjoy the emotion-filled ride. They certainly don't have an easy road to their HEA.
I was caught up in the odd but very happy friendship that Lani and her ex and his new partner find together. The author doesn't shy away from showing different loving relationships with a brilliantly written same sex couple who are just accepted by their rough, tough, gruff comrades. Sure there is teasing but the teams just see them for them not as something odd or to be feared or hidden. Absolutely loved that.
Bosch is a brilliant character on his own. I'm a sucker for dogs and K9's in particular. He was very much a working dog and not a pet but I still missed him in the 2nd half of the book.
Great writing and I'd say this is most definitely a read you need tissues handy for. More romance and feels than romantic suspense.
#Triggers: suicide, suicide survivors
November 15, 2020
What an incredible book!
This was so different than what I expected!
This is the story of Lani and Geo, two people coming together very slowly, each with a very big heartache, both on a different level of handling their grief after losing a loved one to suicide.
There is so much beauty, on so many different scales, in this book. The love story feels secondary as the main character here is really the way people get to survive and learn to live with this kind of pain.
Along with this main character, there are different layers that make this story a celebration of the complexity that is our humanity. The fact that the hero is bisexual, the no judgment and the space the heroine holds for this and for his grieving process is just wonderful. The heroine herself has to deal with a pregnancy, the aftermath of her last breakup and handling the presence of her ex boyfriend's new lover. There is the way the hero comes back into the family of his departed friend, the different approaches team guys have when they relate to the suicide of one of their own, so, so many different aspects that make the story have such a "real feel".
Written down and summarized these are such intriguing story lines but the writing is so round, so well proportioned, so encompassing, with key scenes so well timed it all comes together in such a heartwarming, empathetical way. A book that literally opened my mind and my heart to understand better this kind of pain and the people who learn to live with it. And more than this, the book is a perfect view of what healing one self can bring to the others. When one heals, a small part of the world heals as one gets to set an example and help and hold space for the others. What a gift of a book!
I received a free copy of this book on exchange for my honest opinion.
This was so different than what I expected!
This is the story of Lani and Geo, two people coming together very slowly, each with a very big heartache, both on a different level of handling their grief after losing a loved one to suicide.
There is so much beauty, on so many different scales, in this book. The love story feels secondary as the main character here is really the way people get to survive and learn to live with this kind of pain.
Along with this main character, there are different layers that make this story a celebration of the complexity that is our humanity. The fact that the hero is bisexual, the no judgment and the space the heroine holds for this and for his grieving process is just wonderful. The heroine herself has to deal with a pregnancy, the aftermath of her last breakup and handling the presence of her ex boyfriend's new lover. There is the way the hero comes back into the family of his departed friend, the different approaches team guys have when they relate to the suicide of one of their own, so, so many different aspects that make the story have such a "real feel".
Written down and summarized these are such intriguing story lines but the writing is so round, so well proportioned, so encompassing, with key scenes so well timed it all comes together in such a heartwarming, empathetical way. A book that literally opened my mind and my heart to understand better this kind of pain and the people who learn to live with it. And more than this, the book is a perfect view of what healing one self can bring to the others. When one heals, a small part of the world heals as one gets to set an example and help and hold space for the others. What a gift of a book!
I received a free copy of this book on exchange for my honest opinion.
November 22, 2020
4.5 - 5 stars ... be forewarned, there will be tears....
Readers briefly met Lani in Keeping a Warrior, but since that was Rhys and Devon’s story, I didn’t remember much about her. The more I read, the more I remembered though.
This isn’t my first Melanie Hansen read, and although I’ve liked all the Loving a Warrior books so far, Trusting a Warrior held more of an emotional punch than all the others combined. Not quite as much emotion as I experienced when I read Point of Contact, but that book was an exception that would be hard to repeat.
I’m not sure which of their stories broke my heart more. There’s a lot of judgement that goes with suicide victims and those that are left behind. This story pulled no punches trying to downplay that. Part of the reason why Lani didn’t seek help in dealing with her grief was because of that. Devon’s grief was a lot fresher (Lani’s 10 years compared to Devon’s year.) He was also dealing with a whole different mentality surrounded by service men who considered suicide even more of a coward’s way out. The guilt that both Devon and Lani carried didn’t help either.
Which all brings me to the fact that Trusting a Warrior was so much more than a romance. It was a story of trust, love, honor, pain, recovery and hope. Lani and Devon found each other at just the right time, but they also had a strong supportive group of people who had their back.
Trusting a Warrior also got readers caught up on previous characters from the Loving a Warrior series. A lot of them came full circle and it was nice to see where they were years after their stories began.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Trusting a Warrior. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Readers briefly met Lani in Keeping a Warrior, but since that was Rhys and Devon’s story, I didn’t remember much about her. The more I read, the more I remembered though.
This isn’t my first Melanie Hansen read, and although I’ve liked all the Loving a Warrior books so far, Trusting a Warrior held more of an emotional punch than all the others combined. Not quite as much emotion as I experienced when I read Point of Contact, but that book was an exception that would be hard to repeat.
I’m not sure which of their stories broke my heart more. There’s a lot of judgement that goes with suicide victims and those that are left behind. This story pulled no punches trying to downplay that. Part of the reason why Lani didn’t seek help in dealing with her grief was because of that. Devon’s grief was a lot fresher (Lani’s 10 years compared to Devon’s year.) He was also dealing with a whole different mentality surrounded by service men who considered suicide even more of a coward’s way out. The guilt that both Devon and Lani carried didn’t help either.
Which all brings me to the fact that Trusting a Warrior was so much more than a romance. It was a story of trust, love, honor, pain, recovery and hope. Lani and Devon found each other at just the right time, but they also had a strong supportive group of people who had their back.
Trusting a Warrior also got readers caught up on previous characters from the Loving a Warrior series. A lot of them came full circle and it was nice to see where they were years after their stories began.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Trusting a Warrior. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 16, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Trusting a Warrior is the 3rd book in the Loving a Warrior series but this can definitely be read as a stand alone as this was my first Melanie Hansen novel. I am now a really big fan and would gladly read more of her work.
Please take note of the trigger warnings – as it is no joke. PTSD themes, suicide and mental illness all play a big role in the story line.
The amount of depth and emotion poured into this book is really amazing. I love how Lani and Geo start off as friends who slowly learn to depend on each other and things then start developing over time. Their budding romance was really fun to read, even if I would have loved to have just a bit more romance – but that said not every relationship in life is filled with romance from beginning to end so I get it.
I am always a fan of an animal character in a story – but I gotta say I was sad that Bosch didn’t stick around till the end – but once again this is actually a very realistic scenario.
I want to add – if anyone out there should read this review – if you are struggling at all, please do not try and carry on by yourself. Depression, mental illness, PTSD are all serious illnesses. Get the help that you deserve and need. Thanks to Ms Hansen for highlighting this in your work.
Trusting a Warrior is the 3rd book in the Loving a Warrior series but this can definitely be read as a stand alone as this was my first Melanie Hansen novel. I am now a really big fan and would gladly read more of her work.
Please take note of the trigger warnings – as it is no joke. PTSD themes, suicide and mental illness all play a big role in the story line.
The amount of depth and emotion poured into this book is really amazing. I love how Lani and Geo start off as friends who slowly learn to depend on each other and things then start developing over time. Their budding romance was really fun to read, even if I would have loved to have just a bit more romance – but that said not every relationship in life is filled with romance from beginning to end so I get it.
I am always a fan of an animal character in a story – but I gotta say I was sad that Bosch didn’t stick around till the end – but once again this is actually a very realistic scenario.
I want to add – if anyone out there should read this review – if you are struggling at all, please do not try and carry on by yourself. Depression, mental illness, PTSD are all serious illnesses. Get the help that you deserve and need. Thanks to Ms Hansen for highlighting this in your work.
May 28, 2021
Trusting a Warrior is more of an emotional journey than a romance. There is a romance between the 2 main characters, but it felt like it was kind of on the side or taking a backseat to the emotional growth these characters faced. Technically, I picked it up for the romance, but I wasn't disappointed with what I found. The author hit on some tough stuff in this one, and she did it very well. And on top of the emotional stuff, we get a bi man, who is out and proud, and his love interest is a woman. There's nothing wrong with that at all, and the gender of his love interest doesn't matter to me as long as it's a romantic couple I can root for. It just seemed noteworthy because I haven't seen that very often in M/F romances. Speaking of romantic couples to root for, I genuinely liked both characters, and I found myself just rooting for them as a whole. I feel like I would have rooted for them as they dealt with everything thrown at them whether there was romance or not. They are just those kinds of characters. This is the first in the series that I've read, so I don't know if there was something I was missing, but I will say that I didn't feel like it. The story has good pacing and flow, and the characters are the kind you want more of. All in all, a good story.
December 11, 2020
Melanie Hansen is such an accomplished author. Her words can fuel your soul. Direct, gritty and sexy, I just love her stories and can never get enough. Her characters are strong yet flawed and always manage to capture my heart. I have devoured so many of her books and really have enjoyed her mm pairings. This book had a mf couple with the man being bi which I found to be inspiring. Ms. Hanson always embraces diversity into her tales which makes me greatly admire her.
You feel the agony these two souls carry. Geo, the Navy Seal and pregnant and alone Lani forge a tentative friendship when they share similar past tragedies that have scarred them emotionally. You feel the agony and loneliness that weighs them down. Lani and Geo become friends and their bond grows to be much more. As they become closer can they keep what they have as a Navy Seal has intense responsibilities. Another top notch story that will make remain with you.
There is definitely triggers in this story to consider especially suicide and mental illness being in the fore front.
Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading enjoyment.
You feel the agony these two souls carry. Geo, the Navy Seal and pregnant and alone Lani forge a tentative friendship when they share similar past tragedies that have scarred them emotionally. You feel the agony and loneliness that weighs them down. Lani and Geo become friends and their bond grows to be much more. As they become closer can they keep what they have as a Navy Seal has intense responsibilities. Another top notch story that will make remain with you.
There is definitely triggers in this story to consider especially suicide and mental illness being in the fore front.
Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for my reading enjoyment.
November 9, 2020
Thank you to Harlequin, Melanie Hansen and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would never think of reading a Harlequin novel for education but I learned so much from reading Trusting a Warrior. This book was incredibly well researched and I enjoyed learning about being a Seal and what life is like for the significant other of someone who is doing such important work.
Lani and Geo met one night at the Bar that she bartends at. He quickly learns that she is pregnant without a partner and they agree to lean on each other as friends and eventually that friendship turns into a romance. There are tons of flashbacks of the death of Lani's Brother and the death of Geo's best friend, as the result of suicide. Sometimes it can be hard to read. This is not a light hearted romance. There is a lot of death and injury and both Lani and Geo suffer from PTSD. This is a slow burn romance and mostly focuses on Geo's life as a Seal and Dog trainer.
This is my first time reading this Author and won't be my last. 4 stars!!
I would never think of reading a Harlequin novel for education but I learned so much from reading Trusting a Warrior. This book was incredibly well researched and I enjoyed learning about being a Seal and what life is like for the significant other of someone who is doing such important work.
Lani and Geo met one night at the Bar that she bartends at. He quickly learns that she is pregnant without a partner and they agree to lean on each other as friends and eventually that friendship turns into a romance. There are tons of flashbacks of the death of Lani's Brother and the death of Geo's best friend, as the result of suicide. Sometimes it can be hard to read. This is not a light hearted romance. There is a lot of death and injury and both Lani and Geo suffer from PTSD. This is a slow burn romance and mostly focuses on Geo's life as a Seal and Dog trainer.
This is my first time reading this Author and won't be my last. 4 stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2020
Trusting a Warrior is the third book in the Loving a Warrior series and the first I have read by this author. This was one of those books that felt like it could be someone’s real-life story. I cried through the entire book but loved every minute of it. Maybe because as a veteran myself, I have experienced the long deployments and the stress military life has on families so this was near and dear to my heart. I admire the way the author approached the touchy subject of suicide and the loss of everyone in a person’s life experiences. She was able to show through the characters the emotions and doubts that friends, spouses, siblings, and children have after losing a loved one to such a tragedy. In this book, both the hero and heroine were struggling to get past the pain, anger, and “what ifs” from losing someone very close to them to suicide. They were each in different phases and were able to help each other over time. I enjoyed meeting all the characters from the series and the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 26, 2020
Lani is a bartender, her boyfriend leaves her after fallen for another woman, and she has a one night stand and ends up pregnant. Geo is a Navy SEAL and K-9 handler. He wanders into Lani’s bar just as she feels like her world is falling apart. Both have had the death of a loved one almost destroy them. Lani finally decides to get her life on track so she can be a good mom. Geo and Lani both know a relationship wont work, Lani has abandonment issues and a SEAL is definitely not the way to go. Geo lives to be a SEAL and nothing is going to get in the way. The more time they get to know each other, the harder they fall. But will Lani tear down the walls around her heart and find happiness?
Be prepared to cry. Keep the Kleenex’s handy. This story deals with suicide and the people who are left behind. Steamy sex scenes.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
Be prepared to cry. Keep the Kleenex’s handy. This story deals with suicide and the people who are left behind. Steamy sex scenes.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
October 3, 2020
I was incredibly emotional over this book. I can't tell you how many times I cried while reading it - so prepare yourself. Maybe it was hormones - maybe it was just the beautifully sad story. Both Geo and Lani are survivor's of a person in their lives who killed themselves. For Lani, it was her brother. For Geo, a close friend and mentor. Each of them is at different points in their journey of grief - but throughout the work they are both putting in to find their way forward, they find solace and support in each other.
I loved Lani. I loved the honesty and rawness of her character. Neither she or Geo are even close to perfect - but you can see how they are the piece the other was missing (even if they didn't realize it). I also thought Geo was such an amazing character and so well written.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the diversity of characters - there are characters of different race and ethnicities - as well as sexual orientation. I adored that it showed the diversity in today's military - while still showing the flaws and areas that need growth.
Overall - it was just a great read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinion are all my own.
I loved Lani. I loved the honesty and rawness of her character. Neither she or Geo are even close to perfect - but you can see how they are the piece the other was missing (even if they didn't realize it). I also thought Geo was such an amazing character and so well written.
Another aspect of this book that I loved was the diversity of characters - there are characters of different race and ethnicities - as well as sexual orientation. I adored that it showed the diversity in today's military - while still showing the flaws and areas that need growth.
Overall - it was just a great read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinion are all my own.
November 9, 2020
This is my first introduction to the Loving a Warrior series, and although I found it a little hard to get into, I did enjoy it.
As not only was it extremely well-written, but it nicely dealt with some tough and sensitive issues, from survivor's guilt to PTSD, to suicide. It packed a lot in and did it very well, highlighting issues that today more than ever are extremely relevant and real.
And with likable characters who do grow as the story progresses, a somewhat satisfying romance, and a heartwarming message of hope and strength. I was engaged throughout, and I would certainly read more from the series and author in the future.
Would recommend.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
As not only was it extremely well-written, but it nicely dealt with some tough and sensitive issues, from survivor's guilt to PTSD, to suicide. It packed a lot in and did it very well, highlighting issues that today more than ever are extremely relevant and real.
And with likable characters who do grow as the story progresses, a somewhat satisfying romance, and a heartwarming message of hope and strength. I was engaged throughout, and I would certainly read more from the series and author in the future.
Would recommend.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 18, 2022
Suicide is never funny and how it affects family and friends who don't know when even as they blame themselves for not knowing or being able to stop it.
To further complicate matters, Geo Monteverde encounters Lani Abuel while she's bartending. Newly pregnant, Lani is not certain how she's going to make it, but one thing is clear. She needs help coming to terms with her brother's suicide. Geo has to contend with the loss of his fellow SEAL.
These two characters end up help each other even as they get close. But Lani can't fall for another guy who will leave her and Geo never saw himself as a husband or father. Will either change their mind?
To further complicate matters, Geo Monteverde encounters Lani Abuel while she's bartending. Newly pregnant, Lani is not certain how she's going to make it, but one thing is clear. She needs help coming to terms with her brother's suicide. Geo has to contend with the loss of his fellow SEAL.
These two characters end up help each other even as they get close. But Lani can't fall for another guy who will leave her and Geo never saw himself as a husband or father. Will either change their mind?
April 15, 2022
Omg! I picked this paperback up wanting a fluffy read for a slow sick day at home. I didn’t expect to cry… twice! I got a trauma informed book about characters living out survivor’s guilt from loved ones’ suicide. Characters getting therapy in a paperback?! Unheard of! But I’m totally here for it! I appreciated the character growth via therapy rather than characters being mental health Mary Sues who just toughed out grief and found healing in sex.
I didn’t expect to like this book so very much.
I didn’t expect to like this book so very much.
November 7, 2020
Well this is not the kind of book I usuallly read M/M I mean. But Geo is bi and a Navy Seal. He's going thru a lot of inner turmoil about the death of a mentor and friend. He meets Lani at this bar she bartends at. Of course their meeting isn't perfect. The book is more detailed to what the military face in wartime and how they deal with and the K-9's who do their job. But in the end it's a HEA for Geo and Lani.
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