Name: Hero by Night
Rating: 4.00 (2 reviews)

HERO BY NIGHT was one of those books that took me totally by surprise. The storyline was one that grabbed you right away and then there was the hero. Sweet, charming, dirty talking Chad. I 3'd Chad.

Lena Clark was struggling to find her "normal" as she adjusts to civilian life and how to manage her PTSD. After walking away from her old life, she and her trusty service dog, Hero, start building their life Independence Falls. She never expected the town playboy to be the one that helps her put her life back together. But when he offers her a deal she couldn't refuse, she finds there is much more to Chad and herself...all they needed was someone to believe in them.

It was hard not to love both of these characters from the moment you met them. After their somewhat memorable introduction to one another, you couldn't help but like them together. Lena needed someone to see her as normal and know that when she has an attack so doesn't want someone to fuss over her or make her feel like she's broken. Chad does that for her. He shows her that she's a beautiful woman who has a lot to offer, despite having trouble dealing with what she went through during her deployment. It's Chad's faith in her, his understanding of what she needs when she needs it, that helps Lena move forward.

Lena helps Chad too. Without realizing it, she helps him understand that loving someone doesn't make you weak. That you'd do just about anything to make that person happy. Chad was gun shy about love and led a serial playboy lifestyle as he vowed not to be like his father. But all it took was the right woman for Chad to willingly give all that up.

This was my first Sara Jane Stone book and it definitely won't be my last. She had the perfect mix of humor, emotion and smexiness and introduced me to a set of characters I can't wait to read more of.

4.5 stars
Best book of the series so far. I knew when we were introduced to Lena that her book was going to be something special. As for Chad, he was such a great character. Despite his well earned reputation with the ladies, he was a perfect match for Lena. He needed someone he could date/have a fake relationship with and she needed someone to lead her back to the physical aspects of a relationship. She struggled on a daily basis to just exist in the real world, much less be touched or approached by others. Her therapy dog, Hero, was a huge help in helping her cope but she wanted more. Chad was more than willing to help out with that, he found Lena beautiful and had a such a gentle way with her. I loved they way he treated her. He went at her speed but also pushed her, commanded her and let her express her own needs.

Sometimes beauty knocked a man on his ass, leaving him damn near desperate for a taste, a touch, and hopefully a round or two between the sheets-or tied up in them. The knockout blonde with the large golden retriever at her feet took the word "beautiful" to a new level.

During the day, they went out on dates and spent time together and at night, they spent MORE time together getting to know each other in the most intimate way possible. Chad...is a dirty bird and Lena totally kept up with him. He tells her exactly what he wants from her and how and Lena- she totally returns the sentiment and holds her own with him. He completely empowered her to ask and even demand what she wanted from him.

Sometimes, a "manwhore" character can be hard to take. That same character magically changing his ways can also be hard to swallow. Ms. Stone wrote a character that I truly enjoyed. I understood his reasons for not wanting to commit to anyone but let's face it, all it takes is the right woman...right? Lena needs Chad to give her space to and encouragement to be who she is now. Not who she used to be. And he does! So many veterans come home to families expecting them to be exactly who they were before and that's an impossible expectation. How could they not be different? Lena needed her family to understand who she was after her deployment and how it changed her...for good. You'll have to forgive me, I'm afraid I'm babbling about this book.

Chad needed to understand that he was worthy of love and a relationship. He had never experienced feeling possessive and protective of a woman until Lena. He stepped up for Lena when he sensed she needed a buffer between her and someone or a situation and he did it without making her feel bad about herself.

True story- this past weekend, my husband and I went out to dinner and a movie and he had participated in a gun/shooting competition. He proceeded to tell me about a competitor who was a former Delta member and he had a therapy dog there with him. He explained to B that the dog was there to help him when he felt anxious. I almost jumped up on the table because I was reading a book with a character with a therapy dog! Anyway, we had a very interesting conversation about the man and his dog and PTSD.

In a nutshell- this series improves with each book and Hero by Night is such a GREAT book. I cannot wait for big brother Brody's book! (April 14!!) Add to your TBR

Independence Falls series: