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gee_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth in the Noahverse collection, and first within said series to have been penned in collaboration with another author, Jordon Greene and Kalob Dàniel's "This I Promise You" is a New Adult romance starring Paul and Easton, two young men whose love story is - at the very least - unlikely. When Paul and Easton meet, it's hatred at first sight; Easton can't believe that Paul would hit on his roommate when he just said that he's taken, whereas Paul doesn't understand why this entitled brat is giving him hell for venturing out of his comfort zone to try and make a new friend. Neither of them wants to admit the obvious; that they might've gotten a very wrong first impression. Thankfully, Paul's best friend Huxley isn't about to put up with such a silly misunderstanding ruining what promised to be an otherwise fantastic friendship, and the more she - and other circumstances - pits Paul and Easton together, the more they start to realise how they might be far more compatible than they seem.
If you've read any of Jordon Greene's Noahverse books, you already know that you can expect a cute, fluffy gay romance with a pinch of dramatic angst to keep things interesting. In my opinion, Paul and Easton are the best couple in the whole series thus far (my sincere apologies to Jacob and Skylar, oops), since they share a really beautiful story that might as well have been pitched as "'Pride and Prejudice' meets 'A Walk To Remember', and goes gay". Indeed, watching both boys slowly realise how wrong their first impression of each other was felt quite Austenian, and the way their love story went moved me as much as the aforementioned Nicholas Sparks book. There was beauty in the way they slowly overcame their prejudices, and then their difficulties, together. (If anyone's ever gone through a similar journey with their partner, I'm advising them to get a plus-sized box of Kleenex, since this will make them CRY like a BABY)
Both Paul and Easton were great characters. I really loved how Paul, below his tough guy facade and his gazillion uses for the word "fuck", was a sweet and caring soul, and how being around Easton made him realise that maybe he wanted to show up with his authentic self instead of keeping at pushing everyone away. He might've been my favourite character by far, since I feel like he also provided really nuanced representation in terms of CSA and complex trauma. On the other hand, Easton was a candid, lovely guy, whose chapters read exactly the way first love feels. I got butterflies in my stomach from the way he felt about Paul; which, in any romance, is a sign that you're reading good stuff. Jordon Greene's stories always make me feel really jittery in a vicariously-in-love kind of way, but this one definitely stood out as a particularly well-crafted one at that. Paul and Easton's chemistry was off the charts, as were their feelings for each other, and I teared up more than once at their love and devotion for each other.
The only character that rubbed me the wrong way, slightly, was Huxley. Once we learn what's going on with her, some of her actions make more sense, but I still felt like she was a bit too stereotyped considering what her diagnoses were. It got a lot better towards the end, but I still would've appreciated less attempts at highlighting what everyone thinks these and those symptoms look like, and a slower introduction to why she's the way she is (rather than a really long, info-dumping-ish conversation with Paul). Still, this was a personal opinion, and I don't share most of Huxley's experience - perhaps readers who do will be able to see themselves reflected in her, and I definitely don't want to speak over them. Besides, she became a much more sensible and kind character after a couple of chapters, and I ended up wanting to French-kiss her for saving Easton and Paul's in-denial asses.
As is customary of Greene's books by this point, we got a couple of crossovers (the main one being how Aiden, main character of 'Watching For Comets', is Easton's roommate and best friend), which were so very well done! Sometimes authors will do crossovers that feel really forced, or unnecessary, but every single one that happened here felt only natural, and like a really affectionate wink at Jordon's previous books. I could still tell that there was a slight change, since this book is NA instead of YA like the previous ones, and I think that Kalob Dàniel's own quill gave the book's prose a really unique flavour. I could tell that his and Jordon's styles meshed really well, since the story flowed freely and was really well-written.
In conclusion, "This I Promise You" was a really beautiful story about two lost souls finding a home in each other's arms, and I would highly recommend it as a 2022 Must Read for anyone who enjoys queer stories, romance, and angst with a happy ending. Can't wait for the next Noahverse story!
If you've read any of Jordon Greene's Noahverse books, you already know that you can expect a cute, fluffy gay romance with a pinch of dramatic angst to keep things interesting. In my opinion, Paul and Easton are the best couple in the whole series thus far (my sincere apologies to Jacob and Skylar, oops), since they share a really beautiful story that might as well have been pitched as "'Pride and Prejudice' meets 'A Walk To Remember', and goes gay". Indeed, watching both boys slowly realise how wrong their first impression of each other was felt quite Austenian, and the way their love story went moved me as much as the aforementioned Nicholas Sparks book. There was beauty in the way they slowly overcame their prejudices, and then their difficulties, together. (If anyone's ever gone through a similar journey with their partner, I'm advising them to get a plus-sized box of Kleenex, since this will make them CRY like a BABY)
Both Paul and Easton were great characters. I really loved how Paul, below his tough guy facade and his gazillion uses for the word "fuck", was a sweet and caring soul, and how being around Easton made him realise that maybe he wanted to show up with his authentic self instead of keeping at pushing everyone away. He might've been my favourite character by far, since I feel like he also provided really nuanced representation in terms of CSA and complex trauma. On the other hand, Easton was a candid, lovely guy, whose chapters read exactly the way first love feels. I got butterflies in my stomach from the way he felt about Paul; which, in any romance, is a sign that you're reading good stuff. Jordon Greene's stories always make me feel really jittery in a vicariously-in-love kind of way, but this one definitely stood out as a particularly well-crafted one at that. Paul and Easton's chemistry was off the charts, as were their feelings for each other, and I teared up more than once at their love and devotion for each other.
The only character that rubbed me the wrong way, slightly, was Huxley. Once we learn what's going on with her, some of her actions make more sense, but I still felt like she was a bit too stereotyped considering what her diagnoses were. It got a lot better towards the end, but I still would've appreciated less attempts at highlighting what everyone thinks these and those symptoms look like, and a slower introduction to why she's the way she is (rather than a really long, info-dumping-ish conversation with Paul). Still, this was a personal opinion, and I don't share most of Huxley's experience - perhaps readers who do will be able to see themselves reflected in her, and I definitely don't want to speak over them. Besides, she became a much more sensible and kind character after a couple of chapters, and I ended up wanting to French-kiss her for saving Easton and Paul's in-denial asses.
As is customary of Greene's books by this point, we got a couple of crossovers (the main one being how Aiden, main character of 'Watching For Comets', is Easton's roommate and best friend), which were so very well done! Sometimes authors will do crossovers that feel really forced, or unnecessary, but every single one that happened here felt only natural, and like a really affectionate wink at Jordon's previous books. I could still tell that there was a slight change, since this book is NA instead of YA like the previous ones, and I think that Kalob Dàniel's own quill gave the book's prose a really unique flavour. I could tell that his and Jordon's styles meshed really well, since the story flowed freely and was really well-written.
In conclusion, "This I Promise You" was a really beautiful story about two lost souls finding a home in each other's arms, and I would highly recommend it as a 2022 Must Read for anyone who enjoys queer stories, romance, and angst with a happy ending. Can't wait for the next Noahverse story!
metrovm's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
khensley07's review against another edition
5.0
✨Things I Questioned:
Do people born in the early 2000s know who London Tipton is?
Did they watch Lizzie McGuire?
✨Things I Didn’t Like:
The overuse of “Gah!”
And every time I read “shooketh” I cringed.
✨Things I LOVED:
The found family
The poetry
The chronic illness & mental illness rep
Paul being a total softie
The other noahverse characters
The beautiful cover art
Do people born in the early 2000s know who London Tipton is?
Did they watch Lizzie McGuire?
✨Things I Didn’t Like:
The overuse of “Gah!”
And every time I read “shooketh” I cringed.
✨Things I LOVED:
The found family
The poetry
The chronic illness & mental illness rep
Paul being a total softie
The other noahverse characters
The beautiful cover art
pierrereads's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
butteredgarbage's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lennie_reads's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, and Cursing
ditten's review
I didn't like the characters much, I didn't feel they had much chemistry, and I also don't feel the summary accurately describes the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Self harm, Rape, and Sexual assault
unapologetic_romantic's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
This I Promise You is an enemies-to-lovers college romance. Both Paul and Easton jump to the wrong conclusion when they meet, flinging attitude faster than they could blink and end up adamantly hating each other.
While hating each other’s guts, the two can’t help but to think about each other; as they say, there’s a fine line between love and hate. Easton is friends with Huxley, Paul’s new roommate and fabulous meddler, and she isn’t about to let these two carry on hating each other. After a sneaky number exchange, in which Huxley puts Paul’s number on Easton's phone under her name, Easton calls Paul for help while drunk at a frat party. Paul, our knight in tarnished armour, rushes to help Easton, and they start to soften towards each other.
As the two grow closer, secrets come to light and trauma surfaces. This story is not for everyone, so please check the trigger warnings before jumping in, which I know will be difficult with that cover. Even with the heavy topics covered in this book, the relationship between Easton and Paul is sweet, sometimes too sweet for me, and they managed to work through the difficulties together into a happily ever after.
While hating each other’s guts, the two can’t help but to think about each other; as they say, there’s a fine line between love and hate. Easton is friends with Huxley, Paul’s new roommate and fabulous meddler, and she isn’t about to let these two carry on hating each other. After a sneaky number exchange, in which Huxley puts Paul’s number on Easton's phone under her name, Easton calls Paul for help while drunk at a frat party. Paul, our knight in tarnished armour, rushes to help Easton, and they start to soften towards each other.
As the two grow closer, secrets come to light and trauma surfaces. This story is not for everyone, so please check the trigger warnings before jumping in, which I know will be difficult with that cover. Even with the heavy topics covered in this book, the relationship between Easton and Paul is sweet, sometimes too sweet for me, and they managed to work through the difficulties together into a happily ever after.
natureofreading's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you haven't read to the relentless sounds of cicadas, frogs, and whatever other nighttime creatures sing after the sun sets, you are missing out.
Especially the poem Paul wrote and performed in this novel. The loud background nature noises really took the poem to a whole other level. I read the majority of this book while camping. I highly recommend reading while camping and also this book is worth your time too.
There is a lot to love about this story. Easton and Paul are both perfectly flawed humans who find each other, despite hating each other first. And by find, I mean forced into noticing by the side character, Huxley. Paul had severe trauma he is working through and Easton has MS and is dealing with his feelings about his illness.
Overall, the story is good. I've never read anything by Kalob Dàniel, but Jordon Greene hasn't let me down yet. And while I didn't love this story, I also don't have anything major that is holding me back from loving it. It isn't even the heavy content that is discussed, but if you have triggers with sexual assault, child sexual abuse, MS, or aggressive or abrasive behavior be warned.
For me it was little things. Occasionally, the dialogue didn't feel real. For some reason the uniting of characters across books didn't feel right or maybe it was too much. I felt like Easton's submissive side is ignored after he gets together with Paul. I think the authors try to point out he didn't need to feel that because he has something different or more fulfilling with Paul, but it isn't directly addressed and felt forgotten.
This book deals with a lot due to both characters being young and working through their issues. But it may have taken on too much because I feel like it moved too fast and didn't address all the things. It could easily have been a much longer story - well easy to read, probably not to write. Ha
Again, it's good and I recommend it. The character development is good and I love the way the authors described their familiar cities/towns.
I was gifted an eArc copy of this book by the authors to read and provide an honest review.
Especially the poem Paul wrote and performed in this novel. The loud background nature noises really took the poem to a whole other level. I read the majority of this book while camping. I highly recommend reading while camping and also this book is worth your time too.
There is a lot to love about this story. Easton and Paul are both perfectly flawed humans who find each other, despite hating each other first. And by find, I mean forced into noticing by the side character, Huxley. Paul had severe trauma he is working through and Easton has MS and is dealing with his feelings about his illness.
Overall, the story is good. I've never read anything by Kalob Dàniel, but Jordon Greene hasn't let me down yet. And while I didn't love this story, I also don't have anything major that is holding me back from loving it. It isn't even the heavy content that is discussed, but if you have triggers with sexual assault, child sexual abuse, MS, or aggressive or abrasive behavior be warned.
For me it was little things. Occasionally, the dialogue didn't feel real. For some reason the uniting of characters across books didn't feel right or maybe it was too much. I felt like Easton's submissive side is ignored after he gets together with Paul. I think the authors try to point out he didn't need to feel that because he has something different or more fulfilling with Paul, but it isn't directly addressed and felt forgotten.
This book deals with a lot due to both characters being young and working through their issues. But it may have taken on too much because I feel like it moved too fast and didn't address all the things. It could easily have been a much longer story - well easy to read, probably not to write. Ha
Again, it's good and I recommend it. The character development is good and I love the way the authors described their familiar cities/towns.
I was gifted an eArc copy of this book by the authors to read and provide an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
paranormerbookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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