Forcing You Away

Archer & Everleigh, #1 (Lawton Ridge Duet Series, Book 5)

By: Kennedy Fox

Narrated by: Lia Langola, Tor Thom

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

As I search for a fresh start, a friend convinces me to move to his small town. Considering I don’t have a place to live, his little sister offers me her spare room.

She’s every man’s dream - witty, down to earth, and gorgeous as hell - too bad she’s off-limits. Unspoken words and stolen glances have me eager to please her in all the forbidden ways. My broken past makes it hard to open up, however, she inspires me to face my demons and be the man she deserves. 

I shouldn’t fantasize about my roommate, but it’s impossible when Everleigh’s sleeping next to me - her lips whispering my name.

Forcing You Away is book one in the Archer & Everleigh duet and must be listened to first.

©2021 Kennedy Fox (P)2021 Kennedy Fox

Sooooo Good!

Wow, I loved this one! Probably my favorite from Kennedy Fox (as far as part one of a duet goes). Endearing, sexy characters, a delicious slow burn, and a healthy dose of mystery. The cliffhanger will have you immediately downloading book two! Fantastic narration. 5 AMAZING stars all-around!!

Better than "better than sex" cake!!!!

I always look forward to Kennedy Fox audio books and they are always absolute perfection. They have a great knack for picking the best narrator for their characters. I always enjoy listening to Lia and Tor has really grown on me over all of the KF books he has narrated. Tor really had me laughing hard at some of Everleigh's parts with how he would say them....I loved it!

This is perhaps the slowest burn KF has ever written.....I mean it is a sloooooooooooow burn and Lia and Tor bringing all of that tension to life was even better than when I read the book. Listening to Everleigh and Archer fall in love w/o ever even being "together" is one of my favorite things about this story. They way they dance around each other and totally push the limit of crossing the line they know they shouldn't. Archer is such a reserved man everywhere but in the bedroom, where he dominates Everleigh. Per usual this does end in a cliffhanger but no fear....the wait for the second audiobook is never too far off from the release of the first.

Could Not Sop Listening!

Wow! Totally love this couple. I have listened to the whole series and this is my favorite. Everleigh is sassy, strong and witty. Archer had no chance. Instant chemistry. Love all the detail given to build their story. What a cliffhanger!! Kennedy Fox are the Queens of cliffhangers. Can't wait for the rest of Archer and Everleigh's story.

Angst filled perfection!

What a gripping, angst filled story that has you rooting for Everleigh and Archer. Kennedy Fox turns up the steam and suspense for the next duet in the Lawton Ridge Duet Series.

I loved Everleigh in the first two duets of the series and I’m so glad we are finally getting her story. Everleigh is a firecracker. She knows what she wants, says what she wants and doesn’t apologize for it. She also has a sweet side who will do what she can to help her family and friends. Archer is so special. He’s a protective Alpha with a heart of gold. Everleigh and Archer’s chemistry is off the charts hot and I loved the teasing and flirting that went back and forth between them. The anticipation was killing me and it did not disappoint.

It’s important to remember, this is a duet! And it does end on a crazy cliffhanger which had my jaw dropping. “Wanting You Close” will hopefully be out on audiobook soon. I can’t wait to listen to it.

Good lord, Tor Thom brought the dirty talking alive to another level. That deep voice worked perfectly for chapter 19. And Lia Langola was perfect, per the norm. She always blows me away with her performance.

Good first part

This is part one of two so be ready for a cliffhanger. Archer is just out of jail and starting life over by becoming roommates with his friends sister. Everleigh is so upbeat and feisty. I love the interactions between these two. Another great couple and I can’t wait to see how their story ends.

Another hit in Lawton Ridge, Ex-Con series....

Another intriguing start to another duet by Author Kennedy Fox! Narrators Lia Langola and Tor Thom portrayed the characters well. Archer Boone just got out prison and starting over. He is grateful for the opportunity to start living in a small town with friend Tyler and with a place to live with his sister, Everleigh Blackwood. Living in a town where not a very limited number of people who his history.

Living with Everleigh is anything by dull. She is a very feisty, down-to-earth, beautiful woman who gets under his skin. She is to not his typical type of girl and yet is someone he cannot seems to stay away from. Since this arrangement, Tyler constantly says that to his friend and sister that his sister is off-limits.

As the story progresses you seen the undeniable relationship forming between Archer and Everleigh. They both have a history that they are facing and afraid of more being reveal and really think of reality would either make or break them on a personal level &/or public matter.

Get ready for this series to consume you. It is filled with fun banter along with snippets/updates of the characters from the Ex-Con Series. After that jaw dropping cliffy you will be itching for more stat!

5 Slow Burn Stars

Forcing You Away is Book 1 in Archer and Everleigh’s Duet in the Ex-Con Duet Series by Kennedy Fox.

If you’ve read any of the previous duets then you’ve already met Tyler’s sister, Everleigh. Everleigh is an independent spitfire with a heart of gold who knows how to have fun and live life to fullest. She’s one of those people you meet and instantly want to be best friends with. What you see is what you get with Everleigh.

Archer was Everleigh’s brother’s cellmate in prison. Knowing how hard it was to start over after recently being released from prison himself—Tyler offers Archer a job at his new gym and a place to stay with Everleigh until he’s able to get back on his feet. Archer is Everleigh’s opposite in many ways. He’s quiet and reserved, the introvert to Everleigh’s extravert. They balanced each other out so perfectly.

Though Tyler had warned both Archer and Everleigh away from each other—these two were drawn to each other from the very start. Neither had much experience in the relationship department. Archer wasn’t sure he could handle Everleigh and he was certain that she deserved better than an ex con. Not to mention the fact he didn’t went to disrespect Tyler. Everleigh had always been content with hookups and settling down had never crossed her mind.

What began as friendship between these two slowly and surely grew to something more. Resisting each other became harder each day as they spent more time together. It’s turns out Archer and Everleigh had more to overcome than their relationship inexperience and Tyler’s warnings because someone from the past is lurking in the shadows and they’re intent these two never get their chance at a happily ever after. Prepare yourself for the cliffhanger at the end of Book 1 because boy is it a doozy.

Although Forcing You Away was a slower burn than usual for Kennedy Fox, the duo more than made up for it with witty banter and sexual tension you could cut with a knife. I absolutely loved these two and how completely opposite they were but how utterly perfect they were together. I’m so eager to continue their story in the next book in Archer and Everleigh’s Duet, Wanting You Close.

As they have in the previous duets in the Ex Con Duet Series, Tor Thom and Lia Langola did a fantastic job bringing Archer and Everleigh’s story to life. I’m never disappointed when this pair is narrating together.

Loved IT

From the previous books I was actually looking forward to Everleigh’s story. She is such a vibrant full of sass and totally over the top type of person. But Archer was exactly what she needed in her life.

From the moment they met there was an attraction between them. But it was a bit hard for Archer. He just got out of jail and was trying to get his life in order and also wanting to reconnect with his sister. But the attraction between them was just too much to resist…

I loved Archer’s and Everleigh’s story. Fell in love with both of these characters instantly. Archer was sweet and caring and you just knew from the beginning of the story that he was just a protective type of person. Lots of secrets in both of their pasts. And that ending… As usual these authors totally throw you off your balance. I cant wait to get to the second book to see what is going to happen next 😊

The narrators in this story was excellent as usual. Tor Thom has become one of my favorite Narrators and Lia Langola was a new narrator to me until I started the Kennedy Fox series now I cant picture any other narrator doing their books 😊

Rooting for Everleigh and Archer!

I listened to the audio for this book, and it was great! Lea Langola and Tor Thom were so awesome as usual! I love this duo and so enjoyed their narration, and they always bring such great energy.

This book follows Everleigh and Archer as they get to know one another and acclimate to their new roles as friends and roommates. Archer went to prison for taking the blame when his younger sister killed her abusive boyfriend. Behind his rough exterior, insecurities about his past, and struggles to integrate into society, you know Archer is a sweet and good man. He comes to Lawton Ridge at the urging of Tyler, who was in prison with him. Tyler provides Archer with a job at his gym, and suggests Archer stays with Tyler's younger sister Everleigh. From the start, both Archer and Everleigh were attracted to each other, though they tried to dial down that attraction out of respect for Tyler. But after spending so much time together, it's hard to ignore the feelings developing between them.

Everleigh is independent and successful, and all she wants is a man to love her. She can take care of herself, but Archer makes her feel special and loved. She's made some bad choices in the past, but Everleight won't give up a hope for a happy ending. Archer is trying to make new life for himself, but his past still haunts him. They both actually have secrets that threaten their budding relationship, and they'll have to be honest with each other in order to move forward and keep each other safe.

Everleigh and Archer been waiting on this one

Kennedy Fox has delivered yet another great story from this wonderful series. I was anxious for Everleigh and Archer’s story but man it was far better than expected. No spoilers!!! Let’s just say you won’t be disappointed in the book or the audible version. Tor and Lia have done an outstanding job through this whole series and they will not disappoint in this duet. Oh, I am so ready to move on to the conclusion and yes this is a cliffhanger but no worries because it will be well worth the credit.
I was honored to received an arc copy of this audible version and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

😍😍😍😍

The dynamic duo have done it again! Creating a slow burning, swoon worthy couple with just the right amount of suspenseful action! That bloody ending 😱 I knew something was comming but I wasn’t ready for it to end 😳 Everleigh and Archer have been my my most anticipated couple of the Lawton Ridge series and they did not disappoint 🥰 from Everleigh’s sass to Archer’s alpha male protectiveness, I loved it all! Good work ladies, cannot wait for the next instalment.

Sweet. Sassy. Emotional.

Everleigh and Tyler. Sweet. Emotional. Roommates and brother’s friend. Slow burn, but with intense underlying sexual tension from the very beginning. Friends to lovers with an edge of forbidden at its finest. And that ending?? Seriously, WTH?!

I’ll be honest though – while I relished in the fact that Everleigh isn’t your typical innocent, inexperienced heroine, her boisterous, reckless attitude took me longer to really warm up to her and connect with her. Her immediate friendly connection to Tyler though had me all warm and fuzzy. Their slow burn is less of a push and pull and more of building a real, deep connection before succumbing to the smexy – thanks to her brother’s strict rules – and I loved that very much. I can’t wait to see how their story continues after the way things were left off.

The narration is done by Lia Langola – one of my favorite female narrators with the best male voices – and Tor Thom. While Ms. Langola is perfect for sassy Everleigh, Mr. Thom perfectly brings out the swoony thoughtfulness of Archer.

My Thoughts on Forcing You Away

This first part of Asher and Everleigh’s duet felt like a slow burn and super steamy at the same time. The tension was so intense between them, but I enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the course of the story. Both leading characters were great, very different from previous characters and yet just as likable. I also enjoyed seeing the leading characters from the previous books in this one. Getting to see more of the HEA for characters I liked before is always nice. As I knew it would, this story ended in a cliffhanger. And what a doozy it was. I was left nervous for the characters and excited to jump into the next story. Plus it was all really brought to life by Tor Thom and Lia Langola again which I never complain about. I love them both so much.

Super slow burn friends to lovers

I feel like I have been waiting for this duet for so long with the little hints and build up throughout the previous books in the Lawton Ridge series. Archer and Everleigh's first book is a super slow burn and a different dynamic to what I expected. I thought there would be more push and pull and plenty of sass from Everleigh's devil may care attitude but I found quite the opposite for the most part.

Forcing You Away focused on the Hero and heroine building up a friendship, as they do their attraction to one another intensifies but they hold back because of Tyler (Everleigh's brother and Archer's best friend). After his time in prison Archer wants to get his life back on track and a relationship isn't part of that plan but when Everleigh enters his world he realises he is in trouble.

In typical Kennedy Fox style the chemistry builds as the book progresses and just as you get comfortable you get smacked upside the head with a cliff hanger you don't see coming! Sprinkled throughout is breadcrumbs of a sub plot that is going to throw a spanner in the works but I was blindsided by how this book ended and I want book 2 ASAP.

I listened to Forcing You Away on Audio and with Tor Thom and Lia Langola narrating I settled right into listening to the story play out. I am a big fan of Lia anyway and she nailed it as always. Tor played Archer perfectly for me, understated and thoughtful bringing that gentleness that Archer exudes.

Archer & Everleigh!

Everleigh is fun, fiery and she will do anything for those she cares about so when Archer, one of the men that her brother Tyler served time with, needs a place to stay while he builds his new life she is more than happy to have him for a roommate. He was there for her brother so she will be there for him not to mention that she is attracted to him.

Archer to will do anything for those he cares about which includes paying the price to protect his sister. He isn’t about to betray Tyler so he is determined to deny his attraction to Everleigh but it is only a matter of time before she breaks through his walls.

Although they are very different Everleigh has finally met her match in Archer and the physical and emotional connection between them is undeniable. There is a suspense element that escalates as the story continues and leaves us needing the rest of their story. The narrators brought out the sassiness of Everleigh's character and the swoony side of Archer.

roommates, friends to lovers

Very excited to get Everleigh's duet. She is such a fun character - love her. Great slow burn. Great sexual tension and chemistry between Archer and Everleigh. You know its going to end in a cliffhanger but whoa!

Great narration by these two pro narrators.

GASP! That ending...

This slow burn, roommates to lovers, brother's best friend book will leave you in shock.
Kennedy Fox have outdone themselves with this one. This cliffhanger was more brutal than any of the previous ones.

From the crumbs we were given in the previous books, I already knew Archer was a protective person.
This was evident by the way he treated Everleigh, how he cared for her.

We have already been introduced to the hot mess that Everleigh can be. Although she has always been loyal, caring, and the life of any party, her bluntness and sass are on full display this time round.

Together? They just make sense.
They balance each other out.
He is the calm to her crazy.
The big spoon to her little spoon.
They are so cute together.
And I am HERE FOR IT ALL.

Could it be her man-eating history that forces them apart?
Or will it be someone from his past that makes an appearance?
Well, prepare yourselves... my chest is still pounding from that shocker of an ending.

Lia, as always, rocked the narration. Tor did a decent job.

So close to 5 stars

4.75 stars This author duo never misses and this might be my favourite Lawton Ridge duet to date. I cannot wait for book two because Everleigh and Archer had one the most tension filled slow burns I've read in a long time. Their banter kept me hooked as well as the plot and the beautiful writing. Wanting You Close can't come soon enough.