He knows how to be brave on a battlefield

Now he has to be brave with his heart

Years of military service taught decorated veteran Braden Sullivan how to be strong. It didn’t teach him how to be vulnerable.

Back in his Oregon hometown, with a job as a helicopter pilot and a two-family home to renovate, he’s not at all prepared for his heart to take flight after meeting his tenant, Cassie Donovan.

The widowed single mom is beautiful, charming…and terrified of loving another pilot after losing her husband in a crash. Overcoming her fears and his own uncertainties will take courage—but isn’t that what a hero soldier is for?

Titles in the Finding Forever in Sandy Shores series include: A Hero’s Return ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  A Hero’s Return
Series:  Finding Forever in Sandy Shores #1
Author:  Carrie Nichols
Published:  August 26, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin Special Edition
My Rating:  4.5 stars

A Hero’s Return begins the Finding Forever in Sandy Shores series, bringing us Cassie’s and Branden’s slow-burning romance.

Cassie’s husband was a pilot whose plane crashed with no survivors.  Well-meaning people, as well as just mean people made it difficult for Cassie and her daughter, Amelia to remain in their hometown where due to social media, her husband’s leaked “pilot error” accident report was devastating and made healing for either of them difficult.  Cassie eventually moved to the small town where her sister lived, hoping to find a fresh start away from the tragedy of the past.  She wasn’t looking for romance, but then neither was Branden.

Branden is considered a hero by some, but never felt that way about himself.  A retired Army helicopter pilot, he’s returned to his small home town.  Personal tragedies have touched his life, and perhaps he’s more of a loner and a bit of a grump now, but he really doesn’t care… until he meets Cassie and her daughter.  Awkward doesn’t begin to describe their first meeting, and while it might take a bit of time to get beyond that, the attraction was strong between them.  Cassie fears falling for another pilot, and despite Branden’s reassurances, she hesitates.  Until fate takes that decision out of her hands.

A Hero’s Return by Carrie Nichols is a good start to this series.  I liked Branden, Cassie, and especially, Amelia, they felt believable and their reactions realistic.  I adored the pets in this story.  Cassie and Branden have a rocky journey ahead before they find their happy ever after ending, but anything worthwhile usually takes a bit of work, and trust.  If you enjoy a well-written romance with humor, emotional moments and a couple to root for, then you’d love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)