Promise Me This

Wilder Family, Book 3

De: Karla Sorensen

Narrado por: CJ Bloom, JF Harding

Imagine this: an author with a raging case of writers block finds an unexpected source of inspiration in her grumpy, gorgeous new roommate. Sounds amazing, right? Except that new roommate is my childhood best friend. And Ian Wilder has been off-limits since I was five.

It's been over a decade since I've seen him, but when I return to my hometown after years away, Ian's exactly the man I remembered. The same guy who gave me his coat on a playground when we were kids and promised he'd take care of me forever. I need a quiet place to work with this deadline looming. I need a place where my daughter can unwind. Enter Ian with an offer I can't refuse: his spare bedroom.

It's an easy yes. Except now, the problem is I can't stop thinking about him, and these thoughts? They're wandering out of the friend zone. I keep imagining very creative ways to rip off his clothes. And Ian starts giving me looks of his own, the kind that make my heart race.

One night, we cross a line we can't uncross. The lines have blurred, and our friendship is hanging by a thread.

Imagine this: a woman falling for her best friend. And she has no idea if he feels the same.

©2024 Karla Sorensen (P)2024 Karla Sorensen

The Sequel

It draws you in because the first book was great as well! Now the sequel is great!

Poignant and emotional

Showcases love in all forms: that if a patent to child, a child to parent, siblings, best friends and romantic love. It holds laughter and joy, as well as grief and loss. Truly what life is like in family who lives and loves and grieves and celebrates as one. Beautiful book. Phenomenal series.

Life-long friends turned lovers

I enjoyed this friends to lovers story. Harlow and Ian were best friends from a very young age all the way through high school, then lost touch for many years. After they run into each other again it’s almost as if no time has passed. They both feel an attraction, but Ian is afraid to cross the line and risk losing his best friend. But who better to fall for than the one who has been “your person” for basically your entire life? Ian is a great guy with a bit of a stoic exterior, but Harlow is the one he lets through that. The way he bonded with and looked out for her daughter was really touching. I loved the HEA for all of them. Excellent narration in this one, too. CJ Bloom does a great kid voice and I can always count on JF Harding to give a swoon-worthy performance.

I had to wait until chapter 30 for any spicy action! WTF!

really good story. but so many words! the longest, slowest burn! as with all the books in this series, totally worth it. that being said, it's a trial. an exercise in patience with lots of frustration!

Very Nice Story

I enjoyed this story. I got lost in the minutiae sometimes. So many minute details I didn't need and didn't seems to move the story along. But, hey, I couldn't have written the story, so kudos! Overall a sweet and finally HEA.

Ian & Harlow❤️

I am in love with Ian and Harlow. Nothing like seeing the granite like exterior of Ian crumble for Harlow (and Sage)

Still dealing with grief, Ian Reunites with Besty

Ian and Harlow find themselves in a world of their own as a close friendship develops quickly and they support each other through childhood. Best friends grow up though and find each other again after a separation of years. No longer kids or teens, they are still each other’s person but there is the added element of sexual attraction and an awareness of their comfort in each others presence. They recognize they bring peace and comfort to each other but struggle with the fear that they might harm their friendship if they follow through with their desire. Ian is a protector since age 5 and Harlow is sensitive to both his and his daughters needs and emotions. Neither are overly communicative or outgoing so lots of buildup and brooding and angst but a sweet ending. Good narration. Worth the credit though I would have enjoyed more scenes with Ian and his brother and sisters.

All the stars!

All the freaking stars for Ian Wilder! I couldn't wait to get this grumpy man's story!

Harlow and Ian's story is the most epic slow burn EVER!!! I couldn't believe how long it took these besties to realize they were already in love with one another! Ms. Sorensen does such an amazing job with the relationships in her stories. The family element comes through again and again. Ian was always Harlow's family from a young age. The fact that they hadn't seen each other in 17 years was crazy! From the second they laid eyes on each other, they were never leaving each other again.

Ian is such a good guy under that grumbly exterior. He has just lost his dad which makes him more lost that he normally is. When Harlow comes back to town, he feels a little more grounded, but is so scared of messing up and losing another important person in his life. Harlow is a breath of fresh air to everyone. She says what she means and doesn't take stuff from anyone. She is an epic role model for her daughter, who is amazing.

I loved watching Ian and Harlow find their way to the relationship that was always there, they just needed to take a chance on themselves. I love this family and the bonds they share. Another great story in this series.

The narrators really bring these characters to live and I didn't want to stop listening. The emotions they convey is such a welcome addition to the story.

Best Friends to Lovers - Well Written

JF Harding is really good as Ian Wilder.

I really enjoyed this new book in the Wilder Family series.

Ian Wilder and Harlow Keaton have been friends for 30 years - since they were in kindergarten. By the time they were graduating from high school, Harlow knew that if she didn't leave Sisters, Oregon and make her own way in the world, Ian would never leave either. They stayed in touch for a few years, but eventually fell out of touch until it had been 13 years since they'd talked.

When Harlow moves home, with her 10 year old daughter Sage, she's suffering from writer's block and struggling to meet the demands from her publisher. She doesn't feel very comfortable in her parent's house as her mother has always been judgmental about her choice to make writing a career. When Ian's sister Poppy sees Harlow at the cafe, she immediately decides to deliver her to Ian's house - Harlow wasn't aware that Ian was also back in town after living in London for a few years.

There's a ton to love about their love story. They are such good friends and Harlow knows that she feels the change in their relationship, but Ian is paralyzed by fear of what might go wrong if he admits that his feelings for her go far deeper than friendship. After so many years apart, he knows he can't stand the thought of ever not seeing her every day again.

The slow burn in this book is probably the slowest of the slow burns I've ever read. But when you get there - If I'd been reading a "real" book rather than the Kindle version, I'd have expected the pages to ignite with every turn.

Karla Sorensen has made me a fan for life.

Sweet Scale: 5/5
Spicy Scale: 3.5/5

Worst book of the series

I found myself skipping forward a lot. It just dragged on and on!! Talked about feeling way too much.