Because of You by Jessica Scott (Review)

This review was first posted in Arianne Cruz Blog

Goodreads Blurb:

Contemporary Military Romance

From the war-torn streets of Baghdad to the bittersweet comforts of the home front, two wounded hearts navigate the battlefield of coming home from war in this explosive eBook original from newcomer Jessica Scott.

 Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care. 

 Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire.

Review

Heartfelt Masterpiece.

Jessica Scott wrote about what she knows, and it sure worked in her favor. The emotions in the book jumped out at me as I read the story of Shane, his struggles with the hand he was dealt with, and his struggle of letting someone in and accepting that he needed help.

The characters in this book was very well-rounded and truly entertaining, and by that, I meant Carponti. I was literally laughing out loud late at night with the lights off as I read the scenes with him joking with Shane. Even when he was hospitalized, his reasoning was just funny. He really should have his own little story; I would even be satisfied with a novella at this point, because in order to have his own book, that means he would have to be surrounded by controversy and a broken marriage.

"The kid mopes through his physical therapy sessions. He sits and stares at his bandaged leg like it's the end of the world or something." Carponti held up his arm. "It's not. At least he doesn't have to learn to jerk off with his off hand."

"Second time you've mentioned that." Shane choked back a laugh. "I still don't care."

"You should be sensitive to my feelings. It hurts that you don't care about my problems." Carponti said, faking a wounded expression.

"Other than not being able to shuffle cards, how are you doing with all of this?"
"I'm fine. Nicole is kind of freaked out about the whole thing. But shit, it's not like my dick got blown off. I'd probably have killed myself if TC hadn't made it home."
"TC?"
"Thundercock."
"Who the hell names their own dick Thundercock?"
"My wife, I'm lucky like that."

Anyway, Jen was the love of Shane's life. She was a breast cancer survivor, and this hit close to home for me because of recent events with my family. The way the author wrote her character and her actions was truly magnificent. I could feel her inner strength rising from the page as if it was playing out right in front of me.

"Being hurt only defines you if you let it. You're more than just a wounded GI, Shane. You need to get over it and start focusing on getting better." Shane dragged his gaze from that jagged scar to her face. She met his gaze and dared him to pity her. She didn't see the slightest trace of that emotion. What she saw, instead, stunned her. Awe. Yes. Amazement. Yes. But not pity.

Finally, the author did a great job conveying the emotions of scarred veterans into words. The way Shane got through to one of his soldiers when everyone seemed to lost hope was a great example.

He reached into the closet and dragged Osterman against him. And Osterman let it all go, let his pain and sorrow and the guilt tear free until Shane thought it would destroy them both.

If you enjoy books about soldiers, I would recommend this one :)

Giveaway Alert:
Jessica is giving away an eARC of the second book, Until There Was You over on Reading on the Wild Side. Click here if you want to enter.