The war is over. The battle for love has just begun.As Marines, Cal and Jim depended on each other to survive bloodshed and despair in the Pacific. Relieved to put the horrors of war behind him, Jim went home to his apple orchard and a quiet life with his wife and children. Knowing Jim could never return his forbidden feelings, Cal hoped time and an ocean between them would dull the yearning for … would dull the yearning for his best friend.
But when Jim’s wife dies, Cal returns to help. He doesn’t know a thing about apple farming–or children–but he’s determined to be there for Jim, even as the painful torch he carries blazes back to life. Jim is grateful for his friend’s support as he struggles with buried emotions and dark wartime memories. Then Jim begins to see Cal in a new light, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expected. Can they build a life together as a family and find happiness in a world that would condemn them?
Note: This m/m romance contains scenes of violence. 95,000 words.
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I don’t think that I can convey into words how much I loved Semper Fi by Keira Andrews.
Raw
Heartfelt
Achingly beautiful
From Cal and Jim’s first meeting on the train, their time at war, working side by side at the orchard, and both finally admitting their feelings. The writing is exquisite.
So much swoon.
While I’m not one for flashbacks, they are poignant to the storytelling in Semper Fi. It enables us to be there with Jim and Cal during the war, and it adds depth to their love story.
I don’t know why I waited years to read this book. If you’re like me and haven’t taken the plunge, what are you waiting for?
All the stars.
I loved this book. Keira Andrews is definitely one of my favorite authors i this genre. The story is told using flash backs and then back to the present. Each trip back informs the next present day chapter. I was totally pulled into their world and would love if she wrote a sequel. The ending was satisfactory, but it would be great to follow them beyond the end.
Audible. I grabbed the ebook when it was on sale a few weeks ago knowing the audio was coming. Depending on how much you’re paying for credits, it still may be less expensive to purchase the book and utilize whispersync discount pricing.
Wow! I’m already a fan of Keira Andrews’ work, but this is a whole new level of storytelling. This is ALL. THE. FEELS. What I love most is that Andrews uses historical events, laws, and attitudes of the time period in a realistic and relatable way. Jim and Cal are humans in their triumphs, faults, and love. I felt fully immersed in the war in a way seldom found in romance novels.
I’m not a fan of switching back and forth between time frames (alternates between active service in WWII and post-war life in Tivoli, New York), especially with the added alternating of character POV’s. However, I think the juxtaposition of Jim and Cal’s developing friendship with their later romantic relationship adds an interesting depth to the story that wouldn’t have been achieved otherwise.
As with all Keira Andrews stories, we get an HEA.
John Solo does a spectacular job here. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but he has this almost “radio announcer” affect to his voice, without being an over the top caricature. It gives an added immersion into the time period I’m not sure any other narrator would have achieved. Cal & Jim each have their own definitive sound and you always know who is speaking. Even secondary characters have particular and consistent voices. Perfection.
Trigger Warnings (possible spoilers):
While she isn’t egregious, Andrews does detail war with necessary reality & historical accuracy including death, fear, mutilation, racism/ethnic slurs and what we now would label PTS. This book is set in a time when homosexual acts were a crime and people’s language, attitudes, & behavior reflect that.
Exceptional book! Thank you.
Beautiful story. Lovely characters doing the best they can under trying circumstances.
Gorgeous, romantic MM historical. True friendship and love.
Good story, but annoying back & forth from the past to the present.. I enjoy the author, but in this particular one, was disappointed