Good second chance romance. Duke essentially leaves right after high school after he and Patience finally take their relationship to the next level. Instead of giving her an explanation, he is gone for many years serving his country. Patience and Duke give their relationship a second chance when he returns home after they have gone through lots on their own. I look forward to the next book in this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Trista Martinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTrista Martin2023-08-21 19:34:032023-09-05 13:47:51Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Trista Martin
I was so intrigued by this book, right from the start. I was rooting for Patience and Duke to fall in love and have their happily ever after right from the second Patience admitted she was in love with Duke while intoxicated at their graduation party. Best friends to partners always make the best love stories ever! As I continued reading, I felt so sorry for all of the trials that Patience went through in her life, it was so realistic. I was so scared that Duke would never return home and that their friendship would be over forever, doomed from the beginning of their adulthoods. What a fantastic story of courage and withstanding everything life throws at you. I was so inspired by the characters and all they did to stand up for themselves and their beliefs. Brooke May did a fantastic job developing all of her characters and spinning a story that is so relatable, you can’t help but get invested in the lives of each person. @Brandy Rymer 8/2023
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Jo Rymerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Jo Rymer2023-08-18 03:28:082023-08-24 14:13:12Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Brandy Rymer
WOW I could not put this book down! This was the first installment of the code of honor books and I was immediately hooked! I am a sucker for a good military romance novel and this one took the cake! The way that this author wrote had me transported into this book. I was disassociating from work and wanted to keep reading when I was on my break! I cannot wait to read the other books in this series. It was amazing and I couldn’t get enough!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carlie Del Gallohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarlie Del Gallo2023-08-17 19:23:092023-08-24 13:54:03COURAGE OF US (CODE OF HONOR BOOK 1) BY BROOKE MAY – REVIEW BY CARLIE DEL GALLO
I absolutely love second chance stories and this is one! I’ve read other Brooke May books and every time she keeps the excitement and love with her storyline and characters! Another thing I am very excited for this series is the characters based within the military services. Quite admirable and courageous roles. This story focuses on Patience and Duke, who were friends in high school and had such admiration for each other but when Duke left for the Marines, he ended leaving things high and dry. Patience settled for another man while Duke lost something that could have been. Now with many years down the road with regrets on both their ends and failed life attempts, are they now ready to rekindle what once was?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Ramoshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Ramos2023-08-17 19:21:422023-08-24 14:12:13Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Jennifer Ramos
This is the first book in the Code of Honor Series, focusing on Patience and Duke. A second chance romance between the two, both vastly different from who they used to be.
I really enjoyed this story, it was written wonderfully and flowed well creating an even more enjoyable reading experience. On top of the writing style, the author was able to create complex characters very well. Patience and Duke aren’t the people they were before, they’ve both been through trauma, and this shows in the way they are written for example in their mannerisms. I enjoyed following the pair not only in their journeys in discovering themselves once again, but also in the way they navigate their possible relationship. The emotions are tangible, gripping and will leave you rooting for the couple throughout.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rebecahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRebeca2023-07-28 17:41:462023-08-03 14:25:33Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras
This is the first book in the Code of Honor Series and it definitely won’t be my last. The two main Characters are Patience and Duke who have been life long friends who happen to have spent one night together as teenagers. This story focuses on how they choose to pick up the pieces following their night. I truly loved how the author wrote these two characters as she showed the shift in their friendship very well as well as how they both chose to go forward in their friendship. The book takes place several years later and contains many twists and turns that I did not see coming. Truthfully, I could barely put this book down when I was reading it and managed to read it within two days. Patience was such an amazing character to me and I feel that she embodies that saying that I find myself uttering quite often. About how a frog doesn’t know its being cooked because they slowly bring the water to a boil around it, I feel like that describes how she feels when she looks at her life around her. I love how she feels that she needs to take a stand to regain herself as she remembers herself. Duke was also a very well written character. I loved how they both suffered from a broken heart. I loved this story and I loved these characters. I cannot wait to read more of the Code of Honor series and learn more about the people of Centennial, Montana. I definitely recommend this story as it was simply perfect in my opinion.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christinehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine2023-07-28 11:26:282023-08-03 14:31:32Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Christine Baranek
The perfect love story! Patience is a country girl who grew up a Tom boy. Duke is a country boy who grew up trying to become the right man. In this love story, Duke and Patience have one special night as kids before everything changes. Fast forward time, will they be able to fix what they have lost? After going through hell and back, each in their own way, they try to make their way back to one another. This book is about faith, love, and dreams. I recommend this story to anyone who loves happy endings and childhood dreams coming true.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kayla Octavianohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKayla Octaviano2021-07-21 18:10:582021-07-22 19:52:10Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Kayla Octaviano
This is not a fun and light romance read, which is why I enjoyed this book so much. The two MC’s are real with problems and hardships to overcome outside of their potential romance. But that’s not to discount the push and pull to see if they will give their love another chance.
Patience is a FMC that I feel so many can relate to, feeling low in life and going through the process of a divorce. Duke is an American soldier returning home after being medically discharged and diagnosed with PTSD. These two were best friends throughout their childhood, coming to the realization that they both liked one another after graduation, but Duke enlisted with the Marines and disappeared from Patience’s life for the next 8 years.
I felt that the characters and the circumstances were very realistic, though I wanted to smack Duke upside the head for the way he disappeared and stayed gone for so long. Patience has had a lot to deal with in life, but she’s still kicking and enjoying running the bakery in her family’s local grocery store.
I absolutely loved the side characters, both Duke’s and Patience’s moms and P’s aunt, and their meddling ways.
Trigger warning for mental and physical abuse, cheating, PTSD, and loss of an animal, and loss of a child.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Alexandria Richardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAlexandria Richard2021-07-18 19:38:342021-07-19 12:07:42Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Alexandria Richard
This was my first May novel and I was super excited to start a new (to me) author! May is an excellent world-builder and is a gifted character-developer when it comes to feeling like you know the characters and that they are well-rounded people you could “see/know” in your mind. (Plus, I have family in that area of MT so it was a fun location to read about.) When it comes to the plot and speed, I found the pace to be a slow build that jumped into warp speed rather than maybe a faster start with a more realistic time frame for the romance. I was totally enjoying the book and rocking along with Duke and Patience until 55% and then it just became really unbelievable and unrelatable to me. The idea of young love that is true, real, and healthy, even if it’s immature with not-so-great problem-solving skills, is such a beautiful love story to me. So, on that, I would give May great credit. Where I found the downfall was in the jump back in after 7 yrs part. The real-est, truest love requires trust and stability to actually work. I don’t understand how Patience could have either with Duke for a significant amount of time after he returned. How they could go through the trauma that they did and for her to just say, “it’s ok we’ll pretend like nothing ever happened because you apologized” just makes zero sense and the book lost me. I completely understand that others might find the fast forgiveness acceptable and be willing to go along with it, but I just couldn’t ever relate to either person after that. I am giving May 3 stars for her writing ability even if I think the plotline is unbelievable. But please give it a shot, because this is just my opinion and thoughts and not a representation of how everyone might feel about the plot. @pippawoods
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Pippa Woodshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngPippa Woods2021-07-12 11:10:372021-07-13 21:14:54Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Pippa Woods
Patience and Duke are such an amazing pair. This is definitely a second chance story. It’s so beautiful! Those two thought they were doing the best for each other and themselves. My heart broke for what patience went through. I felt so proud of her allowing herself to overcome it. Though, she felt she had to do it alone. Sweet Duke comes back to help her pick the pieces up. They helped each other move forward and I adored that aspect. I loved the family dynamic and that everyone surrounded her. This is such a wonderful love story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lydia Junehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLydia June2021-07-11 06:27:532021-07-11 21:13:05Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Lydia Pelton
For the second time this summer, I have found a new favorite author in Brooke May! The first book in the Code of Honor series, Courage of Us by Brooke May is a real page-turner, making it easy for me to finish it in a few hours!
Brooke May makes the characters relatable, the novel not only focusing on their budding romance but also showing the growth both of them go through as they work through their traumas from their pasts. May also does a great job at illustrating the struggle that many couples face when it comes to opening up about trauma and mental illness, which made the book pull even harder at the heartstrings. By the end of the book, both of the characters have gone through considerable character development, which made me love the book even more. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kayla Kearneyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKayla Kearney2021-07-09 05:06:042021-07-10 18:43:14Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Kayla Kearney
It’s a story of mixed signals and wrong assumptions from both Patience and Duke that came between the best-friends-turned-lovers for one night of passion following graduation, where Patience decided it was worth the risk of losing her friend if she gained a partner for life. But Duke leaving before Patience awoke the next morning led to the confusion that ensued for both, pushed further away by secrets neither felt could be revealed.
The story picks up seven years following that fateful night with Patience finally getting up the courage to divorce her abusive, cheating, alcoholic husband, Greg. After a move to Alabama and back home to Montana during her marriage, Patience realizes she’s a shell of the woman she used to be while she works in the cafe she opened in her parent’s grocery store. This revelation, and her learning to stand on her own two feet again, coincides with Duke’s return home to Montana after serving as a Marine in several tours that kept him away.
Duke avoided home during his service, in part, to avoid his feelings for Patience while pining for the woman who was married to another. Because of the distance they both put between themselves, neither were aware of the other’s change in situation. Duke takes a job as a sheriff deputy upon his reluctant return home, made hastily by his medical discharge from the military.
Add in some meddling mothers and an aunt, and the pair are reunited unexpectedly when Duke shows up at the cafe, and the sparks fly once again. With some tension and so many secrets between them, it gets off to a rocky start, but the two eventually admit to each other they both still love one another and spill the secrets that have come between them.
This book has such a relatable story, it’s hard not to get invested in the characters and their lives. I love the way the author paints the scenery and works in nuances to the characters’ personalities and interpersonal relationships. These feel like your friends, family, or neighbors, and the author has you rooting for love to prevail through the whole book. It’s an adorable love story with real life complications, and it makes the book read more like I personally see true love developing between two people, not just some sweet fairytale. It’s possibly one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time because of this.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-07-08 12:28:192021-07-08 15:52:36Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Wendy Wary
Can best friends, man and woman, become more? Patience and Duke prove you can. They grew up together and were best friends. Duke leaves for the Marines without telling Patience, and she enters a loveless marriage. Ten years later they find their way back to each other. They begin by being friends and telling their stories over the years. They learn that they each loved the other more than just friends but couldn’t find a way to tell the other. It works out in the end. They finally get their happily ever after. I really enjoyed this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tracy Gutierrezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTracy Gutierrez2021-06-21 19:31:432021-06-22 07:42:29Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Tracy Gutierrez
This was my first book by this author. Courage of Us revolves around Patience and Duke, two lifelong friends and the trials of that friendship after a night together. This is a sweet romance novel that anyone would enjoy. I found both characters very likeable and with nice chemistry. The secondary characters especially Patience aunt and mom were engaging and funny. I could totally see my own family acting just like that lol. I appreciated that the author touched a bit on ptsd, but would have liked her to delve into that as part of the story a little more. I thought the author did a good job of showing what Patience had been through and letting us the reader feel that, but again I would have liked to see a little more depth to it. I thought this was a beautiful romance story that I would highly recommend. I intend to read other books by this author and can’t wait for more in this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Colleen Noyeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngColleen Noyes2021-06-14 14:59:052021-06-14 14:59:41Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Colleen Noyes
I liked the book it was awesome. It was well written and it was good to read I kind of went through the same thing as the main character. I could not put it down, it was a good ending an done that I hoped it would have. There is the f word in it and I can skip over it where I don’t really notice it much anymore, but just a warning.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Darcyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDarcy2021-06-10 17:19:462021-06-10 23:03:30Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Darcy Valentine
This was a great 5 star read, once I started I didn’t want to put it down. The author does a great job with her writing, you feel like you’re right there with the characters.
Patience finally got the courage or should I say liquid courage to tell her best friend Duke exactly how she felt. It turned into a wonderful night between them….that is until morning and he was gone.
We jump ahead seven years, Patience made some not so great choices and had some heartbreaking moments and is now going through divorce. She hasn’t heard from Duke since he left. So when she comes face-to-face with him she is shocked to see him.
Duke knows the way he left things with Patience wasn’t great. Now that he has returned home he wants to make things right with her and maybe even pick up where they left off. He eventually convinces her to go on a date with him.
Can these two rekindle their friendship and possibly have more?
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters were great. I really liked both of them and I can’t wait to read more from this series. If you’re looking for a great 2nd chance romance this is the one for you. 1-click and get started today.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Michelle Austinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMichelle Austin2021-06-09 21:11:042021-06-10 08:33:14Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Michelle Austin
This is the first book I’ve read by Brooke May, and it certainly won’t be the last. This book was everything I hoped it would be from reading the blurb and more. So many feels!
Patience was the perfect name for her, because she truly was the epitome of patient. Life kept throwing her hardships and she kept pushing through until she found her way again. And Duke! Gahhh, I loved Duke. I wanted to throttle him for not going back to her sooner but he was so incredibly sweet. The chemistry between them was strong, and pure. I cried through parts and cheered in others. Perfection! If I could rate this book 10 stars I would!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jaclynhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJaclyn2021-06-04 13:52:172021-06-05 08:07:33Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Jaclyn DeTullio
This is it. This book is EVERYTHING- fight with someone else. This book covers literally everything I didn’t know I loved. The romance was there – it wasn’t too much or not enough it was perfect. The smut was also present, also in a perfect way. This writer has a full handle on how to write superb books & I am THIRSTY for the next books. I honestly think this might be an all time favorite in my romance category! – disclaimer: please research trigger warnings following this book : there are a couple of different scenes that would be rather unsettling (not super overwhelming personally but could see other women from some themes being uncomfortable. Patience and Duke go from a drunken hook up and total “I love you” confession after graduating high school – to Patience waking up by herself with no sign of Duke. As the day went on, Patience had discovered Duke had enlisted to the Marines and wasn’t coming back, she was forced to move on. After quite a few long years (a marriage, a child, Patience finding her live goals)- Duke moved back into their small town for good. Could the stars have aligned themselves any better just in time for Patience to get a hold on her very unhappy life. We watch and anticipate Patience divorcing her awful “husband” Greg, while literally BEGGING her to fall for Duke all over again. Upon discovering that they of course are ultimately still head over heels in love with each other; they both have to expose their baggage. Can they forgive the past and move on? Can Duke handle the secret that Patience had kept from him for all these years? Can Patience handle the twists and terms to come as we learn the real reason why Duke ended up coming home from his Marine career? Oh – did you think that was it? NOPE. Brooke May throws the worst cliffhanger of all cliffhangers I’ve ever read – I need the rest of the books ASAP. – disclaimer 2: this is a book you will not be able to put down – I not only finished it in one sitting. But I also stayed up until 3am because I absolutely could not put it down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Sophiehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngSophie2021-06-03 20:17:452021-06-04 07:06:59Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Sophie Rae
Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May
I’m a giant sucker for second chance romances and this book did not disappoint me one bit.
I loved the young, fiesty Patience and was so happy that she found her way again after so much heartbreak and pain over the years. I don’t think she realized how strong she was even after all the dust settled.
Duke was an idiot, regardless of his reasoning. I wanted to knock him upside his head being such a moron. He dealt with his own pain over the years but wasn’t able to start healing until he was home.
I am 100% invested in this series and I can’t wait for the second book to come out.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Robin Rankinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRobin Rankin2021-06-02 22:41:122021-06-03 09:40:16Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Robin Rankin
This was certainly a page-turner. I typically not interesting in military-esque stories, but the storyline had me captivated by the characters. There are so many elements in this story that you wanted a happy ending for the main character.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Melissa Collinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMelissa Collins2021-06-02 22:03:592021-06-03 09:35:10Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Melissa Collins
The emotions I feel about this book………I feel like I was on a roller coaster ride. My heart just ached for Patience and Duke. Putting pieces back together once you lose touch with someone you love. Patience dealing with an abusive husband and Duke trying to win her trust back, with a secret of his own, when he returns from the Marines. This book was so emotional and heart breaking. I was cheering Patience and Duke on to have their happy ending.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2021-06-02 21:33:392021-06-03 09:32:48Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
Courage of Us is the first in the series Code of Honor by Brooke May. This book centers around main characters, Duke Michael and Patience LaClare. The two grew up together and were best friends. Patience is shocked when, after graduation, Duke leaves her behind without a word. Devastated and hurt, Patience marries another man even though her heart is with Duke Her husband is a horrible and abusive man. Patience finally stands her ground and divorces him. I was rooting along with Patience’s family for her and Duke to get together. This book is a sweet love story that just makes you happy.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rebecca Hillhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRebecca Hill2021-06-02 20:38:232021-06-03 09:28:31Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Rebecca Hill
Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May. This was a great second chance romance book. I loved every page. Its the story of Patience LaClare who had her heart broken by the one man she thought would never leave her. She married another man and is 7 years in miserable. He doesn’t love her and never has. He blames her for everything wrong in his life, he verbally abuses her constantly and tells her she’s useless. Duke Michaels is a man who left his whole world behind 7 years ago including the girl he loves Patience. He joined the Marines and has seen more loss and battle than he ever dreamed he would. He’s coming home a shell of the man he was before and when he sees Patience he realizes she is a shell of her former self. Duke has severe PTSD and is trying to recoup from that the best he can. When he and Patience see each other again he realizes he has to help her become the strong girl she once was. When Patience’s husband begins to physically abuse her she finally draws up the courage to leave him. Will Duke and Patience find the love they once had even though they are two very different people? Read Courage of Us to find out!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2021-06-02 19:41:272021-06-03 09:25:49Courage of Us ( Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Tausha Treadway
Another fantastic read by May. She sure does know how to keep her readers. Courage of Us is the first book in her new Code of Honor Series.
Patience doesn’t have much when it comes to her name. That is until her best friend, Duke, up and leaves. Not a word to her and that goes on for seven years. Then he comes home at the nick of time. The quote I chose for Patience is: “But that’s what makes them so beautiful. They can be that way, but most times, they are just trying to live like every other creature. It isn’t their fault that they aren’t the exact native species to our area. They don’t know any better.”
Duke has had a hard time since leaving town. He not only left his best friend behind without a word, but she was also the love of his life. When he comes home he finds that she is going through a rough time. The quote I chose for Duke is: “That sounds great to me. I’m going to go throw some clothes on.”
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Kimblehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Kimble2021-06-02 09:51:062021-06-02 14:27:14Courage of Us (Code of Honor #1) by Brooke May-Review by Amanda Kimble
Patience LaClare is a woman who over the last seven years has lost her courage and become a shell of her former self, she has been in a loveless marriage with a man who cheated on her, blamed her for everything going wrong in his life and verbally abused her, but the day it all became physical is the day she drew the line and asked for a divorce, however, Patience has lost her friends over that time and only has her family and herself to rely on. Duke Micheals is a Marine who left everything behind, including the girl he loved, since then, he has seen more of war than he ever wanted to and when he lost his dog in a tragic encounter with the enemy, he developed PTSD and this meant a medical discharge, leaving the Marines and returning home to his family and all the memories of what he left behind.
Patience is heading to her cafe in her parents grocery store as usual, where she bakes the town’s favourite sweet and savoury snacks, what she doesn’t expect is her car breaking down in the car park at night, when the snow is falling and it is freezing cold, but the last thing she expected was Duke Micheals to come to her rescue on his way back from filling in the paperwork so he can start his new job as a deputy in the local police department. The surprise stops them both from being able to form words, but it is Patience who breaks the silence first but her words are sarcastic, independent and scathing, but she reluctantly accepts the lift home from him, the silence between them is deafening and when she gets into her house, she is an emotional mess, but so is Duke after he drops her off. Seeing Patience has solidified what Duke was thinking that she needs him as much as he needs her, however, it is also clear that she will not be as easy to convince as he hoped, he will have to put in a lot of work to pull the person she was out of the person she is and he knows just how to do it, he will simply start by asking her to dinner and then see where that takes them.
As the days progress, Patience and Duke start to spend more time together as friends and catch up on the times since they last saw each other, things are going well but there are a lot of feelings to sort through and pasts to be shared, this takes a long time as the things they need to share are painful and hard to talk about and it doesn’t help when their families meddle and try to speed the process up. The two realise that they still feel as strongly for the other as they did seven years before, but also that the attraction they felt has multiplied as they have gotten more mature and grown into themselves.
Will they be able to reveal all the hurt they are hanging onto and overcome the barriers they have each built around their hearts, or will it all be too much when they find out what the other has been through and leave them reeling away from each other? This is a second chance romance where friends who have been broken try to come back together as adults with all their baggage included, where tenderness, grief, love and loss collide with the past, present and future to create a journey which envelops you and takes you along for the ride.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2021-06-02 07:25:102021-06-02 09:19:21Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
After years of emotional and physical abuse, can Patience live again but will her past be the key for her future.
Patience has come back to her home town but she is not prepare to see him, Duke left years ago but still holds a place in her heart. Why did he leave and can I trust him again especially with my heart.
Duke left without a word and has been regretting that ever since, but being in the Marines and following his dreams but now he is back in town and has to try and fit in with civilian life, can Patience be a part of his life but first he has to win her trust.
This is the first book I have read by this author and was so drawn into this book from the first page to the last. I love the way the two main characters find each other after so long and with Patience’s history from her abusive husband makes her hard to trust but seeing Duke the old feelings start coming back, I loved the interaction and the story was well developed and written.
I can’t wait to read more books in this series and books by this author.
Reviewed by Angela Shirley
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Shirleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Shirley2021-06-01 16:32:282021-06-02 09:04:37Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Angela Shirley
Courage of Us by Brooke May is book one of the Code of Honor series.
Patience and Duke have been best friends forever. Now they’ve graduated and Patience is sure nothing will tear them apart. She finally gets the nerve to tell Duke how she feels and things escalate from there. The next morning, Patience’s world falls out from under her when she wakes up to find Duke gone. Patience does the only thing she knows how to do and that is to keep moving forward as painful as that is. Seven years later, Patience doesn’t even recognize herself but she finally takes the steps to reclaim her life. As an unexpected surprise, Duke is back home and he is looking to make things right with Patience. Will Duke be able to convince Patience to hear him out? Is it too late for them?
I couldn’t put this book down! I really enjoyed it! I felt for Patience. She was just making the best out of a situation and it really spiraled out of control for her. I’m glad she was able to stand up for herself because so many people aren’t able to.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angelina Frazzinihttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngelina Frazzini2021-06-01 13:26:522021-06-02 08:59:01Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Angelina Frazzini
This is a beautifully written story about love, losing love, challenges of life and never forgetting your first love. The characters are so well written that you can’t help feeling every piece of emotion through them.
Duke and Patience have been friends for years and with all their other friends leaving to join the army, navy and airforce Patience is content in the knowledge that she and Duke are staying together. Or so she thinks.
The night after graduation Duke just disappears without an explanation or a word of goodbye. Patience is heartbroken at this betrayal but moves on with her life.
Fast forward and Patience is in a loveless marriage with an abusive partner and she has lost herself completely. When she finally has the courage to leave she had to build herself back up and learn again who she is.
Meanwhile Duke is medically discharged from the Marines and he is returning home. Can he rebuild the relationship between himself and Patience? Will she ever forgive him for just leaving her? And when he sees Patience has become a shadow of the girl she was can he help build her back up? It’s not going to be easy as both of them are damaged and need fixing but is their first love strong enough to fix them both.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Carrhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Carr2021-06-01 09:03:002021-06-01 09:49:17Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Kerry Carr
Patience and Duke have been friends since diapers. They are yin to yang for each other. The challenge is that they don’t know they are in love with each other. Once summer after graduation changes everything….fast forward to a few years later and they meet up again. Can the love and friendship be rekindled? I found myself rooting for them. As they face challenges ahead, they don’t give up on each other and they just chug along Well-written and very realistic, the author kept this smooth and easy-flowing like a summer river.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2021-06-01 08:08:522021-06-01 09:48:47Courage of Us (Code of Honor Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Shelly Kittell
Courage of us is about two childhood best friends who never tell each other that they love the other, they keeping missing their moments, so they go their separate ways after high school. They end up going on different paths until years later when Duke returns from the marines and knows he wants Patience in his life again but only problem is she is married. Can they both over come the trauma they have been through and save each other? This book was great, it draws you in and the characters are brilliant
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laura-Jane Minniehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLaura-Jane Minnie2021-05-31 12:39:092021-05-31 22:33:20Courage Of Us (Code of Honor Book 1 ) by Brooke May – Review by Laura-Jane Minnie
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Courage of Us by Brooke May
