Even though this is the 12th book in the Bitter Creek series, it is the first I have read and had no issues reading it as a standalone. I liked the complex cast of characters who showed real passion and emotions, lots of family drama and an engaging story with great subplots that kept me on my toes. I just couldn't put the book down and look forward to reading more by this gifted author. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-crafted western contemporary romance

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.

Rye Sullivan is raising his five year old son, Cody, with the help of his family and with no help from the boy’s mother, Vick, who gave full legal custody to Rye. When Rye’s brother, Mike, is attacked by a bear and fighting for his life in the hospital, Rye’s mother does not want to leave Mike, so Rye’s go-to babysitter is no longer able to be there for Cody. As a last resort, he agrees to let Vick move into his home to take care of Cody. Cody is thrilled to have his mother with him. Rye is fighting the strong feelings he still has for Vick.

Ms. Johnston’s characters work their way into your heart. The story line is well-developed. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend Sullivan’s Promise to anyone who enjoys a well-written contemporary romance.

I received an Advance Reader’s Copy of Sullivan’s Promise in exchange for my honest review. I can honestly say that I loved this book!

It is all about family. Ryan Sullivan is the oldest son and takes the care of the family ranch seriously. He was raised that either things were true or false. There were no shades of grey. Imagine when that world comes crashing down. Can he stay true to how he was raised or will he bend. Victoria Greyhawk had such a crazy childhood. Her family was involved in a feud with the Flynn's. She didn't have a mother to seek council from, so she made a mistake. Now she is trying to make amends. She will pay whatever price she has to, to keep her family together.

SULLIVAN’S PROMISE was an awesome book from start to finish! The characters are intriguing: Ryan is a handsome Cowboy, Vick is a gorgeous woman who is committed to protecting endangered species and the child they share is so precious. When Ryan’s brother is attacked by a wild bear Vick and Ryan are on different sides of the issue of killing the bear. I loved the Western setting, the passion between Ryan and Vick and the way Ms. Johnston describes the scenes with such details it felt like I was there. I highly recommend!

Joan Johnston is and has always been one of my favorite authors.
Her Bittercreek Series I’ve read twice and have loved, loved it.
As I’m reading Sullivan’s Promise I reflect on all the different storylines and plots Ms. Johnston has weaved throughout every book. She is a masterful author in delivering surprising twist and she didn’t let me down with Sullivan’s Promise.
The huge twist in this one left me shouting and happy dancing in the middle of the book.
Kudos to Ms Johnston for writing a series that just keeps giving and giving. Never a boring moment in this series!!!!!

Netgalley provided my early copy for an honest review.

I haven't read Joan Johnson book in a long long time. I'm not sure why. She is a great storyteller. Although this book is far into a series it was so very easy to read and catch up on some characters I didn't know anything about. What I love about this story is it's true to life, things happen, decisions are made then we have to figure out how to correct the mistakes. and learn from them. Vick and Rye had a lot of things to figure out before they could have their happily ever after ending. I am really looking forward to catching up reading other books in this series.

Sullivan’s Promise by Joan Johnston is part of a series; however, it is the first I read. Though this is noted as a standalone, I do feel there was some backstory to some of the characters I did not have. Even so, I enjoyed reading Ryan Sullivan and Victoria (Vick) Grayhawk’s story. After a night of passion, Vick knows she does not want the child they conceive and believes adoption is the right choice. However, Ryan is having none of it. Now she wants a second chance, but is it too late? She fights to be the mom she wants to be, but seems to always be on the outside looking in. But when tragedy strikes, she gets a chance she never imagined ever having again. I truly enjoyed reading Sullivan’s Promise by Joan Johnston. It was a book about family and second chances that was emotional and heartwarming. I am excited to go back and read more of this series.

Happy reading!

The best is this last book in the series. A wonderful finale of those Awful Flynn boys” and “Kings Brats”. We also learn about about the nature of bears in the wild. Now I have to wait for another Joan Johnston book or series. Happy and sad.

Sullivan’s Promise - A Bitter Creek Novel
by Joan Johnston

WOW!!! I’m never disappointed in Joan Johnston’s writing. I first started reading her historical romance which I ADORED! And let me tell you her contemporary are just as intriguing. I loved, loved Rye and Vick’s story this was a couple that was brimming with passion. They have a love hate relationship some trust issues and a connection. They also have a son together, at first Vick wasn’t ready for motherhood figured adoption the safest way. But more than one situation arises that has Rye and Vick in close proximity and the spark turns into an inferno. I don’t want to give anything away this was a GEM of a book. I believe it can be read as a stand alone but I think that the whole picture to be had would be if the series was read from the beginning. Which I’m going to be doing ASAP! I highly recommend this!

I recieved a complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

When I started reading Sullivan’s Promise, I was under the impression that it could be construed as a stand-alone book. The blurb states that it can (look above). Having finished the book, I ‘ll say that you need to read the other books before reading this one. There were parts of the book where I was left wondering what the heck was going on or why do people feel that way. I do not like feeling like that, and it factored into my rating.

The plotline was alright. The author did a fantastic job of taking a sensitive subject and showing both sides to it. She was able to explain what Vick went through without taking away from why Ryan was so upset. She also was able to show both sides of conservation. She was able to show the fine lines that ranchers have to walk when it came to protecting their land. My issue with the plotline was that it seemed like the author had to stretch it if that makes sense.

I wasn’t a fan of Ryan. I did admire him for stepping up. It was everything after that I didn’t like. He had a black and white view of the world. He was also unbendable with his opinions of people and events. His treatment of Vick is a great example. I get that he was mad, but she proved over and over that she was a devoted mother. But he refused to bend for five freaking years. That drove me nuts whenever it came up. What drove me nuts was that he wasn’t going to ask his mother about why he had a different blood type than her and his father. Instead, he stewed in it and made up scenarios in his head. Realistic but drove me up a wall.

I did like Vick. Her reactions to finding out that she was pregnant were realistic. She wasn’t happy about being pregnant. When she gave birth, she left the baby with Ryan. But, after six months, she decided she wanted a relationship with her son and got stonewalled by Ryan. I am not going to defend her actions. What she did was wrong. But, she wanted to make it right. Everything she did from that point forward was above board and honest. So, Ryan’s treatment of her was ridiculous. She was more patient than I would have been.

The romance between Vick and Ryan seemed forced. The sex scenes didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t get past Ryan’s treatment of Vick for the first half of the book. What irked me was that when Vick decided to start dating, Ryan ruined it for her. I wanted to pull my hair out at that point.

The last half of the book confused the heck out of me. Instead of being about Ryan and Vick, it was about their extended families, which confused the heck out of me. Other than Ryan’s parentage, I couldn’t understand why the other people were in the book. There were tie ins towards the end, but there were a few chapters where I was going “Why is this in the book? What does this have to do with Vick and Ryan’s story?” I did appreciate those updates, but I haven’t read the other books. So it annoyed me too.

The end of Sullivan’s Promise was your typical romance novel ending. Ryan and Vick’s storyline was wrapped up. It ended like I thought it would of. I did enjoy the epilogue. I liked seeing where Ryan and Vick were a few years later.

Would I have enjoyed Sullivan’s Promise more if I had read the other books in the series. Absolutely. I would have gotten a better grasp of the family dynamics.

Loved this trip back to Bitter Creek and all the amazing charters there... was a page-turning read that had me hooked from beginning to end and I was so happy to be along for the journey. A very heartwarming and entertaining reading experience.

The final book in the King's Brat/ "Awful" Flynn boys series intertwines the feuding Grayhawk and Flynn families more, exposes secrets and gives second chances to several first loves to be rekindled. Must be read in order to really keep up, the characters have been skillfully developed throughout the series. Aside from tying all loose ends together, some in unexpected ways, there is a riveting hunt for a marauding grizzly bear. Ends with HEA for most, but not all.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher as part of the author's Review Crew. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This book to be seemed to be a long wait to get it - thought I really did enjoy the return to the characters and the story itself was very good - the ups and downs in the long road to a final HEA!

This book had just about everything in a book I enjoy.Drama,romance past mistakes that result in future life.I liked Ryes character because he was very family oriented and was willing to raise a child he hadn’t planned on.I didn’t like Vicks character at first but as the book went on I understood her better.The book was well written,I enjoy Ms.Johnstons style,and the flow from start to finish was good.

Title: Sullivan's Promise
Author: Joan Johnston
Publisher: Random House Publishing Groups - Ballantine
Series: Bitter Creek # 12
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Sullivan's Promise" by Joan Johnston

My Rationalization...

This was quite a gratifying story that was not only caught up in drama but also emotional, sexy, with unexpected twists and most of all a heartfelt read. Add in a little mystery with some suspense and you have one heck of a good read that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next. Get ready for some interesting characters as the storyline is woven in from the families of the Sullivan's Grayhawks, and the Flynn throughout the read. Be ready for some romance that will put a smile on your face. I loved how this author was able to tie this series all together answering lots of questions and even though I know this is the last of the Bitter Creek Series it still would be good to see what happens with Ryan's brother Mike.

I have not read all of the books in this series and maybe I wouldn't have been so confused if I had(?). I'm just not sure. The story with what I thought was the two main characters was going along nicely and I was really enjoying it. The next day I started a new chapter and actually wondered if I had somehow opened up another book. I'm still not positive that I have all the connections down. I would need to go back and reread some to get it all 100%.
That said, the book was good. I was just a little confused some of the time. I loved that the two main characters were coming back together and were willing to work on the relationship after a long time of there being nothing but hostility and regret between them. I just wished it hadn't been so confusing!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know where to start to do justice to this story. I’ve read most of this author’s books especially all the series and books that are connected to these characters back to Captive and I have recommended these books to so many people I know so when I read this book it both warmed my heart and broke my heart. This is such a strong story with so many answers. All the many characters are so relatable that they just come to life. This book did the same.

Ryan Sullivan is so responsible that even his one night stand makes him take action. He doesn’t know he was with Victoria Grayhawk until later in the story. Victoria at the same time doesn’t know that her one night stand would so change her life. As both of them deal with the issue of Cody the story brings in so many other characters. This author has the unique way of going full circle, Ryan’s mom Darcie has unfinished business with Angus Flynn. Matt and Jennie and King Grayhawk’s outcome are some resolved. So may other open questions are resolved in this book. The overall story warmed my heart. The ending is good but saying goodbye to so many of these characters felt like I had attended a funeral. I feel like I lost friends. I feel like there might be further stories involving Ryan’s brother Mike and sister Amy Beth but I don’t know if any of the other characters will be in further stories. This is the one story I would have hated to have missed. It ties up so many other books and gives a updated picture where the characters are currently. As always I can’t wait to see what will come next.

Lexie/Vick had given her son up but after six months showed up for her once a month weekend to be with Cody. Five years later - Usually Rye or his brother Mike or mother darcie dropped Cody off at 5 pm Friday for his monthly visit and Vick took him back 5 pm Sunday. When Rye or his brother mike or mother Darcie hadn’t showed up by 7pm Darcie went to the ranch house and found a cryptic message on Sullivan’s-Rye’s- back door. Meet me at the hospital. She tried to call but Sullivan didn’t return any of her calls. She tried once again to call Sullivan as she started her truck and it went right to voicemail. She tried not to imagine the worst for he five year old son. Cody was never far from Sullivan’s side when he went out on the range. But he also rode trails close to home by himself. Vick thanked God she was living here year round in Montana. Thank God she could be at the hospital when her son needed her. It was still agony to give Cody back to his father but she’d been able to see Cody far more over the past year when he participated in school or church events that she could attend. Unfortunately living here meant she also had interaction with Sullivan. He had someone else or he passed Cody over with a stony silence. But since moving to Montana last year she encountered Sullivan in situations, especially at Cody’s school and Sunday School where they were forced to act cordially. It had been awkward to say the least. She often ran into Sullivan at the grocery store or out at the bar with his latest girlfriend when she was getting together with Pete Harrison a Flathead county deputy sheriff who recently turned into more than just a friend. Her accidental meetings with Sullivan always seemed fraught with tension. He spoke briefly and curtly to her , if he spoke to hre at all. She figured too much had been left unsaid between them. Or maybe left unresolved. Vick had never forgiven herself for giving up her child, so she couldn’t very well blame Sullivan for begrudging her every moment she spent with Cody. when she got to the ER she found out it was Sullivan's younger brother Mike who had been injured. Why couldn’t he have said Mike was injured and not Cody? Seh saw Sullivan pacing the waiting room but than Cody saw her and came running and said”Uncle Mike got eaten by a bear.” She still had a distant relationship with Sullivan but had surprisingly become a good friends with darcie over the past five years. Lexi now went by Vick with everyone. Sullivan told Vick it was bad Mike had been attacked by a grizzly bear the same ones she fought to save. When darcie said mike needed blood Vick quickly stepped up to donate and so did Sullivan. Sullivan found out not both his parents were biological . than Vick thought back to the panicked look on Darcie’s face when Sullivan said he would be donating blood also. Maybe Sullivan had been adopted or Darcie had been pregnant when she married Patrick Sullivan’s father. Vick had been a baby when her mnother ran off with one of her father's cowhands, and her father had been absent most of her childhood , living in the governor's mansion while she and her three sisters were back on his ranch. At least Sullivan knew he had been loved. Sullivan said why didn’t they just tell him if he was adopted. Vick couldn’t believe Sullivan was sharing his very private and personal thoughts with her but she then realized there was no one else. Than his current girlfriend-Sherry- told Sullivan she wasn’t his babysitter. She didn’t want her own kids or his.Than he gave Lexie/Vick credit the mere thought of Cody being hurt and she had broken speed limits to get to the hospital, she had donated blood for Mike and she sat beside his mother offering comfort. At the moment Lexie was using word games to distract a tired and cranky Cody. that left Sullivan?Rye free to pace the floor with worry for his brother. Rye/Sullivan realized she was teaching cody as she played with him. When he compared the behavior of the woman he had scorned for five years and the behavior of the woman that supposedly loved him, he realized he had been fooling himself. Sherry would never make a good mother for Cody or good wife for him. He then told Sherry after thanking her for being there he thought they better call it quits. Sullivan ended up having Vick stay at his house to watch cody as he had to take care of the ranch and his mother wanted to stay at the hospital with Mike. he didn’t know how long that would be for. But he still couldn’t bring himself to call her Vick to him she was Lexie. He felt a flood of desire that shook him when he was talking to lexie about staying in his home. That was why he had kept his distance for the last five years . That was why he had done his best to avoid meeting her during the weekend handoffs. That was why every conversation he had with her over the last year since she had moved to Montana was awkward and uncomfortable. He’d never stopped wanting her. He could never forgive her for walking away form Cody . How was he going to handle her every morning at breakfast for weeks, maybe even months . having her in his home all the time. She had agreed then ;eft with Cody said she would pack a bag and be at the ranch later. Now she was going to devote herself to being a full time mom to Cody as long as she could. Sullivan must had made his feelings clear of not wanting her thee and cody had absorbed it when he got mad at her and said some hurtful things. She realized she had a lot to learn when having Cody fulltime to just a weekend a month. Even though she intended on taking Sullivan back to court if he didn’t give her more time with Cody. The fact she still found Sullivan attractive would have to be left on the shelf. Vick thought about why she had left the hotel- so long ago- before Sullivan woke up. She guessed it was because of past experience she didn’t trust anyone to stick around for the long haul. The man she had left that night was leaving the next day to go home. She didn’t think she would ever see him again no use hanging around.
I loved this book. I didn’t want to put this down. I loved the angst in this it was just enough . It had several substories but they were well done and you didn’t get confused or frustrated with them. They were tied all together so well by the end. I loved the closeness Vick had with her sisters especially her twin Taylor. Also the closeness Sullivan had with his siblings. I loved how the author wrote this book and the problems and situations and difficulties that came up and how they were handled and resolved. I would have liked to seen Mike have a HEA . Hopefully he will get his own book. My heart broke for Mike. I loved Cody he was such a sweetheart but also a typical five year old and added a lot to this book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it . Yup another favorite.

You'll lose yourself in this epic western romance!

At the heart of it, this book tells the story of the slow-building romance of Ryan (Rye) and Victoria (Vick/Lexie) as they figure out co-parenting after a fruitful one-night-stand. But as the latest in a long series, this story also deals with the generations-old feud between the Flynn and the Grayhawk families, connecting to the current romance with the revelation of a shocking secret.

Lexie has spent years trying to convince Rye that she's atoned for her youthful mistake, but it takes a near-tragedy to wake Rye up to the passion and chemistry that he's always known was there. Rye is slow to trust, slow to risk his heart, slow to take any chances with his son's future. But eventually he finds his heart melting when it comes to young Cody's mother.

This is epic storytelling at its finest, showing us the personal growth of the characters with a surprising depth of emotion. The addition of the extended families on both sides - all three, really - drives home the emotional impact of how romance is, at its core, the vehicle for building families generation after generation and its importance cannot be overstated. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

If you haven’t read a Joan Johnston, you owe it to yourself to dive into one today. Sullivan's Promise would be a great start even though it is part of a series. It reads very well as a stand-alone even though both of the main characters have families who made appearances.

This is a story that I got completely lost in while reading, forgetting everything that was going on around me. I was so invested in the life of the child as well as the parents. I will also say it was easy to love Ryan Sullivan who made decisions based on the welfare of the child. Still he was harsh at times with Vick but then I think she did have to prove herself as one who will stick.

Like the last book I read by Joan Johnston, Sullivan’s Promise has all the right making for a riveting read; amazing writing, engrossing scenes, genuine characters involved in a complicated relationship, and a story that is emotionally charged. The best part - Love wins in the end. Wow, what a memorable story!

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.