Meant to Be

For Love of Country

By: Jessica James

Narrated by: Stella Bloom

What do you do when the person you most want to protect is the one risking everything to make sure you survive?

When Lauren Cantrell said goodbye to the guy she had just met on the beach, she had no way of knowing their paths would ever cross again. But fate had another unexpected meeting in store for them - this time in a place where danger was part of the culture and the stakes were life and death.

The last person in the world Michael "Rad" Radcliff expected to see at a special ops briefing in Afghanistan is the girl he met at the beach two weeks ago - the one he can't stop thinking about.

From the sundrenched beaches of Ocean City, MD. to the snowcapped mountains of Afghanistan, this thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue takes listeners on a spellbinding journey into the secret lives of our nation's quiet heroes - and answers the question: What do you do when the person you most want to protect is the one risking everything to make sure you survive?

Meant to Be recounts the dedication of our military, the honor and sacrifice of our soldiers, and a relationship that is tested and sustained by the powerful forces of love, courage, and resolve.

©2015 Jessica James (P)2017 Jessica James

Military Romantic Suspense

The story was very good, interesting and inspiring. There were a lot of good characters! The narration is also very great. I received this audiobook for free at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Love story with twists and turns galore!

I love a good military romance. This one starts out with the two main characters Lauren and Rad meeting on leave and spending 24 hours together... unsure of if they'll ever see each other again. All of a sudden they're both back on the job and Lauren is in danger as a CIA operative providing intelligence to Rad's special operations team. In every heart rending moment you come to love this couple all the more and pray for their safe return to one another because if you're like me you know they're just "Meant to Be". I absolutely recommend this novel and hope it becomes the first in a series following that special "special ops team" Join me in reading this story and soon you'll be rooting for them too.


Received free for honest review

So much more than romance

Meant to Be: For Love of Country 5 Stars
By: Jessica James Narrated by Stella Bloom

I loved this book! It’s definitely a 5-star read. I’m not usually a “romance” reader, but this is so much more than romance. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The action was so real I couldn’t stop reading, and the drama made it so much more intriguing.

I highly recommend Meant To Be to readers of all genres; The writing was perfect; the imagery made me feel as if I was there and the perfect amount of information was given just when needed. I now have another favorite author to follow.

Awesome Book!

I loved the book. Great storyline. The narration was was very good. Can't wait to hear her other books.

Fantastic Listen!

Lauren Cantrell thinks she is going to spend a quiet day at the beach, until Michael “Rad” Radcliff, a special ops officer who’s taking a much-needed break, comes along and shows her the time of her life all in one fateful day and night. Neither really knows anything about each other, but Rad is certain he’s found his soul mate. Lauren is a little more reticent certain that their romance was for one night only. When they meet again at a special ops briefing, danger and intrigue may bring their unexpected romance to an end.

One of my favorite sub-genre is military romance and this audiobook, which clocks in at just over 8 ½ hours is the best I’ve heard in quite awhile! It’s an intense listen and the violence is fairly graphic, but to me, it made the story all that more realistic.

Narrator Stella Bloom does an excellent job in this fully voiced production and does an amazing turn at voicing Rad.

I hope author Jessica James has more military romance to pen. She knows how to mix the perfect blend of romance and adventure.

This audiobook was gifted to me in exchange for an unbiased review!

Great beginning to a series

Up front, I have to say I loved this story and loved it on so many levels. Kudos to the author, Jessica James, for how she structured her book. I loved the prolonged twenty-four-hour first day. It really laid the foundation for the book and for both the personalities of the main characters, Rad and Lauren. It’s a little unusual and a bit of a risk, but a definite plus with this book.
Rad and Lauren are cagey with each other in regard to their jobs, but it’s clear to the reader that they’re on a collision course with each other in the near future. James gives each main character a distinct point of view and ample time and space to unfold for the reader. I also appreciated that she had done her homework for military jargon and procedures. (A personal pet peeve of mine.)
The suspense builds and ebbs perfectly to keep the story moving along. The action is tightly written, keeping the reader fully engaged throughout the book. I enjoyed how the plot continuously moved forward, building to a great ending. I was also happy to see that this book is the first in a series. More to come – joy!
The narrator gave Lauren a perfect voice and I wasn’t bothered when she took on the male points of view either; that’s what usually sours me on audiobooks. She had a lovely tone and perfect enunciation. It made a several hour drive much more pleasurable.
Absolutely recommend this book and author.

Great story!

I loved this book! I make my own greeting cards and listen to audible books while I am making them. This book is a sweet love story but also full of action! The characters came to life and there were several evenings I stayed in my craft room a good half hour just listening & not wanting to shut it off just yet. This is my 1st Jessica James story and I’m ready for another!

Meant to Be will stay with me for a long time!

Wow! Talk about having an impact! This is, I suppose, a military romance. I really hate to label it that, because the level and depth of this novel is so far above and beyond anything I've read for a long time.
Ms. James' coverage of military covert operations is simply terrifying to this military wife. It brings up images no one in their right mind would like to imagine if they have loved ones in the military. This story is brutal, but leaves you unable to stop listening (or reading). She manages to weave hope and love into the story of military patriotism, conviction and desolation.
The two main characters, Lauren and Rad, meet on a beach and have twenty hours together before, unknown to each other, military duty calls them. They separate, never knowing if they will see each other again. Fate and duty throw them together a second time, only to separate them again. Military operations take precedence over everything else. Hardships are endured, wills brought to the breaking point, but the heart of each is still searching for the other. Will they find their way back together before there is nothing left for either to give?
Meant to Be will stay with me for a very long time. Excellent!
I was given this audio book. The opinions are my own.

WOW..what a story!

This book is my first Jessica James listen, and I can tell you, I will be watching for her future releases. Romantic suspense at its best, this high action, military based story will keep you on the edge of your seat. While the story focuses around the couple, Rad and Lauren, there are many well developed characters and subplots happening too. Over and above the top secret mission Rad is leading, there is also stories of social climbing, homeland security, and the personal lives of military soldiers and their significant others. Seeing the actions of Rad's ex, Angela and the way she disregarded the lives of all involved shows how tainting things in the media can change the outcome of the lives of others. I also loved the camaraderie of the men both in the field and at home. Throughout this book, you hear the true meaning of patriotism and dedication and it will bring you a heart warming feeling.

Stella Bloom is an excellent narrator, she always brings out the best in a story. Her ability to give both male and female narration seamlessly makes the performance come to life and makes the listener invested in the outcome. She is perfect for the is book!

What a Gem!

This book is multi-faceted like a diamond. I loved the suspense, the romance and how things were tied together. I listened to this militarily romance over Veterans Day and thought it was both well written and performed. The narrator (Stella Bloom ) was new to me and did an excellent job with so many characters. and voice differences for the various characters she portrayed. Also, I loved the various emotions she interjected into the story. I was provided with this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this talented author and narrator in the future. Audible 20 review Sweepstakes Entry.