This book was a really nice read, especially as I came across a new type of character.

“Try to believe that maybe more light shines out of those who have the most cracks.”

When the last straw is pulled for Bree Prescott, she finds herself in the little town of Pelion where she hopes to find herself some peace. Having tragedy struck her family, she tries to find a break since nothing much is left for her back home.

"Maybe there was no right or wrong, no black or white, only thousand shades of grey when it came to pain and what we each held ourselves responsible for.”

Archer Hale has been left with damage to his voice box after a local tragedy ensured the deaths of his family many years ago, disabling it and leaving him a mute. He has spent most of his life withdrawing himself away from society, becoming a recluse almost as life passes him by.

“I think love is a concept, and each person has an individual word for them. My word is Bree.”

When Bree encounters Archer on one of his rare excursions to Pelion, she is somehow struck by the connection she feels staring into the eyes of the bearded, gentle man. As she delves deeper into the town tragedy that was the Hales, she is wondrous about Archer and finds herself crossing his path in an effort to get to know the man behind the beard.

As a friendship is struck between the two, they learn each other as Bree finds herself opening up to the silent man. She realises the peace she finds with him, his tranquil nature in the way he goes about day-by-day behind the walls of his place. As Bree finds her feet, Archer also finds himself start to live again, and soon they cannot deny the connection that sparked between them.


“I want to be able to love you more than I fear loosing you, and I don't know how,"

As Bree and Archer fall for each other, Archer is caught in a whirlwind of new emotions and feelings that he never thought he'd experience. With Bree, he has become more open as they spend time together getting him out and trying new things. However, as everything starts to come together, Archer can't help but feel overwhelmed at his desperate emotions and feelings of love for Bree. Trying to figure himself out to become a true person again, he realises that he needs to go out to the world on his own so that he may be a better person for Bree, someone who could be worthy of being with her, not as someone damaged and who needed help to live. He wishes to become someone who could support her and be the man that she deserved. Even, to him, he now had the motives to want it for himself.

For Bree though, she is heartbroken at his sudden departure. She sees why he did what he had to do, but without any goodbyes, she feels the loss of him and she slowly begins to feel the loneliness. However, she refuses to leave and is adamant to stay until his return to her. She would be strong for she knew that she would wait for him forever.

"It made my heart soar with pride for the beautiful act of bravery that was Archer Hale stepping into this small town diner.”

Months later. Bree has not gotten over Archer and has remained true to herself in continuing life in Pelion. And when she sees her quiet man looking across at her, they both know they'll never let go again.
Archer does manage to get himself together, but for Bree, one final fence from her past must be crossed which ends up blowing into town....

“Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.”

I liked this book, found it hard sometimes to read, I just didn't relate to it on my end but the characters were generally likeable. Archer was of course a very interesting character, seeing how he handled Bree and the way he worked. And Bree was likeable too in her steady devotion to Archer, her manner opening him up. Overall a nice read. :)