I am a Samanthe Beck fan from way back particularly the earlier novels. I was unfamiliar with Robin Bielman. But their collaboration doesn’t incline me to read any of her novels as this one just didn’t gel with me.

Kendall and Vaughn meet un-cute and in a way that makes her distrust him immediately. He, however is instantly attracted. There are a lot of scenes of him being charming and her pushing him away. OK. She has a dark past that haunts her ability to trust herself. He, on the other hand, has daddy issues—you don’t see that a lot in heroes. Now, she’s 22 and he’s 24 but they both seemed like teenagers to me. Much of the novel is slow-moving, in a way that some readers will find “slow burn” and others, “ big yawn.” Put me down for the latter.

She’s got two tragic sisters and he has two hot roommates, and can you spell “S-E-R-I-E-S”?

The best character is the dog, and I trust she’ll be in the sequels. If so, I just might read on!

ARC received for an honest review.

PROMISE ME is a contemporary, romance stand-alone co-authored by Robin Bielman and Samanthe Beck. This is twenty-four year old, model Vaughn Shaughnessy, and twenty-two year old, grad student Kendall Hewitt’s story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Vaughn and Kendall) PROMISE ME follows the building relationship between twenty-four year old, model Vaughn Shaughnessy, and twenty-two year old, grad student Kendall Hewitt. Kendall, along with her two step-sisters are spending the summer in Hollywood, California house sitting for their Aunt Sally. When a near accident finds Kendall rescuing an intoxicated Vaughn, our heroine discovers that life as she knows it is about to change when Vaughn Shaughnessy pursues his ‘guardian angel’. What ensues is the building relationship and love between Vaughn and Kendall, and the potential fall-out as Kendall is unable to let go of the past, and Vaughn’s career hopes spiral out of control.

Kendall Hewitt has been estranged from her older step-siblings, step-siblings who grew up without their dad. When Aunt Sally secretly requested each sister look after her house and babysit the dog, Kendall had no idea how close the sisters were about to become but sins of the past continue to haunt our story line heroine, sins for which she is unable to forgive or let go. Vaughn Shaughnessy’s star is on the rise but not everything goes according to plans when a video goes viral destroying his chances at something new.

The relationship between Vaughn and Kendall is one of immediate attraction but Kendall struggles with sins of the past, and Vaughn battles demons of his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Kendall’s half-sisters: Dixie and Amber, as well as Kendall’s parents, her best friend Brit; Vaughn’s friends and room mates Dylan and Matt, model Rebecca Bismark, as well as Vaughn’s father and manager , and producer Nigel Cowie. Here’s hoping the authors are developing future story lines for Kendall’s sisters, and Vaughn’s room mates.

PROMISE ME is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and love. The premise is engaging, energetic and emotional; the characters are colorful, dynamic and flirty; the romance is spirited and moving. PROMISE ME is a story about secrets and forgiveness in a world that covets gossip and lies.

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4.5 Stars for Promise Me
I’m relatively new to both these authors so I when I found out they were teaming up I was excited to get my hands on Promise Me and let me tell you they did not disappoint, this book has it all !!!!!
Vaughan and Kendall are perfect, they are kind, funny and just a little bit complicated and everything about this adorable couple with have you falling in love with them and their story.
This beautifully written love story will leave you with all the feels you expect in a great read, it’s witty, it’s emotional, it’s has plenty of witty banter and did I mention it has a hero who is oh so swoon worthy. But this book is not just about Vaughan and Kendall ‘s romance it also covers Kendall’s relationship and love of her sister’s which adds to the depth of this story. Characters I fell in love with, a story I believed in all made this the book I didn’t want to end. Well done to this duo.

Kendall is still reeling from what has happened to her and needs a break so she agrees to housesit for her aunt over the summer. The last thing she expected to do was fall in love with megastar model and next door neighbor Vaughn. Shy, introverted Kendall doesn't know what he sees in her but maybe a casual fling is exactly what she needs. Her two half-sisters seem to think so but the more she's around Vaughn, the harder she's falling for him. Can she be the girlfriend of a celebrity and still be herself? All she asks him is to. . . Promise Me.

Wow, just wow! I've never read anything by Samanthe Beck (yet) and I've only read one book by Robin Bielman but these two women know how to write romance. The characters leap off the page, complete with their own demons, insecurities and hopes for love. The sister dynamic between the three half-sisters added just the right amount of angst while not detracting from the romance. The romance is a swoonfest and the way Vaughn intuitively knows what to say and do to show his feelings to Kendall sealed the deal for me. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop!

It's the must-have book everyone needs to read this summer!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5+ stars

A YMMV Review

The meet-cutes have become the “must” in romance novels. You’re walking your Aunt’s Pomeranian who is described as a pitbull in a tiny body and you see that your next-door neighbor is about to get run over by his own car being driven by a drunken supermodel and you tackle him and save him and land on his body and feel chemistry that is simply off the charts as far as you’re concerned and he comes over because he knows an argument is about to ensue and you let him and he falls asleep on your couch. Now, that’s a real meet-cute, am I right?

And then you wake up to find not one, but two of your step-sisters (they are not ugly, they are super-beautiful just like you) with whom you have a really bad relationship because your father chose your mother to raise a family with have been invited by your Aunt to stay for the summer…just like you.

So yeah! And then I realize that the step-sisters are there to launch future novels and minimally impact the current novel. And I am in the middle of another NA novel of which I have yet to find one that I like, really, really like.

The meet-cute is unsupported because there’s nothing like it again. The heroine’s backstory can be extremely problematic depending on your vantage point and dealt with in a somewhat heavy-handed way. I realized I felt bad in ways I am certain the authors did not anticipate regarding that backstory and which I can’t describe because: spoiler. I’m also pretty sure that some of this turf is better not attempted in a romance novel because how do you just disregard or write-away a young person’s life? I sense that other readers don’t feel this.

The plot was predictable from the instant that the reader realized that Vaughn’s goal’s rested on his being untouchable reputation-wise and that Kendall had a secret.

Ultimately what Promise Me has going for it is sex. While I felt no connection to either Kendall or Vaughn and seriously didn’t feel their connection, they did have sex and it was hot.

I’ve only read one other Robin Bielman book and I was so engaged by that that I hope this was a fluke. I’ve read nothing by Samanthe Beck.

Many reviewers LOVED this book! You might be a reader who does as well, which is why this is a YMMV review! 🙂

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one has opposite lifestyles for the main characters. Enjoyed the sibling issues between Kendall, Dixie, and Amber. Their relationships developed realistically and I did get to see a little into each girl's background. Kendall and Vaughn's relationship took me on a rollercoaster ride of feelings. Vaughn's friends, Dylan and Matt, seem like their stories are going to be just as fun. Book ends well and it made me excited to read the next in the series.

Promise Me by Samanthe Beck and Robin Bielman is a NA standalone romance.
Kendall is a young woman, about to attend Law School and she spend the summer housesitting. Kendall and her halfsisters Dixi and Amber, lets say there's not much love between them.
And there's the next door party animal hot boy model neighbor Vaughn.
Both are very attracted to each other, but they haven't much in common. He pursues his career in film and tv, she's looking for her way in life.
What should be a summer romance turns into something different,more much more.
Promise Me isn't one story, it's like reading two books at the same time. There's the Vaughn and Kendall storyline and there's the sisters and Vaughn's friends storyline. And to be honest I can't wait to read what happens to them.
All in all it's a good read with a captivating story, well written and with a few twists and unexpected turns - I give 4 stars.

Kendall moves into her Aunt and Uncles House for the Summer. She meets the gorgeous neighbor Vaughn. There is instant chemistry between them. They both bring emotional baggage and medaling family members to the relationship but find a way to make it work. I loved the way they fought for each other! It was definitely one of those books you think about even when your not reading! I definitely will be looking for more books by this author.

As Kendall tries to escape memories of her past, she decides to house sit for her aunt in sunny California. Her first night there, she meets Vaughn and saves his life… not knowing her life will not be the same. She’s struggling with the decision of becoming a lawyer like her father or following her dreams of being an actress. Can Vaughn teach her to live in the moment?

Told from a dual point of view, you see the demons both Kendall and Vaughn are facing. This looks as though it’s set up to become a series, I think is great. You meet Kendall’s two step sisters and Vaughn’s two roommates. In the beginning, I wasn’t fond of her two sisters due to their treatment of Kendall, but as the three sisters grow close, you grow to like them. I thought was absolutely adorable. He was understanding and patient… sometimes too patient, but I appreciated that about him. Kendall was trying at moments, but given her circumstances, I understood.

This was my introduction to Samanthe Beck and Robin Bielman and it was absolutely wonderful! I hope this becomes a series because I can’t wait to see where this goes!

4.5-Stars
This fantastic story features Vaughn and Kendall. This sexy, emotional read is full of past mistakes, friendship, love, forgiveness and growth. It’s about realizing what’s REALLY important in life and learning how to deal with it. Vaughn and Kendall are amazing characters, as are his friends and her sisters. The spice factor is off-the-charts and it’s not all about the sex but the sometimes implied intimacy. I totally understand her reasons for not wanting her life put out there for public consumption. What she went through, everything and everyone surrounding the incident was life altering for a lot of people. This included a 17 year old girl who had to learn to live with herself and what she’d done. Her visit home was heartbreaking and I went through a few tissues during that time. Tragic!

This story had great flow and the characters all had terrific personalities. Do I sense a series here? I sure hope so! I would love to find out what happens to Amber, Dixie, Matt and Dylan. I can’t wait to read more by this magnificent writing duo.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

"It's no dream. She's real - every bitable curve, every lick-able expanse of skin, every exasperated crinkle of her brows."

Kendall Hewitt is house-sitting her aunt's house for the summer, while she makes decisions about her future. She never expects to find her estranged half-sisters sharing the house with her, nor does she expect to be attracted and distracted by her gorgeous neighbour. She's feeling things for the first time in a years - things beyond her tight self-control - but being involved with him brings its own set of issues for her. However, a casual summer fling can't hurt, can it?

"Vaughn's touch, his taste, his smell, flooded my senses, keeping me rooted in the single most intimate moment of my life."

Vaughn Shaughnessy is on the cusp of stardom but he needs to keep his image spotless. There's just something about Kendall that hooks him, even when he has people telling him she may not be right for him. Even she's telling him that she's not right for him. However, there's no escaping the undeniable pull they have to each other and, for the first time, Vaughn wants to explore the possibilities.

"Losing control with him feels incredibly right."

I loved this story so much! Vaughn and Kendall were so gorgeous together. Their 'first time' scene has got to be one of the sexiest ‘first time’ scenes I’ve ever read. It was filled with vibrating tension, barely-restrained passion and a heart-melting tenderness. I just adored Vaughn's gentle persistence and the fact that he was willing to give up his dream for Kendall. Kendall had serious demons in her past that she needed to face but I loved that she was willing to put herself out there for Vaughn when push came to shove. I simply loved these characters, and the side characters were funny and intriguing, and I can't wait for their stories.

The story of Vaughn and Kendall. They have a connection the first time they meet, but neither is looking for something serious. They are both trying to deal with incidences in their past when they lost someone they love.
He is famous and the last thing she wants is to have attention on her, so can they have a future together?

An enjoyable read

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

I’m not a huge fan of YA romance, but I’ve enjoyed several of Robin Bielman’s books, so I figured I’d give “Promise Me” a shot. The book starts off interestingly enough, with a unique meet between the two main characters, Kendall and Vaughn. Kendall, on a summer break before starting law school in the fall, is staying at her aunt’s place in California. Vaughn, a hot up-and-coming model, lives next door with his two roommates.
Kendall and Vaughn flirt with their attraction to one another, but both have lots of other things taking up time and space in their lives. Vaughn is jetting from place to place for modeling jobs, and is in the running to be host of an “American Idol” type show. Kendall, meanwhile, is trying to talk herself into a career as a lawyer that her father wants far more than she does. She also is a dealing with the consequences of a horrible mistake she made as a teen that has impacted many lives. In addition, her two half-sisters show up, invited by their aunt to try and reunite the siblings who have never been close.
The authors also introduce Kendall’s two sisters and Vaughn’s two roommates, who seem to be couples in the making themselves. It makes for a lot of exposition, maybe a little too much. Also, a problem I tend to have with a lot of YA books is trying to imagine people as young as the characters being as mature and sure of themselves as the characters in this book seem to be. I certainly don’t remember being half as confident of myself and my decisions as they are. And I had a problem with the way the characters spoke at times. I just couldn’t “hear” someone talking like that, and it drew me out of the story. There was angst, and drama and romance, but nothing that really grabbed me and made me want to keep reading. It was all just a little too pat for me, I suppose.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad book. But it also isn’t one I’ll read again, nor will I seek out what are sure to be the next in the series featuring the other two sisters.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Such a wonderfully sweet romance, hits all the feels!

Kendall is at a crossroads - not sure whether she wants to pursue the career her parents want for her, but not ready to step out of their protective guidance either. Spending the summer housesitting for her aunt, she meets next-door-neighbor Vaughn, who proves to be the perfect balm for her guilt-ridden soul.

Vaughn is so, so patient and compassionate with her, while still being completely lickable and undeniably attracted to her. His life is almost as complicated, he's seen his share of tragedy too, making him the perfect boyfriend to help her find her way through all her decisions.

The story is just fabulous, every bit brilliantly moves the romance along with multi-layered characters who reach all the emotional highs and lows. I loved the secondary characters, too, and the way the main characters' growth extended beyond themselves to include their relationships with their extended family and friends.

This is everything I could ever hope for in a YA romance. I highly recommend it and couldn't have loved it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I give this book 5 stars. The storyline between Vaughn and Kendall was very well written and a great must read book. I whole heartedly recommend this book. She is house sitting and he is her aunts neighbor. He is a sexy model and is debating college. I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

Kendall knew she could pretend law school was what she wanted. She knew it wouldn’t kill her to follow in her father's footsteps. But Kendall wanted to love what she did, not not want to settle. She didn’t know what she wanted to do. She had the summer to think it over and decide. Kendall was house sitting taking care of her Aunt Sally and Uncle Jack’s house and Pomeranian Snowflake in the Hollywood Hills. Her aunt told her if she needed something she could go to her neighbor-Vaughn- next store.and gave her Vaughns phone number. Than Snowflake see someone in the driveway and went to greet him. The gut looks and their eyes lock but a vehicle was coming right for him she runs and tackles him to the ground. Kendall falls on top of the man who turns out to be Vaughn and he is hot. He thanked kendall for saving his life and called her Angel. She could smell the alcohol on his breath. He asked if she was okay and she said yeah. Than he told her he had to move his car or his roommates will kill him. He got in the car but she grabbed the keys from the ignition and told him she would give him his keys in the morning. Kendall had once gotten behind the wheel when she shouldn’t have and still wasn’t over it. Vaughn followed her to the house and than asked why she cared and she said she cared about people. He asked if he could hang out there for awhile as someone was sporting for a fight tonight and he really didn’t want to deal with it. She doesn’t know what Vaughn’s story is but right now it looks as though he needs a safe place to rest and giving he’s friends with her aunt and Snowflake…. He looks tired - she got the feeling it wasn’t just from lack of sleep but the day to day stuff people deal with. Since her accident staying in control has been Kendall’s lifeline. As Vaughn is painfully waking up with his hangover a girl comes through the door with a suitcase and guitar. He vaguely remembers a blonde girl but his wasn’t her than he said the other girl let him crash and she said what other girl?.Than he remembers Sally saying her nieces were house sitting and half sisters and not close. Vaughn has to meet with his trainer who would be at his house in fifteen minutes and if Vaughn is kate he will make Vaughn pay for it. So he says bye he has to go as he is leaving the girl said her name was Dixie. Vaughn knows why he let himself over drink when it wasn’t the answer but it was near the anniversary of his sister's death. His whole family is very sad. No one would approve with the ways- including his sister- that he was dealing with the loss because he had a chance to take over the hosting duties for a hit shows like America Rocks doesn’t come around very often. Reckless behavior will get him aced out of the opportunity. Vaughn’s best friends and roommates are Dylan, and matt and they think Becca is using him- the girl who almost ran him over which she was but he was using her also. Vaughn and Becca had been friends for awhile but it wasn’t the healthiest of relationships. Brit is Kendall's best friend and knows all her secrets. Kendall is an expert at letting people only see what she wants them to. Than Kendall’s other half sister Amber showed up . Growing up Amber and Dixie sometimes ganged up on her as she had their dad all the time and they didn’t. Their aunt had obviously sent them all a ticket and house key. She obviously gathered them there for some reason. She had always wanted the sisters to be close but they were adults now and and the decision wasn’t hers to make. Dixie has dreams of pursuing a music career and their Aunt Sally said she could stay there as long as Dixie wanted. Aunt Sally had offered Kendall an escape from a past she still often struggled with Aunt Sally offered Kendall an escape from a past she still often struggles with and a future she can’t pull into any kind if of focus and a dad who firmly believes a law degree is what she needs to make her happy. Amber was ion break from college as she is going for her masters degree in speech therapy. Dixie had to drop out of college as she couldn’t afford it and she wouldn’t take any help from their father even when he offered it. When Amber opens the door vaughn knows she recognizes him maybe from the underwear ads of cologne commercial or the music videos. Vaughn bought Kendall a necklace from Tiffany’s as a thank you and sorry gift. There is an electricity between Vaughn and kendall. For the first time in four years Kendall was curious about a guy. One she barely knows but he stirred up emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time. Dixie had caught her boyfriend- and boss- in their apartment with her best friend. Kendall was no one's guardian angel because if that were true Mason would be ok and they’d be planning their future together, and maybe even getting married. Instead she is alone and desperate to find a job or career path that doesn’t include law school.Vaughn is summoned by his agent to meet at the ivy for lunch to meet with the producer of america rocks. Amber, Dixie, and Kendall came to an understanding to keep to themselves. They found it fairly easy to avoid each other. Kendall had been the responsible one for years. It’s in her comfort zone to be the one to take an interest in others. Kendall and Vaughn get close and eventually become lovers.
I loved this book.I didn’t want it to end. I loved Vaughn and Kendall together and how they interacted. . I loved watching Kendall and her sisters get closer. I loved how Vaughn stood up for Kendall when she really needed it and how Kendall stood up for him when he really needed it. I love how Vaughn was willing to give up whatever he had to for Kendall even the hosting job and how Kendall would give up Vaughn do he could advance in his career and get the hosting job. I read this in less than a day only setting it down for a couple hours of sleep. I loved the pace and plot. I loved how patient Vaughn was with Kendall and how tender and caring when he took her virginity. I loved how close Kendall and Brit were and how close Vaughn, Dylan and were, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. I laughed at times while reading this and really choked up at times while reading this. I loved the characters and the ins and outs and I highly recommend this book.

Robin Bielman and Samantha Beck are 2 of my favorite authors and when they team up to write, there is no way I am missing it.
Vaughn and Kendall are temporary neighbors, Kendall is house sitting her aunts house for the summer. When they meet its fireworks, though Vaughn was a little drunk at that time, and Kendall has something in her past that has her playing a little too safe.
I really like all the characters in this book, but Vaughn I simply loved. He’s gorgeous, he’s sweet and he’s simply relentless in wanting to make Kendall open up and enjoy life once again.
Promise me is a beautiful story about family, friendship and moving forward from your past mistakes. It was fun and sexy and at the same time handled some serious topics with dignity. I hope we get to read Kendall’s sisters and Vaughn’s friends stories as well.

PROMISE ME by Samanthe Beck & Robin Bielman is the story of Kendall Hewitt and Vaughn Shaughnessy.
Kendall is having a rough time with somethings that have happen to her and chooses to help her Aunt by house sitting for her instead of going home. What she finds is that her half sisters are there too. Then there is the hot neighbor Vaughn that is causing her mind to wonder to him. Vaughn is a fun easy going more open person than Kendall but they slowly started to burn up my pages. Enjoyed this sweet romance that did touch on some harsh incidents. I hope these authors choose to write more together in the future.

Summer Fling or Love at first sight?

Kendall has made a lot of mistakes in the past and she doesn’t need anything else to get in her way of law school. She’s just a small town girl that likes to stick to the shadows. Vaughn is just getting his modeling career started and it’s only about to get bigger! Can he focus on his career in the spotlight without any interruptions?

When these two come together it is fireworks! Promise Me is much more than just a love story. It’s about family, learning to forgive, and trust. This is my first read both authors. Can’t wait to dig into some more stories by these two authors!

This was a wonderful book by two great authors. I was drawn into this story right away and couldn’t put it down. Vaughn and Kendall both had troubled pasts and uncertain futures. Vaughn was lucky to have been saved by Kendall because she became more than a friend to him. She became someone he could talk to and be himself with. He didn’t have that outside of his two friends who were also his roommates. Kendall didn’t care who or what Vaughn was, she liked him in spite of his fame. Kendall was lucky to have Vaughn because he saw more in her than just a pretty face. He was able to get her to open up and be herself after a tragic accident in her teens.
I really enjoyed Kendall’s relationship with her two estranged half sisters. All three sisters showed up to house sit their aunt’s house for the summer and they all had great reasons to need to be there. I like how even though they are estranged they also start to rely on each other.
This was a great story and I would recommend it to others