When The Stars Align

The Archer Inn #3

by Kimberly Thomas

A woman on the run from an abusive husband returns to the island she abandoned over twenty years ago.

Amy Archer Ashwood is the younger sister of Holly and Rina Archer and twin sister to Randy. Like her siblings, she has little, if anything, to do with the Archer House where they grew up these days. After waiting till thirty and never meeting Mr. Right, she fell into a runaway marriage and drifted further and further away from her family.

And she turned her back on them for good when the abuse started.

She couldn’t face anyone she knew after that. She was embarrassed. She was frightened. And her husband had told her if she ever left him, he would make her pay.

But all of that changes now.

Holly Archer holds a seventieth birthday party for their mother, Nellie—and it’s the first beacon of light Amy has seen in years. When her husband, a cop, is on a case, she gets in her car and she drives as fast as she can, all the way to Islamorada.

But the bruises haven’t yet faded, and it’s not like Lucy, her siblings, and her mother can go back to how things were before they abandoned each other. Amy struggles to hide her true reasons for her appearance on Islamorada, and finds herself totally enveloped with the family she once loved.

The Archers don’t give up so easily—and it doesn’t take much for them to realize the depths of horror Amy has escaped from.

Slowly, Amy begins to piece together her life. She becomes part-time chef at the Archer House, removes her wedding ring, rekindles old friendships, and even finds herself out to dinner with a handsome old flame, a painter named Noah.

But no matter what, Amy knows she can’t escape her past.

Her husband promised her he would make her pay if she hurt him.

She knows he’s only waiting for the perfect time to attack.

Genres: Womens Fiction

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2020

About the author

Kimberly Thomas has a passion for writing heartfelt stories that resonate with her readers. With two adult children and a loving husband, she understands the complexities of family dynamics and uses this knowledge to create relatable characters. When she's not writing, she loves to travel and explore new cultures. She finds inspiration in the people she meets and the places she visits, and often incorporates her experiences into her stories.

Kimberly specializes in feel-good women's fiction, clean and wholesome contemporary romance. Her stories focus on love, loss, and the everyday situations that families face. Her writing style is engaging and relatable, and she has a talent for drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than a quick trip home for her father's funeral, Amy has had little contact with her family for over 12 years when she decided to return for her mother's 70th birthday party. What the family doesn't know is how great a risk it was for her to come to the party - they didn't know that she lived in a physically abusive household and that her husband had threatened to do great harm to her if she ever left him. The abuse had escalated to the point that she knew he would eventually kill her and she knew that she had to escape. Once her family found out what had gone on in her marriage, they all supported her and did what they could to help her recover. She had been trained as a chef but had barely worked since she got married so she was thrilled to become the chef at the Archer Inn and be able to use her culinary talents again.

As Amy slowly begins to regain her life with her new job and her old friends and loving family, she knows deep down that she is still in danger from her husband. He promised that he would hurt her if she left and she knows that he's just waiting for the perfect time to make her pay.

This is a perfect small town romance about family and the support and love that they can bring to your life. I'm looking forward to the last and final book in this series. I've really enjoyed the time that I've spent with the Archer family.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

When Stars Align is book 3 in the Archer Inn series by Kimberly Thomas as we continue to follow the Archer siblings reconnection after years of being estranged, back in their hometown of Islamorada.

Up Next is Amy Archer Ashwood, chef extraordinaire, twin sister to Randy Archer decides to return to her hometown for her mother‘s 70th birthday party and is on the run from her abusive husband. She can’t go to the police because her husband is a cop and she doesn’t know who she can trust.

When her sister approached her about the bruises on the side of her face she finally falls apart and tells her family all that’s been happening in her 12 year marriage. Even though she feels safe amongst her family and friends she knows her past will come back to find her as he has always told her if you leave I will find you and you will be sorry...

Can her family and friends protect her from her abusive husband, soon to be ex, keep her safe and maybe find a love that is pure and true or will her ex destroy her forever?

[Marie Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Archer, the last of the siblings to come home. Running from an abusive husband after 12 years she returns to her childhood home to be reunited with her 3 siblings and ailing mother.

I love the way Ms. Thomas is telling each siblings story and their journey to be reunited! The story & character development of each sibling has been fantastic to read. Each sibling with their own reasons for staying away, but when life gets in the way as it always does, they run to home & each other.

The timeline of Amy to heal from 12 years of abuse & start to move on, was to unbelievable and is why I’ve taken one star away. Throwing in the high school crush and dating a few weeks after running for her life from an abusive husband I thought was to much, to soon. I love a good romance, but using an abused woman story line, Noah should not have been introduced as a love interest so quickly. Just my opinion.

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Archer Inn series, focuses on Amy. She comes to town to celebrate her mother’s 70th birthday, running from her abusive husband John. In the past John’s allies include his buddies, fellow police officers. As Amy struggles to make decisions about her future, she is always looking in the shadows expecting to see John come after her. As she seems to be rebuilding her relationship with her siblings, and meets up with high school flame Noah. Chef Amy emerges just in time for the arrival of a travel review critic. Unfortunately Amy soon finds herself living her worst nightmare. Will she be able
To put her past behind her and rebuild her life?

The book contains vivid descriptions of the family inn located in Islamorada. The sights, and smells of Florida seem to come to life

Thank you to the author for the ARC. This review contains my honest opinions.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Archer Inn series and it’s centered around Amy, the youngest sister and Randy’s twin. She has dealt with an abusive husband, John, for over a decade. When she has finally had enough, she returns home to Islamorada Island. She studied to be a chef and gets the chance to cook in the Inn’s restaurant. She reconnects with Noah, the guy she crushed on in high school. If you enjoy small town romance that focus on family and friends, you will enjoy this series. No spoilers, so grab your copy and see what happens. I can’t wait to read Randy’s story next.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series about the Archer family. Each story is about one of four siblings and this one is Amy’s story.

I love how each character gets a dedicated storyline and tells more about their life, why they left home and eventually reuniting with their family.

While I enjoyed Amy’s back story and her abusive marriage that kept her away, parts of her story became predictable. I figured she would reunite with an old flame (similar to siblings) but really wasn’t surprised when after filing for divorce her enraged husband came looking for her and attacked her.

Storyline and character development are still amazing and a great read!

[Denise S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues with youngest daughter, Amy and her story. Amy is the final daughter to come home to Archer Inn after finally fleeing abuse at her husbands hands and fists. It is a shame she waited over a decade to come home, as her family is supportive and wise. Hopefully the next book in the series covers her twin brother, Randy and his life. Enjoy the series in the cold weather, as it will warm you up...or enjoy poolside with a cold drink!
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[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

I enjoyed this third book because now all the Archer kids have made it home and are finding their place in moving forward and heal from their broken past and finding love at last. There's just a bit of mystery with the boat house that's beginning to ahead some light on the subject and I have a hunch what its all about. Kimberly Thomas writes from the heart of family drama and love. As always happy reading.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. Amy has been suffering from a horrific life for a decade. Will returning hime to her family give her the peace she needs? Can she ever feel that she deserves to find love? These questions will be answered if you read this wonderful story of family, sacrifice, and finding your place. I received this arc for an honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Inn stories and this one is no exception. I like reading about sibling support and how they're always there when needed. I've always wondered about that, and, yes, I am an only! So, if you like Inns, families, troubles, romance, food, and solutions, this one may be for you. It's a good fast read, and I found it very enjoyable. It was given to me by the author to read and review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick book! It pretty much picks up where the previous one ends. We finally get to meet Amy and find out about her life.
This is an easy enjoyable series, it’s like revisiting old friends.
Thanks to the author for the early copy

[Kathleen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and easy read! Since I met the Archer Family in Book 1, I feel I am returning to friends as I continue through the series. I love the characters in the book who are strong-willed and determined to move forward through life no matter what!

[Sandra Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the Archer Family books. Each of the books are well written and tells the story about each of the Archer siblings. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series about their brother, Randy.

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had a hard time putting down the books in this series. I have enjoyed reading each of them.

[Joelyn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs proofreading!

Story line is good, but it definitely needs a good proofreader who knows grammar. It is a shame when readers have to correct a book they paid for!

[thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find love again

Five stars amazing funny and serious how love can be hidden and resurface again showing the true colors of one person

[Mitsi Dale]

Another awesome book

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series but could only give this book 3 stars because the first 3 books are so repetitive. I hope the next one in the series is a little more original.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Archer family series. Good story, likeable characters but predictable storyline. If you've read the first two, you'll know how the story goes.