Wonderfully written, wonderfully penned. Great read. I loved reading this story, following the heart aches, pain, lost and journey to love. The characters were clearly written and brought out a great story. Definitely recommend as an enjoyable read! ( )

Fun book even with the serious issues it deals with. I like the perseverance of the hero and the way the heroine learns to give in and accept his love. Liked the over the top ending. Looking forward to the other 2 guys' stories now. ( )

If you've read Karina Bliss, odds are you know better than to assume she's got a light, cotton candy touch. This is not an exception. A zany set up: two best friends, one retiring from special forces where he's meet with some trauma, one caring for her grandmother sinking further into dementia. Sprinkle in a promise "if we're not married by 33," and a hero hell-bent on making it happen. In a funny, honest, really weird yet not creepy way.

He basically plans the wedding (my INTP heart swoons) and tells her not to show if she doesn't want to marry him. His points take on my most fervently expressed issues with the reluctance in friends-to-lovers, coupled with modern day pragmatism and a bunch of crazy real-world problems for these two besties. The heroine,Jo, is incredible: direct, ambitious, loving, and loyal. There's a lot to love here, from interactions with family and friends to how deeply and deftly this book deals with tricky grief, medical, and mental health issues. When we finally get to know Ross a little bit (the hero's, Dan's, best man) I'm salivating. He's...icy. I want. Dan is equally appealing: strong and steady. The question is how is he going to breech their friendship and convince her they can build a life together.

Like I said, the book is a bit weird. I didn't mind that, until the last 10% of "let's prove Dan is better/more dependable than he thinks he is," and I won't share that twist, only to say I wish I'd stopped reading because it was stupid, careless, and...stupid and careless. I would never, in my life, dream that would heal someone, nor would I do that to a person I loved. Stupid. Careless.

Other than that, we got a lovely book with lovely fully developed characters who I was rooting for, even though I thought they were both right the whole time.

I do, however, need to bump it down for that last 10% that was not an act of love. ( )

Author Karina Bliss begins her "Special Forces Series" with "The Soldier's Wedding". Longtime best friends Josephine Swann and Dan Jansen have always been there for each other--never as lovers, but more like sister and brother. However, some things are just too deep and personal to share, even with your best friend. Through a twist of Fate, Dan is not out on the mission when his Special Forces unit in Afghanistan is attacked and his friends and comrades are either grievously wounded or killed. He blames their losses on himself and struggles with doubt and guilt. Jo never told Dan that she had been seriously ill and had to undergo a life-altering surgery. When Dan returns from Afghanistan, he is determined to hold Jo to a promise they made in jest years ago to marry each other if they were not already married to someone else by a certain age. While Jo is relieved and happy that Dan has made it home, she has no intentions of marrying him. As he proceeds to try to convince her that their friendship will be a great starting point for a happy marriage, he goes forward with plans for the wedding ceremony. Each of them is dealing with family issues--Jo's beloved grandmother is suffering from increasing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, and Dan's parents are becoming more estranged from each other with separation looking more possible each day. As Dan and Jo begin to look at each other with a new awareness, there may be more between them than friendship, but they both have to find an honest healing for themselves before their love can grow and come into full bloom, I really enjoyed "The Soldier's Wedding", and I look forward to reading the three other books in the series. ( )

REVIEW: In a rather unlikely situation, Jo is dealing with too many issues to be swept away by Dan’s sense of romance. He is struggling also and seems a little uncertain of his motivations. The book is well written but is more deep drama than humorous. Both are reeling from life’s quirks. The pending marriage almost keeps them from supporting each other. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: If Jo Swann weren't so furious, she'd probably laugh. Her best friend, Dan Jansen, has launched a campaign worthy of his Special Forces training to arrange their wedding, from music and minister to flowers and food. What part of no does he not understand?
Their marriage 'agreement' was a tipsy scrawl on the back of a coaster...three years ago. It's not a question of love. Of course, she loves Dan. She's loved him all her life. If only she could get him to slow down a minute and listen—to be the friend she needs right now—she could convince him that marriage would ruin everything. ( )