macleanbridie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
raereadssmut's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan is a beautifully written novel that will leave you feeling emotionally fulfilled, after you’ve cried your eyes out. The story is set in a small town called Pelion, where Archer Hale, a reclusive man with a tragic past, lives in solitude. Bree Prescott, a young woman who is trying to escape her own painful past, moves to Pelion and is immediately drawn to Archer.
The characters in this novel are well-developed that you will feel like you know them personally. Archer is a complex character who has been through so much in his life, and Bree is a strong and determined woman who is trying to find her place in the world. The romance that starts between Archer and Bree is heartwarming and will make you believe in true love and fated mates.
Mia Sheridan's writing is so captivating that you won't be able to put this book down. The way she describes the emotions and thoughts of the characters is so vivid that you will feel like you are right there with them. I absolutely loved the dual POV so that we’re able to better understand both sides of the same situation.
Overall, Archer's Voice is an absolutely stunning novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a wholesome romance novel. Mia Sheridan's writing is truly exceptional, and this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be swept away by a truly beautiful love story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Grief
samantha7815's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Pregnancy, Rape, Addiction, Violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death, and Physical abuse
miciahsreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
characters - .75
writing - .5
plot - .5
enjoyment - .5
worldbuilding - .75
writing - .5
plot - .5
enjoyment - .5
worldbuilding - .75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual content, Car accident, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Ableism
pageafter_paige's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I’m going 3.75 stars. This book was super cute and I’m obsessed with Archer! I want to protect him at all costs because he’s just so pure. The story was good and I enjoyed most of the characters. It was great to see asl representation in a book. I liked the growth for both Archer and Bree. My main turn off has to do with
Spoiler
the implied sexual adult against Archer and how Bree’s reaction wasn’t recognizing that it was 100% rape. I know nothing actually happened to Archer at the strip club, but the reader, and Bree, didn’t know that initially so I was upset seeing Bree say that Archer made the “choice” to go in the back room. <\spoiler> Other than that though this book had me smitten
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Infidelity, Ableism, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
katieswrld's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The premise of this book was good and everyone was hyping it up like crazy so I was excited to read it, but it was such a let down.
First of all, the beginning half of the book was painfully poorly written. It constantly was telling and not showing, (like another review said) Bree would constantly say “I did this” then “I did that”, for PARAGRAPHS at a time. It was so frequent that I couldn’t ignore it. It would also rely on telling the reader about characters’ pasts via huge chunks of dialogue from side characters that were then hardly spoken to afterwards. Lazy writing as a means of exposition. I didn’t notice it as much in the later-half of the book, so I believe the writer improved a little bit, but still. For a book this popular it was ridiculous.
Secondly, every single one of the characters was under-developed. Despite the copious amounts of trauma the author gave Bree and Archer, they hardly showed signs of it, and the little “ptsd flashbacks” Bree had clearly were not researched at all. Again, poorly written. Then once the two got together? Healed! Trauma never mentioned again. It felt disrespectful to people who actually experience trauma and ptsd. All of the side characters were just there as a means of interacting with Bree, none of them had their own purposes or personalities. Anne and Maggie were both the tropey “tearful surrogate mother” who overly referred to Bree as honey and covered for her when she was unavailable. Travis practically disappeared from the book when he was no longer important to driving a wedge between Bree and Archer. Victoria Hale was clearly created out of the thought, “Okay, I need a bad guy.” She was a bitch in every sense of the word for no reason, and had perfectly manicured red nails and wore designer clothing bc of course she did 🙄 Cliche. I completely forgot who Liza and Merida (is that even their names?) were when they were mentioned later on bc again, they weren’t necessary to Bree so they disappeared.
Thirdly, the intimacy and spice scenes. I have no inherent problem with spice, but it got to a point where they were going at it like rabbits for no reason at all. It felt over done and I got sick of reading about it. Also, despite Archer’s shyness, Bree would force so much pda with him. The amount of time she “threw/wrapped” her arms around him at even the slightest prompting was insufferable. The oversaturation of physical affection in the story made it lose its meaning imo
Finally, Bree is a terribly “perfect” protagonist. She’s gorgeous in every way possible bc of course she is, everyone likes her and is there to help her/cover for her no matter the circumstances, and miraculously she’s never at the heart of the book’s conflicts. It’s always somebody else, she never has flaws and it’s annoyingly unrealistic. She’s meant to be bright and bubbly but it reads as insufferable. I refuse to believe that everyone in the world is willing to lay down at her feet bc she’s oh-so-wonderful. She doesn’t go through any character development at all, except for the trauma that suddenly disappears from her life the second she steps foot on Archer’s property. Every basic and cliche thing she says to Archer as a means of comforting him is somehow earth-shatteringly eye-opening. Also, “tears sprang to her eyes” about a million times over the course of the book. She would cry at every little thing; at one point later in the story she seriously teared up 8 separate times within the span of 5 or so pages, and every reference to her mentioned her wet eyes or whatever, it was absurd.
I wasn’t invested in the characters at all, and by the end I hardly even cared about Archer. They fell in love pretty much instantly, I didn’t feel the need to root for them at all. The “sad” part was cliche, as was the whole story. I wish something terrible would have actually happened, because then it would’ve maybe made the book felt like it had substance. I wanted to like this book so bad, because the concept of a mute love story that relied on sign language was extremely compelling. I’m really bummed the book didn’t do it justice :/
First of all, the beginning half of the book was painfully poorly written. It constantly was telling and not showing, (like another review said) Bree would constantly say “I did this” then “I did that”, for PARAGRAPHS at a time. It was so frequent that I couldn’t ignore it. It would also rely on telling the reader about characters’ pasts via huge chunks of dialogue from side characters that were then hardly spoken to afterwards. Lazy writing as a means of exposition. I didn’t notice it as much in the later-half of the book, so I believe the writer improved a little bit, but still. For a book this popular it was ridiculous.
Secondly, every single one of the characters was under-developed. Despite the copious amounts of trauma the author gave Bree and Archer, they hardly showed signs of it, and the little “ptsd flashbacks” Bree had clearly were not researched at all. Again, poorly written. Then once the two got together? Healed! Trauma never mentioned again. It felt disrespectful to people who actually experience trauma and ptsd. All of the side characters were just there as a means of interacting with Bree, none of them had their own purposes or personalities. Anne and Maggie were both the tropey “tearful surrogate mother” who overly referred to Bree as honey and covered for her when she was unavailable.
Spoiler
(Also when Anne had that heart attack I actually laughed out loud, it was so laughably corny being in the middle of a sentence. And of course the focus was on how it affected Bree and Archer, not, you know, the old lady’s health condition)Thirdly, the intimacy and spice scenes. I have no inherent problem with spice, but it got to a point where they were going at it like rabbits for no reason at all. It felt over done and I got sick of reading about it. Also, despite Archer’s shyness, Bree would force so much pda with him. The amount of time she “threw/wrapped” her arms around him at even the slightest prompting was insufferable. The oversaturation of physical affection in the story made it lose its meaning imo
Finally, Bree is a terribly “perfect” protagonist. She’s gorgeous in every way possible bc of course she is, everyone likes her and is there to help her/cover for her no matter the circumstances, and miraculously she’s never at the heart of the book’s conflicts. It’s always somebody else, she never has flaws and it’s annoyingly unrealistic. She’s meant to be bright and bubbly but it reads as insufferable. I refuse to believe that everyone in the world is willing to lay down at her feet bc she’s oh-so-wonderful. She doesn’t go through any character development at all, except for the trauma that suddenly disappears from her life the second she steps foot on Archer’s property. Every basic and cliche thing she says to Archer as a means of comforting him is somehow earth-shatteringly eye-opening. Also, “tears sprang to her eyes” about a million times over the course of the book. She would cry at every little thing; at one point later in the story she seriously teared up 8 separate times within the span of 5 or so pages, and every reference to her mentioned her wet eyes or whatever, it was absurd.
I wasn’t invested in the characters at all, and by the end I hardly even cared about Archer. They fell in love pretty much instantly, I didn’t feel the need to root for them at all. The “sad” part was cliche, as was the whole story. I wish something terrible would have actually happened, because then it would’ve maybe made the book felt like it had substance. I wanted to like this book so bad, because the concept of a mute love story that relied on sign language was extremely compelling. I’m really bummed the book didn’t do it justice :/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Car accident
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual assault
goodreadswithmar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s amazing. That’s all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You know what, maybe love is in the air. Because when I tell you that I inhaled this book, I mean I was on another plane of being. MY EMOTIONS!!!! I knew this was a love story, but God did I underestimate how much love would be packed into this story and how much it would affect me. Is it possible to feel loved by a book??
“Archer’s Voice” is a powerful, beautiful love story about trust, acceptance, and complex communication. I really liked how Mia Sheridan handled Archer’s ability to communicate without his voice. It struck a very strong note in me, as I work with many nonverbal individuals and know firsthand how much you don’t know until you learn to communicate using their language.
Because communication is not exclusively vocal. We all know body language makes up a good part of it, but words can also be shown in many different ways. Voice isn’t reserved just for sound that comes out of your mouth, that is spoken. Sometimes voice is sign language (featured in this book) or through a communication device or through writing on paper, reading lips, etc. Whichever it may be, that is your voice. And our sweet, incredibly misunderstood Archer’s voice shouldn’t have been so different from everyone in Pelion, Maine. If only they’d taken the time to listen with more than their ears and preconceived prejudices.
Until Bree shows up, and everything changes for Archer. I fell headfirst into Archer and Bree’s tender, tentative love—how much they trusted each other and believed in one another, despite each of their own past trauma and current obstacles. It was first love and it never read so real to me. When love is right, it’s bigger than anything. (Note: LOTS AND LOTS OF SPICE in case you were wondering!)
I already wish I could read this again for the first time. LOVE is, in fact, the reason.
“Archer’s Voice” is a powerful, beautiful love story about trust, acceptance, and complex communication. I really liked how Mia Sheridan handled Archer’s ability to communicate without his voice. It struck a very strong note in me, as I work with many nonverbal individuals and know firsthand how much you don’t know until you learn to communicate using their language.
Because communication is not exclusively vocal. We all know body language makes up a good part of it, but words can also be shown in many different ways. Voice isn’t reserved just for sound that comes out of your mouth, that is spoken. Sometimes voice is sign language (featured in this book) or through a communication device or through writing on paper, reading lips, etc. Whichever it may be, that is your voice. And our sweet, incredibly misunderstood Archer’s voice shouldn’t have been so different from everyone in Pelion, Maine. If only they’d taken the time to listen with more than their ears and preconceived prejudices.
Until Bree shows up, and everything changes for Archer. I fell headfirst into Archer and Bree’s tender, tentative love—how much they trusted each other and believed in one another, despite each of their own past trauma and current obstacles. It was first love and it never read so real to me. When love is right, it’s bigger than anything. (Note: LOTS AND LOTS OF SPICE in case you were wondering!)
I already wish I could read this again for the first time. LOVE is, in fact, the reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gore and Vomit
rachaelm13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don’t know what to rate this. This was a highly anticipated book for me but it took me a month to read it. I just kept not picking it up. Some reasons for that: read the physical copy and not ebook which are always harder for me to read due to the fact I read in bed at night. I wasn’t making time for reading so I was too tired to read before bed and if I did it was ebook “My year of rest and relaxation” which put me in a reading slump/weird headspace. The first half of the book I enjoyed and got through pretty quickly but after that was when I was struggling. The family secret got out and I was like well I know how this is going to end so I didn’t have a strong desire to finish reading because of that too. Oh and all the ableism in it. I talk about that more later in the review.
The dandelions on the cover I thought was going to be a reoccurring theme but they were mentioned twice in the first couple chapters then never again.
The main character was literally assaulted (forcibly kissed) by two separate guys and both times she literally brushed it off and justified their actions?? Maybe that was supposed to be because of her previous trauma but I don’t think so. Kinda said that just taking unwanted kisses is okay and its because “oh the poor guy had/did _blank_ so its not his fault”
I also felt like this book the whole time was just trying to make Archer as “normal” as possibly. As in, painting him not disabled and that look there’s something wrong with him but he’s ‘normal’. I got a weird ableism vibe. ESPECIALLY with the whole solo roadtrip thing.
Also Bree constantly worried how Archer is going to communicate with people and being sad/taking pity on him when he goes in public alone like he’s not a grown ass man who can communicate and has done so by himself thus far. How did he communicate with you before he knew you signed? Body language, gestures, writing things down. Just because he doesn’t speak doesn’t mean he’s incapable. Be mad at society for not being inclusive and knowing sign and being readily willing to communicate with people in anything other than orally. Again its the ableism for me. “Oh poor man he can’t talk his life must suck!¡!” No actually society just isn’t built for anyone but neurotypical, non-disabled people.
Another weird ableist thing about the the epilogue(s) Bree kept mentioning her “loud boys” like what? It was like highlighting the fact that they were “normal” and archer’s genetics didnt “mess them up”. Like it was brought up an oddly large number of times. Th only epilogue that I cared for was the extended version that shower archer’s point of view of the haircutting scene. I wish we would’ve got more of his chapters in the book.
Also would’ve loved to see the sexual learning a bit more. Like this whole trope is girl meets sheltered boy. But all we got was “he masters things so he mastered sex too” like I wanted scenes where he’s actually learning her. I don’t know. Thats just a small qualm but it would’ve been cool.
I think I’m going to have to give this book a 2
Spoiler
that archer is blood related and has rights to the townThe dandelions on the cover I thought was going to be a reoccurring theme but they were mentioned twice in the first couple chapters then never again.
The main character was literally assaulted (forcibly kissed) by two separate guys and both times she literally brushed it off and justified their actions?? Maybe that was supposed to be because of her previous trauma but I don’t think so. Kinda said that just taking unwanted kisses is okay and its because “oh the poor guy had/did _blank_ so its not his fault”
I also felt like this book the whole time was just trying to make Archer as “normal” as possibly. As in, painting him not disabled and that look there’s something wrong with him but he’s ‘normal’. I got a weird ableism vibe. ESPECIALLY with the whole solo roadtrip thing.
Spoiler
He was good enough before. I know he initiated the trip but it still sent the message the author didn’t think he was good enough how he was for Bree. He could’ve grown and gotten more comfortable in society with Bree and in Pelion. Also without completely cutting her off for 3 months and expecting that to be okay and her to willingly take him back after that. All just to prove to the reader ge was normal. Even at the beginning it was, “oh he’s not deaf he’s normal” “he was shot thats why he can’t talk, he wasn’t BORN broken” like yikes tell me you’re ableist without telling me. Its giving *inspiration porn*Also Bree constantly worried how Archer is going to communicate with people and being sad/taking pity on him when he goes in public alone like he’s not a grown ass man who can communicate and has done so by himself thus far. How did he communicate with you before he knew you signed? Body language, gestures, writing things down. Just because he doesn’t speak doesn’t mean he’s incapable. Be mad at society for not being inclusive and knowing sign and being readily willing to communicate with people in anything other than orally. Again its the ableism for me. “Oh poor man he can’t talk his life must suck!¡!” No actually society just isn’t built for anyone but neurotypical, non-disabled people.
Another weird ableist thing about the the epilogue(s) Bree kept mentioning her “loud boys” like what? It was like highlighting the fact that they were “normal” and archer’s genetics didnt “mess them up”. Like it was brought up an oddly large number of times. Th only epilogue that I cared for was the extended version that shower archer’s point of view of the haircutting scene. I wish we would’ve got more of his chapters in the book.
Also would’ve loved to see the sexual learning a bit more. Like this whole trope is girl meets sheltered boy. But all we got was “he masters things so he mastered sex too” like I wanted scenes where he’s actually learning her. I don’t know. Thats just a small qualm but it would’ve been cool.
I think I’m going to have to give this book a 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Ableism, Child abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
hapalyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Child abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy