REVIEW: The Marine’s Road Home by Brenda Harlen

The Marine’s Road Home by Brenda Harlen is the eighth book in this author’s Match Made in Haven series.

Skylar Gilmore is a big-hearted “Giver.” She is always there when she is needed. In addition to her job as a counselor for at-risk youth and her volunteer job at the local women’s shelter, Sky tends bar at Digger’s Bar a couple nights a week and that’s where she met Jake Kelly. Well, sorta met him. One night he walked into the bar, sat down on a barstool and ordered a beer and said not another word. In spite of his aloofness Sky found herself attracted to him even though she had sworn off men. For some reason in addition to her attraction to him Sky felt she wanted to solve the puzzle of what made this man tick. Every week at just about the same time on Wednesday evening the troubled man, she had decided he was troubled, showed up and ordered a beer, drank it and left. As the weeks went on she made progress and they actually had small conversations. That all changed the day Sky ran out of gas on her way home from assisting a client and Jake stopped to help her out. Yes, “Jake” stopped to help her out. She finally knew his name and a little about him. That was the beginning…

Jake Kelly is an ex-Marine with a TBI (Tramatic Brain Injury) and PTSD. He has inherited his uncle’s place in Haven, Nevada. Jake has fond memories of he and his brother Luke spending several weeks during the summer with their beloved aunt and uncle there. Jake’s dad is in the military so they moved frequently making time spent in Haven feel like going home. Maybe that’s why he left California to spend time on the property he inherited. It seemed to be a good move for himself and his dog Molly. Molly is Jake’s constant companion. She didn’t make the cut to be trained as a therapy dog but, as it turned out and lucky for Jake, Molly is an excellent emotional support dog. Molly seems to know when Jake starts to have a PTSD episode and is right there for him. She loves Sky. Guess he should take Molly’s advice and take a chance on a relationship with Sky. He has some issues to deal with before he finds himself ready to give his all.

I found this story to be a compelling, emotional read. Sky is the perfect fit for Jake with her counseling background and caring heart. Jake showed Sky that she truly is a lovable woman and all those exes who walked away from her were the ultimate losers. The storyline flows very well. The conflict was well articulated and the resolution was very satisfying. I love the cover!

Book Info:

Publication: August 1st 2020 | Harlequin Special Edition | Match Made in Have #8

His travels are over, but his journey is just beginning…

It takes a different kind of courage to open up to love.

An explosion ended Jake Kelly’s military career. Now his days are spent alone on his ranch, and his nights are spent keeping his PTSD at bay. But the former marine’s efforts to keep the beautiful local bartender at a distance are thwarted by his canine companion. Every time he turns around, Molly is racing off to the Circle G looking for Skylar Gilmore. Maybe the dog knows that two hearts are better than one?