In Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom, the two main characters are Alex Riley and Olivia Vance. They both have suffered serious traumatic incidents in their lives. Alex, having survived an operation in the Middle East, is now discharged, suffering from PTSD. Olivia had lost one sister, Lily, when she was ten years old, but then at the age of about 20, she lost her twin sister, Sarah, in an automobile accident, which made her feel as if she had lost a part of herself. They are both barely living, just existing, until Olivia uses art to begin her journey to recovery, and Alex chooses to make Havenwood his home and start his journey to recovery.

The author uses his main characters in the most intriguing, knowledgeable, and compassionate way. Alex and Olivia take the reader on a journey of true discovery, learning about forgiveness, truth, and life. They show the reader the correct path for them to reach a place of peace and contentment with life and all it throws at one. There is so much that the reader will take and use in real life. A concept that will remain with the reader is how forgiveness is about releasing the burden of guilt, allowing a person to reclaim their future. Olivia uses her art, and Alex turns to carpentry and restoring old furniture. The reader will be in tears more than once, but the ending is so profound that you will read this book again and again, especially at a time of turmoil in your life. Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom is a beautiful story that will keep you entranced until the very last page.

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like all is lost? In Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom, that's the situation Sergeant Alex "Rook" Riley found himself in. Alex is a war veteran admitted to the hospital. He lost his comrades in battle and still suffers from PTSD, as little things remind him of the gruesome things he went through. Still in the hospital, he receives a letter that his childhood home is going to be auctioned off, taking away what little memory he was holding onto since the war messed him up. This makes him leave the hospital without a plan; he drives south and ends up in Havenwood, a quiet coastal town, and there he bumps into Olivia Vance, an artist. This brief meeting sparks a quiet connection between the two of them.

Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom is an emotional love story between two lonely people who are learning to live again. It's not loud with a lot of action or grand gestures; it's just quiet and calm and shows two people with mutual understanding and trust that heal in each other's presence and overcome their grief and trauma gradually. Olivia channels her sorrows through painting, and Alex, in her presence, is at peace. His unspoken grief felt like a shared burden with her, and her paintings reminded him to start sketching again, expressing himself. The story is really emotional and portrays how trauma can break and reshape one's identity. It also portrays grief, love, and healing. Cypress Grace is a slow and reflective book that shows the gradual process and nature of healing. This is a good read, and I recommend it.

Jeff Bartrom's Cypress Grace follows Alex, a marine veteran who is on the mend after sustaining mental and physical wounds acquired during the Iraq war. After Alex is discharged from the VA hospital, he travels to a small coastal town in Georgia, called Havenwood, hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, he's still haunted by the memories of his fallen comrades and feels as though he is existing in a world that doesn't seem real to him. His listless existence changes the moment he meets Olivia, an artist struggling to overcome the death of her sister, Lily. Gradually, Alex begins to connect with Olivia and the people in Havenwood in a heartfelt way. Unexpectedly, someone from his past brings old secrets to the surface, threatening to destroy his newfound joy. Will Alex eventually reclaim his inner peace?

Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom is a deeply moving novel that explores topics like loss, grief, survivor's guilt, PTSD, human connection, love, inner healing, and new beginnings. The author does a commendable job of molding the characters and their personas into people that readers can genuinely connect with. Alex’s resilient spirit and inner pain perfectly embody the strengths and struggles that soldiers often face while recovering from the trauma of war. Through Alex's healing, however, readers will see the wonders of art therapy and the power of human connection at play. Havenwood and its lively surroundings offer the hope of renewal, while Olivia’s creative energy shows that even people who are struggling with grief can channel their energy into something beautiful. Overall, this moving tale shows that even in difficult moments, there's always a chance to begin life anew.

In Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom, Alex Riley carries invisible scars from the wars, etched deep within his soul. Haunted by guilt for not saving the people who mattered most, Alex sought refuge from the world in the quiet town of Havenwood. Lost in the beauty of the ocean view, Alex accidentally collided with Olivia Vance, an artist deeply rooted in the town’s history. A unique connection quickly formed between them, one that transcended ordinary boundaries. Alex was intrigued by Olivia’s art and sensed that, like him, she bore the weight of grief. Olivia confessed that painting was her way of fighting back against her pain. To Olivia, Alex seemed guarded, yet his quiet strength mirrored the landscapes she brought to life on canvas. As time passed, Alex found himself falling for Olivia, a woman who saw beauty in the wild, untamed sea that reflected both their souls.

Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom is a touching and beautifully written story about healing, love, and the quiet resilience that grows from shared pain. The story moves at a gentle, deliberate pace, with every scene feeling intentional and drawing me deeper into the emotional journeys of Alex and Olivia. Themes of loss, forgiveness, and the restorative power of love and art are handled with great tenderness and insight. The characters feel authentic and relatable, with Alex and Olivia’s bond developing naturally through mutual understanding and unspoken emotion. The town of Havenwood becomes a character itself as the coastal setting mirrors their inner struggles and gradual path toward healing. The writing style is graceful and immersive, capturing the rawness of grief and the beauty of recovery. I could truly feel and empathize with both Alex and Olivia. The outcome is a powerful story that lingers long after the final page.