New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan continues her sexy new contemporary stand-alone series with a broken heart and the shattered soul that can heal them both.Macon Brady remembers every moment he lay on the ground, a bullet in his chest, his life bleeding out with each pulse. Yet his nightmares aren’t the only thing keeping him up at night.Dakota Bristol left her ex … Bristol left her ex with nothing but the clothes on her back and her child in her arms. She’s been hurt before and wants nothing to do with the shadows in Macon’s eyes. The problem? Her son loves him, and the more time she spends with the man, the more she’s afraid she’ll come to love him just as much.
Danger always comes back to haunt those who run. It was a lesson Dakota learned before. Now, it might be the man she refuses to fall for who makes the greatest sacrifice of all.
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We all know that Dakota and Macon were meant to be together. Now if only they realized it themselves. Can Dakota trust Macon enough to open up her heart to him? This story was so beautiful.
Dakota will never trust another man with her heart and Macon will never pursue the one he wants due to his PTSD but when danger comes calling for Dakota and her son will he be able to save her from the one from her past…another AWESOME action packed, heart wrenching, suspenseful romance from Carrie Ann Ryan. Loved it I volunteered an honest opinion for this book.
Frenemies to friends to lovers…
Dakota and Macon both have broken lives. Macon was nearly killed last year and Dakota had to run for her life five years ago. Dakota has put up a wall to keep from getting close to another man and Macon is participating in destructive behavior to feel stronger, but they can’t fight the connection. One could say this is a story of trauma and fear, but I think it is more about discovery and renewal. The writing let’s us feel their feels. This close knit family lean on each other, so we see our favorite characters again. The tale gets angsty at times but Is still a sweet sexy read that just makes your heart happy.
This is a stand alone, however I would recommend reading this series in order. Since this is the first Promise Me book I have read I was lost for sometime about what had happened to Macon in a prior book. Not knowing didn’t take away from Dakota and Macon’s story, I just found myself wishing that I knew what happened going in.
It’s Dakota’s turn for the blind date pact. However since her past is coming back with a vengeance, she is going to have to learn to lean on her friends. Even Macon since he is a part of their core group. Macon doesn’t know why Dakota can’t stand him, but her son loves him. Fighting his own demons, neither are ready for a relationship.
I just love Macon. He went through so much and deserved a HEA. My heart aches for him. And Joshua—he is just so adorable. A typical 6 year old boy. As with all these stories there is always danger lurking somewhere. However these strong men and women rise to the occasion and overcome their demons. The pact sisters are down to one. I think it will be the funniest of all. Another amazing story.
Sooo good. Macon and Dakota knew each other but were always sniping or just not being real friendly. He was trying to deal from his being shot trying to save Hazel and Dakota had secrets she had not told anyone. Her business was thriving, she had nice circle of friends and one darling little 6 year old. Joshua was so precious. You can’t help but love him. AS much as I really liked the main characters, Joshua was beyond my favorite. He loves Macon, he wants cats and dogs and is really sweet trying to get them. Some of his little comments made me laugh out loud. Great writing. Can’t wait for Myra and Nate’s story
I got this book from the author for an honest review
I soooooo wanted to give Macon a giant hug throughout this book. Such pain they’ve all endured but have fought to find some semblance of happiness. Now someone from the past is trying to threaten that happiness again.. and Macon won’t stand for that.
This is an action packed story with lots of intrigue and as always heaps of emotion. Macon and Dakota are both trying to overcome past trauma and they seem to hate each other but they really are a great couple. Joshua is an added bonus, he is cute and seems to always say just the right thing to make the adults squirm. The epilogue left me wanting more.
Macon is trying to recover from when he was shot trying to protect his brother’s girlfriend. This is hard for him as he has nightmares often from the shooting.
Dakota is a woman who has secrets that not even her pact sisters fully understand. Macon and Dakota know each other because of Cross and Hazel, Paris and Prior and because of this, their friends and family want them to get along. Dakota is has pulled the “short” straw and is up next to be set up for a blind date. She doesn’t have time to date as she owns and runs the Boulder Bean and needs to be there for her son Joshua. Since her friends know this, they decide they want Macon to take her out for a night away and to work on their friendship. They start to realize that maybe they can be friends and it turns into more as their friendship progresses. It isn’t until Dakota’s past comes back that things really come into perspective for them.
Four and a half stars
Far From Destined is the third in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Promise Me series, and is about single mom and coffee-shop owner Dakota Bristol and veterinarian Macon Brady. Their friends are close, so they’re thrown together often, and despite themselves, really do enjoy each other’s company.
Macon’s dealing with the aftermath of a violent attack that left him nearly bleeding out while he desperately fought to protect those he loves. And Dakota’s past is unfortunately back to haunt her with vengeance on his mind. Neither of them is really in the market for a relationship, but one kind of sneaks up on them while they’re busy resisting their friends’ efforts to encourage them.
Carrie Ann Ryan’s story is a page-turner, weaving together solid friendships, family, and found-family relationships with Macon and Dakota’s growing connection. Far From Destined is a hot, emotionally satisfying read. Macon wins over not only Dakota but her son, and it is a lovely thing indeed to see them come to recognize that they can trust not just the passion between them but the promises they are willing to make. Beautifully done.
Ahh, that ending and bonus epilogue gave me all the warm and happies! I mean, thank goddess because Dakota and Macon had put me through the wringer. Both so independent yet you could see they needed help so much. Both pushing others away, not wanting to be a burden. Both ignoring and actively avoiding the sparks that flared between them. Like all their friends and family, I kept wanting to nudge them, then push them, or trick them, until they got together. They could only hold out so long. The heat between them was amazing and the connection was perfect. And then bad things starting happening, not between them, but to Dakota. The panic Dakota felt, the fear Macon had, it was palpable and radiated off the pages as their big bad presented. These two had such inner strength though and their love only cemented those strengths together. Macon and Dakota ended up together, and happy, with family, and love <3
This is now my fav in the Promise Me series. I say that after each book but the single mother storyline is always a fav of mine. I loved Macon and Dakota and little Joshua. I loved to finally find out more about who Dakota was. And Macon stole my heart. Now, I am dying to see where the next book takes us.