Giving my virginity to a stranger was my first mistake.Lying about my age, my second.Never expecting to see Lex again, my third.He promised me one night and I took it, never expecting anything in return. Then a few months later, I see something I shouldn’t have and fate brings us back together again. I didn’t mean to see it and I wasn’t snooping. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the … be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that doesn’t matter to them. I’m a liability.
Now Lex is everywhere I am. Following me, watching me, and making sure I don’t tell anyone what I saw that night.
He’s dominating, possessive, and downright controlling sometimes. He warns me of how dangerous this could be for both of us. He tells me that he doesn’t want to hurt me, but he has no idea what seeing him again is doing to me.
Not when I have secrets of my own, secrets Lex isn’t ready to hear.
When all the lies are told and secrets come out, will the promises that we made in the dark be kept in the light?
This is book five in the North Woods Series. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. Contains adult situations, and themes.
more
Lex may just be the most likeable of all the characters. Kind, protective and loyal, his idea of giving time a chance to prove trust is one encouraging. Jude has many secrets, some of which are shown through her actions, and others of which are shown in intimate moments. This is more of an emotional read, than a bully read which is the case of most of the North Woods stories. There is ties to previous series: the Rossi Family, but it is not necessary to read those in order to enjoy this one.
Phenomenal!
Book five in the Northwoods University series, this is Lex and Jude’s story. Lex has stolen my heart, he is such a great character and his dedication to Jude is phenomenal. I loved seeing the rest of the Miller clan and Roman, Luke and Xander Rossi were just the cherry on top! Can’t wait for more in this series.
I read a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
The Promise is a heart-wrenching masterpiece of epic proportions! This story never stops and never gives up just like its incredible characters. It will seep into your veins and embed itself into depths of your heart. Never once will it make you question the motive of a broken and lonely heart. Instead, it is a war cry that will echo from the deepest valley and the tallest mountain that hope will never die and love will never stop searching for us. Once it finds us, we only have the best things to look forward to like living and healing and loving and savoring.
Jude has claimed a precious treasure with pain, hard choices, and too many tears to count. All she wants to do is move forward and live her best life. Lex is thrilled to find the woman who left his heart burning with an unquenchable fire. He couldn’t be happier to find her again. However, life is never easy, and we all have hard choices to make. In the end, Jude must decide what means more to her: freedom or love.
I have been waiting to hear Lex’s story for awhile now, and I was definitely not disappointed. I knew Lex was a big guy with an equally huge heart. He just needed his heart to find the one woman who could bring him completion and happiness. When he found her everyone knew it would be game over. She just didn’t get that memo, so convincing her would take some time and all of his heart.
Beck and Hallman are my literary heroes when it comes to stories of the heart. They can destroy you beyond recognition, and then transforms you into a completely different person. They are magic, and they know how to use it to hook you for a lifetime. You don’t want to miss out on their brilliance and genius!
love this series
Jude and lex grabbed my heart and squeezed intense emotional broken beautiful heartstopping love story
all the feels ready for more
I just loved this emotional romance. Jude and Lex’s story will send your emotions spinning and leave you with a major case of “The Feels”. Lex was all things swoony!! I adored his protectiveness and I admired him for trying to shelter Jude while giving her the room to grow and be who she wanted to be and you could see how hard that balance was for him. This guy worked so hard to earn Jude’s trust and heart, that he had my own heart melting! As for Jude, my heart ached for her. But you also had to like her fierceness and determination. I found the story very engaging and I was easily pulled into it’s powerful blend of emotional turmoil, drama, tension, angst, heat and heart. An excellent read and an awesome addition to this series.
I really enjoyed Lex. I feel he was different from the others. Lex was really wanting to do the right thing and protect and care for Jude. There’s a bit of push pull. Mild angst level. Glad to see Jude stand up to her father. HEA.
This my my favourite North Woods University book. JL Beck and C Hallman gave us such a protective character with Lex. He intrigued me since the Vow so when I saw his story was being written I got excited. He is by far my favourite out of the brothers. Jude is so strong. You can’t help but gravitate to her sheltered character. They have great chemistry and you just can’t help but fall in love with the two. This is a must read!
Anytime I see a book written by these two incredibly talented authors, I buy it. I’ve reviewed a few of their books now and I find myself repeating praises. But what else can I do? They never disappoint me; I’m always very satisfied when I finish one of their stories. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
This is the 5th book in the Northwoods University series of stand alone books, books with recurring characters. It is every bit as good as the previous four, all of which I own.
This is Lex’s story, eldest of the Miller brothers, and here he meets Jude, a brave but wounded young woman who has a special secret. This story illustrated love and loyalty, the learning of trust and the giving of hearts trying desperately to heal. This is a very emotional read, one that pulled me in and held me firm until I reached its very satisfying conclusion.
I’ve long been a fan of these authors so I always know that they will deliver a really good story, well written and engaging. I loved every page. Highly recommended.
Jude is trying to get away from her parents and do the one thing that she feels she needs to so she can break free when she meets Lex but in Lex she finds much more then she ever though possible. She finds everything that she’s been lacking in her life. This was a sweet story with a incredible hero!
These ladies have done it again. This is my favorite book in this series. I absolutely love Lex. Him and Jude were great together. It was an emotional and beautiful story that leaves an imprint on your heart. Amazing.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Fate secrets and lies are key elements in this book 5 of the North wood series. Though each book can be read stand alone, who would want to miss out on this great series! One night is all it was meant to be but fate interviened leading to lies being discovered and secrets unfolding. This gripping read has you hooked all the way through, a real page turner of events that you cant put down. Well written with great dynamic characters
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This written Duo has done it again! The Promise was fantastic! I love this series! Jude and Lex were perfect for each other! This story has the perfect amount of drama, suspense, action, intrigue, family drama, steamy chemistry and love. It was an emotional roller coaster ride I’m glad I was on! The Promise was a great addition to the North Woods University series! I can’t wait for the next book!
This one little act of rebellion could set her free. Unchain her from a disastrous destiny. All she has to do is follow through with it.
He watches them, and sees her fear. He’s a protector, an ex marine he will see she comes to no harm.
One moment in time really can change everything, if you believe in it enough..
I’ve loved all the north woods university books written by J.L Beck & C.Hallman and this is no exception.
It’s quite the straight forward read, but sometimes that’s what you want.
The tough guy that has gone gooey for the girl, and has the sweetest most protective side ever is heart warming material.
The naive and innocent, sheltered, broken and lost girl plays on your heartstrings big time. You cant help but feel for her and everything she endured.
Put the two together and you have a book that is near impossible to put down.
This is one series of interconnecting reads that I never want to end!
I really enjoyed this.
This is the second Beck and Hallman book I’ve read in as many months and it gets better every time. I’m kinda thrilled I have so many more books to go back on and read.
This is a part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone (I haven’t read the other books in the series yet and I didn’t feel like I was lost)
Lex and Jude had one great night together. Then they are brought back together a while later due to reasons I can’t talk about. Spoilers dahlin.
But the story is wild ride. There is a trope in here that’s not for everyone (I like it so there)
I read this super quick and I loved the characters and I will be seeking each of their stories in time.
JL Beck and C Hallman have me completely hooked on the stories they craft so I’m living my best life right now.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank to the author and their team. My review was not influenced.**
Oh my heart this was so beautifully written with the emotions running high, Lex and Jude are perfection she is running and Lex is there to catch her in every single way being patient and understanding.
I love the acceptance and just watching Jude learn what it is like to be normal was very heartfelt I loved these guys hard.
The Promise by JL Beck and C. Hallman is the continuing story of Before The Promise when Jude and Lex first met. Lex is the eldest of the Miller brothers, he sees his brothers are happy and he wants what they have for himself. After that one night with Jude he can’t seem to forget about her and why she left him that night. Lex works at the gym owned by Damian and Luke. When Luke asks Lex to help him warn the guy who harassing his wife, things take a turn as they are beating this guy up who should Lex see running away but Jude. Now is pursing her, but she is frightened of him after the way she was treated by her father. Lex won’t give up and takes her home with him. All Lex knows is that he promised to keep her safe, but Jude is afraid of him and won’t give him any details of where she was. Even when he sees the bruises and scars on her back she will not tell him a thing. She is scared that this man may be like her father. When she is attacked at her job, Lex is their to protect her and informs her she will be living with him to keep her safe. Lex will have is hands full trying to get her to trust him. When he is told by Damian to make sure the girl doesn’t talk, his one thought is to protect her especially when Damian or Luke won’t give him any details about what happened to the guy they beat up. When Lex investigates he learns that his friends have close ties to the Rossi Family, now he is more than determined to keep Jude safe. These two begin a slow journey filled with compassion and eventually turning into something more as they finally give into the passion that has been building. When he introduces Jude to his family she is embraced with so much love by his family that she is overcome, can this truly be how a family is suppose to act? Now she finally tells Lex what she has endured when her Mother and Father try to get her back. He is outraged and upset but once again tells Jude he made a promise to keep her safe and he won’t let anyone get to her. Jude has a secret that she is unsure if she should tell Lex but when she finally tells him her secret is he is overjoyed, and just when she is happy for the first time in her life, she is taken by force from Lex’s house. Now Lex has no choice but to reach out to Damian for help to get the woman he loves back, with the assistance from the Rossi family. The Promise was full of emotion, pain and plenty of romance but most of all how Jude becomes this strong independent women all due to Lex and his undying love for her. Ladies, you have once again written a heartfelt emotional story with The Promise!!! This is a must read, I highly recommend you should read this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
If Jude had of just judged Lex from his appearances, she might have ran the other way, he is a big tough looking man (but still handsome). Luckily she judges him based on what his actions are, and his first action is to protect her. Jude finds it difficult to trust people, although Lex keeps proving to her, that he is different to the other men she has known before. I love Jude, she obviously is stronger than she thinks she is, and has had a hard upbringing, but is so easy to love, and I loved seeing her develop. Lex is strong, although he would never use that strength against someone who didn’t deserve it, I loved Lex so much (who wouldn’t want their own real life Lex?).
What an action-packed, tensed-filled story for Lex. It’s practically love at first sight but Jude has had a rough upbringing and her trust is practically shot. I love how Lex doesn’t give up. There’s tension from them but also from the danger following her and the revelations that come from her family are astounding. I love the Rossi family connection that was integrated as well. I can’t wait to see if there is more within the North Woods University series coming.
Beautiful and Tragic Love Story!
WOW! Jude and Lex’s story is gut wrenching, raw, emotional and beautiful. Their story will have you laughing, crying and falling head over heels in love with them. It was filled to the brim with so much love and passion – at times the smile never left my face!
Jude has been through so much in her short life that love seems so far away for her. She wants to be brave, strong and independent but it will take a strong man with a heart of gold to help her see that she is already all of those things and to let her past go.
Lex is that perfect man for her. He loves freely and protects his family and those close to him will his heart and soul. He finally finds the one person who fills his heart with love and joy! They are a magnificent couple and their struggles are real and heartfelt. Their pain is raw and intense which gutted me at times but their love oozed off the pages.
This was a tragic but beautiful love story that was written with so much emotion you could just feel it in every word and chapter. Phenomenal!
Received ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book 4/5 Star Rating.
HEA(?): Yes
Romance: 4/5
Heat: 3.5/5
Drama: 3.5-4/5
Suspense: 3.5/5
This was a fast read for me, not fast paced essentially just that fact that it flows very well that you want to keep reading.
It’s a fairly simple and easy plot and I really like it, I enjoy Jude & Lex very much. Love the ending!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.