Hi there and welcome to my stop on the WISH FOR YOU blog tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. Forother stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a New Adult romance by best-selling author Marquita Valentine.

Book Summary:
There’s only one place in the world Lacey Evans feels normal- the roller derby track. When she laces up her skates and fastens her helmet, she’s powerful and in charge. She knows exactly what to do and what to say. The rules are clear and penalties are enforced for those who don’t follow them. But in the read world, she’s far from powerful and in charge. She never knows exactly what to do and say. For years, she counted on one person to be exactly who he said he was–her best friend, Wyatt Tanaka. Only she changed the rules on him, without any warning, and now she’s the one being punished.

Marine veteran, Wyatt Tanaka, came home to a heroes welcome. But he’s hiding a secret, one that could potential destroy his life. He’s doing the best he can, trying to cope with the guilt and the pain of the girl he loves pushing him away by doing all the things he’d sworn not too. Women, bars, drugs and drinking are what consume him. With Lacey’s new rules, he has nothing to hold on to. Nothing to keep in from feeling dead.

Then one night, he goes too far, gets in too deep, and when the truth comes out… will Lacey keep pushing him away or help save him?

My Review:
Well. This book took me through a few really squicky turns. I have a bit of insight into PTSD–family members who suffer(ed). And I also have known quite a few vets who wallow in intoxication, trying to bury their pain. Perhaps that’s why I had such a visceral reaction–because I know how real this experience is for countless men and women who’ve returned from the front lines.

At the time we join the story wounded veteran Wyatt is in full wallow. He feels responsible for the death of his battle buddy and has returned home where everyone wants him to be ‘normal’. He couldn’t find normal with a GPS and a set of MRE’s, yet he tries to pretend. He hungers for Lacey though they’ve only ever shared a few kisses. He’s sure he’s not good enough for her–and she confirms that by pushing him away. Booze and pot have helped mellow him out, but, without Lacey, he’s hitting the hard stuff–coke and prostitutes–looking for any release from his pain. Sure, he keeps his weekly appointments with his counselor; therapy only works if you’re honest. And he can’t be honest. Not about the drugs, not about the women, and not about the death of his buddy.

Lacey’s tortured by Wyatt’s downward slide. She loves him with every breath in her lungs, but she’s not the girl Wyatt deserves–in her opinion. Oh, and his mother’s opinion, too. See, Lacey’s not-alright. She has all-consuming panic attacks when her schedule deviates. And her schedule is about to get tossed into the recycling bin–now that her family is headed to Turkey as missionaries. Except for Lacey. She’s too old to go as a dependent and now she needs a place to live. Good thing Wyatt has a spare bedroom.

Wyatt’s almost a split personality. He can’t bear being just friends with Lacey. His counselor advises that he take whatever connection she’ll offer–and they each try to set the other up with dates. Total disaster, that. Fury drives Wyatt far past his usual binges and he nearly OD’s. Lacey is called in to support Wyatt, allowing his mother the chance to explain how sorry she was for ever questioning Lacey as a mate for Wyatt.

Still they have issues to work through. Wyatt needs more counseling, and Lacey’s diagnosis doesn’t help matters. There is a point of compromise, however, and a comfortable solution. It’s not the typical HEA–because we know there will be more bumps down the road–but there is confidence that their future will be good.

For me, I had a lot of trouble with Wyatt. He’s stubborn, abrupt and erratic with little consideration for himself, or Lacey. I wished like hell that he’d let go of his (irrational) guilt and just be the kind of guy Lacey needed. As for Lacey, I was a bit stunned how quickly she let Wyatt flop into her bed. She’s a devout Christian girl, and yes, she loves Wyatt–has for years–but it was lightspeed macking action. Their inability to communicate honestly really gave me (and them) fits. I’m not a huge fan of complications based on dishonesty–not saying that everyone must be candid all the time–I just want more of a romantic hurdle than simply “I can’t tell you the real problem.” Even in his biggest crisis, Lacey had to hear the real truth by eavesdropping before Wyatt would confess. By the end they were actually being truthful, and gained a bit more of my respect. And, Wyatt getting clean helped even more. I think readers who enjoy a good redemption tale will find their wishes fulfilled with this story.

Interested? You can find WISH FOR YOU at Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband (aka Hot Builder) at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn’t work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children. You can stalk find at her website, Facebook or Twitter.

***Giveaway 1***
Continental US residents, click this Rafflecopter link for your chance to win
(1) Engraved set of dog tags from Things Remembered – Continental US Only
a Rafflecopter giveaway

***GIVEAWAY 2***

EVERYONE can click on THIS Rafflecopter link for your chance to win

(1) $100 USD Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble – International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and, as always, keep reading my friends!