REVIEW: Archer's Voice & Travis by Mia Sheridan

 

OUR REVIEW:

I've had Archer's Voice purchased and downloaded for YEARS. I have no idea what took me so long to read it but I do know that it was the acquisition of Travis that prompted me to read it. I know I've read at least one other Mia Sheridan novel and I really enjoyed it so I'm not sure why I haven't read more of her work but...*shrugs* better late than never?

Let's start with Archer's Voice. This novel was a great surprise; all these years later it still holds up-there's nothing that really dates it. In this novel there's Archer and Bree--both victims of incidents out of their control and both destined to be together. 

Bree has arrived in Pelion after a traumatic event has destroyed her life. She's searching for some peace and stability and an escape from the life she's left. She finds it in her cottage, her new job, her neighbors and new friends, and in Archer. Archer, a lifetime resident of Pelion, is somewhat of a pariah in the community-to no fault of his own; he, too, was a victim of a traumatic event that determined the next decades of his life. No one really knows much about him, other than his tragic story. They think he's a mute idiot and basically treat him that way...including his brother, Travis :/

Bree and Archer have a quick run in and it left an impression on Bree; but before she could pursue it, she had the attention of Travis and while she wasn't sure if she was interested, she went on a few dates to see if there was a spark. As evidenced by the title, there wasn't. 

Archer's Voice had the early 20-teens angst and bullying but ended with a very satisfactory ending and it had me intrigued by what Sheridan would do with Travis.

BUY ARCHER'S VOICE HERE: https://amzn.to/3GGCzqF

When two troubled souls collide in New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan’s emotional, heart-wrenching love story, can they break the silence of the past to find hope, happiness, and love?

A Goodread's "Top Romance Novel of All Time"
A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller

I wanted to lose myself in the small town of Pelion, Maine. To forget everything I had left behind. The sound of rain. The blood. The coldness of a gun against my skin. For six months, each breath has been a reminder that I survived -- and my dad didn't. I'm almost safe again. But the moment I meet Archer Hale, my entire world tilts on its axis . . . and never rights itself again.

Until I trespass into his strange, silent, and isolated world, Archer communicates with no one. Yet in his whiskey-colored eyes, something intangible happens between us. There's so much more to him than just his beauty, his presence, or the ways his hands communicate with me. On me. But this town is mired in secrets and betrayals, and Archer is the explosive center of it all.

So much passion. And so much hurt. But it's only in Archer's silence that we might just find what we need to heal . . . and live.

Includes an exclusive extended epilogue from Archer's POV!

OUR REVIEW: TRAVIS: 

Travis is the story of Archer's brother and sometime antagonist. In Archer's Voice, Travis is such a dick. He's manipulative and mean and it was only toward the end of the novel that he redeems himself. That being said, I wasn't entirely convinced that I'd like Travis because of his dickish behavior but it turns out that Mia Sheridan knows exactly what she's doing; she not only redeemed Travis, she made me like him. 

Very early on, we get some insight into why in the world Travis would be the way he was. While his behavior isn't excusable, it's a little more understandable and then we get to meet Haven. Haven is the calm to his storm. While she's similar to Bree in that she's arrived to the Pelion area in a temporary fashion, it's her brother's current happiness and friendship with Travis that causes her to stay. 

Haven and Travis meet when he pulls her over for some reckless driving. They meet up again at his gym and their friendship begins with lots of barbs and snark and an eventual understanding, despite her brother's shenanigans. Haven's running from a past that has damaged her, as is Travis. Neither of them wanted or expected to find their person, but that's exactly what's happened--it just takes a little while for them to get there. Between him being her wing man, their illicit affair, and a colleague of his who goes way off the rails, it's a bumpy road to their HEA. Thankfully cooler and humble heads prevail, and we get to see a future for Travis and Haven that is settled and happy. 

While Travis contains a little less angst, it's definitely a fun weekend read. 

BUY TRAVIS HERE: https://amzn.to/3GGCzqF

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mia Sheridan comes the emotional, highly anticipated follow-up to Archer's Voice, following Archer's troubled brother Travis.

Perhaps Travis Hale's past is riddled with regrets, but his future looks limitless. He's the police chief in idyllic Pelion, Maine, women are regularly falling at his feet, and his family has mostly forgiven his mistakes. But when the new guy in town crosses him, things start to look shaky—especially when he meets the stranger's smoothie-making, birdseed-eating sister.

Haven Torres's life fell apart. Or, rather, burned to the ground. At the time, it seemed like a solid idea to jump in her car, her brother a mostly-willing co-pilot, and embark on a cross-country adventure for the summer. Especially if she can catch the attention of Pelion's most eligible bachelor, Gage Buchanan, before she goes. And after the local police chief tells her of her brother's scandalous misdeed, she knows without a doubt that Pelion is just another town where their stay is best short-lived.

Still, she and Travis form an unlikely friendship, and at first, it seems simple enough. She'll help him make her brother sweat a little, and he'll help her win over Gage. But then Haven starts to see the man beneath the brooding, and Travis starts to see the woman beneath the mess. 

However, Haven refuses to be tied to Pelion. And Travis has vowed never to be second best ever again.

Before they know it, simple has started to look pretty complicated.