Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good second chance story with complications. Dalton and Marli grew up together in their small town, best friends from the ages of eight and seven. That friendship grew into more when they were in high school. But Marli always had plans to get out of the small town as soon as possible, while Dalton's plan took him to the Naval Academy and the Marines. After a traumatic experience, Marli followed up on her plans, leaving Dalton behind without a word.
Marli is back in Merritt, happy to be there after ending her third engagement, and looking forward to starting her new business. The last person she expects to see is Dalton, who is back in Merritt to review the court martial case of her brother Holt, accused of disobeying orders, causing casualties during a rescue mission. Marli has long felt guilty about how she left Dalton and now fears that it could hurt Holt's case.
The story opens as Dalton arrives to keep track of Holt during his medical leave (Holt was paralyzed during the mission). His reaction when Marli tries to apologize is rife with anger, resentment, and residual hurt, and Marli is stunned by its intensity. I liked that she didn't give up on trying to make things right. Fortunately, Dalton's normal level-headedness returns, and he realizes he may have been a little over-the-top. He chalks it up to venting, believing he has now managed closure on their former relationship. But Marli isn't done with him - she wants them to return to some semblance of friendship, even if a relationship is no longer possible.
I liked watching Dalton and Marli slowly rekindle their friendship. It isn't easy, and Marli puts more effort into it initially. But it isn't too long before their memories of the good times they had begun to outweigh the bad memories. When that happens, what were sparks of antagonism turn into sparks of attraction. There are some terrific scenes of them together as that happens, from painting her new office to having dinner in a treehouse. But Dalton has avoided relationships for years, citing his career, and makes no secret of his return to duty once he's done in Merritt.
At the same time, Marli is wary of getting involved with Dalton. Her fiancés have all turned critical of what makes her who she is after they put the ring on her finger. I ached for her as she described their attitudes to Dalton. I liked his support of her and how she remembers that he was never like that when they were together.
I liked watching Dalton with his brothers and grandfather and seeing how close they all are. He's surprised to see his brothers' happiness after giving up their Marine careers for love and wonders about his future. I loved his introspection as he examined his life and what he wanted from it. His conversation with Marli is fantastic as they finally admit their feelings and belief that they are now where they should be. I especially enjoyed Dalton's comments about engagements and marriage and what was most important.
Marli's brother was a first-class jerk. He's had a grudge against the Camdens since he and Daltons were kids because of something their parents did, and he took it out on Dalton throughout their school days and into their time at the Naval Academy. When Holt was assigned to a mission under Dalton's command, he disobeyed a direct order, making a complicated mission even more difficult. It is also where he got hurt, and he is now looking at the possibility of a court-martial. Even now, with Dalton the one to decide his fate, he can't keep his mouth shut, and I felt his wife's and Marli's frustration with his intransigence. Dalton has a lot to consider in his decision, and it isn't easy to make. I liked how it turned out.
I enjoyed the story and thought it was well-written. My only complaint is the author's inability to properly capitalize anything to do with the United States Marine Corps. The word "Marine" is ALWAYS capitalized when speaking of a member of the Marine Corps. If you shorten "Marine Corps," it is "the Corps," NOT "the corps." Dalton, his brothers, and Holt all attended the Naval Academy, not the "naval academy." This has been a consistent issue in any book she has written involving Marines.
P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004
Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC.
Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine.
Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed.
Marli is back in Merritt, happy to be there after ending her third engagement, and looking forward to starting her new business. The last person she expects to see is Dalton, who is back in Merritt to review the court martial case of her brother Holt, accused of disobeying orders, causing casualties during a rescue mission. Marli has long felt guilty about how she left Dalton and now fears that it could hurt Holt's case.
The story opens as Dalton arrives to keep track of Holt during his medical leave (Holt was paralyzed during the mission). His reaction when Marli tries to apologize is rife with anger, resentment, and residual hurt, and Marli is stunned by its intensity. I liked that she didn't give up on trying to make things right. Fortunately, Dalton's normal level-headedness returns, and he realizes he may have been a little over-the-top. He chalks it up to venting, believing he has now managed closure on their former relationship. But Marli isn't done with him - she wants them to return to some semblance of friendship, even if a relationship is no longer possible.
I liked watching Dalton and Marli slowly rekindle their friendship. It isn't easy, and Marli puts more effort into it initially. But it isn't too long before their memories of the good times they had begun to outweigh the bad memories. When that happens, what were sparks of antagonism turn into sparks of attraction. There are some terrific scenes of them together as that happens, from painting her new office to having dinner in a treehouse. But Dalton has avoided relationships for years, citing his career, and makes no secret of his return to duty once he's done in Merritt.
At the same time, Marli is wary of getting involved with Dalton. Her fiancés have all turned critical of what makes her who she is after they put the ring on her finger. I ached for her as she described their attitudes to Dalton. I liked his support of her and how she remembers that he was never like that when they were together.
I liked watching Dalton with his brothers and grandfather and seeing how close they all are. He's surprised to see his brothers' happiness after giving up their Marine careers for love and wonders about his future. I loved his introspection as he examined his life and what he wanted from it. His conversation with Marli is fantastic as they finally admit their feelings and belief that they are now where they should be. I especially enjoyed Dalton's comments about engagements and marriage and what was most important.
Marli's brother was a first-class jerk. He's had a grudge against the Camdens since he and Daltons were kids because of something their parents did, and he took it out on Dalton throughout their school days and into their time at the Naval Academy. When Holt was assigned to a mission under Dalton's command, he disobeyed a direct order, making a complicated mission even more difficult. It is also where he got hurt, and he is now looking at the possibility of a court-martial. Even now, with Dalton the one to decide his fate, he can't keep his mouth shut, and I felt his wife's and Marli's frustration with his intransigence. Dalton has a lot to consider in his decision, and it isn't easy to make. I liked how it turned out.
I enjoyed the story and thought it was well-written. My only complaint is the author's inability to properly capitalize anything to do with the United States Marine Corps. The word "Marine" is ALWAYS capitalized when speaking of a member of the Marine Corps. If you shorten "Marine Corps," it is "the Corps," NOT "the corps." Dalton, his brothers, and Holt all attended the Naval Academy, not the "naval academy." This has been a consistent issue in any book she has written involving Marines.
P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004
Marines: Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC.
Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine.
Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed.
