Book Review: Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

"It's like Mia Sheridan ripped out my heart, threw it on the ground, yelled "SIKE" then handed it back to me." -Me to my friends talking about this book.

Okay, so....I don't even know where to begin. I'm at a complete loss for words and I'm still not okay. To be clear, I am an emotional reader. I get mad, sad, happy, etc. with books, but I rarely ever cry. Just keep that in mind as I discuss this book.

Archer's Voice is the August pick for my book club. Typically, this isn't a book I would pick up. But this book club has gotten me out of my typical comfort reads. And I so wish I picked this book up before this book club. Because, guys. This book just, like, stole my heart. Archer Hale stole my heart. And Mia Sheridan broke it. More than once. 😂

Synopsis

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excurciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice, It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

Characters

Bree Prescott experienced a trauma no one else dreams of encountering -- watching her father die in front of her. So, after six months, she packs a bag, grabs her dog, and drives halfway across the country to Pelion, Maine, where she used to vacation as a kid; where everything seemed happy, perfect. Her trauma feels so real and I can't help but feel for her. She is funny, a risk-taker, and, wuote honestly, a force to be reckoned with. And, she's the first person to actually see Archer.

Archer is a tortured soul. At the age of seven, he loses half of his family from a horrible accident and loses his voice. And since he was only known as the mute kid living with his weird uncle, no one paid much attention to him. Until he met Bree. He's charming, so thoughtful, funny, and has so much love to give. But he's holding so much grief. Grief he thinks no one else will ever understand. So, in order to protect himself, he keeps to himself. It's as simple as that.

Bree and Archer are probably two of the best characters I have ever read. They are so in sync with one another. They have matching qualities and qualities that set them apart. And, quite honestly, if there was just a book for Bree or a book for Archer, I would definitely read them. They have their own stories, their own trauma, but they work so well together.

Their love story is so genuine. And I loved it.

My Thoughts

So, about 100 pages into the book, I was already emotional. My heart broke for Archer, who has been ignored for basically his entire life. Who has been ostracized, deemed the outcast, and made fun of. And he didn't deserve any of that. He carries so much guilt for something that isn't his fault. And, when he finally found himself being noticed and understood, he didn't realize how deeply he wanted that. And that made his connection with Bree that much more better. Pure.

I kept texting one of my friends that Iknew this book would destroy me. I mean, I keep hearing about people crying. And, again, I'm not a huge crier when it comes to books. But, you guys. If I was emotional 100 pages in... My goodness, I was doomed. And I was. I bawled at the end of this book. Because it completely destroyed me.

I loved the plot, the setting, the story, the characters. I didn't have a single thing to hate about this book. And it will live in my head rent-free for a very long time.

If you ever have the chance to read this book, please do. It was so so good.

My Rating

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yep, this one gets the special stars. Because it was just so good. Any book that makes me cry like that gets an automatic 5 stars.