Navy SEAL Promise is Kyle's story (James and Adrian's son from His Rebel Heart )--he's all grown up now(!) and a SEAL(!!) It's a slow burn romance, partly because there's a forbidden aspect to it (she's a bit younger, his best friend's little sister, and used to be involved with another of his good friends, who was killed in action--she's now raising their daughter as a single mom) and partly because there's an extra bit of drama going on in the background with a mysterious car and possible attempts on one or more character's lives.

In other words, a lot is going on here.

Fortunately, the romance is very sweet, and the aforementioned little girl is absolutely adorable. Kyle's habit of calling Harmony "Carrots" a la Gilbert Blythe and Anne of Green Gables is cute, and they really are an easy couple to root for. The background drama, though, got a bit convoluted at times (and seemed to wrap up just a bit too easily in the end...) and it did feel like some of the "we can't possibly be together" protests went on too long.

Still, the HEA, when it comes, is all that one could wish for.

This is book five in the series, and though it probably could be read as a standalone, much of Kyle's parents' history comes into play in the later part of the book, and since I read it two years ago, I did feel a bit lost, so...re-read? Or read that one first. Or, just solider through like I did--slightly confused at all the extra people to keep track of, but still entertained. :)

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

The story leads with charming characters who captivated my heart and were likable, the kind of people you want to spend your time with.
Kyle Bracken and Harmony Savitt had known each other all their lives, they grew up together, they were best friends, they had a unique, special connection that reached to Harmony's daughter as well.
This homecoming for Kyle has a different tune than before, and suddenly the burning feelings between the best friends, Harmony and Kyle, are taking over and the desire they feel for each other is something either can deny.
The story has a mysterious atmosphere from all the secrets the cast of characters is holding. With the loving, warm family connection between everyone, the amount of unrevealed information was staggering. Add to that the mysterious, suspenseful events that are escalating and turning into life and death situations, and the tension ascend.
There are a lot of elements in the story that all demand the reader's attention. I liked the plot, the premises to the story, I found the characters enjoyable to be around. The author's writing style is a bit wordy. She can verbose about a mundane event for so long that I found my thoughts scattering several times. I know some enjoy the poetic kind of storytelling, so this is just my personal little quirk.
A whirlwind of escalating events, a mix of love and desire with old friends and family, small town living, odd, puzzling mysteries, sabotage, and danger create a good, entertaining story
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

An adorably sweet connection between a little girl and a Navy SEAL steals our heart from the very beginning of this story! The characters are well developed and enjoyable to connect with, and the plot has a bit of intrigue to it.

Harmony Savitt is thrilled to see her good friend and Navy SEAL Kyle Bracken home on leave. He's been there for her and her daughter over the years since Bea's daddy was killed in action. She used to have a major crush on him when she was a kid but to him, she's always just been his best friend's little sister.

Kyle adores Harmony and Bea, and getting to see them is the highlight of his visits home. He's always filed her away as off limits, but for some reason things feel different this time. The sizzle when they touch, the way their eyes meet, the physical pull to have her in his arms. Just when he's considering seeing where they might lead, trouble rises up around them and his family and Harmony and Bea are in danger. He'll do anything to keep them safe ... and he just might give his heart away at the same time!

Real heroes, romance, suspense: These are the incredibly successful ingredients that make Amber Leigh Williams an author romance readers should be seeking out. Navy SEAL Promise is good. Not the kind of good to make this just another review. Navy SEAL Promise is the kind of good that leaves you thinking about the story when you put it down, take it with you everywhere to fit in a couple minutes whenever you can. Romance readers pay attention! Navy SEAL Promise needs to be read, you won't regret it.

Sometimes this book was a sweet friend's to lovers story, at other times it was a convinced puzzling story. Still other times is was blah blah blah of dull reading.

I feel like an editor should have been able to strengthen the really good writing that existed in this story while weeding through the messy parts.

Harmony and Kyle were interesting characters. I would have liked a stronger story about these two.