You can lie down and give up, or you can rise and keep going…Walker’s been living life by this motto since the age of twenty when the girl he planned his future with shattered his heart and left a hole in his soul. His time in the military, and current job at In the Shadows Security, have kept him moving but he’s always felt the ache of that loss.From the outside Ellie McMaster has led a … McMaster has led a seemingly perfect life, big house, rich adoring husband, fancy cars. But it’s all been a huge lie, one that started nineteen years ago when she walked away from her first love and the boy who stole her heart. Now time has run out for her and with nowhere to go and nothing left to lose she’ll have to face down the pain of the past in hopes of saving her future.
But Trace Walker isn’t the carefree teenager she remembers, he’s now a muscle-bound titan with nothing but hurt and anger shining in his blue eyes. His time in the Army as a Night Stalker wasn’t easy, and he didn’t return home whole. Will he open himself up again and face the risks that come with having Ellie back in his life, back in his heart? Can this be their shot at a happily ever after, or their final goodbye?
Note: Walker is the fourth book of the Guts & Glory series, a six-book spin-off from my Dirty Angels MC series. While it’s recommended to read both series in order, each book can be read as a standalone. As with all my books, this has an HEA, no cliffhanger or cheating.
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Of all Jeanne St.James’ fantastic books (and I’ve read them all), this one stole my heart. I read her reviewers telling which were their book boyfriends but never participated until I read Trace Walker’s story! What a tearjerker! Went through a small box of tissues and fell in love with Walker! So handsome, so brave, so loyal and true; he always knew Ellie was meant for him! He waited for years: to take her virginity and again years to make his future with her! I thought Mercy and Hunter were heroes, but Walker outshines them all. Don’t miss reading Guts & Glory: Walker which I voluntarily reviewed after reading an ARC.
Another fabulously written book by Ms. St. James! I could not get enough of Walker and Ellie. Their history was sweet, but their time apart was heartbreaking, had to get the tissues out. The whole story is full of emotions; some laughter, some tears, tons of steam and drama, all the other sexy as heck Shadows and their fiesty women. Walker is all sorts of sexy alpha and perfect for sweet Ellie. Definitely an unputdownable story!!
This book hit me hard. I fell for Walker and Ellie. They were high school sweethearts who made decisions for each other without talking first. That never works out well and this is no exception. He did what he needed to to move on with his life which included being a Night Stalker in the Army and becoming an invaluable member of the Shadows Security. She moved on to a marriage that becomes a nightmare. She can only turn to Walker for help. He’s the only one who would know how. His feelings for her never went away and hers for him didn’t either. The way that they handle her situation and their past is why I fell. They discuss what happened but look toward the future. Hopefully together.
This book also has everything I have come to cherish from Jeanne St James. A family atmosphere with growly alpha males, strong snarky women and situations that force them to love hard.
I have never been bored with any book that Jeanne St. James wrote and this book was no exception! I was hypnotized from the very beginning as I turned each and every page of this well written storyline with well created characters! As I got more and more engrossed in this story I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster ride as Walker and Ellie’s story unfolded right before my eyes!
Great second chance romance that takes you on an emotional journey. The characters have intense connections as they work to keep Ellie safe, The story line has fear, longing, frustration, regret and sexual chemistry. Another fantastic addition to this series. A must read
Young love, thinking it would be forever and one decision, choices made, and one moment in time stilled and the future that Ellie and Walker thought they would have together, was gone in a blink. Two broken souls, trying to move on but never forgetting each other and as fate would have it years later, they are brought together again, Ellie’s in trouble and needs his help, the question is will he help her? So many emotions, hurt, anger, and all he wants is to tell her to leave, but there’s no way she’s getting out of the mess her husband got her into on her own and not even sure he can make a difference, but is willing to try. These two staying in the same house, reliving the pain, coming to an understanding of the past, and moving forward, will the love Ellie has for Walker be enough or will they walk away after all this is done? No spoilers, I loved Walker, I think he’s my favorite Shadow so far. This was such a great read, I am excited for Steel next! I received a copy of this book.
This series keeps getting better and better. I love a good second chance romance and this one didn’t disappoint! Ellie and Walker have history (without spoiling it) and it didn’t end well. You can really see both sides of the coin in their history too. I really loved this story.
Walker has a secret too. Once that kind of lets you know whey he is the way he is. I love when they start off he’s so cold but then bam they take off from there. You hear all about Ellie’s time without Walker. The story is great and there is some drama along the way. I feel like we see a side of Walker we never see and wouldn’t imagine seeing!! Great read and great addition.
Jeanne continues to do it book after book! Walker and Ellie have such chemistry and prove that you never do forget your first love. Well done Jeanne! I can’t wait for the next book. This book had me hooked from page 1.
Walker was a fantastic read! His secret was perfect for this story. Him & El were a perfect match. I couldn’t put it down & ended up reading it in 2 days only because I had to feed my kids & sleep LOL. I am loving this series but Walker is definitely in the top out of these 5 guys!
After reading this book I got to know more about Walker. In the previous books you never really got to know him as a person. I highly recommend this book to whoever loves action/ romance as an equal part. thank you Jeanne St. James for writing such a great book!!
Walker and ellie are two people trying to find their way back to each other. Their love shows us that there really is true love. They have to fight pass the past and the threat against ellie to find their happily ever after. One of the best second chance romance I have ever read.
Hang on for one epic roller coaster ride of raw emotions, regrets and secrets as Walker and Ellie’s story unfolds. This is a slow burning second chance romance that will honestly wring every single emotion it can out of you. There is so much pain and baggage that stands between these two that at times it feels almost like an insurmountable wall. My heart ached for both of these characters as they struggled to overcome their past, deal with the present and learn to let go, so they could finally get that HEA they deserved. As with all the books in this series there is an amazing and lovable cast of secondary characters, steamy chemistry and a well written, entertaining and engaging storyline. A simply wonderful read.
What can I say about Walker’s book? Besides it grabs you from page one and you are in for one heck of a ride! So many twists and turns. Jeanne St James has given us another great read! Amazing book! Loved it!!
19. That is how many years Walker and Ellie have been apart. Now with circumstances out of their control they have been thrown together after all this time. Can they over come the hurt and heart ache of the past or are they destined to for ever be apart.
Young love mistakes made right!!
A second chance story about Walker and Ellie.
It starts with a phone call from his past, Walker isn’t sure if he wants to deal with anything to do with Ellie. He takes the call, finds out she’s in serious trouble. She even admits she begged his sister for his phone number to ask him for help.
Walker knows he may regret the decision to help her, it’s going to open up old wounds they both suffered long ago.
Of course the job gets all the Shadows men involved after meeting Ellie and yes Diesel is there with his ever so present positive outlook on life lol! Throughout their story, Walker and Ellie discover a lot about their past and what it could mean for their future too if they want it that way.
Loved Walker and Ellie, more insight about the other Shadows men, the scene with Rissa, Kelsea and Frankie was hilarious. You will always laugh with this authors books, she has a way with words, humor, quick wit and comradery. Love this series and all the characters in it. At the end of the book, there is teaser for Steel, the next book in the series.
Addicted to these books, thank you Jeanne St. James!!
I received an advanced copy from the author for my honest review. Jeanne doesn’t disappoint… Walker is a fabulous book that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions …tears, laughter and of course with all alphaholes at times you’ll want to smack the crap out of someone but just when you think you know…..
Walker and Ellie had a love that they each thought would last for all times but each made a choice that frayed that bond, but even after 19 years and many secrets it was never severed. Now that Ellie needs Walker’s help it’s time they finally put the past where it belongs and strengthen the frayed bond. When Ellie starts feeling down she learns the definition of sisterhood…..cupcakes, wine, a good ear…… oh and being include in the phone tree! LOL As with ALL of Jeanne’s books……A DEFINITE MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a ride!! The emotions! Loved whey bit of it! Trace and Ellie are each other first loves and reunite at a time that rekindles their romance. Fast paced and always with twists and turns – jeanne does an impeccable job of mixing passion, chemistry and perfect opportunities of laughter in this book!
Best second chance story I have read in a while. Jeanne nailed this story. Definitely a must read.
Trace Walker has lived his life by his own script. Keeping secrets close to the vest has helped him stay out of numerous jams. But when a blast from his past comes back into his present can Walker let go of the poor decisions he made as a young man and open his heart to the one that got away? When Ellie’s life is on the line will she be able to put the hurt and baggage from her past go and allow forgiveness to override all other feelings? Love has been lost and lives have been destroyed but Jeanne St. James makes the reader believe that a HEA is obtainable – that is if you want it bad enough. I can honestly say this one has been the best in the series thus far. I look forward to see what happens next.
Every time I read a book in this series, it’s like showing up to the family party and being there with them. It’s so easy to become a part of this world. Feeling the emotions, the ups and downs and heart wrenching discoveries.
Walker and Ellie get a second chance at their future, if they can let go of their painful past. Each of them hold a lot of anger and pain that was inflicted by the other.
Walker is forced to swallow his pain, at least temporarily to try and do the right thing.
Ellie has to swallow her pride and ask for help.
In this journey you get to reconnect with some of your favorites from the Dirty Angels Series, as well as the oh so badass Shadows.
You really need to start from the very beginning to truly appreciate this series.
I have loved each of the Shadows as I have read their stories, and with each installment of this series I think I have found my new favorite. In reality, there is no way that I can choose only one.