Promise Me Tonight

Weston Family #1

by Sara Lindsey

The Weston siblings have been blessed with Shakespearean names and an affinity for impropriety. Prepare to fall in love while discovering how the Westons are won.
 
Isabella is determined to marry James...
Isabella Weston has loved James Sheffield for as long as she can remember. Her come-out ball seems the perfect chance to make him see her in a new light.
 
James is determined never to marry...
James is stunned to find the impish girl he once knew has blossomed into a sensual goddess. And if he remembers his lessons, goddesses always spell trouble for mortal men.
 
A compromise is clearly necessary.
When Izzie kisses James, her artless ardor turns to a masterful seduction that drives him mad with desire. But, no stranger to heartbreak, James is determined never to love, and thus never to lose. Can Isabella convince him that a life without love might be the biggest loss of all?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Friends To Lovers, Regency, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 2, 2010

About the author

SARA LINDSEY began writing during her senior year of college. The rest, as they say, is history... or rather, historical romance. A newly minted librarian, Sara lives in sunny Los Angeles. Having read a number of romances featuring librarians, Sara figures this profession bodes well for someday getting her own happily ever after. In the meantime, she plans to turn as many unsuspecting library patrons as possible into fellow romance addicts.

Reviews

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, especially considering this a debut novel. When I read a regency historical there are three main areas where I want it to excel: the writing, the story, and the steam. This author can write, no questions about it. She has true talent for this. And the steam was smoking hot for a regency read. Passionate, hot, appropriate and never cheesy! well done! However the story was something I felt like I read a hundred times before,(a bit predictable and not much new there), but SL made it really interesting. (In summary, the story is one where our hero doesn't believe in love/doesn't deserve love, and the heroine has been in love with the hero most of her life despite him being out of her life for many, many years.) Still, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading Olivia's story.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – Historical Romance

This is a fun, sexy debut historical romance about the Weston siblings who all have Shakespearean names due to their mother’s obsession with the bard.

Isabella Weston has been in love with her older brother Henry’s best friend James Sheffield since she was a girl. Now that she’s finally having her coming out in society, she’s determined to make James fall head over heels in love with her and marry her using any means necessary, including seduction and trickery. James is back in England after a five year absence and is shocked to find that his best friend’s impish little sister is now a stunning, sensual beauty. James knows he’s in big trouble when he finds it impossible to resist her charming, cunning wiles and dogged ways, but his painful childhood has made him cynical about love and resolved that he’ll never marry or have children, no matter how damn tempting of a goddess Isabella has become! A battle of wits and wills soon ensues between the headstrong pair, and it’s quite entertaining.

I enjoyed the amusing writing and engaging cast of secondary characters, but I found myself annoyed at times with the leads. Izzie came across as immature, spoiled, manipulative, and selfish, although she does grow up emotionally over the course of the book, and James’s severely brooding ways got a bit tiresome. Despite that, they seemed perfect for each other and definitely had sizzling sexual chemistry. Overall it’s an enjoyable debut read in a promising new series. 4 stars!

[Pepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Después de enterarme de que es la primera novela de la autora, le daría las 4, pero al final me quedaré en 3.5
La novela empieza muy bien. Un toque de humor que siempre de echa de menos ya que es muy complicado de conseguir y, más, cuando hablamos de histórica. Forzado por una heroína valiente, con mucho tesón y que hace cosas que no están bien para la época.
Cada capítulo empieza con un extracto de diversas cartas escritas por la protagonista dirigidas a diferentes personajes secundarios a lo largo de su corta vida.
No tienen desperdicio y nos ayudan a conocer un poquito la mente de ella y a reírnos uno poco-mucho.
No voy a negar que tiene ciertos detalles que resultan algo inverosímiles, pero en su conjunto me gustado. La primera parte mucho.
El problema ha surgido un poco pasada la mitad del libro. Hay un giro en la trama y el tema me ha resultado demasiado predecible y el final muy precipitado en comparación a lo que me hubiera gustado.
Algo totalmente personal.
Reitero que me ha gustado y que lamento que no se haya continuado con la publicación de la serie ya que promete mucho y te deja con unas ganas locas de conocer la historia de Olivia y James.

[Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit to skimming the last half of the book, but it didn't make a difference. Why, you ask? Because there's no plot.

Really. I'll sum up the book for you here.

Izzie: James I love you.
James: I'm incapable of love 'cause some bad stuff happened to me.

*love scene* (James runs away)

Izzie: James I love you.
James: I'm incapable of love...

*love scene* (James runs away)

Get it? 300 pages of it. Enough already. James needed to get the hell over it, and Izzie needed to get over him!

I know that historical romances rely heavily on the relationship between the H/h to move the story forward, but there needs to be some kind of plot to keep me interested. When the characters are too stubborn and/or annoying and there's nothing else going on, I won't be inclined to finish the novel.

That said, the writing was good. I liked the mother in particular, with her penchant for naming her children after Shakespearean characters. I might have really enjoyed it if there was an actual plot involved.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Lindsey is being toted as the next Julia Quinn and has some big shoes to fill. I can say with utmost certainty that she can hold her head high and wear those shoes proudly, especially if she continues to write witty and engaging books like she has done with her debut novel, Promise Me Tonight. This is the first book in a series about the seven Weston siblings who all have Shakespearean names.

Isabella Weston has loved her older brother’s best friend, James Sheffield, forever. She has dreams of James sweeping her off her feet, marrying her and starting a family. Unfortunately, James sees her as a child and not the woman she has become. But James will be in for the biggest shock of his life when he attends Isabella’s coming out ball and notices that Isabella has grown into quite the woman with an exception bosom he can’t stop admiring. He’s not sure if he can keep his hands to himself. Not that Isabella minds in the least because she wants James to put his hands all over her, as long as it leads to marriage.

What Isabella doesn’t understand is although James wants her dearly he can’t offer her marriage or give her children because he is so dead set against it. One of the reasons James feels this way is because of his deceased grandfather who hated his mother because she was Irish. When James was a young boy, he lost both his parents and was sent to live with his cold grandfather. That shaped the way James feels about marriage having heirs. Because his mother died in labor when he was a young boy, James refuses to let the woman he loves go through the same thing knowing there is a possibility that she’ll perish. Plus, having his name and legacy die with him is the perfect revenge against his cruel grandfather. So, James tortures himself by denying the passion he has for Isabella even though he thinks about her day and night.

Isabella has longed for James for so long. She is tenacious and will no longer stand to the side and allow James to refuse her. Along with her younger bookish sister, Olivia, they come up with a plan where Isabella will seduce James so he has no choice to marry her. She knows he won’t be able to stop making from making her his, especially when she comes up with a very shocking way to seduce him. If he ruins her, then she’ll finally have everything she ever wanted.

Fans of historical romance rejoice and welcome Sara Lindsey! Promise Me Tonight is an adorable and passionate tale about a young woman who comes from a huge loving family who wants nothing more than the man she has loved since she was a little girl. The heroine, Isabella, is refreshing and her reactions towards James are delightful. She does some sneaky things that may make readers roll their eyes, but because she’s written in such an incredible way, you can’t help but root for her. James’s downfall, where he succumbs to Isabella’s charms is beyond hilarious, even though his issues, due to a rough childhood, do become tedious at times. At certain times I wanted to shake James because he can’t let go of the past and he does something very stupid and dangerous because he just can’t give into his love for Isabella. But, in the end it doesn’t take away from the seductive dance both Isabella and James engage in. Their interactions are very steamy and Sara can sure write some hot love scenes.

If you are a die hard fan of passionate historical romance with witty characters and a hero and heroine who will make you smile and sigh at the same time, you must pick up Promise Me Tonight. I can say with much certainty that Sara Lindsey is one author who will make a name for herself in the next decade to come and I look forward to the other Weston siblings’ stories.

[Verity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think SL is for me. The sequel has a silly heroine. The prequel has wimpy & annoying H/H. PMT Heroine is even more bland than the sista', too clingy & WEEPY (ugh !). Some scenes lose the poignancy quota 'cuz they're told repeatedly thru' both POVs. Hard to like a book that tries too hard to be cutesy & angsty @ the same time, w/ same ol' theme, rinse, lather, repeat. Hero's motive for his "U can't save me" act is too dubious, like, wot's da big friggin' deal ? It woulda been more believable if he'd been traumatized / heartbroken over a doomed luv affair or his beloved doggie died / something else. So mommie & daddy expired, granddaddy is an asscrack, triggering his policy ("Revenge tastes bettah when there's no fruits of my loins" + "Owee...Luv hurts" = Matrimony-phobic"), boo freakin' hoo, whada wuss. Wish the aggressive heroine's held on to her pride tighter & made hero work for it sooner. V. lame conflict & I wanted to put a dirrty sock in H/H's mouths @ times. No character growth & lacks authenticity.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promise Me Tonight is the first in a series of Shakespearean name siblings who each find love. In this romantic tale, readers meet Isabella Weston, the oldest daughter of the Weston clan who is madly in love with her older brother’s best friend, the guy next door. Though this is a theme that has been used repeatedly, Sara was able to hold my interest until the very last page. I believe readers will find this funny, heart-wrenching and promising debut a delightful read.

Isabella is a persistent, beautiful and witty young woman. She has desired James for so long and now that she is all grown up she will do whatever it takes to get her man. For the first half of the book, I disliked “Izzy” because she was constantly crying and begging. Some of her tactics were deceitful and selfish. However as the story progressed, I found myself rooting for her. She slowly started to mature and come into her own. I realized her tenacious behavior was inherited. Who wouldn’t be a romantic with parents who openly loved one another and set an example of a passionate marriage? By the end of the story, my opinions of Izzy evolved.

James is a very honorable and stubborn man. After suffering from some painful incidents as a child, James closes his heart and vows never to love or marry. For most of the book, James’s theories on love were tiresome. I understood and even sympathized with him at times, but I found myself becoming bored with his excuses. It was only towards the end that the author revealed more of his past and his reasons for fighting Isabella so hard. Finally, he was able to confront his past and succumb to his desires for Isabella.

Some of the things I liked about the story were that there was a lot of seduction and sexual buildup in this book. The love scenes were hot, steamy and tasteful. Sara writes well written love scenes. I also liked the introduction to the Weston family. They were well written and developed secondary characters that added to the story. The close knit family had some of the funniest lines in the book. They loved James as a part of the family and their hilarious well intentioned schemes left a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

For true romantics and die hard fans of historical romance, I recommend Promise Me Tonight. I eagerly await the second book in this series.

[Jenny Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I really, really, did. And for the first 150 pages, I did. Couldn't put it down love. And then things changed. I blame some of myself. I hate when the heroine gets pregnant after having sex one time. I know this happens in real life, but that doesn't mean I have to like it in my books. Then the hero has this life changing experiance that makes his behavior somehow forgivable. I didnt buy it. I just felt like the book went from amazing to steadily downhill after a bit. I'm still going to give Sara Lindsey's next book a try, as she's obviously a good writer. Hopefully she got over her baby craziness in this one.

[willaful · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't really a bad book, but it is pretty derivative. The set-up is obviously an attempt at a Julia Quinn-style family series--in this case, the name gimmick is that all the siblings are named after Shakespearean characters--and there are many echoes of the first in Quinn's Bridgerton series, The Duke and I. Unfortunately, Lindsay doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of prose or themes; if you read romance, you've read all of these words and all of these scenes before. Worth reading if you love Quinn and want more of the same--and I do mean, the same.

[Ivy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had so much potential. It started off really well, with some beautiful and intense scenes and then everything started to go downhill after the hero ran off to join the navy on their wedding day. James, the H, was a bit too caught up in the past and with his hate for his grandfather. It consumed him so much that he almost allowed it to destroy his life. I don't think he deserved the heroine Isabella. She was far too selfless and loving for him.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is quite well written with a fun heroine, but I lost interesting about half way through because it felt like the story was over. Even when things picked up I couldn't sink back into it. It's certainly not bad, I rather liked a lot of the secondary characters, but I'm on the fence on if I'll pick up the next book in the series.

[Chryssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not to my liking, though so much promising from the description. I couldn't tolerate the actions of both the hero and the heroine thus rendering the book boring and painful to finish (I do not DNF, though life is short for unpleasant books!).
2 stars, just because...

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe just about EVERYTHING that happened in this book has already happened in a Julia Quinn novel--The Duke and I and The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever especially, but there is also a wink and a nod to a couple of others. As a result, the book felt unbearably stale.

[Yunita Taman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suka banget sama ceritanya. Mungkin masih banyak kekurangan dalam penulisan karena ini novel perdana dari Sara Lindsay. Juga mungkin saya overrating, tapi saya suka dengan kisah cinta yang sudah diuji waktu dan jarak (masa lalu kelam selalu jadi kelemahan saya). Walau konfliknya bikin saya sebal setengah mati sama sang lady, saya selalu suka kalau sang lord dan lady dalam satu scene selalu ada hal yang sangat...ehem...menarik.

[Isa Sulistyorini]

Review Soon! (After I get new laptop)

[Jo (My House of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of a series? Check. Love with best friend's sister trope? Check. Debut author with a good deal of buzz? Check.

One of my favorite romantic tropes is falling in love with BFF's sister/brother. I may like this type of story more than a secret baby plot. Regardless, what I loved about Isabella Weston is her confidence. Confident she loves James; confident that James loves her (especially after her coming out); confident they belong together.

The final third of the book doesn't sit well with me because Izzie has lost this spark, this drive, this confidence. Certainly, she's been through a ordeal until this point of the book -- no one blames her for her decisions or her reactions to the hand life has dealt her. I just wanted her to react differently and felt disappointed when she didn't, when she seemingly lost all her previous gumption and determination and, yes, confidence until James decides to pull his head out of the sand.

That being said, Ms. Lindsey crafts a well-rounded and strong heroine, qualities I hope I see again in June with Tempting the Marquess, which features Isabella's younger sister, Olivia.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having heard lots of buzz about Sara Lindsey being "the next Julia Quinn," of course, I was bound to check her out. Julia Quinn is among my favorite authors for good reason; she combines humor, passion, and wit to create brilliantly entertaining romances.

While it took me a couple of weeks to work through this book, it is not the book's fault! I immediately fell in love with Isabella Weston, a spunky and determined young woman. She knows what she wants, and what she really wants is James Sheffield. And who could blame her? James is dashing, handsome, and he's always been a knight in shining armor to Isabella. When she manages to surprise him one evening with a plan to snare him into marriage, James is stunned. He wants nothing to do with Isabella as a wife...or really wants a wife at all. Instead, he's content to allow his grandfather's precious estate to die with him.

As a debut novel, this one is exceptional. I suspect that Lindsey's works will only continue to improve with time.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think there is anything lovelier than a romance that grows out of a life-long friendship. Two people, one who has experienced nothing but loss and abuse, another who is nurtured in a family rich in friendship and love, grow up together for a few years and then re-discover one another as adults. The old hurtful baggage stands between them, while the determination of the heroine to win her lover drives the story. Their relationship is put in danger by old feelings, perceived betrayal (I'm not sure there is genuine betrayal but you'll have to decide that for yourself), miscommunication and such. The realization that an authentic love exists between them allows them to eventually come together. This is an endearing love story and who doesn't love a happy ending.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series by new author Sara Lindsey. I really liked the book. There were a few places where I wanted to slap some sense into Izzie and James, but on the whole is was a delightful story. Izzie has loved James for most of her life and one thing I really loved was how the character knew that her love had grown from childish love to adult love. A lot of time in plot lines like this one there isn’t any indicator that the heroine has grown past that “puppy” love she felt for the hero as a child. There was a lot of growth for both Izzie and James. I loved all of Izzie’s family and especially can’t wait for her brother Henry’s story!

[Pauline Destinugrainy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jadi Isabella sudah mencintai James sejak lama. Tapi James tidak percaya akan cinta. Akhirnya Isabella melakukan langkah terakhir untuk menjebak James dalam pernikahan. Sebenarnya James juga menyukai Isabella, dan tidak bisa melupakannya dengan mudah. Apalagi ketika James mulai "mengenal" seluk tubuh Isabella. Namun di hari pernikahannya James justru meninggalkan Isabella.

Karakter James dan Isabella sama-sama menggemaskan. Susah banget bagi mereka untuk bisa saling memahami kalau keduanya saling mencintai. Ada bagian soal keturunan Irlandia yang dianggap hina oleh bangsa Inggris, wanita Shakespeare kesukaan Lady Watson.

So far it's okay. Tapi tidak menimbulkan kesan mendalam.

[Dawn Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a hopeless romantic. If you are too you will love this book. I usually get upset when they make the females a little weak, but in this story Izzy is strong, and makes decissions that will in some sense let her keep her dignity.
Sara also talks about other possibly love reltionships here and there which keeps it interesting. this story is based in the 18th century. which makes it even more romantic. If you are looking for a good love story ..this is one of them. Can't wait for Tempting the Marques
http://dawnandwinniebookreviews.blogs...

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "falling for my brother's best friend" novel. I liked it a lot at first, but as the book went on, I realized that both characters were pretty selfish and unwilling to bend. That selfishness is why I lowered a 4-star to a 3-star.

I really enjoyed the family interactions, Isabella's wonderful parents, the sibling relationships. But both Isabella and James spent a lot of time trying to out-manipulate the other.

I did like Lindsey's voice a lot, and a lot of the book was good fun.

[Janga · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a sweet, sexy, warm, witty central love story between a hero and heroine who capture the heart and wonderful family dynamics with the Westons, Promise Me Tonight is definitely a winner. Readers who miss Julia Quinn's Bridgertons should rush to the nearest bookstore to buy this book. I loved this book!

[C JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

High praise, promising delightful, beautifully descriptive, throughly enjoyable, humorous in the right places. These are some of the things I thought while reading Promise Me Tonight. Sara Lindsey captured my interest in the story with the determined Izzie and the stubborn James in her debut Weston novel. I look forward to reading the Weston's stories.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classic man falling in love with his best friends sister plot. I do enjoy these types of stories. Izzy and James are both passionate, stubborn and loving. With that combination there is bound to be fireworks!

I will say Aunt Kate stole this book! Her scenes and one liners are fabulous! I am looking forwarding to reading the next book in the series.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the word go! I loved Isabella's fire and James' sense of duty! The dialogue is funny and full of heart. Full of wonderful secondary characters it is a book that leaves you wanting even more and with the second book in the series on the way you are bound to get it!!

[Manda Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, sexy, funny, charming read.

[J.K. Coi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both sexy and sweet, this was a beautiful debut book by up and coming author, Sara Lindsey!!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Not Stop Reading

I am wondering why I ever delayed reading this. I started and then just kept reading and reading. I had to remind myself to breathe. The romance is just heart wrenching. But there was humor too so it was not so heavy. I like that the love story spanned the growth of the characters from knowing each other in their youth and then growing in love with each other as they matured. It was not an easy journey. Aside from the sister of my best friend romance, theirs was also sort of like a second chance romance.

The hero grew up lonely in his grandfather’s estate. He carried emotional scars from the deaths of his parents and his grandfather’s treatment. The heroine has been forever in love with the hero since they practically grew up together. The day they met again on her come out sparks flew and flames ignited. But her being the little sister of the hero’s best friend plus the hero’s emotional issues kept the hero from fully committing and embracing their love. So the heroine took matters upon herself and sealed their fate. The hero left the heroine and a near death experience made him confront his feelings and he went home to win her back. It was really a rollercoaster ride but it had humorous moments. It was a joy to read how they secured their happy ending and how they grew and discovered an awareness of themselves. There were steamy scenes but nothing over the top graphic/erotic. I like the epilogue as well. I also appreciate how this book is a standalone. I did start the series with the story of the brother of the heroine. Reading this book made me want to reread the brother’s book so I can understand it in a different light.

I am also committing to finishing the entire series.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A low 3, perhaps a bit lower but, by virtue of me actually finishing it—and rather quickly— I'm rounding it up. Cute, simple, and easy to read. Nothing mind-blowing or special or anything—although it started out quite good—but it might have been if Izzie and James spent as much time actually talking to each other as they did undressing in each other's presence. This won't get a reread, but I think I am going to be reading Olivia's book in the future. I hope it doesn't lean into the melodrama and somewhat artificial conflicts and misunderstandings as much as this did.

On a final note, this has got me to realize that I maybe want to move on to books with little to no sex for now, cause I really can't handle the insta lust or the ungodly amount of times attraction has been conflated with love—especially when none of the characters have interacted in meaningful enough ways to warrant such a strong attachment. Like, just because you can't stop thinking about them or being with anyone but them doesn't mean you're in love! I felt that way about my middle school crush too, and look where that got me? Years into a perilous fight against the treacherous memories of every single embarrassing action or thought brought about in equal parts by my infatuation and utterly undeveloped, pubescent, idiot brain.