HOLD ON TIGHT

In Serena Bell’s heartwarming novel, a young mother and a battle-scarred veteran must decide if they can rekindle the sparks they once shared.

Fighting for his country gave Jake Taylor’s life shape and meaning. Now as an injured war hero he struggles to find purpose, until he runs into the gorgeous woman he dated briefly—and disastrously—before being deployed eight years ago. Turns out Jake doesn’t just need to figure out how to be a civilian . . . he also needs to learn how to be a dad.

Eighteen, pregnant, and totally lost, Mira Shipley couldn’t track down the soldier who fathered her child, so she put college on hold and focused on making a good life for her son. Now she’s determined to be something more than Sam’s mom, her parents’ daughter, or Jake’s girl—as hot as she finds her old flame’s take-charge attitude in and out of bed. Soon Mira and Jake realize that their passion didn’t disappear when Sam was conceived—and that instead of running away, sometimes it’s better to hold on tight.

Release Date 6/17/14  Loveswept Random House

I was lucky enough to get a review copy thanks to the publisher through NetGalley. Serena Bell is a relatively new-to-me author, and is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.

I love all the classic romance troupes, and secret baby is one of my favorites, even though this isn't your classic secret baby story. 

Mira is a really strong character. She finds herself pregnant at 18, keeps the baby and after 8 years decides to move across the country from her parents. Yes she took help from her parents for a long time, but honestly I totally understood it. She also had no issue with telling Jake he was Sam's father as soon as she saw him again. Loved she told him in the physical therapist's office like you would talk about the weather.

Jake is also a really strong character. He hasn't been home from Afghanistan long following an attack where he lost part of his leg. He seemed like he had pretty much given up before Mira and Sam walked back into his life. I loved how good he was with Sam from the very beginning. He listened to what Sam was saying and it was so sweet to watch Jake fall in love with his son. 

Jake and Mira's chemistry was just as powerful 8 years later as it was when they first met. Seriously, one kiss was all it took for them both to want to be together again. I was a bit bothered by the fact that when Jake and Mira weren't communicating well, Jake didn't see Sam, but their relationship was so new, I let it go.

Hold On Tight is a beautiful romance story. I felt the connection between Mira and Jake from the very first chapter. I laughed, cried and cheered while I read this book. I love a book that makes me feel so many emotions, and Hold On Tight totally delivered for me.