ARC Review: TO HAVE AND HOLD by Serena Bell

To Have and Hold
by Serena Bell

ABOUT THE BOOK
The reunion is supposed to be the start of the rest of their lives. But when Trina Levine sees the soldier she promised to love forever, Hunter Cross looks at her like she’s a stranger. The connection is gone, lost in the blank stare of those soulful brown eyes. Hunter remembers his young daughter but not Trina, and he certainly can’t recall why Trina and her own child are living in his house. Although his lean, rugged frame bears the scars of battle, his mind took the worst hit.

But Hunter Cross hasn’t forgotten everything. His body remembers caressing Trina’s delicate curves, holding her close, never wanting to let go. Was it just a dream, or was it real life? Now, as he tries to put the pieces back together, Trina’s the one who comforts him when his night terrors strike. It’s Trina whose warm touch rekindles a connection no man could deny. Even with the odds stacked against them, Hunter wants to believe. Because passion has the power to awaken the past—and remake the future.

REVIEW:

Serena Bell writes a book about taking a risk to open yourself up, experience a crushing blow, and pulling yourself up again. This is a book about resiliency. One thing I appreciate about this author's work is that she is not afraid to take deep dives into emotional landscapes fraught with landminds.

Trina is expecting the same man who left for deployment to return to her and begin their new life together. Granted, this relationship moved to a new stage right before he left, but she didn't expect him to lose his short term memory when he returned. I am crushed right along with her. Does she stay in his life and start the relationship over or just gracefully bow out? It's hard to blame someone for not remembering after a trauma. That's what makes this story so impossible. There is no one to blame! With great care, Ms. Bell reconstructs the little things that make a relationship - the every day interactions that build trust and connection. It's both simple and complicated. Just a lovely read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.