This was a very enjoyable read for me. Harper is a young military widow who is raising her five year old son while living with her mother in Nags Head. Her husband Noah's best friend Bennett promised he would take care of Harper as Noah lay dying. He and Harper begin spending time together as she tries to get him to tell her all the details of her husband's death, which he does not want to reveal. At the same time, Allison, Harper's good friend, is dealing with her husband's PTSD and they are not doing well. I do not usually read books with military themes but this was a real gem. The characters were real and the story plausible and interesting. This was a well written romance, the first in a series of two, at this time, and I will definitely be looking for the next book. Strongly recommend.

4 stars. Another book by an author I haven't read before. Amazing book about how the military affects spouses and families. I'll read more by this author.

If you are Veteran in crisis or know someone who is, call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, Text 838255 or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net to chat online with someone 24/7. There is hope.

Laura Trentham pens an amazing novel of service, sacrifice and of heart.

THE MILITARY WIFE showcases the struggles military wives, families and their soldiers face every single day. When the deployments are over and the men and women serving come home, many are often still fighting battles of PTSD, depression, guilt and many other issues. We call these brave men and women our heroes and they absolutely are, but the real heroism is the daily fight to maintain their mental health for their families, their country and, more importantly, for themselves.

Ms. Trentham’s characters are painstakingly and lovingly crafted. Her portrayal of life as a Navy SEAL is interesting and engaging. The amount of emotion and depth crammed into the plot is so gut-wrenching and so raw you can’t help but be drawn into it. I grieved, cried, laughed, prayed and celebrated right alongside Harper, Allison and the rest of the characters.

I love how the story flashes from present to past, so we can get a full account of what came to be and what has always been. Absolutely beautiful! I am emotionally wrecked, and I’m not surprised. Ms. Trentham’s writing style is unique and her ability to connect with readers on an emotional and spiritual level is without equal. And the best part, this is the FIRST book in a new series! Ms. Trentham knocked this one out of the park!

Thank you to all the men and women who serve in our military as well as all those who’ve come before. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

I highly recommend this book. With heart, soul, and love for those suffering with her, Harper reaches out to wives who must share their husbands with the military. A novel of new love, second chances, and a dream to help those in need, this book is one that will have laughing and crying while falling in love with the characters.

**thanks to St. Martin's for the ARC copy to review***

The Military Wife is not my favorite military romance. I found it slow and I didn't love the switching between past and present. I would have preferred if all chapters were "present day" chapters. The constant jumping just didn't work for me. Also, I didn't connect with the characters despite the fact that the premise was interesting and the book dealt with deeply emotional issues such as grief, survivor guilt, and PTSD.

The Military Wife already has many positive reviews, so do take my opinion with a grain of salt. I didn't hate this book but it just wasn't for me.

I read this book some time ago and do not remember how I felt during reading it. I would not be able to give it a proper review. I know that there were lots of things about the book that made me think of a friend of mine who is a military wife. I did give this book 4 stars on GoodReads.

As a veteran and military wife, I was sucked right into this book. Harper Lee Wilcox (yes, she was named after HER by her librarian mother) is grieving her husband, Noah, a Navy SEAL who died in the line of duty while raising her young son, Ben, when she visits her old friend Allison Teal who is struggling with her own demons. Allison is at wit’s end. Her husband, who was part of Noah’s team, returned from deployment with PTSD and issues neither he nor Allison can really deal with effectively. In addition, there just does not seem to be enough support, especially for the spouses who also must routinely deal with “picking up the pieces.” Harper also is a bit confused, while visiting Allison, about a huge monetary gift she got from someone she did not know, Bennett Caldwell, but someone who was also on Noah’s team, after his death. Harper sets out to find out the reasons behind the gift, as well as to begin a string of coffee houses close to military bases to support military spouses left behind when their spouses deploy or return. Harper finds Bennett interesting, to say the very least. As her idea about the coffee houses grows into reality, so does hers and Bennett’s relationship. Can they both manage to let go of the past and look to the future?

This is an interesting story. I was fascinated by the descriptions of Noah’s SEAL training, though I am not sure many readers would also be fascinated by this aspect of the book. I enjoyed watching Harper come out of her shell of mourning and blossom into a strong, determined woman, set out to help others who are where she has been. Bennett was likewise an interesting character. I am not so sure I liked the idea that he was half (or more) in love with Harper even when Noah was alive, but I guess that helped the story move along. I like strong woman like Harper, who, once they have decided where to go, go out and go there, looking at any and all obstacles right in the face while overcoming them. Harper was such a person. The author did a great job of developing the characters in the story, regardless how small or large a role they played. This is a pretty good book to read if you want something a bit different, and if you want a profile of a strong, courageous woman, with lots of equally strong, courageous friends. I think too often the role of and place in the bigger scheme of things the military spouse plays is not well brought out or discussed, and this book does a great job of doing just that. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Quite enjoyed it, even thought the story focused too much on the heroine's work, detailing every step involved in starting her new enterprise, while the romantic relationship became secondary and often more of an afterthought. I would have liked a more balanced storyline, where romance and personal growth of the heroine are given equal attention and importance. But that's coming from a Romance reader...

I absolutely adored this story and have been recommending it far and wide. The topic of military spouses is one not often written about in the domestic fiction genre, so I was so happy to see such sensitivity used in the coverage of this issue.

What a beautifully written story. What a lovely tribute to the tragedy, loss, and constant relocating and starting over our military families go through.

This book lets you feel great tragedy, brings you through it, and turns those tragic moments into beautiful life lessons.

This just might be the beginning of a new television series.

#themilitarywife
#netgslley

“The Military Wife” is a story close to my heart because I was one. In fact, if we really think about it, I still am. Though my husband has been honorably discharged, in his heart, he is still part of the U.S. military.

Hence, I can relate very well with Harper Lee Wilcox – the waiting and the worry when your husband is deployed. There is one difference between us though. My husband came home, hers didn’t. But, unfortunately, I know many military widows. And I can tell you, knowing one is too many already.

“The Military Wife” is a story of first love during the first blush of adulthood. It is also a story of falling in love when you have experienced heartaches and survived. And, it is also a story of second chance of happiness.

In a prose that almost reaches poetic, Laura Trentham tells the story that defending “flag and country” is not just for our men and women in uniform. Freedom is not free, and even the innocents, those of us who stay at home also pay the price.

I have read many stories based on military life and this one has been written with heart and went straight to my heart. Harper Lee Wilcox did not just tug at my heartstrings… she became my heartstrings as her story unfolded.

Tears were always near my eyes as I read every page. And yes, they fell in the end, but they were tears of happiness because Harper found her happily ever after.

“The Military Wife” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance is strongly advised due to the discussion of PTSD. There are no sex scenes in this book.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Laura Trentham for the ARC to review. I did not realize that this was the first book of a series. I was intrigued with the title Military Wife. I was engrossed in the book from the minute I started to read. I couldn't put it down. I applaud the author for taking the time to write this book for and about military wives. I know there are a large number of women in the armed forces today and I commend them. However, I commend both men and women who are left to care for there families while there loved ones are protecting and serving this country. I can't be easy. I lived on a military base as a civilian, and they are a tight knit family, they will do all that they can for each other. This book showed that. I commend you for writing about our military families. I thank all our armed forces for their service. I highly recommend and look for to reading this book series.

The Military Wife is the start of a new series (A Heart of a Hero series) by Laura Trentham, and it did not disappoint! It is the story of Harper Lee Wilcox, a young wife and mother, who lost her Navy Seal husband, Noah while she was pregnant with their son. While Harper struggles to move forward in her life without Noah, she begins to realize the difficulties many of the military wives struggle with in an attempt to have something outside of their military existence. While back on base to help out her friend Allison, whose family is suffering from her husband's PTSD, Harper accompanies Allison to a support group for military wives, and has the idea to start a local coffee house, run by the wives of military men, and a way to give back to those who have served and need services. In addition, Harper tracks down one of Noah's old Navy Seal buddies, Bennett Caldwell, a loner, who is running a business of his own, regarding a check that he gave Harper after Noah's death, and Bennett becomes involved both with the business, and with Harper. Both Harper and Bennett begin to come to terms with their pasts surrounding Noah's death, in order to move forward together and start a new life . The story drew me in immediately, and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press, and St Martin's Griffin, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the most realistic books which I have read about men serving their countries, coming home and struggling with civilian life whilst trying to cope with PTSD.

Harper is a single mother to five year old Ben, after losing her husband Noah to deployment. She lives with her mother and concentrates on giving her son a happy childhood.

Bennett didn't have a happy upbringing and his time with the SEAL has left him with a lot of physical and emotional scars. He is a loner.

Bennett made a promise to his best friend Noah, before he died and as far as he is concerned he has fulfilled his promise, but Harper wants answers. Answers that will give her closure. She approaches Bennett who has the answers. He is not forward in delving into the past. What she doesn't expect is the mutual attraction that develops between them.

Harper isn't totally happy with her life which has turned into a tedious routine. Her best friend Alison who herself is trying to cope with a husband, his PTSD and three children encourages her to get more involved with the military wives. They see an opportunity to involve the army wives whilst helping the Wounded Warriors. Bennett gets involved with the business as he himself, runs a business involving ex servicemem. The more time they spend together, the more they become attracted to each other. Can Bennett and Harper get involved in view of their relationships with Noah?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Bennett and Harper complement each other very well. Alison and all the other military wives add more realism to the story. It highlights the bond amongst the ex SEAL and how they support each other. It's a beautiful story about grief, love and loyalty. I would recommend this book to readers of all genres.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

No one could understand the stress and isolation of being a military wife unless she lived it.

A complexity of characters in the setting of the military and being a military wife. Harper Wilcox was madly in-love with her seal husband. His intensity, his loyalty, and his passion are the very traits that attracted her to Noah. She had dreams of her own but being a military spouse you too are making sacrifices just as your loved one is serving in the military. Harper and Noah didn't have the perfect marriage but they were perfect together. The narration goes back in forth before Noah's death to present. The past narration deals with who Noah and Harper were before they met and what brought them together. Noah's death brought Harper to know her purpose with her young son and way for Noah's legacy to live on.

Harper needs to know what happened to Noah's in his last hour and the only one who can tell her is his teammate Bennett Caldwell. Bennett has his own demons from his past and the horror of being a soldier. Under cover, Harper begins to knock down the walls of Bennett's heart as they both learn to heal. A connection that is ironic and contrasting. The connection grows as they help mutual friends in their marriage and the monster of PTSD.

The characters are easy to connect and like. A good reminder in walking in the shoes of a military wife.

A Special Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I have read other books by this author and was used to reading her writing style in that genre but now she has written her debut Women's fiction novel. It's also my first read of a military/ Navy Seal type book. Being that I've never read this type of book before I wasn't really sure what to expect. My son is a police officer and he tells me about this job all the time so I kind of knew what to expect I guess. The story took me by surprise as I liked it alot more than I thought I would and I will definitely be reading more books in this series. Harper Lee Wilcox has been a widow for 5 years after the in the line of duty death of her Navy Seal husband, Noah. He died when she was pregnant with their first child. He never even got to meet his only son, Ben. Harper is a single Mom to her son, Ben and she must stay strong for her son and her mother who lives with them. Her mother isn't the typical granny type though. She is active and encourages Harper to date and start living life again, after all it's been 5 years since her husband's death. As Harper starts to live again and even open her own shop it shows her as a strong independent woman who can be more than a mother and wife. She has her own wants and needs too. Ex-Navy Seal Bennett Caldwell knew Noah before his death having been wounded in the same combat mission that claimed Noah's life. These men were brothers, not by blood but still brothers. Haunted by PTSD the nightmares threaten to overwhelm him even though he physically heals his mind doesn't. Bennett made a promise to Noah before his death that brings Harper into his life . But can these two souls begin the healing process and let go of the guilt and personal pain that hold them back? Great book!
Published February 5th 2019 by St. Martin's Griffin
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Military Wife is a beautiful story of suffering, forgiveness, grief, hope and love. The characters in this story are either members of the military or spouses of an enlisted member. We are given an intimate look at the lives of military wives and the sacrifice that many of them go through. Many of them have given up careers or the potential for a career to follow their husband as they are moved to base to base, they deal with raising children on their own and not to mention with the psychological impact that their spouses may be dealing with.

Harper, now a single Mother after the death of her husband overseas is struggling with moving on. She loves her child and is an excellent Mother but doesn’t do enough for herself. She misses her husband and is afraid to move on in fear of hurting his memory. When his best friend and SEAL partner enters her life again, she realizes she needs answers for closure. What she wasn’t ready for was the attraction to this man that meant so much to her deceased husband and the impact he had on their lives.

While dealing with her own struggles, her best friend and the person who carried her through her husband’s death, is dealing with her own trials. Her husband is dealing with many mental health issues but refusing to seek help. This not only takes a toll on his wife but his children and we watch as not only him but their whole family spirals out of control.

This is a beautiful, heart wrenching at times story of ordinary people struggling through death, grief, forgiveness and searching for calm in a storm and a sense of purpose. I loved every moment of this beautiful story (and wouldn’t mind a part two!).

Harper lost her husband, Noah, while he was serving overseas in the military. It has been five years and Harper is just going through the motions yet be there for their son, Ben. Harper's best friend, Allison, is dealing with issues on her own. Allison's husband is suffering from PTSD since he returned from overseas. While visiting Allison, Harper attends a military wives meeting and realizes that these women has something in common. Although they are there supporting their husbands, no one is helping to support them in their aspirations. Harper gets an idea and the plan is put into motion. Harper never knew what actually happened to her husband, as with SEAL jobs, very classified. While working on her plan to help the military wives, she crosses paths with Bennett, a former SEAL teammate of her husbands and her son's namesake. While Harper wants to know what actually happened to her husband, Bennett is not telling but there is another secret that Bennett is not telling and it has to do with Harper. As a 21-year Navy veteran and also a military wife, I loved this book. The characters were awesome and the story well-written. Cannot wait to read more of Ms. Trentham's books.

Harper and Bennett’s love story in The Military Wife by Laura Trentham was a wonderful and emotional story rich in family, relationships, heartbreak, second chances at love and taking risks. This story is told in alternating voices between Harper, her now deceased husband Noah, as well as their present and past lives. This amazing story explores the life of being a military wife; leaving home and following their husband’s assignments. In addition, these women are often unable to find work in which they are qualified as employers fear losing their workers having to move because of a new assignment and relocation.

Harper Lee Wilcox has been living in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with her mother and five-year old son, Ben, since the death of her SEAL husband, Noah. She is restless, not using her degree and worried that if she moves it will mean leaving behind the memory of her husband. Her best friend Allison is dealing with her own struggles; her husband, a former SEAL who served with Noah, was injured while deployed, has come home physically healed but fighting PTSD and refusing to seek help. With three children underfoot and unable to help her husband, Allison is at her wit's end. Needing to reenergize her own life, Harper sees an opportunity to help not only Allison but also other military wives by starting a string of coffee houses close to military bases around the country. As Harper sets into motion this dream of hers, she crosses paths with Bennett Caldwell, Noah's best friend and SEAL brother. Bennett has a promise to keep, taking care of Harper for Noah. Doing this entangled their lives in ways neither of them thought was possible. As her business grows, so does a relationship with Bennett. The love that develops between two allows them a chance for happiness and a family without forgetting Noah, who brought them together.
Ms. Trentham wrote a wonderful and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, fun twitter posts and endearing characters giving Harper and Bennett a chance at having happiness, love and a future together. I highly recommend The Military Wife to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is a beautiful story of loss, support and enduring love.

Harper Lee Wilcox has been mourning the death of her husband, Noah, who was killed in a Navy SEAL's mission five years earlier. She is afraid that if she moves on it will dishonor her husband and she will forget him. As a result, her life has been stagnant. She has been living with her mother and her soon to be five year old son, Ben. She has come to the decision that she wants to start a business that will benefit those who support the military families, specifically the spouses.

When she hears that her closest friend, Allison, and the woman who supported her when her husband died, is suffering with her own crisis, she drops everything to come to her aid. Allison's husband was one of Noah's SEAL brothers and is suffering from PTSD and depression and he is refusing to seek help, As she spends time with Allison and her family she crosses paths with her husband's best friend, Bennett, who was also in the SEALS with him and was with him with he died.

Bennett has never experienced what is like to have a family or to be loved. He grew up in the foster system after his mother OD"ed and has never had a relationship with a woman. Listening to Noah talk about Harper made him want what Noah had and when Noah died, Bennett had made promises to Nate to take care of his family but Bennett couldn't do that; could he? Would he ever know the happiness that Noah and Harper had?

I loved this story so much with the information about what some of our soldier's suffer with when they return home from war and how much their families suffer along with them. The sex scenes in this book were behind closed doors with no graphic details. There is some foul language, including several f-bombs which is my only criticism of this book.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.