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Avalon Falls #4
Shattered Promise: Alternate Cover Edition
Mason Porter: Avalon Falls' hottest single dad, my brother's best friend, and the only man who’s ever broken my heart.
Oh, and now he's my neighbor.
I came back to town without telling anyone—just me, a half-forgotten cabin I inherited, and the quiet hope that a few stolen weeks might be enough to outrun the pressure closing in from all sides.
I didn’t expect to run into Mason and his son by the creek. I didn’t expect him to keep my secret. And I definitely didn’t expect the way it would feel to slip into his life like I’d always belonged there.
Now I’m living next door, falling into a rhythm that feels dangerously close to peace. I watch his son while he works, cook dinner more nights than not, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
For a little while, it works.
Until it doesn’t.
Because this town has secrets, and I’m not the only one running from something.
Someone is watching me.
And the danger I thought I left behind might be closer than I ever imagined.
He was never mine to begin with.
But loving him now might cost me everything.
tropes:
brother's best friend
small town
single dad
forced proximity
who hurt you?
one MF bed
Oh, and now he's my neighbor.
I came back to town without telling anyone—just me, a half-forgotten cabin I inherited, and the quiet hope that a few stolen weeks might be enough to outrun the pressure closing in from all sides.
I didn’t expect to run into Mason and his son by the creek. I didn’t expect him to keep my secret. And I definitely didn’t expect the way it would feel to slip into his life like I’d always belonged there.
Now I’m living next door, falling into a rhythm that feels dangerously close to peace. I watch his son while he works, cook dinner more nights than not, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
For a little while, it works.
Until it doesn’t.
Because this town has secrets, and I’m not the only one running from something.
Someone is watching me.
And the danger I thought I left behind might be closer than I ever imagined.
He was never mine to begin with.
But loving him now might cost me everything.
tropes:
brother's best friend
small town
single dad
forced proximity
who hurt you?
one MF bed
328 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2025
154 people are currently reading
1095 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Black
64 books1,944 followersPenelope Black lives in the Midwest with her husband and two tiny humans. When she's not writing, she enjoys over-the-top action movies, iced chai lattes, and soaking up the sun in her backyard with a good book.
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Newsletter—>bit.ly/PensNL
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Keep up with Penelope on all platforms:
Newsletter—>bit.ly/PensNL
Facebook—> facebook.com/author.penelope.black
Facebook group—> facebook.com/groups/penelopeblack
Instagram—> instagram.com/authorpenelopeblack/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
July 11, 2025
Abigail Carter has made her life in Seattle, away from the stress her family, specifically her mother, puts on her to be successful. More importantly, it gives her heart the distance it needs from her first and only love, Mason Porter.
In 10th grade, Mason made a promise, as Beau’s best friend, to never look at his sisters. Yet he could never look away from Abby.
All the feels with this one. While slow burns and single parent storylines are not my thing, Pen has created a magical world within Avalon Falls and there was no way I was skipping this installment. While Mason was swoony, Theo stole the show with his toothy grins and belly laughs. I do wish the story had taken some time to explore why visiting her family was so difficult for Abby. The twist was somewhat easy to unravel, but it made for a more unique spin on the “I’m with your sister” convo so often rehashed in the forbidden trope. All in another sweet read from Pen.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😕☺️🫠🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult
✨ Tropes: Forbidden, Heroine in Danger, Second Chance(ish), Secret Relationship, Single Parent, Small Town
💫 Microtropes: It’s Always Been You, Pet Name, Pierced 🐓
💋 Kinks: FaceTime Fun, Toys as Teammates
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🚩 Safety Squad: Kidnapping/Captive (Not by MMC) and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Shattered Promise is part of the Avalon Falls series, but can be read as a standalone. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
In 10th grade, Mason made a promise, as Beau’s best friend, to never look at his sisters. Yet he could never look away from Abby.
All the feels with this one. While slow burns and single parent storylines are not my thing, Pen has created a magical world within Avalon Falls and there was no way I was skipping this installment. While Mason was swoony, Theo stole the show with his toothy grins and belly laughs. I do wish the story had taken some time to explore why visiting her family was so difficult for Abby. The twist was somewhat easy to unravel, but it made for a more unique spin on the “I’m with your sister” convo so often rehashed in the forbidden trope. All in another sweet read from Pen.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😕☺️🫠🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult
✨ Tropes: Forbidden, Heroine in Danger, Second Chance(ish), Secret Relationship, Single Parent, Small Town
💫 Microtropes: It’s Always Been You, Pet Name, Pierced 🐓
💋 Kinks: FaceTime Fun, Toys as Teammates
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🚩 Safety Squad: Kidnapping/Captive (Not by MMC) and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Shattered Promise is part of the Avalon Falls series, but can be read as a standalone. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
July 10, 2025
If you have NOT started the Avalon Falls series yet, let this be your sign it is time. I absolutely LOVE this series and I was patiently waiting for the last Carter siblings book. Abby was the one that was mysterious. She was never in Avalon Falls and I was so intrigued on what her story was. And I am happy to report I loved everything about it!
This book had me HOOKED from the very first sentence in the prologue. Penelope had me 👀 and be like holy crap. It sucked me in and then to find out at the end of the prologue that Mason didn't even REMEMBER. I audibly gasped! Also, if I was in Abby's shoes, I would be so embarrassed and leave town immediately. I would never show my face to my bothers best friend ever again. And listen, Mason lost brownie points for that one. But I didn't hold it against him for long.
The brother's best friend trope gets me every single time. Now pair that with a single daddy and it's a guaranteed banger. There is just something about a man who is obsessed with his best friend's little sister and made a promise not to touch her, only to COMPLETELY OBLITERATE that promise. Put a fork in me, I'm cooked. The Tensions and mutual longing between these two was PALPABLE on the page. And I was like their little cheerleader rooting for them to finally say f-k it and finally give themselves what they truly want to make each other happy.
I do want to mention how beautiful Abby's relationship was with Mason's son Theo. It made my heart go pitter patter. Like the way Theo reached and clung to Abby put me all up in my feels. And the way that Theo calmed Abby's anxiety was the sweetest thing ever. [insert my teary 🥹 eyes now]
Now to touch on the suspense element. I love how Penelope always has a plot twist/suspense element to her books. It always has me trying to figure out what it is going to be. I will say, I knew who the person was that was involved and saw that happened, happening. But with that being said, I thought it was going to be a different plot twist in the beginning. And if you want to know what I thought it was going to be, slide in my DMs. It would have been an EPIC plot twist.
Penelope, thank you for another BANGER! I can't wait for the next one. And I can't wait for you to confirm the couple to be that I called back in Forsaken Oath. You know you can blink twice if I'm correct.... just saying.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Brother's Best Friend
- Single Dad
- Second Chance
- Mutual Pining
- Who Hurt You
- Anxiety Rep
- Accidental Pregnancy
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Penelope Black to allowing me to read Shattered Promise as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
This book had me HOOKED from the very first sentence in the prologue. Penelope had me 👀 and be like holy crap. It sucked me in and then to find out at the end of the prologue that Mason didn't even REMEMBER. I audibly gasped! Also, if I was in Abby's shoes, I would be so embarrassed and leave town immediately. I would never show my face to my bothers best friend ever again. And listen, Mason lost brownie points for that one. But I didn't hold it against him for long.
The brother's best friend trope gets me every single time. Now pair that with a single daddy and it's a guaranteed banger. There is just something about a man who is obsessed with his best friend's little sister and made a promise not to touch her, only to COMPLETELY OBLITERATE that promise. Put a fork in me, I'm cooked. The Tensions and mutual longing between these two was PALPABLE on the page. And I was like their little cheerleader rooting for them to finally say f-k it and finally give themselves what they truly want to make each other happy.
I do want to mention how beautiful Abby's relationship was with Mason's son Theo. It made my heart go pitter patter. Like the way Theo reached and clung to Abby put me all up in my feels. And the way that Theo calmed Abby's anxiety was the sweetest thing ever. [insert my teary 🥹 eyes now]
Now to touch on the suspense element. I love how Penelope always has a plot twist/suspense element to her books. It always has me trying to figure out what it is going to be. I will say, I knew who the person was that was involved and saw that happened, happening. But with that being said, I thought it was going to be a different plot twist in the beginning. And if you want to know what I thought it was going to be, slide in my DMs. It would have been an EPIC plot twist.
Penelope, thank you for another BANGER! I can't wait for the next one. And I can't wait for you to confirm the couple to be that I called back in Forsaken Oath. You know you can blink twice if I'm correct.... just saying.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Small Town
- Romantic Suspense
- Brother's Best Friend
- Single Dad
- Second Chance
- Mutual Pining
- Who Hurt You
- Anxiety Rep
- Accidental Pregnancy
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Penelope Black to allowing me to read Shattered Promise as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
July 17, 2025
I really REALLY liked this one. Giving it a solid 4.25 stars for me. There were only a few things that made it not be a full 5 stars. I loved these characters and the family unit they made. I loved that Mason had been down bad for Abby for years but never made a move because her brother is his best friend. I loved/hated the reason that Abby had pulled away from Mason all those years ago while secretly pining for him from a far. I loved how real Penelope made these characters- their anxieties. Their fears. Their situations were all so relatable. I felt for Mason with being a new dad- no sleep with all the pressure of raising another human. I also felt for Abby with the expectations and the pressure her family unknowingly puts on her. I loved how these two found each other and how much they helped each other! I loved the tentativeness that turned into suredness that turned into more. I loved the buildup- things didn't even go down between these two until like 60%! But OMG was it just delicious. The chemistry between these two just kept building and building. I loved the found family that they both had. How Mason's insecurities about how he fit in were cleared up with Abby. How Abby had her family but also her new family of Mason and Theo. These two were just fabulous. They made me smile the *entire* book :)
Abby feels lost. Like she is untethered. She can't figure out why though. She is successful and loves her independence. Or at least she did until the silence in her apartment got too loud. Until she found herself coming home more and more. The silence makes her think which sometimes isn't the best thing. So she decides to go to her cabin in the woods for a bit. To see if she can get comfortable with the silence and figure out her next move. The problem is now Mason Porter is everywhere. The Mason she hasn't been able to get out of her head for a decade. Her brother's best friend. The man who she gave everything to thinking it meant more. Now he has a son, Theo, and after some run ins, Abby finds herself watching Theo while Mason works. She finds herself not hearing the silence anymore. She finds herself liking being around Theo and Mason. She finds herself fighting this thing between them. He has to feel it too right. It's like he has his own center of gravity, and she can't help but be pulled in. He keeps giving her hints that he wants more, but then pulls away. It's so confusing because she feels centered here. She feels more like herself than she has in years here. And it is all because of these boys- especially Mason. So when can no longer fight it, it happens. Their connection explodes, and it is beyond anything she has ever experienced. It's like them being a family was fated. Everything just fits so well, but then someone from Abby's past comes back to take what is theirs. And what is theirs is Abby's life. She just hopes that Mason finds her before it is too late.
Mason is not prepared for his mom to leave. He knows he should be comfortable being a single parent by now, but his mom's help has been so wonderful. Now he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want anyone watching Theo. He can't let that happen. But then Abby Carter walks back into his life like a ghost. She is living in the woods behind his house. She is so close, but he can't cross that line with her. So he extends invites to have her around at a safe distance. He asks if she can help with Theo. But what he wasn't prepared for was seeing her with his son and what that would do to his heart. His heart that has always been hers from afar. But things are getting cloudy. Lines are getting close to being crossed. On an outing, Mason finds himself liking when people reference them as a cute family. He wants this. He wants her. He wants her to be able to lean on him and be there for him. And so after fighting it for as long as he can, he gives into it. This ball of energy between them. And he knows that he will do anything to make her stay. He will do anything to make her his. So they keep living in their bubble of happiness as a family unit like they were always supposed to be here. Until his past puts things into focus. Until she leaves just like he thought she would. But something is wrong and he knows it, and now he is determined to do everything he can to prove to her that she is it for him.
I read this book in one sitting yall. Such an easy read. Such wonderful buildup. I loved the growth from both of these characters. It's so fun to watch people blossom again and become the people they want to be. I loved getting glimpses of family time and the previous couples. I had a few problems with the beginning- specifically Mason and Abby's beginning. That literally broke my heart. I also had a hard time with how he flipped a switch so hard I got whiplash in the third act. But all was well. I just loved how real they were to each other too- just so beautiful! I am a little confused on who book 5 will be about but am thinking Hawke and Margot? I am here for it either way. I also would love to follow Mason's brother on his hockey journey- just saying haha.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Abby feels lost. Like she is untethered. She can't figure out why though. She is successful and loves her independence. Or at least she did until the silence in her apartment got too loud. Until she found herself coming home more and more. The silence makes her think which sometimes isn't the best thing. So she decides to go to her cabin in the woods for a bit. To see if she can get comfortable with the silence and figure out her next move. The problem is now Mason Porter is everywhere. The Mason she hasn't been able to get out of her head for a decade. Her brother's best friend. The man who she gave everything to thinking it meant more. Now he has a son, Theo, and after some run ins, Abby finds herself watching Theo while Mason works. She finds herself not hearing the silence anymore. She finds herself liking being around Theo and Mason. She finds herself fighting this thing between them. He has to feel it too right. It's like he has his own center of gravity, and she can't help but be pulled in. He keeps giving her hints that he wants more, but then pulls away. It's so confusing because she feels centered here. She feels more like herself than she has in years here. And it is all because of these boys- especially Mason. So when can no longer fight it, it happens. Their connection explodes, and it is beyond anything she has ever experienced. It's like them being a family was fated. Everything just fits so well, but then someone from Abby's past comes back to take what is theirs. And what is theirs is Abby's life. She just hopes that Mason finds her before it is too late.
Mason is not prepared for his mom to leave. He knows he should be comfortable being a single parent by now, but his mom's help has been so wonderful. Now he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want anyone watching Theo. He can't let that happen. But then Abby Carter walks back into his life like a ghost. She is living in the woods behind his house. She is so close, but he can't cross that line with her. So he extends invites to have her around at a safe distance. He asks if she can help with Theo. But what he wasn't prepared for was seeing her with his son and what that would do to his heart. His heart that has always been hers from afar. But things are getting cloudy. Lines are getting close to being crossed. On an outing, Mason finds himself liking when people reference them as a cute family. He wants this. He wants her. He wants her to be able to lean on him and be there for him. And so after fighting it for as long as he can, he gives into it. This ball of energy between them. And he knows that he will do anything to make her stay. He will do anything to make her his. So they keep living in their bubble of happiness as a family unit like they were always supposed to be here. Until his past puts things into focus. Until she leaves just like he thought she would. But something is wrong and he knows it, and now he is determined to do everything he can to prove to her that she is it for him.
I read this book in one sitting yall. Such an easy read. Such wonderful buildup. I loved the growth from both of these characters. It's so fun to watch people blossom again and become the people they want to be. I loved getting glimpses of family time and the previous couples. I had a few problems with the beginning- specifically Mason and Abby's beginning. That literally broke my heart. I also had a hard time with how he flipped a switch so hard I got whiplash in the third act. But all was well. I just loved how real they were to each other too- just so beautiful! I am a little confused on who book 5 will be about but am thinking Hawke and Margot? I am here for it either way. I also would love to follow Mason's brother on his hockey journey- just saying haha.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 10, 2025
ARC - don’t read this book if you don’t like the following tropes:
-accidental pregnancy 🤰🏻
-***hole MMC
-drinks & forgets sleeping with her
-loves her since childhood but doesn’t even acknowledge her
-doesn’t make a move bcoz of a stupid 10th grade promise
-hurts her in every way,but never apologises in action
-ZERO GROVELLING
-she nannies his 9mth boy,he falls in love with her,things happen & he yells that “she can never be his son’s mother”
-always complains he’s not a good father in front of his 9mth old son
(Omg this one really gave me THE ICK! The storyline was so poor,irritating as hell & I just couldn’t digest the fact that there was NO GROVELLING AT ALL)
1⭐️ is for BABY THEO 🥰
-accidental pregnancy 🤰🏻
-***hole MMC
-drinks & forgets sleeping with her
-loves her since childhood but doesn’t even acknowledge her
-doesn’t make a move bcoz of a stupid 10th grade promise
-hurts her in every way,but never apologises in action
-ZERO GROVELLING
-she nannies his 9mth boy,he falls in love with her,things happen & he yells that “she can never be his son’s mother”
-always complains he’s not a good father in front of his 9mth old son
(Omg this one really gave me THE ICK! The storyline was so poor,irritating as hell & I just couldn’t digest the fact that there was NO GROVELLING AT ALL)
1⭐️ is for BABY THEO 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
(4.8 Stars)
Abby has always had a thing for her brother’s friend, Mason Porter. Well, the single dad just happens to secretly be into her too but know he can’t betray his friend. When she unexpectedly show up in his neighborhood and he is desperate for some help with his son Theo things may change. He would only trust Abby to help but they have a somewhat messy history. Can they move on from the past and maybe start fresh…maybe even together? This is a sweet, slow burn romance with small town vibes between a close-nit group of friends. Mason and Abby and perfect together and I love the found family feel. Told in first person and dual POV.
Abby has always had a thing for her brother’s friend, Mason Porter. Well, the single dad just happens to secretly be into her too but know he can’t betray his friend. When she unexpectedly show up in his neighborhood and he is desperate for some help with his son Theo things may change. He would only trust Abby to help but they have a somewhat messy history. Can they move on from the past and maybe start fresh…maybe even together? This is a sweet, slow burn romance with small town vibes between a close-nit group of friends. Mason and Abby and perfect together and I love the found family feel. Told in first person and dual POV.
July 5, 2025
My oh my how happy I was to be back in Avalon Falls with the Carter family. I’ve been waiting for Abby’s story, I just knew it would be so good and Penelope did not disappoint!! She did such an amazing job packing so much emotion into her writing throughout this book. Both Abby and Mason pulled at my heartstrings, and I had a really hard time putting their book down! The relationship buildup between Mason and Abby is epic and adding Theo into the mix just made it ten times sweeter. Mason is so down bad for his woman and it makes him really easy to fall for! The buildup of tension between the two of them throughout this book was gold. I loved how focused on the couple this plot line is while also adding a little action towards the end of the story to help close out the plot. I truly cannot thank Valentine PR and Penelope for letting me be a part of this ARC team! I’m utterly obsessed with this book and I know you will be too, pick up a copy on release day, July 10!
July 6, 2025
So happy to be back in Avalon Falls. This series never fails to bring the charming small town vibes. I love everything from their little coffee shop to the bookshop the girls hangout at, Fiction & Folklore. This series just has such a great group of characters. Aside from all that, Penelope always throws in a little suspense in her books. This book especially, had me shocked by the scene at the end. Overall I loved how this story came together.
Mason and Abby have a complicated history from when they were younger. Years later she ends up back in town and living next to her brother’s best friend and his son. This story had all of my favorite tropes; single dad, forbidden romance, and second chance. Loved the dynamic between the two characters and the mutual pining. Mason’s son Theo was adorable. These three made the cutest little found family. I really enjoy how each couple in this series is very unique. The plots are addicting and keep me invested the whole time. If you like spicy small town romance with a little side of suspense then I definitely recommend you check out this series.
𝒮𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒯𝑜𝓌𝓃
𝒮𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓁𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝒹
𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝒹
𝒩𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝒯𝑜 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈
𝒮𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒
𝐵𝓇𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇’𝓈 𝐵𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐹𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹
𝒲𝒽𝑜 𝐻𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒴𝑜𝓊?
𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒸 𝒮𝓊𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓃𝓈𝑒
“I feel like I’ve waited my entire goddamn life for someone to look at me like this. No, not someone. Him.”
“I want to keep him. Every wild, broken, beautiful part.”
Mason and Abby have a complicated history from when they were younger. Years later she ends up back in town and living next to her brother’s best friend and his son. This story had all of my favorite tropes; single dad, forbidden romance, and second chance. Loved the dynamic between the two characters and the mutual pining. Mason’s son Theo was adorable. These three made the cutest little found family. I really enjoy how each couple in this series is very unique. The plots are addicting and keep me invested the whole time. If you like spicy small town romance with a little side of suspense then I definitely recommend you check out this series.
𝒮𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒯𝑜𝓌𝓃
𝒮𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓁𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝒹
𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝒹
𝒩𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝒯𝑜 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈
𝒮𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒
𝐵𝓇𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇’𝓈 𝐵𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐹𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹
𝒲𝒽𝑜 𝐻𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒴𝑜𝓊?
𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒸 𝒮𝓊𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓃𝓈𝑒
“I feel like I’ve waited my entire goddamn life for someone to look at me like this. No, not someone. Him.”
“I want to keep him. Every wild, broken, beautiful part.”
July 23, 2025
Really loved this one!
I am loving this series so much, the way Penelope writes the romantic suspense is so good! Each book in this series has been a great read for me and thankfully this one too now is of my favourites.
Mason and Abby were both so good, loved reading their journey individually and while being a couple plus their chemistry was off the charts. The tension was building after each chapter and the slow burn? The angst? All were so good, I really enjoyed my time reading it.
Mason was so swoon-worthy, i love him so much. Also the relationship of Abby and Mason's son Theo was so beautiful and heartwarming to read.
The way they find love and family in each other is everything.
Read it if you love:
✨Brother's best friend
✨Small town romance
✨Single dad
✨Neighbours to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨Who hurt you?
✨One bed tropes
Thank you so much @penelopeblackauthor for the ARC! ❤️
I am loving this series so much, the way Penelope writes the romantic suspense is so good! Each book in this series has been a great read for me and thankfully this one too now is of my favourites.
Mason and Abby were both so good, loved reading their journey individually and while being a couple plus their chemistry was off the charts. The tension was building after each chapter and the slow burn? The angst? All were so good, I really enjoyed my time reading it.
Mason was so swoon-worthy, i love him so much. Also the relationship of Abby and Mason's son Theo was so beautiful and heartwarming to read.
The way they find love and family in each other is everything.
Read it if you love:
✨Brother's best friend
✨Small town romance
✨Single dad
✨Neighbours to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨Who hurt you?
✨One bed tropes
Thank you so much @penelopeblackauthor for the ARC! ❤️
July 7, 2025
I think the thing I like about this series is, every book has a little bit of a different theme/vibes:
Book 1 : MC vibes
Book 2 : street racing
Book 3 : computer hacker
And for book 4 Penelope Black gave me the single dad blue collar mechanic. And I about melted into the ground.
But in with all that there is a suspense plot with each.
And they’re again different vibes.
Abby & Mason 💕
Brothers best friend
Single dad
Anxiety rep
Small town
Who hurt you?
This gave me the perfect balance of sweet and angst.
Slight slow burn.
These two I think are my favorite couple of the series 🫣
Arc review ✨
Book 1 : MC vibes
Book 2 : street racing
Book 3 : computer hacker
And for book 4 Penelope Black gave me the single dad blue collar mechanic. And I about melted into the ground.
But in with all that there is a suspense plot with each.
And they’re again different vibes.
Abby & Mason 💕
Brothers best friend
Single dad
Anxiety rep
Small town
Who hurt you?
This gave me the perfect balance of sweet and angst.
Slight slow burn.
These two I think are my favorite couple of the series 🫣
Arc review ✨
July 9, 2025
RTC!!! But, I think Pen finally made one of her men squeak by Jasper in my Heart. Mason is like a hairs breathe in front now 😂
-----------------------------------
RTC!!! But, I think Pen finally made one of her men squeak by Jasper in my Heart. Mason is like a hairs breathe in front now 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
📚 4th Book in the Avalon Falls Series; Can be read as a standalone
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F
We have FINALLY gotten to Abby & Masons book, but ive been hooked by the Avalon Falls series since Broken Pact with Coraline & Jasper where we first meet Abby, Cora's sister and Mason, Beau's best friend who finds out he has a baby [Theo] and his whole world turns on its head.
This much awaited for story did not disappoint, and I finally found someone who can come close to Jasper [which was a hard fought spot]. I was expecting some angst and some deep seeded feelings, but what I was not expecting was the suspense that came on towards the end of the book. That came out of left field, but rounded out the end of the story pretty nicely.
Abby, Mason & Theo were always meant to be a family, and I am so glad that we got to see that happen.
Tropes:
🎀 Small Town Romance
🖤 Brother's Best Friend
🎀 Forced Proximity
🖤 Who Hurt You
🎀 Friends to Lovers
🖤 Single Dad
🎀 Lite Suspense
-----------------------------------
RTC!!! But, I think Pen finally made one of her men squeak by Jasper in my Heart. Mason is like a hairs breathe in front now 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
📚 4th Book in the Avalon Falls Series; Can be read as a standalone
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F
We have FINALLY gotten to Abby & Masons book, but ive been hooked by the Avalon Falls series since Broken Pact with Coraline & Jasper where we first meet Abby, Cora's sister and Mason, Beau's best friend who finds out he has a baby [Theo] and his whole world turns on its head.
This much awaited for story did not disappoint, and I finally found someone who can come close to Jasper [which was a hard fought spot]. I was expecting some angst and some deep seeded feelings, but what I was not expecting was the suspense that came on towards the end of the book. That came out of left field, but rounded out the end of the story pretty nicely.
Abby, Mason & Theo were always meant to be a family, and I am so glad that we got to see that happen.
Tropes:
🎀 Small Town Romance
🖤 Brother's Best Friend
🎀 Forced Proximity
🖤 Who Hurt You
🎀 Friends to Lovers
🖤 Single Dad
🎀 Lite Suspense
July 6, 2025
4.5⭐️
If you like small town romance that’s equally emotional and spicy, that also throws in some suspense — then I definitely recommend you check out not only this book but the entire Avalon Falls series!
brother's best friend
small town
single dad
forced proximity
suspense
real and found family
I always fall hard for Pen’s stories but something about this one was just so special. Mason and Abby and their mutual pining over years was palpable. Her love for his young son Theo was endlessly emotional. Their valiant efforts to just be friends was the perfect setup for when the line finally snapped for them both. And all the while, Pen’s writing itself wove such a captivating, almost poetic story that I just couldn’t get enough of.
This one is just awesome and I’m grateful to Pen for having me on her team and for this ARC!
If you like small town romance that’s equally emotional and spicy, that also throws in some suspense — then I definitely recommend you check out not only this book but the entire Avalon Falls series!
brother's best friend
small town
single dad
forced proximity
suspense
real and found family
I always fall hard for Pen’s stories but something about this one was just so special. Mason and Abby and their mutual pining over years was palpable. Her love for his young son Theo was endlessly emotional. Their valiant efforts to just be friends was the perfect setup for when the line finally snapped for them both. And all the while, Pen’s writing itself wove such a captivating, almost poetic story that I just couldn’t get enough of.
This one is just awesome and I’m grateful to Pen for having me on her team and for this ARC!
July 10, 2025
I am completely obsessed with the Avalon Falls series, it’s one of my absolute favorites! The Carter family is the best, and Abby and Mason are just the cutest, swooniest, sweetest couple. There were feet kicking moments where I had butterflies for them, like I could feel the anticipation. They definitely had their issues, and there were times I wanted to shake both of them, but really I loved everything about them and how they worked through things, both independently and together. They were easy for me to relate to.
Each book in this series has its own suspenseful plot, but this one gave me the heebie jeebies, it was so good! You knew it was coming but it was still so surprising when it hit.
I’ll never get tired of this family and Avalon Falls. I could go on and on but, obviously I 10/10 recommend! And I can’t forget the spice! She writes some of my all time favorite spicy scenes.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small town
Brother’s best friend
Single dad
Neighbors
Second chance
Mutual pining
Slow burn
Suspense
Dual POV
Spice
Each book in this series has its own suspenseful plot, but this one gave me the heebie jeebies, it was so good! You knew it was coming but it was still so surprising when it hit.
I’ll never get tired of this family and Avalon Falls. I could go on and on but, obviously I 10/10 recommend! And I can’t forget the spice! She writes some of my all time favorite spicy scenes.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small town
Brother’s best friend
Single dad
Neighbors
Second chance
Mutual pining
Slow burn
Suspense
Dual POV
Spice
July 6, 2025
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice 🌶️
Avalone Falls one of my favorite places to visit. This time Abby has snuck home to debate her next move. She is tired of being away from her family. She does not expect Mason to find her and keep her secret. Mason has always been her crush. But will he break her heart again?
Mason has Theo and that is enough. So why does Abby fit so perfectly with him and Theo? But she will leave just like everyone else. Because nobody ever stays right?
And there is some suspense as we have come to expect in Avalone Falls. This book was so sweet!
#shatteredpromise
#forsakenoath #penelopeblack #penelopeblackauthor #pennsbesties
#bookworm #booklover #lovetoread
#contemporaryromance #smalltown #idratherbereading #avalonfalls #book4
Spice 🌶️
Avalone Falls one of my favorite places to visit. This time Abby has snuck home to debate her next move. She is tired of being away from her family. She does not expect Mason to find her and keep her secret. Mason has always been her crush. But will he break her heart again?
Mason has Theo and that is enough. So why does Abby fit so perfectly with him and Theo? But she will leave just like everyone else. Because nobody ever stays right?
And there is some suspense as we have come to expect in Avalone Falls. This book was so sweet!
#shatteredpromise
#forsakenoath #penelopeblack #penelopeblackauthor #pennsbesties
#bookworm #booklover #lovetoread
#contemporaryromance #smalltown #idratherbereading #avalonfalls #book4
July 9, 2025
Shattered Promise by Penelope Black eARC Review 🩵
4.5 ✨
I’m so excited to be back in Avalon Falls! I literally could not wait for Mason and Abby’s story. This was a true slow burn with both main characters pining for each other for years and WOW was my jaw on the floor the entire last 15% of this book!
This is such a beautiful story about truly finding yourself and letting go of the things that hold you back and don’t bring you joy.
Mason and Abby truly make each other happy and bring out the best in one another. When Abby starts to nanny for Mason’s son, Theo she realizes that Avalon Falls is where her heart is.
What to expect:
Small town
Second chance
Brothers best friend
Single dad
One bed
Who hurt you?
Releases July 10th!
Thank you so much Penelope for the opportunity to read and review this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
4.5 ✨
I’m so excited to be back in Avalon Falls! I literally could not wait for Mason and Abby’s story. This was a true slow burn with both main characters pining for each other for years and WOW was my jaw on the floor the entire last 15% of this book!
This is such a beautiful story about truly finding yourself and letting go of the things that hold you back and don’t bring you joy.
Mason and Abby truly make each other happy and bring out the best in one another. When Abby starts to nanny for Mason’s son, Theo she realizes that Avalon Falls is where her heart is.
What to expect:
Small town
Second chance
Brothers best friend
Single dad
One bed
Who hurt you?
Releases July 10th!
Thank you so much Penelope for the opportunity to read and review this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
July 10, 2025
- small town
- single dad
- brother's best friend
- who hurt you
- forced proximity
- a side of suspense
Penelope Black freaking does it again. We are back in Avalon Falls and y'all, I am THRIVING.
Freaking Mason- I love him. He the hottest single dad to ever single dad. Literally every scene with him and Theo had me in a freaking puddle. My GOD.
Abby- I love her journey to find herself and finally find what she loves. It was so inspiring and beautiful.
Watching Abby with Theo- amazing. Watching Mason watch Abby with Theo- literally in tears it was so freaking sweet.
I love every single bit of this series and can't wait to see what's next!
- single dad
- brother's best friend
- who hurt you
- forced proximity
- a side of suspense
Penelope Black freaking does it again. We are back in Avalon Falls and y'all, I am THRIVING.
Freaking Mason- I love him. He the hottest single dad to ever single dad. Literally every scene with him and Theo had me in a freaking puddle. My GOD.
Abby- I love her journey to find herself and finally find what she loves. It was so inspiring and beautiful.
Watching Abby with Theo- amazing. Watching Mason watch Abby with Theo- literally in tears it was so freaking sweet.
I love every single bit of this series and can't wait to see what's next!
July 16, 2025
This was my first book by Penelope Black, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read this ARC — it did not disappoint!
It’s a small town romance full of emotion, swoony moments, and just the right amount of suspense. The love between the characters was so sweet but also had me on edge in the best way.
It’s actually book 4 in a series, but I read it as a standalone and had no problem following along. Now I want to go back and read the others too!
It’s a small town romance full of emotion, swoony moments, and just the right amount of suspense. The love between the characters was so sweet but also had me on edge in the best way.
It’s actually book 4 in a series, but I read it as a standalone and had no problem following along. Now I want to go back and read the others too!
July 19, 2025
“𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼…”
Oh. My. God. 🥹🥹🥹 PENELOPE YOU CANNOT KEEP DOING THIS TO ME!!! 😩😩😩 I thought that Graham’s story was going to be my favorite…but THIS ONE??? Mason and Abby?!? I’m done. Stick a fork in me. I don’t know that I’ll ever recover. This is book 4 in the Avalon Falls series…this is an interconnected standalone and you can ABSOLUTELY read it on its own…but they are all amazing so don’t miss out on the rest!
Abby and Mason have LOTS of history…Mason is Abby’s brothers best friend…and Mason PROMISED to keep his eyes and hands off her. But these two have had chemistry beyond comprehension since the day they met. One night years ago, something happens that changes both of their lives that leaves Mason scratching his head and Abby running to California heartbroken and embarrassed.
Fast forward to the present day, Mason is a single dad to an adorable 9 month old boy with a belly laugh that makes every day brighter….Abby is working as an event organiser in California but after a bit of a mishap, she’s had enough and heads back to home to Avalon Falls, knowing she will have to face her family who she could never seem to be good enough for, and Mason…her first love and biggest heartbreak.
Abby tries to avoid Mason as much as possible, but when Mason is in desperate need of help with Theo, Abby offers her services. Throwing them both together and forcing them to face the past head on.
Mason has ALWAYS loved and wanted Abby. Even when he was with other women , Abby was never far from his mind. She was always the one for him even though she was off limits. And Abby obviously has always loved him.
Once these two are forced together, the feelings between them are burning just as bright and hot as when they were younger. I loved watching the way Abby loved Theo as if he was her own. Watching Mason help Abby with her Anxiety…and Abby helping Mason realise that he’s a better father than he gives himself credit for. Mason and Abby are like two broken souls fighting against everything they want and everything they need…knowing it’s in each other but afraid to cross that line….until they do 😉
Abby and Mason have the most beautiful and epic “F it* moment. It had me jumping on my bed and SCREAMING YES!! I’ve never wanted to characters to give in to each other more in my life and it was absolutely EVERYTHING! The two of them are just so perfect for each other…you can see it in their actions, in the way they communicate verbally and physically.
I wanted to hate Mason in the beginning because of what he did. But they were young. He apologised and he was just a good man, especially to Abby that it’s hard to hold a grudge against him. He made it up to Abby ten fold.
In true Pen fashion, there are twists, turns, deception and betrayals. Whatever you THINK is going to happen in the beginning? You’re wrong 😂 I say this because I WAS WRONG! I was gasping and screaming at the plot twist. You got me Pen…you got me good 😂
I’m obsessed with this series, these characters, this family…I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you so much to Penelope Black for the opportunity to ARC read this book! I am SO HONOURED to be part of your team 🩵
🌼Small Town Romance
🩵Romantic Suspense
🌼”F IT” Moment
🩵Brothers Best Friend
🌼Single Dad
🩵Second Chance
🌼Mutual Pining
🩵Who Hurt You
🌼Anxiety Rep
🩵Accidental Pregnancy
🌼Nanny x Single Dad
🩵Forbidden
🌼Heroine in Danger
🩵Broody Hero
🌼Secret Relationship
🩵Pierced MMC
🌼Burned Out FMC
🩵Angst/Tension
🌼Secrets/Betrayal
🩵Slow Burn
🌼It’s Always Been You
🩵Forced Proximity
🌼Neighbours to Lovers
🩵One Bed
🌼Dual POV
🩵HEA
Oh. My. God. 🥹🥹🥹 PENELOPE YOU CANNOT KEEP DOING THIS TO ME!!! 😩😩😩 I thought that Graham’s story was going to be my favorite…but THIS ONE??? Mason and Abby?!? I’m done. Stick a fork in me. I don’t know that I’ll ever recover. This is book 4 in the Avalon Falls series…this is an interconnected standalone and you can ABSOLUTELY read it on its own…but they are all amazing so don’t miss out on the rest!
Abby and Mason have LOTS of history…Mason is Abby’s brothers best friend…and Mason PROMISED to keep his eyes and hands off her. But these two have had chemistry beyond comprehension since the day they met. One night years ago, something happens that changes both of their lives that leaves Mason scratching his head and Abby running to California heartbroken and embarrassed.
Fast forward to the present day, Mason is a single dad to an adorable 9 month old boy with a belly laugh that makes every day brighter….Abby is working as an event organiser in California but after a bit of a mishap, she’s had enough and heads back to home to Avalon Falls, knowing she will have to face her family who she could never seem to be good enough for, and Mason…her first love and biggest heartbreak.
Abby tries to avoid Mason as much as possible, but when Mason is in desperate need of help with Theo, Abby offers her services. Throwing them both together and forcing them to face the past head on.
Mason has ALWAYS loved and wanted Abby. Even when he was with other women , Abby was never far from his mind. She was always the one for him even though she was off limits. And Abby obviously has always loved him.
Once these two are forced together, the feelings between them are burning just as bright and hot as when they were younger. I loved watching the way Abby loved Theo as if he was her own. Watching Mason help Abby with her Anxiety…and Abby helping Mason realise that he’s a better father than he gives himself credit for. Mason and Abby are like two broken souls fighting against everything they want and everything they need…knowing it’s in each other but afraid to cross that line….until they do 😉
Abby and Mason have the most beautiful and epic “F it* moment. It had me jumping on my bed and SCREAMING YES!! I’ve never wanted to characters to give in to each other more in my life and it was absolutely EVERYTHING! The two of them are just so perfect for each other…you can see it in their actions, in the way they communicate verbally and physically.
I wanted to hate Mason in the beginning because of what he did. But they were young. He apologised and he was just a good man, especially to Abby that it’s hard to hold a grudge against him. He made it up to Abby ten fold.
In true Pen fashion, there are twists, turns, deception and betrayals. Whatever you THINK is going to happen in the beginning? You’re wrong 😂 I say this because I WAS WRONG! I was gasping and screaming at the plot twist. You got me Pen…you got me good 😂
I’m obsessed with this series, these characters, this family…I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you so much to Penelope Black for the opportunity to ARC read this book! I am SO HONOURED to be part of your team 🩵
🌼Small Town Romance
🩵Romantic Suspense
🌼”F IT” Moment
🩵Brothers Best Friend
🌼Single Dad
🩵Second Chance
🌼Mutual Pining
🩵Who Hurt You
🌼Anxiety Rep
🩵Accidental Pregnancy
🌼Nanny x Single Dad
🩵Forbidden
🌼Heroine in Danger
🩵Broody Hero
🌼Secret Relationship
🩵Pierced MMC
🌼Burned Out FMC
🩵Angst/Tension
🌼Secrets/Betrayal
🩵Slow Burn
🌼It’s Always Been You
🩵Forced Proximity
🌼Neighbours to Lovers
🩵One Bed
🌼Dual POV
🩵HEA
July 7, 2025
Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope Black for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Was so excited to be back in Avalon Falls and this book hit me with every emotion.
Shattered Promise is Abby Carter’s story. The daughter who always had it together, with her important job that she excelled at, keeping a busy schedule with the success to show for it. But deep inside she was lonely. Always feeling left behind and never understood even by her own family. So she decides to leave it all behind, take up residence in her cabin left to her by Nana Jo and find some peace. It’s here she reconnects with her teenage crush/first love, Mason Porter, her brothers best friend. Now a single dad with the cutest baby, Abby finds herself once again falling for Mason, and wonders if she’s finally found where she belongs.
This book hit hard. Honestly maybe a bit too hard. I had to stop a couple times because the visceral connection I had to Abby and her feelings surrounding her family and lack of true friends and just overwhelm about her world was intense. Let’s just say Penelope’s dedication at the beginning of the book hit different. This story was everything. I loved Abby and Mason’s connection from the beginning, the way they couldn’t seem to stay away from each other. And Theo was so freaking adorable, the way he seemed to know who Abby was and who she could be.
Honestly I have no negative thoughts. Everything about this story was what I wanted, what I needed to hear. I hope one day I can find my Mason. Someone to see me for who I am, and be there for when I need a little back up.
Shattered Promise is Abby Carter’s story. The daughter who always had it together, with her important job that she excelled at, keeping a busy schedule with the success to show for it. But deep inside she was lonely. Always feeling left behind and never understood even by her own family. So she decides to leave it all behind, take up residence in her cabin left to her by Nana Jo and find some peace. It’s here she reconnects with her teenage crush/first love, Mason Porter, her brothers best friend. Now a single dad with the cutest baby, Abby finds herself once again falling for Mason, and wonders if she’s finally found where she belongs.
This book hit hard. Honestly maybe a bit too hard. I had to stop a couple times because the visceral connection I had to Abby and her feelings surrounding her family and lack of true friends and just overwhelm about her world was intense. Let’s just say Penelope’s dedication at the beginning of the book hit different. This story was everything. I loved Abby and Mason’s connection from the beginning, the way they couldn’t seem to stay away from each other. And Theo was so freaking adorable, the way he seemed to know who Abby was and who she could be.
Honestly I have no negative thoughts. Everything about this story was what I wanted, what I needed to hear. I hope one day I can find my Mason. Someone to see me for who I am, and be there for when I need a little back up.
July 13, 2025
ARC Review of Shattered Promise Book 4 of Avalon Falls Series by Penelope Black. I really loved this book I always love a single dad trope it’s my favorite trope this one does not disappoint. This is a single dad, brothers best friend, slow burn, spicy, small town romance This is Mason and Abby's story. Mason is a single dad to 9 month old Theo he works on cars out of his garage. Abby's older brother Beau is Mason's best friend. Abby works in Seattle but is stressed and getting burned out she isn’t happy at her job after an incident at a bar she decides to take a a couple weeks rest back in her hometown Avalon Falls at the cabin she inherited from her Nana Jo but doesn’t tell anyone she’s back. The cabin happens to be very close to Masons house and he stumbles across her and she ends up coming over daily and helping with Theo. Abby and Mason have some history she always had a crush on him and they slept together when she was 19 but he broke her heart the next day. But now that she’s back Mason can’t deny his feelings for Abby and how he’s always wanted her to but didn’t want to lose her family and his friendship with her brother but he loves how Abby is with his son. Abby is a people pleaser and has always felt like she has to play a role in her family I like seeing her become more herself and confident with her telling her family how she really feels. This book is a very slow burn but it definitely turns up closer to the end and I liked the surprising suspense plot that was unexpected towards the end.
July 10, 2025
ALL. THE. DAMN. STARS! Infinity stars!!
If you follow me in insta you might've seen me sobbing in my stories over this one. I don't know what she put in this one, but damn it was good!
The way Penelope wrote these two it was like I could feel Abby's pain, and at the same time I can feel Mason acceptance and love for her. I have loved each and every one of the Avalon Falls crew, but these two just really found a home in my soul.
I'm such a such for brother's best friend and this one jumped right up to the top as one of my favorites. Both Abby & Mason had such incredible mutual pining. Add to that Abby steps in to "nanny" Mason's young son was perfection when lines started to blur and tension got thiiiick!
I related so hard to Abby and her need to be the perfect child. Always feeling like an outsider even around her own people, and I just loved that Mason so effortlessly gave her a place to just be herself. The way he loved her let her mind quiet and her heart be happy. Annnnd now I'm crying again, dammit.
There's always a little mystery and suspense in Pen's story and HOLY HOTCAKES I was not expecting the turn she took us on, but I freaking ate it up! I seriously love everything about this one!!
What you can expect:
🔥 single dad
✨ burned-out golden girl
🔥 neighbors to lovers
✨ brother’s best friend
🔥 who hurt you?
✨ slow burn swooning
🔥 mutual pining
Thank you so much Penelope and VPR for the opportunity to read and review early! 💗
If you follow me in insta you might've seen me sobbing in my stories over this one. I don't know what she put in this one, but damn it was good!
The way Penelope wrote these two it was like I could feel Abby's pain, and at the same time I can feel Mason acceptance and love for her. I have loved each and every one of the Avalon Falls crew, but these two just really found a home in my soul.
I'm such a such for brother's best friend and this one jumped right up to the top as one of my favorites. Both Abby & Mason had such incredible mutual pining. Add to that Abby steps in to "nanny" Mason's young son was perfection when lines started to blur and tension got thiiiick!
I related so hard to Abby and her need to be the perfect child. Always feeling like an outsider even around her own people, and I just loved that Mason so effortlessly gave her a place to just be herself. The way he loved her let her mind quiet and her heart be happy. Annnnd now I'm crying again, dammit.
There's always a little mystery and suspense in Pen's story and HOLY HOTCAKES I was not expecting the turn she took us on, but I freaking ate it up! I seriously love everything about this one!!
What you can expect:
🔥 single dad
✨ burned-out golden girl
🔥 neighbors to lovers
✨ brother’s best friend
🔥 who hurt you?
✨ slow burn swooning
🔥 mutual pining
Thank you so much Penelope and VPR for the opportunity to read and review early! 💗
July 13, 2025
Single Dad & Brother’s Best Friend tropes…gosh so freaking good!!
Y’all want to know the moment I was so completely sucked into this book….”There were a thousand reasons to walk away. But she was standing in front of me in that damn hoodie, eyes wide, breathing like she wanted me to ruin her. F*** It. I palmed the back of her neck and kissed her back.” 🥵🥰
Goshhhh I just love F*** It moments so much!!! They are everything, just like these MC’s Mason and Abby!
Mason Porter is the MMC. HOTT Single Dad. He is Abby’s brother’s best friend and now neighbor. He just bought an old ranch and traded his sports car in for a pickup truck. Mason runs a mechanic shop out of his garage. He’s a morning person and drinks an iced latte on his porch every single day however he loves the color of the sky at sunset. 🌅 😍
Abby Carter is the FMC. Event Coordinator and Nanny that drinks a shaken espresso every single day. Night Owl but hates thunderstorms. She absolutely loves the color blue and she named her acoustic guitar Sylvie. 🩵
These two were just amazing together. The way Mason longed for Abby. 😮💨. The vibes were a soft obsession, slow burn, and tender angst! I absolutely loved them! There was a smidge of hidden danger in there that was just perfection. Overall, devoured this great book! 👏 ☺️
What to expect;
❤️🔥 Small Town Romance
❤️🔥 Brother’s Best Friend
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 “Who Hurt You!”
❤️🔥 One MF Bed
❤️🔥 Neighbors to Lovers
Y’all want to know the moment I was so completely sucked into this book….”There were a thousand reasons to walk away. But she was standing in front of me in that damn hoodie, eyes wide, breathing like she wanted me to ruin her. F*** It. I palmed the back of her neck and kissed her back.” 🥵🥰
Goshhhh I just love F*** It moments so much!!! They are everything, just like these MC’s Mason and Abby!
Mason Porter is the MMC. HOTT Single Dad. He is Abby’s brother’s best friend and now neighbor. He just bought an old ranch and traded his sports car in for a pickup truck. Mason runs a mechanic shop out of his garage. He’s a morning person and drinks an iced latte on his porch every single day however he loves the color of the sky at sunset. 🌅 😍
Abby Carter is the FMC. Event Coordinator and Nanny that drinks a shaken espresso every single day. Night Owl but hates thunderstorms. She absolutely loves the color blue and she named her acoustic guitar Sylvie. 🩵
These two were just amazing together. The way Mason longed for Abby. 😮💨. The vibes were a soft obsession, slow burn, and tender angst! I absolutely loved them! There was a smidge of hidden danger in there that was just perfection. Overall, devoured this great book! 👏 ☺️
What to expect;
❤️🔥 Small Town Romance
❤️🔥 Brother’s Best Friend
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 “Who Hurt You!”
❤️🔥 One MF Bed
❤️🔥 Neighbors to Lovers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
Now THIS is what I needed after the last book!
I flew through this one! Unlike the previous book, I cared so much about these characters and wanted them to find their happily ever after. I knew I’d enjoy this book simply for the tropes, but what I found was so much more than just a single dad and his best friend’s sister.
Shattered Promise is heart wrenching. Though the rest of the series isn’t sunshine and daisies either, this one still felt far more serious and melancholy. I found myself crying on more than one occasion. I wanted to wrap Abby up in a giant hug. She was absolutely breaking my heart.
She’s at a crossroads in her life, and Mason was the perfect person to help her make an important choice. The struggles her character was experiencing felt so very relatable. It was so easy to empathize with the way Abby was feeling. I loved watching her grow, and finally stand up for herself. Most of all, I loved the way the characters supported each other. Both Abby and Mason were the perfect partners.
I enjoyed the pacing of this book. I was hooked from start to finish, especially towards the end. That last quarter me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m very interested to see what’s next in this series!
I flew through this one! Unlike the previous book, I cared so much about these characters and wanted them to find their happily ever after. I knew I’d enjoy this book simply for the tropes, but what I found was so much more than just a single dad and his best friend’s sister.
Shattered Promise is heart wrenching. Though the rest of the series isn’t sunshine and daisies either, this one still felt far more serious and melancholy. I found myself crying on more than one occasion. I wanted to wrap Abby up in a giant hug. She was absolutely breaking my heart.
She’s at a crossroads in her life, and Mason was the perfect person to help her make an important choice. The struggles her character was experiencing felt so very relatable. It was so easy to empathize with the way Abby was feeling. I loved watching her grow, and finally stand up for herself. Most of all, I loved the way the characters supported each other. Both Abby and Mason were the perfect partners.
I enjoyed the pacing of this book. I was hooked from start to finish, especially towards the end. That last quarter me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m very interested to see what’s next in this series!
August 1, 2025
I think I'm broken -- every book I've tried to read lately just annoys the fuck out of me, and this was no exception. It should have been a real winner for me; brothers best friend, second chance ish, nanny, single dad,-- it's all up my alley. but God it was so boring, and the only reasons I kept going was 1) i invested my time, dammit and 2) baby Theo
The author says this is a standalone, but it's not. Mason is a single dad, but not once are we told what happened with his ex, and I guess we have to get that from a previous book? there's also some scenes where Mason feels like he can't go there with Abby because of "what happened before" but then there's no explanation of what happened. He doesn't even remember taking her virginity, yet he acts like he's the victim. and don't even get me started on what he said to her before she got kidnapped -- which was a totally weird thing to pull out of nowhere.
idk, it all annoyed me. They didnt even have an honest conversation until about 30% in, and even then, they kept skirting around talking about their issues and I just wanted to knock some sense into them and make them talk like fucking adults.
So yeah. Not really a standalone, no grovel, and it's both rushed and slow at the same time.
The author says this is a standalone, but it's not. Mason is a single dad, but not once are we told what happened with his ex, and I guess we have to get that from a previous book? there's also some scenes where Mason feels like he can't go there with Abby because of "what happened before" but then there's no explanation of what happened. He doesn't even remember taking her virginity, yet he acts like he's the victim. and don't even get me started on what he said to her before she got kidnapped -- which was a totally weird thing to pull out of nowhere.
idk, it all annoyed me. They didnt even have an honest conversation until about 30% in, and even then, they kept skirting around talking about their issues and I just wanted to knock some sense into them and make them talk like fucking adults.
So yeah. Not really a standalone, no grovel, and it's both rushed and slow at the same time.
July 10, 2025
When I tell you I’ve been waiting for Abby’s book! She lives away from Avalon Falls so I feel like we never got a whole lot of backstory on her in the previous books. And who doesn’t love a single dad, who just so happens to be your brother’s best friend. I was sucked in from the prologue, and when I found out Mason didn’t even remember?! Jaw on floor. He lost some brownie points for that one but luckily this man redeemed himself very quickly. The tension and mutual pining between Abby and Mason for YEARS was completely obvious. I was rooting for them the entire time, hoping they’d just say “fck it” and give into to what they both so clearly wanted. I also adored Abby’s relationship with Mason’s son, Theo. The way these two clung to each other was absolutely adorable. As always, Penelope has some plot twist and suspense element in her books and this one didn’t hit until the last, maybe, 15% of the book. I was shocked… I saw it coming but not in the way it all played out. What a twist.
This was such a beautiful story about following your heart and leaving behind things that don’t bring you joy. Thank you as always to Penelope and our wonderful team for an opportunity to read Shattered Promise early.
read if you love:
single dad x nanny, small town, brother’s best friend, age gap, “who hurt you?”, second chance, one bed, romantic suspense, anxiety rep, neighbors to lovers
This was such a beautiful story about following your heart and leaving behind things that don’t bring you joy. Thank you as always to Penelope and our wonderful team for an opportunity to read Shattered Promise early.
read if you love:
single dad x nanny, small town, brother’s best friend, age gap, “who hurt you?”, second chance, one bed, romantic suspense, anxiety rep, neighbors to lovers
July 7, 2025
ohhhhh it felt so good to be back in Avalon Falls 🥹.
Abby is one of the Carter siblings, the one who left for the big city and made a name for herself. She's smart, charming and has been in love with her brothers Best Friend for her whole life. Abby is sweet and nothing short of the girl who deserves everything, including the love of her life.
Mason Porter, single dad who works his ass off to give his son the best life while shamelessly pining over his best friends little sister for years. Mason is definitely gets lost in the battle of doing right by the promise he made to Beau , but wanting to give Abby his whole heart.
I loved Abby and Mason's story so much, I could not stop reading the moment I started. These two have so much of connection; they make each other better, they laugh a little louder together and the heat is turned alllll the way up for them. Seriously, those two behind closed doors? PHEEWWWW...
as always, pens writing is captivating and page turning! You're constantly left wanting more, craving it.
Abby is one of the Carter siblings, the one who left for the big city and made a name for herself. She's smart, charming and has been in love with her brothers Best Friend for her whole life. Abby is sweet and nothing short of the girl who deserves everything, including the love of her life.
Mason Porter, single dad who works his ass off to give his son the best life while shamelessly pining over his best friends little sister for years. Mason is definitely gets lost in the battle of doing right by the promise he made to Beau , but wanting to give Abby his whole heart.
I loved Abby and Mason's story so much, I could not stop reading the moment I started. These two have so much of connection; they make each other better, they laugh a little louder together and the heat is turned alllll the way up for them. Seriously, those two behind closed doors? PHEEWWWW...
as always, pens writing is captivating and page turning! You're constantly left wanting more, craving it.
July 4, 2025
I always enjoy Pen’s books but something about this one was just so special. I think what made me love it so much was exactly how real both Abby and Mason were in their thoughts, feelings, and actions. While reading, there were so many times where I paused and said “wow, that is an exact thought I’ve had.” It was just nice to read such real representations of humans and to be so connected to the characters. Beyond that, the story itself was also so solid. I loved it from start to finish, even when I found myself screaming at somebody for making a stupid choice. I think this is also one of the few single dad books I’ve read that really fully integrate the child into the story. Theo was in the book, present, and important to the story for so much of it and I just adored and appreciated that. There was for sure the classic Avalon Falls suspense element and even though I had a good idea of what was coming, there were still some components of that plot line that remained a bit of a surprise. I honestly think this is one of the best books Pen has ever written. I can tell just how much she poured into these characters and this story and I know it’ll be one I reread down the road!
July 24, 2025
I was so happy to be back in Avalon Falls! This series is so good! If you have not started this series yet, now is the time!
I really enjoyed Shattered Promise. The emotion, the tension, the mutual pining, and we can’t forget the F* it moment, was all so good!
Abby and Mason had a complicated history. I was so upset at Mason because of it, but honestly I didn’t stay mad for long. These two were so sweet together.
I loved Mason and sweet baby Theo! Mason was a little overwhelmed, but he was the best dad! He always put Theo first. And Abby was so amazing with Theo! I loved this sweet little found family.
I really enjoyed learning more about Abby. She was such a mystery from the previous books, so I’m glad we got to know her better. She was so sweet and strong. I loved her!
🌾 Small town
🌾 Single Dad
🌾 Neighbors To Lovers
🌾 Brother’s Best Friend
🌾 Second Chance
🌾 Who Hurt You?
🌾 One Bed
I really enjoyed Shattered Promise. The emotion, the tension, the mutual pining, and we can’t forget the F* it moment, was all so good!
Abby and Mason had a complicated history. I was so upset at Mason because of it, but honestly I didn’t stay mad for long. These two were so sweet together.
I loved Mason and sweet baby Theo! Mason was a little overwhelmed, but he was the best dad! He always put Theo first. And Abby was so amazing with Theo! I loved this sweet little found family.
I really enjoyed learning more about Abby. She was such a mystery from the previous books, so I’m glad we got to know her better. She was so sweet and strong. I loved her!
🌾 Small town
🌾 Single Dad
🌾 Neighbors To Lovers
🌾 Brother’s Best Friend
🌾 Second Chance
🌾 Who Hurt You?
🌾 One Bed
August 4, 2025
Who is an author that you read because you know every single thing they write is just going to click with you?
Like without a doubt, their books hit every time. That's Penelope for me! Her books are so beautifully written and I am giggling, gasping, fanning myself, on the edge of my seat, the entire time.
This book was no exception! I loved Mason and Abby's story, and I absolutely did nottttt see that twist coming
—that was WILD
Mason is a newly single dad, Abby is trying to figure out what direction she wants to go in life. I have NEVER related to both the MMC & FMC as much as I did in this book. I understood them both on such a deep level, it was uncanny.
Mason with his struggles as a new parent and the doubt that creeps in. Abby with the way she feels lost in her career and her struggles with anxiety.
This books is it, yall. I adored it. Five full stars
Like without a doubt, their books hit every time. That's Penelope for me! Her books are so beautifully written and I am giggling, gasping, fanning myself, on the edge of my seat, the entire time.
This book was no exception! I loved Mason and Abby's story, and I absolutely did nottttt see that twist coming
—that was WILD
Mason is a newly single dad, Abby is trying to figure out what direction she wants to go in life. I have NEVER related to both the MMC & FMC as much as I did in this book. I understood them both on such a deep level, it was uncanny.
Mason with his struggles as a new parent and the doubt that creeps in. Abby with the way she feels lost in her career and her struggles with anxiety.
This books is it, yall. I adored it. Five full stars
July 5, 2025
We were finally able to return to avalon falls. This time we got the story of Mason and Abby. Unbeknownst to each other, they have had feelings for each other since childhood. Little Theo manages to bring them closer together again. He really was the cutest! The connection between Mason and Abby is so strong, the moment they accept and let each other know they are in love with each other the sparks fly.
I loved the element of suspense in this book. It's so good; here are some strange events, you think you know what's going on but suddenly there's a big plot twist that you never could have seen coming. I loved that part the most. I’ve read the book in 1 sitting, couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I loved the element of suspense in this book. It's so good; here are some strange events, you think you know what's going on but suddenly there's a big plot twist that you never could have seen coming. I loved that part the most. I’ve read the book in 1 sitting, couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
July 8, 2025
Abby + Mason
-mf small town
-brothers best friend
-single dad
-second chance
-neighbors to lovers
-mutual pining
ahhhhh omg i loved these two so much & the way pen was cryptically laying the groundwork for the big plot twist TOTALLY GOT MEEE FEELING CRAZY!!! like i thought it was going one way & was like dude idk i'd be kinda pissed man...& thank god it didn't go that way! haha but the way it did go was BONKERS Y'ALL!! haha but abby is my girl! she was seriously so relatable with her family & how it can feel to grow up & have things that once brought you comfort...then overstimulate you...& i just felt so seen! i felt for her & just wanted to hug her!! & mason was suchhhh a dadddyyy from the start! we LOVE THAT!!
-mf small town
-brothers best friend
-single dad
-second chance
-neighbors to lovers
-mutual pining
ahhhhh omg i loved these two so much & the way pen was cryptically laying the groundwork for the big plot twist TOTALLY GOT MEEE FEELING CRAZY!!! like i thought it was going one way & was like dude idk i'd be kinda pissed man...& thank god it didn't go that way! haha but the way it did go was BONKERS Y'ALL!! haha but abby is my girl! she was seriously so relatable with her family & how it can feel to grow up & have things that once brought you comfort...then overstimulate you...& i just felt so seen! i felt for her & just wanted to hug her!! & mason was suchhhh a dadddyyy from the start! we LOVE THAT!!
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