I'll Be Home For Christmas
by Jessica Scott
- File Size: 857 KB
- Print Length: 126 pages
- Publisher: Forever Yours (November 5, 2013)
- Sold by: Hachette Book Group
- ASIN: B00DG8ZY9K
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Book Description
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.
As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.
Review:
This is a very real, emotional glimpse of a career army romance with its fears, loneliness, misunderstandings and commitment. Nicole and Vic have been married for five years but still struggle with the commitment from each other to see them through the tests of absence during war deployment.
Vic prides himself on helping to boost the morale of his buddies, and his wife, through humor. His superiors don’t always appreciate his sardonic and sometimes irreverent attitude which brings him close to major trouble. Those who know him well know that this is his coping mechanism and they tolerate it. On this deployment Vic has the conflict of wanting to keep his promise to Nicole to be home for Christmas but also wanting to stay with his platoon as they adjust to a new leader after their Sargent, a friend of both Nicole and Vic, is injured.
The story shows some of the real downsides of being separated for long months and how one couple copes. Nicole wants to know what is happening with Vic but doesn’t want him stressed by her possibly worrying. Vic doesn’t want to share the dangers and horrors he goes through, even injuries to friends, so Nicole might not have to dwell on that information and worry more. It seems like a cycle of less than full disclosure and trust to me. It may be naive from my view but I think it takes a strong woman to remain a career army wife and part of that includes knowing what is going on and being able to cope in spite of the dangers. I think this story shows a bit of that message but also shows that it takes each couple finding the best way they can to handle the stress and losses — together.
This is fast paced but is emotional and therefore not necessarily an easy read. The love and sexual aspect is pretty intense and earthy so it may not be comfortable for everyone. The writing is crisp and the characters are well defined, even for a novella. There are supporting characters that appear to have stories destined for their situations too. I’m not sure I would want to read a lot of this type of story but I am glad I read this one and can recommend this story, and the author, to those readers who like emotional trauma with their romances.
I received this title from Forever/Hachette as part of a Launch Day Release Blitz. Check the earlier post today for blitz and Giveaway information.
i think military wife deserve a lot of admiration and respect for their courage because it must really be hard on them ( moving often, separation, fear not to see him come back) i'm not sure i would be strong enough
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like it would be an emotional read.
ReplyDelete