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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Great conclusion to the story!
Fighting for Us is book two in The Bailey Brothers series and if you haven’t read Protecting You, STOP what you’re doing right now and go read that first.
Here we have the second half of Asher and Grace’s story. Grace has been waiting for seven long years, preparing for a life when Asher is released from prison–a life that she is anxious to share with him. For that seven years, Asher has been doing what he has to do to make it through each day, thinking that cutting himself off from the outside world is the answer to keeping himself safe, while mentally preparing for a life without Grace after his release. Now he’s out early and they both find that they are different people and are going to have to fight to get what they’re hoping for. This one was really emotional for me but thank goodness there were a lot of Bailey brother pranks and shenanigans to get me through the angst. I just love these guys! And Gram, being the perfect mixture of patience, love and wisdom was one of my favorite characters. I truly enjoyed every minute of this book and can’t wait for more of this series.
Ohh Asher, you have stolen my heart completely.
I am a sucker for a broken, broody, angsty man.
Asher has been through an ordeal that would be enough to break anyone and transitioning back to normal life won’t be easy.
Grace is the literal epitome of ride or die. Her strength, her loyalty, her faith, her patience, her love is unmatched.
My heart bled for both her and Asher and his family who were all affected by his prison sentence.
Claire Kingsley weaves a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. You go from reader to being transported into the mind of both Asher and Grace. Their struggle internally with the events that led to Asher’s sentence and their struggle externally navigating a relationship after an eight year separation is one you feel in your bones.
Gram was probably my favorite…so wise with a heart of gold.
Kingsley would have my heart in my throat one minute and belly laughing the next.
And oh my word, the mouth Asher had on him was hot and filthy leaving you along with Grace feeling tingles.
With every word devoured, the Baileys prove to be a family that is sure to imprint itself on your heart forever.
OH MY GOODNESS!!
Asher and Grace were everything!!! I finished Fighting for Us a couple of days ago and I’m still completely consumed by the conclusion to their story!! It was angsty, sexy, funny, emotional, and so full of love and family that I couldn’t get enough.
These two were the definition of soul mates, and even though they had spent years apart, there was always that connection between them that could never be broken. Asher didn’t make it easy for them once he came home, but Grace had waited all that time and was not going to give up that easily. She knew the love they shared was still there and was worth fighting for.
Hands down, I truly believe that this is Claire’s best work to date. I love the Miles family, but she seriously upped her game with the start of this new series. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Logan, Levi, Gavin, and Evan……and, of course, Grace’s bestie Cara!!
Fighting For Us concludes the story duet that began with Protecting You; Note that you must read these 2 books in order. I don’t like to detail plot in my reviews because others typically do it better. Instead, I try to focus on my experience as a reader. The first book in the duet is a warm love story with a shocking conclusion that left me with that queasy feeling only a talented author can bring forth. This second story is one of redemption, and of the healing process and power of love. It is full of angst and regret, hope encouragement and love.
Grace and Asher have both been changed dramatically by the beginning of the second book, but the core of their relationship still exists underneath the rubble that was cruelly thrown upon it. These characters were incredibly deserving of their HEA. It is a well-crafted storyline, beautifully written. There are humorous moments and memorable secondary characters to round out the experience.
WOW!! What a story! Asher Bailey and Grace I absolutely LOVED every word. So many times I wanted to smack Asher. Grace’s ability to stay so strong and never give up was aw inspiring. The one scene in the gym had me in hysterics. I’m so excited for the rest of the Bailey brothers
I really loved this book! Asher and Grace are a couple that have been through hell and back and only by the strong love they have they could find their way back.
Ms. Kingsley writing is beautiful, her words and writing the transition that Asher has faced from prison to a normal life is beautiful and she shows all his fears and insecurities. All the Bailey’s brothers have something to say and Gram is a wonderful character.
It is more than a family or second chance romance, it is a life changing romance with strong characters and powerful scenes that will make you cry and laugh.
I really loved it and looking forward to the next ones!
Asher and Grace. Friends since (nearly) birth, lovers as young adults. Small town, decent families, good people. Then stuff happens – tragic, awful, life changing stuff. In the prequel (Protecting Us) we learn about Grace and Asher as kids and young adults right up until the tragedy. This book picks up right where the first one leaves off.
Through the magic of Claire Kingsley’s words, we’re drawn into a world that is no longer colorful and happy. Asher is no longer the affable, sweet funny boy. Grace is no longer naive. This world surrounds you – you feel their emotions, you cringe when you see things coming, you breathe again when things work out or get better.
Claire Kingsley is an amazing storyteller, world builder (Jetty Beach, Salishan Wineries, Bootleg Springs, Bluewater Billionaires) and can create so much emotion with a handful of words. Her books are always at the top of my recommendations and I wait anxiously for whatever comes next.
This is definitely one of her best. And the rest of the Bailey Brothers… I can’t wait.
I love Asher and Grace! My heart broke for them both with what all they had to go through but the love that Grace had for Asher to wait for him like she had for as long as she had is pure/true love. This was another amazing book by Claire. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait for the next one.
I loved the little glimpses of the Miles family and being able to see what is going on in their lives.
I adore Gram! She is what every mom and grandma should strive to be like. She keeps those boys in check and the love they have for her melts my heart wedges l and made me miss my grandmother.
Cara is awesome she’s a trip! I hope she has her own story or a her and Logan story. 🙂
The Epilogue… Oh my!! I can’t wait!!
“She was the moon to my ocean. I couldn’t escape her gravity.”
It’s been a few days since I finished reading, and I wanted to take a breather and really appreciate the beauty that is this book. Claire is an immensely talented author, but this book (and part one) is the best writing that she has ever done. There is so much beauty, pain, love, heartbreak, redemption, friendship, and such a strong sense of family that I felt like I was part of this book — that’s how strongly I connected with these characters.
Asher had spent seven long, hard, grueling years in prison, and is definitely not the same person he was when he went in. He’s riddled with demons, guilt, anxiety, and is self destructive. He is reacclimating to his freedom, but learning that he’s still caged in his mind. He spent his sentence avoiding thinking about his entire family and the woman he loves, and now he doesn’t know how to let them all back in without seeing the damage that his prison sentence caused him.
Grace is the silent warrior of this story; her suffering wasn’t as intense as Asher’s, but she is still a survivor. I loved how sensitive our author was to Grace’s pain, even when she was so desperate to avoid it. She has the greatest support system around her: Asher’s brothers, his gran, her best friend, her mom and brother.. All these people adore her, and it’s truly amazing to see the way she was able to persevere in the midst of not only being attacked, but losing Asher as well.
When they come face to face for the first time, it’s nowhere near what Grace always imagined it would be, and she knows she has one hell of an uphill battle on her hands to prove to Asher that even though everything has changed, they can still have the life they always wanted. Words can’t adequately express how much I adored these two, and their love brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.
Though it’s definitely an angsty read, it is such a beautiful book. The amazing family that both Asher and Grace have, all they overcame, the pure love that always thrived between them are just a few of the many reasons why this book is a must read. There’s all the humor, hijinx, and the addition to some crafty squirrels that made me smile so much!! And those sexy moment?! Holy. Crap. Asher’s dirty mouth is SO HOT. (This girl definitely appreciates her dirty scenes, and these were perfection!!)
Cara is someone I can’t wait to get more of! (and maybe it’s just me, but there might be a Bailey love triangle going on??) I just can’t wait for more of this series!!
Trust me when I say that these books are a MUST read!! And even though you don’t need to read the Miles family series, I really encourage you do so. But you HAVE to read Protecting You before reading this book!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
I knew that Claire couldn’t leave the readers with a lump in their throat. So we went from the quiet before the storm to a phase in which the storm itself passed, leading towards a path filled with obstacles not difficult to manage. Asher has finally served his sentence in prison and he’s back. Unfortunately he is not the same man 7 years earlier. He’s got a burden and an inner turmoil that could almost be self destructive. Grace has changed too but one thing which hasn’t disappeared into her heart is her deep love for Asher. It is going to take time but love is stronger than any issue that could come in someone’s way. In my opinion this book deserves more than 5 stars. It showed an Asher toughened by the course of the years, a man who has endured enough to last one’s lifetime. What really got me so thrilled is the author’s capability to develop her characters and mould them into a story in which from an emotional point of view was not easy to write. For those who love the other Miles family, Claire has got you covered because there’s an interlude in the book that is quite overwhelming. So all the ingredients are there for this book to be a smashing success. The ending has the cherry on top and what is to come is beyond your imagination. .
I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.
I definitely called it…Grace was the one chasing after Asher during this whole novel. I’m all for a strong willed female who knows what she wants and is too stubborn to back down. But chasing after a guy who can’t emote the same passion and feelings is just… sad to me.
Asher has really bad demons he’s fighting, I get that. But you know what, so does Grace. She went through something traumatic as well and that didn’t stop her from living.
I can’t imagine what either one of these characters has gone through, so I shouldn’t be judgmental, but they needed to communicate to one another. Grace did a pretty good job, but Asher was determined to keep it all bottled in, which is just not the right thing to do.
Thank goodness for Gran. If it wasn’t for her and her magic ways, those Baileys would be wild animals.
I love Ashers brothers so much. The one I’m extremely curious about is Evan. He is a loner, a recluse, and he’s got problems. I want to know what they are and what woman is going to help him through his issues. He’s always been the one I’m intrigued about the most. Gavin would be the second one I want to know more about.
I feel like I’ve just added ANOTHER author to my “I-HAVE-TO-READ” list! I’m really glad i got a chance to read this eARC and I’m looking forward to more by Claire Kingsley!
I’ve read everything Claire has written. A couple times. I *need* more than 5 stars to rate this book. Asher and Grace go on such an emotional journey together and this book really hit me in the feels as they navigated their way back to each other after going through hell. Loved getting glimpses of the Miles family and the moments of levity Claire brought to this book. It is absolute perfection and a must read!!
Loved this book so much. Loved the entire Bailey family. Grace and Asher have so many ups and downs trying to get past that one moment that changed their lives forever. I laughed, I cried, and by the end my heart was full. These characters draw you in like you’re right there with them, part of the family. I’m excited to see where the rest of them land.
This book was alllll the things!! The end of Protecting You (if you haven’t read, you need to!!) was gut wrenching to say the least. I completely trusted Claire, but I just wasn’t sure HOW they could get their HEA.
Grace Miles has waited 7 years for Asher Bailey. She has worn his ring and remained faithful to him. She is getting ready to move on with their life when he gets out.
Asher is angry and thinks Grace listened to him when he told her they were done and she should move on.
He’s forgotten what their love was like, and no matter what, Grace is determined to show him that what they have is greater than their circumstances.
Fighting for Us is an emotional journey portraying what it’s like when a person leaves prison and enters the real world. Even when it’s full of people that love you, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.
Thankfully, Grace is stubborn enough to hang on through it all – but also strong enough to stand up for herself. And Asher’s brothers are there to kick him in the tail if he needs it!
This may be Claire’s best book yet. We were all so anxious for Grace and Asher’s story and she more than delivered! I loved the interaction with the Bailey brothers that added some levity to all the deep emotions of the book. I can’t wait for their stories!!!
Now that you have read Protecting Us, you are ready for Book 2. It’s the chance to get to know Asher and Grace as adults who have a lot of unresolved feelings seven years later. Iron bars and concrete have kept these lovers apart. To protect their sanity and hearts, each has done the ‘right thing’ for the time when they can be together.
Grace suffers rejection affection from Asher on a repeated basis. But she believes in the power of time and love to heal all things. Grace is a character with the patience in boatloads to help Asher unpack the baggage he carries from the prison sentence.
To give the poor man a break, Asher really is a ship without a sail, oar, helm, or set of flippers to navigate these choppy waters of ‘normal’ life. Everything that was ‘before’ is now not on the map. Before he can really love Grace as she deserves, he needs to find a way to navigate this new course.
The couple has the help of entertaining secondary characters that will have their own time as the series continues. Ms. Kingsley has left us with ‘just enough’ interest and details to get to know them more.
Readers are gifted a story that guarantees a happily ever after that is riddled with a bumpy ride getting there. You may wish to shake or wrap up in a blanket this book boyfriend. However, Grace is not one to stand aside when going gets tough, and pushes back on track when she needs to get them to seeing course through the storm.
Excited for the next in series as this character was deliciously on the fringes to tantalize the reader to ask for more.
Recommendation: Read It
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
When I finished Protecting You, I knew I needed more Bailey brothers, I needed more of everything about Asher and Grace. Their story wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
Fighting For Us is an amazingly beautiful story of fighting for love, being all in, and believing in soulmates. This story broke me in the best possible way. We saw the all consuming love between Asher and Grace in the first book and we saw where they were torn apart. And now, we finally get the rest of their story.
Seven years is such a long time to be separated and when they finally come face to face after all those years, you are sucked into their story. You are right there, fighting right alongside Grace as she works to prove that their love is all-consuming. You are there with Asher as he battles the demons inside of him after spending so long away.
This story is so powerful that it took me a full day to find the words I needed for this review. I won’t give anything away, but just know that Grace and Asher are EVERYTHING! Their story will tear you apart in the most consuming way, and then they will put you back together again… but you will not be the same when it is all said and done.
I cannot wait to see more as the Bailey brothers come to life. These books will be everything you have come to love about Claire Kingsley and SO much more!
Five stars for this all-consuming powerful love story that brought me to my knees several times and had me feeling every single emotion possible when it comes to reading a book.
The second book in this series is a little darker but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. The brother’s antics continue and so does the love story. Go read, you won’t be disappointed.
A wonderful conclusion to Grace & Asher’s story. They go through hell and come back strong. These best friends are sweet and fire at the same time. AND we get to revisit the Miles family. Highly recommend this book and I can’t wait for the other brothers to find their love.
“I’ve spent the last seven years thinking it was over. She’d spent those same years believing it wasn’t.” – Asher Bailey
He’s finally free and finally home.
Grace is still waiting, still wearing the ring, still very much in love with him.
Asher’s in limbo, with no direction.
She’s bought a house, runs a business.
He’s scarred, self-isolating, and avoiding everyone.
Grace has a new extended family, a best friend, and part of a knitting club.
Asher and Grace are different people after what went down. And yet they still gravitate towards each other, rekindle their friendship, and mend their hearts. Theirs is a true love story, told in the most beautiful way. I adored Grace, her strength and conviction, her loyalty. Asher had my heart from the beginning with his protective nature and his love of family.
Lest I forget the other Bailey brothers, oh my, are they a mighty handsome handful. Bring on the pranks and the feud. I’m so excited for their books. Gram was wise beyond belief and Cara is THE BEST bestie wing woman with all her sass and brazen attitude. When she meets her match *cough, Logan, cough* it will be explosive.
Finally, this is the second Bailey Brothers’ book and should unquestionably be read after Protecting Us. (And if possible, however not necessary, you should also read the Miles Family series for a much richer experience.)
“Sometimes what we need is a place to fall apart. A place where we know our pieces will be safe while we work on putting them back together.” – Gram
Asher is finally free, but he has so much anger and pain built up inside of him. Watching him struggle to fight his demons and transition to the outside world was heart-wrenching. The emotions were so raw and real that my heart ached for Asher as he fought to overcome the deep scars of prison.
Grace’s love for Asher is so big and I loved her determination to not give and keep fighting for their relationship. She had waited so long to have Asher back and even though he did not come back the same man, she was determined to keep him. She knew they were soulmates, two parts of a whole, and no matter what they were meant to be together.
Getting to know all of the Bailey brothers, meeting Grace’s amazingly sassy best friend Cara and seeing glimpses of the whole Miles family along the way was so much fun. I love that the Bailey boys are all so different yet will come together in an instant if one of them needs anything. Their interactions with each other, pranks and ongoing feud with the Havens kept me giggling. And I definitely can not forget Gram. Gram is the glue that holds the family together and I absolutely adore her! Her spunky personality, outlook on life and words of wisdom woven into conversations and stories are so inspiring.
This book is full of so much emotion and leaves you feeling very satisfied in the end. Claire Kingsley has a way of bringing a book to life that puts you right there in the center of the story. It’s like you’re watching it play out right before your eyes. You feel what the characters feel and see the world around them. It’s a magical experience. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the Bailey brothers!!