By Gary W. Moore

The Final Service is a powerful story; it is something that so many people can relate to as it details the relationship between a US war veteran and his daughter. The book is well detailed and feels extremely personal from beginning to end, it’s definitely a journey filled with emotion and meaning on every page.

What I liked most about this book was that the characters were completely developed, likeable, and relatable. You don’t have to have history with the military to understand what it’s like to care for a family member or be reunited with—or separated from someone you love. I do have a father who’s served in combat in the US Army and that has definitely impacted my opinion of the story but I deeply enjoyed it because I believe it connects with readers of all background, whether they have military relations or not.

This story has a message and it can be interpreted in many different ways. I took it as something that speaks to our relationships with others—family or friends. I thought the writing was simple but the background detail and the dialogue put an emphasis on what the author was truly trying to say. This highlighted the importance of our interactions with one another and definitely put a magnifying glass on the importance of love, trust, and self-worth. Our main character was not perfect by any means but the struggles she faced served to encourage readers in their own trials of life.

I did enjoy this novel very much and the truth and gritty emotion it portrayed but I think it needed a serious dose of sunshine. The message was so intense and finely delivered that I got lost in the depth of the pages. I felt like it was just a black hole of grief and sorrow upon sadness and depression. I am not criticizing the story, I know that it required a certain level of intensity, but I just wish it had been put together with a little more joy trailing in the shadow of all that sorrow. That’s all. Beyond that, I do believe Moore has given readers something to chew on. I would definitely recommend it to others, especially military families and those who enjoy stories with strong characters and/or strong bonds.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*