I loved the scene where he helps her pick out the paint. He is in Tallgrass trying to decide what direction he's going to take now that his previous plans are no longer possible. He is pretty bitter about his injury and the loss of his career. Carly makes an impression on him when he meets her but a relationship is not in his plans.
He divorced his wife when he discovered she was sleeping around, sometimes even with men in his unit. After his injury even his mother is treating him like he isn't a whole man and it's really doing a number on his self image. He spends a lot of time pretending that there is nothing wrong with him. When he starts hanging out with Carly he doesn't tell her about his injury because he doesn't want to risk possible rejection. By the time he realizes that it wouldn't matter to her he can't figure out how to bring it up.
When she finds out about it he has to figure out how to show her that he knows what an idiot he had been and how to get her back in his life. I completely loved the ending. It was obvious how hard it was for him but that he was doing it for her. Besides the wonderful romance between Carly and Dane, I loved the whole theme of the book. The realism of the lives of Carly and her friends and the soldiers in the WTU was occasionally hard to read because it was so emotional.
As the first book in the series there was also a fair amount of time devoted to the supporting cast. Therese and her issues with her stepchildren were a secondary story that got a lot of attention. I wanted to shake her a few times and tell her she was going overboard on being understanding of their issues. Jacob was semi-obnoxious but somewhat typical of his age. Abby, on the other hand, was a first class brat and bitch-in-training. I'm looking forward to the next book, which is Therese's story. I'm hoping to see her grow a backbone when it comes to those kids.
Sep 10, Suzanne rated it liked it. A Hero to Come Home to, by Marilyn Pappano is a story of a woman falling in love again after her husband was killed while serving in the military. It was well written and interesting, with well-rounded characters and great insight into the lives of the men, women and children whose lives are influenced by loved ones dying while serving our country.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, with one minor exception.
Although I am a religious person, I find myself bothered by books that make frequent re A Hero to Come Home to, by Marilyn Pappano is a story of a woman falling in love again after her husband was killed while serving in the military. Although I am a religious person, I find myself bothered by books that make frequent references to God and religion church, prayer, miracles, etc unless they are classified specifically as religious books.
The Tallgrass Series in Order - Marilyn Pappano - FictionDB
I felt almost distracted by the religious references in the book, although I'm sure other readers might find these references uplifting or enjoyable. However, I still recommend the book and will most likely read the next one. Jun 20, Linda rated it liked it Shelves: I wish I knew this ahead of time. Carly Lowry had lost her husband to the war in Afghanistan and she cannot imagine letting any other man close enough to break her heart. The only company and solace she needs, she gets from her fellow Army widows.
Then Dane Clark walks into her life, and maybe Fate is offering Carly another chance of being happy and getting the best of life. I liked Ilena, the Army widow determined to continue with h Carly Lowry had lost her husband to the war in Afghanistan and she cannot imagine letting any other man close enough to break her heart. I liked Ilena, the Army widow determined to continue with her life, even after losing her husband, so I expected all the members of the Tuesday Night Margarita Club all Army widows to be just like Ilena. Sure, they've lost the men they loved, but they weren't afraid of living their life after their husband's death.
Unfortunately, this story proved me wrong with its prologue in which Carly was so far removed from a human being accepting her Fate a whole year after her husband's death, mind you , it made me queasy. She improved quite a lot throughout the story, but there were always moments that made me roll my eyes Like her refusal to pack her husband's stuff two years later, stubbornly wearing his favorite perfume, even though she didn't really like it, refusal to make any changes to the house Until she met her hero.
Who was even worse with his pity party about his lost leg. At least you're alive, you ass! Yes, maybe this review is making me appear heartless or at least cold-hearted, and yes, I understand people grieve in different ways, but did we really have to be saddled with an unable unwilling-to-move-on heroine and a self-pitying hero with body-image issues? They got on my nerves so much him more and more as the story progressed, while she improved that I couldn't have been bothered to enjoy their "romance".
Which felt rushed at least judging from the ending. They worked better as friends, IMO.
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There were other problems with the story that cannot be overlooked: At first it pissed me off at the publisher for not warning unsuspecting readers, but then I just skipped those parts. I liked the premise, and it had its brighter moments when the heroine wasn't bemoaning her lost husband and the hero forgot about not having a leg , but overall it was quite a disappointment. Jun 22, Sharon Redfern rated it really liked it. This is a lovely romance novel about a really hard subject. Carly Lowry is an elementary school teacher whose husband, Jeff, made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
She is living her life by merely existing, counting the days and wondering if she will ever feel normal again. She bonds with a group of other women in the same situation and finds her life getting somewhat better. Dane Clark sitting alone in a cave and contemplating his This is a lovely romance novel about a really hard subject.
Dane Clark sitting alone in a cave and contemplating his life. Dane was a paratrooper who lost his foot in an IED explosion and had to have two subsequent amputations of more of his leg due to complications. He has not adapted to his new normal and on the fence about what the future holds for him. This is not your typical light hearted romance. That said there are moments of humor and silliness.
Most of the time this story is an honest look at the sacrifices that military spouses have made and respectful of how they cope when their loved ones die in battle. Carly and her friends live their lives and hope for future happiness but they have bittersweet memories that will never be left behind.
Pappano does an excellent job of portraying characters that are trying to balance the past and the present with an uncertain future. The relationship between Carly and Dane unfolds at just the right pace and feels realistic given the circumstances. They deserve a second chance at love and they have to work to get it. Carly is further along the healing process than Dane and that causes some bumps in their road to happiness.
Jun 14, Debbie Hodge rated it it was amazing. Excellent, timely story about love and intimacy between a widowed Army wife and a wounded soldier. Marilyn Pappano has, yet again, given us a book we can embrace filled with her usual flair and also enlighten us about the special needs of returning warriors. This story begins a new series and some of the other couples are introduced in this first book. There is a sensitivity and spirituality in this story that I haven't always seen in her books although I love them all. There is very little sex Excellent, timely story about love and intimacy between a widowed Army wife and a wounded soldier.
There is very little sex but considering the nature of the primary relationship, it is understandable. Carly is still grieving and Dane is dealing with injuries that change his life forever. Marilyn deals well with the topic of Dane's amputation. They already feel like family. You won't be disappointed. Apr 25, Karen rated it liked it. I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the connection between Carly, a young soldiers' widow and Dane, a paratrooper severely injured in the Mideast.
Their romance is slow in building which seemed real to me. Carly was still grieving and had to deal with that while Dane had to come to grips with his injury and where live would leave him. Carly was in a group with other widows dealing with the same problems. That was where the problem for me started. Since this was the first book in the se I have mixed feelings about this book. Since this was the first book in the series, Ms Pappano was setting up other characters. I wish she had strung them out into other books in the series, especially one of the widows who had a horrible step-child to deal with.
These additions were very distracting and took away the new romance building with the lead couple. Otherwise, I felt Carly and Dane's relationship was very touching. Jul 07, Bev rated it it was amazing. I won this book on Good Reads. I totally loved it! I liked the characters, the plot and the work done on not only the main characters, but also the supporting characters. I am now looking forward to the next book in the series and hope it comes out soon. The main focus of the book is a group of military wives who have lost their husbands in combat Also Carly the main character in this book, meets Dane a soldier who ha I won this book on Good Reads.
Also Carly the main character in this book, meets Dane a soldier who has returned from combat with his own problems to overcome The book is written with warmth and straight forward dealing with the issues presented. I give this book 5 stars. What a wonderful series. Marilyn's books has depth and insights into the psyche of each of the women she discusses in her books. Loretta Rawlins the narrater of these books is very good at bringing out the emotion of each story.
This is a fabulous series and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Looking forward to listening to more stories from the "margarita club". Jul 14, Julie Mink rated it it was amazing. I loved this book and can not wait for the next one. I have read many books with the feats of military heroes but this is the first with the widows of these heroes being the main characters. Keep a hanky in hand and love this story. Nov 06, Diana rated it liked it. Overall, a fine debut of a series. I just wish the publisher would have been more honest, I probably would have still bought it, but I would have been prepared for the many Christian references in the book.
Jul 15, Jessica rated it really liked it. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway! It was a very quaint, heartwarming story, touching on the subject that I think a lot of people fear: This book is also about overcoming your fears and putting one foot in front of the other.
A Hero to Come Home To: Tallgrass, Book 1 (Unabridged)
Apr 27, Kathryn rated it really liked it Shelves: I think that I will love this book! Can't wait to read it. I loved this book from the first page to the last. Dec 20, Barbara rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed this book. May 04, Jennifer rated it it was amazing Shelves: Cried tears of sadness and joy!
Mar 06, Paula rated it really liked it. Carly and Dane, I enjoyed this story and the fact the writer knows how to describe ptsd, and what military life is all about. I also like the fact that all the caracters are jumping in the story. The only reason that this book crossed my radar was due to reading A Christmas to Remember , where the author had a short story set in this series. It was one that takes place after this story, but it intrigued me enough that I had to seek out this book. I'm really glad that I did.
This book sort of sneaks up on you. The romance is a quiet one, more about healing than passion. I love the setting of the book, an Army base. Our hero was hurt while in duty and is struggling to figure things out, the The only reason that this book crossed my radar was due to reading A Christmas to Remember , where the author had a short story set in this series. Our hero was hurt while in duty and is struggling to figure things out, the biggest question being who is he now that he is short a leg.
It's a valid question, one that many author's address. What I really liked it that we get the family point of view. Our heroine lost her husband to the war. She is trying to go on with her life, thinking of counting her relationship in decades, not less than a handful of years. I loved that Carly sought out another woman in her same situation, both women needed the support that only someone in their situation can understand.
As time went on, it turns out there were others that needed that same shoulder to lean on. These women are an interesting group, all are in different places in their grief, different personalities, but have fun with their group. I loved that they called themselves the Tuesday night margarita group, but hated how everyone else in their community called them the widows group. Yes, it is a fact of their lives, but not a defining factor.
I loved how the group supported Carly as she met and started to develop a relationship with Dane. These women got some of her freakouts and issues, were happy for her all the while being a bit jealous.
I really liked that Carly and Dane didn't shy away from talking about Jeff, Carly's husband. I think by talking about things it helped Carly, even as at times it made Dane insecure, but I think that came mostly from his issues with his leg. The ending was great!
I loved that both Carly and Dane were able to get past things and reach for a second chance for happiness. Even with all the things going on with Carly and Dane, we had lots more going on. My heart breaks for Theresa. I hate to say it, but I think she is making the only decision she can for her own sanity.
She can't keep living the way that she has. I worry for Jessa, worry that she is finding too much solace at the bottom of a bottle and making bad decisions, all the while hiding everything from her friends. I look forward to reading more in this series to find out what happens with these women and others. May 05, Courteney rated it really liked it. I just finished reading this book earlier today and it was such a great story. My dad and grandpa were both military men so it has always been something I have admired and respected.
While it is hard to think about and even talk about, it is a fact that many of our soldiers don't get to come home and they leave behind husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, parents, etc. What I really liked about this story was that I really felt for Carly and her loss, but at the same time I was so proud I just finished reading this book earlier today and it was such a great story.
What I really liked about this story was that I really felt for Carly and her loss, but at the same time I was so proud of her for pushing through and getting up everyday and going to work and living life. Having best friends who understand what Carly is going through really helps her move to get her feelings out there and move forward with her life. When she meets Staff Sergent Dane Clark things start to get interesting. They meet and hang out as friends but Carly starts having feelings for him and she questions whether or not she is ready to move forward with a new relationship.
She knows she will always love her husband but does she really want to be alone for the rest of her life? When is it okay to start moving forward with someone new? Carly and her best friends ask themselves and each other these questions and they all have different answers because it is something only you can know.
Dane has his own problems but he has feelings for Carly and he becomes more comfortable with himself and works hard to deal with his issues to be a better person for her. Although when he isn't entirely honest about why he is in Tallgrass and Carly finds out the truth it puts a wedge between them and they really have to take a good long look at what is important and where they see their lives going.
I loved the characters and the Carly's story and I really liked hearing about her best friends as well and I really hope to read their stories as well. We are unable to find iTunes on your computer. To download from the iTunes Store, get iTunes now. Publisher's Weekly named this stunning novel one of the best books of ! First he fought for his country.
Now he'll fight for her. Two years after losing her husband in Afghanistan, Carly Lowry has rebuilt her life in Tallgrass, Oklahoma. She has a job she loves teaching third grade and the best friends in the world: Fellow military wives who understand what it means to love a man in uniform.
She's comfortable and content Staff Sergeant Dane Clark wanted to have a loving family, a twenty-year Army stint, and then a low-key civilian career. But the paratrooper's plans were derailed by a mission gone wrong. Struggling to adjust to his new life, he finds comfort in the wide open spaces of Tallgrass--and in the unexpected attention of sweet, lovely Carly.
She is the one person who makes him believe life is worth living.