He came home a hero and lost the only woman he’s ever loved… JohnI have no idea how to survive without my beloved Ava. She had no choice but to move on with her life during my six-year deployment and has now married Eric. I hate him for taking her from me. I’d prefer to wallow in my depression and heartbreak, but the whole damned world wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture … wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture the world’s most-wanted terrorist. I need help handling the relentless requests, and when Ava sends her new sister-in-law to manage the media circus for me, I’m prepared to hate her on principle. Her brother took my Ava. What else do I need to know about her?
Julianne
It takes five seconds to realize Ava’s ex is going to be the most complicated and difficult client I’ve ever had, but the opportunity to represent the most celebrated man in the world could make my career. I’m determined to do the job, even if I dislike John from the moment I meet him. And I like everyone. So much so that my brothers worry about me being exploited by those who would take advantage of my unwavering love for others. But John… He’s in a class by himself, and his bitterness is a festering wound that I begin to wish I could somehow fix for him. The more time we spend together, the more our mutual disdain morphs into something that feels an awful lot like desire. There’s no way I can want this man, or so I tell myself, and when Eric finds out I’ve developed feelings for the man causing trouble in his new marriage, well…
That’s going to be a hot mess.
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One Year Home is the follow up for Five Years Gone. It is the first book by Marie Force that I have read. I loved reading and following John and Julianne’s story. I found it to be heartbreaking as well as healing learning about his history with Ava and moving forward with his life. I will definitely be reading the first book to learn more about Ava and Eric’s story.
5 Stars
This book will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The story of John West is full of heartache, despair, sorrow and darkness, but as we see the way his life changes after being home and meeting Julianne, his PR rep for the foreseeable future, his story changes. This is a story of growth and of overcoming the worst life has to throw at you. It is also a story of friendship, compassion, love and a belief in oneself as well as those you care about most. Ms. Force has written a beautiful story about a man who has experienced some of the worst this life could throw at him, but finds that if he holds on and counts on the right person, anything is possible and happiness can be his.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Though this story can technically be read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend you start by reading Five Years Gone, as it picks up where it left off. It will make a better reading experience.
Captain John West dropped everything when duty called, including walking away from the only one who truly loved him. He had no idea how long he would be gone, but that was the choice he made, knowing he was putting his country first. It took over five years to complete his mission. The only thing keeping him sane was them memory of the woman he loved.
Finally the day came came to get the man, who orchestrated the attack on Americans. When the raid went awry lives were lost and people were injured. To make matters worse, the terrorists released a video identifying the team who brought those identified to justice.
John is severely injured during the raid. He’s known as a hero around the world, but is left in the hospital and a long road to recovery. Overnight, he became infamous. To make matters worse, the woman who kept him going, now belongs to another man.
In order to retire from the Navy free and clear, they want John to give his side of the story and hopefully, use his notoriety to persuade people to enlist. That would be great, except John is a shell of the man he used to be. He’s lost his leg, is in severe pain, and his attitude is sour and prickly.
They Navy will spare no expense to spin things in a positive light, including hiring a PR firm to prep John.
From the very start Julianne has John’s number. She gives him tit for tat and refuses to let his grouchy attitude detour him from her mission. She is great at her job and will not let John get in her way of reaching her goal. Unfortunately, this also means she has to completely deny the combustible chemistry that zings between them from the moment she lays eyes on the handsome devil of a man. There are a million reason why she should turn around and leave, but there’s something that just won’t let her go.
Marie is amazing at creating a world I never want to leave. The entire time I was devouring this story, I kept thinking, these two books should be made into a movie. Marie paints a clear picture in her reader’s mind. She makes you feel a million emotions. She takes hold of your heart and never lets go. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
If you are reading this book, you must have read Five Years Gone. If you have not read it, PLEASE go back and read it first. Compelling and timely, the first book will prepare you.
One Year Home is the continuation of our story, but focusing on what happens after veteran hero comes home. The struggle to survive is not only reserved for when he is on assignment. Now that he is home, he must deal with the acceptance of losing his leg, losing his career, but most of all, losing the woman he loved all those years he was fighting in the war. Without any news from him, whether he was alive or dead, after 5 years of no word, she must move on and begin to live again.
The consequences not only impact John, but the ripple effects move on to affect his ex Ava. The shock of finding out John is alive as she is about to be married, makes for a series of emotions none of us are prepared for. As the ripples continue, her husband to be Eric is also affected as well as his entire family.
Out of tragedy comes a new life. Adjusting is the challenge. Loving again… well, that is the question! This gripping story comes at a time when a majority of our veterans are coming home to face daily life after fighting a war for years on end. Life as they knew it no longer exists. A new beginning is harder than we think.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
I’m a huge Marie Force fan. Maybe not a superfan because I haven’t read all of her books…but I have read almost all of them. And there’s a reason I’ve read so many. She does a great job writing a variety of tropes within the romance genre. One of her books will usually suit just about any mood I’m in. So…are you in the mood for some really angsty romance? If you aren’t, you need to skip this book. If you are––read on!
While technically you can read One Year Home as a standalone (there’s enough backstory in it without being an information dump), I highly recommend you read Five Years Gone before you pick this one up. You are not going to want to miss how this all started.
John is America’s hero. A very, very reluctant one. He’s still reeling after losing his leg while chasing down the worst of the worst terrorist leader and losing the love of his life because of his service…and because of his lies. Julianne is his new publicist––and his ex’s new sister-in-law. There is no way a relationship can ever work between these two. Or can it?
At the end of Five Years Gone, my heart literally broke for John. He made some big mistakes with Ava, but he owned up to them, and I really, really wanted to see him get his happily ever after. Every hero deserves their HEA, right?! So how in the world was Marie Force going to make this right for him? Her answer: In the most angsty, convoluted way ever!
I love John’s character, but I freaking adore Julianne’s. She’s this quiet, capable, steady presence that he doesn’t realize he needs in his life. And she’s loyal to him. Not one other character, except maybe Muncie, is truly loyal to John. While they might like and respect him, they are genuinely torn in other directions. And a true American hero deserves nothing less than a heroine who loves him just the way he is and is loyal to him––and only him.
NICUnurse’s Rating: Again let me say that if you do not enjoy an angsty romance, this is NOT the book for you. But if you do…you are going to devour it like it’s your first meal in years. While it totally ripped my heart out in places, I can happily report that by the end, Marie Force had carefully knitted my shattered heart back together and we all lived happily ever after! (OK, maybe not me. But the characters, yes.) I give One Year Home by Marie Force 5 out of 5 stars!
Every once and a while you read a book that just makes you sit back and say Wow! This is one of those books. It’s so powerful, so inspirational, so full of emotion. It’s definitely one of those books that you will read multiple times.
I adored all the characters in this book. John who is lost, just trying his best to get by each day. His best friend and comrade Muncie, who is trying desperately to help him feel alive again. Julianna, who brings out the best in John. She’s his rock and his calmness, he turns into her strength and her confidence.
This book most definitely must be put on the top of everyone’s “to be read” list. Extremely well done Ms Force!! Above and beyond five stars! Outstanding!
This must be the most satisfying happy ever after story I’ve ever read. After Five Years Gone and the heartbreaking circumstances that led to John floundering at the end of the book, I couldn’t wait for his story and own happy ending to come.
One Year Home gives us that and more. It is a story of heartbreak, healing, family, hope, and most importantly, love. That there is a rainbow at the end of a long, dark tunnel. It gives me hope that somewhere else in the world, people, and not just service men and women, who are struggling, will also find their own Julianne and will live happier, healthier lives.
Thank you Marie for John and Jules’ unforgettable (both books are) story.
Five Years Gone was one of my favorite books of last year. I was not sure if John’s continuing story was going to be able to live up to it, but was excited to read more. And I was immediately immersed back into his world. The author did a good job reminding us of any details that were pertinent so we could just jump right back in. And I enjoyed this installment as much as the first.
Captain John West is struggling and recovering. He is now seen as an American Hero due to video footage of him taking out a terrorist, but his life was further altered by medical complications, recovery, and missed time. And the one woman that kept him motivated to return home to for six years fell in love with someone else in his absence. He has lost the only people he ever loved or loved him. He still has some physical challenges, and he is angry, depressed, broken-hearted, and overwhelmed by the media’s attention. Regrets and nightmares are further dragging him down.
Julianne Tilden is a media expert recommended by his old girlfriend, Ava. She is actually the sister of Ava’s new love. But she is tough, smart, friendly, and optimistic. Even when he tries to intimidate her, she stands up to him and challenges him. She is light to his darkness. And somehow she begins to push him out of his pity party and gets him to take charge of his life. And as she pushes through his tough facade, more and more glimpses of the happier, friendlier, but also vulnerable John begin to emerge.
But they know they are off-limits. She should be professional. He needs her to help sort out his public image. And she is too closely related to the situation with his ex and her new love. It is all a precarious situation bound to cause controversy. But that does not stop the attraction they both know they should resist.
This is an emotional, heartfelt story of loss, love, healing, and hope. It is told in multiple points of view giving us more understanding. It not only continues John’s story, but also Ava and Eric’s. John’s disappearance, reappearance, and unresolved feelings affected them all in different ways. And their larger closely tied family and friend group also have concerns. But sometimes the unexpected happens and it is a catalyst for change. And healing and moving on takes time, patience, and understanding.
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one. It’s a heart string pulling one. If you haven’t read Five Years Gone yet, I would suggest you read that one first. Navy Captain John West has been through a lot. In the beginning of this story, he still grumpy and mad about how things turned out. He’s not fun to be around. I felt so much for John.
Ava is John’s ex and Julianne is Ava’s sister in law. Julianne is there to manage John’s media tour. He’s a huge client for her and it may give her the break in her career that she’s been wanting. Either expected to have feelings for the other but they do. I loved these two together. After everything John went through I so wanted him to be happy.
ELEVEN + MONTHS. That’s how long I’ve waited for John’s story! FIVE YEARS GONE, is a must read to fully appreciate ONE YEAR HOME (which can be read as a standalone)! It is written as if it’s a true story, because it’s probably been some military personnel’s life of war, injury, healing and acclimating back to civilian life. I loved this beautiful story, maybe more so than Ava’s story in “Five Years Gone”. All the characters are amazing and I love the multiple points of view throughout the story! Very well done!
Beautiful tragedy inspires heartstopping romance. One Year Home continues the journey of John West as he transitions from the casualities of war into a heartbroken civilian. After surviving a nightmare, he returned home to a shattered dream. When a sorrowful past points him toward a brighter present, can John give his heart a chance to love again? Force doesn’t do easy. Julianne and John are a complicated combination. Linked by heartache, haunted by attraction and held back by family connections. The odds are not in their favor, but their hearts may have other plans. Keep the tissues handy, because the emotions are fierce.
Everything Marie Force writes is full of adventure, steamy romance and true to life stories of the characters. I’ve read all of her books and highly recommend her for fun adventures only you can imagine in your minds eyes. Fun journey!!
Ahhhh, I’m glad things turned out the way they should be, HEA.
One terrorist attack affected so many lives. The drama, the heartache, the resilience of spirit and heart, these thing are all explored in this remarkable book by Marie Force. Caprain John West “America’s Hero” does not know how the adulation and gratitude that the country is giving him. Enter Jules Tilden. She smooths his rough edges. She handles the craziness. She makes him start living again. She makes him into the hero that America says he is. Jules really sees John and in doing so starts to have feelings for him which may lead to professional suicide but more than that her personal undoing. With Jules, John lets go of the past and strides into a happy future with her.
Wonderful. Can’t go wrong with Marie Force. Read Five Years Gone first.
One Year Home was nothing short of heart-wrenching, gripping, raw, powerful and absolutely unputdownable! This is a MUST read that I just can’t say enough about except READ THIS BOOK! John’s story continues where Five Years Gone ends and will have you inhaling page after page of this beautiful story about finding the will to live again and a second chance at love!