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Dearly Beloved #2
Only If You Dare
All the pleasures and none of the pain, that's what Cynthia Buckingham wants in a relationship these days. A one-night stand with Jonah Colt seems to fit that bill perfectly. Newly divorced, she's too busy planning her daughter's wedding for any serious involvement. Besides, her true passion is helping victims of PTSD reclaim their lives.
Waking up after spending the night with a woman he barely knows, Jonah is stunned to realize sex for the sake of sex isn't enough for him anymore. A veteran of more military battles than he cares to count, he wants to forget it all and focus on peaceful civilian life. Except flashbacks won't allow it.
Falling for Cynthia makes Jonah regret his weakened state, but he'd rather hide the truth than face it. When she sets aside everything she believes in to help him heal, can he accept her help--and her love?
Waking up after spending the night with a woman he barely knows, Jonah is stunned to realize sex for the sake of sex isn't enough for him anymore. A veteran of more military battles than he cares to count, he wants to forget it all and focus on peaceful civilian life. Except flashbacks won't allow it.
Falling for Cynthia makes Jonah regret his weakened state, but he'd rather hide the truth than face it. When she sets aside everything she believes in to help him heal, can he accept her help--and her love?
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2013
3 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 31, 2015
Only if You Dare by ( Dearly Beloved) by Margo Hoornstra is a 2013 The Wild Rose Press publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This quick “lunch break” read is a nice contemporary romance that puts a spotlight on PTSD and how difficult treatment can be and how it takes a toll on intimate relationships.
Cynthia is a counselor helping those suffering from these issues, so it feels like a karma intervention when Cynthia meets Jonah, a courtroom judge, by chance.
Jonah is haunted by his military service and for that reason has kept serious relationships at bay. Cynthia has also sworn off relationships after her divorce. However, the chemistry between the couple draws them together, but it gets complicated as their hearts tell to let go and allow this relationships to develop and their heads warn of dire consequences. Can they learn to trust each other and allow love to sooth over the rough edges?
One of the drawbacks to really short stories is that the characters don't always have a lot of time to develop and grow. If this story has a drawback I would have to say missing out on Jonah's personal progress would be it. Of the two characters, I felt that Jonah was dealing with the darker set of circumstances, but it was Cynthia who held out the longest, simply refusing to let go of her fears and trying to divorce the physical from the emotional aspects of the relationship, which seldom ever works, and it nearly cost her dearly. So, it seems her story took first chair and I would have liked to have seen Jonah's progress more prominently featured.
I did appreciate the message I think the author was trying to convey and that would that all of us go through hard times in life, been deeply hurt by a break up, and while no one wants to repeat that sort of pain, we can't let fear deprive us of a second chance at love, and no one gets a guarantee, so trust is something that goes hand in hand with accepting a person warts and all.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read with a moral to the story all of us can learn something from. 3.5 stars
This quick “lunch break” read is a nice contemporary romance that puts a spotlight on PTSD and how difficult treatment can be and how it takes a toll on intimate relationships.
Cynthia is a counselor helping those suffering from these issues, so it feels like a karma intervention when Cynthia meets Jonah, a courtroom judge, by chance.
Jonah is haunted by his military service and for that reason has kept serious relationships at bay. Cynthia has also sworn off relationships after her divorce. However, the chemistry between the couple draws them together, but it gets complicated as their hearts tell to let go and allow this relationships to develop and their heads warn of dire consequences. Can they learn to trust each other and allow love to sooth over the rough edges?
One of the drawbacks to really short stories is that the characters don't always have a lot of time to develop and grow. If this story has a drawback I would have to say missing out on Jonah's personal progress would be it. Of the two characters, I felt that Jonah was dealing with the darker set of circumstances, but it was Cynthia who held out the longest, simply refusing to let go of her fears and trying to divorce the physical from the emotional aspects of the relationship, which seldom ever works, and it nearly cost her dearly. So, it seems her story took first chair and I would have liked to have seen Jonah's progress more prominently featured.
I did appreciate the message I think the author was trying to convey and that would that all of us go through hard times in life, been deeply hurt by a break up, and while no one wants to repeat that sort of pain, we can't let fear deprive us of a second chance at love, and no one gets a guarantee, so trust is something that goes hand in hand with accepting a person warts and all.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read with a moral to the story all of us can learn something from. 3.5 stars
August 2, 2017
COPY RECEIVED FOR HONEST REVIEW
This is a clean romance with an older couple. I felt like the story began before the we entered. Things happened prior to Jonah and Cynthia meeting that impacted their behavior. Due to the length of the book, we get a glimpse but it probably could have been explored more. I didn't feel that Jonah's issues were really dealt with. It was an ok read.
This is a clean romance with an older couple. I felt like the story began before the we entered. Things happened prior to Jonah and Cynthia meeting that impacted their behavior. Due to the length of the book, we get a glimpse but it probably could have been explored more. I didn't feel that Jonah's issues were really dealt with. It was an ok read.
November 28, 2013
Fate has a funny way of messing with your heart. A chance meeting in the hallway of a courthouse is the start of more than just a one night stand for two people who have sworn off serious relationships for their own reasons. With so many small things in common, Cynthia and Jonah find they both would like a closer relationship, but there is one common thread that may keep them apart, if Jonah refuses to disclose his pain from his combat history. If Jonah can’t accept his PTSD, how can Cynthia, a counselor for PTSD sufferers? Will her “textbook” knowledge and assumptions that she knows how to “fix” these damaged souls prove too much for Jonah to handle? He’s lived it, she hasn’t. Only if You Dare is a short story of learning to open up, trust and share with more than just your heart.
Margo Hoornstra’s novella carries a story of finding love when you least expect it, learning to trust and learning to truly listen to those around you. Although a quick read, without a huge amount of depth, there is a message of love and an eye-opening description of life for those who suffer from the horrors of PTSD, no matter the cause. Well done with few words!
Publication Date: October 26, 2013
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance
Number of Pages: 117
Available from: Amazon
Margo Hoornstra’s novella carries a story of finding love when you least expect it, learning to trust and learning to truly listen to those around you. Although a quick read, without a huge amount of depth, there is a message of love and an eye-opening description of life for those who suffer from the horrors of PTSD, no matter the cause. Well done with few words!
Publication Date: October 26, 2013
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance
Number of Pages: 117
Available from: Amazon
June 17, 2015
You can count on Margo Hoornstra to deliver an emotional story. She starts with two characters who are hurting—Cynthia, newly divorced; Jonah, suffering from PTSD. Neither wants a relationship. Fun and sex is fine. Only it isn’t enough. Their relationship is too new to trust each other, especially Jonah, who is in denial that his wartime service is a problem. Although I don’t know anyone personally who has PTSD, I imagine it would be very difficult for a man to admit he needs help. But when Cynthia, whose job is to help those with PTSD, tries to help him, Jonah rejects her. Double whammy for Cynthia whose husband rejected her and their marriage. Ms. Hoornstra provides good character analysis, the dialogue is realistic, and—since this is a romance—a happy-ever-after for Cynthia and Jonah.
This is part of the “Dearly Beloved” series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well done, Margo.
This is part of the “Dearly Beloved” series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well done, Margo.
December 11, 2013
A terrific story about two strong individuals overcoming painful pasts to find love. A sexy hero is pitted against a woman determined not to get involved. You aren't sure who'll come out the victor--but you'll cheer them both on until the end.
January 4, 2014
What a great story!!
June 18, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. A good, yet easy read. Some laugh out loud moments. loved the story line too.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews