(The Archer Brothers, #1)
Release Date: October 23, 2014
Publisher: Self; 224 pages
Rating:
Ryley Clarke has grown up with the military in her blood, with both parents serving their country. Ryley knows the risks of being married to the military. But when the unthinkable happens, and her future husband is killed in action, Ryley can barely survive... until Evan's twin brother, Nate, helps her pick up the pieces.
After serving on a special mission with the military for six years, Evan Archer returns home to find the unthinkable - the love of his life, Ryley Clarke - engaged to his brother, Nate. With Nate on deployment, Evan needs to figure out what happened in his absence, and more importantly, how to win Ryley back from the man he once considered his best friend, but now thinks of as his rival.
I fell for Evan, right off the bat, and I knew it was love at first sight. I knew this was the man of Ryley, he had to be. He's been the best boyfriend any girl could ever hope for. Seriously, I was green with jealousy over how lucky Ryley truly is. From the moment he met her to the moment he left for his last mission, she has been his world and she will always be his world. What girl doesn't want a guy that devoted to her? He wasn't overbearing either. He is just . . . perfect. A little horny, but hey, when you love someone, all you want is them, all the time, right? Ryley was and still is his world. It's just now, his world has been ripped from him. He's been dead, for six years, or so everyone thought but he was completely unaware. He was fighting, he was still getting care packages, he was still in communication so how did something go so wrong? How could something like this happen? I seriously am blown away by it and it makes me hurt for him, it makes me hurt for her and most importantly, it makes me hurt for their son, EJ.
Ryley mourned Evan, as you can imagine someone in position would. It took her a really long time to accept that Evan was gone and she was forever going to be without him. Their son would forever grow up never knowing his dad. She was lucky to have her best friend by her side but then as time grew on, so did their relationship. This is one of the parts that doesn't sit well with me. This best friend is Evan's brother but not just a brother, oh no, a twin brother. I feel like he completely stepped over the line here. I don't care if Evan was dead, his girl is completely off limits. I don't know if I'm the only one that feels this way but it just didn't sit well with me. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, I really did but really? And it's not like it's a surprise because it's in the book's description but I just thought I'd feel more open to the situation but when it presented itself, I wasn't. I love Ryley, and I love how you can see her growth in the flashbacks through out the book. You can also see the growth of her relationship with Evan from the moment they met to the moment she last saw him. They started dating in their teens and stayed together all through their late twenties. Their bond was strong and it admirable and something I envy.
I loved the supporting characters in this story, especially the family members. They bring extra layers to the story and ones I was grateful to see. From their relationships with not only their own children but with Evan or with Nate. The other SEAL members who are also going through hell along with Evan, I really want to hug them all because whatever they were a part of, unknowingly, has completely destroyed their lives. They're innocent in all of this and yet they're all suffering. The pain goes so much further than you could imagine.
I absolutely LOVED the therapy sessions that took up a good half of this book. At first, I wasn't sure I'd like that. Ryley and Evan seeing the same therapist and us seeing both of their sessions but after the first few chapters, I was eager to find out more. Find out their past together but from their points of views. It was sweet, romantic and just pure bliss.
The fact that this book has gotten so many strong emotions out of me is something not many books can do. Not that I cried or anything but I feel connected to these characters and I can feel their pain, deep within my soul. Evan frustrations is probably along the lines of the frustration I'm feeling and it has me all sorts of wound up.
Thank you so much to InkSlinger for allowing me the chance to be on the tour & provide me a copy of the book for an honest review.
Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.
During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Win a $25 Gift Card and a signed paperback of HERE WITH ME. US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
this looks and sounds intriguing :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete