Promise Me Tonight : A Weston Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

Sara Lindsey is being toted as the next Julia Quinn and has some big shoes to fill. I can say with utmost certainty that she can hold her head high and wear those shoes proudly, especially if she continues to write witty and engaging books like she has done with her debut novel, Promise Me Tonight. This is the first book in a series about the seven Weston siblings who all have Shakespearean names.

Isabella Weston has loved her older brother's best friend, James Sheffield, forever. She has dreams of James sweeping her off her feet, marrying her and starting a family. Unfortunately, James sees her as a child and not the woman she has become. But James will be in for the biggest shock of his life when he attends Isabella's coming out ball and notices that Isabella has grown into quite the woman with an exception bosom he can't stop admiring. He's not sure if he can keep his hands to himself. Not that Isabella minds in the least because she wants James to put his hands all over her, as long as it leads to marriage.

What Isabella doesn't understand is although James wants her dearly he can't offer her marriage or give her children because he is so dead set against it. One of the reasons James feels this way is because of his deceased grandfather who hated his mother because she was Irish. When James was a young boy, he lost both his parents and was sent to live with his cold grandfather. That shaped the way James feels about marriage having heirs. Because his mother died in labor when he was a young boy, James refuses to let the woman he loves go through the same thing knowing there is a possibility that she'll perish. Plus, having his name and legacy die with him is the perfect revenge against his cruel grandfather. So, James tortures himself by denying the passion he has for Isabella even though he thinks about her day and night.

Isabella has longed for James for so long. She is tenacious and will no longer stand to the side and allow James to refuse her. Along with her younger bookish sister, Olivia, they come up with a plan where Isabella will seduce James so he has no choice to marry her. She knows he won't be able to stop making from making her his, especially when she comes up with a very shocking way to seduce him. If he ruins her, then she'll finally have everything she ever wanted.

Fans of historical romance rejoice and welcome Sara Lindsey! Promise Me Tonight is an adorable and passionate tale about a young woman who comes from a huge loving family who wants nothing more than the man she has loved since she was a little girl. The heroine, Isabella, is refreshing and her reactions towards James are delightful. She does some sneaky things that may make readers roll their eyes, but because she's written in such an incredible way, you can't help but root for her. James's downfall, where he succumbs to Isabella's charms is beyond hilarious, even though his issues, due to a rough childhood, do become tedious at times. At certain times I wanted to shake James because he can't let go of the past and he does something very stupid and dangerous because he just can't give into his love for Isabella. But, in the end it doesn't take away from the seductive dance both Isabella and James engage in. Their interactions are very steamy and Sara can sure write some hot love scenes.

If you are a die hard fan of passionate historical romance with witty characters and a hero and heroine who will make you smile and sigh at the same time, you must pick up Promise Me Tonight. I can say with much certainty that Sara Lindsey is one author who will make a name for herself in the next decade to come and I look forward to the other Weston siblings' stories.

Katiebabs

I like a woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. That describes heroine Isabella perfectly. She absolutely has been in love with hero James Sheffield since she was only six years old. She has waited patiently for him for years so when he attends her come out ball after an absence from England for five years she is going to make the most of the situation.

James is a man who has loved and lost but not romantically. His mother died in childbirth and his father died a little later leaving James heartbroken and in the hands of his mean spirited Grandfather. James vowed never to love as he was devastated to lose those he loved so young. He is attending Issy's ball since he promised to do so years before. He is astounded at her beauty and the two engage in a passionate embrace that evening which throws him for a loop. He leaves the country to return again when his grandfather dies.

His return is a blessing for Issy or so she thinks. Turns out James's grandfather has scored a blow against his grandson. James does not inherit the estate instead Issy does and this upsets both her and James.

Let me state that up to this point of the novel I had really enjoyed the characters and the story. It is the second half that I found problematic. James acts ridiculously selfish and his actions are almost unforgivable. Issy at times acts totally appropriate for the situation, especially when she is morose; I remembered she is only nineteen, however she also acts contrary to her character and when she and James converse, especially toward the end of the novel, Issy appears very uncertain. This was a surprise from the bold, steadfast and determined Issy of the first half of the book.

James was likeable at first; unlikable in the middle of the novel, and was somewhat redeemable toward the end. His selfish nature went on a trifle too long but when he did come to himself at least he did not blame shift. The ending of this novel however is satisfying and sweet.

Eldest daughter of loving family is persistent about marrying Hero who is her older bro's BFF(best friend forever) & who she's been in love with since childhood. She seduces Hero in his room while he was drunk even though he's told her repeatedly he didn't ever want to marry or love anybody due to his view that those he loves will die. After he realized what happened, he marries heroine speedily then leaves her right after to join the Navy. Heroine later finds out she's pregnant & goes back & forth about loving him & being hurt & wanting nothing to do with him even when hero comes back after baby is born & now willing to take the risk & love her & their child.

The 1st half of Lindsey's book was well-paced, passionate, & riveting. Although heroine was aggressive & persistent, she was still endearing because of her motivations. But the book became a messy and annoying read in the latter half of the book. Heroine became whiny & weepy. Even towards the end when heroine had profound realizations, her actions still fell back to weepy & immature & whiny. I was really disappointed at the lack (or even regressive?) character development of the heroine. This book would've been a 5-star if the heroine acted better.

Cautiously recommended.