One Last Promise

Bedford Falls #2

by Sydney Bristow

Damon Durant is not your average bad boy; sure, he has a wicked smile, an unpredictable nature, and exudes more than a hint of danger, but after growing up shuffled from one dysfunctional foster family to another, he's learned that love is hard to come by. So when he flirts with a cute restaurateur, he can't help but think that he's finally found the one.

When it comes to romance, Kelsey Lawford has always trusted her heart, and it has led to more than a bit of heartache and regret. So when she banters with Damon, a man whose blistering sex appeal leaves her breathless, Kelsey ignores her feelings. Because her past has taught that men like Damon can't be trusted. Even though she desperately wants to trust the longing he evokes inside her, will it be enough to convince her to trust a man that everyone says can't be trusted?

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Kirk Kilgrave.

Reviews

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damon was a paradox. He presented this bad boy image but felt things deeply. Kelsey has always worn her heart on her sleeve. This has caused her a lot of heartbreak. Her decision to harden her heart and pursue her dreams is her way of coping. What I thought was a wonderful twist is that outwardly these two characters seemed to have nothing in common. However the inner struggles they faced and were working through made them perfect for each other. A pleasant surprise from a new discovery.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below:

http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/one...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying, when I decided to read this book I didn’t actually realize it was a series. For those who have followed my reading habits you know I go back and find book 1 and read them in order. Since I’m already out of order on these, I’m going to go forward with book 3 and then decide if I’m going to read the first one.
Damon Durant has the look and reputation of a player with the women, couple that with a crappy childhood and coming from the wrong side of the tracks. And he does not look like good relationship material to Kelsey. Kelsey’s best friend Marisa and Kelsey’s over-protective brother Alex (and Damon’s best friend) have also warned her to stay away. But not all is as it seems, which is commonly the case, Damon’s intentions are misunderstood, he really only wants the one thing that no one thinks he does. He wants a lifetime relationship and he’s not willing to settle for a women who he doesn’t see spending his life with.
Kelsey is a young and successful restaurateur with a determination and stubborn streak as wide as her success. Her failure is that she’s a workaholic who wants someone to share her life with. Kelsey has her on series of failed relationships that have made her weary of her own judgment. She’s put walls up and is now seeking a mate that may be more boring and reserved thinking that she may find companionship and passion after getting to know someone, completely ignoring natural chemistry and attraction even when it just about knocks her over.
I enjoyed the story but I didn’t love it. I felt like everything just ran over the top of the surface. There was no true exploration of Kelsey’s relationship with her mom; Damon’s childhood although talked about didn’t really ring authentic. I think the development could have been improved to create more drama but the consequence would be cutting other parts of the story. That being said, I am going to read book 3 and I would recommend it …it’s just not on my top 10.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Walls are built for a reason. Fortification, protection and basically to keep something out.. there. Emotional walls are pretty much the same. Built over time, heartache, distrust, pain, fear, abuse, always being let down by those you trusted to hold you up – those and more are the stones of an emotional barrier.

As far as stone walls go, Kelsey has built up some doozies. And, unfortunately, she has had to.

Damon wants to break some of those stones in that wall. Oh, sure, some are needed for defense he gets that. But not all of them have to remain, he can build an arch in that wall of Kelsey’s that will allow him entrance into her heart… if only she will let him. Because he’s not going anywhere, he’s found home. Now he simply has to convince Kelsey that home is with him too.

One Last Promise is such a touching story. In life everyone builds walls, I do – you do, but at some point we need to let someone in. Someone who won’t smash the parts of the wall that we still need for survival but will join us and let some of those stones crumble away and let love in. Parts of their journey to love are painful. That is life now, isn’t it. Other parts were beautiful beyond words.

If you enjoy love stories, then this is a novel and a series that you should be following. Love, when it’s true and worthwhile isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the risk. I would be proud to recommend One Last Promise to anyone who enjoys a good love story, can take the emotional building and tearing down of walls.

*I received an e-ARC of One Last Promise from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all – I have to say how much I LOVE that the hero, Damon, is a romance writer! A very successful, self-publishing, interactive with his online fans, romance writer! He also has a reputation as a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy, so it is no surprise that Alex warns him away from his sister, Kelsey. Kelsey has had a string of failed relationships. As entrepreneur restaurant owner, she is a workaholic and doesn’t have time for her friends and family, let alone dating. But, when she meets Damon, their conversation turns witty and comical. However, she has no desire to be a fling for the romance writer. She meets Paul while volunteering at the local animal shelter and immediately likes his easy going, not so pushy, sweet nature. But, Paul isn’t all that he seems and Kelsey isn’t sure of her feelings for the guy.

I found this story to be an enjoyable one. The banter between Kelsey and Damon was one of my favorite parts of the while story. I found Alex’s girlfriend, Marisa, to be condescending and downright mean. She didn’t like Damon because Alex said so, not because she got to know him and formed her own opinion. However, Kelsey’s strong personality and independence allowed me to look past Marisa’s clingy behavior.

What I did not like about this book was how it dragged towards the middle. I found myself skimming over a lot of the details about Damon’s past conquests. Yes, he was a womanizer. But, I didn’t need to know every single detail about his conquests in order to understand that point. Other than that (and how annoying Marisa was), I found the book to be an overall good story.

*copy provided for review.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelsey has had her fair share of failed relationships and not just when it comes to men but to her family as well. She has tried to protect her gentle heart and built a wall around herself that no one can penetrate. No one, that is, until Damon. He sparks a panic in Kelsey because for the first time in a long time she is finding herself intrigued by a man. She wants to give him a chance, but is having a hard time letting herself do it. Can Damon break through and find the happiness with Kelsey that he knows is possible?

The things I liked in this book best were the scenes between Kelsey and Damon. Their dialogue is perfect and wonderful and is the exact thing I look for in books of this genre. They made me fall in love with them and really cheer for them to work it out in the end.

There is some sensitive subject matter in this story, but I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve never read before. The storyline is a bit predictable, but I did appreciate some of the subtleties in the relationship with Kelsey and her family and how it was handled in the book. So, while not the most original storyline, it’s done very well. I give it 4 stars.

Reviewed by Sara Squared for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy Provided for Review*

[Katie Battaglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review!

One Last Promise follows the story of Kelsey and Damon on their journey for love. There's just something about Kelsey that Damon finds irresistible. Being a former playboy, Kelsey doesn't trust him. Plus he is Kelsey's brothers best friend who had warned Damon off from dating his sister. When Kelsey starts dating Paul, Damon learns of Paul's real motives and eventually tells Kelsey everything. But will it be too late?

I liked reading this book but I didn't love it. I had a really hard time staying focused on it as I kept getting sidetracked. There was just a little too much information and I felt it difficult to get through. But I still did enjoy the book. I really fell in love with Damon. How could you not? I also really liked Kelsey and a lot of the other side characters and hope to read more about them in the future. I also wish there was a little more to Kelsey and Damon's relationship. I felt like they finally got somewhere and then the book ended. I felt like there could have been more time spent on their relationship. Overall I'd still recommend this book to others even though it really wasn't for me.

[Stephanie Lasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing Read
“One Last Promise” is not just about the trust and passion that’s felt between a man and a woman. This book also encompasses the deep emotional bonds people feel toward their family and friends as well.
Kelsey has had her fair share of failed relationships. Though most were with unsavory men, sadly, her mother and sister are included in this category.
Over the years Kelsey has built a wall around her heart. So when Damon, a romantic novelist, shows interests in her she panics. Each time they talk she finds herself drawn to him, but she still is too guarded to give him a chance.
Just as Kelsey’s heart starts to mend, she is lead astray and betrayed by another; but this time she has people in her corner that are willing to help.
Even though this story covers many sensitive subjects, the part I enjoyed the most was the witty dialog between Kelsey and Damon.
This refreshing tale earns a solid 4.0 Stars
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.

[Katrese Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge from start to finish. I loved the relationships that are portrayed. Awesome I look forward to the next story for these characters.The things I liked in this book best were the scenes between Kelsey and Damon. They made me fall in love with them and really cheer for them to work it out in the end.
This refreshing tale earns a solid 4.0 Stars
Katrese Adams, Independent Reviewer, Avid Reader
I am not associated with the author

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed reading about Damon and Kelsey. They are very strong characters and a great story line. They both have had things in their past to happen for them to guard their hearts close. Will they be able to open up enough to one another and give their attraction a chance?

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey told her brother Alex not to worry she would never want to go out with his best friend Damon. Then Alex told Damon under no circumstances was he to go out with Kelsey. Kelsey had seen Damon dressed as Rocky Balboa and she thought of Damon a lot but Alex had told Kelsey Damon had slept with a lot of women .and wasn’t interested in a long term serious relationship with Damon. Kelsey had seen Damon dressed as Rocky Balboa - bare chest and abs and then she thought of him a lot. But Alex had told her Damon had slept with a lot of women , he wasn’t interested in a serious long term relationship. If she hadn’t know the truth Kelsey would have found Damon irresistible. Kelsey had an 80’s theme diner called Forever And Always as well as one called The Witching Hour more on a horror theme. Kelsey operated operated both establishments and navigated all of the responsibilities and pressure that came with such a stressful career and she had skipped going to college. Damon affected Kelsey’s emotion strongly. But she would never let Damon know that. Damon writes romance novels. Alex left with his girlfriend Marisa but Damon stayed. Kelsey told Damon he had a Superman complex and he told her she wanted to be Buffy from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Kelsey liked getting under Damon’s skin. Kelsey took Damon’s hand and the spontaneity of the forward movement shocked her . Kelsey considered herself a touchy-feely type person but she had never reacted this way. Kelsey felt she hadn’t known Damon long enough for such intimacy yet it didn’t feel awkward. Damon asked Kelsey if she was into palmistry and she said no yet she still had his hand. His eyes, his smile, his playful tone set off a spark of sensuality between them. How could Kelsey know just touching Damon would send such delightful delightful excitement through her. Although Kelsey hated Damon’s promiscuity she had never met with such presence, such charisma until now. Damon asked if she felt the sparks, then Damon said he’d like to take her on a date. He added he thought Kelsey was fun to talk to. When Kelsey brought up Alex Damon said he recalled saying something about marriage and then he said when you know, you know. He said the electric current and chemistry he had only felt one time before. Then a wistful look came over his face but only for a minute. Kelsey felt such a potent physical reaction to ant man before and she wanted to give into it. The last time Damon had lost his composure with a woman was that one time. But Damon refused to think about the failed relationship and the uneasiness that had accompanied it and how memories could unhinge Damon. Damon had no family to speak of. One thing that intimidated Damon was he really liked Kelsey and that making him want to spend more time with her. Kelsey volunteered at the Fennel Kennel Club- an animal shelter a couple times a week. Damon thought about how Kelsey didn’t censor her words. If she felt something she said it. Katrina was that one other time for Damon. They had dated for eight months and she showed Damon the concept of true love and giving your all to another person. Damon had opened up to her and did a lot of new things with Katrina. But Katrina didn’t want to slow down and enjoy the little things like a picnic, or watching a movie. The conflict in how they lived life became their downfall and Damon changed and became moody and clingy. Then Katrina declared Damon was holding her back. And she felt claustrophobic and unsatisfied. That was the end of the only serious relationship Damon had.previously. But now he wanted to try to find that kind of love with Kelsey.
I absolutely loved this book. I didn’t want to put it down but I did have to sleep. This was a sweet easy romantic read. I loved how Damon waited to be with Kelsey and stayed true to her while she dated Paul and didn’t tell her what a dog Paul was even though he knew. I was happy to see Kelsey and her mom talk. I loved the pace and the plot. I also loved how Cassandra was willing to help Damon wit Kelsey. I loved Kelsey and Damon together and how they interacted. I liked Alex and how protective he was of Kelsey. But I feel he should have really known Damon a lot better and then he pretty much ignored damon once Damon helped him get Marisa’. I didn't care for Marisa and the way she was with Damon after he helped Alex be a man she did want I just didn’t care for her. I loved the characters- except for Marisa and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend this book.