A couple in secret. Two warring families. This little town isn’t big enough for the both of them.Slinging whiskey is all Avery Wells knows how to do, and soon she won’t even have that. If she can’t change her uncle’s mind, her dreams of owning the family watering hole will soon go up in smoke.Being an outcast is nothing new for Graham Foster, but when it comes to Avery, being on the outs was … Avery, being on the outs was never apart of the plan. Despite their past, Graham never lost hope that they could find their way back to each other. Convincing Avery of that fact might be a harder sell.
But fighting their pull is the least of Avery’s problems because someone doesn’t want her to win the family bar, and murder isn’t off the table.
Be careful where you seek your refuge…
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*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
What an intriguing romance to follow. Avery and Graham have quite a history behind them that one would think would go away after awhile but this book proves that wrong in so many ways. Combine never ending love, protective instincts, horrible family members, bad guys, and essentially never ending alcohol to create one explosive situation that these two have to pay for. It is quite engrossing following them as they find their way back to one another despite all of the obstacles. A well written second chance romance. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Great read. Lots of angst and horrible family members trying to keep Avery and Graham apart. They have history. Now they have a second chance but it won’t be easy. The story is well written and the characters are fleshed out. You’ll be rooting for this pair to make it. We get the backstory in bits and pieces which will keep you guessing. Fabulous flow. Highly recommended. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
Avery and Foster were in love but her family made sure they wouldn’t stay together and both leave town but separately, now they are both back in town sidestepping each other but there is a second chance at love for them if they take it but will everything going on break them yet again. There is plenty of suspense, twists, shocks, passion and nail biting moments that have you turning the page needing to know what was going happen next and hoping Avery and Foster can finally be together.
This is a moving and emotional read. This is amazing second chance romance with several twists and turn. The plot had a non stop pace that keeps you on your toes. Avery and Graham after every thing they had been, they got the HEA they deserve in this well plotted and written story.
I received an advanced copy and am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.
4.5 Stars
Years ago Graham Foster dated Avery Wells but her family thought his was scum and the next thing Graham knew Avery was gone and he never heard from her again.
Now Annie is back in town and running the Antler Pub along with her brother Wes. But trouble seems to be coming when Annie’s younger brother Ben also returns.
Graham is also back in town working for Levi Grady at his garage after years of military service overseas.
Will Annie be willing to give Graham another chance after so many years have gone by or will she once again fall to the pressure of her family and push him away?
This was a great book with lots of twists and turns to keep you wondering what was going to happen next!
At the beginning I was so mad at why Annie and Graham were forced apart and I wondered what had happened between their families to cause such hatred. Gradually through the book you learn a little more about what has been going on and things begin to fall into place.
I thought Annie was a great character who was working hard at getting Antler’s Pub successful although she was unfortunately under the thumb of her uncle Arlo. I wasn’t happy how Arlo got the pub and how he seemed to really want control of everything.
Graham was awesome and there were a few surprises that he had that I was not expecting at all. Graham’s family had issues and I was shocked at some of the things that happened, especially involving his uncle, James Foster.
There were so many twists that each of the families were entwined in and I loved how the author keeps you hooked and shocked at all the things that happen. I loved not being able to put the book down and needing to see how things ended!
The end was intense and I loved how it all played out and I can’t wait for more!! – By Rebecca
I loved Avery and Graham’s story. It’s wonderfully written with a well thought out plot. Their story is intense and full of passion. It definitely gave me all the feels. Once I started I couldn’t put it down.
I would definitely recommend this one.
Reaching Refuge is the second installment in the Shelter Me Series and can absolutely be read as a standalone. I say that because due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to the first book before I jumped into this one. This is about Graham and Avery’s story and oh what a ride it is.
I’m a sucker for romantic suspense novels. I like the feel of being on the edge, not knowing what is going to happen next. I felt like Anderson did a great job of building up the story and providing just the amount of details that kept my mind wandering. Plus you get the added dynamic of dueling families. Give me that “taboo” any day of the week.
Honestly, this is a second chance romance packed with suspense with two star-crossed, broken lovers. That’s really all the picture you need painted right? I know I’d read it based of that sentence alone. It’s actually been a while since I’ve read Anderson’s work and that’s shame on me. She just moved up to my automatically read author list.
I have read enough of Annie Anderson’s books by now to know that you don’t begin one of her books unless you have the time to finish it! This book was no different: I couldn’t stop reading until the very end! Curses to you, Ms. Anderson!
Avery and Graham are star-crossed lovers due to family dynamics (most of it beyond their control). But, somehow both of them have made their way back to Evergreen, Colorado. Will they be able to pick up the pieces and find their HEA together? Or, will the dark forces around them instead consume them (or worse)?
The characters are wonderfully written, the story is fast paced and suspenseful and the sex? Well, of course it’s steamy as can be! I love the way that this book has some of the characters from the first “Shelter Me” book, “Seeking Sanctuary”. But, this is a standalone book, so don’t let the #2 dissuade you from reading it.
I hope that Ms. Anderson continues to write for a long, long time. Her characters are wounded but strong, haunted but resilient, stubborn but soft, and hot as hell (of course!). If steamy sex and cursing bothers you, walk on by. But, if you love a good Romantic Suspense, this book is for you!
I hounded Annie into allowing me to read an ARC of this book, so I won’t have to hunt her down and kill her. This review is entirely my own opinion (’cause I would have bought the book anyhow!).
This book…I have no words but I’m gonna find some.
Avery mean business when it comes to her Mom’s bar, but unfortunately things haven’t been going her way…for way too long. Graham seems to love to torture himself by hanging out at Avery’s bar, but it’s more than just star crossed lovers.
A decade has passed since these two were last together and secrets kept them apart but not for much longer.
Annie once again kept me at the edge of my seat with some action and twists that I didn’t see coming. And the heat between these two…sweet jeezums, I had to turn up my ceiling fan to arctic!
Read the book, read all the books…now hopefully she’ll hurry with book 3 cause I needed it yesterday.
ONE EXTREMELY CAPTIVATING READ!!!
OMG! Wow. Man, talk about being blindsided. Annie really pulled all the stops on this bad boy. One fantastic storyline and strong plot really keep you riveted from start to finish. Such an extremely intense, palpable and explosive chemistry between the two main characters as they face unexpected trials and tribulations. Betrayal and lies run rampant as secrets are revealed that will rock you to the core. Annie nailed this bad boy and brought it roaring to life brilliantly with so much passion and imagination it leaves you in awe. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together smoothly. Remarkable job Annie, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book had me captivated from the beginning, I just had to keep reading to know how it ended. Graham and Avery have a love like no other but their families conspire against them and they are torn apart. When Avery finally comes back to town after her father’s funeral she feels like there has been too much time and they can’t reconnect. Graham and Avery haven’t stopped loving each other but their families keep getting in the way. Will they let their families stand in the way of true love or will they take their second chance? I can’t wait for the next installment of this series! I highly recommend this book!!
I really enjoyed this quaint love story between Graham and Avery. It really kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what would happen.
This intense and enticing series keeps getting better. Avery and Graham’s story seriously sucks you in and under. My heart broke for these two star-crossed lovers. The emotions are deep, powerful and turmoil ridden as family and secrets do their best to keep these two apart forever. However, fate draws these two back to where it all began and we are treated to an epic romance that is filled with angst, heartache, suspense, drama and steamy chemistry. I loved Avery and Graham so much and their romance was incredibly moving.
Great characters. Really liked the plot and that fact that I wasn’t able to predict it. Such good writing. I cannot wait to read more!!!
4.5 Cranky Stars
I wish I had the words to describe the love story between Graham and Avery. It’s everything. I mean they loved each other for years even with an ocean between them and neither one even thinking that they still had that spark. Their families are like the Hatfields and McCoys. They both despise each other but Graham and Avery still fell in love until a chance encounter forced them apart. He went off to war and she fled the town that broke her heart. Years later they return and are still dancing around each other when it finally clicks that they are adults and don’t have to stay apart. They come together and it is all happiness and passionate touches. Sadly, the town has a dark secret and these two seem to be connected to it and it brings their relationship to its breaking point.
I love the Shelter Me series so far. It’s equal parts love and mystery. You find yourself on the edge of your seat wondering what will come next and who is really to blame. I have always loved Graham even from the snippets we got of him in the first book. He has this quiet protective demeanor about him you can’t help but love. Avery’s story is heartbreaking. Her family is damaged, and you aren’t sure they can be redeemed. There are some serious oh my god moments in this book you don’t see coming and you hope everyone comes out unscathed. I can’t wait to read Orin’s story next. I bet he has a good one to tell.
Another fantastic book from Annie Anderson! This was a book I couldn’t put down. Even more intense than book 1, I was on the edge of my seat at times, ready to kick someones backside other times, in tears and oh so happy. All the feels needed. Graham Foster is my another favorite book boyfriend. Awesome characters, excellent story line and so happy to hear about characters from book 1. Can’t wait for book 3!!! Must read series people!