Need You for Always by Maina Adair: Emerson and Dax had a one night stand the night 
of Dax’s brother’s wedding. Months later, Dax is back in town, recovering from a battlefield injury which makes it impossible to go back to being a Ranger. He wants to try to be with Emerson again, but can’t promise her forever because he’s convinced he’s not going to stay in town.
Emerson was the glue holding her family together. Her little sister, Violet, was convinced she was a fairy, wearing wings everywhere. Her father encouraged Violet, and refused to accept any of the jobs offers he received. She had to work to keep everyone functioning, all while trying to achieve her goal of raising enough money to buy a food truck to participate in Street Eats, the “nation’s most competitive and prestigious food truck competition.”
Dax’s attraction to Emerson never disappeared, and he works hard to convince her to give him another shot. It’s hard for Emerson to do that; she has a tough outer shell to protect herself. Her ex-boyfriend had hurt her, her mother died from ALS, and she basically only had herself to count on. To get her to open up, Dax offers to pay her to come cook for him two meals a day and to drive him to physical therapy. As much as she wants to refuse, she needs the money for the truck.
You can’t help but feel for both Emerson and Dax. He’s trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do now that he can’t be a Ranger anymore. He always figured he’d be in the military for life, so he’s struggling to discover who he is without his job to define him. Emerson has had nothing but heartbreak and finds it hard to trust anyone, to let anyone in and share just how hard things have been for her. Despite both promising they didn’t want anything serious, they can’t help but start to get attached and begin to heal one another.
This is the second book of the series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
With Need You for Always, Marina Adair has created a story filled with challenges, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. I haven’t read a book by this author that I haven’t enjoyed, and this is no exception. It’s well worth a read.
Book Info:
Publication: October 13, 2015 | Montlake Romance | Heroes of St. Helena #2
Emerson “Emi” Blake dropped out of culinary school to care for her ailing mother, but she has bigger dreams than running St. Helena’s most popular pita cart. First on the menu: upgrade to a gourmet food truck. A new part-time job as a personal chef will definitely provide the funds, but it also forces her into close contact with her one and only one-night stand, Dax Baudouin, who’s daring her to try a second taste.
Former army Ranger Dax has a clear mission: come home, get healed, and get gone. Yet Emi’s tough-girl exterior and hidden soft side are even harder to resist than her mouthwatering baklava. After years of battles, he knows better than to try and rescue anyone—not that she’ll let him get close enough to try. Truth is, Dax is starting to think that Emi’s the one person who can save him…if he can just persuade her to give him another shot.
Tammy Y
Thanks for your review. I really want to read this book too. Finding so many books here.
Stacey B
You’re welcome! I’m glad we’re helping you find some books. 🙂
Bec
I have had several people tell me how good this authors books are, and yet I still haven’t read any. I think this sounds good as an introductory novel to her writing for me.
Stacey B
I’ve read all the books in her St. Helena Vineyard series and loved them, and the first two books of the Heroes of St. Helena series are continuing the trend. I recommend checking her books out.
Rowena
This one sounds like a good one. I’m going to have to put this on my must buy list. Thanks for the review!
Stacey B
You’re welcome, Rowena! I hope you enjoy it.
Marsha
SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD ONE.
Stacey B
It was! You really can’t go wrong with a Marina Adair novel.
Diana Michelle Tidlund
cant wait to read this
Stacey B
Happy reading! I hope you like it. I haven’t read anything by this author that I haven’t enjoyed.
marcyshuler
Thanks for the great review, Stacey! I plan to read this book and have it on my wish list already.
Stacey B
You’re welcome!