A Wall Street Journal bestseller.They couldn’t be more different…or more completely perfect for each other.Claire McKenna knows about loss. The bullet wound that ended her promising professional tennis career drove her to make a quiet life for herself working with fabric samples, chatting with her book group, and spending time with her parents in her sleepy coastal Connecticut hometown. Then … coastal Connecticut hometown. Then there was the boyfriend who dumped her to pursue her adventurous childhood friend. Now, Claire’s business has hit a financial snag, but she’s up to the challenge. After all, she can survive anything. At least she thinks so…until her teen crush, Logan, returns to town with his sister, Claire’s traitorous friend.
Photographer Logan Prescott is more playboy than homebody. But his sister’s illness teaches him that there’s more to life than chasing the next thrill. Bent on helping her win Claire’s forgiveness, he turns his charm on Claire and offers her big bucks to renovate his multimillion-dollar New York City condo.
After years of playing it safe, Claire must now take some risks. The payoff could be huge, but if it all falls apart, can her heart recover from another loss?
more
Claire and Logan are my favorite couple in the Sanctuary Sound series! Their love story was beautifully written and I loved seeing the personal growth of both characters throughout their journey.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advanced Reading Copy from NetGalley.
This was a wonderful story about second chances, forgiveness, healing and over coming your fears.
This is the 2nd book in the Sanctuary Sound series, however, it can be read as a stand alone book.
Claire is working on starting up her own company with her best friend Steffi. Just when she thinks things couldn’t get worse, her ex-best friend, Peyton, and Peyton’s brother, Logan, move back to town and flip Claire’s whole world upside down.
I genuinely enjoyed Claire and Logan’s story. I found the characters very relatable. I was genuinely invested in both if the characters and was eager to see how their lives played out!
I was given an ARC of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
I lost count of the number of times my heart ached for Claire. I could understand the things that were holding her back, but I could also see those things weren’t healthy. And the awareness Claire starts to have about her situation and her anxiety is the most gut-wrenching thing of all.
There are a few times I’m not so happy with Logan, but it’s very obvious that he’s never trying to be a bully or even truly manipulate anyone out of ill intent. He wants to see everyone he cares for living their lives to the fullest and finding happiness. Of course, he thinks he knows best. Those are the times he gets himself into hot water…with me and some of the other characters.
It beautiful to see the connection between Logan and Claire before Logan even realizes what is happening on a deeper level. In fact, before Claire even truly sees this isn’t just her lifelong crush rearing its head and it’s not her imagination that there are feelings developing with them both.
Claire helps Logan to see that he’s putting up walls with his parents so much that he can’t see any good anymore. Not only that, but those walls are actually holding him back from finding true contentment in his life. So, although Logan does a lot to help Claire, she does just as much for him.
Another Jamie Beck book I didn’t want to put down. And still so much between these friends I want to see happen. We get a bit more of Logan’s sister/Claire’s former bestie Peyton this go around. I’m starting to see that she may be redeemable. I’m interested to get her side of the story on a more intimate level. What was she thinking, feeling, hoping for the outcome to be?
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
This may be book 2 in The Sanctuary Sound Series but as I haven’t read book one I can certainly say this book can be read as a stand-alone but I will say I do now want to read the first book in this series as soon as time permits.
Claire and Logan have known each other since childhood in fact they have crushed in each other for many years but Peyton who was Claire’s best friend and Logan’s sister put an end to any friendship when she ran off with Claire’s boyfriend. Claire is trying to build her design business and she is finding it hard in the small town she lives in to expand but is she prepared to take the lifeline Logan throws her way by asking her to redesign his condo in NYC or will she let the past ruin her future.
This book is a very emotional read, it has characters you will fall in love with as well as characters you wil hate until you get to know them and for me that’s what I loved, I enjoyed the journey this author took me on and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
WOW!!! This story definitely has all the feels!! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Claire and Logan’s story in The Promise of Us by the talented Jamie Beck, book two in her Sanctuary Sound series. An opposites attract love story that looks at the struggles and fears a person surviving a brutal and senseless attack by a gunman endures as well as being able to forgive a friend, now recovering from cancer, for earlier digressions that hurt you badly. Ms. Beck tackled difficult topics with sensitivity and this incredible story tugged at my heartstrings and emotions and is one of my top reads this year. Claire and Logan discovered way more about themselves as they connect and challenge each other. For Claire this is a dream come true, having always crushed on Logan despite Logan pushing his own agenda. Logan wanted Claire to forgive his sister as well as overcome the fears that keep her from living a full life. A life Claire once dreamed of having. Logan discovered how lonely his life truly was as well as the cravings he had for a real home and to be loved.
Ms. Beck writes to the soul; the soul of her characters as well as the readers. This wonderful and amazing tale was emotional, and moving, filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I totally loved these characters and didn’t want to put this book down. I highly recommend The Promise of Us to other readers and look forward to Ms. Beck’s next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I won a copy of this book. I was not asked nor required to leave a review. After finishing it I felt I had to share what a great read it is. I am a big fan of Jamie Beck. I’ve read all of her books and was looking forward to this one as I really liked the first of the series. Though it is the second in a series, you can read as a standalone and still love it.
This is a beautifully written terrific read. It addresses real life issues and situations in a realistic honest manner. We get to go along for the ride while watching Claire try to find her way back to the land of the living. She’s spent years in emotional and physical pain from a terrible attack that irrevocably changed her world and crazy over protective parents.
Can shattered friendships be mended? Can we learn to forgive and trust again when the betrayal is so deep ? Is forgiveness even a possibility while dealing with betrayal, mental, physical and emotional health issues, navigating a scary world, wanting and yet terrified to trust and in ones self. Can you move forward and forgive someone who has truly broken you to the very core? I am not sure, but these wonderful kind friends somehow manage to find their way back to each other. Claire was raised by parents who wanted nothing more than to shelter her from the world. When all of her hopes and dreams for the future she planned for herself are shattered with a bullet she fell in line with her mom and viewed anything she could not control as bad, scary, dangerous and not for her. With each year of her life her world seemed to shrink more and more. Then to be betrayed by her long time best friend and boyfriend was about as much as Claire could handle. Then she is put in positions in which she has no choice but to deal with the person who betrayed her and her brother, her life long crush. I found myself impressed with how everyone handled some really uncomfortable and difficult situations. Most of the details above are gleraned from the authors description. No spoilers from me as I don’t want lessen anyones journey along with Claire, Wade and their friends. I hope you are all as excited as I am for the next in the series! I cannot wait.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and also from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am an avid reader/fan of Jamie Beck’s work. This book definitely doe not disappoint. I did not want to put the book down once I got started and I didn’t want it to end.
Claire is a special character and has known Logan since she was young – after crushing on him for many years they find themselves together. Sometimes we need to grow up, live our lives for ourselves and only then we can truly accept the love of another person.
Definitely make this one of your priority reads this year!
If you are looking for a suspenseful , action packed story, this one might not be for you. But if you are looking for a story that is thought provoking , and at times heartbreaking but also heartwarming, this one is definitely for you.
The story centers around Claire McKenna and her physical , mental , and emotional struggles after a mall shooting in her teen years, that left her with devastating injuries and put an end to her potential tennis career .
She is also dealing with the betrayal of one of her best friends. A betrayal that once again puts her in the spotlight of her hometown and one she wishes would disappear.
Enter the world traveling photographer, Logan Prescott, the brother of her betraying friend and also the one she’s crushed on since her youth, and you have a very complex storyline.
But aside from all the interpersonal drama, the story is really about life, losses, crushed hopes, and moving on. Some families, in order to protect us from further pain, will hinder our growth, and instead instill fear of what’s beyond our comfort zone. Other families, might try to fit us in a mold that is far from whom we are, as is the case for Logan. Even Peyton, the secondary character who is Logan’s sister and the one that betrayed Claire, has had to face death and a future she never envisioned.
A complex , engaging storyline filled with complex and imperfect characters. Slower paced than what I am used too, but not less thoughtful.
Kudos to the author for this thought provoking book.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Second in the Sanctuary Sound Series. The author does a wonderful job transitioning from Book 1 to Book 2 with informing the read of what happened previously. You do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but why wouldn’t you?!
This Series follows three bffs from childhood (Steffi, Claire, Peyton) later in their lives. This book is Claire’s time to find love. Living with an crippling injury from a traumatic shooting, has left Claire and her family with PTSD. She shuts herself off from others and the outside world, until her old crush, Logan, comes back to her town to help his sister, Peyton who is dealing with a health crisis. Claire and Peyton have their own issues that need to be resolved.
Ms. Beck did a great job showing how one persons horrific event alters those around her. When our loved one suffers, we all suffer and try to overcompensate for them. PTSD is crippling and debilitating and the author does a wonderful job shedding light on this situation.
Ms. Beck gives us a teaser of the third book, which will focus Peyton. I look forward to reading this one (although I must admit I was hoping for a different love interest), but I can’t wait to see where it will go.
Thanks to Ms. Beck, Montlake Romance and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is my own.
This is the second book in the Sanctuary Sound series that centers around three women, Steffi, Claire and Peyton, aka the Lavender Lane League. All three women have suffered through loss and trauma. This books centers around Claire and Peyton’s brother Logan. Claire was an up and coming tennis player, when she was caught up in a mass shooting at the age of fifteen. Now fifteen years later, she has mostly recovered from the physical wounds, but has not really gotten past the emotional damage. To make matters worse, Claire’s fiancée Todd left her and ran off with Peyton about a year ago. Claire is still angry with Peyton, even after Todd dumped Peyton when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Logan loves his sister Peyton, and has put his life on hold to help her through her cancer treatment. He sees how Peyton is suffering with both her treatments and her guilt about ruining her friendship with one of her best friends. He decides he needs to get Claire to forgive Peyton. He dangles a big decorating job in front of Claire, that will go a long way to help her struggling company. Claire takes the job, despite her reservations about interacting with Peyton and her lingering childhood crush on Logan. I loved how both characters grew, and the relationship developed organically. I cannot wait to see how the author tells Peyton’s story, as everyone, but Logan was team Claire. Should be interesting. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
In exchange for an honest review I was fortunate to receive a ARC copy of The Promise of Us.
Jaime Beck once again transitions from the first book of her series to the second, flawlessly! i LOVED this book!
The Promise of Us, the second novel of the Sanctuary Sound Series could stand alone; however, the background gained from reading the first book in the series, The Memory of You enhanced the relationships significantly – especially between Claire, Logan and Peyton.
I personally loved Claire. Claire’s character transformed from being stuck in the past, ruled by fear and bitterness to being brave and bold – choosing happiness. Claire’s transformation, helped along by Logan, was rocky at first – but with his help she reclaimed old dreams and forgave. I found myself rooting for Claire and Logan with every page of the book!
I can’t wait for the third installment of the series to read about Peyton’s story and see how the friendships continue to grow.
Welcome back to Sanctuary Sound!
Claire is a survivor. She has survived a gunshot wound that ended her aspiring tennis career , endured multiple surgeries, learned to walk again, all
As a teenager . Claire lives a safe, tidy life .
Logan Prescott , rich, world traveled , playboy and brother of Peyton, the girl who stole Claire’s boyfriend.
How can they possibly have a relationship?
I loved this book ! These two made me laugh and cry and cry some more. A book about embracing life and love and pushing past your comfort zones.
Now excuse me while I move to Sanctuary Sound and call up Claire to redecorate my home !!! LOL
(I received this as an ARC for review.)
The Promise of Us was a wonderful story! From life changing situations like cancer and surviving a shooting, to overcoming fears, opening your heart to love, forgiveness, and new friendships. I loved it all! I found myself immediately drawn to Claire and Peyton’s broken friendship and how throughout the story, it is slowly mended! My heart just went out to both of them. And Logan, Peyton’s brother, at times drove me nuts, but he finally grew on me in the end. This was a great read!
The Promise of Us was absolutely outstanding! Almost everything I’d wanted it to be. This is book 2 in the Sanctuary sound series and focuses on Claire and Logan. First of all, the transition from book 1 to book 2 was seamless! I didn’t feel like I missed a thing and throughout this book, we still get to peek into Ryan and Steffi as their relationship progresses. In reading The Promise of Us, Claire underwent some absolutely wonderful personal changes and it was fun to see her cynicism slowly dissipate. Having survived the shooting, soldier through what life had to throw at her, and still be able to push herself and grow is inspiring. Logan was also a fun character. There wasn’t a lot of change for him other than his epiphany that love is what he wanted, needed, and valued most. What I would have liked to have seen was a little more growth in the relationship between Logan and his father.
Jamie Beck does an amazing job making the relationship dynamics so realistic and will keep you wanting more. I truly enjoyed this book and absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in Peyton’s story. I’m hoping for a complete reconciliation between her and Claire and I’d love to see Ben find love as well. I guess we’ll see! If you haven’t started this series, you absolutely should!
Jamie Beck has managed to write a touching story regarding the 4 L’s – life, love, laughter & loss. The Promise of Us follows Claire as she attempts to come to terms with her former best friend, Peyton, moving back into town while recovering from her battle with cancer. Claire has been afraid of being hurt, both physically & mentally. Her promising career in tennis was cut short after she was injured in a shooting that ended up leaving her with a bad leg. Now she plays it safe.
Logan, Peyton’s brother & Claire’s teenage crush, is determined that Claire has to forgive Peyton for breaking her heart & stealing her boyfriend. He doesn’t understand why she is still holding it against her. After all, once Peyton was diagnosed, the jerk left her too. As Claire & Logan get closer, Logan can’t figure out why he’s feeling things differently & why the same things don’t make him happy. Is he beginning to grow up & feel deeper?
Claire roused my sympathies from the very beginning. Yes, she was playing it safe but it seemed like she had it together & if she didn’t want to expand her horizons, who was Logan to force the issue? I understood that Peyton was his sister & had just faced a life threatening disease but he acted like Claire’s emotions were negligible & could just be ignored. He really came off as arrogant & selfish, especially when he couldn’t believe his buddy,Ben was in “Claire’s” side, instead of his. He acted very spoiled & entitled about several things. I truly enjoyed the way they both came to learn more about themselves & each other as they grew closer. This was a very emotional book that was a joy to read & absorb.
Once again Jamie Beck has written another great book. I laughed and cried the characters in this book faced everday problems, situations, highs and lows. The detailing made me visualize every detail. I could escape and be there with Claire and Logan. I suggest this great read and look forward to the next book.
This was a book about friendship, loss, betrayal, forgiveness and love. All the elements were there to tell a wonderful story.
Claire McKenna had suffered a brutal attack years earlier that had shaped the rest of her life. She was fearful of new experiences and traveling outside her comfortable bubble in the small coastal community in Connecticut. Although, the incident had happened many years earlier, she bore the scars on her body and in her mind. To make matters worse, one of her best friends, Peyton Prescott, had betrayed her trust when she became involved with Claire’s boyfriend, Todd. Now, Peyton and her handsome brother, Logan, are both back in town. Peyton had been diagnosed with breast cancer and, at a very young age, had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, along with other treatments to try and cure her. Claire is determined to avoid both Peyton and Logan.
Claire had had a crush on Logan since they were kids. He had always been kind to her but there had never been anything else. Now, Logan, is around and he wants Claire to forgive his sister and move on but Claire is holding on to her anger and fear. Can Logan show here there is a better way? Will Logan finally see that his life can be better with Claire as a part of it?
I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story and how the relationship developed between Claire and Logan and how they both were able to recognize the things in their lives that were missing and how much better their lives could be with the right people and opportunities.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
A heartwarming, angsty story with heartbreaking moments. This story will take you through an emotional ride from the beginning. I enjoyed the storyline and following their journey as they overcome their obstacles and insecurities.
I Loved Claire’s story. Watching her face her fears and see where she is holding herself back from moving forward. A emotional journey with a great ending. Logan is searching for the next big story but sees the bigger picture in life when he gets to know Claire again.
Love, laughter, friendship and rebuilding of life and friendship. A must read.
I received a advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
The Promise of Us by Jamie Beck a four-star read that shows promise. This had the bones of being a really great story and I’m sure for some people it will be, but for me it was just missing something, I think it was just one- or two-character flaws that got me. So, I’m also sure so many people whom they didn’t annoy will give it five-glowing stars as it is a great story. Claire has a great story and it need to be heard, it is told with a dignity and passion that will surprise you. It’s touching and compelling reading that makes this into a better story than it would have been otherwise.