HERE WITH ME (The Archer Brothers #1) by Heidi McLaughlin-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 27, 2014

Ryley Clarke has grown up with the military in her blood, with both parents serving their country. Ryley knows the risks of being married to the military. But when the unthinkable happens, and her future husband is killed in action, Ryley can barely survive… until Evan’s twin brother, Nate, helps her pick up the pieces.

After serving on a special mission with the military for six years, Evan Archer returns home to find the unthinkable – the love of his life, Ryley Clarke – engaged to his brother, Nate. With Nate on deployment, Evan needs to figure out what happened in his absence, and more importantly, how to win Ryley back from the man he once considered his best friend, but now thinks of as his rival.

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REVIEW: HERE WITH ME is the first installment in Heidi McLaughlin’s adult, contemporary The Archer Brothers series focusing on Evan and Nate Archer, and the woman that they love Ryley Clarke.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Evan and Ryley) the premise follows Evan Archer’s return to civilian life. Home, from a six year undercover Navy SEAL mission in Cuba, Evan has no idea that he and three other members of his team had supposedly died and his entire family has grieved his death for over five years. What ensues is a series of mistaken beliefs, a presumed government cover up and a growing hatred between brothers.

Ryley thought Evan was dead. She gave birth to his son; is now engaged to Evan’s brother Nate; but she has never forgotten the man with whom she fell in love. His return has brought with it too many questions and a need to uncover the truth. While Nate has been deployed on his own SEAL mission, Ryley and Evan will begin to rekindle the love that had never died.

A major portion of the storyline alternates between Evan and Ryley’s individual counseling sessions where their emotions and pent up anger are revealed. At this point we are not aware of any wrong doing but the counselor’s concerns about what really happened begin to bring the reality of the situation a little more perspective.

The relationship between Ryley and Evan has already been established but Ryley has moved on. She never stopped loving Evan; they have a son together; and her love for Evan is all encompassing. There are moments of heartbreaking pain, ugly tears and the frightening realization that everything they thought was true has been a lie.

The secondary characters include Evan’s less than compassionate mother and sister; Ryley’s parents who have connections in high places; and Evan’s Navy SEAL Team whose families all believe they have died. There is a cover up of epic proportions and an investigation may never reveal the truth.

HERE WITH ME is a fascinating, heartbreaking and tense storyline about two brothers, one woman and six years of lies and secrets. The premise is addicting; the drama continues to build; the relationship between Evan and Ryley is emotional and intense. The first installment ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-so be forewarned. There is no release date for book 2-Choose Me

Reviewed by Sandy