The Love You Fight For

Next Life, Book 3

De: Brit Benson

Narrado por: Desiree Ketchum, Austin Stone

The mask she wears for the world is flawless.

But I want the mess that she hides underneath.

Samantha Harper is untouchable.

She's the closest thing we have to royalty in my small town.

Daughter of a senator.

Richer than sin.

Classy, elegant, and Ice cold.

She's my polar opposite.

And unfortunately, She's exactly my type.

Too bad royalty doesn't fraternize with peasants.

Until one night, Samantha Harper finds herself at my mercy, and the temptation to dirty up her flawless façade is too great.

When her perfect mask slips, It's not an ice princess I find beneath, But a warrior in war-torn armor.

A snake in queen's clothing.

All it takes is one night, and I'm determined.

She will never have to fight another battle alone.

***The Love You Fight For is the third book in the Next Life world.

It has a guaranteed HEA.

While The Love You Fight For can be enjoyed as a standalone, it is recommended that you first listen to the Next Life duet to fully appreciate the story.

A detailed list of Content Warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2024 Brit Benson (P)2024 Brit Benson

AMAZING! Felt everything!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Perfection.
This book was addictive! I love Brit Bensons style of writing. Amazing story! Loved Samantha. She was so strong and fought so hard! Chris was so freaking amazing. Fighting for her standing by her side. He could see who she really was. Not just some rich girl! This whole book was a roller coaster. I felt so much emotion through. Hurt. Love. The pain. The loss.

These two narrators. Desiree Ketchum and Austin Stone did fu€king AMAZING!!!

Chapter 10 and 11 are freakin 🔥🔥🔥🔥

The ending was epic!

Welcome back to Next Life world - beautiful

Thank you, Brit Benson. Thank you, Brit Benson. Thank you, Brit Benson. Words cannot express how happy I was to start reading this book and become immersed once again in the Next Life world. I had barely started the Prologue and I was already mad, sad, shocked (well, given Sam’s family, not really shocked but appalled), and then crying because her relationship with Lennon is the lifeline they both so desperately need – and the only one either of them had for a time. Let me stop right here and tell you that if you haven’t already read the first two books in the Next Life series you should do it now. The Love You Fight For is wonderful as a standalone but all three books? Amazing. You don’t want to miss a word of the backstories.

Just when we think we know all there is to know about Samantha Harper, another facet appears. When we first met her she was the spoiled little rich girl, wild, reckless, spiteful and in a sometimes and mostly for convenience relationship with bad boy Macon Davis. A relationship desperate and destructive for both of them, but all either of them could manage over the hurt and rejection they both felt. Then somehow, unpredictably, Sam and good girl Lennon Capri Washington form an unbreakable bond at the time of Macon’s overdose. When we last saw Sam, everybody was getting along, and hometown boy Christopher Casper was part of the group.

So what happened? There was a little hint, just a feeling maybe, that odd as it might be given how opposite Chris and Sam are there might be a spark there, someday something might become a flame. But now? Now they speak, but there’s no warmth in it, more like needling and provocation. Their paths only cross because Chris is Macon’s best friend and Sam and Lennon still have that bond.

Sam never seemed like a very happy girl, and she doesn’t seem like a very happy woman. She’s still working for her father the mighty Senator but it’s obvious she hates him. She seems to be waiting for something, but for what? And how long is she going to have to wait? Her family is the dictionary definition of dysfunctional. Parenting? What’s that? Senator Harper is powerful, ruthless, misogynistic, using people as pawns and so much more evil than we even imagined. He raised a son, Chase, to be just like him. Chase is always being shipped off to some corner of the world on “business” but really to dry out or escape the consequences of his actions. Their mother? Out of the picture except for the occasional command performance, otherwise living her life away from the husband and children she so obviously cares nothing for.

Which brings us to Chris. As TLYFF unfolds we realize how little we really knew about him. Good guy or bad guy? Good family or bad family? What is he besides the guy Macon can always depend on? Well, he’s a lot more. Good guy, good close family, hard worker, ambitions, dreams – and some little nagging feelings for Samantha Harper. Good feelings or bad feelings? Can’t be sure yet. When whatever happened that drove him and Sam apart as even casual friends, he entered a relationship and proposed. When we first see Chris again Sable has just laughed in Chris’ face over the proposal, and Macon is helping him burn everything that reminds him of Sable. He feels played, used, unwanted, unappreciated, pessimistic about his future.

So when we reenter the Next Life world in TLYFF and reunite with possibly our two favorite characters ever – Macon and Lennon, who else – we long for Sam to find peace, contentment, someone that can just be hers, someone she can be herself with – and to be out of the danger that seems to surround her as this new campaign starts. We also long for Chris to achieve his dreams and to find that special someone he deserves. Being the romantic readers that we are and knowing what an expert author Benson is at working those HEAs we are holding our breath for the Sam & Chris moment. As we get more glimpses into the Sam of now we realize how strong she is and that she has a plan. A dangerous plan but one that just might give her what she needs. And Chris continues to surprise. Benson does such a magical job of making Chris a study in contrasts, but contrasts that complement and balance. He seems to hold back and be a little unsure around Sam, but at the same time pulls no punches. As the story continues he becomes more forceful, more protective, not afraid to show his feelings and back up his feelings with action. He pushes harder and harder for her to open up, and amazingly she does. And in intimate moments there is nothing at all unsure about Chris. Is this marvelous or what?

I could probably write a review as long as the book just telling you everything I love about the book, but you really need to experience it yourself. It’s emotional, angsty, sad, funny, and has a bit of mystery. I love Macon and am not ashamed to admit having more Macon made my heart go pitter-patter. Claire – the eternally evil one – is mentioned just enough that I’m worried I might have to actually feel sorry for her one of these days. But not yet, this is Sam and Chris’ time in the spotlight.

I read the book, and then I was lucky enough to get an advance audiobook. Wonderful reads and even more wonderful listens: amazing narrators that will transport you to that Next Life world and so much more emotional and impactful when listening. You are pulled immediately into the story; you feel everything – the pain, the fear, the humiliation. Listening makes the tears come faster and the joyful moments even warmer. Desireé Ketchum’s performance is spot on, exactly as you have imagined Sam – her pain, her horror, her strength. Ketchum voices the Sam we’ve already met and this Sam we are just learning about. Austin Stone – what a voice, so commanding - turns Chris the sidekick into a man who has come into his own, who fills this book with his presence and personality. Bonus: Desireé /Sam and Austin/Chris play off each other perfectly. Double bonus: duet narration. Makes hearing Benson’s magical stories even more magical.

Thanks to Home Cooked Books for providing an advance listening copy of The Love You Fight For. So happy to discover so much more about Sam and Chris and continue with characters we already know and love. It was nearly impossible to take out my earbuds. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Duet and both narrators are AMAZING?!? 🔥🔥🔥

Where to start. I finished this book on March 4th and I’m still processing.
Chris and Sam are perfection. Absolute perfection. Sam is the bada$$ FFM that dominates the room as soon as she enters. She’s been through some tough shiz but she doesn’t let that stop her from achieving her goal. Unfortunately she doesn’t know how to care for herself the way she truly needs it. Enter Chris Casper. Chris is a small town man with the biggest heart. He cares for so many people and he cares for them deeply. He sees Sam for who she is and isn’t scared of the patience and work he will have to put into their relationship. He sees that she is strong enough to fight her battles but knows she shouldn’t have to. They were made for each other.

Okay now onto the book. This book was so damn funny. I laughed so much. I need a blue ridge alligator sicker immediately. The banter was spot on. The dirty talk, THE DIRTY TALK. It was so darn good!! Best I’ve read in a hot minute! Ugh this man could pour bourbon on me any day.
If you’ve read Brit’s books you know her books are emotional, this was no different. I only cried a few times but I found the tears were more so for how beautiful the scene was. How vulnerable the characters had to make themselves.

If you haven’t read the Next Life Duet PLEASE READ IT FIRST!!! You’ll understand Sam better and you’ll understand why Macon and Lennon are so important.

I cannot recommend this book enough ♥️

I loved this book before it even came out and I’m here to tell you the narration in this audiobook makes it an even more enjoyable experience!! Austin Stone is perfection. Desiree brings Sam to life! Cannot recommend this duet audio enough!

PHENOMENAL story and duet narration!!! Obsessed!!

Absolutely OBSESSED with this book on audio!!!! It’s one of those magical performance that makes you feel like you’re watching it all play out like a movie with how will the book was acted out. Desiree Ketchum and Austin Stone were just so perfectly casted for these characters and completely captured the essence of their characters bringing this whole story to life and elevating it even more!

Austin Stone...a new to me narrator who just made himself one of my top favorites! He is an incredible actor who not only brought out all the feelings of Chris but also used multiple distinct voices for each male character in this book that made it feel like it was a full cast of male narrators. From a gruff tone for Sam’s dad, a creepy older man voice in the prologue that gave me chills and a fantastic southern accent for Ashton. And his voice for Chris? Pure sultry perfection and he completely captured Chris and his personality. I also might have swooned every time he laughed…it is so damn adorable!

Desiree Ketchum was outstanding in this audio as Sam!! She gave so much fierceness to Sam’s personality but on the flip side had so much passion in her voice for all the hard emotional moments as well. And her delivery of that emotion…impeccable!! From the yelling in anger, to the soft tone of sadness and hurt…I felt every note of her delivery as she narrated. Truly outstanding acting!!

All that to say…this audiobook is worth every dime and credit!!! A flawless performance by both narrators as they delivered Brit Benson’s remarkable storytelling. This right here is an audio that will be listened to again and again and again!!!

🧲Opposites Attract
💋Friends With Benefits
🥰He Falls First
💁‍♀️Strong, Independent FMC
💕Found Family

📖 Sam is the daughter of a politician helping with her father’s campaign while Chris is a bar owner and works at a car shop in their small town. They know each other from childhood but come from two different social classes and couldn’t be more opposite. When she comes back to town and runs into Chris at the bar, you can already feel the tension and chemistry between them. Their journey is complex and not easy but this story will keep you captivated until the end!!

Beautifully Obsessed

Well let me add filthy talking Chris Casper to my book boyfriend list. This man… I swoon. This is a true opposites attract between Sam and Chris. She is broken but fierce, and he adores every inch of her. This book will have all your emotions going. The spice was perfect.
Wow, such a great pairing with Desiree Ketchum and Austin Stone. After reading the book then listening to it, it makes it even better. Austin and Desiree bring this story to life with their duet narration. Absolutely one of the best books of 2024.

Wonderful story and fantastic audio!

Book Title: The Love You Fight For, Next Life book 3
By: Brit Benson
Narrates by: Desiree Ketchum & Austin Stone

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

Duet
Steamy
Childhood friends
Small-town
Who did this to you
Pierced MMC
**Check TW

📚Story Summary and Review📚
Blurb:
Samantha Harper is flawless and untouchable and hides her messy reality beneath her perfect facade and bright red lipstick. Chris is her polar opposite and is drawn to her despite their differences. When Sam finds herself vulnerable one night, Chris sees past her icy exterior to discover a fighter within, determined to stand beside her as things burn down around her.

Review:
Oh Brit! Where have you been all my life with your fantastic storylines and wonderfully written characters!? A little suspense, great plot, spicy spice (such good use of bourbon! SO GOOD!), and characters you love and hate, all wrapped up in a fantastic listen that I wish I could hear again for the first time. I was so here for it!

I loved the warrior strength that gushed from Sam as we learned about her past, struggles, and story. Chris was a perfect light to her dark. I loved his heart, dirty mouth, and the way he showed up for her. All around great guy that Sam deserved.

🎧❤️Audiobook Review❤️🎧
Desiree is easily one of my favorite narrators and was excited to hear her in this one and boy did she deliver! She had such fire and ferocity in her delivery for Sam, so well done.

Austin was a new narrator for me and I thought he crushed every voice he brought to this story! He made me love Chris and I loved his chuckles! His performance just oozed the good in his character. I want to know how he got so much slime-bag into the voices for a few other characters, hate so good! I thought they both went full send on this one. No notes ❤️

Thank you to Brit Benson and Home Cooked Books for the listen. It was my pleasure!

**These are my own honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

I’ll be careful with your heart

I’m a huge fan of duet narration and Desiree Ketchum and Austin Stone did an incredible job bringing Chris and Sam’s turbulent journey to life. I love when a book has the ability to make you feel raw and vulnerable and this storyline did just that.

Another fantastic BB book!

Sam and Chris were everything I didn’t know I needed in this world. Brit Benson is queen!!

Chris Flipping Casper!

“Strength. Protection. What better way to take down dangerous men than with the very monster they created?”

Well, Brit Benson has gone and melted my heart all over again with The Love You Fight For. Not as crushing as The Next Life Duet, The Love You Fight for is a low-angst, opposites attract romance with a thread of nail-biting suspense. After a tempestuous introduction, Samantha Harper won me over in This Life and All the Rest. Sam is a badass queen who had me hooked from page one. I have been eagerly awaiting an HEA for Chris Casper and Brit delivered an epic love story for these two! Their backstories are heartbreaking, the suspense is on point, and the swoon factor is off the charts! The witty banter between Sam & Chris is marvelous and the heat between the black cat & hometown hottie is deliciously spicy! Chris is the cinnamon roll with a filthy mouth we all adore! I loved how entwined their story was with Macon and Lennon’s lives. Sam’s family filled me with rage while Chris’s family warmed my heart. This love story had heaps of small-town charm, big-city drama, and heart-melting romance. Brit Benson’s storytelling was amazing, I loved every minute of The Love You Fight For! If you’re looking for a spicy opposites attract, he falls first, fierce FMC romance, grab The Love You Fight For now!

Desireé Ketchum and Austin Stone were phenomenal as Sam & Chris! Their pacing, energy and tone matched each other perfectly in this duet narration. I didn’t think I could love Casper more, until I heard Austin Stone speak his words in my ear. I mean, the audacity! Hot dayuuum, that man whispering Casper’s sincere and filthy words dripping with lust in his low, seductive tone. Oof! Desireé portrayed Sam’s complex, vulnerable, icy, endearing, unfukwithable character beautifully. I loved the genuine and playful dynamic Austin & Desireé brought to the booth to vault Brit Benson’s wonderful love story off the page!

So Good!!

This is a story that will stick with you. It's a standalone but tied to 2 others that I have not read, yet. I was a little lost with so.e of those characters at the beginning but not terribly.
Brit has such a great writing g style makes you not want to put the book down.
Sam and Casper! And the narration!! Simply perfect!