I enjoyed reading this book mainly for the romance and our two main characters Hunter and Mackenzie! I liked reading about Hunter and Mackenzie boding over their love of music and seeing their relationship progress. I also liked seeing them try to work out their problems, so they could have a real relationship and understand each other better. I loved how Hunter cared so much for Mackenzie and how he tried to help her overcome any obstacles/fears she faced in learning how to live independently as a blind person. Mackenzie was such a strong and independent person that I liked. This was time reading a book by Marina Adair and it was a good book. I can see the talent she has in writing and look forward to reading more of her books.

The book was very sweet but it felt a bit slow for me.I always worry that I need to be in the right mood to read a book but I tried several times. It was good! Yes! But not great.

Promise me you was such a promising book (yes, I did go there). The lack of communication between the main characters though ruined it. Mackenzie decided to ghost Hunter three years ago because he was about to marry another woman and she was going blind. She just left and that was the beginning of the silence between them. I don't feel like they ever talked about everything that went wrong between them and how it could be fixed, which is a shame. I also don't understand why Hunter married the other woman. I didn't get the impression that they were in love in the first place. Mackenzie and Hunter didn't have a connection that went more than friendship even when Mackenzie was in love with him. Hunter was not a likable dude and Mackenzie could have had a better man. Overall, for me, the book was not good. The main characters didn't have a spark and the writing was not that good.

Promise Me You by Marina Adair was a highly emotional read.

When I first started reading this novel, I thought it was going to be a stereotypical second chance rock star romance. Well, I was certainly wrong. This novel was unlike any musical book I have read in the past. It had emotional depth, and twists I have never read about in a book of this form before.

Mackenzie is such a complex character, who has been through some incredibly rough phases in her life. It’s as if Mackenzie keeps getting hit with worse news each and every day. What I admired about Mackenzie was how, no matter what bad news she received, she kept pushing forward. She took this news, and made the best of it.

Hunter Kane was such an amazing guy. You could tell how much he truly cared about Mackenzie, and was willing to do anything to make sure that she was taken care of, and had the support she needed to keep going. It also helps that Hunter was a genuinely good guy, and not only wanted the best for his family, friends, and Mackenzie, but also his band mates. To me, it was as if Hunter cared more about everyone else but himself.

For me, the downsides to this novel, was the overall relationship and development. I would have like for more character development, and build-up of the relationship between Mackenzie and Hunter. I understand that they have known each other for years; however, they were apart for almost ten years, before they reconnected. Then, all of a sudden, it only took a couple songs, and they were right back together where they were before. In addition, the ending felt very rushed to me. It was though everything was okay, without anyone every really talking things out.

3.5/5 Stars!

This was my first time reading Marina Adair and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My heart broke for Mackenzie and her feelings for Hunter, no wonder she made the decision she did regarding their friendship. I was frustrated with Hunter and his feelings and behavior towards Mac in the past; if she was his best friend, why did he let her go so easily? There's a lot happening in this book, maybe too much, as the side issues take away from the main story of Hunter and Mac.

I'm such a sucker for a good romance about musicians. This story is so much more than just the story of two musicians who fall in love. Adair's storytelling is outstanding and the way she depicts Mackenzie's challenges felt realistic. I was captured throughout the whole book and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good, slightly emotional, story.

I felt so bad for Mac as she has to let Hunter go at the beginning. She has her reasons (the least of them being he’s about to get married) and they totally break my heart. I’m not sure why he doesn’t try harder to find her, which makes it even more harsh how she chose to walk away. But now that he’s found her again, he’s not leaving her alone and that makes it even more questionable why he didn’t try harder … kinda makes you wonder if he was a tad bit self-involved. It’s not the first time I’m gonna think that :)

There’s a lot going on in this story but I’m wondering if maybe Adair tried to take on a little too much. There was so much opportunity to delve deeper into their personal issues – like Mac’s feelings over Hunter’s marriage, their future together, and clearly addressing their past feelings. I think their relationship is so complicated that maybe there just wasn’t any way to take it all on. At least not with her specific issues that needed to be addressed and the connecting they needed to do now to make a go of things.

Adair definintely has skills as a writer, and I loved Mac’s strength and stubborness that she needs to keep moving forward, but prepare for some emotional ups and downs. There isn’t an easy path for these two.

Oh this book was heart wrenching it made me cry. But in the end it was oh so good. The author did an amazing job of getting drawn in and turning page after page till the end. Great book.

Any book that has a service dog in it as a winner for me. Unfortunately, that seems to be the main thing I remember from this story(further proof I really need to write my notes immediately upon finishing a book…), aside from the initially unrequited love aspect, and that the main heroine is blind (which, shout out for giving us a romance where the heroine has a major disability and isn’t treated as an invalid or with tons of pity).

It was just average for me, some parts were very cute, the build up as slow, but it kept me engaged. It's not the best, but it's not the worst and I look forward to reading more from this author :)

I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this title. However I did not connect with it and have ended up rating this w as a 1 star read. I won't be writing a full review of the title due to the low rating.

Thanks,
Laura

PROMISE ME YOU pulled at my heartstrings. Mackenzie is a strong woman who has had a lot of heartache in her life but remains true to herself. She gave up the life she knew with Hunter and his band when she found out she was going blind, just as her mother had. She suffers through many emotions as she tries to deal with the adjustments in her life, and when Hunter reenters the picture she feels her heart breaking again. She’s loved him from afar for many years. Even though others around her knew her feelings, she’s never let on to him. Like most men, he was clueless. What happens if her feelings are returned?

The story involves a second chance at love as well as friends who become more. The characters had a depth to them as we learn about them a little at a time. I couldn’t warm to Hunter’s band members because they felt entitled. I could feel the weight borne by Hunter in trying to take care of everyone, but his band members don’t feel the same need. Mackenzie’s Seeing Eye dog played a major role throughout the story. Brody, Hunter’s cousin who is more like a brother, is also the agent for both Hunter’s band and Mackenzie, and he was interwoven throughout both personally and professionally. Brody and Savannah’s daughter was a cutie and wise beyond her years. I loved her tea parties!

The story is populated with family and friends and is an emotional journey for everyone involved. The book was a quick read and had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. There is some closure, especially with the epilogue which takes place three months later.

This is the first book in the NASHVILLE HEIGHTS series, and I can’t wait to return for more. I’ve enjoyed books by Ms. Adair before and look forward to reading more of her books, not just in this series.

This was a tough book to rate. It’s so well-written and emotional that you can’t help but keep reading it (I never considered DNFing it), and you really do care about the characters when you’re done. But ultimately, it lacked...something that made me downgrade it from a 5 star read to a 4 star read.

But first, here’s what I loved:
1. Hunter is a quintessential cocky, swaggering musician hero. His confidence and talent make him sexy as hell. But what I REALLY loved about him was that he wasn’t manwhore or an addict of any kind. Not at all. There weren’t endless accounts of how many groupies he’d banged, or countless tales of times he’d been out of his mind because he was so high. For all his fame, he was a pretty normal, well-adjusted guy, and I really enjoyed that.

2. Mack is great heroine. She’s smart and talented and a resilient survivor. The way she overcomes disability and doesn’t let it define her is inspiring.

3. This is a true slow-burn romance. I love slow-burn romance. It’s also a great friends-to-lovers read. Another favorite trope of mine.

4. Muttley the dog. He’s awesome, and for those of you who can’t stand it when authors rip your heart out by killing a dog, I’ll say this to you so that you can relax: The dog lives happily ever after, just like Mack and Hunter.

As far as stuff I didn’t like, the list isn’t huge. My only real problem with the book is that it left me with too many questions. Did Hunter know that Mack was in love with him when he married another woman? Why didn’t Hunter try harder to find Mack when she disappeared? This is a pretty serious story--why does the cover make it look like a rom com? Why didn’t we get any snippets of lyrics from the songs they were writing together?

But, minor quibbles notwithstanding, this was still a sweet, emotional, slow-building romance between two interesting characters. You could do worse than this one, guys. It’s safely 1-clickable, in my opinion.

Full disclosure: We received an ARC from NetGalley, free of charge.

And feel free to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/

Marina Adair delivers a fantastic book with Promise Me You. This is romcom at its finest. I couldn’t put this wonderfully written, fun, sizzling hot yet endearing book down. Highly recommend

This is a hard one to write because I've been a huge Marina Adair fan for some time.

This was just an okay story for me. I think not enough time was spent on Mackenzie and Hunter outside of their physical connection. While that is a big part of most romance novels I think there was so much missed in their storyline that it left more unanswered questions at the end of the book than questions answered for me during the book. I did finish it because it was Marina's book, but now I'm looking forward to her next one.

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy!

I have been struggling with reading contemporary romance lately but Marina Adair's latest book Promise Me You got me right in the feels.

It's unrequited + second chance at love romance between a country star & a songwriter who lost her sight and had to regain her independence.

I really enjoyed the heroine Mackenzie. She's very standoffish and stubborn but has a soft center. Loved her. The hero, I struggled quite a bit because he was so clueless but ugh, I personally think he grew as a character so I can't be too mad.

I have really enjoyed other titles by this author, but this one REALLY just didn't do it for me. I was ready for this one to be over way before it was. But, I still love the author.

I could not read this book fast enough after such a long wait. It was an amazing story. I didn’t think Hunter would be my favorite but he definitely changed my mind. Mackenzie deserved her happily ever after and I’m glad it was with Hunter. They had great chemistry and the story flowed so well! Definitely can’t wait to see what’s next!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance – friends to lovers
Triggers: Handicap - blindness

Mackenzie Hart is in love with her best friend. The main problem with that is he is marrying someone else. Mackenzie is an amazing song writer and working with Hunter and his band has been amazing. But watching her best friend, Hunter, marry someone else is killing her. Mackenzie was always just part of the band and she was okay with that, until she realized that it meant that Hunter would never see her as anyone other than that. Mackenzie has also had a tough life and it's only going to become more stressful. She knows that she has to let Hunter go so that he can be successful.

Hunter is somewhat self-centered – what you would expect from a typical lead in a band character. He is also oblivious to those around him at times, which explains how he was able to lose his best friend and his writing mojo all at once.

When Hunter sees Mackenzie again after a few years, he's knocked back and taken aback. She's beautiful, talented, and just as stubborn as ever. He never knew she was his heart until she was no longer around.

This friends-to-lovers story is sweet and gentle. There is no burning of their romance and they need to relearn each other. Patience, kindness, love, and tenderness is what is displayed by Hunter towards his "trouble." It was a sweet story that builds with confidence and love.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the heartache and heartbreak of the first scene to the love and warmth of the last.

Mac has loved Hunter Kane for years. They have been writing songs together and have a bond that is seemingly unshakable. He's been her rock, held her hand when her mother passed away, and helped her back from the brink after to losing her. Now he's marrying the supposed love of his life and she can't be there for that. She's tried but she can't be happy for him. Not when her own life is about to be turned upside down.

Three years later, Hunter is back in town, having divorced his wife and lost his muse. He can't find Mac, has no clue where she is, and on top of that, the label is about to cut the band loose. He wants to team up with the brilliant writers known as Mac and Muttly, but they refuse.

Mac is furious that Bryan (Hunter's cousin and agent) outs her and her secrets to Hunter. Giving in to pressure to help him and the band, Mac agrees to write with Hunter. What she didn't agree to is having Hunter move in with her, but Hunter steamrolls right over her objections.

Mac soon realizes that the life she thought she wanted is right in front of her, she just needs to take a leap of faith and grab on. However, she's afraid of the unknown, and the what ifs that keep running through her head keep those fears front and center. Hunter knows that in order to persuade Mac to take a chance on him, he must let Mac take the first steps alone and be by her side when she makes her choice.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a book which will make you think and consider how you would cope if your world was turned upside down by a diagnosis, and then suddenly changed forever. Mackenzie is doing the best she can with what life has dealt her, although her desire is to hide behind her front door and just get on with her music making.

Her one-time best friend and successful musician, Hunter, is in need of a songwriter, and really wants to find Mackenzie again. When his brother admits he knows where she is, the chances that they missed before may just be up for review. But he still has a lot of growing up to do...

I have not read many books with a lead who is blind, and I felt that it was realistic and portrayed the scariness of being outside and unable to see or feel anything, other than the ground under one's feet. I also liked that it had not stopped her wearing sexy underwear, even if she could not see it, she could enjoy the feel of it. Her sense of smell leads to a couple of funny incidents, which lighten what is at times quite a serious book, due to the context in which it is set. I enjoyed having to think about how I would react, both if I were her or him.

A good read; thank you, Marina Adair.

2.5 stars

Mackenzie's dream of a future with Hunter, her friend and up and coming musician, have been dashed now that he's marrying Hadley. Add that to the diagnosis she just received, and Mackenzie's determined she no longer has a place in Hunter's life, so she bolts during his rehearsal dinner. 3 years later, Hunter is divorced and having trouble finding a connection with a songwriter. He wants the duo he's been receiving songs from, but he wants a FACE TO FACE. Unfortunately for him, Brody, Hunter's agent and friend, who also represents the songwriting duo in question, refuses to allow Hunter a face to face. And then he walks into Brody's office and sees a ghost. A ghost he hasn't seen in 3 years. A ghost he's missed like crazy, but couldn't find since she walked out of his life 3 years ago.

Now, all Hunter has to do is convince Mackenzie to agree to going into the studio with him and his band so they can write their next big album. Now that Hunter's found Mackenzie again, he's not letting her go, her newly changed circumstances don't matter, he still loves her, and wants her, so have her he shall. If only Mackenzie would agree.

And this is part of the problem I had with Promise Me You. Hunter is extremely selfish, all he sees is what he wants, Mackenzie's wants and needs come in a distant second to his own, and he never realizes it until the very end when Brody throws it in his face. I mean come on! But Hunter isn't the only problem I had with Promise Me You. My main problem is that it's extremely shallow. I never once felt the connection between Hunter and Mackenzie. I didn't believe in it, I didn't feel it, and to be quite frank, they bored me to tears. What could have been an extremely heartfelt, sexy second chance fell flat and fizzed out as soon as Mackenzie walked out of Hunter's rehearsal dinner. Neither Hunter nor Mackenzie was very interesting or likable, and their connection was weak. So 2.5 stars is about all I can muster up for this one, I'm afraid.