An emotional friends to lovers romance. No one knows the secret I’ve buried inside.When the unimaginable happens, the past doesn’t matter. Only the future. Only this baby.The grief and guilt are overwhelming, especially when I find comfort in my late husband’s best friend. Taylor Cain isn’t known for letting others in, but he’s here for me in a way no one else is.Even though I’m playing with … here for me in a way no one else is.
Even though I’m playing with fire, his arms are the only place I feel safe.
***
Life can change in the blink of an eye.
When I lose my best friend, I bury my own grief to be there for his pregnant widow. Somehow between vowing to protect Scarlett Gilbert and her baby to holding her in my arms, I developed feelings for her. Feelings I question are within my right.
Having her in my life makes me feel alive for the first time. Between her commitment to his memory and respect for my best friend, we fear judgment for the love we share.
Some say promises are made to be broken, but when I promise her my heart, I intend to keep it.more
I have to admit the first half of this book was a bit slow for my tastes. I enjoy a good slow burn but I didn’t get that feeling with this one. I felt Taylor and Scarlett’s connection instantly and then things fell flat for me for a bit. But after about 50-60% things picked up again and I was totally engrossed in the story.
I love when authors and their characters throw societal expectations out the window and just go for things that make them happy. When this finally happened my tiny heart grew and wanted to explode out of my chest. Much like Scarlett I had tears of joy running down my face.
I loved how Taylor, and all the rest of the guys really, stepped up for Scarlett and become her protector and family. All the characters in this book were great for me. I loved seeing some familiar names from other books giving this series the right set up for just all around emotional, easy, feel good stories. This sets up a great intertwined series and I honestly can’t wait to read the next one. (Lord please tell me it’s Grant)
Promise Her is different than what the author has written in the past but it is just as amazing as the others. This is a book that will pull at your heartstrings. There’s so much to love in this story. Andrea Johnston did such an awesome job that I felt EVERYTHING Scarlett was feeling. If she cried, I cried. She laughed, I did the same. I really felt all of her emotions. Even though she went through a lot of stuff, she was strong as hell. And Taylor…omg. I just love him. He has his own stuff to work through but through it all, he was still able to fall in love even though he didn’t think he could.
This is a story that I would recommend over and over again! Can’t wait to see what else is in store!
This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I’m not just saying that as her cheerleader and her right hand! It’s good, you guys. Knowing what was going to happen from the blurb, didn’t make this book any easier to read… I’m also a HUGE slow-burn fan, and this book was the perfect amount of slow burn meets angst. It’s a perfect storm of emotion.
Emotional, profound, and beautiful. It feels like an Andrea book, but has a completely different tone than the CR series. It has a much darker undertone, and I can’t wait for more in the series.
I read this book a few weeks ago and I cannot stop thinking about this story! Scarlett and Taylor have been friends for years, but a recent loss that leaves them shattered and broken brings them together in a way that they never expected. I loved how supportive they were with one another, I loved the slow progression of their relationship and I loved all the angst in this book! I’ve never read a book that has pulled so many emotions out of me. I cried, I laughed, I swooned and my heart melted over the ending. This book will tug on your heartstrings and leave an imprint on your heart. I didn’t just fall in love with this story, I fell in love with the characters and their small-town charm. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
The day I first heard about this book I knew that I needed it in my life. I love it when a book can make the outside world fade away and this one sure did that! Promise Her made me feel it all and it touched my heart!
Such an emotional and wonderful read! Two friends that become more and relating so much to the heroine was amazing! She’s my favorite and I’m just so blessed I got a chance to read this book by the amazing Andrea Johnston!
Slow Burn Southern Charm
I loved this book! The slow burn. The southern charm. The protectiveness Taylor had with Scarlett. The “family” that Taylor and his brothers in arms were. I loved how smoothly the two world collaborate. Seeing the two worlds come together, Lexington and Fayhill. The title of this book was perfect. Fantastic read! Can’t wait for more men of Lexington.
I haven’t read a book from Andrea that I didn’t like, Boy was I cursing her at times reading this one, have a box of Kleenex ready when reading this, this story was so heart wrenching but absolutely wonderful at the same time, I wish i could give it more than 5 stars.
This is a spin off of the Country Roads series, and first book in the Military Men of Lexington series, can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading her Country Roads series since they were also amazing. I can’t wait to see what this series has in store for us.
An inspiring, Second chance, friends to lovers romance. It has all the parts of a romance you love!!! If you like romance, steaminess, and unexpected twists and turns, this book is for you!!
Tragedy brings people closer. This story is a story of tragedy and people helping others. The characters are real and raw. I get such heartbreak for Scarlett. She is facing something someone should never have to deal with. Your heart breaks and you hope they can be put back together.
Taylor is a strong male figure in the book. He has lost someone close and is torn up. He takes care of Scarlett, but other things happen. I loved them and how their relationship developed and grew. Truly an inspiring story of second chances and find love again after tragedy.
This book was the beginning of a new series but had some returning favorites from previous books. What a wonderful story! Taylor is the bar owner from the Country Road series and a military veteran. Scarlett is the pregnant widow of Taylor’s best friend Henry who went to the military with him. What starts out as a perceived obligation to take care of Scarlett turns into so much more! What a great read this was! Already looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
Get ready to swoon hard and have your heart clenched. But what else is new from Andrea Johnston, right? I love this story. This is the story of Taylor who is known character for those following the Country Roads series. He is out of the military now and living alone. He thinks that’s the way he likes it. Then tragedy happens. His childhood friend Henry, who also served with him is killed in a car accident. That’s not where the tragedy ends. He leaves behind a pregnant wife. Scarlet is all alone she feels. She does have the family that has adopted her through her husband meaning his military buddies but she has to prepare herself to raise her baby alone. She doesn’t expect to become so close to her deceased husbands best friend Taylor. And guilt is taking over because before Henry died they were going to divorce but still raise their child together. As time goes on Taylor and Scarlet form a tight friendship with romantic feelings they try to ignore but cant. Especially once Scarlet’s son is born. This is a heart gripping story. This is a romance that seems forbidden but really it’s what Taylor and Scarlet need and deserve. And this story isn’t over once the baby is born and they accept their feelings. Scarlet becomes in danger. That was a twist I expected but at the same time didn’t see coming. I can’t for more from this series. Who doesn’t love a great military romance? And this story is more than just a romance. It’s about two people finding each other at a time when they need each other the most.
Scarlett Gilbert has just lost her husband. Widowed and pregnant, she finds comfort, solace, and friendship with her husband’s best friend, Taylor Cain.
Taylor and Scarlet’s relationship is not an insta-love or immediate attraction. Theirs is more of a slow burn; a connection that builds over time in the most unexpected of ways. Though they both feel it, neither is sure of the other’s feelings, and they each fear how their attraction may be perceived by others.
“I will care for her, protect her, and most of all promise her.”
Taylor is a good guy. He is fiercely loyal and protective. As his feelings for Scarlett began to change, I could feel his internal struggle. His guilt. His anger at himself.
“Life is strange; sometimes, even surrounded by friends and those who care about you most, loneliness can consume you.”
Scarlet is funny and sweet, but her heart is broken, for many reasons. And she feels like she is suffocating under the weight of the secret she carries.
Promise Her does a really good job of showing how we are never prepared for loss, how we all grieve in different ways, and how even though we may struggle with guilt, it is okay to go on and live after loss. It is okay to laugh; it is okay find beauty in the world, and it is okay to find happiness again.
If I took one lesson away from this story, it is this:
“Live the life we want, the one we dream of, and make it our reality.”
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I have read by Andrea and I absolutely loved it! I fell in love with the characters I would recommend this book to everyone!
Absolutely wonderful and heart wrenching. In my opinion this is one of her best books. Taylor and Scarlett ripped at my heart strings between the tears I had at the love and adoration they saw in one another. This is a story that you read where all of the emotions come off the page, right into your soul. Highly recommended read that will stick with you for a long time.
This was my first read by Andrea Johnston and it won’t be my last. Promise Her was a sweet friends to lovers slow romance. The circumstances surrounding their friendship was wrought with sad history. We get taken along for the ride to experience their gradual slide from friendship to more. This book written from Taylor’s point of view and Scarlett’s point of view. I normally don’t point out this information but, I think, it’s vital to the story line to get in both character’s heads. There is a close knit group of friends and you see how important friends are in times of need.
Do you like friends to lovers? Check. Do you like romance? Check. Do you like a little mystery? Check.
This book has quite a few elements and makes for a very enjoyable read.
This is the first book I have read from Andrea. This was a gripping heart wrenching a little suspense sweet storyline. Taylor and Henry have been best friends since they were 5 . One tragic event ends that. But Henry leaves someone behind that needs Taylor. But will be able to put aside his guilt and take care of her. I love Scarlett . I loved how even when things are going rough for her she tries to remain strong. She deals with so much but still remains strong for her little one. This was a very sweet enjoyable story about moving on after something tragic. Love Taylor and Scarlett together. These two have some amazing chemistry. I will definitely be reading more from this author. Highly recommend.