Member Reviews
An Everyday Hero was my first book by this author, and I was so pleasantly surprised. I mean, I loved the blurb, so I was excited to take the chance. But there's always a little spark of surprise when beneath that enticing blurb lies a story full of heart.
There is definitely a Hallmark-y vibe to this story. It's sweet and somewhat predictable. But it's also smartly written and told in a way that felt relatable and engaging and sometimes downright charming. It moved a little slowly for me sometimes, and other times it caused a grin to plaster itself relentlessly across my face. I laughed, I swooned, and my heart hurt for these fabulous characters. It's not super heavy on the romance, and the heat level is low, but it was heartwarming and lovely and I'm so glad I took a chance on it. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
Where are my Hallmark lovers?? This novel will be right up your alley. I on the other hand, find this to be a little Too Hallmark-y and have to give it 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻, 3 ok’s because that’s what I thought of it. It was just ok.
Greer, an almost famous singer, songwriter comes back home to her hometown after giving up to make it in Nashville to find out her boyfriend cheated on her. In true romcom fashion, she meets Mr All American who comes home from the war with more than physical trauma. Together they find new paths with the hands that they were dealt and new dreams to pursue. I feel like that part was really too predictable. That lost it an 👌🏻
I do like that Trentham uses real southern phrases & dishes that leads you to believe she might be from the South. At the end of the story & the “Happily Ever After” Greer finds out that a famous artist wants to do one of her songs but the author uses an actual Singer and I just really don’t like that. I don’t like when the fictional characters cross into nonfictional. Just because that person is famous doesn’t mean you get to use her as a character. That lost it another .
In the end, I enjoyed it enough to finish it & I probably would have read it in my high school library but it’s just ok. I wouldn’t go out and buy it or anything but if your have it sitting on your coffee table or library, read it and it’ll be ok.
This is beautiful story about love and loss. This is going to be a great series of books. It’s my first time reading books by this author and I’m very impressed with the writing.
An Everyday Hero is beautifully crafted. It's a traumatic story, but the lighthearted style makes it a joy to read.
Emmett has returned from deployment with guilt which has turned him into a cynic about any prospective future.
Greer's dreams of making it into the musical industry is shattered, and as a result she returns home and lands herself into trouble. She no longer by believes in herself. Her penance for being a trouble maker puts her into the path of two people in need of support, and this in turn makes her realise what she really needs in life.
Despite the traumatic experiences that Ally and Emmett have been through, Greer has a way of making them face reality. The sarcastic banters make this story even more real. She doesn't mince her word, but underneath what appears to be acidic, there is concern. Love and affection shine through the sarcasm, and Greer finds her true calling.
I love how Greer handles Ally and breaks down her barrier. Ally has been through so much at such a young age, but in Greer she sees light at the end of the tunnel. There are some sad moments and some laugh out loud moments. The romance between Emmett and Greer is very well portrayed. It's a gripping and fun read.
I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
Greer is back home after heartbreak and a failed attempt at songwriting. She causes damage in a bar and ends up in court and sentenced to community service. She is assigned to help a troubled young girl Ally and a disabled vet. She helps Ally with musical therapy, and helps the vet overcome his forced isolation. And, in the process, she helps herself...
A great feel-good story for fans of other books by Laura Trentham. Follow the main character Greer as she recovers from a few rough blows from life. Greer is a likable and relatable character. While the storyline is predictable, it's still enjoyable and makes for a feel-good endearing read.
There is a reason that Laura Trentham is an author I always watch for. She writes book that I can get lost in, like this one. Greer and Emmett have both ended up back in their hometown when their plans for their future fell through. Greer has given up on music, is living at home, and doing community service hours due to drunken display at the local bar after finding out the boyfriend she didn't even really care about was cheating on her. Emmett lost his leg, his military career, and his desire to spend time with the human race. What could they possibly have to offer each other? Two flawed and well drawn characters who spark with chemistry on the page and a well developed plot made this a book I was sorry to see end.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
<i>ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review </i>
4.5*
I love Laura Trentham's books and devour each new one as soon as I can get my hands on it.
The character development and emotional arc that the three main characters in this book go through really touched me. Fantastic writing once again.
I received an E-ARC from NetGalley.
This is the second of two books (so far), in a series. They can be read as stand alones since the characters are different. I connected with Greer, Emmet, and Ally right away. I l9ok forward to reading more of this series if more boops are written.
I absolutely loved this book. The author did a wonderful job of writing this story and making you feel you were there.
I can't wait to read more from author Laura Trentham.
"Music dumped me on the side of the road, gave me the finger, and peeled out."
Greer Hadley came back to Madison from Nashville after feeling like a failure in the music business. After a night out drinking and tearing up the bar, her uncle, Judge Duckett gave her community service at the Music Tree Foundation, where she met Emmett who she had gone to school with. Ally, a rebellious teen who had lost her dad in the war.
This story makes you laugh, cry and cheer all of them on. Fantastic read!
Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
Wowza! I just adored Greer and her bluntness and stark honesty, caught in a place where she was trying to break out of her shell, but I really connected with Emmett. The two of them were surrounded by a world that “considered them damaged goods” and somehow found their happiness in each other, as they encouraged each other to fly. I really enjoyed the side storylines about Ally & Karen, and how they tied into Emmett’s story, as well as Emmett’s relationship with his parents. I was a little disappointed as I hoped this would be a tie in to The Military Wife, but I find the flawed heroes to be so compelling and relatable. Just Beautiful!
Greer oops moment, trying to beat up a jukebox while intoxicated because she caught her boyfriend cheating, left her having to have her parents pick her up from a night in jail. Her uncle, the judge, sentences her to community service using music and writing music as a form of therapy. In that role she meats Emmett, an amputee with demons he brought home from war. I loved this story. It was well written, held your interest, had great characters and I couldn't put it down.
Greer Hadley left home right after high school in order to follow her dreams to be a singer/songwriter in Nashville. Now, she's back home, 10 years later, after crashing and burning in Nashville. She gets hammered one night and, fights with one of the guys from high school who has always creeped her out. The judge gives her community service at a community center, teaching music. That's where Greer meets Ally, a sullen teen who has lost her father in the war.Greer does her best to help Ally realize how talented she is.
Greer is also given the task of helping a Veteran, newly back home, who has lost a leg and, is severely depressed. Greer is shocked to find that Emmett Lawson, a guy she's known since childhood, is her depressed Vet that she needs to pull, kicking and screaming, back into the world.
The interplay between these two is fascinating to read and, at times, devastating. It does, however, help to remind you that everyone grieves in a different way and time and, we all need help at certain times of our lives to make it out to the other side.
I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
Three Lost Souls Who Mend Each Other
An Everyday Hero is the life of a musician/songwriter, an injured military vet , and an angry, rebellious teenager who lost her dad in the war – the three of them turn into a hero for each other as they offer each other healing and redemption. This is a well-written and engaging story that I didn’t want to put down. The characters were well-defined and interesting, the friendship, then romance is paced right and flows smoothly. I loved that Greer doesn’t hold back with Emmett, she stands up to him, challenges him and does not pity him. Emmett gives her the push and courage to save herself. They have fantastic banter which makes their friendship and eventual romance realistic. They both have a mix vulnerability, compassion, strength and eventual happiness. They’re both hiding from life; she from her mistakes, her fears, and her future; he’s grappling with survivors’ guilt, regrets, physical and mental pain. Ally is full of teenager attitude and anger. She’s in pain after the loss of her father and a mother who is slipping away. She ends up helping save both Greer and Emmett. I’m a sucker for broken wounded hero’s/heroines and this is well written. I enjoyed every minute of this book and once I started it I could not put it down.
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (November 15, 2019)
ARC received from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley
Once again, this talented author manages to grab the attention and the emotions of the reader from the first page to the last one.
The story of Army Capt. Emmett Lawson is one that sadly is very real. An honorable man fighting to keep us safe, in a war full of danger, as well as physical and emotional losses. Losses that can leave them with survivor’s guilt and that can destroy an individual leaving him a shell of his former self.
Greer Hadley is struggling with finding herself after trying to make it as a songwriter in Nashville. Back home, at her lowest point she loses her temper and is given community service. Never realizing that this low point of her life, would bring her to a man and a teenager and that those new relationships would change everyones lives.
In addition to the touching plot with complex and likable characters, the author reminds us that we as a nation and as individuals, for the brave troops upon their return to civilian life.
There will be moments you will laugh and others you will want to cry, so have tissues readily available.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and St Martin’s. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Emmett has battle wounds. Greer has career battles. When they are thrown together they start to heal each other and face life again. As they heal they learn that helping others actually helps them to heal even more them selfs. Great story and well written with strong characters.
Awesome story! I luv how much they grew through their love.
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I can’t believe I’ve never read a story by this author before. When I read the synopsis there was no question about excepting this review. And I’m so glad I did.
I immediately connected with Emmett. I have intimate knowledge of a lot of what he was going through from personal knowledge and I was impressed by the authors detail of his anger, frustration, and pain.
I also really enjoyed Greer. She was unique and chose to enjoy life with a bit of a sarcastic yet humorous twist. She had her own struggles but she could be supportive yet not let anyone get away with self-pity.
The story was wonderfully unique and I just loved watching the transformation of the people in the story. The author did a beautiful job crafting her characters so carefully that just very simple loving acts and friendship could change someone else so completely.
This book is lovingly written and it leaves you feeling amazing when you’re done. It’s a happy, joyful story that ends beautifully. Not to be missed if you love clean romances written with exquisite detail.
I absolutely loved this book.
From the minute we meet Greer, we laugh , we cheer and we want her to win !
When we meet Emmett, we want what Greer wants for him , to rejoin the living .
Greer and Emmett are pure chemistry together , two lost souls, who need each other regardless of what they both think. These two make each other a better person.
I laughed , I cried , I cheered , I haven’t had this much fun with a book and it’s characters in a long time !
This is my favorite Laura Trentham book! I cannot recommend this book enough
I loved this story! Greer is beaten down by rejection & life. Emmett is ex-military, was injured & lost his leg to an explosion & ambush that took some of his men. They both are wallowing in pain, guilt & self loathing. Greer has to donate time to a veterans organization for community service & is asked to approach Emmett to try to shake him out of his funk. She is also charged with helping Ally, the young daughter of a deceased veteran.
The author does a wonderful job of bringing three people that need each other together. Greer’s sarcasm & sass are perfect to bring Emmett out of his shell in a way sympathy wouldn’t have. Ally has a tough shell but Greer can see glimpses of pain & despair underneath. Both Ally & Emmett give back to Greer as much as she gives them & they don’t allow her to back out of the same things she forces them to face. As I read through this, there were times I laughed & times I cried. From the very beginning, I was pulled into the story & it just didn’t let go of my heart.
AN EVERYDAY HERO by Laura Grantham is an emotional journey. I couldn't put this book down, it made me laugh and gave me hope. A sad story that turned into one of friendship and love. Emmett a local boy who goes off to war and comes back home unable to acclimate. In a deep depression fighting help of any kind. Greer a local girl who leaves home after high school to follow her dreams. She returns home defeated and lost. Discovering each other and finding acceptance, helping others. Five 🌟 read!!!