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Lost Boys #3
Forgotten Promises: A Novel
Perfect for fans of Jay Crownover and Jennifer L. Armentrout, this edgy, seductive novel from Jessica Lemmon (“Unique and gripping, this story will grab you from the very first page and refuse to let go." - #1 NYT Bestseller, Rachel Van Dyken) introduces the ultimate bad boy . . . and a love that crosses all boundaries.
Dumped. Alone. Kidnapped. Morgan Young’s dreamy twenty-first birthday is turning into a nightmare…
It’s too late for Tucker Noscalo. A brutal childhood left him with a bad reputation and a criminal record. Fresh out of jail, he has a score to settle with Baybrook’s crooked police chief—his own father. But no one will believe Tucker’s explosive accusations without proof and a good lawyer, and Morgan happens to be the daughter of the best lawyer in the county.
He needs her to convince her father of the ugly truth. But first Tucker has to convince her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get her to listen. Confronted by the story of Tucker’s dark past, Morgan feels utterly compelled to help him. As their connection grows into a fierce bond fueled by raw passion, she finds herself falling for the wrong guy—but never has the promise of love felt so right.
Dumped. Alone. Kidnapped. Morgan Young’s dreamy twenty-first birthday is turning into a nightmare…
It’s too late for Tucker Noscalo. A brutal childhood left him with a bad reputation and a criminal record. Fresh out of jail, he has a score to settle with Baybrook’s crooked police chief—his own father. But no one will believe Tucker’s explosive accusations without proof and a good lawyer, and Morgan happens to be the daughter of the best lawyer in the county.
He needs her to convince her father of the ugly truth. But first Tucker has to convince her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get her to listen. Confronted by the story of Tucker’s dark past, Morgan feels utterly compelled to help him. As their connection grows into a fierce bond fueled by raw passion, she finds herself falling for the wrong guy—but never has the promise of love felt so right.
Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2016
38 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lemmon
200 books1,914 followersJessica Lemmon is a former job-hopper who resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dogs. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing emotionally-charged stories, she spends her time drawing, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends. Her motto is Read for fun, and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
January 18, 2016
***4 "Angel" stars***
I have to admit that i wasn't imagine that this book would be so interesting!!!
Yep, everything got out of hand really quickly and the emotions were built equal fast, but the story was captivating...
I liked both characters very much and i enjoyed their unique connection!!!
This was my first reading from Jessica Lemmon but i guarantee you that it won't be the last...
Well, Morgan Young was a priviledged girl who had everything in her perfect life...
On her birthday, she discovered her boyfriend's betrayal with her BFF and her perfect little world started to tremple...
Determined to limited the hurting with booze, Morgan gets in the first convenient store in her way home and she bumped into someone that she used to know when she were at school...
Tucker Noscalo was a criminal...
He just got out of prison and he already did something that could land him for once again in there.
But he was having every right to do what he did and now, he is desperated to find a way to reveal the truth!!!
The opportunity arrives in the form of Morgan Young, the daughter of the most famous lawyer in the town... He only have to make her listen and for her to decide if she will help him!!!
Thank God, that she is chatty even though that back in school they weren't in the same circles!!!
But the things got out of control really quickly!!!
Tucker panicked and he did something that he didn't plan and didn't want at all!!!
He kidnapped Morgan and took her with him....
So, how will he manage to make her believe that he is telling the truth???
And how she supposed to believe him when he took her against her will???
The doubts are creeping inside their heads and their hearts are playing tricky games with them...
Will they manage to stay untouched by this "adventure"???
"Morgan isn't for me. Never was. I've always known that much. I guess knowing and wanting are two different beasts."
Morgan was a little bit spoiled, but i really liked her...
Back to school, she was having a crash with Tucker and that made her to find the courage to talk to him after so many years!!!
I liked her reactions when he took her... They were natural and honest!!!
And i liked that after being held and after she heard Tucker's secrets, she changed... She became a different person that started to appreciate life differently...
This adventure changed her in a good way!!!
I also liked how she stood beside Tucker, no matter what she learned about him!!!
"I should fear Tucker, but I don't. There's something about him- there has always been something about him -that draws me to him. Especially now that i know his past. His present."
As for Tucker??? I honestly couldn't understand how he snapped like that and made such rush decisions... He was seeming like a nice guy!!! And he were!!!!
He was just desperate for justice... And in his position, it was difficult to be heard!!!
So he found an unorthodox way to force somebody to listen and to help him!!!
But he was feeling so badly for his actions and he was so ashamed of his past...
I felt so sad about him!!! And for all the things that he was forced to live!!!
His hidden secrets were awful and they are making my heart bleed for Tucker!!!
Morgan's presence (His angel as he was calling her!!!) made him only good...
He opened up and he started to feel things beyond anger and sadness and hatred!!!
"I'm still the bad guy, but in her eyes, a good one. That's enough for me. I don't have to be everyone's hero.
Just hers."
As it was natural Morgan and Tucker fell for each other...
In a way, they healed each other and change their point of view...
But was that enough for those two to be together under these circumstances???
Nope, i can't tell you!!! You have to find it out by yourselves...
"I'm not sure what she's feeling now that she knows the truth: i'm twisted, fucked up. I am the man she thought I was when i tossed her into the trunk. When i Gagged and bound her.
I am a monster. A beast...
And she is the beauty.
Unfit for someone like me."
Finally, i would like to tell how much i hate people like Victor!!!
Monsters is the appropriate word for them!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
I have to admit that i wasn't imagine that this book would be so interesting!!!
Yep, everything got out of hand really quickly and the emotions were built equal fast, but the story was captivating...
I liked both characters very much and i enjoyed their unique connection!!!
This was my first reading from Jessica Lemmon but i guarantee you that it won't be the last...
Well, Morgan Young was a priviledged girl who had everything in her perfect life...
On her birthday, she discovered her boyfriend's betrayal with her BFF and her perfect little world started to tremple...
Determined to limited the hurting with booze, Morgan gets in the first convenient store in her way home and she bumped into someone that she used to know when she were at school...
Tucker Noscalo was a criminal...
He just got out of prison and he already did something that could land him for once again in there.
But he was having every right to do what he did and now, he is desperated to find a way to reveal the truth!!!
The opportunity arrives in the form of Morgan Young, the daughter of the most famous lawyer in the town... He only have to make her listen and for her to decide if she will help him!!!
Thank God, that she is chatty even though that back in school they weren't in the same circles!!!
But the things got out of control really quickly!!!
Tucker panicked and he did something that he didn't plan and didn't want at all!!!
He kidnapped Morgan and took her with him....
So, how will he manage to make her believe that he is telling the truth???
And how she supposed to believe him when he took her against her will???
The doubts are creeping inside their heads and their hearts are playing tricky games with them...
Will they manage to stay untouched by this "adventure"???
"Morgan isn't for me. Never was. I've always known that much. I guess knowing and wanting are two different beasts."
Morgan was a little bit spoiled, but i really liked her...
Back to school, she was having a crash with Tucker and that made her to find the courage to talk to him after so many years!!!
I liked her reactions when he took her... They were natural and honest!!!
And i liked that after being held and after she heard Tucker's secrets, she changed... She became a different person that started to appreciate life differently...
This adventure changed her in a good way!!!
I also liked how she stood beside Tucker, no matter what she learned about him!!!
"I should fear Tucker, but I don't. There's something about him- there has always been something about him -that draws me to him. Especially now that i know his past. His present."
As for Tucker??? I honestly couldn't understand how he snapped like that and made such rush decisions... He was seeming like a nice guy!!! And he were!!!!
He was just desperate for justice... And in his position, it was difficult to be heard!!!
So he found an unorthodox way to force somebody to listen and to help him!!!
But he was feeling so badly for his actions and he was so ashamed of his past...
I felt so sad about him!!! And for all the things that he was forced to live!!!
His hidden secrets were awful and they are making my heart bleed for Tucker!!!
Morgan's presence (His angel as he was calling her!!!) made him only good...
He opened up and he started to feel things beyond anger and sadness and hatred!!!
"I'm still the bad guy, but in her eyes, a good one. That's enough for me. I don't have to be everyone's hero.
Just hers."
As it was natural Morgan and Tucker fell for each other...
In a way, they healed each other and change their point of view...
But was that enough for those two to be together under these circumstances???
Nope, i can't tell you!!! You have to find it out by yourselves...
"I'm not sure what she's feeling now that she knows the truth: i'm twisted, fucked up. I am the man she thought I was when i tossed her into the trunk. When i Gagged and bound her.
I am a monster. A beast...
And she is the beauty.
Unfit for someone like me."
Finally, i would like to tell how much i hate people like Victor!!!
Monsters is the appropriate word for them!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
May 11, 2016
Currently (05/10/2016) 99cents
A plethora of touching emotions. Forgotten Promises is an intense, poignant and hopeful romance encased in a gritty and captivating story about the quintessential good girl and an unmistakable bad boy.
“She’s light. I’m darkness. I have no way to hide with her near.”
Morgan Young was thrilled and looking forward to celebrating her twenty first birthday with a surprise from her boyfriend. She just wasn’t prepared for it to be of the horribly unpleasant kind. But Morgan’s hellacious night isn’t over yet, and her life after it will never be the same.
Tucker Noscalo wasn’t just deprived of his freedom, he was denied safety, love and ultimately robbed of his childhood which drove him to prefer a criminal life. His time in jail has not changed his sense of justice, and the first and most important task he needs to do now that he’s out is make sure his father pays for what he’s done. Something that is easier said than done given that his father is the town’s respected chief of police.
“Everything about Tucker Noscalo intrigues and beguiles me, even if it isn’t supposed to.”
Set on his course and determined to see it through, Tucker seizes the opportunity when he runs into his high school crush and the daughter of an upstanding layer. She’s the only chance he’s got to convince her father to defend him and set things right. He needs to convince her but without much time to do so he abducts her.
As they fight the mixed feelings they’re forced to face and as Tucker reveals his story, an unexpected connection forms between them, fueled by intrigue and desire their bond grows. When they face reality, neither will come out unscathed nor ever be the same.
“I’m alone in the woods with the man who’s holding me captive. I should fear Tucker, but I don’t. There’s something about him – there has always been something about him – that draws me to him. Especially now that I know his past. His present.”
This story is heartbreakingly beautiful. I can’t recall how it got on my reading list, but I want to thank whoever made me look because it’s wonderful gem. Even though a bit predicable, it hooked me from start to finish with its addictiveness.
Tucker is an amazing anti-hero. He’s a broken and desperate man. He has physical and emotional scars that run deep. But beneath it all he has a good heart and is a protector of the weak. I hurt for him and how he was wronged. It was painful to see how he saw himself as dirty and felt ashamed and unworthy.
Morgan is perfect for Tucker. Even though she was initially held against her will, having been saved and infatuated with him in high school, she sees below the surface which allow her to not only be open to his story but also make her want to help him heal.
“I never thought of home as being a safe and comfortable and loving place, but Morgan is all of those things.”
Their long forgotten connection pushes their captor-hostage situation to a romance which they use to fight the past in order to have a future filled with love, and of course great chemistry.
“Being this close to him is like lightning striking way too near. The air is hot. Sharp. Electric. I want more.”
This was my first Jessica Lemmon book, but it certainly won’t be the last. I enjoyed her writing style, the character development and emotional storyline. Forgotten Promises is book #1.5 in her Lost Boys series. It can be read as a standalone. Told from alternating points of view with a happy ending.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1R9SEXd
Pinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/lemmony/for...
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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March 16, 2016
4 Heartbreaking Stars
An idyllic setting can hide the ugliest of lies— I know that better than anyone.
Morgan Young’s twenty first birthday isn’t turning out quite like she’d planned. After finding out her boyfriend and BFF have been sneaking around behind her back, all she wants is a bottle of wine and her bathtub.
Tucker Noscalo is on a mission. After being released from prison, his only goal is to bring down the chief of police that set him up and sent him there. Did I mention the chief is Tucker’s scumbag of a father?
Tucker’s watched Morgan from afar from the moment he first laid eyes on her at the age of fourteen and he knows her father is the best defense attorney in the area. When fate manages to put them in the same place at the same time, Tucker takes advantage of the opportunity and kidnaps her with the hopes of telling her his story and convincing her to help him.
I made her smile. A surge of pride pulses to life. It’s like winning a contest I didn’t know I’d entered.
Even though Tucker chose to go the kidnapper route, I loved these two together from the beginning. The story provides enough background info to let you know Tucker’s not a bad guy, just desperate. He’s come to Morgan’s rescue in the past so Morgan is sure there’s a reasonable explanation for Tucker’s actions. As Tucker begins to let Morgan in on his past and fears for the future, Morgan can’t help but want to help.
This was a truly heartbreaking story and what Tucker was forced to endure at the hands of someone he should’ve been able to trust is something no child should have to face. Be warned, this book features a couple of trigger issues and some might find the story difficult to get through.
That being said, I thought the writing was excellent and Jessica Lemmon did a fantastic job of creating a gut wrenching story in only 200 pages. It wasn’t a surprise when Morgan and Tucker both found themselves wanting more from the relationship, but the way it was handled is what made me believe in their story. There were no easy paths for a future together, but honestly I can’t see it playing out any differently and still remaining somewhat realistic. Life’s full of bumpy roads and this story’s certainly no different.
I know I have a piece missing, I just never dared to believe someone else— someone as beautiful and angelic as her— would fill it.
Though I don’t see a reread in my immediate future simply because of the story line, Broken Promises proved to be an enjoyable, if not emotional, story. Once in a while it’s nice to have a book remind you of just how lucky you are.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
An idyllic setting can hide the ugliest of lies— I know that better than anyone.
Morgan Young’s twenty first birthday isn’t turning out quite like she’d planned. After finding out her boyfriend and BFF have been sneaking around behind her back, all she wants is a bottle of wine and her bathtub.
Tucker Noscalo is on a mission. After being released from prison, his only goal is to bring down the chief of police that set him up and sent him there. Did I mention the chief is Tucker’s scumbag of a father?
Tucker’s watched Morgan from afar from the moment he first laid eyes on her at the age of fourteen and he knows her father is the best defense attorney in the area. When fate manages to put them in the same place at the same time, Tucker takes advantage of the opportunity and kidnaps her with the hopes of telling her his story and convincing her to help him.
I made her smile. A surge of pride pulses to life. It’s like winning a contest I didn’t know I’d entered.
Even though Tucker chose to go the kidnapper route, I loved these two together from the beginning. The story provides enough background info to let you know Tucker’s not a bad guy, just desperate. He’s come to Morgan’s rescue in the past so Morgan is sure there’s a reasonable explanation for Tucker’s actions. As Tucker begins to let Morgan in on his past and fears for the future, Morgan can’t help but want to help.
This was a truly heartbreaking story and what Tucker was forced to endure at the hands of someone he should’ve been able to trust is something no child should have to face. Be warned, this book features a couple of trigger issues and some might find the story difficult to get through.
That being said, I thought the writing was excellent and Jessica Lemmon did a fantastic job of creating a gut wrenching story in only 200 pages. It wasn’t a surprise when Morgan and Tucker both found themselves wanting more from the relationship, but the way it was handled is what made me believe in their story. There were no easy paths for a future together, but honestly I can’t see it playing out any differently and still remaining somewhat realistic. Life’s full of bumpy roads and this story’s certainly no different.
I know I have a piece missing, I just never dared to believe someone else— someone as beautiful and angelic as her— would fill it.
Though I don’t see a reread in my immediate future simply because of the story line, Broken Promises proved to be an enjoyable, if not emotional, story. Once in a while it’s nice to have a book remind you of just how lucky you are.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
my-books
June 16, 2022Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Happy Freaking Birthday
Morgan
I’m still gaping at my boyfriend from across the table at Pinky’s taco-slash-karaoke bar, and, if he doesn’t proceed very carefully, his final resting place.
Drew has an exaggerated look of remorse on his face I just know is manufactured.
“We didn’t plan to, Mo,” he tells me.
“Don’t call me that,” I manage and it’s the first words I’m capable of since he and Shayna dropped the bomb that they were doing the nasty. An accurate description, I think, mind still buzzing from either the tequila shots or the new information stinging my brain like a horde of angry bees.
“You’re disgusting.” I shoot daggers from my eyes at Shayna, who sits across the table from me and does her best kicked-puppy impression. Screwed over by my best friend. Correction: ex–best friend.
My accusation shifts her face from guilt-ridden bestie to offended bitch in such a short time frame, it’s almost laughable. “Drew has needs.”
She seriously did not just say that. I blink, stunned, and turn to face Drew, who is having a staring contest with his beer.
“I’m sorry?” I say to him, not the least bit sorry. “You have needs involving your penis in Shayna’s vagina?”
“In my mouth, actually,” she interjects, and it’s such a skanky thing to say I feel my mouth drop open. How was this my best friend? What the hell sort of circumstances led to my linking myself to the girl who one by one alienated our combined group of friends. And Drew! I glare at him.
“This breakup is about blowjobs?” I say a little too loudly.
“Several,” Shayna says with a smirk.
Every inch of me wants to tear her dark hair out by the roots. But I’ve seen enough daytime TV to know not to be the girl who yells at the other girl while the man in the room sits smugly and watches them fight over him.
The swine.
A rendition of “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood (being sung by a very drunk blonde in a very tight dress) plays from the stage behind me as I stand from my seat. Neither of my exes seems to notice the blatant appropriateness of the song, but I do. And while I don’t possess a Louisville Slugger, and Drew doesn’t have a four-wheel-drive truck, I feel inspired.
“Any reason you waited until tonight to share this with me?” I ask.
My father had offered to take me to a nice restaurant, give me my gifts there, treat me like a princess. But no. I turned him down. Told him Drew had “special plans” to take me out and surprise me.
In Drew’s defense, I am surprised.
“This was your epic plan for my birthday?” I ask.
“No.” He makes a sharp hand gesture and looks almost excited to have found some ground to stand on that’s not mired in quicksand and R.O.U.S.'s. “This was never the plan. Michaela and Jon and Bethany were planning on coming, too.”
His friends more than mine. Mine have absconded to college where they made college friends, went to college parties, and in general left those of us in Baybrook to our simple lives. Right now, I envy them.
“We were supposed to start here and finish at Milson’s summer party,” he adds.
Oh, my bad. The “big plan” for the night was a crappy karaoke bar followed by a party not thrown for me. What a jerk. I down my last tequila shot, and then, what the hell, Shayna’s tequila shot. I don’t need it, but I earned it.
“I’m going to have to get tested for skank diseases.” I curl my lip at Shayna. She sputters and crosses her arms but, wisely, says nothing. Maybe because Drew has put a hand on her arm communicating that her input would not be welcome at this juncture.
I decide, while watching him stroke her arm tenderly, that I’m not nearly drunk enough to handle my current sitch. I’ll buy a bottle of wine on the way home and drink it in the comfort of my plush bedroom. Surrounded by teddy bears from my youth under my canopy bed. Maybe I’ll even dig out my old diary and write down how much I hate the two people I loved just four and a half minutes ago.
“And where are Michaela and Jon and Bethany? Did everyone just . . . cancel?” I gesture around me, aware I’m standing and talking loudly and drawing the attention from the girl yowling on stage. She’s trying. She really is.
“I texted everyone and told them to go to Milson’s. I said we were skipping Pinky’s,” Shayna explains. “I didn’t think you’d want them here.”
“We were trying to save you the embarrassment,” Drew’s cheeks turn a ruddy shade. As if my embarrassment is the issue?
“God. You are an idiot,” I say, but the anger is starting to burn off, leaving something ugly behind. Regret. And the kind of palpable sadness that cannot be soothed by Ben & Jerry’s and a Twilight marathon. Loss pings in my ribcage when my thoughts turn to the friends who left me behind. If I had gone to law school like my father had encouraged, how different would my life be?
I can’t do this right now. I cannot have a breakdown in the middle of Pinky’s, for God’s sake. Ire is my only ally.
“We thought it was only fair to tell you before things between us went further.” Shayna’s gaze slides to one side where a pink cosmopolitan in a fancy glass rests by her manicured nails. “Well, that was the plan. We almost made it but couldn’t resist. . . .”
An evil smile twists her lips as she twines those talons around Drew’s hand.
“You had sex with her on my birthday?” I shriek, my temper hitting apocalyptic levels.
The room stills. The girl on stage stops her warbling. All that’s left is the canned background vocals on the track and someone behind me whispering “Wow.”
Through my fuzzy vision and heartbeat sloshing in my ears, I straighten my shoulders and mutter, “You two deserve each other.”
Grabbing Shayna’s drink, I dump it over Drew’s head and leave her to clean up her new bed buddy. As for me, I snatch my new Kate Spade (gift from my father), flip my freshly blown-out and highlighted hair (gift from my stepmother), and march out of Pinky’s without a single glance over my shoulder.
CHAPTER 1
Happy Freaking Birthday
Morgan
I’m still gaping at my boyfriend from across the table at Pinky’s taco-slash-karaoke bar, and, if he doesn’t proceed very carefully, his final resting place.
Drew has an exaggerated look of remorse on his face I just know is manufactured.
“We didn’t plan to, Mo,” he tells me.
“Don’t call me that,” I manage and it’s the first words I’m capable of since he and Shayna dropped the bomb that they were doing the nasty. An accurate description, I think, mind still buzzing from either the tequila shots or the new information stinging my brain like a horde of angry bees.
“You’re disgusting.” I shoot daggers from my eyes at Shayna, who sits across the table from me and does her best kicked-puppy impression. Screwed over by my best friend. Correction: ex–best friend.
My accusation shifts her face from guilt-ridden bestie to offended bitch in such a short time frame, it’s almost laughable. “Drew has needs.”
She seriously did not just say that. I blink, stunned, and turn to face Drew, who is having a staring contest with his beer.
“I’m sorry?” I say to him, not the least bit sorry. “You have needs involving your penis in Shayna’s vagina?”
“In my mouth, actually,” she interjects, and it’s such a skanky thing to say I feel my mouth drop open. How was this my best friend? What the hell sort of circumstances led to my linking myself to the girl who one by one alienated our combined group of friends. And Drew! I glare at him.
“This breakup is about blowjobs?” I say a little too loudly.
“Several,” Shayna says with a smirk.
Every inch of me wants to tear her dark hair out by the roots. But I’ve seen enough daytime TV to know not to be the girl who yells at the other girl while the man in the room sits smugly and watches them fight over him.
The swine.
A rendition of “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood (being sung by a very drunk blonde in a very tight dress) plays from the stage behind me as I stand from my seat. Neither of my exes seems to notice the blatant appropriateness of the song, but I do. And while I don’t possess a Louisville Slugger, and Drew doesn’t have a four-wheel-drive truck, I feel inspired.
“Any reason you waited until tonight to share this with me?” I ask.
My father had offered to take me to a nice restaurant, give me my gifts there, treat me like a princess. But no. I turned him down. Told him Drew had “special plans” to take me out and surprise me.
In Drew’s defense, I am surprised.
“This was your epic plan for my birthday?” I ask.
“No.” He makes a sharp hand gesture and looks almost excited to have found some ground to stand on that’s not mired in quicksand and R.O.U.S.'s. “This was never the plan. Michaela and Jon and Bethany were planning on coming, too.”
His friends more than mine. Mine have absconded to college where they made college friends, went to college parties, and in general left those of us in Baybrook to our simple lives. Right now, I envy them.
“We were supposed to start here and finish at Milson’s summer party,” he adds.
Oh, my bad. The “big plan” for the night was a crappy karaoke bar followed by a party not thrown for me. What a jerk. I down my last tequila shot, and then, what the hell, Shayna’s tequila shot. I don’t need it, but I earned it.
“I’m going to have to get tested for skank diseases.” I curl my lip at Shayna. She sputters and crosses her arms but, wisely, says nothing. Maybe because Drew has put a hand on her arm communicating that her input would not be welcome at this juncture.
I decide, while watching him stroke her arm tenderly, that I’m not nearly drunk enough to handle my current sitch. I’ll buy a bottle of wine on the way home and drink it in the comfort of my plush bedroom. Surrounded by teddy bears from my youth under my canopy bed. Maybe I’ll even dig out my old diary and write down how much I hate the two people I loved just four and a half minutes ago.
“And where are Michaela and Jon and Bethany? Did everyone just . . . cancel?” I gesture around me, aware I’m standing and talking loudly and drawing the attention from the girl yowling on stage. She’s trying. She really is.
“I texted everyone and told them to go to Milson’s. I said we were skipping Pinky’s,” Shayna explains. “I didn’t think you’d want them here.”
“We were trying to save you the embarrassment,” Drew’s cheeks turn a ruddy shade. As if my embarrassment is the issue?
“God. You are an idiot,” I say, but the anger is starting to burn off, leaving something ugly behind. Regret. And the kind of palpable sadness that cannot be soothed by Ben & Jerry’s and a Twilight marathon. Loss pings in my ribcage when my thoughts turn to the friends who left me behind. If I had gone to law school like my father had encouraged, how different would my life be?
I can’t do this right now. I cannot have a breakdown in the middle of Pinky’s, for God’s sake. Ire is my only ally.
“We thought it was only fair to tell you before things between us went further.” Shayna’s gaze slides to one side where a pink cosmopolitan in a fancy glass rests by her manicured nails. “Well, that was the plan. We almost made it but couldn’t resist. . . .”
An evil smile twists her lips as she twines those talons around Drew’s hand.
“You had sex with her on my birthday?” I shriek, my temper hitting apocalyptic levels.
The room stills. The girl on stage stops her warbling. All that’s left is the canned background vocals on the track and someone behind me whispering “Wow.”
Through my fuzzy vision and heartbeat sloshing in my ears, I straighten my shoulders and mutter, “You two deserve each other.”
Grabbing Shayna’s drink, I dump it over Drew’s head and leave her to clean up her new bed buddy. As for me, I snatch my new Kate Spade (gift from my father), flip my freshly blown-out and highlighted hair (gift from my stepmother), and march out of Pinky’s without a single glance over my shoulder.
January 14, 2016
This was an amazing! I wasn't expecting such an emotional and heartbreaking story. This was told in dual POV and learning about Tucker and everything he went through was just devastating. Forgotten Promises is fast-paced even with a lot of internal monologue and I didn't want to put it down once I started. Even with such a heart breaking story, this author still managed to make a sexy, sweet and somewhat suspenseful romance. I really loved this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
January 6, 2016
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished reading this amazing and heartbreaking story, and all I can think of is poor Tucker. What that men went through is simply put horrific and no child should ever experience such betrayal by the one person, who they love the most and look up to!
The story is exactly as described in blub. It starts with Tucker just getting out of prison, with the plan to bring down his father, the towns crooked chief of police and get some justice for what's been done to him and his brother. In the meantime, Morgan is getting her heart broken on her twenty-first birthday. To escape the pain and betrayal she walks to a market with the plan to buy a bottle of wine to drown her sorrows. Who would have thought that she'll meet, in a place and night like that, her long lost hero from school, Tucker. But what, if her hero turns out to be the bad guy?
I connected to Tucker's character the most. His story is so heartbreaking and I just wanted to give him a hug. His youth is not as normal or as pretty as you might think it is. It's filled with sexual abuse and fear for himself and his younger brother. All I can say is that his father deserved exactly what he got in the end.
Having read his POV really helped me to understand him better and I adored seeing him getting used to human touch, one that doesn't hurt or bring up unpleasant memories. And as for Morgan, I couldn't quite warm up to her character. At first she was great and I connected with her but as the story went on I found her behaviour too selfish and immature. Near the end, tho, she did come close to redeem herself in my eyes. She was really good for Tucker and I like that she helped him overcome some of his demons.
The main reason I didn't rate this book higher is that it has so much unused potential and some scene (like those with his father) could have been exploited more. I felt like the climax of the story wasn't as good as it could have been.
Overall, this is a great, short story that you shoud read. :)
Safety-gang: It's a safe read, for me.
I just finished reading this amazing and heartbreaking story, and all I can think of is poor Tucker. What that men went through is simply put horrific and no child should ever experience such betrayal by the one person, who they love the most and look up to!
The story is exactly as described in blub. It starts with Tucker just getting out of prison, with the plan to bring down his father, the towns crooked chief of police and get some justice for what's been done to him and his brother. In the meantime, Morgan is getting her heart broken on her twenty-first birthday. To escape the pain and betrayal she walks to a market with the plan to buy a bottle of wine to drown her sorrows. Who would have thought that she'll meet, in a place and night like that, her long lost hero from school, Tucker. But what, if her hero turns out to be the bad guy?
I connected to Tucker's character the most. His story is so heartbreaking and I just wanted to give him a hug. His youth is not as normal or as pretty as you might think it is. It's filled with sexual abuse and fear for himself and his younger brother. All I can say is that his father deserved exactly what he got in the end.
Having read his POV really helped me to understand him better and I adored seeing him getting used to human touch, one that doesn't hurt or bring up unpleasant memories. And as for Morgan, I couldn't quite warm up to her character. At first she was great and I connected with her but as the story went on I found her behaviour too selfish and immature. Near the end, tho, she did come close to redeem herself in my eyes. She was really good for Tucker and I like that she helped him overcome some of his demons.
The main reason I didn't rate this book higher is that it has so much unused potential and some scene (like those with his father) could have been exploited more. I felt like the climax of the story wasn't as good as it could have been.
Overall, this is a great, short story that you shoud read. :)
Safety-gang: It's a safe read, for me.
March 1, 2021
"Until just now, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt safe a day in my life."
This was brutal. This book devastated and broke me, and then made me whole again. I have no other way to describe it. And this review took me a very long time to complete.
I wish I could just say "This is a beautiful book, go and get it." but that's not enough.
"I would have loved you regardless."
Tucker is a criminal, in the sense that he's been in juvi and he's been in jail. He's broken the law. He's been violent. All of it is true. But no one ever wondered where it all came from and what were the reasons behind it, as it often happens in real life.
Morgan is the single child of a famous defense attorney. She's had a nice childhood, no money issues, and you could consider her to be shallow. I don't think she is. She's just used to a different lifestyle and to a brighter world that Tucker's.
"You weren’t mine to take. I never earned you."
Without giving anything away, Tucker's story is heartbreaking. There are monsters living among us and they're not in the closet or under the bed. Sometimes they're part of our families. And Tucker is an absolutely beautiful human being who's been through so much in life. He feels dirty, soiled, undeserving, bad, and that he has to earn someone's love, which is so freaking cruel.
Morgan's having a bad day because her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, on her birthday, and she's hurting. It's hard for her. It has her questioning her life choices and not going to college.
Again, it seems shallow, doesn't it? But don't establish a comparison between the two of them: sometimes a major disaster in your life is just another bump in the road for someone else.
We're all a product of where we've been and what we've been through.
"And that’s when it hits me. I’m home."
A chance meeting. The boy who thought he'd never be worthy of love meets someone who wants to give it to him. The girl who didn't know who she was becomes a woman who knows what she wants.
And they have a wonderful journey ahead of them.
This is a book about healing, and about giving and receiving love, in all shapes and forms. I wasn't expecting it to affect me this much, though.
I hesitated between a 4 and 5 for this one, because it's really a 4.5 for me. And that's only because I can't help but compare it to other books by Jessica. It's going to be on my mind for a while.
This was brutal. This book devastated and broke me, and then made me whole again. I have no other way to describe it. And this review took me a very long time to complete.
I wish I could just say "This is a beautiful book, go and get it." but that's not enough.
"I would have loved you regardless."
Tucker is a criminal, in the sense that he's been in juvi and he's been in jail. He's broken the law. He's been violent. All of it is true. But no one ever wondered where it all came from and what were the reasons behind it, as it often happens in real life.
Morgan is the single child of a famous defense attorney. She's had a nice childhood, no money issues, and you could consider her to be shallow. I don't think she is. She's just used to a different lifestyle and to a brighter world that Tucker's.
"You weren’t mine to take. I never earned you."
Without giving anything away, Tucker's story is heartbreaking. There are monsters living among us and they're not in the closet or under the bed. Sometimes they're part of our families. And Tucker is an absolutely beautiful human being who's been through so much in life. He feels dirty, soiled, undeserving, bad, and that he has to earn someone's love, which is so freaking cruel.
Morgan's having a bad day because her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, on her birthday, and she's hurting. It's hard for her. It has her questioning her life choices and not going to college.
Again, it seems shallow, doesn't it? But don't establish a comparison between the two of them: sometimes a major disaster in your life is just another bump in the road for someone else.
We're all a product of where we've been and what we've been through.
"And that’s when it hits me. I’m home."
A chance meeting. The boy who thought he'd never be worthy of love meets someone who wants to give it to him. The girl who didn't know who she was becomes a woman who knows what she wants.
And they have a wonderful journey ahead of them.
This is a book about healing, and about giving and receiving love, in all shapes and forms. I wasn't expecting it to affect me this much, though.
I hesitated between a 4 and 5 for this one, because it's really a 4.5 for me. And that's only because I can't help but compare it to other books by Jessica. It's going to be on my mind for a while.
January 9, 2016
It was an interesting switch to traditional in a few ways and very tactful with a sensitive subject. Tucker is desperate to protect others from an evil he is all too familiar with. He met Morgan a long time ago and now that he's back, needs her help. Desperately. Morgan has had a bad day. Really bad. Now she's stuck with Tucker and he didn't necessarily ask. The story is written well and quite emotional. Once Tucker comes out of his shell, it's definitely sexy.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2016
RATING: 3.5 Angel Hearts! :)
January 19, 2016
For more reviews, please follow my blog:
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
On the night of her twenty-first birthday, Morgan Young's perfect little life takes a turn. She discovers that her boyfriend and her best friend have been cheating on her. Morgan decides to get drunk to cover up the pain of losing her (ex) best friend and (ex) boyfriend. She goes to the first convenience store on her long walk home to get some cheap wine when she runs into someone she remembers from school.
Tucker Noscalo is fresh off of serving a eighteen month prison sentence for beating his father, who happens to be the local chief of police. No one believed him before about the kind of man his father is, and no one will believe him now without the proof that Tucker has AND a good lawyer. As luck would have it, in walks Morgan Young, the daughter of one of the best lawyers in the state. Now, all Tucker has to do is convince Morgan of the truth, and he will do whatever it takes to get her to listen to him...
My heart broke for Tucker and all that he's gone through in his life. And I understood (not that I agreed with) his actions with getting Morgan to listen to him. It was nice to see Morgan get him to really open up and trust her, something that Tucker has never been able to do. She was patient and understanding with a VERY damaged Tucker.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
On the night of her twenty-first birthday, Morgan Young's perfect little life takes a turn. She discovers that her boyfriend and her best friend have been cheating on her. Morgan decides to get drunk to cover up the pain of losing her (ex) best friend and (ex) boyfriend. She goes to the first convenience store on her long walk home to get some cheap wine when she runs into someone she remembers from school.
Tucker Noscalo is fresh off of serving a eighteen month prison sentence for beating his father, who happens to be the local chief of police. No one believed him before about the kind of man his father is, and no one will believe him now without the proof that Tucker has AND a good lawyer. As luck would have it, in walks Morgan Young, the daughter of one of the best lawyers in the state. Now, all Tucker has to do is convince Morgan of the truth, and he will do whatever it takes to get her to listen to him...
My heart broke for Tucker and all that he's gone through in his life. And I understood (not that I agreed with) his actions with getting Morgan to listen to him. It was nice to see Morgan get him to really open up and trust her, something that Tucker has never been able to do. She was patient and understanding with a VERY damaged Tucker.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
June 29, 2016
Forgotten Promises Unexpectedly intense read with an unexpected hero.The story has a storyline that's just heart breaking. Tucker is an escape artist of sorts. His escapes haven’t been from the prison cell he’d been sitting in. Nor was it from an after hours bank heist. Tucker spent his young life escaping from a nightmare that happened to be his father. So, Tucker the antihero is the only cape worthy figure of this semi dark tale. Even though he’s reluctantly wearing his cape … that heavy mantle of past sins, current nightmares, and future hope. But once confronted with his own personal devil (aka dear ole dad) any hope of the future is fading fast.
Morgan Young is the untainted ‘good girl’ that gives Tucker’s hope new life. Tucker isn’t what Morgan’s perfect life expected but Tucker is what her life needed. You see, Tucker has been her hero long before they reunite in that deserted parking lot. So, at the end of the crappiest birthday she has ever spent, Morgan never expected to get the biggest gift of her life.
Thought Forgotten Promises isn’t the traditional love story it does end with a well-deserved HEA. Tucker’s innocence takes the reader’s breath away and Morgan’s courage helps to move story forward. There are parts of this story that I prayed that the author didn't give a full description because my heart just couldn't take it. There are parts that as the reader I wished I could've scooped the hero up and protected him. This definitely was a good one.
Morgan Young is the untainted ‘good girl’ that gives Tucker’s hope new life. Tucker isn’t what Morgan’s perfect life expected but Tucker is what her life needed. You see, Tucker has been her hero long before they reunite in that deserted parking lot. So, at the end of the crappiest birthday she has ever spent, Morgan never expected to get the biggest gift of her life.
Thought Forgotten Promises isn’t the traditional love story it does end with a well-deserved HEA. Tucker’s innocence takes the reader’s breath away and Morgan’s courage helps to move story forward. There are parts of this story that I prayed that the author didn't give a full description because my heart just couldn't take it. There are parts that as the reader I wished I could've scooped the hero up and protected him. This definitely was a good one.
September 13, 2016
Well well well well well....
This is a book that has indeed surprised me.
I am trying to catch up on some past books I missed that had fallen down my Kindle and this is one of them.
I probably wouldn't have selected this one to read from Net Galley due to the cover. I always think that these guys are about sex, sex and more erotica sex. Nothing wrong in that! But its not the kind I want to personally keep reading, so I tend to vary my reading material to make each genre new again, if you know what I mean? Its like being a wine taster, they will all merge into one.
So, with fresh eyes this has definitely surprised me. I ENJOYED IT. The actually style of the writing is very good, the flow is excellent and the story is ACE
This is not one to missed [although I am late getting to the table]
Morgan has it all. Perfect upbringing all is going right with her life then.....BANG
Then we have Tucker,
This kept me reading and I read this in one sitting, is there any other way?
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Net Galley for my copy
January 21, 2016
4 emotional stars
Forgotten Promises was so much more than I expected.
The storyline was emotional, heartbreaking and very entertaining.
My interest was captured from the first page, I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know how were these two people ever going to get their HEA, I couldn't see an out for them.
Both Tucker and Morgan were likable characters, I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
While I liked Morgan my heart went out to Tucker, I really felt for him, so many times I wanted to reach into my kindle and hug him.
He truly deserved happiness, peace and love after everything he'd been through.
This book will pull at the heartstrings and the ending will leave you with a heart full of joy! I highly recommend Forgotten Promises.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Forgotten Promises was so much more than I expected.
The storyline was emotional, heartbreaking and very entertaining.
My interest was captured from the first page, I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know how were these two people ever going to get their HEA, I couldn't see an out for them.
Both Tucker and Morgan were likable characters, I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
While I liked Morgan my heart went out to Tucker, I really felt for him, so many times I wanted to reach into my kindle and hug him.
He truly deserved happiness, peace and love after everything he'd been through.
This book will pull at the heartstrings and the ending will leave you with a heart full of joy! I highly recommend Forgotten Promises.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
January 17, 2016
This story was so much! It was dark, sad and emotional, yet at the same time, it was light, full of redemption and full of love. I couldn’t get enough of it!
“I’m sorry?” I say to him, not the least bit sorry. “You have needs involving your penis in Shayna’s vagina?” “In my mouth, actually,” she interjects and it’s such a skanky thing to say I feel my mouth drop open.
This is how Morgan spends her twenty first birthday; finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best friend. However, she couldn’t have known that the night was going to get worse.
Enter Tucker. He is a bad boy, a criminal, but yet she can’t think too badly about him. They share a secret from high school and she has always been drawn to him.
“It’s obvious what drew me to him years ago, but I’m not sure what draws me to him now. What it is, it’s darker, sharper. More pronounced. More dangerous.”
Tucker needs Morgan and is willing to do almost anything in order to get her help. He has to finally reveal the truth about his brutal childhood. Morgan can’t help but feel for him.
“I can’t stand being this close to him, absorbing the pain of his past and not touching him. I love touch. Crave it. Need it. But Tucker has boundaries. Scars.”
I couldn’t not root for Tucker, even after what he did to Morgan. Hearing about his childhood was hard and he was such a tortured soul. But watching Morgan open him up was amazing. She was so strong and the perfect person for Tucker. This book dealt with some serious subject matters, but it was so well written, so emotionally charged, that I never wanted to put it down! It was an intense, steamy, and addicting read! ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars
“I’m sorry?” I say to him, not the least bit sorry. “You have needs involving your penis in Shayna’s vagina?” “In my mouth, actually,” she interjects and it’s such a skanky thing to say I feel my mouth drop open.
This is how Morgan spends her twenty first birthday; finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best friend. However, she couldn’t have known that the night was going to get worse.
Enter Tucker. He is a bad boy, a criminal, but yet she can’t think too badly about him. They share a secret from high school and she has always been drawn to him.
“It’s obvious what drew me to him years ago, but I’m not sure what draws me to him now. What it is, it’s darker, sharper. More pronounced. More dangerous.”
Tucker needs Morgan and is willing to do almost anything in order to get her help. He has to finally reveal the truth about his brutal childhood. Morgan can’t help but feel for him.
“I can’t stand being this close to him, absorbing the pain of his past and not touching him. I love touch. Crave it. Need it. But Tucker has boundaries. Scars.”
I couldn’t not root for Tucker, even after what he did to Morgan. Hearing about his childhood was hard and he was such a tortured soul. But watching Morgan open him up was amazing. She was so strong and the perfect person for Tucker. This book dealt with some serious subject matters, but it was so well written, so emotionally charged, that I never wanted to put it down! It was an intense, steamy, and addicting read! ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars
November 22, 2015
This book was provided by netgalley.
DNF @ 56%
Where to begin? Let's see. We have Morgan who is our heroine who is out celebrating her birthday, she is 21. Then we have Tucker who just got out of jail I think he is around the same age. Tucker and Morgan went to school together. Morgan's dad is a criminal defense attorney and Tucker's dad is the chief of police.
So Morgan runs into Tucker at a 7/11 and he kidnapped her because he needs her dads help. Tucker takes Morgan to a cabin in the woods to tell her his story and to convince her to help him.
SPOILERS:
Tucker tells Morgan how his dad has sexually abused him for years. How he would get sent to juvie so he could get a break from his dad touching him. He told her he would cut v's into his skin every time his dad touched him and he had scares all over his body. Tucker told her he hated to be touched by anyone, that it was physically painful for him. How his brother killed himself to get away from his dad. And through all of this I had no problem, besides the fact I wanted to kill his dad. But then not even 2 days later they are kissing and touching like she can some how cure him. I don't buy it.
I just can't! I can't believe that. I can't continue reading with out rolling my eyes saying yeah right that would happen. I was liking it up to this point. Sadly now I am done.
DNF @ 56%
Where to begin? Let's see. We have Morgan who is our heroine who is out celebrating her birthday, she is 21. Then we have Tucker who just got out of jail I think he is around the same age. Tucker and Morgan went to school together. Morgan's dad is a criminal defense attorney and Tucker's dad is the chief of police.
So Morgan runs into Tucker at a 7/11 and he kidnapped her because he needs her dads help. Tucker takes Morgan to a cabin in the woods to tell her his story and to convince her to help him.
SPOILERS:
Tucker tells Morgan how his dad has sexually abused him for years. How he would get sent to juvie so he could get a break from his dad touching him. He told her he would cut v's into his skin every time his dad touched him and he had scares all over his body. Tucker told her he hated to be touched by anyone, that it was physically painful for him. How his brother killed himself to get away from his dad. And through all of this I had no problem, besides the fact I wanted to kill his dad. But then not even 2 days later they are kissing and touching like she can some how cure him. I don't buy it.
I just can't! I can't believe that. I can't continue reading with out rolling my eyes saying yeah right that would happen. I was liking it up to this point. Sadly now I am done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
**Reviewer's note: This book deals with past sexual abuse, and interrupted sexual assault and some self harm. There are also a couple of intense scenes of kidnapping and being held against will.
From the first book I read by Jessica Lemmon I was a fan and I have enjoyed everything she's written, some I've loved beyond reason and I did love this book, but this is not a happy and fun book. Forgotten Promises is dark, a bit twisted, gut-wrenching and emotional, but it also has elements of salvation, hope and love. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book to read; it moved me deeply and while it has a happily ever after getting there was not easy or pretty and it shows another depth to author Jessica Lemmon's storytelling.
Told in first person from both the hero and heroine's point of view, this new adult story reunites high school classmates on the night she turns 21 and is dumped by her boyfriend because he is cheating on her with her now ex-best friend and the night he is released from prison and beats his father to a bloody pulp. A chance meeting leads to Tucker taking Morgan against her will not because he intends to do her any harm, but because her father can help him take down his monster of a father.
To be honest there were many moments in this book that I wasn't sure how it would play out, if a happy ending was possible or if one or both of the main characters would end up dead. To say Tucker was desperate is putting it mildly and once Morgan began to realize that and understood his reasoning for taking her the book and their relationship really took hold. Morgan grew up in a happy house and is a bit naive and somewhat spoiled, but she also proves to be caring, understanding and resourceful. Tucker's childhood was a mess and he often got into trouble and enjoyed being sent to juvie and being the son of the town's police chief made that all the more desirable to him. I liked the way these two connected, the way they shared the bits and pieces of their lives and the way that despite the fact that Tucker basically kidnapped her they felt safe and comfortable with one another. Their time together despite being short was intense and as they moved from captor/captive to friends to more; it was evident their feelings for one another not only changed but grew.
While somewhat tragic and despite the sensitive and horrible subject matter, Forgotten Promises was a beautifully written story and although it isn't a typical romance, it is one I enjoyed immensely.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
**Reviewer's note: This book deals with past sexual abuse, and interrupted sexual assault and some self harm. There are also a couple of intense scenes of kidnapping and being held against will.
From the first book I read by Jessica Lemmon I was a fan and I have enjoyed everything she's written, some I've loved beyond reason and I did love this book, but this is not a happy and fun book. Forgotten Promises is dark, a bit twisted, gut-wrenching and emotional, but it also has elements of salvation, hope and love. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book to read; it moved me deeply and while it has a happily ever after getting there was not easy or pretty and it shows another depth to author Jessica Lemmon's storytelling.
Told in first person from both the hero and heroine's point of view, this new adult story reunites high school classmates on the night she turns 21 and is dumped by her boyfriend because he is cheating on her with her now ex-best friend and the night he is released from prison and beats his father to a bloody pulp. A chance meeting leads to Tucker taking Morgan against her will not because he intends to do her any harm, but because her father can help him take down his monster of a father.
To be honest there were many moments in this book that I wasn't sure how it would play out, if a happy ending was possible or if one or both of the main characters would end up dead. To say Tucker was desperate is putting it mildly and once Morgan began to realize that and understood his reasoning for taking her the book and their relationship really took hold. Morgan grew up in a happy house and is a bit naive and somewhat spoiled, but she also proves to be caring, understanding and resourceful. Tucker's childhood was a mess and he often got into trouble and enjoyed being sent to juvie and being the son of the town's police chief made that all the more desirable to him. I liked the way these two connected, the way they shared the bits and pieces of their lives and the way that despite the fact that Tucker basically kidnapped her they felt safe and comfortable with one another. Their time together despite being short was intense and as they moved from captor/captive to friends to more; it was evident their feelings for one another not only changed but grew.
While somewhat tragic and despite the sensitive and horrible subject matter, Forgotten Promises was a beautifully written story and although it isn't a typical romance, it is one I enjoyed immensely.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
November 18, 2015
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review
^^4,5^^ intense stars from me
That was a very dark emotional story....
....but also a story with a meaning about people like Tucker and his brother, i don't want to dig into that subject not only for not spoiling but also because is a sensitive subject.
Now about the story Morgan celebrates her twenty-first birthday but she didn't expect that today her simple and in order life to turn upside down, not only by her boyfriend's news but also seeing Tucker after many years. She knows that he has a criminal reputation but she believes that something else is hidden in the past that forced his actions, moreover she didn't expect his "extreme measures" against her in order to convince her his innocence and also to help him by requesting her father's help who is one of best lawyers.
Tucker is ...a wounded broken man, he has suffered so many things from young age no one should have been through..but he survived, he is a fighter and he continues to fight until the truth comes in the light. She resist her at first but he with a little "push" he gives in.
... You are an ANGEL
Morgan from the other hand she resist in the beginning to surpass some things but after she is more calm and focus she sees through him and understand that there are more sad and cruel things in life. She suddenly (or not there was a thing in her past "school") becomes his anchor, his hope, something beautiful from the ugliness he suffered. She accepts that, she wants it and will do anything in her power to help him.
... Why are you calling me an Angel?? .....
This book had everything fast plot, intensity, suspense, romance, sadness, sweet moments...sometimes i wanted to get in the story and change some things so bad, like his past (but i know it's the story you can do anything about it..). The author handled and treated the subject very carefully and delivered a great story.
...Because you are light, pure...
February 20, 2016
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ----- I am torn between 4 and 5 stars but I think I will settle for 4, even though the book was very good and worth of 5. Tucker, the hero, reminded me of Flame (Souls Unfractured by Tillie Cole), he had to endure an abusive and violent childhood as well, he struggled with self-hate and felt not worthy enough to being loved by Morgan, the heroine. Jessica Lemmon did a wonderful job and the book had everything what I wish for a good and satisfying read - but I'm sorry to say, in comparison to Tillie Cole's book, I missed the depth, the heart-wrenching agony, the very touching of my soul. Where I really felt sad for Tucker, my heart had been deeply broken for Flame. So that's the reason for giving 4 instead of 5 stars. But back to Tucker and Morgan. The story was very sensitively written and the characters were beautifully elaborated. It was wonderful to see their relationship changing, especially Morgan's understanding of his boundaries and helping him to get out of the inner dark pit he was thrown into by the abuse of his father. There might be triggers for some readers, though the kidnapping isn't brutal and the rape and violence from his past isn't described in detail. The basics: h+H POV, present tense, due to H's past he is a virgin and the sex is slow, sweet and very sensitive at first, later on more passionate. Anti-hero H with possessive and jealous moments, very lovable h, no OW/OM, no cheating, nice epilogue with happy end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2016
I was so moved by this book. Rarely am I left feeling so complete after reading a romance book but Forgotten Promises did just that.
A desperate man. A kidnapping. A villain. A slow and reluctant friendship then romance begins and progresses to a powerful love between two people who will touch your heart and then crush it when they separate.
Ms. Lemmon develops her characters beautifully. I felt like I was there with them and I got to know them. She has written one of the most romantic love stories that I have read in a long time. This is a stand alone book with a HEA.
I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
A desperate man. A kidnapping. A villain. A slow and reluctant friendship then romance begins and progresses to a powerful love between two people who will touch your heart and then crush it when they separate.
Ms. Lemmon develops her characters beautifully. I felt like I was there with them and I got to know them. She has written one of the most romantic love stories that I have read in a long time. This is a stand alone book with a HEA.
I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
January 20, 2016
Link: http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/...
Whatever I say about Jessica Lemmon’s books will be little. Even if Forgotten Promises is the second book I read by her, I can see clear-as-day that she knows how to pull gems out of her pockets. Or more accurately out of her gorgeous imagination! I can’t describe how much I loved every single second I spent reading this amazing story.
In Forgotten Promises, Lemmon make us witnesses of not only and amazing love story, but also of a very special moment for these two characters, Tucker and Morgan. But let’s take it from the start.
Being close to him scrambles my brain. East becomes west. wrong becomes right, and the girl I thought I was is shaking her head in confusion at me.
Tucker and Morgan are two young people with completely opposite lives and lifestyles. The first is a man that has gone through more than a lot in his life and the second is a girl who has grown up in wealth and “inside-a-box”. But as the saying goes: Opposites attract each other. And, although this has been already proved with these two since they both had a bit of a crush on each other, now it’s time for it to get to the next level. HA! And what a next level is going to be!!!
Everything is set in motion when Tucker, driven by a crazy thought, acts desperately and kidnaps Morgan when he meets her again by accident. He needs help taking down the one person who’s in fault fro everything horrible in his life and Morgan is the only one that can help him. So, he decides to take her to his friend’s cabin in the woods and, under the role of the kidnapper, to tell her his story and persuade her to help him. But little did he know that this act, just started Fate’s plan for them and nothing is going to be the same again. Neither her lives, nor the individuals they were before.
So, little by little thing he uncovers about his past to her, the masks start to fall and both their real selves are shown. And what happens after that is literally magical. Adding also that special moment I was referred to previously in the mix, the story turns into something refreshing and beautiful. After that, I couldn’t get enough of Tuck and Mo. I wanted more and more! Damn, I still do. Plus, I will never be able to speak separately for each one since these two can’t be described without the reference to the other. They are one unit. I seriously doubt that this couple will ever leave my heart because they gave me something new through the expected progress of their relationship .
“Nothing feels as good as touching you”. One eyebrow raises and dips.
“Almost nothing.”
This book is definitely one that you don’t want to miss and leave unread it. I highly recommend it to everyone! And can’t wait to see what else Jessica Lemmon has up on her sleeve next because she became a drop-everything author for me!
November 8, 2015
Tucker has some issues, he's been through some things but damn if the boy ain't sexy, “that’s not it, trust me.” His voice is low and husky when he says, “I want you to touch me.” This book was heartfelt and it wasn't hard to fall in love with Tucker.
November 21, 2015
Copy received via Net Gallery in exchange for honest review.
Review closer to release date.
Review closer to release date.
January 18, 2016
Caffeinated Aspects of Forgotten Promises
Love um' or hate um' Lemmon writes characters that get the reader emotionally invested. Tucker Noscalo is one such character. At first glance, he is a rebel and criminal who turned his back on his middle class upbringing, but as Lemmon peeled back his layers, she melted my heart. He will make mistakes that will anger you, but he is redeemable and worthy so read on.
Morgan Young is celebrating her twenty-first birthday and everything that can go wrong does. I immediately felt and connected with her. She is a likable character and her interaction with her parents and their confidence in her shows what a level-headed, kind person she is.
There is a suspenseful thread as Tucker tries to settle a score with his father. It just so happens his father is Baybrook’s Chief of Police. I loved how Lemmon shed light on crimes by those in authority and how we have preconceived notions about individuals.
Tucker decides Morgan and her lawyer father might be able to help him, but he makes some disaster errors in accomplishing that. Some of those actions were hard to swallow, but Lemmon did a good job of allowing their friendship and attraction to one another develop slowly.
The romance may have started out all wrong, but I loved how it developed and Lemmon provided a realistic open ending that made me smile.
There wasn't a lot of drama. Most of the plot dealt with Tucker actions, getting the truth out, and his personal growth.
Lemmon addressed the issues with Tucker in a professional way and avoided the "love heals all" pitfall giving us a much more realistic story.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
Tucker’s childhood was dark and some of his experiences may be a trigger for readers or make them uncomfortable. While Lemmon tactfully handles it, sensitive readers should be warned that there is child abuse.
When Tucker sees Morgan his plan is to share his story with her, so that she in turn will seek her father's help. While his cause is just and his actions were not premeditated, how he goes about getting Morgan to listen pushes the line. As wrong as his first actions were, I should note that despite what occurred I liked Tucker and connected. Lemmon was able to convey just how desperate he was, and he owns his mistake.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Love um' or hate um' Lemmon writes characters that get the reader emotionally invested. Tucker Noscalo is one such character. At first glance, he is a rebel and criminal who turned his back on his middle class upbringing, but as Lemmon peeled back his layers, she melted my heart. He will make mistakes that will anger you, but he is redeemable and worthy so read on.
Morgan Young is celebrating her twenty-first birthday and everything that can go wrong does. I immediately felt and connected with her. She is a likable character and her interaction with her parents and their confidence in her shows what a level-headed, kind person she is.
There is a suspenseful thread as Tucker tries to settle a score with his father. It just so happens his father is Baybrook’s Chief of Police. I loved how Lemmon shed light on crimes by those in authority and how we have preconceived notions about individuals.
Tucker decides Morgan and her lawyer father might be able to help him, but he makes some disaster errors in accomplishing that. Some of those actions were hard to swallow, but Lemmon did a good job of allowing their friendship and attraction to one another develop slowly.
The romance may have started out all wrong, but I loved how it developed and Lemmon provided a realistic open ending that made me smile.
There wasn't a lot of drama. Most of the plot dealt with Tucker actions, getting the truth out, and his personal growth.
Lemmon addressed the issues with Tucker in a professional way and avoided the "love heals all" pitfall giving us a much more realistic story.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
Tucker’s childhood was dark and some of his experiences may be a trigger for readers or make them uncomfortable. While Lemmon tactfully handles it, sensitive readers should be warned that there is child abuse.
When Tucker sees Morgan his plan is to share his story with her, so that she in turn will seek her father's help. While his cause is just and his actions were not premeditated, how he goes about getting Morgan to listen pushes the line. As wrong as his first actions were, I should note that despite what occurred I liked Tucker and connected. Lemmon was able to convey just how desperate he was, and he owns his mistake.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
November 7, 2015
Arc kindly provided in exchange of an honest review.
This is my first book from Jessica Lemmon and I loved it!
Tucker is a broken man, and I rooted for him throughout the book. I think if we didn’t have his perspective, it would have been a different story. I fell in love with Tucker.
I mean come on who doesn’t love a tortured hero or anti-hero.?
Oh I swooned like a love sick puppy….
Tucker has a horrific childhood, and he wants to make it right, and he needs Morgan to do that…. He will do anything to get justice, and I mean anything, and the author has of way of making it okay. Like you do what you have to do man….
Morgan is a princess or an angel…..
She’s not the spoiled princess we love to hate, more like naïve to the darkness to the world. She has a huge heart. She finds out on her birthday that she no longer has a best friend or boyfriend. She thinks her night can’t get much worse, then she runs into Tucker.
I have no complaints, the writing style was wonderful.
The heat was hot.
There were a lot of surprises in the book that made me love the characters more…
Watching Tucker and Morgan grow was beautiful….
Good stuff
This is my first book from Jessica Lemmon and I loved it!
“She’s light. I’m darkness. I have no way to hide with her near.”
Tucker is a broken man, and I rooted for him throughout the book. I think if we didn’t have his perspective, it would have been a different story. I fell in love with Tucker.
I mean come on who doesn’t love a tortured hero or anti-hero.?
“I never earned you.”
Oh I swooned like a love sick puppy….
Tucker has a horrific childhood, and he wants to make it right, and he needs Morgan to do that…. He will do anything to get justice, and I mean anything, and the author has of way of making it okay. Like you do what you have to do man….
Morgan is a princess or an angel…..
She’s not the spoiled princess we love to hate, more like naïve to the darkness to the world. She has a huge heart. She finds out on her birthday that she no longer has a best friend or boyfriend. She thinks her night can’t get much worse, then she runs into Tucker.
I have no complaints, the writing style was wonderful.
The heat was hot.
There were a lot of surprises in the book that made me love the characters more…
Watching Tucker and Morgan grow was beautiful….
Good stuff
January 19, 2016
My Review:
This book was so, so good. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a criminal hero...the ultimate bad boy. The twist in this story though...Tucker's father is the chief of police in their community. Oh yeah, there's MUCH MORE to Tucker's story than what everyone sees.
There is so much deep emotion to this book. Tucker is trapped. He can't go back to jail. He just can't and then just like a sign from Heaven, Morgan is thrown into his path. Morgan, whose father is one of the best defense attorneys in the state. Morgan, who he had a huge crush on in high school. So he does the only thing he can think of in this desperate situation...he kidnaps her.
Poor Morgan. Her 21st birthday just went from really bad to rotten in a matter of minutes. She's terrified and not sure what she believes. She hasn't seen Tucker in 4 years. Although she knows he's been in prison, she still see glimpses of the boy she knew in high school who saved her...you know, when he's not terrifying and threatening her.
My love for this book...seriously, it was so good. My heart hurt for Tucker. From day one he's gotten screwed in the most epic way. He's just trying to save himself and his family and a few others...and just getting deeper and deeper into trouble. I wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all. I can't imagine how awful it would be to live through that.
But in the midst of all that craziness there are unbelievably sweet and romantic and tender moments between Tucker and Morgan that I loved and that made me believe they might have a chance...maybe. But I'm not going to spoil anything for you. You need to go explore the nooks and crannies and twists and turns of this book to see yourself. I think you'll like it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book was so, so good. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a criminal hero...the ultimate bad boy. The twist in this story though...Tucker's father is the chief of police in their community. Oh yeah, there's MUCH MORE to Tucker's story than what everyone sees.
There is so much deep emotion to this book. Tucker is trapped. He can't go back to jail. He just can't and then just like a sign from Heaven, Morgan is thrown into his path. Morgan, whose father is one of the best defense attorneys in the state. Morgan, who he had a huge crush on in high school. So he does the only thing he can think of in this desperate situation...he kidnaps her.
Poor Morgan. Her 21st birthday just went from really bad to rotten in a matter of minutes. She's terrified and not sure what she believes. She hasn't seen Tucker in 4 years. Although she knows he's been in prison, she still see glimpses of the boy she knew in high school who saved her...you know, when he's not terrifying and threatening her.
My love for this book...seriously, it was so good. My heart hurt for Tucker. From day one he's gotten screwed in the most epic way. He's just trying to save himself and his family and a few others...and just getting deeper and deeper into trouble. I wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all. I can't imagine how awful it would be to live through that.
But in the midst of all that craziness there are unbelievably sweet and romantic and tender moments between Tucker and Morgan that I loved and that made me believe they might have a chance...maybe. But I'm not going to spoil anything for you. You need to go explore the nooks and crannies and twists and turns of this book to see yourself. I think you'll like it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 29, 2015
This is a different book from Lemmon of what I become to expect from her but I loved it. In this book Lemmon pushes the boundaries of a hero that I loved, hated and wanted to rescue.
The story starts off with Tucker being released from prison and looking to finally make his dad pay for the horrible past he and his bother endured. What Tucker doesn't plan is to run in Morgan.
Morgan is having the worst birthday. She finds out her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend. After walking to get wine to get drunk to forget this day she runs into Tucker. Morgan doesn't realize that her whole life is about to change.
I loved how the story progresses from them knowing each other from high school, to becoming friends of sorts and then becoming lovers. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I was very pleased with ending.
One of the things I loved about this story was how Lemmon had Tucker and Morgan's sides. I loved knowing what both characters were thinking and feeling while all the craziness was going on.
I haven't read many books with the hero being a virgin and yup Tucker was one! I understood why and well that mainly has to do with his messed up past. Finally when he and Morgan got together I wanted scream with glee.
This story was deep and showed that with the right person standing by you people can begin to heal from whatever ghosts they may have.
I loved the ending and how it was wrapped up. I'm grateful that Lemmon didn't have them get married, engaged or have a baby. She leaves it open to where they will decide together what will be next for them.
If you love Lemmon's bad boys with an twist you will definitely enjoy Tucker. Add this to your tbr for January 2016!
March 13, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
“I slink past a few other cars parked under a dilapidated awning, and spot Mark's Dodge, Chelsea (named for an ex-girlfriend), parked outside of his garage. Similar to the real Chelsea, the car is dull and kind of dirty.”
“I've seen enough daytime TV to know not to be the girl who yells at the other girl while the man in the room sits smugly and watches them fight over him. The swine.”
“But we are not 'just kissing' and we both know it. We're exploring like wanderers lost, mapping the paths in search of the one thing we both want but neither of us will blatantly admit.”
“I want a better version of where we were. I want to see who we can be. I want you to see me for who I am without... the secrets.”
My Review:
Jessica Lemmon's Forgotten Promises is a poignant, gripping, and heart-breaking story full of intrigue, deeply held emotion, and tragic secrets. It nearly wrecked me. My eyes were oddly moist, and my throat and cold heart frequently felt strangely constricted. The story was well-written and so thoroughly descriptive - I felt I was somewhat of a voyeur as if I were right there with them. The tension was often palpable. I was generally unable to put my kindle down for long and on the rare occasions I did, I continued to ruminate over the story and felt eager to return and peel back the next layer of the onion. This is my first Jessica Lemmon read, and although this is not my typically preferred genre, I will definitely be returning for more.
“I slink past a few other cars parked under a dilapidated awning, and spot Mark's Dodge, Chelsea (named for an ex-girlfriend), parked outside of his garage. Similar to the real Chelsea, the car is dull and kind of dirty.”
“I've seen enough daytime TV to know not to be the girl who yells at the other girl while the man in the room sits smugly and watches them fight over him. The swine.”
“But we are not 'just kissing' and we both know it. We're exploring like wanderers lost, mapping the paths in search of the one thing we both want but neither of us will blatantly admit.”
“I want a better version of where we were. I want to see who we can be. I want you to see me for who I am without... the secrets.”
My Review:
Jessica Lemmon's Forgotten Promises is a poignant, gripping, and heart-breaking story full of intrigue, deeply held emotion, and tragic secrets. It nearly wrecked me. My eyes were oddly moist, and my throat and cold heart frequently felt strangely constricted. The story was well-written and so thoroughly descriptive - I felt I was somewhat of a voyeur as if I were right there with them. The tension was often palpable. I was generally unable to put my kindle down for long and on the rare occasions I did, I continued to ruminate over the story and felt eager to return and peel back the next layer of the onion. This is my first Jessica Lemmon read, and although this is not my typically preferred genre, I will definitely be returning for more.
December 22, 2015
NetGalley provided a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Morgan Young has plans for her twenty-first birthday. Little does she realize that her life is far from perfect. Her boyfriend is a disappointment to say the least.
Tucker Noscalo is a bad boy by reputation and has just been released from prison. He is on a mission to settle a score and does not need or want any distractions.
Morgan escapes her birthday party and ends up at a convenience store. Tucker is at the store as well. This is where Morgan and Tucker’s world collide and there is no turning back for either of them. Their unexpected journey is a fast paced page-turner.
This well written new adult romance is an emotional and touching story. The author provides great insight into each character via Morgan and Tucker’s individual points of view. The subject matter is raw and reveals Tucker’s painful and dark history. Forgotten Promises is character driven and does not disappoint.
Morgan Young has plans for her twenty-first birthday. Little does she realize that her life is far from perfect. Her boyfriend is a disappointment to say the least.
Tucker Noscalo is a bad boy by reputation and has just been released from prison. He is on a mission to settle a score and does not need or want any distractions.
Morgan escapes her birthday party and ends up at a convenience store. Tucker is at the store as well. This is where Morgan and Tucker’s world collide and there is no turning back for either of them. Their unexpected journey is a fast paced page-turner.
This well written new adult romance is an emotional and touching story. The author provides great insight into each character via Morgan and Tucker’s individual points of view. The subject matter is raw and reveals Tucker’s painful and dark history. Forgotten Promises is character driven and does not disappoint.
December 19, 2015
Wow! This was an intense read and I could not put it down once I finally got into it. At first I was like this is just not my book and then it picked up after chapter 2 and there was no stopping! This is a very intense story and deals with some very dark issues. Abuse to a child is a horrible thing and I can't even imaging the horror and lasting scars it leaves. Travis has a great deal of mental and physical scars and he wants to put an end to it ever happening to others. He is a dark hero, but his intentions and heart are so beautiful. I didn't like Morgan at first I thought her spoiled and dramatic, but she pulled herself up from that and became the catalyst to help Travis to start healing!
The last 25% of the book is nonstop and had me holding my breath! It is a great emotional evoking read! This is the first book I have read from this author and I am excited to see what other offerings she has!
Great great read! I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review.
The last 25% of the book is nonstop and had me holding my breath! It is a great emotional evoking read! This is the first book I have read from this author and I am excited to see what other offerings she has!
Great great read! I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review.
January 19, 2016
What a heartbreakingly beautiful book.
There are so many things I could say about this book but I'm afraid if I do I'll ruin it for you. Just know that Tucker and Morgan have a past that likely saved her from being sexually assaulted. Now, after years of bad behavior and loss unimaginable the run into each other again. This time it may be her that saves him.
Read it, you will see what I'm talking about.
This story has hard moments to read but it is a beautiful story of love and healing.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many things I could say about this book but I'm afraid if I do I'll ruin it for you. Just know that Tucker and Morgan have a past that likely saved her from being sexually assaulted. Now, after years of bad behavior and loss unimaginable the run into each other again. This time it may be her that saves him.
Read it, you will see what I'm talking about.
This story has hard moments to read but it is a beautiful story of love and healing.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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