The first time I laid eyes on Lydia Decker, I couldn’t speak. Or breathe. Or string two coherent thoughts together.And I don’t mean any of that figuratively.I’m not talking about a guy being floored by the sight of a gorgeous woman – although, of course, Lydia is gorgeous beyond words.No, when I first laid eyes on Lydia Decker – my physical therapist – I was lying flat on my back in the ICU, high … high as a kite on painkillers, breathing on a ventilator, my bones as broken and splintered as my spirit.When I first laid eyes on Lydia Decker, she was a ray of light in the dark. Hope for the hopeless. A salve for my singed and battered soul.She said she’d been assigned to fix me. That she was there to bring me back to life. She said helping me was her calling.And then she touched me. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. She healed me.And I fell in love.But what I didn’t know…what I couldn’t possibly know…was that Lydia Decker needed fixing far more than I ever did.
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Hi! I am a newbie to Lauren Rowe stories. I loved this story as it showed how they began as friends and how it evolved into so much more than that. I loved how we learned more about Colby and his siblings. I did not realize at first it was a series of books so I will now go to the beginning and fill in some of the blanks. You can read/listen as a stand alone of course though. I would give it a MILLION Stars if that was an option. Will stay in my top 5 for a long time. Also the BONUS of Lauren as a narrator for her own story was pure perfection. I always say I love to jump in and enjoy the ride and this is definitely a wonderful journey. Also love as there is an extended story line at the end to see how it has progressed even more over the years. I am a HUGE fan now and excited to know that there are more adventures before and after this one. My favorite part was all of the clever nicknames for everyone and the relay race. Hope you also enjoy the story.
I don’t think I could really say how much I have loved and enjoyed reading this story to do it the justice it deserves! I had tears in my eyes from the first chapter in and just fell completely in love with Colby and Lydia’s story. Not to mention the Morgan family that turned up in this book again and the little kids that just steal your heart away. If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! I can’t wait to read Dax’ story (hint hint) 🙂
Lydia has been through some tragic times but stays strong for her 3 children and when she is signed up to be Colby’s physical therapist, she immediately feels a strong connection towards him but her past stands in her way, not to mention the working rules. But the more time they spend together, the more their attraction is undeniable. Somewhere down the line, her walls are coming down but will the past drag her back away from him…?
Colby’s been in a terrible accident and is trying to keep his head above water through the nightmares but when he meets Lydia, there’s this instant connection he has never felt before. Slowly he is falling for her more and more but he feels there’s something standing in his way to her heart. Will he eventually break down her walls?…
I need a moment here. I love Lauren with a passion, her writing is pure genius, but when Captain came out I thought it was perfect, the best she was ever going to put out there – how wrong was I?! She’s gone and upped her game yet again with Hero!!! This woman is a writing oracle let me tell you!! Lauren has written her heart and soul into this book, I mean you can feel the love, the passion, the pure heartbreak that has poured out of her and into this story for Colby and Lydia – I was ensnared, captivated and consumed by their story. Within the first few pages my heart had been ripped out entirely, it was agony!! Thank goodness for Colby and his Morgan family, who came along and sewed it back together again. I’m adopting the whole Morgan Family by the way, I’m making myself an honorary member, as just reading about them and their love for each other makes me feel a whole lot better!!
Colby is a firefighter, its in his nature to help and rescue people, he can’t help it, so its the perfect job for him. But he gets badly injured during a fire rescuing a child and ends up in ICU with all the Morgan clan around him urging him to pull through. He’s gonna be out of action for a while and needs physical therapy in order to heal. Lydia is a physical therapist at the hospital and is there the day Colby is brought in. She herself is only just slowly putting her life back in order after suffering the worst kind of grief. But she sees our Hero, and feels like she is being called to him, to help him, to fix him and put him back together again.
The emotions this book pulled out of me was unreal!! Colby and Lydia are just so right for each other, but like real life, you have to fight for what you believe in, and that’s what Colby and Lydia have to do. It’s not plain sailing – yes they are unbelievably attracted to one another, but people’s pasts have a way of interfering with the here and now, and they have to come up with a game plan that will hopefully see them through to the other side. Add in the Morgan family and their beautiful family connections and relationship, with their utterly charming uniqueness and own brand of humour and you have a whole range of emotions going on here – sweet, romantic, tender, raw, erotic, powerful, heart breaking, devastation, laugh out loud hilarious, belonging – and it was masterfully done, I was in their world whilst reading this, completely engrossed. I found myself clutching my reader so tight I thought I had broke it, or suddenly welled up with tears streaming down my cheeks, or laughing uproariously at the Morgan family antics or finding myself a little breathless and hot under the collar at the raw and erotic intimacy between Colby and Lydia.
Colby and Lydia are my new favourite people, which takes some doing. I love them with a passion. Colby is just so damn fine!!! I just want to hug him to death!!! His passion for Lydia, his adoration and the way he would do anything for her kids, his love and respect for his family, his swoony, dirty and dominant ways in the sack!!! Lydia I feel wholeheartedly for, she is such a strong, caring and passionate person, I have so much respect for her and what she has gone through, her kids are just adorable. So genuine and real is their story, you just can’t put the damn book down, its addictive, captivating and a real page turner.
Hero is a standalone and can be read as such, but seriously, WTF wouldn’t you want to read more? I guarantee once you have read one you will want to read them all. 5 stars doesn’t come anywhere near being enough for this book, it blows 5 stars out of the water. Seriously, a must read here, you won’t be disappointed.
Hero is the first book by Lauren Rowe that I have read and it had me in tears right from the beginning. This is a story of two people helping each other heal both physically and emotionally.
Colby, physically broken, is still a true hero and turns out to be a knight in shining armor not only for Lydia, but her three children. And through his journey realizes that every moment of his life has brought him to his angel.
They same time heals all wounds but everyone’s time is different and three years after Lydia’s husbands death Colby shows up and the pull towards him is too strong to deny.
This book is a wonderful, emotional ride with beautiful characters that show their love and support openly and honestly. Lydia’s three children are so sweet and throw in Colby’s crazy mix of brothers and his sister and you have a story that is a joy to read!
The Morgan’s Colby & Lydia Love at First Sight!
Hero
By: Lauren Rowe
Narrated by: Lauren Rowe, John Lane
Series: The Morgan Brothers, Book 1
After reading “Ball Peen Hammer” in one night I became an overnight fan of Lauren Rowe. I decided to binge read/listen to all her books and went in chronological order starting with “The Club” Now I am moving on to read the rest of “The Morgan Brothers” series. “Hero” is Colby & Lydia Decker’s story and another great book by Lauren Rowe. It is well written and has a lot of heart it in, an emotional rollercoaster at times. There was a lot of drama in this book and some great moments. I loved how the brothers stepped up to help Theo. Well done on handing the bullying too. IN addition to all the seriousness there was that Morgan humor in it as well. You got to love that Morgan banter, Lauren Rowe sure has a way with words.
I listened to the Audible edition, John Lane and Lauren Rowe continue to do a great job narrating and bring the characters to life from the pages to your ears. Thank you for another great & entertaining listen!
SWOON! Colby (heart eyes) I listened to this as I have with Ball Peen Hammer and Captain. This was long awaited as I was NOT disappointed. I love Lauren’s writing. You have the undertone of seriousness mixed in with humour and whole lotta sexy! The Morgan’s are amazing… I really love this family.
Snappy, intelligent, witty, so much fun, and so perfectly HOT!
You’re going to need a box of tissues for this one.
A big one.
On second thought, grab a couple of industrial sized ones just to be safe.
This book is going to break you and then put you back together in the most beautiful way.
Colby Morgan, has there ever been a more perfect hero to a story?! Not only does he sacrifice his safety for the good of others as a firefighter, he truly is the most amazing person. Loving, loyal, funny, with a quiet charm that pours out of him in spades, Colby is EVERYTHING. And though he meets our heroine during the worst possible days of his life, Colby’s spirit and determination are far stronger than his body could ever be.
Lydia is the most amazing woman. Stronger than anyone should have to be, she’s been through so much in just a few short years. She’s loving, kind, considerate, and broken in so many ways. You truly feel her hurt, anger, and pain in this story. And now, finally at a point in her life where she’s ready to take a leap of faith, Colby is thrust in her path.
Colby and Lydia will take you on a rollercoaster journey throughout this book. I can’t begin to describe all of the emotions I felt while reading it. It’s just simply breathtaking. Lauren Rowe has created a beautiful story that will leave you speechless.
Five-magnificent stars, and if I could leave more…well, I don’t know if there are enough in the world to do it justice.
This book lived up to my expectations I fell in love with Lydia the moment she was introduced to us when she found out about her husband being killed in the line of duty and her reaction it was so heart wrenching and the emotion was real and I really loved that. I loved how protective she was of her children and wasn’t willing to cause them any extra pain. I enjoyed her personality, the humour and most importantly I loved that we got to see her doing her job and how much she cared about. I also liked how her healing process included helping Colby heal physically.
Colby he was intense, that first scene in the fire I was on the edge of my seat wondering if he was going to make it out alive. Then the scene where he is first in hospital high as a kite on drugs that is one of my favourite scenes out of the whole book and I loved the fact that what happened between them at the hospital is mentioned again later in the book. I don’t want to say what it was because of spoilers. I loved his personality and how much he loved his family and how the whole Morgan Clan cared for each other. It’s one of my favourite family relationships that I have read.
One of the aspects I really enjoyed in this novel was that we got to see Colby in his physical therapy recovery as well as watching Lydia learn to live with her grief and find love and happiness again. I felt although these two stories different were also the same. I also love that the author did her research on the first responders and made the story feel as realistic as possible which was amazing plus one for me.
The only thing I really had a problem with was Lydia’s in-laws, her first husband’s parents (I really can’t remember his name). They made Lydia feel terrible if she was happy or trying to be happy for the children. I really didn’t like the mother but other than the trip to Disney land we don’t see them again in the novel and it would have been nice Lydia telling them that she was moving on and she was going to let his memory live but be happy. I’m kind of disappointed that didn’t happen.
I loved the Morgan clan, the way they all tease each other and are loving yet always supportive. I love when in stories there is a massive family aspect especially when that family is big. I liked how they just accepted Lydia’s children, Theo, Izzy and Bea into the family when they finally met them and I loved it. I loved the bond that they all created with each other.
This was such a good story and I loved the plot and the characters, the writing was also amazing, I didn’t have a problem with the writing or struggled to get into it. The story gave me the feels and I fell in love with it all. I am so going to end up reading the other books in the Morgan Brothers series because I’ve fallen in love with them all.
5 Star Review of Hero (Morgan Brothers) by Lauren Rowe
OMG what an emotional roller coaster of a read. There were times when I sobbed, my fear and pain for the characters palpable and conversely there were times when I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Such were the emotions pulled from me as I read Hero.
It was a brilliantly written book that touched me deep down and had me praying that Colby and Lydia would get through their painful journeys and that they would both find their happily ever after. If anyone deserves to be happy it is Colby and Lydia.
Colby risks his life daily for strangers, never questioning his duty, doing what he loves. He is strong, determined and a fighter with a never give up attitude.
When Colby finally opens his eyes, the first person he sees is Lydia whom he instantly falls for. However Lydia is a woman shattered by her past. She is the physiotherapist charged with bringing Colby back to health. Whilst struggling with overwhelming grief she will do anything to offer support, comfort and hope to all who need it.
Honestly there were times when Lydia’s children nearly stole the book away from her and Colby; they were just so precious.
It was great to see the other Morgan brothers make an appearance; the love of family is so strong and heart-warming and the banter between them made me smile.
I was enthralled from chapter one and if I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Loved, loved, loved Hero.
I had read one other book by Lauren Rowe and was hooked but after reading Hero I became an avid fan. Lauren’s unique way of intertwining humor, drama and gut-wrenching emotions amazes me. Hero is about second chances and a love that last forever. After almost dying, Colby Morgan is fighting for his life when when Lydia Decker walks into his room as his physical therapist. Lydia’s first husband was a police officer killed in the line of duty so when she heard of Colby’s tragedy she rushes to the families side to offer hope and support. What happens after is a love story to span the ages. Hero is sweet, fun and sexy with lots of drama and of course hope.
TJ FInn
I stalked this book from the first time I saw a blurb for it! Hero was a wonderful book! This is Colby Morgan’s story in the Morgan Brother’s series. Colby is a firefighter who is seriously injured while fighting a fatal house fire. Colby has to endure months of physical therapy after finally leaving the hospital. His therapist is Lydia Decker. This tells the story of Colby’s journey to wellness with Lydia’s help. I loved this book, and am so glad my stalking paid off!
Oh Lauren, how I love thee! This book is absolute platinum! (Which is better than gold!)
Hero, the story of Colby and Lydia is what a true romance should be.
The first three chapters absolutely gutted me, I cannot image a pain like that. So I cried, because it made my heart hurt.
Then you get the interaction of the Morgan siblings and you crack up. How Lauren comes up with the zingers that fly between the siblings is amazeballs! “…can you guess why I happen to be here at chicken-thirty on a Saturday morning?” So I laughed out loud, and got crazy looks from my family, because it made my heart laugh.
Finally you get the chemistry of Colby and Lydia and it makes you believe in love, lust and destiny. So I fell in love with these two because it made my heart burn with passion.
From blowing raspberries, to the story of the pearl, this book is aces! I am so glad that Lauren was able to write Colby’s story with mercy and Lydia’s story with grace. I am in awe of your words and your world of characters! To catch a glimpse of past characters was the cherry on top of an already perfect dessert!
You have a fan for life Lauren! Brava for your words!
Lauren Rowe I don’t know where to start. Hero is exceptionally written. You really did your homework. Thank you, from a firefighters daughter, for honoring the firemen with such description of Colby in that burning house. This book will put you in Colby’s and Lydia’s heads. This is a book I will continue to recommend to friends. My heart melted while reading the story of Colby and Lydia.
Hero, just… Hero!
This book is everything, every bloody little thing, I could ever want in a book.
At eight percent I was on emotional overload. I have absolutely NO IDEA how to put in to words what this story did to me.
Firefighter Colby Morgan is broken in body and mind after an accident during a rescue but when a dark angle enters his hospital room peace settles over him and he is determined to win her heart, soul and body.
Right! Review…… *stares in to blank space*
Lauren Rowe knows how to tell a story and she knows how to build characters. This is not news to me. But this book is in a different dimension from her earlier work. I feel like she took everything good from every other book she has written and put it in to this one story.
– It is emotional like nobodys business.
– It is funny like you wouldn’t believe.
– It breaks you.
– And it warms your very soul.
How I wish I owned a poets skills so I could properly express how Hero moved me. I don’t unfortunately so you will just have to experience it yourself…
I for one am owned by this story tonight, drained dry, and in need of tissues and a shot of rum.
OMG I fell in love with the characters and their love story. The way Lauren Rowe developed Colby and Lydia and watching them fall for each other is amazing.
Well, well, well. Here we are again and Lauren Rowe has enchanted us with the likes of another Morgan Brother. This time, we are up front and personal with Colby Morgan, the oldest and most reserved sibling in this crazy, lovable family. On a side note, you do not need to read the other Morgan Brother installments in order to follow this beautiful, insta-love story. Lauren’s writing is seamless and well crafted, you will jump right into the story and not feel like you missed a beat.
From the very first chapter, Lauren doesn’t waste any time and hits us right where it hurts… THE HEART Oh my goodness, she knows how to get your attention and make you a blubbering mess in the same breath. I truly didn’t see that coming, but that is what I love about her writing. It’s not predictable and I knew the journey would be worth every step of the way!
The title of the book is HERO so it’s no surprise that Colby turns out to be that in EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. Holy heck this man! He’s the quietest of the Morgan clan, he likes to sit back and take everything in around him. But when he has something to say, he means it 110%. He doesn’t waste words and the ones he shares with Lydia Decker are swoonworthy, panty melting and downright perfect. Yes, he’s vulnerable at times. However, he wears his heart on his sleeve and that is so refreshing and sexy!
Lydia Decker is beautiful inside and out. The love she has in her heart is HUGE and the moment she lays eyes on Colby Morgan she knows there is something special about him. She is immediately drawn to him and that scares her as much as it excites her. Lydia has struggled, the tragic events in her past still cling to her like a second skin. She’s scared to let go but watching her evolve and open her heart to new possibilities is heartwarming.
Once again, the entire cast of characters is hilarious. Where there’s one Morgan sibling, the rest will follow. They all mesh so well together in this story; however, no one takes the center stage away from Colby and Lydia. This was a more emotional journey for me compared to Lauren’s other stories, but one I was happy and honored to take. This family is sure to capture your heart and attention!
Omg HERO was AMAZING, I highly recommend it! Hero has you going through every emotion, you feel let down, ripped apart, heartbroken and then with Lauren Rowe has you falling in love, laughing out loud and feeling amazed. You feel like you are in the book!
I absolutely feel in love with Colby and Lydia! The way Colby shows Lydia the love he has for her and his family is amazing! Colby has stole my heart and has captivated me and will aways be a favorite of mine!
I highly recommend listening or reading this book! This has to be one of my favorite books!
5 Love is and infinity cake stars!!!!!
“Her very presence was a torch of light that chased away the darkness.”
This book packed a powerful punch. From the first paragraph through to the epilogue I was hooked.
Colby Morgan…..the eldest of the Morgan siblings finds his soulmate at the lowest point in his life. Hooked up to a ventilator…body beaten and broken after getting hurt on the job…he opened his eyes and sees an angel….Lydia Decker.
Lydia Decker has lost the love of her life 3 years ago. She never thought she’d have a chance at love again. As soon as she heard that the injured hero firefighter was at her hospital she had to see him. She knew he needed her. She didn’t know why he called to her but she had to help him somehow. What she wasn’t prepared for was to fall completely and totally in love with another first responder. Can she do this again? Risk not only her heart but her children’s hearts too?
Hero will absolutely gut you in the beginning. I’m not talking about a few tears here. I’m talking about punch you in the heart kind of sobbing. The kind of tears that just fall and fall and fall. Ms Rowe can write some of the most powerful and emotional words and then in the next chapter she will make you laugh because of the insane nicknames these Morgan siblings insist on calling each other. She is a master storyteller. She has the ability to paint a picture with her words. I would recommend this book to ANYONE because Hero has it all….humor, angst, steamy sexy fun and a cast of supporting characters that will work their way into your heart.
Reviewed by: Heather S
I can honestly say that I wasn’t prepared for Colby and Lydia’s emotional story…I wasn’t ready for Lydia’s heartache and grief to resonate from the pages as her back story was told…I couldn’t have anticipated how caught up I would get in Lauren Rowe’s emotionally charged words and always evolving characters.
But even though Rowe stripped me bare, leaving me raw and aching, almost as much as she did her hero and heroine, I wouldn’t have missed Colby and Lydia’s journey because not only is it an incredibly moving and pure romance, it’s also a cleansing of the soul and a healing of the entire body, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
At the start of Hero, I wasn’t too sure if Colby’s ‘insta’ feelings for Lydia would interfere with the story that was brewing underneath; most of the time when things happen too quickly in a romance, it seems like the couple’s story stays too much on the surface, never truly building a sturdy foundation, but that wasn’t the case with Colby and Lydia. I think Colby needed to be enamored from the start because it would take those kinds of feelings to help weather the storm as Lydia works through her overwhelming feelings of loss…of regret…of a plethora of feelings that seem to hold her back from moving forward…from being happy.
It appeared that the romance between Colby and Lydia would be hot and heavy from the start, but that’s not the case and that speaks to the kind of gentleman Colby is…don’t get me wrong, Colby definitely wanted every part of Lydia and I’m sure he had a bit of blue balls and sexual frustration because his body desired Lydia desperately, but he recognized the battle that Lydia was trying to overcome and he cheered her on…offered a shoulder to lean on…and made sure she understood his motives and his need to help make her whole before moving forward together.
I can honestly say I wouldn’t mind being adopted by the Morgan family…who wouldn’t want to claim the Morgan brothers and their siblings?! They’re incredibly supportive of one another…have faith in their bond, and they definitely know how to have fun and live life fully.
Lydia is both a strong and vulnerable heroine – one who has been trying to just make it through the days and not break down in tears or feel like a complete failure. Her heart is damaged and it even might be scarred in irreparable ways, but that doesn’t stop Colby from staking his claim…from proving to Lydia that life goes on even after an extraordinary loss. But Colby’s words and actions can only take Lydia so far. She has to be the one who does the leg work…the one who must accept the past and move forward knowing that the past will never be forgotten but it doesn’t have to debilitate her from finding love and happiness again because she so deserves it.
Colby is absolutely a hero…not only as a firefighter but as a man. His job is dangerous and sometimes the flames get a little too close and lives are forever changed, and while Colby learned this knowledge firsthand, he also learned the preciousness of life and the desire to spend his days with someone who means everything to him.
Hero is without a doubt an epic love story, but it’s not simply the love between a man and a woman. It’s the love of a profession…the love of a family…the love of a mother and her children…the love of friendships and second chances. And it’s the knowledge that anyone is capable of being a hero because it doesn’t take grandiose actions…all it takes is the strength and the determination to live life to its fullest and hold on tightly when the ride gets turbulent because those who rise out of the ashes…those who make it to the other side…those are the people who are heroic and that’s one lesson that every reader needs to learn and accept.
4.5 Poison Apples