Book Summary from Authors site(NOTE - I edited down as I felt the summary gave to much away)
Tess Johnson has it all: her handsome photographer husband Beau and a thriving business. When Beau accepts an overseas photography assignment his helicopter crashes in the desert.
Tess struggles with the news of Beau’s death and tries to put her life back together. Alone and dealing with life only reminds her of what she has lost, Tess is adrift in a world of failed plans and fallen expectations. When a new client appears offering more than just a new project, Tess must confront the circumstances of her life head on.
Meanwhile, two Iraqi women who are fleeing honor killings find Beau barely alive in the middle of the desert, his body ravaged by the crash. Suha, a doctor, and Samira, a widow and mother of three young children, nurse him back to health in a makeshift tent. Beau bonds with the women and children, and together, with the help of an underground organization, they continue their dangerous escape.
What happens next is a test of loyalties, strength, and love.
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My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop
Powerful, engaging, heartbreaking with an emotional grace. Melissa Foster has captured my heart and attention, definitely an author I will continue to watch and support. If you like Kristin Hannah, you will enjoy her books.
Every character is able to capture your heart and make you feel connected to them. When they hurt, you hurt, when they are conflicted, you understand and when someone dies you grieve as if you were family. Melissa has a special way of including a plot with great characters, creating a special story, no need to choose one over the other.
I enjoyed the style of the chapters going between Iraq and Maryland, back and fourth with what Beau is going through and Tess back home grieving for him. Dealing with loss and grief when you do not have a body to make it final was the fight Tess had and her family and friends trying to convince her to move on and allow them this process to grieve. Tess was unable to abide or share their belief, she continued to say Beau promised to 'come back to me'. This was used one to many times in my opinion but also effective.
There were so many delightful moments in this book. I had a gasp out loud moment at midnight, totally woke me, I got up and emailed Melissa immediately, subject line OMG....... Melissa happened to be online and emailed me right back. Got to love authors that connect with their fans. She made me cry, laugh and totally pissed off with characters at times. I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster.
When I first started to read I said oh no a war story, this is not of interest to me. I'm so glad I accepted to review this because I would have lost out on a remarkable story. Iraq and the flight from war felt true and the nationals authentic.
I have found Melissa's books to be the perfect book club reads and definitely for those that love adult fiction that pulls at your emotions. Highly recommend.
A favourite quote - He battled the dilemma within the confines of is mind, desperately trying to convince himself that the feeling, the pull to protect, was driven by circumstance, not by desire.
I enjoyed her book, Megan's Way but loved this one, I think I will remember these characters for a long time to come.
At times I was reminded of one of my top ten books from last year After You by Julie Buxbaum.
