Review: Promises by Marie Sexton

Title: Promises
Author: Marie Sexton
Series: Coda Books, #1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 8, 2010
Pages: 138, ebook
Rating:

Jared Thomas has lived his whole life in the small mountain town of Coda, Colorado. He can't imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the only other gay man in town is twice his age and used to be his teacher, so Jared is resigned to spending his life alone. Until Matt Richards walks into his life, that is.

Matt has just been hired by the Coda Police Department, and he and Jared immediately become friends. Matt claims he is straight, but for Jared, having a sexy friend like Matt is way too tempting. Facing Matt's affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt's co-workers, Jared fears they'll never find a way to be together-if he can even convince Matt to try.

I'm not saying it’s easy for me either, Jared, but I don’t want to hide anymore. I will not spend the rest of my life being ashamed of my love for you.”

I absolutely LOVED this book to death! PROMISES comes highly recommended to M/M newbies and I agree with that statement. PROMISES definitely made me fall in love with M/M Romance all over again. I'm so mad I didn't read this book sooner. It definitely does not disappoint, especially with the beautiful love story and I LOVE love stories.

I liked the characters, the town and the storyline. Matt and Jared are our spotlight couple in this book. Matt is new in town and he and Jared end up becoming friends. The only thing is Jared is openly gay and Matt claims he is straight, but he is still in the closet, still figuring things out. These guys as friends get along so well, but they both want more. But Matt is still struggling on the point of thinking if it's right to have those feelings for a man. Eventually these two finally end up together.

“Fair? Do you have any idea what I put up with at work for you? Have you ever even thought about it? Do you think that’s ‘fair’? I ask you to make just a little bit of an effort for me, and you won’t even consider it.

I really enjoyed Matt figuring out everything. If it was worth it. To choose between Jared and his job and just to be okay with having those feelings for Jared. The town and his co-workers give him a hard time about it, but to him it is worth it because he loves Jared. Jared on the other hand drove me nuts towards the end. After wanting Matt and having him finally, he ends up being scared of what everyone will think and not wanting to deal with it.

We get one of those wonderful Jared and Matt conversations & make-up moments, so I forgive him. Their love really was beautiful. I think what makes books like these so good is the love story and the drama included. I freaking adored this book and will absolutely continue on with the Coda Books Series.