What do you do when you want the one person you can never have? Get in and get out. That was India Robidoux’s plan for this family visit. But when her brother needs her help with his high-profile political campaign, India has no choice but to stay and face the one man she’s been running from for years–Travis, her sister’s ex-husband. One hot summer night when Travis was still free, they … they celebrated her birthday with whiskey and an unforgettable kiss. The memory is as strong as ever–and so are the feelings she’s tried so hard to forget.
Travis Strickland owes everything to the Robidoux family. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for them–his divorce could never change that. Still, he has one regret. Impulsive and passionate, India always understood him better than anyone else. And the longer they work together on the campaign, the more torn he is. Coming between her and her sister is out of the question. But how can he let love pass him by a second time?
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Ms. Williams was a new-to-me offer and I will definitely read more of this series. Especially enjoyed the NC setting.
Wow, what a tangled, messed up family drama!
I loved how this story drew so much from the family’s history as India and Travis finally find their way to their hearts’ desires. Their attraction first burst into flames years ago, but was quickly snuffed out by India’s father manipulations. Grant insisted that Travis marry Elaina, with whom he’d carried on a casual affair before he developed feelings for India. All the secrets surrounding that ill-fated marriage would stay buried for years, until India returns to Jackson Falls and Travis can no longer keep his distance from her.
The push/pull between these two was intense and so emotional, but not at the expense of India’s relationship with Elaina. I loved watching the two sisters work through their own interpretations of past events and their respect for each other as they faced a plethora of hard truths about themselves and their family.
Getting to know Travis was its own journey. He’s got quite the colorful background and seeing him with his family makes it easy to respect how far he’s come. The case he’s working on in this book has far-reaching implications and its own tragic backstory, and I was just as captivated by this part of the story as I was with the romance.
This story starts right at the beginning of Byron’s senate campaign and leads right into his book (Scandalous Secrets). It also lays the groundwork for Elaina’s story, Careless Whispers, so while each book stands alone as its own romance, taken together the three stories enhance each other beautifully. I highly recommend reading all three in order. Grab this one as soon as possible and make yourself at home in Jackson Falls.
To love someone you have to be brave enough to be vulnerable. Synithia Williams did an excellent job of showing strength, courage and vulnerability as these two star crossed lovers finally get their second chance at love. She shows how even people who appear to have it all have weaknesses too. But some weaknesses make us better. I loved this book, the characters were dynamic and real.
This is the first book in Synithia Williams’ Jackson Falls series. I spotted this on Karen Grey’s goodreads and it has some of my favorite tropes: second-chance, friends-to-lovers, & best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend. It was over the top soap-opera-ey. Secret pregnancies, arranged marriages, controlling patriarchs, political aspirations, attempted murder, affairs*, and more. If there was an angsty theme it was in here or was hinted at and will obviously be in the series at some point.
It was glorious!
I loved India, the baby of the family just trying to get out and get away from her long-time crush on her sister’s ex-husband. Travis, despite not being a Robidoux, still finds his life being manipulated and controlled by the patriarch, Grant. Add in India’s siblings, Byron & Elaina, each with their own grand aspirations and secrets. This is like getting a season’s worth of daytime television in an easy to listen to audiobook.
I’m definitely looking forward to The Promise of a Kiss.
*No cheating by MC’s
I enjoyed Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She did a good job with all the voices and emotions. She captures the southern accent perfectly without feeling overdone.
Loved the book. Waiting for the next one
The book was well written (especially considering it was free!) and it was an enjoyable read. I had trouble feeling connected to the characters, so for that reason it was not as engaging as some books I’ve read, but that is likely just personal preference.
I did not like the characters. I kept reading it to see if I would. I never got to a point where I liked the characters. The second half does have some steamy parts and some twists.
I loved this story with its twists and turns
A controlling father cared more about appearances a nd his business rhsn his family. Good story. Too much sex.
Very good book!
Great story but there were times I wanted to slap some sense into India. I understood her loyalty to her family but sometimes when they don’t care why should you. Travis was a saint! What an amazing man and what be had put up with his whole life. Boy from wrong side of the tracks meets the family from the right and wealthy side of the tracks. A great inspiring story. A standalone with an HEA!!
This book was so wonderful. I loved India and Travis so much.
Simply wonderful! A delight to read 🙂
This is the first book I’ve read by Synithia Williams but it won’t be the last. This is second chance romance, family, small-ish town, perfect level of heat, a little suspense thrown in, with a HEA for the main characters and enough side stories to keep this series going. I am IN!
Williams begins with a note about loving soap operas growing up, and this has that feel. There are no weird spells or magical rocks on an island, but all the craziness of a family patriarch who manipulates, siblings who are not necessarily close, one sib who is not like the others, the dark side of family for another main character, the real danger that hangs over them, some political intrigue. You know, the kitchen sink. It’s here and Williams does a great job with it. Nothing overwhelms the main story, just adds layers and intrigue and richness. There were spots where it did slow down a little for me, but not in a “I can’t read this” way, and the story definitely picks up speed once our two MCs finally go all in with each others.
Let’s talk those two MCs. India is a musician, who has loved Travis since she was younger. But he married her sister, Elaina. Yes, see, soap drama! No one knows the whole truth about the marriage, not even Travis and Elaina. I love how India is trying to do right with her family while still trying to hold on to herself. She’s trying to figure out what she wants with her career, with Travis, what it’s all worth. And I love having a musician in the midst of these business and political power players. Travis is also bucking the system. He’s estranged from his criminal family while trying to maintain his independence from the man who lifted him out of poverty with opportunity – which always comes with a price. That man? India and Elaina’s father. And oh yeah, he’s best friends with their brother. Travis is legitimately a good guy, and his descriptions are smokin’ hot. It’s impossible not to cheer for these two.
All of the side characters are interesting and relevant. We see the ties that bind and the costs that carries. Of course we want Grant to get his, the master manipulator father, but that will have to wait until later in the series, I suppose. For now, it’s HEA for India and Travis and I loved it.
Looking forward to the next one in the series and Byron’s story.
Just finished this amazing book it’s really a love story between India & Travis with all of the family drama! After reading this book I’ve realized that never take things for granted if you truly love someone tell them ! Don’t let anything come between your love you could possibly lose them life is too short ! Also don’t let anyone stop you for doing you know whats right! Stand your ground! Can’t wait for the next installment of this book I couldn’t put this book down for nothing and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! You will not be disappointed with this book if you love romance stories and family drama i like this author writing because her writing Brenda Jackson yes i can’t wait for the next installment! #HappyReading #DiverseReader #IWriteReviews #BlackLoveNeverDies
More Books! More Wine! Conversations!Synithia Williams
Beyond the glitz and glamour, drama, secrets, and long held emotions come to life in this story of love acknowledged and claimed.
India Robidoux has flouted the expectations of familial duty, instead following her own path as a skilled and successful violinist. What should be a quick visit home, changes as demands for support of her brother’s political campaign cause her to stay longer. Face to face with the only man she has truly wanted India can no longer ignore the feelings she still has for her one time friend and former brother in law.
Travis is happy that India has returned home, now he just has to convince her to stay. Not daunted by what could be a messy and dramatic choice, he is prepared to claim the woman who has always been in his heart.
The pair will have hurdles to face in order to achieve the true happiness that has eluded them. A satisfying HEA is guaranteed.
I found the other subplots in the book interesting and entertaining. I look forward to see what comes next from the author.
India leaves home just after graduating from High School due to the fact that she and Travis had a romantic moment on the night of graduation. Even though Travis is older than India and was involved with her older sister. So now ten years later she comes back home for a visit but finds out that Travis and her sister is now divorced. Planning on not staying long India’s father and brother wants her to stay home to help out with her brothers campaign to run for public office.
Now this is a heartache for India because she has to work with Travis knowing that she is still in love with him after all these years.
The characters were well developed and some of them make you not like them. There were emotions of love, hurt, pain, family rivalry.
This was my first time reading a book by this author and I look forward to reading more books by her. I highly recommend this book to read.
Cassandra H.
I received a ARC from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion .
This was a good read of romance with friends to Lovers.
Clever soapish romance that really held my attention throughout the story. So much to enjoy that I was able to finish this in a day and a half. Definitely on my list of authors to read agian.
Angsty, passionate, and dramatic!
Forbidden Promises is a heartfelt, intricate, second-chance romance featuring the independent, feisty India and the hardworking, dependable Travis as they discover that even though they really should stay away from each other, they just can’t resist.
The prose is crisp and witty. The characters are intelligent, flirty, hesitant, and intriguing. And the plot is an engaging blend of friendship, emotion, attraction, heat, familial drama, awkward moments, romance, and politics.
Overall, Forbidden Promises is a spirited, seductive, entertaining read by Williams that’s a promising start for this new Jackson Falls series and the perfect choice for those who love soap operas.
Looks are definitely deceiving! Outwardly the Ribidoux family looked like southern royalty, but in reality they were they epitome of dysfunction. As described in the blurb violinist and baby daughter thought after five years away she would quickly visit her family before leaving again. Her brothers bid to become a US Senator put a crimp in those plans. The reason for being away so long made the visit even more difficult. This was a well written, intriguing story that proves to be the start of a great series following a family of secrets.