Saved

Hazel James masterfully executes a story that proves the resiliency of the heart, the soul and the spirit. Her characters are realistically flawed and beautifully human. Clay and Leilani are definitely one of my favorite book couples ever and a true reflection of how love conquers all!

I read this book several years ago and still think about it often. James does an excellent job of grabbing the reader by the heartstrings and not letting up until the perfect moment. All I need to see is her name on a book and it’s an instant purchase.

Leilani has not had an easy life. In fact, all she seems to have is bad luck and strife. While others may say this, knowingly exaggerating, Leilani is only speaking the truth. Losing her hand in a Humvee accident? Okay, she can adapt. She’s alive after all, and that’s what matters. But a second hit, breast cancer at that, which resulted in losing her breasts and hair? Again, adjustments can be made because she’s survived once more. Add both potentially tragic incidents and an overbearing mother who treats you as a child? Leilani has had enough, too much actually, and she’s done. Ready to start elsewhere, and Oklahoma seems like a good place to make it. And now she’s dealing with those who are supposed to help but appear as if they’re unable to, and a boss that wants to fix her, and she’s quickly reaching the end of what little patience she had left.

Clay enlisted and was deployed to Afghanistan, and lived to return home. It was hard, but he conquered it. Then he had to face the truth of his addiction to alcohol. That was definitely much harder. But he did it. He’s sober and starting a business to combine mental health and fitness. Again, difficult, but just like winning his battle with addiction, the end results will be so worth it.

With Clay’s business being such a success, he knows he needs more help. That happens to be a veteran herself, to open a second location. Things are moving along nicely, until they aren’t. And now once more, Clay is dealing with a difficult task. Everything he’s believed in, stood for, is being questioned, and the one he felt always had his back vanishes.

Clay has always fought for others, always willing to help whenever possible, yet when he needs the same in return, he’s left alone, wondering who he can depend on for support.

As Clay and Leilani begin a friendship, both hesitant to risk hurt again, regardless of which way that is, they also know there’s a connection between them that can’t be denied. While they continue to spend time together, that bond steadily grows, and they must choose whether the possibility of forever is worth the risk of heartache.

What happens when two people, both dealt hard blows throughout their lives, meet and find something neither expected to? Can Leilani help Clay deal with what’s coming his way? Can their new love withstand all obstacles? Is a future together theirs for the taking?

One-click now and follow along as Clay and Leilani strive toward achieving their dreams, both personally and professionally, and discover a love that knows no bounds. I like that they start with friendship and get to truly know one another before moving forward. Plus, it shows that their feelings are real, not anything due to circumstances or proximity, but a result of their hearts yearning for one another. I also like how they grow individually and as a couple, helping each other heal in more ways than one.- By Elizabeth

Hazel James has touched my heart with her words. Her story Saved is thought provoking, soul searching, romantic, witty and a must read for 2018. Clay is a veteran who owns a successful gym but he is also a counselor who helps those with shattered lives pick up the pieces, find a job and a purpose to live again. Leilani is also a veteran, who suffered an amputation due to a roadside bomb, only to be struck again by breast cancer which caused her to lose not only her breasts and hair but also her fiance. She is looking for a fresh start away from an overprotective mother and also to find some purpose and happiness for her life. She comes to Oklahoma to take part in this program and ends up working for Clay. When these two meet it is a battle of the minds and the heart. I am not sure who really is helping and healing whom. You will devour this book. You will need some tissues but they are not all sad tears!

Here’s the thing about this book: the storytelling is so effortless and easy to engage with that you just sail along feeling all the feels – mostly good, but not without a few suckerpunches along the way – and then suddenly turn the last page, feeling a little sniffily and with your heart kind of overflowing with happiness, but also a little bit like, “wait what? I wasn’t ready for that to end yet! I am not ready to say goodbye! And also, I will probably need more Clay in my life, for the rest of my life because…Christ Jesus and all the heart eyeballs.”

Or maybe that’s just me?

Nah. Y’all read it. You’ll see!

Seriously, though. It took literally no time for this book to capture my heart. Between Leilani’s kind but fierce spirit, and Clay’s easy charm, I felt myself sucked into this book from the very first page. These two, you guys. GAH! These two are the very best kind of couple to read about: sparky and fun, sweet and emotional, and packing just enough heat to set my heart to racing. I loved them so hard which makes it no surprise that I adored the crap out of this story, right?

God, I so did.

I mean, what’s not to love? The writing was smart and engaging, and the characters felt so real (flawed, but lovable). Despite the fact that there were a few very serious issues touched upon in this story, the story itself had a lightness to it. The love story, for the most part, was playful and full of that sort of flirty banter against which I am completely powerless. That said, I felt like the more serious issues were handled respectfully, if not in great detail. It’s topical without losing sight of the fact that, at it’s very heart, it’s a romance.

Bottom line: if you’re looking for a completely captivating story – sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes swoony, but always completely enjoyable – you will not go wrong with Saved! ~ 4.5 Stars

I feel like I’ve been through the wringer with this book. I’m exhausted…but in a good way. The book talks about picking your battles, and the duo in this book has a lot of them. To be honest, I wouldn’t have the grace that they shared, but they weren’t always perfect. They were perfect for each other, however, and great role models for others. They were each other’s “saving” grace.