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Faith & Friendship #1
The Promise
How far would you go to help your best friend?
Do you remember when you were young, and made pinky promises on future plans with your best friend about living together, dating movie stars, being famous and double weddings?
Ava and Rylee had the same plans. With the home life Rylee had, Ava knew that all of those dreams of fun and freedom would always be just that. Dreams. Until one night, when they were young, Rylee asked Ava to pinky promise that they would move away as soon as they were old enough and done with college.
Building new lives in California seems to be working well for them, but as we all know, the past always has a way of coming back around- this time in the form of an ex-boyfriend, and some new found information that could rock the girls friendship.
When Rylee meets Matt, a man who is everything a girl could dream of, but isn't letting herself get close, Ava's advice to her is to have fun, faith, and trust that not all men mess with your head- but when Ava gets a second chance at love, can she learn to take her own advice when it comes to her own heart?
This book is intended for age 17+ due to sexual content, violence and strong language.
Do you remember when you were young, and made pinky promises on future plans with your best friend about living together, dating movie stars, being famous and double weddings?
Ava and Rylee had the same plans. With the home life Rylee had, Ava knew that all of those dreams of fun and freedom would always be just that. Dreams. Until one night, when they were young, Rylee asked Ava to pinky promise that they would move away as soon as they were old enough and done with college.
Building new lives in California seems to be working well for them, but as we all know, the past always has a way of coming back around- this time in the form of an ex-boyfriend, and some new found information that could rock the girls friendship.
When Rylee meets Matt, a man who is everything a girl could dream of, but isn't letting herself get close, Ava's advice to her is to have fun, faith, and trust that not all men mess with your head- but when Ava gets a second chance at love, can she learn to take her own advice when it comes to her own heart?
This book is intended for age 17+ due to sexual content, violence and strong language.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2013
229 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Jayne
2 books34 followersI love reading, I have way too many book boyfriends and I love to chat! I have a daughter who I love more than the stars. She is my whole life. My family have and always will be my rocks, they have stood by me through everything.
I sometimes talk too much, I have huge blonde moments, big freak outs and hyper moments, which lead to me being reminded to breathe!
After starting to read again more regularly I met some great girls online through our love of books, and they have become some of my closest friends, it's really true that somebody doesn't have to be right next to you to make you feel great. Since being an admin on a Facebook book page I have gotten to know some amazing authors and a few of those I now consider great friends.
I sometimes talk too much, I have huge blonde moments, big freak outs and hyper moments, which lead to me being reminded to breathe!
After starting to read again more regularly I met some great girls online through our love of books, and they have become some of my closest friends, it's really true that somebody doesn't have to be right next to you to make you feel great. Since being an admin on a Facebook book page I have gotten to know some amazing authors and a few of those I now consider great friends.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 21, 2013
My sister wrote this and she knows I tell it like it is so if I hated her book, she'd be the first to hear about it. This was AWESOME and I loved it! I am so proud of how well she articulated this story, blending the stories of two best friends so well together and separately- giving them each their own individual identities in the book.
Ava and Ryless became friends back in Boston as small girls and a pinkie promise one night at a sleepover changes and linked their futures together forever. When they move to California after college to start over away from the pain of the past, running away soon shows itself to be impossible when past, present and future collide.
I am looking forward to part two of this story, with the developing relationship between Rylee and Matt. I see them both having a lot to learn about each other's pasts and growing together into a beautiful future they both deserve. Five stars well deserved Sis- SO proud of you! xoxo Kellie
Ava and Ryless became friends back in Boston as small girls and a pinkie promise one night at a sleepover changes and linked their futures together forever. When they move to California after college to start over away from the pain of the past, running away soon shows itself to be impossible when past, present and future collide.
I am looking forward to part two of this story, with the developing relationship between Rylee and Matt. I see them both having a lot to learn about each other's pasts and growing together into a beautiful future they both deserve. Five stars well deserved Sis- SO proud of you! xoxo Kellie
August 13, 2016
The Promise is a fantastic debut novel from blogger turned author, S.L. Jayne. I am so unbelievably honored to have received an ARC to review and can’t wait to share my thoughts with you!
In this story we’re introduced to Ava and Rylee, childhood best friends who’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. They have the kind of friendship you can’t help but admire. One night Rylee shows up at Ava’s house completely distraught. Without even knowing what has caused her best friend so much distress Ava makes a decision right then and there. With only her best friend’s interests at heart and determined to put an end to whatever is causing Rylee to suffer so much, Ava promises that they’ll move away together as soon as they’re old enough and able to. They build new lives for themselves in California as they both attempt to leave everything in their pasts behind them. But the past always has a way of coming back around in some pretty unexpected ways. My favorite being in the form of a super hunky ex-boyfriend.
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. Ms. Jayne has a way of writing that will cause her words to linger in your mind as well as in your heart. Her characters are well developed and so easy to relate to because they represent the average person. You’ll feel each joy and heartbreak as if it was your own and will come to care for them as if they were friends or family. What I loved most about The Promise is that instead of one flat story you get two amazing stories, seamlessly woven together. At first glance you would think it primarily revolves around Ava, but that’s not the case. Each of our protagonists has some personal growing to do and they do it side by side, as true friends do.
I would’ve loved to see some sort of closure between Ava and Reece, the douche bag she meets at a rather painful speed dating event, but at the same time I’m thinking, “Good riddance!” He was a special kind of sleaze ball that wasn’t worth the time of day he was given. I wish Ava had seen it and wasn’t so quick to brush off his shadyness. She’s such an intelligent, no nonsense kind of girl so the fact that she didn’t call him out on his behavior was a little disappointing. I can only hope that he’ll catch an awful case of Herpes in the near future. That would be karma at its finest. But seeing as how this is the first book in a series I will hold onto hope that he gets what's coming to him in the next book.
While some might call the ending a cliffhanger, I think it’s more of a “to be continued.” You won’t be devastated or left hanging by any means. Instead the story leaves off in a way that the 2nd book can easily pick up and keep right on going. And for a change, you the reader are in on a secret that only one of our 2 leading ladies is aware of. So it helps to be in the loop, so to speak, because at least you know what’s coming.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a novel with substance, a story you can get completely lost in without any fluff. From start to finish you’ll be absolutely hooked and left wanting more. Kudos to Ms. Jayne on a successful debut novel that has the perfect blend of romance, drama and suspense.
In this story we’re introduced to Ava and Rylee, childhood best friends who’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. They have the kind of friendship you can’t help but admire. One night Rylee shows up at Ava’s house completely distraught. Without even knowing what has caused her best friend so much distress Ava makes a decision right then and there. With only her best friend’s interests at heart and determined to put an end to whatever is causing Rylee to suffer so much, Ava promises that they’ll move away together as soon as they’re old enough and able to. They build new lives for themselves in California as they both attempt to leave everything in their pasts behind them. But the past always has a way of coming back around in some pretty unexpected ways. My favorite being in the form of a super hunky ex-boyfriend.
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. Ms. Jayne has a way of writing that will cause her words to linger in your mind as well as in your heart. Her characters are well developed and so easy to relate to because they represent the average person. You’ll feel each joy and heartbreak as if it was your own and will come to care for them as if they were friends or family. What I loved most about The Promise is that instead of one flat story you get two amazing stories, seamlessly woven together. At first glance you would think it primarily revolves around Ava, but that’s not the case. Each of our protagonists has some personal growing to do and they do it side by side, as true friends do.
I would’ve loved to see some sort of closure between Ava and Reece, the douche bag she meets at a rather painful speed dating event, but at the same time I’m thinking, “Good riddance!” He was a special kind of sleaze ball that wasn’t worth the time of day he was given. I wish Ava had seen it and wasn’t so quick to brush off his shadyness. She’s such an intelligent, no nonsense kind of girl so the fact that she didn’t call him out on his behavior was a little disappointing. I can only hope that he’ll catch an awful case of Herpes in the near future. That would be karma at its finest. But seeing as how this is the first book in a series I will hold onto hope that he gets what's coming to him in the next book.
While some might call the ending a cliffhanger, I think it’s more of a “to be continued.” You won’t be devastated or left hanging by any means. Instead the story leaves off in a way that the 2nd book can easily pick up and keep right on going. And for a change, you the reader are in on a secret that only one of our 2 leading ladies is aware of. So it helps to be in the loop, so to speak, because at least you know what’s coming.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a novel with substance, a story you can get completely lost in without any fluff. From start to finish you’ll be absolutely hooked and left wanting more. Kudos to Ms. Jayne on a successful debut novel that has the perfect blend of romance, drama and suspense.
December 22, 2013
I was lucky enough to watch the story from from start to finish abs yet it still made my stomach knot. You can't help but feel.
I simply love Ava & Rylee's friendship/sisterhood , it's full if love & loyalty. Even with Rylee's deep issues Ava knows how to handle her & does it with such care & love. Ava forgiving Ryan was a big step considering their past but their relationship projects love straight off, you feel it instantly.
Now Rylee & Matt have a very different type of relationship which you can see growing. Matt will do anything to protect her. Rylee's issues makes her keep Matt at arms length but you can clearly see that there is something there.
Believe will be an amazing book just like The Promise.
#TeamBreathe
I simply love Ava & Rylee's friendship/sisterhood , it's full if love & loyalty. Even with Rylee's deep issues Ava knows how to handle her & does it with such care & love. Ava forgiving Ryan was a big step considering their past but their relationship projects love straight off, you feel it instantly.
Now Rylee & Matt have a very different type of relationship which you can see growing. Matt will do anything to protect her. Rylee's issues makes her keep Matt at arms length but you can clearly see that there is something there.
Believe will be an amazing book just like The Promise.
#TeamBreathe
December 24, 2013
"Friendship with a bit of faith"
I was given the amazing opportunity to share in this journey with S.L Jayne as she wrote this book. I have come to love her characters as much as she has and truly feel like I know each and every single one personally.
The Promise is a story of two friends, Ava and Rylee. They meet at a very young age and develop an indestructible bond between them that is so rare. They will do anything for each other.
Rylee has a very troublesome upbringing, although she has a loving Mom, Lexi, she also has a stepfather that is set on making her life a living hell. He mentally abuses her at every opportunity he gets, leaving a little girl absolutely heart broken, with no self esteem or self worth. Making her believe that her existence is a mistake. She's soft ,shy and withdrawn and has no faith or trust in people,Ava is her only constant in life.
Ava Comes from a loving home with parents that will move heaven and earth for her. She is a strong, outspoken person who doesn't take any nonsense. She trusts and loves deeply. She stands up for what she believes in and fights for her loved ones.
After a nasty verbal lashing from Nate, Rylee's stepfather, Ava and Rylee make a pinky promise that they will leave Boston when they grow up and finish college. To get as far away from this monster as possible.
Years later as the girls move to California to start their lives and careers, they leave behind everything for a fresh start, or so they think.
Ava meets Reece at a hysterical speed dating evening. He melts hearts and a few panties with his smile, creeping straight into Ava's life.
He's sexy, all man and has the smoothest mouth in town. She has her reservations about him and can't fully trust him. Her instincts are telling her he's a player and Rylee flat out hates him.
What Ava doesn't know is that Ryan, her secret love, has followed her from Boston. He lost her once and he's not about to loose her again. He's going to fight for her.
Ryan is the boy next door, hot, popular, the player at school. Easy on the eyes and has loved Ava for as long as he can remember. Ava doesn't want to be involved with a player. He's changed and wants Ava. He will do whatever it takes to prove to Ava that he's a better man.
Will she find it in her heart to trust Ryan or will she be played by Reece?
Rylee meets Matt, the tattooed , drool worthy body , hunk of a man, who's wink makes her a mess, leaving her knees weak and her heart racing. He owns a bar that the girls love going to, and is immediately taken by Rylee. He has this need to protect her, and if possible become the only person she will ever need. With her trust issues though, Rylee finds it hard to open up and be more than friends with Matt. He's very possessive due to his past, which we have yet to learn about, and this scares Rylee as she can't be seen as a possession . Ava is so supportive of this new relationship in Rylee's life, but she's worried,
" he could be the best thing for her, or the worst mistake."
The books ends with a cliffhanger, but you as the reader are in on the big secret that Ava has discovered about Rylee and Lexi. How Rylee will react to this big secret is the question that leaves you hanging. Does Ava tell her and push Rylee over the edge, or does she keep the secret that could possibly ruin their friendship is she founds out that Ava knew all along.....
I loved this journey of friendship, finding love and learning to trust. I also enjoyed the suspense and the twist that comes with it. S.L Jayne did a wonderful job, there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation,she had my heart breaking in places and even had me laughing out loud at Adam, a friend of the girls that I hope we get to read more about.
I'm really looking forward to Rylee and Matts story as well as the continuation of Ava and Ryan's relationship in book 2, Believe.
A well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
I was given the amazing opportunity to share in this journey with S.L Jayne as she wrote this book. I have come to love her characters as much as she has and truly feel like I know each and every single one personally.
The Promise is a story of two friends, Ava and Rylee. They meet at a very young age and develop an indestructible bond between them that is so rare. They will do anything for each other.
Rylee has a very troublesome upbringing, although she has a loving Mom, Lexi, she also has a stepfather that is set on making her life a living hell. He mentally abuses her at every opportunity he gets, leaving a little girl absolutely heart broken, with no self esteem or self worth. Making her believe that her existence is a mistake. She's soft ,shy and withdrawn and has no faith or trust in people,Ava is her only constant in life.
Ava Comes from a loving home with parents that will move heaven and earth for her. She is a strong, outspoken person who doesn't take any nonsense. She trusts and loves deeply. She stands up for what she believes in and fights for her loved ones.
After a nasty verbal lashing from Nate, Rylee's stepfather, Ava and Rylee make a pinky promise that they will leave Boston when they grow up and finish college. To get as far away from this monster as possible.
Years later as the girls move to California to start their lives and careers, they leave behind everything for a fresh start, or so they think.
Ava meets Reece at a hysterical speed dating evening. He melts hearts and a few panties with his smile, creeping straight into Ava's life.
He's sexy, all man and has the smoothest mouth in town. She has her reservations about him and can't fully trust him. Her instincts are telling her he's a player and Rylee flat out hates him.
What Ava doesn't know is that Ryan, her secret love, has followed her from Boston. He lost her once and he's not about to loose her again. He's going to fight for her.
Ryan is the boy next door, hot, popular, the player at school. Easy on the eyes and has loved Ava for as long as he can remember. Ava doesn't want to be involved with a player. He's changed and wants Ava. He will do whatever it takes to prove to Ava that he's a better man.
Will she find it in her heart to trust Ryan or will she be played by Reece?
Rylee meets Matt, the tattooed , drool worthy body , hunk of a man, who's wink makes her a mess, leaving her knees weak and her heart racing. He owns a bar that the girls love going to, and is immediately taken by Rylee. He has this need to protect her, and if possible become the only person she will ever need. With her trust issues though, Rylee finds it hard to open up and be more than friends with Matt. He's very possessive due to his past, which we have yet to learn about, and this scares Rylee as she can't be seen as a possession . Ava is so supportive of this new relationship in Rylee's life, but she's worried,
" he could be the best thing for her, or the worst mistake."
The books ends with a cliffhanger, but you as the reader are in on the big secret that Ava has discovered about Rylee and Lexi. How Rylee will react to this big secret is the question that leaves you hanging. Does Ava tell her and push Rylee over the edge, or does she keep the secret that could possibly ruin their friendship is she founds out that Ava knew all along.....
I loved this journey of friendship, finding love and learning to trust. I also enjoyed the suspense and the twist that comes with it. S.L Jayne did a wonderful job, there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation,she had my heart breaking in places and even had me laughing out loud at Adam, a friend of the girls that I hope we get to read more about.
I'm really looking forward to Rylee and Matts story as well as the continuation of Ava and Ryan's relationship in book 2, Believe.
A well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
December 27, 2013
Review for S.L. Jayne The Promise
First off I just wanted to say how I really loved and enjoyed this book. This story The Promise really got to me, it was about friendship and second chances, oh yeah there are some hot guys in this too;).
The friendship of Ava and Rylee was more like sisters then best friends they stood with each other since they were around 8 years old until there adult hood and never let go. There where good times and bad but they always held each other up no matter what. They made a pinky promise at 8 that they would move cross country when they were out college and stuck with it now if that isn't true friendship then I can't tell you what is.
Ava always helped Rylee when things got rough with her step father. When you live a life where someone always puts you down and makes you feels like you failed at being a daughter it can put an ever lasting change in your life. When people say that words don't hurt a person they are wrong. With Rylee you can really feel her pain in this book it made you want to be there and hold her hand in the steps that she was taking to make herself a better person and opening up, and her best friend Ava did at for her.
In turn Rylee helped Ava when she needed to start listening to the things she always preached to Rylee. Sometimes you need to practice what you preach in your own life. When it came to Ryan which by the way is a serious hottie trying to get a second chance Ava needed to start listening to her own words of wisdom that she always told Rylee.
When you give advise to other sometimes it's hard to use the same advise for yourself but you will find out if true love ever prevails when you read the book. I don't want to give any spoilers away so you need to read it lol it is so worth the read.
Now since we are on the subject of guys another hottie named Matt is in this as well and he is so what Rylee needs but she is not willing to let her guard down for him and friend zones him. You never know with time and a little help with friends and family it might happen for her. It's just hard for her to open up her heart and see the light but I guess we will find out in book two if these two can finally get it on I'm sorry I'm mean take a chance at love, (but I really would love to see them get on I think it would be so hot and sexy I can taste it) sorry had a side thought for a minute there.
Don't worry if you are looking for some sexy love scenes you will not be disappointed because they are in there and there is even one with a hot rocker as well but I know everyone will be making Ryan there new book boyfriend I know I did
December 22, 2013
You can read my FULL review at http://abbycook30.wix.com/abbys-book-...
N'awwww this story was a truly heart warming read. The friendships. The relationships. I didn't want it to end.
So first up we have Ava, She is out going, beautiful & confident.
When the past sneaks up on Ava & bites her on the ass she isn't sure how she should feel. Should she be mad? or should she be happy?
Next up we have Rylee. The best friend, The 'sister', Rylee is the complete opposite too Ava. She's beautiful but she doesn't know it, she lives in her own little shell where she won't let anyone else in except from Ava. Is that about to change?!
So Ava & Rylee have just moved across the country to get away from Rylee's dreadful up bringing. She has suffered her whole childhood, only surviving on 'the promise' her and her best friend made when they were just eight years old. The relationship between these too enough to make anyone stand back and watch in amazment. They are each others rocks. One without the other would be like Night without Day. It just wouldn't work! They depend on each other, lean on each other & support each other through every decision. Always pushing every other to do 'what is best' & too better themselves.
Ava is Rylee's 'home'
The past always has a way of sneaking up on you in unexpected ways. Some good, some bad....
A pinky promise should never be broken.
This book for me was definite 5* read. It had a light hearted feel to it but it had the angst to keep you reading. You wanted to find out what was said to an eight year old Rylee in the prologue, which got her worked up enough to to make 'that promise' with her best friend!!! After finishing The Promise, I started to look up the Author, only then did i realise this was her debut story, and my god what a story it was. Blogger turnt Author. I intend to keep up to date with what this author is doing next because personally I cant wait too read Rylee & Matt's story.
N'awwww this story was a truly heart warming read. The friendships. The relationships. I didn't want it to end.
So first up we have Ava, She is out going, beautiful & confident.
When the past sneaks up on Ava & bites her on the ass she isn't sure how she should feel. Should she be mad? or should she be happy?
Next up we have Rylee. The best friend, The 'sister', Rylee is the complete opposite too Ava. She's beautiful but she doesn't know it, she lives in her own little shell where she won't let anyone else in except from Ava. Is that about to change?!
So Ava & Rylee have just moved across the country to get away from Rylee's dreadful up bringing. She has suffered her whole childhood, only surviving on 'the promise' her and her best friend made when they were just eight years old. The relationship between these too enough to make anyone stand back and watch in amazment. They are each others rocks. One without the other would be like Night without Day. It just wouldn't work! They depend on each other, lean on each other & support each other through every decision. Always pushing every other to do 'what is best' & too better themselves.
Ava is Rylee's 'home'
The past always has a way of sneaking up on you in unexpected ways. Some good, some bad....
A pinky promise should never be broken.
This book for me was definite 5* read. It had a light hearted feel to it but it had the angst to keep you reading. You wanted to find out what was said to an eight year old Rylee in the prologue, which got her worked up enough to to make 'that promise' with her best friend!!! After finishing The Promise, I started to look up the Author, only then did i realise this was her debut story, and my god what a story it was. Blogger turnt Author. I intend to keep up to date with what this author is doing next because personally I cant wait too read Rylee & Matt's story.
December 25, 2013
“How far would you go to help your best friend?” is the absolute best way to describe this book. This book is a great finding love, renewing love, and the bond of two best friends. It is a fabulous story showing how much a friends really do for each other.
Ava is a badass with a great personality. She has have life, in the love department, deal her a bad hand. She is a wonderful friend to Ava but has a problem excepting her own advice. She I feel like is a lot of us. She can tell you what the best thing would be to do but sometimes it’s hard to incorporate it into your own life. I will tell you that she does have someone there but she has to look very hard in the situation to determine if she is going to give it a go.
Rylee is a scared young girl who has a friend that would do anything for her. She is completely against love to the point she makes fun of it. I love her though. She finds a good friend in a guy Matt, who you will absolutely fall in love with, that works really good for her. She has to deal with some family drama too. Damn step parents.
I will tell you it is a cliff hanger but it ends in a good way. It gets you completely ready and geared up for the next book coming out. I am giving this book 4.5 hearts. It really is a great story but also has a story within a story. Now go get it so you can totally drool over Matt.
Ava is a badass with a great personality. She has have life, in the love department, deal her a bad hand. She is a wonderful friend to Ava but has a problem excepting her own advice. She I feel like is a lot of us. She can tell you what the best thing would be to do but sometimes it’s hard to incorporate it into your own life. I will tell you that she does have someone there but she has to look very hard in the situation to determine if she is going to give it a go.
Rylee is a scared young girl who has a friend that would do anything for her. She is completely against love to the point she makes fun of it. I love her though. She finds a good friend in a guy Matt, who you will absolutely fall in love with, that works really good for her. She has to deal with some family drama too. Damn step parents.
I will tell you it is a cliff hanger but it ends in a good way. It gets you completely ready and geared up for the next book coming out. I am giving this book 4.5 hearts. It really is a great story but also has a story within a story. Now go get it so you can totally drool over Matt.
December 26, 2013
My Review:
4.6 Star Review - The Promise
I recommend this book.
Debut author SL Jayne knows how to pull you in and keep you hooked! This book includes drama, passion, heartache, and romance throughout the entire story.
Look forward to the next book by SL.
Just hearing pinky promise brings back fond memories. Ave and Rylee have been friends forever. They made a promise when they were young to move away together.
The book takes you on the journey of the past and the present. SL uses past memories to help explain why things are how they are in the present.
I found myself feeling the emotions right along with Ava and Rylee throughout the story. You are introduced to Matt & Ryan. You learn why Ava is so angry with Ryan and the past they had.
Not sure about the way the book ended and how it will feed into the next one. Hope it contiues with Ava and Ryan right along with Matt and Rylee.
Can't wait for the next book in this series. Matt and Rylee's story.
4.6 Star Review - The Promise
I recommend this book.
Debut author SL Jayne knows how to pull you in and keep you hooked! This book includes drama, passion, heartache, and romance throughout the entire story.
Look forward to the next book by SL.
Just hearing pinky promise brings back fond memories. Ave and Rylee have been friends forever. They made a promise when they were young to move away together.
The book takes you on the journey of the past and the present. SL uses past memories to help explain why things are how they are in the present.
I found myself feeling the emotions right along with Ava and Rylee throughout the story. You are introduced to Matt & Ryan. You learn why Ava is so angry with Ryan and the past they had.
Not sure about the way the book ended and how it will feed into the next one. Hope it contiues with Ava and Ryan right along with Matt and Rylee.
Can't wait for the next book in this series. Matt and Rylee's story.
January 4, 2014
I loved S.L Jayne's first book and cannot wait until the next. The relationship between Ava and Rylee is amazing. I read this book in 1 & 1/2 days I couldn't put it down! Would definitely recommend it :)
January 4, 2014
Loved it! My review is on the Eye Candy Bookstore Goodreads Account :)
January 17, 2014
Review to follow on tour date :-)
Merged review:
Review to come on tour date
Merged review:
Review to come on tour date
January 20, 2014
*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*
*3.5 STARS*
I liked this book. The story is about friendship, love and learning to believe in oneself and others. Ava and Rylee have been best friends since childhood and made a pinky promise to each other that upon graduating from college they would move away to California. Rylee’s home life was not a good one growing up and Ava would do anything to protect her and help her. Together they look forward to new jobs, new adventures and the excitement that two friends starting their “grown up” life will encounter.
I enjoyed getting to know Ava and Rylee. The story is told from Ava’s POV and you get the feeing she cares so much about her best friend. She only wants good things for her, in life and in love. But having grown up believing she isn’t worthy of anyone’s affections, Rylee is skeptical of anyone who shows interest in being with her. This pair of best friends is really sweet. They confide in each other and love each other as only best friends can. And the men in their lives are great as well. Ryan is Ava’s long time childhood crush. She left him behind when she moved across the country, from Boston to California, never dreaming she’d meet up with him again the way she does. And Matt Morgan is just smitten with Rylee, and he’ll do anything to be with her, even in the most platonic of ways, which is all she will allow when they meet.
While there is no cliffhanger at the end The Promise, it does set up nicely for the next book in the series. SL Jayne has done a nice job with that and she has also done a great job creating characters that are easy to like and that can hold the reader’s interest. I do think the writing itself could be improved. While I was reading I felt there was a lot an editor could have fixed, but perhaps that will come with time and experience, as I believe this is the author’s first published novel. There were also times where I felt things sort of jumped around, and I couldn't quite tell where the story had gone or when something was taking place. There were a couple of flashbacks that were thrown in but they just didn't flow seamlessly with the rest of the story. Again, I think that is something that an author starting out can work on and I am confident that this author will get better the more she writes.
I didn’t fall in love with this book the way I hoped I would, however I enjoyed the storyline and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
*3.5 STARS*
I liked this book. The story is about friendship, love and learning to believe in oneself and others. Ava and Rylee have been best friends since childhood and made a pinky promise to each other that upon graduating from college they would move away to California. Rylee’s home life was not a good one growing up and Ava would do anything to protect her and help her. Together they look forward to new jobs, new adventures and the excitement that two friends starting their “grown up” life will encounter.
I enjoyed getting to know Ava and Rylee. The story is told from Ava’s POV and you get the feeing she cares so much about her best friend. She only wants good things for her, in life and in love. But having grown up believing she isn’t worthy of anyone’s affections, Rylee is skeptical of anyone who shows interest in being with her. This pair of best friends is really sweet. They confide in each other and love each other as only best friends can. And the men in their lives are great as well. Ryan is Ava’s long time childhood crush. She left him behind when she moved across the country, from Boston to California, never dreaming she’d meet up with him again the way she does. And Matt Morgan is just smitten with Rylee, and he’ll do anything to be with her, even in the most platonic of ways, which is all she will allow when they meet.
While there is no cliffhanger at the end The Promise, it does set up nicely for the next book in the series. SL Jayne has done a nice job with that and she has also done a great job creating characters that are easy to like and that can hold the reader’s interest. I do think the writing itself could be improved. While I was reading I felt there was a lot an editor could have fixed, but perhaps that will come with time and experience, as I believe this is the author’s first published novel. There were also times where I felt things sort of jumped around, and I couldn't quite tell where the story had gone or when something was taking place. There were a couple of flashbacks that were thrown in but they just didn't flow seamlessly with the rest of the story. Again, I think that is something that an author starting out can work on and I am confident that this author will get better the more she writes.
I didn’t fall in love with this book the way I hoped I would, however I enjoyed the storyline and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
February 25, 2014
~I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.~
The Promise is a love story of sorts. There is romance and a bit of angst between Ava and her boyfriend, Ryan. However, their story takes a back seat to the true love story…the story of the undying friendship between Ava and Rylee. It opens with a pinky promise made between two girls when they were still children. The promise to leave their lives behind in Boston for a better place not because of Ava’s childhood but because of Rylee’s. Ava kept her promise to Rylee, and the two leave for sunny California with new jobs and new beginnings after college.
This book was quite different than what I was expecting. I was expecting two young, beautiful girls moving to California and all their partying and men. There were some partying scenes, hangovers, hot guys, hot dates, and guys who turned out to be jerks. But, the gist of this story was the beautiful friendship between them. Ava was there for Rylee as she journeyed out of her comfort zone and gave a guy her number and developed a friendship and possibly more with hot, sexy Matt. Rylee was there for Ava when she found out one of the guys she was dating was a class A jerk, and when a guy from Ava’s past returns and wants to make a go of the relationship.
I have to say I enjoyed The Promise. It was a nice break from the normal New Adult genre (which I love). Book One was told from Ava’s POV, and Book Two looks like it’s going to be from Rylee’s POV. The author did a great job of setting that up as Book One does leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger and a real twist in the last few chapters about Rylee’s mother’s past. I didn’t see that one coming! I can’t wait to read about Rylee and Matt and how her past will affect their future together. It looks like it’s going to be really good.
The Promise is a love story of sorts. There is romance and a bit of angst between Ava and her boyfriend, Ryan. However, their story takes a back seat to the true love story…the story of the undying friendship between Ava and Rylee. It opens with a pinky promise made between two girls when they were still children. The promise to leave their lives behind in Boston for a better place not because of Ava’s childhood but because of Rylee’s. Ava kept her promise to Rylee, and the two leave for sunny California with new jobs and new beginnings after college.
This book was quite different than what I was expecting. I was expecting two young, beautiful girls moving to California and all their partying and men. There were some partying scenes, hangovers, hot guys, hot dates, and guys who turned out to be jerks. But, the gist of this story was the beautiful friendship between them. Ava was there for Rylee as she journeyed out of her comfort zone and gave a guy her number and developed a friendship and possibly more with hot, sexy Matt. Rylee was there for Ava when she found out one of the guys she was dating was a class A jerk, and when a guy from Ava’s past returns and wants to make a go of the relationship.
I have to say I enjoyed The Promise. It was a nice break from the normal New Adult genre (which I love). Book One was told from Ava’s POV, and Book Two looks like it’s going to be from Rylee’s POV. The author did a great job of setting that up as Book One does leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger and a real twist in the last few chapters about Rylee’s mother’s past. I didn’t see that one coming! I can’t wait to read about Rylee and Matt and how her past will affect their future together. It looks like it’s going to be really good.
January 21, 2014
I received this ARC for an honest review
Let me just say I can't believe this is a debut novel. I loved it, the only thing I wish the characters pasts could have been explained a little better. I couldn't put it down, I read it pretty much in one sitting. I can not wait for the next one in the series.
This novel is written different then most, Ava is telling the story and I feel like you learn more about the supporting cast more then most books. You get a good idea of how Ava and Rylee became friends and what made them so close. I fell in love with their friend Adam, even though you don't get a lot of him, I am excited for when his novella comes out.
I will absolutely recommend to my friends.
Let me just say I can't believe this is a debut novel. I loved it, the only thing I wish the characters pasts could have been explained a little better. I couldn't put it down, I read it pretty much in one sitting. I can not wait for the next one in the series.
This novel is written different then most, Ava is telling the story and I feel like you learn more about the supporting cast more then most books. You get a good idea of how Ava and Rylee became friends and what made them so close. I fell in love with their friend Adam, even though you don't get a lot of him, I am excited for when his novella comes out.
I will absolutely recommend to my friends.
February 5, 2014
This was such a great book. I loved Ava and Rylee. I'm IN love with Matt. This was such a cute story about two best friends never breaking promises to each other and sticking by each other's sides whenever needed. Ava is the stronger of the two and always helps make the right decisions for Rylee. Rylee needs Ava in her life but starts her own process of growing stronger as the book goes on. I cannot wait for the next book, Believe, to come out and hopefully give us a HEA to this amazing story.
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