A SEAL at Heart

John Matthew Roaker, petty officer first class, is first and foremost a SEAL; his life revolves around his work. That changes after a disastrous mission damages Jack’s memory and kills his close friend. Jack ends up on temporary medical leave that may become permanent if he can’t recall what went wrong and how. Fortunately he winds up in the capable hands of Laurie Smith, a physical therapist who has the power to heal his body and his soul—though she has her own scars from her father’s time as a SEAL. The connection between Jack and Laurie is instantaneous and combustible, but some readers may be put off by the conflation of romantic and therapeutic touch, and the wooden characters’ unhappy pasts mostly serve as excuses to trowel on information about SEAL teams and their work. Agent: Eric Ruben, Ruben Literary Agency. (Dec.)