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About The Book

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When a soldier with a troubled past and a struggling songwriter agree to a marriage of convenience for the military benefits, neither expects much after saying “I do.” Then tragedy strikes, and the line between what’s real and what’s pretend begins to blur in this smart and surprising romance perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jojo Moyes.

Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldn’t be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassie’s bar changes the course of both their lives.

Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: she’ll marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a “family.” When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesn’t know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one...

About The Author

When not producing fiction for young readers, Tess Wakefield works in Golden Valley, Minnesota as a copywriter, an amateur comedian, and a caretaker for several thriving plants. Purple Hearts is her first novel for adults.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Emily Bestler Books (September 15, 2022)
  • Length: 320 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781668021873

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Raves and Reviews

"When I laughed at loud at Tess Wakefield's wit on page three of PURPLE HEARTS, I knew this was a book I would love. With complex and compassionately drawn characters facing all-too-real problems, Wakefield has created a uniquely affecting love story about two people so deeply human you'd almost swear you know them."

– Bethany Chase, bestselling author of THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

"Wonderfully true and surprising, with modern, complex and fascinating characters."

– Sarah Pekkanen, internationally bestselling author of THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS

Best Books of the Month

– Liz & Lisa

"I found myself not wanting this novel to end. I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes, and other contemporary romance novels."

– The Blonde Bookworm

"A good, romantic take on some very modern challenges!"

– A Bookish Affair

"Rec it? Yes! Even though I am desperate for an epilogue, I still would recommend this to anyone who loves their brooding military hero, especially one who has worked so hard to redeem himself."

– The Book Hookup

"If you're looking for a book that will tug on your heartstrings and one that is filled with an unlikely romance which will have you swooning, definitely check out PURPLE HEARTS this summer. It would be the perfect read for a lazy summer day or a relaxing day at the beach."

– Confessions of a Book Addict

"PURPLE HEARTS is every bit real and tangible. It's a story you can't walk away from, yet you're breaking into pieces the deeper you read. My only objection is that I wanted more. More of Cassie, more of Luke. More of their lives intertwined together. It's a slow burn, a sizzle, a spark, a big gush of wind threatening to blow you away."

– G Reads

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