What was supposed to be the best night of their life can destroy their love forever.
Holly
It’s been three months since giving my virginity to my best friend’s older brother, though I’ve been in love with him for a lifetime. The night was everything I hoped for and more, but when I woke up alone, I realized I wasn’t enough for him. I decided it was finally time to move on, knowing I’ll never be anyone’s happily ever after.
Garrett
Three months ago I got everything I ever wanted–my dream woman, job as an assistant district attorney, and my siblings taking care of themselves. But when I call to check in with Holly, my calls and texts go unanswered. My job demands all of my time, so I’m forced to accept she only wanted one night with me.
This spicy, age-gap, best friend’s brother novella is set in a small mountain town and features a workaholic district attorney and a curvy lounge singer who deals with the surprise of an accidental pregnancy. While it is the fifth book in the Promises from the Heart Series, it can be read as a standalone with NO Cliffhangers, NO Cheating, and a HEA.
The idea wasn’t a bad one, but execution was rough 😖
The writing was some of the worst I’ve ever read in my life 🫣 if the story and the characters are compelling enough, I can overlook any sort of grammatical errors a book may have, but I don’t think anybody edited this. Like, not a single soul. It was riddled with strange wording choices, and run-on sentences. Both of those things made it really hard to be invested in the story, because I found them all so jarring when I stumbled across them.
Also, it was all tell, and no show. Holly goes on long monologues about Monica and Garrett, and her jobs and her life growing up in foster care. Now what she has to say isn’t bad. I like a character who’s struggled and has demons. But in spelling everything out, the author takes away the weight of those character details. It also makes the character feel very flat. And every single character in this novella was flat af 🫤
I think this book could’ve been a lot stronger if it was written as a full length novel and it received more thorough editing.
There’s the potential for so much more to Holly and Garret’s relationship. They’re supposed to have known each other for years and yet we don’t get any of the closeness that comes from that length of a relationship because this book was too short. There could’ve been more of a plot as well, more tension, and angst that you would expect from this sort of trope. But again, these are things that we didn’t have time to get in a short story like this.
Overall, the story and the author‘s writing just really didn’t do it for me, and I won’t be continuing this series.
Three months ago, Holly slept with her best friend’s older brother, Garrett Mercer. She’s been in love with him for a long time and they had an incredible evening. She gave him her virginity and she thought they were starting something special. The next morning when she woke up, Garrett was gone without even leaving a note. She has ignored him since that night.
Now, she is plagued with morning sickness. Holly can’t believe that she is pregnant since they used a condom. Monica, her best friend and roommate, who happens to be Garrett’s sister, is worried about Holly. Monica does not know that Holly and Garrett slept together.
Garrett thought that Holly was his dream girl. At the time that they slept together, he was promoted to district attorney. He was excited about his new job and hoped that he also had a new relationship with the girl he loved. Garrett was confused when Holly stopped all contact with him after the best night of his life. He gets worried when his sister Monica tells him that Holly has been sick.
Obviously, there was some major miscommunication between Holly and Garrett. It was interesting to see how the story played out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I LOVED everything about this book, from the characters, to the storyline, this book was fabulous. The author was able to give authenticity to Garrett and Holly, and I felt like I knew them. Holly has many demons from her past and has a difficult time believing she is worthy of love. Garrett is the ideal hero, and makes sure he fights for his woman. There was some angst, not too much, just the right amount for me. I did need to grab a tissue at one point, I was just so invested in Holly and her feelings. I came away from reading this book feeling fulfilled and happy. I like that I can spend an hour of my time and be so entertained. I always enjoy an epilogue, and this one did not disappoint. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. Even though this is a standalone, without a cliffhanger, I want to read the entire series, especially the book about Hutch’s story when it is published.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Secret Protector is Book 5 of Promises From The Heart. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, curvy girl gets her best friend's older brother romance. Holly is a sweet, sassy, and curvy lounge singer. She lives with her best friend Monica. Garrett is a hunky, workaholic attorney, and Monica's older brother. He is 16 years older than Holly. The two have been in love with each other for years. They finally sleep together, but when Garrett us gone the next morning, Holly is convinced he didn't want her and has ignored him since. Fast forward 3 months, and she realizes she is pregnant. What will Garrett say? Holly was so stubborn! I just wanted to slap her for drawing her own conclusions without talking to Garrett. I loved seeing Garrett going all caveman until she finally listened to him. They had such great chemistry, and we got a very happy ending, but it was a roller-coaster ride!! I can't wait for Hutch's story next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such a fantastic book! I loved Garrett and Holly. There was an age gap and Garrett is Holly’s best friend’s older brother. Holly grew up as a foster child but once she got to know Monica, her best friend, Monica’s family quickly took her under their wing. Holly has loved Garrett since she was 12 and for the last 5 years, Garrett has wanted nothing but Holly. One night they both give into their feelings and get together. A misunderstanding keeps them apart. Garrett wants to fix this or, or if Holly wants, he’ll walk away but not without a fight. Holly has so much going on, she is bout sure what to do about anything. Ebony Snow is a fairly new author to me but I have enjoyed what I have read. She is definitely someone you should try reading - you won’t be disappointed!
Garrett has loved Holly, his little sister's best friend, for a few years, and never dreamed he'd actually have her. Holly has secretly loved Garrett for most of her life, but didn't dare hope he'd feel the same. A single night together should've launched them into forever, but miscommunications and misunderstandings drove them apart for three months instead.
I enjoyed this story. It follows the typical story arc for an insta-love romance but Snow makes it unique in how the main characters approach their relationship and how they work through their issues. It's a heart-warming romance with a well-deserved HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holly was abandoned at the age of three and grew up in the foster care system. She adores her best friend Monica and her family and has been in love with Monica's older brother Garrett for a while now.
Garrett was always interested in Holly, from the first time they met. They recently spent the night together, something that was important to both of them. However Holly forgot that Garrett had to leave early for work and she's been in a tizzy, assuming the worst. She just recently found out that she's carrying Garrett's baby. What now?
Will Garrett be able to convince Holly that his love for her and their baby is sincere? Will Holly finally get a happily ever after of her own? Check it out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love finding new authors to follow and Ebony Snow is already a new favorite after reading Secret Protector. Holly finally got her chance with Garrett, her best friend's older brother until she woke the next morning to find him gone. Only he left something behind that will come along in just nine months. That's not the only secrets she is keeping though and she is struggling to survive. Garrett wishes Holly would talk to him after their night together and when he finds out what she has been going through he becomes even more determined to take care of her. Holly is about to learn just obsessed he really is. Great read.
I'd been waiting for Holly's book since she was introduced in a previous book. It was so good!
Holly has fallen for her best friends brother, Garrett. After one steamy night, she's worried it was just a one off for him, and she doesn't want to risk her friendship.
When Garrett's sister says that Holly hasn't been feeling well lately, he decides to go check on her. But to his suprose, she isn't sick. She's pregnant. With his baby.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story was way better than I thought it would be. Only took me half an hour to finish this sweet sexy story. I love books that have protective men taking charge so the women don’t hurt themselves or take the stress away!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Promises from the Heart is a great series and I believe this is my favorite story so far. Holly's childhood has left her with feelings of abandonment and of being incapable of receiving love, Garrett loves and wants to be there for Holly. Their story is heartwarming and triumphant. A wonderful short read.
The author has given us a heartwarming older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Garrett, Holly and his sister/her best friend, Monica. The story keeps us turning the pages with unspoken love, misunderstandings, secrets and steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holly has given everything to Garrett, the love of her life and her best friends brother, to only think that he has walked away from her.
Garrett can't figure out what happened with Holly after their magical night together. But when he finds out he's gonna be a dad, he makes Holly understand that she is his and he loves her with his whole heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After having the amazing night Holly had always longed for with Garrett, her best friends brother, she woke up alone. Miscommunication, heartache and surprises threaten to ruin what could be, before they get a chance
I loved this book! The only thing I didn't like that was so short. Holly and Garrett are a cute couple. They had chemistry and was a cute fast story. I will definitely be reading the whole series. This book is part of of a series but can be read as a standalone.