If not for my friend Kim at SOS Aloha, I wouldn’t have found
the novella FOR LOVE OR DUTY by Bethanne Strasser. I’m sure glad Kim suggested
I read this author. I’m all for military spouses reading military spouses,
especially if the writing also deals with military life.
I had a good time with FOR LOVE OR DUTY. It’s a light summer
read for a few hours by the pool. Valerie and Kevin are just complicated enough
to keep each other on their toes without weighing the story down with their
issues. I really enjoyed that both were open to the idea of no-strings attached
fun. And that they tried to make their friendship work. Cheryl, the sidekick,
was fun and refreshing.
But what really didn’t work for me, so much so that it
lowered the grade for the entire novella, was the non-communication tool
Strasser used to create a very contrived way to keep Kevin and Valerie apart.
Seriously? Valerie’s father knew of Kevin’s plans; he wouldn’t have told his
daughter what had happened to Kevin the minute he got the news? Cheryl knew of
Kevin’s plans, too; she wouldn’t have called Valerie either? If a serviceman is
injured, calls are being made. Period. No one cares if there was an argument
before/during the deployment.
I understand why Strasser used this tool (it’s in every new
author’s bag of tricks), but her writing is beyond using such beginner tropes. She’s
far better than the contrived conflict she created.
Still, her conflict led to a satisfying conclusion and my
absolute favorite part of the story. When Kevin said, “I can’t assure you I’ll
be there every time you need me.” I cheered. I loved that he was being honest
and realistic. Separation is a very real part of military life and too often
overlooked in the happy-ever-after assurances of our fictional military heroes.
Kudos to Strasser (and Kevin) for keeping it honest.
B
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