Promises by Marie Sexton & Boyer Coffee Rocky Mtn. Thunder

Title: Promises
Series: Coda Series
Author: Marie Sexton
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: January 8th 2010
Page Count: 228 pages
Age Rating: Adult (explicit sexual scenes)
How I got my hot little hands on it: Free Kindle Download

Part of the Coda Series

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.

My Review

I started reading this book right before bed. I figured I’d read about a chapter and then go to sleep, but that’s not what happened. Next thing I knew, the sun was coming up and I still didn’t want to put the book down!

Promises is about as sweet and loving as a romance can get. I fell in love with Jared and Matt early on and really rooted for them.

Being the only gay man in Coda, Colorado (outside of the 60+ year old band teacher at the high school), Jared is lonely when it comes to romance and friendship, although he does have a great and supportive family. Enter Matt, new to town and lonely as well. They become fast friends and the reader watches their friendship blossom into something more as the two men bond over football, beer, and a love for the outdoors. But it’s not all sunshine and roses for the pair. Matt’s suffered under the weight of disapproval from an alcoholic, homophobic father his whole life and it’s not the kind of thing he can just shake off. Jared has his own problems as he realizes he’s not as blasé to the opinion and censure of others as he thought he was.

There were parts of this story that brought tears to my eyes and tugged at my heartstrings. When they finally got their happy ending (and I flipped to the back to make SURE they had a happy ending early on because my heart just couldn’t take it if they didn’t) I wanted to stand up and cheer.

I highly recommend this story to romance lovers everywhere and will definitely pick up other books by this author.

Rocky Mtn. Thunder™, a bold and smokey dark roast, earthy and strong like Matt and Jared, from Boyer Coffee – the official coffee partner of the Denver Broncos (which I think Jared would appreciate).