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jadetyler's review
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
shannanh's review
4.0
India Robidoux has tried to stay away from her bourgeois family, until she is forced to come home. While home, she runs into the one man she has tried to avoid for years, Travis Strickland, the man she loved and who also happens to be her sister's ex husband. Although they both try to hide it, their attraction to each other continues to grow to the point there is no turning back. And once the smoke clears, will the couple be left standing?
I enjoyed the flow of the story, as well as the characters. It read like I was watching a soap opera with a lot of family drama. I definitely will be reading the future books in this series. I am excited to see what happens next
I enjoyed the flow of the story, as well as the characters. It read like I was watching a soap opera with a lot of family drama. I definitely will be reading the future books in this series. I am excited to see what happens next
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was just ok for me. I thought the premise was intriguing which is why I picked it up. I like a good second chance romance and was open to the forbidden love aspects as well. The romance was far more of a slow burn than I expected going in to it. And I did see the level of family disfunction coming at all from the synopsis. There were several relationships which I would characterize as toxic in this family which in and of itself isn’t a problem but I didn’t feel like the author properly addressed some of the issues that came up nor do I feel like the characters grew or were headed in a healing direction by the end of the book. I found the MCs engaging enough though I thought their plot was the most repetitive. The will they won’t they aspect of their love story carried on so long that it got tiresome to me and I stopped caring at all either way. Anytime they changed their minds about moving forward or about not doing so it was for the exact same reason. The lack of progression in their thinking took away from the intrigue of their dilemma. I think this also impeded on my ability to believe their chemistry. Overall there isn’t anything bad or wrong with this book. It simply didn’t click for me which is too bad but I’d be willing to try another book by this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent
nicolewhopickedthisbook's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
While I do want to continue the series, I didn’t really like any of the characters so it was hard to root for them. Couldn’t really root for Travis as a hero because he was going back and forth between India and her sister the first go around. While the dad did have something to do with that, Travis did seem to rebound too fast for me. The dad was the typical controlling patriarchal asshole and the sister was super cold. The brother was too into his own life that he wasn’t really into the drama but he did give Travis and India his blessing which was nice. Maybe the characters will grow on me more as I continue the series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Toxic relationship, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Miscarriage
ezichinny's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
This book was a bit too soap opera-ish. I am not a fan of sisters going after the same guy. There is just something too taboo and too much of a violation of girl code. Travis is best friends with India's older brother AND he was married to India's sister. Everything else India had to say about how she loved Travis first felt like an excuse. I could have worked with the triangle if her father didn't have this svengali hold on everyone around him.
I also didn't like how Travis never confronted Grant Robidoux for taking his family land and never telling him about all the shady things he was doing behind everyone's back. The author didn't really develop that and it should have been discussed.
At least Travis and India loved each other, the other matches seem more about appearances than actual connections. So in the end, I was satisfied with them choosing to be with each other.
This book was a bit too soap opera-ish. I am not a fan of sisters going after the same guy. There is just something too taboo and too much of a violation of girl code. Travis is best friends with India's older brother AND he was married to India's sister. Everything else India had to say about how she loved Travis first felt like an excuse. I could have worked with the triangle if her father didn't have this svengali hold on everyone around him.
I also didn't like how Travis never confronted Grant Robidoux for taking his family land and never telling him about all the shady things he was doing behind everyone's back. The author didn't really develop that and it should have been discussed.
At least Travis and India loved each other, the other matches seem more about appearances than actual connections. So in the end, I was satisfied with them choosing to be with each other.
daja's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Forbidden Promises is the first book in the Jackson Falls series and this is also my first book read by this author. I saw this one at my library and just had to grab it, the cover was gorgeous and I have been meaning to try out this author. And it also has a bit of a southern soap opera with some family dynamics thrown in the mix. And what we get in this book was so delightful. I was immediately pulled into the story and I knew from the first chapter that it would be one drama-filled ride but an entertaining ride. I really liked the forbidden feel to the romance and the way that there were some big hurdles that the couple would have to overcome. I also liked seeing the way that these two were together and their dynamics were so interesting. I am definitely intrigued by the setting and this family and this won’t be my last Williams romance.
Summary
India Robidoux and Travis Strickland have a painful past. They once had a hope for a relationship, but then it was squashed when her sister became pregnant and Travis was duty-bound to marry her. Now they are divorced and Travis and India are back in each other’s proximity as India has come home for a visit and with her brother needing help with a political campaign for Senate, she is determined to help him as much as she can. But what she doesn’t expect, is that in doing so, she would be in such close contact with Travis. The chemistry between them is stronger than ever and she knows that what they had has never gone away, just been suppressed. They make a mutual decision to keep it from her family until the primaries but Travis is a man of honor and hates keeping secrets. But India fears what will happen to her and her family if the truth comes out that she has always loved Travis, and that she may have to make a choice between her family and the man that she loves….
What I Loved
Forbidden Promises was such an interesting story, it does start out a bit slow, but very quickly I was captivated by the story. There was a quick transition in wanting to fight for these characters and what they had together. I also was so intrigued to see where their romance would develop. I do have a weakness for a good forbidden romance and nothing is more forbidden than being in love with your sister’s ex-husband who still wants him. I think out of the pair, Travis is one I adore, because of what a man of integrity he is. I loved that he hated keeping secrets and so it took some time to warm up to India. I struggle with heroines who keep deceptive secrets but her character warmed her way into my heart. I eventually wanted her to fight for herself and what wanted. MY heart broke for her and what happened with her parents. As her father cheated on her mother when she was dying of cancer and is now marrying his long-time mistress and you definitely feel the pain that it does to India and why she is so bitter against her father. And also I loved that she is a violinist (as I am as well and I hardly see them in romance) I really loved her siblings though and I am so interested in seeing what their stories will be. I also have been wanting to pick up more diverse books and I love a well-written black romance, and this had such a level of tender sweetness and I found it so refreshing. The book is so focused on just a fun sexy romance and I can’t wait to explore this author’s writing.
What I Struggled With
I did struggle with India’s character at times, especially in the first half of the story. I just wanted her to get a spine and stand up to her family. And also the beginning is a bit slow at times, which is why I detracted a star from my rating.
The Narration
This narrator ROCKED this book, with how well the accents were done. Sometimes accents can distract me from the story, but its done perfectly in this book and I just want to listen to more of her work because of how well she adapted the story and had it be a book I just couldn’t put down.
Overall View
I found Forbidden Promises to be a heartfelt, stunning romance that quickly held my attention and warmed my heart in such an unforgettable way! Bring on the Jackson Clan!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Forbidden Promises is the first book in the Jackson Falls series and this is also my first book read by this author. I saw this one at my library and just had to grab it, the cover was gorgeous and I have been meaning to try out this author. And it also has a bit of a southern soap opera with some family dynamics thrown in the mix. And what we get in this book was so delightful. I was immediately pulled into the story and I knew from the first chapter that it would be one drama-filled ride but an entertaining ride. I really liked the forbidden feel to the romance and the way that there were some big hurdles that the couple would have to overcome. I also liked seeing the way that these two were together and their dynamics were so interesting. I am definitely intrigued by the setting and this family and this won’t be my last Williams romance.
Summary
India Robidoux and Travis Strickland have a painful past. They once had a hope for a relationship, but then it was squashed when her sister became pregnant and Travis was duty-bound to marry her. Now they are divorced and Travis and India are back in each other’s proximity as India has come home for a visit and with her brother needing help with a political campaign for Senate, she is determined to help him as much as she can. But what she doesn’t expect, is that in doing so, she would be in such close contact with Travis. The chemistry between them is stronger than ever and she knows that what they had has never gone away, just been suppressed. They make a mutual decision to keep it from her family until the primaries but Travis is a man of honor and hates keeping secrets. But India fears what will happen to her and her family if the truth comes out that she has always loved Travis, and that she may have to make a choice between her family and the man that she loves….
What I Loved
Forbidden Promises was such an interesting story, it does start out a bit slow, but very quickly I was captivated by the story. There was a quick transition in wanting to fight for these characters and what they had together. I also was so intrigued to see where their romance would develop. I do have a weakness for a good forbidden romance and nothing is more forbidden than being in love with your sister’s ex-husband who still wants him. I think out of the pair, Travis is one I adore, because of what a man of integrity he is. I loved that he hated keeping secrets and so it took some time to warm up to India. I struggle with heroines who keep deceptive secrets but her character warmed her way into my heart. I eventually wanted her to fight for herself and what wanted. MY heart broke for her and what happened with her parents. As her father cheated on her mother when she was dying of cancer and is now marrying his long-time mistress and you definitely feel the pain that it does to India and why she is so bitter against her father. And also I loved that she is a violinist (as I am as well and I hardly see them in romance) I really loved her siblings though and I am so interested in seeing what their stories will be. I also have been wanting to pick up more diverse books and I love a well-written black romance, and this had such a level of tender sweetness and I found it so refreshing. The book is so focused on just a fun sexy romance and I can’t wait to explore this author’s writing.
What I Struggled With
I did struggle with India’s character at times, especially in the first half of the story. I just wanted her to get a spine and stand up to her family. And also the beginning is a bit slow at times, which is why I detracted a star from my rating.
The Narration
This narrator ROCKED this book, with how well the accents were done. Sometimes accents can distract me from the story, but its done perfectly in this book and I just want to listen to more of her work because of how well she adapted the story and had it be a book I just couldn’t put down.
Overall View
I found Forbidden Promises to be a heartfelt, stunning romance that quickly held my attention and warmed my heart in such an unforgettable way! Bring on the Jackson Clan!
heyanci's review
4.0
Loved this book so much! Forbidden love, family drama and a love story ✔️sign me up