(This is the first book in this series that I've read so everything below is based solely on this story. If there are any additional bits of information in the others then it won't be reflected here. I think that this story can stand on its own as it feels complete to me, but I can't say that for sure :) )

I know I shouldn't, but I'm going to start with things that didn't work and move things that did, so make sure you read to the very end! I want everyone to know that there is so much to recommend this book and not to get held up on anything else.

I wasn't a fan of Julia hiding her plans from her family. I understand her reasoning, with the wedding and how they treat her, but she has to know how much it is going to hurt them when they find out. But it kinda works to make the story more realistic. Characters don't have to be perfect all the time and as long as they have growth a good author can make it work. And I think that Richardson definitely does just that.

I do admire how resilient Julia is. She had a horrible experience as a mid-teen, something that forever changes her. Overall though, she seems to have bounced back and made a life that works for her. But time spent with Isaac does show that in some ways she's just pretending and he helps her look at some of those things a little more closely.

Isaac is all sorts of fantastic. He's caring, supportive and tries hard to win Julia's trust & her heart. The way he goes about winning her back after he messes up in her eyes is just beyond fantastic.

But I feel like Richardson may have glossed over Isaac's PTSD just a little bit. We get a glimpse of it but I'm not sure that it was properly addressed. And I'm also not 100% sure why he was never in contact with these people after leaving for the Navy. I get that life as a SEAL is difficult and that he left under not-so-great circumstances, but some sort of communication wouldn't have been amiss.

While the story isn't perfect, it holds together really well, especially for a novella, and any complaints I have are easily overshadowed by the multitude of good parts - the pacing is solid, the characters are real, and their journey to a HEA (over a decade in the making) is so very touching. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***