4.45 AVERAGE

lettieloo's review against another edition

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challenging emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Margot's husband walked away from her and their son Matty a year ago, and now he's back, wanting to be back in their lives. Jaxson is new to town, living in her B&B, helping out with various maintenance projects around the place, and working with Margot's brother Michael and the team at Knight Security.
(I can't believe I didn't write this review once I finished...I'll do a quick read-through again tonight or tomorrow so I can finish this up for you guys! 7 February 2025)
Here's the REAL Review (I can't believe I didn't write this out earlier this week!!!)

OK. So we have Margot (sister of Michael from Knight Security) and Jaxson. They are both divorced: she from her husband who left her and Matty a year earlier, he from his wife who left him shortly after he returned from duty with a broken back. Jaxson has been living in Margot's B&B, and he CLEARLY has some feelings for her, but he isn't ready to figure them out (don't worry, Margot's got the same feelings going on but is all worried about Matty and what he would think).
As luck would have it, trouble once again comes to the quiet (well...not so quiet) town of Hope Springs, Maine...Jaxson is getting texts and calls from his long-lost dad, his brother, and his ex-wife and Chad, Margot's ex, comes back to town.
Jaxson is a former LAPD Detective, and there are suddenly several cases in town of missing girls/women, with a specific calling card being left at the scene. This is a clear reference to the serial killer he helped put away, but is it him or a copycat?
Then we have Lanetti, a young woman who works at the diner and CLEARLY is obsessed with Jaxson. When she goes missing, he's torn between helping to find her (even though he's uncomfortable with her affection toward him and doesn't want to ruin things with Margot), but he is also worried about her being killed.
I figured out who the bad guy was right away, although Jessica Ashley tried to keep me guessing as the story went on.
In the end, I'm glad to see how it turned out, and I think you will be too.

marcus1969's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the 4th book this author has put out, and she keeps getting better with each book. I read this one as soon as it came from Amazon, and it was an awesome read. Jaxon and Margot were great and likable characters with their own pasts of hurt and betrayal, and made such a perfect pair. Jaxon was protective of Margot and her son Matty, and was happy to be there for them.

I so did not see the identity of the guilty party. When the masks were pulled off - literally - I was shocked. The author did a great job on keeping that a secret.

The topic of forgiveness was a main thread of the story. Jaxon had to forgive his ex-wife and his father, and Margot and Matty had to forgive their husband and father.

All of the characters from the other books were in this one, which made the book all the better.
Totally awesome read.

bnieboer's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

5.0

itslizreads's review against another edition

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tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lholzmann's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kylieghreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Fantastic addition to the series. I loved Margot and Jaxson’s story. It will keep you guessing until the end. It was fast paced, full of romance, found family, mystery, suspense, faith, and forgiveness. Clear your schedule because once you start reading, you won’t want to stop!

arbear's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

3.5

princessjdl's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense

5.0

parklandmom's review

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hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Read: September 2024
Series: Coastal Hope, #4
Format: Audiobook borrow from Everand 
Narrator: Savannah Rivers*, Jarman  Day  [*Rivers is great but I don’t care for the male narrator]

Book #97 of 2024: Another great instalment in the Coastal Hope series. I have the final one left now. Again, as with the other books, I really like the female narrator but I don’t care for the male narrator. 

I enjoyed the setting of the B&B and the main characters’ love story. It felt organic and natural between Margot and Jaxson. His connection with her son, Mattie was a bonus. 

The background of their betrayals and divorces were a source of commonalities and bonding. Both had some stuff to work through and they realized that. Having Jaxson’s father come into the picture was furtherance of the forgiveness theme. Forgiveness doesn’t come from the apology but from within one’s need for peace. 

I suspected the identities of the “bad guys” but that didn’t deter me from enjoying the book. I’m enjoying the community of Coastal Springs. I look forward to the final book. 

devotedtohope's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

5.0

In Tactical Revival, Jessica Ashley delivers a dynamic blend of suspense, faith, and heartfelt romance, where the stakes are high, and the journey to healing is as intense as the danger lurking around every corner. It’s an immersive experience that makes you feel every twist and turn as Jaxson and Margot navigate their complex pasts and uncertain futures. With every challenge they face, their connection deepens, but so do the threats.

The character development in this novel is as layered as it is powerful. Jaxson’s journey from brokenness to redemption is both relatable and inspiring. His inner struggles with forgiveness and faith echo so many of our own battles. The quote, “God has always been there for me. Even during the darkest moments of my life, when I felt like I was walking the road alone, I knew He was there…”, resounded with me on a deeply personal level. It’s not just about the fight for survival but the fight for spiritual peace—a theme Jessica Ashley beautifully weaves throughout the narrative.

Margot’s strength as a single mother and her determination to shield her son from the world’s harsh realities make her a character you root for from the start. Despite everything life throws at her, she clings to hope and faith, a testament to the God-honoring truths that Jessica Ashley infuses into the story. The moment when Margot cries out, “Jesus please help me. I can’t do this. I can’t carry this alone,” is raw and real—a cry that so many of us have felt so many times.

Jessica Ashley crafts a dynamic blend of raw emotion, gripping action, and deep faith that radiates through it all.  She doesn’t shy away from the grittiness of life’s struggles, but she also doesn’t leave her characters in the darkness. The narrative is fast-paced, yet it allows for reflective moments that make the characters' journeys even more profound. The descriptive passages pull you into the scenes, making Hope Springs feel like a place you’ve visited, full of people you know and care about … and don’t want to leave. 

The themes of forgiveness and healing are central to the story, and Jessica Ashley tackles them with grace and depth. The line, “None of us deserve the forgiveness we receive… but Jesus loved us so much, He died for it,” encapsulates the heart of this novel. No matter how dark the path may seem, there is always hope and redemption waiting … 

Tactical Revival is a story of second chances, faith renewed, and the unyielding love of a protective hero. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat while simultaneously uplifting your spirit, this is it. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning fan, this book stands strong on its own and leaves a lasting impact.
It’s a story that not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on the profound intersections of faith and adversity in your own life.

While I’m excited to see where the series goes next, I’ll be reflecting on the rich insights into faith and resilience that Tactical Revival has shared.

I received a digital copy of Tactical Revival from the author. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.