I didn't like the comparisons to the previous love of his life. ( )

One Year Home can be read as a standalone, but it would be better understood and enjoyed if Five Years Gone is read prior to this. One Year Home follows the journey of John, a Navy Seal, who has returned home following a long multiple year mission to hunt down a terrorist responsible for the loss of over 4000 lives on a cruise ship. When he returns, nothing is as it was when he left. He is angry, hurt, and alone. His journey through this transition is played out in the story. We are re-acquainted with characters from Five Years Gone that are also important to this book.

After finishing Five Years Gone, I immediately had to read One Year Home to learn what happens with all the characters whose lives have been forever changed by the acts of a terrorist. I wasn't disappointed. It was a great story. ( )

John West is a Navy Captain who has been through hell and back - and on more than one level. For starters, he was deployed for years with a team of dedicated soldiers who worked feverishly to bring down the world's most wanted terrorist. In so doing, John was forced to leave the love of his life, Ava, behind. When hand-picked for this special assignment, John could not have any personal ties, especially a significant other. So John could never tell Ava anything, including the fact that he might be gone for years.

Five years have passed, and Ava finally moved on with her life, even falling in love with and getting married to Eric. Ava never stopped loving John and he never stopped loving her. Believing John to be dead, Ava eventually found love. Just before her wedding, John was discovered to be alive, but by then, Ava's heart belonged to Eric.

Losing Ava was not the only loss John had to endure. He lost his two best friends during the coup. An even more significant loss, his leg. Not only did John lose his leg, but he suffered an infection that almost took his life. Now on the road to recovery, John wants to retire. Before the Navy will let him go, however, John must cooperate and complete a media blitz. The world wants to meet the biggest hero this country has ever had.

John is more than reluctant to participate, so he is assigned someone that will prepare him. That person is Julianne Tilden, Ava's sister-in-law of all people. How in the world will John work with Julianne? He is certain that every time he looks at her he will be reminded of Ava, and the fact that she married Julianne's brother Eric.

Julianne wants to walk away more than once. John just might be the biggest challenge she's ever faced. His pain holds no bounds. However, should she be successful, she will get a coveted promotion at her job. Another reason Julianne thinks of walking away is the very fact that she is drawn to John, and that is wrong on so many levels.

Meanwhile, Ava and Eric begin to experience difficulties. So, in One Year Home, readers get to see how John and Julianne begin to grow together, all while hoping for Ava and Eric to be able to work through the kinks in their brand-new marriage.

When I read Five Years Gone last December, I was floored. I felt Ava's pain while she was waiting for news of John, and I felt John's pain when learning of Ava's impending marriage. Beginning the second book in this series resurrected those feelings, but I also quickly formed feelings of hope for John and looked forward to him being able to heal in every way possible.

Marie Force has written an incredibly sensitive story, one that exposed real emotions for everyone concerned. This is an exceptional read, and I think those interested will definitely want to read the first book in the series prior to reading this title.

Many thanks to HTJB, Inc. and to Inkslinger PR for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )