Loving You Is Easy

by Wendy S. Marcus

• ISBN10: 0553391232
• ISBN13: 9780553391237
• Publish Date: 1 December 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Loveswept
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 276
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

Loving You Is Easy is a book that will stir-up your emotions as we follow our protagonists through life changing obstacles. Is their tentative relationship strong enough to deal with the new challenges life has dealt them?

Shane has served in the US Army since leaving school. He loves his job, but the nature of his work means he doesn't want any emotional baggage. That is until Brooke contacts him via a Support Our Troops initiative. He's not looking for a girlfriend, just a pen-pal or is he?

Brooke begins writing to an out-of-state soldier not knowing where it would lead. After months of exchanging letters and emails, she decides to surprise him by greeting him on his return at the airport. Brooke is unaware that Shane had changed his mind about getting to know the woman behind his letters. Could this become more than a lusty encounter?

I instantly felt the connection between the two protagonists. Having had a similar personal relationship begin with written communication, I know that it is a powerful way get to know and understand someone extremely well. Meeting in person is the final make or break of such a relationship and the author did an excellent job of creating palpable chemistry between Shane and Brooke.

The story continues with many highs and lows which is a balanced mix between 21st century social media problems, cultural differences, discrimination and traditional values. And lets not forget the angst and anxiety too. There are many hurdles to clear before our likable duo can even begin to think of a life together. Their mutual determination and support for one another at crucial times paves the way for them to believe a HEA is attainable.

I heartily recommend this well executed book to anyone who believes that true love can be found after fighting adversity.

***arc received courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley***

[leelu92]

 

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Marcus and I enjoyed it.  Shane and Brooke are from two different worlds, hers being a world of politics and privilege  and he is a soldier from New Jersey.  Now, don't get me wrong, Brooke is not a snob.  She lives her life as quietly as possible as a teacher, while staying out of the spotlight of her father's political aspirations. Her father has always been busy with politics and her mother is a jerk with concern for Brooke's needs.  So, she has chosen to lead her life on her terms.  Shane and Brooke are sooooo very different.  While he is just a regular guy from Jersey, she is very refined and at times very proper.

Shane and Brooke meet via a pen pal program that Brooke set up at her school and through those letters, they get to know each other.  I'll admit that I would've liked to have read those letters or read more about the evolution of their friendship.  When they first see each other when he returns home for a short visit, it's clear that they have bonded through those letters.  I enjoyed the scenes when they meet face to face for the first time.  Shane is flirty and playful with Brooke and I liked his personality.  Shane has made it clear that he does not want a girlfriend and Brooke has no interest in being some guy's quick piece of ass.  (For lack of a better term)  Brooke has some pretty serious baggage she totes around due to an incident when she was younger.  Enter Shane who is wildly attracted to her and things get interesting.

This one took a turn in a direction I really didn't fully see coming.  It started out as a sweet and sensual story and then quickly transitioned in a pretty serious and timely narrative of the dangers of social media and cyber bullying.

I felt so horrible for Brooke, when the crap hit the fan, it just kept getting worse for her and she just had to sit back and let it work itself out.  Luckily, Brooke has some very good friends that are instrumental in making sure her innocence is proven.

While all of this is going on, Brooke gets to know Shane and is family.  His family is...interesting and I'll admit that I found some of the members of his family somewhat annoying and some of the drama that ensued felt a little OTT.

During all of this, we meet Brooke's best friend and Rory, Shane's friend who was deployed with him.  I really liked both of them and I hope that we get a story for them.

Overall, this was a great read.  I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading whatever Ms. Marcus has in store for further books in this series.

 

Purchase: Amazon // Barnes // iTunes // Kobo

This review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews