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A review by kasfire
Branches of Healing: Tales of Unsung Heroes by Lorah Jaiyn, Bella Emy, Autumn Sand, J.L. Leslie, Ava Wood, Verlene Landon, Amy Allen, Natalia Schellhaas
4.0
4/5 Stars
Overall a fantastic anthology. It showcases loss, love, drama, and everything else that goes with military branches. Each story was beautifully written.
Finding Us by Autumn Sand: 5/5
Autumn always has a way of writing the hard romances. Her story finds us watching an ex couple reunite. Lem is the head of the First Daughter's security detail and Ella-the First Daughter- happens to be his ex.
As readers follow their story, it is heart-wrenching and beautiful how Autumn weaves together past and present. Plus she never shies away from some action and panic inducing scenarios!
Aftermath by Amy Allen: 3/5
This one follows an immortal couple as they deal with pregnancy and deployment. Though a cute story, I will admit that I had more questions about their immortality than I'd like. It ended up taking away from the story. Plus there were characters that were connected to them in odd ways.
Broken in Battle by Ava Lynn Wood: 5/5
In this novella, readers follow Laramie as she deals with the loss of her twin brother after they were both deployed. Their long-time friend and fellow military brother hopes to bring her back to life.
This one was heart-breakingly beautiful. I felt it depicted different aspects of loss very well and also showed how love can be healing. Plus cutesy and sexy love scenes make my heart melt.
Without You by Bella Emy: 4/5
Ohhhhh this one. Readers follow Hailey as she corresponds with her then deployed boyfriend and first love. Then years pass without a word from Luke, and she moves on with her life.
This one went in a different direction than I thought it would in the end. Hailey's grieving process is different, seeing as she never got any official news that her man was killed. It was just assumed. So we watch as she picks her life back up after years of pining.
I won't spoil the end, but it was beautifully tragic and wonderful.
Saving Grace by J.L. Leslie: 5/5
Another story about siblings and the grief caused by one of their deaths.
This one follows Grace as she comes to terms with her brother Will's passing. They were both in a bombing, and she blames herself since her brother was visiting her. This one hit close to home because it dealt with a small hometown.
Though I haven't lost any siblings (knock on wood y'all!), I can instantly understand how Grace feels going home to a place with so many memories. But hey, love is around the corner if she's willing to give it a chance.
The Last Letter Home by Lorah Jaiyn: 5/5
Another cute and sad story. Lynsey is a single mom of two who lost her husband. She blames the Air Force for his death and wants nothing to do with a military man again. Master Sergeant Owen is a man who unexpectedly falls for this woman that would hate him for his military background.
The way these characters connected with one another was cute. Plus who doesn't love a heartwarming love story?
Soldier On, Moving Forward by Natalia Schellhaas: 5/5
Jeanine lost her brother right after talking to him and hearing he was coming home permanently. As she adjusts to her grief, she finds a young girl and her father who help bring her back to her old self.
CUTE AND HEARTWARMING!! Seriously, this was one of the most human versions of grief and love I read in this anthology. The couple are almost like teenagers and add a sly nine year old to the mix... instant awesomeness.
Oscar Mike by Verlene Landon: 4/5
Probably the steamiest and most out of the box novella in this collection. Cassie, Jeff, and Rob were friends that all ended up in the military. Cassie and Jeff became a couple, causing Rob to distance himself. With Jeff's death, the other two begin to rekindle their friendship.
This novella touches on so many themes of sexuality, grief, love, and more. It was a surprisingly wonderful story that I couldn't stop reading.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this anthology in exchange for an honest review
Overall a fantastic anthology. It showcases loss, love, drama, and everything else that goes with military branches. Each story was beautifully written.
Finding Us by Autumn Sand: 5/5
Autumn always has a way of writing the hard romances. Her story finds us watching an ex couple reunite. Lem is the head of the First Daughter's security detail and Ella-the First Daughter- happens to be his ex.
As readers follow their story, it is heart-wrenching and beautiful how Autumn weaves together past and present. Plus she never shies away from some action and panic inducing scenarios!
Aftermath by Amy Allen: 3/5
This one follows an immortal couple as they deal with pregnancy and deployment. Though a cute story, I will admit that I had more questions about their immortality than I'd like. It ended up taking away from the story. Plus there were characters that were connected to them in odd ways.
Broken in Battle by Ava Lynn Wood: 5/5
In this novella, readers follow Laramie as she deals with the loss of her twin brother after they were both deployed. Their long-time friend and fellow military brother hopes to bring her back to life.
This one was heart-breakingly beautiful. I felt it depicted different aspects of loss very well and also showed how love can be healing. Plus cutesy and sexy love scenes make my heart melt.
Without You by Bella Emy: 4/5
Ohhhhh this one. Readers follow Hailey as she corresponds with her then deployed boyfriend and first love. Then years pass without a word from Luke, and she moves on with her life.
This one went in a different direction than I thought it would in the end. Hailey's grieving process is different, seeing as she never got any official news that her man was killed. It was just assumed. So we watch as she picks her life back up after years of pining.
I won't spoil the end, but it was beautifully tragic and wonderful.
Saving Grace by J.L. Leslie: 5/5
Another story about siblings and the grief caused by one of their deaths.
This one follows Grace as she comes to terms with her brother Will's passing. They were both in a bombing, and she blames herself since her brother was visiting her. This one hit close to home because it dealt with a small hometown.
Though I haven't lost any siblings (knock on wood y'all!), I can instantly understand how Grace feels going home to a place with so many memories. But hey, love is around the corner if she's willing to give it a chance.
The Last Letter Home by Lorah Jaiyn: 5/5
Another cute and sad story. Lynsey is a single mom of two who lost her husband. She blames the Air Force for his death and wants nothing to do with a military man again. Master Sergeant Owen is a man who unexpectedly falls for this woman that would hate him for his military background.
The way these characters connected with one another was cute. Plus who doesn't love a heartwarming love story?
Soldier On, Moving Forward by Natalia Schellhaas: 5/5
Jeanine lost her brother right after talking to him and hearing he was coming home permanently. As she adjusts to her grief, she finds a young girl and her father who help bring her back to her old self.
CUTE AND HEARTWARMING!! Seriously, this was one of the most human versions of grief and love I read in this anthology. The couple are almost like teenagers and add a sly nine year old to the mix... instant awesomeness.
Oscar Mike by Verlene Landon: 4/5
Probably the steamiest and most out of the box novella in this collection. Cassie, Jeff, and Rob were friends that all ended up in the military. Cassie and Jeff became a couple, causing Rob to distance himself. With Jeff's death, the other two begin to rekindle their friendship.
This novella touches on so many themes of sexuality, grief, love, and more. It was a surprisingly wonderful story that I couldn't stop reading.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this anthology in exchange for an honest review