“We’re a match made in heaven but forbidden as sin.”After tragedy struck, I vowed never to fall in love again. For the last ten years, I kept that promise, never staying with a woman longer than it took to screw them. Then she walked in… Back then she was nothing but a little girl, but now she’s all grown up, with curves, and a smile that reminds me of everything I’ve spent the last ten years … everything I’ve spent the last ten years trying to forget.
My attraction to her is instant, and wrong, on so many levels. I’ll do anything I can, even make her hate me if I have too, to stop it.
She’s here to study, and I’m the newly appointed Dean.
I shouldn’t be tempted by a student, especially one who’s ten years younger than me.
And I definitely shouldn’t be developing feelings for her.
But I am…
Because as badly as I don’t want to admit it Lily might just be the one person to make me fall in love again.
That is if I can let go of the hold her dead sister’s memory has on my heart first.
This is book four in the North Woods University Series. It can be read as a complete standalone and contains NO cliffhanger, NO cheating, and a HEA. Please be advised this series contains material not suitable for all readers. This is NOT a YA series.
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Not my favorite but I enjoyed reading it.. The whole love and lost thing really messes with my emotions. I liked the book and loved Sebastian from the beginning and the book was well written but I just felt like I was missing something while reading it. I’m sure it’s just me. But this was a good book to read and I would recommend it along with the others in this series..
Sebastián is the new Dean of North Woods University and is standing in shock. The beautiful woman in front of him has blonde hair, large blue eyes in a heart shaped face. The spitting image of Amy’s, but it isn’t Amy because she’s dead. It takes him a minute to place her – Amy’s little sister Lily. And she is a student as his university. She is bringing feelings he buried with his girlfriend back to the surface. He needs to stay far far away from her.
Sebastián looks just as she remembers him. Tall, dark hair and hazel eyes except now they look sad instead of full of life. Only she’s not 9 anymore and would sure like a peek under that suit at the amazing body she is sure it hides. But, not only is he the Dean of the university, he’s ten years her senior and he was her dead sister’s boyfriend. You can’t be any more off limits than that, but her eyes can’t control themselves.
I love this book! The storyline is interesting and has a few unexpected twists. The characters are amazing and full of depth. JL Beck brings their emotions right off the pages. You can feel their struggles as they try to stay away from each other. Sebastián and Lily are amazing together and their chemistry is sizzling and the sex scenes are smoking hot!!!
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more books by JL Beck.
3.5
Style: Forbidden/Taboo/Age Gap Romance (College)
Story: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Dark Level: 0/5
Sexual Level: GOOD
Triggers: Yes
Violence: No
Male: Authoritative Figure & Sexy
Series: Book 4
Pages: 218
Audio: GuyV:GOOD & GirlV: GOOD
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
STORY:
I love these authors, but this series, I am not feeling as connected to it as I want to. That butterfly feeling isn’t there. Because I am not in love with it, doesn’t mean I don’t like it as I want to read the other books.
Sebastian was everything. I like his character. In book 1, with his brother Rem, he seemed different in a good way. In his own story, who knew he was struggling inside while adjusting to his new position of Dean at North Woods Uni. Lily, to be honest, it was hard seeing her emotional state in the beginning of the book. She has lost a lot and that was heartbreaking to see.
CHEMISTRY:
Physically, they connected, and it was good to see when they finally throw caution to the wind. Physically chemistry I was satisfied with.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
It was good seeing Rem and Jules again from book 1, as Rem is Seb’s brother. I thought I would see a lot of Jules and Lily together when they reconnected as they were friends when they were younger. Either way, I am looking forward to Lex’s story, their other brother.
Overall, a likable read, good audio and likable characters. Did feel blown away, but still felt very connected.
**Trigger: Alcohol abuse
***I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read and hope this review was helpful.
These ladies never disappoint. I absolutely loved this book. Sebastian and Lily are my favorite couple in this series. Everything in this book was amazing. I couldn’t get enough of this one. The angst and the romance and everything in between keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Love it.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
4.5 stars One tragedy, two lives…two broken, lost and lonely people meet again a decade later. Can Sebastian and Lily finally find the peace and solace they both deserve in each other? Or will their forbidden attraction break them further? This book has not one but two of my favorite tropes: Broken heroes AND forbidden love. He’s the newly appointed Dean of the college and she is the 10-yrs younger sister of his deceased ex-girlfriend. Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed reading my first JL Beck and Cassandra Hallman book. Both are new authors for me and I’ll be exploring their other works after this ARC. While each book in the North Woods University series can be a standalone, I do wish I had read The Bet first as Rem and Jules are not only a big part of this book but I loved both characters. Now I want to read it to experience their initial journey. And it seems they have possibly set the stage for the next book that will most likely feature Lex, Sebastian’s brother, who is a struggling ex marine. Woohoo, another broken hero and military as well…just my jam. If I’m right, I’ll be all so excited to get my hands on that book!
Emotionally charged words, lovable characters, and one heck of a addictive story line makes The Vow a can’t miss read! The moment I met these two I felt an attachment forming, their beautiful story squeezed my heart in all the rights pages, and left me swimming in feels. What a read!!! Highly recommend this one, it promises to take you on a literary journey that will touch your heart and linger with you long after the last page is turned!
Stop what you’re doing and read this book now! Twists and turns… Sister falls for dead sister’s boyfriend, family that is the worst and love that is tried at every turn. You will NOT be disappointed!
Great book!!
Omg! I been wanting to read this book and honestly it was more than I was expecting. Sebastian, oh my dear lord it’s just such an alpha man. And Lily my heart fell for her, loosing her family at a young age and feeling like she didn’t belong. From the beginning the instant connection that Sebastian and Lily felt was incredible, both of them trying to deny the pull towards one another because yes it was a forbidden relationship but love doesn’t see age or what society excepts of you. The story was incredible and the chemistry between the characters even better.
Lily and Sebastian’s story will pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat. Sebastian and Lily have amazing chemistry. This was my favorite in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sebastian and Lily have a shared history of her sister. He dated her sister before she died. Now years later he is the dean of the school Lily is going to and she stuns him by how much like her sister she looks. They both fight their attraction for one another knowing the problems it would cause them both personal as well as professionally. However being so close to him and not being able to be with him was hard for her and soon they give in to temptation. Will they be able to be together given all the history between them and with him being her dean? What will others say?
This is an amazing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Interesting story-line but did not connect with the characters
The Vow is the first book I have read by the authors Cassandra Hallman and J.L. Beck. I was not sure what to expect as you just never know when you are reading a “new to you” author(s) but I decided to pick this book up based on the book description, as a good older man / younger woman forbidden romance usually does it for me. I found the story-line to be good and the characters interesting but the writing was not what I expected. Some of the wording was repetitive and did not seem like it would actually come from the character’s mouth. So well I was excited to possibly discover new authors to add to my list I was disappointed by the results. With that being said I am going to read these authors again before writing them off completely, as I always like to give authors a couple tries.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
The Vow is the fourth book in these interconnected stories in the North Woods University series. Although characters from previous books appeared and had roles in this story, this can be read as a standalone. In my opinion though, I suggest you read the previous books. The story is told through dual POV and it’s a contemporary, age-gap, forbidden romance.
If you have read the other books in this series, you would know that Sebastian is Remington’s (the hero of the first book) brother. Right from the beginning of this series, I have expressed my wish for Seb (and even Lex because I just love the Miller men!) to have their own story. And my oh my, have my wish been granted, not to mention that his story is intriguing too! I’ve loved the sexual tension that comes out the pages of the book, the angst, loss and heartaches that these two had experienced. Their love story is not an easy one since both of them had a lot to lose. This is quite a ride and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I’ll be impatiently waiting to see if Lex will get his story next.
“Lily was a reminder of everything I had lost, and everything I would never have.”
Sebastian has reason to celebrate. Although young, he got his dream job and is now the new dean of North Woods University. Finally it seems that his life is getting in the way. Until the arrival of a new student will bring dormant feelings to the surface. After all, she is the faithful copy of his ex. His late ex.
Lily remembers Sebastian, but many years have passed since the last meeting. Now a young woman, she hopes that college will provide a fresh start. After all, her life has not been easy at all. But coming across him will provoke new and unexpected sensations.
Sebastian will be in hell. Trapped by his ex’s memories and the improper feelings her very young sister arouses, he won’t know how to act. And keeping her away will be the only solution. But Lily will be on a self-destructive path, and he won’t be able to not get involved. After all, helping and protecting her will become his priority. Even if he does not admit the reason.
With the two close together, the dean / student line will be in danger, and together with all the emotional baggage of the past, these two will not have an easy path. Tension, desire and guilt will manifest. Until one of them succumbs.
But an unknown threat can endanger his career and her college fund situation. As well as undermine this fragile new relationship.
With a more dramatic, heavier narrative, The Vow is more adult than its predecessors. Sebastian is a great character and the soul of the book. All his conflict, his uncertainties make him an honorable and right man. Even if he makes some mistakes on the way.
Lily represents the impulsiveness of youth. With a tragic past, she suffered alone, with no one to lean on. Some of her actions throughout the story are questionable, even if one can understand that she is lost. I found her a little immature.
The characters from previous books appear in the plot, and some news is presented. A good book with a bit of drama that focuses on fresh starts and second chances.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *
The Vow is a sexy and forbidden student/teacher(aka Dean) romance that spoke to the taboo lover deep in my soul. This dynamite duo took me on a rollercoaster ride full of feels that had my heart completely swooning in overdrive. The authors beautifully captivating storytelling ability wholeheartedly captivated every part of me and I absolutely adored every moment of Sebastian and Lily’s story. If you have read the other books in the North Woods University series, then you have probably been eagerly waiting for Sebastian’s story like me. I mean come on, who wouldn’t want his story?! I know I FREAKING did…that is FOR SURE!
Sebastian Miller just landed his dream job as the newly appointed Dean of North Woods University and things are going well until a blast from his past arrives suddenly out of nowhere. Lily Kline is the reminder of all that he has lost and she is the LAST person he should want, but he does. Their love is beyond forbidden and with so many obstacles standing in their way things are about to get tricky. Their story will take you on a ride full of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end!
Sebastian and Lily’s story was hands down my favorite in the series (although it can certainly be read as a standalone)! There was so much to love and if you are a fan of this trope then you will LOVE their story too!
I have decided that I am a slut for forbidden romance slash age gap romances!!! First Birthday Girl and now this one. I don’t know if it stems from my daddy issues or what but there is just something too damn sexy about an older alpha man. This book was super heavy on the sex scenes and normally I don’t really enjoy stories like that but I didnt start getting bored with the sex scenes til about the second to last one. It may have been more of the dirty talk that changed my mind. There’s something about the line ‘milk my cock’ that just left me questioning how that was sexy.
I was totally invested into this book til about 80% in. Then there were like two chapters that involved some action scenes and that really caught me off gaurd. I don’t know if they were just trying to meet a page quota and thought adding that in would be exciting. To me, it honestly took away from the book for me.
(3.5 out of 5 stars) I really enjoyed a majority of this book and had it not been for that random action scene in the book I would have given The Vow a strong 4.5 but that hail Mary just confused me more than anything. I didn’t quite understand the purpose. I would like to check out the first books in this series or at least give these authors another chance.
This is another amazing book by these two authors, they really do write so well together. There literally is nothing to dislike about this story. The plot is interesting, and I was quickly absorbing the pages needing to read the story to find out what was going to happen with this relationship. The two main characters are drawn together in so many ways and yet their relationship is taboo, their chemistry is electric and has sparks going off everywhere. Loved this story, a definite page-turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was awesome. Proves that you can’t fight Fate. Love is love. Doesn’t matter what the social status is or age. Left me wanting more from this author. Great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thought parts of this book were pretty good. But I also thought the characters were immature at times about things that were happening. I did enjoy the intense connection between Sebastian and Lily.
What J.L and Cassandra wrote in The Vow is why we read romance. Yes, there is an age gap in this book, but it just makes the story that much better. Sebastian and Lily’s story is one of the best stories of the year.
Sebastian has been in the other books and has always been the brother/father figure in those stories. Such a great guy that you want to be around. But we never knew the pain, loss, and love that he was hiding in his past. Not until Lily shows up at North Woods.
Lily is in college and ready to start fresh. Seeing Sebastian after all this time, she didn’t think it would be so hard for either of them. But they have to get through that history if they are ever going to have their future.
The Vow is a must-read story!
Sebastian and Lilly’s story!! An age gap story that has all the feels. Two broken souls who need each other to heal. A connection that neither one of them can deny brings these two what they need. Loving this series!!