Promise to Marry

Promises, Book 1

By: Jessica Wood

Narrated by: Carly Robins

Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

USA TODAY best seller

This isn't your cookie-cutter childhood best friend love story.

We were best friends since as early as I could remember. We grew up together. We were next door neighbors. We shared each other's deepest secrets. When I was 13, we made a pact: if we were still single by the time we were 30, we'd marry each other.

Today was my 30th birthday. I was single. I knew he was single, too.

But we were no longer best friends, and a part of me knew that he hated me.

This is book one of a three-book series. Books two and three (Promise to Keep and Promise of Forever) will be full-length novels.

This is a new adult contemporary romance recommended for ages 17+ due to mature language and adult situations.

©2015 Jessica Wood (P)2015 Jessica Wood

Great start to a series

I downloaded the first book for free and added the audio for $1.99. After the first one, I was hooked and devoured the other two books in the series. Promises to Marry series is an extremely fast read since total pages really only equal one full-length novel. That is my main complaint and the main reason I’m giving this 4 Gold Crowns.

Promise to Marry drew me in from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed following their romance from 1st grade to adulthood. This pair really had a bumpy ride to their happy ending! The first book starts in present day and goes back to their childhood, and I found it fascinating. The second book is mainly what happened to their friendship during their college days, ending back in present day. The third book picks up where the second one ends and is primarily about how they at last resolve all their issues.

Chloe is a very complex character with issues of abandonment because of her mother’s addictions. She’s basically raised by her aunt and uncle in a loving home. I had a bit of a problem understanding why she was so messed up, but it all comes down to loving your mother no matter how bad a parent they are. Also, Chloe feels a lot of guilt for what happens to them when she was in college and that is why she makes bad choices. I didn’t get a clear picture until the third book. I’m glad I kept reading because all is revealed in book 3.

Jackson’s character is complicated as well. His parents had a loveless marriage, so while he had everything money could buy, he didn’t have a close relationship with either parent. He knows his feelings for Chloe go much deeper than friendship–even as a teenager–but he pushes them down, not wanting to damage their relationship. In book 2 and 3, he definitely acts like an ass most of the time and every time Chloe tries to tell him what is going on with her, he doesn’t have the time. That contributed greatly to Chloe’s choices.

This is fairly typical of the New Adult sub-genre, lots of angst, wild behavior, and bad decisions on both characters’ sides. I really enjoyed Ms. Wood’s writing style. Even though she goes back and forth from events in the childhood, teen years and as adults, I found the books easy to follow.

I’m glad I gave this series a chance. It is a riveting read from start to finish. If you enjoy New Adult romance, then you will love this series. I highly recommend it. I’d love to read the follow-up book, but $3.99 is way too much for an 117-page story. Of course, I may not be able to resist because I’m dying to know after reading some of the reviews. Happy reading!

Not a stand alone

This book is not a stand alone, make sure you buy all books in the series. Great story, lots of twists and not your usual romance novel

awesome

this is such a good book. I cried and laughed then was left shocked and surprised. I am so ready for book 2.
The narrator was good too, she's one of my favs

Rough ending

If you are looking for a love story, this isn't it The surprise ending was a real surprise, and not a good one.

Childhood friends to Adult love

Any additional comments?

Jax and Chloe have been friends since she was 7 and he was 8. It starts as a boys have cooties kind of relationship until Jax comes to Chloe rescue after she is being bullied by Amber. They support each other through Jax's family never being around to Chloe dealing with a mother who is in and out of rehab while she stays with her aunt and uncle. They made a pact at 13 that if both were single they would marry so neither would be alone.

At 21, Chloe and Jax are no longer friends after one night destroyed their relationship. Nine years later they see each other at a wedding and the hatred Jax carries for Chloe still remains. The story ends in a major cliffhanger.

Definitely not creditworthy as it is only $5, but the story is so in and out of the past and present I wasn't very pleased with it. There are two more books that are as short as this one and really can't understand why it just wasn't one book. If you like listens that are short, have cliffhangers, and can be very confusing at moments then this book is for you. I am not sure if I will listen to the other books as I prefer longer books that don't make you wait for a HEA.

The narrator was okay. Her male voices sounded more like boys when they were supposed to be men and her female voices were good.

I Loved it!

This is another amazing book by Jessica Wood! I loved getting to listen to this story unfold. This book has everything! Drama, sadness, pain, love, humor and hot sex!

Chloe and Jackson were childhood best friends. I loved reading about their close friendship and bond that seemed to be unbreakable. They even made a pact that if either one was single when they were old, thirty, then they would marry each other.
Chloe does the unthinkable when she is 19 and causes her one true friend to hate her. Now she finds herself 30 and alone. She hates herself for what she did to Jackson all those years ago. Will coming home for a friends wedding be what Chloe needs to put her feelings out there and let Jackson know how sorry she is, or will it just be too little too late?
This book ends in one heck of a cliffhanger! It will leave you beyond speechless!!!

Friends to Lovers, Remix

In typical New Adult style, this story contains angst, wild behavior, and bad decisions but the trade off is seeing the characters' growth. My only complaint is that the story slips back and forth from childhood to teen years to adulthood. I prefer chronological story-telling.

If you enjoy New Adult romance, you will love this series. Just be ready for the angst.

Fair narrator

The narration is only fair. The story is also only fair. It is a cliffhanger, which I hate.

Holy Cow!

What a story! and that ending.... omg! I can't wait for more. that narrator is fabulous with her emotions and tone.

wow!

I have read this series already, but listening to it takes it to a whole different level. Wow!! Carly Robin's narrates perfectly!