Loving a Warrior by Melanie Hansen

Title: Loving a Warrior
Author: Melanie Hansen
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: November 26, 2018
Genre(s): Contemporary/Military
Page Count: 322
Reviewed by: Ele
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

An intense, moving military romance from Melanie Hansen, the acclaimed author of Point of Contact.

Distraction is make or break in the hypercompetitive world of Navy SEAL training. Matt Kyntych came to training determined to come out the other side a SEAL, but just the sight of former Marine Shane Hovland is enough to shake his concentration. But his commitment to becoming a SEAL has to come first, no matter how drawn he is to Shane.

Shane came to SEAL training ready to prove himself–again. Semper Fi is forever, but he needs a new start. Not this dangerous heat with a man he barely knows. Training is tough, but keeping his eyes—and hands—off Matt might be tougher.

Everything they’ve ever wanted is riding a thin line. Training pushes their bodies to the limit, but the growing strain on their hearts can’t be ignored. And they’ll have to fight for more than just each other if they want to make it through intact.

Two things I need to say first. One, there are A LOT of military details about BUD/S training, life in a military base and even Hell’s Week here. The reviews are right. The whole story unfolds during Matt and Shane’s training to become SEALs, and it’s a point of focus.

Second, in the end of this book Matt and Shane don’t just stop being SEALs, meaning that they’re not free to just sail off into the sunset. BUT still, the ending is a very solid HFN, or even a tentative HEA for me. Matt and Shane are it for each other, I have no doubt about that, not after these amazing declarations of love.

The military details did not bother me at all. On the contrary, I found the whole process fascinating. Maybe because the writing is phenomenal and didn’t let me lose interest. Maybe because next to the military stuff there are strong, well rounded characters with important backstories. Maybe because the UST is off the charts. Maybe it’s just because, for some reason, Matt reminds me of…

I loved the romantic part of the story. The relationship they formed was very unique, almost unlike anything I have ever read in MM. Even after they get together, there is a playful competitiveness, a strange, intense connection and a deep friendship. I adored the declarations of love, the push and pull in the beginning and the amazing epilogue.

I have no idea what the second book will be about but I’ll be definitely reading it.