A Wall Street Journal bestseller.They couldn’t be more different…or more completely perfect for each other.Claire McKenna knows about loss. The bullet wound that ended her promising professional tennis career drove her to make a quiet life for herself working with fabric samples, chatting with her book group, and spending time with her parents in her sleepy coastal Connecticut hometown. Then … coastal Connecticut hometown. Then there was the boyfriend who dumped her to pursue her adventurous childhood friend. Now, Claire’s business has hit a financial snag, but she’s up to the challenge. After all, she can survive anything. At least she thinks so…until her teen crush, Logan, returns to town with his sister, Claire’s traitorous friend.
Photographer Logan Prescott is more playboy than homebody. But his sister’s illness teaches him that there’s more to life than chasing the next thrill. Bent on helping her win Claire’s forgiveness, he turns his charm on Claire and offers her big bucks to renovate his multimillion-dollar New York City condo.
After years of playing it safe, Claire must now take some risks. The payoff could be huge, but if it all falls apart, can her heart recover from another loss?
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4 1/2 stars.
This is such a heartwarming series and I really enjoyed this second book. It is beautifully written and the characters are well though out and deeply developed. Each time I read a Jamie Beck book I lover her style even more. There is no fluff here, it is all real emotion and situations. It is Claire’s turn to hopefully find everything she wasn’t sure she could ever hope for. After living through a traumatic mass shooting at age 15, she was left with the constant reminder of what she lost that day. She gets around just fine physically with the aid if her trusty cane Rosie, but emotionally and mentally she is clearly not fine. In fact she and her family are all suffering from PTSD even all these years later and that is keeping her from truly living her life to it’s fullest potential. Something like that never goes away, people just learn ways to cope and live with it. Claire’s character is amazing and strong and very real. And once Logan re-enters her life we see a beautiful albeit slow transformation take place with her like a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly finally ready to fly again. Logan is bringing out the Claire that has been tucked neatly away since her trauma but along with that comes so much doubt as well. But with Logan also comes some harsh reality of what is both happening to her once best friend Peyton, Logan’s sister, and dealing with Peyton’s betrayal at the same time.
I was in their corner from the get-go and was so completely satisfied with the ending. Wonderful story.
Thank you to Netgalley/Publisher for this ARC.
Loving this series! This is the second book and takes us deeper into the story of the three Liliac girls who were best friends until one stole the other’s boyfriend…but did she really…There is a complicated story there and no one to blame but the man involved who is a sorry excuse for a man who we will get to know more in the next book. Claire is the designer in the business with Steffi and their business needs business. It comes in the form of Logan, Peyton’s brother, Peyton as in the boyfiend stealer. He needs his condo in NYC redecorated and wants Claire to do it and is willing to pay her an outrageous price. At the same time he is in hopes of bring her and his sister back together. This is a story of trust, forgiveness, healing, and learning to love again. It was slow going to start but when they found a way it was wonderful to watch their love bloom.
Very emotional story! I loved the character of Claire in the first book of this series and was so excited when I began the second book to find that she was the main character. In her past, she had a traumatic injury due to violence which led to very controlled life. Int this book she learns how to live again.
I enjoyed this book so much! Now on to the third and final book in this series, The Wonder of Now.
I loved this book! After reading The Memory of You, I couldn’t wait to return to Sanctuary Sound and I finished this novel in one beautiful afternoon. Jamie Beck creates fascinating, realistic characters and writes with honesty and heart. I’m so looking forward to the next book in the series, to hear Peyton’s story!!
After a horrible incident and subsequent injury when Claire was young, she is living a very sheltered life due to the fear of being hurt again. Logan Claire’s story is filled with healing, exploration and expansion of horizons to find their happily ever after.
This is a very touching and heartwarming story filled with great characters and a thought provoking story line. The Promise of us is well worth the read.going to be added to my re-read pile to be sure.
Book 2 is Claire’s story and laying the foundation for Peyton’s story. I loved this book, and maybe it’s just all the stuff I have going on, but I struggled with parts of it moving slow for me. Go along with Claire as she struggles with her PTSD and the over-protectiveness of her family. Logan is her former best friend’s brother and high school crush – a crush that was one-sided. But Claire is grown up and maybe Logan is ready to change. Maybe, just maybe, they can help each other.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo –
Tragedy struck Claire McKenna when she was approaching the top of her tennis game. Not only did it shatter her dreams of a professional career, it shattered the way she moved, the way she walked, and her self-confidence.
Cocooning herself in Sanctuary Sound, she’s made a comfortable life for herself. Until one of her best friends steals her boyfriend and once again made her the object of pity.
Then Logan Prescott returns to town along with his boyfriend-stealing sister. He’s always admired Claire and now wants nothing more to resolve the pain of betrayal between Claire and his sister. However, once he gets to know Claire again, he likes the woman she’s become and he is now determined to break Claire out of her shell.
I really enjoyed this book, the way Claire’s feelings were so heartfelt and real leaving the reader knowing exactly what she was going through.
Ruthie –
This is the second book in the series – and I would recommend that you read them in order, as you will meet Claire and her troubles in that book too. It will help you understand just how traumatic the split in the friendship between her and Peyton was, and the difficulties faced by Steffi as she is close to them both. Small town life means that she lives in a gold fish bowl but has no prospect of leaving. As the story progresses, it is easy to see how she has been trapped, and how her loving parents have increased the strength of her fears.
Logan, Peyton’s brother, has brought Peyton back to their family home to recover from her breast cancer treatment. He has known Claire all her life due to her friendship with Peyton, and he’s well aware of her childhood crush on him. But right now, everything is broken and he is doing all he can to make Peyton happy. So it is inevitable that he will have to work on restoring some of the threads that held the friends together. Finding that he finds Claire to be beautiful, talented, and yet clearly closed off from life, he has a second mission – to make her break out of her prison.
You may surmise from this that Logan is driven and determined. He really is, and yet he does it out of love, even if he hasn’t worked that bit out yet! It is moving, and also fun watching the two of them come to a position of unexpected mutual happiness. Amazing how both bending a little can make such a positive contribution to a relationship!
I enjoyed how there are some fascinating real issues of ethics and morals balanced with real life and love – how do you hate someone who stole your boyfriend, yet is suffering from cancer, and he left her as soon as he found out? Having been shot in a freak accident, how do you ignore the facts about the danger of guns, crowds and traffic, and manage to enjoy yourself in spite of the possibility of another injury? When is place a home – when beautifully decorated or when the person you love is there too?
I am looking forward to the next installment in this lovely series.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out our The Promise of Us post on Wicked Reads at http://bit.ly/WRPromiseofUs
Decorate, heal and move on!
The characters are like old friends if you read the first book, so it was good to catch up and see what happens next. The issues dealt with are serious and well handled, making this a believable story. A little too heavy on the sex stuff, but I’m a notorious prude.
I had the kindle unlimited read and listen version and the Narrator is fantastic, adding whole new dimensions to the story for me!
I didn’t think I could love Claire’s story as much as I loved Steffi’s, but of course, I did! I’m loving this Sanctuary Sound series and can’t wait to read Peyton’s story, next!! Beck has such a wonderful way of making these beloved characters authentic and likable, while going through real-life issues. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Jamie Beck for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5-4 stars.
Well, this was lovely.
Here, we have Claire and Logan, they’ve met in the past and are now reuniting again just when Claire’s life is not just the best.
Anyway, the main things are said in the blurb of this book, so I won’t repeat that. I just say that it’s everything in between that makes this story lovely. All these characters are flawed and I loved them for it, nothing was black and white here and the journey to forgiveness (give it or accept it) is tricky and might be filled with lots of tears.
The characters were realistic to me, their doubts, their fears; all of that attracted me to them and kept me wanting to read more of this.
In the end, much like the previous book, you end up thinking about this story long after is over.
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
This was a really cute continuation of a series with a really solid hook! Three childhood besties struggle to reconnect with each other after life deals them a series of setbacks. Claire, who not only survived a mass shooting incident that left her with a permanent limp but also a severe betrayal from her fiance and best friend, has insulated herself in the small town of Sanctuary Sound. When Peyton, the friend who betrayed her, comes home to recover from her chemo, she brings her brother Logan. Claire’s life long crush on Logan gives him an advantage on helping to repair the relationship between his sister and her former bestie. I think the really fun part of this book was the sense of familiarity the writer imparts. You really believe that these people have known each other their whole lives, and even when they fight this feels like a campaign not a first engagement. Can’t wait for book 3!
The book’s tagline, “They couldn’t be more different…or more completely perfect for each other.”, is right on point. Following her shooting and subsequent crippling, Claire becomes an extreme homebody, prioritizing safety and family.
Logan is a globe-hopping photojournalist, with no real ties to places, family, or even friends. While both grew up together, Claire harbored a crush on Logan, which he did not reciprocate. Years later, the two are brought together by events surrounding Peyton, Logan’s sister and one of Claire’s two youthful besties. Peyton stole Claire’s boyfriend, ending Claire and Peyton’s long-time friendship. Sometime after the estrangement, Peyton developed breast cancer, and Logan took Peyton to his New York apartment to help her through the ordeal. Logan begins to change as a consequence, and when he brings Peyton back to Sanctuary Sound, makes it his mission to get Claire to forgive Peyton.
Yeah, right!! Logan comes across as a manipulative, know-it-all jerk, but because of Claire’s attraction to Logan, Claire begins to open herself to the world and to Logan, and to interact with Peyton. One can tell that Peyton and Logan are siblings, as both are self-centered. Peyton’s apology to Claire was striking in that it revealed her narcissistic justification on stealing Claire’s boyfriend, and the humbling introspection that resulted from her cancer battle. Logan gains as much from his interactions with Claire as Claire does, although Logan fights his humanization and growing attraction to Claire, while Claire much more bravely faces her fears. Finally, when Logan returns from an expedition to Greece, does he realize what he needs and what he must do.
I loved this story, with emphases on forgiveness, bravery, growth, and acceptance spread among several characters. I finished reading the book within 24 hours of receipt, and now I have long wait for book 3 (Peyton’s story).
A wonderful emotional read that I had a hard time putting down. A story of forgiveness and moving forward in your life. Claire was shot with a bullet that ended her promising tennis career. She has now lived a sheltered life, afraid of her shadow at times. Plus she has lived with the betrayal of her best girlfriend dating her boyfriend. Now her high school crush, Logan has returned home, who so happens to be her girlfriend’s brother. Logan wants to make things better for his sister and Claire, but also develops feelings for Claire. Can Claire move forward in life?
A well written story , Loved Claire but had a harder time with Logan. I felt Logan was very arrogant and self centered, I will say he grew on me towards the end. I think Claire was smothered by her parents, and not given the chance to enjoy life again without fear. I highly recommend this book. I read through my kindle unlimited.
Claire and Logan’s story shows how finding someone can change you for the better. Both have gone through tragic events, but one wants to live out loud and one wants to stay in safe corners. I can kind of relate to Claire in this one, which made it more interesting to read. Logan is a little pushy, but while he is, he’s not malicious. I also can’t wait until Peyton’s story releases!
I liked that Jamie Beck immediately caught me up with the characters from the previous book, although you can read this book without having read the previous one. This book is amazing and wonderful with the characters, who are so realistic. The touching story of Claire still trying to overcome the tragedy that changed her life when she was 16. The warm cocoon she has built for herself along with her parents help.
Then there is Logan, who longs to have a home and feel loved. He’s afraid of commitment and cannot see what is right in front of him. Perhaps that is the photographer in him. Seeing what Peyton, Logan’s sister is going through with her cancer just touches your heart as it seems so candid and real.
My heart went out to all of the characters and how their lives were woven together. We all have choices to make with what happens to us but what happens to us does not have to define us unless we want it too. I really liked Claire trying to emerge as a butterfly from her cocoon. I liked how Logan and Claire brought out the best in each other and I liked how Claire made Logan feel and want things he never thought he would. I also liked that he brought his sister and Claire back together and Claire is trying to forgive Peyton, Very touching and very moving. I received an advanced copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
The Promise of Us is Author Jamie Beck’s second book in the Sanctuary Sound Series. This is a wonderful book that shows that forgiveness and healing are possible. Claire McKenna seems to have been dealt a bad hand from the beginning. Losing her boyfriend to her best friend Peyton, Claire was afraid to open her heart again. Claire had a promising career as a professional tennis player but her dreams were cut short by a bullet that was intended for someone else.Claire and her present best friend, Steffi, decided to open an Interior design business. Just when it seems life is going to have some semblance of normalcy for her, Peyton and her brother Logan move back to Sanctuary Sound. Life begins to get interesting for Claire as her crush on Logan seems to be coming to pass. Having gone through heartbreak, Claire does not want to let her guard down. Knowing Logan has always been drawn to beautiful, adventurous, and flashy women, Claire thinks he is playing games with her and refuses to be drawn into anymore heartache. Will Claire finally let her guard down and give Logan a chance? This book is a wonderful read! Being able to forgive and move forward after all of the heartbreak is paramount in this book. It shows that love can heal old wounds. I am excited to see what Author, Jamie Beck, has in store for us next!
You’re going to want to read this one! THE PROMISE OF US is remarkably captivating and amazingly real to life. Learning the value of love, friendships and forgiveness is very well played out in the book.
Claire, recovering from a trauma which has impacted every corner of her life receives much needed guidance and encouragement from her childhood friend, Logan. Through Logan’s helpfulness and love both he and Claire learn much about themselves and the importance of forgiving others, forgiving self and moving forward.
Jamie Beck will speak to your heart, mind and soul in this book! Phenomenal!
THE PROMISE OF US (Sanctuary Sound Book 2) by Jamie Beck is a contemporary romance with characters I know I will be thinking about well beyond “The End” of this book. Ms. Beck’s characters in The Sanctuary Sound series are realistically written and fully fleshed enough to walk right off the page. Even knowing my HEA will arrive, the journey is never easy or cookie-cutter in Ms. Beck’s Sanctuary Sound books.
Claire McKenna is the artistic design half of the fledgling company she started with one of her closest childhood friends in her hometown. She has rebuilt her life since losing her promising career as a professional tennis player to a random bullet to the hip in the local mall and her boyfriend who dumped her and left town with her other best friend. Claire was focused on her career and travelled the country, but now she allows her fear to build a wall around her hometown and never takes any risks.
Logan Prescott lives every day trying to live up to his famous grandfather’s legacy. He is a photographer who travels the world trying to find the job that will give him fame and recognition. When his sister is diagnosed with breast cancer, he comes home to be by her side. They have returned to the family home to document Peyton’s cancer fight and Logan would like to get Claire’s forgiveness for his sister, who is the one who stole Claire’s boyfriend.
Logan offers Claire the job of remodeling and decorating his NY condo for enough money to get the store front she wants for the business. He turns on his charm to get Claire to take the job, but he soon finds that Claire has changed and he wants to help her get over her fears as much as he wants forgiveness for his sister. Claire has had a crush on Logan since they were young. Can taking risks with Logan free her or break her all over again?
Get the tissues ready. Claire and Logan are opposites that attract and in the end fill the empty spaces in each other, but not without a lot of emotional growth. Claire’s fears after the shooting and her parents’ over-protectiveness, Peyton’s breast cancer journey and Logan’s emptiness were realistically written and intertwined into a beautiful story. They are imperfect characters that are all changing and on a journey to forgiveness and understanding. The sex scenes are behind closed doors or PG rated. This book can standalone, but Claire’s partner, Steffi has a great story in book 1 of this series that you will not want to miss.
I highly recommend this romance, series and author!
This was such a great book. I really enjoyed Logan and Claire and watching them progress and retreat in their relationship. Then you add Peyton into the situation which made everything more interesting. Loved seeing everyone, it was like catching up with old friends. This book to me was, forgiveness, taking chances and living life and it was nice that some fences were starting to be mended, though slowly but mended none the less. My favorite quote from this book was “Her love kept him company, even in her absence.” Looking forward to reading Peyton’s book.
The Promise of Us was an emotional and touching story. Claire McKenna has had a lot of pain and suffering in her life. She lost a man she loved to her best friend and then was hit by a bullet not intended for her. Suddenly her promising career is put aside and she becomes anxious and fearful of being hurt, in more ways than one. When her business is hit with a hitch, an unexpected opportunity falls on her lap, but does she take the risk?
Logan Prescott was her crush when she was younger. Now he is offering just the break she needs for her business. But with him comes the traitorous best friend that hurt and betrayed her. Logan wants to help his sister find peace, but how far will he take it? Claire is torn between taking a chance on Logan or playing it safe. She was a cautious and fearful, but really, she just needed someone to support and push her. Logan was a playboy but loved his sister and wanted to help her.
The Promise of Us was emotional and heartwarming. There was angst that will captivate you and a story of loss, hope, and second chances.
Read and reviewed for Reviews From The Heart.
Happy reading.