What do you think?
Rate this book
The Faithful Series #1
Always Faithful
Major Nichol "Nic" Caldwell is the only survivor of her helicopter crash in Iraq. She is left alone to wonder why she and she alone. Survivor's guilt has nothing on the young Major as she is forced to deal with the scars, both physical and mental, left from her ordeal overseas. Before the accident, she couldn't think of doing anything else in her life. In fact, she even had sacrificed love for service, but now she questions the very ideals she once believed in. Was it worth it? Sent Stateside to recover, she finds herself at the Marine Corps base in California where her new job is to inform families of a loved one's death. One of the "informs" will change her life forever. Claire Monroe is your average military wife, with a loving husband and a little girl. She is used to the time apart from her husband. In fact, it was one of the reasons she married him. Then, one day, her life is turned upside down when she gets a visit from the Marine Corps. She finds herself losing a husband but awakening a long-gone side of herself she never thought she would see again. Is she being disrespectful to the memory of her recently dead husband or is she finally being true to who she really is? Can these two women come to terms with the past and finally find happiness, or will their shared sense of honor keep them apart?
238 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2010
154 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 23, 2017
Good series! likable characters with depth,enjoyable love story that tackles 'D.O.M.A'...well written which was surprising..recommend
November 10, 2022
A weak 3 stars
I have a weakness for military stories, so I was really jazzed to read this book. It started strong, but with some weird language choices that kicked me out of the story a few times. It ended with a lot of inner monologue back-and-forth between the two emcees that drag the last quarter of the book and had me skimming to get to the end
I have a weakness for military stories, so I was really jazzed to read this book. It started strong, but with some weird language choices that kicked me out of the story a few times. It ended with a lot of inner monologue back-and-forth between the two emcees that drag the last quarter of the book and had me skimming to get to the end
March 23, 2019
I enjoyed this one - short but well formed & towards the end the story became a little pat - I really wanted to know some of the back story (in-laws, parents etc) - but good enough to look at the others in the series.
May 8, 2021
This book actually wasn't too bad despite the fact there wasn't any real conflict in the story. It was a light read and the chemistry between Claire and Nic was okay. I did guess why Claire's marriage worked and I would like have known what was in that letter Claire's husband sent to her. That felt a bit like a loose end to me.
I still don't understand why the author had Nic almost get wicked with a stranger in public. It felt inauthentic even for an out of the blue hook up.
Otherwise, I say the story was enjoyable enough.
I still don't understand why the author had Nic almost get wicked with a stranger in public. It felt inauthentic even for an out of the blue hook up.
Otherwise, I say the story was enjoyable enough.
May 24, 2016
Quick read. I really like Nic's character, but feel like I still don't know/understand Claire well. They have great chemistry, but there isn't much to the story otherwise. In saying that, I will read the sequel.
The misunderstanding drama was an eye-roller, but kudos to Isabella for writing a romance with a child in it that I don't find annoying; I usually grit my teeth through interactions with small children in similar books. Instead, I found myself really enjoying Nic's interaction with the kid, so there's that!
The misunderstanding drama was an eye-roller, but kudos to Isabella for writing a romance with a child in it that I don't find annoying; I usually grit my teeth through interactions with small children in similar books. Instead, I found myself really enjoying Nic's interaction with the kid, so there's that!
November 6, 2019
A well-written sweet romance with likable characters. I am looking forward to spending more time with them in the sequel which is available on audible escapes package.
November 26, 2016
Short little novel with a good story. Fairly hot too. An easy read. There was one thing that bothered me and that was when the dialogue was written without contractions. No one speaks like that unless English is your second language. Kind of drives me crazy. Good overall though.
June 13, 2017
A lesbian military romance set during the "don't ask, don't tell era," Always Faithful is pretty much a no frills girl meets girl story. Nic Caldwell, a major with the USMC, is serving desk duty after a horrible injury in Iraq. When she has to inform Claire that her husband was killed in action, they find themselves drawn to each other, but neither realizes, at first, that the other is gay. What I liked: Nic and Claire were both sympathetic characters, and I appreciated the lack of unnecessary drama. I did think the story could have been a bit more fleshed out, though. And the writing was a bit dry, with more telling than showing. Overall, I did like it, though.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2017 reading challenge: military category.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2017 reading challenge: military category.
May 18, 2024
Enjoyed
With all the seriousness going on in both their lives, they found away to each other. This a hea, you will enjoy it too.
With all the seriousness going on in both their lives, they found away to each other. This a hea, you will enjoy it too.
March 17, 2015
Quick read! Left me wanting more. I am happy to see a sequel is out, hope it lives up to the first one!
January 18, 2019
Nic is a Major in the marines at the height of “don’t ask, don’t tell” and is very careful not to out herself. She has returned from active service as a helicopter pilot after her chopper went down, she lost her whole crew and she was severely injured. After going through grueling rehab for a broken hip and severe burns she is put on a desk job to perform informs, the process of telling families their loved one has died in active service. This is a hard job at the best of times and she is still trying to come to terms with her own trauma when an inform comes across her desk of someone she knows. Deciding to do this inform herself she takes it upon herself to help the family make preparations for the returning deceased.
Claire is the wife of a marine pilot and when her husband is killed suddenly in active service she finds herself with mixed emotions. Upset over the loss of her husband for the sake of her 3 year old daughter and guilty for not having the marriage she should but also relieved that she no longer has to live a lie she goes about working out what she is going to do with the rest of her life. What she doesn’t expect is that she is going to fall for the very person who comes to tell her of her husbands death, Major Nic Caldwell.
What follows is a tale of two hearts struggling to come together through the trials of an unaccepting military and the people who help them navigate this world.
I found this book at times written very well and free flowing with a individual storyline and then at other times I felt that I had read similar so many times before. Although that did not detract from my enjoyment of the overall story. It was an easy book to read and had a lovely flow and I easily lost track of time when reading it.
Isabell did a fantastic job of making the reader feel as if they are a part of the story by making the characters relatable and raw. It seems as though she has done her research on the marines and the process that happens when someone dies in active service. She also doesn’t go into more detail than is needed.
The only reason I have given 4 stars and not 5 is that there are quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes that could be easily fixed by having the novel proof read before publishing.
Claire is the wife of a marine pilot and when her husband is killed suddenly in active service she finds herself with mixed emotions. Upset over the loss of her husband for the sake of her 3 year old daughter and guilty for not having the marriage she should but also relieved that she no longer has to live a lie she goes about working out what she is going to do with the rest of her life. What she doesn’t expect is that she is going to fall for the very person who comes to tell her of her husbands death, Major Nic Caldwell.
What follows is a tale of two hearts struggling to come together through the trials of an unaccepting military and the people who help them navigate this world.
I found this book at times written very well and free flowing with a individual storyline and then at other times I felt that I had read similar so many times before. Although that did not detract from my enjoyment of the overall story. It was an easy book to read and had a lovely flow and I easily lost track of time when reading it.
Isabell did a fantastic job of making the reader feel as if they are a part of the story by making the characters relatable and raw. It seems as though she has done her research on the marines and the process that happens when someone dies in active service. She also doesn’t go into more detail than is needed.
The only reason I have given 4 stars and not 5 is that there are quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes that could be easily fixed by having the novel proof read before publishing.
February 23, 2021
Duty and honor always!
This is a first time author for me but I was intrigued by the cover. I have great respect for the military and the tremendous sacrifices that are made each and every day by those who serve and their families who are left behind. Major Nic, a medivac pilot, has not fully recovered from the helo crash that took the lives of her entire crew. She is the sole survivor with a wounded body and soul. Now stationed at home, her job is to inform the families when their loved ones died in active duty. I cannot even begin to imagine the emotional toll of a duty like that. She meets Claire when she is sent to tell her that her husband has indeed died.
The secondary characters were very rich. Claire's three year old, Grace, was adorable and her loving relationship with Nic was undeniable. Father Reilly, the chaplain, was so important to this story. And Jordan, Claire's best friend, not only added emotional support, but some levity that was needed.
All the characters were relatable and the emotions were raw. I laughed with them, I cried with them and I grieved with them. That's a sign of a talented writer. If there hadn't been so many grammar and editing errors, I would have given it five stars. It's a beautiful love story written around the crippling "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Isabella did a fabulous job of explaining the honor and respect shown when bringing home the bodies of our fallen heroes. Kudos, on a wonderful book. I look forward to the future in the next book about Nic, Claire and Grace!
This is a first time author for me but I was intrigued by the cover. I have great respect for the military and the tremendous sacrifices that are made each and every day by those who serve and their families who are left behind. Major Nic, a medivac pilot, has not fully recovered from the helo crash that took the lives of her entire crew. She is the sole survivor with a wounded body and soul. Now stationed at home, her job is to inform the families when their loved ones died in active duty. I cannot even begin to imagine the emotional toll of a duty like that. She meets Claire when she is sent to tell her that her husband has indeed died.
The secondary characters were very rich. Claire's three year old, Grace, was adorable and her loving relationship with Nic was undeniable. Father Reilly, the chaplain, was so important to this story. And Jordan, Claire's best friend, not only added emotional support, but some levity that was needed.
All the characters were relatable and the emotions were raw. I laughed with them, I cried with them and I grieved with them. That's a sign of a talented writer. If there hadn't been so many grammar and editing errors, I would have given it five stars. It's a beautiful love story written around the crippling "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Isabella did a fabulous job of explaining the honor and respect shown when bringing home the bodies of our fallen heroes. Kudos, on a wonderful book. I look forward to the future in the next book about Nic, Claire and Grace!
December 27, 2018
This wasn't bad, but it felt like a new author's first or second novel, and felt a bit short. (Found out after I wrote the review--it IS the author's first novel).
The military background felt somewhat realistic, though it seemed like the Marine protag mostly operated in a vacuum--which pretty much never happens with real active duty military folks--but was still mostly believable, and I was able to put that aside.
There was a second theme, on top of the usual "dance of the porcupines" you get in romance novels, and that was a theme of loss and recovery, and not just related to the military background. I was impressed that the author took as much time on that one as she did, and that she did so well with it. Maybe I should have upgraded my rating, just for that.
I think I understand why the author decided to have so many "mixed message" scenes, but it felt like nearly every scene in which both protags were involved was a mixed message scene, and it ground a little bit.
Overall, not a bad novel and it is worth reading.
The military background felt somewhat realistic, though it seemed like the Marine protag mostly operated in a vacuum--which pretty much never happens with real active duty military folks--but was still mostly believable, and I was able to put that aside.
There was a second theme, on top of the usual "dance of the porcupines" you get in romance novels, and that was a theme of loss and recovery, and not just related to the military background. I was impressed that the author took as much time on that one as she did, and that she did so well with it. Maybe I should have upgraded my rating, just for that.
I think I understand why the author decided to have so many "mixed message" scenes, but it felt like nearly every scene in which both protags were involved was a mixed message scene, and it ground a little bit.
Overall, not a bad novel and it is worth reading.
January 10, 2021
Only The Brave
Major Nic Caldwell had not fully recovered from the helicopter crash that took the life’s of her crew and wounded her body and soul. Now she had the awful responsibility of notifying families of the loss of loved ones. When she has to tell Claire, the wife of an ROTC classmate that her husband is dead it takes on a whole new meaning. Attracted to Claire and her daughter Grace as she helps them through the loss she and Claire are drawn to each other and a forbidden love. Marvelous story of survival. Recommend.
Major Nic Caldwell had not fully recovered from the helicopter crash that took the life’s of her crew and wounded her body and soul. Now she had the awful responsibility of notifying families of the loss of loved ones. When she has to tell Claire, the wife of an ROTC classmate that her husband is dead it takes on a whole new meaning. Attracted to Claire and her daughter Grace as she helps them through the loss she and Claire are drawn to each other and a forbidden love. Marvelous story of survival. Recommend.
May 16, 2021
I hope that Isabella's ability to capture PTSD and combat fatigue are not from personal experience because this is really a must read for anyone that wants to understand what Veterans and active duty personnel live with daily. The story and characters are engaging, so much so, I read all three books in a couple of days. So I'm going to cheat and use the same review for all three.
Isabella is a wonderful story teller even with difficult subjects. I hope that there are more in this series so I don't have to overwork my brain and make up my own ending...
Isabella is a wonderful story teller even with difficult subjects. I hope that there are more in this series so I don't have to overwork my brain and make up my own ending...
November 23, 2020
Don't ask, Don't tell!
A lot of good that thought did for a certain group. A lot of Service members of all branches were discarded due to their life stile. But sometimes they fit through the cracks and some managed to have a life. Mind you it was not a bed of roses. The author has created such a story and as I said before it was not a bed of roses but thorns also. You have to learn to play the rules. Enjoy!
A lot of good that thought did for a certain group. A lot of Service members of all branches were discarded due to their life stile. But sometimes they fit through the cracks and some managed to have a life. Mind you it was not a bed of roses. The author has created such a story and as I said before it was not a bed of roses but thorns also. You have to learn to play the rules. Enjoy!
December 4, 2022
Claire and Nic come together in this first book of the series. Nic showing up at Claire’s house to tell her that her husband died while overseas. In the process Nic learns so much more about Claire and the friend that had died. I love how quickly Nic and Grace take to each other. It was so amazing when Claire fell asleep and Grace woke up to have Nic take care of her and fall asleep in the rocking chair with her. So precious!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
ahhh, the military…
Being a veteran, I know about the “don’t ask,don’t tell” stupid policy. It is one of the dumbest things the military has done in recent times. Just the absurdity of its premise is appalling. Glad it’s over with.
Nice story…but I dislike silly little breakups and misunderstandings. Some characters are a bit too fragile. Some scenes and dialogues that play out seem a bit young-ish. But all in all a decent read.
Being a veteran, I know about the “don’t ask,don’t tell” stupid policy. It is one of the dumbest things the military has done in recent times. Just the absurdity of its premise is appalling. Glad it’s over with.
Nice story…but I dislike silly little breakups and misunderstandings. Some characters are a bit too fragile. Some scenes and dialogues that play out seem a bit young-ish. But all in all a decent read.
December 4, 2022
ok
I like this story and the MCs, however some of the transitions are abrupt which can confusing. Same with timelines between e and through events. What seems like days was not and what sounds like minutes was hours. I am now invested in the story line so will most likely read the next two.
I like this story and the MCs, however some of the transitions are abrupt which can confusing. Same with timelines between e and through events. What seems like days was not and what sounds like minutes was hours. I am now invested in the story line so will most likely read the next two.
June 2, 2023
The ability to find love in a complex situation
This is a complex story of death, love, loyalty and rules that make no sense on a human level but with good communication & good friends & the need to be with the one who sets your world alight we see the MCs come together
A very good read
This is a complex story of death, love, loyalty and rules that make no sense on a human level but with good communication & good friends & the need to be with the one who sets your world alight we see the MCs come together
A very good read
April 27, 2023
Always Faithful was such a sweet romance with relatively low angst. The characters felt authentic, and I adored the chemistry between Nic and Claire. Overall a great story, and I look forward to the next in the series!
July 10, 2024
I really loved Nic and Claire’s story. I was looking for books with a motorcycle riding lead off the WLW kind. And this book didn’t disappoint. I felt like the book pulled me in right off the bat. Then slowed down just a bit. Then picked up. And ended with my really loving their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2020
Great book
I really liked this book. It was sad how they met but they both felt the same and they both finally got to live their lives the way they wanted and was very happy.
I really liked this book. It was sad how they met but they both felt the same and they both finally got to live their lives the way they wanted and was very happy.
November 13, 2020
Enjoyable easy read.
June 12, 2021
Wonderful story
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt short story of the beginning of two women that meet because of one their husband died but found each other.
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt short story of the beginning of two women that meet because of one their husband died but found each other.
March 21, 2022
Excellent and well-written story with great character development and plot.
November 18, 2022
To be honest...
I didn't think I would like this book at first so I put off reading it. Now I am sad I did. It was a really good story. I loved the characters. Nice is very loyal.
I didn't think I would like this book at first so I put off reading it. Now I am sad I did. It was a really good story. I loved the characters. Nice is very loyal.
December 26, 2012
This was a well rounded sweet romance that let the reader fall in love with the characters. Isabella did a wonderful job of letting us into the hearts and minds of both Nic Caldwell, active duty Marine Corp Officer and recently widowed Claire Monroe. The support that they offered to each other as they dealt with the death of Claire's husband and the after affects of survivors guilt that Nic suffers creates a sweet story of how learning to trust and love can mend the soul. Isabella is a wonderful story teller bringing the reader through every emotion found in the book clearly. From hot and bothered as Nic and Claire strut through a quasi mating dance, laughing at the antics of a three year old and her innocent ways, the sorrow of a Military Honor Ceremony, and the joy of understanding that love doesn't choose when it happens it just does. I really enjoyed this story and the romance it created.
February 11, 2011
Boxes are incredibly confining places to live, work, or read. I have been reading more outside of my box this year. A lot of romances are
incredibly typical: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy or girl lose the other one, and happily ever after to all and to all a good night.
Always Faithful has some of those same elements, but with a twist. What about when a government tells the heart what it can or can't have? How would you feel if someone restricted your personal life and made you chose between love of duty or love of a person? That is the unexpected struggle between the characters in Always Faithful.
The author touches on very current and real world issues: love, duty,
honor, family, and societal perceptions.
The book made me proud of those in uniform who serve us and make me aware
of just how many sacrifices they all make for us.
incredibly typical: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy or girl lose the other one, and happily ever after to all and to all a good night.
Always Faithful has some of those same elements, but with a twist. What about when a government tells the heart what it can or can't have? How would you feel if someone restricted your personal life and made you chose between love of duty or love of a person? That is the unexpected struggle between the characters in Always Faithful.
The author touches on very current and real world issues: love, duty,
honor, family, and societal perceptions.
The book made me proud of those in uniform who serve us and make me aware
of just how many sacrifices they all make for us.
November 20, 2016
Always Faithful —Isabella (32 chapters)
This story contains some sexy bits. Proceed with caution, if that is not your thing.
I picked this up hoping for something a little different from my usual read; I don’t normally read military stories, but with the lesbian angle, I was hoping for something light and fluffy, but also something fun and interesting.
It turned out to be a pretty quick, familiar read that felt predictable, convenient and sophomoric at times.
The plot was a heavy bent on military, motorcycles and relationships not as they appear. Unfortunately, the female relationship didn’t satisfy. It didn’t seem that natural. The military wife came across as juvenile and needy. At the end, there were string left hanging, which really irked me.
Having said this, it was an OK read, just nothing really new.
Two stars.
This story contains some sexy bits. Proceed with caution, if that is not your thing.
I picked this up hoping for something a little different from my usual read; I don’t normally read military stories, but with the lesbian angle, I was hoping for something light and fluffy, but also something fun and interesting.
It turned out to be a pretty quick, familiar read that felt predictable, convenient and sophomoric at times.
The plot was a heavy bent on military, motorcycles and relationships not as they appear. Unfortunately, the female relationship didn’t satisfy. It didn’t seem that natural. The military wife came across as juvenile and needy. At the end, there were string left hanging, which really irked me.
Having said this, it was an OK read, just nothing really new.
Two stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews