This was such a wonderful book that has do do with a military wife and her friends and how they handle many of the problems that occur when their husbands die or come back injured. It is sad to see what many of these people go through. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Yes, this is a romancey type story, but it is first and foremost an exploration of the effects of PTSD on the home front and how it affects both those serving and their families. I felt all the characters were relateable and I just couldn't put this story down. Alison and Harper's relationship reminded me very much of the show Army Wives which I loved so much. As the storyline alternates between the past and the present, I just found myself unable to put this story down. I am so interested in the rest of the series and will keep my eyes peeled on Laura Trentham for the future.

If you are looking for a wonderful military romance that will pull at your heartstrings, then look no further, The Military Wife is that book.

Author Laura Trentham weaves an intriguing tale that follows the complex relationship between military widow Harper Lee Wilcox and her late husband's best friend and ex-Navy SEAL veteran Bennett Caldwell.

Set in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, it has been five years since Harper Lee Wilcox's Navy SEAL husband Noah Wilcox was killed in action. Since that time, Harper Lee has been busy taking care of her five year old son Ben, and working as a bookkeeper for local businesses. Harper's mom thinks that Harper's life has been routine and lonely, and that she needs to move on with her life.

Ex-Navy SEAL Bennett Caldwell returned home from a traumatic tour five years ago with a wounded body and painful memories that haunts him everyday. Bennett's emotional baggage and secrets that he carries revolve around the death of his best friend and fellow SEAL Noah Wilcox, and the promise he made to Noah to take care of his family if something happened to him. Bennett retired from the Navy and now owns the Caldwell Survival School in Virginia Beach, VA.

Harper Lee was never given the real story behind Noah's death, so she seeks answers from Noah's SEAL teammate and best friend, Bennett. Harper Lee and Bennett's meeting results in a multi-layered and complex relationship, but below the surface simmers an attraction that may help them heal from the painful emotional baggage that they both carry, and guide them to discover love along the way.

The Military Wife is a wonderful military romance tale that easily draws the reader into Harper Lee and Bennett's story. You can't help but feel empathy for them as they battle with their private demons.

This is a fast paced and multilayered tale that has an intriguing mixture of emotion, drama, angst, and romance that keeps the reader turning the pages. The story is told in the 3rd person narrative that alternates between Harper Lee and Bennett's past and present. I really enjoyed this story line, especially when it is about two people whose connection and attraction is so powerful and palpable that they can't resist each other, especially when their mutual attraction simmers under the surface. I loved how their witty banter and sassy playfulness helped their unexpected romantic relationship blossom, especially since it is their shared personal emotional baggage that has brought them together, and showed them that they really need each other, and that there is so much more to life.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how realistic and emotionally powerful this story is, especially when it deals with the serious issues of PTSD, loss, grief, suicide prevention, and the variety of issues that arise when living a military lifestyle. You can't help but feel compassion and empathy for our military personnel and their families, they sacrifice so much for our country, we should always lift them up and give them the support they so rightly deserve.

The Military Wife is a compelling, raw, and realistic military romance story that will leave you wanting more!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by the St. Martin's Press.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-military-wife-by-laura-trentham-vbt.html

This outstanding novel is about a Navy SEALS widow, Harper, and her dream to not only find out what truly happened to her husband, Noah but to find a way for other military wives to have jobs and lives outside of just being mom’s and waiting for their loved ones to come home. Harper has an amazing and eccentric mother that she and her five-year-old son Ben live with in Kitty Hawk, NC, but when her friend Allison’s husband returns from a tour with severe PTSD, Harper sets out to help not only Allison but other military wives struggling with similar issues. Harper also discovers that an “award” and money she received after Noah’s death may not have been government issued, but a kind gesture from Noah’s “brother” and fellow SEAL, Bennett Caldwell. Harper not only tries to move past her own grief issues but put the pieces together to help others like her in this beautiful novel.

So many beautiful, yet, painful (at times) things happen in this novel that is full of every emotion imaginable. I was drawn to this novel because of being a “retired” military wife, and I feel that Trentham captured all of the realities, emotions, fears, joys, and so forth – perfectly. I loved the romantic element intertwined into the main purpose of the story, but I also loved how she made such relevant and realistic issues entertaining and completely addictive. Once I started this one, I couldn’t put it down until I finished.

Laura Trentham has reached out to every possible reader in this one. If you have a loved one suffering from PTSD, if you’ve been a military wife and struggle to find work, if you’ve lost a loved one in the act of duty, if you’re a single mom, or if you’re considering opening your heart again to new love… This one has all the feels and I truly believe will touch every reader. Kudos to this author for such a wonderful novel!

*Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest review!

This amazing read blew me away with captivating characters and a beautifully written story that went seamlessly between past and present day, keeping me glued to the book and I really wanted it to continue when I got to the last page. I went through the entire gamut of emotions - I laughed, I cried, and I loved every minute of it! I also became more aware of the problems military families face including the ugliness of war, death, survivor's guilt, PTSD, and more. I felt a real connection to young widow Harper Lee Wilcox and loved her dynamic with the other characters, especially her mother, son Ben, and Bennett "Grizzly" Caldwell, a SEAL who served with her husband and was his best friend.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves well-crafted novels. Ms. Trentham has given us another winner and I look forward to reading more from this talented author. I received an advance reader copy of The Military Wife from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review. I liked the book so much, I purchased it for my keeper library.

My review is not going to give this book justice. And I don’t know how to make sure you understand just how good it is!

I think my favorite part of this book (and is isn’t an easy choice!) is that this is just as much about Bennett and Noah as it is Harper and either of them. The relationship that these two build, even if Bennett goes into it dragging his feet, is so real and so touching. Bennett has spent almost his whole life being either unwanted or left behind. He’s learned to keep himself apart so he doesn’t get hurt but Noah doesn’t let him. Noah’s openness and just plain ol’ good-heartedness makes him impossible to resist and before long these two are like brothers. Unfortunately that means that Noah’s death is just another rug pulled out from under Bennett and one that is even more painful for the way it happens.

I love Harper’s resilience but her life after Noah is hard-fought. There were times during the flashback chapters that hurt with what I knew was coming. And one in particular (no spoilers!) that made me ugly-cry. But with the help of family and friends, and a little therapy, she’s at a point where a relationship might actually work. And the one that she develops with Bennett may not be simple because of their pasts, but it is so very real and works so well for the people that they’ve become.

Trentham also brings in some of the difficulties our military personnel and their families face every day. While it is a solid mechanism to get Bennett and Harper together, it’s also a main storyline on its own and handled with the grace & respect such a difficult issue deserves. It’s not easy – either picking yourself up after being left behind, dealing with the pain and troubles faced by those who have returned, or waiting for loved ones to come home (and fearing for news that no one ever wants to get). But Trentham makes sure that we get an understanding of exactly how strong these people have to be, both those serving and the ones who love them.

I’ll be the first to admit that I love everything that Trentham puts out buuuuut this is probably my favorite. She manages to elicit just about every emotion possible and make it look easy. So be prepared to laugh and cry and everything in between.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

Poignant, searingly emotional and beautifully written, The Military Wife is a story of redemption, renewal, forgiveness and healing that is absolutely breathtaking.

After her husband Noah had died five years earlier, Harper Lee cannot help but feel that life seems to be passing her by. Living with her mother in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Harper has started to feel restless and uneasy with the direction in which her life seems to be going. Although she has her five year old son to bring up, Harper finds herself wondering whether there is more that she could be doing and whether she might get a second chance at happiness. Yet, in order to achieve that, she might just need to move away from Kitty Hawk. But could moving on mean leaving the memories of her husband behind? A fresh start and a new beginning might be just what she needs, however, Harper cannot help but wonder whether moving away from all that is familiar to her might end up meaning turning her back on the memories of her marriage.

Harper’s best friend Alison is also struggling. Unlike Harper, her husband has returned from his tour of duty, however, she doesn’t recognise the man that she loves with all of her heart anymore. Injured and struggling with PTSD, her husband might still be physically with her, yet she feels that she has lost him on the battlefield. Unable to reach him and wondering whether the man she had fallen in love with will ever return to her again, Alison is at her wit’s end. But could her best friend come up with the perfect solution that could take her mind off her problems, even if just momentarily?

Harper has hit upon the perfect idea to reenergize her life and help all the other military wives like Alison who are struggling. Harper wants to open a string of coffee houses close to military bases across the US. But in order to achieve her objective she needs help and in her quest to bring her plan to fruition, she crosses paths with a man who makes her feel alive again: Bennett Caldwell, her husband’s best friend and fellow SEAL. Bennett is willing to support Harper and as the business begins to flourish, so too does the attraction between the two of them. However, is Harper willing to take another leap of faith and take a chance on love? Will she lay old ghosts to rest and grab this unexpected chance at happiness? Or will she forever be held hostage by the past?

The Military Wife is an exceptional story that touches the heart and will have readers reaching for the tissues. Written with sensitivity, compassion and heart, The Military Wife is a wonderfully layered and stylishly told tale of starting over, new beginnings, the power of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit that is full of characters that leap off the pages who will linger in the heart and mind. Laura Trentham writes about women who are strong, intelligent, feisty, vulnerable yet full of spirit who despite the many knocks and disappointments they’ve had during the course of their lives, pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get on with things with humor and confidence.

A book readers will remember long after the last page is turned, The Military Wife is an absolute triumph from Laura Trentham’s immensely gifted pen.

"You can't fix everything. Not everything can be fixed. Sometimes a new normal has to be found."

The Military Wife caught my attention right away for two personal reasons; One as the time goes by I earned friends from the military and I’ve known a few batch-mates back in high-school and college who joined so I am just curious on how they live their life after military deployments. Second, will this book help me understand these people more once I am done reading?

The first few pages of the book is interesting enough for me to go on. I am curious what happened to Noah and how Harper cope up with the situation after her husband died during the deployment. This book slowly guide us to the past and the present happenings which lead to the connection of another character named Bennett. These three people, although Noah is not around, made a great example how life could be better after all the hard paths.

I wish Noah had more part in this book though, can there be a life before military for him? He seemed, sweet, funny and lovely person. I enjoyed reading the book, it is actually funny how Harper is so stubborn here, I can see myself when she have that stubborn moments. For Bennett, he was mysterious to me at first but as the story moves on, he become more and more interesting.

I could say, The Military Wife, is a chill book to read. I am so happy to be part of this book tour and this book is my first read for 2019. The book taught me and made me realized even more that there's life, happy moments after all the downfall. There would be something, someone that could change everything and it could make our life better. To other readers out there, I'd love to talk more about this book but, I could say go grab a copy instead of me spoiling. LOL. It's worth reading and I did enjoy it a lot.

"Life has a way of giving us what we need at the right time."

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is the story of Harper Lee, a military widow who is left with a son and lots of questions when her husband is killed in the line of duty. She is also left feeling like she needs to do something with her life and when a buddy of her husband gives her money haver his death, she struggles to figure out what to do with it. Her friend Allison also has problems when her husband struggles with PTSD and they have to figure out what to do when he can’t get better. This is a great book, and will tug at your heartstrings. I very much enjoyed this book.

I must confess I not a fan of books that switch between the present/past, some do this very well but some don’t. I found this one a bit harder to read the past at times but I appreciate the fact we needed to know the past to understand that the present/future. All I wanted to read was about was the future as these characters had me totally intrigued with there interested in each other. I wanted them to find their happy part in life and be able to recover from their heartaches of the past. This is my first read by this author and I was very glad I had the chance to read this great story. As this is book one I hope to read more from Laura Trentham in the future. As I read the inspirational and sympathetic memories I was drawn into the depths of this wonderful story. There are some strong topics that are shared beautifully from death, PTSD, military challenges, grief, suicide and finding love the second time around.

Harper Lee Wilcox was a military wife and a mother of a five year- old boy that had never meet his father, as he had given his life in the line of duty. Five years had passed since Noah’s death but she still had no true answers to why. Her life is just plodding along with no real purpose except for Ben. “Life was all about timing and could change with the speed of a bullet.”

Noah Wilcox had reread the words of his wife before his mission.“As always and forever, I love you. Make sure you come home safe to me and our baby. We both need you now. Harper”
Noah loves his work with the Navy Seals but was looking forward to becoming a father, could he do both well?

Bennett Caldwell meets Noah Wilcox at training camp for the NAVY SEAL’S where they became more than just friends/ brother in arms but a true brother in life. Noah would share his letters and email from Harper with him during deployment. He had never met her until after Noah’s death has he always retreated to himself when they were home. He made a promise to Noah that to his point of view he had kept and was also with Noah when he died.
“ His fascination with his best friends wife was inappropriate at best and an betrayal at worst.”

I JUST LOVED Haper’s mum Gail, YaYa to Ben, she was hilarious and a wonderful mum.
“Can’t change the past. You can only move forward.”
“ You didn’t tell me Mr Caldwell is a certified hotty pants.”

Some of my favourite quotes:
“He’s been gone five years, sweetheart, and you haven’t gone on so much as a date.” “That’s not true. I went to lunch with Whit a few weeks ago.” “He was trying to sell you life insurance. Doesn’t count.”

“He’s magic, Mama. Do her, Mr; Caldwell, do her. Naughty amusement twinkled in Bennet’s eyes and she had to muffle laughter at Ben’s enthusiastic plea.”

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

“People fail all the time. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth trying.”

“A storm was coming and she had two choices, revel in thunder and lightning and chaos or run back to her calm existence.”

“Most people don’t get it. The threat of death is abstract, but for women like us, the threat has moved into the spare bedroom.”

First, I just want to say how happy I am that I got a chance to read this book. This book gave me all the feels that the show Army Wives gave me. Plus, the new movie Indivisible!! Our men and women serving this country go through so much and I just love when that gets recognized.

I kind of felt a little misled as I read the book though. What I gathered from the description, the Military Wife was going to be about women coming together and being strong for each other and showing the depths of female relationships. Don’t get me wrong, that was definitely a part of it BUT there was a huge romance twist that I really hadn’t anticipated and I fell for Bennett Caldwell so hard. Like, I think I may just start calling my husband Bennett. It’s close enough to Josh, he will never notice.

I am super thrilled that this is geared up to be a series. Not only do I want more Bennett in my life but I just feel like there’s so much more to this setting of the Military that Laura Trentham has the opportunity to really dig in and expose some realities of what these families do go through. Obviously, the Military Wife is a fictional story but I imagine the author did her research and touched as close to base as she could with this.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5 out of 5) Such a great story and build up of characters. Can’t wait to see where Laura takes this series and may actually have to go pick up her other books since she definitely knows how to create the perfect book boyfriend

An intriguing story of a military widow comforting the spouse of an active duty soldier who is suffering from untreated PTSD. Harper and Allison have a strong bond of friendship that extends beyond the casual acquaintance of two spouses being forced to raise kids while their husbands are deployed. Well written and emotional story that will capture your heart.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham took me by complete surprise. What a heartwarming story of love, loss and second chances in the world of military families. This was such a beautiful story of the past and present intertwined with a slow burning romance with amazing characters.

Harper Lee Wilcox is a military widow struggling to move forward. She knows life goes on and she has her son to think about but moving on means letting go of the man she once loved. Could she do that? At the same time, she realizes many military families may need support and decides to venture a new business. She reaches out to Bennet Caldwell who was a SEAL brother of Noah, Harper’s husband. And suddenly she feels something she never thought she would again.

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham was such a moving story. Told in dual point-of-views in both past and present, we see the characters in many stages of their lives. I loved the story, characters and their journeys so much. I am excited to read more of this series!

Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading!

Laura Trentham will break your heart and then stitch it back together, stronger than ever, in this poignant, heart-wrenching, and, ultimately, life-affirming story about the men and women who protect our country on the front lines and those on the home front - the spouses, children, and families - whose contributions, and trials, are no less significant.

One of the strengths of Trentham's contemporary romances is her ability to create richly complex and realistic characters into whose lives I become completely invested. The same is true of The Military Wife, her first foray into women's fiction. She brings these characters to vivid life in a convincing portrayal of honor, duty, sacrifice, fear, survivor's guilt, grief, and love. They all notched places for themselves in my heart, taking me along on each of their journeys and wringing my emotions with the challenges they face.

The writing is flawless with seamless transitions from present to past that enable the reader to fully understand the events, and people, that have brought the primary characters, Harper, Bennett, Allison, and Darren to this point in their lives. I especially appreciated the insight gained through the flashback chapters that tell the story of Harper and Noah's courtship and marriage as well as those telling the story of Noah and Bennett's close friendship. Experiencing those journeys with them makes the present journey Bennett and Harper are traveling, both individually and as a couple, all the more satisfying. The secondary characters, as well, are all vividly crafted and realistic.

Those of you who have read Trentham's other books should be aware that while The Military Wife is women's fiction and there are some serious issues dealt with, there's also plenty of sexual tension, humor, deep emotion, and, for the romance lovers among us, a happy ending. I highly recommend it. (Keep the tissues handy.)

4.5 Stars

This book was so much more than just a romance, more of a life story wrapped around a love story. It touched on topics that are current and real, acknowledging that life can be far from perfect…but there is always hope and maybe even a second chance at both life and love.

Laura Trentham did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life on the pages. There was such a realness to each of them and this really allowed me to feel all the emotions in this book right along with each of the characters. The use of flashbacks really worked in this story – it was like getting two love stories for the price of one – and, for me, made it so much easier to relate to Harper and understand her actions and decisions. And even though Harper and Bennett didn’t have a straight path to their HEA, they kept the angst and drama to a fairly low level and acted like the adults they were supposed to be.

There was a lot to love in this story. Harper’s son Ben and her mother were wonderfully written and I loved what a character her mother was. Watching Harper’s friend Allison struggling with her husband’s PTSD was heartbreaking but seeing her pick up the pieces and begin to put her family back together left me with a feeling of hope. I also loved how Harper’s business idea came together and the opportunities that it is sure to bring – including what I hope are additional stories about the lives of some of the women who were introduced in this book.

This was a book that had lots of feels and was filled with emotion and deserves a spot on anyone’s reading shelf!

I have always respected and admired the bravery of soldiers but after reading THE MILITARY WIFE by Laura Trentham that respect has tripled and not only for those brave men and women willing to sacrifice it all for their country, but also their families who are so brave in their own right.

It has been five years since Harper Wilcox lost her husband Noah, a SEAL, but she has gotten through it with her beautiful boy and her beloved mum by her side. But Harper feels unfulfilled with her career and longs to finally use her degrees but isn't sure how. When her friend Allison needs her help, an idea for a business begins to form and Harper believes that it could make all the difference, not just for her but for all of the military wives all over the country, and she has the money from a bravery award that Noah received after he died. The only thing is, he didn't. Bennett Caldwell, Noah's best friend, and former SEAL, had promised Noah when he was dying that he would take care of Harper and her son and money seemed to be the best way to do it. But when Harper confronts him over why he lied to her and gave her his money, Bennett is confronted with a spirited, feisty, attractive woman who makes him want to abandon his lonely, solitary existence. As Bennett helps Harper set up their new venture, they cannot help the sizzling chemistry that they have between them. But Bennett has his own demons and secrets that he cannot share with her, and the harsh reality of life after war may just be too much for them to handle.

THE MILITARY WIFE by Laura Trentham is a beautiful and heartbreaking story that I devoured in a couple of hours. Sensitive topics such as PTSD, grief, abandonment, and trauma are all expertly handled and it really opened my eyes to the life of military families. Harper is a wonderfully well-rounded character and her honesty was so refreshing and at times, hilarious, throughout this book. I fell in love with Bennett and desperately wanted to give him a hug so many times through this story. The community spirit and that unique bond that these families share is truly amazing and really shone in this book.

THE MILITARY WIFE by Laura Trentham is an excellent novel and I cannot wait for more from this series.

4.5 stars

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham drew me in from the first page and held my interest until the last page.
The writing is beautifully done, the plot well paced and the storyline brought out all the feels.

I loved watching Harper and Bennett come together, they had a strong connection and I found them to be perfect for each other.

Overall, The Military Wife is a beautiful start to A Heart of a Hero Series and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC.

Harper has been alive but not really living ever since her husband, Noah, died. Noah was a Navy Seal and Harper’s life pretty much revolved around him and his career and then their child. Fast forward 5 years later and Harper is feeling unfulfilled and decides to open up a coffee house to give the other military wives and herself something to do while their husbands are deployed. I really liked this idea and I felt it was a good venture for the women. People often forget about the wives and how much they sacrifice while their love ones are fighting to keep us safe. Thank you both for your service and sacrifices.

During the story we are introduced to Bennett and he was best friends with Noah. Harper and Bennett developed feelings for each other but they think it’s disrespectful to Noah’s memory. Honestly, it does make sense they would be together because they both loved Noah in their own way. I didn’t find their relationship as taboo as I thought I would.

My heart ached for the secondary characters Allison and Darren. They struggled with Darren coming home from war and not being himself. Allison is trying to be strong and take care of the house and kids and makes it seem like everything is fine. I’m happy the author shed a light on the emotional side of coming home from war and trying to readjust to civilian life after a traumatic experience.

I really don’t read a lot of military books but I’m glad I gave it a shot. The story was told in past and present which I enjoyed. I liked seeing how Noah and Harper met when they were younger. I loved how the army wives were active in the communities and helped each other out when things got tough.. I really enjoyed the book but I did feel the ending was slightly rushed. This was the first time I read a book by this author and it was a pleasant surprise!

The Military Wife by Laura Trentham is a 2019 St. Martin’s Griffin publication.

A moving story with a beautiful and emotional love story!

Harper is a war widow, raising her son, Ben, alone. Noah has been gone five years now, and Harper is hoping to start her own business by opening coffee shops located near military bases, which also helps to provide jobs for military wives.

Allison is Harper’s best friend, helping her with the new business, while also coping with her husband’s dangerous and terrifying PTSD.

Bennett Caldwell was Noah’s best friend, and SEAL brother. Noah used to read portions of Harper’s letters out loud to Bennett, giving him a certain image of Harper, and an idea of the type of woman she might be. Bennett must now make good on a promise he made to Noah before his death, but he is also weighed down with a heavy heart. Bennett wants to help Harper, but, preferably from a distance. Harper, however, wants to know what really happened to Noah and only Bennett knows the whole truth.

While this story is categorized as a military romance, this is not your typical contemporary romance featuring an inked, alpha male with cartoonish muscles. This novel is much more mature than that, with well- drawn characters and very realistic dialogue.

This is a very well constructed story, examining the various challenges military wives and families face and the way they support one another through thick and thin. I loved Harper’s and Bennett’s bittersweet romance and the way their feelings grew over time and the very understandable mixture of emotions they brought to their new relationship.

All the issues addressed in the story are emotional and realistic, spotlighting the very real struggles military families face. The sacrifice and honor of these soldiers and the lingering effects that haunts them long after their service is complete is handled with sensitivity and respect.

These characters are memorable, sympathetic and even inspirational. Although there is a very special romance thread, the secondary threads are just as compelling, making this a story that could easily cross over into other genres and would appeal to a broader audience.

Overall, this is a very touching story, with a wonderful blend of romance, family, and friendship with a hard won and long overdue happily ever after.

4.5 stars

I loved the relationship Harper had with her husband and how Bennett came into her life. This was an emotional read for me and I really enjoyed it. This will be a story that I will want to read again.