A single mom meets silver fox small town romanceMy life was perfect . . .Until fate took it all away.Heartache and broken bones left me searching for solace in the darkest of places.It wasn’t pretty, but with the support of my family, I persevered and I’m stronger for it. My daughters deserve nothing less.Things were finally back on track, until I met Grant Ellison. Tall, dark, and handsome he … met Grant Ellison. Tall, dark, and handsome he sets my heart racing. If only the fear of loving again didn’t paralyze me.
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Nobody was as surprised as me when I left a long military career for a slower pace in life. After all, I’ve never been one to make decisions lightly or without a plan.
A new town means a fresh start. Although it’s a lonely existence, I don’t regret my decision. Especially when a beautiful woman catches my eye.
Dakota Jennings’ strength and ambition are for all to see but her heart is protected by the strongest of walls. My new mission is to show her how precious she is and how great we can be together.
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Oh my gosh. This book stole my heart. I typically stay away from books where the main Characters are over 35-40. Not because it’s a bad book, but because I don’t feel like I can’t connect to the characters as well. But this book…this book blew me away. The love between Grant and Dakota made my heart sing.
This book is about an only child, retired military captain who is just starting to build a life outside of the military and a single widowed mother who has been through more than enough pain. It will light up your kindle and melt your heart. It’s a beautiful story with a twist I didn’t see coming.
A truly amazing small town romantic read. The author created a fantastic storyline and absolutely beautiful characters. I have been waiting for Dakota’s journey and this extremely talented author did NOT disappoint. There were many swoony moments, truly heartwarming scenes and a lot of laughs.
I loved this sweet small town romance. It was a breath of fresh air to have a silver fox everyday hero instead of the young millionaires a lot of books have. Grant was all the things you would want in a man. I loved Dakota’s refreshing brutal honesty. The two had great chemistry and an amazing story. It was also great catching up with our favorite Country Road characters. Can’t wait to read Conner’s story!
I never have to worry about whether or not I’ll like a book that Andrea Johnston has written.
Cherish Her is Dakota and Grant’s story. From the very start of this book, I loved both characters. Why? Because they felt like people that I could know. Dakota is a woman who has been through a lot and I do mean a lot.
Grant is retired military and a bachelor of 43.
These two are simply perfect just like the book. I read this one slowly, not because the book was a slow read, but because I wanted to savor every word.
Dakota is still trying to make her way in the world after losing her husband and then battling addiction from pain killers from injuries from the same accident that claimed her husband. She’s doing this while doing a pretty good job raising two little girls.
Grant is the kind of guy anyone would want to know and love. He volunteered at an assisted living facility for retired military, he’s good with kids and he puts up with his friends and their shenanigans. Oh and even when he screws up, you can’t stay mad at him.
I love the slow burn that Ms. Johnston creates with her stories. It makes when they finally get together so much more satisfying.
Oh and there’s a mystery too. Its not a thing that you think about a lot as you read. Its kind of in the background, until it isn’t and it blows up in their faces. That makes things even more fantastic.
I loved this book so much!
Andrea knows how to write a great love story. There’s plenty of build up and character growth before starting the relationship which in turn makes the relationship stronger.
I loved Dakota. She is strong for reaching out to get the help she needs to process what happened. Her family supports her when she needs it and occasionally too much. Her girls are loved by all and know more than you think.
Grant was swoon worthy with his personality and former military service. He has the patience of a saint when it comes to Dakota.
Cherish Her is Book 2 of the Military Men of Lexington series by Andrea Johnston.
“I will cherish you for the rest of my life.”
Grant and Dakota are so darn sweet together. Theirs is a relationship that starts as friends of friends, blossoms into friendship, and then builds to passion and love.
When I first met Grant in Promise Her, I may have fallen a little bit for his loyalty, strength, and charm. But, in Cherish Her, I fell for his heart and selflessness. Grant is a good man. He is patient, kind, and giving, which makes him all the more attractive.
Dakota has had a bit of a rough ride the past few years, and she is just getting back to feeling like herself again. Trying her best to move forward, and to build a life for her girls, Grant is an option she never saw coming. And one that shakes her to the core.
Andrea does a good job of showing how grief and heartache are a part of life. Moving forward doesn’t have to mean letting go or forgetting. It is also possible to find love after loss. Love is a gift to be cherished.
This book checked off so many boxes for me. Military hero. Single mom not in need of a hero. Small Town. Slight Suspense. Slow Burn. Supportive characters. Well developed story line.
This has easily become one of my favorite series, and I am looking forward to the next release!
I love a book that gives me feels & this one had it all. I laughed. I swooned. I cried a little (& I’m not a normally a book crier!). There was even a little suspense & a twist that took me by surprise.
Grant – *sigh* love that he has lived some life & has a little gray in his hair and beard. He rose above my expectations in this book & was even more than I thought he’d be!
Dakota – life has dealt her a hand no woman wants, but she is strong & determined and has pulled herself above it all to make a new life for herself and her babies!
I also love kids in books and Ari & Cali were a sassy & sweet added bonus to this book.
We meet some new characters (Gene anybody?) & revisit some we already know and all the while we feel like we belong in this small town right along with them! Andrea always does a great job not just telling them story, but making you feel like you’re right there in the middle of it!
You can’t help but cheer for Dakota & Grant to come together and live their love story – just like all of Lexington is doing (or are they?? *wiggles eyebrows*). Now you’ll have to read it & see for yourself!
Emotional and heartfelt, Cherish Her is a beautiful romance about second chances and finding love after loss. Grant is the perfect hero—patient, sexy, and protective. Dakota is a strong single mom trying to navigate life. These two make the perfect pair, and I loved watching their relationship evolve.
This story will tug at your heartstrings and keep you flipping the pages until the very end. A definite must read!
OH I love this and I didn’t want the book to end.
More of my review here – click here https://youtu.be/o3iS4BVfItE
Cherish Her is the first book by Andrea Johnston that I have read and I can definitely say I would check out some of her other books. A big plus for me in this story is that the characters are over 30. They bring some life experiences and maturity to the story which for me makes them and the story more interesting. Another added bonus is that even though this is a sweet love story, there is the underlying thread of danger when Dakota is being stalked.
I love those alpha military men with big hearts and Grant is all that and more. He is loyal, thoughtful and sweet and is doing everything right with Dakota. He is her friend when she needs one but when she is ready to take the next step he is patient and caring. Dakota has been through so much and Grant is the perfect man to show her that it is okay to love again.
If you enjoy a slow burn romance that takes the route into a steamy relationship then this is a book you really need to read!
Cherish Her is the second title in the Military Men of Lexington, and features Dakota and Grant. I’ve been eager for Dakota’s story ever since she first appeared in the Country Road series, and Grant was perfect for her.
Dakota is a strong and resilient woman, a widower and single mother to two little girls Cali and Ari. Meanwhile Grant a former military man, is a sexy, silver fox with a big heart.
Dakota and Grant’s story is an emotional small town romance with a touch of suspense.
Several characters from the Country Road series, and the characters from the first title in the Military Men of Lexington, Promise Her feature throughout which I loved as it was like reconnecting with old friends.
I highly recommend this title if you enjoy a heartwarming, small town romance.
This book is EVERYTHING!!!! Grant and Dakota’s story is full of heart and soul. The writing in this book is top notch and the characters are so relatable and enjoyable to read about. I loved how past characters from Andrea’s books made appearances in this book. It’s always fun being able to catch up with some of your favourite characters.
This book is a single parent/small town romance and Grant and Dakota will draw you into their story and keep you captivated from start to finish. I loved the gradual progression of their relationship. It wasn’t rushed and both of them were very cautious. Their romance was sweet and had some beautiful and tender moments in it. I loved seeing Grant interact with Dakota’s little girls and I loved watching their walls come down as they both fell in love with one another.
I honestly don’t cry much when reading books but I literally sobbed at the ending of this book. It was so beautiful and perfect.
Trust me you need this book in your life. It is a complete standalone and one book that you won’t forget. I’m still thinking about Grant and it’s been a few weeks since I read the book!!!!
Andrea Johnston always delivers the feels and never fails to transport you to a place that feels like home! And who can resist a silver fox??
The perfect emotional, heart-wrenching slow burn small town romance with plenty of steam!
I kept putting off this book because I just knew it would ruin me, and it Lord, did it ever. Andrea is a magnificent author, and she only grows and betters herself with each book she releases, and this is no exception.
Grant — who is a silver fox!!– is pretty damn perfect in every way. Seriously, he has to be one of the best book boyfriends I have ever read. He’s thoughtful, considerate, honest, open, sexy, respectful, LOVEABLE ,and he hooks up his girls with tacos. Seriously, what’s not to love?
Then there’s Dakota, who has been through the worst imaginable pain and is still trying to be strong and hold it together for her two young daughters. When she meets Grant she’s conflicted about her feelings, along with the crushing guilt that never seems to be far away.. But who can resist a love like Grants?
One thing I really love about Andrea’s writing is how realistic it is. I felt Dakota’s emotions as if they were my own, and I connected with Grant on a soul level. I can’t brag about this book enough, and the added suspense was perfect!
This is definitely a book that you don’t want to miss out on!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
I have been waiting for Grant’s book for a while! I love him! This book was fantastic! My favorite Andrea book to date! This book pulls at your heart strings! Perfect story! I was hooked from the very first page!
5 star review of Cherish Her (Military Men of Lexington #2) by Andrea Johnston
Andrea Johnston is a new author tome and I have no idea why I have not come across her before. From start to finish she wove a story that captivated me and I was invested from the first to the last page.
I fell hard and fast for Grant Ellison and Dakota Jennings was the perfect woman for him. This is a small town romance with a strong single mum and a swoon worthy ex military hero which are all tropes I adore.
Cherish her was a beautifully and well written romance with some suspense which only added to my overall enjoyment of this story. There was humour and the secondary characters were just as engaging as Grant and Dakota.
I loved the relationship that Dakota and her daughters Ari and Cali have and it was heartwarming to see how Grant slotted in to the family.
This book is a little gem and I will be looking into more books from Andrea Johnston as soon as time permits.
Let me collect my thoughts and dry my eyes….This book was absolutely amazing, dare I say the best yet from Andrea. I felt so much of this book and am really thankful to be reading it after a heart break. Dakota helped open my eyes and know that you can find love again, open up and stay true to who you are. This was a very powerful book. I was a little mad for the trick in the beginning with Gene, I think it made me like him that much more. Grant is an amazing guy, I was definitely rooting for him and the ending made me break down, truly an heartfelt story. Thank you Andrea Johnston for this story, for me it was the perfect timing,
My life was perfect . . .
Until fate took it all away.
My mind is all over the place finishing this book by Andrea Johnston. Cherish Her was filled with everything I crave in a storyline. Grant is my new book boyfriend and I serious do NOT share! Gah! I have to admit this is my first single mom book and I ate up every word written in this book. Andrea just knows how to capture my attention and build this visual world, where I get lost in her small-town creations. Cherish her was amazing. I want to write so much more, but I’m suffering quite the book hangover right now. So I’ll just leave you with some advice. READ THIS BOOK!
Grant Ellison is a former member of the military and has decided yhat it is time to move closer to his “family”, Taylor Cain, Scarlett Gilbert and Connor. He decides it’s time to finally put down some roots and Scarlett has just the realtor for him.
Dakota Jennings is a single mom to Arizona and Cali and is finally content with where her life is after the death of her husband, Jeff, and her difficult recovery. She has just got her realtor’s license and is excited that Grant is going to be her first client.
There is immediate chemistry between Dakota and Grant but is she ready to finally move on?
This was a great book with some wonderful twists and surprises to keep me hooked.
Grant was an awesome character and I was excited for his book after meeting him in the first book. He was such a loyal friend to both Taylor and Scarlett in the first book and I really wanted him to find his person!
Dakota was someone who went through so much after losing Jeff and trying to recuperate after her accident. Being a single mom is so much work and with everything that she went through I gave her so much credit to finally getting everything back on track and having the strength to better herself. She was dedicated to being the best mom that she could to her girls and I loved that!
I loved the chemistry right from the beginning between Dakota and Grant but I also understood why Dakota really needed to take it slow after everything she had been through and why she was so afraid to love again.
There was some mystery in the book with a secret admirer and at the beginning you believe it is one character but then another one gets introduced and you really aren’t sure who it is. I was so mad when the police didn’t take Grant and Dakota serious enough but I was glad that Connor and Taylor were there to help them.
I was so mad at Grant for inviting a person in when I knew he shouldn’t!! I was so proud of Dakota for what she was able to do and how Grant finished it off.
The end was great and I love that they want to expand their family! Looking forward to a story on Connor next!
By Rebecca