Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

186 reviews

vivisms_82's review against another edition

1.0

Bree Prescott arrives in a small town in Maine USA, to find some peace after a personally traumatic event. In this sleepy town she meets Archer; a man that many presume to be simple and weird because he keeps to himself and does not talk. 

Ok I got up to page 150 but dnf... good Lord this is soooo poorly written. How was this ever a bestseller??! And where was the editor?? Flippin' hell how many times do we have to hear about Phoebe the cat doing its business or Archer being a "quiet man"?? And the absolute worst part is the character of Bree i.e. the part time stalker, ableist fmc we are supposed to be rooting for. She happens to know sign language so her being able to communicate with Archer opens his world because apparently if you are deaf you need a hearing abled person to give you a life. Ick. Also, after ONE episode with Archer about her trauma, Bree no longer has PTSD. Like flashbacks are gone. Anxiety gone. I found the depiction of the ease of PTSD recovery and ableism appalling. There is also no mention of any counselling or psychologic support which is baffling - she got no help after what she went through? He as a little boy didn't have to have psychological assessment after his trauma? Just ridiculous. My friend (who loved the book) told me what happens after said 150 pages and it seems like this book would have only further bugged me so small mercies :) I don't expect great literature from a romance book but geesh this was bargain bin $2 special material. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

dragonlilly's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

I enjoyed the first half a lot more than expected, but the second half sort of lost me just a bit. It was definitely written and structured well, I just wasn't a fan of certain scenes at the halfway point and after, as well as a scene around the end. Very interesting discussions on being mute and PTSD that are shown well, rather than just told, and I think this made the story very meaningful. I see why it is a popular story. It is an adult romance that is also pretty cute sometimes, but with a lot of TV show drama, which can be good or bad depending on the reader. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Rape

deetabz's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Blood, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy

heftsi's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Great story, stupid ending. 2 stars off just for the ending.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, and Abandonment

Minor: Cursing and Classism

wilderoo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I wanted to love this book — there were aspects of it with a lot of potential but I think Mia Sheridan missed the opportunity to make this book truly amazing. 

The clear lack of understanding or knowledge on Deaf culture really bothered me. It was evident that the author had extremely limited understanding of *sign language* although it was a central component of the story. This could have been a great opportunity to bring deeper understanding to the Deaf community with the unique premise. Honestly choosing a compelling topic & not researching enough to accurately portray it is so lazy & one of my absolute biggest pet peeves with any plot (book or movie). Seriously, even just the fact that it’s never referred to as ASL — as if sign language is universal was such an ick for me! 

I would have liked this book more if the narration was more balanced between Bree & Archer. I found myself disappointed every time I started another chapter that was still Bree’s POV. To be honest the writing was lackluster overall with so many unnecessary details that made it slower instead of more captivating.

Additionally, I got bored with the book when the repetitive & extended sex scenes took over the plot. With the length of the book I was expecting the characters to develop more than they did but there wasn’t space for that with all the intense infatuation / codependency. 

The climax felt rushed & the twist was a little manipulative in my opinion. I was looking forward to a little more action but it was over so quickly. Felt like I got whiplash…

The Epilogue & extended Epilogue were cute but not necessary. I also don’t think I ever had a chance to care enough about Travis to interest me in an entire spinoff book about him. 

least favorite phrases:
“long minutes”

“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
“I brought my hands up…”
“he brought his hands up…”
jeez, we get it, you need hands to sign!

I can’t help feeling baffled at how many 5 star ratings this book has gotten.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

bookish2024's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Obviously, this is not real life. If you came for a deep plot and thought-provoking character development, keep looking. If you came for spicy sex scenes, (no pun intended), and repetitive vocabulary, you’ll likely be satisfied. Two damaged, twenty-somethings meet, hormones rage, sexual escapades ensue, man has never been in a committed relationship, woman throws caution to the wind and decides she’ll be the one to show him the light, man panics and leaves town, woman falls into a depression and pines for him, man comes back after growing up, and they live happily ever after. In real life, this sort of man would probably become overly possessive, and the woman, blinded by hormones and possibilities, would gradually lose her independence until one day she realizes she’s in an abusive relationship. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Gun violence and Murder

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse

breereadsalot_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Honestly, this would probably be a 5 star read if I wasn’t as knowledgeable as I am about sign language. I feel like it was hard for me to find the sign language conversations believable, because the wording was inaccurate. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, and Alcohol

karalyndawn's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

To be honest I don’t get what the hype was all about for this one on social media. It really didn’t interest me or resonate. The characters felt bleh and I found Bree super annoying. Yes the spicy scenes were good but I need more than that in a novel. It was predictable and wrote like a CoHo novel which isn’t necessarily a compliment.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Car accident, and Murder

karebear495's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book so much!! The plot, the main characters, it was beautiful. I literally could not put it down. 

I’m knocking off half a star because the writing style was a little too casual for me, it felt very fan fiction at times (don’t get me wrong, I love a good fanfic but not when I’m going for more of a book vibe)
I also wasn’t a big fan of the

murderer storyline for Bree’s dad. It was hinted a couple times that the cops might have known more or didn’t reference is as a murder, etc. It kept seeming like the author was hinting at more and it never came. And then as soon as they said he was on bail I knew he was coming to town. That part was not only predictable but a tad rushed once the ball got rolling

All that being said still an amazing book, there was one big plot twist that I did not see coming and

the beginning of the final chapter when we thought Archer was dead had me DEVASTATED.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Murder

Moderate: Ableism and Gun violence

nyquillll's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

To be honest, this story felt like a bunch of cliches wrapped up in a storyline that was trying to put a unique spin on a love story. Like, I felt there was so much potential, but the way things played out and how the writing style was, it didn't blow me out of the water. I also was pretty annoyed at times with the FMC and her inner dialogue when interacting with Archer the MMC - just...I didn't want her to treat him like a charity project. I know the author was trying to say that wasn't the FMC's angle, but how she spoke of him sometimes or was written to have feelings for him didn't seem super believable. On the flip side, I did like Archer's character and I loved that there was representation of someone who is mute and how they move through the world. Though, I don't know much about the author's experience/expertise in this area, so at times, the way things were described or portrayed, I couldn't tell how accurate and respectful the portrayal was. I would be interested in hearing how someone who is mute felt after reading this book. 

I did like how the book touched on complex themes of (trigger warnings) domestic violence and trauma, the effects of domestic violence on a child, alcoholism, death of a parent/parent-figure, the importance of being able to communicate in more than one language (i.e., not everyone speaks English) - how knowing other languages helps you connect with more people, how people deemed "abnormal" or "different" are often ostracized and ignored, how hard it is to love people when the fear of losing them is so strong, how the world is built for a very specific type of person to be able to navigate it (i.e., able-bodied), how people in power abuse their authority and position to keep that power, and (theoretically) how two people who feel so broken can come together (and separate to learn more about themselves individually) to figure out how they can feel whole again.

I think the most poignant aspect of this book is its attempt to focus on how language is a very important component related to accessing the world around us and participating in social relationships. When we can't communicate ourselves to those around us, it limits our ability to create a sense of self and build community. From this story, we see this theme echoed, and also shows the importance of knowing more than one language. I especially liked that the end of the book didn't end with Archer miraculously regaining speech and deciding to speak again, but that Bree recognized the importance of speaking with people in the language of their hearts, and for Archer, that became sign language. 

**

Also I wish there was more cosmic justice for Travis' asshole, douche-bag, despicable behavior toward Archer AND that his mom got more comeuppance for her hand in orchestrating tragedy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism

Quotes I highlighted:

"'She comes home to this at night,' he said. 'What would she want with you?'"

"I CAN SPEAK. I JUST LIKE TO SHOW OFF MY NICE PENMANSHIP."

"'Makes me realize how little we all did for that boy.' She looked sorrowful and lost in thought."

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to speak your language."

"Okay. If your gate is open, I'll know it's okay to come in."

"He was. Mostly with math and anything science related. His mind would wander, but he taught me what I needed to know."

"Anyone can learn to do anything if they have the time. I have the time."

"It suddenly occurred to me that Archer Hale had taught himself an entire language, but hadn't had a single person to talk to. Until me."

"We had each reacted differently in a moment of terror, and yet we both still hurt."

"Maybe there was no right or wrong, no black or white, only a thousand shades of gray when it came to pain and what we each held ourselves responsible for."

"This was his way of making me feel more comfortable about exposing a part of myself to him - by doing the same for me."

"Peanut butter, jelly, applesauce? Are you six? I grinned at him. He didn't smile back, though, just looked at me for a few beats as if considering my question. In some ways, yes, Bree. In other ways, no."

"Bonus for friends of mine, though - I have twirly straws in that cabinet right there. We can blow bubbles in our chocolate milk."

"Maybe I needed to feel safe and accepted in my pain before I was set free from this daily misery."

"I want you to like it. Do whatever you want."

"I smiled to myself. I think I would have liked to meet Uncle Nate."

"I want to take care of you tonight. Is that okay?"

"He drank his water, watching me chatter away, obviously finding pleasure in my happiness. Sweet man."

"He was still my best friend, my sweet, silent boy"

you've literally only known him for a month at this point??

"One day, he put a bowl of potato chips out while I was preparing lunch, and as I snacked on them, I noticed that they were all the folded ones that I loved but usually had to hunt for."

"If there was ever a time to let someone know they were wanted, this was it."

"As I stood there holding on to him, it occurred to me that not all great acts of courage are obvious to those looking in from the outside."

"Not mad, Travis. Just not impressed with the way you treat your cousin."

"I never expected anyone to come in and open up the world for me, but that's what she had done. And now I had possibilities I didn't think I'd had before."

"Since I met him, it had occurred to me that it would probably be amazing what we could all see and hear if we would just shut our mouths a little more, and stop trying to constantly hear our own voice."

"Well, go reassure him that's not necessary. us men can act like real assholes when we're insecure and needy."

"Well. If you'd like my expert opinion, I'd say he's in love, and he doesn't know what to do with it."

"I'm sorry - sometimes I feel like everything is over my head. It makes me feel...weak and angry, and not worthy of you. Not worthy of anything."

"I want to be able to love you more than I fear losing you, and I don't know how."

"How do you teach a man who has lost everything not to fear it happening again?"

"There are so many ways to read you, Archer Hale. And I love every single one of them."

"That's a big burden for someone, Bree. To feel like if you leave a person, their whole life is going to crumble to dust. That's what I've been out here thinking about. What a burden I might end up being to you, the pressure you'll feel just loving me."

"Is it too soon to start missing you? Archer"

"Me: Thank you for being with me. It made all the difference. You made me brave. Archer: No, you were brave long before you met me. What's on your calm list?"

"Happiness filled my chest. I had a daddy who was happy I was his."

"My heart beat hollowly in my chest, breaking for the man I loved, so petrified of loss that his mind had checked out so he could deal with his agonizing fear."

"Loving you isn't a burden. Loving you is an honor and a joy, Archer."

"You picked up where I left off once, and now I get to do that for you. That's how it works, okay?"

"I guess if it wasn't beautiful, the tragedy ultimately wouldn't be so sad."

"I thought it had something to do with the fact that he liked to understand his own emotions before he shared them with me..."

"'I talked about you and he liked that best of all - I could see it in his expression.' Anne smiled gently."

"I figure, now that I know what I know about the life he's led, giving his love to you feels filled with risk."

"She hadn't just sought to take his voice, she had sought to take his confidence, his self-worth, his identity."

"And that son had the ability to take everything from her."

"...there's a masterpiece that's being woven out of all the knots and loose strings."

""But I think in order to do that I need to be the one to turn it around.

"'You make the best pumpkin pie I've ever had,' he said, and I started crying right there at the break table because I knew that was NOrm's way of telling me he loved me."

"It's suddenly become obvious to me that you're already taken. Nice meeting you, Bree Prescott."

"You're my safety, and I had to do this without feeling safe. I had to."

"I realized that people's reactions had more to do with them, more to do with who they were, than anything about me. It was like a bolt of lightning hit me, Bree."

"He talked a lot. I got the impression that no one had ever just listened to him. I smiled with the memory of my first real friend other than Bree. He invited me to his home..."

"She asked me the sign for love and I spelled out your name."

"I stand by my logic, though. I think love is a concept, and each person has an individual word for what sums it up for them. My word for love is 'Bree.'"

"Then I would have come for you. I would have fought for you. But don't you see, I had to fight for myself first. I had to feel like I was someone worthy of winning you."

"I was already brilliant. I just needed some world experience. I needed Thor."

"The pride in Archer's eyes as he ordered a glass of wine for me and a Coke for himself made me grin and wink at him."

"Watching him come into himself was a thing of beauty, and I felt privileged to be a witness to it."

"...how the loneliness he'd felt was no less than before, but that it was different this time. The difference, he'd concluded, was that he finally had himself, and he was more able than he'd known or believed."

"I stopped in the doorway, tilted my head, and smiled back at him. Something about the moment seemed very, very important. Something told me to stay right there and soak it in, cherish it."

"I'm going to keep making you happy, Archer Hale."

"I had learned recently that often, love was all about learning to speak a person's language."

"I heard again and again that Archer's and my story made people want to be better, to reach out to those no one else saw, to be friends to the friendless, to look at others more closely, recognize pain when they came across it, and then do something about it if they were able."

"...those beautiful hands that held a whole language, that allowed me to know what was in his mind and his heart. I loved those hands. I loved him."

"He'd looked at me for several minutes before he brought his hands away from mine and signed slowly, his fingers moving stiffly, I'm back for you."

"Norm, standing off to the side, signed, Knock 'em dead, and raised his chin at him, his expression serious. A look of surprised washed over ARcher's face, and then he nodded at Norm. I bit down on my lip, holding back a sob."

"We're all behind you, Archer. Tears were shimmering in her eyes, and the look on her face told me she wished she had done better."

"I'm here for you. I'm here because of you. I'm here because you saw me, not just with your eyes, but with your heart. I'm here because you wanted to know what I had to say and because you were right...everyone does need friends."

"And as he smiled around at the crowd, his eyes landed on mine again, and he raised his hands and signed, I Bree you, and I laughed and signed, I Archer you. God, I Archer you so much."

"I watched my wife swing lazily in our hammock, one foot dragging lightly on the grass as she moved back and forth under the summer sunshine."

"We had named them after our fathers, the men who had loved us so fiercely that, when faced with life-threatening danger, their only thought had been to save us. I understood that. After all, I was a father now, too."

"'I knew,' she said quietly. 'I knew.' And she had. She had told me my voice mattered, and her love had made me believe it might be true."

"And sometimes, that's all it takes - one person who's willing to listen to your heart, to the sound no one else has ever tried to hear."

"Their little heads sprang up and they started yelling, 'Daddy, Daddy!' while simultaneously signing the word.

"And her love slips quietly around me, holding me, anchoring me, reminding me that the loudest words are the ones we live."

"It had been a long time afterward - years - before I'd trusted blue skies again."

"Sometimes I felt as if the words I wasn't saying to Bree were so loud in my own head, she might be able to hear them from clear across the room, though I hadn't - couldn't - make a sound and hadn't lifted my hands."

"I lay my hands flat on my thighs - my version of utter silence - and closed my eyes as I waited for her to begin."

"She moved self-consciously as she gathered her things. I recognized it - I'd moved that way seemingly all my life. But I didn't know what to do about it when I was struggling so badly with my own insecurity."

"...staring up at the ceiling for a moment, continuing to grip my hair. It felt stranger in my hands. I felt strange in my skin."

"I'd taught myself sign and then I'd practiced by naming the items on my property as I worked or as I wandered."

"Here is where I felt sure and competent. Here is where I knew my strength and my skill, where I didn't dwell on all the ways in which I was lacking, and all the things I couldn't do."

"And that not trying at all was a different sort of drowning. And I didn't want to drown. I didn't. I wanted to live."