Forever Asher

Mayberry Protectors #1

by Rhys Everly

I kissed my best friend. And I liked it.

I’m at the lowest point of my life. Retiring from my SEAL team was not in my life plan.
Yet here I am, 30 years old, no wife, children or career. And now I have to start over while dealing with the after-effects of my last mission.

All in all, life can’t get more complicated.

Until it does.
Suddenly I'm turned on by Asher’s gay romance audiobooks and kissing him when he brings me a new furry friend.

Before I know it, I start dreaming of a life with him.

Have I had it wrong all this time?

Is Asher my soulmate? Is he the love of my life? Is he my forever Asher?

Welcome to Mayberry Holm, a small island in the Atlantic full of crime, secrets and happily-ever-afters, and the ex-Navy SEALs that come to deal with them all.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Military Fiction, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2023

About the author

Rhys Everly-Lawless is a hopeless romantic who loves happily-ever-afters.
Which would explain why he loves writing them.

When he's not passionately typing out his next book, you can find him cuddling his dog, feeding his husband, or taking long walks letting those plot bunnies breed ferociously in his head.

He writes contemporary gay romances as Rhys Everly and LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romances as Rhys Lawless.

You can find him and all his latest projects on rhyswritesromance.com

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 1 out of 5]

MM Romance

DNF @ 74%

According to this book, PTSD changes you SO MUCH that you start to like dick for the first time ever (age 30) and it happens with your bestie who you’ve known your entire life and never thought about that way before. 💀💀💀

Also, for SEALS, these guys are DUMB AF. 💀💀💀

[Meep · Rating 2 out of 5]

2* as I actually finished it.

PTSD makes you gay!

Apparently.

The SEALs battle boners for the first half of the book. Both of them are constantly tenting. The audio book plot was odd. The wanking off in a car with your best mate 'sleeping' beside you, is ...more sordid than hot imo! Apparently a military bonding thing?!

All women are sexy, all men are big and hot or small babyfaced and cute. The big crime syndicate plot actually made me laugh.

It was ok. He retired from the military and decided he was now gay, convenient gay bff in tow. Oh and one kiss and it's forever love. Which is sweet but simple.

It's entertaining, don't expect deep.

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 29%

This was quite the weird experience.

The beginning: we listen to an erotic scene in a gay romance audiobook in the car, with the two MCs. Awkward. Why are authors determined to go meta? It’s never good.

Anyway, it then leads to both MCs having permanent boners, which we hear about nonstop. Except when the “straight” MC (not asher, forgot his name) has his boring and repetitive gay crisis, and then jerks off in the car while driving next to his sleeping friend. What in the fuck.

Once we reach the Island of Crime, it gets even dumber somehow. Apparently the Secret Service doesn’t care about counterfeiting if it’s on a small island (loophole!!) so they’ve gotta do it themselves. By the commander dude (who is well known on the island cause he owns a bar) having his dingdong former soldiers go “undercover”. Except they’ve already been seen and in contact with the bar dude? Not off to a good start. (hilarious moment where the commander dude who lives on said Crime Island tried to go “undercover” himself…dude, you are so known on your dumb little island, why did you think this would work??)

And then…lmao. Asher goes to adopt a dog for his friend without asking, and manages to get a diabetic one. Jesus christ. On top of that, the conversation with the dog dude is essentially:

Comnnader man: “Keep your presence on the down low I don’t want people knowing navy people are here“
Asher: “hello yes I am in the navy and my navy buddy needs a dog for his navy issue ptsd”

They are so fucking dumb. I don’t have the patience for this. Plus the writing left something to be desired.

Shitting volleyballs and holy nutsacks.

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was in serious DNF territory.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all starts with an audio book. What a great way to start a story. Asher has learned to let his feelings for his best friend go but strange things on a long road trip. Add in a mystery to solve and you just might be on the road to happiness. #CMCon24

[Rhys Everly]

Mayberry Protectors has been in my head for a while, but I didn’t know what to do with them.

The inspiration came from a reality TV show where participants had to travel to Ushuaia, which is also known as the end of the world, as the southernmost city in the world.

As soon as they mentioned that, I had a complete idea of a military presence deployed to a fictional end of the world tasked with protecting the island and falling in love in the process.

And it only grew from there.

Mayberry Holm was born out of the need to have an isolated place that also served as a small town.
And the rest if history.

The plot bunny for Forever Asher came from a random, casual conversation with my friends. One of them has a husband who loves fishing and she has to drive him (begrudgingly) to his favorite spot which is quite far from home. So she makes him a deal that she has full control over the radio so she can listen to her sexy audiobooks and he gets to spend his day fishing.

I wanted to do something with this plot bunny and was looking for the right project to fit it in. And "Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend" promotion was the perfect opportunity. But I didn't just want this to be a one-off, I also wanted this to be an introduction to my new series. (I love series. Surprise, surprise.)

All I needed to do was take the two main characters, make them Navy SEALs and set them on a path to my new island. And so the most unusual bi-awakening was born!

I hope you enjoy this short trip to the fictional Massachusettsan island and you’ll swing by again when Mother Parker (the first official book in the series) is out later this year. I have been obsessing over Hwan and Parker for a while now and I promise you it's going to be an epic grumpy/sunshine book.

Here's the Amazon link: https://readerlinks.com/l/2292703
And the Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

[Dreamcatcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

-Possible spoilers-
Forever Asher isn't very well-written.
The MCs are supposedly navy SEALs. They don't have military bearing at all.
Also, I can't stand the way they treat their dog Biscuit:
Biscuit pees on a houseplant in the kitchen, and they reward him for it!
They literally let him pee on everything outside, and let him jump up at people only to be puzzled as to why the waiter ignores their dog's behaviour instead of wanting to cuddle him.
On top of that, Biscuit jumps on Maddox' lap while he's eating (Maddox, that is, not the dog XD ). Ugh, I detest people who don't set rules for their dog, and who let them do anything they want.

I doubt whether Maddox can stick to only two meals a day - no doggo biscuits for Biscuit (who has diabetes).

[CdnBookLover · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite enjoying this book, but somewhere around the 75% read point I just didn't like it as much. I can't figure out what changed, but it would have gotten a 5-star rating before that point.

One bright point for me happened about a third of the way through the story. A bravo to an author who recognized the correct phrasing that most get wrong:

“Son, I’ve seen it all, done it all, heard it all. If you think I’m gonna believe that shit that you’re fit and good to work, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“It’s think,” I mumbled.

“Huh?”

“It’s not another thing coming. It’s another think coming.”

[Kelly Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this entertaining short story. With some polishing it could be great.

[Riley]

nope. nope. nooope.
DNF @ 14%

Ugh. I don't like to leave bad reviews/reactions. I really don't. But, I hate to say it, I couldn't even get through 20% of this one. The writing was very basic and choppy. That's not to say that simple can't be well done, this just...isn't.

It left me very sad for what could have been in the hands of a more skilled author: an interesting beginning about a supposedly straight man's reaction to a love scene in a gay friend's m/m audiobook, and the potential for some delicious hurt/comforty goodness (that I typically adore) about an ex-navy SEAL with PTSD.

The problem is that in the real world, veteran navy SEALS just wouldn’t act like this. And before you say, how would you know? Technically, l don’t apart from my own knowledge based on relationships with other military men (Get your mind out of the gutter. l’m talking about friends, colleagues, etc.) BUT, these guys act like they’re in high school, not thirtysomething men who are a part of an elite military force. There’s more, but l’m not going to tear it apart. lt’s just not my style. l might use gifs occasionally to get my point across, but l’m not going to be mean. l really wanted to read it based on the premise, but…

It desperately needs an editor, or three.



I found this story on Prolific Works for free, so I wasn't expecting an award-winning epic, but I just couldn't with this one.

This and more reviews | Romancing Riley.

[Liza Broadaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallmark with a side of Lifetime. I loved the start of this book with the romance audio book and seeing your friend with a new lens. The suspense part was a little too simple for me and the jump to their relationship felt a little rushed. If you go in thinking hallmark with a little suspense and just need a lite read with a little bit of spicy at the very end this will be for you!

[Kel]

Dnf.

[Nicole]

Somewhere between 0 stars and 1.5 stars. DNF - jumped ahead and read random parts.
Maddox and Asher.
MM.
I'm not sure if it is me or the story or what it was but all I can say is yeah nah!
I forced myself to read 30% of this book and then just skipped and read random parts. I got the jist of the story from that and folks that is all I will be doing!

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a decent premise, but needs a lot of development and research.

Firstly, all that vigilante justice is going to get people in a lot of trouble. The book would’ve made a lot more sense if their commanding officer had ended up as the community’s police chief, or in some other way an official. As it stands, there’s just a ragtag bunch of veterans going around, killing people and blowing shit up. It’s more than a bit far-fetched.


Secondly, the characters need a lot of development. I highly doubt that somebody listening to an MM romance audiobook for five minutes is going to suddenly realize that they’re attracted to members of the same sex. Instead, I think that Maddox was going through some sort of emotional crisis due to his PTSD, the loss of his troops, and leaving the military. Losing all of his friends, and his only support structure, he turned to any sort of emotional ties he had left… And mistook that intense need for emotional connection with a physical connection. Also, Maddox, excepted, same-sex intimacy, awful easily. I would have expected some research, self exploration, and awkward moments.

Thirdly, you don’t just get to leave the military whatever you want to. It was good for Maddox to have to spend some time on his own when his new lover went back into service. It better establishes the relationship as authentic, instead of an effort to hold onto any ties to his past.

[Robert DeSantis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I Forced Myself

This has been a real slog. Foolish plot, awful writing and stick figure thin characters. The two sex scenes took way too long to reach, especially after so much repetitive and terrible writing. The "cover art" was the high point. Trash is fine, but at least make it interesting.

[Jaylee · Rating 1 out of 5]

ijbol, so bad it's so funny

[Brianne McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

M/M
Friends to lovers
Hurt/comfort
Ex Navy Seal
PTSD rep
Light crime mystery

Arc audio review

Story = 4 stars.
Narration = 4 stars

I really enjoyed this story. It was on the shorter side in terms of length so it just flew right by and I finished it in one listen. It didn't have any slow parts and it didn't feel rushed at all to me.

Both of the characters were loveable and endearing. I love best friend stories and hurt/comfort stories and this didn't disappoint in both of those categories. Asher is gay and out and Maddox claims he's straight but is feeling things for his bestie. He is newly discharged from the Navy Seals after a mission went terribly wrong and he has PTSD mostly in the form of survival guilt and bad dreams. Asher is very overprotective of his bestie and I loved that. They had wonderful chemistry and despite the short length of the book their romance was a nice low heat, slow burn that felt realistic. If I was just focused on the romance aspect this would be a 5 star read.

We also have the added plot of a crime mystery. Not going to talk much on it to avoid spoilers but for me the type of crime didn't equate to the level of insane that occurs. Totally unrealistic and absurd. That made me take of a star.

A great read overall and I'm looking forward to the series.

The narrator did a really good job. They had a pleasant voice to listen to and kept a good pace and flow. I sped it up to 1.30x but that is pretty standard. He expressed all the emotions well. They gave distinct voices to the side characters which really helped to bring the story to life. I do think the 2 MCs voices could have been more distinct but it was an enjoyable listen either way.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

With 0.5 books I feel like it’s all or nothing, you either fell like it was rushed or it leaves you ready to trade you firstborn for the next one.

Here … let’s say it’s a good thing I don’t have kids or they’d have been traded !
This one did the job it was intended for which is making you discover the place, some of the main characters and most of all hook you in for the ride.

I really liked this book. It was an easy read but you still had enough to get attached to the characters. I really felt for Maddox and his PTSD, all the guilt he shouldered and add to that confusing thoughts now ? Yeah the guy has a lot in his plate.
Asher ? Well, first of all I’m a sucker for a guy who’s loved another one for years, suffering because of it and ultimately getting his HEA. So I was totally rooting for him. Loving somebody for years and have them suddenly giving you hope isn’t easy to believe.
No matter what though he always cared for Maddie before anything else.
They each had the other well-being as a priority to them.
Can’t wait to discover Parker’s story next.

[Dekaydreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did finish the book, I wound up skimming past the sexy scenes, because this is another author addicted to the non-word spelling of come, which absolutely makes me cringe. Besides that, there were parts that perplexed me, annoyed me, and just plain fell flat. Overall, not bad; it simply didn't sparkle.

I am, however, very much not with the mainstream in what moves me in a story, at least most of the time. I know I'm overly picky about grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation (part of my issue with c*m is that, to me, it is simply an ignorantly misspelled word that the authors who want to jar sensibilities enjoy using. I can think of other ways to do that without descending into misspelling for the sake of shock. Call it jizz, or spunk, if you want to use coarse slang. I also dislike contemporary tales that don't ring true, and this one had that "off" feeling.

[Michelleroebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox's Awakening!

Maddox was trying to come to terms with having to leave the Seals,PTSD and starting the next chapter of his life. His best friend Asher was helping him with this, giving him a ride to his new home. While in the car Maddox had a nightmare and to try and get his mind off it Asher decided to play a audiotape of a gay romance. Asher was gay,Maddox was straight or so he thought until his body started to respond. Not only was he getting aroused, but he was having thoughts about his friend that he never had before. He didn't know what to do with this yet, but he was having a feeling he might want to find out that was the beginning of their journey and life together. Great start to a Series!!😗😗

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. And a great intro into the Mayberry protectors series. Loved asher and Maddox. They were family. Truly best friends in every sense of the word. And asher was accompanying Maddie up to his new life after leaving the SEALs and suffering ptsd. Asher has been secretly in love with his bud forever and has finally gotten over it or at least he thought so. Until a road trip, some MM romance audio and a self live session later and Maddie is questioning everything. Loved the mystery and the slight suspense. As well as watching them come together. Loved asher and Maddie and of course biscuit.

[Lori Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked these characters. Ash and Maddie are Navy Seals. Mad has just been medically discharged after a incident in Afghanistan. He has severe PTSD. Asher has been his friend since childhood and has been secretly in love with him for years. Circumstances bring things to a head during a road trip. Now Maddie is having romantic feelings toward Ash and making him wonder if maybe he's not been completely straight all along. This is a cute romance. I wish it was a longer full length novel. There are a lot of areas that could use mere filling out and expanded. A couple of side characters that I'd like to see more of. 3/5 stars

[Smut Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book on its face value and was entertained while reading it. However I wasn't convinced by some aspects of the characters and plot elements.
One character has PTSD and during situations he was able to 'hold back' the effects - which didn't really feel very authentic to me. But I don't claim to be a PTSD expert!
Also there is a scene with some baddies who have a 'kill switch' detonator, but it's never adequately explained why they have it at that point and where they got the skills for this. It didn't flow well in the story to me.
I did enjoy the passion in the story and most of the book- it's only when I think about each element that some things bothered me.

[Lesetiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Performance: ⭐️️⭐️⭐️️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great start to the series. I like the author's writing style because he writes in detail, so I could visualize Asher and Maddox's road trip quite well. It's about best friends becoming lovers, and looking to build a life after being a SEAL.
Then there's also a mystery case, which I'm a big fan of. So there is plenty of suspense.

Dan Levy did a good job as narrator. I was able to distinguish between the different protagonists and it was entertaining to listen to him.
I'm already looking forward to the next volume!

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox is at a crossroads in life. His last mission as a Navy SEAL has left him with PTSD and his best friend Asher is taking him to a remote island off the Atlantic coast to recover. Asher has been in love with Maddox for years but has never said anything to his straight best friend. Distracting Maddox with a gay romance audiobook on the drive may not have been the best choice, but it worked. Maddox is so thrilled with the dog Asher gets him that he kisses him, and truly awakens something that he didn't know he had within. A very interesting Bi awakening story with lots of intrigue and passion.

[Laora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to be listening to one of Rhys his contemporary mm books after not having read or listen to one in a while. It is good I, I curned through this book. Loved the friends to lovers thrope and the understanding they had for the others feelings. The story is told through both main characters pov.
The who dunnit storyline was entertaining. As always found family is a side thrope I found it a pleasure.

I think I have listened to one book from a different MM romance author by this narrator. So I am fairly new to Dan Levy his work. I found he has a pleasant voice that kept me engaged with this welll written story.

[Lisa Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love friends to lovers and small town stories, but throw in the former military and a little suspense and you got a winner! This first book in Rhys' new series has it all, including a beloved side character from one of his A Proper Education books (no prior reading of that series is necessary,  but that's a series you don't want to miss!) I fell in love with Maddox & Asher immediately,  and the side characters are great as well. I can't wait for all their stories.  This is going to be a fantastic series!

[Unusable Booklore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Besties kiss…right? 🤔

Navy seals
Bi awakening
Best-friends to lovers

Super quick to kick off Maddox’s bi panic (solo hand workout thinking of his bestie, while driving a vehicle and sitting next to his sleeping said bestie…) and kissing; but pretty slow burn on getting the MC’s to hook up.

I really enjoyed the fun crime solving plot that I assume will extend throughout the series.

240 pages felt like they quickly flew by, I would take that to mean it’s fast paced. Sadly I never got tingles, or felt like I wanted to savour this book. Over all I just liked it.

TW: PTSD

[Kelsey’s Kindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this serious out of order. I started with book 4 and went back and downloaded the first three. I love the best friends to lovers trope in MM. I love the suspense, the found family, the PTSD rep, and bi awakening. I loved that the author used gay romance audiobooks to set this into motion ( because I’m also a fan of those🌈) I love their animals are included in stories and I love how this one wrapped up. I love the nickname Ashe gives to Maddox and that he wants him to call him that. I look forward to reading Parker and Joey’s books.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this, it was so sweet and exactly what I needed. Asher has loved his best friend all his life and resigned himself to that one sided love. But Maddox starts realizing that he has all these feelings that finally have a name. They have both loved each other for years, one not understanding and the other trying to hide it. They have been part of each others lives from a very long time and the feelings were there, and they finally came to a time where those feelings could finally be talked about. I loved them, they were so good for each other