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The Southbound Series #2
The Way Back Home
August Cotton shouldn’t be here. When a tragic accident calls him home to Magnolia Springs, this returned Veteran adds his parents to the list of things he’s lost in recent years, right along with his IED detection dog and his left leg. As the sole guardian of his four-year-old sister, August must rely on his Marine training in raising a tiny hellion who’s as stubborn as he is. But the Corps could never prepare him for this. Nor could they prepare him for Olivia Anders, a woman who’ll stop at nothing to get her way. As owner of Paws for Cause, Olivia is no stranger to the broken men and women who return home from war. She’s no stranger to broken dogs either. In fact, she’s made it her mission to pair the two and enrich both of their lives, but pairing ornery and aloof August Cotton will take some work. The last thing August wants is some pushy southern woman occupying his parents’ bed and breakfast and forcing him to open up about the hell he narrowly escaped, but that’s exactly what Olivia intends. They complete one another, and yet they can’t stand to be in the same room. Can Olivia make this hardened Marine feel again and finally show his heart the way back home? *** Intended for a mature 18+ audience only. This book may contain triggers for some readers.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2017
328 people are currently reading
1442 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Jenner
48 books3,097 followersCarmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.
A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen enjoys books—duh!—long walks through Sephora, tattooed boys, and eyeliner so sharp it could kill a man. She lives in small-town, Australia, where she wrangles her two children, a French Bulldog named Busy, her Jungle Jag Python named Bunny, and her very own manchild.
Carmen always gives her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?
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Stay up to date with Carmen at: www.carmenjenner.com
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A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen enjoys books—duh!—long walks through Sephora, tattooed boys, and eyeliner so sharp it could kill a man. She lives in small-town, Australia, where she wrangles her two children, a French Bulldog named Busy, her Jungle Jag Python named Bunny, and her very own manchild.
Carmen always gives her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?
Sign up to my newsletter for free books, and exclusive content https://www.carmenjenner.com/subscribe
Stay up to date with Carmen at: www.carmenjenner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenJenner...
Reader Group The Sugar Junkies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
August 2, 2017
2/5 stars
trigger warning: suicide (descriptive), mental illness, rape and abuse.
this is kinda a long review lol, 1k plus words of how much I did not like the representation of a so called experienced 'professional' in the mental health field and their way of 'helping' a PTSD sufferer.
This was a very highly anticipated read for me, I love a book that features a realistic interpretation of what veterans suffer with when they come home from war. And although I feel this did a pretty good job in representing that, no love cures severe and paralysing PTSD to be seen around here, I just didn't enjoy the characters one bit. And I am so disappointed because I feel as if this book had the potential to be a favourite.
This story follows Olivia Anders, the owner of a non-for-profit that pairs unwanted dogs from the pound with veterans having a tough time adjusting to civilian life. She wanders into Magnolia Springs to set up another 'Paws For Cause' and immediately sets her eyes on wounded veteran August Cotton, who had just lost his parents and become guardian to his baby sister.
Olivia was my biggest issue in this story, her and I were not on the same page and I often wanted to shake some common sense into that self absorbed, overly teased, southern head of hers.
By her own definition, she was well versed in dealing with veterans who suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder is a particular set of reactions that can develop in people who have been through a traumatic event which threatened their life or safety, or that of others around them) and yet she made so many unknowledgeable mistakes that she claimed she made "in the moment" and "without thinking".
Again and again she put her own safety at risk to reach out and touch August Cotton, a man who suffered from PTSD and would often have violent outburst towards people who startled or frightened him. While he was in the throws of a flashback, she repeatedly touched or tried to break him out of the flashbacks, resulting in him either holding her in a choke hold or holding a knife to her throat.
Honestly, it was frustrating to watch a 'professional' in the field (who also hinted that she had a background in psychology) make such dangerous mistakes. It took me 0.2 seconds on google to find articles talking about how to approach a person suffering PTSD who is displaying signs of violence:
A threatened Marine = a violent Marine. I don't know about you, but that seems like a basic equation that only takes a smidgen of common sense to answer.
And she often lamented that she 'knew better' and yet made the same mistake again and again. Not only did she make the mistake, she then constantly blamed August for the consequences. I do believe that it wasn't just Olivia to blame for this, it was clear that August refused to seek help or accept it when offered, but for Olivia to constantly be blaming him for "always hurting her" was plain infuriating. And there wasn't even the excuse that he was a risk to himself or others during those flashbacks.
Olivia clearly made August seem like a pity project throughout the entire book and I was not a fan of it, I did not want the two to end up together and the only reason I continued to read was because I became attached to the side characters and animals that filled this book. August's little sister Bettina and the two delinquent boys, Josiah and Beau were pure and beautiful characters, I adored them to no end.
I also felt like the author tried to cram WAY too many significant topics all in one (kinda short) book. For example some of the strong themes and plot points were:
● PTSD
● general mental health issues
● suicide attempts (quite descriptive)
● abuse
● neglect of a minor
● drugs
● rape (and a resulting pregnancy)
● cheating
● grief
And these are just naming a few, I'm sure if I went back and highlighted all the themes I would come back with a much longer list. There was no cohesion with all these strong topics and the author used flashback chapters (for both Olivia and August) to the past to add more 'drama' into the story. I think a lot of the these themes were used to create sympathy and feeling towards certain characters and it felt like a cheats way of making readers feel something towards a character.
I think it's hard enough for an author to do two or three of these themes in a book, let alone a whole list of them.
I just had too many issues with the story to rate it any higher, the writing was enjoyable but the plot and characters just didn't mesh well. I am so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book, I had even gone a far as to pre-order it and it just didn't meet my expectations.
If you want a good romance book that deals with wounded veterans from war I would highly recommend Embattled Hearts, the series covers a whole range of different disabilities (mental and physical) that vets come back with and it creates a romance that is a perfect fit.
trigger warning: suicide (descriptive), mental illness, rape and abuse.
this is kinda a long review lol, 1k plus words of how much I did not like the representation of a so called experienced 'professional' in the mental health field and their way of 'helping' a PTSD sufferer.
This was a very highly anticipated read for me, I love a book that features a realistic interpretation of what veterans suffer with when they come home from war. And although I feel this did a pretty good job in representing that, no love cures severe and paralysing PTSD to be seen around here, I just didn't enjoy the characters one bit. And I am so disappointed because I feel as if this book had the potential to be a favourite.
This story follows Olivia Anders, the owner of a non-for-profit that pairs unwanted dogs from the pound with veterans having a tough time adjusting to civilian life. She wanders into Magnolia Springs to set up another 'Paws For Cause' and immediately sets her eyes on wounded veteran August Cotton, who had just lost his parents and become guardian to his baby sister.
Olivia was my biggest issue in this story, her and I were not on the same page and I often wanted to shake some common sense into that self absorbed, overly teased, southern head of hers.
By her own definition, she was well versed in dealing with veterans who suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder is a particular set of reactions that can develop in people who have been through a traumatic event which threatened their life or safety, or that of others around them) and yet she made so many unknowledgeable mistakes that she claimed she made "in the moment" and "without thinking".
Again and again she put her own safety at risk to reach out and touch August Cotton, a man who suffered from PTSD and would often have violent outburst towards people who startled or frightened him. While he was in the throws of a flashback, she repeatedly touched or tried to break him out of the flashbacks, resulting in him either holding her in a choke hold or holding a knife to her throat.
Honestly, it was frustrating to watch a 'professional' in the field (who also hinted that she had a background in psychology) make such dangerous mistakes. It took me 0.2 seconds on google to find articles talking about how to approach a person suffering PTSD who is displaying signs of violence:
Give the person space. Avoid crowding or grabbing the person. This can make a traumatized person feel threatened.
Put safety first. If the person gets more upset despite your attempts to calm him or her down, leave the house or lock yourself in a room. Call 911 if you fear that your loved one may hurt himself or others.
A threatened Marine = a violent Marine. I don't know about you, but that seems like a basic equation that only takes a smidgen of common sense to answer.
And she often lamented that she 'knew better' and yet made the same mistake again and again. Not only did she make the mistake, she then constantly blamed August for the consequences. I do believe that it wasn't just Olivia to blame for this, it was clear that August refused to seek help or accept it when offered, but for Olivia to constantly be blaming him for "always hurting her" was plain infuriating. And there wasn't even the excuse that he was a risk to himself or others during those flashbacks.
Olivia clearly made August seem like a pity project throughout the entire book and I was not a fan of it, I did not want the two to end up together and the only reason I continued to read was because I became attached to the side characters and animals that filled this book. August's little sister Bettina and the two delinquent boys, Josiah and Beau were pure and beautiful characters, I adored them to no end.
I also felt like the author tried to cram WAY too many significant topics all in one (kinda short) book. For example some of the strong themes and plot points were:
● PTSD
● general mental health issues
● suicide attempts (quite descriptive)
● abuse
● neglect of a minor
● drugs
● rape (and a resulting pregnancy)
● cheating
● grief
And these are just naming a few, I'm sure if I went back and highlighted all the themes I would come back with a much longer list. There was no cohesion with all these strong topics and the author used flashback chapters (for both Olivia and August) to the past to add more 'drama' into the story. I think a lot of the these themes were used to create sympathy and feeling towards certain characters and it felt like a cheats way of making readers feel something towards a character.
I think it's hard enough for an author to do two or three of these themes in a book, let alone a whole list of them.
I just had too many issues with the story to rate it any higher, the writing was enjoyable but the plot and characters just didn't mesh well. I am so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book, I had even gone a far as to pre-order it and it just didn't meet my expectations.
If you want a good romance book that deals with wounded veterans from war I would highly recommend Embattled Hearts, the series covers a whole range of different disabilities (mental and physical) that vets come back with and it creates a romance that is a perfect fit.
May 26, 2017
THE WAY BACK HOME: Is a stand alone contemporary romance novel by Carmen Jenner and is spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’ After reading Toward the Sound of Chaos by this author I so needed to read Olivia's story, I really loved her in the first book so I was jumping for joy when I saw she was getting her own story because everyone needs a happy ending.
As soon as I started this I was drawn into the story.
Klutzy Olivia Anders was the new comer to the town of ‘Magnolia Springs’ where she was opening up a clinic called ‘Paws for Cause’ where she pairs up dogs on death row with broken down Marines who have served their country and have come home not as they left.
She’s expecting the Cottons to pick her up from town at the bus station, when no one comes to collect her she makes her way to the B&B only to be met with a broody, arrogant August who makes no qualms that he doesn’t want her there.
August got the one phone call he never thought he’d get whilst he was three hundred miles away from home soil, his parents had died in a tragic car accident and he was now the soul living relative in charge of his four year old sister.
My parents are dead. My little sister needs me, and I am going home to Magnolia Springs - the one place I swore I’d never return to.
August is a broody, war hero who served one tour over in Afghanistan for eight hell on earth months, he’s been honourably discharged, if he hadn’t of been hurt and ripped apart by an IED he would’ve been on the next tour instead he was returned home an echo of his former self.
I’d wanted to die a hero, and instead I was living life as a cripple.
What I loved the most about this was the simplicity of the story, she didn’t over dramatize things for her audience, she kept it real, throw in the fact that I’m also a sucker for animals, and yes if I’m being honest broken down marines..
So get prepared to have all the feels come at you with a hot headed Marine, a house full of dogs, two teenage boys, a piglet and the most gorgeous 4 year old you're likely to meet, and a southern girl who has a penchant for oreos.
November 13, 2018
The Way Back Home is a great military romance. The heroine Olivia is fantastic and is the one who carries the story. She’s experienced her own trauma, fought back and now trying do some good by helping war veterans finding their new normalcy. August is a marine veteran who struggles with his past demons and guilt. He doesn’t make it easy for Olivia.
These two has their own push and pull game going on. Olivia wanting to help and August pushing her and everyone away. Except his kid sister Bettina.
I enjoyed the story but I felt it went in circles and repeated itself. Especially when it came to August and Olivia.
Overall I enjoyed The Way Back Home and the epilogue tied it all together.
3 Piglet Stars
These two has their own push and pull game going on. Olivia wanting to help and August pushing her and everyone away. Except his kid sister Bettina.
I enjoyed the story but I felt it went in circles and repeated itself. Especially when it came to August and Olivia.
Overall I enjoyed The Way Back Home and the epilogue tied it all together.
3 Piglet Stars
May 31, 2017
4,5 stars!!! ❤️❤️
Sabe quando você vai chegando nas últimas páginas de um livro e não quer que ele acabe?
Essa história me prendeu desde o comecinho e não consegui parar de ler!! A narrativa é tão gostosa que você não vê o tempo passar! A escrita da autora é muito boa e com certeza quero ler outros livros dela.
Mais uma vez dei sorte e amei o mocinho e mocinha, alias eu amei tudo, tudo mesmo!
Acho que foi o melhor livro sobre miliatares que li esse ano! <3
Puro amor!!!
Viciante, envolvente e apaixonante!
Recomendo demais!
Sabe quando você vai chegando nas últimas páginas de um livro e não quer que ele acabe?
Essa história me prendeu desde o comecinho e não consegui parar de ler!! A narrativa é tão gostosa que você não vê o tempo passar! A escrita da autora é muito boa e com certeza quero ler outros livros dela.
Mais uma vez dei sorte e amei o mocinho e mocinha, alias eu amei tudo, tudo mesmo!
Acho que foi o melhor livro sobre miliatares que li esse ano! <3
Puro amor!!!
Viciante, envolvente e apaixonante!
Recomendo demais!
May 21, 2017
Yay ❤ Review to come ❤
July 8, 2020
Recensione sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYcEIAHi...
Al solo pensiero di tornare a casa, il sangue di Augus si era trasformato in ghiaccio.
“Casa: una parola, quattro lettere, e una tonnellata di rimpianti”.
Ma doveva recarsi per forza a Magnolia Springs, anche se era l’unico posto in cui aveva giurato che non sarebbe più tornato. Dopo l’incidente gravissimo accaduto ai suoi genitori, la sua piccola sorellina aveva bisogno di lui.
Augus non si sentiva in grado di fare il genitore, non si riteneva nemmeno un adulto per la maggior parte dei giorni.
Aveva prestato servizio in Afghanistan dove aveva vissuto otto mesi d’inferno, non riuscendo nemmeno a completare un turno intero prima di saltare in aria, per poi tornare a casa sconfitto, l’ombra di se stesso.
«Non riuscivo più ad avere a che fare con la gente, anche la pietà di mia madre era troppo per me»
Le cicatrici di Augus si vedevano tutte, e non solo quelle fisicamente evidenti. La guerra gli aveva tolto tutto, anche la voglia di vivere.
Poi aveva conosciuto Olivia.
Era una donna coraggiosa e forte, determinata ad iniziare una nuova avventura lavorativa nella sua stessa cittadina.
Olivia si prendeva cura dei cani problematici e si occupava degli uomini che tornavano dalla guerra, aiutando i militari a trovare un nuovo motivo per il quale continuare a vivere.
Questo faceva nel suo lavoro: sistemare uomini rotti. A volte ciò significava finire con un livido che non si aspettava, altre volte con un Marine che sconfiggeva i suoi demoni.
La sua intenzione era quella convincere le persone del luogo, molto diffidenti nei suoi confronti, a fidarsi di lei e lasciarla entrare nelle loro vite, per poterle migliorare.
Olivia aveva molto a cuore quella città, anche se i suoi abitanti verso di lei erano stati da subito poco accoglienti. Le interessava il benessere di August e della piccola Bettina, e si preoccupava dei veterani locali che avevano bisogno di qualcuno che li guarisse.
Una storia molto delicata, e profonda per i temi trattati e per come viene raccontata, tra presente e passato dei protagonisti, ricca di forti emozioni che il lettore sente sulla propria pelle in modo devastante.
Ho amato il modo in cui l’autrice sia riuscita a delineare, lentamente, il percorso di crescita emotiva dei personaggi.
«Per alcune cose vale la pena lottare. Alcune persone valgono il rischio. Alcuni valgono addirittura la pena di rischiare il tutto per tutto» .
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYcEIAHi...
Al solo pensiero di tornare a casa, il sangue di Augus si era trasformato in ghiaccio.
“Casa: una parola, quattro lettere, e una tonnellata di rimpianti”.
Ma doveva recarsi per forza a Magnolia Springs, anche se era l’unico posto in cui aveva giurato che non sarebbe più tornato. Dopo l’incidente gravissimo accaduto ai suoi genitori, la sua piccola sorellina aveva bisogno di lui.
Augus non si sentiva in grado di fare il genitore, non si riteneva nemmeno un adulto per la maggior parte dei giorni.
Aveva prestato servizio in Afghanistan dove aveva vissuto otto mesi d’inferno, non riuscendo nemmeno a completare un turno intero prima di saltare in aria, per poi tornare a casa sconfitto, l’ombra di se stesso.
«Non riuscivo più ad avere a che fare con la gente, anche la pietà di mia madre era troppo per me»
Le cicatrici di Augus si vedevano tutte, e non solo quelle fisicamente evidenti. La guerra gli aveva tolto tutto, anche la voglia di vivere.
Poi aveva conosciuto Olivia.
Era una donna coraggiosa e forte, determinata ad iniziare una nuova avventura lavorativa nella sua stessa cittadina.
Olivia si prendeva cura dei cani problematici e si occupava degli uomini che tornavano dalla guerra, aiutando i militari a trovare un nuovo motivo per il quale continuare a vivere.
Questo faceva nel suo lavoro: sistemare uomini rotti. A volte ciò significava finire con un livido che non si aspettava, altre volte con un Marine che sconfiggeva i suoi demoni.
La sua intenzione era quella convincere le persone del luogo, molto diffidenti nei suoi confronti, a fidarsi di lei e lasciarla entrare nelle loro vite, per poterle migliorare.
Olivia aveva molto a cuore quella città, anche se i suoi abitanti verso di lei erano stati da subito poco accoglienti. Le interessava il benessere di August e della piccola Bettina, e si preoccupava dei veterani locali che avevano bisogno di qualcuno che li guarisse.
Una storia molto delicata, e profonda per i temi trattati e per come viene raccontata, tra presente e passato dei protagonisti, ricca di forti emozioni che il lettore sente sulla propria pelle in modo devastante.
Ho amato il modo in cui l’autrice sia riuscita a delineare, lentamente, il percorso di crescita emotiva dei personaggi.
«Per alcune cose vale la pena lottare. Alcune persone valgono il rischio. Alcuni valgono addirittura la pena di rischiare il tutto per tutto» .
May 25, 2017
The thing about reading Carmen Jenner's works is that you'll get addicted to it. Pretty sure in my case I was looking forward to reading more of her books the moment my Carmen Jenner's cherry was popped by Harley & Rose . There's just something in her words and style of writing that always got me. So when I learned about The Way Back Home, I could not help but be be giddy about it, and the trope? It's one of my weakness. So to say that I am excited is an understatement because I could not explain how I felt about this book. So I devoured it hungrily and man.. she nailed it again. This book had me engrossed from beginning until the end.
“Every day I wake up and expect that I’ll be a new man,” he whispers. “Every day I lie to myself because I know I ain’t ever changing, but I still need to tell myself that to make it through.”
The Way Back Home followed the story of August and Olivia. The blurb pretty summed up their journey but honestly it was just the tip of the iceberg. Even then, I will not spoil you any details from this book aside from what was in the blurb. I will in fact just tell you my journey with them and to tell you, theirs was a beautiful journey so awe inspiring.
Reading August and Liv's story was like living and being with them. They were portrayed as if they were real and the emotions that accompanied with the words and lines pages after pages felt so alive that even in the wee hours I could not help but devour it and got lost with it. Theirs wasn't an easy journey. Each carried a baggage of their own and each deal with it in different ways. August for instance despite needing the help was so stubborn admitting it. I could not blame him though, war wasn't the only thing that was bugging him out. It was the war inside himself that was eating him alive. If not for his sister, I doubted he wanted to live. But even with it, he's barely living. Cranky, asshole, a jerk but then lo and behold, a hot AF ex Marine at that. What's more? Despite his hard nature he's got a heart so big and he owned me because of it. An honorable man, flawed but just perfect. Olivia on the other hand, was a character so refreshing. I love her attitude and I love her fierceness. Her heart full of kindness and love got me and made me fall in love with her. Who would have though that this pushy southern woman got a past so heart wrenching yet chose to live and help others in need?
These two were a sight to behold. They complete one another, and yet they can’t stand to be in the same room. . The good thing about it though is the fact that each characters were portrayed well in a way that they balanced each other out. Their chemistry was undeniable yet their road towards home is a slow burn process. We were given each time to savor more of them individually. See? August and Liv's journey was full of rough patches and curveballs. It wasn't easy. There was tension everywhere yet it wasn't rushed just for the sake of HEA. In fact, Carmen Jenner covered all the bases of this book and wasn't just so hell bent on pushing the romantic side of the story but instead we are given time to process what was really happening. And with it, we were also given not just to read the book so we can feel those butterflies on our tummy but to ponder on several things and appreciate the beauty of life. For what is, you need to experience it yourself. In my case, I just love it to pieces!
If you are into books with trope like this, then this is for you. Carmen Jenner's writing is excellent and the emotions that goes with it were just so real. It's heart gripping yet heart warming too. It's a beautiful and awe inspiring story aimed to deliver!
May 19, 2017
The Way Back Home is not only a love story, IMO it's more. I would even go to the extent to say that the love story between August & Olivia is not the center point. It's much more and I loved it. Olivia helps military men suffering from PTSD with trained dogs. She has a successful program in her hometown but she has been asked to create something from scratch in a southern town. And that's where the problems begin. With people and their prejudices, it's not easy for " a stranger" to be accepted by a small town used to calm & peace.
Olivia is a force of nature, always strong, always giving, never asking for anything, always there to protect, to offer her help. She was the sun in this book even if her past is dark. She's a fighter and you wouldn't guess what her life was when you see how sparkling her personality is. Not one to give up without a fight, she is ready to overcome all obstacles coming her way.
August is a man who needs help but who doesn't want it. He seems rough but truly his heart is gold and you'll see it soon enough. The darkness inside are eating him alive but he believe he has the life he deserves. He was very close-off and he had a though shelf to crack. With a lot of patience, Olivia succeeds to get to know his reactions better. The fact he needs to take care of his little sister, Bettina after their parents' death was both a good and a bad thing for him.
“Every day I wake up and expect that I’ll be a new man,” he whispers. “Every day I lie to myself because I know I ain’t ever changing, but I still need to tell myself that to make it through.”
Carmen Jenner wrote a book about different characters, many you'll love and some you'll disregard on sight. Everything takes a lot place and as a lot is happening. It can be to the cost of the attraction between Olivia & August. I would have loved reading a longer book because I always find this kind of story to be more gripping, more engaging. There's a message behind it all and I would have loved to go even deeper in all the different subjects approached.
For those who read Toward the Sound of Chaos, I would say that it's totally different, yet the underlying subject is the same. The book is really respectful for those of fought hard for their country. It gives a lot to think about on how people behave, on where the help can be provided and how it can be provided. We all have our own story. We all have our wounds but we also all have a life we choose to love and how we live it.
Now I'm there hoping for others characters to find their own HEA, Jude and Josiah in particular.
~Arc provided by the PR company in exchange of an honest review ~
Olivia is a force of nature, always strong, always giving, never asking for anything, always there to protect, to offer her help. She was the sun in this book even if her past is dark. She's a fighter and you wouldn't guess what her life was when you see how sparkling her personality is. Not one to give up without a fight, she is ready to overcome all obstacles coming her way.
August is a man who needs help but who doesn't want it. He seems rough but truly his heart is gold and you'll see it soon enough. The darkness inside are eating him alive but he believe he has the life he deserves. He was very close-off and he had a though shelf to crack. With a lot of patience, Olivia succeeds to get to know his reactions better. The fact he needs to take care of his little sister, Bettina after their parents' death was both a good and a bad thing for him.
“Every day I wake up and expect that I’ll be a new man,” he whispers. “Every day I lie to myself because I know I ain’t ever changing, but I still need to tell myself that to make it through.”
Carmen Jenner wrote a book about different characters, many you'll love and some you'll disregard on sight. Everything takes a lot place and as a lot is happening. It can be to the cost of the attraction between Olivia & August. I would have loved reading a longer book because I always find this kind of story to be more gripping, more engaging. There's a message behind it all and I would have loved to go even deeper in all the different subjects approached.
For those who read Toward the Sound of Chaos, I would say that it's totally different, yet the underlying subject is the same. The book is really respectful for those of fought hard for their country. It gives a lot to think about on how people behave, on where the help can be provided and how it can be provided. We all have our own story. We all have our wounds but we also all have a life we choose to love and how we live it.
Now I'm there hoping for others characters to find their own HEA, Jude and Josiah in particular.
~Arc provided by the PR company in exchange of an honest review ~
April 27, 2019
I read most of the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I felt everything with this story. I've been a fan of Carmen Jenner since reading her Sugartown series and she never disappoints.
The heroine, Olivia, is a badass! She's strong and fights for ex-servicemen and women in every way she can. She has a program that helps match service dogs with troubled Marines and it's been a really successful program. She helped a lot of men and women in their worst time and when they thought there nothing else to fight for. She tried every day to stop the statistics about veterans taking their own lives.
The hero, August, is a Marine. After getting hit with an IED while deployed, he returned home to discover that his parents were in an accident and passed away leaving his four-year-old sister all alone. So, as her now legal guardian, he's struggling to be back in society after losing so much at war and at home.
Olivia will do her best to help August, but the angry Marine doesn't seem to want anything from her. But, Olivia is no quitter and these two will be going through a lot in order to come out of it unscathed.
I loved this story. I have such a soft spot for military stories and especially war veterans that return home changed by everything they did and saw. It always leaves me breathless and tearful for those men and women. I'm not from the US but I can feel how much these men and women deserve a strong foundation once they return home. I think it's a beautiful initiative and they deserve everyone's effort to help them.
I had tears in my eyes most of the time because these situations can be brutal. I loved how strong and determined Olivia was, even though she had her own demons to fight each day. She believes in them and gave her best to everything she did.
It's definitely a 5-star read. Carmen Jenner is one of my favorite authors.
The heroine, Olivia, is a badass! She's strong and fights for ex-servicemen and women in every way she can. She has a program that helps match service dogs with troubled Marines and it's been a really successful program. She helped a lot of men and women in their worst time and when they thought there nothing else to fight for. She tried every day to stop the statistics about veterans taking their own lives.
The hero, August, is a Marine. After getting hit with an IED while deployed, he returned home to discover that his parents were in an accident and passed away leaving his four-year-old sister all alone. So, as her now legal guardian, he's struggling to be back in society after losing so much at war and at home.
Olivia will do her best to help August, but the angry Marine doesn't seem to want anything from her. But, Olivia is no quitter and these two will be going through a lot in order to come out of it unscathed.
I loved this story. I have such a soft spot for military stories and especially war veterans that return home changed by everything they did and saw. It always leaves me breathless and tearful for those men and women. I'm not from the US but I can feel how much these men and women deserve a strong foundation once they return home. I think it's a beautiful initiative and they deserve everyone's effort to help them.
I had tears in my eyes most of the time because these situations can be brutal. I loved how strong and determined Olivia was, even though she had her own demons to fight each day. She believes in them and gave her best to everything she did.
It's definitely a 5-star read. Carmen Jenner is one of my favorite authors.
June 17, 2017
First person, present tense, dual povs.
The sickeningly twee and nauseating four year old with what is supposed to be a ‘sweet’ lisp but comes which comes across as some sort of false affectation, made me wonder how this book has managed to get so many 5 star ratings!
Children with lisps DON'T talk like this:
“I like dwoggies,”
“Bwut I don’t wanna.”
“I wike this dress.” She stamps her foot and tears of indignation well up in her eyes. “And Mamma wiked it.”
“I miss Mamma’s cwookin’.”
“What hwappened to your hwair?”
“You can wuse my bwush if you want? It’s sparklwee,”
“But I wanna twalk to Owivia.”
And the classic:
“The rebwersations books says you is here for a whole month.”
Try reading those sentences aloud. NO child lisps like that. And exactly how does one say 'hwair' and ‘wuse’ ??
I dnf’d at 11%. The faux lisping was just too much.
Or should that be twoo mwuch?
The sickeningly twee and nauseating four year old with what is supposed to be a ‘sweet’ lisp but comes which comes across as some sort of false affectation, made me wonder how this book has managed to get so many 5 star ratings!
Children with lisps DON'T talk like this:
“I like dwoggies,”
“Bwut I don’t wanna.”
“I wike this dress.” She stamps her foot and tears of indignation well up in her eyes. “And Mamma wiked it.”
“I miss Mamma’s cwookin’.”
“What hwappened to your hwair?”
“You can wuse my bwush if you want? It’s sparklwee,”
“But I wanna twalk to Owivia.”
And the classic:
“The rebwersations books says you is here for a whole month.”
Try reading those sentences aloud. NO child lisps like that. And exactly how does one say 'hwair' and ‘wuse’ ??
I dnf’d at 11%. The faux lisping was just too much.
Or should that be twoo mwuch?
June 8, 2017
I really liked the first half of this book and was seeing myself giving it 4 stars, but then in the second half, the story and the characters lost me.
The hero was pining over his fiance who killed herself after she cheated on him with his BFF. He was pining after a woman for 8 years that cheated on him and blamed him as to why she did it. She said she was left alone when August went into the military and that is why she fell into the arms of another man!!! I have no idea why TWO men loved that cheating skank. That was not the only thing that irritated me about August, there was other things too. I love a broody and sometimes jerk face heroes *wink*, but August was a jerk until almost the end. And Olivia just accepted him NUMEROUS apologies. He did not have to grovel, she forgave too quickly for my liking.
I thought the switch in POVs were done at the right time. I initially really liked this book, but it lost me.
The hero was pining over his fiance who killed herself after she cheated on him with his BFF. He was pining after a woman for 8 years that cheated on him and blamed him as to why she did it. She said she was left alone when August went into the military and that is why she fell into the arms of another man!!! I have no idea why TWO men loved that cheating skank. That was not the only thing that irritated me about August, there was other things too. I love a broody and sometimes jerk face heroes *wink*, but August was a jerk until almost the end. And Olivia just accepted him NUMEROUS apologies. He did not have to grovel, she forgave too quickly for my liking.
I thought the switch in POVs were done at the right time. I initially really liked this book, but it lost me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2017
4.5 stars
The Way Back Home is Carmen Jenner's latest standalone release. It doesn't connect with characters from any of her previous books. I have to mention that as an Aussie author, Carmen captured southern charm really well here! Our Alabama characters were well written and easy to love.
We're met with Olivia who is moving to a new town to expand her dog shelter. She trains dogs as service animals for PTSD veterans. She loves her job and is determined to make a difference in her new town and to the loves of the vets there. She's got trouble everywhere she turns as the women of Magnolia Springs don't like the new girl and refuse to help when needed.
August is back in Magnolia Springs caring for his little sister after the sudden death of his parents. He's still recovering from his last tour of duty that led him to losing his leg and suffering from PTSD. He's bitter and hurt and has no idea Olivia has come to live at his family's B&B until she's knocking on his doorstep.
The Way Back Home is so much more than a romance novel. It hits on notes of depression, abuse, suicide, and PTSD with class and heart. It's a slow burn with a lot of angst but the story is just so good. From Olivia and August's tumultuous and inevitable relationship, to August's sweet little sister Bettina, and all the animals, every character plays an integral roll in this sweet and heartfelt story.
The Way Back Home is Carmen Jenner's latest standalone release. It doesn't connect with characters from any of her previous books. I have to mention that as an Aussie author, Carmen captured southern charm really well here! Our Alabama characters were well written and easy to love.
We're met with Olivia who is moving to a new town to expand her dog shelter. She trains dogs as service animals for PTSD veterans. She loves her job and is determined to make a difference in her new town and to the loves of the vets there. She's got trouble everywhere she turns as the women of Magnolia Springs don't like the new girl and refuse to help when needed.
August is back in Magnolia Springs caring for his little sister after the sudden death of his parents. He's still recovering from his last tour of duty that led him to losing his leg and suffering from PTSD. He's bitter and hurt and has no idea Olivia has come to live at his family's B&B until she's knocking on his doorstep.
The Way Back Home is so much more than a romance novel. It hits on notes of depression, abuse, suicide, and PTSD with class and heart. It's a slow burn with a lot of angst but the story is just so good. From Olivia and August's tumultuous and inevitable relationship, to August's sweet little sister Bettina, and all the animals, every character plays an integral roll in this sweet and heartfelt story.
July 4, 2020
Carmen Jenner si rivela, nuovamente, attenta al tema dei suicidi e dei disturbi da stress post traumatico. Un aspetto che aveva già affrontato in "Verso il frastuono del caos" e avevo apprezzato il suo modo di porsi rispetto al problema. Non lo fa scomparire magicamente nascondendo sotto il tappeto o facendo sbattere le ciglia alla protagonista di turno. La Jenner descrive quel dolore come se fosse una spada che pende sulla tua testa e un minimo movimento brusco potrebbe causarne la caduta.
Olivia l'avevamo già conosciuta con il suo canile di addestramento in "Verso il frastuono del caos" e fin da subito speravo di vedere anche la sua storia portata qui in Italia. Lei che è sempre apparsa così buona e paziente. Determinata e risolutiva. Non è una ragazza che si lascia abbattere, ma è sensibile e emotiva.
August è tutto ciò che di spezzato esiste. Tornato dalla sua missione ancora non ha ripreso in mano la sua vita, e prima di conoscere Olivia probabilmente nemmeno sperava di riuscirci.
Quella principessa che indossa lingerie sexy e costosa, nasconde ferite interne. Mentre l'omaccione un po' stronzo, ma gentile che nasconde i suoi mezzi sorrisi sotto la barba ha cicatrici anche esterne che non tutti sono in grado di amare.
"Forse sbagliavo circa l’essere un uragano. Forse non sono nient'altro che una molle brezza estiva che sta per essere travolta dal Ciclone Tropicale August. "
Bettina è la piccola di casa ed è entrata nel mio cuore immediatamente, e probabilmente così è stato anche per Olivia.
All'inizio l'astio e le risposte poco gentili sono all'ordine del giorno. Quella sottile linea di odio/attrazione è evidente e ben marcata. August vuole solo essere lasciato in pace e Olivia vuole solo farlo aprire pungolandolo. È così che il rapporto inizia, ma per aprirsi veramente August ha bisogno di sapere che Olivia non è la principessa che si aspetta guardandola, lei ha cicatrici profonde quanto le sue. Un passato doloroso ed enigmatico che mi ha tenuta attenta ad ogni riga.
La scrittura di Carmen Jenner ha suscitato interesse e non ha mai svelato tutto insieme, ha calibrato ogni piccola svolta nella storia addentrandosi nelle vite, nel passato e nei caratteri dei protagonisti poca alla volta e gradualmente. Ho apprezzato come l'attrazione sia stata immediata e improvvisa fin da subito e ben cadenzata nel tempo, ma il convincimento di meritare, anche solo la passione che ci si aspetta da questi due, arrivi con calma facendomi cuocere a fuoco molto lento. Non si tratta quindi di un insta-love (e menomale!), ma di un'attrazione profonda verso le cicatrici reciproche che riescono a scorgere anche in silenzio, solo guardandosi e percependosi.
Tutti i demoni raccontati in "La strada verso casa" sono commoventi, nessuno escluso hanno scombussolata il mio mondo. August Cotton mi è entrato sottopelle. Questo muro umano gentile, ma dispotico è stato un piacere da leggere e ha saputo farsi amare subito.
Se in "Verso il frastuono del caos" avevo scoperto Carmen Jenner e la sua scrittura dolorosa ma romantica e in "Harley e Rose" pianto ogni lacrima possibile e inimmaginabile, ne "La strada verso casa" c'è la scoperta di una storia struggente che toglie il respiro affiancata dalla gentilezza e dalla paura di spaventare e far scappare qualcuno intimorito, quella in cui non sai come comportarti e non ti resta che approcciarti lentamente, con garbo e pazienza.
Sinceramente, un po’ mi è mancato un vero epilogo a distanza di anni. Io ne sono ossessionata e se un epilogo non mi piace rischio di farmi andare di traverso tutto il libro... ovviamente, non è questo il caso anche se avrei voluto vederli rappresentati in un contesto un po’ più lontano.
Olivia l'avevamo già conosciuta con il suo canile di addestramento in "Verso il frastuono del caos" e fin da subito speravo di vedere anche la sua storia portata qui in Italia. Lei che è sempre apparsa così buona e paziente. Determinata e risolutiva. Non è una ragazza che si lascia abbattere, ma è sensibile e emotiva.
August è tutto ciò che di spezzato esiste. Tornato dalla sua missione ancora non ha ripreso in mano la sua vita, e prima di conoscere Olivia probabilmente nemmeno sperava di riuscirci.
Quella principessa che indossa lingerie sexy e costosa, nasconde ferite interne. Mentre l'omaccione un po' stronzo, ma gentile che nasconde i suoi mezzi sorrisi sotto la barba ha cicatrici anche esterne che non tutti sono in grado di amare.
"Forse sbagliavo circa l’essere un uragano. Forse non sono nient'altro che una molle brezza estiva che sta per essere travolta dal Ciclone Tropicale August. "
Bettina è la piccola di casa ed è entrata nel mio cuore immediatamente, e probabilmente così è stato anche per Olivia.
All'inizio l'astio e le risposte poco gentili sono all'ordine del giorno. Quella sottile linea di odio/attrazione è evidente e ben marcata. August vuole solo essere lasciato in pace e Olivia vuole solo farlo aprire pungolandolo. È così che il rapporto inizia, ma per aprirsi veramente August ha bisogno di sapere che Olivia non è la principessa che si aspetta guardandola, lei ha cicatrici profonde quanto le sue. Un passato doloroso ed enigmatico che mi ha tenuta attenta ad ogni riga.
La scrittura di Carmen Jenner ha suscitato interesse e non ha mai svelato tutto insieme, ha calibrato ogni piccola svolta nella storia addentrandosi nelle vite, nel passato e nei caratteri dei protagonisti poca alla volta e gradualmente. Ho apprezzato come l'attrazione sia stata immediata e improvvisa fin da subito e ben cadenzata nel tempo, ma il convincimento di meritare, anche solo la passione che ci si aspetta da questi due, arrivi con calma facendomi cuocere a fuoco molto lento. Non si tratta quindi di un insta-love (e menomale!), ma di un'attrazione profonda verso le cicatrici reciproche che riescono a scorgere anche in silenzio, solo guardandosi e percependosi.
Tutti i demoni raccontati in "La strada verso casa" sono commoventi, nessuno escluso hanno scombussolata il mio mondo. August Cotton mi è entrato sottopelle. Questo muro umano gentile, ma dispotico è stato un piacere da leggere e ha saputo farsi amare subito.
Se in "Verso il frastuono del caos" avevo scoperto Carmen Jenner e la sua scrittura dolorosa ma romantica e in "Harley e Rose" pianto ogni lacrima possibile e inimmaginabile, ne "La strada verso casa" c'è la scoperta di una storia struggente che toglie il respiro affiancata dalla gentilezza e dalla paura di spaventare e far scappare qualcuno intimorito, quella in cui non sai come comportarti e non ti resta che approcciarti lentamente, con garbo e pazienza.
Sinceramente, un po’ mi è mancato un vero epilogo a distanza di anni. Io ne sono ossessionata e se un epilogo non mi piace rischio di farmi andare di traverso tutto il libro... ovviamente, non è questo il caso anche se avrei voluto vederli rappresentati in un contesto un po’ più lontano.
May 26, 2019
*5 Stars*
Whoa. This is an intense book, and a very interesting look into life for soldiers after war, dealing with injuries and PTSD.
August Cotton is one hell of a gruff man, and a real asshole to start with, to be frank. Olivia plops onto his doorstep at the very worst time (unknown to her), and things get off to a really rocky start, to say the least.
Liv has runs Paws for Cause, a company that rescues and trains dogs, and pairs them up as emotional support dogs, and August is next in her sights to try to help and get into her program. Whilst running into many obstacles, she stands tall and proud, and strong through everything. She's a really great female lead, and when you find out even more detail about her past, you realise just how strong she has turned out to be.
Of course, we also learn more and more about August's story as we go, and one can only imagine what that would be like for a soldier/Marine to deal with. But August is still here, and with his 4 year old sister to care for at that. Little Bett is a damned adorable character in this, and one of the highlights of the story. She is so precious!
We get a bunch of other secondary characters who turn out to be different people by the end, and quite a few serious events take place in the novel as well. At times, this can be quite hard to read and contemplate how one deals with these issues. Everything in this book is very real, and the fact that people really do have to go through these things is hard as a reader to take in.
I really loved how everything played out in this story (give or take a couple of parts, which you will understand as you go), and these two have a depth to them that makes them really great characters. I really enjoyed this book, and I devoured it in under 24 hours. There is something so real about it, and I just couldn't wait to find out how things would end.
Highly recommend.
Review also on my blog - The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner
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Whoa. This is an intense book, and a very interesting look into life for soldiers after war, dealing with injuries and PTSD.
August Cotton is one hell of a gruff man, and a real asshole to start with, to be frank. Olivia plops onto his doorstep at the very worst time (unknown to her), and things get off to a really rocky start, to say the least.
Liv has runs Paws for Cause, a company that rescues and trains dogs, and pairs them up as emotional support dogs, and August is next in her sights to try to help and get into her program. Whilst running into many obstacles, she stands tall and proud, and strong through everything. She's a really great female lead, and when you find out even more detail about her past, you realise just how strong she has turned out to be.
Of course, we also learn more and more about August's story as we go, and one can only imagine what that would be like for a soldier/Marine to deal with. But August is still here, and with his 4 year old sister to care for at that. Little Bett is a damned adorable character in this, and one of the highlights of the story. She is so precious!
We get a bunch of other secondary characters who turn out to be different people by the end, and quite a few serious events take place in the novel as well. At times, this can be quite hard to read and contemplate how one deals with these issues. Everything in this book is very real, and the fact that people really do have to go through these things is hard as a reader to take in.
I really loved how everything played out in this story (give or take a couple of parts, which you will understand as you go), and these two have a depth to them that makes them really great characters. I really enjoyed this book, and I devoured it in under 24 hours. There is something so real about it, and I just couldn't wait to find out how things would end.
Highly recommend.
Review also on my blog - The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner
Follow me on:
May 23, 2017
ARC received for an honest review
Where do I start with this book?
The Way Back Home is a romance story, but it is so much more than that. In fact, at times I felt that the romance took a back seat in this story, and what was happening around Olivia and August took the main stage.
August Cotton, ex Marine, a broken man.
Olivia - the woman tasked to bring him back into the world.
Throw a spanner in the works, a horrible Southern town (southern hospitality my ar$e) and what you get is a story of loss, heartbreak, pain - and hope.
Oh the emotions that I felt whilst reading. The back and forth, the anger, the hurt - gah, it got me right in the feels.
I want these two broken people to make it so much.
"Back and forth, we continue to hurt one another. We push and shove, scratch and claw until we're both broken and bleeding, a never-ending cycle of paint and hurt and torment."
There is so much I could say about this book, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Buy it. Read it.
I can't wait to see what Ms Jenner brings us next.
Where do I start with this book?
The Way Back Home is a romance story, but it is so much more than that. In fact, at times I felt that the romance took a back seat in this story, and what was happening around Olivia and August took the main stage.
August Cotton, ex Marine, a broken man.
Olivia - the woman tasked to bring him back into the world.
Throw a spanner in the works, a horrible Southern town (southern hospitality my ar$e) and what you get is a story of loss, heartbreak, pain - and hope.
Oh the emotions that I felt whilst reading. The back and forth, the anger, the hurt - gah, it got me right in the feels.
I want these two broken people to make it so much.
"Back and forth, we continue to hurt one another. We push and shove, scratch and claw until we're both broken and bleeding, a never-ending cycle of paint and hurt and torment."
There is so much I could say about this book, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Buy it. Read it.
I can't wait to see what Ms Jenner brings us next.
May 22, 2017
August Cotton is lost, in so many ways. He is brought back home under circumstances that only make his life harder, but he needs to be there for Bettina, his four year old sister. While Bett and Auggie are dealing with their loss, they are hit by a tornado in the shape of a woman - Olivia Anders. She has come to their parents B&B for a month to set up her Paws for Cause program in their town. The Cotton's were hoping her program would help their son through his trauma.
The thing with this couple is even though there is instant attraction, it's not an easy path for these two. It's one step forward and ten steps back. August is a returned Marine with battle scars not only on his body. Liv wants to help him heal, but it's hard when you are falling for your client.
I enjoyed reading Liv and August's story. She was one sassy and strong willed woman who had confidence in her abilities and compassion for others. August was a troubled sole, but with just cause. He needed to forgive himself and trust in his new companion that he is still the same man before he left for war. It's not a quick fix but it leads to some very interesting kitchen foolery!
*I received a copy for an honest review.
** Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
The thing with this couple is even though there is instant attraction, it's not an easy path for these two. It's one step forward and ten steps back. August is a returned Marine with battle scars not only on his body. Liv wants to help him heal, but it's hard when you are falling for your client.
I enjoyed reading Liv and August's story. She was one sassy and strong willed woman who had confidence in her abilities and compassion for others. August was a troubled sole, but with just cause. He needed to forgive himself and trust in his new companion that he is still the same man before he left for war. It's not a quick fix but it leads to some very interesting kitchen foolery!
*I received a copy for an honest review.
** Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
July 3, 2020
3.5 stelline
Recensione sul blog --> https://www.leggereromanticamente.com...
Consiglio questa lettura a chi ha un debole per i Marines e gli uomini silenziosi e un po’ burberi, ma soprattutto a chi crede nell’amore che perdona e che supera tutte le difficoltà della vita.
Recensione sul blog --> https://www.leggereromanticamente.com...
Consiglio questa lettura a chi ha un debole per i Marines e gli uomini silenziosi e un po’ burberi, ma soprattutto a chi crede nell’amore che perdona e che supera tutte le difficoltà della vita.
May 29, 2017
Plain and simple-I adored everything about this book. I've never read any other book that has ever done such a well job depicting the mental anguish and physical extremes wounded vets put them through. This book is absolutely one of the best military books out there, hands down.
August Cotton is left taking care of his parents bed and breakfast and his four year old sister when his parents are killed in a car accident. August is a wounded vet, who suffers from PTSD episodes, and emotionally doesn't believe he's worthy of having any kind of relationship with anyone in his life. The brooding marine has met his match with Olivia-who shows up at the bed and breakfast after already giving the Cottons a month deposit for a room. Olivia and August have some of the largest tension I have ever read, and we're on edge until they come together. Olivia is no stranger to struggle, and has made it out of her mess alive, and happy. She runs a not for profit that raises dogs to help vegan cope with the loneliness of coming back from war. Her biggest project yet is August Cotton. As Olivia breaks through August's hardened walls, we feel our heart break at the pain he endures each day.
This book was truly eye opening. There are so many vets out there that simply just need someone out there to care about them-not pity them and throw them out like an outcast for like the small town does to August. This is an amazing story about love, pain,regret, second chances, and an adorable four year old, a perfect pink piglet, dogs, and two rambunctious teenagers. - By Victoria
August Cotton is left taking care of his parents bed and breakfast and his four year old sister when his parents are killed in a car accident. August is a wounded vet, who suffers from PTSD episodes, and emotionally doesn't believe he's worthy of having any kind of relationship with anyone in his life. The brooding marine has met his match with Olivia-who shows up at the bed and breakfast after already giving the Cottons a month deposit for a room. Olivia and August have some of the largest tension I have ever read, and we're on edge until they come together. Olivia is no stranger to struggle, and has made it out of her mess alive, and happy. She runs a not for profit that raises dogs to help vegan cope with the loneliness of coming back from war. Her biggest project yet is August Cotton. As Olivia breaks through August's hardened walls, we feel our heart break at the pain he endures each day.
This book was truly eye opening. There are so many vets out there that simply just need someone out there to care about them-not pity them and throw them out like an outcast for like the small town does to August. This is an amazing story about love, pain,regret, second chances, and an adorable four year old, a perfect pink piglet, dogs, and two rambunctious teenagers. - By Victoria
June 6, 2017
"This is what I do in my line of work. I fix broken men." -Olivia
Sassy, funny, heartbreaking...
I do love a wounded warrior, and this is one NOT to be missed!!! Olivia has traveled to work with August, a Marine suffering from PTSD, but she doesn't know his parents have died... their very rough beginning ultimately enmeshes Olivia right in Auggie's world--and his adorable little sister Bettina's.
Olivia is a professional, but she has her own sad past motivating her to help August.
"I have no idea who I am anymore, and now this pushy pain in my ass comes along and wants me to talk about my feelings, and open up to her as if she could fix me." -Auggie
It's a sexy, emotional, passionate story--and it's set in my old neck of the woods, Baldwin County, Alabama, which made it especially fun to read.
Don't miss this latest hit from Carmen Jenner!!!
FIVE STARS!
Sassy, funny, heartbreaking...
I do love a wounded warrior, and this is one NOT to be missed!!! Olivia has traveled to work with August, a Marine suffering from PTSD, but she doesn't know his parents have died... their very rough beginning ultimately enmeshes Olivia right in Auggie's world--and his adorable little sister Bettina's.
Olivia is a professional, but she has her own sad past motivating her to help August.
"I have no idea who I am anymore, and now this pushy pain in my ass comes along and wants me to talk about my feelings, and open up to her as if she could fix me." -Auggie
It's a sexy, emotional, passionate story--and it's set in my old neck of the woods, Baldwin County, Alabama, which made it especially fun to read.
Don't miss this latest hit from Carmen Jenner!!!
FIVE STARS!
July 3, 2020
Oramai è assodato che Carmen Jenner sia una di quelle autrici in grado di attentare al cuore con le sue storie. Dopo avermi distrutta con Harley & Rose, la Jenner torna con un altro military romance sulla stessa scia di Verso il frastuono del caos.
La strada verso casa ci racconta la storia di Olivia che con il suo progetto Zampe per la Causa si occupa di fornire aiuto agli ex Marine affetti da Disturbo Post Traumatico da Stress. Il suo obiettivo è accoppiare cani accuratamente addestrati e scampati alla morte a soldati che hanno la necessità di ritrovare la strada perchè devastati dalla guerra. Una sorta di rapporto di mutuo aiuto tra uomo e animale in grado di far rifiorire la speranza laddove sembra esserci solo desolazione.
Quando Olivia decide di portare il suo progetto a Magnolia Springs non immagina lontanamente cosa la aspetta al suo arrivo, soprattutto non è pronta a incontrare August Cotton.
August è il classico esempio di persona da inserire nel suo progetto. L'uomo è reduce da una dura campagna in Afghanistan dalla quale è tornato senza una gamba e senza il suo suo cane di rilevamento IED e adesso ha perso anche i suoi genitori. Rimasto con una sorellina di quattro anni di cui occuparsi, con chiari problemi di gestione della rabbia e spiccate tendenze suicide, Olivia dovrebbe fuggire lontano da lui, ma che persona sarebbe se si arrendesse alle prime difficoltà?
E non c'entra il fatto che August emani un carisma oscuro e sia molto attraente, i suoi occhi tempestosi raccontano una storia fatta di tormenti e incubi ad occhi aperti che non lo abbandoneranno.mai. Gli orrori della guerra e tanto del suo passato ha forgiato un animo duro, con una spessa corazza impenetrabile.
Anche Olivia però ha un passato altrettanto tormentato e sa benissimo cosa significa perdersi in un dolore che sembra non passare mai. Lei però ce l'ha fatta e anche se gli strascichi di quel dolore sordo,ogni tanto tende a venir fuori, sente che la vita è un dono degno di essere vissuto.
Ma come fai ad aggiustare qualcosa o qualcuno che non vuole essere aggiustato, che considera la sofferenza la giusta pena per essere ancora vivo?
La strada verso casa è una storia emozionante, intensa, dolorosa ma con un grande messaggio di resilienza.
Nessuno ti porta via da me, Principessa.
Olivia è una protagonista adorabile, senza filtri, uno scricciolo distrutto dalle asperità della vita che ha saputo toccare il fondo e rialzarsi. La sua innata bontà spesso non le permette di comprendere i pericoli in cui può imbattersi, ma tutto quello fa ha uno scopo nobile. Lei è animata da una profonda passione per il suo lavoro, vorrebbe salvare il mondo e ci mette ogni briciolo di sè. August è un rompicapo difficile da risolvere e la sua testardaggine potrebbe portarlo sino al punto di non ritorno.
Un uomo con cicatrici profonde, fuori e dentro, impegnato in una lotta costante con il ricordo dell'inferno che ha attraversato.
Olivia, giorno dopo giorno, un passo alla volta, sa avvicinarsi a lui, in cerca della luce sepolta da anni di oscurità, errori, orrori e sensi di colpa.
L'ambientazione creata dalla Jenner è magica e suggestiva e i protagonisti sono disegnati alla perfezione in modo da ricreare il folklore del Sud degli Stati Uniti, tra strade roventi e polverose, cittadine piccole e abitanti ottusi, pieni di preconcetti. Integrarsi nella comunità di Magnolia Springs non sarà facile e le persone le renderanno la vita davvero impossibile, ma vi assicuro che scoraggiare la coraggiosa Olivia non è cosa facile. Come può August non innamorarsi di lei?
Romantica, coinvolgente, potente, La strada verso casa è una storia da non perdere se amate le trame che raccontano storie piene di significato, quelle in cui le cadute insegnano a camminare e il dolore ha uno scopo, anche se nel momento in cui soffriamo ci sembra impossibile.
Non c'è nulla che l'amore e tanta pazienza non possa guarire e August e Olivia ne sono un'esempio lampante.
Non c’è un uomo vivente che non possa essere guarito con un po’ di comprensione, un po’ di cure amorevoli e una serie di prodotti da forno.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2020/0...
La strada verso casa ci racconta la storia di Olivia che con il suo progetto Zampe per la Causa si occupa di fornire aiuto agli ex Marine affetti da Disturbo Post Traumatico da Stress. Il suo obiettivo è accoppiare cani accuratamente addestrati e scampati alla morte a soldati che hanno la necessità di ritrovare la strada perchè devastati dalla guerra. Una sorta di rapporto di mutuo aiuto tra uomo e animale in grado di far rifiorire la speranza laddove sembra esserci solo desolazione.
Quando Olivia decide di portare il suo progetto a Magnolia Springs non immagina lontanamente cosa la aspetta al suo arrivo, soprattutto non è pronta a incontrare August Cotton.
August è il classico esempio di persona da inserire nel suo progetto. L'uomo è reduce da una dura campagna in Afghanistan dalla quale è tornato senza una gamba e senza il suo suo cane di rilevamento IED e adesso ha perso anche i suoi genitori. Rimasto con una sorellina di quattro anni di cui occuparsi, con chiari problemi di gestione della rabbia e spiccate tendenze suicide, Olivia dovrebbe fuggire lontano da lui, ma che persona sarebbe se si arrendesse alle prime difficoltà?
E non c'entra il fatto che August emani un carisma oscuro e sia molto attraente, i suoi occhi tempestosi raccontano una storia fatta di tormenti e incubi ad occhi aperti che non lo abbandoneranno.mai. Gli orrori della guerra e tanto del suo passato ha forgiato un animo duro, con una spessa corazza impenetrabile.
Anche Olivia però ha un passato altrettanto tormentato e sa benissimo cosa significa perdersi in un dolore che sembra non passare mai. Lei però ce l'ha fatta e anche se gli strascichi di quel dolore sordo,ogni tanto tende a venir fuori, sente che la vita è un dono degno di essere vissuto.
Ma come fai ad aggiustare qualcosa o qualcuno che non vuole essere aggiustato, che considera la sofferenza la giusta pena per essere ancora vivo?
La strada verso casa è una storia emozionante, intensa, dolorosa ma con un grande messaggio di resilienza.
Nessuno ti porta via da me, Principessa.
Olivia è una protagonista adorabile, senza filtri, uno scricciolo distrutto dalle asperità della vita che ha saputo toccare il fondo e rialzarsi. La sua innata bontà spesso non le permette di comprendere i pericoli in cui può imbattersi, ma tutto quello fa ha uno scopo nobile. Lei è animata da una profonda passione per il suo lavoro, vorrebbe salvare il mondo e ci mette ogni briciolo di sè. August è un rompicapo difficile da risolvere e la sua testardaggine potrebbe portarlo sino al punto di non ritorno.
Un uomo con cicatrici profonde, fuori e dentro, impegnato in una lotta costante con il ricordo dell'inferno che ha attraversato.
Olivia, giorno dopo giorno, un passo alla volta, sa avvicinarsi a lui, in cerca della luce sepolta da anni di oscurità, errori, orrori e sensi di colpa.
L'ambientazione creata dalla Jenner è magica e suggestiva e i protagonisti sono disegnati alla perfezione in modo da ricreare il folklore del Sud degli Stati Uniti, tra strade roventi e polverose, cittadine piccole e abitanti ottusi, pieni di preconcetti. Integrarsi nella comunità di Magnolia Springs non sarà facile e le persone le renderanno la vita davvero impossibile, ma vi assicuro che scoraggiare la coraggiosa Olivia non è cosa facile. Come può August non innamorarsi di lei?
Romantica, coinvolgente, potente, La strada verso casa è una storia da non perdere se amate le trame che raccontano storie piene di significato, quelle in cui le cadute insegnano a camminare e il dolore ha uno scopo, anche se nel momento in cui soffriamo ci sembra impossibile.
Non c'è nulla che l'amore e tanta pazienza non possa guarire e August e Olivia ne sono un'esempio lampante.
Non c’è un uomo vivente che non possa essere guarito con un po’ di comprensione, un po’ di cure amorevoli e una serie di prodotti da forno.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2020/0...
May 29, 2017
The Way Back Home
by Carmen Jenner
Book Lovers!
The Way Back Home, is so good! Legit let’s get to my rating…
4.5 stars for the story, and 1 star for that cover… LOOK at how Beautiful that cover is! Oooh that would mean more then 5 stars... totally worth it!
Why 4 stars?
This is just me and I’m just a fussy bitch, but I love the sex. and this book didn’t have a lot of that hot sexy sex Carmen normal writes. But other than that. I’m all in!
This story, WOW #feelings holy cow, I am just blown away with how much Carmen can make us feel when she delivers us a story, I don’t read her angst rip your heart out and stomp on it, make you rock in fetal position. NOPE that is not me. And that is not this book!
But I always read her books like this REAL Passionate and her fun Carmen ones.
This was so RAW, POWERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BREATHTAKING, EMOTINAL. And yet I was annoyed at the same time wether it was because I wanted the couple to quit with the sexual tension that ignites the pages, and just kiss already! But I had to wait, had to turn my patience’s on. and damn gurlll it was hard. But once they got to the good stuff. It was HOT, Perfect, Raw and heart pounding!
I am in love with August, and I have lady crush on Olivia, I love that we already know who she is from reading Toward the Sound of Chaos, which was one of my most favourite books last year.
Olivia moves to open a Paws for Cause in Magnolia Springs, which is in Alabama,and this town! Holy shit... I felt like I was there y’all! The town folk are crazy, mean and just so backwards all set in their own ways.
GAH! I just love stories like this, I hope Carmen keeps writing stories in this series, I love that they are all standalones but to get the most enjoyment you can read them in order.
August is cruel, he is a dick, he is an asshole, he is a flannel wearing hot bearded MF who I would drop to my knees for… *gasp* I know rude! But holy shit this man. How broken he was and all the little moments when he was sweet, just ruined me! He has been to hell and back, most of the story he is just not in the right mind, taking care of the sweetest little sister, since their parents have died!
I’d wanted to die a hero, and instead I was living life as a cripple.
Oliva is sassy, smart and strong. She made me cry, laugh and fall in love with her way of life. And holy, punch me in the gut, I was sobbing like a baby the stuff she went through, overcome her own demons and just tough!
This story is perfect, legit I can’t really fault it not having enough sex! which I kind of wish it did a little more ;)
Because this story was so real, I love that Carmen didn’t over dramatize anything. She wrote it spot on. For me, Carmen’s is one of my favourite Aussie authors, that is when I can read the Ang friendly stories.
Her writing is flawless, I loved the pace of this one, even though I was like damn gurl, jump his bone, drop to your knees… I learnt patience.
All the characters are just perfect I love them all from the sweet little girl who is August sister, the two punks who we fall in love with, who help Olivia get Paws u and running, I love how they become part of this twisted family. Each with their own BS to get through, but with the help of each other they manage to come out on top, it isn’t easy but it’s worth the rollercoaster ride.
“Every day I wake up and expect that I’ll be a new man,” he whispers. “Every day I lie to myself because I know I ain’t ever changing, but I still need to tell myself that to make it through.”
Another thing I love is that Carmen showed us that love is love in the purest way. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what colour your skin is, what size you are, just that LOVE IS LOVE!
So, prepare yourself with tissues, popcorn, chocolate and the coffee. Once you start his book, I don’t think you will be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.
"he grins as he puts the cap back on the water bottle and sets it on the bench. “You know, if you want to see me naked and sweaty, all you have to do is ask, darlin’.”
I am just in awe of this lady, I adore her! Can’t wait for more from her <3
An Arc was received the most honest review
PNR Book Lover Reviews -Ang
by Carmen Jenner
Book Lovers!
The Way Back Home, is so good! Legit let’s get to my rating…
4.5 stars for the story, and 1 star for that cover… LOOK at how Beautiful that cover is! Oooh that would mean more then 5 stars... totally worth it!
Why 4 stars?
This is just me and I’m just a fussy bitch, but I love the sex. and this book didn’t have a lot of that hot sexy sex Carmen normal writes. But other than that. I’m all in!
This story, WOW #feelings holy cow, I am just blown away with how much Carmen can make us feel when she delivers us a story, I don’t read her angst rip your heart out and stomp on it, make you rock in fetal position. NOPE that is not me. And that is not this book!
But I always read her books like this REAL Passionate and her fun Carmen ones.
This was so RAW, POWERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BREATHTAKING, EMOTINAL. And yet I was annoyed at the same time wether it was because I wanted the couple to quit with the sexual tension that ignites the pages, and just kiss already! But I had to wait, had to turn my patience’s on. and damn gurlll it was hard. But once they got to the good stuff. It was HOT, Perfect, Raw and heart pounding!
I am in love with August, and I have lady crush on Olivia, I love that we already know who she is from reading Toward the Sound of Chaos, which was one of my most favourite books last year.
Olivia moves to open a Paws for Cause in Magnolia Springs, which is in Alabama,and this town! Holy shit... I felt like I was there y’all! The town folk are crazy, mean and just so backwards all set in their own ways.
GAH! I just love stories like this, I hope Carmen keeps writing stories in this series, I love that they are all standalones but to get the most enjoyment you can read them in order.
August is cruel, he is a dick, he is an asshole, he is a flannel wearing hot bearded MF who I would drop to my knees for… *gasp* I know rude! But holy shit this man. How broken he was and all the little moments when he was sweet, just ruined me! He has been to hell and back, most of the story he is just not in the right mind, taking care of the sweetest little sister, since their parents have died!
I’d wanted to die a hero, and instead I was living life as a cripple.
Oliva is sassy, smart and strong. She made me cry, laugh and fall in love with her way of life. And holy, punch me in the gut, I was sobbing like a baby the stuff she went through, overcome her own demons and just tough!
This story is perfect, legit I can’t really fault it not having enough sex! which I kind of wish it did a little more ;)
Because this story was so real, I love that Carmen didn’t over dramatize anything. She wrote it spot on. For me, Carmen’s is one of my favourite Aussie authors, that is when I can read the Ang friendly stories.
Her writing is flawless, I loved the pace of this one, even though I was like damn gurl, jump his bone, drop to your knees… I learnt patience.
All the characters are just perfect I love them all from the sweet little girl who is August sister, the two punks who we fall in love with, who help Olivia get Paws u and running, I love how they become part of this twisted family. Each with their own BS to get through, but with the help of each other they manage to come out on top, it isn’t easy but it’s worth the rollercoaster ride.
“Every day I wake up and expect that I’ll be a new man,” he whispers. “Every day I lie to myself because I know I ain’t ever changing, but I still need to tell myself that to make it through.”
Another thing I love is that Carmen showed us that love is love in the purest way. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what colour your skin is, what size you are, just that LOVE IS LOVE!
So, prepare yourself with tissues, popcorn, chocolate and the coffee. Once you start his book, I don’t think you will be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.
"he grins as he puts the cap back on the water bottle and sets it on the bench. “You know, if you want to see me naked and sweaty, all you have to do is ask, darlin’.”
I am just in awe of this lady, I adore her! Can’t wait for more from her <3
An Arc was received the most honest review
PNR Book Lover Reviews -Ang
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2020
2.5-3 stars....(sorry......McKenna and Ali)
Okay a few thoughts about this book.
First, there were waaaaay too many big topics throughout this book ( these are the topics, you can look for TW or if you want to know them ahead of time: ) and because of that I felt like none of them were flushed out enough. It would go from a really serious topic being discussed to then them either joking right after or just blowing past the topic.
Second, I didn't really feel the chemistry between August and Olivia. I felt it at the beginning when they were trying to feelers from each other. But then as the story continues it was a lot of "yes I am in to you... No I am not good for you, but I want you... " I was like I get it for the first half of the book, but I swear that happened up until the end where I couldn't feel that true chemistry with the characters because they kept just being surface level with each other. I say that even though they divulged really deep secrets with each other, but they didn't talk about those secrets that to me it felt like they didn't even say them.
Third, for being someone who can help Marines with PTSD, Olivia had a hard time showing that throughout the story. That is one thing that really frustrated me, since she had this reputable business that was in magazines, and she had multiple locations throughout the south, this book didn't highlight that at all. She saw that August was having a hard time, but we didn't see any tools on how to help him cope.
The character that I loved the most was Josiah, he was a misunderstood teenager that is taken under Olivia's wing. Their friendship was more believable to me than the love relationship with Olivia and August. The way that Olivia was protective of Josiah was great and wanted to help him no matter how their friendship started. I kept reading to see what happened with his life, he really made the story enjoyable, I wish there was more interactions with him.
Also there was a lot of town drama at the beginning that didn't do anything to the plot of the story, it was just to show how they were outcasted but it wasn't brought up again after the couple chapters that it happened.
Overall I had really high expectations for this book, I love military romances, and this one didn't do it for me. I wanted to badly to love it, but it just fell short for me.
If you are looking for a really good military romance look no further than Rebecca Yarros, since she is a military wife she can really capture the experience and the trials and tribulations that they have to go through.
Okay a few thoughts about this book.
First, there were waaaaay too many big topics throughout this book ( these are the topics, you can look for TW or if you want to know them ahead of time: ) and because of that I felt like none of them were flushed out enough. It would go from a really serious topic being discussed to then them either joking right after or just blowing past the topic.
Second, I didn't really feel the chemistry between August and Olivia. I felt it at the beginning when they were trying to feelers from each other. But then as the story continues it was a lot of "yes I am in to you... No I am not good for you, but I want you... " I was like I get it for the first half of the book, but I swear that happened up until the end where I couldn't feel that true chemistry with the characters because they kept just being surface level with each other. I say that even though they divulged really deep secrets with each other, but they didn't talk about those secrets that to me it felt like they didn't even say them.
Third, for being someone who can help Marines with PTSD, Olivia had a hard time showing that throughout the story. That is one thing that really frustrated me, since she had this reputable business that was in magazines, and she had multiple locations throughout the south, this book didn't highlight that at all. She saw that August was having a hard time, but we didn't see any tools on how to help him cope.
The character that I loved the most was Josiah, he was a misunderstood teenager that is taken under Olivia's wing. Their friendship was more believable to me than the love relationship with Olivia and August. The way that Olivia was protective of Josiah was great and wanted to help him no matter how their friendship started. I kept reading to see what happened with his life, he really made the story enjoyable, I wish there was more interactions with him.
Also there was a lot of town drama at the beginning that didn't do anything to the plot of the story, it was just to show how they were outcasted but it wasn't brought up again after the couple chapters that it happened.
Overall I had really high expectations for this book, I love military romances, and this one didn't do it for me. I wanted to badly to love it, but it just fell short for me.
If you are looking for a really good military romance look no further than Rebecca Yarros, since she is a military wife she can really capture the experience and the trials and tribulations that they have to go through.
July 6, 2020
Recensione di Ilenia:
Come fai a recensire un romanzo che ti travolge come uno tsunami? Come puoi parlare di due personaggi pieni di cicatrici, visibili e non, senza che la tua anima ricominci a sanguinare? Come diavolo si fa?
L'autrice mi aveva dilaniata già con il primo meravigliosamente intenso primo volume di questa serie, facendomi bramare altre parole, altre storie. È bastata la cover ed ero già euforica, immaginate l'emozione di ricevere la copia.
Di Olivia sappiamo già molte cose, essendo amica della protagonista de "Il frastuono del caos". Olivia addestra cani per militari che lasciano la testa nel deserto, tra una bomba e l'altra: dona agli animali una seconda possibilità, salvandoli da morte certa. È pronta per una nuova avventura, in una nuova città, con la stessa missione: aggiustare chi è rotto, senza pensare alle sue crepe.
Dopo che mio padre è morto, mi è stato insegnato a non contare su nessuno, tranne me stessa. Tutto ciò mi ha fatto diventare la donna che sono oggi. E mi piace questa donna: è tosta, a volte coraggiosa, e sa quando insistere e quando arretrare. Ma sa anche che non si può attraversare questo mondo da soli, senza supporto, senza qualcuno a cui importi quello che ti succede e senza qualcuno che allevi un po’ il dolore, quando questo diventa troppo e avresti voglia di arrenderti.
August non è tornato intero dalla guerra, e non parlo solo per via dell'arto perso. La guerra lo ha segnato, gli ha tolto la forza di vivere, di andare avanti... eppure deve mettere da parte la sua vita, le sue volontà per qualcun altro.
avrei accettato di morire come un eroe e, invece, ho iniziato a vivere come uno storpio. Ora i miei genitori sono morti e io sto per tornare a casa, solo per entrare nei panni di qualcun altro e prendermi cura di mia sorella, come se potessi mai sostituirli. Come se potessi mai essere qualcosa di più che rotto.
Una donna che vuole salvare militari, dargli un nuovo motivo per vivere, incontra un Marine che non vuole nessuno vicino, che non intende affrontare i suoi incubi... perfetto, no?
Eppure la storia non è così semplice, non è tutta qui. Questa è solo la superficie, la crosta che ricopre il fulcro vivo, che pulsa.
Per leggere questa storia bisogna fare un atto di coraggio. Ci vuole la forza di allontanarsi dalla strada asfaltata e diritta per imboccare una stradina fatta di sassi, ripide salite e curve tortuose. Bisogna abbracciare il dolore degli altri, sentire sulla propria pelle le loro cicatrici.
Senza tregua, continuiamo a ferirci a vicenda. Spingiamo e strattoniamo, graffiamo e artigliamo fino a quando non siamo entrambi rotti e sanguinanti, in un ciclo senza fine di dolore, ferite e tormento. Eppure, non posso ancora andarmene, ma sembra che io sia la sola a restare.
Un aspetto del libro che mi ha colpita forte come un treno è stato come l'autrice ha trattato il pregiudizio: è facile comportarsi da persone per bene, essere ben vestiti, truccati e acconciati, avere soldi, un ruolo nella società... ma è davanti a chi soffre che si vede la grandezza dell'animo umano. Olivia si scontra contro un muro di indifferenza verso chi soffre e chi ne paga le conseguenze sono sempre i più deboli, a chi lei è votata. Servirebbero più persone come lei al mondo, con la sua tenacia, la sua sfrontatezza, la voglia di aggiustare gli altri sopra ogni cosa, anche se questo significa distruggersi, un pezzo per volta.
Tutti abbiamo delle cicatrici: alcune di loro ci uccidono a poco a poco; alcune lo fanno tutto in una volta; altre addirittura salvano le nostre vite.
Bisogna soffrire per poter trovare la felicità. Bisogna perdersi per ritrovare la strada di casa. Carmen Jenner, August, Olivia e Bett ci mostrano come fare.
Come fai a recensire un romanzo che ti travolge come uno tsunami? Come puoi parlare di due personaggi pieni di cicatrici, visibili e non, senza che la tua anima ricominci a sanguinare? Come diavolo si fa?
L'autrice mi aveva dilaniata già con il primo meravigliosamente intenso primo volume di questa serie, facendomi bramare altre parole, altre storie. È bastata la cover ed ero già euforica, immaginate l'emozione di ricevere la copia.
Di Olivia sappiamo già molte cose, essendo amica della protagonista de "Il frastuono del caos". Olivia addestra cani per militari che lasciano la testa nel deserto, tra una bomba e l'altra: dona agli animali una seconda possibilità, salvandoli da morte certa. È pronta per una nuova avventura, in una nuova città, con la stessa missione: aggiustare chi è rotto, senza pensare alle sue crepe.
Dopo che mio padre è morto, mi è stato insegnato a non contare su nessuno, tranne me stessa. Tutto ciò mi ha fatto diventare la donna che sono oggi. E mi piace questa donna: è tosta, a volte coraggiosa, e sa quando insistere e quando arretrare. Ma sa anche che non si può attraversare questo mondo da soli, senza supporto, senza qualcuno a cui importi quello che ti succede e senza qualcuno che allevi un po’ il dolore, quando questo diventa troppo e avresti voglia di arrenderti.
August non è tornato intero dalla guerra, e non parlo solo per via dell'arto perso. La guerra lo ha segnato, gli ha tolto la forza di vivere, di andare avanti... eppure deve mettere da parte la sua vita, le sue volontà per qualcun altro.
avrei accettato di morire come un eroe e, invece, ho iniziato a vivere come uno storpio. Ora i miei genitori sono morti e io sto per tornare a casa, solo per entrare nei panni di qualcun altro e prendermi cura di mia sorella, come se potessi mai sostituirli. Come se potessi mai essere qualcosa di più che rotto.
Una donna che vuole salvare militari, dargli un nuovo motivo per vivere, incontra un Marine che non vuole nessuno vicino, che non intende affrontare i suoi incubi... perfetto, no?
Eppure la storia non è così semplice, non è tutta qui. Questa è solo la superficie, la crosta che ricopre il fulcro vivo, che pulsa.
Per leggere questa storia bisogna fare un atto di coraggio. Ci vuole la forza di allontanarsi dalla strada asfaltata e diritta per imboccare una stradina fatta di sassi, ripide salite e curve tortuose. Bisogna abbracciare il dolore degli altri, sentire sulla propria pelle le loro cicatrici.
Senza tregua, continuiamo a ferirci a vicenda. Spingiamo e strattoniamo, graffiamo e artigliamo fino a quando non siamo entrambi rotti e sanguinanti, in un ciclo senza fine di dolore, ferite e tormento. Eppure, non posso ancora andarmene, ma sembra che io sia la sola a restare.
Un aspetto del libro che mi ha colpita forte come un treno è stato come l'autrice ha trattato il pregiudizio: è facile comportarsi da persone per bene, essere ben vestiti, truccati e acconciati, avere soldi, un ruolo nella società... ma è davanti a chi soffre che si vede la grandezza dell'animo umano. Olivia si scontra contro un muro di indifferenza verso chi soffre e chi ne paga le conseguenze sono sempre i più deboli, a chi lei è votata. Servirebbero più persone come lei al mondo, con la sua tenacia, la sua sfrontatezza, la voglia di aggiustare gli altri sopra ogni cosa, anche se questo significa distruggersi, un pezzo per volta.
Tutti abbiamo delle cicatrici: alcune di loro ci uccidono a poco a poco; alcune lo fanno tutto in una volta; altre addirittura salvano le nostre vite.
Bisogna soffrire per poter trovare la felicità. Bisogna perdersi per ritrovare la strada di casa. Carmen Jenner, August, Olivia e Bett ci mostrano come fare.
July 3, 2020
💋recensione per il blog New Adult e dintorni 💋
Carmen Jenner torna con un military romance molto coinvolgente, dove il marine August e la sua aspirante salvatrice Olivia saranno i protagonisti.
Olivia è appena arrivata nella piccola cittadina di Magnolia Springs, nel profondo sud dell'Alabama, non vede l'ora di sistemarsi nel bed and breakfast situato nella casa colonica di Tanglewood, dopo aver camminato per chilometri.
I proprietari l'hanno ingaggiata per salvare il figlio Marine tornato dalla guerra in Afghanistan con una menomazione alla gamba sinistra e una preoccupante sindrome da stress post traumatico. Al suo arrivo ci saranno ad accoglierla una bimba in abiti eleganti e dallo sguardo triste e un ragazzo enorme dalla faccia arrabbiata e sarà quella la famiglia che l'accompagnerà nel suo duro percorso verso casa.
Olivia salva i cani destinati a essere soppressi e li abbina ai Marine distrutti dai ricordi delle esperienze vissute in guerra. Cerca di salvare il prossimo per salvare se stessa.
August non solo ha perso una parte del suo corpo in quella maledetta guerra ma anche il suo cane da lavoro militare Havoc e un amore che l'aveva portato a combattere per poi distruggersi nel più vile dei tradimenti. Deve pensare alla sorellina Bettina di appena 4 anni, la bimba ha un grande debole per la sua Livvie. Il problema è che lui non ci sa proprio fare con i rapporti umani e ancor meno con le relazioni, anche solo un tocco per lui vuol dire inferno e i suoi demoni possono tornare ad annientarlo. Quella ragazza non può restare, non può salvarlo e soprattutto non può avvicinarsi a lui, non ancora, non dopo quello che lui ha fatto.
'Quella donna è pericolosa. Non ho mai incontrato una ragazza che mi sia entrata sotto la pelle più di lei. Non ho mai incontrato una ragazza da cui non riesco ad allontanarmi.'
Olivia non può salvare il mondo e il suo intestardirsi nell'andare contro i cittadini di una piccola città del sud piena di pregiudizi non solo la fanno franare nelle sue debolezze ma la rendono sola nel dolore di un passato che mi ha fatto accapponare la pelle.
Questa storia ci parla di una famiglia strampalata che fa ritrovare casa a due piccoli teppisti che grazie a Livvie ritrovano la retta via fatta di duro e onesto lavoro nel nuovo rifugio che quest'ultima sta costruendo proprio lì vicino, a Pinky il maialino trovato per strada, curato e adottato e al cane Zora che aiuterà August nel ritrovare l'amore per la vita prima ancora che per se stesso.
Questo libro mi ha spezzato il cuore, in tanti modi, non ero pronta agli stravolgimenti del passato come neanche a quelli del presente, c'è un grande desiderio di rivalsa che mi ha portato alle parole finali con un groppo in gola e un grande senso di appagamento.
Sono tanti gli episodi destabilizzanti e ho quasi perso la speranza ad un certo punto che August potesse veramente farsi salvare e coinvolgere completamente dall'amore assoluto di Olivia, ci ho creduto e spero lo facciate anche voi.
Carmen si è confermata bravissima in questo genere di romanzi, dopo Il frastuono del caos non pensavo mi potesse sconvolgere ancora, invece ce l'ha fatta.
Carmen Jenner torna con un military romance molto coinvolgente, dove il marine August e la sua aspirante salvatrice Olivia saranno i protagonisti.
Olivia è appena arrivata nella piccola cittadina di Magnolia Springs, nel profondo sud dell'Alabama, non vede l'ora di sistemarsi nel bed and breakfast situato nella casa colonica di Tanglewood, dopo aver camminato per chilometri.
I proprietari l'hanno ingaggiata per salvare il figlio Marine tornato dalla guerra in Afghanistan con una menomazione alla gamba sinistra e una preoccupante sindrome da stress post traumatico. Al suo arrivo ci saranno ad accoglierla una bimba in abiti eleganti e dallo sguardo triste e un ragazzo enorme dalla faccia arrabbiata e sarà quella la famiglia che l'accompagnerà nel suo duro percorso verso casa.
Olivia salva i cani destinati a essere soppressi e li abbina ai Marine distrutti dai ricordi delle esperienze vissute in guerra. Cerca di salvare il prossimo per salvare se stessa.
August non solo ha perso una parte del suo corpo in quella maledetta guerra ma anche il suo cane da lavoro militare Havoc e un amore che l'aveva portato a combattere per poi distruggersi nel più vile dei tradimenti. Deve pensare alla sorellina Bettina di appena 4 anni, la bimba ha un grande debole per la sua Livvie. Il problema è che lui non ci sa proprio fare con i rapporti umani e ancor meno con le relazioni, anche solo un tocco per lui vuol dire inferno e i suoi demoni possono tornare ad annientarlo. Quella ragazza non può restare, non può salvarlo e soprattutto non può avvicinarsi a lui, non ancora, non dopo quello che lui ha fatto.
'Quella donna è pericolosa. Non ho mai incontrato una ragazza che mi sia entrata sotto la pelle più di lei. Non ho mai incontrato una ragazza da cui non riesco ad allontanarmi.'
Olivia non può salvare il mondo e il suo intestardirsi nell'andare contro i cittadini di una piccola città del sud piena di pregiudizi non solo la fanno franare nelle sue debolezze ma la rendono sola nel dolore di un passato che mi ha fatto accapponare la pelle.
Questa storia ci parla di una famiglia strampalata che fa ritrovare casa a due piccoli teppisti che grazie a Livvie ritrovano la retta via fatta di duro e onesto lavoro nel nuovo rifugio che quest'ultima sta costruendo proprio lì vicino, a Pinky il maialino trovato per strada, curato e adottato e al cane Zora che aiuterà August nel ritrovare l'amore per la vita prima ancora che per se stesso.
Questo libro mi ha spezzato il cuore, in tanti modi, non ero pronta agli stravolgimenti del passato come neanche a quelli del presente, c'è un grande desiderio di rivalsa che mi ha portato alle parole finali con un groppo in gola e un grande senso di appagamento.
Sono tanti gli episodi destabilizzanti e ho quasi perso la speranza ad un certo punto che August potesse veramente farsi salvare e coinvolgere completamente dall'amore assoluto di Olivia, ci ho creduto e spero lo facciate anche voi.
Carmen si è confermata bravissima in questo genere di romanzi, dopo Il frastuono del caos non pensavo mi potesse sconvolgere ancora, invece ce l'ha fatta.
June 2, 2017
Everything. The Way Back Home is everything.
I have absolutely no words other than that right now to describe it. This happens every single time i finish one of Carmen Jenner's books. I sit and contemplate what I'm going to say and nothing is ever good enough. Truth is Carmen's writing style is amazing, her words swallow me whole. Each sentence page steals my breath more than the last. I live and breathe her stories. Nothing can explain that feeling.
When i first met Olivia in Toward The Sound of Chaos I loved her. She was strong, feisty and determined to help others. She's a complex character, one that had a smile on her face and did everything she could for people struggling. Yet you got a glimpse that she had suffered her own problems, experienced her own hell. I just knew when we got her story it wouldn't be an easy one.
I have fallen so hard in love with August Cotton, a man that enlisted to save his country and in the process experiencing a hell no man should ever have to. He knew he would never return the same man he once was, but yet he was more broken and battered than he ever expected. Returning home to the worst kind of circumstances, he's left to raise his baby sister. That's the last thing he needs right? No. The last thing he needs is the fesity, take no shit blonde that turns up on his doorstep.
Jenner has pure talent in creating men that are so beautifully broken, yet so damn easy to love.
She creates these stories that pull you in and push you out all at once. Each sentence crushing and bruising your heart over and over.
I'm in total awe of the worlds she builds. The way she takes raw situations and comes full force with all the facts and creates a story with brutal plots and she gives her marines the respect and love they deserve and god if it doesn't rip my heart apart. It's in these moments when shes gathered all the truths and makes you fall in love with something that isn't always beautiful.
It's the harsh reality that these men really do exsist in our world and most of them don't get the ending hers do.
Toward the Sound of Chaos was my favourite read of 2016. The Way Back Home is now my favourite of 2017.
Yet another book that stole my heart and my breath. Another story that completely broke me and healed me all at once. A world full of angst and emotion, beauty and anguish. A story so powerful and brutal that you just have to sit there for a while after and just breath.
It's Everything.
I have absolutely no words other than that right now to describe it. This happens every single time i finish one of Carmen Jenner's books. I sit and contemplate what I'm going to say and nothing is ever good enough. Truth is Carmen's writing style is amazing, her words swallow me whole. Each sentence page steals my breath more than the last. I live and breathe her stories. Nothing can explain that feeling.
When i first met Olivia in Toward The Sound of Chaos I loved her. She was strong, feisty and determined to help others. She's a complex character, one that had a smile on her face and did everything she could for people struggling. Yet you got a glimpse that she had suffered her own problems, experienced her own hell. I just knew when we got her story it wouldn't be an easy one.
I have fallen so hard in love with August Cotton, a man that enlisted to save his country and in the process experiencing a hell no man should ever have to. He knew he would never return the same man he once was, but yet he was more broken and battered than he ever expected. Returning home to the worst kind of circumstances, he's left to raise his baby sister. That's the last thing he needs right? No. The last thing he needs is the fesity, take no shit blonde that turns up on his doorstep.
Jenner has pure talent in creating men that are so beautifully broken, yet so damn easy to love.
She creates these stories that pull you in and push you out all at once. Each sentence crushing and bruising your heart over and over.
I'm in total awe of the worlds she builds. The way she takes raw situations and comes full force with all the facts and creates a story with brutal plots and she gives her marines the respect and love they deserve and god if it doesn't rip my heart apart. It's in these moments when shes gathered all the truths and makes you fall in love with something that isn't always beautiful.
It's the harsh reality that these men really do exsist in our world and most of them don't get the ending hers do.
Toward the Sound of Chaos was my favourite read of 2016. The Way Back Home is now my favourite of 2017.
Yet another book that stole my heart and my breath. Another story that completely broke me and healed me all at once. A world full of angst and emotion, beauty and anguish. A story so powerful and brutal that you just have to sit there for a while after and just breath.
It's Everything.
June 1, 2017
GOLD LIPSTICK
When I first met Olivia Anders, it was her take no sh*t attitude and resilience I adored, she was strong and feisty, determined to do her part to keep making the world a better place. There was a sense of someone who had seen and experienced far more than she had let on, and it was both endearing and inspired.
"Every day I tell myself I'm brave, I'm strong, that the past does not dictate who I am or the woman I've become. I keep hoping that one day it'll stick."
August Cotton has had a pretty crap run, he enlisted and went off to war, never really expecting to return to the life he left behind, returning home under the worst of circumstances has left the brittle and battered man even more determined to steer of everyone and everything in his small town. August has lost too much, left to rear his baby sister, the last thing he needs or wants is a pushy Olivia telling him what he needs and wants.
"Because wounds on the inside can be so much harder to heal than those of the flesh."
In true Jenner style, The Way Back Home is full of angst and emotion, everything about Olivia drawing you in, while August resolutely pushes you away, the building tension and blinding chemistry make this story impossible to put down, but its true beauty comes from those unparalleled moments of raw and real anguish, the moments that we watch as the walls these two people painstakingly built come crashing down, it's in those moments that Carmen Jenner truly shines, as she tugs and pulls at your heart, bruising it, battering it, before piecing it back together slowly and surely and sending you on your way.
When I first met Olivia Anders, it was her take no sh*t attitude and resilience I adored, she was strong and feisty, determined to do her part to keep making the world a better place. There was a sense of someone who had seen and experienced far more than she had let on, and it was both endearing and inspired.
"Every day I tell myself I'm brave, I'm strong, that the past does not dictate who I am or the woman I've become. I keep hoping that one day it'll stick."
August Cotton has had a pretty crap run, he enlisted and went off to war, never really expecting to return to the life he left behind, returning home under the worst of circumstances has left the brittle and battered man even more determined to steer of everyone and everything in his small town. August has lost too much, left to rear his baby sister, the last thing he needs or wants is a pushy Olivia telling him what he needs and wants.
"Because wounds on the inside can be so much harder to heal than those of the flesh."
In true Jenner style, The Way Back Home is full of angst and emotion, everything about Olivia drawing you in, while August resolutely pushes you away, the building tension and blinding chemistry make this story impossible to put down, but its true beauty comes from those unparalleled moments of raw and real anguish, the moments that we watch as the walls these two people painstakingly built come crashing down, it's in those moments that Carmen Jenner truly shines, as she tugs and pulls at your heart, bruising it, battering it, before piecing it back together slowly and surely and sending you on your way.
May 28, 2017
The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner is a highly emotional, angst filled journey of two tortured souls. Carmen has this way of weaving a story and keeping you hooked from the first page to the last that is unlike any other author. The Way Back Home is a standalone but is connected to one of my favorite reads from 2016, Toward the Sound of Chaos ~ which I highly recommend reading as well.
Olivia Anders takes challenges head on and her newest challenge is setting up a shelter for dogs who she trains to assist with ex-service men and woman to help deal with stress in Magnolia Springs. Small towns come with it's own set of challenges but she never thought August Cotton would throw her off balance. August didn't want to return to Magnolia Springs but after a terrible accident which forces him to return home to take care of his little sister. When Olivia ends up on August's doorstep he never thought he could let someone in let alone feel something for anyone again. Thrown together by chance but drawn to each other through mutual pain. Can Olivia and August heal either other?
Ah I loved this story so much. This story had everything, you'll laugh, cry and want to throw your kindle at times. Carmen keyed in on the perfect amount of sexual tension between the leads which leads to an amazing explosion when they finally connect. 5 "Birthday Cake Oreo" Stars for The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
Olivia Anders takes challenges head on and her newest challenge is setting up a shelter for dogs who she trains to assist with ex-service men and woman to help deal with stress in Magnolia Springs. Small towns come with it's own set of challenges but she never thought August Cotton would throw her off balance. August didn't want to return to Magnolia Springs but after a terrible accident which forces him to return home to take care of his little sister. When Olivia ends up on August's doorstep he never thought he could let someone in let alone feel something for anyone again. Thrown together by chance but drawn to each other through mutual pain. Can Olivia and August heal either other?
Ah I loved this story so much. This story had everything, you'll laugh, cry and want to throw your kindle at times. Carmen keyed in on the perfect amount of sexual tension between the leads which leads to an amazing explosion when they finally connect. 5 "Birthday Cake Oreo" Stars for The Way Back Home by Carmen Jenner
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
May 29, 2017
This is an emotionally charged story full of pain, heartache, loss, forgiveness, coupled with faith and hope mixed with a splash of love and laughter. August Cotton is a broken man, he’s a war vet abandoned by small hometown that he’s forced to return to in order to take care of his little sister when his parents die in a car crash.
Olivia arrives in town to open up and new office of her Paws for Cause and ends up at August’s old home which his parents turned into a B&B. They clash instantly. Olivia puts her foot in her mouth and August just wants to be left alone. He spends a fair chunk of this book pushing Olivia away and saying he doesn’t need help. But he does want her, as attested to when she walks into her bathroom next morning to find him j**king off. And when he almost kisses her.
She doesn’t give up and slowly she wears him down and got to the heart of the matter. August’s heart.
Gosh this man was so tormented and driven never to make the same mistake again. His closed off attitude pissed off a lot of people. Olivia was fierce in her beliefs, and even when she was righteously mad at August, if anyone spoke badly of him in her hearing, they’d better watch out. She was a tigress in her defence of his ailment.
I loved the whole element of this story, it’s not the most common of tropes, but it was very well written. This was 1st Carmen Jenner book, but it won’t be the last.
Olivia arrives in town to open up and new office of her Paws for Cause and ends up at August’s old home which his parents turned into a B&B. They clash instantly. Olivia puts her foot in her mouth and August just wants to be left alone. He spends a fair chunk of this book pushing Olivia away and saying he doesn’t need help. But he does want her, as attested to when she walks into her bathroom next morning to find him j**king off. And when he almost kisses her.
She doesn’t give up and slowly she wears him down and got to the heart of the matter. August’s heart.
Gosh this man was so tormented and driven never to make the same mistake again. His closed off attitude pissed off a lot of people. Olivia was fierce in her beliefs, and even when she was righteously mad at August, if anyone spoke badly of him in her hearing, they’d better watch out. She was a tigress in her defence of his ailment.
I loved the whole element of this story, it’s not the most common of tropes, but it was very well written. This was 1st Carmen Jenner book, but it won’t be the last.
May 29, 2017
You know when you read a book that is so beautiful and thought provoking you have to sit down for a good few hours after just to process what you've read???
Carmen has delivered that kind of book.
This a powerful story of the realistic results of war and PTSD, healing and two broken souls finding their way back home.
We are getting more and more military based books being released and some of which tackle the effects PTSD has on a soldier, but I have found none have quite gotten it so realistic until Carmen released 'Toward The Sound Of Chaos' and now 'The Way Back Home'.
The love, research and respect that has gone into writing this book shines through the pages and you know that Carmen had given her all to these characters and to show just how much of a struggle life after war can be. Not only to veterans but to those around them as well.
This is a book you will not forget, but it's one you shouldn't forget. This is a book and subject that needs to be savoured and shared.
Every word. Every emotion that pours out of the pages and into your heart...savour it and never forget!!!
Carmen, I am in awe of you and the respectful and loving way you have delivered this book and I take my hat off to you.
A definite, definite must read from me and one that will always hold a special place in my heart.
Carmen has delivered that kind of book.
This a powerful story of the realistic results of war and PTSD, healing and two broken souls finding their way back home.
We are getting more and more military based books being released and some of which tackle the effects PTSD has on a soldier, but I have found none have quite gotten it so realistic until Carmen released 'Toward The Sound Of Chaos' and now 'The Way Back Home'.
The love, research and respect that has gone into writing this book shines through the pages and you know that Carmen had given her all to these characters and to show just how much of a struggle life after war can be. Not only to veterans but to those around them as well.
This is a book you will not forget, but it's one you shouldn't forget. This is a book and subject that needs to be savoured and shared.
Every word. Every emotion that pours out of the pages and into your heart...savour it and never forget!!!
Carmen, I am in awe of you and the respectful and loving way you have delivered this book and I take my hat off to you.
A definite, definite must read from me and one that will always hold a special place in my heart.
June 8, 2017
Adored this book
I knew that if Carmen wrote a book I would fall in love and I wasn't wrong .. This book pulled at your heart strings as well as getting you all hot and bothered loved every second of it and I adored the little family she created with all the boys and the animals.I do wish Josiah and beau and jude would get there own story , that way we can slider how these two are going lol I loved how the story developed nice and slow but intense all at the same time , so when it finally happened it was hot as hell. Can't wait to see what she writes next !!!
I knew that if Carmen wrote a book I would fall in love and I wasn't wrong .. This book pulled at your heart strings as well as getting you all hot and bothered loved every second of it and I adored the little family she created with all the boys and the animals.I do wish Josiah and beau and jude would get there own story , that way we can slider how these two are going lol I loved how the story developed nice and slow but intense all at the same time , so when it finally happened it was hot as hell. Can't wait to see what she writes next !!!
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