Review: The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

The Unsung Hero (Troubleshooters #1) by Suzanne Brockmann

Publication Date: June 6th 2000 by Random House

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

About the book:

Suzanne Brockmann’s wildly popular Troubleshooters series showcases this master storyteller’s rare gift for blending intense adventure with sensuous romance. And it all begins with The Unsung Hero, a heart-pounding tale of love that reveals hidden truths and brings two solitary people together against all odds.
 
After a near-fatal head injury, Navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the Navy dismisses the sighting as injury-induced imaginings. In a last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorism team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton. As the town’s infamous bad boy, Tom was always in love with Kelly, a sweet “girl next door” who has grown into a remarkable woman. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day.

My Thoughts:

It’s not often that I call a romantic suspense novel beautiful and moving, but that’s exactly what The Unsung Hero was.  Really, this was three separate stories weaved together into one: a second chance romance between Tom Paoletti and Kelly Ashton, a longtime friendship between two WWII veterans (Tom’s great uncle, Joe Paoletti and Kelly’s father, Charles Ashton), and a romance between Tom’s niece, Mallory and David the geek.   

Tom’s back home with his Great Uncle Joe on thirty-day medical leave from his SEAL unit after a head injury nearly killed him.  As the longtime grounds-keeper for Charles Ashton, Uncle Joe lives on Charles’ property in a cottage by the main house.  When Tom was in high school he couldn’t ignore Charles’s beautiful, but underage daughter, Kelly.  They were good friends, talking under her tree house many a summer night, their attraction growing and growing until they shared a night of passion filled kisses.  Sixteen years later Tom still thinks of Kelly and she is still hurt by Tom’s sudden, unexplained departure.  Now that Kelly’s father Charles is dying, she’s back home, and with Tom back as well, all the old feelings and attraction come rushing back full force.

There was massive amounts chemistry between Tom and Kelly. Their longing was palpable, making their romance fiery once they finally get together.  It takes a bit for them to sort out exactly where they stand: hot temporary fling or forever? But I loved their journey!

Joe and Charles fought together with French resistance fighters back in World War II. They were lauded as heroes after the information they carried back to the Allied forces saved Charles’ company of troops: the Fighting Fifty-fifth.  After the war, Joe came back with Charles and became his grounds keeper, and reluctant best friend, but Joe’s hit hard with the news of Charles’ terminal illness.  Worse, at this fragile time they’re fighting because Joe has agreed to tell the story of their time in France to a reporter covering the Fighting Fifty-fifth’s reunion. Their story flops between the present and their dangerous time in France.  Love, tragedy, and heartache had me in tears several times over their story! 

Mallory Paoletti meets David, a geeky guy determined to get to know her, and can’t shake him.  David’s an artist working on a graphic novel and Mallory is his dream lead girl, Nightshade, so he wants her to pose for pictures.  After getting through Mallory’s tough defenses they form a bond, and Mallory starts to see the attractive man, inside and out, under all the geek trappings.  I swear, this was the sweetest romance! I was rooting for the geek from minute one!

The suspense part was actually more in the background in my opinion. Tom thinks he spots a terrorist called the Merchant at the airport and then again in town. He’s worried the Merchant has targeted the Fighting Fifty-fifth’s award ceremony since foreign dignitaries and important government representatives are attending. Convincing the higher-ups that the Merchant is back and poses a plausible threat is quite another thing.  Tom enlists the help of some of his SEAL teammates, and even Uncle Joe and Charles join in on the mission.

It does seem like a lot going on, but these stories converge and intersect seamlessly through Suzanne Brockmann’s talented and beautiful writing.  Each story was emotional and I was moved to tears more than once while reading.  I’ll definitely be reading the rest of this series, because The Unsung Hero was just lovely!

I must give a shout out to Eva at All Books Considered because she once again gave me a winning book recommendation! Thanks, Eva!

5 Suns

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