Navy Wife

By Debbie Macomber

Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy' – Candis

Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan.

Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval offi cer was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man… in a husband. But Rush placed duty to his country above all else.

Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, he was called back to sea. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder—but will their marriage survive their partings?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: May 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781472016331

Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber, with more than 100 million copies of her books sold worldwide, is one of today’s most popular authors. Visit her at DebbieMacomber.com.

Reviews for Navy Wife

[nancyluebke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this Navy romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 4.7* rating. Although this is not for the under 18 readers, this does contain children that the story evolves around and a bit of action. Although my hubby was in the army for a while, I didn't know that there were so many rules when both are in the military. And the ending was good as it showed how they worked it out.

[bhabeck-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At her older brother’s invitation, Lindy Kyle has come to Seattle to recover from a broken engagement. Both Lindy’s brother, Steven, and his roommate, Rush Callaghan, are in the Navy and scheduled to be at sea so she’ll have a place to stay while her heart mends.Rush’s ship experiences mechanical issues and has to return to port only days into the deployment. Upon returning to his apartment, he discovers Lindy and sparks fly until he realizes who Lindy is. From that point, there is a growing relationship as the two remain as roommates while Rush’s ship is being repaired.The story was interesting and the characters likable (except for one part later in the book when I wanted to strangle Lindy. Navy Wife is the first in the series and I will be checking out more books in this series.Rating: 4 stars

[medwards429 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

As a fan of the author, I enjoy her later work (the more recent stuff). My first exposure to the writer was around 2001/2002. I enjoy her Heart of Texas/Promise, Texas series; the Cedar Cove; Blossom Street, and Dakota Series. Also some stand-alone books are great. I've yet to read the "Rose Harbor" books, but they're on the "to read" list. If they're like the Cedar Cove books, then chances are I'll definitely enjoy them. I think her writing got better over time, so this is an interesting glimpse into the writer's earlier tomes.

This is one of Macomber's earlier novels, and being a fan, I grabbed it during a library sale. I'm also a fan of the TV series JAG (1995-2005) and my grandfather was in the Navy, so Navy life intrigues me.

I liked the subject - Rush mistook Lindy for being his roommate's girlfriend and thus an unintended romance occurs. The ship's troubles led to him being there and more exposure to her, thus they fall in love and don't want to separate when the time comes.

This book details some of the struggles that Navy relationships can take on couples. It's not an easy life, but rewarding one.

With that said ...

Like other reviewers - the graphic sex scenes in this (as well as the other novels in this series I've read: "Navy Blues" and "Navy Brat") were unnecessary. One reviewer called it "smut". A hint or two is good, but reading some of the scenes made me feel like a voyeur into someone's bedroom. I'm not a prude by any means, but I believe those explicit scenes are best left to one's imagination - much like on a TV show. It can be, for some, quite graphic.

I was also troubled by the fact that Lindy accepted Rush's Navy life so quickly, even when Rush cautioned her (he was already divorced from his first wife). However, after a serious accident, she wants him to choose between the Navy and her. Accidents on a carrier, even in peacetime, can happen. I get it is a romance novel, however Lindy seemed far too immature to accept the risk of what could happen or the aftermath despite knowing what she wants at her age (22).

My grandmother was not quite 28 when a kamikaze slammed into my grandfather's ship during WWII. There was no loss of life, and surprisingly after repairs, the ship was returned to service. My grandmother also had a 13 month old child at the time (my mom's older brother). Perhaps it was the 5-6 year age difference (between my grandmother and the Lindy character), or the time, but my grandmother was far more mature in handling the news and the aftermath. While pregnant for my mom, my grandfather was again deployed during the Korean conflict. He wasn't a career Navy man, and finally left the service not long after my mom was born. Still she accepted what was going on as "part of the times".

Wasn't there someone on base that could've initiated Lindy as to what is expected and what to expected when marrying the Navy? My grandmother's situation was different. My grandfather was drafted both times during war. But, this book is during peacetime and post-draft.

As with others who have reviewed the book, the relationship was based on lust for each other and when tragedy struck, Lindy couldn't handle it.

The letter mix-up was a bit annoying. I can't believe that Lindy didn't make sure to verify where to send it, again showing the rush job of getting married without checking everything out first.

I won't discuss Lindy's brother who is the subject of book #2 in the series - "Navy Blues".

The story idea was a good one - mistaken identity, whirlwind romance, marriage, tragedy, redemption. But, I felt there should've been more depth and less lust. Yes, this is one of those "steamier" Harlequin Romance books, but I would like to see Macomber re-visit this series - revamp it, clean it up, give it a bit more depth.

Since I have the book, I'll keep it, but likely once I finish the series it'll be packed away.

[lindamobile · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was really disappointed in this book. I usually like Debbie Macomber books but I didn't even finish this one. Its about Lindy who goes to stay in her brother's apartment when he is away and meets his flat mate Rush. Its man meets woman and falls in love but that's all there is. I'm used to more in a story line from Debbie Macomber and not all the heavy petting and sex . I've downloaded Navy Husband as well and I'm not sure whether to bother reading it. Its a shame because I usually really like Debbie Macombers book.

[debbieaheaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Macomber’s romance novel, Lindy Kyle flees to Seattle hoping to mend a broken heart. But she is unprepared for her new roommate, Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive, and sexy as hell, the naval officer represents everything Lindy has ever believed a husband should be. But Rush is a navy man and country and service precedes personal relationships. While passion consumes them, Rush is reactivated and sent to sea leaving them with the question: Will their marriage survive a sea of separation?Macomber has woven a passionate and memorable story of romance again.

[robindejarnett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A nice little contemporary romance. Not the deepest characters, but easy to read. I wished the ending had been stretched out a bit - lots of stress on the anticipation, then a whole lot of external conflict at the end without the same attention to the internal resolutions.