Do you ever come across a new-to-you author and binge through their books?
I’ll admit that this is not usually something I do, but after reading the first of Jess Mastorakos’ military romances, I had to read the rest.
Today, I’m thrilled to spotlight book 5 in her San Diego Marines series – but consider this a hearty recommendation for the rest of the books as well. (Why am I starting with book 5? Because books 1 – 4 are sweet and clean, but they don’t have a faith element. Book 5 does, so it aligns more with the books that we feature and write here.)
Military Romance isn’t a genre that I have spent a lot of time reading. I’ve read military suspense/thrillers – and those sometimes have a romance thread in them – but these books have opened up a whole new world for me.
What did I love about this book?
First up, hunky Marine hero. You’ll find hunks in any branch of the service, but Marines probably have more than their fair share. (Especially if you’re going by Jess’ books.) I also really love the fact that Marines (as with anyone in any branch of the military) have that built in willingness to sacrifice themselves for something bigger and more important. It’s a good quality and it immediately adds a little shine to the character.
Second? This is an amnesia/memory loss trope and I haven’t seen a ton of those in the Christian market. I think they’re tricky to pull off. Jess did an amazing job with it.
Third? The couple is already married. Those of you who are looking for married romance? This is a fantastic one! And in some ways, the fact that amnesia is at play lets you experience the fun getting-to-know-you bits of more typical romance, but they also have shared history, hurt, and love to discover.
I also really like the fact that this book (and all in the series) are alternating POV, but also still first person. So you get to be in his head and in hers in first person and it’s unique. And it works. (I’ll admit to having been on the fence with the first book I read because I don’t tend to gravitate to first person to begin with, but getting both hero and heroine perspective has won me over.)
If you’re looking for some military romance (and maybe you didn’t realize you were looking for it, but now you do!) you can find the San Diego Marine series here (and remember that book 5 has a faith element but the prior books are sweet and clean.)
If you’re on the fence, here’s the blurb for Memories of You:
Sometimes your soul remembers what your mind has forgotten…
US Marine Travis Brooks is ecstatic when his wife wakes up in the hospital after a horrific car accident. His joy quickly fades when he discovers that she’s suffering from post-traumatic amnesia and has an incomplete memory of their relationship. As far as Cat’s concerned, they’re broken up. Not happily married.
Catherine Brooks has no memory of the last ten years. She’s mystified as to why her ex-boyfriend would be sitting vigil at her bedside. The last thing she remembers is breaking up with him right before he left for boot camp. Now he stands before her as a decorated Marine, rings on both of their fingers, telling her they’re in love.
Travis is willing to do anything to help his wife put the pieces of her memory—and their marriage—back together, whether she likes it or not. He has to. He took a vow to love her in sickness and in health. But will Cat want to fight for their marriage, even though she can’t remember pledging the same vow?
If you like captivating chemistry, realistic military romance, and loyal friendships, then you’ll love this unputdownable series by Jess Mastorakos.
Have you read much (any?) military romance? What do you love about it? If you’re not yet a military romance fan, how do you feel about memory loss/amnesia tropes?
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
So many reasons to enjoy. I do love reading married couple stories.
I have read a few military romances. Cheryl Wyatt has 2 series the first featuring parajumpers and the second is a medical centre and most of the staff are military personnel. I haven’t read a lot of amnesia stories but it is interesting especially when we learn with the person their history.
I have read some military romance and enjoy it. Thank you for sharing.
I am not usually a fan of married romance if I’m honest. Usually the ones I find are, at the bottom line, struggling marriages because of selfishness (affairs, or you don’t make me happy) – and no matter how realistic that might be, I just don’t want to read it. They break my heart. Even if they get fixed in the end.
Ooh – I’ll have to look for those! Thanks!
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy these if you read them!
I’ve read Dee Henderson’s military romances, and enjoyed them! You find out a little about what it’s like to be in the military without actually going through all of it yourself! Once again, I can tell that my TBR stack is going to be growing! I haven’t read many amnesia stories, so that’ll be something different!
I do like Dee Henderson!
I enjoy military romances
I really hope you check these out!
Thanks for the recommendation. Are there connections between the books, or could I just read #5 and not miss out on anything important?
I’ve never been drawn to military romances and I can’t think of any amnesia romances I’ve read either, maybe this is a way to discover both. Thanks
There are connections but I don’t think you’d be too lost if you started with book 5. (I read book 2 first, then went back because I realized I loved the series, but I didn’t feel like I was missing out while reading book 2.) You just know some of the happy endings ahead of time if you start with 5, which, romance, so you kind of know that already :)
I hope you give it a try! I will say I was in that same boat prior to reading Jess. :)
I enjoyed Irene Hannon’s Men of Valor Trilogy, though the stories all take place after the MCs finish their military service. I also enjoy the memory loss trope, especially when the lost memories are good ones to recover :).
Oh absolutely they need to be good memories!
I can’t remember now if I’ve read Irene Hannon but I will have to look!
I have read a lot of military romance and a few that feature the hero or heroine with amnesia (not necessarily only military). For me, the amnesia adds an extra layer to the story where you get to know the character along with the character themselves . I especially love it in a suspense where it adds a higher element of tension.
I think I would really enjoy “Memories of You” because I’ve not read many (if any) where they are already married….well, except mail-order or marriage-of-convenience ones. I like that fact that the couple can fall in love all over again as the memories resurface. What a fun trope :-) I see this is on KU so I will have to borrow it on your recommendation Elizabeth! I too, love a good faith thread in my stories. I don’t mind clean & sweet, but I really adore faith-based fiction!
It’s not a super heavy faith angle but it’s there and important to the memory angle. I hope you enjoy it!
This book sounds intriguing and like a great read! I Love, love the book cover, it is beautiful! I like books about amnesia, and I like them even better when the person recovers from the amnesia , a Happily After ending. Thank you so much for sharing about this great sounding book. Have a Great week and stay safe.
She uses real Marine couples on her covers! I love that about them.
I hope you enjoy them!
Hi. Yes, I’ve read quite a few military romances – probably 1/2 my reading. As someone already mentioned Dee Henderson’s Uncommon Hero’s (from awhile back) are excellent. I’ve read that series several times. Also Irene Hannon has series with characters with past military history. Military guys undoubtedly have superb physiques, and most branches highly regard intelligence, honor, courage, strength of mind, unity, perseverance – the qualities that also make a great character. So Win/Win for readers. I personally avoid novels that are too grim, graphic, detailed or realistic, though, with nephews and sons/daughters of friends currently serving.
Definitely a win win! And no grimness here – even book 2 of her series that has some PTSD involved isn’t grim and dark.
Thanks for sharing. This is a different kind of story I’m not used to (marines and amnesia). I’m not a particular fan of either (US military stories seem relevant to US readers mostly) and amnesia stories seem very painful at most. The married factor seems to add an interesting effect.
I feel like these stories would still appeal to non US audiences. The focus really isn’t on the military aspect (like some military thrillers I could see appealing more to a patriotic US audience – that’s not this ) — it’s their job so they talk about it but it’s not all hoo-rah go USA. Does that make sense?
I hope you’ll give it a try if you’re at all interested.
I’ve read some military-themed books.
I prefer amnesia stories to be authentic.
I haven’t read too many military books but this one sounds good.
Jess is a wonderful Author. I’m so glad that you shined a spotlight on her.
I like military romance. I especially like it because I am part of a military family.
My favorite military romances are ones based, at least in part, on a true story.
I have some of Jess’s books in my TBR, and have heard good things about them.
The amnesias trope, if done well, is very powerful.