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Promises Promises
A sentimental romance about a woman who thought she had it all—fame, success, and wealth—until she attends her best friend’s wedding and discovers her own chance at a happily-ever-after.
Harper Emery has always lived in the shadow of her best friend, Sidney Westwood. While Sidney’s outgoing and charming personality draws people towards her, Harper prefers spending time alone, often hidden behind a sketch pad or sewing machine, dreaming of a future as a fashion designer. Despite their differences, the two are often inseparable, bonded by their love for nature and an unspoken connection that runs deep between them.
But everything changes during a trip to Destin, Florida. After a near-death experience, Harper finds herself being pulled from the waves by Cameron Spears, a lifeguard who gives her a taste of the limelight and the exhilaration of a whirlwind romance.
A decade later, the memories of that unforgettable summer, the love that followed, and the inevitable heartbreak still haunt Harper. Despite seemingly having it all—fame, success, and wealth—thirty-year-old Harper still feels like a failure when it comes to love. But when she agrees to be maid of honor at Sidney's wedding, little does Harper know that her own happily ever after may be waiting right around the corner.
Harper Emery has always lived in the shadow of her best friend, Sidney Westwood. While Sidney’s outgoing and charming personality draws people towards her, Harper prefers spending time alone, often hidden behind a sketch pad or sewing machine, dreaming of a future as a fashion designer. Despite their differences, the two are often inseparable, bonded by their love for nature and an unspoken connection that runs deep between them.
But everything changes during a trip to Destin, Florida. After a near-death experience, Harper finds herself being pulled from the waves by Cameron Spears, a lifeguard who gives her a taste of the limelight and the exhilaration of a whirlwind romance.
A decade later, the memories of that unforgettable summer, the love that followed, and the inevitable heartbreak still haunt Harper. Despite seemingly having it all—fame, success, and wealth—thirty-year-old Harper still feels like a failure when it comes to love. But when she agrees to be maid of honor at Sidney's wedding, little does Harper know that her own happily ever after may be waiting right around the corner.
352 pages, Paperback
Published January 14, 2025
2028 people are currently reading
17123 people want to read
About the author
Buck Turner
26 books673 followersBuck is a beloved storyteller, best known for his diverse writing style and subject matter. Author of the bestselling romance novels The Long Road Back To You and I'll Wait, Buck explores both the pleasure and the pain that come with finding that once-in-a-lifetime love, and the lengths we'll go to keep it.
As a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, Buck holds a Fine Arts degree as well as an MBA. Having spent his childhood in East Tennessee, Buck focuses on what he knows best-the south, including its rich traditions, diverse characters, and religion. When he's not busy writing, Buck enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, drawing, and painting.
As a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, Buck holds a Fine Arts degree as well as an MBA. Having spent his childhood in East Tennessee, Buck focuses on what he knows best-the south, including its rich traditions, diverse characters, and religion. When he's not busy writing, Buck enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, drawing, and painting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 25, 2025
I was very disappointed in this novel. There are so many flashbacks in it that I lost count. And when the flashbacks end and the writer picks up on the Present Day, it doesn't coincide with the last scene before the flashback. Rather, the Present Day picks up where the flashbacks left off. I read 71% of the book and I just couldn't read another line of it. I threw up my hands, thoroughly disappointed, feeling like someone had slammed me against the wall. The flashbacks threw me out of the story and I was noticeably agitated. So much time poured into this read ... so much time.
I am so sorry I can't recommend this book. I really wish I had good things to say about it. I tried to stick with it in hopes that there would be something good to say. In the end, it just didn't work out.
Good editors are worth every dime you pay them. Please, hire one. You won't be sorry that you did.
I am so sorry I can't recommend this book. I really wish I had good things to say about it. I tried to stick with it in hopes that there would be something good to say. In the end, it just didn't work out.
Good editors are worth every dime you pay them. Please, hire one. You won't be sorry that you did.
October 4, 2025
Good, easy read. Like how it turned out.
January 19, 2025
Thank you to @pageandvinebooks @luvbooksclub and @buckturner_official for the #gifted book.
This captivating story explores the bonds of friendship, first love, and the power of promises.
At its heart is the enduring friendship between Harper and Sidney, which brings joy and warmth, alongside the sweet romance between Harper and Cameron. While it is indeed a love story, it also deeply emphasizes the significance of friendship. Observing the evolution of Harper and Sidney's bond is truly delightful. The characters are authentic and relatable, drawing readers in. Set in the present day with skillful flashbacks, we uncover the backstory of Harper and Cameron's relationship, enriching the narrative. Cameron's strong sense of honor and duty adds an admirable layer to the tale.
One quote that resonated deeply was, “𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦?”
This book beautifully captures love, forgiveness, loss and the power of love. If you love books that will stay with you, tis book is available now.
This captivating story explores the bonds of friendship, first love, and the power of promises.
At its heart is the enduring friendship between Harper and Sidney, which brings joy and warmth, alongside the sweet romance between Harper and Cameron. While it is indeed a love story, it also deeply emphasizes the significance of friendship. Observing the evolution of Harper and Sidney's bond is truly delightful. The characters are authentic and relatable, drawing readers in. Set in the present day with skillful flashbacks, we uncover the backstory of Harper and Cameron's relationship, enriching the narrative. Cameron's strong sense of honor and duty adds an admirable layer to the tale.
One quote that resonated deeply was, “𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦?”
This book beautifully captures love, forgiveness, loss and the power of love. If you love books that will stay with you, tis book is available now.
January 15, 2025
Promises, Promises
Is a beautiful heart, wrenching story about true friendships, love, loss, and the power of beautiful promises.
The description throughout this book was amazing, the way it is written, takes you right there, I felt like I was put right into the middle of the story, and I felt everything.
I loved Sidney and Harper very much, those unforgettable summers with your best friend, they reminded me so much of me and my best friend and meeting your first love, and all the feelings of it and how sometimes your first love is a ghost you will never forget..
This book has so much real elements break ups, friendship, finding love, forgiveness, loss.
This book is an emotional powerhouse.
This book is absolutely phenomenal. You all are going to love it.
Is a beautiful heart, wrenching story about true friendships, love, loss, and the power of beautiful promises.
The description throughout this book was amazing, the way it is written, takes you right there, I felt like I was put right into the middle of the story, and I felt everything.
I loved Sidney and Harper very much, those unforgettable summers with your best friend, they reminded me so much of me and my best friend and meeting your first love, and all the feelings of it and how sometimes your first love is a ghost you will never forget..
This book has so much real elements break ups, friendship, finding love, forgiveness, loss.
This book is an emotional powerhouse.
This book is absolutely phenomenal. You all are going to love it.
August 30, 2025
This book disappointed me in several ways. I expected to learn about the fashion industry, and about adult relationships. There's little about either of them in this book. Rather, it's a teen romance story, not even a Young Adult story. Harper loves Cameron, but it's off, then on, then off, then on. Both Harper and Cameron are earnest, decent, aspiring people, but they act like teenagers, young teenagers. There are too many chapter-long flashbacks — 10 years ago, 6 years ago, 4 years ago ago, 3 years ago, 2 years ago. ONE solid flashback might be warranted in a good book. Then we have a ghost at the end — c'mon. I wanted an adult story that I could enjoy and learn from.
July 7, 2025
I don’t think I’ve ever rated a book one star. This was just SO CLEARLY a female’s perspective and friendship and relationship written by a man. The conversations were just insane. And Harper is an awful friend? Like what? Also Cameron appearing as a surprise out of nowhere made no sense either. That whole spoiler of Sydney bringing Cameron out and never telling Harper + Cameron’s dad lying to her? That was so dumb. And then SYDNEY’S GHOST COMING BACK AT THE END? AND THEY NAME THEIR CHILD SYDNEY? I just can’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
"Love is never simple, is it?"
"No it isn't. It's messy, complicated, and it can hurt like hell."
"But it can also be beautiful. It can light up your world and make you feel like you're floating on air."
--------
"Harper held onto hope that he would keep his promise and come back to her once again."
-------
"You're my compass, Harper, my true North. You are both the journey and the destination."
-------
Buck Turner has a way of writing that hits you in all the feels. I didn't know when I first started reading this story between Harper and Cameron that it was exactly what I needed. It made me laugh, it made me sad, it made me read as much as I could in one sitting hoping I would make it to the point of finding out If they made it back to each other again.
I really liked out FMC Harper. She is career driven, she is a good friend, and you can feel the pain in her character from losing her first love. I liked her development as she navigated through what she wanted in life and I loved seeing the journey of her getting to that point.
I enjoyed the time frame of going between the past and the present because it really helps create the story and you get a better idea of why things are the way they are in the present time. I liked getting a better picture with all the details and it helped me understand Harper's feelings so much better.
I could not put this book down when I started it. This going back and forth between a feel good romance to a story with so much more depth to it than you're expecting and I had a great time reading it. The only part I was not a fan of was in part four, and if you know, you know. I will forever be salty about what happened. Got me crying first thing in the morning before I even had my coffee. However this author has gained a new fan, I loved how everything came full circle in the end, and I can't wait to pick up another one.
Thank you so much @pageandvine, @luvbooksclub and @buckturner for this book, it was a ride, an emotional one for sure, and I loved it.
"No it isn't. It's messy, complicated, and it can hurt like hell."
"But it can also be beautiful. It can light up your world and make you feel like you're floating on air."
--------
"Harper held onto hope that he would keep his promise and come back to her once again."
-------
"You're my compass, Harper, my true North. You are both the journey and the destination."
-------
Buck Turner has a way of writing that hits you in all the feels. I didn't know when I first started reading this story between Harper and Cameron that it was exactly what I needed. It made me laugh, it made me sad, it made me read as much as I could in one sitting hoping I would make it to the point of finding out If they made it back to each other again.
I really liked out FMC Harper. She is career driven, she is a good friend, and you can feel the pain in her character from losing her first love. I liked her development as she navigated through what she wanted in life and I loved seeing the journey of her getting to that point.
I enjoyed the time frame of going between the past and the present because it really helps create the story and you get a better idea of why things are the way they are in the present time. I liked getting a better picture with all the details and it helped me understand Harper's feelings so much better.
I could not put this book down when I started it. This going back and forth between a feel good romance to a story with so much more depth to it than you're expecting and I had a great time reading it. The only part I was not a fan of was in part four, and if you know, you know. I will forever be salty about what happened. Got me crying first thing in the morning before I even had my coffee. However this author has gained a new fan, I loved how everything came full circle in the end, and I can't wait to pick up another one.
Thank you so much @pageandvine, @luvbooksclub and @buckturner for this book, it was a ride, an emotional one for sure, and I loved it.
January 23, 2025
I finished this in a few hours. It was fabulous.. but part 4; it broke me.
Harper and Sidney grew up together 200 steps away. They have seen each other through so much; but one particular summer marked their souls. The summer Harper was saved by Cameron while swimming. That summer was the best of Harper’s life and she isn’t sure if Cameron still feels the same.
Now Sidney is getting married, Harper is trying to overcome a huge hurdle in her fashion industry job (Infinity Designs) but wants to make sure her bff gets the best day of her life.
This book goes back and forth between past and present, so you get the understanding of their life and how moments, promises really meant to them.
♾️
“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞?”
Harper and Sidney grew up together 200 steps away. They have seen each other through so much; but one particular summer marked their souls. The summer Harper was saved by Cameron while swimming. That summer was the best of Harper’s life and she isn’t sure if Cameron still feels the same.
Now Sidney is getting married, Harper is trying to overcome a huge hurdle in her fashion industry job (Infinity Designs) but wants to make sure her bff gets the best day of her life.
This book goes back and forth between past and present, so you get the understanding of their life and how moments, promises really meant to them.
♾️
“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞?”
March 10, 2025
Buck,
You did it again! You made me feel like I know the characters personally, fall in love with them, root for them, and cry with them. This book is absolutely beautiful. Your writing is exceptional as usual. You made me cry sad and happy tears. This one will stay with me. Very few do that. I'd give it 10/5 if I could!
After reading the digital, I'm off to order a physical copy for the shelf. Keep 'em coming, Buck!
You did it again! You made me feel like I know the characters personally, fall in love with them, root for them, and cry with them. This book is absolutely beautiful. Your writing is exceptional as usual. You made me cry sad and happy tears. This one will stay with me. Very few do that. I'd give it 10/5 if I could!
After reading the digital, I'm off to order a physical copy for the shelf. Keep 'em coming, Buck!
June 4, 2025
A book that left me hanging
Promises Promises I did not want to end. Thank goodness there is another one! I love a l9ve story that goes on for years. Made me shed a few tears and laugh, too. Buck Turner knows how to write good books!
Promises Promises I did not want to end. Thank goodness there is another one! I love a l9ve story that goes on for years. Made me shed a few tears and laugh, too. Buck Turner knows how to write good books!
May 19, 2025
this was my first book from this author and I absolutely loved it. I really liked the characters and I felt like I related to Harper’s character the most. It definitely highlights the importance of promises in all aspects of life. I didn’t think I would cry at the end but I did!!
March 11, 2025
Almost DNF. The store was so predictable not to mention boring. I also did not like the writing style.
July 19, 2025
The drama went on far too long….
August 5, 2025
I wanted to like this book, I really did. The first half had me hooked and I felt like I was starting to become invested in what happened with Harper and Cameron. But 60% of the way through the plot started spiraling. We spent over half of the book developing Cameron & Harper’s history and building the background to their relationship, only to delve into 2 other major plots that were never fully developed or given enough detail. I felt like I was being ping ponged around the last 40% of the book, and it felt completely rushed with a lot of loose ends. What could have been a great story ended up underdeveloped and lackluster. Very disappointing.
February 11, 2025
I did NOT like this book. I literally skimmed through 75% of it. It just didn't flow well and I couldn't get into the characters.
February 27, 2025
Did I just read the same book you all reviewed? I did not connect to these characters at all. I had high hopes because of all the good reviews. This book was not life changing. It didn’t make me cry or feel anything happy/sad/mad. I did not like either of the main characters all that much. I will say it was an easy read. I finished it in 24 hours. But I was very disappointed.
January 16, 2025
Oh. My. GOD. Someone pass the tissues and a weighted blanket, because Buck Turner just BROKE ME. Promises, Promises isn’t just a book—it’s an emotional maelstrom disguised as a second-chance romance. I went into this thinking I was prepared, but guess what? I wasn’t. Buck Turner laughed in the face of my emotional stability and left me a puddle of wrecked feelings.
Let’s talk about Harper. She’s a boss babe in every sense of the word—successful, fashionable, living the dream on paper. But she’s also quietly haunted, carrying this deep ache that maybe love just isn’t in the cards for her. Enter Cameron, the one who got away. The one who shattered her heart, twice. Twice! Honestly, the audacity of this man and the way my chest hurt every time Harper reflected on their past...it’s too much.
And speaking of the past—THE FLASHBACKS. I thought I could handle them, but every single one sucker-punched me. The nostalgia, the heartbreak, the fleeting moments of joy—it’s like Turner reached into my soul, pulled out every hidden romantic regret, and threw them back at me in cinematic, gut-wrenching glory. Sydney, Harper’s best friend and accidental emotional terrorist, keeps nudging her to reach out to Cameron before her wedding. And honestly? I wanted to strangle Sydney while also hugging her because without her meddling, we wouldn’t have this rollercoaster of a story.
I don’t want to spoil anything (because trust me, you NEED to experience this ride raw and unfiltered), but from the moment Harper decides to take that leap and confront Cameron, my heart was in shreds. SHREDS. I was so sure I knew how it would all play out, but Turner is a master at the emotional bait-and-switch. By the time I got to the end, I was ugly crying, hugging the book, and screaming, “WHY DIDN’T ANYONE WARN ME ABOUT THIS???”
If you’re a fan of Nicholas Sparks’ tearjerkers but wish he’d crank up the emotional stakes to 11, this is your book. You’ll laugh, cry, curse everyone involved, and then cry some more. Buck Turner didn’t just write a story; he wrote a therapy bill waiting to happen. 10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a soul-destroying, heart-healing, second-chance romance. Just...maybe stock up on tissues first.
Final verdict: Promises, Promises will ruin you, and you’ll thank it for the privilege. ❤️🔥
Let’s talk about Harper. She’s a boss babe in every sense of the word—successful, fashionable, living the dream on paper. But she’s also quietly haunted, carrying this deep ache that maybe love just isn’t in the cards for her. Enter Cameron, the one who got away. The one who shattered her heart, twice. Twice! Honestly, the audacity of this man and the way my chest hurt every time Harper reflected on their past...it’s too much.
And speaking of the past—THE FLASHBACKS. I thought I could handle them, but every single one sucker-punched me. The nostalgia, the heartbreak, the fleeting moments of joy—it’s like Turner reached into my soul, pulled out every hidden romantic regret, and threw them back at me in cinematic, gut-wrenching glory. Sydney, Harper’s best friend and accidental emotional terrorist, keeps nudging her to reach out to Cameron before her wedding. And honestly? I wanted to strangle Sydney while also hugging her because without her meddling, we wouldn’t have this rollercoaster of a story.
I don’t want to spoil anything (because trust me, you NEED to experience this ride raw and unfiltered), but from the moment Harper decides to take that leap and confront Cameron, my heart was in shreds. SHREDS. I was so sure I knew how it would all play out, but Turner is a master at the emotional bait-and-switch. By the time I got to the end, I was ugly crying, hugging the book, and screaming, “WHY DIDN’T ANYONE WARN ME ABOUT THIS???”
If you’re a fan of Nicholas Sparks’ tearjerkers but wish he’d crank up the emotional stakes to 11, this is your book. You’ll laugh, cry, curse everyone involved, and then cry some more. Buck Turner didn’t just write a story; he wrote a therapy bill waiting to happen. 10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a soul-destroying, heart-healing, second-chance romance. Just...maybe stock up on tissues first.
Final verdict: Promises, Promises will ruin you, and you’ll thank it for the privilege. ❤️🔥
February 5, 2025
I promise not to gush about this book too much but I also promise you that this book should be added to your summer reading list! Buck Turner's style of writing makes you nostalgic and pulls on all your emotional heartstrings. Make sure to grab your tissues with this one!
Harper Emery is an well established fashion designer but had a recent setback in her business after her ex fiance cheated her out of money and ran off. When her best friend Sidney asks her to be her Maid of Honor in her upcoming wedding, Harper jumps at the chance to be there for her. With the wedding in their old summer haunting ground of Destin Florida, memories flood back to Harper of her teenage years of when she met Cameron Spears and the years beyond when their summer love eventually turned into heartbreak.
In this sweeping story we are transported to teenage summers and first loves but also we learn how Harper is growing and becoming the best version of herself even after all that heartbreak. Can you always keep your promises?
This is my second Buck Turner book and just like the first, it was sentimental and focused on first loves who grew apart. You learned to see the character growth over the course of the book. I also loved the flashbacks to their teenage summers and the years beyond. It made you understand the depth of the characters and why things ended up the way they did.
I also liked the friendship between Sidney and Harper. You got to see their friendship evolve over time and while both women changed, they always shared a bond that connected them to each other and kept their friendship intact.
I love young love and second chance romances where you can see the character growth and while they are right for each other, they are not right in the moment but they find their way to each other years later. So swoony and heartwarming.
Overall this book had love, friendship, heartbreak, forgiveness and loss. Very much enjoyed this book from start to finish!
Huge thanks to Page and Vine Book and Buck Turner for sharing this book’s advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Buck Turner
Genre: Contemporary romance
Harper Emery is an well established fashion designer but had a recent setback in her business after her ex fiance cheated her out of money and ran off. When her best friend Sidney asks her to be her Maid of Honor in her upcoming wedding, Harper jumps at the chance to be there for her. With the wedding in their old summer haunting ground of Destin Florida, memories flood back to Harper of her teenage years of when she met Cameron Spears and the years beyond when their summer love eventually turned into heartbreak.
In this sweeping story we are transported to teenage summers and first loves but also we learn how Harper is growing and becoming the best version of herself even after all that heartbreak. Can you always keep your promises?
This is my second Buck Turner book and just like the first, it was sentimental and focused on first loves who grew apart. You learned to see the character growth over the course of the book. I also loved the flashbacks to their teenage summers and the years beyond. It made you understand the depth of the characters and why things ended up the way they did.
I also liked the friendship between Sidney and Harper. You got to see their friendship evolve over time and while both women changed, they always shared a bond that connected them to each other and kept their friendship intact.
I love young love and second chance romances where you can see the character growth and while they are right for each other, they are not right in the moment but they find their way to each other years later. So swoony and heartwarming.
Overall this book had love, friendship, heartbreak, forgiveness and loss. Very much enjoyed this book from start to finish!
Huge thanks to Page and Vine Book and Buck Turner for sharing this book’s advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Buck Turner
Genre: Contemporary romance
May 18, 2025
Teenage Harper is an aspiring fashion designer with high ambitions and incredible talent. Her best friend, Sydney, is the life of the party and has a larger-than-life personality. Though their personalities couldn't be any different, they are extremely close. That is, until a trip to Destin, Florida, causes Harper to be pulled under the water and promptly into lifeguard Cameron's capable arms. The pair is soon spending every moment they can together, and it's not long before they realize it's not just some summer fling; the depth of their feelings for each other has developed into love. But with summer's end, they must return to their normal lives, states apart and on different journeys. With promises made to visit each other as often as possible, they set out to fulfill the commitments they both made before that life-changing summer.
Twelve years later, after incredible success and devastating heartbreak, Harper returns to Destin as Sydney's maid of honor. She's determined to help Sydney have the wedding of her dreams, but she can't seem to squelch the envy that continuously bubbles to the surface. Everything reminds her of Cameron and the life she could have had with him. But her story isn't over just yet, and she soon sees that there can be a silver lining, even in the midst of tragedy.
The premise of the story had a lot of promise, but it fell short for me. The alternating timelines weren't fluid and were challenging to follow, especially because of how quickly they jumped around at times. It also didn't reach the emotional depth I would have expected, considering the difficult topics presented in the pages. I especially felt this with Part Four, leading up to the Epilogue. It read as rushed, and what should have been a highly emotional climax felt breezed over rather than allowing the reader to sit in the moment of the story.
It was a quick read and a nice story overall, but I just wasn't able to emotionally connect with it the way I'd hoped I would.
3 stars.
Huge thank you to Buck Turner for sending me a lovely PR box containing a copy of this novel.
Twelve years later, after incredible success and devastating heartbreak, Harper returns to Destin as Sydney's maid of honor. She's determined to help Sydney have the wedding of her dreams, but she can't seem to squelch the envy that continuously bubbles to the surface. Everything reminds her of Cameron and the life she could have had with him. But her story isn't over just yet, and she soon sees that there can be a silver lining, even in the midst of tragedy.
The premise of the story had a lot of promise, but it fell short for me. The alternating timelines weren't fluid and were challenging to follow, especially because of how quickly they jumped around at times. It also didn't reach the emotional depth I would have expected, considering the difficult topics presented in the pages. I especially felt this with Part Four, leading up to the Epilogue. It read as rushed, and what should have been a highly emotional climax felt breezed over rather than allowing the reader to sit in the moment of the story.
It was a quick read and a nice story overall, but I just wasn't able to emotionally connect with it the way I'd hoped I would.
3 stars.
Huge thank you to Buck Turner for sending me a lovely PR box containing a copy of this novel.
January 14, 2025
I received this book as my first PR box with a beautiful bracelet. Harper dreamer. She dreams big, but she goes for what she wants. She makes me want to wear the clothes she designs. Harper did the best job as her maid of honor, she made sure that Sidney had everything prepared for the wedding and they still had some girl time at the same time. Sidney is a great supportive friend. A sister and a small town girl. She was always there for Harper for her broken heart of Cameron. Helped her when was robbed of money from her terrible ex, and encouraged to love again and face her fears. I adore Harper and Sidney's friendship. Most people say you grow out of childhood friendships when you are going in a different direction. This book proved to me that friendships never die no where you are, how old, or even if one of you has left the world, the love and friendship still bonds between them. Harper and Cameron's love story is an exciting and wonderful story. I love that it was a summer romance. A perfect story. I love summer romances. They were each other's first love. Both of them went through heart break with each other and had so many complications with their careers. I was so happy to see that they made their way back to each other. It warmed my heart. Sidney did a wonderful thing reuniting them together. It broke my heart when Sidney and Jason died in a car accident. Poor Abigail went through a tragic accident losing her parents. My eyes burst in tears when Harper and Sidney got to say their final goodbyes at the end. I'm glad Harper and Cameron get to be Abigail's parents. A great book. I recommend it. A perfect small town, dreamers, romances, drama, tragics, and happy endings if that is what you are looking for. Thank you for the opportunity. I hope to read another one day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
Author Buck Turner has done it once again…his words have transported me into a story so real-feeling, I felt as if I was right next to Harper throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed looking into Harper & Sidney’s friendship, as they are literally soul sisters of best friends. And I absolutely, deeply admired the push & pull aspect between Harper and Cameron and the journey of which their love story travels.
The setting of which everything takes place was one of my favorite parts - I could picture Harper growing up shy, now a successful fashion designer in the city. There were SO many ways I resonate with her, one of which being one of my fave quotes, “Harper was nothing if not organized.” 🤭 I felt this in my soul. That aside, I was impressed with her healing journey from previous damage done through hardships she’d faced. She proved so resilient and navigated her journey so strongly, with her head held high.
As for Cameron, he was also admirable and I understood why he was the way that he was! When Harper and Cameron finally reconnected…(as to not spoil it) the wedding moments specifically, ohhh, my heart 🥹
As to not spoil anything, I’ll keep it simple…that ENDING…I’m still in shock! The beauty of emotion experienced as a reader is next-level with this one. So be prepared to grab tissues if you read this!
This was such a great read and I zipped through this story so fast, although I’d wished it’d lasted forever!
The setting of which everything takes place was one of my favorite parts - I could picture Harper growing up shy, now a successful fashion designer in the city. There were SO many ways I resonate with her, one of which being one of my fave quotes, “Harper was nothing if not organized.” 🤭 I felt this in my soul. That aside, I was impressed with her healing journey from previous damage done through hardships she’d faced. She proved so resilient and navigated her journey so strongly, with her head held high.
As for Cameron, he was also admirable and I understood why he was the way that he was! When Harper and Cameron finally reconnected…(as to not spoil it) the wedding moments specifically, ohhh, my heart 🥹
As to not spoil anything, I’ll keep it simple…that ENDING…I’m still in shock! The beauty of emotion experienced as a reader is next-level with this one. So be prepared to grab tissues if you read this!
This was such a great read and I zipped through this story so fast, although I’d wished it’d lasted forever!
January 20, 2025
🩵Absolutely beautiful! The author never disappoints. Heartwarming, melancholy and full of love and hope 🩵
Tropes:
💚Second chance romance
💕Insta love
💚Strong FMC
💕Friendship
💚Small town vibes
💕Friends to lovers
♾️The story revolves around Harper and Cameron. Harper is a fashion designer and she’s on top of her career. Everything in life is perfect for her except that missing part of someone special. Cameron and Harper shared a beautiful time together in the past but only time can decide if they have a future together. How will they navigate through their journey amidst heartbreak, lost hope and emotional turmoil?
🩵I’ve never been a fan of second chance romance but this author is one of the two authors who convinced me to love the trope.
♾️This story is everything well done in a contemporary romance. Full of love, hope, trust, friendship, with just the right amount of melancholy, sadness, and heartbreak. And the writing is amazing! I love finding authors who can write in a way that makes the story flow effortlessly. I honestly couldn’t put this down until I finished.
🩵Absolutely recommend for fans of contemporary romance. This will count as one of my favorite romance reads this year for sure. I was thrilled to find the story behind the ♾️ necklace too 🥹.
♾️Thank you so much to Luvbooksclub, Page and Vine and the author for a gifted finished copy. All thoughts are my own.
Tropes:
💚Second chance romance
💕Insta love
💚Strong FMC
💕Friendship
💚Small town vibes
💕Friends to lovers
♾️The story revolves around Harper and Cameron. Harper is a fashion designer and she’s on top of her career. Everything in life is perfect for her except that missing part of someone special. Cameron and Harper shared a beautiful time together in the past but only time can decide if they have a future together. How will they navigate through their journey amidst heartbreak, lost hope and emotional turmoil?
🩵I’ve never been a fan of second chance romance but this author is one of the two authors who convinced me to love the trope.
♾️This story is everything well done in a contemporary romance. Full of love, hope, trust, friendship, with just the right amount of melancholy, sadness, and heartbreak. And the writing is amazing! I love finding authors who can write in a way that makes the story flow effortlessly. I honestly couldn’t put this down until I finished.
🩵Absolutely recommend for fans of contemporary romance. This will count as one of my favorite romance reads this year for sure. I was thrilled to find the story behind the ♾️ necklace too 🥹.
♾️Thank you so much to Luvbooksclub, Page and Vine and the author for a gifted finished copy. All thoughts are my own.
January 26, 2025
“I want you to remember that the past is just a story we tell ourselves. It holds no power over you unless you let it.”
This was such a beautiful story not only about first love and second chances, but also about the growth of lifelong friendships. The way the story was written you can picture everything and it puts you right there among the characters. Going between the past and present really added a nice touch to understand the full story.
Harper and her friendship with Sidney was so special and relatable. We all have those best friends who no matter where life takes you are always there to support you and love you on your hardest days. Their devotion to each other throughout life was admirable to say the least.
I loved Harper’s character development as she navigated through her journey of life. She is a true boss babe in every aspect of the word! Then enter Cameron, their long life of love and finding each other over and over again makes you really believe that true love exists. The ending had me really in my feels. I don’t know if I can forgive the author for that gut wrenching heartbreak. 😭 I won’t say anymore.
All in all, this really was the most beautifully heartbreaking book. I loved all aspects of it. I would highly recommend to all my book besties who are up for a great story on love, friendship and are ready for a good cry.
This was such a beautiful story not only about first love and second chances, but also about the growth of lifelong friendships. The way the story was written you can picture everything and it puts you right there among the characters. Going between the past and present really added a nice touch to understand the full story.
Harper and her friendship with Sidney was so special and relatable. We all have those best friends who no matter where life takes you are always there to support you and love you on your hardest days. Their devotion to each other throughout life was admirable to say the least.
I loved Harper’s character development as she navigated through her journey of life. She is a true boss babe in every aspect of the word! Then enter Cameron, their long life of love and finding each other over and over again makes you really believe that true love exists. The ending had me really in my feels. I don’t know if I can forgive the author for that gut wrenching heartbreak. 😭 I won’t say anymore.
All in all, this really was the most beautifully heartbreaking book. I loved all aspects of it. I would highly recommend to all my book besties who are up for a great story on love, friendship and are ready for a good cry.
December 23, 2024
🐚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙮 @buckturner_official 🐚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
📖 331 pages
✨𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
Buck Turner has done it again! I cannot express enough how great his novels are! I didn’t think anything would come close to his book “The Keeper of Stars“, but this one definitely contends with it! I’ve been a die hard and devoted Nicholas Sparks fan my whole life, I strongly feel that Buck Turner is the new Nicholas Sparks cause his romance novels are AMAZING!
I loved this story so much! It made me smile, laugh, and even teary eyed. It’s about Harper and Sidney who are best friends that go on a trip to Destin, Florida. Harper soon meets Cameron, a life guard who saves her life when she gets caught in a riptide in the ocean. Since then Harper and Cameron became inseparable. The book carries on throughout the years where Harper and Cameron have to fight to keep the relationship alive due to obstacles, time, and distance. Sidney is the best friend every girl should have! I loved her character so much! I can’t recommend this story enough! If you haven’t read any of Buck Turners books you need to!
Thank you @buckturner_official for sending me this ARC! I feel honored to be one of the few people that get to read it before its publication day. This book comes out January 14, 2025!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
📖 331 pages
✨𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
Buck Turner has done it again! I cannot express enough how great his novels are! I didn’t think anything would come close to his book “The Keeper of Stars“, but this one definitely contends with it! I’ve been a die hard and devoted Nicholas Sparks fan my whole life, I strongly feel that Buck Turner is the new Nicholas Sparks cause his romance novels are AMAZING!
I loved this story so much! It made me smile, laugh, and even teary eyed. It’s about Harper and Sidney who are best friends that go on a trip to Destin, Florida. Harper soon meets Cameron, a life guard who saves her life when she gets caught in a riptide in the ocean. Since then Harper and Cameron became inseparable. The book carries on throughout the years where Harper and Cameron have to fight to keep the relationship alive due to obstacles, time, and distance. Sidney is the best friend every girl should have! I loved her character so much! I can’t recommend this story enough! If you haven’t read any of Buck Turners books you need to!
Thank you @buckturner_official for sending me this ARC! I feel honored to be one of the few people that get to read it before its publication day. This book comes out January 14, 2025!
March 17, 2025
Reading this book was difficult. The writing is just… so bad. The conversations feel extremely forced and unnatural. The writer goes into extreme detail on mundane things in the scene that are absolutely irrelevant 90% of the time and make the scenes feel robotic.
Not once did I feel immersed in the story, mostly because the writing was just so difficult to get past, but also the female characters did not feel realistic at all. This was evident by the conversations between the best friends. At one point they reminisce about a summer romance when they were 18. Before the main character could say that summer, she had sex for the first time, her best friend of 22 years quickly stoped her and said something to the effect of “oh no you don’t need to go into details.” It was laughable that 30 year old women, best friends of 22 years, got uncomfortable even mentioning the word sex, let alone sharing details.
I could not finish the book. Which is a shame because the overall concept is cute. It was just very poorly written, repetitive, redundant, and does not feel authentic. I regret buying it.
I would strongly recommend the author get an editor, and if he writes more books from a female perspective, make sure he gets input from women.
Not once did I feel immersed in the story, mostly because the writing was just so difficult to get past, but also the female characters did not feel realistic at all. This was evident by the conversations between the best friends. At one point they reminisce about a summer romance when they were 18. Before the main character could say that summer, she had sex for the first time, her best friend of 22 years quickly stoped her and said something to the effect of “oh no you don’t need to go into details.” It was laughable that 30 year old women, best friends of 22 years, got uncomfortable even mentioning the word sex, let alone sharing details.
I could not finish the book. Which is a shame because the overall concept is cute. It was just very poorly written, repetitive, redundant, and does not feel authentic. I regret buying it.
I would strongly recommend the author get an editor, and if he writes more books from a female perspective, make sure he gets input from women.
July 26, 2025
Some aspects of this book I loved while others left me confused or unsure how to feel. The first 2/3 of the story was nicely paced and I enjoyed learning about the relationship between Harper and Cameron through flashbacks. It felt more like a movie or episode of a tv series in that way. The romance was sweet and also emotionally complex, which is what really drew me in. There was some big surprises that I did not see coming and what felt like a possible misdirect; I have read so many romance novels that I can usually predict where things are going but was off about what Sidney (main character’s best friend) was up to with mysterious phone calls. I was happily wrong in this case. I would have liked for more of a lead up to the bigger surprise towards the end.
There was so much time covered in this story, especially the last 3rd, that it took me out of the story more emotionally. Starting at the scene when the main couple is reunited, it seemed more rushed or forced. Some details got left behind or skipped over that would have made the story even more enjoyable for me, the kind of moments in real life a couple might get asked details about…it would have pushed the three star to a four or even a five for me.
There was so much time covered in this story, especially the last 3rd, that it took me out of the story more emotionally. Starting at the scene when the main couple is reunited, it seemed more rushed or forced. Some details got left behind or skipped over that would have made the story even more enjoyable for me, the kind of moments in real life a couple might get asked details about…it would have pushed the three star to a four or even a five for me.
October 22, 2025
A great read truly a great love story and inspirational story. Harper Emery always lived in the shadow of her best friend Sidney Westwood. While Sidney's outgoing and charming personality draws people towards her, Harper prefers spending time alone, often hidden behind a sketch pad or sewing machine. She dreams of being a future fashion designer. Despite their differences the two are often inseparable bonded by their love for nature and an unspoken connection that runs deep between them, but everything changes during a trip to Destin Florida. After a near death experience, Harper finds herself being pulled from the waves by Cameron Spears a lifeguard who gives her a taste of the limelight and a whirl wind romance. A decade later the memories of that unforgettable summer the love that followed, and the heartbreak still haunt Harper. Despite having it all fame success and wealth thirty-year-old Harper still feels like a failure when it comes to love. But when she agrees to be maid of honor at Sidney's wedding little does Harper know that her own happily ever after maybe waiting right around the corner.
February 26, 2025
Thank you Page & Vine and Buck Turner for Promises Promises. I loved this book! Harper Emery has always lived in the shadow of her best friend, Sidney Westwood. Despite their differences, the two are often inseparable, bonded by their love for nature and an unspoken connection that runs deep between them. Everything changes for Harper during a trip to Destin, Florida. After a near-death experience, she finds herself being pulled from the waves by Cameron Spears, a lifeguard who gives her a taste of the limelight and the exhilaration of a whirlwind romance. The inevitable heartbreak still haunts Harper. She feels like she has it all but still feels like a failure when it comes to love. When she agrees to be maid of honor at Sidney's wedding, little does Harper know that her own happily ever after may be waiting right around the corner. I would recommend if you like contemporary women, contemporary romance, and women's domestic life fiction! 🥰
January 28, 2025
✨Book Review✨
Book: Promises Promises
Author: Buck Turner
Rating: ♾️⭐️
Buck Turners “Promises Promises” has such a captivating and emotional way of depicting friendship, love, loss and the power of promises.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster I couldn’t find myself wanting to leave. Harper and Sidney have such a connection you could feel it through the pages and resonates with the feelings brought to life in the book. When they say the characters hop off the pages, this was one of those books for me.
The writing style, the character development, the flashbacks, the emotions? I couldn’t have imagined that this book would SUCKER PUNCH me right in the feelings.
Promises Promises is the first book by Buck Turner that I’ve read, I’m hooked. Absolutely, completely and utterly hooked. Thank you for writing this amazing book and sharing it with us.
Book: Promises Promises
Author: Buck Turner
Rating: ♾️⭐️
Buck Turners “Promises Promises” has such a captivating and emotional way of depicting friendship, love, loss and the power of promises.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster I couldn’t find myself wanting to leave. Harper and Sidney have such a connection you could feel it through the pages and resonates with the feelings brought to life in the book. When they say the characters hop off the pages, this was one of those books for me.
The writing style, the character development, the flashbacks, the emotions? I couldn’t have imagined that this book would SUCKER PUNCH me right in the feelings.
Promises Promises is the first book by Buck Turner that I’ve read, I’m hooked. Absolutely, completely and utterly hooked. Thank you for writing this amazing book and sharing it with us.
April 14, 2025
I don't know how I stumbled upon my first Buck Turner novel, but he is quickly becoming one of my favorites. His style of writing grabs you right from the very first page and keeps a hold on you right through the last. Promises, Promises is the story of Harper and Sidney and their friendship that lasts a lifetime. It is also the story of Harper and Cameron who meet in their late teens just as they are about to set off into the next phase of their lives. Harper is heading to New York with aspirations of a career in fashion design and Cameron has committed to the military. they fall madly in love and do all possible to make things work despite the different paths they have laid out for their futures. Will they be able to keep the promises they made to each other? Is their love strong enough to overcome the challenges of everyday life? You definitely want to read this and find out.
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