An Everyday Hero

Laura Trentham

Feb 2020 · Heart of a Hero Book 2 · St. Martin's Griffin

About this eBook

From award-winning author Laura Trentham comesan emotionally layered novel about redemption, second chances and discovering that life is worth fighting for.

At thirty, Greer Hadley never expected to be forced home to Madison, Tennessee with her life and dreams up in flames. A series of bad decisions and even worse luck lands her community service hours at a nonprofit organization that aids veterans and their families. Greer cannot fathom how she’s supposed to help anyone deal with their trauma and loss when everything that brought her joy has failed her.

Then Greer meets fifteen-year-old Ally Martinez, a gifted girl who lost her father in action and now hides her pain behind a mask of sarcasm. But Greer sees something undeniable that she can’t walk away from. To make matters more complicated, Greer finds herself spending more and more time with Emmett Lawson—a man with both physical and emotional scars of his own. When a situation with Ally becomes dire, the two of them must become a team to save her—and along the way they might just save themselves too.

Ratings and reviews

This was a very sweet romance that dealt with some very serious issues. I don't often read military themed novels, but I really enjoyed the hopeful message of An Everyday Hero. Laura Trentham's writing was wonderful and I found myself highlighting passages throughout the book. I appreciated that both main characters, Greer and Emmett, were bruised but not broken. They each had their own demons to battle, but they supported and pushed each other to be better and move forward. I felt like the author presented Emmett and Greer's individual concerns and fears realistically, and I loved how she addressed each one. The topics of death, addiction, loss of a parent, anxiety, and the aftermath of war/service were delicately and honestly discussed and I did not see the twist coming. The ending wrapped up a little too perfectly, and it's possible I may have gotten a cavity from how sweet it is. Readers should note that this is a clean, Hallmark style romance, with fade to black scenes. Overall, I enjoyed this small town feel good romance. *I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

4.25⭐ An Everyday Hero is my first book by Laura Trentham and I found it to be a very absorbing story; and quite honestly I enjoyed it more than I was expecting too, as not only was it tender, uplifting, and heartwarming, but it highlighted and tackled many issues faced not only by the families of soldiers who don't make it home, but those who do, and the veterans themselves who sadly do return from serving having suffered catastrophic injuries or minus limbs, and suffering survivor's guilt, and often questioning the point of a war where nothing seems to have changed; and every issue raised and knock on effect caused was well-handled, realistic and sensitively treated. Yet, for me the ending all came together a bit too well, and the story itself was for my taste overly sweet. But nevertheless it was a well written and very enjoyable story, and one I would happily recommend to others, especially if you like your military romance clean, uplifting and super sweet. **ARC provided**

I have read a couple of books by this author and continue to come back for more. Her characters are easy to like even when hidden beneath pain and loss. I enjoy the easy read while sometimes her descriptive imagery can sometimes be over the top it does paint a vivid picture in your mind. This time where we are reminded of everyone inherent need to have a hero we are made to understand it's the everyday heroes that count. It's a sweet story about loosing oneself in pursuit of a dream and dealing with the resulting failures. This time though one of my complaints is the characters actions while she may be 30 she seems extremely immature, although that could also stem from her finally "growing up". It's an easy read with a teen who has a hand in helping them both find their peace and their place.

About the author

Laura Trentham in an award winning romance author. The Military Wife is her debut women’s fiction novel. A chemical engineer by training and a lover of books by nature, she lives in South Carolina.