Once and For All

American Valor #1

by Cheryl Etchison

The Rangers of the 1st/75th fight hard, train hard and play hard. They are physically strong and mentally tough, disciplined and courageous. But all their military training hasn't prepared them for falling in love.

Rule #1: Military and matrimony don’t mix.

But if there’s one person Staff Sergeant Danny MacGregor would break all his rules for, it’s Bree—his first friend, first love, first everything. Maybe he likes playing the hero. Maybe he’s trying to ease ten years of guilt. Either way, he’ll do whatever he can to help her.

Wish #1: A little bit of normal.

Bree Dunbar has battled cancer, twice. What she wants most is a fresh start in a place where she can find a new job, and where people aren’t constantly treating her like she’s sick. By some miracle her wish is granted, but it comes with one major string attached— the man who broke her heart ten years before.

The rules for this marriage of convenience are simple: when she’s ready to stand on her own two feet, she’ll walk away and he’ll let her go. Only, as they both know all too well, things don’t always go according to plan…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Second Chance Romance, Military Romance, Second Chance

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2016

About the author

Cheryl Etchison began her writing career as an oil and gas reporter in her home state of Oklahoma. Bored to tears and broke as hell, it wasn't long before she jumped ship and headed for the promise land of public relations. But that was a nearly a lifetime ago and she's traded in reporting the facts for making it all up.

You can find me at:
www.facebook.com/CherylEtchisonBooks
www.twitter.com/_cheryletchison
www.instagram.com/_cheryletchison

Reviews

[Le Ann Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆Reviewed by Hooked On Books and CherryOBlossom Promotions ☆☆

I gave this book 4.5 stars!

Wow for a debut novel, Cheryl knocked it out of the park. I was hooked from the first meeting in the story to the last at the beach. I absolutely fell in love with Bree character, even though at times I wanted to strangle her. Danny, Danny, Danny....Your Hot as sin, Alpha Male and a Army Ranger! Your definitely a triple threat!

Bree and Danny were high school sweet hearts. Their freshman year both of their world's came crashing down. Fast forward 10 years. Bree has beat Cancer A$$ twice and is tired of everyone looking at her like she might break. Danny is home from leave and finds out that his brother and dad has been keeping secrets. When he learns about Bree he wants to do something for her, so he suggests they get married. When things start to fall back into place, one call, one email changes everything. Can these two survive?

You will be on an emotional roller coaster with these two, you will think one thing and then it will be totally different. I love Cheryl writting style and can't wait to read more.

[KAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me immediately hooked. A romantic, emotional story about Bree and Danny meeting up again after ten years apart. Danny had left Bree without a word back in college to join the Army and now finds out she has been battling with cancer. These were well developed characters I truly cared about and the story flowed with great conversation. 4.5 STARS!

I liked how life as an Army Ranger and the wife of a Ranger were depicted accurately, as I myself am married to a former Army Ranger. Not being able to be more than two hours away from post and getting phone calls in the middle of the day or night, where your husband takes off for days, weeks, months at a time happened all the time, and you as the wife, have no idea where they went. Ranger wives are also a very tight knit group of women.

I am excited to read the next book in this series about Lucky James, who is also an Army Ranger! Hooah!!!

[Jultri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is new to me and I came across this novel while browsing through random books for inspiration. This is a surprisingly good book, well-written with excellent dialogue. After ten years of managing to avoid each other's spheres, Bree Dunbar bumped into her childhood friend and first love, Staff Sergeant Danny MacGregor of the Rangers. She is recovering from her second bout of chemotherapy following her recurrence of ovarian cancer. He is back home from leave. After the initial awkwardness, they reconnect as old friends, but there is a lot of unanswered questions stemming from the abrupt manner Danny walked out on Bree and their youthful romance all those years ago. Within hours of them meeting again and Danny learning of Bree's cancer fight and the financial strain which forced her to move back home with her parents, he proposes a marriage of convenience in name only. She gains his generous army health insurance benefits and gets to essentially housesit his abode, while he is away on his frequent missions. The plan is for her to stay for as long as she needs to bounce back from the treatment and get back into the workforce, at which point she can walk away with no strings attached. Of course, the best laid plans can and will go awry when there is a a lot of intense emotions, passion and history between them.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but I wanted a little more from this story. Their jump from marriage of convenience to back in love with each other was quick. There so much that happened during the 10 years they weren't together that is made it hard to believe that in a few weeks everything came back.

[Maida · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded high. It's a sweet second-chance story between childhood sweethearts with a marriage of convenience storyline thrown in. Overall, a good book with some nice heart-tugging scenes. I especially liked the parts particular to military procedures like those a single soldier has to put together when he recently got married. Been there, done that. If I have a criticism, it's that everything is even keeled, not much highs and lows.

[Kristina Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me and I was not disappointed! This military romance has it all: marriage of convenience, second chance romance, suspense, humor, and heart. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a little while to get into this book but once I got past the first few chapters I couldn't put it down. I loved the marriage of convenience angle of this second chance romance. Such a romantic and full on emotional read. Danny and Bree certainly captured my heart, I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not horrible. I just lost interest at 19%

[Jeffe Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this RITA® Award winner for Best First Book. A charming and touching contemporary romance with believable characters.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good debut novel. I liked the writing and the voice. Sweet love story!

Bree has battled and survived cancer twice but it has done a number on her life. No job, no hope of one as long as any perspective employer thinks it will increase the company’s insurance premiums, she has no choice but to live with her folks and not have a life of her own. Not only that, but she feels like everyone thinks of her as being sick rather than being a survivor. Her greatest wish is just to be able to live her life, get a job, get back to normal, and unencumbered by worried watchful eyes. She knows they all mean well but she’s a grown woman and wants to live her life, her way.

When Danny comes home on leave…the first in a very long time…he discovers the girl he left behind has had one rough time of it. When he thought she’d moved on, he did. He joined the Army and chose a new life, one that didn’t include Bree Dunbar but now he wants to help her. He wants to give her what she wants most…her life back. With an offer of marriage, he wants to help her get free of her life as it is, start over, and get back to living a normal life. When she’s ready, he will let her go, if she wants, free to live her life, even explore love with someone new if she wants. Only once they start spending time together, he knows he wants her only to spend her life with him.

Orders take Danny back into action and an email gives Bree the chance to get what she wanted, but then everything changes in a blink of the eye.

ONCE AND FOR ALL by Cheryl Etchison started out a bit awkward and I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story but then I saw the friendship that exists between Bree and Danny. I understand this story. I understand Bree’s feeling trapped in her life and understand her accepting Danny’s offer of rescue. I had to laugh when Bree says, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all” because I say that same thing all the time, which is why I could connect with Bree. I’ve never had cancer, but I understand completely your life no longer being your own.

It is the life-long friendship growing into an adult love that made this story so wonderful. The characters are real and honest. Although, I was a bit put off that it took Bree so long to talk to Danny about her cancer but admittedly, in the beginning of their marriage, it wasn’t important. I appreciate his acceptance and caring for her, even after a decade apart. They may have split in their romantic relationship but their friendship was one that would last a lifetime, and all really good love matches are based in friendship first and foremost.

I truly recommend ONCE AND FOR ALL, book one in the American Valor series by Cheryl Etchison because it’s a real romance, even if it starts out a little wonky, and a little unrealistic, it’s real and it’s special. Cheryl has a wonderful voice and a talent that I think will take her storytelling to greater heights. I look forward to reading more from this debut author. Maybe brother Michael, will get his story too.

***eCopy provided by author and publisher in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Nelle Nazario · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to meet Cheryl at a KissCon on my birthday this year. I picked this up then and came home and immediately read it. I have a love of military stories and this one caught my attention and didn't let go.

Danny seemed brusque and rude at first. But you could tell from the beginning that these two were meant for each other. This was an emotional journey.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. I'm a sucker for second chance/friends to lovers stories. The couple on this book was so cute together. I loved what Danny did to help Bree out. I was rooting for them the whole time. Definitely a book to check out!

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's just something about a second-chance love story that I find myself unable to resist. Maybe it's the scene where the man finally says "I messed up, but I've never stopped loving you." Maybe it's the moment when the woman decides to forgive the man and love him again despite how badly she was hurt before. Either way, I just can't get enough of these stories, and Once and For All satisfied me on so many levels.

Aubrey and Danny grew up together, even lived across the street from each other. In seventh grade, Danny made his move to make Bree his, and they were together until the end of their freshman year of college. Then Danny left Bree behind to join the Army without any explanation, and no goodbye. She was devastated. And in the past ten years, while Danny has been fighting the Taliban overseas, Bree has been waging her own personal war against two bouts of cancer. She's trying to be upbeat and positive, but she no longer has a job and is living with her parents. Seeing Danny again has her flustered and reliving the pain he caused.

When Danny sees Bree for the first time in ten years, she doesn't look like her usual self, and he can tell something isn't right. Their reunion doesn't go well. But he's never stopped loving her, and when he discovers she's wanting a break from her life, he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind to help her out. "Let's get married!"

I loved so many things about this book. The characters were great - the main ones and the side characters. From Danny's older brother, who is both his best friend, but also protective of Bree (and later becomes her confidant), to Danny's regiment, all added extra depth and color to this story. Bree was a sweet and strong heroine, and I loved how determined she was to pick herself back up after all the heartache she'd experienced the past ten years. So many times I felt her heartache, too.

I'm not a big fan of majorly angsty stories, and thankfully this book was low in the over-the-top dramatics. I was concerned there would be other woman conflict, since Danny apparently had a reputation for being quite the player (in fact, when we first meet him he's sneaking out of a woman's house, and he doesn't even remember her name...), but there wasn't. And Danny and Bree actually talked about what happened in the past. What they didn't do a good job talking about is their feelings for each other now and what they both wanted for the future. But if they had done that, there wouldn't have been much to the book - you gotta have SOME angst, after all.

It's rare that I'm impressed with an author's first book, but I am with this one. For starters, there were very few editing/proofreading errors (YAY!). The writing was really good. The plot moved along at a good pace. In fact, I started this book after dinner and read it all the way until the end - I was that drawn into the characters AND the story. The characterization was really good, and the backstory for Bree and Danny was compelling and explained enough that I could understand why they were still hung up on each other, even after ten years apart. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them fall in love with each other again. And when an author can get me so invested in secondary characters that I want to drop everything and keep reading the series, that's the sign of a good author. If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to sign off and start reading Michael's story!

[FRANCY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo libro ha vinto i Rita 2017 per il migliore romanzo contemporaneo d'esordio. E' l'inizio di una serie che ha come eroi alcuni soldati Ranger commilitoni, fra cui i due fratelli MacGregor. Qui il protagonista è Danny MacGregor che dieci anni fa ha lasciato la sua sonnacchiosa cittadina del sud per unirsi all'esercito dopo una debacle il primo anno di università. Negli anni l'esercito si è rivelato la giusta scelta per lui, ma parte del passato che si è lasciato alle spalle c'è anche Bree, la bella vicina di casa che negli anni è stata prima sua amica del cuore e poi fidanzata. Peccato che la sua decisione di cambiare vita non l'abbia coinvolta e che lei si sia sentita tradita e offesa dalla sua improvvisa dipartita. Dieci anni dopo i due si rivedono in un supermercato durante un periodo di vacanza di Danny. Quell'incontro fortuito ennescherà una serie di eventi che porterà i due a un matrimonio di convenienza e a una successiva coabitazione che riporterà alla luce sentimenti mai sopiti per entrambi. La vita di Bree senza Danny, non è stata delle più facile, ha avuto un tumore con recidiva da cui è fortunatamente uscita che però l'ha lasciata debole e insicura sul futuro. L'incontro con Danny le darà occasione di riniziare a vivere sulle proprie gambe, senza la costante protezione dei genitori. Non sarà facile però vivere con qualcuno che per anni ha tanto amato e poi tanto odiato... sarà davvero una seconda occasione per loro?
Il libro è piacevole ma ci sono delle scelte di trama che a mio avviso sono un po' incredibili, come ad esempio il fatto che Danny riveda Bree solo dopo dieci anni e nulla sappia del suo tumore, visto che il fratello di Danny, Michael , che è dottore, ne è al corrente, così come lo sa il padre che vive ancora vicino alla casa dei genitori di Bree. Bree stessa è un personaggio un po' opaco, che forse avrebbe dovuto essere sviluppato meglio. Fra i due è Danny ad emergere, di lei si dice che è 'forte' ma i suoi comportamenti denunciano una certa passività , si dice che è 'simpatica, solare' ma nei suoi dialoghi non c'è gra traccia di questa sua solarità,nonostante tutto. E' Danny a decidere che devono sposarsi, che devono coabitare, che potrebbero tornare ad essere qualcuna l'uno per l'altra. Insomma la 'voce' di Bree si sente poco ed è un peccato. Alcuni personaggi secondari sono simpatici e nel complesso la storia è piacevole, ma l'amore 'ritrovato' fra Danny e Bree poteva essere descritto con più passione...le scene di sesso non mancano, ma non mi hanno coinvolta gran che.
In ogni caso leggerò sicuramente la storia del fratello di Danny che è il terzo romanzo della serie e poi eventualmente il secondo, sperando che siano storie sappia intrigarmi un po' più di questa. Discreto.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a low stress, everything works out quickly, sweet read - in other words, not my favorite type of book. The book started out on a strong note, leading me to think that this story would be much grittier than it turned out. The two characters viewpoints were strongly differentiated and they had a lot on their plate to deal with between their history, Bree's cancer recovery and the life of a military wife married to someone who does high risk missions.

But then the book spent the next fifty percent of the story in the honeymoon phase. The relation progresses from friends to lovers swiftly with nary a hiccup. The viewpoints at times become so muddled, I wasn't sure whose head I was supposed to be in. I was wondering if I should give up on around the midpoint, but the story did eventually reengage me. The only thing standing in the way of the HAE was entirely due to a failure to communicate. All of the many real world issues that the couple faced were glossed over or completely ignored.

The biggest problem with the book is the page count. There just isn't enough story to justify more than a couple of hundred pages or so. I would have enjoyed it much more if I could have breezed though it quicker. This felt like the kind of book you read in a lazy afternoon, not over the course of several days.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I can see why this was RITA nominated, marriage of convenience, second change romance, military, oh and cancer I am just waiting for it to be announced as the winner, but only based on these points because even though I enjoyed the story something was lacking.

Is it possible for the pacing to move along well but the plot to drag? If so that is how I would describe this book, fast paced but no story. I really wanted to enjoy this story but it just lacked something, I think mostly I didn't buy the relationship between Danny and Bree, the chemistry and their "banter" was weak.

That being said I did enjoy the story well enough and I can see why it has gotten a nomination but also that I have read much better stories from last year that probably should have earned that spot. So if you like marriage of convenience, second chance, and military than you will love this story.

[Jennifer Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I wanted to give a higher rating but I had a few problems with this book. I found the premise that Danny and Bree would go 10 years without any contact and still pine for each other unbelievable. I found his marriage of convenience idea so soon after seeing each other again unbelievable. And while I really liked Danny, I couldn't see what he saw in Bree--her character didn't really stand out for me. With that said, however, I did enjoy their "second chance" romance and was rooting for them from the moment they re-met. My final problem with the book was the back and forth point of view between Danny and Bree in their scenes together. I find that style more difficult to read.

[Denise Vasak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. There were some gaps but I think they were all justified. I like that we didn't spend half of the book waiting on them to get together. I thought both Bree and Danny were well enough developed and both were fairly quick to get to the truth. I liked the love scenes and that they didn't try to sugar coat some of the aftereffects of cancer.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel!

[Karla Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Highly recommend it! I cried thru it. It had so much compassion, love, hurt, romance. Danny and Bree have been childhood best friends since forever. Then that turned to lovers. But after high school it changed. Well after a year into college. They had a huge break up. She went thru 2 cancers. And he unlisted in the army. But they find they way back to each other with a pretend marriage. Can they make it work or will heart be broken.

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent second-chance love story. The characterization was great--the characters felt so real--and the portrayal of the hero's military life was very realistic, as was the heroine's recovery from cancer. Loved the interaction between them, and the ending was emotional and satisfying. I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick, easy read for February Bookclub. Having prior military service and being a Georgia native, I am more than familiar with many of the locations, with military ranks and deployments. Even though I enjoyed the book, I did find the story somewhat predictable.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this is definitely one of my favorite books I’ve ever read! I had this on a shelf for the past year and was hesitant thinking I wouldn’t like a military love story... but this story was amazing! Beautifully written! I can’t wait to start the next book in the series!

[Book Burrito · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a smooth story. The writer did a good job of informing us about army life without bogging us down with unnecessary details. It was just enough for us to see that she did her research well while keeping us invested in the story.

[Debbie Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5... cute romance!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loses half star each for intimacy and language but I would actually buy this series.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides the awful cover, this was a great read.

[Lisarenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

>>>>>> My Synopsis (review follows)<<<<<<
Once upon a time Bree and Daniel were high school sweethearts. Everyone thought the two would eventually marry, but their Freshman year of college he disappeared with no explanation or a heads up. She went to his apartment at the end of a seemingly normal day day to find out from his room mate he'd moved out, and she hadn't seen him since--until now.

A two time cancer survivor, Bree feels trapped and stifled by her circumstances. Living with her parents the past several years, she's run up medical bills and her employment prospects are pretty much nonexistent. Ditching her wig and venturing out with only a hat, she runs into the one person she hoped would never see her this way--her old flame who looks sexier than ever.

Instead of being appalled, though he offers her a way out. He proposes they marry...

"Just hear me out a second. (...) If we get married, your insurance will be covered by the army. (...) It gets you out of your parents' house," he said ticking off each reason on his fingertips. "You can find a new job or go back to school, whatever you want to do. (...) And when you're back on your feet and ready to move on we'll get a divorce."

Will he prove to be her knight in shining armor or her worst mistake? As old feeling start to rise, she'll soon find out Once and For All.

>>>>>> My Review: <<<<<<<
This was a bitter sweet romance and, surprisingly, I loved it. I was a bit apprehensive about reading this one. I usually have a big problem with books that deal with cancer. My sister died from breast cancer right around 15 years ago and I still tend to cry like a baby at such stories. It's the reason I didn't read The Fault in Ours Stars by John Green. This one, however, has a happy ending, and Bree is on the road to recovery so, thankfully, my fears were unfounded.

Bree is smart, beautiful, fun, and spoiling for something good to happen in her life. Daniel, at first glace, seems the most unlikely guy she should get together with, but he immediately starts winning d Bree and me over. What's that saying? Actions speak louder than words, and Daniel starts right off showing Bree and us how much he still cares for her. Even though the marriage is supposed to be platonic, he swears off other women because to do otherwise would be disrespectful. *sigh* Bree, of course, takes a little more convincing because she doesn't know what he's thinking or feeling. He needs to prove to her he won't break her heart for a second time.

Watching this couple rekindle their love was sweet and uplifting. I loved Daniel's brother who, at times, acted more like Bree's older brother than Daniel's. His disapproval of what Daniel was doing paired with his protective nature toward Bree makes me hope he'll be the main character of Ms. Etchison's next book. I'm crossing my fingers.

This was such a fun, sweet, and charming story I couldn't help but give it 5 out of 5 roses. I absolutely loved it. The characters were well developed, and the story well thought out. It was full of humor, steamy romance, and touching moments. On the Lisarenee Romance Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Quotes need to be checked against finally copy. Changes may occur between the version I received and the final copy.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick

I couldn't wait to read Once and For All by Cheryl Etchison when I first read the blurb. This book pretty much checked all the boxes when it came to some of my favorite things in romance novels. I just can't say no to second chance love, friends to lovers, and a military hero! But while I was excited to read this story, I was a little nervous because this is Cheryl Etchison's debut novel. I shouldn't have worried at all though because this book was great! I loved it and I already can't wait for the next in the series!

While home on leave, Danny MacGregor comes face to face with Bree Dunbar, only she is no longer the same girl he left behind ten years ago. She lost her job, has battled cancer twice, and has been forced to stay with her parents to try and set herself up to once again be on her own and find a fresh start. Danny will do whatever it takes to help her, but no one is more shocked than him when he offers her a marriage of convenience. Though he is the last person Bree should take help from, she finds herself agreeing and the two of them come up with a plan to help her get back on her feet before she walks away from him. But both of them quickly discover that life has other plans for them, and feelings thought to be long gone are stronger than ever.

I really liked these two. I felt like they had both done things that were mistakes along the way, but they weren't done in a malicious way. Danny had struggled to find his place and he did what he thought he needed to. No he didn't handle things the best, but he wound up were he was supposed to be and he had never gotten over the guilt he felt of his actions and how they hurt Bree. It was nice to see him help her and rediscover all that they had before he had left plus get to know who she had become. Bree was one of those heroines that you couldn't help but like right away. She was smart and strong, and despite all that she had been through she was positive. She had moments where things got to her, but she didn't wallow or become bitter and she was determined to live her life on her terms. I loved that she let Danny back in and found a way to leave the past behind them and move forward. These two had a very strong connection and chemistry, and I really enjoyed seeing them take their history and build on it to create something lasting.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, and the story was interesting and well written. Once I had started, I didn't want to put it down and read this one pretty much straight through. It was sweet and heartfelt, and I just loved it. I know this definitely won't be the last story I read from Cheryl Etchison, and I am already looking forward to more in this series! I really loved Danny's brother Michael, and I hope that he gets his own story soon because I would love to see more of him. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of military or contemporary romance books.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I actually appreciated how consistently Danny's character, with all its sometimes-damaging impulsiveness, was written. I liked him, both because of and in spite of his faults. Bree was more of a cipher, a sad and bland woman dropped into a new environment and slowly beginning to grow.