Promises and Other Broken A story about love, choices, and living with the consequences. Amelia York seems to have it a great career, good friends, and she’s married to her high school sweetheart. Starting a promising new job is just another step in the life she has all figured out. The intense connection she develops with a handsome co-worker, however, threatens to derail all her well thought-out plans. Declan Kavanaugh's whole world revolves around his daughter. Overworked and under-appreciated both by his wife at home and his colleagues at his family's firm, the stress is starting to get to him. Making friends with the pretty new accountant comes as a surprise, but he finds time spent with Amelia is like the breath of fresh air he so desperately needs. Neither of them wants any complications in their lives—and the last thing they want is to fall in love. But as they discover, sometimes no matter how much you fight it, life has other ideas. *** ***Similar in vein to Showtime's critically acclaimed series, "The Affair", this novel explores from both points of view how two people's lives, two people's marriages, families, become irrevocably changed by the choices they've made.
As soon as I started, I never wanted to stop. The story's so captivating and powerful, I not only fell in love with Amelia and Declan but every single other character, just watching in fascination their particular stories unfolding, mingling, and affecting the main story line. There are no filler chapters or even scenes, and I found myself thinking about it and chewing over every little detail for days even after I finished. I hope I don't have to say good bye for long. I'll be surely re-reading this one more than once.
This was a very compelling read. A story of two people unavailable to each other yet somehow find a way to establish something really good between. I felt the gamut of emotions from anticipation to happiness to tears to anger to longing for what may never be. Unfortunately they are mere mortals who tend to make mistakes, some forced, some unforced. Yet through it all we still root for them to find a way. J.S. Eades weaves a tear jerker with this story.. Thanks for writing this story.
One of the most realistic, true to life stories I have ever read. It perfectly captures the passionate and sometimes even desperately raw emotions of human weaknesses and desires. Utterly captivating with easily relatable characters who you'll cheer on and yell at in equal measure, Eades draws you in immediately and keeps you hooked till the very last word.
I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time, I am a Delena fan through & through but was unable to read the original fanfiction.... I regret not having read this book until now. With tears streaming down my face, I felt everything in this book so powerfully that I’m left feeling... unsettled. This book is amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking, and above all.... worth a read and review. I hope there is a sequel, because I cannot imagine it ending like that. I’m so hurt.... but I loved it. I will definitely be following this author for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Let me begin by saying that I am the type of reader who has about 5 books started at any given time. Some books stay on the same page for weeks because I tend to lose concentration rather quickly. "Promises and Other Broken Things" got my attention from the very first paragraph. I love the way the author has the two main characters each tell their side of the story. I found that to be unique and something that let me really feel for and sympathize with both of them. I enjoyed reading both perspectives, and, how seamlessly they connected the story between one another.
Much of the story is relatable and it teaches the reader that no matter how put together an individual's life is, fate can throw in a curveball at any given time. I love the way the characters developed throughout the story. I enjoyed learning how they dealt with their obstacles. The book was exciting to read and every time I put it down, I could not wait to pick it back up! I had a few very late nights because I did not want to stop reading. To me, that is an excellent book!
What a great read! I couldn't put it down as I wanted to know what was going to happen between Declan and Mel. The author takes you from the highs to lows of an affair, and makes you feel sympathetic for all of them instead of judging because it all makes sense. Great writing and never got boring.
J.S. EadesEades. Those who are true romantics MUST READ THIS BOOK! I consider this a debut masterpiece and find it truly hard to believe this is a 'debut' novel. As an avid reader, it takes a really great story to capture my attention. Normally, this isn't the genre that I read. There are no Wizards, Nephilim, Vampires or Fantasy Realms here. However, what it does have is a beautifully believable, true to life, tragic, heart wrenching story about the importance of friendship, family and soul mates destined to be apart as Fate appears to be repeatedly against them. This novel is sexy and smart with well developed characters that are instantly relate-able, likable and in a few cases despicable. I immediately connected with them. I felt their passion and grief and ground my teeth with their frustration. I started reading it on Sunday night before bed and honestly couldn't put it down until I found out what was going to happen with these beautiful characters that J.S. Eades created. In the end, I was left wanting more and hoping her second book will be finished soon. Thank you Jenn for an extraordinary read.
Promises and Other Broken Things is a very honest tale of the complexities of love, relationships and adultery. The story has a unique genuine quality that you don't find very often in stories of infidelity. The writing is very honest and heart felt...and you get to see the story from both sides. You feel as though you are not a reader of someone else's story, but a close confidant of Amelia and Declan, that they are speaking directly to you...looking for your support and advice as they maneuver their way through unchartered territory. As I was reading Promises, I felt as though Amelia and Declan were close friends of mine, and felt every emotion right along with them.
JS Eades has done a phenomenal job with her first novel. Her writing style is fluid, sincere and engaging. I am eager to read more and impatiently awaiting new stories.
This book really got to me. Even weeks after reading it, I'm still thinking about it. It took me back to a time when I'd started falling in love with someone who was in a relationship with someone else. It seemed like every thought and feeling I'd felt during that time popped up in this book. It was both painful yet exquisite to read, and I think PaOBT is perhaps one of the most truthful pieces of fiction I've ever read. It's a story about thinking you've found 'the one' and that life is close to perfect, only to have the rug pulled out from under you when someone who makes you feel so much more walks into your life. I highly recommend this book.
The characters in this book are so well written that it leaves you almost a little uncomfortable because you can imagine yourself making the same decisions they do - and not all of them are flattering! It's so true to life that you just want everything to turn out OK for them because then surely things must turn out OK for you too? JS Eades paints a realistic picture of life, love and loss that is refreshing in the relationship writing scene. I read this book in less than 72 hours and I have a toddler - enough said. Kudos!
A majority of readers will find some aspect of this story they will be able to relate to no doubt. I find it quite well documented about human nature, life in general and relationships between couples, family members, friends old and new and even co-workers. A few times I've read passages that felt so real to me; the characters were describing feelings and emotions I related to so much. Well, if I tell more I will be spoiling the story, so the only thing left for me to do is encourage readers to give this book a trial and see for themselves...
I absolutely and utterly fell in love with this story. It's one of the most realistic and well-written stories I've ever read. Its amazing from beginning to end, and believe me when I say you won't want to stop reading it. Amelia and Declan have an amazing connection and chemistry you enjoy every chapter. This book will go really far, I know this for sure.
Loved this book! The characters were imperfect, realistic and simply lovable! The story itself is very relatable and believable. The writing is quite simple and is a quick read. A must read for angst lovers! Can't wait for the sequel!
Real and raw love story. I couldn't' stop reading and felt every emotion. Story that shows that love is not always enough. Beautifully painful. I'm certainly eager to read the sequel.