Liberty Falls • Book 2
Stars, Stripes & Second Chances
by Xander Steele
He left to serve his country. She stayed and became its mayor. Some second chances are worth the wait.
Contemporary Military Romance
eBook / Paperback
2026
77,000
About This Book
Twenty-two years ago, Jake Sullivan left Liberty Falls to enlist in the Army — and left Emma Parker, the girl he swore he'd love forever, standing in the town square as his truck disappeared down Main Street. Now Captain Jake Sullivan of the U.S. Army Special Forces is back, assigned to lead the military honor guard for the biggest event in the town's history: Liberty Falls' 250th Anniversary Fourth of July celebration. But the girl he left behind isn't a girl anymore. Emma is the town's mayor — poised, guarded, and still grieving the husband she lost. She has fifty-two days to pull off a celebration the whole country will be watching, and the last thing she needs is the man who broke her heart walking back into her office as if no time had passed. As duty forces them together, the walls Emma has spent years building begin to crack, and Jake discovers that the hardest mission of his life is earning back the only woman he ever loved. Small-town gossip, meddling neighbors, old wounds, and one unforgettable Independence Day force them to decide whether some second chances are worth the wait. A 77,000-word contemporary military second-chance romance with heart, heat, and a hard-won happily ever after.
Editorial Review
“Xander Steele delivers a deeply emotional homecoming story that balances military grit with genuine tenderness. Jake Sullivan's journey from the boy who left to the man determined to earn his way home is masterfully drawn, and Emma Parker — the widowed mayor holding an entire celebration on her shoulders — makes for a heroine of real strength and heart. Against the backdrop of Liberty Falls' 250th Anniversary, the small town comes alive with charm, humor, and community. At 252 pages, the pacing never falters — every chapter earns its place. Steele proves once again that he understands the complexities of love after loss, and the result is a second-chance romance that will leave you reaching for tissues and cheering at the final page.”
Perfect for: Fans of military romance, small-town love stories, and readers who crave second-chance romances with emotional depth and authentic characters.
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Editorial Reader Score
Reader Reviews
This book had me sobbing and smiling in equal measure. Jake is the kind of hero who earns your love page by page. Emma is strong, real, and refuses to fall back into his arms just because he came home. Their chemistry is electric but it's the emotional depth that makes this special. Steele nails the ache of first love and the courage it takes to try again.
Liberty Falls feels like a real place and I want to move there. The 250th Anniversary Fourth of July celebration? PERFECTION. Jake and Emma's slow burn is so well done. You feel every one of those twenty-two years of history, and when they finally let their guards down, it's magic.
I devoured this in one sitting. The way Steele writes grief, duty, and forgiveness is so respectful and authentic. Emma is a queen — running a whole town while holding her heart together — and Jake deserves every bit of the work it takes to win her back. Five stars is not enough.
Really enjoyed seeing Liberty Falls come alive around the big anniversary celebration. Jake and Emma have fantastic chemistry and the emotional stakes feel real. Lost half a star only because I wanted even more of the town celebration scenes, but the romance more than makes up for it.
As a veteran myself, I'm picky about how military life is portrayed in romance. Steele gets it. Jake's sense of duty is real, his reasons for leaving all those years ago make sense, and the road back home doesn't feel rushed or fake. Plus the love story is genuinely moving. Highly recommend.
Loved the Liberty Falls setting and the community feel. Jake is a total book boyfriend and Emma the mayor is no pushover. The pacing is great and the steam level is just right. A perfect Fourth of July read.
Continue the Series
Up Next: Liberty Falls • Book 3
1776 Hearts
She was a Loyalist's daughter. He was fighting to destroy her world. Their love was treason to both sides.
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