For the love of books… Top Shelf Romance is devoted to bringing readers a new standard of Romance. Unforgettable books in a collection you’ll cherish. Promise Me Forever is a collection of four best-selling novels, including: Drive by Kate Stewart Ghost by A Zavarelli The Stolen Duet by BB Reid Flow & Grip by Kennedy Ryan Top Shelf Romance represents the best of the best in romance. There … Ryan
Top Shelf Romance represents the best of the best in romance. There are no cliffhangers. These are simply must-read novels for readers looking for the best in happily ever afters.
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Flow is the introduction or the prequel of an epic story..
The beginning of Grip and Bristol
This book was a surprise for me it was the first book I read from Kennedy but I know her work…
Grip
Wow, it took me so much time to get around Grip because I knew it was going to be a very emotional ride and I needed to have a few strong hairs in me, haha not to cry that much but wow this book is just breathtaking.. so many emotions through the whole story… The way Kennedy take us in this ride full of love, and raw emotions, is just beautiful…
Grip is the continuation of Bristol and Grip story .. it is a very emotional book.. not only because Bristol and Grip have so many ups and downs, as well as so many challenges that life and people throw at them because they’re an interracial couple .. they’re constantly fighting so many obstacles including their families, who are against their relationship.. so many things are at stake for Bristol’s mom and a few other people who are determined to separate them…
Grip is the typical boy who comes from the wrong side of the neighborhood but his mamma kept him away from the wrong side… Grips is a fighter he is trying to make something of himself.. he has a very deep soul, he is persistent, a very talented hip hop artist trying to make his way on the music industry Bristol works as his Manager making their relationship a lot of harder…
Bristol is a very strong heroine, beautiful, sassy and comes from a very rich family…. she is also vulnerable and sensible, she keeps herself from Grip thinking she is doing the right thing.. and also remembering old words from her past that keep coming back to hunt her and making her feel that men and love are not to be trusted … but no matter how much she tries Grip has the power to make her fall to her knees (well sometimes lol) because she is stubborn as hell.
You’re going to cry, laugh and sometimes want to slap a few characters .. Prepare yourself for a great story full of love and emotions that will leave you with a book hangover for days.. love Kennedys words.
I can’t wait to start Still
Drive by Kate Stewart
Oh, my heart!!!
No wonder all my book friends are loving this story so much.
I cried my year out with this book and still want more of all the ups and downs of my heart because this means perfection from the beginning to the end.
I Love second chance romances and this story was exactly what I wanted from my heart and mind to feed and read in a beautiful love between two perfect souls and all the sacrifices they had to do and live with til they found a way back into each other arms.
Nothing short of spectacular.
Flow by Kennedy Ryan
I absolutely loved this beautiful and heartbreaking introduction to Grip and Bristols story.
We first met them in the Ms. Ryan’s Soul series. We knew they had a history and are now learning the depth of what they feel for each other. When Bristol flew to LA to reconnect with her twin, Rhyson, on spring break, Marlon ‘Grip’ James picked her up from the airport. They spent the evening getting to know each other while Rhyson was working. They connected right from the start, not only physically but emotionally and intellectually as well. They believed they could really have a future together until Grips past came to haunt them both. Bristol went home heartbroken. This is a great start to their love story and is a must read! I can’t wait for more!
Grip by Kennedy Ryan
This epic love story is exactly why I read! It was so passionate, romantic, emotional and raw. This story picked up years later after the end of Flow. Bristol finished college and moved out to LA to reconnect with her twin brother, Rhyson, and to help him with his career. She is also Grip’s manager and his biggest supporter. Grip has wanted Bristol to give him a second chance but she refuses to give in. She loves so fiercely that she is afraid she is like her mother and will not be able to survive if he breaks her heart. She was never good enough for her parents growing up and she is just looking for that someone who will show her she is important to them. Everyone thinks she is cold, but she really just loves too much and will fight fiercely to protect them. That is why she is afraid to give that power to Grip. I loved Grip so much! He and Bristol were from totally different worlds but he recognized how perfect she was for him. They fought to understand each other and where they came from and connected down to their souls. But being an interracial couple has so many challenges especially in the public eye, will they be able to fight them all to be together?
Ms. Kennedy expertly weaved a multifaceted story about love and sacrifice, loyalty and betrayal, passion and heartache so beautifully. I love how poetic her writing style is. It is so alluring and seductive that when the twists and turns happen, you definitely feel every emotion. I wasn’t ready for it to end. This is a beautiful, emotional, and sexy romance that is a must read!
Top Shelf Romance is bringing you some of the best modern classics of romance in Collection 3, PROMISE ME FOREVER, featuring FOUR bestselling authors …
Drive by Kate Stewart : Drive isn’t a book you just read. It’s a love triangle where no one is the bad guy. That’s the best way to describe what’s happening between these pages. It is heartbreaking and uplifting, passionate and emotional and so well written I could have read for days! The pull these characters and their journey had on me is indescribable. I felt everything that was happening and then some. Yes, it frustrated me. I mean what triangle doesn’t, but it wasn’t an annoying frustration it was more of a oh my God she has to pick? Noooooooo. I didn’t just fall in love with Stella, but I fell in love with the two men she loved as well. This story was a punch to the gut in the most glorious of ways.
Ghost by A Zavarelli : I am both annoyed and thrilled that this story was part of this boxset. Annoyed because it’s the third book in a series that after reading the story I am 100% certain needs to be read from the beginning to fully capture the extent of these character’s circumstances. Thrilled because this story was so epic, I now have five Boston Underworld books cued up in my kindle to read!
Everything that happens in this story is intense and has purpose. I was riveted. And scared. Maybe a little #twitchy. But always captivated to the point I may have not taken a breath! I mean daaaaammmnnnn wow!! I cannot understand how I have missed this author all these years *mind blown*
The Stolen Duet by BB Reid: The Bandit and The Knight : Holy Mother of ALL DARKNESS and INTENSITY …. What did I just read?!
Listen, if you decide to read this duet, and I strongly suggest that you do, I need you to understand that there are ZERO rainbows and gumdrops up in these people’s lives. ZERO. But there is an epic love story hiding in the layers of this dark and twisted tale that will make you feel like you’ve exploded. After I finished this duet I had to take a break on this boxed set because I was just exhausted. It was a glorious exhaustion but exhaustion, nonetheless. There were many times when I didn’t get the endgame of the decisions/choices *some* people made in this journey, but it was they choice and in the end, it turned out to be exactly what needed to happen. So I went thru a myriad of emotions while reading this story from really high highs to really frustrating lows but the entire time I was captivated!!
Flow & Grip by Kennedy Ryan : I knew I wasn’t going to have time to read Still after I read Flow & Grip so I’m waiting until I can to read all three together. Technically, from what I’ve been told, Flow & Grip are their own full length standlone story but …. i’m OCD so sue me *shrug*
Promise me forever – top shelf romance book 3!
Kate Stewart, B. B. Reid, A. Zavarelli and Kennedy Ryan.
I’ve known almost all of these authors for a while know and am absolutely in love with their books, their writings, with absolutely everything!
So let me tell you about this amazing books that are included in “Promise me forever”
Drive by Kate Stewart:
Drive is a story about Stella and how her life changes from one phone call.
I really can’t say much about this book without a spoiler so I just say that you’ll really love this book. Especially if you’re a music lover, if you looove angst!! and if you’re not against a love .
Ghost by A. Zavarelli:
This is the third book in the Boston Underworld series. While I haven’t read the first and second book I was totally hooked from the beginning of this book! It features Thalia and Alexei. Thalia has been through hell and back. Her story broke me, it was so hard to read, made my insides hurt – but the writing was on point
Alexei is the wolf in wolf’s clothes (I hope you get what I mean with this one ). He rescues her from hell only to ‘trap’ her in an arranged marriage. She’s yearning for true love, for somebody to lean on.
Alexei comes of hard and closed off, but he’s also been trough his own shit and therefore tells Thalia that he’ll never love her the way shes craving…
This story is really dark and heartbreaking, but a total 5 read! Amazing writing from the author!!
The Stolen Duet by B. B. Reid:
Mian and Angel – what a couple
Gotta admit that at first I liked neither of them, but that quickly changed after fully diving into the story!
Mian really surprised me. At first I thought she’s that naive little girl, but damn was I wrong. I loved her character!! She’s actually so strong and badass
And her and Angel together – frcking explosive!! I love it when the tension strikes and the chemistry is just about as explosive as fire and gas that’s exactly the way it is with those two!
Flow & Grip by Kennedy Ryan:
The author was killing me with the two main characters Grip and Bristol. It felt like it took them decades to get their stuff together
But that was ok because I really loved the connection that they have and therefore I would’ve waited like forever for them to be together
This is a great collection of romance books by great authors! Definitely recommend picking up.
Do you want to read romance stories by 4 best selling authors in one book? Promise Me Forever is the book to pick up for the long weekend.
Drive – Kate Stewart
Great characters, road trip, love and music, surprises. Read this story with the playlist play on Spotify. As this was my first time reading Kate Stewart, I love it! I am now a fan.
Ghost – A Zavarelli
This author is new to me, but I quite enjoyed reading this story. The characters are so developed, the story flows easily. Alexsi and Talia have some issues from their past that are dealing with. Ghost is a page-turner!
Stolen Duet – BB Reid
BB Reid’s books are always intense, this story is no less. This story is action-packed and intense. My emotions ran high with this story, I want to jump in this story to knock sense into the characters! Read with a some wine!
Grip & Flow – Kennedy Ryan
I am a Kennedy Ryan fan. Marlon and Bristol’s story is very timely. It deals with social issues – race, socio-economic classes, it is a thought-provoking romance. As with Kennedy Ryan’s work, the characters are developed with many layers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Promise Me Forever 3!!!
Promise me forever is an amazing collection with great authors
B.B Reid’s Stolen Duet is one of my favourite. The dark and twisted story of Angel and Mian’s story had me hooked till the end.
Ghost by A. Zavarelli is a brilliant read. This book had me left with the longing to read the rest of the series.
Drive is my first read by Kate Steward. It is a heartful love triangle story. An emotional and raw novel full of angst.
Flow and Grip by Kennedy Ryan just blew me away. This story was just WOW
Drive – Kate Stewart
Kate Stewart! She’s capable of writing anything and I mean anything. From suspenseful erotica, hilarious romcom to angsty second chance romance. She masters any genre.
Drive nurtured my music loving heart and my love for romance. I was blown away by this epic story and the author’s lyrical prose.
Drive has cemented Kate Stewart as an author who writes without restraint. Her love and passion for music shines through every word. I’m in love and on a high.
This is Stella’s journey and it was meticulously executed. I felt I lived vicariously through her. I saw myself in her and could relate to her.
Stella says pretty early in the story: “Music is the heart’s greatest librarian”. That’s her in a nutshell.
Her passion and outlet is music. Lives and breathes it which also reflects on her emotionally. She studies journalism so she can capture and share her love for music with the world. Stella has a voice and she wants to be heard.
Stella meets the handsome and brooding drummer Reid who plays for the unknown band Dead Sergeants. Their connection is instantly. Like magnets. Reid has a lot of emotional s**t he’s dealing with but their connection is undeniable.
Stella plays a huge part in the birth of Dead Sergeants and them becoming famous. Her faith in Reid and the band is unparalleled. I loved that about her. Her selflessness and also her determination to achieve her goal. Which is writing for the Austin Speaks paper to cover artists and music.
It takes a toll on their relationship when Reid doesn’t believe and has faith in his future with The Dead Sergeants. He’s also battling his own demons. Feeling that he’s not enough for Stella. In his own eyes he’s nothing. She just wants him. Their love is a drug. Potent. Like Stella I was addicted to their story, their evolving connection and I also feared that the bubble would eventually burst.
Reid wanted to feel worthy of Stella and that led them both on different paths which only made them grew and change as people.
You have to experience Stella’s journey. The secondary characters are just as interesting and complex as Stella and Reid. Especially Lexi and Ben. Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I want their story.
When I read the prologue I was intrigued and as the story developed I questioned the why and how. I loved that nothing was certain and how the hell had Stella gotten to that place in the prologue. The story was never predictable and the plot was flawlessly executed with a compelling narrative.
Drive resonated with me because of my love for music and romance. I recognized the artists and references. I was transported into a time warp and I never wanted to leave.
Yes, Drive is about music but this story is so much more. It’s about love and what the heart is capable of. Loving two people. Irrevocably and making a choice.
Drive is unforgettable and I was seduced by Stewart’s indisputable voice which proves that Drive is in a league of its own. Wow!
5+ Look Up Stars
Flow – Kennedy Ryan
When I read the Souls series I was very much intrigued by Grip and Bristol’s relationship and wondered what was their story. Because they certainly had chemistry in spades. Their simmering lust and attraction also hinted at a much more deeper connection.
With Flow, a short prequel, I got not just a hint but a pretty damn good look into how they first met and how deep their relationship goes. Especially on a personal level. Their interactions were phenomenal and I loved how comfortable they were around each other. They reveled in each other’s company and their conversations flowed effortlessly, layered with so much intensity. I couldn’t remove my eyes from the intoxicating prose and words of Kennedy Ryan. Grip and Bristol were amazing and turned out to be very complex and multi layered characters. I loved the range and depth of their conversations which were a great mixture of race and culture. Also their own views and opinions of today’s and the 90’s society played a huge part of this story and I appreciate that Ryan chose to go that route with Grip and Bristol. My impression and love for both of them only expanded and I got so much more excited as the story progressed.
I can easily tell that Kennedy Ryan is a huge fan and admirer of poetry. Her prose feels just like that. Poetry. Her words flows with ease, gently pulls my along like a wave and I’m immersed. I’m in another world, the world of Kennedy Ryan and that’s definitely the place to be.
5 Chocolate Charm Stars
Grip – Kennedy Ryan
I was definitely wooed by Grip and his delicious chocolate charm. Marlon aka Grip isn’t all about being a famous hip hop star. No, he has so much story hidden behind those good looks of his. A voice to be heard because he has plenty to say. Not just through his lyrics but also in general. A very strong opinion and a talent beyond words. He’s also a good man who’s been raised right by his mother in a tough environment in Compton. When he finally gains success he never forgets where he’s from or the people that matter the most to him.
Bristol is my kind of woman and I have to be honest that I wasn’t a fan of hers when I met her in the Souls series. But already while reading Flow I had to admit that I was wrong. She won me over and after reading Grip I want her as my best friend cause she kicked ass. I also saw a more vulnerable side to her that immediately captured me. That vulnerability goes back to her strained relationship with her parents and her brother Rhyson. It will also play a huge role in her relationship with Grip.
Grip and Bristol’s relationship is extraordinary and so intense that I got chills every time they were around one another. There’s so much history between them since their friendship goes back years. That only strengthened my connection and my need to know more. What I love about them is how at ease and comfortable they were with each other. They connected on deeper level. Through conversations about race, society and music. Only open to each other’s opinions and never narrow minded. One thing they both wanted explore further was their mutual attraction which was out of this world. Simply magical. Their love and how far they will go for it and one another knows no bounds. I was drunk on their love.
One of many things Kennedy Ryan succeeds with in Grip and also Flow are her choice of topics and how she weaves them into Grip and Bristol’s story. Especially music and race plays a huge and important role. It gives the story an edge but most importantly it also gives more depth to the characters. Not just to Grip and Bristol but also to the secondary characters. Grip is an extraordinary story with a powerful message which has to be experienced.
5 Poetic Stars
Promise Me Forever is an excellent collection with a little something for everyone – suspense and intrigue, passion, current and timely issues, and above all, love, so much love!
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Drive by Kate Stewart: 5 stars
Stella gets a call that her ex is getting married and it spurs a road trip. The reader is privy to her entire story playing out as she drives, with a playlist all there in the forefront, in the background, all over.
This is a love triangle, which I normally can’t stand, but it’s pretty flawlessly told. I won’t say if I agreed with her choice, but I can say I love both men and she had one hell of a choice to make because they were equally amazing guys.
I loved Drive. It’s a heartfelt and emotional journey.
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Ghost by A. Zavarelli: 5 stars
I read Ghost back when it was first released and absolutely loved it. How could I not? It’s part of my favorite series – Boston Underworld, and has one of the best heroes of all time – Ghost (Alexei), hacker extraordinaire for the Boston branch of the Vor. He and the woman who will become his everything, Talia, have a painful journey to love because she’s been damaged by the men who bought her, and already had emotional problems beforehand, and Ghost is fighting his own demons.
My original review of Ghost still stands, but I won’t put it here – it’s too long, I’ll just say that Ghost is one of my favorite stories in my favorite series. Ghost and Talia are a strong couple who ran through a million obstacles for their love in the blended Russian/Irish mafia world that Ashleigh Zavarelli has created.
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The Stolen Duet by BB Reid: 5 stars
When Mian’s left orphaned by her dad going to prison, she gets sent off to family who don’t care for her at all. Kicked out onto the streets for being pregnant, she makes the choice to break into the wrong man’s house. The man who used to be the boy who cared for her but is now a hardened man intent on revenge.
This is a fabulous duet!! Angel is sexy and alpha af, and in love with the woman whose son he kidnapped for revenge. Mian is such an amazing character – strong and loving with a steel backbone. I love that she made Angel work for forgiveness at the end, and made sure she was making the right decision not only for her child, but for herself as well. I will remember this duet for a long time – it’s sexy and intriguing and suspenseful, addicting reading.
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Flow and Grip by Kennedy Ryan: 5 stars
In Flow we get the prequel to Marlon and Bristol’s journey. She’s his best friend’s twin and she’s come to visit. They are immediately attracted, but she’s off limits. So a few kisses but a ton of tension, and a cliffhanger. They start off with a bang. I can already tell in the prequel that their journey is gonna be a bit painful.
Grip is the full length version of their story. It’s set in the present where he’s already a full blown A list rapper named Grip and she’s his manager. They shouldn’t be together, and a lot of people don’t want them to be, but neither cares. To them, color of their skin, socio-economic class, upbringing, none of that matters, because love doesn’t see any of these things. Against all odds, they fall in love and fight like hell to be together and to stay together. I fell hard for this couple and love the timeliness of their story. I could easily see this being made into a movie, and I’d definitely go see it!
Drive by Kate Stewart
Rated 4.5 Stars
Drive was one heck of a ride. It kept me highly entertained for the most part. I loved going on this journey with these characters and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Flow by Kennedy Ryan
Rated 4.5 Stars
This is my first book this author and it most certainly won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the rest of this story.
Grip by Kennedy Ryan
Rated 4 Stars
I had issues with the first part of this book mostly because I didn’t like the heroine’s reason for staying away from the hero in fact I wanted to shake some sense into her.. I also didn’t much care for their actions while they were apart however the last 40% of the book worked for me on many levels. I’m looking forward to reading the continuation of there story.
Copy provided by author
This collection is fantastic.
Drive by Kate Stewart
5 unexpected stars
I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but it sure as hell wasn’t to be punched in the gut. It shows the beauty of love as an emotion that can be tied to music.
“Because music is the heart’s greatest librarian. A few notes had the ability to transport me back in time, and to the most painful of places. Take any song from the Rolodex of your life, and you can pin it to memory. It translates, resonates, and there it will remain. And no matter how many of those Rolodex cards you want to rip out and burn like an old phone number to make room for new ones, those songs remain and threaten to repeat.”
This story was beautifully told. I was floored at Kate’s ability to make you fall in love with two characters the way she did.
“Love doesn’t die, even when you stop feeding it. There is no expiration date on the ache of missing someone you shared your heart, life, and body with.”
Nate or Reid. I am not sure I could even decide between the two. They both are top BBF’s now. My heart hurt for Stella.
“In love with two worthy kings, and I was queen of the damned.”
This story could have gone either way. The brilliance of that is in either scenario my heart would have hurt for the one not chosen. That takes skill.
Bravo.
Ghost by A Zavarelli
5 stars
This is my second time reading this book and first time leaving a review because at the time I didn’t realize the importance of more than just ranking the books.
This entire series is fantastic but this book might be my favorite. Strong characters, great storyline, steamy moments that might come close to melting your kindle, and intense Bratvya action.
I enjoyed the push and pull in regards to Alexsi and Talia, especially, as they both were dealing with some pretty intense baggage. I will say that the story itself is gritty and brutal at times. I was all in watching these two amazing characters fall-in-love.
Highly recommend this series and this book. It can be read as a standalone but I definitely would go back and read them all because it is that good. There are triggers in this story so be warned.
The Stolen Duet by BB Reid
The Bandit
5 Are You Kidding Me Stars
I was NOT prepared in any shape or form for this book. This had me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. The cliffhanger at the end had me almost throwing my kindle because it is just that good. Looking back, I am not sure how I managed to wait for book two because it was that intense.
Vicious antihero, incredible storyline, INTENSE interactions, Panty melting chemistry/steam, and suspense made for an incredible first part. Told in dual POV, I couldn’t stop reading this book because I NEEDED to know where this story was going. It was that good, that I dreamt about it, trying to come up with how this story was going to evolve in book two. Luckily, in this book, part two is included and there is no wait time to get the answers.
The Knight
5+ stars
I have eagerly been waiting for this book after Bandit. It did NOT disappoint. Mian is still fiery and trying to protect her son and her heart and Angel… He is still as hot and badass as ever. The things he did to show that he chose her over his legacy was powerful.
I loved the joking between Z, Lucas, and Mian. I am sooooooo looking forward to the spinoff series.
Flow & Grip by Kennedy Ryan
Flow
4.1 stars
In this prequel, the author gives insight into how Grip and Bristol came to be. This is sweet but didn’t grab my attention the way that Grip did.
Grip
5 changed the template of who I am stars
This book changed the very template of who I am
Writing a review for this one on the second read through, and I have to say, and I am not sure how it is possible, but I loved this book more the second time around. I felt Everything differently this time. This connection is palpable and visceral. I hurt when they were apart because it was almost as if there was a string there connecting me to them that was pulled taut.
There is a reason that this author is award-winning because the way that she weaves a story and mesmerizes her audience is truly legendary.
“I’ve had some pretty wild dreams about Bristol Gray. But in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t imagine that not the nakedness of her body, but the nakedness of her soul, would be the thing that tempted me the most.”
There is just something about her cadence and stylistic choices that makes her extraordinary. I appreciated her insight into racism and the prejudices people have about color. It still boggles my mind that this is even an issue because the color one’s skin is painted in should have no bearing on the person that they are on the inside. I highly love this book and even though Bristol is my girl, Grip owns my heart.
An exceptional example of four fantastic authors collaborating to give us some of their amazing reads.
These books are complete books and the perfect anecdote to read during vacation or quarantine or frankly anytime.
Each author offers completely different stories that will have you devouring and savoring each one. Well written, with flawed characters you can’t help falling in love with…
This is storytelling at its best as each author offers their own spin on “romance”!!
Drive by Kate Stewart was freakin awesome!!
You all need to meet Estella Rosa Maria Emerson. This book took me on a thrilling adventure that was exciting and scary and full of surprises!
Ghost by Ashleigh Zavarelli is book 3 in the Boston Underworld series and while it can be fully enjoyed as a standalone reading the prior books introduces you to the characters. That said, you all need to Talia and Alexei’s story. This Mafia story is dark, edgy, and full of twisted suspense. Both have had terrible pasts and what they do to overcome it is well worth discovering!
The Stolen Duet by B. B. Reid is the intense, seductive and super sexy story of Mian and Angeles is well worth checking out!
Flow & Grip are the prequel and book 1 in the Grip series. These were my first reads by this author and is where I fell in love with her writing. Raw, sexy and exciting theres was so much more to this story!