2017 DSP Advent Stocking Stuffer Review: Welcome Home, Soldier by Deanna Wadsworth

Title: Welcome Home, Soldier

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Category: Holiday, Contemporary

Pages: 76

Dreamspinner Press

Clay and Daniel fell in love as enlisted men during Desert Shield, but Don’t Ask Don’t Tell meant they had to keep it secret. After Clay’s convoy was ambushed, PTSD changed him, and their relationship ended in a horrible fight on Christmas Eve.

Twenty-five years later, they’ve reconnected on Facebook, and Clay finds out Daniel will be alone on Christmas Eve. Impulsively, he sets out for Daniel’s hometown of Gilead, Ohio—where Daniel is now the mayor—to surprise him with a visit. But a blizzard strikes and Clay wrecks his car. All hope of seeing Daniel is lost—until a mysterious old man named Nick offers Clay a ride.

The weight of past wounds and the scars of war might make their reunion awkward, but Clay is willing to take the risk to win back his lost love. Despite a lifetime of disappointing holidays, Clay hopes that this soldier is finally coming home for Christmas.

4.5 Stars!

25 years ago, Clay and Daniel parted ways after three years together when Daniel refused to take Clay back home. Now, after reconnecting on Facebook, Clay decides to make the trip to Gilead to surprise Daniel, only he ends up wrecking his car when he ends up driving through a bad blizzard. A mysterious man named Nick rescues him and delivers him to Daniel's doorstep, but the past might prove a bit too difficult to let go. 

This story was a bit angstier than I expected, but it was well-balanced with all the holiday feels and the little bit with the mysterious Nick. I really enjoyed the way the author managed to show us the important parts of Daniel and Clay's past weaving them in the present and of course, I was rooting for Daniel and Clay to actually make it right this time around. Very recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***