In the Arms of the Enemy by Luis Ammerman

Historical, romantic, and hopeful. Luis knows how to tell a love story without having to resort to sweeping grand gestures. The story of Corey and Miranda starts with initial attraction but slowly blooms to love that withstands the test of war and the aftermath it left behind.

The story is set towards the tail end of the American Revolutionary War. Corey, a British soldier stumbled on Miranda's garden after he narrowly escaped a brutal battle with the American troops. When Miranda saw Corey badly needed help, she nursed the wounded soldier to health despite knowing that he was "the enemy". Miranda lost her brother to war, so she knew that this man will be missed by his loved-ones if or when he passed away.

The conflict in the love story is not new at all: star-crossed lovers who are not allowed to be together. However, Luis' approach to romance is unique - he highlights the tender moments shared by the characters. The budding romance is filled with gentle flirtations - shy eye contacts, accidental hand touching, and inside jokes. I personally like the gentle fireworks portrayed in the book because they are more intimate and the anticipation is way more thrilling. Grand gestures die down quickly, but subtle flirtations last longer. In reality, grand gestures cannot sustain love and relationships. Love thrives in the mundane and boring things, If you can find someone who you can just simply hang out with, then you are one step closer to a successful relationship.

Corey and Miranda's story also reminds us that a love story doesn't end in a beautiful wedding. The wedding is only the beginning of a long journey ahead. The characters' marriage brings a different set of challenges even if the war was over. They both had to confront the past that Corey was running from. At this point in the story, Miranda's faith with her husband was put to test.

The novel paints a realistic view of what it's like to be in a relationship. Couples face challenges. The couple can either stick it out or throw in the towel. Luis' story reminds us that we should also know our boundaries within the relationship. It reminds us that we should completely know ourselves first before we lose our identity in a relationship.

The novel ends in a happy note with Miranda and Corey hopeful for the future. As I read the last page, I know that whatever challenges would come their way, their love will survive. If you're a big fan of romance novels full of tender moments, then this book is highly recommended.

Congratulations Luis for writing this beautiful love story.