Stephanie's Reviews > Travis

I read Archer's Voice years ago and remember LOVING it - Archer was an amazing, adorable, cinnamon roll hero and I loved him and Bree as much as I hated Travis Hale. So imagine my surprise to finding out there's a spin-off book all about Travis, reading it, and loving it.

Maybe it's because its been years since I read Archer's Voice so I forgot how much of a dick Travis was in it... because my hatred isn't as fresh. Also, since the start of this book is almost seven years after Archer's Voice, while the wounds between Travis and Archer aren't fully healed, they're getting there. He dotes on his nephews and is trying to have a relationship with Archer, Bree, and his new niece.

Travis is not the same character he was in Archer's Voice. He had a fall from grace and has spent time reflecting on why he was always so cruel to people, especially Archer. He doesn't make excuses but acknowledges his childhood trauma. Several times in this book he shares things he did to Archer to torment him, including mocking his voice as teens. He does it matter-of-factly, because he knows he was 100% in the wrong for it and is trying to figure out how to move past it.

I thought Haven (from California) was a perfect foil for Travis. She's immediately described as "not the typical girl he dates"... she likes dirt and plants, isn't in-your-face hot... and she genuinely wants to be his friend. The whole plot with her brother was a good touch, too.

I don't know if I'm properly describing this book and my thoughts, but lets just say I couldn't put it down, and the entire time I was reading it, I was happy. Not only did we get to see Archer and Bree again, but we got to visit Pelion Lake again (PLEASE say we get more books, Mia Sheridan). Travis is finally a good guy and even Haven's messy brother got a happy ending.

CW: parent with a drug addiction, death of a parent, house fire, bullying