Don't Call Me Hero

I loved this book even though it was written awhile back and I gave it five stars but I was really bothered by a couple of facts. I just loved the vulnerability of Cassidy and all she went through. Carrying such burdens after her years in service and just trying to exist in a world with no wars. Her strength is trying to get herself better was aspiring to say the least. Enter Julia and the tough tight and on edge personality challenged Cassidy when then see each other again in another town. Julia is the one who is very forward in taking from Cassidy and finding Cassidy never really sure what they had between them. As they developed a non committed relationship, Cassidy was also trying to fit in a new very small and quiet town now on their police force. After her partner uncovers something sinister going on with funds that were not being sent to the town as needed, Cassidy helps out with the investigation and when they come to the truth she is faced with Julia head on. Julia being who she is, defends her father at the expense of Cassidy and in the interim ruins her reputation, the solid case and ultimately Cassidy. The two parts I didn’t like were when they go to cabin to retrieve Cassidy’s bike it says Julia’s father car is there but when they go in cabin no mention of him there even though Julia discovered papers. Also knowing how Cassidy was so vulnerable using what she learned against her was like the ultimate in betrayal. So how could she ever forgive her. Hopefully I…

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and it was very enjoyable. One bone I have to pick, however, is that in so many of the books I’ve read, when mentioning the resemblance between a character and her parent(s), remember the parent(s) came first. It’s the characters resemblance to a parent, not the opposite. I can’t say how many times I’ve come across the same error in the many books I’ve read. Overall, I really liked this book, and look forward to reading the next book in the series. I enjoy reading stories featuring the military, medical personnel, and first responders. Well done.

Wow, this book was awesome! I often lament about how difficult it is to find good lesbian fiction that isn't too tragic but still has depth, and this story was a perfect fit for me. The opening was a little slow, and occasionally I skimmed some of the non-vital description towards the beginning, but the book really found its rhythm once Cassidy arrives in Embarrass. I'll be the first to admit that I love the prickly ice queen trope, and Julia fit the bill. She was such an interesting character-- refined and elegant, cold, and perfectly cognizant of how she appeared to people. She gave me the flutters. Cassidy was also easy to like: a little awkward, a little shy, and a lot of fun once she let her guard down. She was so earnest and imperfect, I fell in love with her, too. While there was some 'good sex can cure all ills!' business, the book does mention that Cassidy has received prior professional help for her PTSD and she is seeing a therapist towards the end of the book. The details felt very well-researched, authentic, and mostly unobtrusive. The characters were all enjoyable people to be around, the sort of folks you'd see in your every day life (save for the villain, who was sort of cardboard and mostly off-screen). The setting was quaint but not kitschy. My only real complaint was that the ending was rushed, and I'd have liked to see some further resolution of the final conflict, but the rest of the book was so good I'd feel guilty for knocking it down a star. If…

Cassidy is a little worse for wear after surviving two tours in Afghanistan. She has suffered there and now she has to live with it. She moves to a small town to escape, and yes she does get better there. The way that Cassidy and Julia met and then re-met in the small town was funny. But that also shows as a meant to be situation. Love that kind of story. On to the next book.

I really wanted to love this book. I'm not saying it was bad. It just reads as an ok second or third draft. The character development could definitely use some work. As a vet, I can relate to some of the stuff Cass went through but there was a disconnect for me between her war experiences and how Cass's PTSD manifested itself. But admittedly, some of my own issues could be coming through there. My real issue was the ending. It's so abrupt that I was actually pissed. I felt like the author got sick of the story and just cut it off without much closure. The elements of an ending are there...it's just...lacking. I will say that this story has potential. I don't regret reading it but it won't be on my reread list unless it gets a little more work.