
Travis: The redemption story that captivated 42,000+ readers. Originally self-published, this grumpy-sunshine romance became so popular it landed a traditional deal. What transformed Archer's troubled brother into Pelion's beloved police chief? Discover the slow-burn journey that readers couldn't resist.
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Travis Hale carries the weight of seven devastating words that shaped his entire existence: "Because I'm second best, Travis. We both are." Spoken by his mother after his father left them for his brother's mother, these words planted seeds of inadequacy that grew into a complex identity built around proving his worth. As Pelion's police chief, Travis projects strength and certainty in his crisp uniform and authoritative stance. Yet beneath this carefully constructed facade lies a wounded soul still haunted by childhood abandonment. He dates "prom queens" like Phoebe-women whose polished appearances match his facade and whose status helps maintain his illusion of control. When Travis discovers Phoebe in bed with a stranger, his pain stems more from wounded pride than heartbreak, reopening that childhood wound of being deemed unworthy. His relationship with his manipulative mother Eleanor further complicates his emotional landscape, as she constantly rekindles old grievances during their weekly dinners. The pattern becomes clear: Travis has spent his life trying to prove he's not "second best," yet the very pursuit keeps him trapped in that mindset.
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