The Broken Promise

by Sophie Kenna

A life-altering accident. The boy who let her go. And a heartbreaking past she thought she could run from. It's been twenty-four years since the night that changed everything. And Diane has never forgiven herself…because it was all her fault. Now she's back in Marina Cove, trying to keep her life from running off the rails. Her marriage has imploded, her kids barely talk to her, and the career she gave everything up for is falling through her fingertips. But ever since she returned, the life she thought she'd left behind for good has been rapidly catching up with her.Diane can’t bear to tell her family the truth about what really happened to her. But as everything starts to fall apart, she finds she may no longer have a choice…

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2023

About the author

Sophie Kenna is the author of clean, heartfelt women’s fiction and small-town romance set in gorgeous, sun-kissed coastal settings. She draws from real-life joys and struggles to whisk you away on unforgettable journeys of love, loss, and the hope of second chances. Unexpected twists, surprise revelations, and characters you’ll fall in love with promise to keep the pages turning until the very end.

She met her husband many years ago, when he sat down across from her in study hall one afternoon while she was finishing her Spanish homework. They now live in Pennsylvania with their three children and a furry best friend.

When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, relaxing with a book and a good cup of coffee, or trying to remember how to converse with other adults after being with her tiny humans all day.

To learn more about new releases, to sign up for her newsletter, or just to say hello, visit her site at sophiekenna.com.

Reviews

[Juliet Inforzato · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!

As with all books in the Marina Cove series, I dislike the amount of exposition and description. There are full pages with no dialogue, which are difficult for me to read because they are more often than not boring and unnecessary. Besides the book being dragged out by endless description, I like the plots a lot.

We learned a lot more about Diane in this book, which I liked. It seems fate has brought all of the siblings together one by one around the same time. I am hoping for Natalie and Gabe to show up in the next few books.

I think Diane's PTSD is portrayed very well until it goes away in seemingly an instant because she felt safe all of a sudden. Realistically, she would never just start driving at full speed with family and friends in the car for a long drive and remove the rubber band all in one day just because a conversation of closure happened.

Sebastian is the perfect villain and true to form. I don't trust this deal and wonder what will happen with it in the next book.

I wish that Sylvie and Nick could be normal. It seems unrealistic that every couple is so severely damaged. I want at least one happy, normal couple in this series and was hoping that could be Nick and Sylvie. I also hate that they gave Nick such a similar storyline to Jack. He steals money from the family business and disappears without a trace? I think we've seen this film before.

I love Leo and Ella together! I thought they'd be great since he was first introduced, so I'm happy they're diving into that storyline. Fixing up the bookstore is a great distraction for Ella, too, but where are they getting the money? And exactly how old is she supposed to be because she does a lot of physical labor and sleeps on the floor and is fine? Shouldn't she be around 70 to have kids in their 40's and 50's?

I love Ramona's relationship with Lily and hope they can continue to have one and that Lily doesn't move closer to Caitlyn.

I really hope Mariah isn't pregnant. Pregnancy, cheating (or supposed cheating), and running away seems to be the author's go-to for plot twists and it's getting quite tiresome. I hope Mariah gets her own storyline, not a recycled one, like they are doing to Sylvie and Nick.

Also, can someone call Samuel back please? I get that his dad did something bad, but just hear him out. It's not like he's going to kill you through the phone.

Also where are they getting the money to eat out all the time? Aren't they all in debt?

Despite my mostly negative review here, I did enjoy the book and am interested in what happens to the characters and going to continue reading this series!

[Renee Roozen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rinse and Repeat. I typically avoid series but the first one was so good, I thought I’d take a chance. Seriously, how many times can a spouse lose all the money and hide it from his wife? How many times can a childhood sweetheart end up being the right person in the same family? Book wasn’t bad, it just was the absolute same as the first two in the series.

[Nancy Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a feel-good series!

No one is completely happy over the long haul in this series. There’s a problem for everyone—-and more than one in most cases. Yet, I continued to read the next book in the series. Why? I don’t know! I probably just needed to feel good about these characters.

[Laurie Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

By the end of this book, I was really disliking the characters. I can’t continue reading the series. I’ve never heard of so many people having “tears well up” in their eyes, keeping secrets even though they SWORE they wouldn’t anymore, and what’s with no beds! I’m done.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

too many bad things and not enough good

I enjoy reading the series but after awhile, one has to wonder if anything good will happen to the characters. It’s all bad things. I guess I need more of good things.

[Misty Choat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It’s about a family that has been estranged, but are all finding their way back to their family home & reconnecting with each other. They each are going through different dynamics & heartbreak.

[Georgette McGovern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

I enjoyed all of the characters. I am I am anticipating The next book. I'm sure it'll be just as enjoyable.....

[Susan Zehnder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. Supposedly responsible adults doing incredibly stupid things, over and over again. A growing hill of tragedy, for literally everyone. Really?

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I have to say there are so many worthless men in this series but so many emotional hang ups but it is a good series

[Dana DuPree · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters never find any happiness. This is the third book and nothing is resolved. There are to many storylines it’s hard to follow.

[Jacquelyn K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too depressing

I don't know why I finished the first 2, but I CANNOT deal anymore with all of these broken people!!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of different story lines going on in this one, good but waiting to see how it all comes together in last two books

[Deb Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I bothered. Very cookie cutter, hallmark type book.