Running a tech company that brings down the ugliest criminals makes trust impossible.
I won’t let anyone in. Worse yet, let anyone down, like I did all those years ago.
My focus is on keeping my family safe in our small town and protecting my life’s work.
That was easier before Ava came to live on our land. The spunky winner of our hacking contest isn’t who she says she is. But the more time I spend with her, the more I’m blinded by the sunshine in front of me.
Ava is talented, quirky and joyful. She's a pair of long lean legs stuffed into sexy Doc Martens, shaking her peachy backside around our land like it's the first time she's danced.
She’s a lot younger and my employee. She’s not my friend… or anything else. But her cute quips and natural brilliance have me spiraling out of control— right toward her.
When her secrets catch up with her, I know she’s not just hiding who she is; she’s running from it. The danger chasing her is worse than I imagined, and I’ll sacrifice it all to keep her safe.
Sienna Judd is a small town, contemporary romance author who lives for all the spice and book boyfriends who are book husband material.
Sienna is an American girl married to her Prince Charming. She lives with her husband, three children, pony, dogs, guinea pigs and countless other animals on a small farm in England. She thinks kitchens are for dancing, is everybody's hype girl and might be known for talking too loudly.
Like every respectable woman she also loves drinking champagne and eating half of every chocolate in a truffles box.
If you love romantic suspense, a broody glasses wearing tech genius/cowboy and an fmc that sees the good in everyone even though her life has been a nightmare, this book is for you.
Enzo is a cowboy and a tech wizard who wears glasses… *wipes drool from lip. He and his brothers have built an empire to protect others from the evils of the world. Their software was designed to find and take down those who prey on others. His only focus is his work, until Ava Scott shows up at his gates and changes everything.
Ava is on the run. She finally escaped and her journey takes her straight to the gates of Enzo’s compound. She has a set of skills that can help their cause and she is going to prove her worth. Basically the girl is a coding genius and her life goal is to make the world a better place.
Weeew! Talk about SLOW BURN! Enzo is the sweet, chivalrous gentleman… until his last thread of restraint snaps and then he isn’t. You can count on Sienna to deliver the best spice. Even if she makes you wait for it, it’s worth it.
This story is full of tension and plot twists, and it gave some serious Criminal Minds vibes. The twists and turns had me anxious to see what was going to happen next.
Thank you Sienna Judd and Grey’s Promotions for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.
4.5⭐️| 2🌶️ •romantic suspense •slow burn •age gap •girl on the run •secret identity •found family •forced proximity •billionaire
Unspoken Promises is the first book in Sienna Judd’s new series, Echo Valley. It’s a spin off from Starlight Canyon, but can be read as a stand alone. I loved that this book was more of a romantic suspense, and it did not disappoint!
Enzo owns a tech company that he created to assist law enforcement. They’ve recently discovered their system has been hacked. So, they created a hacker contest to find someone who could help. The winner of the contest was Lucy Murphy, who now goes by Ava Scott. She had been held captive for fourteen years and escaped to California after winning this contest which gave her a job at Ghost Eye.
Both Enzo and Ava have their own secrets they aren’t willing to share with each other right away, but they also both need each other for different reasons. They have to learn to trust each other in order to fully get the help that they need from the other person. In the process, they really fall for each other.
Enzo was so sweet with Ava. He wanted to protect her from the very beginning. He could tell she was on the run before she opened up to him at all. He was wary of her at first, but also so drawn to her. He couldn’t help wanting to protect her and he does a great job caring for her on multiple occasions.
The suspense in the book was so good. I had my suspicions on how things were going to pan out, but there’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming. If you like romantic suspense, I think you will really enjoy this story.
4.5 stars Thank you to the author and Grey’s Promotions for an ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinions.
This is my second book by Sienna Judd, and I was really excited to read it.
Ava has been kept for most of her life under some kind of protection by her "father". During that time, she had the chance to study in college and became perfect at being a hacker. When an opportunity presents herself, she takes it and runs away. It was finally time for her to be free. Her new employer is that handsome cowboy, turned hacker - Enzo Mendez. He is a grumpy one. He feels that Ava is not the one she appeared to be, but he can't help himself taking care of her. The thing is, he also has his own demons, and he can't get over them.
This was definitely a slow burn romance. I loved the dynamics between Enzo and Ava and, for me, they were the perfect fit. She was highly attracted to him, but didn't want to do anything because she still couldn't fully trust him. But then again, if you want trust, you have to give something first. This works both ways, because Enzo's feelings and thoughts were the same. To him, she was insanely beautiful, mysterious and alluring. But he can't help but feel she's hiding something from him. So he bid his time and waited until she was ready to tell him.
It took a while for these two to get together. In my perspective, they really needed that time, not only to get to know each other, but also to properly fall in love. As soon as they did, it was like an emotional roller coaster...one that I never wanted to get off. There was a decent amount of spice within the story and one thing was for certain...these two were explosive together 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Overall, I enjoyed reading "Unspoken Promises".
***I received an ARC from Grey's Promotion and my review is given voluntarily***.
I've found a new favorite romantic suspense author!
This one was SO GOOD and I loved how it involved hacking! The heroine grew up sheltered and knows the man raising her isn't good, so she wins a hacking competition and runs away to start her job working for the company who held the competition. The hero owns this company and doesn't know what to do with the woman who shows up at his front door. He knows she's hiding something, but he's determined to keep her close to figure out what that is. We have a brooding hero, suspense that keeps you on our toes, and a really great romance! I can't wait to read more from Sienna Judd!
Enzo Mendez ladies. Cowboy x hacker with glasses 🫠 I’m so excited to be in Echo Valley, Starlight Canyon gave us sister Shay but I feel the brothers are about to be 🔥 Lock me in the compound. (Also totally don’t need to read Starlight Canyon to read this)
The suspense was suspensing. Ava’s story ugh 😭 god why Ms Judd did you have to do that to me. Sunshine hacker girl extraordinaire tho.
Small town Forced proximity Grumpy x sunshine Romantic suspense
Unspoken Promises by Sienna Judd is Book 1 in her new series, Echo Valley.
Read if you love: 🌆 Small-town Romantic Suspense 🌧️☀️ Grumpy-Sunshine 👔 Boss x Employee 🤝 Forced Proximity 🛡️ Protective Hero 👨👩👧 Found Family 🔄 Age Gap 💖 Virgin FMC
4.5 ⭐️| 2 🌶️
“I never thought of myself as needing saving, but if anyone would do it, it’s her.”
OMG! Sienna, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading *The Perfect Playbook*, I knew Shay’s brother’s story was next, and it didn’t disappoint. Enzo Mendez and his brothers own Ghost Eye, a company created to assist law enforcement with criminal associations. However, they’ve recently experienced some hacking issues, leading them to open a contest to find someone who could help. The winner of the contest was Ava Scott, also known as Lucy Murphy. She had been held captive for fourteen years and escaped to California sooner than anticipated to work for her dream company and flee her father's control.
Ava was the perfect match for Enzo. She is smart, tech-savvy, and a talented hacker, and on top of that, she’s a gorgeous redhead. Ava has always admired Enzo; she had read everything about him, and beyond his work, she was instantly attracted to him—who could resist a handsome man in glasses and a cowboy hat? Their connection went deeper than physical attraction; both had difficult pasts and understood each other even without words. This scared Enzo, whose sole mission was to protect his family—and now Ava. He knows she is hiding something, but he needs to earn her trust before she reveals who she’s running from. As they began working side by side, their attraction and chemistry grew. Having never had contact with others or experienced the outside world, Ava was eager to make friends but also wanted a relationship with Enzo. Enzo’s go to is that he doesn’t make promises he stopped making them because nobody can guarantee anything.
When Enzo finally lowered his walls and let her in, it was a pivotal moment. Ava brought him out of his comfort zone; he had never allowed anyone to get close to him or his family. He felt happier around her, she was magnetic, his equal. His trust issues were significant, but with Ava, he felt more at ease, and they fell for each other. Despite being her boss and the age gap between them, Enzo's brother Santi and their father, Luis, encouraged him to take the leap.
He was so kind and understanding with her. He cared for her during her allergic reactions and was there for her panic attacks. No one had ever taken care of her before, except for Anton, the person who monitored her 24/7. While she could be a bit naive and sometimes frustrating, Ava’s lack of normalcy in her previous life contributed to her struggles with the reality of the world.
Despite her occasional stubbornness, Ava was smart, empathetic, caring, and supportive. Even after everything she had been through, she still saw the good in people. Enzo was intelligent, caring, and protective of his loved ones. He was grumpy, rarely expressing his feelings beyond scowls, but he was a softie for those he cared about, which is why he was drawn to Ava’s sunshine. He made romantic gestures for her, like bringing her snacks, and their first date was sweet. Now, let’s talk about spice—this grumpy, introverted man had a filthy mouth! He was undeniably hot, but he also treated her in a way that would melt your heart.
The small-town people were delightful. Luis now lives with his sons in Echo Valley after moving from Starlight Canyon (New Mexico). He has started a book club and is quite the cool guy for reading spicy novels. I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Mendez brothers: Rio, Enzo’s twin; Santi; and Gabriel, whose mystery intrigued me.
The suspense in the book was spot on. I had my suspicions, but there’s a plot twist I never expected. If you’re looking for a small-town book with suspense, please add this one to your TBR. Enzo is nerdy yet has a cowboy side, and you know my feelings about cowboys!
Thank you Grey’s Promotions & Sienna for the ARC. This review was left voluntarily.
I just love finding new to me authors I love with the first book of theirs I read. I’ve now added Sienna Judd to my list and she has a nice looking back list.
Ava Scott has been held prisoner most of her life. She’s always had a body guard and no opportunity for escape. She’s finally allowed to go to college but is still carefully guarded. She’s a computer genius and hacking is her special talent. She enters some kind of hacking contest sponsored by an elite security company and wins the contest which includes a job in the field with a three month on site contract. She meticulously plans her escape which includes a name change to Ava Scott and makes it to the company, actually a compound and a working horse ranch.
It’s run by four brothers and their purpose is to find and expose the bad guys in the world. The tech geniuses are two of the brothers, Enzo and Rio are twins who work together. Ferreting out evil hackers. The reason for their contest was to find someone as good as they are to help them and Ava is brilliant. But when they try to look into her history to check out her credentials to see if she can be trusted, they can find nothing. Her past is a blank slate.
When Ava arrives at the compound, she is immediately drawn to Enzo and he to her despite their age difference. Ava really did her research into the Ghost Eye, the name of their cyber security company and she knows they are the guys in the white hats, the ones who make the world safe. She has a second reason for wanting to work for them. She wants them to her completely 'disappear'. Although she was kept isolated, she has a very strong hunch her father, the one holding her captive, is a very, very evil individual and she doesn't want to be found.
But there is a big conflict between Enzo and Ava. Though Enzo is falling for Ava, the secret surrounding her is raising red flags and though Ava is falling for Enzo, she's afraid to reveal her past in case they don't believe her or think shew like her father.
So this is the setup for the story. It ha a lot of my favourite tropes. Despite her harsh upbringing, Ava is such a sunshine character. Its almost like she's entered the magical world of Oz. She quickly makes a friend, the first she's ever had. She has freedom, something else she's never experienced. She's falling for her boss, and experiencing thins she's never felt before. She's wonderful and I adore her.
While I wouldn't say Enzo is a grump exactly, he has a darkness in him, something that makes him feel unworthy of love. He's Ava's boss, he's too old for her, her past is too much a mystery. He believes she's on the up and up but Rio is very distrustful. He worries about their company. He makes for a most excellent hero.
This is a romantic suspense and its the perfect bled of the two genres. Its available on KU and is the first in the series. I've already downloaded book 2 and 3. So this first book gets a thumbs up and my recommendation.
Tropes: 🏡Small Town 🫦Age Gap (25, 38) 🤠S3xy Nerdy Cowboy Billionaire 😔"Who did this to you?" 🫂Close Proximity 👿Grumpy x Sunshine 🙀Suspense
✨️Blurb: My focus is on keeping my family safe in our small town and protecting my life’s work.
That was easier before Ava came to live on our land. The spunky winner of our hacking contest isn’t who she says she is. But the more time I spend with her, the more I’m blinded by the sunshine in front of me.
Ava is talented, quirky and joyful. She's a pair of long lean legs stuffed into sexy Doc Martens, shaking her peachy backside around our land like it's the first time she's danced.
She’s a lot younger and my employee. She’s not my friend… or anything else. But her cute quips and natural brilliance have me spiraling out of control— right toward her.
When her secrets catch up with her, I know she’s not just hiding who she is; she’s running from it. The danger chasing her is worse than I imagined, and I’ll sacrifice it all to keep her safe.
✨️Review: I dug the techy, hacking infiltration aspect to this small town romantic suspense! And even cooler that our sunshine hacker was the FMC, Ava.
There was a bit of suspension of disbelief I think that I called in for this regarding how well adjusted she is given her many years of capt1vity, but the events on the ranch and her interplay with Enzo and his family was such a pleasure to read that it was easier to put aside.
Enzo is a grump but a s3xy nerdy cowboy grump and I was SO smitten with him. He's extremely thoughtful, smart, internalized but his affections are well worth the wait!
There's some suspense (but it was a bit confusing and a lot at once in the last act...so i never felt the threat of the villain as much). For me it was their growing relationship that took centerstage for the drama. A sweet small town romance with a couple that really connects.
I'm in tears! Enzo is so much more than expected and Ava, what a journey!
A a felt so young and naive, but so so smart. (like duh, she's a good hacker) but she'd been rombed of her youth. The overwhelming sense of protection I felt for her. Took me by surprise.
No one was more surprised than Enzo, when this timid hacker waltz right into his life. Ignoring the red flags - as you do - for the sense of needing to protect.
The slow burn, it was sooo torturous but so rewarding! Enzo melted my heart after 'the hives' and the length he went to protect Ava. It's the small things.
I just love how Ava been came such good friends with Luis! I missed him from Perfect Playbook! The book club had me cackling with laughter.
I loved this book from start to finish. Pure perfection for me.
Thank you for allowing me to read it before release. I'm honoured and I always speak my honest opinions and thoughts.
Unspoken Promises is a romantic suspense novel and the first in a new series by Sienna Judd that takes place in the town of Echo Valley. Having only read one other book by Sienna before this, I was interested to see how this new series would start. Y’all, I was not disappointed!
Enzo (our MMC) is a Clark Kent/cowboy dream who happens to be the head of a cybersecurity firm focused on bringing criminals to justice. Ava (our FMC) wins a contest to work for Enzo, a contest that gives her the lifeline she needs to escape her past. Both MCs are keeping secrets from each other as they work together and start to fall for each other. But as we all know, secrets will eventually come knocking at your door. Can their relationship handle the unknown?
I loved this book. I was drawn in by the main characters and how their pasts made them into who they are. Once all is revealed, these same secrets help them each grow stronger and stronger together. The slow burn tension was so good and it was the perfect amount of burn. When the spice hit, I’d give it a 3.5/5 🌶️. It was perfectly balanced with the plot and didn’t overwhelm it. The side characters were all wonderful and I’m hopeful for books about them as well. I also love that the FMC was strong, smart, and full of wonder and the MMC never tried to tame that in her.
This was the perfect read as we enter the fall season and I know y’all will love Unspoken Promises as much as I did. Thank you to Sienna Judd and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Wow, what a story. I know I say it a lot, but I was hooked in fast. Echo Valley is a new series, and one I will be waiting for more of.
Ava has a backstory that will melt your heart. Her past is ugly, but she is a truly talented hacker—very smart and very skilled. She is being groomed for evil, but she finds a way out. She wins a hacker contest and a chance to work with Ghosteye, the company she hacked. Here she meets the Mendez brothers.
Add in small town, ranching vibes, the non-stop threat of suspense, and chemistry of Enzo and Ava, you will not want to pass on this book.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Unspoken promises is a cute small town romance with a twist of suspens and drama when ava is on the run.
The writing in this book was nice and easy to read and the story easy to follow. The romance and tension between the characters was just amazing. And the way the relationship between ava and Enzo grew was just everything!
I liked the suspens in the story and the plot behind it. I did feel like the suspens was slightly missing throughout the book and was mostly focused on in the "final act" in the end on the book. So i would have perhaps enjoyed a bit more suspens throughout the story but i absolutely loved it as it is aswell! I finished this book in one sitting, so so good!
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this amazing book in exchange of an honest review!
Happy release day!! First thank you Grey’s and Sienna for the ARC! Enzo and Ava are everything!! This book had me hooked from the first chapter! The suspense was suspensing - I needed to know what was going on! If you enjoy a romantic suspense with a good plot and a hot hacker this is the book for you!
I was on the edge of my seat reading this wondering what was going to happen next. If you’ve read the Starlight Canyon series you may recognise Enzo as Shays brother, he is moody and broody but oh so beautiful. Ava is a hacker on the run from a life in captivity when she wins a contest to work at GhostEye (Enzo’s) company. They slowly form a connection and the tension becomes so palpable they can’t help but act on it. The spice is so good, I literally felt it in my bones. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series is going to go but if this one is anything to go by it’s gonna be incredible!
HOLY SUSPENSEEEE. This one was such a page turner I couldn’t put it down! I am obsessed with Ava and Enzo! They shared such a special connection and it pulled me in so fast. Despite all the reasons they wouldn’t have been together they fell for each other and it was truly beautiful. Easy 5 star read! Go get this one!
I typically love Sienna’s books but this one had me struggling to keep going. If you’re into slow burns; this is THE BOOK for you. I wanted there to be a lot more buildup and anticipation or suspense in the story, but there wasn’t a whole lot until the very end. At the end I was FLYIN through the pages- couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happened. However, the rest of the book was a little bland for me unfortunately :(
As an alpha reader for Unspoken Promises, I got to dive into this story early on, and it’s been such a fun ride from start to finish. The mix of small town vibes and high stakes suspense really pulled me in, but what truly stood out was how the romance developed between the two main characters, Enzo and Ava. The tension, the chemistry…. was so hot I was melting.
Now, let’s talk about Enzo Mendez. He’s the protective hero we all want and look for in a book boyfriend - he’s got that quiet intensity, kinda grumpy with a tough exterior but has a heart of gold. The way he looks out for Ava and makes you feel like he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe is so swoonworthy. The way he shielded her, even when she didn’t realize she needed it 🫠 I LOVED watching his softer side come out as he fell for her, but never lost that strong, alpha edge.
The suspense was top tier, I was on the edge of my seat!!!! especially with Ava’s backstory—this girl has been through so much, escaping captivity. She’s fierce, though, and when she wins a hacking contest to work for Enzo Mendez, you can’t help but root for her.
Ava and Enzo’s connection is what really sold me!!!! The chemistry between them is undeniable, and you can feel the tension every time they’re together. Watching these two fall for each other amidst all the danger and suspense was a highlight.
I am excited about the next books and what the Mendez brothers have in store 🔥
🩵 Small Town Romantic Suspense 🩵 Forced Proximity 🩵 Grumpy Sunshine 🩵 Protective Hero 🩵 Boss X Employee
Let's talk first about this cover. it's beautiful ♡ it's what caught my eyes at first. The story was so good I couldn't put it down. From the characters to the actually story line, we'll everything was good. Recommended for sure.
Oh boy! What do you get when you put together hot cowboy, techy, nerd with saucy, techy virgin nerd with a crazy past?? You get a hot, crazy, suspenseful romance! I was so excited to get this ARC and follow the story of these Men that we met in the Starlight Canyon series. It didn’t disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat and Enzo is fire. There was something about this nerd that had me….if you like grumpy sunshine, work place romance, forced ordinary and found family you will love this story, plus it’s a suspense! I can’t wait for the next book.
Dropped at 15% I think this is the case of it’s me and it’s not the book. I just couldn’t ignore the stupidity of the MMC being well known for building a company that is going after criminals, like way to put a target on your back. Also it’s supposed to be a successful company but it was mentioned that if their backer pulled out, they would be fucked. Whatever they’re doing, shouldn’t they make sure they don’t leave themselves financially exposed like that? Especially if they’re going after criminals?? Ok, rant is over, I’m sure the book is good but I’m not going back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The MFC comes to the MMC because she’s having a borderline anaphylactic reaction to nuts and the entire time he’s like checking her out, describing side boob and naked skin. It was super weird. Like her airway is just a little compromised and he is describing her shape, figure, skin. Just didn’t land with me. Everything after that was a little cringy and I couldn’t move on.
I’ve had Unspoken Promises by Sienna Judd sitting on my TBR for a while, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. I’m always a sucker for stories where the FMC is carrying the weight of past trauma and finds someone who helps her heal instead of trying to “fix” her. This one absolutely delivered.
Ava and Enzo are both carrying around some pretty heavy baggage. Ava is running from a past that’s only hinted at in the beginning, while Enzo has been battling his own demons for years. Watching two broken people slowly find safety and comfort in each other was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Ava is an incredibly talented hacker who earns a three-month internship at Enzo’s cybersecurity company after successfully hacking their systems and exposing security flaws. Talk about making an entrance! But it’s quickly obvious she’s hiding something much bigger. After escaping the compound where she’d been trapped since she was eleven - left there by her mother with the father she’d never even met - Ava is finally experiencing freedom for the first time. She’s determined to use her hacking skills for good, taking down criminals instead of helping them, but she’s constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for her past to catch up with her.
I really loved watching Ava start to live. She makes genuine friends, begins to trust people, discovers what it’s like to have choices, and of course starts falling hard for Enzo. Seeing her slowly come out of survival mode and actually enjoy life was so satisfying.
Enzo was such a great MMC. He’s trying so hard to stay professional because Ava works for him, but it’s obvious from the beginning that he’s completely fascinated by her. He knows she’s hiding something, but instead of pushing her, he gives her space while quietly making it his mission to protect her. His admiration for her intelligence and resilience made their relationship feel even stronger.
The suspense really picked up when both of their pasts started crashing into the present, only to reveal they were actually fighting the same enemy all along. Once Ava is taken, the stakes skyrocket, and everyone rallies together to save her. The action, suspense, and emotional moments all blended together really well, and I was fully invested in seeing how everything would play out.
After the big reveal, Ava and Enzo are put through the absolute wringer before finally earning their happily ever after, and I loved every bit of it. I also really enjoyed the supporting cast and how the small town almost became a character of its own. It definitely left me wanting to spend more time in this world.
Overall, this was an emotional romantic suspense with great chemistry, healing, found family vibes, and enough action to keep the pages turning. Sienna Judd is definitely an author I’ll be picking up again.
i haven’t read a lot of romantic suspense in my day, but lemme tell ya— Sienna DELIVERED and i loved that she made it her own! after finishing the Starlight Canyon series, i was chomping at the bit to see more of Shay’s brothers and this first book was a thirst trap that’s for sure😏 a rich rancher who also just so happens to be a glasses-wearing hack daddy??? sign me the heck up!!!
tropes: - small town - forced proximity - age gap - secret identity - slow burn - found family
the overall vibes of this book were IMMACULATE and like nothing i’ve ever read before! even though i’ve never fully watched criminal minds or gilmore girls (sue me) i can picture this book in my head as the perfect mixture of the two. you have a cutesy, hallmark-feeling small town called Echo Valley with the most wholesome, welcoming people with hints of darkness and mystery behind the gates of the ranch just outside of town. Sienna’s original spin on suspense involving hacking had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. i was super intrigued to see how Ava and Enzo’s “hacker brains” worked and how their stories came together through both of their very traumatic pasts. this book was a rollercoaster in the best way but i love how Sienna made me laugh (at these quirky townies and their spicy book club) and feel equally as terrified (the suspense was suspense-ing) all at the same time. what. a. ride!!!
even though it was a slower of a burn than i’m used to, i felt that Ava and Enzo’s love story progressed in the most natural way and i appreciated that it didn’t seem rushed. it took some time for each of them to build trust and open up to each other and once they did— it truly felt like it was meant to happen. i have the BIGGEST crush on Enzo for not only looking like Clark Kent and being a cowboy but for how big of a heart he has. he cares for and protects who he loves and when he allows himself to, he loves HARD. and don’t even get me started on his witty yet filthy mouth when the spice finally hits…🥵 IT’S WORTH THE WAIT I PROMISE.
i am SO excited to see how this new series unfolds and to be back in Echo Valley and on the ranch again. i have a good feeling that this is going to be one of my new fave fictional worlds to get lost in! a huge thank you to Sienna and Grey’s Promotions for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
theme song: meet me in the woods by lord huron
fave quotes:
“i wonder what it would take to earn his heart. he seems to be stealing mine with ease.”
“never in a million years did i think with all my crooked edges i’d meet another piece that fit.
“i used to think love must be the best feeling in the world but now i think it’s having someone accept you for who you are. then again, maybe they’re the same thing.”
“the best place in the world is standing by her side.”
FYI this review is solely for myself when I look back on recs. Contains spoilers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️
FMC Ava was given by her mother to a criminal called Father when she was 11. He keeps her locked up on a commune and taught her coding and hacking because she was a genius. Her guard assigned to watch over her was Anton. She always had a family vibe from Anton because he was the only person she ever knew who was nice to her... but he was still keeping her captive.
Ava secretly wins a hacking competition under a false identity and runs away from Anton in the night fleeing to the company that offered her a contract that's ran on a secure ranch. MMC Enzo is the main boss of said company and is less than trusting about this woman randomly showing up with no ID or background/footprint. He agrees to let her stay in the empty house on the property and assigns her meaningless tasks because he didn't trust her at all with the private matter of his company. She is determined to prove her worth so she can ask for help with her past self so she hacks the system again, learns he's been getting hacked, and presents the information to him to show she's qualified and wants to take on a better role within the company. He already knew though.
They have a mutual attraction for one another and slowly but surely start letting one another in to their secrets and pasts.
Eventually Anton catches up with her and takes her back to Father only to sacrifice himself to save her. Turns out he was also being held captive on the commune and could have used his Navy Seal training to escape at any time, but he stayed to watch over Ava and keep her safe.
Cute book. Read it all in one sitting. Minimal spice, but it was still there. Maybe 3-4 spicy scenes. I liked the banter and the plot. So thankful she didn't end up pregnant lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Utterly & absolutely obsessed. This book was all of favorite things in one place!
✨ Small Town ✨ Grumpy/Sunshine ✨ Age Gap ✨ Forced Proximity ✨ Suspense
This has to be, by far, the best romantic suspense that I have read thus far all year! I loved Sienna Judd’s Starlight Canyon, so this was a real treat!
Oh my man Enzo. Cowboy, check! Nerdy, check! Nerdy, hacker cowboy — yes please! I am seriously in love with him… Enzo is fiercely loyal and protective. Even when he had his suspicions about Ava, he was still constantly looking out and caring for her. The things he did for her… swoon worthy!
Sweet, sweet Ava! She is incredibly smarty and resilient. With the skills she has, she could use them for bad but chooses to put them use taking down the bad guys. I love that we get to see her sassy, spunky side with Enzo. Although she has been through a lot, she is so kind and compassionate. Reading as she experienced many “firsts” was so amazing!
The bond that Ava & Enzo form is incredibly heartwarming and endearing. Both have troubled pasts, and through their own advanced skills are trying to make the world safer and ensure justice is served. Enzo slowly lowered his walls, allowing Ava to see past the cold, calculated man. Couple that with Ava getting to finally experience simple freedoms she wasn’t able to before was so inspiring. The joy, wonder, and care she showed toward life and everyone around her was incredible. The growth we see from these two is unmatched; being together truly does bring out the best in one another.
Unspoken Promises has plenty of spice, plot (with twists) and swoon worthy moments. Highly recommend!! Thank you so so much for the early copy! Hoping to see more from the Mendez family in Echo Valley!!