Sawyer LaGrange.
He’s my best friend’s older brother.
He’s quiet, brooding, sinfully sexy… brave.
And I want him.
Secrets.
Everybody has them.
Big, small, innocent… forbidden.
Mindy was a line I should never have crossed.
But I did.
She was beautiful… sassy and tempting,
And rules were made to be broken.
We broke them all.
Now I’m home, released from service with hidden scars.
Now my secrets are the demons that grow stronger every day.
I try to send her away, but I can’t let her go.
She’s my reason to fight, and I’ll walk through hell to be the man she deserves.
To give her a reason to stay here with me.
(HERE WITH ME is a STAND-ALONE best friend’s older brother, second-chance, military romance. No cheating. No cliffhangers.)
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Sawyer is Mindy’s best friend’s brother and should be off limits but they can’t keep away from each other. Sawyer is back from the military with scars from his time there. He should stay away from Mindy but he fights for her. Mindy is willing to do what is necessary for them to be together. A great military, second chance romance.
We all know Sawyer’s story and the events that changed his life, but this book goes far more in-depth than the previous books. Their story starts when he’s sixteen and she’s eleven. As the years go by feelings change and so do people. But what doesn’t change is Mindy’s love for the one constant in her life. This book was an amazing read and I just loved their story so much.
Romantic, Steamy, Entertaining, HEA
4.5 Anchor Stars!!
After having read Wait For Me at the end of last year I couldn’t wait for this book to be released! I was absolutely hooked from the start and from that point on this story absolutely stole my heart!! I couldn’t stop reading it until I reached the end. I loved it so dang much!!
Sawyer and Mindy’s journey wasn’t an easy one, it was realistic which I loved. I felt it ALL with these characters and oh how I adored them! I felt so connected to them throughout reading. I so enjoyed getting to dig deeper with Sawyer and Mindy and how through that I fell for these two even more.
These characters and their story have left the best kind of mark on my heart forever!
With Here With Me, Ms.Louise brings the realness and the heart in such a beautiful way! This is definitely one of my favorites of the year! I really needed to read this book right now and I’m so grateful for the way this story touched my life. I can’t wait for more of Ms.Louise’s words!
*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Wildfire Marketing Solutions / the author*
From the moment I started reading, I didn’t want it to end. When I read wait for me, the first book in the series I really wanted to know more about Noels older broody brother. This love story is about Sawyer and Mindy. Mindy has always been in love with Sawyer from the moment she saw him and the love has grown stronger over the years but he has always held back. They have have kept their bond a secret from their families as Sawyer is Mindys best friends older brother. From the moment he saw her sitting by the river they’re life’s would always be connected. They would depend on each other from the good and the bad.
This book had me swooning, crying and then left me with a big smile. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I was given this as an arc to give an honest opinion and I would read this book over and over again. Let the waiting game for the next book begin.
4.5 stars – This was a gorgeous story.
“I only know that he’s owned my heart as long as I’ve been able to love.”
Mindy Rae has loved Sawyer LaGrange since she was a young girl. Five years older, Sawyer kept her at arm’s length even though he knew that they shared a special connection from the moment she put her hand in his, on one of the worst days of his life. Just before he left for the military, he gave in to his weakness but when he finally came home for good, he was quieter and more distant.
“She has no idea how much I want her. Everything in me wants her in a way I’ve never experienced.”
Mindy is tired of the stolen moments and waiting for him to claim her publicly, and she has decisions to make. Sawyer has his own issues to deal with – issues that he is scared to acknowledge, but makes moving forward with his life questionable until he has dealt with them.
“I want to feel her hand holding mine so deep in my soul.”
Sawyer and Mindy! The chemistry and connection between them was pretty hot and electric. Sawyer had my heart with his personal battles, his need to protect his family, and his angst over Mindy. He’s a solid, noble character who stepped up when his family needed him. His sense of responsibility was huge and I was so keen for him to take something for himself and be truly happy for his own sake. Mindy is beautiful, smart and talented. She’s waited so long for Sawyer to the detriment of her own career. However, I loved her confidence and personality and her kind heart. This was a fab, sexy, angsty read.
4.5 Stars
Tough this is a stand alone we did meet Sawyer in his sister’s book Wait For Me. I was over the moon delighted I get to step back into that world. This book brought emotion and feels. Sawyer is going to grip your heart. He has a lot to work through if he wants a future with Mindy. This book gave me real raw emotion. It’s a roller coaster ride for Sawyer and Mindy. It made my heart happy for Mindy to go after her dreams. I felt bad for Mindy because her heart goes through the ringer, but Sawyer will find a way to mend if he can. I was so happy to see Dove again. Like always she is a scene stealer. I could hardly put this one down. I wold highly recommend this book!!
Sawyer and Mindys story bring something many feelings that you can’t help but fall in love with the writing in this story. Mindy has always loved Sawyer, ever since she was a little girl all she saw was Sawyer. Sawyer had been through so much heartbreak in this like that you feel for him. These two know they can’t be without each other but Sawyer is dealing with so many demons he doesn’t know if he can be who Mindy deserves but all she wants is to soothe away his pain. Such a beautiful story
4.5 Stars!
Sawyer LeGrange’s world was turned upside down at the age of sixteen, but he’s always tried to do the right thing. He’s the oldest son of the family where they own and operate the biggest peach orchard in North Louisiana. Over the years he’s had a lot of responsibilities, but him and his siblings have done whatever it takes to keep the LeGrange Orchard running. Forced to grow up overnight, it’s left him guarded and a bit of a loner. He’s now thirty one, and home from the service with scars and baggage he can’t seem to get rid of. As he faces his demons from the past the woman who has always calmed the storm in his mind wants to be his anchor. The deep connection they shared as kids is even stronger, and soon she becomes his reason to fight. He’s always wanted her to be his, but held back. Will he finally choose love?
Mindy Ray is an Italian girl from a small town in Louisiana called Harristown that’s known for its peaches. She’s loved her best friends older brother Sawyer for as long as she can remember. Now he’s returned from the marines, and still sinfully delicious. She wants him to give them a real chance, but he continues to push her away. When she decides she’s ready to go after what she wants will she finally get her happily ever after with the man of her dreams?
Here With Me is a sexy standalone best friend’s brother, second chance military romance by Tia Louise. It’s slightly forbidden and full of angst, emotion, and passion. It’s a beautiful love story with all the feels. I can’t wait for Deacon’s book and hope we get one for Leon too!
Another incredible read from Tia Louise.
When I saw that Tia was writing a best-friends older brother novel, I knew that I was going to have to pick it up to read. When I did, I really enjoyed it.
Sawyer and Mindy are two characters that your heart will break for. Each of them have experienced intense loss, heartache and pain throughout their lives. Nothing has ever come to them easy. They have had to fight and work hard for everything they have. When these two characters come together, their pain is shared, and it becomes more intense than it ever was. The romance shared between them, as well as their chemistry and past is one that will leave you wondering if a relationship between them, filled with so much depth, and hurt, could even work out. Yet, when two people are meant to be, and have something bonding them together, heartache is something that can always be overcome.
By the end of the novel, your tears will have dried, and you will be left with a stunning novel of romance, love and second chances.
I definitely recommend this novel. It is one that you won’t be soon to forget.
4/5 Stars!
Sawyer has always been the one to take care of everything and everyone. Mindy is his sisters best friend and they have always been there for each other. Sawyer goes away to the marines and comes back with some issues. Mindy has always loved Sawyer but can she be with him when he won’t open up. Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended. Love this book and series. Awesome book
I loved the previous book with Noah and Taron and now I have another favorite with Sawyer and Mindy ! Love reading what has happened to both of them and how they deal with it and love how this story ends! I recommend this book!!!!!
5 Stars
Here With Me is the latest fantastic stand-alone novel by Tia Louise. This book had me feeling ALL THE FEELS. I knew it was going to be emotional, but I had no idea how much it was going to touch me and affect me the way it did.
We met Sawyer in the previous stories and I seriously could not wait to get his book. He was always so reserved but I knew that deep down he wasn’t as okay as he said he was. Boy was I right! He was so broken it was heartbreaking. I had no idea if he’d even be able to fall in love. But if anyone could get him to, I hoped it would be a character like Mindy. Mindy was a breath of fresh air. My heart broke for her in so many different ways. But her strength and her perseverance was inspiring.
Together, Mindy and Sawyers chemistry was explosive. Their journey was not easy whatsoever. I loved watching it! Overall, HWM was an amazing story that I highly recommend reading!
Overall Grade:
“Writers are in the business of attempting to expose the human condition in such a way that our description [writers’ descriptions] resonates in the souls of other humans.” -Natalie Kusz, American Memorist
Many reviewers draw inspiration for their reviews from the book under review. This reviewer has done just that previously, and Tia Louise’s skill is such that there are hidden treasures written into her words and stories. She crafts wisdom as she shares a story that has a greater truth to it. In doing so, she connects the human condition to the lives of her readers. In her newest book, Here with Me, the biggest truth is the need to love yourself beyond your pain. Now, pain is defined in different ways to different people in the story. Some people’s pain and longing might seem lesser than another’s, but a condition of the human spirit is living life with both pain and joy and our responses to both.
Sawyer’s pain resides in his “battle scars.” Louise creates this hero who has survived the deaths of his parents and a trauma from his experience in the military. Sawyer’s story resonates with people who hide behind their pain, shorting themselves of the abundance of life. For much of the story, Louise draws on Sawyer’s pain to create a profound emotional connection to an unwillingness to drop one’s past pains. While many of her readers might not suffer from PTSD as Sawyer does, we do suffer from believing we can’t be more than our past troubles or sins. That we cannot share that pain with others because it is too much to bear. Instead, we own the heaviness onto our shoulders when we could share the experience and lighten our own load. Sawyer’s character represents this difficulty to accept the challenges towards recovery and healing. In doing so, Louise points to the sometimes stubborn spirit of the human heart.
Counter to Sawyer is Louise’s heroine, Mindy. Sawyer and Mindy have loved each other for most of their lives, but Sawyer’s pain prevents him from living an abundant life with Mindy. Like many of us, Mindy is waiting for Sawyer to accept her, and she measures her self-worth contingent on his love for her. Through Mindy’s characterization, Louise’s readers learn that self-worth must come from within. We cannot measure our ability to be loved from outside of ourselves. Instead, we must love ourselves first. Even though their circumstances are different, Mindy and Sawyer are Louise’s admonishments to accept ourselves, faults and all, and love ourselves just as we are. It’s a powerful lesson wrapped up in a story that tugs at your heartstrings.
Through her characterization and storytelling, Tia Louise draws us in deeply to Here with Me. I enjoyed Wait for Me, the previous story in this series, but Sawyer’s story grabbed a piece of my heart in ways that his sister’s story didn’t. Sawyer seems broken with the possibility of mending. However, he must value himself enough to do the work. I connected with this lesson because we all have cracks in our souls that could use some self-love to mend. And, like Sawyer, we oftentimes think we aren’t worthy of it. As Tia Louise unleashes this truth, she empowers her readers through Sawyer’s evolution to look inward at those cracks, seek out love, and allow ourselves to bask in it as it seals up our hurts and refreshes us. From its first page to its last, Here with Me grabbed little bits of me and made me believe in the power of love to bind my hurts.
Tia Louise never disappoints with her stories.
Here With Me is a second chance romance by Tia Louise, it’s a great story and sure to become one of my favorites for this most testing of years. I was captivated by Sawyer and Mindy from the very first page. It’s one of those unputdownable books that you tell yourself, …just one more chapter… one more passage… one more line!!! And before you know where you are, the book is done and so is most of your sleep time. Thankfully, I could sleep in once I actually made it to my bed.
Then, thanks to the emotionally charged words I’d read, I dreamt about the events inside the book. I didn’t mind though, this story is worth it. This was an angsty, heart-wrenching and swoonable tale that will leave you begging for more from these two awesome characters and this fabulous author.
HERE WITH ME IS LIVE!!!!
“They say you get in life what you have the courage to ask for.
Well, I’m brave.
And I want him.”
A steamy and romantic new release from Tia Louise!
A beautiful story from Tia, we’re back at LeGrange Peach Farm, this time it’s the older brother Sawyer that this story is based around and his relationship with his little sister’s best friend!
Sawyer is the oldest of the LeGrange’s and ended up being the care giver for his younger siblings at 16, after his dad took his own life after his wife was killed in an accident. Left in charge of the farm as well, all the neighbors chipped in to help the family, none more so that Mindy, 5 years younger than him, but she was there with her hand in his when he learnt the awful truth about his dad.
They have always had a special connection, which just grows the older they get. But Mindy is his sister’s best friend, out of bounds and much younger, he kept himself away from her as much as he could.
Mindy has been in love with Sawyer for years, and has always tried to push his boundaries and get him to give in to her, which he does just before he leaves for the Marines. Mindy knows he will come back for her. But he comes back a different person.
Sawyer was warned he may have PTSD but shrugged it off and never saw anyone about it. But his demons are surfacing and he doesn’t know what to do and how to handle them, just as his relationship with Mindy starts and he gives in to his wants and feelings with her.
Both have dreams and nightmares to overcome if their relationship is ever going to work.
An angsty / second chance / young love / military twist read this one has it all and will keep you turning those pages from start to finish as Mindy and Sawyer battle for the kind of relationship they both deserve. Well worth the read.
Mindy (Melinda) has been in love with her best friend Noel’s older brother, Sawyer, since they were just kids. He is Noel’s eldest brother, the responsible caretaker, and when he was 16, he became their only caretaker. And she fell for that protective teen and has waited patiently for him to come home from deployment so they can be together out in the open. Back when they were first together, it had to be in secret. And it was glorious, young love and all that. Now he’s home and she still wants him, still loves him. But their love is in question because Sawyer, like his best friend Taron (Noel’s now husband), came home from his service a changed man. He’s fighting PTSD, he’s got internal scars, and he’s pushing Mindy away. She has the patience of a saint, though, and she’ll continue waiting because Sawyer is it for her. And she just knows she can be it for him, when he finally breaks through the walls he’s got himself encased in. If only he’d break through those walls for her…
“You were my reason to fight, Mindy. If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure I’d be here.”
Sawyer went through hell while deployed. But Mindy was what he thought of each and every time he was spiraling. So now that he’s home and she’s right in front of him, he wants her, wants to finally be with her. He’s just not sure if he can be with her while he’s fighting his demons. So he needs to heal, needs to become the man she needs, deserves for him to be. If he can just keep her in mind while he’s fighting, maybe, just maybe, she’ll be there when he comes back a new and improved man ready to be loved the way he knows Mindy loves him.
Sniffle sniffle. Yep, Here With Me, like Wait for Me, got me right in the feels. I leaked a few tears the whole way through as Sawyer and Mindy fought for their love and Sawyer fought to come back to the only woman he’d ever loved. PTSD can be a tricky subject to write and not step over the line of too much or over the top, but Tia’s such a deft writer that she handles this subject perfectly. I love the way she handled it in Sawyer just like she handled Taron’s. This story is above all, heartfelt. It’s sweet and swoony, sexy, and most of all emotionally gut-wrenching as these two finally get the happiness and love they so deserved from the very first page of their journey.
I thought I was an emotional wreck when I read Wait For Me but boy was I wrong. Here With Me was breathtaking, it consumed me from the start. I could not put it down!
Mindy had fallen in love with Sawyer at a very young age. He was her best friend’s brother, would he ever give her a chance?
Sawyer didn’t want to fall for Mindy but as they grew older, things could no longer be denied. The love they shared would get them though it all, right?
Sawyer didn’t just come home a hero, he came home a different man with invisible scars that he didn’t want anyone to see. He didn’t think he could be the man Mindy needed but she didn’t agree. Could her unconditional love for him be enough?
I loved how Tia built their relationship from the ground up. I felt like I was along for the entire ride, I felt their every emotion. Through all their heartache, they were able to weather the storm.