A fashion designer with an anxiety disorder fears to start a relationship with a man who puts his life on the line in the military. Small town, friends to lovers from a new to me author had strong appeal, so I gave into temptation.

Her Marine Hero is the third standalone romance in the Polk Island series. I could see that the two previous stories were about the heroine’s cousins getting their romances and that Renee and maybe Greg had been introduced earlier, but I had no trouble diving in out of series order.

Greg Bowman returns after a few years. He’s been serving in the Marines and made it into MARSOC, the Marine Special Operations regiment which was his goal. But lately, he feels the pull to finish out his time and get out of the military since he never planned to retire. He is considering taking his friend up on a job offer and if that offer puts him close to the woman who turned him down and put him in the friends category? Perhaps he can persuade her to give him a chance once his job isn’t coming between them.

Her fashion designs and sales are a big success now and she feels a contentment for reaching the pinnacle of her success, but then a huge temptation arrives back in her quaint, pretty small town and stirs her up. Renee Rothschild has had a thing for Greg since they met and went on a date. She put a halt to things knowing that her anxiety disorder would eat her alive dating a guy in the military gone on active duty and besides her ex did a number on her and she hasn’t come to terms with that issue. But here is Greg and he’s well-nigh irresistible. They both have different dreams and needs though so how could it possibly be a good idea?

I settled into the author’s warm, tender, and gently-paced writing style right away. The setting sounds perfect- a small island community and family and friends supporting each other. The sweet time of friends who feel the sparkle of attraction and share some poignant moments made for easy reading and romantic feel throughout. It wasn’t lacking in layers and some drama, either.

The heart of the romantic conflict is the heroine struggling to get past her anxiety, her belief that she can’t handle a relationship with a person with a military career, and the pair of them struggling with the possibility that one of them will have to give up their dreams. I was cheering them on and admit to getting impatient with Renee for holding them back particularly when she seems to be making Greg pay for what her ex pulled on her, but she does deal with that, eventually. Also, I applaud her for seeing the hardship that a military relationship might be and her selfless desire that Greg not have to sacrifice his dream career. He doesn’t think he’s sacrificing, but there is a crisis when he needs to go back to duty for a friend and his desire to leave the Marines isn’t so cut and dry.

I appreciated that she had written characters of service and duty like her cousins and the hero in civic and military service careers, but also of different abilities with the heroine’s cousin getting used to a prosthetic after military duty and the heroine dealing with mental health struggles.

All around, this was touching and satisfying. I would definitely read more from the author and I was glad to see that there will be more Polk Island stories. Those who want a quick, but heartwarming sweet romance with solid character development should definitely give this book/series a try.

I am a longtime fan of Jacquelin Thomas since her Arabesque and Kimani days. She is such an awesome writing. This the 3rd book in the “Polk Island Series”. Renee is a fashion designer. Greg is ready retire from the Marine, but has to figure out what he wants to do with his life after the Marines. Greg and Renee are dating and Renee has panic attacks about Greg being a Marine. Renee doesn’t want Greg to give up his career because of her. Greg is called back to active duty to rescue a fellow marine.

Can Greg convince Renee that life as a Marine is great, will Greg retire from the Marines after his recent active duty, Can Renee and Greg have an HEA?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Harlequin Romance, I am leaving my review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance.

Successful designer Renee suffers from severe panic attacks, due to her disorder, she is reluctant to commit to anything beyond friendship with a handsome Marine, Greg, who was apart of an elite miltary task force. Despite Renee's anxiety, Greg is willing to make the relationship work at any cost, including giving up his career to be with her. Will Renee overcome her fears to find happiness with Greg. Pick up My Marine Hero and read this love story for yourself.

My Marine Hero is a heartfelt romance about two people overcoming their doubts and insecurities to fall in love. It is the perfect novel if you like your love stories with people learning to believe in themselves and the power of love.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.