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New Beginnings #2
Promises
When friendship became an excuse…
Maggie Marks—a resilient woman with a painful past—only wanted one thing in life. A family. Instead, she got an abusive father and a drunk husband.
Through it all, she had her best friend. Elijah was the one person who made her feel safe.
And she couldn’t lose him.
After the dramatic ending to her marriage, Elijah followed her to New York City, keeping his promise to always be there for her.
But what if that wasn’t enough anymore?
Elijah Lugo—dedicated friend and hardworking carpenter—lived his life by his word. He never broke a promise to Maggie, even when it hurt to stand by her side as she married another man.
He’d always known how he felt. As a kid, he’d kissed her and promised never to do it again. He didn’t know how those words would shape their relationship.
If he broke that promise now, would Maggie ever forgive him?
Their friendship was a ruse; a lie designed to keep them both from getting hurt.
But maybe this time, the bliss would be worth every moment of pain.
Promises is a full-length friends to lovers romance. No explicit scenes, but lots of awww and a guaranteed HEA.
The New Beginnings series: Choices: A sweet romance. Promises: A friends to lovers romance. Dreams: A hockey romance. Confessions: A second chance romance.- GenresRomance
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2018
70 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Lynn
29 books1,492 followersMichelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids.
She loves all thing romance and cries at happy endings!
Visit her at www.michellelynnbooks.com
She loves all thing romance and cries at happy endings!
Visit her at www.michellelynnbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 1, 2016
"Men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way...."
-Harry, from When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Promises is the superior follow up to Choices, and it introduces characters from the earlier book seamlessly intertwining with the new ones.
And what characters they are. We are introduced to Maggie (Mags) Marks, and her beau Elijah. He's not supposed to be - in a clever bit of storytelling, author Michelle Lynn displays her command of the story by taking us into different times of the principal characters' lives.
In an early telling scene, Mags agrees to a kiss from Elijah, but it is intended to be a one-time kiss only, because they are friends, great friends, and she doesn't want that ruined. Elijah held a candle for Mags even when they were young, and in later scenes where the couple are older, and yes....tarnished, bruised and battered by life and the general life choices they made, the friendship still holds, even though Elijah's promise not to do any more than what was expected of him (essentially a boyfriend without the perks of being her boyfriend) jarred at him a lot.
It's a difficult balance for an author to get right, and yet Michelle Lynn achieved it because I could feel Elijah's frustration with Maggie....he even stays true to her even through her marriage to Jake. Often a friendship, especially between a man and a woman is tested because she may well just want him as a friend, and for him, he will often want something more. It's just the way people are engineered.
Another layer to the story is Mags' inability to conceive. Now this is where the story really starts to hit home with some powerful messages.
Can a couple stay together if one wants a baby but one cannot be provided?
Is their love based on two people, or three?
Can friends who were asked to keep a promise, do that forever? Is it realistic or even fair to expect them to do so?
Promises has a number of layers that are enjoyable to read. Mags letter from her father is teasingly played out (we don't get the contents of the letter in one go and the story is all the better for it).
Newcomer Kimberly is a darling little girl who might just provide some happiness for Mags. She instantly takes to Jah, as she so names Elijah, in a sort of playful rebuttal to him calling her Kimmy.
Promises works on almost every level for me. The only slight let down is the character of Chris, who I really liked in book one but was not so strong in this one. Maybe that's okay, as Promises is driven by the very strong characterisation employed in Mags and Elijah. Michaela makes a welcome return from Choices, but the stand out reason for reading this book is to see how the adult Elijah can keep the promise made by his younger self to Mags.
Read it and enjoy it, it is shaping up to be a great series.
-Harry, from When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Promises is the superior follow up to Choices, and it introduces characters from the earlier book seamlessly intertwining with the new ones.
And what characters they are. We are introduced to Maggie (Mags) Marks, and her beau Elijah. He's not supposed to be - in a clever bit of storytelling, author Michelle Lynn displays her command of the story by taking us into different times of the principal characters' lives.
In an early telling scene, Mags agrees to a kiss from Elijah, but it is intended to be a one-time kiss only, because they are friends, great friends, and she doesn't want that ruined. Elijah held a candle for Mags even when they were young, and in later scenes where the couple are older, and yes....tarnished, bruised and battered by life and the general life choices they made, the friendship still holds, even though Elijah's promise not to do any more than what was expected of him (essentially a boyfriend without the perks of being her boyfriend) jarred at him a lot.
It's a difficult balance for an author to get right, and yet Michelle Lynn achieved it because I could feel Elijah's frustration with Maggie....he even stays true to her even through her marriage to Jake. Often a friendship, especially between a man and a woman is tested because she may well just want him as a friend, and for him, he will often want something more. It's just the way people are engineered.
Another layer to the story is Mags' inability to conceive. Now this is where the story really starts to hit home with some powerful messages.
Can a couple stay together if one wants a baby but one cannot be provided?
Is their love based on two people, or three?
Can friends who were asked to keep a promise, do that forever? Is it realistic or even fair to expect them to do so?
Promises has a number of layers that are enjoyable to read. Mags letter from her father is teasingly played out (we don't get the contents of the letter in one go and the story is all the better for it).
Newcomer Kimberly is a darling little girl who might just provide some happiness for Mags. She instantly takes to Jah, as she so names Elijah, in a sort of playful rebuttal to him calling her Kimmy.
Promises works on almost every level for me. The only slight let down is the character of Chris, who I really liked in book one but was not so strong in this one. Maybe that's okay, as Promises is driven by the very strong characterisation employed in Mags and Elijah. Michaela makes a welcome return from Choices, but the stand out reason for reading this book is to see how the adult Elijah can keep the promise made by his younger self to Mags.
Read it and enjoy it, it is shaping up to be a great series.
February 19, 2016
While reading Choices (book 1), I couldn't help wondering about the secondary characters, Maggie and Elijah. Were they together or were they just friends? It was hard to tell as they were always together but never affectionate.
In promises, we find out exactly what they are: soulmates who have always been too scared to take the leap into relationship territory.
It's clear elijah's been in love with maggie forever, but she hasn't ever let herself contemplate him because she's too scared she'll lose him and nothing is worth that, even if it means sacrificing her happiness.
It's a touching, clean romance that's enjoyable and has all the same fun characters from book 1. I want to read everyone's stories from this series so I can't wait for the next instalment.
In promises, we find out exactly what they are: soulmates who have always been too scared to take the leap into relationship territory.
It's clear elijah's been in love with maggie forever, but she hasn't ever let herself contemplate him because she's too scared she'll lose him and nothing is worth that, even if it means sacrificing her happiness.
It's a touching, clean romance that's enjoyable and has all the same fun characters from book 1. I want to read everyone's stories from this series so I can't wait for the next instalment.
February 29, 2016
In "Choices", Michelle Lynn proved that she was a multifaceted author, writing a contemporary romance after completing a rip-roaring dystopian trilogy in her "Dawn of Rebellion" series.
"Promises" brings us two characters that we met in "Choices", Maggie and Elijah. To put it mildly, Maggie is messed up. Daughter to an alcoholic father and ex-wife to an alcoholic husband, and victim of several miscarriages, Maggie is left to pick up the pieces of her life. At her side, thankfully, is Elijah, who since childhood has been the consummate "best friend" - he has been there for her through thick and thin, but apart from one fleeting kiss in their teenage years, they've never acknowledged their true feelings for each other.
Elijah is coming off a failed marriage himself, and is burying himself in his work - flipping houses. But he's found his dream project that he wants to turn into a home for himself, and hopefully for the woman he feels he was destined to be with. Thrown into the mix is a totes-adorbs little girl named Kimberly whose grandmother is terminally ill and she is about to go into the foster system ... oh, no!
Yes, I was expecting a certain ending, and I got it. If I hadn't, I'd be writing a VERY different review. (Grin.) I wanted a story that hit me in the feels, and I got that too. Well done, Ms. Lynn.
"Promises" brings us two characters that we met in "Choices", Maggie and Elijah. To put it mildly, Maggie is messed up. Daughter to an alcoholic father and ex-wife to an alcoholic husband, and victim of several miscarriages, Maggie is left to pick up the pieces of her life. At her side, thankfully, is Elijah, who since childhood has been the consummate "best friend" - he has been there for her through thick and thin, but apart from one fleeting kiss in their teenage years, they've never acknowledged their true feelings for each other.
Elijah is coming off a failed marriage himself, and is burying himself in his work - flipping houses. But he's found his dream project that he wants to turn into a home for himself, and hopefully for the woman he feels he was destined to be with. Thrown into the mix is a totes-adorbs little girl named Kimberly whose grandmother is terminally ill and she is about to go into the foster system ... oh, no!
Yes, I was expecting a certain ending, and I got it. If I hadn't, I'd be writing a VERY different review. (Grin.) I wanted a story that hit me in the feels, and I got that too. Well done, Ms. Lynn.
February 24, 2016
Michelle Lynn pulled me into her world of romance with her first book, Choices. I fell in love with her secondary characters, Maggie and Elijah, and I was thrilled when asked to read an ARC of their story.
Maggie and Elijah have been friends since they were kids. Next door neighbors, they've shared a lot. Even their first kiss. But Maggie's childhood left a lot to be desired. This has left her emotionally scarred and too terrified to take a chance on love with Elijah. Scared it will result in her losing the only true friend she's ever had.
I love Lynn's writing. It is clean and crisp and heart wrenching. You can feel the love between these two characters literally leaping from the pages. Her characters are real and likeable, not something easy to achieve. But Lynn pulls it off amazingly well.
I highly recommend this emotional rollercoaster ride. 5 out of 5 shiny stars! Can't wait to read more in this series.
Maggie and Elijah have been friends since they were kids. Next door neighbors, they've shared a lot. Even their first kiss. But Maggie's childhood left a lot to be desired. This has left her emotionally scarred and too terrified to take a chance on love with Elijah. Scared it will result in her losing the only true friend she's ever had.
I love Lynn's writing. It is clean and crisp and heart wrenching. You can feel the love between these two characters literally leaping from the pages. Her characters are real and likeable, not something easy to achieve. But Lynn pulls it off amazingly well.
I highly recommend this emotional rollercoaster ride. 5 out of 5 shiny stars! Can't wait to read more in this series.
February 19, 2016
Author Michelle Lynn delivers another emotional win with Promises. Much like the first in the New Beginnings Series, the flawless writing style pulls you in from the beginning, refusing to let go until the very last word is read.
Following Maggie and Elijah's heartbreaking story, we stumble upon a wonderful journey of adversity. Sometimes fear determines our actions and that's exactly what Maggie is doing. She refuses to see what’s staring right in the face at her.
I absolutely loved Choices, but Promises is equally good if not better. I definitely recommend the New Beginning series. All lovers of true romance will devour this series. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment.
Kimberly Readnour Author of The Mystical Encounters Series.
Following Maggie and Elijah's heartbreaking story, we stumble upon a wonderful journey of adversity. Sometimes fear determines our actions and that's exactly what Maggie is doing. She refuses to see what’s staring right in the face at her.
I absolutely loved Choices, but Promises is equally good if not better. I definitely recommend the New Beginning series. All lovers of true romance will devour this series. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment.
Kimberly Readnour Author of The Mystical Encounters Series.
May 9, 2016
Another great read by Michelle Lynn, Promises is the second novel in the New Beginnings Series. A story of love, family, and friendship, we learn how a childhood promise between Maggie and Elijah follows them into adulthood and offers a glimpse of what their future can be like – together. Complete with old hurts, pains, and struggles, Promises shows how Maggie and Elijah must move past their own fears and trust in each other in order to find the love and happiness they both desire. A heartwarming and sweet story of best friends desiring something stronger, Promises delivers! Highly recommended and looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 21, 2020
Heartbreaking and heartwarming
Such heartbreaking story of an abused child who grew up loved by other people instead of her own parent. Omg i cried a lot while reading this, her early marriage to escape the abuse only to go through it again with her husband. In the end she found true love with her best friend and was able to forgive and provide a good home to a 6 year old orphan. The ending is heartwarming and a HEA! Thank goodness or else i will be upset crying that much lol
Such heartbreaking story of an abused child who grew up loved by other people instead of her own parent. Omg i cried a lot while reading this, her early marriage to escape the abuse only to go through it again with her husband. In the end she found true love with her best friend and was able to forgive and provide a good home to a 6 year old orphan. The ending is heartwarming and a HEA! Thank goodness or else i will be upset crying that much lol
February 7, 2019
Another sweet romance. From a new favorite contemporary author.
Well written, sweet, clean romances are a treasure.
Well written, sweet, clean romances are a treasure.
January 22, 2020
I really liked Elijah but Maggie really started to get on my nerves after a while. I get why she was hurt with her past and all but I just think she could have handled it all better. It was still a good book and I was glad to hear more from Jason & Michaela and Josh. I'm hoping Josh's book is better.
February 1, 2021
This is a great read with well developed characters. The dialog is engaging and the characters are strong. I loved learning little bits and pieces about them as we went along. This book hit all the emotional marks for me, have a tissue ready as there may be a couple tears.
March 16, 2022
audible:I loved it! The relationships in this book were well written.Lynn Devereux was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 4, 2025
This is a very emotional book. With past drama that scars you, it’s tough to move on and forgive. For peace of mind that’s the only way forward. A heartfelt performance.
March 15, 2017
I loved this book from the start, I don't know how she does it but she gets me crying with every book that she writes! Michelle has a way with words that you know she has put her heart into it and thought it through making it perfect.
I liked the way she brought in characters from the previous book in this series so you get to see how they have grown, Jason is one of the main characters and related to Maggie so you get to see a different side to him from last time, you also see Michaela and Chris so from the start it like reading about your best friends and coming home to them.
In this book you meet some new characters to add to the depth, they are Elijah and Maggie. Elijah has loved Maggie for years and has spent his life worshipping her from arms length but looking after her and protecting her just not getting to sleep with her at the end of the day, he has been married as has Maggie neither worked out, all through he has been her one rock that she could trust and rely on with no doubt in her mind, she couldn't ask for more or she would lose him.
I couldn't put this book down because there was so much going on I had to keep going, I wanted to unwind it all, I hadn't even noticed how long I had been reading, I thought it was maybe mid morning no it was actually late afternoon and I had lost a day! There are a few different threads going through this book which Michelle has intertwined so carefully it is seamless. Reading it you feel as if you know them all and it's not like reading a book it is more like sitting in on a friends conversation, then taking a step back in time is like reliving your memories.
The way Michelle goes back in time to give you an insight to what had happened really adds to the storyline because it helps you to understand how things happened and why like you are reading a diary.
It is a beautiful story and yet again a real love story and romance, you watch these people grow in front of your eyes just hoping that Maggie can trust herself enough to let people in and give them a chance, not everyone leaves when you love them back.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a love story with the emotion written on every page. It can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the whole series, I am going to start on book 3 now and I know it will be as good as the last 2 or better as I think Michelle excelled herself with this book, she is she is such a talented writer I love books so much, and even though I got it on KU I will be getting it to add to my collection that way I get to read them all one after the other again and again, it is a story no matter how many times you read it you will enjoy it and still cry in the places you cried before!
I liked the way she brought in characters from the previous book in this series so you get to see how they have grown, Jason is one of the main characters and related to Maggie so you get to see a different side to him from last time, you also see Michaela and Chris so from the start it like reading about your best friends and coming home to them.
In this book you meet some new characters to add to the depth, they are Elijah and Maggie. Elijah has loved Maggie for years and has spent his life worshipping her from arms length but looking after her and protecting her just not getting to sleep with her at the end of the day, he has been married as has Maggie neither worked out, all through he has been her one rock that she could trust and rely on with no doubt in her mind, she couldn't ask for more or she would lose him.
I couldn't put this book down because there was so much going on I had to keep going, I wanted to unwind it all, I hadn't even noticed how long I had been reading, I thought it was maybe mid morning no it was actually late afternoon and I had lost a day! There are a few different threads going through this book which Michelle has intertwined so carefully it is seamless. Reading it you feel as if you know them all and it's not like reading a book it is more like sitting in on a friends conversation, then taking a step back in time is like reliving your memories.
The way Michelle goes back in time to give you an insight to what had happened really adds to the storyline because it helps you to understand how things happened and why like you are reading a diary.
It is a beautiful story and yet again a real love story and romance, you watch these people grow in front of your eyes just hoping that Maggie can trust herself enough to let people in and give them a chance, not everyone leaves when you love them back.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a love story with the emotion written on every page. It can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the whole series, I am going to start on book 3 now and I know it will be as good as the last 2 or better as I think Michelle excelled herself with this book, she is she is such a talented writer I love books so much, and even though I got it on KU I will be getting it to add to my collection that way I get to read them all one after the other again and again, it is a story no matter how many times you read it you will enjoy it and still cry in the places you cried before!
April 5, 2018
In 'Promises,' by Michelle Lynn, main character Maggie struggles to find her footing after a troubled childhood and difficult marriage. Her past continually comes back to haunt her, from her father to her ex-husband, who also happened to be one of her childhood best friends. The only thing that remains steady in her life is her relationship with her other best friend, Elijah. His promise to always be there for her no matter the circumstance has never weighed on her, but she is finding herself questioning if their relationship is as it should be, or if it should maybe be something more.
Despite the predictability of much of the storyline, it does not struggle to keep readers' attention. The best sections of the novel revolve around Maggie and Elijah's relationship, as well as Maggie's journey to come to terms with her past and the father she felt the need to escape from, and to keep her cousin Jason safe from, too.
The secondary characters in the story - namely Michaela, Jason, Chris, and Josh - helped add some levity to the story, but Maggie's own sense of sarcasm didn't hurt in that area either. Elijah's desire to care for her and be there for her is abundantly clear, and his decision to give her time to figure out her life is a kind decision on his part, especially due to the fact that she is struggling to come to terms with her past. However, sometimes the relationships among the characters were not quite as clear as they could have been. They were obviously all friends, but Josh especially didn't stand out in terms of his connection to the rest of the group. However, for those who have read 'Choices,' his relationship will make more sense.
Overall, Michelle Lynn delivers an engaging and romantic getaway in 'Promises,' in the same way she did in her first novel in this series, 'Choices'. The romantic scenes will make your insides ooh and aah, while Maggie's desire to find strength to move on with her life will at times bring tears. It is a sweet story that tugs at the heartstrings.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Despite the predictability of much of the storyline, it does not struggle to keep readers' attention. The best sections of the novel revolve around Maggie and Elijah's relationship, as well as Maggie's journey to come to terms with her past and the father she felt the need to escape from, and to keep her cousin Jason safe from, too.
The secondary characters in the story - namely Michaela, Jason, Chris, and Josh - helped add some levity to the story, but Maggie's own sense of sarcasm didn't hurt in that area either. Elijah's desire to care for her and be there for her is abundantly clear, and his decision to give her time to figure out her life is a kind decision on his part, especially due to the fact that she is struggling to come to terms with her past. However, sometimes the relationships among the characters were not quite as clear as they could have been. They were obviously all friends, but Josh especially didn't stand out in terms of his connection to the rest of the group. However, for those who have read 'Choices,' his relationship will make more sense.
Overall, Michelle Lynn delivers an engaging and romantic getaway in 'Promises,' in the same way she did in her first novel in this series, 'Choices'. The romantic scenes will make your insides ooh and aah, while Maggie's desire to find strength to move on with her life will at times bring tears. It is a sweet story that tugs at the heartstrings.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
August 18, 2016
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Awe, this was a sweet, heartwarming, feel good book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all sugar and sweet, it has its fair share of turmoil in the story. However, the overall tone, is a heartwarming one. It was a welcome break from a heavy dark book I read before this and gave my heart and my mind a break.
It’s been several months since I have read any of this authors work, Choices being my first and only other piece of work by the author, and I forget how well she writes. Her stories flow well, from the start to the finish, they provide great detail, excellent charm, and a story that flows from page to page. The story will keep you reading and won’t let you turn it away.
The characters are all intertwined to each other, one way or another, and you’ll find the same names popping up as you read the books. I enjoy reading stories like this where each book is based off a different set of couples but you still get to keep tabs on the others.
In this story, you’ll guess how it’s going to turn out, you might even have it close, but I bet you won’t guess the twists and turns the story takes, or just exactly how It ends. I had a pretty good idea how it was going to end but in the end my idea was lacking several details and was definitely missing some details that were necessary to make the story incredible.
I absolutely adored the numerous ways that Elijah would say “I promise…”. It might sound cliché but as I read each time he said it, it felt genuine and felt as if he would do everything in his power to make sure he followed through with his promise. These promises weren’t given lightly and were given with everything he had in him. They were just so perfect.
I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait to start book three. I also think it might be time to take a gander in the author’s other books – she does such a good job writing stories that make you fall in love with the characters!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Awe, this was a sweet, heartwarming, feel good book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all sugar and sweet, it has its fair share of turmoil in the story. However, the overall tone, is a heartwarming one. It was a welcome break from a heavy dark book I read before this and gave my heart and my mind a break.
It’s been several months since I have read any of this authors work, Choices being my first and only other piece of work by the author, and I forget how well she writes. Her stories flow well, from the start to the finish, they provide great detail, excellent charm, and a story that flows from page to page. The story will keep you reading and won’t let you turn it away.
The characters are all intertwined to each other, one way or another, and you’ll find the same names popping up as you read the books. I enjoy reading stories like this where each book is based off a different set of couples but you still get to keep tabs on the others.
In this story, you’ll guess how it’s going to turn out, you might even have it close, but I bet you won’t guess the twists and turns the story takes, or just exactly how It ends. I had a pretty good idea how it was going to end but in the end my idea was lacking several details and was definitely missing some details that were necessary to make the story incredible.
I absolutely adored the numerous ways that Elijah would say “I promise…”. It might sound cliché but as I read each time he said it, it felt genuine and felt as if he would do everything in his power to make sure he followed through with his promise. These promises weren’t given lightly and were given with everything he had in him. They were just so perfect.
I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait to start book three. I also think it might be time to take a gander in the author’s other books – she does such a good job writing stories that make you fall in love with the characters!
April 14, 2016
Maggie Marks grow up with an abusive farther, the only light in her life was her best friend Elijah. Maggie went on to married her and Elijah’s other best friend, Jake. Jake after a while also turned abusive but Maggie got out of that relationship a few years before the book starts.
Its starts with Maggie having her life put back together. She seems to have a great group of friends around her and she also has Elijah.
When they were kids, after one little pack, Maggie makes Elijah promise to never kiss her again because she couldn’t lose him, and he doesn’t, even though that’s all he has ever wanted to do. Elijah has always been I love with Maggie but has never tried to push for more, she doesn't even realise his feels towards her. He honestly has to be one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever read about. He has been there for Maggie whenever she has needed him.
Now in adult life, Elijah buys a house to renovate. This is what Elijah does, he flips houses but this time he wants to make a home, a home with only one person in mind…. His Maggie. He manages to get everyone together to help him and this bonds so many friendships.
Maggie is holds on to the promise they made decades before. She can’t lose him, and she holds back but with her guard slowly coming down, she starts to see the beautiful man in front of her.
‘Promises’ was a really heart felt, enjoyable book.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Its starts with Maggie having her life put back together. She seems to have a great group of friends around her and she also has Elijah.
When they were kids, after one little pack, Maggie makes Elijah promise to never kiss her again because she couldn’t lose him, and he doesn’t, even though that’s all he has ever wanted to do. Elijah has always been I love with Maggie but has never tried to push for more, she doesn't even realise his feels towards her. He honestly has to be one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever read about. He has been there for Maggie whenever she has needed him.
Now in adult life, Elijah buys a house to renovate. This is what Elijah does, he flips houses but this time he wants to make a home, a home with only one person in mind…. His Maggie. He manages to get everyone together to help him and this bonds so many friendships.
Maggie is holds on to the promise they made decades before. She can’t lose him, and she holds back but with her guard slowly coming down, she starts to see the beautiful man in front of her.
‘Promises’ was a really heart felt, enjoyable book.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
April 17, 2016
I recieved an Arc in exchange for an honest review.
I will start with saying that you can definitely read this as a standalone. I didn't even know there was a first book until I sat down to write this review. Never once while reading this book did I feel as though I was missing anything. The characters and story are written so seemlessly that you never wonder if there is more you don't know.
Maggie is damaged to say the least. She grew up with an abusive alcoholic father only to marry a man who was also an alcoholic. After suffering numerous miscarriages she turns to the only person that she could count on. Her best friend Elijah.
Having been there for Maggie through out her childhood and seen all that she has gone through, Elijah has promised to always take care of Maggie.
I loved this book from the very beginning and fell completely head over heals in love with Elijah. If you are like me and are a sucker for a friends to lovers story then this one is definitely for you! I will for sure be going back to read book 1!
I will start with saying that you can definitely read this as a standalone. I didn't even know there was a first book until I sat down to write this review. Never once while reading this book did I feel as though I was missing anything. The characters and story are written so seemlessly that you never wonder if there is more you don't know.
Maggie is damaged to say the least. She grew up with an abusive alcoholic father only to marry a man who was also an alcoholic. After suffering numerous miscarriages she turns to the only person that she could count on. Her best friend Elijah.
Having been there for Maggie through out her childhood and seen all that she has gone through, Elijah has promised to always take care of Maggie.
I loved this book from the very beginning and fell completely head over heals in love with Elijah. If you are like me and are a sucker for a friends to lovers story then this one is definitely for you! I will for sure be going back to read book 1!
April 23, 2016
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book Addicts for an honest review.
Another great read from Michelle Lynn and let me just say this can totally be read as a standalone you do not need to have read book 1 in this series Choices first.
Maggie didn't have a great life growing up with an abusive alcoholic father her one saving grace were her two best friends Jake and Elijah they were there for her no matter what especially Elijah, you can see from the start the attraction between these to but they value their friendship more than anything and as the get older both go in different directions. After the collapse of both there marriages they find their way back to each other will they take the leap and make a promise to be together and in love forever or is Maggie's past going to throw a spanner in the works.
Beautifully written and great characters I would have just liked a little more at the end but I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Another great read from Michelle Lynn and let me just say this can totally be read as a standalone you do not need to have read book 1 in this series Choices first.
Maggie didn't have a great life growing up with an abusive alcoholic father her one saving grace were her two best friends Jake and Elijah they were there for her no matter what especially Elijah, you can see from the start the attraction between these to but they value their friendship more than anything and as the get older both go in different directions. After the collapse of both there marriages they find their way back to each other will they take the leap and make a promise to be together and in love forever or is Maggie's past going to throw a spanner in the works.
Beautifully written and great characters I would have just liked a little more at the end but I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
April 18, 2016
I loved choices, book 1, and this one was no different.
I was very curious about these 2 and the author didn’t disappoint with their tale of friendship and love.
Maggie and Elijah have always been the best of friends, and even tho feelings developed between them they never acknowledged them. With her family’s, Maggie didn’t want to risk lose him too.
When both find themselves single after their marriage failed, will they finally go after who they really want risking it all?
What I love the most about this author is her ability to make you feel effortlessly..With no unrealistic plot twists, but tugging at your emotions and the connection you feel to the characters.
Another great story..can't wait for more!
I was very curious about these 2 and the author didn’t disappoint with their tale of friendship and love.
Maggie and Elijah have always been the best of friends, and even tho feelings developed between them they never acknowledged them. With her family’s, Maggie didn’t want to risk lose him too.
When both find themselves single after their marriage failed, will they finally go after who they really want risking it all?
What I love the most about this author is her ability to make you feel effortlessly..With no unrealistic plot twists, but tugging at your emotions and the connection you feel to the characters.
Another great story..can't wait for more!
February 21, 2016
This companion novel to Choices was well done. I was so lucky to receive an AR copy.
Maggie has had a hard life between an abusive father and an abusive husband. After her divorce, she struggles to pick up the pieces and who better to help her than her best friend Elijah. Elijah and Maggie have been close since childhood. He's been with her through everything and along the way developed feelings for her. But Maggie has closed herself off and refuses to see what's been in front of her this whole time.
Their story is so sweet and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance story. Can't to see what else Michelle Lynn comes up with.
Maggie has had a hard life between an abusive father and an abusive husband. After her divorce, she struggles to pick up the pieces and who better to help her than her best friend Elijah. Elijah and Maggie have been close since childhood. He's been with her through everything and along the way developed feelings for her. But Maggie has closed herself off and refuses to see what's been in front of her this whole time.
Their story is so sweet and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance story. Can't to see what else Michelle Lynn comes up with.
May 12, 2017
Wow! I just loved Promises! This is Book 2 in the New Beginnings series and is a standalone. Elijah's friendship helped Maggie through a difficult childhood and remembering his promises to her as a child was a coping mechanism for her. When her marriage fell apart, it was Elijah who helped her pick up the pieces of her life and move forward.
Wonderfully narrated, this was a great story of friendship and love. Promises was a delight to listen to and I would highly recommend it.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
Wonderfully narrated, this was a great story of friendship and love. Promises was a delight to listen to and I would highly recommend it.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.
April 22, 2016
4. 5 Crazy Ass Stars!!!
I didn't read Choices so I was a little hesitant to read this. I don't like to read series out of order even if they can be read as a standalone. I was assured that this could be read as a standalone so I dove in. It can be read as one but I don't think I'll recommend it only because now I want to know about Michaela and Jason.
This was heart-wrenching, emotional and just a down right great romance. Maggie and Elijah's story really tugged on my heartstrings.
I'm definitely going to be delving into Choices this weekend.
I didn't read Choices so I was a little hesitant to read this. I don't like to read series out of order even if they can be read as a standalone. I was assured that this could be read as a standalone so I dove in. It can be read as one but I don't think I'll recommend it only because now I want to know about Michaela and Jason.
This was heart-wrenching, emotional and just a down right great romance. Maggie and Elijah's story really tugged on my heartstrings.
I'm definitely going to be delving into Choices this weekend.
March 15, 2016
I have read several of Michelle Lynn's books. She has a very easy-to-read style. This is my favorite book that I have read from this Author. Her characters are so real you feel like you could reach out and touch them. I really felt that she built up those emotional and action-packed scenes and wrung them of everything she could - which I love.
This contemporary romance really stood out for me.
This contemporary romance really stood out for me.
March 17, 2016
This was a very touching and sweet romance. I really enjoyed this story. It is very well written and the characters are absolutely lovable. I so can not wait for the next book, I would love to read all their stories.
March 3, 2017
Promises
This was a great book. It is full of life and romance. This story shows how book r n people can be loved and fixed.. Please take time to read this great book.
This was a great book. It is full of life and romance. This story shows how book r n people can be loved and fixed.. Please take time to read this great book.
November 25, 2018
Love the friends to lovers toupe. Glad to see Jason make an appearance again and where he is in life. Just wanted more. What happens next?
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