War is violent, aggressive, destructive. The same could be said about my mind in the aftermath. Love is affection, tenderness, and warmth. Words that no longer reside within me. She promised to love me forever. I promised her the same. But forever no longer exists, it died alongside any goodness in my soul a long time ago. I’m broken, I’m empty and she’s nothing but a painful reminder of what … a painful reminder of what I’ve lost.
She promised to love me forever and she failed.
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Oh man..Archer and Belle stole my heart!!
I love those broken alpha males and boy Archer is right up there stealing my heart!! All that bossy ass and dirty talking had me turning that air conditioner down to its lowest setting lmao
One of my book besties kept telling me I had to read this book and gahhh I am so glad I did. I read it in about 24 hours..I didn’t want to put it down. I may have even snuck a bit of reading in at work lol
New authors for me and they definitely have a new stalker for sure!! Loved Archer and now onto Jake!!
“I love you more than life, so I know, no matter what, our love is strong enough to beat fucking anything, beautiful girl.”
Be still my heart. This first taste of a new-to-me author wrecked me in the best of ways. It is just…everything.
I must admit that I didn’t like Archer very much at first, and I wasn’t alone. He didn’t like himself much either. He was an asshole, fighting his demons outwardly by being cold and careless toward those that loved him. Something that he would eventually regret. But in spite of his rudeness to her as a teenager, when Annabelle saw the sexy, arrogant, muscled and tattooed grown-up version of the beautiful boy her hormones woke up and the past was forgotten.
I fell right along with her and enjoyed every second as they fell in love. Sighing and smiling with every bossy alpha dirty command that left his gorgeous mouth and blushing when she complied, but refusing to look away, totally getting my virtual-voyeur on. And when shit hit the fan, I was devastated right along with them, having my heart ripped out and my emotions laid bare. What an emotional roller coaster the author put me on, but I didn’t want to get off. I wanted to experience every word, secret thought, and painful event they suffered right along with them. I was too invested to save myself. Too in love with these characters to miss a second of their story.
I floved this story hard and I’ll be stalking this author moving forward. I got really attached to the cast of colorful characters the author created in her Leaves of a Maple series. So many wonderful possibilities that have my imagination working overtime and I can’t wait to move on to Jake’s story. The line forms here…
Archer had me such an emotional wreck but in a good way. It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions but is delivered in an awesome way. I loved how we got three parts to the story: part one when Archer and Belle were teenagers and just tolerated each other’s existence. Archer was a troubled youth but then goes through a tragedy and his only way to redeem himself is the military so he leaves. Part Two, Archer comes home and we get to experience how they fall deeply in love and have so much chemistry you think their love is unbreakable but Archer has to leave two more times and after each tour he comes back less and less himself so after his last tour he spirals badly. He doesn’t feel human and feels worthless so he pushes Belle til he breaks both their hearts. Part three, they are both struggling but Belle has to come home for some reasons and Archer is determined to win her back. It was an epic love story and the emotions made it seem so real you can feel your heart break with them. Only part I didn’t like was at the end Belle needed time to think things over because she was scared and I understood that but she handled it very immaturely, I mean she was literally hiding from archer avoiding him by hiding in a pantry, ducking out of stores, etc. Other than that I loved it.
Absolutely loved this sooooo much!! This story took you on a journey over many years, through Annabelle and Archer’s lives, through pain, fear, anger, hurt and sadness!! At one stage my heart was broken in two, l felt for both Annabelle and Archer!! A love story like no other!! This is a must and a novel you won’t want to put down!!
Amazing debut novel Haley & Jenner!! Bring on Jake’s story!! Can’t wait!!
Archer is a brooding, selfish teen who grows up as a young man who can’t help but to fall in love with Annabelle, the girl next door who has strong bonds with Archer’s mom & younger brother Jake. Archer & Belle’s journey of love is perfect until Archer enlists. When he returns Belle’s old Archer is gone, and in his place is a damaged, tortured man who not only destroys himself but Belle as well. Will their love survive the devastating and heartbreaking events, or is the damage done too severe to repair?
Archer’s story breaks my heart with everything Belle endures, as well as what Archer goes through mentally. This was another great read as this writing duo continues to create angsty, emotional, heartbreaking, page-turning books.
Heartbreakingly Fantastic!
This book was heartbreaking but so beautifully written. Archer and Annabell’s story had me hooked right from the start and it took me on an intense emotional journey, which I will never forget. These two characters give us everything. Their intense story is raw, powerful and very heartbreaking but so full of love and devotion. Archer and Annabell are two people fighting for love and that fight is never easy.
This is such a beautiful, heart wrenching, amazing and emotional story that was written so beautifully. I love these two authors and everything they give us readers is utterly beautiful. I can’t wait for more.
Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster ride. Archer and Belle’s story was heartbreakingly beautiful. From the beginning I was pulled in and my emotions were all over the place. If you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for….get to clicking!
“Because the only thing my heart beats for in this world, is you. Only thing it has ever beat for. You’re what keeps me alive, Belle. You and the love I have for you.”
OMG! I loved Archer! This book was full on angst, and so so hot and steamy. The characters had me giggling and crying. I felt all of Belle’s hurt, and his terror from his PTSD. I can’t wait to dive back into these characters. I can’t wait to read Jake’s book, and hope we get glimpses of Belle and Archer!
Wow, what a great story! This one has it all – drama, emotional turmoil, angst, love, strong friendships, and heartbreak. The way this story is written really gives you the full enjoyment of the powerful love story of Archer and Belle. So much heartbreak, but so much healing as well. I received this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review and all opinions are my own.
Wow.
What a debut book for this duo writing pair. Can’t believe it took me so long to finally dive in, but glad I did.
I’m a dark lover at heart but these characters are so amazing, you can’t help but be drawn in.
Look forward to reading rest of series.
First book I’ve read by this author and I have been wowed by it! I’m certainly going to continue reading the series. They have written this compelling storyline with an emotional roller coaster, the characters have depth and are relatable. They’re neighbours, she babysits his younger brother, he’s five years older and a typical teenage male. Annabelle lives with her grandmother because her mum ran off and her father died when she was young. She loves helping Janie out by looking after Jake when she has to work. It’s like her adoptive family she just fits in with them and Jake becomes her best friend. Archer is too busy being cool with his friends for her to get to know him. He’s angry about his father leaving and then Jakes father walks away from them too. At twenty-one he leaves, twenty-six he returns unannounced after a tour overseas for the army. Annabelle and Archer have chemistry in spades, there is no denying the love they have for each other. Life has a way of coming between them, they push and pull at one another until they are broken. Archer goes full steam ahead leaving a path of destruction in his wake. Annabelle’s heart is tortured and bleeding, left to die a slow and painful death.
Archer and Belle’s story was full of high emotions and deep down despair. I was heartbroken throughout their struggles. The demons Archer fought daily tore them apart and ripped away everything they knew an loved. It was a hard place to be for the both of them. I applauded Belle for having the strength to do what she needed to do in order to begin her healing. And although Archer went along his own path to becoming the man he wanted to be, I hated him for a long while there. I loved their family of friends who lent their support. This was a book of big feels, and it was a huge heart wrecking saga, but so worth the time to read it!
I still can’t quite grasp my feelings about this book. For starters, I want to kick myself in the a** for taking this long to read it. No joke. I can’t imagine a time where I will not remember this book. If I try to think of one word to sum it up, the best that I can come up with is…wow. Just wow. One word that can sort of semi-adequately convey my feelings. Archer Dean and Annabelle Edwards are two of the most deep, personal, heart-grabbing characters I have ever read. Again, no joke. I have had a peachy keen life. I am truly lucky. I shouldn’t be able to relate to Archer and Annabelle’s complex devastation, but I do, simply because Haley Jenner’s writing is that real. It’s that relevant. It’s that effing good. And don’t even get me started on the secondary (though in many ways, not secondary!) characters—there is so much to come from this world and I can’t wait!
Lots of books make me feel, but VERY few books make me cry. I welled up reading this story. The history between the two main characters is everything. The way that Belle makes Archer finally get his life together and make something of himself is everything. The way that they reunite and fall in love is everything. Their flaws are everything. And their complete breakdown, and heart annihilating loss IS everything. I know I’m being extra with this review, but I don’t care. These authors deserve extra. They have written a truly captivating story of love, loss and survival. Archer deserves all the stars. <3 <3 <3
Goodness i don’t even know where to start with this book. I really did love this one. This is obviously the first book I’ve read of Hayley Jenner’s and it won’t be my last.
This book had me hooked from the beginning when we got a preview at the start of the book and then went back to how this love story started. Normally I’m not a fan of going back but this book was fantastic.
Archer was a guy who was a punk and it took a tradgey for him to work himself out but that meant enlisting in the army and disappearing from his family’s and Belles life. Of course that’s only the start where he comes back a better man but as he does more tours it breaks himself and he becomes a very broken man and it is so heartbreaking to read his story and how low he goes.
Belle her life was a tradgey to begin with and she needed the love of the Dean family and her gran to keep her going. The thing i love about Belle is her strength she was one tough character and she goes through a lot, i felt for her so much all i was hoping for was her happy ending. I loved her relationship with Jake and i also loved his character as well looking forward to his book
This book was written so well and i loved how much detail we got from the side characters and really learnt a lot about their life and the stories that we will be getting and I’m that is so exciting.
This is a beautiful broken, angsty, emotional book and i couldn’t recommend it highly enough this is a must read.
Holy hell! You want an angsty, rip your heart out but put a flutter in your stomach, sexy read? Here it is!!
I can’t even put into words to describe how much I loved this book. So well written and made me feel like I was a part of the story. I felt ALL the emotions of these characters and it probably hit a little too close to home when Archer was broken from his tours of duty…so for me to love it—you know it had to be amazing!! Archer and Belle are just….phenomenal.
Annabelle Edwards was raised by her Grandma after the death of her parents but she was also very included in the lives of her next door neighbor, single mother Janie and her two sons Archer and Jake.
When Archer was 21 he left for the Army after an accident took place and he needed to escape. When he comes home 5 years later how will he adapt to the changes?
Can Annabelle get over her crush on Archer or will he finally see her as the woman she is now? Will Annabelle be able to help him with the ghosts he is fighting or will he push her away?
This was a great book that was super deep at times with trying to overcome pain and how you deal with everything that comes your way.
I really liked Annabelle and she had overcome a lot of pain at an early age with the loss of her parents but she grew up loved with her Grandma. I loved how Janie took her in as well and she became super close with Janie and Jake.
Archer was a jerk when he was younger but when he returned home from the army at 26 he seemed to be great and knew exactly what he wanted and he was awesome with Annabelle and I was so happy for them. You knew something was going to go wrong with his next door and when he gets back he is so dead inside.
I felt so bad for Annabelle as she tried to help Archer through everything. I loved when Annabelle stood up for herself at the bar and I understood completely the point she was trying to make.
I was glad that Annabelle finally began to heal, although her heart was still so broken. I was sad that Jake and Annabelle drifted apart and why they were brought back together.
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen towards the end but I was glad for the public declaration and the change that took place in order for everyone to be happy! – By Rebecca
ARCHER WAS A PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF HALEY JENNER’S WRITING CAREER
Ok….I’m going to be honest here……I got a look at a book entitled, LUCA, and, I wanted that book(cover)…..Of course, LUCA is book 5 of a series, and with my OCD, I am unable to just jump in to a series, so I went on Amazon to see what book 1 was….and it was ARCHER…
I had never read a book by this author, and I think ARCHER is her 1st, and if that’s true, Ms. Jenner has set the bar high for herself…
The story of Archer and Annabelle, while being a beautiful love story, it is also painful and has so much intensity, and sometimes I wanted to kill both characters, but that’s because this book made me feel….. well…. everything,….happiness, sadness, frustration and the real, true love and heartbreaking passion, these two felt for each other….”You were supposed to give it back, Archer. My heart, when you didn’t want it anymore. You were supposed to give it back.”
It became a “How can I live with him” or “How can I live without him?” situation…And, while, at the beginning, I admit, I only read it to get closer to LUCA’S Book, who, incidentally, makes a few appearances in this book, ARCHER (With or without LUCA), was worth reading, and I highly recommend it…
I loved this book! It had a slow start for me, but then it hooked me and I couldn’t
stop reading. I loved Belle, I wanted to smack Archer so many times, but his broken
soul made me love him, too. A great read.
My new favourite read. This book for me was everything. Great storyline, there was love, lust, hurt, damaged soul and great characters. Cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book of Archer and Belle (Annabelle), so much so read through most of the night because I couldn’t put it down!! Now to download Jake the next in the series
I stumbled on this story by happy accident, I saw the cover and loved it. I read the blurb and was intrigued. I knew going in this would be a hard read.
Archer and his Belle
They have known each other since they were children. Archer is angry at the world, mother, father. He falls for Belle and has a great life.
He enlists and things do not go well. He comes back but he’s not himself.
He becomes a complete a hole, hateful spiteful. He wants to ruin the one thing he loves. He can’t handle her, makes her move, blames her.
Just when you think they are over he tries to win her back. He just needed time to heal. Belle’s hesitate, she’s loves him but she’s hurt. I loved their story, the hurt, the pain. It was all worth it in the end.