You only get one first of anything, and no matter the time, or space, or age, you never forget your firsts.
When thirteen year old Nicky Moore’s parents decide to buy a small summer beach cottage at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, she thought her life would end. It didn’t matter the beauty of the area - land and water as far as the eye could see - she was bound and determined to make her family’s summer vacation as dismal as she felt. That was until she met a boy from down the beach; a beautiful boy, with the most intense brown eyes she had ever seen and a smile that could light the ocean on fire. A summer that Nicky thought was doomed from the start, turned into a summer that she would never forget; one full of firsts. It was impossible for her to know years later how one seemingly little decision could change everything forever, but soon, as an adult, Nicky will find out that everything she once thought were real and the promises once made, were lost in a sea of inner turmoil.
It took me a few days to be able to write this review because this book left me feeling so raw. I've never read a book that made me openly sob with heartache.
This book is not your typical "happily ever after" love story. We are introduced to Nicky (13) who while spending her summer at the family beach house, falls for Jeremy (14). They are quickly swept into friendship and teenage love. Like all good things, summer must come to an end, and when it does Nicky and Jeremy write letter and letter to keep their love strong. And so it continues until tragedy strikes. Traumas from Jeremy's past as well as those recent haunt him endlessly.
The descriptive language in which this story is told pulled me in to the scene. There were times when Jeremy was getting Nicky to really listen to the word around her that I near closed my eyes in hopes to hear the waves crashing around me.
In the beginning of the book there is a note from the author. This doesn't totally spell out what the end result is, but gives enough for the reader to infer. I am torn on this. When first reading it I thought the placement was odd and a poor choice as it gives the reader some idea of what tragedies are ahead. After reading, I think I am thankful for those notes. Had I had no clue what was coming, well, I don't know how I would have handled that.
While reading, I did have a bit of trouble coming to terms with the idea that the passion described between Jeremy and Nicky were through the voices of a 13 & 14 year old. The way they spoke and wrote made them sound so much older and more mature than your typical horny teen. I finally had to start imagining that they were in their early 20's.
The story is mainly told from Nicky's point of view. There were a few moments where the reader is suddenly seeing things from Jeremy's point of view. I understand the need to know some of those "behind the scene" moments, but when reading it did feel a bit odd to have the point of view shift suddenly from 1st Person POV to 3rd Person omniscient.
After reading this book, I was fortunate to get to talk to the author to learn some of the background. Knowing that and seeing Jeremy’s face made it so much more real, and hurt so much more. I would definitely recommend this book, but know going into it, you’re going to need some Kleenex. The message is clear –
Well....I have just finished this book and it's pretty late here but I wanted to get the review done now whilst all the emotion is still fresh. All I can say is, wow. I don't what I expected when I bought this book but thought I'd show some support for an author friend I've gotton to know through the odd blog post etc. I don't know quite where to start.
Nicky and Jeremy are a sweet, young couple who meet while Nicky is on holiday at the beach with her family. Over the next couple of summer months they spend all of their time together and fall in love. Some say they are too young to know anything about love but really, what do they know? Several years later and with college getting in the way, the couple part ways, with Nicky completely unaware that this is actually the time that Jeremy needs her. Fast track a few more years and Nicky realises she doesn't love the man she has been living with and heads back to the beach in search of her Jeremy only to discover he has taken his own life. I adored both the main characters and equally, Dawn, Nicky's sister.
This story is FULL of beautiful and believable storyline. I could feel the vulnerability from both the characters, the freedom and innocence of youth, the complexity of having to grow up, the heartache of long distance relationships, the sorrow of loosing some one you love, the bitterness of being left behind and why? Even if I spent hours writing a ten page review it would not do the book justice. You need to read it and 'experience' the journey for yourself. I had to keep stopping and taking a deep breath, compose myself and then continue. Tears just fell, my throat tightened, the emotion Tressa has packed this book with is unreal and the way she has weaved it through each chapter is TALENT. If it were possible, I would be giving this a rating of 10 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First, I admit I know the author and we are friends - but this book was given to me for an honest review - here it is.
This story is touching, sweet, sad, so sad, and it made me cry. I cried on more than one occasion. I know this story was important for Tressa to tell, and that makes it even more emotional for me. I think beach lovers and those of us that believe in true love, will enjoy. No paranormal, no trendy hip sex story, this story came from deep inside, and the emotion was real. Anyone who has lost someone they love, will feel the tug on their heart. I did.
This story is appropriate for ages 12 and over - although it does deal with a sensitive subject. Thank you, Tressa, for telling this story.
I read this book in one sitting! I only used 1/2 box of tissues! Thank you for sharing such a painful story!
In the story, Nicky (13) and her family go to the beach for the whole summer and she is NOT happy! Having a tantrum, she takes off and ends up at the pier/arcade where she sees Jeremy (14) and is smitten.
Later that day, the two actually meet. The intensity of this is stronger than the usual "puppy love" of children their age. Within a short period of time they are pledging their love forever!
That, however is not the end. This is a must read for teens and parents. I will not give any spoilers, but will say the end is NOT what you think!
This was a good story, really sad though. The beginning of the book there is a letter to the deceased boy, which forshadows what will happen in the book, so you know you will not be getting any type of happy ending. It is more a story of regrets and the effects of suicide. The saddest part about the book is that is is partly based on the true story of the life of the author...and to know that is the saddest part of all.
I read a lot of books but have not read one that sparked so much emotion in me. The main character is a teenager and it takes you through her life and her first love. I felt like I was the one in the book living all these emotions. The author does a very good job of making you remember what it was like being in love for the very first time. Nothing matters except you and your new found love. But not all things are wonderful in love and the main character finds this out. The author hit's on all the main emotions that teenager's have when things don't go the way they want them too. The main character learns that life is full of regrets but she finds a way to make up for her regrets and mistakes so she can go on with her life. This book will touch your heart and it made me realize how special people are in your life. Keep tissue handy, you will need them.
This book had me hooked!! I laughed and cried but it was still truly amazing!
This story is about 2 young teenagers who you think would not know anything about love end up proving everyone wrong. Nichole (Nicky) has been fighting her parents not to go to the middle of no where for summer vacation, but the first day she is there she meets this amazing boy Jeremy who she has a pull to and cant explain why...they get to know each other and end up falling in love but they know then end of summer is approaching and there is nothing they can do to slow it down. They already have a plan set out that they love each other and nothing will tear them apart, they will get together and see each other every summer till they can be together. Is this just a mistake waiting to happen? Will they grow apart?
I loved this book! Sweet and innocent first love is always a welcomed thing. What I didn't expect was crying on my part. I felt my heart break for Nikki and Jeremy as they had to go separate ways after summer had ended. I loved how they wrote letters and sent pictures throughout the year. I cried towards the end of the book. It was definitely unexpected but made sense from the very beginning of the book.
Tressa managed to capture the innocence of summer love and the ache of a love lost. This I Promise You is written beautifully with detailed scenes from the scorching hot sand to the tacky nautical wall paper.
I definitely will read this book more than once and will love it even more the second time around.
This is a book about young love, Nicky is thirteen when her family buys a holiday home at Atlantic Beach, she's less than thrilled that she's been dragged away from her friends for the entire summer. After meeting Jeremy she changes her mind, Jeremy is a fourteen year old local boy and it's love at first sight, no one thinks it will last, how could it when they're both so young or will they surprise everyone.
I just loved this book, it's a little different for me but I'm writing this review with tears still streaming down my face, it hit just about every emotion and it's a book I'll never forget.
A love story that touches your heart in so many ways. I very much enjoyed reading this book. Its well put together and grabs you the moment you open it to the very end, that will leave you breathless. It was so good I finished it in a couple hours. Tressa Messenger
What a totally wonderful, gut wrenching, emotional story. I absolutely loved it. And yes I did need Kleenex. Even knowing ahead of time what was going to happen, I still cried! Nikki and Jeremy meet at the beach where her parents have just bought a summer home. The two instantly fall in love. They promise to stay in touch even after Nikki goes home. They promise to love each other forever. As young teenagers, they believe this is possible, but is it? Will they make it as a couple? Or will a tragedy ruin what they have? Read this book you won't be disappointed!!
When I read a book it is to escape. I don't mind angst, trials, tribulations and overcoming obstacles. But, I like to feel good at the end. This was tragic, tragic, tragic. I get it that life is messy and doesn't always have happy endings but this was too much for me to enjoy. It didn't help that too much in this book did not work.
I want to thank the author for one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. You put your heart out for the world to read. Thank you for sharing..