Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780062471062 |
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| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Publication date: | 07/26/2016 |
| Series: | American Valor Series , #2 |
| Sold by: | HARPERCOLLINS |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 323,281 |
| File size: | 748 KB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Here and Now
4.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
6 reviews.
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I don’t think any of us have trouble understanding the difficulties facing those who return from war, but Cheryl Etchison brings a story that is all about moving forward, and avoiding glances in the rearview mirror.
Lucky is a former Ranger, a medic for his unit. After his military career ends, he’s decided to return to school while working 3rd shift at the local hospital. Not interested in much more than getting through his next set of tasks, he’s slowly reintegrating into civilian life. If only his classmates were as understanding as his work colleagues.
Rachel is one of Lucky’s coworkers, and while they are ‘friendly’ they aren’t friends. Until his chemistry lab partner shows up with a dinner and more on her mind. Quick thinking and desperation have Lucky begging for help in pushing off the young co-ed. But, Rachel needs something too: the relationship with her boyfriend is notoriously unstable, and she’s finally decided that enough is enough. She’ll help him, if in return, he puts those muscles to use and helps her move out.
These two are adorable together: tentative steps to knowing one another ignores that first spark of attraction as they both decide to be friends. Well, the friend zone is as dangerous to their hearts as any war zone that Lucky ever served in. Wholly competent and decidedly capable in an emergency, the whole ‘feelings’ thing has him in knots, with no way out. Rachel is desperately trying to become less of a people-pleaser, learning to say no, and speak for what she truly wants. But she never thought she’d want another relationship.
With secondary characters that add humor and moments with a couple from the first book, this story is sure to please people who want a little less angst from a military themed story, but still want to understand the characters’ decisions, choices and motivations. A wonderful introduction to the series that works well on its own, although I’m now curious about Danny and Bree.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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This is my second book by Cheryl Etchison and though I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one, it was still amazing! I thought it was wonderful to have Lucky and Rachel be friends first; and real friends, not just people who have the hots for each other but hide it. Though they each find the other attractive, their friendship is real and builds naturally as it progresses into something more. I also loved the scene when Lucky admits his feelings to Rachel. Thank god for a man who can admit his feelings!
Lucky is hands down a great hero and I loved reading about him. We’re told many times that Lucky is a genuinely nice guy and then Etchison backs it up by showing just how nice Lucky is. It was very refreshing to have a sweet guy as a hero who really knows how to treat Rachel like the most important person in his life.
Rachel was really trying to get her life on track and is certainly put through the ringer in this book. In the beginning Rachel is a really messed up woman; she doesn’t really come across that way in her work or thoughts but when the reader gets more information about her past relationships it really becomes clear that she struggles with what a healthy relationship should look like. I was happy that Lucky could show her how things should be between two people who care about each other. Occasionally Rachel would drive me crazy. In reality she was acting the way a regular person in her shoes would act, so I can’t really blame her. However, sometimes I wanted her to just trust Lucky and go for it.
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A must read for the soldier lovers out there! This book really only touches on, but still addresses the issues soldiers face with returning to civilian life. I really enjoyed it!!
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Lucky and Rachel had a bit of rough start, but soon became really good friends as they are both starting a new phase of their lives. Pretty soon they are spending their working and non-working hours together and it seemed like they became a couple without almost without them noticing it, except that is was strictly platonic. Or at least it was until it wasn't. Lucky has always had a thing for Rachel, but after a moment of weakness brings them together intimately and a misunderstanding has Rachel setting boundaries of friendship only, Lucky figures out that we wants Rachel as more than just a friend. The only problem is that Rachel will never leave their small town, while Lucky is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life and all its limitations regarding his medical skills. They both faced some tough decisions in order to be with the one they loved and I loved the way that it played out. Overall a sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers story without too much drama and can be read as a standalone.
4.5 stars
I received an ARC via Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.
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I fell in love with author Cheryl Etchison’s writing style and the way she can pen a romance novel. The lady is truly amazing when it comes to Military Romance. Here and Now is the second installment in the American Valor series, and readers we are back again with the 75th Ranger Regiment. This time it's former Ranger Medic Lucky James to find romance with the woman that's his happily-ever-after. Rachel Dellinger is the lucky lady who claims Lucky's heart. Ever since they were in high school together, Lucky has had a crush on her, but he never acted on his feelings for Rachel, and then he enlisted. The first time Lucky meets back up with Rachel, she slaps his face. The second time Rachel hits him with her truck while Lucky is riding his bike. So yeah, talk about a rough start to Lucky's happily-ever-after with the woman who stole his heart in high school. Lucky definitely has his work cut out for him to win Rachel’s heart.
Lucky is back in his hometown of Durant Oklahoma after twelve years of service as a Ranger Medic. It was never his plan to stay in the 75th Ranger that long. Lucky's original plan was to serve out his contract and use the GI Bill to pay his way through college, but year after year he kept renewing his contract and deploying with his brothers-in-arms. Now, it's been twelve years and he's thirty years old and just getting started with his college plans to finish his medical school. Lucky is also working at the local hospital as an ER tech, and this is where he meets back up—or rather, Lucky's hit and run—with Rachel. Yep, Rachel hits Lucky with her truck and Rachel did the running after she realized it was Lucky. Rachel works at the same hospital as an ER nurse. Rachel also has had a crush on Lucky since high school, but Lucky is Rachel's unicorn. Meaning she never thought she would have a chance with this beautiful, mysterious, military guy who has traveled the world and seen and done amazing things with his life. She’s just the girl that spent her entire life in this Podunk town of Durant, Oklahoma. Yeah, not a chance in heck Lucky her unicorn would fall for the Podunk town girl. But when these two need each other’s help, it opens the door for Lucky and Rachel to finally acted on those high school feelings, and just when those feelings are turning into love, Lucky choice changes everything—a choice that Rachel’s not sure she can accept in order to be with the man she loves.
Here and Now is a touch-your-heart Military Romance with plenty of humor and steamy romance, a story that pulls you in and won't let you go until you find out if the unicorn gets his podunk girl. Definitely a must, must read.
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Lucky is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He loves his work at the hospital but adjusting to college at 30 isn't how he imagined. His one saving grace is his friendship with Rachel, his 3rd shift co-worker. Rachel can't seem to stay away from Lucky and she lays down tons of rules to avoid getting hurt again.
The chemistry between Lucky and Rachel is so far off the charts it's like the 4th of July every time they're near each other. I love that Lucky is sexy, protective and unique in the world of military romances, he doesn't have PTSD. Rachel is independent a bit stubbornly so. Though, she's very likable and funny.
To say I was engrossed in Here and Now is an understatement. The story was well written perfectly paced and I didn't want to put it down when I was about to fall asleep at night. If you enjoy a steamy military romance with an enormous amount of heart, I highly recommend Here and Now.
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