Briggs,Remember when we parted ways in Germany? It was the day I broke your heart. What you didn’t know was that I was breaking mine too.I thought they’d be enough–my husband and my son. That I’d get home and everything would go back to the way it was . . .Before the war. Before the ambush. Before you.But, no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the trauma we shared. I can’t seem to forget the … trauma we shared. I can’t seem to forget the way my heart beat in time with yours.
The truth is I’m lost without you.
I thought the nightmare was over when they pulled us from that hole in the ground, but nothing could have prepared me for the war I’d face at home.
I know it’s selfish of me to ask, but, please, I have to see you one last time. . .
All my love,
Scottie
more
I have never in all my reading come across a story that ripped me apart so thoroughly. I cried, I gasped, I sobbed. And in the end? I felt restored.
This is a hard read. But absolutely one I recommend. Heather Orgeron and Kate Stewart have crafted a story that demonstrates just how devastating war can be to those who serve. I’m not from a military family, but I live in a military town. I have witnessed the destruction from the outside, and Heartbreak Warfare gives light to the destruction within.
I’ve never been a fan of triangles- someone always loses. And for a time no one wins. No one set out to hurt the other. But in the face of probable death, and suffering POW conditions Katy and Briggs cling to life. There is no way to come through a situation such as they found themselves in, and be the same on the other side. They all tried, and it ripped them all apart.
Katy, Gavin, Briggs, Noah… they all are all casualties of war. But thankfully, life and love can sometimes be resurrected.
Real and raw this book might be my top read of the year. Why? It’s written with uncertainties of their future. It’s written with truths and heartbreak. The struggle to survive the daily chores, the question of mortality. But most importantly, the bravery our men and women face EVERY SINGLE DAY so that I can live freely in a country I love.
This book is thorough. The journey is long. The purpose is clear. But the ending is beautifully written. It gives validity to veterans struggling to return to the states AND survive their nightmares.
These authors wrote with passion. They gave me the real, raw and unfiltered truths that I wouldn’t normally think twice about. Thank you ladies.
Most important…thank you to the men and women in service still fighting the fight.
An absolutely beautiful must read.
I love books that are full of angst. I devour them, even as they leave me drained and wrecked. And yet, I had no idea what angst really was until I opened Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart. They slayed me. Left me open and bleeding. Even now I can’t help but cry as I think of how this book made me feel. I have no idea where to start except this is one of the best story I have ever read. It was emotional and heartbreaking and consumed me.
Heartbreak Warfare was such a complex story. One woman and two men, but so much more. Katy is a wife and mother and a soldier. She loves her husband and her son, but now she needs to serve her country. The last thing she ever expected was to find a man who could change everything. When the unexpected happens, they find solace and courage with each other when surrounded with horrors.
Is this a love triangle? Yes, but it is also so much more. It was a gritty story that was honest and raw and will make you feel. It will not be an easy read, but these writers did give us an unforgettable story and one I highly recommend.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
OMG…I just finished Heartbreaker Warfare. I love it, this book no deserves 5 stars it should be 10 stars. Amazing job Heather and Kate. I can’t remember the last time the I cry so much reading. I dive into this one because every time that someone ask for recommendations at any of the readers group that I follow in Facebook there were a least 3 comments at this been the best book of 2018 and I have to agree 100%. I didn’t read any blurb or review I just dive in without any a knowledge about the story line and thank God I did. Because if I knew I wouldn’t try. The story line is so well written, is one of those stories that stayed with you forever. This is not your typical read where you will rooting for the hero only, you’re heart will be splitting for of them. You will fall in love with the characters. Side note keep a box of tissues by your side and read at the comfort of your home where no one will bother you.
“She’s the type of woman who puts family and country first, the kind that, if you’re lucky enough to find, you marry.”
I’ve been sitting here for about 30 minutes trying to start this review and accurately describe how much I love this story. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is literally NO WAY to do that. Nothing I say could ever even come close to doing this book the justice it deserves, but I’ll try to do my best…
Heartbreak Warfare takes you on the very heartbreaking, emotional journey of US Army Soldiers whose lives are forever altered when 2 of them are deployed and then held captive.
I honestly am at a true loss of words. This book is everything. I honestly loved it as much as I hated it for the pain it put me through. There were many times in this book where I put it down and just told myself “I’m done. I can’t take this hurt anymore.” But I took a breather and went right back to it.
I seriously think both Heather and Kate spoke to each other and were like okay let’s write a book that will literally destroy every single soul that reads it. PERIOD. Then they went on to write and publish Heartbreak Warfare.
This story mainly follows Staff Sergeant Kathryn Scott -formally known as Scottie to fellow soldiers- as she takes on leaving her 6-year-old son, and Army Captain husband to embark on a 12-month long deployment to Iraq. Once on base Scottie and her best friend Corporal Mullins meet Sargent Briggs and his friends. They quickly become fast friends enjoying each other’s company, except for Briggs and Scottie. Off the bat there is tension there. Briggs is super flirty, and just an all-around funny guy. He is the guy that keeps everyone in high spirits and though Scottie tries her hardest to not succumb to his playful ways, she can’t help but like him. She makes it known she is happily married and loves her family very much. From the start though, there was an attraction there, though Scottie would have never acted on it.
*At this point in the story I’m honestly just thinking that it is going to be a love triangle. I mean Briggs is sexy AF and Scottie is deployed for 12 LONG months…. I, in no way, shape, or form ever could have been prepared for the completely devastating story this one would turn out to be. *
Briggs convinces Scottie to go on a trip with him and his fellow soldiers. Being so excited to leave the base for a while, she makes her bestie go with her, and they all go excited to explore for the day. The actions that take place from this point – about 10-15% into the book- until the very last chapter are seriously some of the hardest, most devastating things I’ve ever read. Their Humvee winds up being ambushed, and Briggs, Scottie, and Mullens are taken captive. The torture they are dealt, and just the things they had to endure would break anyone’s spirit. While being held captive together, Scottie and Briggs become closer than ever. They form a bond that they never necessarily wanted to form, but one that is there no less. It’s a bond that could never be broken. A bond that was created through turmoil yet survived it. It is a bond so strong that normally forms for people whose souls are meant to be together, and it wasn’t even intentional.
After being rescued both Scottie and Briggs are forced to leave each-other going back to their lives forever changed. The thing is, after being held captive together, they became each other’s comfort place, and now going back home, they’re both leaving their comfort zone.
Two soldiers that are changed forever, that created this beautiful bond out of such horrible circumstances, who can’t even comfort each other because one is married with a family.
I seriously can’t even explain what this book did to me. I cried for 90% of this book. Sobbing hysterically for these characters, for their heartbreak and for my own heartbreaking having to witness it all. In simple terms Heartbreak Warfare is devastating. It is emotional. It is agony. It is complete despair. The truth is, this story is tragic no matter what. Yes, there is an HEA, but still on all counts it was just tragically heartbreaking. This is absolutely my number one book of 2018. Yes, I am aware that the year is not over, but honestly nothing could ever come close to this book, not by a longshot. I will go further and say that Heartbreak Warfare is my favorite indie published romance book EVER. PERIOD. This book was just a story that everyone should read, unless it hits too close to home, which in that case just stay away. I have to say, I am in no way affiliate with the military. This book has shed light on what soldiers, and the families of these brave, brave soldiers must endure, and I have a whole newfound respect for everyone that is affiliated with the US Military. Seriously, whether you are an active soldier, or retired, or just a family member of one – I salute you, and I feel for you.
If the things in this book is not a hard limit for you, please just do yourself a favor. Get some tissues, preferably a whole box, and just immerse yourself in this tragic love story. I promise you, you will love it.
Heather and Kate, you brilliant writers you… It goes without saying you both have a forever fan in me. But seriously, never write a book together again, I don’t think what’s left of my heart could handle it.
***ARC REVIEW***
Can’t believe all the anxiety I suffered reading this book!
This was incredible to read. At 45% I was so torn between the situation. I should have been pulling for Gavin but my god Briggs! I was so entwined with Briggs feelings and with the whole situation. I mean how do you continue without having one another. How do you just turn that off and move on to your life.
The angst this book gave me! I needed help, my feelings were all over the place! I wanted to push through but needed to take a break. I felt so much for Gavin and it was like a roller coaster of emotions. To see Gavin so selfless just broke me.
Wow this was incredible, the writing was beautiful.
I know our Military men and women go through hell and I just wish and hope they would have a Gavin, Briggs or a Kate to help them through to have the support and love that is needed to heal.
Thank you for the opportunity of reading this amazing book!
I really loved this one. Kate is one of my one click author but I had never read anything by Heather before this one. I let this one sit on my kindle for a bit because early reviews mentioned crying and that scared me. I finally grab my tissues and crawled into my reading place and started reading this one. I didn’t cry but this one is definitely an emotional read. It written by two authors but I couldn’t tell it at all because everything flowed well. The story line is beautiful and heartstrings pulling. The characters jump off the page and I was so wrapped up in their emotions and struggles. I’m not really sure what to say about this one except it’s one you need to read.
I’m always in awe when an author or authors craft a story that is seeped in sorrow, tragedy, mistakes, and limitless anguish; I don’t know how they’re able to create perfect words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that illicit such strong emotions – ones that resonate with readers…are relatable to readers…are so overwhelmingly powerful, to the point that readers can’t help but emotionally react to what the characters must endure and the battle they must wage against fate and their circumstances to pull themselves out of the darkness and back into the light – one that might not burn as brightly as it once did, but it burns nonetheless and at times like those, that’s what matters most.
The bonds of tragedy are strong; in fact, they’re life changing and what happened to this group of soldiers redefined them in significant ways, and while mistakes are made, promises broken, and lives hurt in the process, no one can judge them for any of it because unless someone has experienced what these characters experienced and found their lives turned upside down in all possible ways, no one can say that they wouldn’t do what was done or not struggle just to carry on…to put one step in front of the other until there came a time where it didn’t hurt to simply get out of bed in the morning.
I’ll be upfront and tell you that I don’t normally read books like Heartbreak Warfare, not because I can’t deal with the emotional investment that’s required in a story of this kind, but because I find it difficult to cope with and understand some of the decisions that are made and some of the situations that take place. I’m not a romance reader who reads books with love triangles/cheating – it’s a hard limit for me because even though it’s a fictional story, the realism that exists in those choices and scenes overwhelm me because, from my perspective, they’re black and white situations and the gray area/exceptions are not something I’m able to get my head around. But, the way that Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart present this agonizing plot line force me to accept that there are times and situations where the gray area is all there is and judgments aren’t possible due to the ways these characters have already suffered and the struggles they still have in front of them.
Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart have given their readers a story that epitomizes its title, and as the angst and torment of the characters’ lives become breathing and living things in their own right, readers can’t help but be completely invested in this journey despite the fact that it will cost a number of characters their lives, their souls, and most definitely their hearts.
Heartbreak Warfare is a perfectly imperfect exploration of the fallout of war…of the consequences of tragedy…of the bonds that are formed through loss; it’s most definitely not an easy read but it’s so worth the emotional upheaval that readers will feel because a book that leaves a last impression like Katy and Briggs’ story did for some many readers signifies just how powerful the storytelling was despite its difficult subject matter.
5 Poison Apples
5+ STAR Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review
It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I’m still reeling with my emotions and feelings. I’m going to do my best to put into words how I feel about this book. This soul crushing, earth shattering, heartbreakingly beautiful book. If I’m honest, there really are no words. I was left hurt, crushed actually by everything that happened in this book. When I finished…I ugly cried. Yes, ugly cried. I shed tears here and there throughout the book itself, but when I was finished, I simply couldn’t hold back anymore. I don’t want to give anything away about this book. I know so far my review has sounded like this book was nothing but sadness and hurt, but that’s not entirely true. This book was so much more than that. This book was love. It was family. It was loss, and hurt, and healing.
When I tell you these two amazing authors did a phenomenal job on this book, it’s not really the truth. Phenomenal again isn’t the right word, but my thesaurus didn’t have the word I was looking for. I know I say this book or that book is a favorite, or that this author or that author is a favorite, but I must say, Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart have stolen my heart. Now, if they would kindly return it, I would be eternally grateful. I’ve had the opportunity to read and review many books. But none, have ever had the impact on me, not only physically, but emotionally as this one. Kate and Heather’s attention to detail, words, and the story line were amazing. I felt like I was living every second of this book. I felt like it was watching it play out right there in front of me. My heart shattered with this book, but it was made somewhat whole again. I say somewhat because my heart still hurts. I still think about this story. I still feel for these characters.
Congratulations to Heather and Kate for writing a beautiful book. I loved this book with every fiber of my being and I know you will too. I will say, there may be some triggers in this book for folks. There is also some cheating. I don’t normally like stories that have cheating, but is was a necessary part of the book and story. Please read this book with an open mind and and open heart.
An unforgettable, heart wrenching, powerful read!
This book had me in tears! Heartbreak Warfare destroyed me, my emotionions were all over the place as I read this book. Absolutely phenomenal! One of my favorite reads this year.
Despite my reservations going in, this book was so much more than I expected. It was raw, it was beautifully painful, angsty, and devastating— my heart hurt so bad for these characters.
Katy went away to war madly in love and one hundred percent devoted to her husband. But then cue Briggs, a fellow soldier who Katy can’t help be attracted to, despite how hard she tries. Katy kept her resolve as long as possible, until fate stepped in. While at war, Katy and Briggs experience things no one should ever have to bare. They count on each other, lean on each other, and fall in love with each other.
After returning to her husband, Gavin, Katy wasn’t the same. She had gone through some unspeakable things and was suffering from PTSD. Her life was a mess and no matter how patient and loving Gavin was, she couldn’t find it in her to be the Katy he married. After a few months Gavin realized he had lost her to another man. Gah! My heart was in pieces for Gavin- although not the main character, he was the person I fell in love with.
I kept hoping and wishing that Katy would get it together long enough for her to appreciate the man she had by her side. Sadly that is not what happened. There was no breaking the bond Katy and Briggs created while at war. Although this book ends in a happily ever after for all three of them, I hated Katy and Briggs for hurting and betraying Gavin. Nonetheless I loved this book so much! I had to stop a few times and just breath. It was pure raw emotion! I can not praise these authors enough. This book was perfect!
5 heartbreaking stars!
4.5 Stars!
Katy Scott is a 25 yr. old woman who married the love of her life at 19, and has a six yr. old son she adores. She grew up an army brat who always knew she’d one day be a soldier. It’s tough being a mother and a soldier when she has to say goodbye to her family when she’s deployed to Baghdad to work as a medic. She is lucky however to be able to do this tour with her best friend. Once they arrive they meet some fellow soldiers who become close friends. One is a gorgeous infantry foot soldier named Sergeant Briggs. He’s a major flirt, has a wicked sense of humor, and always makes her laugh.
They are all busy doing their jobs when tragedy strikes, and suddenly their world is rocked. Surrounded by darkness, Briggs becomes Katy’s only light and strength. She’s never felt so in tune with another person, and an undeniable connection forms through weeks spent together in captivity. They depend on one another to survive, and they are both forever changed.
Katy returns home to Texas and feels like a shell of her old self. She returns a different woman, and feels like an imposter in her own life. She’s fading away, and feels like she needs Briggs to function. They share an unbreakable bond, and there’s something so unbelievably powerful between them that can’t be denied. Briggs made her feel safe and now she feels drained trying to force herself back into her old life. She went to war loving one man, and came back in love with another. Both men cherish her. She feels like she’s two different women living two separate lives, but only one soldier can have her heart. Who will she choose?
I’m going to start by saying this was a tough book to read. These authors put my heart through the ringer! ;)) It’s told in three points of view. It’s a love triangle where I fell in love with two beautiful men. It’s not all black and white. This book deals with so many variables and devastating issues that it all becomes gray. It’s an emotional story that destroyed me. I was so confused while reading and lol I had a love/hate relationship throughout. Heather & Kate also did the impossible & made me cry while reading, something I rarely do. This is an intense, heartbreaking, moving story full of angst. It’s about love, friendship, survival, and forgiveness. It’s original and unforgettable. One of those stories that will stay with you for a while.
Tears of sadness, joy, fear, love, grief, regret, yearning – all this and more in this book. Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart have created one of the most mind blowing stories of 2018. You must certainly have the most hardened hearts if you walk away unscathed from this novel. I still can’t stop the tears that come to me when I think about this story. The courage, strength, and love of these characters just flow through this story. A box of tissues is a must with reading this book and be sure to read it some where with soft surfaces as you may want to throw the book as well during certain parts. A Military Romance of Epic Proportions that is by far one of most favorite but hardest reads.
Tears of sadness, joy, fear, love, grief, regret, yearning – all this and more in this book. Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart have created one of the most mind blowing stories of 2018. You must certainly have the most hardened hearts if you walk away unscathed from this novel. I still can’t stop the tears that come to me when I think about this story. The courage, strength, and love of these characters just flow through this story. A box of tissues is a must with reading this book and be sure to read it some where with soft surfaces as you may want to throw the book as well during certain parts. A Military Romance of Epic Proportions that is by far one of most favorite but hardest reads.
Heartbreak Warfare is absolutely incredible!!!! I’m still reeling from this book and I can’t get it out of my mind and my heart. My review is going to be as vague as possible as it would be a disservice to spoil it and I wholeheartedly feel this is a story you should read without reading reviews with spoilers. Heartbreak Warfare’s storyline is impeccably written with so much depth and meaning that it’s more than worthy of five plus stars. The plot is epic, angsty and complicated at times. Just know that Briggs and Katy’s journey was not an easy one. I felt a roller coaster of emotions, it was difficult and overwhelming at times to read. Heartbreak Warfare captivated me, ripped my heart in two and stole my soul. With that said, I enjoyed every word of it and I would read it again.
Heather Orgeron and Kate Stewart did Heartbreak Warfare justice and I consider it to be one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s more than one-click worthy and everyone needs to experience this phenomenal book.
My eyes are puffy, my brain is bruised, my heart is tender and I loved this story. There are lots of utterly gut wrenching scenes in this book and I had to set it down and come back when I could deal again. I will read it again and again. Katy, Gavin, Chris and Noah are characters forever seared into my memory. I suffered right along with each of their traumas and rejoiced in their small victories along the way to reaching their HEA. I’ve read both Stewart and Orgeron but them together is very special. Some books have that something extra, that bit of magic that brings them to life right in your hands, this story is one of those.
A few days on and my heart and head is still reeling from this amazing, heart wrenching story. The emotion really flies off the page, it felt natural and real, but at times I got so immersed it was hard to see the pages my eyes were so blurry.
Katy is a proud soldier, but hates leaving her beloved husband Gavin and young son Noah behind whilst she is deployed in Iraq with her best friend Alicia. Whilst there friendships are formed and even though she would never cross the line, she secretly enjoys the friendship of the sexy and flirtatious Briggs.
How to review this and do it justice……Yes it’s a love triangle, which I know isn’t for some, but I implore you not to let that put you off. Katy and Gavin are very happily married and very much in love. But the events that occur in Iraq are so horrific, the bond forged between her and Briggs is undeniable, understandable and totally believeable. They know exactly what the other went through and what they had to do to survive. She returns home a different woman and her heart and soul are torn in two as she battles her demons, fears, guilt, nightmares and her genuine love for both these beautiful men.
Heartbreak Warfare is a beautifully written, heartbreakingly raw but real story of war, trauma and the lives and life it destroys….where sometimes even forever love isn’t enough to make you whole again, but sometimes, it is everything.
I loved all the characters, even the less prominent ones, they all played such a big part in this story, a story I honestly couldn’t predict how it would end. I don’t know, but I wonder if it is based on real life accounts.
I’d give this more than 5 stars if I could, I know it’s one of the few books that will stay swirling in my head for a long time to come.
Over the last two years as a blogger, I’ve read a lot of books. I mean… a lot, but there are very few, maybe none that have come close to how amazing and awesome this book was. It’s a complicated story, what love triangle tale isn’t? But, it’s so much more than that. It’s gonna break your heart, with it’s gut wrenching reality and leave you feeling raw and sliced open with all those churning emotions. But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, everything that you suffered through will be worth it, and you will be happy. Content and satisfied you made it to the end.
The characters were honest, sometimes brutally so, and even though I wanted a different finale, it ended the only way it could. With the right couple who were truly meant for each other.
If I could give 25 stars, I would…it’s THAT good!
“It shouldn’t be this hard to love someone so much”
It took me a few days longer to read for one reason…I had to keep putting it down and walking away. It consumed my feelings, my soul and my entire being! There were multiple times while reading that I read thru tears, thru body shaking sobs only to find myself going thru the same emotions only a few chapters later.
The multiple pov’s make it that more real; as if Scottie, Briggs & Gavin were my very best friends and I’m living this pain that is life right alongside them. There was no way of knowing this was written by two authors; the storyline, thoughts and descriptions flow as if from the same pen.
So in short I will say this…THERE ARE NO WORDS in the English language to express how this book has made me feel, no words to explain how this story will impact the world around you, at least for a while. Good luck to those who read Heartbreak Warfare. *just keep your stash of tissues close*
My heart. Heartbreak Warfare slayed me. Tore my heart to bits- more than once. Don’t even get me started on my misty eyes. From page one I was pulled in and my heart was already on the line. Kudos to Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart for not holding back and making this book real and raw.
There was something about Katy that just made me want to hug her. She was so strong and determined to make the most of her time away from her family. She would keep her nose to the ground, do her work, miss her family like mad while counting down the days and then go home. What she wasn’t expecting was the likes of Briggs. With an ego as big as his…He liked that she was immune to his jokes and innuendo.
But nothing could’ve prepared them for what happened next. Goodness me. I literally jumped. My heart was pounding and breaking. And that was just the beginning of what Katy and Briggs would suffer through. It was brutal. I had to put the book down more than once because I couldn’t see through the tears. Here’s your warning- it’s hard. It’s painful. It’s life changing. Something changed between Katy and Briggs during that time too.
I thought things were going to be alright once the rescue happened, I was dead wrong. Both Briggs and Katy’s life spiraled out of control. They were battling demons nobody could see. Nobody could know. They coped the best they could, but something just wasn’t clicking. Something was missing. Each other.
There was a lot of pressure on Katy and I have no clue what I would do if I was in her shoes. There were hard decisions to be made. Choices that would effect not just her but her husband and son. And all Briggs could do was wait and hope and pray that in the end, Katy’s choice would heal his heart too. I won’t say much more because it feels like I’ve said way too much already but I’ve truly only scratched the surface.
I finished this book days ago and I still can’t get it out of my head. Or my heart. Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart took military romance and turned it on its head. Heartbreak Warfare devastated me. Briggs and Katy’s story touched on some heavy topics. While it wasn’t an easy read, it is one that will stay with me for ages to come. Read it. Feel it. Take that journey. Experience the pain, the struggle, the hope. the loss, the love. I promise you it is more than worth the beating your heart will take.
This book is emotional, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!