Home to Wind River by Lindsay McKenna is as amazing as the first book in the Wind River Series. This is book seven, so it would be easy to rehash the past stories but this is fresh and engaging as any of the others. Lily is a former military nurse who is now a civilian caregiver. She has PTSD issues but is finding her way. She is a new character to the series but a welcome one. Jake is a reluctant even resistant love interest. I like how Lily goes on with her life and working through her problems even through all of Jake’s ups and downs.

The characters are real with real issues but also real resiliency. It is the genuineness of the series that keeps me coming back. I can help but want to see returning military find purpose, peace and love as they start again. Yes, they are different people than before they served but seeing how the may new lives is so inspiring in Lindsay McKenna’s stories. Home to Wind River is a well told, up-lifting story of finding one’s place and finding one’s love in this world.

Playful puppies and healing horses come into play when not just one but two Vets facing PTSD are sharing close quarters.

Home to Wind River supports a friendly, warm hearted cast of characters that you wouldn't mind being pulled into their close knit crew. Especially when facing a world you left behind only to find it strange and unsuspecting the person you became while you were gone. Taking on the difficulties of returning home after serving your country, McKenna brings the hardships facing our Vets front and center in this heartfelt romance.

Hope, McKenna writes at tale of hope, heart and healing.

I received this ARC copy of Home to Wind River from Kensington Books - Zebra. This is my honest and voluntary review. Home to Wind River is set for publication Dec. 18, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Lindsay McKenna
Series: Wind River
Sequence in Series: Book 7
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: December 18, 2018
ISBN-10: 1420147501
ISBN-13: 978-1420147506
Genre: Contemporary Romance

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This was definitely an uplifting hopeful read. Jack and Lily are both vastly different people that bond over their PTSD when they find themselves working together on Wind River Ranch. Overall this was sweet, I liked how easy these two developed a friendship and the romance was something that blossomed over time rather than instantaneous.

Lily is hired as a live in nurse for Jack’s mother, who recently broke her hip. With Jack as foreman on the ranch and with little to time to spare while he’s out in the field, Lily becomes indispensable to his household. For Lily, Jack became just as valuable. His strength and his honesty inspiring her and giving hope that maybe someday she too would be able to handle her PTSD symptoms.

Their relationship springs from deep conversations where they get to know each other and although the heat pretty much stays at a simmer, the pace fit both Jack and Lily’s personality. This was a cute short story that was low on angst and gave a lot of information regarding PTSD that I found quiet honest and eye opening.

Would I recommend? Yes, it was a sweet slow burn romance with two characters that you can’t help but like immensely.

If you haven’t yet picked up any of the previous stories in the Wind River Valley series, don’t fret about it. Home to Wind River could be read on its own and deliver a wonderful story… but for the full experience of this safe haven called Wind River Ranch that honors, helps and gives us a glimpse into the reality of our returning vets then I would highly recommend starting at the beginning and immersing yourself in this series.

Jake and Lily’s romance is touching, full of humor and sass, giving us a hero and heroine who both have and are suffering from PTSD – each at a slightly different stage of acceptance and recovery. I don’t know that anyone, no matter how they experienced PTSD originally, is ever really cured, more like understanding how to avoid the triggers and deal when they happen. I have two friends who deal with PTSD on a daily basis, and while I don’t walk on eggshells around them I am aware of what triggers to avoid when I’m with them so not to cause them harm… that’s what friends do, watch out for each other when possible.

I was so glad to see Jake get his happy ending for he certainly deserved that. While you could call them both wounded souls, for each other they are the perfect partner. Watching them make the journey to their happy ever after was enjoyable, touching, a bit steamy and certainly done with humor and respect. Plus, there are puppies! A perfect addition to a really good romance. I would not hesitate to recommend Home to Wind River to any Romance reader no matter your favorite genre. You’ll find a love story to touch your heart, and that’s why I read Romance.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Home to Wind River is the 7th book in the Wind River Valley series. Each of these books can easily be read standalone. This story brings Lily Thompson to the ranch. A place that helps veterans ease back into civilian life. The vast majority suffer from PTSD and because of this Lily fits right in. A veteran herself she too suffers from the effects of PTSD and finds being among others helps as she tries to fight the demons away. She doesn't come to Wind River Ranch to work on the ranch itself. Rather she's a nurse providing care for the foreman's mother. Jake Murdoch finds himself drawn to Lily instantly and it seems these two are just what the other needs to get their lives on track and really start living again.

Well done book and one I think everyone will enjoy. I recommend it.

This takes us back to Wind River and allows a brief visit with previous characters. I enjoyed that and liked the two main characters. The set up for getting them together was very believable. The interaction between the two as the story progressed was the the same thing over and over. There was not much of a plot. The whole story could have been a novella and still too much of the same. I like that McKenna uses the plight of veterans as a big part of her Wind River series but she is taking a sledge hammer to a tack. This was an ARC so I am assuming that the hot mess that was part of the details of the story will be cleaned up before release.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Another heartwarming and meaningful love story with great characters by one of my favorite writers. You must read this book!!!!

I always enjoy this author’s books and Home to Wind River was no exception. Great plot and believable characters in this well written romance. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Lily and Jake are both suffering from PTSD but hers is more recent and she's struggling hard. They meet when she comes to care for his mother. You know there's going to be a romance and that these two will get together, don't you? What is nice about this is the fact that they help one another with a very real and difficult problem. I found myself pulling for them both. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Jake the handsome cowboy is the 30 year old foreman at Wind River ranch.He is also an veteran with ptsd.when his mother breaks a bone and needs someone to care for her he goes to maud,the owner of Wind river ranch,for help.Maud said she would help pay for a caretaker for Jakes mom while she stays in his cabin at the ranch.Maud chooses Lily a veteran who also has ptsd,Lily will stay at Jakes cabin while caring for his mother.Lily also has a job at the ranch animal shelter. I like the fact that Lily is a woman who has been to afghanistan . Lily has to cook and clean Jakes cabin as a part of the job. There is an instant attraction and curiosity to each other . Jake is afraid he will hurt Lily if she trys to touch him during a flash back or nightmare. I likedon't how both Lily and Jake had ptsd along with members of the ranch and communuty. There was a focus on handling the ptsd. I loved reading about Lily learning to ride a horse and how excited she was. I liked the connection between Jakes mom and Lily,how they carried on with each other,A bit dull in parts

An emotional and heartwarming story. This is the first story I have read in this series and it absolutely stands alone. I liked both Lily and Jake quite a bit. Both characters struggle from PTSD, although Jake is a bit farther along in his recovery. I liked this aspect, as most of books I have read on this subject only have the hero suffering. I appreciated seeing both the highs and lows of their journey. It was also touching to see the impact that the animals had on them and their state of mind. The romance was very sweet but didn't really come into play until towards the end of the book. Overall, an enjoyable read!

*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Home to Wind River by Lindsay McKenna is the seventh book in the Wind River Valley Series. The books take place in a valley with cattle ranches and a small town in Wyoming. Two of the main ranches in the valley work with and hire Vets, most with PTSD. Lindsay McKenna’s books are romances, with cowboys in a harsh beautiful world, but they they also include heroes and heroines that have long lasting effects from their military service. The story of two people who feel too damaged to love.

Lily Thompson was an RN who suffered PTSD. She struggled since returning to the US with flashbacks and nightmares. She could not hold down a job or stay at home. Jake Murdoch’s mother fell and broke her hip. He is the top wrangler for Wind River Ranch during the busy season. In order to help Jake, his employer hired Lily to help Jake’s mom. The story focused on Jake and Lily’s falling in love.

Lindsay McKenna’s newest book Home to Wind River is a book that focuses on Veterans and their daily struggles while weaving a love story. This book comes out later this month and is a great addition to the series. Home to Wind River by Lindsay McKenna is a great read.

The last few books of McKenna's are virtually indistinguishable from each other. After reading this, I went to the bookshelf and pulled off some of McKenna's older books to reread, just to remind myself of how good her books were.
This story is about a nurse who (of course) suffers from PTSD and is going to be a home health nurse for Jake's mom. The romance between Lily and Jake follows the same course as the characters in the prior books in this series. While the characters are likeable, I'd like to see something new in the stories.

I have read all of the other books in this series and this one fell a bit short for me. I thought the characters were likable but felt it took an unrealistically-long time for them to get together romantically, despite the issues they were suffering. Even though this is part of a series, it could be read easily as a standalone novel. Overall, it was okay but definitely not one of the best in this series.

A cowboy romance. So there is definitely a bunch of animals and good looking men walking around in cowboy boots and stetsons. This book has a former soldier suffering from PTSD living on a ranch. And then there is another kindred soul who walks into his life. PTSD, army background and so many similarities between our hero and heroine. This book was a very sweet romance, with both of them finding their strength and helping each other heal.

Murdock and Lily Thompson are both vets with PTSD. He has been the foreman a WIND RIVER RANCH for three years and needs help to care for his mom her broke her hip. Lindsay has been out for about six months and is looking for work...she an RN but unable to work in a hospital because of her PTSD. Maud who owns the ranch and animal shelter where Lily volunteers thinks she is a perfect fit and she is. This book like all the other help to explain a lot about PTSD. We meet some old friend like Shay and Reese and others... then there is Sage... I cried and laughed and cried some more. I love the strength of both Jake and Lily... the feelings, love, understanding and some good loving all get us to our HEA. Looking forward to WIND RIVER PROTECTOR....

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After FunnY Page-turner Informative Easy-to-read Great word building Entertaining Realistic Wonderful characters Romantic

Lily and Jake are a couple who needs love.. Following them as they find it is magical. You’ll love Home to Wind River and get the greatest insight into PTSD at the same time—passion and compassion all rolled together in these beautiful pages.

This is the first book I have read by author Lindsay McKenna even though it is the seventh book in the series. However, this book can easily be read as a stand alone novel. While many novels these days are focused on returning veterans and their experiences with PTSD, this is the first I have read where the heroine is the one experiencing the symptoms. Although to be fair, the hero is also experiencing PTSD but he's been dealing with it's effects for years whereas her trauma is more recent. So the focus of this story is not simply a romance, but also helping the heroine define her new role as a woman suffering from PTSD and how she makes the adjustment to her new "normal" life. And who better to help her than a veteran who has had to battle the same type demons. In fact, I would say the romance is secondary to the whole story and is only really acted on in the last few pages. Overall, a good read that tries to familiarize readers with the hardships returning veterans face without getting too graphic about their past experiences.

I received an arc from Netgalley. Not only does this book have a beautiful love story but an appreciation for our veterans and a glimpse at what some veterans go through.

Jake and Lily meet on a ranch which employs veterans. Lily is hired to be a caregiver to Jakes mother. Both Lily and Jake have been dealing with PTSD from serving in the military.

These two learn so much from each other and Jake (otherwise known as Bear) opens up so much in Lily’s presence.

I am so glad I read this leading up to Veterans Day as it has opened my eyes to the sacrifice made by our military.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet cowboy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!