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Golden Knights #4
Golden Promises
Golden Promises is a heartwarming story that introduces us to Maria Caruso, a go-getter CEO in the world of finance, on the hunt for true love. Despite her success, Maria's stuck in a loop of first dates that just aren't hitting the mark she's aiming for. But then along comes Alejandro Santos, a guy who's been through the wringer with love before.
Their paths cross at a friend's wedding reception, and bam, instant sparks! But Alejandro's past has left him preferring flings over feelings. He's all about his young son Silvano and the family farm, leaving little room for an authentic relationship.
Maria's all about deep connections, but Alejandro's playing it cool. He's wrestling with his history and what he actually wants from a relationship. Meanwhile, Maria's determined spirit and unshakeable belief in love make him rethink his stance.
Maya Alden has spun a tale that's as real as it gets, diving into love, healing, and second chances. Follow Maria and Alejandro's journey toward a heartfelt connection, and get hooked by their raw emotions and personal growth.
Publisher's This is book #4 in the Golden Knights Series. This is a standalone novel with a guaranteed happily ever after with no cheating but lots of laughs and a big loving family.
Their paths cross at a friend's wedding reception, and bam, instant sparks! But Alejandro's past has left him preferring flings over feelings. He's all about his young son Silvano and the family farm, leaving little room for an authentic relationship.
Maria's all about deep connections, but Alejandro's playing it cool. He's wrestling with his history and what he actually wants from a relationship. Meanwhile, Maria's determined spirit and unshakeable belief in love make him rethink his stance.
Maya Alden has spun a tale that's as real as it gets, diving into love, healing, and second chances. Follow Maria and Alejandro's journey toward a heartfelt connection, and get hooked by their raw emotions and personal growth.
Publisher's This is book #4 in the Golden Knights Series. This is a standalone novel with a guaranteed happily ever after with no cheating but lots of laughs and a big loving family.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2023
723 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Maya Alden
52 books1,145 followersA top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 29, 2025
DNF at 49%.
Poor man-baby hero got an emotional paper cut 11 years ago and is still hemorrhaging so he can't wuv the heroine. That's okay, all he needs to do is crook his finger and she rolls over. I left when he snapped at her for trying to hold his hand near his son, instant forgiveness. Barf.
Plus there's a Danielle Steele/Judith Krantz/Kristen Ashley designer name dropping that is annoying.
He's such a Princess.
Poor man-baby hero got an emotional paper cut 11 years ago and is still hemorrhaging so he can't wuv the heroine. That's okay, all he needs to do is crook his finger and she rolls over. I left when he snapped at her for trying to hold his hand near his son, instant forgiveness. Barf.
Plus there's a Danielle Steele/Judith Krantz/Kristen Ashley designer name dropping that is annoying.
He's such a Princess.
February 21, 2024
The author tried too hard. The plot is not so believable. The heroine is 32 and the hero 42, he has a son who was basically an accident with a woman who was unstable. Well, the hero is commitment phobic, but he is also a very annoying guy, because you know, he doesn’t do love and he doesn’t do commitment and so on it was quite boring. The heroine basically tells him she’s in love with him the fourth time they meet, really? It would be too much even for a girl half her age.
And he keeps repeating as a mantra, each time he messes things up, that he is 42 and that he never had a relationship and he’s new with the dating thing, duuuuuude, are you for real? Leave your comfort zone for once and get real.
The heroine accepts every tantrum he throws and believe me, he throws a lot and with very little reason! Eventually I was tired and bored and I only wanted the boom to end.
I don’t believe she fell in insta love with such a volatile man who was 42, not a spring chicken definitely, and I don’t know if he could ever change his behavior in future, she is also a CEO and should be very strong but she turns out to be too meek and quite a doormat since she always takes him back too easily, thank god he was celibate since he met her, little joys in life.
And he keeps repeating as a mantra, each time he messes things up, that he is 42 and that he never had a relationship and he’s new with the dating thing, duuuuuude, are you for real? Leave your comfort zone for once and get real.
The heroine accepts every tantrum he throws and believe me, he throws a lot and with very little reason! Eventually I was tired and bored and I only wanted the boom to end.
I don’t believe she fell in insta love with such a volatile man who was 42, not a spring chicken definitely, and I don’t know if he could ever change his behavior in future, she is also a CEO and should be very strong but she turns out to be too meek and quite a doormat since she always takes him back too easily, thank god he was celibate since he met her, little joys in life.
October 20, 2023
Alejandro and Maria.
Right from the start, Maria and Alejandro's story captivated me completely. The words on the page were arranged in such a way that reading about them became effortless. It was a story about instant attraction and love, the trials and tribulations of meeting someone and how fear can really affect the way you behave.
Alejandro was listening to his head and letting fear drive him, rather than following his heart. His indecisiveness was not endearing, it was frustrating and extremely hurtful to Maria.
Maria was a likeable character, but where she was strong in her day to day life, she was a bit subservient in her relationship with Alejandro. She gave too much too quickly. I’ve read a lot of insta love romance books, Maria fell hard and quickly. I get what the author was trying to do, but the declarations of love were too quick and a bit unbelievable. They’d only had four dates and slept together a few times and that was with months in between, with no actual interaction or phone calls outside of those times, when Maria told him her real feelings. We need proximity to believe it.
I did enjoy the angst throughout the story, I love a good second chance book when done right. Maria, although did push back I needed more. Especially after the weekend in his home when Alejandro threw his dummy out the pram when Maria said to hold off telling Silvano. He was nasty to her, belittled her and then ignored her for four weeks. Then when he pulled his head out his own arse, she forgave him….immediately….literally within minutes of discussing it. Come on Maria!! The amount of times he pushed her away, then when the one time she wanted him to be absolutely certain, he had a tantrum! I felt that she really forgave too quickly and then she apologised for hurting him! I get there has to be both give and take in a relationship, and a level of understanding and forgiveness, but the balance was way off. It was all centered around Alejandro and his feelings, he was very self centered and Maria needed to stand up for herself a bit more. He did apologise, but not enough. Especially after the amount of times he hurt her. The one time HE felt hurt, he turned it around and treated her badly.
Towards the end you could feel that the other shoe was going to drop. I liked the build up to it knowing what was coming. Again I felt disappointed with how quickly Maria gave in. Once again she was too forgiving far too quickly. Alejandro didn’t just push her away….he was nasty about it and his words were vindictive. That’s harder to come back from, especially as it wasn’t the first time. Feelings I can understand, but nasty words are unnecessary. He could’ve just walked away to think it through, but instead he used words to cut her down. I know Maria’s nature was to be forgiving, but I never saw him EARN her forgiveness. I wanted him to work for it. Each time it wasn’t just a day or two with no contact, it was sometimes weeks and in those times apart Maria felt heartbroken. Then when he snaps his fingers, she is back at his feet again. He said the right words, but she never made him work for it. I felt she owed herself a bit more, especially with what he put her through each time. So frustrating.
Silvano I loved, he was the star of the show. I’d love a future book with him as the mmc when he is older. I found him quite fascinating.
I really do like the authors style of writing. I just want more the FMC to push back more. I’d feel more respect for them, and readers will connect the them more if we see the mmc having to work for their love.
Right from the start, Maria and Alejandro's story captivated me completely. The words on the page were arranged in such a way that reading about them became effortless. It was a story about instant attraction and love, the trials and tribulations of meeting someone and how fear can really affect the way you behave.
Alejandro was listening to his head and letting fear drive him, rather than following his heart. His indecisiveness was not endearing, it was frustrating and extremely hurtful to Maria.
Maria was a likeable character, but where she was strong in her day to day life, she was a bit subservient in her relationship with Alejandro. She gave too much too quickly. I’ve read a lot of insta love romance books, Maria fell hard and quickly. I get what the author was trying to do, but the declarations of love were too quick and a bit unbelievable. They’d only had four dates and slept together a few times and that was with months in between, with no actual interaction or phone calls outside of those times, when Maria told him her real feelings. We need proximity to believe it.
I did enjoy the angst throughout the story, I love a good second chance book when done right. Maria, although did push back I needed more. Especially after the weekend in his home when Alejandro threw his dummy out the pram when Maria said to hold off telling Silvano. He was nasty to her, belittled her and then ignored her for four weeks. Then when he pulled his head out his own arse, she forgave him….immediately….literally within minutes of discussing it. Come on Maria!! The amount of times he pushed her away, then when the one time she wanted him to be absolutely certain, he had a tantrum! I felt that she really forgave too quickly and then she apologised for hurting him! I get there has to be both give and take in a relationship, and a level of understanding and forgiveness, but the balance was way off. It was all centered around Alejandro and his feelings, he was very self centered and Maria needed to stand up for herself a bit more. He did apologise, but not enough. Especially after the amount of times he hurt her. The one time HE felt hurt, he turned it around and treated her badly.
Towards the end you could feel that the other shoe was going to drop. I liked the build up to it knowing what was coming. Again I felt disappointed with how quickly Maria gave in. Once again she was too forgiving far too quickly. Alejandro didn’t just push her away….he was nasty about it and his words were vindictive. That’s harder to come back from, especially as it wasn’t the first time. Feelings I can understand, but nasty words are unnecessary. He could’ve just walked away to think it through, but instead he used words to cut her down. I know Maria’s nature was to be forgiving, but I never saw him EARN her forgiveness. I wanted him to work for it. Each time it wasn’t just a day or two with no contact, it was sometimes weeks and in those times apart Maria felt heartbroken. Then when he snaps his fingers, she is back at his feet again. He said the right words, but she never made him work for it. I felt she owed herself a bit more, especially with what he put her through each time. So frustrating.
Silvano I loved, he was the star of the show. I’d love a future book with him as the mmc when he is older. I found him quite fascinating.
I really do like the authors style of writing. I just want more the FMC to push back more. I’d feel more respect for them, and readers will connect the them more if we see the mmc having to work for their love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
I love books with the dead wife trope! The dead wife didn’t prominently feature in this book as she was a heartless bitch. I did enjoy the angst and push-pull in this book. Alejandro was quite emotionally immature for a 42 yo man imho.
November 2, 2023
Very poor execution of characters. There was no growth in both the MCs, the H makes a rash judgement, sulks, pouts and is downright nasty then realises he made a mistake only because someone points it out. He goes apologises and the h accepts him back because she's a kind, understanding, woman which is a polite way of saying she's a doormat. For a man who claims to be an aged 42 year old every second minute of the book, he sure does not have the emotional maturity of his age. And for a successful powerhouse CEO she is very easily manipulated.
So disappointed to not see any character growth in both of them. Maybe some therapy scenes or something in the future which shows a change in behaviour could have helped but I can already see problems ahead if they continue down this path. The author did not take the time to help them grow over the period of this book.
This book had so much potential but just did not live up to any of it. There were two strong fallible characters who could learn so much about themselves, work on themselves and make their relationship stronger, but till the end of the book they continue with the same empty words and promises. Personally I like seeing action more than hearing words of change.
So disappointed to not see any character growth in both of them. Maybe some therapy scenes or something in the future which shows a change in behaviour could have helped but I can already see problems ahead if they continue down this path. The author did not take the time to help them grow over the period of this book.
This book had so much potential but just did not live up to any of it. There were two strong fallible characters who could learn so much about themselves, work on themselves and make their relationship stronger, but till the end of the book they continue with the same empty words and promises. Personally I like seeing action more than hearing words of change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 21, 2023DNF
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I lost interest in the couple and the hero's indecision.
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I lost interest in the couple and the hero's indecision.
November 24, 2025
This was free…
You know how you have to get signed up on a website in order to get a bonus chapter? This book came with it, because I would never have bought this.
Apologies in advance, but this author must hate women. I don’t think I’ve read even one of her stories where the FMC is a strong woman who makes the moron MMC grovel adequately. This is just another example of that lack of respect for women. Maria, at the end, fell victim to treacherous body syndrome and gave in way too quickly. Just my opinion…
This guy was basically a coward who refused to cope with his emotions. I found him to be a pathetic person. He was happy to bang women that he picked up at a hotel bar, but he didn’t want a relationship with any of them. He gave his son as the reason for that. His first wife was a gold digger, basically, and he felt used because she got pregnant and they were kind of forced into marriage.
The best character was his son, who was eleven and then had a birthday. He was a really smart and sweet kid, and I loved him. Otherwise this would have been a one star read…
You know how you have to get signed up on a website in order to get a bonus chapter? This book came with it, because I would never have bought this.
Apologies in advance, but this author must hate women. I don’t think I’ve read even one of her stories where the FMC is a strong woman who makes the moron MMC grovel adequately. This is just another example of that lack of respect for women. Maria, at the end, fell victim to treacherous body syndrome and gave in way too quickly. Just my opinion…
This guy was basically a coward who refused to cope with his emotions. I found him to be a pathetic person. He was happy to bang women that he picked up at a hotel bar, but he didn’t want a relationship with any of them. He gave his son as the reason for that. His first wife was a gold digger, basically, and he felt used because she got pregnant and they were kind of forced into marriage.
The best character was his son, who was eleven and then had a birthday. He was a really smart and sweet kid, and I loved him. Otherwise this would have been a one star read…
Read
August 17, 2023Cant wait for this one!
September 18, 2023
Good read
I don't like being forced to give my email to sign up to read the bonus wedding chapter so I can't comment on that. This book was alright. I enjoyed the fast pace. Dragged on a little long since they were already together and just just wanted him to pull it together a little faster.
Im not a fan of being promiscuous and hope this author has more characters like Esme and Maria. And please not any more sleeping with someone in their circle of friends. I get that it shouldn't be an issue but sorry most people have an issue with past lovers and so many. Need some characters who feel that it's ok to wait.
I don't like being forced to give my email to sign up to read the bonus wedding chapter so I can't comment on that. This book was alright. I enjoyed the fast pace. Dragged on a little long since they were already together and just just wanted him to pull it together a little faster.
Im not a fan of being promiscuous and hope this author has more characters like Esme and Maria. And please not any more sleeping with someone in their circle of friends. I get that it shouldn't be an issue but sorry most people have an issue with past lovers and so many. Need some characters who feel that it's ok to wait.
August 18, 2025
Maria Caruso, una CEO ambiciosa y brillante en el mundo de las finanzas en biotecnología que, en la boda de una amiga conoce a Alejandro Santos, un CEO de una granja que inmediatamente despierta algo distinto en ella. Alejandro, sin embargo, no es un príncipe dispuesto a entregarse: marcado por un pasado doloroso, su vida gira alrededor de su hijo pequeño, Silvano, y del trabajo en la granja familiar. Prefiere las aventuras sin compromiso antes que arriesgarse a volver a sufrir en una relación seria. La atracción entre ellos es instantánea, pero mientras Maria busca conexiones profundas y reales, él mantiene la guardia en alto y evita dejarse llevar.
El libro desarrolla esa tensión entre lo que ambos desean de forma demasiado slow y los frenos emocionales de Alejandro impiden mucho más. Él se muestra como un hombre reservado, que constantemente frustra las ilusiones de Maria al rechazar cualquier posibilidad de compromiso, y en el camino muchas de sus actitudes resultan crueles, frías y egoístas. Ella, en contraste, es todo lo contrario: cariñosa, determinada, creyente en el amor y con una paciencia que raya en lo excesiva, porque en más de una ocasión se deja lastimar con tal de demostrarle que está dispuesta a quedarse. La dinámica entre ambos se vuelve desigual, y aunque Alejandro poco a poco empieza a rendirse ante sus sentimientos y reconocer que no puede seguir huyendo del amor, el daño que le hace a Maria a lo largo del proceso genera un vínculo más tóxico que romántico. Solo cuando ve que puede perderla realmente es que baja la guardia, acepta sus miedos y se abre a una relación auténtica, lo que lleva a un cierre con final feliz, pero empañado por todo lo que sucedió antes.
Le puse un 2 estrellas porque sinceramente la premisa me parecía prometedora y me tenía con ganas de leerlo, pero la ejecución me dejó frustrada. Él fue un completo desastre: egoísta, cruel en sus palabras y actitudes, y en ningún momento sentí que realmente la valorara como se merecía. Y ella… uff, demasiado buena, demasiado arrastrada, se dejó pisotear de principio a fin y eso me rompió el corazón porque era una mujer noble y empática, que no merecía todo lo que le hacían. Terminé el libro con bronca más que con emoción, porque no hubo un balance justo entre ellos. La historia tenía potencial, pero para mí se perdió en lo tóxico de la dinámica.
El libro desarrolla esa tensión entre lo que ambos desean de forma demasiado slow y los frenos emocionales de Alejandro impiden mucho más. Él se muestra como un hombre reservado, que constantemente frustra las ilusiones de Maria al rechazar cualquier posibilidad de compromiso, y en el camino muchas de sus actitudes resultan crueles, frías y egoístas. Ella, en contraste, es todo lo contrario: cariñosa, determinada, creyente en el amor y con una paciencia que raya en lo excesiva, porque en más de una ocasión se deja lastimar con tal de demostrarle que está dispuesta a quedarse. La dinámica entre ambos se vuelve desigual, y aunque Alejandro poco a poco empieza a rendirse ante sus sentimientos y reconocer que no puede seguir huyendo del amor, el daño que le hace a Maria a lo largo del proceso genera un vínculo más tóxico que romántico. Solo cuando ve que puede perderla realmente es que baja la guardia, acepta sus miedos y se abre a una relación auténtica, lo que lleva a un cierre con final feliz, pero empañado por todo lo que sucedió antes.
Le puse un 2 estrellas porque sinceramente la premisa me parecía prometedora y me tenía con ganas de leerlo, pero la ejecución me dejó frustrada. Él fue un completo desastre: egoísta, cruel en sus palabras y actitudes, y en ningún momento sentí que realmente la valorara como se merecía. Y ella… uff, demasiado buena, demasiado arrastrada, se dejó pisotear de principio a fin y eso me rompió el corazón porque era una mujer noble y empática, que no merecía todo lo que le hacían. Terminé el libro con bronca más que con emoción, porque no hubo un balance justo entre ellos. La historia tenía potencial, pero para mí se perdió en lo tóxico de la dinámica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
Nothing More Unattractive Than A Toddler Man Who Needs His Toxicity Pointed Out Before He Apologises
Maya, honestly, don't you get tired of saving the Narcissists?
Is life so dead at Neoliberal valley that you need to pretend this is miscommunication not just habitual abuse?
Of course, Neoliberals are emotional abusers of their children, if your story is whether to tell your child you are fucking, then you don't respect her.
Your relationship started in the dark.
And thats where it remains, with everyone around him needing to remind him how to be decent all the time.
This behaviour, pretending thet do not know what they are doing is not only ABLEIST and MISOGYNISTIC, but its also why Elon Musk gets to perfor. Neurodiverse.
Watching the Billionaire gammons, the social murderers collapse right now is amazing.
Imagine a social murderer performing giving a fuck about a child.
How many Gazas did you two fund?
Green Pilled Patriarchial Parable of Toxicity, for the Unseen, Unloved and utterly Unfucked, to live through, and show us interesting women how to behave with conformity.
Maya, honestly, don't you get tired of saving the Narcissists?
Is life so dead at Neoliberal valley that you need to pretend this is miscommunication not just habitual abuse?
Of course, Neoliberals are emotional abusers of their children, if your story is whether to tell your child you are fucking, then you don't respect her.
Your relationship started in the dark.
And thats where it remains, with everyone around him needing to remind him how to be decent all the time.
This behaviour, pretending thet do not know what they are doing is not only ABLEIST and MISOGYNISTIC, but its also why Elon Musk gets to perfor. Neurodiverse.
Watching the Billionaire gammons, the social murderers collapse right now is amazing.
Imagine a social murderer performing giving a fuck about a child.
How many Gazas did you two fund?
Green Pilled Patriarchial Parable of Toxicity, for the Unseen, Unloved and utterly Unfucked, to live through, and show us interesting women how to behave with conformity.
December 18, 2024
Love conquers all
Fast paced. Entertaining. Great plot. Couldn't pronounce nor remember their names. Guess it doesn't matter. Definitely recommend this author and this book.
Fast paced. Entertaining. Great plot. Couldn't pronounce nor remember their names. Guess it doesn't matter. Definitely recommend this author and this book.
February 2, 2025
I went back and read a bunch of Alden's books and I read this in a day. I love a good grovel and I really liked this one up until the end, because DANG did he not deserve that HEA.
His son was adorable and I liked him and the other characters, but Alejandro, you let me down.
Basically, the plot is that Alejandro had a woman who baby trapped him and then demanded a divorce for money, but died before the divorce was finalized. This gives Alejandro the excuse to keep Maria at arms length and make demands, like not getting close to his family or him. So, it's Alejandro breaking Maria's heart over and over again. He gets scared and hurts her feelings or pulls away. Then he comes back and apologizes and promises to do better. Repeat.
Normally, I'm fine with that. Because I know there will be a good grovel.
Then he really hurts her because his son asked her for help (finding out about his mother) and not him! So he just rails into her and breaks up with her.
I was thinking, okay he'll really do something big to make this up to Maria.
NOPE!
The solution is that he proposes! Everyone is somehow behind this as the solution. Not holding him accountable for his actions. The worse part? She says yes. Minimal groveling and Alejandro just says he'll change. Something he has said THROUGHOUT the book! And not done.
But he's proposed now. So I'm sure it's fine.
Ugh.
Maria, run. Take the son with you.
His son was adorable and I liked him and the other characters, but Alejandro, you let me down.
Basically, the plot is that Alejandro had a woman who baby trapped him and then demanded a divorce for money, but died before the divorce was finalized. This gives Alejandro the excuse to keep Maria at arms length and make demands, like not getting close to his family or him. So, it's Alejandro breaking Maria's heart over and over again. He gets scared and hurts her feelings or pulls away. Then he comes back and apologizes and promises to do better. Repeat.
Normally, I'm fine with that. Because I know there will be a good grovel.
Then he really hurts her because his son asked her for help (finding out about his mother) and not him! So he just rails into her and breaks up with her.
I was thinking, okay he'll really do something big to make this up to Maria.
NOPE!
The solution is that he proposes! Everyone is somehow behind this as the solution. Not holding him accountable for his actions. The worse part? She says yes. Minimal groveling and Alejandro just says he'll change. Something he has said THROUGHOUT the book! And not done.
But he's proposed now. So I'm sure it's fine.
Ugh.
Maria, run. Take the son with you.
December 14, 2024
Oh. My. God. This passage just about sums up the entire book:
“I cringed, and saw pure agony move in his eyes. “Baby, I'm so sorry. But I haven't been here before. I'm a forty-two-year-old man who's never been in a relationship with a woman. I know how to be a father, a brother, a son, a friend…but I don't know how to be a lover or a partner. I need you to teach me, help me learn.” My eyes filled with tears at his confession. “I…” The tears choked me, “I can't keep getting hurt.” He pulled me into his arms then, holding me tight. “I will try my best not to hurt you, but I will make mistakes.””
Nice apology, huh?? Except this is literally like the 7th time he’s made the SAME EXACT APOLOGY!!!! I have never been so frustrated with a H in my life. He is a grown-ass man behaving like a child, and he’s too shitty of a person to walk away when he knows his destroying a woman who loves him. She tells him she loves him in like the first 10% of the book, so he is aware of what he’s doing to her, but he just “can’t help himself.” Nope. That’s not a man. That’s a boy. One of the countless times he “pulls away,” which is to say ghosts her for weeks before begging her to take him back, is because he BEGS her to say she loves him during sex, which then freaks him out cus things are getting too serious, so he punishes her by ignoring her for a while. What?!
Look I love some angst in my romances and I can get down with a pretty despicable H as long as he grows throughout the course of the book. But with this book, it’s not even that he keeps fucking up but that he fucks up in the SAME EXACT WAY. So in addition to being absolutely infuriating for the reader, it’s also really shitty, unimaginative writing. You could literally read the apology scene above and it could have been from chapter one or the final chapter because it’s the same thing every time. And I am reviewing this as a reader who has read MAAAAAANY Maya Alden books and who has loved and forgiven some VERY shitty heroes of hers. But Alejandro is just boring and immature and I cannot get behind it.
The final time Alejandro acts like an immature man-baby, says terrible things to the woman he claims to love, and kicks her out (again), his family comes and does an intervention with him. They talk about how he’s really going to have to grovel, that she might not take him back, and he needs to think long and hard about how to prove to her that he’s changed. And how does he do that, you ask? Puts some candles and roses out and tells her he’s sorry and he’s changed. And she’s like oh ok cool let’s get married and have babies. The end. COME. ON.
And I’m not sure Maya Alden understands what a limerick is. There are multiple instances of “hilarious” limericks that are just painful, culminating in this one, which is apparently funny and sweet and wonderful and swoon worthy:
“There was a stupid man named Alejandro, couldn't see past his sorrow. He was lucky when Maria came into his life; luckier still when she agreed to become his wife. Now he is known as the wise man, Alejandro.” I don’t even feel the need to comment here—come to your own conclusions.
Also, just SOOOO much fashion name dropping, which is annoying, and so many terrible, cringy high school English class metaphors:
“Their steps were a metaphor for the intricate dance of relationships, one that I had entered hesitantly…The kicks and spins in their dance mirrored the uncertainty of my situation.” No.
“And as I looked out at the mountains, I realized that as they stood tall and unyielding, so did my feelings for Alejandro.” Barf.
“Our first stop was the MOMA, a haven of art that mirrors the colors and textures of our own journey.” NOOOOOOOOOOO. A cheesy-ass metaphor AND a tense switch mid-sentence?? C’mon, Maya!!!!
Yikesamundo. What a disappointment.
“I cringed, and saw pure agony move in his eyes. “Baby, I'm so sorry. But I haven't been here before. I'm a forty-two-year-old man who's never been in a relationship with a woman. I know how to be a father, a brother, a son, a friend…but I don't know how to be a lover or a partner. I need you to teach me, help me learn.” My eyes filled with tears at his confession. “I…” The tears choked me, “I can't keep getting hurt.” He pulled me into his arms then, holding me tight. “I will try my best not to hurt you, but I will make mistakes.””
Nice apology, huh?? Except this is literally like the 7th time he’s made the SAME EXACT APOLOGY!!!! I have never been so frustrated with a H in my life. He is a grown-ass man behaving like a child, and he’s too shitty of a person to walk away when he knows his destroying a woman who loves him. She tells him she loves him in like the first 10% of the book, so he is aware of what he’s doing to her, but he just “can’t help himself.” Nope. That’s not a man. That’s a boy. One of the countless times he “pulls away,” which is to say ghosts her for weeks before begging her to take him back, is because he BEGS her to say she loves him during sex, which then freaks him out cus things are getting too serious, so he punishes her by ignoring her for a while. What?!
Look I love some angst in my romances and I can get down with a pretty despicable H as long as he grows throughout the course of the book. But with this book, it’s not even that he keeps fucking up but that he fucks up in the SAME EXACT WAY. So in addition to being absolutely infuriating for the reader, it’s also really shitty, unimaginative writing. You could literally read the apology scene above and it could have been from chapter one or the final chapter because it’s the same thing every time. And I am reviewing this as a reader who has read MAAAAAANY Maya Alden books and who has loved and forgiven some VERY shitty heroes of hers. But Alejandro is just boring and immature and I cannot get behind it.
The final time Alejandro acts like an immature man-baby, says terrible things to the woman he claims to love, and kicks her out (again), his family comes and does an intervention with him. They talk about how he’s really going to have to grovel, that she might not take him back, and he needs to think long and hard about how to prove to her that he’s changed. And how does he do that, you ask? Puts some candles and roses out and tells her he’s sorry and he’s changed. And she’s like oh ok cool let’s get married and have babies. The end. COME. ON.
And I’m not sure Maya Alden understands what a limerick is. There are multiple instances of “hilarious” limericks that are just painful, culminating in this one, which is apparently funny and sweet and wonderful and swoon worthy:
“There was a stupid man named Alejandro, couldn't see past his sorrow. He was lucky when Maria came into his life; luckier still when she agreed to become his wife. Now he is known as the wise man, Alejandro.” I don’t even feel the need to comment here—come to your own conclusions.
Also, just SOOOO much fashion name dropping, which is annoying, and so many terrible, cringy high school English class metaphors:
“Their steps were a metaphor for the intricate dance of relationships, one that I had entered hesitantly…The kicks and spins in their dance mirrored the uncertainty of my situation.” No.
“And as I looked out at the mountains, I realized that as they stood tall and unyielding, so did my feelings for Alejandro.” Barf.
“Our first stop was the MOMA, a haven of art that mirrors the colors and textures of our own journey.” NOOOOOOOOOOO. A cheesy-ass metaphor AND a tense switch mid-sentence?? C’mon, Maya!!!!
Yikesamundo. What a disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2025
boo hiss two thumbs down for Alejandro
I was excited to continue on with this series… until I wasn’t.
Maya Alden is number 1 in writing the most insufferable MMCs. Literally, continuously writing the antithesis of the book boyfriend… a man so horrible, so terrible that you’re actively rooting against the main couple… I have no idea why anyone would want Maria and Alejandro to end up together, even though you know that they will end up together in the end. He repeatedly d*cks her around, he never does anything worthwhile when they’re together and yet we’re supposed to want them to be together??? The Santos family is so great, and his son, Silvano, an adorable addition, but Alejandro doesn’t do a single thing that I can understand Maria falling in love with, let alone putting up with.
The additions of all the characters we’ve seen in this universe and in the Golden Valley universe is a nice touch, but it doesn’t make up for how awful Alejandro is. He’s boring, he’s rude and he’s stuck in his ways, and they don’t even make sense. The majority of the book was Alejandro fighting their connection and his feelings while making Maria miserable. How were they ever supposed to have a good life? We didn’t even see them have a good dating relationship.
“I didn't want you to tell Silvano about us, not because of me, Alejandro, it was because I don't think you're sure about us. Are you?”. “No.” HOW ARE WE AT 67% AND WE STILL ON “won’t they” PART OF THE STORY?!
There’s no part of me rooting for this couple, or more specifically this man to end up together in the end.
Maria comparing herself to being “someone who belongs in the Parc-aux-Cerfs.” … is not romantic, but terribly sad when you consider she’s bad@$$ CEO AND HES GIVING HER NOTHING, and he makes light of it. This is not a romance.
The only “good” thing Alejandro did was support her at the family dinner for her awful family… and even then he had a bad inner monologue and then used all that against her in the third act breakup …
Maria getting back together with him is ABSOLUTELY the definition of the cab theory, where she’s settling … we haven’t seen a single worthwhile thing in Alejandro Santos. Maria just wants to be married, a mother and fell for the Santos family and Alejandro, despite his best (re: worst) actions!
The final act to get her back, Alejandro didn’t plan or do much of anything. They did a repeat of Arsenio’s act to get Paloma back, bar for bar and then had his sister plan this elaborate, beautiful gesture for him to be the center of the mechanism. Sure, he had to say the words, but that’s really the least he could do.
“But you hurt me. And now all you have are apologies and…I can’t live like this. I can’t constantly worry that you’ll leave me. I can’t…I just can’t. I’m sorry.” … suddenly he’s quite literally on his knees and she wants to make it work?! How does that make any sense?! He propose, accepts all the things she wants and suddenly the book is over. Ridiculous.
Alejandro Santos is a bad book boyfriend, I won’t say bad man, but a bad romantic partner.
“Maria was the luckiest girl in the world. She fell in love with a man and her heart twirled. The love grew and grew and grew; and when she met his family, she knew; she loved not just the man but his son, his brother, his sister, mother and father, and her love was returned a hundred fold.”
*insert eye roll*
I was excited to continue on with this series… until I wasn’t.
Maya Alden is number 1 in writing the most insufferable MMCs. Literally, continuously writing the antithesis of the book boyfriend… a man so horrible, so terrible that you’re actively rooting against the main couple… I have no idea why anyone would want Maria and Alejandro to end up together, even though you know that they will end up together in the end. He repeatedly d*cks her around, he never does anything worthwhile when they’re together and yet we’re supposed to want them to be together??? The Santos family is so great, and his son, Silvano, an adorable addition, but Alejandro doesn’t do a single thing that I can understand Maria falling in love with, let alone putting up with.
The additions of all the characters we’ve seen in this universe and in the Golden Valley universe is a nice touch, but it doesn’t make up for how awful Alejandro is. He’s boring, he’s rude and he’s stuck in his ways, and they don’t even make sense. The majority of the book was Alejandro fighting their connection and his feelings while making Maria miserable. How were they ever supposed to have a good life? We didn’t even see them have a good dating relationship.
“I didn't want you to tell Silvano about us, not because of me, Alejandro, it was because I don't think you're sure about us. Are you?”. “No.” HOW ARE WE AT 67% AND WE STILL ON “won’t they” PART OF THE STORY?!
There’s no part of me rooting for this couple, or more specifically this man to end up together in the end.
Maria comparing herself to being “someone who belongs in the Parc-aux-Cerfs.” … is not romantic, but terribly sad when you consider she’s bad@$$ CEO AND HES GIVING HER NOTHING, and he makes light of it. This is not a romance.
The only “good” thing Alejandro did was support her at the family dinner for her awful family… and even then he had a bad inner monologue and then used all that against her in the third act breakup …
Maria getting back together with him is ABSOLUTELY the definition of the cab theory, where she’s settling … we haven’t seen a single worthwhile thing in Alejandro Santos. Maria just wants to be married, a mother and fell for the Santos family and Alejandro, despite his best (re: worst) actions!
The final act to get her back, Alejandro didn’t plan or do much of anything. They did a repeat of Arsenio’s act to get Paloma back, bar for bar and then had his sister plan this elaborate, beautiful gesture for him to be the center of the mechanism. Sure, he had to say the words, but that’s really the least he could do.
“But you hurt me. And now all you have are apologies and…I can’t live like this. I can’t constantly worry that you’ll leave me. I can’t…I just can’t. I’m sorry.” … suddenly he’s quite literally on his knees and she wants to make it work?! How does that make any sense?! He propose, accepts all the things she wants and suddenly the book is over. Ridiculous.
Alejandro Santos is a bad book boyfriend, I won’t say bad man, but a bad romantic partner.
“Maria was the luckiest girl in the world. She fell in love with a man and her heart twirled. The love grew and grew and grew; and when she met his family, she knew; she loved not just the man but his son, his brother, his sister, mother and father, and her love was returned a hundred fold.”
*insert eye roll*
February 28, 2025
Maria (32) is the CEO of an investment bank. She also funds the nonprofit where Esme did social work in Book 1, The Wrong Wife.
She met Alejandro (42) at Mateo and Raya's wedding in Book 2, Bad Boss.
Their book picks up 6 months later. Alejandro can't stop thinking about Maria and thinks he's "fucked" because he wants to keep seeing her, more than just a ONS.
There are two issues for Alejandro:
First, Alejandro insists he doesn't know what love is or what it feels like, and doesn't know how to date because he has never dated. (But he also says he dated when he was younger, before his son was born, so whatever.) This was ridiculous IMO, because he had a father and step mother who were good role models for a healthy, loving relationship. He also loved his family and friends and was able to verbalize his feelings towards them all. There was no cause for why he didn't "know what love is." It didn't make sense.
Second issue is, Alejandro thinks if he has a girlfriend, he will have to put his son, 11 year old Silvano, second. Also, he refuses to bring a woman into his son's life just for them to break up and leave his son's life some time in the future. Ok, that means he can never date anyone, even someone he loves. So that should be the end of the book.
Maria disagrees with his philosophy. She thinks love is expansive, and there is room for all kinds of love in your life, not just familial love. At first she agrees to a FWB arrangement, because they are both grown ups after all. But she starts to love him, and realizes they need to end it, because she doesn't want a one-sided love. She wants real love, with marriage and children, and she's not getting anywhere spending her time with Alejandro.
When she tells him it's time to end things, he doesn't want to stop seeing her and agrees to be boyfriend-girlfriend, as long as they don't tell his family, because he still doesn't want his son to see them dating. She agrees, but still doesn't get her hopes up thinking this is a forever kind of thing. Why does she agree? To enjoy being with someone she loves, to find joy in the present moment. I didn't think she was a doormat, I just think sometimes you have to take what happiness you can get in life when you can get it.
His whole family finds out anyway, because they like to meddle and gossip. He thinks he's hiding it so well, but he's really not.
It continues with a lot of push-pull for most of the book. "As soon as he feels something, he pulls away. And then he comes back, almost desperate, and . . . ." That pretty much sums up the book.
She actually has a lot of contact with his son, because Silvano is always around her friends Raya and Mateo. (Mateo grew up homeless and was unofficially adopted into Alejandro's family, so it's kind of like Mateo and Alejandro are brothers, so they see each other frequently. Raya also invites Maria everywhere because they are friends.)
There's way too much info on what clothes she wears. I really don't care about her clothes.
We also get more introduction to Alejandro's family. His sister Isa, his brother Aurelio who is now fuck buddies with Mateo's ex fuck buddy whom we met in Bad Boss, named Vega.
She met Alejandro (42) at Mateo and Raya's wedding in Book 2, Bad Boss.
Their book picks up 6 months later. Alejandro can't stop thinking about Maria and thinks he's "fucked" because he wants to keep seeing her, more than just a ONS.
There are two issues for Alejandro:
First, Alejandro insists he doesn't know what love is or what it feels like, and doesn't know how to date because he has never dated. (But he also says he dated when he was younger, before his son was born, so whatever.) This was ridiculous IMO, because he had a father and step mother who were good role models for a healthy, loving relationship. He also loved his family and friends and was able to verbalize his feelings towards them all. There was no cause for why he didn't "know what love is." It didn't make sense.
Second issue is, Alejandro thinks if he has a girlfriend, he will have to put his son, 11 year old Silvano, second. Also, he refuses to bring a woman into his son's life just for them to break up and leave his son's life some time in the future. Ok, that means he can never date anyone, even someone he loves. So that should be the end of the book.
Maria disagrees with his philosophy. She thinks love is expansive, and there is room for all kinds of love in your life, not just familial love. At first she agrees to a FWB arrangement, because they are both grown ups after all. But she starts to love him, and realizes they need to end it, because she doesn't want a one-sided love. She wants real love, with marriage and children, and she's not getting anywhere spending her time with Alejandro.
When she tells him it's time to end things, he doesn't want to stop seeing her and agrees to be boyfriend-girlfriend, as long as they don't tell his family, because he still doesn't want his son to see them dating. She agrees, but still doesn't get her hopes up thinking this is a forever kind of thing. Why does she agree? To enjoy being with someone she loves, to find joy in the present moment. I didn't think she was a doormat, I just think sometimes you have to take what happiness you can get in life when you can get it.
His whole family finds out anyway, because they like to meddle and gossip. He thinks he's hiding it so well, but he's really not.
It continues with a lot of push-pull for most of the book. "As soon as he feels something, he pulls away. And then he comes back, almost desperate, and . . . ." That pretty much sums up the book.
She actually has a lot of contact with his son, because Silvano is always around her friends Raya and Mateo. (Mateo grew up homeless and was unofficially adopted into Alejandro's family, so it's kind of like Mateo and Alejandro are brothers, so they see each other frequently. Raya also invites Maria everywhere because they are friends.)
There's way too much info on what clothes she wears. I really don't care about her clothes.
We also get more introduction to Alejandro's family. His sister Isa, his brother Aurelio who is now fuck buddies with Mateo's ex fuck buddy whom we met in Bad Boss, named Vega.
September 15, 2023
I was so excited for Maria’s story!! The woman that we met in book 1 proved to be beautiful, intelligent, strong, minded, and loyal. The dedicated CEO who was introduced as surrogate family to Esme had a beautiful story. I loved Maria, and I loved even more that she was a strong woman who could rule the corporate world and still have that shy innocence that Alejandro brought out.
Maria and Alejandro met at Matteo and Raya’s wedding. Maria knew it was Luv💛💛❤️❤️ and Alejandro could not quite place what he felt.
Maria was an amazing character and I loved watching her grow. She was never meek or timid ,but she did not see all situations in the same light as others until she met Alejandro. Maria loved hard, and was an amazing friend and sister. She wore her heart on her sleeve and was expressive in all she did. While she was not afraid to admit her love, she was afraid to admit some of her fears about the future she had with Alejandro.
Alejandro was rough around the edges. He loved very hard, and he was an amazing father and friend. His experience with Luv💛💛❤️❤️ was a bit jaded due to his first wife and how they parted ways. He wanted Maria, but he did not think he could let her in at the same time he could not let her go. I wanted him to work harder. He made so many mistakes and said so many things that were too easily forgiven. When Maria told him that he was not ready to be all in and on her team, no matter what it was true.
Their love a will pull at your heart strings, and there is no stone left unturned that took them to the end.
Maria and Alejandro met at Matteo and Raya’s wedding. Maria knew it was Luv💛💛❤️❤️ and Alejandro could not quite place what he felt.
Maria was an amazing character and I loved watching her grow. She was never meek or timid ,but she did not see all situations in the same light as others until she met Alejandro. Maria loved hard, and was an amazing friend and sister. She wore her heart on her sleeve and was expressive in all she did. While she was not afraid to admit her love, she was afraid to admit some of her fears about the future she had with Alejandro.
Alejandro was rough around the edges. He loved very hard, and he was an amazing father and friend. His experience with Luv💛💛❤️❤️ was a bit jaded due to his first wife and how they parted ways. He wanted Maria, but he did not think he could let her in at the same time he could not let her go. I wanted him to work harder. He made so many mistakes and said so many things that were too easily forgiven. When Maria told him that he was not ready to be all in and on her team, no matter what it was true.
Their love a will pull at your heart strings, and there is no stone left unturned that took them to the end.
September 9, 2023
I have already loved all Maya’s published books till now, each one with a new magic but a common emotion – deep, soul soothing love. This one was no different. The bonus points were the additional academic information and artistic insights she has put in and presented on a golden platter for us. I genuinely loved the story, the character development and the dialogues. The respect, dedication, love, passion, honor and the grovel all accentuated the sensation of the story making, it alive and serene. I have no doubt that this masterpiece will be loved and embraced by all the readers. This book is not only a good story, but also informative and sends a message of how honesty, acceptance, understanding and transparency can make one more family oriented without worrying about losing anyone, not even on the professional end. How lovely it was to see the father son bond and the IQ geniuses and the whole crew crossovers!! Loved every bit of it from the depth of my heart.
I cannot be thankful enough for being able to receive the ARC when I needed something like a haven. I am so grateful and honored to be within the radar of readers of such a magnificent writer who is a phenomenal human being too.
Trust me, you will not be disappointed with this magical creation of Maya!
I cannot be thankful enough for being able to receive the ARC when I needed something like a haven. I am so grateful and honored to be within the radar of readers of such a magnificent writer who is a phenomenal human being too.
Trust me, you will not be disappointed with this magical creation of Maya!
September 30, 2024
This book was an about connections.
María is a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and one she an Alejandro started to go dinner, she was not afraid of expressing her feelings. However, this sometimes caused her to be hurt. Loved seeing how despite her worries as well her heart broke, she started to become an stronger person, someone who put herself first and chooses what she wants.
On the other side Alejandro was a great father and seeing him with Maria, brought another side of him. However, seeing how at the begging he was treating María, made me alight angry. But once he finally (even though it was literally at the end) realize his mistakes as well as fought against his worries, past traumas and decided to go for Maria, he became the best person for her.
I did enjoyed the book, I felt like sometimes is went in circles and the same thing happened but in a different setting. Additionally, I didn’t enjoyed having to wait until the last part of the book to see them finally happy. However, I have to say that with his books, I have become this author’s fan!
María is a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and one she an Alejandro started to go dinner, she was not afraid of expressing her feelings. However, this sometimes caused her to be hurt. Loved seeing how despite her worries as well her heart broke, she started to become an stronger person, someone who put herself first and chooses what she wants.
On the other side Alejandro was a great father and seeing him with Maria, brought another side of him. However, seeing how at the begging he was treating María, made me alight angry. But once he finally (even though it was literally at the end) realize his mistakes as well as fought against his worries, past traumas and decided to go for Maria, he became the best person for her.
I did enjoyed the book, I felt like sometimes is went in circles and the same thing happened but in a different setting. Additionally, I didn’t enjoyed having to wait until the last part of the book to see them finally happy. However, I have to say that with his books, I have become this author’s fan!
December 3, 2024
While I love Maya Alden’s books, this one was a little tough for me.
Although the ML realizes he is an ass, he is just forgiven too quickly by everyone in my opinion. It is like okay now he knows he needs to change but the whole book is him being told that and he either completely ignores it under the guise that the relationship will eventually end or he saying he is gonna be different this time only to backslide.
The FL is suppose to be this corporate badass CEO, but because she loves him she constantly allows him to verbally and emotionally abuse her. Granted she goes in with her eyes wide open that he has all these hang ups, saying she won’t change him but she wants him to change and gets upset when he doesn’t. It is just very annoying.
I feel it would have been better that either they find other people after learning from this experience or there is a time jump of a few years, not a week, for a resolution to the ML and FL issues.
Not one of my favorites and likely won’t be buying a hard copy version of this book however still a semi decent grovel novel.
Although the ML realizes he is an ass, he is just forgiven too quickly by everyone in my opinion. It is like okay now he knows he needs to change but the whole book is him being told that and he either completely ignores it under the guise that the relationship will eventually end or he saying he is gonna be different this time only to backslide.
The FL is suppose to be this corporate badass CEO, but because she loves him she constantly allows him to verbally and emotionally abuse her. Granted she goes in with her eyes wide open that he has all these hang ups, saying she won’t change him but she wants him to change and gets upset when he doesn’t. It is just very annoying.
I feel it would have been better that either they find other people after learning from this experience or there is a time jump of a few years, not a week, for a resolution to the ML and FL issues.
Not one of my favorites and likely won’t be buying a hard copy version of this book however still a semi decent grovel novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Note: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Coup de ❤️
Je ne m’attendais à rien… et pourtant, "Golden Promises" a été un véritable coup de cœur.
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été happée par l’alchimie entre Alejandro et Maria. Leur relation est intense, passionnée, électrique, tout ce que j’aime dans une romance bien écrite. Je l’ai littéralement dévoré, incapable de poser ce livre une seule seconde.
J’ai tout aimé dans cette lecture :
- La trope "billionaire romance" (tout ce que j’aime)
- L’ambiance "small town", douce et réconfortante (une première pour moi, c’était légèrement exploré mais très sympa)
- Le groupe d’amis qui dégage une vibe de "found family" grave attachante (d’autant plus qu’on les découvre déjà certains dans les livres précédents).
- Les interactions pleines de tension entre Maria et Alejandro.
- L’introduction de nouveaux personnages que j’espère retrouver dans les prochains livres.
Je suis tombée amoureuse de cette histoire alors que je ne m’y attendais pas du tout, et c’est ce genre de surprise que j’adore en tant que lectrice.
Coup de ❤️
Je ne m’attendais à rien… et pourtant, "Golden Promises" a été un véritable coup de cœur.
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été happée par l’alchimie entre Alejandro et Maria. Leur relation est intense, passionnée, électrique, tout ce que j’aime dans une romance bien écrite. Je l’ai littéralement dévoré, incapable de poser ce livre une seule seconde.
J’ai tout aimé dans cette lecture :
- La trope "billionaire romance" (tout ce que j’aime)
- L’ambiance "small town", douce et réconfortante (une première pour moi, c’était légèrement exploré mais très sympa)
- Le groupe d’amis qui dégage une vibe de "found family" grave attachante (d’autant plus qu’on les découvre déjà certains dans les livres précédents).
- Les interactions pleines de tension entre Maria et Alejandro.
- L’introduction de nouveaux personnages que j’espère retrouver dans les prochains livres.
Je suis tombée amoureuse de cette histoire alors que je ne m’y attendais pas du tout, et c’est ce genre de surprise que j’adore en tant que lectrice.
March 9, 2025
I was so disappointed with this book especially because the first 30% were very good and i was hooked despite the fact that the MMC was a 42 years old man child.
But i was annnoyed by the fillers in the book (descriptions of restaurant or clothes or etc + some side dialogs that brought nothing to the story)
& was frustrated by his egotistic behavior up until the end. No character growth what so ever. the FMC was a successful CEO yet she let him walk all over her but i could understand her poitn of view and disnt see her as a full doormat
In The 3rd break up act he was yet again so cruel and FMC handled it great & vowed not to take him abck even if he came back crawling.
Surprise surprise he used his family to kinda coax her into forgiving him & he just begging on his knees. And voila HEA! C’mon we should see him struggle for what he did we should see him grow because no way all those insecurities of him just disappeared overnight!
Too bad this story had a lot of potential
But i was annnoyed by the fillers in the book (descriptions of restaurant or clothes or etc + some side dialogs that brought nothing to the story)
& was frustrated by his egotistic behavior up until the end. No character growth what so ever. the FMC was a successful CEO yet she let him walk all over her but i could understand her poitn of view and disnt see her as a full doormat
In The 3rd break up act he was yet again so cruel and FMC handled it great & vowed not to take him abck even if he came back crawling.
Surprise surprise he used his family to kinda coax her into forgiving him & he just begging on his knees. And voila HEA! C’mon we should see him struggle for what he did we should see him grow because no way all those insecurities of him just disappeared overnight!
Too bad this story had a lot of potential
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
Are you freaking kidding me!
He absolutely rips her apart because he refuses to listen to her for 1 minute, and then 1 so called apology/proposal later she takes him back. Seriously! Maria has no self respect and he's so emotionally constipated it's painful.
Boths MC's had basically little to no growth throughout the story. Something would happen, she would get hurt, he pulls away or says/does something mean. Someone would then give her advice - which she ignores, and then she'd take him back because, "I love him". Absolutely ridiculous. Love isn't your so called partner making you walk on eggshell waiting for them to dump you.
He has no respect for her and she clearly does not respect herself. She literally tells herself their relationship was toxic because it lacked trust and communication, yet she still!!! let's him treat her like a hump and dump situation.
The only reason the book didn't get 1 star is because of Alejandro's son.
He absolutely rips her apart because he refuses to listen to her for 1 minute, and then 1 so called apology/proposal later she takes him back. Seriously! Maria has no self respect and he's so emotionally constipated it's painful.
Boths MC's had basically little to no growth throughout the story. Something would happen, she would get hurt, he pulls away or says/does something mean. Someone would then give her advice - which she ignores, and then she'd take him back because, "I love him". Absolutely ridiculous. Love isn't your so called partner making you walk on eggshell waiting for them to dump you.
He has no respect for her and she clearly does not respect herself. She literally tells herself their relationship was toxic because it lacked trust and communication, yet she still!!! let's him treat her like a hump and dump situation.
The only reason the book didn't get 1 star is because of Alejandro's son.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
Maya Alden has smashed it out of the park with another fantastic addition to her Golden Knights series.
Maria is an amazing strong woman who knows what she wants and Alejandro is the single Father just wanting to do the right thing! Their chemistry is off the charts and where he is trying to protect his Son from a Woman who he fears may eventually leave, Maria is in this for the long game and has no problem letting him know that she is invested in this relationship.
Alejandros family and his son Silvano all love her and can see she is perfect for him.
Characters from previous books pop up and we meet her friend Drago who is fabulous!
I loved this book, you can read it as a stand alone but I would definitely recommend reading the whole series either in or out of order. I can’t wait for Maya’s next book as she is a one click Author for me!!
Maria is an amazing strong woman who knows what she wants and Alejandro is the single Father just wanting to do the right thing! Their chemistry is off the charts and where he is trying to protect his Son from a Woman who he fears may eventually leave, Maria is in this for the long game and has no problem letting him know that she is invested in this relationship.
Alejandros family and his son Silvano all love her and can see she is perfect for him.
Characters from previous books pop up and we meet her friend Drago who is fabulous!
I loved this book, you can read it as a stand alone but I would definitely recommend reading the whole series either in or out of order. I can’t wait for Maya’s next book as she is a one click Author for me!!
November 3, 2025
My first Maya Alden DNF. Thankfully this book was free.
Maria was the most pathetic person I’ve ever read. Seriously. There’s nothing Alejandro could do that she wouldn’t immediately forgive. This book was written like a teenager wrote about what they thought being an adult is like. People in their 30s and 40s don’t behave this wishy washy. Alejandro was a flake who led himself around by his dick. He acted like a deer in rut. Just mindless lust. Maria is supposed to be this boss bitch CEO of her family’s investment bank, but the way she’s trips all over herself over a man, I wouldn’t want her managing a fucking school book fair, much less my money. They both deserved each other now that I think about it.
I plowed through Alden’s backlist and even reread several of her books because I like them so much. This entire series has been a flop with this being the worst one.
Maria was the most pathetic person I’ve ever read. Seriously. There’s nothing Alejandro could do that she wouldn’t immediately forgive. This book was written like a teenager wrote about what they thought being an adult is like. People in their 30s and 40s don’t behave this wishy washy. Alejandro was a flake who led himself around by his dick. He acted like a deer in rut. Just mindless lust. Maria is supposed to be this boss bitch CEO of her family’s investment bank, but the way she’s trips all over herself over a man, I wouldn’t want her managing a fucking school book fair, much less my money. They both deserved each other now that I think about it.
I plowed through Alden’s backlist and even reread several of her books because I like them so much. This entire series has been a flop with this being the worst one.
November 27, 2025
This book was okay. It was not one of my favorite books by Maya, but okay, as I've said. Honestly speaking, nothing annoys me or irritate me with men more than being indecisive about their own feelings, and that was Alejandro with his own love and feelings for Maria. He kept on being hot or cold,pulling or pushing the poor woman even though he knew her true feelings from the start. Also, Maria annoyed me when she kept on giving him so many chances after shutting her down or making her feel bad about her love for him, and that to me showed some selfishness from Alejandro's side. I mean, Silvano was more wise and eye opened than Alejandro, and he was the child. I'm not okay with them fixing things so quickly between them after theirbreakup, I kind of wished Maya would have made Alejandro's character do more or grovel for more when it came to asking for Maria forgiveness and love.
June 8, 2025
my least favorite
Honestly Maria is a doormat. And every time she said she was gonna set boundaries, she caved. Alejandro did not actually change. We saw no evidence of him changing, just him coming to the realization that he needed too. All he did was give an apology and say he would change (for the 400th time) and then she accepted it. I wish we got more groveling or at the very least his actions of changing. His words were not enough.
In the first book Dec accused Esme of being a doormat but the real doormat is Maria.
Maya normally does a pretty good grovel, this was just not it. I started skimming and just started caring about the side characters and the glimpses into their life.
Honestly Maria is a doormat. And every time she said she was gonna set boundaries, she caved. Alejandro did not actually change. We saw no evidence of him changing, just him coming to the realization that he needed too. All he did was give an apology and say he would change (for the 400th time) and then she accepted it. I wish we got more groveling or at the very least his actions of changing. His words were not enough.
In the first book Dec accused Esme of being a doormat but the real doormat is Maria.
Maya normally does a pretty good grovel, this was just not it. I started skimming and just started caring about the side characters and the glimpses into their life.
August 30, 2023
Maya Alden brings another terrific story about the importance of family and giving love a second chance. Golden promises bring the magnetic and handsome Alejandro, a male lead that would do everything for the one he loves, even the one he doesn’t know he loves yet. We also have the gorgeous, independent and successful Maria. A women that made a name of herself in a men’s world. In this story Mayra shows you how sometimes we are our biggest obstacle in the path we choose to live, she not only shows us how patien love can be, but also what it takes to be patient and fight for what is worth. I absolutely recommend Golden Promises 🏵️, it represents a love story at its finest.
September 14, 2023
Love is not about how much you know someone, but how deeply you feel connected to their soul.”
Do you like romances with instant attraction? How about one with a single dad who struggles to open up and love again? Well, you’re in luck because Golden Promises by Maya Alden has all of these things!
Golden Promises is such an enjoyable book with a great plot and amazing characters. It has the perfect amount of romance, spice, tension, and drama that will keep readers entertained. Maria and Alejandro’s relationship is definitely one worth reading about.
Throughout the book, both characters face internal and personal obstacles that impacts their relationship. Maria falls instantly for Alejandro and makes her intentions clear. Alejandro is reluctant to let Maria into his and his son’s life due to his previous relationship.
Both Alejandro and Maria are extremely admirable. Alejandro just wants what’s best for his child even if that means he stays single for the rest of his life. Through self-reflection (which is super important) and the help of friends/family, he begins to understand himself and Maria more. Maria knows what she wants and is very open about her feelings, even when they’re negative. The way both characters grow throughout the book is incredible.
I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you’re looking for a fun read with tons of spice!
Do you like romances with instant attraction? How about one with a single dad who struggles to open up and love again? Well, you’re in luck because Golden Promises by Maya Alden has all of these things!
Golden Promises is such an enjoyable book with a great plot and amazing characters. It has the perfect amount of romance, spice, tension, and drama that will keep readers entertained. Maria and Alejandro’s relationship is definitely one worth reading about.
Throughout the book, both characters face internal and personal obstacles that impacts their relationship. Maria falls instantly for Alejandro and makes her intentions clear. Alejandro is reluctant to let Maria into his and his son’s life due to his previous relationship.
Both Alejandro and Maria are extremely admirable. Alejandro just wants what’s best for his child even if that means he stays single for the rest of his life. Through self-reflection (which is super important) and the help of friends/family, he begins to understand himself and Maria more. Maria knows what she wants and is very open about her feelings, even when they’re negative. The way both characters grow throughout the book is incredible.
I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you’re looking for a fun read with tons of spice!
September 30, 2023
3.5⭐️’s
“𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓫𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓭. 𝓐 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓶𝓽𝓱 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵.”
Tropes:
💗Single Father
💗Age Gap
💗Angst
This was an enjoyable read — it was fast pace and easy read. I’m a sucker for anything angsty and I just loved the angst in this. The push and pull between Maria and Alejandro was amazing, it will tug at your heart strings! I loved Maria, she was not afraid to let her opinions be known and was not timid. Alejandro was so sweet, from his previous experience with love you can see why he was so afraid. However I loved seeing him open up to Maria and his realisation that he wouldn’t be able to live without her. I was glad that they was able to receive there happily ever after. I cannot wait for the next read in the series 💗
“𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓫𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓭. 𝓐 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓶𝓽𝓱 𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵.”
Tropes:
💗Single Father
💗Age Gap
💗Angst
This was an enjoyable read — it was fast pace and easy read. I’m a sucker for anything angsty and I just loved the angst in this. The push and pull between Maria and Alejandro was amazing, it will tug at your heart strings! I loved Maria, she was not afraid to let her opinions be known and was not timid. Alejandro was so sweet, from his previous experience with love you can see why he was so afraid. However I loved seeing him open up to Maria and his realisation that he wouldn’t be able to live without her. I was glad that they was able to receive there happily ever after. I cannot wait for the next read in the series 💗
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