Book Review: Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Until There Was You
Coming Home #2
Author: Jessica Scott
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Military
Released: October 8th 2012
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) From the author of Because of You comes an all-new contemporary eBook romance. Though he plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed military leaders will prove that opposites attract . . . even under fire. 

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. Since that brief lapse in judgment, Evan has been at odds with her. But when he is asked to train a combat team alongside Claire, battle-hardened Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to achieve her high military rank. In Evan Loehr, Claire sees a spoiled commander who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. Army orders force them together and Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He too has dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Blaze of Winter, The Devil’s Thief, and Santerra’s Sin.

She has done it again! Jessica Scott has gripped me by the shirt collar and pulled me into her latest release in the Coming Home series. I could not put this book down. It only took me a day to read and the only thing definitively wrong with the book was that there weren't enough pages! I always want more! This latest installment in the Coming Home series does not pick up where Book 1 left off, it's about different characters so there is no need to read "Because of You" to catch up for this October 8th release (though I still highly recommend reading Book 1 as soon as you get the chance!)

Claire Montoya, Evan Loehr and the rest of her characters are all complex and believably written. Their lives are filled with real world drama and I felt like I could easily be in any of their shoes at any given time. Granted I'm not a career Army officer who would be running training ops in the dead of winter in Colorado Springs, but the underlying issues in each of their tumultuous lives is something that almost anyone can relate to on some level. Each character's sadness made my heart sting as she unveils the proverbially skeletons in each of their closets. Her characters have scars that are not just skin deep and they are each at a breaking point in their lives/careers and can't b.s. their way around it any longer. They each have to stand up and face their demons in their own way and that is something I think we all have to do on a fairly regular basis.

The relationship between Claire and Evan is anything but easy but what relationship is? Very few relationships, especially amongst those in the military are ever fairy tale by any stretch of the imagination but that is what makes their relationship believable. You feel what they are feeling and you root for the happily ever after ending even though it seems like it would be an impossibility for two people like them. The romance between them is beautifully written, it's steamy and passionate and at times so frustrating you think "awww man, come on already!" but that is what makes it great!

Thank you Jessica for writing another deliciously, toe curling romance and for allowing me to review it! I can't wait for the next installment!