A Marine for His Mom (Sugar Falls, Idaho #1) by Christy Jeffries

A Marine for His Mom (Sugar Falls, Idaho #1) Reviews

• 
  Sandra

  An injured Marine (Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Cooper) and a ten-year-old, introverted boy (Hunter Walker) become close pen-pals. Hunter’s mother (Maxine) is glad Hunter is coming out of his shell, but she really can’t get along with Cooper, even though she’s attracted to him.
  
  I liked the small town of Sugar Falls, Idaho, and I really liked a lot of the secondary characters. I enjoyed the growing relationship between Cooper and Hunter. Cooper was a great hero, he was a wonderful role model for Hunter and a nice guy. I also liked young Hunter, he was cute and so enthusiastic towards Cooper. I didn’t care, though, for Hunter’s mother Maxine. She was quite harsh, rude, and not very friendly at all towards Cooper. I couldn’t figure out why because Cooper was such a nice guy. He deserved better. Maxine’s character did improve halfway through the book.
  
  An okay read with a cute ending.
• 
  Susan

  Good book about two very different people brought together by a ten year old boy. Hunter has been pen pals with Cooper for a few months. When Cooper ends up in Sugar Falls, recuperating from an injury, Hunter looks at it as fate stepping in. His mom, not so much. She isn't too sure about the influence this stranger seems to have over her son and is determined to keep an eye on him. Cooper doesn't know what her problem is, but he just wants to heal and get on with his life.
  
  I will say that I spent the first part of the book really disliking Maxine. She was way overprotective of Hunter, especially when it came to sports. She knew he was teased by his classmates, but didn't seem to realize that her actions were at the root of it. She knew he was pen pals with Cooper and even though she had the opportunity to read their letters she didn't bother - until she came face to face with him. Hunter was open and friendly and enthusiastic about helping Cooper, and Maxine was about as cold and distant as she could be.
  
  Maxine's marriage hadn't been a good one. Her husband was an ex football player whose NFL dreams never panned out. He thought he was hot stuff and blamed his failures on everyone else before killing himself in a drunk driving accident. She has sworn to keep her distance from any more macho guys, which is how she sees Cooper. It doesn't take too long before she sees the good effect he has on Hunter, which softens her attitude a bit. She also can't deny that there is something about him that gets her heart beating a little faster.
  
  Cooper is a loner and has been for a long time. His mother died when he was twelve and his stepfather dumped him in foster care. He joined the Marines at eighteen and made it his life. He never really made friends until he was forced into the pen pal program and got matched with Hunter. He's not sure why he feels a connection with the boy, but he can't deny that it exists, and finds himself enjoying it. He doesn't understand what Maxine's problem with him is.
  
  I liked the development of their relationship. Through Hunter, they are forced to spend some time together. Maxine begins to realize that Cooper is not like her late husband and starts to open up a little to his suggestions for Hunter. Stuck in the small town during his recuperation, the influence of Maxine, Hunter and the others he gets to know gives Cooper a feeling of belonging that he's never had before. Slowly Maxine and Cooper discover that there is attraction, and maybe something more, building between them. In order for them to have the future they would like, both of them are going to have to face their fears. I really enjoyed the "pep talks" that Cooper endured, but gave him the motivation he needed. The ending was really good, especially the last bit from Hunter.
  
  The only quibble I had with the book didn't affect my rating because it is most likely an editor/publisher problem. Cooper is a Marine, not a marine. When writing about a member of the United States Marine Corps, Marine is ALWAYS capitalized. This is something that the editors at Harlequin seem to have a problem with on a consistent basis and it bothers me every time. Marines are also never referred to as soldiers. Soldiers are members of the army and calling a Marine a soldier is looked at as an insult.
• 
  Teresa

  Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Cooper was selected to participate in a pen-pal program while deployed to Afghanistan. In the beginning he was not at all pleased with the Dr. Gregson's recommendation for his participation. He was assigned to a young 5th grader, Hunter Walker, in Sugar Falls, Idaho.
  
  During the following few months Sgt. Cooper understands why Hunter is so interested in continuing his pen-pal relationship. He is surrounded by women!! An over-protective mother (and cookie baker /successful store owner), a very well meaning grandmother, and two "aunt's" that smother him with love. His mother would rather enroll him in yoga classes and refuse to allow him to participate in any sports!
  
  One afternoon during a run with his dog Helix, a suicide bomber puts and end to his chances at remaining in Afghanistan and potentially ending his military career.
  He is sent to Shadowview Military Hospital for knee replacement surgery, physical therapy and recuperation. Having nowhere to go after his surgery, Dr. Gregson offered his cabin in Sugar Falls to recuperate and decide what to do with his life if he could not re-enlist after surgery.
  
  "Coop" and Hunter are steadily becoming great pals and learning what the other needs in their lives to be happy. Hunter's mother, Maxine, however becomes more agitated at the growing bond between Coop and Hunter. She allows them to spend time together because she realizes that Hunter has been coming out of his shell and becoming more social with kids his age.
  
  Christy Jeffries has put an intriguing spin on the bonds between an inspirational young man and a Marine determined to not only get his life back on track after his accident but to help a young man that he met in the pen-pal program. I started out with doubts about where the author wanted to head with the story as mom was being a rather "tough" cookie. However, as the story progressed her behavior was explained and made much more sense. I was quickly caught up in the storyline and once I was able to sit and read without interruptions I finished reading within about 2 1/2 hours. Intriguing until the end, when you find out who all played a part in bringing this lovely couple together. I can't wait until book 2 of the Sugar Fall, Idaho series (Waking Up Wed, Kylie Chatterson's story !) is released.
  
  ** I received a copy of this book through
  www.Goodreads.com for an honest review. **
• 
  Dixie-Lee Campbell

  I enjoyed the storyline of this book. A school Pen pal program of children to the military members on deployment was a great way to get the story going. ... Loved the outcome. Creating and establishing of a special relationship between Hunter and Matthew by their pen pal letters and later on when they actually met. They managed to help each other in their lives in a unique and special way. The small town of Sugar Falls and the folks were a perfect setting and fit . There was heartache, heeling from physical and emotional injury and loss. ..lots fun, humour, emotional struggles of several people and reality of bringing folks together by small activities, and love.
  
  I definitely recommend reading this book.
• 
  Harlequin Books

  "..., Jeffries’ touching debut takes off like a flash thanks to her lighthearted dialogue. The timely tale, quaint, homey town and fantastic characters are entertaining. Her swoon-worthy oil-and-water couple and 10-year-old master matchmaker make the read real" (RT Book Reviews).
  Miniseries:
  Sugar Falls, Idaho
• 
  Dorel

  This is the 1st book I read by Christy Jeffries. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ the hot & steamy scenes. I loved ❤ Maxine's character. I loved ❤ Hunter's character. I thought Hunter was adorable. I loved ❤ Cooper's character. I loved ❤ the scenes with Cooper & Hunter. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Jeffries.
• 
  Colleen

  I just loved this book it was so funny and heartwarming. I was tickled to death with Max's son Hunter and Hunters Grandmom. I'm am glad it worked out for Max and Cooper. Can't wait to read Christy's next book in this series. Thanks Christy for such a great pick me up book:)
  Colleen
• 
  Joann

  I gave this copy to a young man I work with who signed up for the Marines, so I gave it to him to give to his mother!!She loved it!!
• 
  Collyn

  Really cute read! I'd definitely recommend && I can't wait for Aunt Kylie's story next month. =}
• 
  Connie

  I read this book previously years ago. I just finished another book in this series earlier today. I decided to go back and start the series over with the first book. I enjoyed reading this one again. It is amazing how life-like it was. People do tend to read (incorrectly) in-between the lines and miscommunication is the result. Cooper and Maxine were all about miscommunication. Both having been hurt in the past, neither wanted to put themselves "out there" and possibly get hurt.
  
  I loved the fact that the book was written in a dual POV. That really helps to understand where the characters are coming up. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
• 
  Monae Doyle

  This book was about a young boy named Hunter who becomes a pen pal to a Gunnery Sergeant named Matthew Cooper. I liked both Matthew and Hunter and forming a friendship as pen pals.
  
  I, however did not like Hunter’s mother Maxine. She seemed rather cold towards Matthew. She acted like she didn’t want anything to do with Matthew. He served in the military and she acted like she could care less about getting to know him. Matthew was great with Hunter and spent time with him. I almost wish that he wouldn’t have ended up with Matthew in the end.
• 
  Ren

  It was so good and interesting story..
• 
  Pam Jackson-gorsline

  Marine and his mom
  
  This was a fun story. The characters were well defined and a lot of fun to get to know. Hunter was a great kid.
• 
  Gale

  It may just be me -- and I freely admit this -- however I felt that the characters were very biting and came on far too strong. It was a good story, but the characters were far too "much" for me. I prefer more communication between characters. And yes, I get that without angst there probably wouldn't be a story however there was far too much of it in this story -- for me. Maxine Walker was not my favorite; I liked Gunny Cooper; loved Hunter Walker; other secondary characters made me laugh and cringe, depending upon who they were.
• 
  Greta Riordan

  Cute and sweet.