I love Professor Gabriel Emerson. This original trilogy were some of my favorite books and I truly loved revisiting these characters. Gabriel and Julia are in a different place now then when we last left them. They're married and Julia has just given birth to their daughter, Claire.

I loved seeing baby Claire and the two of them become parents. I enjoyed reading this book, but to be honest, I was a bit bored while reading a lot of it. It felt like one of those books that wasn't really necessary to the series. There was a bit of drama was was unnecessary IMO and some things left unresolved, which makes me think there might be a fifth book in this series.

Though this book wasn't a favorite for me, this series still holds a special place in my heart and I think some fans of this series may love it, it just didn't quite work for me.

3,5 -4 STARS

" If my soul is yours, my body is also.”

I'm not really sure how I feel about this one, I love the characters and the story wasn't bad but I felt like something was missing.This book spends most of the time with how they are parents and the joys each day brings to them. I find it sweet and I enjoyed this parts.

Overall, I believe whoever loved this series will be very happy with this one!It has some really great moments and the writing was great!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in this utterly enchanting series – and I have just reread the first three in anticipation of further goodness. I was delighted at the renewed pleasure of reading Julia and Gabriel’s story – and finally finding out what happened next! I would highly recommend that anyone new to these books do the same, and start at the beginning – truly, you need to know how far they have travelled – but if it has just been a while, then there are enough pointers to remind you of any past events that your brain has forgotten.

Seeing Gabriel and Julia as parents is a real joy, and along with the reality of dealing with a new infant, we see their shift in priorities, and their growth together. Of course, there are hurdles to cross, and once again the past threatens to spoil their present – but they have a number of faithful friends, though none more so than Katherine Picton. I love that she continues to play a significant, if not seminal role in the couple’s lives.

I will not divulge any more, but promise, along with Gabriel, that this is the book we fans have all been hoping for, and I have loved spending a few days catapulted back into that world that I enjoyed so very much over half a decade ago.

Thank you, Sylvain Reynard, thank you.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
When I saw that there was another book coming out about Professor Gabriel Emerson, I knew I had to read it. I fell in love with the good professor from the very first book and my love for him is still going strong. Although I will share him with Julia and baby Clare.

When Gabriel receives a prestigious invitation to lecture in Scotland, he is conflicted about leaving Julia and baby Clare at home. Julia has a few concerns of her own after having the baby and she hopes they disappear before she has to tell Gabriel. But when a frightening situation happens at home, Gabriel is thinking about declining to go to Scotland so he can keep Julia and Clare safe.

Will Gabriel tell Julia his concerns and they decide what would be best? Will Julia explain her concerns before they get worse? Will the frightening situation continue to plague them?

With the way the story ended, I wonder if there might be a chance for another book? I hope so! I enjoyed seeing Gabriel and Julia adjusting as parents, Gabriel is even sexier as a daddy. I highly recommend you read from the beginning so you don't miss a delicious second of the good professor. So sit back and enjoy all that is Gabriel's Promise.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance

I absolutely loved the first three books in this series. They are must reads, especially if you want to understand what's happening in this story.

We find ourselves back with Gabriel and Julia. They have just had their first child and while trying to figure out how to parent and continue with their careers, they have to navigate being married too.

While we get to see their lives more in depth, this book lacked something for me. It was more just a story about what was happening, rather than furthering the story along. And while there is some mystery within the story, I didn't really feel the pull that I did with the first books.

Hopefully the next book won't take too long, because I would love to see where their lives go.

When I saw Gabriel's Promise hit my kindle I did a little dance because more GABRIEL & JULIA EMERSON!!! These two have a special relationship and now that they are a family of 3 it's no longer just about them but of their sweet-Clare ❤

I don't want to give much away because I want you to get lost in their story and go through the rollercoaster of emotions I went through. I had many questions at the end of Gabriels's Redemption and I feel they were answered in this one. Though I wondered if Gabriel & Julia would finally get their act together and truly start communicating with each other...I'll let you keep guessing on that one 😉

Well I know I'm being greedy here but I wish we could keep getting more on Gabriel & Julia. I feel as they are part of my family (the kind we choose)!! Be ready to read nonstop because it will keep you guessing and on your toes.

3.5 STARS

I absolutely ADORE the 'Gabriel's Inferno' series, and was thrilled to start reading this latest entry in the series. Gabriel and Julia are now married and new parents. What should be a blissful and ecstatic time is instead filled with some tension - as the new family is seemingly threatened by someone or something. But for what reason?

Gabriel and Julia are at a new stage in their relationship as they deal with the pressures of a newborn baby, family and work. The author does a wonderful job of exploring the difficulties and the joy of new parenthood.

“He listened to the gentle tide of his wife’s breathing and the soothing quiet of the household. Then Gabriel slept.”

Both Julia and Gabriel face new challenges, personally and professionally. There is also an element of suspense here as someone or something seems to challenge Gabriel and his new family.
There is passion, romance and exotic locales here as the Emersons travel between Scotland and Boston. The beautiful explorations of Dante and Italian literature and culture are all fascinating!

Gabriel and Julia's romance is central here and I loved seeing how their relationship has evolved. Gabriel is still as passionate and protective as ever! And there is plenty of humor here, too. 'Gabriel's Promise' is a lovely entry in the series and the elements of suspense and mystery definitely need a resolution. I am certainly looking forward to more Julia and Gabriel and seeing where their story goes!

I had an arc of this back in October but sadly time was not on my side and didn't have time to read it till now. I have read and loved the rest of the series so I decided to go ahead and pick up my own copy since it's already out. Regardless of all of that I truly loved this book. It was so lovely to see what Gabriel & Julia were up to and to see them as new parents was really heartwarming. Reynard's writing is as beautiful as ever. I'm so happy we got more of Gabriel & Julia, they are truly some of my favorite characters to read about, this book was just fantastic! And I'm assuming with that ending we may possibly get more books, or is that just wishful thinking!?

Ugh. What a dud. I was so excited to read the continued story of Professor Gabriel and his Beatrice Julia but what a big disappointment this book was.

I could hardly get though the book but kept going because the love I have for these two characters and the previous books, but this one was just different. I didn’t really care for the picture perfect life Gabriel and Julia were living. Rich, career dreams all coming true, blah blah blah. I needed the old professor back but now he is a big softy. The two still have wild and crazy sex.... even after weeks of Julia giving birth to their daughter Claire. Just everything seemed to unrealistic for my taste.

While I did enjoy seeing these two characters grow. I missed the magic of the first novels. The book ends with possibilities of more novels in the series but i think it might be time to leave things be.

As much as I love professor Gabriel this book was a no for me.

I give Gabriel’s Promise 2 stars.

DISCLAIMER: I adore the Gabriel’s Inferno and the Florentine series. Like So MUCH.

Since high school, I’ve read and re-read this series and felt like maybe it wasn’t completely done. Since both series kind of intertwine, both couples were sort of left up in the air. Gabriel and Julianne more so than Raven and Nicholaus.

In Gabriel’s Promise, there was much more closure as well as more character development. Julianne, throughout the series, was very shy and almost reluctant to fight for herself. She was pretty content, for the majority of the series, to let Gabriel be the first line of defense. But in Gabriel’s Promise, Julianne steps up and starts being more assertive with herself, her family, and her career.

She was bound and determined that her family not suffer because of her career. Gabriel was swearing the same. He was always adamant that Julianne’s career and their relationship not suffer because of his career. And in Gabriel’s Promise, Gabriel does good on that. He was about to sacrifice his career for Julianne. The relationship development was absolutely perfect. It was such a great ending to an amazing story.

I’ve missed Gabriel and Julia a lot their story is breathtaking and beautiful and this book really brought so much back of what I’ve been missing. The romance, the angst, the love everything that Julia and Gabriel always have when they’re together.

Gabriele's Promise it’s an intimate look on Gabriel and Julia's marriage, we get to dive deeper into their lives now as a married couple and with a beautiful daughter. The love for each other is very palpable since the very first pages of the book, Gabriel continues to be in control but at the same time, he is more aware of everything now that he has so much to care about. The ups and downs that constantly surround them, are not helping them to have an easy life, the mystery of things that keep happening is Bringing back old fears from their past that is coming back to hunt them.

Gabriele's promise is a confirmation that no matter how much life, circumstances, and people are trying so hard to separate Gabriel and Julia, Gabriele won’t let this happen. He will do whatever is in his hands to protect what is really valuable for him. even if he had to reject the offer of his life, his family is first.

One of the things that I really love about this book is that we get to see a more mature and stronger Julia, in the past she was way more fragile and usually Gabriel will save her but in this book, she is tired of people dictating her career and future, she fights and speaks her truth, she is more bold and way more eager to speak her truth.

The feeling that I got while reading Grabriel's Promise was of suspense, I always felt like something was going to happen, it felt like they were constantly overserved or follow by someone, that really kept me super intrigued at all times thinking something was about to happen.

Old characters stop by and make an appearance to help and make this story more enjoyable. like Katherine, Richard, and Rachel but definitely Clare is the one who takes the whole attention of the book. Even if she is small she brings so much light to these pages.

Great book, Great Characters, Gabriel and Julia keep making us falling in love more and more with their story.

5 Stars!

Sylvain Reynard never disappoints and the smart, sexy Gabriel's Inferno series is back with a brand new book and fans, readers of this series... this is one you cannot miss! Edgy. Intense. Unputdownable. Unforgettable. Sylvain pulled out all of the stops in this new installment and I'll be honest, I didn't stop once until the pages quit turning.

I highly recommend this book.

That feeling of warmth, love, and peace... that's what I felt for Gabriel's Promise. It felt like a homecoming after being away for so long. And I know that I am not alone in that sentiment as this series has remained in my heart for years. Gabriel's Inferno will forever be one of my favorite romance novels and I can never get enough. My gratitude goes out to Sylvain Reynard for bringing my favorite characters back in 2020.

Gabriel's Promise is the fourth installment in the Gabriel's Inferno series and it was full of emotion. It picks up right where book 3 left off, with Julia and Gabriel as new parents. I loved reading about Gabriel and his quest to take care of both Clare and Julia to the best of his ability. He was the perfect father, full of neurosis, but still, perfect. While there was quite a bit going on, not once did his love for his wife and newborn falter and that's what I loved the most.

This latest novel is full of emotions, twists and turns with some unexpected suspense, as well as many obstacles along the way, and yet, it still stayed true to the series. I will say that I was left with questions and a fast beating heart, so I am hopeful that there is more to come. Overall, I enjoyed revisiting my favorite Professor and diving back into the world of academia, love, and drama.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Mr. Reynard thank you. Thank you for ending the book in a good place. Thank you for not having the book end where you need to write another book for us to get this one complete. Can another be written? Yes but this book is nicely wrapped up that another to complete this book isn’t needed. Thank yo for that.

You have given Julia and Gabriel a new and exciting journey. Parenthood and boy has Gabriel taken to it. It is so precious to see Gabriel’s interactions with his daughter. My favorite is when he is holding her for the first time. That one has you melt. And when she says dada you just turn to goo. You see a softer Gabriel and a more vulnerable one with this little one and you melt. Truly melt by the end of the book you are just a pile of goo from all the sweet and precious moments between Gabriel and Clare.

The romance in the book sizzles as it always has between Julia and Gabriel. But with this book it was primary and you know that they are in a good place. You see how their relationship has strengthened and you much joy and love is between them. The issue that Julia has in the book with her academics, it was great to see Gabriel has grown to where he trusts in Julia and respects her and her decisions no matter how much he wants to protect her he does what is best for her. This has you grow fonder of him.

The story of his career is interesting and you fall apart as he struggles with decisions. You can see his love of family and how much he wants to protect but also see how they want what is best for him as well.

I love how there isn’t angst or drama. the characters are in a good place and are loving and wonderful. The story grows and entertains but also has you melt for that little girl of theirs. You see that more stories can occur but if they do not it’s okay because Gabriel, Julia and their family are in a good place.

I love the literature references and how they have you think. I love how it links into the fabric of the story and love of Gabriel and Julia. the story overall is just wonderful. This family dynamic has you laugh, smile and just fall in love with them. Gabriel with Clare is so so precious and with Julia it is steaming and loving. A wonderful story from beginning to end and I look forward to more stories of this couple and family.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

The first three novels in this series were like Dante's inferno, full of fire, jealousy, and sin. If your expecting that in part four you will be a bit disappointed. This is what happens after the fire. Things settle, you form a routine....its like Gabriel is domesticated. Its still a lovely book but after almost losing Julia, I think it changes Gabriel.

What did I like? Julia is first and foremost in Gabriel's thoughts. His razor sharp focus is still aimed at her which is a joy, despite their domesticity. They are constantly surrounded by groups of people so their sex life has taken a back seat with the arrival of the baby.

Would I buy/recommend? If you've read the first three then your invested....might as well finish the story in bliss. Its like the calm after all the chaos. They still have enemies and the pettiness of stupid people are still shocking but bright side is the baby.

Thoughts for the author? Three stars doesn't mean that I hated the book, it was just left field of what I'm used to. thanks for allowing me a copy to finish this amazing series! I'm looking forward to your next series.

Life has never been richer for Professor Gabriel Emerson. He and his beloved Julianne finally have a child of their very own and now he’s just been offered the highest honor of his academic career – to give the Sage Lectures at The University of Edinburgh.

Everything seems to be falling into place but looks can be deceiving.

Julianne is fighting to balance completing her own studies with the demands of being a new mother. She’s just discovered that there are those who would use her to mete out a personal vendetta against her husband. And now an even more menacing danger seems to threaten their very lives and forces them to abandon the sanctuary of their home.

She needs to find a way to protect her family and everything she’s worked so hard for. But they will soon learn that Julianne is as strong as she is brilliant, and she won’t allow anything separate her from her heart and soul.

“Gabriel recalled his time in Assisi, during his separation from Julianne, and how he had encountered grace and forgiveness in St. Francis’s crypt. He remembered his earnest prayers that Julianne would forgive him and marry him. That God would bless them with a child.
He held in his arms a miracle – the extravagance of grace that had been bestowed on someone who was proud and sometimes angry, intemperate and addictive, lustful and profligate.
Forgiveness was not for the sinless or the perfect. Mercy was not for the just. He had to learn to name and acknowledge his own shortcomings before he could receive the remedies. The remedies themselves challenged him to treat other needy souls with mercy and compassion. Julianne was a shining example of that.”

I have always been a huge fan of this series! The way that Sylvain Reynard fuses art, religion and searing passion is powerfully hypnotic. So I couldn’t wait to devour Gabriel’s Promise.

It started so out strong. The birth of Clare softened Gabriel's sharp edges and made Julianne surprisingly fierce. I loved rediscovering why I have adored these characters for so long. But as the story unfolded, the pace slowed, and I actually started skimming pages to find some kind of resolution.

The good news for fans is that the ending is wide open. So it appears as if there is still more to come from The Professor in the future. And I’m hoping that we all won’t have to wait very long…

I did something with this fourth book in the Gabriel's Inferno series that I haven't done in quite some time. I finished the book, then I sat back and stewed about it for a while. Then I stewed about it some more. I enjoyed the first three books in the series, and while it took me a bit in the first book to warm up to the contrariness that is Gabriel, warm up, I did, and I liked this couple together. Julia has this way of giving in to Gabriel while somehow, still getting her own way, and there is no doubt of his dedication to her. That dedication takes on a new element with Gabriel's Promise. This pair is learning to be parents, and they're both completely devoted to baby Clare. Gabriel, Julia, and Clare are just the sweetest family, and of course, we get lots of extended family as everyone gathers round to welcome the new baby, which means some catching up with favorites from the series. Of course, there's a bit of angst with some secrets between our couple, but if you're familiar with the series, and you really should be before starting this one, then a few disagreements between these two won't be enough to do them in. Instead, we get some danger by way of a mystery character, one who may or may not be from Gabriel or Julia's past. This is where I ran into problems, and it's what brought about my stewing. What it boils down to is that the conclusion for this book is kind of open-ended, and it feels a little unfinished to me. Now, I don't know if there are plans for another book in the series. Honestly, I expected this to be the finale for this couple, but now, I'm not so sure. If there is another book in the works, the unfinished ending along with unanswered questions would make sense because the series has been a continuing story. But, if this is the last book, I feel like the author took the easy way out with the suspense angle here. I really expected so much more, especially after a certain big thing happened. It really had great potential, but it ended up being a little like a secondary storyline just to have the mystery included, and it starts to fizzle after that above mentioned big event. To sum it up, I loved getting to revisit this couple, but I wasn't sold on the suspense, especially with how it was left.

GABRIEL’S PROMISE is the fourth instalment in Sylvain Reynard’s contemporary, adult GABRIEL’S INFERNO erotic, romance series focusing on Professor Gabriel Emerson, and his wife Julianne Emerson. GABRIEL’S PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there are a number of references to previous events that affect the current time line.

Told from third person perspective GABRIEL’S PROMISE picks up immediately after the events of book three GABRIEL’S REDEMPTION wherein our heroine, Julianne Emerson has given birth to their daughter Clare, a difficult birth of which Julia is slow to recover. Not wanting to put her PhD dissertation on hold, Julianne will struggle with the future of her studies when her husband is offered/wins a prestigious position overseas in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Meanwhile the Emerson family is being stalked. From the numerous appearances of an unmarked car to the mysterious break-in at their once-secure home, Gabriel Emerson battles between head and heart knowing to turn down the prestigious offer means destroying his career in the blink of an eye. But his family comes first, in all matters of the heart and our hero is willing to walk away from his career to protect the people he loves.

There is a large ensemble cast of dynamic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including colleagues, family, and friends-former or otherwise.

GABRIEL’S PROMISE is a story of family, love, vengeance and betrayal. Once again, there are numerous comparisons of, and references to Dante’s Inferno and the Divine Comedy, Purgatorio and Paradiso, as is to be expected from our leading couple, as well as the author Sylvain Reynard. The series, in part, focuses on the writings of Dante Alighieri, and references many examples applying the poetry to Gabriel’s life.

Someone is hoping to destroy the Emerson family but the list of potential suspects is convoluted and long. From both Julianne and Gabriel’s exes, to the jealousy of colleagues and former friends, threats to Gabriel, Julianne and their daughter Clare force Gabriel to take drastic measures to protect the woman and child he loves. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is energetic and hot; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic.

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4 Stars!
Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well known Dante specialist from Harvard who made a name for himself at the University of Toronto. He’s now a full time professor at Boston University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his wife Julia and new baby Clare. Gabriel and Julia were a few months away from their second wedding anniversary, and had come a long way since she was his graduate student. They’d survived scandal, and separation, and now life was about being a family. As they are settling in to being new parents they encounter unexpected drama, new opportunities, and academic challenges. Through everything they continue to put family and their love first.

Gabriel’s Promise is the fourth installment in the Gabriel Inferno series. It’s packed with passion, mystery and intrigue. I really enjoyed this story, and was happy to get more of the professor!

Sylvain Reynard is one of my must read authors. Gabriel's Promise has been a long time in the making, but worth every second of the wait.

Now, I have terrible bookzheimers, and I didn't reread the previous books prior to diving in to book 4, so it took me a while to get my head back around where there story was at, but once I did it was full steam ahead for me.

We are back with our Professor and his lovely Julianne, their growing family and the intriguing world of Dante and his Beatrice.

A little bit of mystery and drama, grumpy professors, and a whole lot of dirty, sexy times had me turning each page.

I did find the first 25% or so a little slow, and a little heavy handed on the religion stuff - that's just the athiest in me I guess! If it weren't a Sylvain / Gabriel book, I am not sure if I would have kept on reading, however I knew it would be worth it to keep going.

And ugh, Gabriel/Julia - what was with the not telling each other stuff???

I know it makes it sound like I didn't like this book, however that is not the case. Just my pet peeves showing!

What I really loved, was getting more of Paul - you know, the Angelf*&ker. I always liked him, and loved seeing his and Julia's relationship moving forward.

The ending, to me, felt a little open ended - so fingers crossed that there will be more in the future. Please let us have more.

I totally enjoyed this book!
Author Sylvain Reynard picks up in this fourth book of the Inferno series right where we left off in Book 3, Gabriels Redemption.
This book gives all the feels of being new parents for Gabriel & Julia . with their newborn baby daughter Clare.
I enjoyed the love, suspense, and the drama they endure. This book did give me a rollercoaster of emotions when it came to the obstacles they had to overcome.
Overall I enjoyed every bit of being brought back into their world.
5 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒popped!

I've said it before and I will say it again, this series is absolutely one of my all time faves. I've reread it multiple times and will continue to do so. This is truly a romance of epic proportions and the prose is superb.

The addition of a child to any family is a monumental event and it's no different for this fictional family, except it is. The Professor's love for his daughter Clare, is far more intense due to the demons and self doubt he harbors, and I LOVED every second of it! I also loved the ever present Dante references, they fascinated me, causing me to consult Google a time or two. I enjoyed the suspenseful plot, but unfortunately, I did not love the ending and wonder if we will possibly see another installment for these soulmates? I'm not sure I got the resolution I needed, I'm caught between letting this couple ride off into the sunset as is, or wanting another interlude.

Overall, I loved catching up with a beloved cast and spending time with them once again. A solid read as always.