In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) by Jennifer Peel {Review}

In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) by Jennifer Peel

Kindle Edition

Publication: October 26th 2020 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

 

He gave his name to protect her. All she wanted was his heart. 

Dani Kramer used to think growing up in foster homes was the most difficult thing she would ever have to do until all her dreams come true. Married to the love of her life, Dr. Brock Holland, and running a foundation that specializes in finding jobs for kids out of foster care, Dani seems to have it all. What no one knows is that it could all go away tomorrow if anyone finds out about the precious secret she carries.

For Brock Holland, military doctor, life has always been about duty to his career and country. But when he's captured during a joint allied training mission, thoughts of Dani, his best friend, the woman he's tried for years not to fall in love with, help him not only survive but reevaluate his priorities. However, when he returns home, he finds Dani is pregnant. In a cruel twist, duty calls again. He must marry Dani to save her from becoming a political pawn in a dangerous game she didn't know she had signed up to play. 

But who will protect Dani's and Brock's hearts from each other? Or will they discover their marriage is more than only sharing a last name?

Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website.

   

 

My Review: 5 Stars

I always wonder what I would do in given situations and it's hard to know until I'm actually in them. I could see both sides to these heartbreaking circumstances and I still don't know what I could do, even though I was treated to a front row seat in this emotionally charged novel that took me through all the feels.

Peel is a master at drawing the reader right into the book, and this one was no exception. As always, she does a fantastic job of creating characters to care about. They become realistic and friend-like, and I was beyond emotionally invested in this story, even though I had my feelings jerked all over the place. I personally know someone who went through a snippet of what Brock and Dani did and while shattered trust is tragic, I loved that Peel sprinkled glimmers of hope throughout. 

In this modern twist of a marriage of convenience, Brock and Dani shine in their individual and joint journeys towards healing and wholeness. I loved these characters and enjoyed watching them grow and become strong in their convictions and relationships. 

Content: moderate romance; moderate language; moderate triggers (see above)