Blades of Bluegrass by D. Jackson Leigh
- Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, August 11th 2020
- Genre: Intrigue, Romance, LGBTQ+
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 266 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
TW: PTSD and off-screen sexual assault.
I am happy to say that Blades of Bluegrass was angst-free for me, and along with some romance-unrelated intrigue, it is naturally my kind of story. This does not mean that the theme of the book is light, however. It is a military drama about the corruption and ugliness of the US Army but with beautiful horses.
Captain Britt Story wants to return to civilian life after something happened during her last deployment, and it isn’t just about losing her arm. The military tries to keep her in the army and placate her so that she cannot talk about what had happened. Though initially aloof, Britt starts to consider her live-in physical and occupational therapist Lieutenant Teddy Alexander a friend. But unbeknownst to Britt even though it is public knowledge, Teddy has lost her wife Shannon five years ago and is struggling to love again. The pair gradually grows close on Story Hill Farm. But when their pasts and military politics catch up with them, do Britt and Teddy still want to share their lives together?
One of the main emotions in this story is grief. Britt has lost her arm and faith in the army while Teddy’s mind is still on Shannon. But nothing was too sad, either. The choice of the setting, Story Hill Farm, no doubt lightens the mood. I love how Britt and Teddy slowly open up to each other and connect on a deeper level. The pairing is balanced and both characters lovable. Now that I come to think of it, I kind of want to hug them both. The writing was also occasionally funny and I found myself chuckling a few times. It was an overall enjoyable reading experience.
Blades of Bluegrass was my first try of Leigh’s books, and it sure won’t be my last. If you love horses, military politics, or simply enjoy some wooing contents, this book is for you. [11 Jul 2020]
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
