Loving the Wounded Warrior by Adriana Anders, the second installment in her Love at Last series, is a short length novel that I wanted more out of. Featuring the rugged yet deeply scarred Kurt Anderson and determined reporter O’Neal Jones, this novel weaves a tale that had many elements that worked for it, while at the same time there were missing aspects to it to make the story more wholesome.

Kurt is a man struggling to find his footing after life deals him several harsh blows. Once a promising football player, a career-ending injury pushes him into the Marine Corps, where he faces the brutal realities of war. The physical and emotional scars are compounded by guilt and trauma of losing his closest friend while in the military, making the label of “wounded warrior” an apt description of the man he is.

In comes O’Neal Jones, a tenacious reporter for the Daily Dispatch, who is sent to cover a controversial event in Washington State’s North Puget Sound region. Her reckless driving nearly results in a deadly accident, bringing her face-to-face with Kurt, her brother Jared’s best friend, also her long-term crush while in high school.

An article that O’Neal writes with the best of intentions, ends up being the reason behind the wedge that drives Kurt away from Jared, and puts the nail in the coffin of his promising career in football. Kurt’s resentment towards O’Neal is palpable, which adds to the emotional intensity of the story. As O’Neal learns the full extent of her article’s impact, the feelings of guilt that she herself has to contend with, proves to be the undoing for someone like herself who does not do emotions.

While the dynamic between Kurt and O’Neal keeps the pages turning, it is Kurt’s character that gives the emotional punch to the story. Behind his rough and tough exterior lies a vulnerable heart, a man who has suffered much, both in professional and personal capacity. While O’Neal comes off as more tenacious, she shies away from exposing herself to emotional vulnerability, which perhaps makes her in fact, the more vulnerable of the two.

While the sexual tension and delivery was done well, I found that the novel’s pacing and character development left much to be desired. The story feels rushed, and the lack of depth in characterization detracts from the overall impact. The intense emotional themes and potential for deeper exploration are not fully realized, leaving readers yearning for more.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel does manage to capture Kurt’s struggle with his sense of self and O’Neal’s internal conflict between her professional instincts and personal feelings. Their relationship is a delicate balance of physical desire and emotional intimacy, pushing O’Neal to confront her usual approach to relationships and embrace a deeper connection with Kurt.

Recommended for fans of shorter novels featuring intense heroes that seeks deeper emotional ties with the heroines they fall for.

Final Verdict: In Loving the Wounded Warrior, Adriana Anders presents a heartfelt story that resonates with themes of forgiveness and rediscovery, making it a worthwhile read for fans of emotionally charged romances.

Favorite Quotes

It took just a slight shift for me to turn it into a hug. His head settled onto mine, and we were entwined. Not quite lovers, but more than two strangers comforting each other. Our parkas made a slithery sound, while the stuffing kept us from getting too close.
He inhaled, possibly sniffing me the way I’d done him, and I sank into his body, heavier, deeper, more relaxed and easy.

Lovers. That was what I wanted him to be. My lover, or…something.
Love.
Crap crap crap, O’Neal.
Yeah, so I’d fallen for the most emotionally unavailable man I’d ever met.
And I’d fallen hard.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple