The most brazen terrorist attack in history. A country bent on revenge. A love affair cut short. A heart that never truly heals. I knew on the day of the attack that our lives were changed forever. What I didn’t know then was that I’d never see John again after he deployed. One day he was living with me, sleeping next to me, making plans with me. The next day he was gone. That was five years ago. … next day he was gone.
That was five years ago. The world has moved on from that awful day, but I’m stuck in my own personal hell, waiting for a man who may be dead for all I know. At my sister’s wedding, I meet Eric, the brother of the groom, and my heart comes alive once again.
The world is riveted by the capture of the terrorist mastermind, brought down by U.S. Special Forces in a daring raid. Now I am trapped between hoping I’ll hear from John and fearing what’ll become of my new life with Eric if I do.
From a New York Times bestselling author, Five Years Gone, a standalone contemporary, is an epic story of love, honor, duty, unbearable choices and impossible dilemmas.
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I’m a well known big Marie Force fan. Her Green Mountain and Gansett series’ are some of my very favorites. I wasn’t sure about a standalone with this subject matter, but I wasn’t worried – Marie has a knack for doing right by a theme and characters seemingly without trying.
Ava is a tough chick who has gotten a raw deal when it comes to love. She was all in with John, but he deployed on a mystery mission and after five years of scouring the news and making calls trying to locate any semblance of a hint of who he was, where he might be or what might have become of him she decides she needs to move on. She leaves their home and goes across the country to be closer to her family.
There’s a lot to tell, but I don’t want to give anything away, so I’d advise you to just read it. Follow Ava as she figures out how to heal from this long-standing open wound. Watch as it rips open time and again on that journey. There were lots of times I couldn’t help but wonder what I or anyone I know would do in her place, or how it might turn out in the end. I was very surprised by a few aspects of this story, and it’s definitely going to stay with me for a long time. I will say that knowing this tale isn’t fully told at the end of this book was both a relief and a somewhat painful revelation.
If you like Marie, this story will be a familiar tone and an enjoyable read for you!
Loved it.
This was a hard book to read. You feel all the emotions of everyone. It made my heart hurt. I’m glad she ended up with the man she loved but you had to feel sorry for the loser. Lucky for us, he’s getting his own book so hopefully he’ll get his HEA,
This book was more then I expected from the blurb. It is unbelievable that someone waits 5 years for their love to return not knowing why they left or where
they are. I cannot wait for the next book One year home
I was captivated by this spellbinding story right from the beginning. This story is emotional, sweet, inspirational, incredibly sexy, and breathtakingly romantic. The chemistry is electric; the attraction magnetic. Try as they may to resist that magnetic pull they are powerless to stop the fall. They share a soul-deep connection and unexpectedly find solace in one another. The dialogue had me swooning, crying and laughing. The storyline is very well-written and flowed seamlessly. I could feel every emotion they experienced. So many scenes simply stole my breath. Witnessing what they go through to be together and how they fight for one another was beautifully moving. This is a beautiful love story that I highly recommend reading.
Wow, what a story! This audible version was fantastic. I look forward to the next book. I definitely recommend this book and this author. The narrators were perfect.
What an emotional rollercoaster. Five Years Gone is a fantastic story written by Marie Force. It is about a woman who found the love of her life, but after an attack, he was sent on a mission. Five years later she is determined to move forward with her life. It tells of her trials and tribulations.
I was emotionally invested in this story. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed every moment. This is a must read story.
PS – Andi Arndt and Joe Arden do a phenomenal job of narrating this incredible story.
Like all Marie Force books, this one is excellent!
Five Years Gone is a emotional read. Ava is in love with John. John is a military man and he gets deployed. Ava waits for him to return for five years. Ava meets Eric and it may be time for her to move on from John. She’s really a likable character and my heart went out to her. I at some points I was rooting for her to move on and other points I was like omg should she move on. I don’t want to give anything away. I really liked this one. I was so wrapped up in the story that towards the end I got a little teary eyed.
Another great book. Keep me on my toes the whole way through wondering how the story would end. Really enjoyed.
4 Stars
Review by Amy W.
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Five Years Gone is an emotionally powerful story. I had never read Marie Force before, but the blurb caught me and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to an author.
Ava’s world was torn apart five years ago when her husband John was suddenly gone in the midst of war. She hasn’t been able to move on, yet when she meets Eric at her sister’s wedding she can’t help but feel a connection to him. How long does one need to wait before moving on? Is five years long enough?
When news comes of the capture of a terrorist mastermind, suddenly Ava is stuck between her new growing feelings for Eric and the hope she has that her missing husband may reappear.
Wow! This is such an emotionally intense read. From the loss of her husband to the hope that he may return and everything in between. Ava is a strong woman who also has a weakness that has the power to debilitate her. I don’t know that I could survive losing my husband and not knowing what happened for five years. Then to have the possibility that he may still be alive… nope, I would have lost it.
Then there is Eric. It seems that Ava may be ready to move on with her life and start living again when she meets him. He has so much to offer her and the things they go through because of the unknown with John, I’ll say it again: I could never be that strong.
The story was gripping and suspenseful, filled with a shit ton of emotion. There were bits and pieces that were a bit too coincidental and perfectly aligned, but hey it’s a fictional romance. All in all I am very impressed with my first read by Force and cannot wait to get my hands on another by her.
Loved the book! Marie Force is one of my favorite authors. She is a amazing with her books and I have all of them. Thank you Marie!
Excellent read. Love Marie Force books.
Marie Force does not disappoint. This book is a must read. Can’t wait for John’s story.
Marie Force creates characters you want to know and puts them in situations that challenge them in very believable scenarios. In Five Years Gone, we have characters reacting to situations that are timely in light of 9/11, but the focus is on how the characters dealt with it more than the actual event. Marie is a masterful storyteller/writer.
Five Years Gone is the kind of book that will have your emotions twisted in about a dozen different directions, never knowing what to expect next. Ava’s story is one of great love, great despair, and finding the ability to feel like kind of great love again. But with that once in a lifetime ability to feel the love she has felt for two different men, comes the deep responsibility of holding those tow men’s hearts in the palm of your hand with every with the ability to do so much harm, but give so much love. It’s an impossible situation we’re (as readers using Ava’s life as a looking glass) faced with.
There’s no easy way to wade through the tumultuous mine field that is Five Years Gone. Ava is strong when she didn’t think it was possible, and with Eric she finds someone to ease her burden. No matter that that burden should never be one lobbed onto his shoulders, but whoever said life is fair? John had an ever greater burden on his shoulders. And together, the three of them were forced with a reality of the utmost unfairness.
This book is beautiful, and heartaching. Every time I thought there would be an easy out, the harsh realities came blindingly crashing in. And mixed in with the highs and lows, was in elicit, amazing, and sensual bond being made that made each emotional hit balance out.
Ava is an endearing character, and a realistic one as well. Despite my thought that she had every right to go huddle in a corner with hot chocolate and a fuzzy blanket to escape from the cruel hand she’d been dealt, she also needed her head yanked out of her you-know-where from time to time and she had the perfect man to do that. Relationships, of all kinds, are about the give and take. And that is emulated wonderfully in this book.
With every touch of realism, romance, and entrancing storytelling Five Years Gone is a book to be savored and read with an open mind, heart, and calendar. You won’t want to put this book down once you pick it up!
Loved this book and this author!!!
This book grabbed me and didn’t let go. I can’t wait for the next book on the series.
J’ai connu la plume de Marie Force grâce à sa saga Quantum donc je suis ravie de la retrouver dans un genre complètement différent et très touchant. L’histoire d’Ava est très émouvante et une fois qu’on en commence la lecture, on ne peut que succomber et appréhender de tourner la dernière page.
Le roman est écrit principalement du point de vue d’Ava Lucas qui a 26 ans va décider qu’elle a attendu cinq longues années pour un homme qui n’a plus donné de nouvelles depuis trop longtemps. Il lui a menti sur son rôle dans l’armée et bien qu’elle comprenne que l’attaque terroriste a fait des dégâts dans des tas de vies, Ava n’était plus que l’ombre d’elle même à San Diego. Elle va accepter de se rapprocher de sa famille à New York et le mariage de sa soeur Camille en sera la parfaite occasion. Elle va donc tenter de se reconstruire une vie en travaillant avec Miles Ferguson qui sait ce qu’est la perte d’un être cher et si elle va devenir chargée de Relations Publiques , elle restera dans un domaine qui lui tient à coeur. Ava est une jeune femme formidable qui s’est confrontée à la confidentialité des dossiers secrets d’Etat et elle va entreprendre un long travail de psychothérapie pour tenter de se relever enfin de cette douloureuse épreuve.
J’ai aimé le fait qu’on se pose la question de la force de l’amour dans ce roman car Ava va vivre deux amours et on espère qu’elle fera le bon choix le moment voulu. Elle a besoin d’un homme qui la mette sur un piédestal et qui sache être à son écoute. Ce sera le cas d’Eric qui n’est autre que le frère de Rob, le mari de Camille. Leur rencontre lors de ce mariage va sceller leur destin et leur permettre de tisser une relation forte et durable. Elle a eu du mal à s’épancher sur ce pan de sa vie mais il est temps que d’autres personnages que Skylar , sa colocataire sache quel enfer elle a vécu. En ne parlant pas de ce mal qui l’a rongé , elle a intériorisé cette douleur qui ne l’a jamais lâchée. Jessica est donc la psychiatre qui lui posera les bonnes questions, celles qui fâchent, celle qui poussent à réfléchir à des sujets délicats. Quand une annonce télévisée va faire voler en éclats l’apaisement qu’elle avait su installer au sein de son foyer, il s’agira de voir si elle va sombrer ou devenir encore plus forte.
Eric Tilden est un héros que j’ai adoré découvrir . Il a lui aussi vécu un revers sentimental très perturbant qui l’a mis à terre et il avait renoncé à l’amour. Pourtant la rencontre avec Ava semble être une évidence. Il s’agira donc de savoir s’il va prendre le risque d’exposer de nouveau son coeur pour souffrir. Il aura aussi un grand courage car quand il saura l’histoire d’Ava , il ne prendra pas peur de ce lourd fardeau mais il restera cet homme fort, ce roc sur qui elle pourra compter. L’histoire de John sera dévoilée vers la fin et je suis heureuse de savoir qu’il y aura un tome qui lui sera consacré mais je dois avouer que j’étais Team Eric . Le destin de John n’était pas entre ses mains donc il a été pris au piège mais Eric a su prendre aussi de grands risques pour protéger la femme qu’il aime par dessus tout. Survivra t-il à cette nouvelle épreuve?
Bref, j’ai adoré lire cette romance de Marie Force qui a su me conquérir et me faire vivre de très belles émotions. Le sujet est sensible et rarement présent en romance donc j’en ai d’autant plus apprécié la lecture. J’ai à présent hâte de lire le tome sur John car je pense qu’il saura aussi m’attendrir et m’émouvoir.
Where does one begin with this beautiful story. Ava’s journey to find herself after her love leaves five years ago with no way to know if he is alive or dead. She does the best she can do and starts over, moves away but still feeling empty.
Eric and Ava meeting brings them both a chance to laugh again. They enjoy each other’s friendship and overtime they become each other comfort. Eric would do anything to make sure Ava felt whole again. He is there for her at her lowest and highest. Then the past comes back and can ultimately change their course.
This whole story is of great healing, sorrow, love and faith. IT captures the unknown of never being able to say goodbye and the constant “what if’s”. I am in awe of the strength Ava endures to find herself and the love she carries deep in her soul.
Here is more of my review on A Day With Ethel.
https://youtu.be/ifg3yjYsG4c