Read as part of [b:His Hero Anthology|13331326|His Hero Anthology|Devon Rhodes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1325580876s/13331326.jpg|18539063]

Between 4.5 and 5 stars ( )

What a beautiful story! It is a great mix between the ‘rough and tough’ kind of love two military men might share and some extremely tender and intimate moments that were far more romantic than I had expected. As sweet as those moments are, they are never unrealistic. Control of their feelings is so engrained in these guys that deviating from what they had to practice for years while in training together doesn’t even change once they are stationed separately and can only meet very occasionally.

Carey, the Navy guy, knows and admits he is in love with Owen almost from the start. He is the one who pursues his roommate until they become more, he is the one who comes up with this incredibly romantic idea of switching their rings. Interestingly, this doesn’t make him a sap, he is simply more honest with himself.

Owen is a tough Marine, inside and out. I think he is in love long before he admits it, and, not knowing what to do with those feelings at first, he lets his concern for Carey guide his actions. At least, that is what he calls it. Once he does figure out what is what, his response to the exchanged rings, years later, brought tears to my eyes.

This is a wonderful, contemporary story that shows the reality of military life, even in times after the DADT repeal. The heroes are very much in love, but it is the kind of enduring emotion that makes me hope they really will get their happy-ever-after one day. If you like men in uniform showing their feelings, if you want realistic love without syrupy sweetness but are not willing to compromise on the romance, and if you don’t mind shedding tear or two when they finally fully connect, you will like this story as much as I did.



NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on QMO Books. ( )

Beautiful. :) ( )