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First to Fight Series #1
First to Fight
He fought for our freedom. Will he show the same resolve pursuing the love he desires?
Leaving the military portion of his life behind, Collin Porter is struggling to adjust to life as a civilian. While focused on opening a bar of his own, falling in love was the farthest thing from Collin’s mind. Yet the second he saw Rachel, he was a goner. That made it all the more painful when she smiled and strode right into the arms of his best friend.
Just as her circumstances change and hope builds that the two may have a chance together, a face from Collin’s past reappears with a shocking revelation that will turn his world upside down. The Marine way is to make things work, even as circumstances change. Now, more than ever, Collin has something of his own to fight for.
First to Fight is the first novel of Justice's newest series. If you're searching for military romance packed with twists, turns, and heartwarming moments, look no further!
Leaving the military portion of his life behind, Collin Porter is struggling to adjust to life as a civilian. While focused on opening a bar of his own, falling in love was the farthest thing from Collin’s mind. Yet the second he saw Rachel, he was a goner. That made it all the more painful when she smiled and strode right into the arms of his best friend.
Just as her circumstances change and hope builds that the two may have a chance together, a face from Collin’s past reappears with a shocking revelation that will turn his world upside down. The Marine way is to make things work, even as circumstances change. Now, more than ever, Collin has something of his own to fight for.
First to Fight is the first novel of Justice's newest series. If you're searching for military romance packed with twists, turns, and heartwarming moments, look no further!
- GenresContemporary
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2022
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Justice
6 books112 followersAlicia Justice writes romance, mostly military contemporary romance. Her novels often stem from her own experiences with friends and family that have been in the military themselves, giving her a plethora of information to use. She also uses her own life experiences for creating characters that you want to root for, even when you're not sure they're going to make it out of the situation they're in.
Her first novel First to Fight, which is the series title as well will be released in 2022. She loves connecting with her readers and getting to know them. She's been around the publishing industry for years, mainly through the blog she ran called Ali's Bookshelf. Now she's using that knowledge to write her own books.
Connect with Alicia online!
Website: https://authoraliciajustice.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralicia...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoralici...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAliciaJ
Her first novel First to Fight, which is the series title as well will be released in 2022. She loves connecting with her readers and getting to know them. She's been around the publishing industry for years, mainly through the blog she ran called Ali's Bookshelf. Now she's using that knowledge to write her own books.
Connect with Alicia online!
Website: https://authoraliciajustice.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralicia...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoralici...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAliciaJ
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 16, 2022
I rate this book 4.5 stars.
This was quite a well-developed story with lots of character depth. I really loved Collin and his family, and how they were so interwoven into each others' lives but still allowed each other space. And Collin is such a stand-up guy who is quite swoon-worth as he is considerate, kind, loving and responsible. It was so touching to see how he rolls with the punches, but also feel for him and what he had suffered through while doing his duty for his country. I really liked Rachel and how she took everything that happens in stride and thinks logically. I felt that they had good chemistry together and how well they fit together. Honestly, this story brought me to tears at certain points, and love that this had a HEA.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
This was quite a well-developed story with lots of character depth. I really loved Collin and his family, and how they were so interwoven into each others' lives but still allowed each other space. And Collin is such a stand-up guy who is quite swoon-worth as he is considerate, kind, loving and responsible. It was so touching to see how he rolls with the punches, but also feel for him and what he had suffered through while doing his duty for his country. I really liked Rachel and how she took everything that happens in stride and thinks logically. I felt that they had good chemistry together and how well they fit together. Honestly, this story brought me to tears at certain points, and love that this had a HEA.
I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.
January 24, 2022
Such a pleasure to read this story. I fell in love with Collin from the start with his honor, integrity and compassion. Even as he faces adversity and frustration, Collin remains the strong character he was meant to be, but showing his vulnerability by leaning on his strong and supportive family. As each member of his family is introduced, you see where his honorable traits came from and realize the intentional character development. I appreciate plot twists and unexpected moments that make me gasp and question how I did not see them coming. This definitely delivers. I also love descriptive writing and can see what’s happening in my head as I read each word. I feel like I’m a part of each moment. That’s the mark of a good story and a remarkable writer.
The beautiful love story is paced perfectly and so believable you feel like they’re your friends and it’s playing out before you and you want to cheer them on. The love story is passionate, realistic, and consuming. You feel them in each moment. I felt myself wanting to skip ahead to see a happy ending but remained patient to see the story play out. It’s refreshing to be so invested in characters of such a beautiful story.
Collins’s determination and the desire to always do what is right is affirmed at every moment. You can’t help but admire his passion for the things he holds dear.
I’m so happy to have this in my must reads!
The beautiful love story is paced perfectly and so believable you feel like they’re your friends and it’s playing out before you and you want to cheer them on. The love story is passionate, realistic, and consuming. You feel them in each moment. I felt myself wanting to skip ahead to see a happy ending but remained patient to see the story play out. It’s refreshing to be so invested in characters of such a beautiful story.
Collins’s determination and the desire to always do what is right is affirmed at every moment. You can’t help but admire his passion for the things he holds dear.
I’m so happy to have this in my must reads!
January 23, 2022
Collin has left the military and runs a bar now and falls for Rachel who in turn falls for his best friend.
This is dramatic and so intense as the triangle plays out. I really felt for Collin as he is trying to get his life together but falling for Rachel is hard when she goes for his friend. Through a series of other incidents, he really gets into a rut and needs to work through his problems. This author is new to me but writes a great book that is both full of drama but the romance is there. Great story!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is dramatic and so intense as the triangle plays out. I really felt for Collin as he is trying to get his life together but falling for Rachel is hard when she goes for his friend. Through a series of other incidents, he really gets into a rut and needs to work through his problems. This author is new to me but writes a great book that is both full of drama but the romance is there. Great story!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 16, 2024
Collin Porter is a man of honor and a soft heart. When he loves, he loves hard. So, the day he turned around in math class to borrow a pencil, that’s when he knew, Amanda would be his. However, he would always do it correctly date first, then down on a bent knee, and then marry her. Although she knew he was always going to join the Marines, I don't believe she ever thought that through. Because most think of a Marine they think of the future results of them in their dress blues, hoo-rah, the more mature adult, and all that.
Not the endless deployments, early on not a lot of the guys are settled and married in their heads and hearts, like Collin was. Which he did woo her. What he didn't account for was her inability to be left alone, for so long in their marriage, and, most of all, to stay faithful. Her heartlessness in serving him the divorce papers on deployment was unbelievably heartless. Not to mention, sending him a letter to try to explain herself was only an excuse and, a complaint about all she had given up.
In turn, he left her home to take care of everything alone. He figured being home near her friends and family would have helped her cope better. Not blow up their marriage. Not too long after this, he and his friend were the last two from his team. The rest died and his friend almost along with them, too. But, while he was injured, too Collin carried him to safety, and that's when he knew that when his month was over he would not be signing up again. His father had a rule a week after his boys came home, after serving their country, they needed a plan for what they were doing with their lives.
He had something he had been thinking about, but he needed to do more research. When he talks to his mom, who passed away years ago, he does it by sitting on his mom’s favorite porch swing. Collin knows he can do it after his talk with her. It's a matter of settling himself, putting it on paper, and asking for help from his older brother. Trying to get him to be on board and scope out their prospects. When his brother Kyle’s on board they are a go to hit the ground running to go to NY to find the right sight. Kyle has connections that can help.
When they find the spot, and a fellow Marine owns it and is willing to work with them, Collin feels good. The final bank he works with is the manager who is a Marine, and they secure a loan. The building is three stories with the top having a full apartment with three bedrooms. The guys have a work place, a place to live, and some ready-made friends in fellow Marines. They had no clue how much their lives were about to change. Things were looking up for both of the guys although Kylie their baby sister was not happy.
She was a senior in high school and couldn't move to be near them to help them more with their adventure.
Such a fun book. You know exactly who to cheer for and who to boo for.
Not the endless deployments, early on not a lot of the guys are settled and married in their heads and hearts, like Collin was. Which he did woo her. What he didn't account for was her inability to be left alone, for so long in their marriage, and, most of all, to stay faithful. Her heartlessness in serving him the divorce papers on deployment was unbelievably heartless. Not to mention, sending him a letter to try to explain herself was only an excuse and, a complaint about all she had given up.
In turn, he left her home to take care of everything alone. He figured being home near her friends and family would have helped her cope better. Not blow up their marriage. Not too long after this, he and his friend were the last two from his team. The rest died and his friend almost along with them, too. But, while he was injured, too Collin carried him to safety, and that's when he knew that when his month was over he would not be signing up again. His father had a rule a week after his boys came home, after serving their country, they needed a plan for what they were doing with their lives.
He had something he had been thinking about, but he needed to do more research. When he talks to his mom, who passed away years ago, he does it by sitting on his mom’s favorite porch swing. Collin knows he can do it after his talk with her. It's a matter of settling himself, putting it on paper, and asking for help from his older brother. Trying to get him to be on board and scope out their prospects. When his brother Kyle’s on board they are a go to hit the ground running to go to NY to find the right sight. Kyle has connections that can help.
When they find the spot, and a fellow Marine owns it and is willing to work with them, Collin feels good. The final bank he works with is the manager who is a Marine, and they secure a loan. The building is three stories with the top having a full apartment with three bedrooms. The guys have a work place, a place to live, and some ready-made friends in fellow Marines. They had no clue how much their lives were about to change. Things were looking up for both of the guys although Kylie their baby sister was not happy.
She was a senior in high school and couldn't move to be near them to help them more with their adventure.
Such a fun book. You know exactly who to cheer for and who to boo for.
February 8, 2022
So firstly there is a lot packed into this book so get settled in and don't make plans to move until you get to the end as once you start you wont want to stop until the end and even then you want to know who is next in the series! We start with Parker enlisting and getting a dear john letter while serving and what occurred for him to return to civilian life. There is a strong family bond within Parkers family and I loved his dream of what he wanted to do and bring his brother in on the new adventure and while not looking for love it finds him although it is a slow burn romance which I loved. Be ready for great friends, a loving family by blood and service as well as some twist, tears, anger and laughter as well as plenty of struggles and all that makes it a very enjoyable read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2022
This is the first in a series as well as the first time I have read any of this authors work, but I will certainly be looking out for her work in the future. Collin is a former military man who struggled to get back into civilian life, and he is now the owner of his own bar, and he is kind, caring, and string, and from the moment he sees Rachel he is in love. This is a good story which is well paced, and has engaging and relatable characters, with twists, family, passion, drama, romance, and love, which leads to a heartwarming and entertaining page turner. I look forward to reading more from this author and I recommend this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2022
The blurb for this book had a lot of promise, but the actual book was just ok. The book blurb is a little deceptive as to the story. Collin enlists in the marines and his fiancé sends him a Dear John letter. After being one of only two survivors of his unit, Collin doesn’t reenlist. He has a plan for opening a military focused bar in NYC with his older brother Kyle. He is surprised one day when he answers a knock on his door only to find someone he never anticipated meeting.
Collin has a very slow burn relationship with a friend’s younger sister as both of them navigate busy schedules in NYC.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Collin has a very slow burn relationship with a friend’s younger sister as both of them navigate busy schedules in NYC.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2022
The book is a good, and enjoyable heartwarming military romance read. The story has a good story line that is packed with twists and turns with unexpected moments that make you gasp and question how you did not see it coming. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. You will fall in love with Collin from the beginning with his integrity, honor, and compassion. The love story has a good pace, and is believable that you will like it's playing out right in front of you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2025
I’ve been trying to finish this for two weeks now forcing myself to read a chapter. I wanted to love it but it was poorly written, more like a high school assignment. Though I will say as the first book ever from the author there has to be a huge learning curve- so kudos! I think the dialogue was weird at times and being military as well as military spouse made many of the military topics off kilter to what they would actually be. I can imagine it would be difficult to write just getting an outsider view. I’m glad she got started and I’m sure the rest of the series is better and better!
July 17, 2023
This type of romance has not really been my cup of tea but I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would! The family feel of the Porter family and the realities of divorce and new romance was a page turner for me. Loved the family dynamic and of course the spice sprinkled in at the end! Proud of you girl! 💜
Read
February 6, 2022DNF @ 24%
March 30, 2022
loved this book
Great book. I can not wait for book 2 to come out. I love books that have realistic life issues.
Great book. I can not wait for book 2 to come out. I love books that have realistic life issues.
October 24, 2024
I was forcing myself to read the first few chapters, the writing left little to imagine. Everything seemed very cut-and-dry, the characters didn’t have any personality. The dialogue felt forced.
January 26, 2022
I am not sure about you all but when it comes to the military I have family that have served in all branches. So this book caught my eye from a new author and this is the first in from what I can see in a new and up coming military/romance series and I can not wait to see where this story unfolds.
The author has a unique way of pulling you in just by reading the summary and then by the first chapter you are hooked. From Collin Porter's home life to Marine life and back again you get a true meaning of what family rather blood related or not, should be.
Leaving your home and going in to the military can be hard. But when you get so close to your military family and in this case they are Marine's, (once a Marine always a Marine) seeing one of them hurt or die can hit hard. Military life is not an easy life and can leave one broken in ways that others can not relate. Then add in your home life which continues weather or not you are home. And watching how Collin deals with all of it is a hard and wonderful at the same time.
Collin Porter and his family are all military. They are close and Collin has taken his role in his family and in the Marine's proudly. He is a stand up ready to fight for what he believes in kind of guy. Reading this book has not only been a great read but from the start to finish, from chapter to chapter has kept me wanting more. I went from crying to laughing to mad to sad and back to happy. I could not put it down. From love to broken and thru the trenches lets just say I could see and feel every thing that Collin goes thru.
The story line flows and the pace is great. In my opinion this new author is going to be one of my top authors of the year. And now I can't wait for book two.
Congratulations to this new Author Alicia Justice for her tale of Collin Porters side of life.
I received a copy for a honest review.
The author has a unique way of pulling you in just by reading the summary and then by the first chapter you are hooked. From Collin Porter's home life to Marine life and back again you get a true meaning of what family rather blood related or not, should be.
Leaving your home and going in to the military can be hard. But when you get so close to your military family and in this case they are Marine's, (once a Marine always a Marine) seeing one of them hurt or die can hit hard. Military life is not an easy life and can leave one broken in ways that others can not relate. Then add in your home life which continues weather or not you are home. And watching how Collin deals with all of it is a hard and wonderful at the same time.
Collin Porter and his family are all military. They are close and Collin has taken his role in his family and in the Marine's proudly. He is a stand up ready to fight for what he believes in kind of guy. Reading this book has not only been a great read but from the start to finish, from chapter to chapter has kept me wanting more. I went from crying to laughing to mad to sad and back to happy. I could not put it down. From love to broken and thru the trenches lets just say I could see and feel every thing that Collin goes thru.
The story line flows and the pace is great. In my opinion this new author is going to be one of my top authors of the year. And now I can't wait for book two.
Congratulations to this new Author Alicia Justice for her tale of Collin Porters side of life.
I received a copy for a honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews