If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks’ coastal romances, Rebecca Yarros’ emotionally charged character arcs, or Abby Jimenez’s heartfelt, healing‑centered love stories, Cypress Grace will sweep you into a tender, slow‑burn journey of two wounded souls learning to breathe again. Along the hauntingly beautiful Southern coastline, Alex Riley, a Marine veteran returning from war, is searching for something he can’t name. The war may be over, but its echoes still live beneath his skin. Hoping to outrun the memories that refuse to fade, he retreats to a sleepy Georgia town where the cypress trees rise like silent witnesses to his grief. There, he meets Olivia Hart, a guarded, fiercely talented artist whose own past has left deep emotional scars. Their connection grows slowly—built on shared silences, unspoken understanding, and the quiet ache of everything they’ve lost. As trust takes root, so does the possibility of something rare and quietly beautiful. But love born from brokenness is never simple. When old wounds resurface and shadows from their pasts threaten the fragile peace they’ve found, Alex and Olivia must choose: confront the pain that shaped them, or retreat into the solitude they once knew too well. Cypress Grace is an Award Winning story of resilience, redemption, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again. It’s a reminder that even the most wounded hearts can find their way back to hope, healing, and love’s gentle embrace. This paperback edition includes exclusive bonus content: Four Bonus Chapters exploring humor, passion, and a heartwarming holiday epilogue set years later. - An in‑depth Author Q&A offering insight into the inspiration, themes, and emotional truths behind the story. - A Reader Discussion Guide perfect for book clubs, or anyone who wants to dive deeper into the characters and themes. A rich, emotional journey from beginning to end, Cypress Grace is a love story for anyone who believes in second chances, quiet strength, and the healing power of connection. Jeff Bartrom delivers a deeply moving novel that explores grief, healing, and the power of human connection. Cypress Grace is a heartfelt journey through PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the quiet beauty of starting over. -Richard Prouse, Readers' Favorite ★★★★★ Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom is "a touching and beautifully written story about healing, love, and the quiet resilience that grows from shared pain."- Alma Boucher, Readers' Favorite ★★★★★ Author Jeff Bartrom makes sure the characters are real and feel human. There was never a moment in the story when I felt disconnected from Alex or Olivia. They both wore their hearts on their sleeves and worked well together. Alex and Olivia's relationship is not rushed. They take their time to learn more about each other, become friends, and fall in love realistically. The author expertly handles the sensitive subjects of trauma and guilt, exploring how emotional scars can both attract and repel connection. The story finds the perfect balance between romance and healing from trauma. I loved how Cypress Grace is about romance, healing, and finding hope in shared pain. The descriptions are incredible, and I loved how the narrative made me feel like a part of Olivia and Alex's story. I love simple, consuming, and emotional romances, and this one just ticked all the boxes for me.- Rabia Tanveer- ★★★★★ "Potent prose, layered characters, nuanced emotion, and smoldering chemistry elevate Cypress Grace by Jeff Bartrom above the crowded and too-often predictable romance genre. The stormy connection of melancholy souls in the sultry South is intense and irresistible, for both the characters and the reader. Unfurled in lyrical prose that is uniquely expressive and contemplative for romance, which confidently captures the cautious nature of embattled hearts, this novel is an affecting exploration of creation, identity, sacrifice, and redemption." SPR, ★★★★½