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beautifullybookishbethany's review against another edition
5.0
Given that I was a little nervous about the premise, I did not expect to like this as much as I did! Forbidden Promises is a juicy and dramatic contemporary romance following an elite Black family in the American South, and a woman who has always had a thing for her sister's ex-husband and is reconnecting with him for the first time in years. There is family drama galore (though not in the way I was worried about), political intrigue, hidden secrets, class differences, and a surprisingly sweet forbidden romance. I was super into this and will definitely read on the series. I need to know what happens with some of these side characters and we are set up for some really fantastic stories!
India plans to be home for just a few days, during her brothers announcement of his bid for Senate. Family drama and her feelings for Travis (her brother's BFF and sister's ex-husband) are the reason she left, and the reason she doesn't plan to stay. But her overbearing fathers has other plans for her life, and she realizes that she never did get over Travis. Without saying too much, I was worried how she was going to do this whole "into the sister's ex" thing, but I ended up feeling fine about the way it was handled. Your mileage may vary depending on how sensitive you are to these things, but this didn't feel all that "forbidden" to me beyond the optics of it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this and look forward to more in the series! Because the brother, the sister, and the cousin ALL need books! I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
CW include discussions of a miscarriage, excessive drinking by a side character, gun violence, infidelity of a parent.
India plans to be home for just a few days, during her brothers announcement of his bid for Senate. Family drama and her feelings for Travis (her brother's BFF and sister's ex-husband) are the reason she left, and the reason she doesn't plan to stay. But her overbearing fathers has other plans for her life, and she realizes that she never did get over Travis. Without saying too much, I was worried how she was going to do this whole "into the sister's ex" thing, but I ended up feeling fine about the way it was handled. Your mileage may vary depending on how sensitive you are to these things, but this didn't feel all that "forbidden" to me beyond the optics of it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this and look forward to more in the series! Because the brother, the sister, and the cousin ALL need books! I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
CW include discussions of a miscarriage, excessive drinking by a side character, gun violence, infidelity of a parent.
qace90's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my reviews; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Content notes:
Content notes:
yonitdm's review against another edition
3.0
This book really did seem like catching episodes of your favorite soap opera. There's so many back stories and side plots and characters to love & hate and drama. I definitely can't wait to read more about the Robidoux family.
shaegeeksout's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this romance. It was sexy, the chemistry was off the charts!! These two were clearly made for each other. They had a rough and winding road to get here, but what a journey! I love the art and music thrown in throughout the story also. India and Travis were both great, very realistic characters. The storyline felt plausible, and I really enjoyed how everything came together. I am looking forward to reading more with these characters.
justkeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
This audiobook was good and can I say that this series in this town is I didn’t think I needed. Here’s why:
+ African American MCs (take a look at this beauty of a cover)
+ Iris is in love w/her sister’s ex-husband
+ Friends to lovers
+ Pining of years
+Small town
+ Gahhhh!!! Íris & Travis— these two!
+ That one summer night between these two
+ Íris comes back in town for her brother’s política campaign
+ Second chance romance
+ African American MCs (take a look at this beauty of a cover)
+ Iris is in love w/her sister’s ex-husband
+ Friends to lovers
+ Pining of years
+Small town
+ Gahhhh!!! Íris & Travis— these two!
+ That one summer night between these two
+ Íris comes back in town for her brother’s política campaign
+ Second chance romance
theromanticace's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pendygal80's review
I got about 20% in and had to return the ebook to the library. I haven't had any desire to check the book out again - it was very slow moving and I was kind of bored.
naika's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Forbidden love trope? Ok. Forbidden love with your brother's best friend trope? Sure, why not? Forbidden love with your brother's best friend who also happens to be your sister's ex-husband...? Yeah, hmmm. I really tried to be ok with the last part, but I most certainly failed at that endeavor. I don't have a sister, but I am sure there's a sister code on this. But given the hot mess nature of damn near every character, why on earth did I expect a code to be followed?
Forbidden Promises was the very definition of soap opera drama: forbidden love; family drama; deceit; manipulation; the haves and haves not; money, politics, and power; cheating; must I go on? As someone who grew up religiously watching Passions, I am no stranger to this and surely do not mind the ridiculousness of it all. But this book just did not do it for me because none of the characters were relatable or connectable to me. Especially Grant; he is obnoxious and shameless and vile and we just do not recognize him. I will say I liked Ashiya, but she plays a minor role.
This books spends so much time building backstories and other storylines that the romance was overshadowed. I did not believe in or particularly care about India or Travis' relationship. They kissed once like 5 years ago and India soon after "ran away" in search for a life away from the family and essentially ghosted Travis. But apparently they were in love the entire time and pining for each other.
If we are being honest, this is more of an angsty family drama / women's fiction. If I had known, I would have picked this up later when I was more in the mood for it. Will I continue on in the series? Perhaps, though I would like for some of the pacing issues to be addressed and the soap opera drama to be be reworked a bit so that it is less overwhelming.
Forbidden Promises was the very definition of soap opera drama: forbidden love; family drama; deceit; manipulation; the haves and haves not; money, politics, and power; cheating; must I go on? As someone who grew up religiously watching Passions, I am no stranger to this and surely do not mind the ridiculousness of it all. But this book just did not do it for me because none of the characters were relatable or connectable to me. Especially Grant; he is obnoxious and shameless and vile and we just do not recognize him. I will say I liked Ashiya, but she plays a minor role.
This books spends so much time building backstories and other storylines that the romance was overshadowed. I did not believe in or particularly care about India or Travis' relationship. They kissed once like 5 years ago and India soon after "ran away" in search for a life away from the family and essentially ghosted Travis. But apparently they were in love the entire time and pining for each other.
If we are being honest, this is more of an angsty family drama / women's fiction. If I had known, I would have picked this up later when I was more in the mood for it. Will I continue on in the series? Perhaps, though I would like for some of the pacing issues to be addressed and the soap opera drama to be be reworked a bit so that it is less overwhelming.
firewhiskeyreader's review
4.0
In the Author Note to start this book, Synthia Williams discusses her love of soap operas and that is absolutely reflected (in the best way) in this book. Essentially the plot of this is that India comes home to discover that her brother is running for national political office and her plan to jet off to LA promptly is unacceptable because she's needed for his image. But this interferes with her attempts to avoid her sister's ex-husband, Travis, who she's pretty much been in love with for years. And then she's paired with Travis for publicity or something.
So, here's the thing, I loved this so much. I think I'm going with a 4.5 because the only things I didn't love were that Travis' job as a defense attorney made no sense because his murder trial lasted like a week and he had a ton of free time to pursue India and that Byron's political plan makes no sense because he just hosted campaign events in his hometown when he's running for an office that requires the whole state to vote for him. Oh, and there are too many comments about like, earning food. Which is just not something I'm here for in 2019.
But let's talk about what I did love because I can assure you there was a lot. This book is paced SO well. I was ABSORBED and really didn't want to put the book down. I really loved the complex family relationships as well. Also, Synthia Williams dropped in sequel bait like a pro in this one. I'm especially excited for India's sister's book, but Byron's is next and I'm really looking forward to that. Also, I adored this part:
"I want to make love to you. But not like this. I want to be one hundred percent sober when I finally get you in my bed."
"Why is that?"
"Because, India Robidoux, you are worth savoring and I plan to enjoy every inch of your body."
**I keep forgetting the disclaimer. Thanks Netgalley/HQN for the ARC!**
So, here's the thing, I loved this so much. I think I'm going with a 4.5 because the only things I didn't love were that Travis' job as a defense attorney made no sense because his murder trial lasted like a week and he had a ton of free time to pursue India and that Byron's political plan makes no sense because he just hosted campaign events in his hometown when he's running for an office that requires the whole state to vote for him. Oh, and there are too many comments about like, earning food. Which is just not something I'm here for in 2019.
But let's talk about what I did love because I can assure you there was a lot. This book is paced SO well. I was ABSORBED and really didn't want to put the book down. I really loved the complex family relationships as well. Also, Synthia Williams dropped in sequel bait like a pro in this one. I'm especially excited for India's sister's book, but Byron's is next and I'm really looking forward to that. Also, I adored this part:
"I want to make love to you. But not like this. I want to be one hundred percent sober when I finally get you in my bed."
"Why is that?"
"Because, India Robidoux, you are worth savoring and I plan to enjoy every inch of your body."
**I keep forgetting the disclaimer. Thanks Netgalley/HQN for the ARC!**
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