One Way Back to Me

The Wilder Brothers, Book 1

De: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrado por: Jacob Morgan, Emma Wilder

The Wilder brothers have retired from the military, and, as they’re forced to learn a new life, things get interesting, quickly, in this kickoff to a brand-new steamy contemporary-romance series - from New York Times best-selling author Carrie Ann Ryan.

One dance at a stranger’s wedding. That’s all it took for me to fall for Alexis. And then? Disaster. Another man - her boyfriend - gets down on one knee, and proposes to her. I never thought I’d see her again.

Years later, I’m in desperate need of a wedding planner - not for myself, but for my company. My five brothers and I need to get our new Wilder Resort off the ground, and Alexis is the only one savvy enough to help us. But, there’s the little matter that I still have it bad for her. Alexis has changed since the night we met. She’s gun shy. But there’s a spark between us that will not die. We both fight it, until we don’t.

Until, history repeats itself. The same guy who took her away from me is back to do more damage. But this time, he’ll have to go through me to get her.

©2022 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2022 Carrie Ann Ryan

A new series!

A new series, and it’s the Wilder world. 6 big, burly, ex-military brothers, who happen to be brothers of Eliza (married to Beckett Montgomery). They decide to buy a resort and winery together, which will also have weddings on the premise. Enter Alexis, who already had a “connection” with Eli, the oldest brother, one night 2 years ago when they danced at a wedding together. That spark is still there, no matter how hard they try to fight it. But you’ll soon find while reading, or in this case, listening, it’s very hard to resist a Wilder Man. And Jacob Morgan makes a perfect Wilder Man 😍 While Emma Wilder is great as Alexis. I’m very much looking forward to each brothers book!

Fast pace and cute story

It was a quick and sweet listening, narrated by Emma Wilder and Jacob Morgan.
This book is the introduction of the Wilder family’s series.

Eli is the oldest brother, he found the Wilder Retreat and Winery to make a place for all his family after all had retired from the military.
He met Alexis (wedding planner) at a wedding 2 years ago.
The novella is “A night for us” if you want to read it before this book.

Tropes:
- military
- boss / employee
- he falls hard and first
- age gap (she is 30, he is 40)
- crazy ex
- spice 🌶️🌶️/5
- no third act breakup

Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fire/Fire injury

Great story

I loved the story as well as the narration! Alexis was kinda annoying but nothing you would hate the book over, she just had a lot of self doubt. But I loved how the story came together and I am looking for to the next books!

What a start to a new series

What a way to start off a new series. Former military, now retired, brothers running a winery and resort. A little surprising, yes, but it works for them. There are so many jobs and each has their own area of expertise. But living and working together is a lot of together time. I questioned their ability to do it with killing each other, but they managed in this first book. Although there is definitely something brewing with Evan and Elijah. But we will have to wait for their stories to know what is going on. I enjoyed Eli's story. He is the oldest brother and he takes the weight of the world on his shoulders to make sure they did the right thing. He is still trying to protect and care for his brothers even though they are adults and can take care of themselves.

Alexis made a bad decision two years ago and is now living with the consequences when her ex-husband comes calling. She doesn't know what he wants, she just wants him to leave. Even though he hurt her, she's starting to fall in love with Eli. It scares her to death after her previous experience, but she doesn't want to give it up. Will Eli be able to save her when trouble comes for his payment?

I'm still trying to figure out how Dodge, Dodge Jr and LJ figure in to this series. Something is brewing with them, but I'm not sure what it is.

Jacob Morgan and Emma Wilder are fabulous as always. I mean, how can you go wrong with either of them.

Only one way to love....together!

Eli and Alexis met a couple of years ago. It was instant connection for both of them, but then her boyfriend proposed. End of story... or so Eli thought. He and his five brothers are running Wilder Retreat and in need of a new wedding coordinator. Enter one Alexis Lane sans husband. Should have known her ex was not good people when he proposed at someone else's wedding! The attraction with Eli and Alexis is still 100% there. Hard to forget that sizzling chemistry between the two. I could totally tell Eli was so into Alexis because he adamantly kept reminding her that he was not her boss. Guess it didn't take much convincing since Alexis and Eli get their HEA. Alexis gets a second chance to shine as a stellar wedding coordinator and at love. Eli gets to see his business thrive with an amazing staff and his chance at love.

Jacob Morgan and Emma Wilder (must be related to Eli *wink*) brought Eli and Alexis to life! Their talent for storytelling painted vivid pictures in my mind of the two as they navigated a work/home life and brought the rest of the characters to life.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Loved it

This was an entertaining romantic story that ticked a number of boxes for me. Well written, the narration was good and the narrators easy to listen to. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story that was told. The characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. The chemistry between them was intense and I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions with the witty banter and humour. The secondary characters were just as entertaining and I hope to see more of them at a future date. This book is a little gem that I have no trouble recommending. The narrators certainly did justice to the characters and the wonderful story that the author created.

Great story

I loved Eli & Alexis and the rest of the Wilder brothers. I really enjoyed how Eli & Alexis’ relationship developed throughout this book and how she fit in perfectly with the Wilder family. I liked the family dynamics and their interactions with one another. Emma Wilder and Jacob Morgan did a great job narrating this story and bringing the characters to life. They were able to convey the emotions each of the characters were feeling without missing a beat. Great start to this series and cannot wait to listen to the next one.

Almost

A tiny bit slow burn.

I like the beginning of their story so much. Just easy. Once they start sleeping together, the second thoughts plague her, the jealousy comes out in him and they both kinda react wrong with guilt or being a victim. There is a solidly written, low angst naughty romance with a twist vibe going on here.

I LOVE Emma Wilder’s male character voice…her own reading voice is just to singsong, I’m trying to deal. Zachary was perfect.

A good start to this series.

I read the Prequel...A Night for Us and loved it. I couldn’t wait for One Way Back to Me…Eli’s story. I liked this story and enjoyed the dynamics between the Wilder brothers and the people who worked for them. I also liked, although somewhat unrealistic, some of the struggles they dealt with…namely their competitions…as they built the Wilder Resort.

The Wilder Resort is growing and expanding. To take the wedding branch of their business to another level, they needed to hire an experienced wedding planner. Alexis, struggling to restart her life after a messy divorce is interviewing for the position. At the interview, she realized that Eli was the man she had danced with at the wedding where her ex-husband had proposed to her. Eli was surprised that Alexis, the woman he had felt that instant spark for but who had accepted the public proposal of her then-boyfriend a couple of years ago, was the woman interviewing for the wedding planner position. Alexis is hired for the position and she is determined to prove her worth. Eli is also determined to ignore the attraction he still had for Alexis and maintain an employer/employee relationship. The story moved along very nicely and it was cute to watch Eli and Alexis navigate their budding relationship.

I had issues with a few things...I didn’t get why the brothers did nothing about the owners of the competing resorts just showing up at the Wilder Resort wherever and whenever they felt like it, slinging slurs and disturbing their business, and no one stopped it. The first time it occurred I could see it, but when they kept popping up I wondered when the brothers would call the police or have their lawyer hit them with a restraining or no-trespassing order.

I also thought that Alexis, for all the effort she put into her business, did nothing to stop her ex-husband from taking everything from her…the later reveal of her background was also counterproductive because I would think with that type of access and knowledge, she'd have done better with legal representation. The way she was so angry at Eli for defending her against her ex, when he attacked her, while trespassing on private property, was annoying.

All in all, I liked the story and look forward to reading the other brothers' stories. I was provided an ARC from the author and am volunteering for a review.

Fantastic Start

Fans of Montgomery Ink may have met Eli before, he's one of Eliza's (Inked Obsession) brothers, the oldest in fact and when he and her five other brothers leave the military it's Eli who comes up with a way for all the brothers to be together and help each start new lives. His idea is to buy a resort which has a winery as part of it.

This audiobook includes the prequel to the series, A night for Us and tells how before committing to the purchase Eli attends a wedding at a friend's resort to see what's involved. It's there that he and Alexis, the wedding planner meet for the first time. She catches the bouquet and he catches the garter which means they have to dance together, there is an immediate attraction/spark between them. But before they have a chance to explore their connection further Alexis’s boyfriend pops the question for all to see, and Eli walks away although he never forgot her.

Two years later, Eli and his brothers have now established Wilder Resort but they need a new wedding planner Alexis applies and is offered the position. Alexis has issues from her short failed marriage the fallout of which is still causing problems but she needs this job as much as the Wilders need her skills. She and Eli are both determined to keep things strictly professional but an attraction like theirs just can't be ignored.

The chemistry, character building and descriptive writing make this an excellent and enjoyable story but no more spoilers from me, however, I will say I loved it and think that this book is a fantastic start to this new Wilder series!

The narration is done by Jacob Morgan and Emma Wilder (no relation) and is excellent.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.