Fighting for Us

The Bailey Brothers, Book 2

By: Claire Kingsley

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Samantha Cooke

How long would you wait for the love of your life?

The Asher Bailey who comes home to his quirky small town isn’t the same man who put a ring on Grace’s finger. He’s bigger, harder, haunted. Forced to give up Grace and everything else that was good in his life for a prison sentence he barely survived.

Now that he’s home, he finds himself aggressively welcomed by his brothers and gleefully gossiped about by his neighbors. He’d counted on both.

But he never expected to see Grace still wearing his ring.

Grace’s fairy tale didn’t end. It was interrupted. She’s spent the last seven years living her life while waiting for one man. Now that he’s back, she’s got her work cut out for her. He’s scarred and angry, and stubbornly convinced they can’t be together. She’s more than happy to educate him otherwise.

Every beer, every prank, every kiss brings him closer to where he’s always belonged. In her life. In her arms. In her heart.

Asher fears the darkness inside him can’t be contained. But Grace won’t give up on him without a fight.

Author’s note: A brooding, wounded hero and the woman who won’t give up on him. A pack of unruly, prank-loving brothers. A wild neighborhood rumor mill. Spectacular BFF banter. This is a love story about soulmates that delivers the heat and all the feels. The Bailey Brothers series is meant to be heard in order and Fighting for Us concludes Grace and Asher’s happily ever after.

©2020 Claire Kingsley (P)2020 Claire Kingsley

Believe in Love

What an emotional conclusion to Grace and Asher's story. There are lots of highs and lows in this one that will have readers feeling all the feels. I liked that the conflict was more internal for this couple, as they tried to confront and overcome their personal demons. I felt that the story unfolded in a realistic way and appreciated that there wasn't some magic bullet that righted all the wrongs. Our characters struggle and stumble, but that only made me root for them harder. Plus, the chemistry between Grace and Asher is scorching hot and some of their scenes will leave you a little breathless.

I will say that my favorite character of the book though is probably Cara. Any time she was on the page she completely stole the show. Cara brought some wonderful comic relief to the story and I loved all the sparks between her and Logan. I'm hoping to see things progress between them as the series goes on. The narration by Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cooke was outstanding again and they were the perfect Asher and Grace. Fighting for Us sets up future books very well and I'm looking forward to getting to know each of the Bailey Brothers better. The epilogue has me dying to start broody and grumpy Evan's book right away!

Note: Fighting for Us is not a standalone and should only be read after enjoying Protecting You first.

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

Excellent Story

This is such a great story. Definitely worth the read/listen. You will not be disappointed.

Incredible audio for the Claire's best book yet

This is not only my very favorite Claire Kingsley book, but I think it is objectively the best book she’s ever written. There was so much going on here and it all weaved together in such a seamless way. I felt the depth of Grace and Asher’s past friendship and relationship, the weight of their time apart, but still had hope for their future. The other characters are so rich, and I can’t wait to dive into them.

I was not familiar with either of these narrators, but they were the perfect choice. Aaron Shedlcok had a gravelly quality I knew was necessary for Asher and the way he captured the transition between pre-prison and post-prison Asher was incredible. I could hear how prison had changed him. Samantha Cooke has a brightness yet strength in her voice that is just so perfectly Grace.

Side note about the cover: This book inspired a “deal” I made with myself for 2021 – whenever I happen upon a book with Andrew Biernat on the cover, I read it, no matter what it is. My TBR is LENGTHY!

Wow!

Wow! Everything about this story! The hot steaminess between Grace and Asher. The inner battle they are both dealing with. The wisdom of Gram. The sweet protective relationships of the brothers. Just wonderfully created.

Asher and Grace - a swoony story about finding a new way forward together

I loved the emotional roller coaster ride that is the story of Grace and Asher’s HEA. Aaron Shedlock and Samatha Cooke were wonderful narrators. This is a sweet, swoony childhood friends to soulmates with a prison term interruption story. Asher and Grace grew up next door to each other and had just started their HEA when Grace is attacked and Asher ends up in prison for manslaughter. This story is the continuation of the HEA once Asher gets out of prison as they try to find a way forward together. This book has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, strong friendships, laughs, messy families, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, and so much love. The story also includes witty dialogue, characters with depth, and an engaging storyline. I love the Bailey family and the interplay of the brothers. I am excited to read about the next Bailey brother.

Cute!

Like a sexy Hallmark movie!! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!!

Asher and Grace are just swoonworthy!!

Asher and Grace…sigh…I love them and while their story is not an easy one, their journey is so worth it!! Fighting for Us is the continuation of Asher and Grace’s story from Protecting You. It is seven years later and Asher has been unexpectedly released from jail. Even though bars no longer separate them, they are still miles apart in terms of how they view the future. Can they pick up the pieces and create a new future?

Asher is a different man than the one that Grace fell in love with. He is angry and full of rage and he feels out of control. He can no longer have the future that he planned and he’s unsure how to survive in his new reality. Watching him try to adjust to life outside of prison is heartbreaking, but his growth throughout the book is inspiring. It’s all just a matter of perspective.

Grace’s life hasn’t been easy while Asher was in prison. While she has kept living, she never really faced the tragedy that befell her. She is a character full of love and patience, but she needs to face her own issues in order to have the future that she wants.

I absolutely love these two. Asher and Grace are soulmates in the truest in of the word. Their story will break your heart and then put it back together again.

Grace’s best friend, Asher’s brothers and his grandmother as well as the Miles family all make appearances in this book. How could you not love all of these crazy characters. Their banter will bring a smile to your face and they bring so much emotion and heart to the story.

Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cooke once again bring Asher and Grace to life. The emotion and drama in their narration was perfect for the story and really heightened the intensity. They made it possible for me to lose myself in the story.

Fighting for Us is one of my favorite books that I have read this year. It tugs at your heartstrings, makes you laugh, makes you cry, and leaves you both happy and sad to reach the end. I’m left waiting with anticipation for the rest of the Bailey brothers’ stories.

Finally Asher and Grace got their happy ever after

This is the second book in Claire Kingley's Bailey Brothers series, picking up 8 years after Protecting You, and is the continuation of Grace and Asher's love story. This ends with a Happily Ever After, and this is really the love that they deserve, even if Asher doubts he deserves it at all. Together the two books create an all-consuming story of enduring love, finding your soulmate young, fighting to make it work, recovering from heartbreak, trauma and doubt, and two souls that learn to be what the other needs at all times, growing and learning and evolving together even when it seems like hope is lost. Know that there is quite a bit of angst and drama, but there is also so much humor, heart and family, too, and the duet has great balance.

Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cook do a fantastic job bringing Claire Kingsley's words and character to life. Aaron really expressed the emotional toll that Asher's experienced took on him, and how he feels lost, uncertain and undeserving of Grace's love. Samantha does a similarly great job with Grace's devotion, determination, and her denial of the trauma and how it's affected her for so long.

Absolutely a great listen.

Audio as good as the book!

This audio book was so good I couldn't turn it off. The narrators were perfect! I almost think listening to it was better than reading it! I just love these brothers and Grace and Cara and even Grams!!

I'm addicted to the Bailey Brothers' stories!

This was awesome and intense! I had an unproductive weekend just enchanted in this story!