The Ranger's Hope

I am going to preface my review with the fact that I understand that in the real world, a therapist should never have a romantic relationship with her client and that, even if she is unlicensed there are still ethical laws that should be followed. However, since this story is fiction and it is a romance, I am going to set that aside for purposes of the review.<br /><br />Kennedy was the director of an organization that matched shelter dogs with returning vets who are struggling. Ryder was one of those vets. Following his return to the states after capture, torture, and feeling responsible for his team's suffering, he can't seem to feel worthy of anything good. He works for a security organization of former rangers and they see how he is struggling and give him an ultimatum to get help. <br /><br />This is a sweet romance with an adorable rescue dog who is really the one who provides what Ryder needs. I also listened to the audio version of this book and thought the narration was very well done.

I was given a advance copy of this book, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.<br /><br />Great romance dealing with PTSD.

I have loved this series so far and Ryder's story does not disappoint. I love Kennedy and her fighting heart and spirit. She has so much spunk and is perfect for Ryder. I loved Rufus! What an amazing dog. This was a fun book, but full of suspense, love and growth.

The Ranger’s Hope: A Clean Army Ranger Romance Book 4 is by Bree Livingston. This book is fun and easy to read. It deals with PTSD among veterans and how dogs can help them. This is a problem that many vets have when they return home and they need professional help which is difficult for some of them to find. Finding the right therapist makes all the difference in the world. It also deals with the addiction of gambling and the devastating results for the families of those addicted. <br />Ryder Whitlock was a computer expert who worked for the Guardian Group. This was a group of former Rangers who provided security for those in need. Ryder had been in Afghanistan with Noah when the incident happened that caused his nightmares and not sleeping to start. When they came home, they began working together. Noah had married Mia and she oversaw the men as well. It was Mia who confronted Ryder about his insomnia and inability to accept what had happened. She had arranged for him to go home to Palm Shores, North Carolina, to work with Rescues for Vets to find relief from his problems. Rescues for Vets worked with Vets to find a dog that fit with them and who helped their problems. It was run by a friend of Mia’s, Kennedy Crenshaw. Mia had called in a favor to get Kennedy to see Ryder and see if she could help. Mia and Noah did not give Ryder a choice of whether to go or not. <br />Kennedy had come to Palm Shores to direct Rescues for Vets in an attempt to continue her work with vets and to hide from her ex. He had a gambling problem and before he went to jail, he had reduced her to poverty by sending men to get his money. She had given up her therapist’s license to hide from Abel, her ex. Abel was getting out of jail and Kennedy was going to wash her hands of him once and for all. She was finished helping him. Meanwhile, she has to try to reach Ryder when he refuses to work with her. She uses a dog, Rufus, to help her. He chooses to work for Ryder from the beginning. It is as if Ryder could understand what Ryan is saying. Can Kennedy and Rufus break through Ryder’s defenses and help him? <br />

The Ranger’s Hope by Bree Livingston (4 stars)<br /><br />Warning: there are spoilers in this review...<br /><br />I’ve been eagerly awaiting Ryder’s story and it doesn’t disappoint! Kennedy, Ryder and Rufus are perfect for each other. They all three save one another at various points in the book and it’s pretty special to read about how those rescues take place.<br /><br />Ryder’s struggles are sympathetically portrayed and help the reader to better empathize with people who suffer from panic attacks, depression, anxiety, etc. His ruminating and self-deprecating messages are written very authentically. <br /><br />His fellow Ranger’s and his therapists have been telling him for years that nothing would have changed whether he knew his team was walking into a trap or not. But the moment he allows those words to become authentic to him, the moment he embraces their truth; it is a wonderful moment, indeed. <br /><br />The struggle Kennedy has between her feelings and staying professional are understandable and so it’s a satisfying moment when Ryder finally fires her! <br /><br />Another wonderful story from Bree Livingston! She’s a favorite of mine: good clean romance, personable characters and amazing kisses!<br /><br />*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special<br />

I truly enjoyed reading this book.<br />It's emotional, heartfelt &amp; intriguing.<br />Ryder, works for the Guardian Group.<br />His friends/co-workers are concerned<br />about him. Ryder, blames himself for what happened when a mission went bad. Mia, begs him to see her therapist friend, Kennedy.<br />Kennedy's ex-husband has found her<br />again. Living in another new town,<br />she thought she was safe, again.<br />Now she needs to focus &amp; help, Ryder.<br />Kennedy, works with veterans,<br />pairing them with a specific dog.<br />Ryder &amp; Kennedy's first meeting did <br />go well. After having been to multiple<br />therapist, he's given up. Kennedy was walking, Rufus. He immediately took <br />to Ryder. Are they went to be together?<br />Will Ryder, let Kennedy in, to help him?<br />And will Kennedy let Ryder in, so he<br />can help her?<br />I loved everything about the story!!!

The man female character is so stupidly characterized. If you are a therapist falling in love with a patient, maybe it is because you shouldn't be touching him! Don't put your hand on his cheek. Don't hold him while he sleeps. Duh! If you are having a hard time controlling your feelings, or if he kisses you, pass him off to another therapist. That doesn't mean you are "giving up" on him. <br /><br />I wish the author had just not made the female lead a supposed experienced therapist with at least some graduate school under her belt, working at a Rescue for Vets. She does all the above things, and then seems surprised she starts having feelings. Why not just give her a different field, but she finds herself working at the Rescue for Vets place, matching dogs to vets, and finds herself working a lot with the main male lead? That would make more sense with her actions.

Another great book from the Guardian Group series that doesn’t disappoint. This series really sheds light on veterans dealing with PTSD and how rescue dogs really help them cope with the emotional aftermath of the war. Kennedy and Ryder’s story are a testament on how showing compassion and understanding to a person dealing with PTSD can work wonders. Bree Livingston did a fantastic job with brings this subject to life. I loved this series and can’t wait for the next book. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

<strong>The Ranger's Hope</strong><br /><br />Ryder is having even greater difficulty dealing with the fall out from his last military action. Noah and requested he try one more counselor or lose his job as he and Mia can't watch him self destruct without trying to intervene. Kennedy is more than happy to help a veteran through recovery but he has to trust her for any recovery to even start. When they each develop feelings for the other, will their professionalism allow them to more forward or will everything stop in it's tracks?

<strong>EMOTIONAL DRAMA AND NEW ROMANCE</strong><br /><br />A therapist in hiding who has agreed to help one of the Army rangers who works for the Guardian Group, also runs a rescue center for dogs. Once she meets this ranger she realizes how badly damaged he is and vows to do whatever possible to help him. An surprisingly a dog enters the picture and claims him as his own. Tension mounts as her <br />ex-husband returns wanting money to pay off a gambling debt.