Novel Confessions: Heartbreak Warfare by Heather M. Orgeron and Kate Stewart

Book Blurb:

Briggs,

Remember when we parted ways in Germany? It was the day I broke your heart. What you didn't know was that I was breaking mine too.

I thought they’d be enough–my husband and my son. That I’d get home and everything would go back to the way it was . . .

Before the war.

Before the ambush.

Before you.

But, no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the trauma we shared. I can’t seem to forget the way my heart beat in time with yours.

The truth is I’m lost without you.

I thought the nightmare was over when they pulled us from that hole in the ground, but nothing could have prepared me for the war I’d face at home.

I know it’s selfish of me to ask, but, please, I have to see you one last time. . .

All my love,

Scottie

The intensity of Heartbreak Warfare blew me away. I am still shattered by this book. It immediately started off with a tearjerker. Katy Scott, an army medic, is leaving for her first war deployment. She’s saying goodbye to her husband, Gavin, and their son, Noah. As a mom my heart cracked in half. My first thoughts reading this scene: “Oh my God. This book is going to wreck me!” I immediately texted Rissa to give her the good news. I’ve started a good one! We are gluttons for books that make us feel so deeply. Also, it's totally worth noting that I read this work of art in one fell swoop. I almost watched the sun come up finishing this one. Can anyone say BOOK HANGOVER?!

Katy and her best friend, Jessica Mullins, leave together for a one year deployment. Katy struggles upon first arriving in Baghdad because she misses her family fiercely, but she loves her country fiercely also. Ever since she was a little girl she dreamed of becoming a soldier and making a difference. Now she feels she has her chance.

With Mullins’ help they become friends with a few soldiers on base. Briggs, Jones, and Morrero. Very quickly she is dubbed Scottie instead of Scott. Katy feels a little less lonely although she does try to avoid the handsome Briggs. She and Jones are both married and miss their spouses and children. Briggs is an incorrigible flirt who always tries to keep everyone laughing. Katy fights hard to ignore her attraction to Briggs, and what I loved is he made sure not to disrespect Katy or her marriage. Although their attraction was palpable. These two had some serious tension going on.

Without giving too much away, after some time passes Briggs and Scottie are off base on a mission when they get ambushed. My heart was in my throat the whole time. This isn’t a spoiler because it’s in the blurb, but inevitably they are taken captive. The trauma they experienced while in captivity was so hard to read. It was truly a nightmare. I found myself saying "No, no, noooooo!" What hurt the most is knowing this or something similar has happened to our soldiers. Heartbreak Warfare was so raw and real. I had to pause and take a few deep breaths during some of the more intense scenes. Tears pouring down my face. I had quite a few crying jags throughout this book.

I felt Briggs and Scottie's pain so deeply. It struck my whole body in sharp, stabbing waves of pain. Their shared trauma creates such a deep bond between these two. It was painful to see them bond, but beautiful because it strengthened them. Eventually they're rescued. Time has passed. Their bodies may be broken, but they have survived.

The true tests come once they're released from the military hospital. How will they be able to return to their previous lives? Katy is changed in ways that you cannot imagine. This book is unique because it shows Gavin's perspective also which I loved! Gavin is such a great man. Military also. He's done a few tours himself. He knows how difficult it can be to return to home.

We see Gavin's heartache, grief, and fear when he learns his wife, Katy, has been taken. His struggle not to crumble and remain strong for their son. He never gives up hope that she will survive. Gavin is patient with Katy and remains by her side while she struggles with the aftermath of what she lived through. He notices early on that his wife comes back from war a different woman, and he doesn't quite know how to help her. They can't connect, the intimacy isn't there like before, but their love hasn't diminished. Katy tries to find ways to manage her insomnia, night terrors, and PTSD. Some of her choices aren't the best, but I can't imagine dealing with what she went through.

Briggs and Katy are physically apart, but in the back of their minds they're constantly worried for each other. The time they spent as POWs has tethered them to each other. Their paths eventually cross again. When this happens, Gavin realizes his wife has feelings for Briggs and things reach a breaking point.

The ending of this story must be experienced on a personal level. Just when I thought I knew what was coming next I learned I had no idea what was actually coming. Does Katy end up with Briggs? Does she stay with her husband? How does this play out? Read it and let me know your thoughts. I would love to discuss! I'm telling you.. What a truly powerful love story. The ending of Heartbreak Warfare was everything I didn't know I needed. I was wrecked and rebuilt by this book.

RATING: 5/5 STARS ✰✰✰✰✰ (I NEED MORE STARS!!!)

Website:

Heather M. Orgeron - http://heathermorgeron.com/

Kate Stewart - https://www.katestewartwrites.com/

Facebook:

Heather M. Orgeron - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherMOrgeron

Kate Stewart - https://www.facebook.com/authorkatestewart

Facebook Group:

Heather M. Orgeron - https://www.facebook.com/groups/HeathersHunnies

Instagram:

Heather M. Orgeron - https://www.instagram.com/heather_m_orgeron_author/

Kate Stewart - https://www.instagram.com/authorkatestewart/