When We Kiss

This is the fifth book in the Ribbon Ridge series and the more I read the more I LOVE this totally messed up family! They are not the perfect family, they all have real problems and issues. But they love unconditionally, which is what family is all about in my opinion. This is the story of Liam and Aubrey. Liam Archer is Alex's twin. Alex was not as healthy as the rest of his siblings so it was harder for him to do all the things the other kids did. Some things were impossible for him to do, so Liam did them for the both of them. Liam, in turn, cut himself off from the family as soon as he possibly could so he would not have to watch Alex struggle. They were identical and every day that Liam had to be around Alex was a reminder that Liam could have been born the same way. A reminder of what he had and Alex missed out on. The guilt was too much so Liam started his own company away from the family. He needed something that was just his. And he needed that space even more so after Alex committed suicide. Aubrey Tallinger was Alex's lawyer. She was in charge of his estate and his will. Had she known what Alex had planned, things would have been very different. But no one knew. Alex was very good at keeping his secret, even from his therapist! At first, Liam blamed Aubrey for not telling the Archers after confronting her in her office after the will was read, he realizes he is mistaken and a strong attraction to Aubrey becomes obvious. The feeling is mutual on both parts and they begin a sizzling, completely non-committal, relationship. Just hooking up when Liam is in town. But it becomes too hard for Aubrey, she wants more and she knows he is not the man to settle down. Now Liam is back for the land use hearing they have all been waiting for so they can go forward with Alex's plans for a large hotel and entertainment area. Things get heated but Aubrey puts a stop to it as soon as she can think straight. This book was white hot! The strength of Liam and Aubrey's attraction is really well described and written. I totally felt their draw to each other. This 5th book is a great addition to the rest of the series! I feel that you could possibly read this as a stand-alone, but I don't think it would have the same impact as it has from reading the series. You get to know a wonderful family that is broken by suicide. The real, raw, emotions come through so well in Darcy Burke's writing that at some points int his book I had tears in my eyes. Once you put up strong, sturdy walls, it is very hard to take them down. I highly recommend this series. You will find real people and a real family that you will fall in love with!

When We Kiss is Liam and Aubrey's long awaited story. We've gotten to know Aubrey as she helped the Archer family navigate the aftermath of Alex's suicide. Liam is the unique brother in the family in that he is Alex's identical twin. Ms. Burke's character development is wonderful and it's fascinating to explore the twin relationship between Liam and Alex, as well as Aubrey's guilt over her role in Alex's death. What I like about the Archer family is that they aren't a "pretty family wrapped up with a bow." They have their own dysfunctions and skeletons in the closet - that makes the family real to the reader. In this case, its Liam and Alex's relationship dynamic we get a glimpse into. Liam and Alex had a love/hate relationship in life, and Liam's resentment has carried over long after Alex's death. It's a wonderful dynamic to watch play out. Aubrey is a strong woman who knows what she wants, but she has her fears and anxieties, which also makes her relatable. The one thing she wants is her "happily ever after" and I like how Aubrey stood up for herself in her relationship with Liam in that regards. As a reader, it took a while for us to really understand that part of Aubrey's challenge is that Aubrey wasn't quite enumerating what she wanted to Liam. Once he finally realized what she wants out of her life, he starts to chip away at her defenses. What he didn't realize was that at the same time, he was chipping away his own objections. Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. No time limit to how long. Although Liam's way may have seemed a little extreme that was his way of enduring. I received an ARC of When We Kiss by Darcy Burke in exchange for an honest review. Liam's daredevil tendencies served two purposes. It helped him escape the pain of losing his twin brother but it also helped him to feel alive. I think he used it as a punishment to himself for not saving his brother. Aubrey becomes a link to his brother. Her sympathy for his loss and dedication to her job is what brings them together. i like to think their meeting was his twin's way of tying up lose ends and letting Liam know when it was time to move on. These Archer's know how to break a heart but Darcy Burke knows how to repair it. I love this series.