Fighting for Us

The Bailey Brothers, Book 2

By: Claire Kingsley

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Samantha Cooke

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

I'm addicted to the Bailey Brothers' stories!

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

I loved it!!

When Asher went to prison he left everyone behind, including his fiancé Grace. He told her to move on and let him go but even after 7 years she's still wearing his ring.
Grace knew that after serving 7 years in prison Asher was going to come home a different man and she was prepared for that, but what she wasn't expecting was him to push her away for a second time. But theirs is a love worth fighting for and Grace isn't going to let Asher go so easily this time.

Great first book

Great love story of never giving up of your first love! I love this series! The characters have depth and humor and plot are well developed! I couldn’t stop reading!

This series is absolutely everything!

I fell hard for Asher and Grace in Protecting You, but we knew their troubles were far from over. Picking up this book, I was immediately immersed back in their world. My heart broke for Asher and Grace and the struggles they faced as Asher returned home. There were times I wanted to scream at him to get it together, but this story is so well written that I could completely understand why that just wasn't possible in the beginning.

However, even with such a push and pull with so many struggles to overcome, I still found myself laughing and smiling several times throughout this book. The pranks and shenanigans that go on had me laughing, and I found myself falling even harder for all of the other Bailey brothers. Even when Asher was having such a hard time, his love for Grace was never in question, and he made me swoon more than a few times.

The real star of this book to me, however, was Grace. I absolutely love Grace. She is the perfect combination of sassy and sweet. She loves Asher with all that she has. She is strong and supportive, but she also lets herself fall apart from time to time. And while she stands by Asher and loves him so, so much, she still has a backbone. I loved her from beginning to end and can't wait to see her pop up again in the rest of this series! This is some of Kingsley's best writing, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the series holds.

The audio for this was also really well done! Sometimes I'm a little extra hard on narrators when I'm listening after reading the ebook, but that was not the case here. They did a great job bringing these characters to life with all of their personality.

Grace and Asher

Another story that I lived when I read it but it was even better when I listened to it. The narrators did a great job with their performance and bringing life to Grace and Asher and everything they went through.

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.