3.5 Stars
I almost gave up on this book. The 1st third of the book just didn't really hold my attention and I wasn't sure exactly where the author was going with the story. However, the book turned in to a beautiful story about strength and true love. Watching Maura and Dec grow and accept (even embrace) their pain and injury was beautiful. Anne Elizabeth did a great job writing a realistic story of dealing with trauma. The SEAL aspect is technical enough to feel real, but not so technical as to turn off the reader. The book still felt a bit slow for me at times and I found myself wanting to skim a bit. However, overall, its a good story with good characters! Will be on my blog on 12/14/15 The Book Disciple
POV: 3rd
Tears: Yes
Triggers: War injuries
Trope: Second Chance, Self Discovery
( )

Very good book. Maura and Declan are neighbors who share a balcony in their apartment building. Maura is attracted to Declan, but too shy to do anything about it, especially seeing the variety of beautiful women who pass through his apartment. Declan is a Navy SEAL who makes no secret of his avoidance of committing to any one woman. His job makes relationships difficult, and a SEAL is all he's ever wanted to be. When Declan rescues her from a stormy dip in the ocean, it's the impetus she needs to go after what she wants.

I really liked Maura. She may be shy around Declan, but when it comes to the rest of her life, she's a hard charger. As a gymnast, she lost her Olympic dream when she was involved in a car accident. Now she teaches parkour and gymnastics and dreams of owning her own gym - a dream that is about to come true. She's also a woman with a big heart, which shows in the way she cares for the kids and families who use her gym. I loved how her brush with death motivated her to overcome her shyness with Declan. She is also a woman with incredible inner strength. She used that strength to beat her injuries, and she used it again to help Declan.

Declan was great. He is a SEAL with a lot of years in the teams. What he does is a huge part of who he is. He has a great relationship with his Team brothers, and I loved the scenes of them together. Though I was a bit mad at Declan that first night after he rescued Maura, when he followed through on his plans with another woman, that didn't last long. Once he really got to know Maura, that was it for him. Declan is a big, strong guy of course, but is also pretty sensitive. He has good insights into what makes people tick and has a talent for bringing out the best in them.

I loved the development of their relationship. Their first date, where she asked him out to say thank you for saving her, was really unexpected. I loved how it turned out, and it was a good indicator of how their relationship would go. Over the course of several weeks, Declan realized that there was something different about the way he felt for Maura. Instead of being bored after a few dates, there was always something new to be learned about her, or to do with her. This had never happened to him before and had him believing that there might be a future for them together. Maura feels the same about him, but she has a few doubts. She worries that she isn't enough, and an encounter with an old girlfriend of his has her questioning their relationship. She pulls away, and by the time she sees the light, he's been called away on a mission.

The description of the mission and its aftermath are very well done. During the whole thing I felt as though I was there. Declan's injuries were life-threatening and I ached for him when he found out just how bad they were. His own inner strength and determination came out as he knew he had choices in how he dealt with them. I ached for his fear that he would lose his work with the SEALs because of them. I was also a bit mad that he never contacted Maura the whole time he was in the hospital, though I sort of understood his reasoning. I loved how the closeness of the SEAL family was shown in the support that he got while in the hospital.

Declan was worried about how Maura would react when she saw him. I was a little surprised at how smoothly that went as I would have expected at least some anger over the long silence. Most likely because of her own injuries, Maura is very accepting of his. But she's also no pushover, and doesn't let him wallow in his fears for long. I loved her gentle butt-kicking, and the effect it had on him. Their progress together, as Declan learns to cope with his new reality, strengthened their relationship. I also loved how her push also got him looking at a new direction in his life with the SEALs. I loved Declan's big moment at the end, and the epilogue was a nice addition.

I loved all the interactions with Declan's Teammates, both his and Maura's. The closeness of the brotherhood really came out in the post-injury support. I loved that there was no pity, only the effort to make things as normal as possible. From adapting his motorcycle to being his support team for the triathlon, they were there for him. I also loved their acceptance of Maura, especially during his emergency surgery. I would love to see Leaper get his own story. ( )

A SEAL Forever by Anne Elizabeth
Book #3: West Coast Navy SEALs Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Talk about a bounce back book!! A SEAL Forever brings the West Coast Navy SEALs series out of the dreaded sophomore slump and roaring back into life with Declan and Maura’s story!

Maura Maxwell isn’t exactly shy but she is somewhat reserved especially when it comes to her hotter than hell neighbor, Declan Smith. Declan is a walking, talking wet dream but Maura has no interest in being a part of the hook-up parade that seems to pass through Declan’s door on a regular basis. Maura has every intention of keeping her lust in check and private until the night she goes out for a quick swim and gets caught in a storm. Declan not only rescues Maura but he also dumps her into a hot tub and kisses the crap out of her. So much for remaining somewhat shy and reserved.

Declan Smith has spent his life either preparing for or performing for the SEALs. There has never been anything other than the SEALs, staying totally fit and active, and women that have interested Declan. Saving Maura from drowning not only brought her into his life but for the first time in his life has made him think about something more than just a hook-up. Maura shares his love of the outdoors and activities, she is adventurous, and once the initial awkwardness was over, she is quit uninhibited, sexually speaking. In short, Maura is the perfect woman for Declan and he has no plans to move on. Maura is the something better!

For weeks Maura and Declan spend every available moment together and with the exception of a few bumps in the road, everything is golden. Maura understands that when Declan leaves he is knowingly walking into danger and he may not return and these are things she is willing to accept about the man she is sure she is falling in love with. Declan’s latest mission is more dangerous than ever before and when things go sideways, he doesn’t return to Maura all in one piece as he expected. In fact, it is more than a month before he returns and when he does, he isn’t sure she is going to be willing to stay with a man who isn’t whole.

The Bottom Line: Woosh!! Declan Smith is some kind of hot and with Maura by his side, he is just about the perfect man. While I am generally a character-drive reader, the plot of this one and the way it unfolds is the real winner of this read. Uncharacteristically, there is no slow build-up leading to the eventual relationship. The relationship begins quickly and it is only later that Declan and Maura have to deal with real issues that will test their strength and relationship. Their road to a HEA is not at all easy and I really liked the change in their relationship as they each deal with Declan’s injury and road to recovery. This is a tightly written read with good characters and a plot that is both entertaining and different enough from the other two in the series to keep the series feeling fresh. ( )

Declan Smith is a Navy SEAL, his life is generally full of danger but that ok. he's used to taking risks, that's his job. When he's not on a mission, finding lady companionship
is never a problem, he's a handsome guy and the ladies love him. His shy neighbour Maura thinks he's pretty hot too, she's really interested and intrigued in him but hides herself away and keeps herself to herself. Until one late night swim goes wrong for her,
Maura is then drawn out of her shell and into Declan's world.
As they begin to build a relationship Declan is called on a mission and Maura is left to wait his return. A mission that changes both their lives - Declan is wounded and this time it's Maura's turn to save him.

This is an emotional story that's very well written.
A found it a very realistic story, the realism of injured soldiers and the adjustments they have to contend with. The over all story line is very well put together and I'd highly recommend this book 5/5 ( )