THE HERO is the first book in Donna Grant's Sons of Texas series. It's her first contemporary romance so I was eager to see what she would have in store for her readers. Right off the bat I could see the shift in writing style. I think this is important to note because not every author changes their style to fit the genre they are writing in, so I'm very happy that Grant decided to go with something different for this series.

This series is quite heavy on the action and suspense. While I do believe Grant does do a good job on that, there were some glaring issues that I think prevented me from fully believing in the story. There was at least three parts in the first three chapters of the book that made me have to step back and consider things. That makes me believe the initial set up of the story wasn't really executed in the best way possible. I feel like concrete truths of the real world were twisted to fit this one and that would be okay in a paranormal romance, but not in contemporary romance, which is what this series is. Therefore, I wasn't fully sold on the premise of the story. Grant gets bonus points for imagination but again, I simply wished the execution was better.

However, if you can overlook those mistakes, then I think you can come to enjoy THE HERO. The balance of the romance and the action can sometimes bleed into one another too much, but for the most part, I did enjoy it. I'm looking forward to seeing what Donna Grant has in store for readers next.

Book Summary

THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget: his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After more than a decade away, Owen has returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe—and win her heart.

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughmans again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, how much will she risk to stay with the only man she’s ever loved, in The Hero by New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.