I ended up skimming through the book. Overdone plot. Widow meets sexy Navy Seal with muscles and troubled past, blah blah blah. More of same. Could recommend as a beach read

Harper and Bennett’s story was poignant. It was grief. It was joy. It was rebirth. I loved how real Bennett and Harper’s feelings were portrayed! More so, I loved the way Trentham portrayed friendships. Not just between the military wives, but also the guys. There were foundations of support when one had the courage to reach out and ask, something that’s always easier said then done.

Harper and Bennett’s complicated relationship, Allison, Darren, and their family’s struggle with his PTSD, the military spouses looking to define themselves from their spouse’s identities and the deployments and reintegrations-the deep emotions coursing through the pages pulled me in from the start and I found myself quickly invested in the story’s outcome. Military Wife is a departure from Trentham’s small town romances, yet I felt this book made its mark with style and I can’t wait to see what’s up next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A romance novel about military life, both from the pov of soldiers (male) and their wives/women they fall for. Short read, very, very sweet--it reminded me of an old school Harlequin in a lot of ways--and despite the simplicity of the story line, deals frankly with the impact of PTSD on military personnel and their families. I ended up being more invested in Allison and Darren's story than in that of the mc, Harper, and what happens to her with Bennett!

The Military Wife was a heartwarming story of a strong woman moving on after loss. We get to read about how Harper Lee Wilcox meets her husband Noah, we get bits and pieces about their marriage. We also read about Noah's time in the military and the relationships he develops with his brothers. When Noah doesn't come back from a deployment, Harper must learn to move on without him and build a life for herself and her unborn son. She moves in with her eccentric mother and builds a life, but she isn't satisfied, something is missing. She comes up with a brilliant idea to help other military wives work outside of the home. She meets Bennett Caldwell and they grow close as she builds her new business. This was a great story and I loved reading it!

My Review of The Military Wife by Laura Trentham

Every once and awhile, an author you love will release a book, that is a slight departure from her previous work...and for a minute you’ll worry it will not be as good as her other books. But then you’ll feel guilty you ever doubted them because the book will be one of the best you’ve ever read.

The Military Wife focused on Harper, a young war widow with a young son...who is beginning to feel lost, without a passion to keep her mind off of what she once had. I loved Harper, and I adored her mother and it was very clever to jump from past to present, as it gives the reader a chance to get to know Noah, her late husband.

What really moved me was the fact the author didn’t shy away from the real impact war has on those who serve and those who are left behind. The loneliness Wives can feel when their husband are away and the lack of opportunities for them to have something of their own, outside of the military was portrayed beautifully. There was some real heartbreaking scenes that had your heart pounding, but if the issues involved weren’t discussed, then it would be glossing over major issues like PTSD and suicide, and these issues deserves to be at the front of discussions.

A beautiful, heartbreaking read, one I will not forget

Congratulations

5*****

Harper Lee Wilcox married her first love Noah and has had to cope with the aftermath of his death in action five years ago. The only thing keeping her going is her young son, otherwise she is just going through the motions. A visit to an old friend, the wife of one of her husband's teammates, leads her to realise that many military wives and widows feel similarly dispossessed and directionless, their own careers and lives put second to the demands of the SEAL teams. Harper looks to invest the money she received from the Navy after her husband's death into a small business that could provide jobs to other military wives.

Harper's decision to start a new business leads her to getting in touch with another of her husband's former teammates, Bennett Caldwell, who left the SEALs to run his own outdoor survival training business.

How do you know when it's time to move on? Harper is a very relatable heroine, down to earth, normal, sassy. She struggles with her growing attraction to Bennett. To me her slightly contradictory reactions felt very real, the sort of illogical thought processes we go through in real life. For his part, Bennett struggles with his guilt at falling for his best friend's wife and the death of a man who was more like a brother. There's cute kids, huge dogs, lots of coffee, wilderness training, marriage troubles, sorrow, love, heartache, princess stories and hawt kisses.

The novel is told from Bennett and Harper's points of view and with flashbacks to pivotal moments in both Harper and Bennett's interactions with Noah. I have to say I wasn't a fan of the flashbacks, it is kind of disconcerting when you are starting to get invested in a new romance to be interrupted with flashbacks to the start of the romance between Harper and Noah.

Overall, I thought the burb didn't really match the way the book went, maybe that was deliberate? But I really enjoyed it, I liked Harper and Bennett, I liked the character development and the plot.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Military Wife is an emotional roller coaster of a read that I devoured in one sitting. The characters are well-developed, interesting people with hopes, dreams, and fears that are very lifelike and real. I liked the way the story alternated between the past and present. This book gave me an inside look at what being married to someone in the military is like. I have nothing but respect for both those who serve and those who stay home and support them. Well done, Ms. Trentham!

Really enjoyed this book. The story line really hits home to anyone who has loved ones in the military.

I was absolutely blown away by this book. The emotions are so raw and real.

Harper meets Noah, whose dream is to become a Navy Seal, unfortunately Noah is killed while deployed, leaving behind his wife and unborn child.

The character development was amazing, you can definitely feel the emotions Military families go through.

Harper’s journey through grief and potentially finding new love is heartwarming.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great read! I'm not usually a big romance fan, but the combo of the military stories, the mystery, and the wives supporting each other made this great. I loved it, so nicely done.

4.5 stars

This was a great book. The characters felt believable. The book deals with heavy issues but does so in a sensitive manner. It was emotional but didn't leave me depressed. Our military families have to be so strong as do the men and women who serve in our armed forces. They all deserve our support and thanks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.