REVIEW: The Promise by Kristen Ashley (The 'Burg Series #5)

Since his brother’s death, Benny Bianchi has been nursing his grudge against the woman he thinks led to his brother’s downfall. He does this to bury the feelings he has for Francesca Concetti, his brother’s girl. But when Frankie takes a bullet while on the run with Benny’s cousin’s woman, Benny has to face those feelings.

The problem is Frankie has decided she’s paid her penance. Penance she didn’t deserve to pay. She’s done with Benny and the Bianchi family. She’s starting a new life away from Chicago and her heartbreaking history.

Benny has decided differently.

But Frankie has more demons she’s battling. Demons Benny wants to help her face. But life has landed so many hard knocks on Frankie she’s terrified of believing in the promise of Benny Bianchi and the good life he’s offering.

Frankie’s new life leads her to The ‘Burg, where Benny has ties, and she finds she not only hasn’t succeeded in getting away, she’s doesn’t want to.

Kindle Edition, 518 pages
Published July 8th 2014 by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Source: Purchased

Purchase a copy: Goodreads | Amazon

OUR REVIEW

Shel: I think KA broke the mold with this one. Don't get me wrong we still had our sassy heroine and our badass hero. We still had the dialogue that makes me grin. We still had the parts that reach in and squeeze your heart. And, we still had shenanigans. I guess what feels different is that rather than the focus be on an external pressure (like a serial killer or a psychopathic cop), the vast majority of the pressure comes the conflict Frankie has with being in a healthy relationship (and that her dead boyfriend happens to be the brother of her current crush/boyfriend/lover, Benny). Once Frankie gets her head 'sorted', the vast majority of the novel really deals with coping with a long distance romance and how that impacts how the relationship progresses. While some may not like the lack of an action packed subplot as a constant, I actually liked watching their relationship develop over time. And just because KA is KA (haha), the shenanigans come but with less crazy intensity than what I think most would expect. 

Court: I was so sad when I wasn't sure what they were going to get with this one! and with the way that we are introduced to these characters in Vi and Cal's book...well...a lot of their drama has unfolded. Where did they go from here? Well...from chaos to trying to find normal. That is not an easy place to be or get to either, but I really enjoyed the journey. I think we both definitely enjoyed Benny trying to get Frankie to not do something stupid from 4 hours away. Having lived a 14 hour long distance relationship and survived it...it is freaking hard. So, it was nice to see them struggle through that, and relate to it...and know I NEVER want to do it again! I loved Frankie being Frankie and tricking herself out just because she wanted to...and the only person she was out to impress was herself. I like that she made those same choices for herself too, and we see her being independent and making decisions for HER! So...yep! I also loved that this picks up pretty much right where the other book ended. 

Shel: So with the slower unfurling of this relationship (much to Benny's dismay, I think), but all of the bad ass, kick ass characters,  the humorous dialogue, the steamy sex scenes, and the epic epilogue, The Promise feels familiar and yet new and it's this type of thing that always keeps me coming back to KA. Court: It really was a perfect addition to the 'Burg series, and did bring us something different as the Bianchi's are usually all about doing...being original and such. I am so excited to have read this one, and can't wait to dive into more KA asap! 

Shel: Until next time, happy reading~~