I enjoyed this one even though it was quite a bit different than I thought it would be. It was not so much how the guys get together but how they manage to stay that way through some challenges. I'm a fan of this author because her writing tends to be well described. I get a real sense for where I am and can be in that place. Here, though I'm not so much wanting a ton of flashback's, the fact that we never experience war through Cole's eyes as he lived it created too large a separation between his PTSD and his history. I mean in general I know about PTSD and I've seen it but not too up close and personal. Here I think my emotional investment in the characters would have been much stronger if I'd of been able to attach more deeply to Cole but I didn't. There was a lot of telling what was happening but it just didn't pack the punch. There was one scene that really brought it home but it wasn't enough to get me there and sustain it for the book. We also have no look in to what he's doing in therapy. Considering that is a huge reason for him to be struggling - it seemed an odd choice to shut that whole area of a characters life down except for few glimpses.The guys relationship, the sex, the conversations - the way they sort of lived their life seemed to me to be spot on. It wasn't all neat and organized and things were awkward sometime..and that's how it really usually is. Resolution to the situation with Cole's Mom seemed a bit too easy though A very enjoyable book. The two MCs were believable and likeable. Marc was an interesting character who had had a couple of tough relationships under his belt and nervous and cautious about getting into a relationship with Cole. This book is set before DADT was repealed and Cole had been discharged from the Marines after confirming that he was gay. He was a great character, honourable, mixed up and very sweet. He makes some stupid mistakes with Marc early on in the book, but Marc hangs on in there.It was interesting to see that of the two characters, Marc who you would think had an easier life of it, (excellent support from his mother and out from an early age) had a much harder time trusting in his feelings. His relationships which were referenced a number of times in the book, too many for my taste - his mother compared Cole to a previous boyfriend (weird) - obviously hit hard and made him insecure of his worth.The book focussed on their relationship, secondary characters moved the plot along, but didn't take over. I found myself totally caught up in their relationship and really hoping that they would work things out and get their HEA. It was a very pleasant read and I will read more by Cat Grant.One minor point for the Author. Cats should NOT eat turkey, it can make them sick and if they eat too much can cause serious problems. Poor Thomas, thank goodness Cole ate so much or it could have been a very sad Thanksgiving ;)
What do You think about Once A Marine (2014)?
Very Well written and a great read and very realistic :)
—trevor
Always love a Cat Grant. This is another cracker.
—rekha
