Friday, November 11, 2016

The Courage to Heal



Hunter Frost
JMS Books, LLC
Reviewed by Nancy
4 out of 5 stars



Summary


Former U.S. Army Sergeant Wade Carter returned from Afghanistan a broken man. Permanently injured and weighed down with PTSD, his scars run deeper than flesh and bone. When his regular physical therapist is taken ill, the sexy replacement doctor has Wade wishing he'd touch much more of his body than his busted leg.


Dr. Jesse Okenah isn't a beginner when it comes to working with veterans, but his new patient stirs up feelings that go beyond professional. It's Wade's wounded soul, more than his mangled leg, that needs TLC in order for him to live a healthy, fulfilling life again. Jesse just needs to figure out how to deliver that care to the stubborn vet without crossing a line -- and losing his heart.



My Review



In real life, so many moral, ethical, and legal complications can arise if professional and personal relationships take place simultaneously, particularly when sex becomes involved. I’m sure Dr. Jesse Okenah, a physical therapist, violated all kinds of rules by becoming involved with his client, Wade Carter, a wounded Afghanistan veteran suffering from PTSD. While this type of relationship may be frowned upon in real life, I enjoy reading about them in my romances and get a frisson of excitement when I think about the consequences and possibilities in such a union.

This is the third story I’ve read by Hunter Frost, and I love how she creates fresh, memorable characters, adding warmth and sweetness to their stories without an overload of sugar.

While much of this story is focused on Wade’s and Jesse’s developing relationship, we also get glimpses of Jesse’s devotion to his profession, the physical progress Wade makes while under his care, and the trust that gradually develops. Wade’s PTSD was realistically portrayed and a challenge to his relationship with Jesse, but he has a wonderful supportive mom.

As much as I loved this story, and felt it was the length it needed to be, there is so much more to explore that its short length didn’t allow.