He doesn’t remember her. She cherishes every moment of their time together. Is there any hope for a second chance?
Hunter Cross has lost a year. A head injury during his last deployment stole his memories, and the beautiful, blue-eyed blonde who is living in his house is little more than a stranger to him. He slept with her, fell for her, loved her—and he doesn’t remember any of it. He knows … of it. He knows he should send her away, except that at night, when she slips into his bed, his body remembers hers.
Trina Levine is heartbroken, alone with her memories. Hunter can’t recall any of what they shared—not the joyful days, not the steamy nights. It’s like Trina dreamed it. Except when Hunter cries out in his sleep and Trina comforts him. At those moments, Hunter’s strong, rugged body knows hers, and for a few, brief, blissful moments, Trina’s sure everything will be okay again. But what will happen when morning comes?
“I have loved every second of this series and I hope that there will be many more installments to come. This series has everything that I look forward to in getting my love and romance fix.”—Twin Spin
“An absolute must-read . . . To Have and to Hold is fabulous.”—The Romance Reviews
“Five stars . . . [To Have and to Hold is a] crackling read that’s full of emotion and drama.”—Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews
“A great story that unfolds beautifully . . . There’s a great balance of drama and romance, and I really liked the characters and their journey.”—The Escapist Book Blog
“A well-crafted welcome addition to a great series . . . [with] plenty of passion.”—I Love Romantic Fiction
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Ah, Hunter and Trina. If ever there were a couple meant to be together, it would be this one. I got so wrapped up in the emotional journey that is To Have and to Hold that I read it in one sitting, and this one definitely runs the emotional gamut. The chemistry between this pair is off the charts, in and out of the bedroom, even when Hunter doesn’t remember any of what’s happened between them. I’ve loved each couple in this series, but Trina and Hunter are my absolute favorite so far. This third in the series gives you hope, breaks your heart, and then, finally puts it back together again, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this series of love stories. Each one is interconnected with the others in some way, yet they’re all uniquely their own story.
Trina can’t wait to see Hunter when he returns from his latest tour of duty. She’s been holding down the fort at home, taking care of his daughter along with her own while he’s been deployed. After a traumatic injury, he’s coming home and they can get on with their life. Except for one thing…
Hunter doesn’t remember her.
He’s not sure why he doesn’t remember the woman and her daughter living in his house. Trina isn’t really sure what to do with what is happening. So many emotions in this that it had me on the edge of my seat wondering how they would put things back together. Hunter has always been a bit reserved, and coming out of a marriage that shouldn’t have happened hasn’t helped him. Trina was his ticket to happines and he doesn’t even know it.
I really enjoyed this story. It was fresh and interesting and I just absolutely loved Trina and everything she did to help Hunter through all this, while dealing with her own broken heart. How she navigates this situation really had me turning the pages and I just adored this story. This series is terrific if you like military romance. Definitely recommended.
I really loved this story! I found it very unique and fresh. Great characters and equally great writing made this a very enjoyable read.
Trina Levine is anxiously awaiting the return of Hunter Cross. Before his last deployment their relationship had finally turned from friends to lovers and promises of happily ever after were spoken.
Trina and Hunter had been friends for a long time due to their daughters closeness but the fact that Hunter was afraid to commit after the end of his first marriage kept their relationship to friends only. Until that last time. Now he’s finally returning after an injury but the homecoming isn’t exactly what Trina had planned. Will they ever find their way back to each other?
This is absolutely a book I would recommend to everyone!
Oh this book… I have loved each soldier in the returning home series, but Hunter was a different level for me. This book… had it all for me. I fell in love with Hunter and my heart broke for him. My favorite in a series it’s hard to pick from!
First… the beginning with Trina and Hunter… their teenage daughters are best friends and they start to hang out… and then fall in love. But he’s deploying and his daughter is staying with Trina and her daughter… so they keep their newfound love a secret.
Hunter is hurt and finally heals enough to finally come home. He gets off the plane a year later… and looks right past Trina as if they are nothing more than friends… and she’s puzzled… what is going on?
***MILD SPOILERS***
It’s only then he learns he’s lost a year of his memory and doesn’t remember his time with Trina.
It was shocking and unexpected for all of them. Trina loves him still and he doesn’t remember them. She’s heartbroken and knows she must leave.
She plans on it but her relationship with Hunter’s daughter (a lovely thing) keeps her tied to him for a few weeks… and reveals to Hunter things he doesn’t remember… but he does start to feel again about Trina.
This book dives into his relationship with his first wife who he didn’t love. She died before he could divorce her but the affects for him and his daughter are still part of them. Plus the frustration and
heartbreak of not remembering parts of his own life… and readjusting to being home and living with a woman who he should love but doesn’t remember… is profound.
Seriously could not put this book down. I loved ever word of it…and the ending… sigh-worthy romance for a couple that more than deserved it (and their two daughters!) LOVED. LOVED. LOVED.
But even better… I realized Becca and Griff get a story!!! I was doing mental flips! I kept thinking they need a book… and yes! Soon! I can’t wait to read it!!
If there is one thing you can say about the characters in Serena Bell’s books, it is that they are unlike any characters that you have ever read in any other author’s work. I, personally, have not read any other book about a character who has amnesia. And even though I knew that this was the plotline of THaTH, I’d forgotten about that aspect of Hunter’s character, until I was reading the first chapter or so and thought to myself, ‘Wait, what is going on, why is this reunion not going the way Trina expected…’ when BAM, I remembered that Hunter returns from his tour of duty having gone through some trauma, and as a result, has lost a year’s worth of his memories, thus not remembering the promises he had made before he deployed.
The premise of the story is unlike any I’ve ever read, as is the storyline. I just enjoy Serena Bell’s storytelling so much. It’s well-written, and sexy, and fun, and heart-wrenching. Sometimes it comes to a logical, expected conclusion, and other times you say NO WAY! at how it all resolves itself. No matter what, I’m always pleased at the end of the book.
I’ve really enjoyed this re-release of the Returning Home series, as I had not read them the first time they came out, and I’m really looking forward to Griffin and Becca’s book, releasing in just a couple of weeks. I think we are in for a treat!
Trina, a single mom who’s been burned in love before, is in love with Hunter. Their daughters are the same age and spend all their free time together. When Hunter is up for another deployment, she offers to keep his daughter after Hunter’s mom takes off with her new boyfriend, Ray. Since they’ve been secretly dating and have proclaimed their love for each other, Hunter asks Trina and her daughter to move into his home while deployed vowing that he’ll NEVER change his feelings for her. Only….when Hunter returns from his year long deployment, he doesn’t remember loving Trina, much less asking her to care for his daughter.
Hunter, home early from deployment due to an injury, thinks everything is okay when he returns home. His mom and daughter are there to greet him, but so are Trina and her daughter. Odd. Upon returning home, Hunter quickly realizes his memory has huge gaps. While Hunter struggles to remember, he also realizes he doesn’t really “know” his daughter as well as Trina does. Although Trina wants a Hunter to be the man he was, she quickly realizes he may never remember that he loved her. She quickly makes plans to move out. When Hunter asks Trina to stay to help him with the transition, Trina reluctantly agrees. Maybe with a little bit of grandma and teenager intervention, Hunter will eventually realize what he’d be losing before it’s too late.
To Have and To Hold is the third novel in the Returning Home series. This series focuses on the issues veterans often have when returning from deployment. Each story is a stand-alone, but I think they’re better when read in order. With that being said, I absolutely LOVED this Trina and Hunter’s story! Serena Bell writes a relatable, realistic story of memory loss and the struggle to “fill in the voids”. I enjoyed glimpses of characters from previous novels dropping by to lend a helping hand. The date nights and tree house excerpts were some of my favorite! I received a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
After reading the first book in this series, I knew Jake was my favorite. That changed after reading the sequel and Nate became my favorite. Let’s just say it happened again, Hunter has now reached the top of the list! To Have and to Hold now has a very special place in my heart!!
Trina doesn’t believe in happily ever after. Her daughter’s father didn’t hang around and she’s done just fine on her own. That is until Hunter starts breaking down her walls. They have an amazing time together before he deploys with the promise of them having a fresh start of their own when he returns.
Hunter doesn’t believe in relationships either after his first marriage. They only got married for their daughter. His daughter is his everything, so when his wife passes away he does the best he can. With a new deployment around the corner, he gets close to Trina when they suggest she takes care of his girl. She’s friends with her daughter and it seems like the perfect thing to do.
Things take a turn for the worse when Hunter comes back from deployment after being injured and has lost a whole year of his memory. Having this story being told from both Trina’s and Hunter’s POV really helped me connect with these characters. Trina is devestated and thinks this is another reason to not believe in love. Hunter is scared he lost a year and doesn’t know if he’ll ever get it back.
Seeing Trina being so close to not only her daughter but his was so heartwarming! She started caring for her as her own without even being asked. It all came so natural. How can she move away from her after taking care of her for a year?
Hunter is a character you just want to hug. He just wants to know what he’s missing and the nightmares he has don’t help. Are they only dreams or also memories? Once again, he doesn’t want to promise anything to Trina, but he feels a connection!
Hunter and Trina really just belong together. There is a clear connection, even when he doesn’t remember their time together. I loved seeing them connect all over again and him even thinking of things to do he did the first time around. Old Hunter was there, but just not aware of it yet.
Taking a chance on love again, even when missing a part of your memory, isn’t easy. Seeing them slowly realize they need each other left a smile on my face. It was nice to see their daughters play a bigger part in this story as well. They all just wanted a family and a place to belong.
To Have and to Hold is filled with amazing characters, a lot of emotion, family, humor and some steamy moments. If you’re looking for all of this and an amazing love story, definitely pick up this book. I know we still have one more book to go in this series, but I will be surprised if the next character can top Hunter!
This delivers everything you want in a contemporary romance–it’s sexy, smart, and tugs at the heartstrings!
Another sweet romantic read written by Serena Bell. This one pulls at the heart strings. How could you cope when your significant other comes back and doesn’t really remember you?! This book definitely takes you out of your element but it was handled beautifully. There are elements of sweetness, closeness, anger, angst, steaminess, and loveliness thrown in this book.
You do get to see other characters from the other books in this book which always makes me smile.
This book is being re-released with a new cover. Don’t miss out on this!
This book KILLED me! In all the best ways! I cried, I laughed, I had Hunter-filled fantasies. Once again, I couldn’t put it down and chose Serena over sleep. Which seems to happen to me a lot with her books. Totally worth it though. I would lose sleep anyday to read one of her books. You should too!!!
To Have and To Hold had me emotionally invested from the beginning. I love the way in which the author depicted the issues which the hero faced. I also loved watching Hunter and Trina fall for each other again. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.
Copy provided by author
Whoa.
To Have and to Hold deals with heartbreaking circumstances you wouldn’t wish on anyone. Hunter Cross and Trina Levine are fellow single parents. When Hunter returns injured from his most recent deployment, the worst injury of all isn’t one anyone can see. He has a hole in his memory where Trina and her daughter are concerned.
When he’d left, he and Trina had just succumbed to their powerful shared attraction, and the two of them were enjoying the sweetness of those shared days of their blossoming relationship. This newly returned Hunter looks at Trina awkwardly, leaving her not only to mourn the loss of that joy but to question how to best move forward.
Serena Bell writes beautifully about people facing difficult circumstances and choices. We see that the pain of this amnesia isn’t Hunter’s to bear alone, and the spillover affects not only Trina but their daughters. Ms Bell also reminds us in telling Hunter and Trina’s story that love can be incredibly powerful, and that it and hope give us cause and strength to go on.
To Have and to Hold is an incredibly moving story. I cannot wait to read more of Ms Bell’s writing.
The minute Trina Levine’s boyfriend steps off the plane she senses something is different about him, especially when he looks at her like he has no idea who she is, nor why she is there to pick him up. They had a plan, he would return home, and they would start their lives together, but Hunter Cross is returning a changed man, a man who has no memory of their relationship. Now what was suppose to be joyful reunion, is a first introduction that may lead to heartbreak…
Hunter Cross is returning home a broken man, one who doesn’t remember much of his life from the past year, but he is determined to get those memories back, and get his life back on track. The minute he steps off the plane he sees a beautiful woman there to pick him up, but he has no real memory of what she is suppose to mean to him or what they shared before he left. Even though his mind can’t remember her, his body seems to have some recollection to her, and he feels a undeniable magnetic pull to her, one that keeps him fighting to regain his memories.
From the moment I started this beautifully hypnotic tale I was hooked, and left with an insatiable desire to know more, an immediate addiction ensued and I knew there was no way I was putting my tablet down until I had devoured every last page!! These wonderfully crafted characters have a way of reaching out and literally grabbing you by the heart and holding on for dear life. The story line was well written, thought provoking, packed with raw emotion and brimming with unwavering passion that completely captivated everything in my world from start to finish!! I truly loved every minute I spent reading this one, it is definitely one of the most touching stories I have had the pleasure of settling down with this year, Highly recommend it!!
ARC requested through NetGalley, and kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.