A SANTINI IN LOVE

A SANTINI IN LOVE                              MELISSA SCHROEDER
Posted:  Jan. 17,2015

She was the last woman standing. 
Madison Baker was born and bred to be a Marine. When a roadside bomb ends her first deployment—not to mention her career—she is left to pick up the pieces of what is left of her life. She’s returned to Oceanside to regroup and move on. It doesn’t mean she’s ready for a relationship, even if a particular Santini has different plans. 
Love happens when you least expect it. 
When he first met Madison back at the Academy, Dante Santini is sure the woman was put on the earth to irritate him. She’s prickly and mouthy. She always thinks she’s right. Worse—she almost always is. She hasn’t really changed over the years. One disagreement ends up with them lip locked and very nearly falling into bed, Dante discovers he might need to rethink his first impression. 
When Madison is convinced she witnesses a murder, the only person who believes her is Dante. Together, they sift through the meager evidence, trying to unearth the secrets someone is trying to hide. Neither one of them expecting it would draw them closer—or that a killer is hell bent on making sure those secrets stay buried. 
Get more of the Santini family romances! 
Book One: Leonardo 
Book Two: Marco 
Book Three: Gianni 
Book Four: Vicente 
Book Five: A Santini Christmas 
Book Six: A Santini in Love 
Book Seven: Falling for a Santini (early 2015) 
And, don't miss out on the Johnson Brothers: 
Semper Fi Marines 
Book One: Tease Me 
Book Two: Tempt Me 
Book Three: Touch Me 

MY REVIEW:

     PTSD is a serious issues our service people are coming prey to on a regular basis, due to the wars going on.  Melissa is a kind hearted writer who takes into account just how serious it is especially since she has served herself.  Showing how much work is being done to help those in service with the condition.  Taking into account that no matter how much therapy you can’t discount love and support from family and friends.

     This story adds a twist in the way that Madison Baker, Lt. Marine, is 3 years into recovering enough with condition to understand it more.  You see she and her unit were hit by an IUD that buried her alive.  As if that wasn’t enough she was the only one to survive.  So she is dealing with guilt, claustrophobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder as well as her PTSD.  Yeah for her!  What is good for her is she is off her meds. 

     What comes with that is she has Charlie her service companion dog.  She has also moved into independent living after her hospital stay after being in country.  So, living alone now 6 months she is doing rather well.  Dr. Ed James still tries to push buttons about the date since its 3 years since the accident in a week.  Mostly he wants to see her reaction.  She sets him up to say it first to see his reaction.  Which is good because last year at this time she was a basket case on the anniversary date.  He wants her to get out more.

     So, when her next door neighbor asked her to dinner she accepted.  She enjoys her and her husband, Jack’s company.  She knows too Hannah has Jack also an ex Marine do checks around her house in the evening to make sure she’s okay.  Little did she know they were having another guest too for their dinner party?  Jack’s buddy by family, MJ his sister married to Leo Santini, also Madison’s best friend’s cousin, which is also Jack’s friend’s twin.  His name is Dante Santini his sister’s name is Elena.  They all three met at Annapolis.  Where Madison had a secret crush on her best friend and roommates twin brother, Dante.  Yet, all they did was fight.

     Dante Santini said if you hear him tell it that she was a complete pain in his ass.  Bested him at everything except the physical challenges.  She was close then too.  Drove him nuts, especially since day one he too had fallen head over hills for his sister roommate.

     This story keeps you on your toes even though it deals with very serious subjects you find humor in everyday life.  Dante helps Madison find joy in the simple things in life and love.  How to believe in all things but especially herself the most.  I give this book 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.

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