The Pinky Promise

by Elle Laine

Some love stories begin with a spark. This one begins with a pinky promise made at the edge of a lake on the last night of everything they had ever known — and nine years of becoming ready to keep it.

Hope Brooks and Nathan Harper have been each other's person since the day he showed up to a college dormitory floor meeting with a box of granola bars because he wanted to make friends. What he made instead was something rarer — the kind of friendship that becomes the fixed point your entire life organizes itself around. For four years they were inseparable, watching each other fall for the wrong people, showing up without being asked, becoming the first call and the last thought and everything in between.

On graduation night, they walked away from the party and down to a lake. And they made a promise. If we're not married in five years — we marry each other. A pinky promise. Sealed in moonlight, wrapped in laughter, meant more deeply than either of them knew how to say.

What followed was five years of two lives being fully, honestly, sometimes heartbreakingly lived. Different cities. Serious relationships that almost worked and then didn't. Career wins and personal losses and the kind of grief that changes the shape of a person permanently. Through all of it — every wrong turn, every kitchen floor, every Wednesday night phone call — they remained each other's person.

And then life pulled them back to the same city. Three blocks apart. And everything they had been carefully not saying became impossible to keep quiet.

By the time you reach a lakefront path in the final pages of this book — in the grey light of a November morning, with a small velvet box and six years of everything it took to get there — you will have earned every single word of what happens next.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2026

Reviews

[Kelly Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It was so well written, the MFC and MMC were instantly likeable, I adored them AND their friendship. The author kept the timeline moving along at a great pace, and just when you think this is going to be a sweet light romance book...BAM you get hit with some not so light life moments that bring a completely different tone and feel to the story. This book definitely left me feeling all the feels, total 5 stars, I'm recommending it to everyone!

[Tracys Book Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pinky Promise
Elle Elaine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Sometimes, you slip into a novel, expecting a love story to emerge quickly, and then you realize it's going to break your heart first.

Nathan and Hope are the best of friends. They make a promise and then go about living their lives in separate states, thousands of miles away. But come Wednesday nights, they check in, as friends do.

Through the years of relationships, promotions, disappointments, and living, their friendship weathers the storms of life.

This story touched my heart and brought me to tears, as the tenderness and love of a friendship turned into something so beautiful. Nathan and Hope's story reminds me that life is fragile, but love is strong, and it can carry us through our darkest days.

The Pinky Promise is a no spice love story that will touch your heart and have you falling in love with them. There is so much to unpack in this story, and there are parts you need to uncover for yourself, so I'm leaving my review vague because going in blind will give you the best reader experience.

I received an ARC of The Pinky Promise. All opinions are my own.

I hope that you will enjoy this story and that it will touch your heart, as it did mine.

[Jo H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pinky Promise follows the lives of best friends, Hope and Nathan, as they navigate leaving college and pursuing their own dreams. The story starts with their reflection on past failed relationships – on both sides – and a “joking/not joking” pact that if they haven’t settled down and found their person in the next 5 years, they would marry each other – sealed with a “Pinky Promise”.
I really enjoyed following their career progression, and how the author cleverly and subtly alludes to the ongoing importance of their friendship - how when something significant happens in either of their lives, the first person they both think to share it with is the other.
We meet lots of characters throughout the story, who have lots of potential to be “the ones” for Hope and Nate, but they never seem to be able to quite make it work long term... Or will they?
I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone, but the last third of the story is extremely emotional, raw, and for some may be quite distressing. The author handles the topic carefully and respectfully, drawing on the complex thoughts, feelings and behaviours of someone dealing with loss and grief. I felt that this last third of the book was what really drew me in and made me truly root for a happy ending for Hope and Nate – whatever that may look like.
Overall, I thought this was a great read, full of ups and downs and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. A complex romance, that keeps you guessing to the end.

[Perryyyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought a word could have such impact. "mostly" will forever live in my heart. As a male it is not easy to talk about feelings or feel vulnerable. We just want to pretend we love raw steak, make things with our hands, and drink lots of beer. This is my second Elle book. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I have never cried so much in my entire life. I am not going to give anything away. It hit me in such a personal way I had to stop working and cry. I had no idea HOW MUCH I needed it. the Pinky Promise had me self reflecting in a way I had no idea was so necessary. I had buried my past so deep I had never confronted it. The tears became a learning session. The tears were healing. Elle also wrote Ember Creek which I highly recommend. Please read both!!!!!




PS Elle. The Gerald support group is taking off. We have T-shirts now 🐓👀❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹. You have been warned

[Bookish Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Elle Laine delivers a deeply satisfying romance packed with emotional weight. Pinky Promise is a touching, moving story about discovering that the love of your life has actually been by your side all along. It beautifully captures the turbulent ups and downs of dating, showing how the wrong fits ultimately lead us exactly where we need to be. While the story gently navigates heavy themes of loss, grief, and growth, it never loses its warmth. Her writing feels like a gentle hug, offering a beautiful balance of trauma and comfort that leaves you deeply moved.

Thank you to the author for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Tiffany Killeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to read and Arc of this. Thank you Booksprout and Elle Laine!
2 best friends who make a promise after graduation, 5 years. If they’re not married they’ll marry each other. They don’t give up their dating life, living across the country, Wednesday night phone calls, then living just blocks away. Tragedy strikes, and true feeling emerge. It brought a lot of emotion out of me reading about Hope and Nathen. Great book. Maybe have some tissues

[Kendra Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me Hope.....its gave me tears, joy, and hope.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pinky Promise was an enjoyable but also sad friends to lovers romance. At times I wanted to scream because how wasn’t it so obvious to Nathan & Hope that they both had feelings for each other? At the same time though the years allowed their relationship to grow and deepen.

I give it 4 stars for plot holes and no epilogue (hopefully there’s another book coming with more of Nathan & Hope’s story…..)

[Jessica Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pinky Promise is a heartfelt, emotional read that explores love, trust, and the promises that shape our lives. The characters felt genuine, and their emotional journeys were easy to connect with, making it difficult not to become invested in their story. There were very real heartbreaking moments throughout the book. I do feel like there could be more character development in some areas, but i loved how the stories of each character were separate yet flowed together. You got a glimpse of their lives outside of their love story.

I would definitely give this a read if you're looking for a romance book that is heartfelt.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Besan Fawaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Elle Laine for an early copy of Pinky Promise.
Hope and Nathan’s friendship, connection, and loyalty is one that will live on through these pages. Pinky Promise brought so many emotions through this beautiful tale of best friends as they face the trials and tribulations of life.
If you love a sweet deep connection between friends this one is for you!

[Natalie Schiferl · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This contemporary romance is full of what ifs and near misses, heartbreak and undying love. Hope and Harper make a pinky promise on the night they graduate from college- if they aren’t married in 5 years they will marry each other. Then they move to two different cities. In this book we get to see what happens over those following five years- the good, the bad, the terrible, and the lifeline these two best friends are for each other.

[Ida Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

Some books entertain you. Some books stay with you. The Pinky Promise is one of the rare stories that quietly settles into your heart and refuses to leave.

From the very first page, I was completely invested in Hope and Nathan. Their friendship felt so genuine, so effortless, and so beautifully written that I found myself rooting for them through every chapter. Watching them navigate life, love, heartbreak, loss, and personal growth over the years made their journey feel incredibly real.

This isn’t a story built on grand gestures or instant romance. It’s about choosing each other over and over again, even when life takes you in different directions. Every conversation, every missed opportunity, every moment apart only made the ending that much more meaningful.

The emotional depth in this book is what truly stood out to me. I laughed, smiled, got teary-eyed, and felt every ounce of hope alongside these characters. By the time I reached the final pages, I realized every chapter had been carefully building toward an ending that felt completely earned.

This is the kind of friends-to-lovers romance that reminds you that the best love stories aren’t always the fastest—they’re the ones worth waiting for.

If you love:
🤍 Friends to Lovers
🤍 Slow Burn
🤍 Right Person, Right Time
🤍 Emotional Growth
🤍 Soulmate Energy
🤍 Heartfelt Romance

…then you need this book on your TBR.

An easy five-star read for me. I loved every single page, and I wouldn’t change a thing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek · Rating 4 out of 5]

🫶🏻 The Pinky Promise 🫶🏻
(( Spoiler- Free ARC Review ))

Title- The Pinky Promise
Author- Elle Laine
Genre- Contemporary Romance

Trope City-
🫶🏻 Better Late than Never
🫶🏻 Friends to Lovers
🫶🏻 Forced Proximity
🫶🏻 Slow Burn
🫶🏻 Grief Rep

This sweet and tender story follows Hope Brooks (FMC) and Nathan Harper (MMC). The two MCs spent the 4 years of college centering their lives around one another. It’s the type of long term friendship that becomes all consuming in every way. On graduation night, they made The Pinky Promise to marry each other if they aren’t married to anyone else in 5 years. The universe gave them 5 years of fully living life. Failed relationships, changes in work and friendship, but never theirs. Finally, fate brought them back to the same small town, 3 blocks apart. Are you ready for their HEA?! Can a pinky promise made so long ago really be kept into adulthood? This one is magic!

Thank you Booksprout for this gem! 🫶🏻

[Mathilde Frederiksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one day, the writing made it easy to connect quickly with our main characters Nate and Hope. I've enjoyed the structure of the story, using time as an anchor to help us get through the 5-year promise. It makes us, the readers, a part of the routine the characters develop over time. We come to look forward to the next phone call, or the next life event bringing them closer together.

There are a couple of dramatic life events that can be hard to read if that has happen to you - just so you know, but the story reads well, not over the top in terms of romance, and you just want to know what happens in the end.

It was a good book and it deserves to be shared with all the romance lovers out there :).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Pinky Promise” was such a cute and emotional read. I really enjoyed how it showed the struggle people go through when trying to let others in and trust love, even when their heart knows what feels right. The story captured the push and pull between fear, vulnerability, and connection in a very relatable way.

What stood out most was the reminder that love has no boundaries when two people are willing to support each other through life’s struggles. Watching the characters fight against their own thoughts and emotions, only to find their way back together, made the story feel genuine and heartfelt. Overall, it was a sweet read with a meaningful message about love, growth, and standing by one another through difficult times.

[Emily Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Pinky Promise was such a sweet and emotional read. This story pulled me in with its heartfelt moments, strong friendships, and the reminder that some promises can change everything.

I really enjoyed the connection between the characters and watching their relationships grow throughout the story. There were definitely moments that made me smile, and a few that tugged at my heartstrings too.

If you love emotional stories, meaningful connections, and books that leave you feeling warm when you turn the final page, this one is worth picking up.

[Nichole D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book that goes through the trials and tribulations of 2 college kids who promise each other marriage in 5 years, while they live their own lives and continue being friends. Although they have gone through their own separate issues individually, being able to be there for each other in the end after everything they've endured is the true power of love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of my husband and I’s relationship. How we met young but didn’t get together till later. There were some parts that tugged on your heart strings. It gave you a roller coaster of emotions. It worked through love, lost and found and just lost and grief and the hope of what is to come. I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait for others to read it.

[JM G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Pinky Promise. Once I started reading about Hope and Nathan, I was hooked. They are a perfect match and I couldn't help but want to cheer them on. A definite page turner. I hope you enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and emotional read! I just loved Hope and Nathan! Hope and Nathan are friends and I love how their friendship felt so genuine. Hoping Nathan make a pinky promise that if in five years, they’re not married, they would get married. Seeing them navigate life and come together was so priceless. This was such a cute read, I highly recommend this book. Thank you. Elle and Booksprout for this arc.

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pinky promise, It will keep you wanting more. Nathan and Hope go through so much alone and together. Best friends since freshman year of college. This is a must read. You will cry. You will laugh and you WILL love this book!