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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4 1/2 stars
I am giving this 5 stars because it was a well written emotional story that held my attention to the very end. I know John was duty bound to keep secrets but I feel he went overboard expecting Ava to always be there. Ava went above and beyond waiting 5 years for someone she knew so little about. The story follows Ava’s struggle to move forward without John.
WHOOOAAAAAA Talk about a heartbreak! Gosh the reunion scene was the best emotional part of the book…ALL…THE…FEELS!!!!! I just can’t imagine what John went through his life! The audiobook is fantastic! Andi and Joe did an amazing job. I’m definitely listening to One Year Home tomorrow because I need John’s story!
I bought this book on a whim as never read Marie Force before, although seen her name for many years on book websites. It was actually the blurb of book two One Year Home that made me buy this first. And omg so heartbreaking. I loved it. This story will stay with me for a long time.
Fives Years Gone was incredibly emotional to read. It brought home (once again) that terrorist attacks forever change lives. First and foremost this is a love story. It’s poignant, dramatic and powerful. Learning to live again after tragedy strikes is not always easy. Marie Force really has written something wonderful in Five Years Gone and I am glad I read it.
Marie Force always finds a way to touch my heart through her words. Ava’s story is heart wrenching. I found I didn’t want her to ruin her future but at the same time rooting for the past. The turmoil of making her choice is well written and I look forward to John’s story.
Ava had the love of her life in her arms one minute and the next he was apologizing and leaving. She had no idea where he was going or if he was coming back. She kept her life on hold for him for five years and then went home.
Ava is a sweet woman, who was just devastated by John but was determined to start living again. She starts to do that with Eric. Her sister’s brother-in-law. Eric is freaking awesome. He is like this perfect book boyfriend.
They both have broken in the past but together they are whole. Loved watching these two fall in love. I wish I would have had more of the back story on John and Ava though. I had snippets but wanted MORE!
My heart hurt for Ava but there were times I wanted to tell her snap out of it!! Glad Eric was there to help her through all the ordeals she has to go through.
This was my first book by this this author and I loved it. I listed to the audio. It was a very emotional raw read. I really enjoyed the storyline and the authors writing.
I’m new to the audio book world. I didn’t mind the female narrator. But I struggled a little with the male narrator.
3.5 Stars
I’ve read quite a few of Marie Force’s books- and I always like them. This one, while a good story, didn’t resonate with me the way that her books normally do.
This is the story of Ava, who had dated John for a few years before he was deployed after a terrorist attack against the US. Five years after he deployed, she still had not heard from him and had no way of finding out any information. Accepting that she had to move on, Ava moved back to New York and met Eric, her sister’s brother-in-law. She had to decide if she was ready for a new relationship, and figure out where her relationship with John stood. And what would happen if John returned?
While the premise of the book was right up my alley, I had a lot of difficulty connecting with the characters. Much of the story was told to the reader, as opposed to showing us, which I think is partially why the characters never felt real to me. I had thought that I would be in tears through much of the book (I am a crier by nature), but with the exception of one part, I didn’t shed a tear. I most certainly will be on the lookout for more books by Marie Force, and certainly will consider reading John’s story when it is released (A big part of me really wants to know how he turns out).
To say I was disappointed is too weak. Really, nothing more than a bunch of whining over a guy who never revealed ANY of his backstory, who just picked up his go bag, and vanished. When a new guy (really nice guy, too) comes into her life, she falls apart and sucks him into her miasma. The writing was well-done as only Marie Force does. Too much unresolved angst without actual face-to-face conflict among the 3 main characters of this story. Meh!
Five Years Gone.
Five years of waiting.
Can you move on when your heart belongs to another?
Can you love again when you are still in love?
Can you find a new beginning when you are still waiting for the first one to end?
Ava gave me all the emotions of love, loss, guilt, and second chances. Your emotions will change chapter to chapter never quite knowing what Ava’s heart would tell her to do. A fabulous cast of secondary characters just added to the beauty of the story.
Captivating, Extraordinary, Emotional, Amazing & Wow! Another phenomenal book by Marie! Knowing this story would cause me to have intense emotions, I really enjoyed the story beginning on a happy note! I loved the spacing of the deep emotions in this story so I could catch my breath! This book had the depth and captivation of her Treading Water Series! Superb! Can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Powerful
Her best book yet amazing characters
Couldn’t put it down can’t wait for sequel
This book does not deal with an easy subject manner. It will devour you, chew you up, and spit you out where you don’t know if Marie Force will be able to put you back together. I didn’t know if I wanted to dig in my heels and want a different HEA, but I am so glad I didn’t! The HEA is well deserved and warranted.
I had stopped reading Marie Force, though for no particular reason, I am so glad I found my way back to her & this book. This is a top contender book for 2018. I read this book in one sitting, quite simply, because the characters wouldn’t let me. I absolutely CANNOT wait for the next book simply because I can’t wait to see how she will let this play out!
If I could leave more than five stars I would. I Love this book. It had me on an emotional rollercoaster – in a good way. It gives you love, loss, grief, anger, loniless and happiness in one book. I highly recommend this book, it’s one of Marie’s best. Can’t wait fir One Year Back.
3.25 stars. This was a pretty good book. This book is Ava’s story. It will be hard to describe this book without spoiling it, so I won’t say much. Ava was in a relationship with John, who was in the military and was deployed. He disappeared without a trace and she had no answers as to what happened to him. Left heartbroken, it has taken her five years to try to pick up the pieces and move on with her life. She moves across country and, while attending her sister’s wedding, she meets Eric. Eric also has a past with a terrible breakup and heartbreak. Together the two attempt to build a new love between them, but will their pasts come back to haunt them?
I liked this story a lot. It was suspenseful and interesting. However, there was a good bit of telling instead of showing and I think that kept me from fully connecting with the emotions of the book. This book had the potential to be a very emotional story and I expected to cry. But I wasn’t able to connect enough to feel those strong emotions and I’m not sure why. There were several different POVs in this book and that may have contributed to that surface level feel. I am not sure why this book missed the mark a bit for me. It had all the makings of a good, emotional read, but never quite got there for me. But I did still enjoy the book. It was entertaining and interesting. I liked Ava and all the characters involved. I was satisfied with the ending and was happy Ava got the future she deserved. Overall, I do recommend this book. I enjoyed it, even if I didn’t completely love it. This was my first book by Marie Force and I will definitely try her work again in the future.
I was hesitant to read this book. But Marie Force is one of my go-to authors and this was a stand alone, something she rarely writes.
Needless to say she did not disappoint. This book blew me away!
5 Star Review of Five Years Gone by Marie Force
Five Years Gone is the latest stand alone novel by Marie Force and may I say what an amazing book it was to read. This is the beautifully written story of Ava Lucas and John West which had me in tears on numerous occasions.
I am not sure how to write this review. Once in a while a book comes along that blows your mind, during and after you have finished it. Five Years Gone is one of those books for me that absolutely captivated me from the first chapter to the last (and oh what a last chapter).
Ava knows that being with John is a risk, (after all he is military and he may be gone at a moments notice for parts unknown with little or no contact) but it is a risk she is willing to take, that is until the day it happens.
When John is deployed, neither know whether it will be years, or if ever till, they meet again. After no contact for five years, Ava realises she must move on, but can she? Will she ever get over not knowing what happened or if John is even alive?
When she meets Eric Tilden at her sister’s wedding Ava slowly begins to “come back to life”. Is Eric the man who can be there and support her and love her? Can Ava come to terms with a life without John and move forward with Eric?
This book was such an emotional roller coaster of a read that it had my head and heart spinning in a variety of directions. In truth, at times I was scared where the story would lead but as Ms.Force is a master story teller I knew that my ride would eventually slow down.
There is life after tragedy, that is the message throughout Five Years Gone, it is a story of sacrifice, of courage, of love, of devotion, of determination to overcome what life throws in your path
Marie Force managed to shatter my heart and mend it whilst reading Five Years Gone. One click this book and be prepared for the ride of your life.
It has been 5 years since the day John was deployed. Ava has waited for a word from him all this time not knowing if he is alive or has been killed in action. Obsessively looking for any kind of information about him, she has scoured the Internet, contacted all branches of the Armed Forces only to hear the same response… John does not exist anywhere!
Now is time for her to put her life back together is she can. Moving away from San Diego back to New York and her family is a huge step for her. She is still broken but determined to move on. Meeting Eric at her sister’s wedding is a godsend. They have so much in common! Could this be the beginning of a new life? Her obsession for John continues…maybe it is time to seek professional help.
Get your boxes of tissues ready! These characters are all so near and dear to our hearts you will not be able to read this book without shedding a few tears. No one ever forgets their first love. Love runs deep in our souls and leaves an indelible mark that will either heal or scar us for life. Happily ever afters are not guaranteed…but our determination to survive is intrinsic to our human condition.
OMG! I will never be the same again after reading this book.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
An incredible moving novel. This story is all about the characters, and what wonderful, developed characters they are. Story is told in multiple POV and it gives you all the feels. This is a gut-wrenching rollercoaster that leaves you feeling for the characters …feelings of heartbreak as well happiness and hope. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel to this brilliantly told story.
This is not a full military romance. It is not a war story. The focus is on the girlfriend left behind when he deployed. It is her story.
I’m not going to go into too much detail about the story because I feel you need to take this journey without knowing too much about it. I feel if I go into detail about the characters or the story you will lose something by knowing ahead of time. As I said above, it is gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, as well a story of hope and happiness. The characters face dilemmas which will get in your head and make you think about what would YOU do. This is a story that will stay with me.