Isabella McNeil’s life changes when she and Jesse Mitchell, her best friend, find love just before he makes plans to enlist in the Army but promises to come back for her. When Jesse enlists in the Rangers for 2 more years, this upsets Isabella. She goes to a party with her brother and friends and her life is changed forever by her decision. A tragic event makes her realize Jesse won’t forgive her for the bad choice she has made. She keeps her secret from her family and Jesse until her brother tells him that she plans to marry another man. He doesn’t believe “Bella” would betray the love they share with another man and Isabella won’t take his calls or letters, so he’s forced to move on and forget about her and her choices. 10 long years pass to find them back together again. “Bella” tries to keep her secret but how long can she keep it from Jesse? He knows something terrible has happened to her, but can he forgive her for the decision she made and the secret she has been keeping from him? Can Isabella trust her love for him enough to share her reason for the lost time together? Will Jesse be able to forget the past and make a new start with Isabella, and can he accept her children as his own? Lightning Strikes Twice by Gail R. Delaney delivers an emotional and tragic love story that will have you feeling the pain and loss of each character. It grabs you from the beginning and keeps you feeling the same love and strength that these two share for each other, and hoping for that Happily Ever After that Jesse and Isabella yearn to have. I give this a Solid 5 wings – definitely an author I will read again.