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First to Fight #2
Warrior
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Nicole Blanchard
I thought it was just one night with my brother’s best friend.
The boy I had dreamt about since he gave me my first kiss, under the lights of the Ferris wheel.
I knew he was about to leave for a year – no chance for a future.
But our one night together would create memories for a lifetime.
Our paths crossed again, but I had lied, and he was no longer the man he once was. He was warring against demons. Against the silence that was threatening to swallow him. And I had kept a secret from him, one he would never forgive me for.
But my secret was about to be ripped open. Displayed for the world on national news. And I had only one way to repair the damage.
I had to trust the man I lied to.
The man I never got the chance to make a life with.
The only man who could save what we had created together.
This is a FULL LENGTH, STANDALONE with a HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
I thought it was just one night with my brother’s best friend.
The boy I had dreamt about since he gave me my first kiss, under the lights of the Ferris wheel.
I knew he was about to leave for a year – no chance for a future.
But our one night together would create memories for a lifetime.
Our paths crossed again, but I had lied, and he was no longer the man he once was. He was warring against demons. Against the silence that was threatening to swallow him. And I had kept a secret from him, one he would never forgive me for.
But my secret was about to be ripped open. Displayed for the world on national news. And I had only one way to repair the damage.
I had to trust the man I lied to.
The man I never got the chance to make a life with.
The only man who could save what we had created together.
This is a FULL LENGTH, STANDALONE with a HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2015
About the author
Nicole Blanchard
40 books1,040 followersNicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of gritty romantic suspense and heartwarming new adult romance. She and her family reside in the south along with their two spunky Boston Terriers and one chatty cat.
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
June 7, 2019
I almost DNF'd this story so many times. Within the first few chapters, I quickly realized that this may not be the story for me. But I pushed on. I've liked everything else I've read from this author and I was charmed by the first book of this series, Anchor. That book was so easy to fall into and the characters and plot were so engaging that I figured that formula would carry right through. It didn't. I'm so disappointed because this story had so many elements that should have made it work. A military hero, Ben, who suffered a career-ending injury and is making a new life in his hometown, a town where the girl he left behind still lives. He finds her again, but she's got a baby in tow. Guess she couldn't wait for him to come back from defending their country, huh? Oh but wait... the kid's his. But then the girl screws everything up by NOT telling him about his son in the first place. Understandable when he was overseas, not so much when he practically lives next door. Too much time passes and the only reason he knows he has a child is through someone else. Who does that? And it was downhill from there. Someone's out to kill her, Ben's determined to save her, and she keeps putting him off like she didn't do anything wrong.
I'm hoping this was the one book I should have passed on. As I said, I've liked everything else I've read from this author and this story won't stop me from reading more from her. If you're looking for angst and suspense, this book has it in spades.
I'm hoping this was the one book I should have passed on. As I said, I've liked everything else I've read from this author and this story won't stop me from reading more from her. If you're looking for angst and suspense, this book has it in spades.
September 7, 2015
**4 SPITFIRE STARS**
What a charming, emotionally charged love story from Nicole Blanchard. I devoured every last page, it was clearly written and had intriguing characters. I loved this author's style completely. There were some really touchy topics and I felt she did a fabulous job with the delivery.
Ben is a marine who comes from overseas suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and having loss of hearing in one ear. One wild, erotic night with his best friend’s sister, Livvie, before his last departure to Afghanistan, has unforgettably sealed their love.
But, returning home from Afghanistan, Ben is no longer the hopeful, loving man she fell in love with. Nightmares from war and hearing impairment drive him to isolation and depression. Many things have changed within one year for Livvie, as well. But, the power of their love is so strong that they aren’t ready to give up. Their love hasn’t lost its electricity. It’s true, deep, endless. When tragedy strikes, will they be able to fight their demons and start anew?
What I didn’t like was Livvie’s cowardly behavior towards Ben and his family and Chad’s (wannabe boyfriend) role in the story. We keep hearing about him, but where is he? What’s his relationship with Livvie? He’s considered to be a suspect but how and why? I just needed more of this character.
However, this was an amazing second chance romantic story with really tragic obstacles that needed to be overcome to make way for forgiveness, redemption and healing. It had heartbreak, perseverance, determination, acceptance and forgiveness. It was suspenseful and ultimately hard to put down. I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with it.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a charming, emotionally charged love story from Nicole Blanchard. I devoured every last page, it was clearly written and had intriguing characters. I loved this author's style completely. There were some really touchy topics and I felt she did a fabulous job with the delivery.
Ben is a marine who comes from overseas suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and having loss of hearing in one ear. One wild, erotic night with his best friend’s sister, Livvie, before his last departure to Afghanistan, has unforgettably sealed their love.
But, returning home from Afghanistan, Ben is no longer the hopeful, loving man she fell in love with. Nightmares from war and hearing impairment drive him to isolation and depression. Many things have changed within one year for Livvie, as well. But, the power of their love is so strong that they aren’t ready to give up. Their love hasn’t lost its electricity. It’s true, deep, endless. When tragedy strikes, will they be able to fight their demons and start anew?
What I didn’t like was Livvie’s cowardly behavior towards Ben and his family and Chad’s (wannabe boyfriend) role in the story. We keep hearing about him, but where is he? What’s his relationship with Livvie? He’s considered to be a suspect but how and why? I just needed more of this character.
However, this was an amazing second chance romantic story with really tragic obstacles that needed to be overcome to make way for forgiveness, redemption and healing. It had heartbreak, perseverance, determination, acceptance and forgiveness. It was suspenseful and ultimately hard to put down. I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with it.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
April 25, 2015
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September 15, 2015
☆ I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! ☆
4.25-.5 stars!!
**First and foremost, before you even start reading this book--- this is NOT a fighter novel at all. For all of you who may misinterpret the cover image and the series title, this is just a heads up just in case you had your hopes over a gritty, no-holds barred type of read.**
So, Warrior…
I was actually surprised in how much I really enjoyed reading Warrior. I’d never read anything by Nicole Blanchard before, and didn’t think much by the synopsis blurb, but when I got my hands on this I could not put my kindle down!!
A story of childhood first love, family, tragic events, taking risks, and second chances.
Ben and Olivia "Livvie" have known each other since they were kids and have always shared an un-acted upon attraction for the other.
As the years go by, their friendship deepens and so does their blossoming fixation, until one night when everything changes….one night of passion that will alter the course of their entire relationship...
of which, both know that nothing can come off of as Ben is enlisted in the military and is being deployed in a few days for a year-long stay overseas…and yet, Ben asks her to wait for him, if she can.
Things, of course, change while Ben is away, as Olivia gets the surprise of her life and Ben battles his own demons while being away at war.
When Ben comes back, he is consumed with the guilt®ret of being the only survivor of his troop and is overwhelmed by the events of being back on the home front.
His only preserving thoughts lie with his sweet Olivia, and boy, is he in for an awakening when he learns of a little bundle of joy he and Livvie had created while he was away...
As for Olivia, having your estranged baby daddy back in the picture, and being the sole target of a few death attempts, has her world going at million miles per hour.
What will become of this couple? And with danger and romance in the air, will Ben and Olivia put their trust in each other to let go of the past and forge on to their future?
#Seriously loved, loved this read!! It was the ultimate tale of undivided love and redemption!!
I now want a Jack (Olivia’s brother) and Sofie (Olivia’s bestie) novel, as well as, more on Scott Greene (whom I’m not revealing who he is)! I don’t know why, but, I would have liked to see more behind the scenes on Jack and Sofie….and as for Scott, well, he just stuck in my head throughout the entire course of the story. I kept thinking, “what happened to him?” and although I was elated to see an answer, I just wanted MORE…I know, I’m quite overboard over a seriously minor character in this story, but that’s just me. Hehe.
Can’t wait for the next installment of this series!! I will definitely be on the lookout if there’s another ARC or review opportunity in the future!! Thanks, Nicole!!
4.25-.5 stars!!
**First and foremost, before you even start reading this book--- this is NOT a fighter novel at all. For all of you who may misinterpret the cover image and the series title, this is just a heads up just in case you had your hopes over a gritty, no-holds barred type of read.**
So, Warrior…
I was actually surprised in how much I really enjoyed reading Warrior. I’d never read anything by Nicole Blanchard before, and didn’t think much by the synopsis blurb, but when I got my hands on this I could not put my kindle down!!
A story of childhood first love, family, tragic events, taking risks, and second chances.
Ben and Olivia "Livvie" have known each other since they were kids and have always shared an un-acted upon attraction for the other.
As the years go by, their friendship deepens and so does their blossoming fixation, until one night when everything changes….one night of passion that will alter the course of their entire relationship...
of which, both know that nothing can come off of as Ben is enlisted in the military and is being deployed in a few days for a year-long stay overseas…and yet, Ben asks her to wait for him, if she can.
Things, of course, change while Ben is away, as Olivia gets the surprise of her life and Ben battles his own demons while being away at war.
When Ben comes back, he is consumed with the guilt®ret of being the only survivor of his troop and is overwhelmed by the events of being back on the home front.
His only preserving thoughts lie with his sweet Olivia, and boy, is he in for an awakening when he learns of a little bundle of joy he and Livvie had created while he was away...
As for Olivia, having your estranged baby daddy back in the picture, and being the sole target of a few death attempts, has her world going at million miles per hour.
What will become of this couple? And with danger and romance in the air, will Ben and Olivia put their trust in each other to let go of the past and forge on to their future?
#Seriously loved, loved this read!! It was the ultimate tale of undivided love and redemption!!
I now want a Jack (Olivia’s brother) and Sofie (Olivia’s bestie) novel, as well as, more on Scott Greene (whom I’m not revealing who he is)! I don’t know why, but, I would have liked to see more behind the scenes on Jack and Sofie….and as for Scott, well, he just stuck in my head throughout the entire course of the story. I kept thinking, “what happened to him?” and although I was elated to see an answer, I just wanted MORE…I know, I’m quite overboard over a seriously minor character in this story, but that’s just me. Hehe.
Can’t wait for the next installment of this series!! I will definitely be on the lookout if there’s another ARC or review opportunity in the future!! Thanks, Nicole!!
September 8, 2015
Ben and his sweet Spitfire, Olivia, are here to bring you a tale of love and loyalty.
Ben is a marine and a few days before he is deployed he has one night of passion with the girl he has always wanted.
Olivia knows that their time together will be brief, but their connection won't.
When Ben disappears from her life, she has to make hard choices on her own, knowing he is not going to contact her again. But fate has different plans.
Ben returns changed from the war. He suffers and he is tormented. He plans to stay away, but can he?
I loved the writing. The story flowed easily and it was fast paced. The characters made reckless decisions but they were lovable in their imperfections.
I do think that a few subplots were not developed properly in my opinion. Like Ben's PTSD and the stress Olivia has to endure. We are told of their drama but we do not feel it with the intensity that we should.
Overall, this was a good read and a very sweet story about two people over-coming obstacles. If you are a fan of second chance romances, you will enjoy his one.
3.5 to 4 stars from me
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ben is a marine and a few days before he is deployed he has one night of passion with the girl he has always wanted.
Olivia knows that their time together will be brief, but their connection won't.
When Ben disappears from her life, she has to make hard choices on her own, knowing he is not going to contact her again. But fate has different plans.
Ben returns changed from the war. He suffers and he is tormented. He plans to stay away, but can he?
I loved the writing. The story flowed easily and it was fast paced. The characters made reckless decisions but they were lovable in their imperfections.
I do think that a few subplots were not developed properly in my opinion. Like Ben's PTSD and the stress Olivia has to endure. We are told of their drama but we do not feel it with the intensity that we should.
Overall, this was a good read and a very sweet story about two people over-coming obstacles. If you are a fan of second chance romances, you will enjoy his one.
3.5 to 4 stars from me
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2015
Sometimes I read a book thinking I know the ending... And then there is this story which left me with a HOLY FUCK feeling... I hate and love when an author does that to me.
Damn you Nicole Blanchard! I need more.... MORE!!!
Damn you Nicole Blanchard! I need more.... MORE!!!
August 30, 2015
Nicole has some seriously hidden talents and this first book shows them off to her finest.
Warrior wow I thought I had read nearly every type of story there was but Nicole has taken a story and added the final twists to this and made it a fantastic read.
I will be re reading this time and time again, once you actually get your teeth stuck in to this book you will not be able to put it down, I have smiled,laughed and even ugly cried at the story it will pull on all your feelings and you will actually become involved in the story.
I'm not giving any details away as it will spoil it for you but you need this book in your life.
A full 5* read and a author I will be stalking from now
Warrior wow I thought I had read nearly every type of story there was but Nicole has taken a story and added the final twists to this and made it a fantastic read.
I will be re reading this time and time again, once you actually get your teeth stuck in to this book you will not be able to put it down, I have smiled,laughed and even ugly cried at the story it will pull on all your feelings and you will actually become involved in the story.
I'm not giving any details away as it will spoil it for you but you need this book in your life.
A full 5* read and a author I will be stalking from now
May 1, 2017
⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️
* may contain some spoilers *
♦️BOOK: #1 - Can be read as a standalone. Full length.
♦️POV: dual first person
♦️SETTING: Nassau, small town in Florida
♦️HERO: Benjamin "Ben" Hart, 26 -- Marine. Has had a thing for his best friend's little sister.
♦️HEROINE: Olivia "Livvie" Walker, 22 -- art teacher. Adopted. Red hair, green eyes.
♦️PLOT: A very angsty read. After almost a decade of attraction, Ben & Livvie share a steamy night before he deploys for the next year. When she finds out she is pregnant, she repeatedly emails him with no response. After being severely injured and losing his men, Ben deletes the unread emails and doesn't return to Livvie like he had promised. When he does finally show up, he sees she has a baby and assumes she has moved on, not once considering that it could be his even though they had unprotected sex? Months go by before he finds out the truth but it was disappointing that it took him so long-I wanted him to fight for her. He only goes to her bc she's in danger. She even blames herself for keeping their son from him, wtf? They go back and forth, lots of drama and Livvie gets put through the ringer both physically and emotionally over and over again. Just when I thought they could finally be a happy family, there's another tragedy and Ben decides to push Olivia away yet again and she ends up hurt... again, ugh. In the end, I wanted Ben to grovel a little for all Olivia has been through because of him and without him. Very emotional read but the H could have been better.
♦️HEAT LEVEL: moderate, 3/5 - a few sexy scenes
♦️ENDING: HEA, No Epilogue - 1 year later, No Cliffhanger
♦️OTHER STUFF: friends to lovers, older brother's friend, second chances, military, adopted, unprotected sex, pregnancy, death of a loved one, sick child, deafness, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, kidnapping
* may contain some spoilers *
♦️BOOK: #1 - Can be read as a standalone. Full length.
♦️POV: dual first person
♦️SETTING: Nassau, small town in Florida
♦️HERO: Benjamin "Ben" Hart, 26 -- Marine. Has had a thing for his best friend's little sister.
♦️HEROINE: Olivia "Livvie" Walker, 22 -- art teacher. Adopted. Red hair, green eyes.
♦️PLOT: A very angsty read. After almost a decade of attraction, Ben & Livvie share a steamy night before he deploys for the next year. When she finds out she is pregnant, she repeatedly emails him with no response. After being severely injured and losing his men, Ben deletes the unread emails and doesn't return to Livvie like he had promised. When he does finally show up, he sees she has a baby and assumes she has moved on, not once considering that it could be his even though they had unprotected sex? Months go by before he finds out the truth but it was disappointing that it took him so long-I wanted him to fight for her. He only goes to her bc she's in danger. She even blames herself for keeping their son from him, wtf? They go back and forth, lots of drama and Livvie gets put through the ringer both physically and emotionally over and over again. Just when I thought they could finally be a happy family, there's another tragedy and Ben decides to push Olivia away yet again and she ends up hurt... again, ugh. In the end, I wanted Ben to grovel a little for all Olivia has been through because of him and without him. Very emotional read but the H could have been better.
♦️HEAT LEVEL: moderate, 3/5 - a few sexy scenes
♦️ENDING: HEA, No Epilogue - 1 year later, No Cliffhanger
♦️OTHER STUFF: friends to lovers, older brother's friend, second chances, military, adopted, unprotected sex, pregnancy, death of a loved one, sick child, deafness, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, kidnapping
September 13, 2015
5 "No-Heart" Stars
This was really good! I loved Ben and Olivia nicknamed "Spitfire", attitude and red hair. Ben and Oliva were no strangers. He happened to be her brother Jacks best friend and have known each other since she had been adopted into the Wagner family. There was a four year difference between them but they both silently longed for each other for years. At the time, others noticed but they had no idea.
After a year of serving in the Marines as a JTAC, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Benjamin returns home temporarily and when they see each other the sizzle is still there. Finally they decide to give into each other. Ben makes it clear that he can't offer her anything other than one night of fun. She accepts but of course it wasn't that easy to accept for either of them.
Year and a half later, Ben returns home a changed man. Destroyed by an event that occurred while he was serving. His job as the JTAC, put the lives of many of his fellow marines in his hands. I can not for the life of me imagine the weight that is carried on our men and women in the military. I give you Thanks. Liv is keeping a secret although it didn't start out intentionally, too much time had passed with no communication between the two but once Ben returned home, he was heartbroken.
This story turns into a crime/suspense, if you will, that I wasn't expecting. It wasn't until this occurred that Olivia's secret was revealed.
"No one, no one, fucks with my family, and whether we are
in a relationship or not, you're blood to me." ~~BEN
Ben feels the need to protect so he moves himself in with her, against her wishes, an odd situation for her, she does not like being told what to do. He on the other hand makes himself at home. Going as far to just casually crawl in her bed.
He is trouble. A big, hot, nearly naked-in-my-bed pile of trouble.
He doesn't want to open up and talk about things that happened to him while he was away, she knows it has changed him not only mentally but physically. It's obvious from what she knows, something happened with him and some of his men. Those men were his "brothers."
The only food I've got left in my pack is an MRE, one that I've been putting
off eating because I'd almost rather die than eat the beans and 4 Dicks of Death.
~~BEN
I smile. "What are they like?" ~~LIV
"Assholes, every single one of them. And they're ugly as shit." ~~BEN
The stubborn man that is Benjamin is determined to find the ones responsible for what's happening to Olivia, yet at the same time blames himself. He goes back and forth throughout the story doing this but he has reasons. I loved his mom. Ben was very respectful of his mother and it was funny because it were if he was little again. This is a very easy going read and you are sure to fall in love with Ben.
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*****ARC kindly provided by author for an honest review.***** Thank You
This was really good! I loved Ben and Olivia nicknamed "Spitfire", attitude and red hair. Ben and Oliva were no strangers. He happened to be her brother Jacks best friend and have known each other since she had been adopted into the Wagner family. There was a four year difference between them but they both silently longed for each other for years. At the time, others noticed but they had no idea.
After a year of serving in the Marines as a JTAC, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Benjamin returns home temporarily and when they see each other the sizzle is still there. Finally they decide to give into each other. Ben makes it clear that he can't offer her anything other than one night of fun. She accepts but of course it wasn't that easy to accept for either of them.
Year and a half later, Ben returns home a changed man. Destroyed by an event that occurred while he was serving. His job as the JTAC, put the lives of many of his fellow marines in his hands. I can not for the life of me imagine the weight that is carried on our men and women in the military. I give you Thanks. Liv is keeping a secret although it didn't start out intentionally, too much time had passed with no communication between the two but once Ben returned home, he was heartbroken.
This story turns into a crime/suspense, if you will, that I wasn't expecting. It wasn't until this occurred that Olivia's secret was revealed.
"No one, no one, fucks with my family, and whether we are
in a relationship or not, you're blood to me." ~~BEN
Ben feels the need to protect so he moves himself in with her, against her wishes, an odd situation for her, she does not like being told what to do. He on the other hand makes himself at home. Going as far to just casually crawl in her bed.
He is trouble. A big, hot, nearly naked-in-my-bed pile of trouble.
He doesn't want to open up and talk about things that happened to him while he was away, she knows it has changed him not only mentally but physically. It's obvious from what she knows, something happened with him and some of his men. Those men were his "brothers."
The only food I've got left in my pack is an MRE, one that I've been putting
off eating because I'd almost rather die than eat the beans and 4 Dicks of Death.
~~BEN
I smile. "What are they like?" ~~LIV
"Assholes, every single one of them. And they're ugly as shit." ~~BEN
The stubborn man that is Benjamin is determined to find the ones responsible for what's happening to Olivia, yet at the same time blames himself. He goes back and forth throughout the story doing this but he has reasons. I loved his mom. Ben was very respectful of his mother and it was funny because it were if he was little again. This is a very easy going read and you are sure to fall in love with Ben.
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*****ARC kindly provided by author for an honest review.***** Thank You
May 22, 2016
Warrior
(First to Fight Series)
Book 1
by Nicole Blanchard
I would like clear something up before you start this book, this is not no Fighting book as you might think.. Its fighting in different sense … The cover image & the series title are miss leading
I received a free copy for my honest opinion. I’d never read anything by Nicole Blanchard before, so wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into…I can tell you this much , once I got my hands on this book I could not put my tablet down!!
This book is amazing story of Survival & also amazing love story
Ben first meet Olivia when she was thirteen and that is when he knew that he had feelings for her, but couldn't act on them cuz she was his best friend's sister & Ben was 4 years older..
I find it a pure miracle that these two survived all that they did over the years individually they survived so much & together they endured even more … This is amazing story about a military man who survived a bombing in Afghanistan where he lost his whole team. The strength of this woman who survived so much on her own with this tiny little bundle of joy
I want tell you so much more about this story, but don’t want to spoil it for.. To be totally honest it is I would have box tissues
I would recommend this book
(First to Fight Series)
Book 1
by Nicole Blanchard
I would like clear something up before you start this book, this is not no Fighting book as you might think.. Its fighting in different sense … The cover image & the series title are miss leading
I received a free copy for my honest opinion. I’d never read anything by Nicole Blanchard before, so wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into…I can tell you this much , once I got my hands on this book I could not put my tablet down!!
This book is amazing story of Survival & also amazing love story
Ben first meet Olivia when she was thirteen and that is when he knew that he had feelings for her, but couldn't act on them cuz she was his best friend's sister & Ben was 4 years older..
I find it a pure miracle that these two survived all that they did over the years individually they survived so much & together they endured even more … This is amazing story about a military man who survived a bombing in Afghanistan where he lost his whole team. The strength of this woman who survived so much on her own with this tiny little bundle of joy
I want tell you so much more about this story, but don’t want to spoil it for.. To be totally honest it is I would have box tissues
I would recommend this book
November 15, 2023
2 ✨
Sometimes idk why im reading stuff, ku recc I guess.
I didn’t like this because the author portrayed the male who was always in the wrong as the one in the right.
It genuinely felt like a book written by a man because of how the man was somehow always a victim to his own actions / choices. Then the female mc was constantly apologizing for things she shouldn’t need to apologize for.
Also the drama was really ridiculous.
Sometimes idk why im reading stuff, ku recc I guess.
I didn’t like this because the author portrayed the male who was always in the wrong as the one in the right.
It genuinely felt like a book written by a man because of how the man was somehow always a victim to his own actions / choices. Then the female mc was constantly apologizing for things she shouldn’t need to apologize for.
Also the drama was really ridiculous.
September 8, 2015
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a copy through author in exchange for an honest review.
Ben and Olivia...
Oh, Ben and Olivia...
I truly enjoyed the story of these two. When Olivia first came to live with the Walkers, she was a hell on wheels preteen who wanted to make a family stick. Her redhair and spitfire personality was what first drew Ben to her, but she was newly a teen and he had four years on her -- never mind the fact he was her new big brother's best friend.
In a slightly different twist (if you want to call it that) from the best friend's little sister line, Jack knew for a long time that Ben had his eye on Olivia. And for the most part, it seemed like Jack was pretty cool with the whole Ben-and-Olivia-hooked-up thing, but at times -- just a few times -- the writing made it not as cut-and-clear; was Jack ok with it, really? But beyond that, I felt that the characterization was consistent throughout the story.
I felt that Nicole did an excellent job dealing with the traumatic brain injury and the heart defects that she (more than just) goes in to -- knowing what I do about the medical field, it allowed me to focus on the story more than that ins and outs of everything else going on.
This was a lovely story about coming home and accepting what the world has offered you, and learning to fight for the things that can easily be ripped away. The time frame and the emotion worked very well together, and didn't leave me questioning the realism of any part.
There are a number of characters in this story that I'd love to see more of (Jack and Sofie? Logan...?) and am hopeful that somewhere along the line, Nicole will give them stories (goodness knows, the synopses to these books don't tell you much by way of character!).
Received a copy through author in exchange for an honest review.
Ben and Olivia...
Oh, Ben and Olivia...
I truly enjoyed the story of these two. When Olivia first came to live with the Walkers, she was a hell on wheels preteen who wanted to make a family stick. Her redhair and spitfire personality was what first drew Ben to her, but she was newly a teen and he had four years on her -- never mind the fact he was her new big brother's best friend.
In a slightly different twist (if you want to call it that) from the best friend's little sister line, Jack knew for a long time that Ben had his eye on Olivia. And for the most part, it seemed like Jack was pretty cool with the whole Ben-and-Olivia-hooked-up thing, but at times -- just a few times -- the writing made it not as cut-and-clear; was Jack ok with it, really? But beyond that, I felt that the characterization was consistent throughout the story.
I felt that Nicole did an excellent job dealing with the traumatic brain injury and the heart defects that she (more than just) goes in to -- knowing what I do about the medical field, it allowed me to focus on the story more than that ins and outs of everything else going on.
This was a lovely story about coming home and accepting what the world has offered you, and learning to fight for the things that can easily be ripped away. The time frame and the emotion worked very well together, and didn't leave me questioning the realism of any part.
There are a number of characters in this story that I'd love to see more of (Jack and Sofie? Logan...?) and am hopeful that somewhere along the line, Nicole will give them stories (goodness knows, the synopses to these books don't tell you much by way of character!).
June 29, 2017
Two supposedly grown up characters acting like children isn't exactly my cup of tea.
May 2, 2022
Surprised by the villain
The villain took me by surprise in the mystery part but the romance part was same ole story. They have one night of passion and he goes off to war and then she gets pregnant. He gets wounded, comes home, sees her with baby and assumes its someone elses. They dance around each other with him pushing her away, then wanting her back, then pushing away and I was over it. But then there is someone trying to kill her and steals her baby, they get him back and then she is kidnapped. And he's back of course. Just an okay read.
The villain took me by surprise in the mystery part but the romance part was same ole story. They have one night of passion and he goes off to war and then she gets pregnant. He gets wounded, comes home, sees her with baby and assumes its someone elses. They dance around each other with him pushing her away, then wanting her back, then pushing away and I was over it. But then there is someone trying to kill her and steals her baby, they get him back and then she is kidnapped. And he's back of course. Just an okay read.
September 10, 2015
Warrior
Nicole Blanchard
4 stars
Ben and Olivia have the worst timing! Oh lord it about put me under. But what a good story. Olivia and Ben have been fighting an attraction for a very long time. They were just kids when Olivia came into Jack’s family. Adopted, she never knew her biological parents and until one night with Ben turned into something more she had never thought much about finding them.
Ben is leaving and he hopes Olivia will wait for him. Nine months is a long time and he has seen Logan go through hell with his family. Jack and the boys are always there behind him but Jack knowing he bedded his sister just before shipping out probably isn’t going to sit well. However Ben wants her to wait for him. Little does he know is that this time he will come back a changed man. War will make him his heart hard. Returning to Olivia half the man he was when he left isn’t what he wants to do.
This was a really good start to what Im sure will be a series of sorts. There are a lot of characters introduced to us in Warrior. I did hope to find a deeper connection with the leads but it wasn’t too bad. I felt that what Ben and Olivia were going through separately could have been dug into further rather than the other issues that were going on as you moved through the pages. There is also a situation that I personally have experienced that needed more. Maybe if you haven't lived it then you will feel differently. It is possible I was too attached to "reality" in some of the circumstances in the book and it left me somewhat walking on top of the water instead of feeling immersed.
The last few chapters as well could have had a bigger impact.
There was a “boom” per say but it kind of was more like a small firecracker. Having said that, this is a good start and Im anxious to read on about Sophie and Jack. Lord help those two. I hope that we will continue to see Olivia and Ben as the characters stories are each told. In the end good story good start .. click it up.
Nicole Blanchard
4 stars
Ben and Olivia have the worst timing! Oh lord it about put me under. But what a good story. Olivia and Ben have been fighting an attraction for a very long time. They were just kids when Olivia came into Jack’s family. Adopted, she never knew her biological parents and until one night with Ben turned into something more she had never thought much about finding them.
Ben is leaving and he hopes Olivia will wait for him. Nine months is a long time and he has seen Logan go through hell with his family. Jack and the boys are always there behind him but Jack knowing he bedded his sister just before shipping out probably isn’t going to sit well. However Ben wants her to wait for him. Little does he know is that this time he will come back a changed man. War will make him his heart hard. Returning to Olivia half the man he was when he left isn’t what he wants to do.
This was a really good start to what Im sure will be a series of sorts. There are a lot of characters introduced to us in Warrior. I did hope to find a deeper connection with the leads but it wasn’t too bad. I felt that what Ben and Olivia were going through separately could have been dug into further rather than the other issues that were going on as you moved through the pages. There is also a situation that I personally have experienced that needed more. Maybe if you haven't lived it then you will feel differently. It is possible I was too attached to "reality" in some of the circumstances in the book and it left me somewhat walking on top of the water instead of feeling immersed.
The last few chapters as well could have had a bigger impact.
There was a “boom” per say but it kind of was more like a small firecracker. Having said that, this is a good start and Im anxious to read on about Sophie and Jack. Lord help those two. I hope that we will continue to see Olivia and Ben as the characters stories are each told. In the end good story good start .. click it up.
September 11, 2015
Surprising
This is one book that started out too fast for my liking. I had serious doubts whether I should continue with it or not. It had little introduction regarding the characters at first. Anyway, I carried on and I'm happy with that choice. :)
This book surprised me with its many complications and how the characters went over them one by one.
We have Ben, who's in the military. He went through so much in battle that he thinks he's incapable of redeeming himself. He finds himself unable to cope with what happened to him. He isolates himself.
Then we have Olivia who has so much love for family, but doesn't have one of her own. These two people go through the hardship of being separated for a long time with no communication. Olivia can't even catch her breath because she gets thrown on another emotional roller coaster with a new dilemma in life. I was afraid that it would ruin her personality, but over all she persevered and she came out great.
Their attraction has been made apparent at the very start of the book. The length of the "mystery" frustrated me because clearly THEY HAD TO COMMUNICATE. There was an important matter to be discussed, REALLY IMPORTANT that I found myself kicking them both mentally. When eventually, they were able to get things straight, I thought everything will already be well.. But no. Gosh! They still had to go through trials and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was a challenge to them both.
In the end, I'm just glad that everything became fine and that both characters could breathe well already. Yeah, this book is kind of exhausting, but ultimately still entertaining.
This is one book that started out too fast for my liking. I had serious doubts whether I should continue with it or not. It had little introduction regarding the characters at first. Anyway, I carried on and I'm happy with that choice. :)
This book surprised me with its many complications and how the characters went over them one by one.
We have Ben, who's in the military. He went through so much in battle that he thinks he's incapable of redeeming himself. He finds himself unable to cope with what happened to him. He isolates himself.
Then we have Olivia who has so much love for family, but doesn't have one of her own. These two people go through the hardship of being separated for a long time with no communication. Olivia can't even catch her breath because she gets thrown on another emotional roller coaster with a new dilemma in life. I was afraid that it would ruin her personality, but over all she persevered and she came out great.
Their attraction has been made apparent at the very start of the book. The length of the "mystery" frustrated me because clearly THEY HAD TO COMMUNICATE. There was an important matter to be discussed, REALLY IMPORTANT that I found myself kicking them both mentally. When eventually, they were able to get things straight, I thought everything will already be well.. But no. Gosh! They still had to go through trials and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was a challenge to them both.
In the end, I'm just glad that everything became fine and that both characters could breathe well already. Yeah, this book is kind of exhausting, but ultimately still entertaining.
September 22, 2015
There was a lot to love about this book. Olivia is one of my favorite kind of characters. Strong, but not to stubborn. Although she recognizes her strengths, she doesn't refuse to accept the help of those around her. When she wants her man, she takes him. She has her pride, but she doesn't let it stand in her way when she changes her mind. Or when the ever sexy Ben changes it for her...
Ben was a unique character for me. He had his swoonworthy, hero moments, and he is absolutely sexy as hell. When his a--hole side came out though, it wasn't so much him speaking as his war injuries and PTSD influencing his thought process. This gave him an edge, but kept him on that good guy level that makes you crave more of him. Seeing him with Cole, the baby, really did me in. I am an absolute sucker for an alpha male and a baby. Hits me in all the feels, and does me in right there.
There was enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. I devoured the pages, internally screaming. Hadn't these two been through enough? Didn't they work through their fair share of issues just to make it back to each other in the first place? Oh, but it made their love stronger, making it so worth it in the end.
The only reason this was a 4-star and not a 5 was that the bad guys reveal in the end left me with more questions than answers. I really wanted more of that back story, and their dastardly deeds were hinted at but not explained. Still, this was sexy as hell, and I utterly devoured it! ~ George, 4 stars
Ben was a unique character for me. He had his swoonworthy, hero moments, and he is absolutely sexy as hell. When his a--hole side came out though, it wasn't so much him speaking as his war injuries and PTSD influencing his thought process. This gave him an edge, but kept him on that good guy level that makes you crave more of him. Seeing him with Cole, the baby, really did me in. I am an absolute sucker for an alpha male and a baby. Hits me in all the feels, and does me in right there.
There was enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. I devoured the pages, internally screaming. Hadn't these two been through enough? Didn't they work through their fair share of issues just to make it back to each other in the first place? Oh, but it made their love stronger, making it so worth it in the end.
The only reason this was a 4-star and not a 5 was that the bad guys reveal in the end left me with more questions than answers. I really wanted more of that back story, and their dastardly deeds were hinted at but not explained. Still, this was sexy as hell, and I utterly devoured it! ~ George, 4 stars
August 14, 2017
Not what I was expecting. Apparently it has a little thriller to it and I dislike that. Not unless I have known about it beforehand. I also find the whole parts thing unnecessary because the book is not long enough for it, and I get why the events were separated into parts but I guess to me it just wasn't profound enough to require one.
It had a promising beginning but it got a bit long once you start to approach the middle part. I found myself needing breaks in between because it was just too dreading and I felt the urge to do something more fun.
Not sure if this is a spoiler (so, I'm just going to assume it is) but in part 2, it was emphasised that Ben can't hear from his right ear..but if that's the case, what is the point of using the hearing aid? I might just be ignorant but I seriously can't help but wonder about it. Furthermore, he also had that issue of not being able to hear what people say when it's coming from around his right side (cause of the deafness) but somehow when he was with his son, that was never an issue. I kept on expecting that problem (where he missed his son's response) to show up but it didn't. I guess I should be thankful because less drama but I'm a little disappointed too.
I could assume that his son is always on his left side but I doubt it. Somehow in Part 3, not being able to hear is no longer an issue. Maybe I am missing something. Maybe the reason why he couldn't hear people in the beginning was because he switched his hearing aid off..who knows.
It had a promising beginning but it got a bit long once you start to approach the middle part. I found myself needing breaks in between because it was just too dreading and I felt the urge to do something more fun.
Not sure if this is a spoiler (so, I'm just going to assume it is) but in part 2, it was emphasised that Ben can't hear from his right ear..but if that's the case, what is the point of using the hearing aid? I might just be ignorant but I seriously can't help but wonder about it. Furthermore, he also had that issue of not being able to hear what people say when it's coming from around his right side (cause of the deafness) but somehow when he was with his son, that was never an issue. I kept on expecting that problem (where he missed his son's response) to show up but it didn't. I guess I should be thankful because less drama but I'm a little disappointed too.
I could assume that his son is always on his left side but I doubt it. Somehow in Part 3, not being able to hear is no longer an issue. Maybe I am missing something. Maybe the reason why he couldn't hear people in the beginning was because he switched his hearing aid off..who knows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2015
*spoiler free*
Such a sweet emotional love story, quickly devoured!
Ever since Ben gave Olivia her first kiss she has dreamt about him. Her brother's best friend. He's about to leave for a year so they can't have anything but a night together, but a night to be remembered.
The next time they meet, everything has changed.
When Ben comes home from the marines he suffers from a brain injury and he has lost his hearing in one ear. He is no longer the man he once was.
Ben isn't the only one that has changed, Olivia has also been through a lot in the time that he's been gone.
Will they be able to find the love they once missed out on with everything that has happened?
Seriously so many things to love here, brother's best friend, second chance romance, a marine and well more that I won't reveal. It deals with a lot of emotional subjects and shows how it can affect people and when Olivia suddenly has her life threathened she has to rely on Ben.
This book was more than I expected, there's a lot more going on than it just being a love story, the characters are all fighting their own battles and there's a lot of surprises along the way that you really won't see coming. I love the dual POV so you get to see how they're both dealing with everything going on around them and how they handle it.
Overall a great read!
Interesting characters and good writing along with an intriguing storyline makes it a quick read.
Definitely a book to be recommended.
Such a sweet emotional love story, quickly devoured!
Ever since Ben gave Olivia her first kiss she has dreamt about him. Her brother's best friend. He's about to leave for a year so they can't have anything but a night together, but a night to be remembered.
The next time they meet, everything has changed.
When Ben comes home from the marines he suffers from a brain injury and he has lost his hearing in one ear. He is no longer the man he once was.
Ben isn't the only one that has changed, Olivia has also been through a lot in the time that he's been gone.
Will they be able to find the love they once missed out on with everything that has happened?
Seriously so many things to love here, brother's best friend, second chance romance, a marine and well more that I won't reveal. It deals with a lot of emotional subjects and shows how it can affect people and when Olivia suddenly has her life threathened she has to rely on Ben.
This book was more than I expected, there's a lot more going on than it just being a love story, the characters are all fighting their own battles and there's a lot of surprises along the way that you really won't see coming. I love the dual POV so you get to see how they're both dealing with everything going on around them and how they handle it.
Overall a great read!
Interesting characters and good writing along with an intriguing storyline makes it a quick read.
Definitely a book to be recommended.
December 22, 2016
Livvie and Ben
Ben and Livvie have had a connection for years. Ben, a marine, is home on short leave before he's off to fight in Afghanistan. The night before he leaves they finally spent the night together. A couple months later Livvie finds she's pregnant. Then she finds out the baby has a heart problem. When all efforts to reach Ben fail she figures that with her family she's strong enough to see this through on her own.
Then Ben is injured and returns home suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) plus loss of hearing in one ear. He isn't in a good place when he finds Livvie with infant Cole. He assumes she's moved on and the baby is someone elses.
You'd think they'd reunite for their HEA at this point but no, the book is only halfway through. Throw in a murder, a murder attempt, a kidnapping and another break-up. That's on top of the already birth defects, war injuries and PTSD. Way too much thrown into the mix! I skimmed the last third of the book, I was over it.
Ben and Livvie have had a connection for years. Ben, a marine, is home on short leave before he's off to fight in Afghanistan. The night before he leaves they finally spent the night together. A couple months later Livvie finds she's pregnant. Then she finds out the baby has a heart problem. When all efforts to reach Ben fail she figures that with her family she's strong enough to see this through on her own.
Then Ben is injured and returns home suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) plus loss of hearing in one ear. He isn't in a good place when he finds Livvie with infant Cole. He assumes she's moved on and the baby is someone elses.
You'd think they'd reunite for their HEA at this point but no, the book is only halfway through. Throw in a murder, a murder attempt, a kidnapping and another break-up. That's on top of the already birth defects, war injuries and PTSD. Way too much thrown into the mix! I skimmed the last third of the book, I was over it.
September 5, 2015
Do you believe in first love, never dying ?
You will after reading this !
This the first book I have ever read by Nicole, but I aim to put that right.
Olivia comes from a loving family but she has a history of emotional baggage. She has always been attracted to her big brothers best friend Ben. Apart from a teenage kiss it has never gone further for one reason or another. One night they meet up again, the draw is so strong and the passion so intense, they give in to the moment, both knowing it can be nothing more.
What they refuse to acknowledge is that it is so much more !
Life situations tear them apart, when they finally meet again there is so much hurt in between them, you wonder if they can ever move forward.
I loved both of their feisty characters, and their families are fantastically entertaining.
There is a twist in the tail of this love story.
Hold on for the ride !
You will after reading this !
This the first book I have ever read by Nicole, but I aim to put that right.
Olivia comes from a loving family but she has a history of emotional baggage. She has always been attracted to her big brothers best friend Ben. Apart from a teenage kiss it has never gone further for one reason or another. One night they meet up again, the draw is so strong and the passion so intense, they give in to the moment, both knowing it can be nothing more.
What they refuse to acknowledge is that it is so much more !
Life situations tear them apart, when they finally meet again there is so much hurt in between them, you wonder if they can ever move forward.
I loved both of their feisty characters, and their families are fantastically entertaining.
There is a twist in the tail of this love story.
Hold on for the ride !
Read
September 24, 2015ARC generously provided by author for review.
DNF @ 46%
I can see the appeal, and I can see how others would like this, but it just wasn't for me.
What I did like - I liked Jack (Olivia's brother) and Olivia was okay too.
My main issue with this book was that I got bored with the plot pretty quickly as it was very predictable. I've read several books with a very similiar storyline so to hold my interest, it needed to 'stand out from the crowd' so to speak. With the sheer amount of contemporary books being released, I understand that it's impossible for a book to be 100% original. Sorry, but this just wasn't good enough to hold my interest.
Looking at the early reviews, others seem to really like it so I could just be in the minority :)
DNF @ 46%
I can see the appeal, and I can see how others would like this, but it just wasn't for me.
What I did like - I liked Jack (Olivia's brother) and Olivia was okay too.
My main issue with this book was that I got bored with the plot pretty quickly as it was very predictable. I've read several books with a very similiar storyline so to hold my interest, it needed to 'stand out from the crowd' so to speak. With the sheer amount of contemporary books being released, I understand that it's impossible for a book to be 100% original. Sorry, but this just wasn't good enough to hold my interest.
Looking at the early reviews, others seem to really like it so I could just be in the minority :)
September 13, 2015
I was excited about this book to come out. I hadn't read anything from this author before. Likes - the end and the twists that came. Dislikes - it was slow, heavy and drawn out. Olivia took the blame for Ben not knowing but did SHE did try to get a hold of him, even sent a sonogram but HIM deleted the emails not Olivia. What did he expect to have it tattooed on her forehead and when he did show up he didn't give her a chance to explain. PSTD is very serious and I understand the complexity of such trauma that's why I liked that she did give him another chance 4 because his circumstances did warrant it. If it would have been any other excuse I would have been mad that she took him back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2015
Actual rating would be around 3.30 to 3.45 stars, but because Goodreads sucks, I'm gonna have to give this book a 3.
I really liked this book! Olivia and Ben have been dancing around for years with their feelings and they hooked up pretty quickly in the first 3 chapters so we didn't actually see their relationship develop.
But what I did see was the ups and downs of their relationship and with that, comes character and relationship growth, so it really made up for everything. And baby Cole was so freaking ADORABLE.
P.S I really want to read more on Jack and Sofie! So much sexual tension between them!
I really liked this book! Olivia and Ben have been dancing around for years with their feelings and they hooked up pretty quickly in the first 3 chapters so we didn't actually see their relationship develop.
But what I did see was the ups and downs of their relationship and with that, comes character and relationship growth, so it really made up for everything. And baby Cole was so freaking ADORABLE.
P.S I really want to read more on Jack and Sofie! So much sexual tension between them!
March 18, 2016
Sigh... another book with promise (based on the description) that just ends up going to random places. My biggest issue with this book was the narration in the first person and partially from the male perspective. I didn't like the first person one bit.
Then with the actual story, it just wasn't super romantic. It was like 5 minutes of romance and then a bunch of junk and then a few more minutes of pseudo romance.
Then there was an ENTIRE random plot that I figured out before hand but it was out of left field and really reaching for this story. I'm going to skip the rest of the books in this series.
Then with the actual story, it just wasn't super romantic. It was like 5 minutes of romance and then a bunch of junk and then a few more minutes of pseudo romance.
Then there was an ENTIRE random plot that I figured out before hand but it was out of left field and really reaching for this story. I'm going to skip the rest of the books in this series.
February 3, 2016
very poor full of plot mistakes like the main girl hiding the kid from the dad yet it said a few chapters before this character had emailed the dad to tell him she was carrying his child etc so why was she feeling guilty for hiding the kid from him? not good at all, the 'erotic' parts were not erotic I've had hotter day dreams. Characters are dull & unlike-able & plot got sillier & sillier as it went on. Will not read this author again.
June 30, 2015
Beta read for hot tree.
Really surprised at how much I liked this book. I'm quite critical of military romances since my husband does what he does. There's only a select few authors I feel do them right and I'm happy she did it right.
The story flowed very well I'm happy I got a chance to read this.
Really surprised at how much I liked this book. I'm quite critical of military romances since my husband does what he does. There's only a select few authors I feel do them right and I'm happy she did it right.
The story flowed very well I'm happy I got a chance to read this.
December 11, 2021
I was very frustrated with the whole guilt thing of Livvie’s. She tried to contact Ben to tell him about their son but Ben deleted all her emails without reading them and when he sees her again he accuses her of moving on to someone new without giving her a chance to explain? And then she is made to feel guilty for not telling him??? Just no!
March 18, 2016
I went in thinking it'd be an accidental pregnancy leading to a second chance romance, but then there was attempted murder, kidnapping, illness, and ptsd added in there. It felt like it was all over the place tbh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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