Ex-ballerina Ellie Bell has twenty-four days left until her self-imposed man-less year is up. No more falling for the wrong kind of guy—charming, sexy, bad. Why can’t she find someone sweet like Charlie Johansson, her soldier pen pal? His e-mails meant the world to her, and she can’t stop thinking about him…until she meets Hunter, whose muscles and cocky smile threaten to have her relapsing.
Before Charlie “Big Game Hunter” Johansson’s last tour of duty, he’d gone through women like crazy. But after connecting on a real, emotional level via letters with his best friend’s sister, Charlie’s ready for a relationship—with Ellie Bell. But then her brother introduces him as Hunter. Proving he’s no longer a player by becoming Ellie’s dance partner for an Army benefit seems like it could convince both siblings he’s changed, but the harder he falls for Ellie, the harder it is to come clean. Can he convince her to fall for the real him before it’s too late?
MY REVIEW:
This is a very cute yet poignant story. Of how war can change us. As far as our outlook on life and how those around us and at home can affect us. As is the case with this story for sure.
This story revolves around Ellie Bell her brother Sam who was severely injured along with several other members in his unit. When an IUD went off. He was rescued by his best friend Staff Sergeant Charlie (Hunter) Johansson.
Knowing it was only Sammy and Ellie left in his family a long time before she would get official word Charlie started emailing Ellie info. It was such a comfort to Ellie. The emails to each other were a way to comfort her but to calm her to since she couldn’t get to Sammy. Yet, Charlie found that they had a calming effect on him too after a hard day in the trenches.
The thing is that they started out as one or two emails and then they turned into three months of them. The became deep and from the heart. Fool of truth and sharing from the two of them. About her dancing injury and him about his time there. Going both ways scaring the hell out of Charlie because of the Bro Code. So, he said once he knew Sammy would be stateside and back home with Ellie that he would be out of contact. She never heard from him again.
He never wanted to get her hopes up that there could be something between them because he had a be of a reputation. He was known as a player and knew that her brother would never approve. Friend or no friend. In fact, he got his name Hunter after “Big Game Hunter” from chasing tail as they say.
Heartbroken she went on to help Sam adjust as best she could as the W.S. (The Warrior Station: Rec Center, Counseling, etc.….) always wondering why he just stopped emailing her. Then one day she was due to have lunch with Sam at the W.S.
When she gets there he’s in a session so she’s in the parking lot on the phone with one of the parents of her student dancers. When then this sexier than sin, guy goes by making eye contact with her then says, “So, how you doing.” Like he is channeling Joey on FRIENDS…like a come on. She just wanted to laugh at his rudeness. Hello, she was on the phone.
So, when she goes inside and he is with her brother and he introduces them telling her his name is “Hunter” as in “The Big Game Hunter.” She is not happy because she remembers all the stories her brother thought was just so funny to be telling her when he first got home of all the women he had been with and his escapades. She was not impressed.
Hunter himself has the good sense to flinch. When Sammy introduce him as Hunter. He really hates that name. At the same time, his real name will get him busted with Sammy. He closes his eyes as his name is he is introduced. As he knows who she is. He knows that if he ever wants to have a chance with her knowing his real name is not good to know right at this moment. So, he is not sure if now is a good time or not. But is relieved when she doesn’t find out. He hopes to get to know her through his own merits.
He goes with it. She decides not to be a bitch since she was not one of his stable of girls. So, she just treats him as one of her brother’s friends. When she mentions she is going to start volunteering there at W.S. Sam is surprised. But She and Sam are both surprised when Hunter says he was thinking of giving time too. Since he has time while he is on leave. Sammy is the most surprised since he knows the only reason he goes there is because Sam is there.
When Ellie is not in earshot he calls Hunter on it. Warning him of his sister. This gets way off course. This is one funny story yet it does deal with PTSD. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
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