Red-Haired Ash Reads

Noah Cortez is struggling to return to civilian life. He is angry and struggling to cope with his loss of hearing, sight, and other issues caused by a TBI. He doesn’t want his best friend, Kristina Moore, to know how bad things are for him, especially since he can’t stop thinking about how attracted he is to her. 

This was a wonderful and emotional start for the series. Noah’s struggle with his physical and mental illnesses were so emotional and heartbreaking. Laura Kaye did an amazing job portraying how PTSD and mental illness can affect someone, especially a veteran. Noah doesn’t want to push his best friend away but he feels too broken and unworthy of her. His struggle to overcome his newfound feelings for Kristina, and deal with his illnesses and injuries was so emotionally powerful. 

Krisitina was a great friend. She tries to always be there for Noah,, even after he keeps pushing her away. They have been friends since childhood but the military has changed Noah. She finds herself attracted to him for the first time and struggles to deal with her new feelings, and the fear of ruining her friendship. I adored the struggles these two faced to make their relationship work. It was heartbreaking, and at times felt like it wasn’t going to happen, but it just made the whole story more believable and emotional. 

My favorite part of this book is that it shows alternative therapies and how important seeking help is. I loved how supportive all the people in the Warrior Fight Club were and how they didn’t let Noah get too lost in his head. They stuck with him and made sure he would survive and not be one of the 22 veterans who suicide every day. 

This was a great book and I can’t wait to read the rest, especially since Laura Kaye writes very emotional and hard hitting stories, especially the ones about veterans. 

Trigger Warnings:

• PTSD
• Depression
• Violent and aggressive episodes 
• Reference to veterans suicide
• Kristina does go on a date with another man

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