How long would you wait for the love of your life?The Asher Bailey who comes home to his quirky small town isn’t the same man who put a ring on Grace’s finger. He’s bigger, harder, haunted. Forced to give up Grace and everything else that was good in his life for a prison sentence he barely survived. Now that he’s home, he finds himself aggressively welcomed by his brothers and gleefully gossiped … brothers and gleefully gossiped about by his neighbors. He’d counted on both.
But he never expected to see Grace still wearing his ring.
Grace’s fairy tale didn’t end. It was interrupted. She’s spent the last seven years living her life while waiting for one man. Now that he’s back, she’s got her work cut out for her. He’s scarred and angry, and stubbornly convinced they can’t be together. She’s more than happy to educate him otherwise.
Every beer, every prank, every kiss brings him closer to where he’s always belonged. In her life. In her arms. In her heart.
Asher fears the darkness inside him can’t be contained. But Grace won’t give up on him without a fight.
Author’s note: A brooding, wounded hero and the woman who won’t give up on him. A pack of unruly, prank-loving brothers. A wild neighborhood rumor mill. Spectacular BFF banter. This is a love story about soulmates that delivers the heat and all the feels. The Bailey Brothers series is meant to be read in order and Fighting for Us concludes Grace and Asher’s happily ever after.
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Let’s start this first of the Bailey Brothers reviews by going over our brocabulary because it plays an essential role in understanding all there is to know about the bromance between friends and brothers.
Brozinski
Brosaurus
Bronanza
Bronoculars
Brorito
Brotato
Bropacalypse
Brodeo
Broca Colas
Neighbros
(yes! all these words have been moved to my dictionary!)
The brocabulary is just one tasty portion of all the goodness (like Gram’s frybread) that is Fighting for Us. And it undoubtedly leaves you hankering for next installment in the Bailey Brothers series. This story is the satisfying conclusion to the prequel Protecting You that left us with a heartbreaking cliffhanger.
Little did we know that our journey would leave us with tears, laughs, and a brand new family to love as much as we have loved the Miles family. A topic that weaves all through the book is the tough topic of prisoner re-entry. Asher’s family missed him terribly, the book walked us through the struggles all had with his return. Asher was fortunate in that he had relatives to pick him up when he was released, and he had a loving home to come readapt in. If Asher’s walk through re-entry after prison psychologically and emotionally makes up the meat of this book. His relationship with Grace and coming to the belief their love was worth fighting for is the heart and soul.
We meet Grace’s BFF Cara, who is a force of nature, she’s loyal, brave, and not afraid to give any Bailey a piece of her mind, which she frequently does, particularly Logan. Logan and Gavin Bailey are hilarious, and like other characters, we know, act like puppies on crack. Levi and Evan are mysteries–grumpy pissed off mysteries at that. Pranks abound and brotherly fights, real and play, happen. Small town small-mindedness is there, of course, because we must look down our noses at the ex-con. Although nothing is said, it is the staring and coldness at first that makes your heart hurt for Asher.
For Asher and Grace, the beauty that helps the healing most of all resides in Gram–in her wisdom, unconditional love, and patience. In the previous book, it was seasons change; in this book, it’s looking at situations from a different perspective. I foresee more changing seasons and changes in perspective as the series continues. The culmination of this story, though, is a beautiful love story that leaves your heart warm and anticipating more about the Bailey brothers and their broventures.
The time has come and Asher Bailey is finally FREE!!!! (#freeasherbailey)
It has been seven years since we saw Asher and Grace separated by tragedy. Right away we are getting a look at what the years have been like for Asher while in prison and it is obvious he will come home a different man. Upon his release it isn’t long before he is face to face with Grace and at that point you are sucked into the story and unable to put it down.
Grace and Asher are both fighters in their own ways and I respected that about both of them. Grace is probably my favorite heroine by far at this point. There is no backing down with her because she knows what she wants. Asher seems to fight everything Grace throws his way at first but I admire his resolve when Grace finally breaks him down. He is the epitome of a knight in shining armor. His drive to do what he feels is right for Grace makes you love him even more. There are moments where the love between the two of them is just so sweet and other moments where I wanted to scream at one or both of them (more Asher than Grace). I knew there was no way either of them were going to come out of this without issues to work through but I wasn’t expecting Grace’s to be what it was. As if we didn’t need another reason for him to be swoon worthy….Asher starts forming a new relationship with Elijah and OMG….just melt my heart now!
We got to see so much involvement from the other members of the Bailey family and I absolutely cannot wait to get to their stories. I was so happy to see Naomi found her HEA and I freaking love Gram and all of her wisdom. Cara (Grace’s BFF) really stole the spotlight at times with her wittiness and the banter between her and Logan is hilarious. The twist in the story with the letters, the mirror and Eliza Bailey has me highly intrigued and needing answers.
The first two Bailey Brothers books have really left a mark on my heart. I don’t know how Claire can constantly write these stories that are so amazing. It takes days for me to recoup from reading them. Once I started these I couldn’t put them down. I look forward to all of the rest of the Bailey Brothers because I know they will be nothing but perfection.
If you have picked up this book without reading book 1 in the series – put it down and read Protecting You first – it is necessary to get the entire feel of the book.
Second – DO NOT – and I repeat – DO NOT – think you will be able to start this book and read as few chapters, put it down and come back to it tomorrow – NOPE not happening. You will devour this book and not even know time has gone by.
Both Asher and Grace have seen their share of happiness and at the same time have dealt with tremendous pain. The old saying “What does not kill us, only makes us stronger” definitely applies to these characters, but the road they must travel on not only gives them the highest of highs but also the lowest of lows. Simply put their relationship is heart wrenching. Claire Kingsley writes in such a way that the reader can honestly feel their pain, feel their anger and feel their heartbreak. But in true perfect storytelling fashion, Claire also brings us deep family connections, true to life characters and a storyline that will stay with the reader long after the last page has been turned. And that epilogue…..you need to write faster!!!!
Seven years later – released from prison Asher must find his way outside of a prison. Asher must face all the things he’s been able to avoid in the last seven years in order to survive in prison. In their seven year separation Grace has tried to move forward with their dreams. Holding on to her love for Asher as she does what she can to survive until they are reunited. Asher’s release is not the fairytale ending Grace expected and she’s fine knowing he needs time to deal with his early release and life outside prison, but what happens if Asher can’t deal with his prison time and move on with their dreams? What happens if Grace doesn’t face her own trauma from the attack seven years ago? Do Asher and Grace have a future together?
Protecting You and Fighting For Us are the first two books in Ms. Kinglsey’s new Bailey Brothers series.