Serving Trouble: A Second Shot Novel

Intense. Ho. Ly. Crap. This was an incredibly intense book. It wasn't so much the romance but the baggage Josie and Noah carry individually. The heartache and loss Josie feels did a number on my nerves. I didn't understand how she was functioning but she was. It was a testament to her strength, her drive, her need to keep going instead of collapsing under the weight of everything. And Noah... I didn't read the prequel to this series. I have no idea what kind of man he was then but I would hope, and pray, he was a far cry from the man in this story. It's obvious Noah is hurting. His time overseas left him with memories that will haunt him for the rest of his life. But the one that remains as steady isn't from serving his country but from the one night he had with the woman he always loved. One night, five years ago. Too much time passed between him and Josie. Now that she's back in town working beside him, he's determined to rekindle what they once had despite Josie's determination not to go there with him again. The heaviness of their pasts, of the memories they carried with them, rested steadily on my heart through much of this story. Yet the joy and love they experienced made it easier to accept. The past is the past. It doesn't have to hinder a future with someone. It shapes you, defines you, makes you into a better person than before, a stronger person if need be. That was Josie and Noah. They weren't the same people they were the last time they saw each other. They weren't the same people they were one year ago. I hope you try this story. It may or may not speak to you the way it did me. Ms. Stone writes a beautiful second chance love story that, I think, will resonate with someone out there. 4.5* Received from Edelweiss via Tasty Book Tours for an honest review

Serving Trouble by Sara Jane Stone is the first installment in her new Second Shot series. The book is about two old friends and one time lovers reunited after 5 years, each having faced their own different pain and heartache. Josie Fairmore left her old hometown in search of a bigger and brighter life and away from the scrutiny her tiny hometown had towards her. As a former wild child everyone didn't expect Josie to ever amount to much and sadly her lifestyle didn't turn out as glamorous as she once hoped it would be. Life has dealt her a cruel and difficult blow forcing Josi to return home and back to the man she had once loved. Noah Tager left home 5 years ago to serve his country has returned home a damaged man on the inside. After witnessing so truly deprave happenings Noah isn't the same carefree and funny guy all his friends and family remember. The only thing that helped Noah get through the last 5 years is the memory of the one night he spent with his best friend Josie in his families barn. On that night Noah told Josie if she every needed him all she had to do was a find a way to let him know, but after never getting a response to his letters and emails, Noah had given up on Josie. That is until the morning she showed up on the doorstep to his family bar begging for a job. I couldn't help but fall in love with both of these characters. Josie's story is so heartbreaking but that didn't dampen the fire that makes Josie the woman she is and has always been. Noah's story is equally devastating but when he finally lets his shields down Josie gets a glimpse of the man she once loved. You can't help but cheer on this young couple as the head for the HEA they both so desperately deserve. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I received an eARC of this book compliments of the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All ratings and opinions stated are my own.

As posted on The Smutty Kitty reviewed by KittyKelly 4 out of 5 Licks I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m so thankful to Tasty Book Tours for bringing me to Sara Jane Stone! I signed up to review one of the first books she released and fell in love. Sara writes a lot of characters with military backgrounds (male and female) and makes you really feel so deeply for them. Josie has gone through a terrible tragedy and it’s made her a harder, more solitary version of herself. The last thing she wants is for everyone in the town to start gossiping about what could have brought her back. She’s also not sure she wants to go back to Noah to ask for help but he’s her last hope. Overall I did enjoy this book. It’s not my favorite book by Sara but it definitely pulls at the heart strings. I don’t want to give away Josie’s secret but it is something no person should ever have to live through and dealing with the aftermath while being constantly reminded is horrific. I found myself crying several times while reading this one. Both characters a little broken after their respective experiences and both trying hard to prove they are still whole regardless of the past. They have a lot to fight through and it’s not always pretty. They both make some mistakes along the way but in the end they of course find their way back into each other’s arms. Be prepared to shed a few tears over this one. And I can’t wait to see what else this series brings.