In Wolf Haven (Jackson Hole #9) by Lindsay McKenna, Skylar "Sky" is a former
ER and Navy RN. While she was in Afghanistan, a mission went tragically wrong
and the results were horrific. Suffering from severe PTSD and now back in
civilian life, Sky finds she can no longer do the job she once did. It is a
struggle for her to move on from what happened, and a struggle to get through
each day. Unable to find and keep a job, unable to continue living with her
parents, Sky has no idea what comes next. When she gets a job at Elk Horn
Ranch, Sky starts to feel just a little bit lighter and have some hope for the
future.
Former SEAL Gray also works at Elk Horn Ranch, helping guests and working the
wild life haven side of the ranch. As soon as Gray first sees Sky, he feels an
instant connection to her. Gray knows all about PTSD, and as he gets to know
Sky better both personally and professionally, the connection and the attraction
between them grows. Both of them want more ... but neither will push it. Gray
patiently is there for Sky, making her realize she doesn't have to do it all
alone, it's ok to lean on someone. With Gray by her side and a sense of peace
at Elk Horn Ranch, Sky slowly begins to heal and feel like her former self
again.
Both of them have issues in their lives they are dealing with, but together
life seems brighter. Together can they get through the rough patches of life
and the sudden danger in Jackson Hole, finding a future with each other?
In Wolf Haven, Lindsay took me on an emotionally charged journey. Lindsay
writes with great flow and seamless transition from scene to scene, blending it
all together perfectly. Sky has a lot on her plate, from her PTSD, her new
relationship with Gray, and her family dynamics. She is a courageous, strong
heroine, even if she does still feel scared and anxious. I didn't feel like her
character had to grow, because she is not a weak character. Sky needed to heal
and the healing she needed to experience and the way Lindsay brought it to life
was powerful and very believable. I really liked Gray, what he stood for and
how he was with Sky. He has his own past he's dealing with, and being with Sky
helps him cope with that when he never thought he'd be able to. I really liked
the maturity of both of these characters, and how they desire each other so
strongly but don't rush into anything. They also don't put a huge emphasis on
the fact that they work together, they just make things work.
Wolf Haven is about so much more than a relationship between two people.
Lindsay explores PTSD indepthly, and she does not sugar coat anything. There is
a strong sense of realism in Lindsay's writing, and the raw emotions of the
characters will at times make you want to cry for them. Lindsay obviously knows
what she's writing about...she shows us what war does, that when a soldier
leaves war it's not left on the battlefield, but part of that comes home. She
also gives the reader a strong understanding of PTSD, how and who it
affects...it is not a solitary disorder.
I liked the animals in Wolf Haven, and the sense of peace and love that
animals bring to people, how therapeutic they can be. There are quite a few
secondary characters in Wolf Haven, and they all have their roles and work well
with the plot line. Lindsay's descriptions of the people and the place really
bring it to life, and I could particularly picture Iris very well! Wolf Haven
is part of Lindsay's Jackson Hole series, but can definitely be read as a stand
alone.
Well paced with a great writing style that is easy to fall into, Lindsay
gives us strong, memorable characters and situations in Wolf Haven. I'd
recommend Wolf Have to any romance reader looking for a romance with strong
military and western tones that will make you care and feel for and with the
characters.
I was given a free copy of Wolf Haven for an honest review. Lindsay has a
website with all her news and a newsletter you can sign up for at
http://www.lindsaymckenna.com/
5/5 stars
Purchase from
Amazon