A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. Since that brief lapse in judgment, Evan has been at odds with her. But when he is asked to train a combat team alongside Claire, battle-hardened Evan is in for the fight of his life.
Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to achieve her high military rank. In Evan Loehr, Claire sees a spoiled commander who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. Army orders force them together and Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He too has dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other
Read Your Writes Review
Until There Was You is the second book by Jessica Scott, a current Army officer, but this is the first book by her I have read. Part of the title states that this is a military romance, but I found the only thing military about this book were the characters who are all members of the Army. The book takes place at bases in Texas and Colorado.
For me, I wanted to read this book for the romance. I found it hard to read for the military part. Meaning, I kept getting bogged down in trying to figure out what the ranks meant and some of the military language. I will say I gained a greater respect for our members of the military; for what they have to go through and endure for war.
If you’re looking for a romance story where there’s immediate attraction by both parties and within the first 15 to 20 pages of the book they succumb to their attraction, this book ISN’T for you. I like that the book builds up to the true romance. You get to know the characters and see what they truly are about.
I love the characters in this book from the main characters of Evan Loehr and Claire Montoya to the secondary character of Reza Iaconelli. Captain Evan Loehr is a career Army man. He has been in or a part of the military since the age of seventeen. He is a straight arrow, by the book kind of guy. He knows what happens when you don’t follow the rules; sometimes the consequences can be deadly. Captain Claire Montoya is a hard working, break the rules for the greater good, kind of woman. In her mind, rules should not always be black and white. Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli is my favorite. Reza is a warrior soldier. He has his demons but he’s the person you want on your side. He’s funny and caring. He can give just as good as he can get.
In fact, Evan, Claire, and Reza all have demons they’re battling. Evan is dealing with the death of his younger sister thirteen years previously. Claire has trust issues and feels she isn’t worthy. Reza is an alcoholic who uses drinking to numb the effects of all the battles he’s been a part of. Evan and Claire have misconceptions about each other. It isn’t until they realize the other’s past that they are able to finally understand the other.
Claire and Reza are like best friends. Best friends who technically shouldn’t be friends, due to the fact that Claire outranks him. Throughout the book you see all the many times Claire breaks the rules for Reza because she cares so deeply for him and because he’s really good at what he does.
All three are together on a training mission to train a team that a good friend of Claire is a part of. The training outlined by commander in charge of the division is lacking and Claire wants to change things to enable the troops who are going to be deployed to Iraq the best possible chance at surviving and coming home alive. Events transpire which result in someone getting injured. Reza is partially responsible for what happens and Claire takes the fall for him and everyone else. This puts her future with the military in jeopardy.
Interestingly enough, Reza is the one with the biggest and worst problem. But he’s also the one who finally forces Evan and Claire to admit their feelings for one another out in the open.
At times, Until There Was You can be a little heartbreaking. But I love the discovery the characters make within themselves and the others they care about and love. Evan and Claire are two people who should really find and have a happily ever after. I wish, no, I hope that the same can be said for Reza.
Rating: 3 ½ (I liked it.)
I was able to review this book by receiving it from NetGalley.
Be sure to check out the official trailer created by Jessica herself.
For more on Jessica Scott visit her website.
Until There Was You can be purchased from Amazon
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