Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #TheHero by Pamela McCord for an honest review.

I was unable to finish this book. It had a great premise and I loved the idea of a story within the story but I just couldn't like the FMC. She did things I didn't agree with several times and I couldn't move past it. I also felt that the side story of her hatred for her best friend's boyfriend went on way too long. It took half the book for the 2 MCs to meet. I gave it to the 75% mark and it took way too long for me to get there because I just didn't care about the characters or the story anymore. So much could have been cut out of the first half of the book in order to get to the actual romance in the story. I don't really care that the FMC bought keychains from Tiffany's for the guests at a party to celebrate a book that was accepted by a publisher which was pretty unbelievable since even the cheapest things at Tiffany's are extremely expensive - she had written and published a book before this one but wasn't a best seller. The character frequently acting like she was trying to be an author full time and not have to rely on income elsewhere so where did she get the money to buy those gifts for this party. Oh that's right, she used her advance for the book. It just didn't make sense. Also, I didn't like that she had a boyfriend when she found the "hero" - that story also didn't fit into the story at all except that she was cheated on again even though she was meeting a man she was obsessed with and she didn't tell her boyfriend about it. Yes, she didn't actually cheat on her boyfriend but she was keeping that information from him and it didn't sit right with me. Actually, this was another subplot that just didn't add anything to the overall story.

Pamela McCord is another new-to-me author and what a surprise and a treat this novel was. This gal can write, and what a special, romantic, drama-filled novel she's written! It gets 4.5 stars from this grateful reader.

The novel is about a novelist, London Calloway, and opens when she climbs aboard her long-time, trust-fund boyfriend's yacht, only to find him getting cozy with another woman--end of that relationship, or so she thinks. Meanwhile, she's trying to come up with an idea for her next novel, and while her previous novels have sold, her agent wants her next book to be a blockbuster, but London can't find inspiration, at least not until she sees a newspaper photo of a American soldier in Afghanistan, a photo she's immediately drawn to, and then, using a technique as old as Shakespeare, Ms. McCord gives us a romance novel within a romance novel, and what a novel it turns out to be.

Of course, London first tries to find out the identity of the mystery soldier and fails, but as her novel takes shape, we're drawn into this wonderful romance she first dreams and then begins to write, between her main character, journalist Juliana Curry and her rescuer, Captain Westfall. The only person privy to her novel in progress is her best friend, Nicole, and of course, we readers too. Meanwhile, both she an Nicole enter into other romantic relationships, both of which become seriously problematic as the novel progresses, and that's putting it mildly. Both characters are well-drawn and have some real depth, and the author clearly understands the importance of the bonds of true friendship between two grown women.

My only issue with this novel, and it's the reason for the 4.5-star rather than 5-star rating, is a minor one--it's the amount of wine-drinking by both London and Nicole--it's so prevalent and happens so often that I was left wondering if these two women were alcoholics, and if that's a trigger for some readers, as it was for me, you've now been warned.

So, will London ever get to meet her mystery soldier, and what will happen when and if she does? Will her novel within a novel be the blockbuster she's hoping for? Since I don't do spoilers, you'll just have to read this engaging novel for yourself, and one more suggestion, keep your Kleenex handy and get comfortable, because if you love a novel that can make you laugh and also make you cry, this novel does both, and it was a one-sitting read for me, because I was so wrapped up in this story that I simply couldn't put it down. I have a feeling you'll think so too.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Sweet romance story about an author who writes a book after seeing the picture of a soldier in a newspaper. Little lacking in something and some of London's decision making left a lot to be desired.

ARC provided by NetGalley. Interesting romance from idolization of a picture with suspense and depreciating male ex boyfriend. I found it to be connecting and relevant.

Loved the idea not the execution. We don’t get introduced to the Hero till about way into the story and though there are multiple POVs in this story none of them are the Hero’s. I didn’t really feel any real chemistry between the hero and heroine, it just all fell a little flat for me. I wanted to love it but just couldn’t.

My apologies - I was not able to review this book before it was archived.

Thank you for the opportunity - I was looking forward to reading this.

The story is a fun idea, but the execution was so choppy and unrefined that it really turned me off, and I DNF at 20%. A lot of the military descriptions were cringy and not at all realistic as well. That can be expected, but when it’s so over the top, it’s hard to get through.

Loved this romance with an actual hero a military hero as the hero of the story. Though not everyone will like this story. I thought it was cute.

The Hero byPamela McCord

London Calloway is an author and had just finished her latest novel and at a loose end. Whilst having a bit of writers block she decides to drop in unexpectedly on her playboy boyfriend but found him entertaining another woman. She was livid and broke off her relationship with him. On browsing a newspaper sees a picture of a soldier on the frontline and is totally captivated by the unknown hero it inspires an idea fit her next book.

A really well written novel.

A great story with many twists and turns to find her true romance. Fast page turning read. Very enjoyable enthralling read. 4.5/5