The SEALs Secret Daughter (American Heroes) by Christy Jeffries

The SEALs Secret Daughter (American Heroes) Reviews

• 
  Susan

  I read this book in one sitting - I could not put it down; it was so emotionally gripping. Ethan came to settle in Sugar Falls after he left the SEALs because that's where one of his friends lived. He was looking for a place to put down roots after living on the move for most of his life. He was also dealing with the fallout from his last tour - guilt over a friend's death, and the alcoholism that he finally acknowledged. Now he works hard at his construction job, plays hard with his extreme sports hobbies, and fights hard against the craving for a drink. The last thing he expected was for a high school girlfriend to show up early one morning and drop off an 11-year-old girl she claims is his daughter.
  
  I could feel Ethan's shock, his anger at not having known before, and his utter panic at not knowing what to do. It was also easy to feel how nervous and overwhelmed Trina was. I liked how Ethan's protective instincts kicked in quickly. Their arrival at the café was quite a shock to Monica, but she handled it quite well. I loved how quickly she connected with Trina and was able to help Ethan deal with a crisis.
  
  Monica was attracted to Ethan from the time they met but has resisted giving in to it. She has some serious issues from her past, making her resistant to what she sees as "bad boys," and she was certain that Ethan fell into that category. She also had a lot going on in her life, as she lives with her grandmother. Gran suffered from Alzheimer's, and it had rapidly progressed, creating a great deal of stress for Monica.
  
  I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ethan and Monica. Ethan was interested in Monica from the start, but couldn't get past her walls. It didn't help his cause very much that he was an outrageous flirt, which he used to hide when he was uncomfortable. I sometimes got frustrated with Monica, because she judged Ethan by the actions of those in the past who had hurt her, instead of looking at him as himself. Behind that flirtatious surface is a man with a big heart. I loved watching him do everything possible to make Trina part of his life, made easier with Monica's help. I enjoyed watching her tease Ethan a little about all he has to look forward to. Ethan was also there for Monica when there were problems with her grandmother, always ready to lend a helping hand. The more time they spent together, the more their attraction grew. Ethan wanted to see where it would go, but Monica can't let herself trust the feelings, committing only to a no-strings relationship. I ached for them both when things started getting more intense, and Monica panicked. Though some of what she said to Ethan was hurtful, it did give him a kick that he needed to move forward. Monica also had some surprises in store when she faced her own past. But it took advice to an eleven-year-old girl from a forgetful old woman to get Ethan and Monica talking again. I loved that scene, and the honesty of Ethan talking about being a work in progress. The epilogue was great, with Gran and Trina plotting again.
  
  I also loved both Trina and Gran. I loved seeing Trina bloom under Ethan's care. As she became more comfortable in her situation, it was great to see her personality develop. Her problems with school were realistic, and I liked how they were handled. Learning that she could depend on Ethan to be there for her was a huge thing for her. There were some terrific scenes of them together, and they learned about each other. I especially loved their acceptance of their differences. Gran was a riot. When she was with it, she had a pretty wicked sense of humor. I ached for her when she had her episodes, and also for Monica who just wanted to take care of her. It was fun to see Gran try her hand at matchmaking. I liked her bit during the epilogue as she talked about her life as it was now.
• 
  Lynn Brooks

  A heartfelt return to Sugar Falls! It's always a joy to return to this small-town filled with love and laughter, but this visit was particularly sweet. Ethan never even thinks about turning his back on the little girl he can see desperately needs him, and it just so happens that lady luck has shined down on him and made the woman he's already been interested in getting to know be the one that wins his daughters heart first. The characters are super easy to love and the story line won over my heart quickly. One of my favs in the series for sure!
  
  Former Navy SEAL Ethan Renault is trying to find his place. He's only been out of the service for a few months and has tentatively settled into Sugar Falls, Idaho ... although you couldn't prove it based on the unpacked boxes and scarce lived in look of his apartment. He's been busy filling his days with the things he needs to keep his mind at ease. Meetings with like minded folks, breakfast flirting with his favorite waitress at the diner, and just generally settling into a normal life for a change. The last thing he expects is for his old high school girlfriend to drop a half grown kid he had no idea he even had on his door step!
  
  Librarian and part-time waitress Monica Alvarez is doing her best to keep things afloat for her and her Gran as Gran's memory continues to deteriorate ... she has had her eye on the sexy soldier for awhile too, but the last thing she has time for is a man. That all changes when she meets his heartbroken little girl. How can she not step up and be a friend to those sad eyes? It turns out they are all good for each other and they wind up forming a quasi-family helping with the kiddo and with Gran as often as they can. The attraction that was already simmering eventually boils over and they have to decide if this family thing is going to be forever!
• 
  Merle

  A SEAL arrives in Sugar Falls, Idaho and tries to put his life back together. Opening his door to a knock one day, he finds an old high-school friend/date and a young girl. SUrprise! The girl is his daughter and the girl's mother resents him for being "out of reach" serving overseas. She says she can't do it any longer and leaves the girl on the doorstep, wearing inadequate clothes for Idaho, and toting a garbage bag full of all her belongings. The pretty librarian, working as a waitress to make ends meet and afford care for her grandmother who has Alzheimer's, is Ethan's target, but she doesn't want to be caught. She has a stereotypical view of him based on some incorrect info and she really isn't interested in correcting those ideas. There are a number of threads here that could have been explored more thoroughly, for example, the box of items Ethan brought home that reminded him of the good friend he lost overseas; the girl's constant need for a bathroom, Monica's father and his real job.
• 
  Kristy

  This sweet read, with just a little heat, tugged on my heartstrings. Ethan is recovering in this small town, and then prom date shows up with his daughter (that he never knew about). Ethan never even thought about letting her go and recruited Monica, the shy one whom he's been trying to date for a while, to help. Gran was a hoot, and Trina was a sweet girl.
• 
  Tami Talbert

  Entertaining, sweet romance. Quick read. I enjoyed all of the characters and really wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I usually read indie authors and don’t generally read Harlequin but I loved this one.
• 
  Harlequin Books

  Miniseries:
  American Heroes