The Archer House

The Archer Inn #1

by Kimberly Thomas

A real estate mogul who lost everything. A return to the Florida Keys. Her first love and all the problems she left behind twenty-five years ago—await her. Holly Archer's husband ruined her life. While they made their fortune in Miami real estate, he took a mistress and managed to make enough illegal dealings to absolutely destroy them forever. Now, Holly's lost her real estate license, her house, her husband, her friends, and her life. But Islamorada calls. It's a sunny, white-sand strip of life and love and sun in the Florida Keys, where she grew up with her three siblings, Randy, Rina, and Amy—all of whom she's lost touch with over the past twenty-five years. Now, two years after the death of their father, the Archer House, the Inn where the four of them grew up, is dilapidated and has a financial bleed that she can't put her finger on; their mother has fallen into an intense depression and Holly finds a place where someone in the world actually needs her help. It's also a good place to hide in the wake of what her husband did, a place to pretend her life didn't crumble into nothing. But patching up the Archer family won't be easy. Her brother, Randy, is the only sibling who remains in the Keys, and his love for alcohol keeps him isolated and unwilling to help out. Their other sisters hardly answer the phone. Even as Holly digs in her heels, she creates conflict between herself and her own children, the people she loves the most. All the while, her old high school boyfriend is a mainstay on the island. He's a cop and, as news of Holly's husband's illegal dealings surface in Miami, perhaps he's one of the only people she can trust in the world. Secrets unravel in this first installment in the Archer Family Series. Lose yourself in this new women's fiction series that revolves around friendship, love and loss among the Archer Clan. A heartwarming family saga that has the backdrop of the Florida Keys white sand and crystal blue waters. For fans of Debbie Macomber, Jan Moran, Caroline Brown, and Lilly Mirren

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction

198 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 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

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC Kindle version of this book and I thank the author for the opportunity to review it. The gift of the ARC in no way influenced my review of this book.

I greatly enjoyed this story. It has a little bit of everything - adventure, money, lack of money, romance, divorce, deceit, family dynamics, and a beautiful setting.

Holly Archer is the main star of this book. A workaholic and extremely successful real estate broker along with her husband, she is quite happy (for the most part) living the high life in Miami. Little does she know that her life is about to be turned upside down and inside out when some extremely dirty and illegal deals come to light as part of her husband's secret "extra" life. Losing everything, including her real estate license and a mansion, not to mention so-called "friends" who fail to see how none of it was her doing - she wasn't even aware that he was leading a double life, she has no choice but to return to Archer House, the family owned Inn on the Florida Keys currently run by her mother, a place she has put aside since her father died 2 years ago.

Holly is shocked to see the state of the Inn, which was once bustling with tourists and was always well kept. Now it's all but crumbling and her mother seems not to care one whit, nor does she have the resources to make the repairs urgently needed. Holly's mom is decidedly in ill health and in no shape to run the business.

Keeping her divorce and horrific legal past a secret, Holly decides to affect the repairs herself, using (thankfully) some money she'd had hidden away. To do so, she needs the help of her siblings - and that won't be easy either. Brother Randy is the only one who stayed put in the Keys, but alcohol addiction makes him an "iffy" person to depend on. Holly's sisters are emotionally distant, and even getting them to answer a phone is problematic.

Holly's well-kept secret comes to light, as we know it must, and Holly must prove her innocence in all of Will's illegal deals. Luckily, her old love remains in the Keys, and he's willing to stand by her.

This story is a great read and will give you all the "feels". You will root for Holly - beneath that polished Miami rich girl veneer is a beautiful heart and soul.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut by Kimberly Thomas is the first book in a new series. Most of it takes place in the Florida Keys so if you are ready for a mental trip to the southernmost tip of the US - this is the book to read.

As the story begins, Holly is having her house and her office packed up and moved to storage. Not too long before she and her husband had run one of the most popular real estate companies in Miami. Thanks to her husband's illegal deals, she has now lost her husband, her job, her real estate license and most of her friends in Miami. What she still has are two grown children, a granddaughter, a mother in the Florida Keys and estranged brothers and sisters in Florida. When she hears from her uncle that the family inn, owned by her family for years, is struggling and that her mother needs help. Even though she hasn't been back for several years, she packs up her Jag and drives to Florida. What she finds when she gets there is a rundown hotel and a depressed and ill mother who is struggling to keep the hotel going. Since she doesn't have a life left in Miami, she decides to stay in Florida and help renovate the hotel. Her two sisters and brother want nothing to do with her or with the hotel that they grew up in so it's up to Holly to make it work. On the good news side, she also discovers old friends from high school who still care for her even though she hasn't seen them in years. Will Holly be successful in her plan to bring The Archer Inn back to being one of the most popular rentals in the area? Will she be able to patch together her family?

I really liked Holly - she had gotten into a terrible mess that she was innocent of and left her life to start a new one. It would have been very easy for her to have a 'poor me' attitude but instead she starts over her new life with enthusiasm. She is a strong resilient woman who never gave up.

This is a book about love and family and the importance of friends along with a bit of romance and some mystery. I am looking forward to the rest of the series to find out if Holly is successful in reuniting her family.

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come along with Holly Archer as she leaves
Miami to return to Islamorada Island in the
Florida Keys.
Holly has just had her life turned upside down.
She lost her husband who was cheating on her.
She lost her livelihood as a real estate agent due
to her husband’s illegal deals. She lost her home
of twenty some years. Plus she must prove her
innocence in her ex-husband’s illegal schemes.
Holly has just received a phone call that her
mother needs help so she is off to the house
where she grew up.
Holly is a mother of two grown children. She is
a grandmother, sister and daughter.
She finds the family Inn and house needing
tending plus her mother needs care.
The story is captivating and emotional. It
is well written with characters that are
well rounded, colorful and well developed.
I enjoyed meeting Holly’s family and friends.
I felt like I was on Islamorada Island with the
realism use in the author’s description.
Will Holly be able to prove her innocence in
the scam? What will Holly do with her life now?
Will the family inn be able to be restored? Will
Holly be able to reunite with her Island friends
from years ago? Will she be able to reunite her
sisters and brother? What will happen between
her and her old high school flame?
Grab a copy for the answers.
I volunteered to read The Archer House. Thanks
to the author for the opportunity. My opinion is
voluntary and my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited when I discover a new author but it's even better when they are AMAZING and you can't wait to read more.

I fell in love with Kimberly's debut novel and told her I need the rest of the ASAP! If you love a sweet story, with lovable characters that you want the best for - grab this book. Not to mention that the setting is Florida and sounds heavenly (thanks to the details of Kimberly's writing). If you love Debbie Macomber type reading, you are going to love Kimberly Thomas!!!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick enjoyable story. It was a nice sweet beach read. The characters were likable. The story kept my interest. I enjoyed the book!
I’m looking forward to the next one in the series
Thanks to the author for the early copy

[Denise S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read with a beautiful cover that would be enjoyed poolside. The images of the Florida Keys were vivid in my mind as the story moves along. Holly is the main character who has to handle several challenging personal and family issues all at once. It sounds like the story continues in the next book in the series.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers, get ready to have a new author to look forward to reading. Kimberly Thomas has done a great job with her debut novel. This book is set on Islamorada Island in the Florida Keys. Holly Archer is a divorced mom of two adult children. She loses everything, her realty license, her home, her job, her money, and her Miami friends, when her ex’s shady business dealings come out. She heads back to the Archer House and the Inn to help with the Inn, which is really showing it’s age. This book is about second chances, reconnecting with old friends and family, and getting her life back on track. I loved the suspense aspect of this book. It makes me look forward to reading each book to see if the mystery of the missing money is ever figured out. What missing money, you ask? You’ll just have to read and see. I feel like these books can be read and standalone, since each book features a different Archer sibling. For the best reading experience, I highly recommend reading the books in order.

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

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I'm so glad that I found her! The story starts off with Holly, leaving the life that she has known for many years b/c of a scammy ex-husband. It takes her back to the Florida Keys and back to her parents Inn - the Archer Inn. Holly's interactions with her mother, her best friends from growing up, and her children are so realistic and just fun to read. Of course there has to be an old love interest - Jake. I definitely wanted to keep reading more to find out what happens to Holly and her family. Can't wait for the next book to find out what is going on with the rest of her family - 2 sisters and a brother! Definitely a good read - especially for someone from FL!

i was provided with a free ARC for an honest review.

[Patricia Grogan Bugher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archer House by Kimberly Thomas is a wonderful story. It’s the story of Holly. After nearly thirty years and two grown children, Holly finds that her husband Will has ruined their thriving real estate business with shady deals, cheating and other bad behavior. She has lost her career, her home and everything she’s built. She learns that her widowed mother is in trouble and needs her help running the family inn in the Florida Keys and she leaves Miami to go see about her mother. She’s been gone for thirty years. Can she make a fresh start? Great story with wonderful characters.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable beach read, set in the Florida Keys. The main character is likeable as we follow her journey through divorce, betrayal and job loss. Family comes through for Holly in the end. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Will destroyed Holly's business and her life, she wanted a new start away from her ex husband. So when her Uncle called, and told her that her mother needed help back at Islamorada, she went to see what she could do.
She found much more than she anticipated - and knows she needs to stay and help.
Her high school boyfirend was still on the island - and pehaps the only person she could really truat - could they turn the clock back?
Loved it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for this first book in a new series. I really enjoyed getting to know Holly and her family. Very likable characters. Holly struggles to deal with some difficult life issues and also help restore The Archer House that has been her family’s legacy. Things are looking up for Holly and I look forward to the next book.

[Marie Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of a newly divorced woman trying to put her life back together. In all this she goes back to her home town to try and help bring her families legacy, an Inn in the Keys. In a story of families rekindling childhood bonds, Kimberly nailed it! Can’t wait to read book 2!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 25 years since Holly Archer left the Florida Keys for the bright lights. Now she's back with her tail between her legs, beaten down by a divorce, facing criminal charges, stripped of her business and her real estate licence.
She doesn't plan on staying, she just wants enough time to lick her wounds, but that ain't how it plays out. Back on Islamorada the family business, the Archer Inn, is in poor condition and her mother, sunk in depression after the death of her husband, is just letting the rot continue.
Holly knows that she has let things slide with her mother over the years, but is shocked by just how bad it has gotten. And her siblings aren't willing to help. Holly's on her own - but not for long as the residents of the island, her cousins, and her one-time high school boyfriend, band together to help.
And something is not right about the Inn's finances - there's less money available than the bookings indicate. The question is raised but glossed over, presumably for another book in the series.
It looks like Holly, at 46, is going to have to start over, both in terms of the Inn and her family.
"The Archer House" could have been improved by a tighter edit, there are a couple of odd misspellings - "wail" instead of "whale" and "poured" when "pored" was the correct word.
Sometimes an author should read what they write:-
"Holly at least still had some money to support herself and wouldn't be homeless once everything was said and done."
Seems like she has just enough to live on for a while.
Several pages later:-
"Sure, she had enough money put away that she didn't need to work".
So, she's wealthy?
However, those are minor complaints and the book, overall, is quite enjoyable with not a murder in sight (I've been reading way too many mysteries recently!)
In many ways Holly's problems are quite believable and she's mostly strong enough to work through them. When she isn't she can rely on small town America and her family and friends for help.
I quite liked it.
3 Stars

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

The Archer house is book 1 in the new series The Archer Inn by Kimberly Thomas, a new to me author and I will definitely be reading any books she decides to write! This book has so much depth, family dynamics, starting over and so much more. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!!

We meet Holly Archer, Real Estate Mogul from Miami, wealthy, beautiful, recently divorced who has now lost everything...her mansion, her RE license, her so called friends all because her now ex husband was leading a secret life. Shady deals, cheating, problems with the IRS, SEC and she knew nothing about any of this. Between her lawyer trying to work a deal so she isn't held accountable and then getting a call from her cousin about the finances of her childhood home, Archer House in the Keys, she is not sure how much more she can take.

She decides to head to Islamorada, in the Keys to find out what is going on and what she find is totally not anything she was expecting...her mother's health, the run down inn, what's needed to bring the Inn back, estranged siblings, connecting with old friends and figuring out what is next in her life...

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly’s perfect life comes crashing down when she realizes he her husband has not only ruined their life but has jeopardized her freedom. When he uncle calls she has to rush back to her childhood home on Ismaralda Island. She left and 18 and never looked back! With her life in shambles she discovers her new purpose as she helps restore the family inn. Once she reconnects with old friends and neighbors she realizes just what she’s missed
I really loved this book. It was a refreshingly easy read. The kind of book you would love to read on the beach or on vacation. The plot was perfectly paced, nothing rushed or dragging on! The characters were wonderful especially Holly. Seeing her have the strength to pull herself together for her children and family and trying to reunite her estranged family. I anxiously await the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of marriage, family, and work, Holly Archer's life is turned upside down by a cheating husband who has dealt in illegal activities throughout their marriage. Holly lost her job, her house,and her friends in Miami because of her husband's activities. She gets a call from her uncle that her mother needs help and she drives to Florida to check on her mother, finds out she is ill, and her family's inn is in dire straits. She decides to stay there and see what she can do to help out.
The storyline is Kimberly Thomas debut book, The Archer House, shows how life can turn in an instant and what a woman does about this upheaval.
I enjoyed Kimberly Thomas writing, her portrayal of family, romance, and life in general. Well worth reading, and looking forward to reading the second book in the Archer Inn series,Secrets In Paradise.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with well developed characters and distinct personalities. After a devastating divorce and a phone call from her uncle, Holly returns to her childhood home in the Florida Keys. She find the Archer Inn in poor condition and her newly Widowed Mother unable to cope. She contacts her siblings who are unwilling to help. As Holly takes on the shore she finds a place in a small community and unexpected help from old high school friends. This is a fast moving. easy to read enjoyable story perfect for a beach read or just for relaxing.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered a free ARC eBook in exchange for my honest review.

A new author and I enjoyed this southern story of a marriage that falls apart amidst deception and greed. There's a bit of family drama as Holly returns to the Inn where she grew up when her ex is charged with embezzlement and tax evasion. She discovers the Inn in a state of disrepair and then her mother falls ill. As small towns do, they rally around the Archer family to help save the Inn.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in The Archer Inn series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is Holly Archer’s story about her coming back to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Her husband Will proves to be a really nasty person and she divorces him but her troubles are not over, as Will is dragging her into the mess he made. But there might be something good to come for her when police officer Jake comes back into her life, she just might get a second chance with him. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Goan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Archer family Inn read. This engaging storyline is about family, love, romance, and friends feeling you with mystery, laughter, adventure, family dynamics, divorce, deceit, and alot of other emotions as it introduces a new Inn and family in a series that creates a standalone while creating opening for a series as you can follow secondary characters through their life and love on a way to a HEA.  The characters are interesting, relatable, and have added chemistry. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC that is an easy read in a fast paced  enjoyable read.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly is the oldest of the archer kids now back home after her divorce she sees how bad the inn and her mother is. Can holly get her life back by helping get the inn back in shape and the love of a good man? A must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written you can't stop turning the pages. You're captivated in the story within the first pages and can't put it down. The characters are engaging, easy to get to know throughout the story and entertaining as well. When you're looking for a good book to read while curled up on the couch, this is it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and charming romance with a few twists and turns along the way. Plenty of drama thrown in. Like a small town romance where everyone knows your business. Entertaining characters with interesting dialogue and good interaction. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by the author.
I loved this book. It had a great flow to it and I couldn't put it down. I loved that the main character was in her mid forties, as I am 49 myself. If you are looking for a book that doesn't have sex and bad language this is the book for you. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Francine Knibbs-Fee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much repitation

The use of the word heck drove me crazy. And everyone had a smirk. There should have been other words besides heck and smirk that could have been used. It seems like a simple thing but it really took away from the story for me. The story was okay pretty predictable

[Kathleen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The beginning of the story just grabbed me and I could not wait to see what happened! It is about human resilience and reconfirms the belief, there is still life after misfortune. It is about living your life and reevaluating your priorities to move on!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Florida sun

Getting to know the Archer family and their problems was covered with laughter, hugs, tears, secrets, new beginnings and many other emotions. If you like Inn books, give this one a try maybe you'll enjoy the Archers also.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing storyline and the characters are engaging and entertaining and held my attention throughout the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Archer House: A Sweet Family Saga Romance
Kimberly Thomas
A great story set in the Florida Keys at her families hotel, during a divorce and family drama. Wonderfully written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.