I'm a sucker for military romance so back in 2017 when I received this e-arc I was over the moon! Unfortunately due to several reasons, it took me such a long time to finally read it but here we are!

A k-9, military elements, veterinarian... I love it all haha. I thought this story was so addictive. Loved the characters, the romance, and the writing. It all clicked for me and I just utterly enjoyed reading this book from beginning 'till end. I currently also have the paperback on my Wishlist, because I really want to add this book to my bookshelves and re-read it in the future.

If you like military romance, K-9 elements, and just really engaging writing to truly combine all story elements perfectly, this book might just be right up your alley!

I loved the first book in Gail Chainese’s Changing Tides series so it was a no brainer to request the second book, A Hero to Love, and I’m happy to say that it is every bit as good as the first. A Navy MP at a crossroads and a veterinarian meet when his K-9 partner is injured forming a friendship that turns into more despite their reservations about relationships. Smart, fun, and a whole lot of sexy A Hero to Love was an outstanding romance.

Jackson Faraday has enjoyed his time in the Navy even if an injury kept him out of the SEALs, but he’s ready for a change and time is running out; while he waits to hear back from NCIS, he’s pursing other avenues but most importantly he’s trying to figure out what is going on with “his girl,” Bella his K-9 partner. While trying to break her out of her funk, a freak accident has him more worried than ever, the one bright side the gorgeous, smart, and caring assistant veterinarian, Risa Reynolds.

This is one of those sneaky romances, where the couple meets and it isn’t the right time for either one, but there is something there they can’t ignore. They spend time together helping Bella, some threats to Risa keeps them close, and with each passing day they grow to respect each other more and more. Risa giving Jackson a chance despite him being military was difficult, but he showed her in so many ways that he was a man of his word, and despite her reservations she let him in to her life. She loved the way Jackson made her feel cared for and safe and the fact he understood her family issues and how important her animals were to her. There’s something to be said for the slow burn and the build up that comes with it, and while this book is on the sweeter side of romance, it was extremely sensual and sexy.

Well written and intelligent, A Hero to Love is a highly satisfying romance.

I enjoyed being there while Risa and Jax fell in love.  Neither one of them is really looking for someone and, while they feel a pretty big pull toward one another, circumstances just want to get in their way.  Luckily they keep getting pushed together because they make an adorable couple. 

Risa has an extremely soft heart - caring and hard-working for her patients & their people.  That dedication has her in Jax's orbit and she's finding him awfully tempting.  One of those super-awesome southern gentleman, Jax was raised right but he's still got a bit of a bad boy streak in him :)  Sexy, attentive, and sharp, he's just about perfect ... except he's also military and that's a big no-no for Risa.  But he's also determined and turns his considerable charm on her.  

My only real complaint came at the very end.  There's this aha! moment with who was causing trouble (although it isn't hard to figure out) but it isn't explained.  I have absolutely no idea why Jax was able to figure it out.  Maybe I skimmed over an important detail in my zest to find out what happened next (which kept me turning pages quickly through a lot of the book) but if I missed it then I'm sure others will too.

Other than that, I will say that I was a little disappointed with Risa.  When the big conflict in their relationship comes up (which pretty much all romances have at some point) she shuts down.  Totally reverts to teenage drama and she should be mature enough to handle things better.  But then the resolution would have been a little too easy, I guess :) 

For a first introduction to Chianese and this series (while this is the second book it can easily stand on its own), I found A Hero to Love a delightful read.  I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next - I understand that it is Risa's uber-cool friend, Fiona.  I'm anxious to see who gets to be her HEA!

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

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

I love a good romance and when it involves a hot military soldier and his dog, it doesn't get much better.

Jackson "Jax" Faraday is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life: stay in the Navy and accept his next posting or try to find a job in law enforcement that lets him stay in New England. One of the main sticking points is that he doesn't want to lose Bella, his K-9 partner. He knows that she's not his dog, but she has saved his life and the lives of his friends on more than one occasion.

When Bella is hurt, local vet Risa Reynolds is on hand to treat her and soothe the ruffled feathers of her handler. Problem is that Risa finds herself wanting to soothe Jax as much as Bella.

Risa has a rule about dating military men but she never really explains why. Risa also seems to have a deep seated fear of being left behind or not being loved enough for people to stay.

Jax has a hard time understanding Risa at times, but he truly is the ultimate book boyfriend.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Unrequited love

This was a sweet story. There are some communication issues, but it's mostly because both Jax and Risa are scared of the feelings that they feel for each other.

Jax is at a crossroads with his career. I'm unsure why he is seen as being some kind of trouble, but his superiors believe that he needs to get his act together or be sent to a base that, apparently, nobody wants to be sent to. When his dog, Bella, is acting strange with her new handler, Jax needs to find a way to reach her.

Risa is doing her best to prove herself to the owner of the vet clinic that's on base. She has worked very hard to get where she is and loves it there. She has great friends and even though her best friend has questionable taste in men, she sticks by her.

When Jax and Bella are out playing and Bella is injured, Risa comes to the rescue. It's over Bella that Risa and Jax take a chance on each other. Their relationship is somewhat juvenile, but the relationship progresses quite naturally. I think that the animals helped create the story.

I can't wait to see what happens next.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The only thing better than a man and his dog has to be a military hero and his K-9 partner. At the end of his naval career, Jax is devastated when his K-9 partner, Bella, is injured during training. Risa is the vet who cares for Bella and sparks immediately fly between Jax and Risa.

It is impossible not to fall for Jax. The man would do anything for his dog, even spending his nights at Bella’s kennel when she’s injured. Where Risa is settled in her home and her job, Jax is conflicted and struggling to secure a life beyond the Navy. He is an alpha protector for Risa but he is also able to accept her help and care.

Risa is a fantastic female lead. She is passionate about her work as a vet, she lives with a menagerie of rescued pets and at times, she struggles with her human relationships. I love well developed women in romance and Risa is pretty amazing.

As much as this is a very sweet romance, there is also a suspense angle to this story when Risa finds herself the target of vandalism and stalking. Jax helps Risa stay safe as he tries to identify the person who wants to harm her. There are some quite frightening scenes as Jax and Risa evade her stalker.

I really enjoyed this story but I do have to complain about the cover – the story fits best in a romantic suspense category and I’m not sure we ever see these two frolicking on the beach with a dog. The story has quite a bit more grit than the sunny cover suggests.

I enjoyed the relationship between Jax and Bella. Watching them fall in love and figure out how to compromise and support each other was great. The sub-plot of Bella's health and potential adoption didn't make a ton of sense to me (why would he have to sneak around to check on his partner?) but it was a great vehicle to bring together the vet and soldier.

I love this book by Gail Chainese’s I didn't read the first book in the series, but I think i will go back and read it now., A Hero to Love is a sexy book, easy to read with characters and a plot that doesn't disappoint.

This was a book that I didn't want to put down, very well written and easy to follow. Hero to Love is a highly satisfying romance that I highly recommend.

Risa Reynolds has an easier time with animals than people. At least with animals they love unconditionally and wouldn't ever betray her. However, the moment she meets Jackson 'Jax' Faraday, she contemplates breaking her rule of not dating military men. Yet, the more time they spend together, the more Risa finds herself falling for a man that is determined to make a difference in the world, which means he could -- at any moment -- move on to bigger and better things when it comes to his career. Will Risa risk getting deeper involved with Jax, or will she end things before her heart gets broken beyond repair?

Ms. Chianese is a new-to-me author and after finishing this book, I want to read more of her stories, especially when it comes to this series, as the main and secondary were incredible; the dialogue was the perfect blend of intense moments due to someone out to get the heroine and playful banter between the hero and heroine as they grow closer; and the ending had me hoping that this couple would be able to overcome the tough obstacles they face to be together such as Risa being able to push past the fear of Jax leaving her and Jax hoping he can discover the person doing their best to drive Risa away. The way this story started had me loving the hero the moment he was introduced into this story, as he has a big decision to make when it comes to his career. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that had me reading this story quickly, determined to discover whether Jax could win Risa over, especially considering her rule to not date military men.

The dialogue was well-written and had me hooked due to the main characters back stories, this couple's growing relationship, the trouble someone is causing to scare Risa and the ending that had me concerned for one of the main characters. Will Jax be able to protect Risa? Will Jax discover who is trying to scare Risa with their threats and vandalism? Furthermore, Risa was a wonderful heroine. She's strong, brave and I liked how determined she is to take a chance on Jax, despite her rule not to date military men. I also liked her adoration for animals and that she would do anything to help an animal in need, which is proven by the bond she shares with her own animals as well as the growing bond she shares with the hero's military K-9 partner. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is her sassiness and the way she interacts with the hero that had me smiling at their banter.

While Jax, I was absolutely charmed by the hero and couldn't get enough of him. He's confident, know what he wants out of life, and I loved the bond he shared with his military K-9 partner. He would do anything to help her, especially since the dog seems to be having a hard time adjusting to a new handler. I also liked how protective the hero was of the heroine, which is proven by all he does for her, even if it means putting his job in jeopardy. Yet, what I liked most about the hero is how determined he was to make a difference in the world, which hopefully he'd be able to do by getting the job he wanted.

Overall, Ms. Chianese has delivered a wonderful and enthralling read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was intense, the romance nicely-detailed and full of passion; and the ending had me concerned for one of the main characters. Would they be all right? However, in saying that, I absolutely loved how things worked out for the hero and heroine, as what happens makes them both realize that love is worth fighting for. Yet, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly due to the heroine's surprise for the hero. I would recommend A Hero to Love by Gail Chianese, if you love military heroes, sassy heroines or books by authors Nicole Helm, Joanne Rock, Kate Davies and Melanie Shawn.

I really enjoyed this story - Risa and Jax aren't looking for a relationship but can't deny the chemistry between them. What starts off as them spending time together with Jax's service dog soon leads to more.

The blurb to this one really drew me in:

Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.

As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.

But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .

A military police hero with an injured K-9 meets the Navy Base’s veterinanrian?? Should have been a total meet cute, but the book fell flat for me.

Jax loves the german shephard, Bella, assigned to him for the past six years.

Bella had been more than his partner while deployed; she’d been his anchor, his pillar of strength, his confidant, and his hope when all seemed lost. She wasn’t just his K-9 partner. She was his family, and the idea of leaving her was ripping him apart inside. Chances were she could sense his mood and the turmoil going on inside.

She is the love of his life, so when she gets injured, he gets very upset. On top of that, Bella has been showing signs of exhaustion and maybe even some doggie PTSD. When Bella falls playing frisbee, Jax rushes her in to see the vet on call, Risa, who tells Jax that Bella has a fractured hip.

Now let me say, I’ve had a dog who broke his front leg, and I have another dog who slipped a disc in her back and partially paralyzed her hind legs (I swear I’m a good dog owner). In both cases, my dogs had to have extremely strict kennel rest and took months to recover. I haven’t experienced a dog with a broken hip, but I can only assume it’s somewhat similar to my dogs injuries. In the book, Bella is taking car rides and walking around Risa’s house in just a day or so. It’s mentioned that she needs more rest and that she isn’t healing as fast as she should. It just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. At that point, I can only assume the dog would still be on very high pain medication and would need help walking with a sling.

Besides the unrealistic recovery, I never connected with Jax or Risa. Jax is unsure what his next direction in life is – maybe applying for NCIS or maybe adjusting to civilian life. He is worried he will be separated from Bella and this stresses him out. I feel like there is a lot more telling than showing in this book. We are told Jax is worried about Bella, and worried about his future, but I would have liked to experience it more through him.

Risa has her tires slashed early in the book and while Jax and the police try to figure out who did it, escalation with someone on the base ramps up. I didn’t realize this book what have this minor suspense element and it didn’t do a lot for me.

While there is a prominent romance, it lacked sexual tension and chemistry. I just didn’t feel it between them and unfortunately, the dog didn’t save the book for me.

This one is a miss.

Grade: D

Excellent book. The storyline kept you involved with the characters and wanting more. Definitely a good read

Review by Leah for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

4 Stars!

Book two the Gail's Changing Tides series, this book works well as a standalone. Chief Jackson Farraday is short, and I don't mean that literally. Jax's enlistment is almost up and he needs to decide where he goes from here, but the decision is harder than you'd think. Jax is a K9 handler, and his partner Bella, or rather Belladonna, is going through some separation anxiety. They've been through multiple tours in the sandbox and now the team is splitting up. When Bella is injured while training Jax rushes her to the vet. Risa Reynolds is a town local and the base vet, so it's her whom Bella is treated by. While working together over the injured Bella sparks begin to fly, and when small mysteries followed by threats begin, the sparks are fanned.

I really enjoyed the good guy with a hint of bad angle and I'm usually interested in reading books with a military twist. The romance tween Jax and Risa is believable and sweet. I haven't read the first book and couldn't even tell you the plot or characters, so no worries if you read them out of order. I was never at a loss or confused, so aces there. The mystery was a bit simplistic for me, but the love story was the main attraction, so that wasn't really a problem. I loved how Risa had to re-evaluate her priorities and her rules, and realize that every situation isn't the same.

the second book of gail chianese's changing tides series, a hero to love, picks up the story of jackson "jax" faraday, who we met in the first book, and navy base veternarian risa reynolds. risa doesn't date military men. but she's tempted by jax especially once she sees how good he is with animals.

animals are her passion, and jax loves them too. his k9 partner, bella and him have been through a lot. and now bella is suffering from an injured hip and some form of doggy ptsd, but also clearly loves jax and would do anything for him.

risa's rule seems kind of arbitrary and eventually gets pushed aside when her connection with jax proves too strong to ignore. the main issue these two face is that they suck at communicating clearly and talking about the future, because there is a certain moment where risa assumes the absolute worst and has also completely misunderstood jax and they are estranged for absolutely no reason.

i have to be honest that kind of stuff drives me bonkers in romance novels. but at the end of the day, risa and jax are really good together, and other than the giant communication fail toward the end of the book they are perfectly well-suited.

Navy CM Jackson a.k.a. Jax Faraday had only one love in his current life, Bella. His beloved German Shepard who shared his tour with him Afghanistan. Now he will be handing her to a new handler and need to decide if he would reenlist in military or find another job.
When he was playing with Bella, she falls and gets injured and rushes her to near Vet in base. He meets pretty vet Risa Reynolds. He wanted to make sure Bella is in excellent health before his time is up with Bella.
Risa reassures him that Bella will be healing soon but it will take close to 8 weeks for her to heal..
Jax is gorgeous looking and finds him irresistible except she has one rule that she won’t date any military guys. She doesn’t want any relationship where people will leave her.
Now she will see him more often then not and she is more attracted to him then ever. When string of incidents are happening to her even though she doesn’t show it, she is afraid it will happen again.
When her house was vandalized only person she could think when all the accidents were happening was Jax. Risa lost her strong stance when she didn’t see her bunnies in her cage and all she wanted was one person, Jax. He was always there to help and calm her. Jax is right there to help her and she decides to give into him.
Both are enjoying each other’s company but Jax is still seeking for his job away from the base.
Nothing scared Risa until her father had a heart attack and she reevaluates her relationship with Jax.
However, Jax’s decision was unbeknownst to Risa and when she hears all the rumors around his departure she can’t focus. She feels betrayed and she doesn’t want to face him again..
Risa feels she is abandoned by everyone and she fears she won’t find another person like Jax.. What will Jax and Risa decide to do when he finally finds a job??

It was fun reading about Vet with love fore so many different animals and has so many in her home. All her pets were quirky and cute in their own paw ways. It was great reading about Vet and soldier with big hearts.

3.5 - "You always were too stubborn for your own good." Stars!

Gail Chianese is an author new to me, and although A Hero to Love is the second book in the Changing Tides series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

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Jax and Risa’s story was what I would call and easy-going romance. There is an aspect of suspense to it, but to be honest you would have to be blind to not pick out the villain straight off. It didn’t affect my enjoyment though because I loved the whole story between the two of them, and Jax’s service dog Bella.

She wanted to break all sorts of rules with Jaxon Faraday...

You are also given a great setting and a bunch of likeable secondary characters, which added depth to the story overall. Both commitment-phobes for their own reasons, there wasn’t a massive amount new or unusual about the story, but the addition of Risa’s many and varied pet’s to the mix helped as did the fact that Jax was pure Southern Gentleman.

"The man has a way of getting past your defenses and leaving you wanting more..."

The last 15% annoyed me somewhat because Risa reverted back to a hormonal teen with her refusal to communicate with Jax, because if she had, I think the end would have been better with the villain being the main issue, and not her refusal to talk to him. It all felt a little rushed because of it.

"Love and hate... they walk a fine line."

That-said I enjoyed it enough to hop onto Amazon and buy book one, as well as all three books of the authors other Kensington series; West Side Romance doesn’t hurt that they are all silly cheap on Amazon at the moment!

Being with Jax was like coming home... It simply felt right.

Disarmed by Love is due February 18, and I am looking forwards to reading Risa’s BF and single-mother Fiona’s story, you get to know her in this book, and I liked what I learned, and cannot wait for her to get her HEA.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

A Hero To Love by Gail Chianese
Changing Tides #2

Navy Chief Master at Arms, Jaxson “Jax Faraday has worked with his K-9 partner for years only to finer her suddenly ho-hum on the job and with him perhaps moving to a new job and her to a new handler things are not right in his world. In steps veterinarian Risa Reynolds when Bella sustains an injury and the possibility of romance between Risa and Jax blooms. Toss in a whack job that has it in for Risa and the story became a bit more complicated. I was entertained by the story and happy with the ending but did feel, at times, that the plot was somewhat predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Lyrical Press - This is my honest review.

3 Stars

I really enjoyed this one! But then with a character as yummy as Jax Farraday what's not to enjoy?? Jax has had a long career in the Navy as an MP but now he needs to make a decision. Put in his papers and go civilian or reenlist again. He knows what he wants but landing that perfect civilian job hasn't been as easy as he hoped. Then when his K9 partner Bella is hurt he meets the base vet Risa Reynolds. Getting involved now is a complication he doesn't need but sometimes the desires of the heart don't care about timing.

An excellent book and one I highly recommend.

A Hero to Love is a beautifully written, emotional and deeply romantic story.

Believable characters who encounter the expected struggles and dilemmas that come with real life experiences, make this story even more enjoyable and a must read by all who love their books with just a touch of suspense, a protective hero and some intense chemistry too!

I’m so excited to see where the series goes with the secondary characters and what the author has in store for future books.

A sweet a touching romantic story! I loved reading it over a rainy weekend.

Jackson Farraday, known as Jax, is a Chief Master at Arms K-9 officer on a naval base in Connecticut. He has some serious decisions to make, stay in the Navy or get out. His dream job would be with NCIS, but an application so far has gone unanswered. Meanwhile he's very worried about his best friend and protector Belladonna, his service dog. They have had deployments together, she has saved his life and kept him sane. She's not acting like herself and is injured while playing.

Risa Reynold is a home town girl, loves animals and is the Base veterinarian. When Jax rushes in with Bella, she doesn't hesitate to give care. Bella has a broken hip but should heal well with some TLC. She is also worried about possible PTSD, the dog is lethargic and not eating. She and Jax see each other regularly taking care off Bella.
Risa is definitely attracted, but she has a hard and fast rule about dating military men. They always leave.

Risa' calm life is suddenly interrupted by what she first thought as random
vandalism. Car tires slashed in her driveway, her Mom's car defaced at work, phone calls with heavy breathing and the constant feeling of being watched. Jax gets involved to help investigate, and their friendship grows deeper. Risa might just have to relax her rules for this K-9 officer.

The pranks become more serious and dangerous, happening in and around her home, that is filled with her rescue animals...cat, dogs, bunnies and two new guests, a pair of Pygmy goats. Jax has fallen for Risa and has become her protector, but no one can figure out who wants her hurt or worse.

This is a contemporary military romance, with wonderful rescued animals, suspense and lots of heat. It keeps you guessing till the end. A very good read.

I received this E-book from the publisher and Netgalley for review.