Member Reviews
Promise Me You is sweet, sexy, and full of hope. An unrequited love, a best friend's happiness, and change motivate our heroine to alter everything. The path she thought she was on is about to merge with the one she's been running from.
Self doubt, fear, and trepidation rule Mackenzie's world until a prince decides to ride in on a white horse...or was it Superman in a cape...?
Promise Me You, written by author Marina Adair, is an amazing story about friendship, love, and second chances. If you have never read a book by Marina Adair, then you are definitely in for a treat! If you are already a fan of the author, you will not be disappointed.
Mackenzie Hart is no stranger to writing about love. After all, she is a songwriter that works closely with musician Hunter Kane. However, she has one major problem...she has fallen in love with her best friend...and her best friend just happens to be Hunter. She never told him her true feelings, and now it is too late because he is marrying someone else. Completely heartbroken, Mackenzie realizes she has to move on, and walks out of Hunter's life for good.
Hunter Kane married the love of his life three years ago...or so he thought. Now divorced, his life just seems to be going downhill quickly. His band is struggling, and they need to start making hit songs again. Hunter knows Mackenzie is the best songwriter out there...if only he can convince her to work with him again!
I would love to be able to give more information about the story, but that is hard to do without revealing spoilers. The characters are well-written and complex, and the story is well paced. Mackenzie and Hunter both made mistakes, and the road to redemption is not always an easy one. With that being said, I am a sucker for second chances, and thoroughly enjoyed following the journey of Mackenzie and Hunter.
I would like to thank Montlake Romance and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
I was so excited to get my hands on Ophelia's book. I knew from the first in this series that she had secrets. When they came to light as Kyle came to stay in her B&B I knew this was going to be a great story. Not only is she pissed that he came back, but she is even more angry he decided to come and stay at her place. To interfere with her life. Kyle will work hard to get back into her life while she is pushing back every step of the way.
** i received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
MacKenzie and Hunter make a wonderful duo. She's the song writer, he's the musician. MacKenzie has a secret crush on Hunter, but doesn't want to jeopardize their friendship. They're best friends, yet he's marrying someone else. When MacKenzie learns she has a debilitating disease, that she also helped her mom cope with, she runs. She can not watch her best friend get married to someone other than herself or see pity in his eyes when he finds out her secret.
Fast forward...Hunter, fresh off of divorce, returns to town as a struggling singer. The last album he and his band recorded was a flop and he's promised to deliver new album. He just can't find a writer who truly "knows" him. When Hunter stumbles upon MacKenzie, he's shocked. He never knew why she ran and refused contact with him. When he realizes she's blind, he's devastated for her but also amazed with her. Now if he can just convince her to write songs for him again, he knows he'll have another successful album.
As a blind person, I thought a seeing eye dog would be a given. I was surprised to learn that support animals can be placed temporarily. It makes sense though. If you don't use a trained animal as you should, then it's a wasted resource in which someone else could've benefited. I liked how Hunter was supportive, but not an enabler. MacKenzie struggled letting others help her to the point of where she was hurting herself. She never stepped outside her comfort zone and was "stuck". I liked that Hunter was able to encourage MacKenzie while being supportive. If you're looking for a second chance, best friends romance I highly encourage you to read this novel. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
I loved this book. Mackenzie was a songwriter and was working with and in love with Hunter. She did not tell him and when he married someone else, she took the opportunity to disappear - because she was going blind and she couldn't saddle him with that. 3 long years later, they get back together to collaborate on an album and she finds she still loves him. He doesn't care that she is blind, but doesn't quite get that there are things she must to for herself. I loved that interaction with her guide dog and the story was very well written.
Mackenzie Hart is known for writing hit love songs with one of her best friends but when she has to watch that friend, who happens to be the man she loves, marry someone else it’s too much and she leaves town without so much as a good-bye. Fast forward three years and Mackenzie has resurfaced. She’s not the same person she once was in many ways but her feelings for Hunter Kane pretty much are.
For years Hunter Kane has wondered what happened to friend, skipping town on the night of his rehearsal dinner without saying goodbye was more than confusing. Now divorced and struggling to produce new hit songs for his band. Mackenzie has reentered his life. Not only does Hunter now have his writing partner back but there are some feelings presenting themselves that Hunter has no problem acting on. He only has to convince Mackenzie that he’s all in and that they are perfect partners in every way.
It took me a minute to connect with this book but I wasn’t worried because Marina has yet to let me down. It was hard for me to really connect with where each character was; I think it was because there was a part in the book that was very text heavy with descriptions but not a lot of dialogue (once you read this book you will understand why that is); but at some point, it just took off and I was swept up in Mackenzie’s and Hunter’s world.
I love second chance romances and watching these two (yes watching because in my head the movie is playing), reconnect was an enjoyable ride. Mackenzie hesitancy to commit to Hunter has nothing to do with not wanting him and everything to do with obstacles and drastic changes in her life and her insecurity and confidence in herself. Because of this it seemed to take a while for Hunter and Mackenzie to connect emotionally. The cupcake baking scene made me really like the two of them and it’s was there you could see how much Mackenzie really wanted to be with Hunter.
“Love doesn’t work that way. It’s an all-in kind of thing. And I think you’re all-in, you’re just too scared to admit it.” …” When you figure it out, I’ll be waiting.”
And right there, Hunter pretty much sums up Mackenzie.
All in all, a good read; just enough tension from the characters to make you bang your head and the right amount of heart tugging that makes you swoon and want your very own Hunter and Mackenzie romance.
Oh and one of my favorite things in this book? Hunter’s nickname for Mackenzie, Trouble. It’s so small but the way he says it just fits.
A 3.5 star story.First time reading this author and the blurb really drew me in. I am a lover for second chance romances and when it also involves your best friend hello sign me up for reading that. This book was a very good story, i enjoyed the second chance nature the author brought in, it was very different to others i have read. The romance was strong and the story concise until closer to the end when i felt it a bit rushed and i wanted just a hint more story to make me feel more fulfilled reading the book. A musician romance, - i won't say rockstar but musician more that had me enough to keep reading until the end. Well worth a try for new or established fans
"I'll be fine. Be happy, Hunter." Those were the last words Mackenzie uttered to Hunter Kane before she walked out of his rehearsal dinner. He was about to marry the woman of his dreams, and that was not Mackenzie.
Mackenzie knew she had to break ties with the one man she ever loved. Her best friend and writing partner. Her life was about to take a giant turn, and she did not want sympathy or pity. So she moved on. Without Hunter.
Hunter's marriage didn't turn out as planned. He couldn't give his new wife what she needed and he could never get over Mackenzie just walking away from him and the band. Things come full circle as he finds Mackenzie again. Life has changed for them both and if they want to have a chance at working together, they both have to figure out what their relationship is now.
This just may be my favorite Marina Adair book yet. I loved the story and the challenges presented - and overcome. Really good story telling in this one!
This is my first time reading Marina Adair, and I am already a BIG fan. I loved this heartfelt, sexy and unique romance that made me feel absolutely everything.
This is a friends-to-lovers/second-chance(ish) mashup with an interesting twist that I won't give away in order to avoid spoilers (although you'll likely be able to find the details in other reviews). I liked that this was as much about Mackenzie's personal character growth as it was about the romance between her and Hunter.
This was the first title by this author for me and even though this appears to be a standalone, I did somewhat feel like I'd been dropped into an existing storyline and missed some backstory for some of the other characters (especially Hunter's cousin, Brody). It wasn't enough to detract from the story, but I felt like there might be another book I haven't been able to find (although from what I can tell, even though this is book #2 in the Eastons series, book # doesn't seem to have anything to do with these characters). That being said, I'd be interested in seeing if there are other books in the works for the other family members we met.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
An intricately woven story about two best friends and they say they build up a relationship once she comes back. After running for three years and hiding out, she is finally forced into seeing him again.
When your best friend leaves without so much as a goodbye you wonder why. When Hunter finally sees Mackenzie again he is furious with her, yet a secret she had been keeping (and one reason she left) stops him in his tracks.
A wonderful tale about love, loss, friendship and learning the difference between independence and a hand out.
You’ll love this if second chance novels are something you normally enjoy. One of my absolute favorites of this genre. Not only this year but of all the ones I’ve ever read. And by read, I mean devoured. I couldn’t stop reading once I began! Everything was beautifully written and well thought out. Excited to read more from her!
Such a good and sweet book. Different in a good way. I really loved the characters and the story. I'm ready to read more of her work.
When Mackenzie Hart learned she had the same disabling condition that her mother'd had when Mac was younger, she packed up her life and all but disappeared. Friend and writing partner Hunter Kane was devastated to lose his best friend with no word, explanation or goodbye.
Three years later, and Hunter is back in Mac's life, with a boat load of questions and a completely new perspective. While Mackenzie wants to have it out with Hunter and go back to her quiet life, writing music in the shelter she's built for herself, Hunter is having none of it. He's missed three years with Mackenzie, and refuses to let her disappear on him again.
Hunter convinces Mackenzie to work on his upcoming album with him, but this time around Hunter is realizing what was staring him in the face all those years ago. Mackenzie is it for her. But, can he convince her that it's worth the fight?
Promise me you is a touching, heartwarming story of two friends that come back together stronger and wiser for the mistakes they've made in their past, but both of them have growing to do. And - if they can figure out how to make their two very different lives work together, they can make beautiful music together. Watching the character growth and develop made Promise Me You a sweet story where the reader is rooting for them to overcome the obstacles in their way. I definitely recommend you run out and grab your copy today.
From page one, my attention was captured and emotions were on a roller coaster ride that didn't end until the last page! Imagine attending the wedding of your best friend, who's also your writing partner. Oh wait, I forgot the best part...you're in love with him and he's marrying someone else! Heartbreaking, right? This is the beginning of Mackenzie's story and already I'm a emotional mess.
Flash forward three years, and Hunter, the fore-mentioned best friend, is again single, but he hasn't seen or heard from Mackenzie since she left the wedding reception. In fact, it seems like no one has seen her. Not only does Hunter miss her and cannot understand why she disappeared, he's in a writing slump and needs Mackenzie to be his partner again. But Mackenzie is dealing with her own life-altering issues and does not want to see Hunter, even if she does feels like she's over him.
I loved Mackenzie from the start. This strong, inspiring woman was the ultimate romance heroine for me. She walked away from the life she knew and loved so she wouldn't become a burden and a third wheel in Hunter's marriage. Hunter, I had to grow to love. His almost insta-love for Mackenzie was a bit fast for me. But he did learned to do the right things and say the right words, and I grew to appreciate how he loved Mackenzie.
With great dialogue, fun and well-developed secondary characters and a compelling story, Marina Adair has another hit on her hands. Whether you're a new fab or an established one, you're going to love Promise Me You
I have always been a big fan of Marina Adair’s writing and her latest book is by far the best one she’s ever written. This story introduces Hunter and Mackenzie, two characters who were best friends but lost touch with each other when Hunter got married and became a big country music star. Hunter has not only lost his marriage but he’s also lost his muse and mourns the disappearance of his former best friend and songwriting partner, fearing that his time in the spotlight is over. When he takes a meeting expecting to meet a songwriting duo he’s shocked to realize he’s meeting with the woman who disappeared from his life three years ago. I don’t want to spoil the story by revealing more, but I can say that Mackenzie is an amazing character whose selflessness and bravery shines throughout this unforgettable story. I’m a very emotional person and my favorite books are the ones with characters whose stories are so emotionally compelling I can’t help but weep and this one is a real tear jerker. Great storytelling and compelling characters make this a 5 star read I won’t soon forget. I read an early copy of this book provided by Montlake Romance through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
I cried my eyes out reading parts of this story as it was so heartbreaking beautiful. Hunter and Mackenzie were always best friends until the day before his wedding when she disappeared. Fast forward 3yrs and Hunter is divorced and Mackenzie is basically hiding out at home since her sight failed. They get together again, grudgingly on Mackenzie's part, to write Hunter's new music album. The only problem is that they are both trying to ignore the chemistry between them. I thought Mackenzie had a great spirit and fight in her but it took Hunter to truly bring it out of her. Beautifully written and I would totally recommend this book to everyone.
This book has on-page sex and cursing (including a few f-bombs) neither overwhelm the story. If those things will cause you to leave a bad review, you should skip this one.
This story is a powerful one from start to finish. Without spoiling anything, I thought that Mackenzie's issues were really well-written and that Ms. Adair's portrayal of Hunter's reaction to it was also really great. So often people think that the way to make things better for a person is to just fix things for them, but watching Hunter learn that Mackenzie needed his support and not his money or his control was really great. Which was good because to be honest, I wasn't crazy about Hunter for a lot of this book. His piggish thoughts and attitudes toward/about women made me want to punch him. Hard. Could “spinner” be a more degrading, disgusting way of thinking about women? So. Gross. Although Hunter was kind of a big pig for a while, he really did turn into a really good guy under all that idiocy and he really became worthy of Mackenzie eventually. I adored Mackenzie. Although she made some decisions that probably hurt her in the long run, I loved how strong she was even if she didn't know it and how much she did for herself even when it was hard. She would have eventually been fine without Hunter in her life, and for me that made their happily ever after so much sweeter.
A sweetly sexy, emotionally thrilling and action packed romantic adventure.... A friendship that bound them together also tore them apart.....Really enjoyed this reading experience.
Mackenzie and Hunter they were friends, he broke her heart choosing someone else and now everything has changed again. She is so strong, brave, sweet and talented, he is equally talented, charming and has sex appeal for days... He knows he broke her heart years ago, now he is back and trying to put it back together....
I love all things Marina Adair and I LOOOOOOOVED this book! I was quickly hooked on Mackenzie's and Hunter's story. I was curious as to what made Mackenzie run away, but enjoyed the way Marina told her story. Her dog Muttley was also quite the character. He made me laugh out loud at times and I was thankful he was there for her. Mackenzie hasn't had an easy life and things got a bit harder for her. But she was making life happen, albeit a bit on the sidelines. Hunter is trying to work on his album but he misses his best friend. His songs aren't working out the way he needs them to and he's desperate to work with songwriters he has never met, but has used their songs in the past. I enjoyed the way Hunter's family is involved in his life and also the way they care about Mackenzie. While life threw them together again, things weren't the same and they had to forge a new path. But, the feelings between them and stronger than ever and I enjoyed the heat and the build-up between them. I enjoyed the way Hunter pushes Mackenzie and wants to help her be the strong woman she is. This sweet, second-chance story was a book I didn't want to put down and I couldn't read it fast enough! I highly recommend this book!