Promises Hurt By Elle Brooks

Published August 2, 2014

Synopsis

I wasn't planning on falling for Ethan Jamison, hell I wasn't planning on our paths ever crossing. He’s the most popular guy at school and a complete player. Me; I’m the perpetual good girl, trying to carry out one last request. But when you make a promise, how far do you go to see it through?

~ Blair

It’s a running joke that I’m a terrible liar, if only people knew the truth. My whole life has been spent making excuses and deflecting questions. I was pretty good at it until Blair Thomas entered my world. She saw through the mask that everyone is so willing to accept. She makes me want to tell her all my secrets, but can she promise to keep them?

~ Ethan

Excerpt

I look down at my cell and it’s 4:54pm. No sign of Ethan. No text to explain. What a douche. I mean, okay so I needed to be here anyway to collect books, but that’s not the point. He didn't know that. I can’t stand people that make plans and then break them without warning. It takes two seconds to send a text.
I’m packing up my things when Ethan Jamison barges through the library doors. He’s panting like he’s out of breath and his eyes are frantically scanning the almost empty room. Then they land on me. I stand completely frozen, mouth gaping like a total moron. Of freakingcourse it has to be that Ethan. He makes his way over, and the sound of his boots echoing through the otherwise silent room awakens me from my dumbstruck state. Emily’s letter flashes in my mind and I feel instantly embarrassed. Like, somehow he knows about it, which of course, he can’t, but I’m still panicking.
He stops a few feet short of my table and looks a little unsure. This isn't the cocky Ethan Jamison that struts around school thinking he’s god’s gift. It’s thrown me a little.
“Hey, um…I’m Ethan,” he says, looking down at me. He lays his guitar case down at his feet and then adjusts his backpack on his shoulders. “Are you the tutor, I mean, sorry…are you Blair?”
I never realized how tall he actually is up close and personal. I’ve seen him play at a gig for about two seconds once, but he was on a stage, so of course he’s gonna look taller than everyone else. Emily and I have only stalked him at a distance. His blue eyes are boring into mine and I'm just standing there. Staring. Like an idiot. He shifts his weight and I realize he’s asked me a question. I still haven't replied. Shit.
“Er…yeah, I’m Blair, nice to meet you. I was just about to go, I thought you weren't coming. You’re late.” The last part comes out all pissy like I'm mad at him.
An amused grin starts to form; his mouth pulling up slightly at one side and the boy has dimples—real life honest-to-god dimples.
I shake my head and practically bark out, “I’ve been waiting for you for almost a half hour. If you’re gonna be late when we meet, you could at least give me a heads up?” Oh my god, why the hell am I telling him off?
His smile widens and he’s not even trying to look sorry. He drops his backpack on the table and takes a seat.
“Yeah, I had practice and it ran over. Steve has a no phone rule, so it’s kinda hard to let you know when I don't have my cell.”
Steve is the music professor; he’s got the new age hippy vibe going on and makes all his students call him by his first name. I pull my chair back out and take a seat. “Okay. Well, um, let’s just get started then.”
I look up and his eyes are zeroed in on my chest. What a complete douche, he’s already ogling my boobs. I cough twice and raise my eyebrows in a ‘what the hell, my eyes are up here’ stare, and his cheeks immediately redden.
“Shit, no, I wasn't checking you out! I mean…um, I wasn't staring at your…fuck, well I kinda was but I mean, shit; I was just trying to read what your shirt says.”

Holy crap, this guy’s more awkward than I am.

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My Review

I honestly don't know where to start with this book. When I started reading it, I thought Oh no this is going to be one of high school YA books that no way was I going to be able to connect with the characters. But I will have to tell you I was surprised to be proven wrong and then yes I ended up emotionally upset.

The book starts out with Blair making a promise to her best friend Emily that she would be ok... Fast forward 3 years Emily dies leaving Blair a letter. In it has a bucket list that is not finished and Emily leaves Blair with the responsibility of finishing the bucket list. That is touching and heart breaking for anyone to deal with but the story isn't about Blair and Emily (I thought it was going to be)... It is the story of Blair and Ethan.

Ethan, OMG that boy deals with so much crap, I feel for him. Blair is the only one who sees him for him. She has to deal with tons of high school bullshit but both of the stick it out and love each other. He is dealt some heavy blows both figuratively and actually. Emily is his saving grace and gives him something worth living for.

Blair grows while being with Ethan, she often feels bad for moving forward and living while Emily died. She spend most of her high school with Emily while she was sick and missed out on most of her high school experience. Being with Ethan she learns that moving forward isn't about forgetting Emily it is about living and enjoying life.

Blair and Ethan become serious and things seem to look good for them. They love each other but like any story there has to be a misunderstanding which leaves to poor choices and heartache.

I hate ruining stories, but I do have to warn you that Elle Brooks does leave this with an epic heart wrenching cliff-hanger. I won't lie I almost threw my kindle across the room and woke hubby up because i was so pissed. Pissed because I couldn't keep reading( I am one of those who love to hate cliffhangers).

I loved this story and cannot wait for the second book... because I need to know what happens next. My heart can't take the waiting.

Overall this is a great first book. I look forward to reading more from Elle Brooks even though YA isn't my go to genre I know that I will be putting Elle Brooks on my buy list.

I Rate this book 4 out 5 Genie Lamps