⚓💍 Navy Wife (Navy Series #1) 💍⚓ (1988) – Book Review

MY REVIEW

Series: Navy Series (Book #1)
Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Silhouette; Remastered ed. edition (February 1, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373218443

ISBN-13: 978-0373218448

“Falling for a man in uniform can be hard . . .

New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber weaves emotional tales of love and longing. Here is the first of her celebrated NAVY series!

Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval officer 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? ”

This was initially issued in November 1, 1988 as Silhouette Special Edition #494.

Here’s the first cover:

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.

[Debbie Macomber's Navy Series]

[Navy Series #1 - Navy Wife]

I liked the premise - 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. No wonder this is classified under the EROTICA label. 

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. Of course that’s just me.

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

2⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

[Picture taken from back of book]

[Again, taken picture taken from back of book]