Terri and Jon have been married for five years and moved to Firefly Lake from Los Angeles almost four years ago when Jon was offered a promotion to open a new office of the law firm there. Between his hours working as a lawyer and her hours as an ER nurse, they have drifted apart and Terri is desperate to bring the spark back to their marriage. With the help of the close friends she has made in Firefly Lake, she finds the support that she needs. This is a wonderful quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a honest review. This is my second book by this author and she is quickly becoming a favorite. She has a knack for writing stories that eloquently share the raw details and emotions of real life struggles.

Terri and Jon’s story was a beautiful, emotional roller coaster. There was no doubt of the love they have for each but their story begged the question, is love really enough? Jon’s struggle to open up to Terri due to his Dad’s persistent pressure during his upbringing highlights a real issue that men experience every day. The way the author wove that fact into the story and gave specific details on the efforts Jon made to overcome his inability to show and speak about his emotions was beautifully written in a way that gave honor and respect to Jon’s character. I enjoyed that this story showed both characters leaning on each other when needed instead of the emotional support being one-sided. The circle of friends that have become family to Jon and Terry added another layer that adequately reflected the beauty of having a community of people who love, uplift and encourage.

This story is for anyone who loves a realistic love story that involves disappointment, heartbreak, forgiveness, overcoming and second chances.

A Promise of Forever was a wonderful second chance romance. One that shows how hard it can be to make it through challenging times, but that it is possible.

Terri and Jon Rhodes have been married for almost five years, but their marriage is anything but stable. Jon is an attorney and Terri is an ER nurse, so both of them are in very demanding and stressful professions. Life and their careers have started to pull them apart. Terri has tried to communicate with her husband, but it isn't working, so she does the only thing she knows to do and tells Jon she has to leave.

Jon has always been a provider and has done what he needed to do to provide for his wife. What he is not great at is expressing his emotions. He realizes that this what has nearly cost him his marriage and the woman he loves and he knows he's got to work on it. He works to learn things that are totally out of his comfort zone and even when it is uncomfortable for him, he soldiers on.

The situation between Terri and Jon feels so realistic. The road toward healing for them is anything but easy, but there are moments of tenderness, emotion and many conversations, some that were challenging and difficult. This book showcased that every relationship takes work, whether a friendship or romantic relationship, and the realness of it oozed from the pages.

I would highly recommend picking this one up!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This is the third in the Firefly Lake series. Firefly Lake is a small town and the romances have focused on a tight knit group of friends. In an unusual move this romance focuses on Terri Rhodes who is married and loves her husband Jon. She works in the ER at the local hospital and he is a lawyer and senior partner of a small law firm. But Jon is working longer hours and when he is home he isn’t talking or connecting to her. Jon loves his wife and grew up with a father that taught him talking about and showing emotions is a sign of weakness. He doesn’t wake up to how bad the situation is until Terri moves out into their friend's guest cottage. The romance in the story is him wanting to date her to win her back and show her he is sincere in his feelings.

This book and series is gentle with lots of friendship support. I like that no one is cheating and causing big drama. But the flip side of that description is the story is predictable, even if it is well written. It is still relaxing escape reading but not something that stands out. I was genuinely surprised when I saw that I had read the previous two books in the series. It wasn’t till I read my reviews that I recalled the storylines, characters and made the connections. This can easily be read as a stand alone novel. Kudos for the lovely eye-catching cover. (3.5 Stars)

This was a sweet yet realistic book about a marriage in trouble and the road to try to stay together. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone. Terri is an ER nurse who is struggling in her marriage to her lawyer husband Jon. Terri loves her husband, but has reached her breaking point of what she is willing to deal with in her marriage. So, she decides to move out to take some time to heal herself and let Jon figure out if he wants to stay in this marriage. I liked how strong Terri was, and how firm she was in her boundaries of what she wanted and needed in a relationship. I appreciated how Jon worked to be self aware and realize his part in the break down of their marriage and what he’d need to do if he wanted to stay together. The supper club meals and supporting characters were wonderful as always, what I wouldn’t give for a group of friends like that! A great book about food, friends, and finding your way back to your spouse after heartbreak. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
A Promise of Forever is the third book in Sheryl Lister’s Firefly Lane series. It can be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend the prior books as well. I really appreciated the grounded feel to this story, which is not uncommon with the “marriage in trouble” trope. Terri and Jon are both flawed people who are struggling with the demands of life and reckoning with its impact on their marriage. Both of them have a desire to fix things, but I like that Terri especially isn’t willing to compromise her boundaries in the process. And in Jon, it’s nice to have an MMC who is self-aware about his flaws early on and works to fix things in a proactive way.
The friendships in the supper club are once again a highlight, although I didn’t feel their presence quite as much this time around.
This was a solid closing book for a fairly sweet series, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy small town romances with diverse casts of characters and a strong focus on friendship.

A Promise of Forever is such a great read. If Sheryl Lister is writing it, I'm reading it. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline so much! This has been an amazing series! I just love this book. This is my favorite of the series. Such an enjoyable experience.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Low-stakes and sweet

Terri Rhodes and her husband had a whirlwind marriage and moved to Firefly Lake. As time passed, Jon’s legal practice and Terri’s work as an ER nurse made them guests in their own home. Terri yearns to connect with Jon as before work, and an unexpected tragedy changed their lives.
Jon knows his wife is unhappy, and so is he, but he isn’t willing to talk about it. But when Terri left, Jon was desperate to do anything to bring her back and worried if it was too late. With help from his new Supper Club friends, he hopes to win Terri back no matter what.
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Terri and Jon.

My Thoughts:
When I requested the book, I wasn’t aware that this was the third in a series. Not a problem when I know I’m jumping into a series, but I do like to know it in advance.
A Table for Two and A Perfect Pairing are the first two books, and it’s clear that I would have enjoyed this more if I had read at least one of them. This book is possibly the last in the series, so it divides the attention between the main couple and the side characters.
The writing is easy to read, like very easy to read, with light-hearted dialogue and basic descriptions. I could finish the book in 1.5 days, so that tells you something.
The main characters are likable. They are in love with each other but are going through a tough phase. The MMC has a lot of suppressed trauma to unpack, which he does eventually, since he loves his wife.
The main side characters were delightful (not a surprise since they featured as leads in the previous books). The others were nice too. In fact, we don’t have villains here. Just some nosy and overbearing people who also learn to tone down by the end.
Based on the first 50%, this was a 4-star read. However, the plot lost its momentum in the second half. It still had interesting moments, but I felt like it became a bit too easy despite the triggers.
Food is a strong theme, and there are a couple of recipes at the end for those who want to try. I appreciate this (obviously), though it’s not my kind (doesn’t matter; any food works in books). That said, I’d love a recipe for the 7Up cake. It sounds interesting! I remember there was a trend, maybe, of using soda water in some cakes. Will have to look it up again.
There’s some open-door romance and spice, but not in detail. Maybe 1.5 on the scale. My favorite is that there’s no unwanted drama. While it does make the book too sweet, it also sticks to the core theme of a couple in love trying to find their way back to each other. It's assuring when the characters confidently state they love their partners with all their hearts and are learning to show it.

To summarize, A Promise of Forever is a sweet, hopeful, and heartwarming read set in a typical small town where the gossip mill works overtime. Rounding it up since the book made me smile.
Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

We are back in the idyllic small town of Firefly Lake,, and this time Terri Rhodes and her husband Jon are the featured couple of the Supper Club. If you have read the previous books, A Perfect Pairing and A Table for Two then you will get that. If you haven’t, I highly recommend this series that combines women’s fiction with small town romance.
Terri, a nurse and Jon, an attorney are having problems in their marriage. Jon has become very “closed off” and distant. You will have to read this engaging story to discover the tragedy that sparked his disconnect from the woman he loves. I love how Sheryl Lister employed the “second chance at love trope to fuel the storyline. I also like how she utilized the husbands and wives in the supper club group to provide support and advice.
The Supper Club is growing! There’s weddings and babies, Oh My! The HEA is wonderful for Terri and Jon. Do yourself a favor and travel to Firefly Lake via A Promise of Forever.. You can thank me later!

I really enjoyed Jon and Terri’s story. It felt real by portraying that marriage isn’t always easy and communication is important. Mama Nora came through with the words of wisdom. It was good spending time in Firefly Lake again. As always, I enjoyed the good food, friendship and fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. The recipes are always a special bonus 😊

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Loved it. This is a story of forgiveness, grief, love and friendship. This is a marriage in trouble romance. What I appreciated most is that Terri and Jon are both aware that the marriage is a fish on dry land, the problem is how to rescue it. The romance comes with trying to restore and rekindle the marriage. Jon has suppressed emotions that cause him to retreat within in himself. Terri tries to reach him but has no luck until she takes a drastic measure. These characters are flawed and hopeful. They love each other but can’t find each other and this is what I loved most about this story, they have to find each other again and we get to see it.
The supper club is my favorite part of this series. Sister- friends that support each other and love each other. The newly admitted menfolk also shape how these relationships move. I recommend this book if you like a romance book where friendship is served and the dessert

Terri and Jon Rhodes have been married for five years, and their busy work schedules, they spend very little time together. They both miss what they had, and Terri tries to talk to her husband, but he just shuts down. Finally, the frustration gets to her and she moves out. Will this be a wake-up call for her husband, will Terri know if he makes changes, how much change will she require. This is their journey on finding out, and realizing the marriage or themselves won't fix anything without some work from them. There are life lessons they go through, hope, discovering who they are, and what truly matters to them now. It is a book that I enjoyed reading, and when I was done reading, I wondered when will the next one come out. I wasn't ready to let them go.
I received an ARC from Forever through NetGalley.

Sheryl Lister knows how to give you all the feels in her stories and leave you ready for the next book. I adored this book so incredibly much!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions expressed are my own !
I really enjoyed reading this book, A Promise of Forever by Sheryl Lister. This story shows how when a person is raised with antiquated ideas, it can ruin a relationship. Communication is key to a healthy relationship and there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help. Terri and Jon found their way back to each other and save their marriage only because he realized he would lose his wife if he didn't open up and talk about deep seated issues he had been ho l ding inside. I highly reccomend this book!

Wow a love story! I simply couldn't put this book down. It was about 2nd chances which by the way is my favorite.
It's about learning to live again after picking up the broken pieces called life. Learning to trust again.
This story is real, it's a very raw and emotional story and one that will immediately draw you in as soon as you open it.
5 stars from me for a job well done.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine

Book review of A Promise of Forever by Sheryl Lister. Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for my ARC.

This book is everything I want from a second-chance romance. It’s tender, emotionally grounded, and never takes the easy way out. Sheryl Lister gives us a story that doesn’t just flirt with the idea of love after hardship—it looks it straight in the eye and demands something honest. A Promise of Forever isn’t about falling in love; it’s about staying in love when everything around you is falling apart. And that’s what makes it so powerful.

Terri and Jon Rhodes are already married when the book begins, but their relationship is hanging by a thread. They used to be the couple everyone admired: passionate, playful, and in sync. But over time, life crept in. Their demanding jobs—Terri as an ER nurse and Jon as an attorney—stole away their time and energy. A personal tragedy dealt a final blow to their already strained connection. And now they’re living like strangers under the same roof. Until Terri decides she can’t do it anymore and walks away.

What struck me most was how deeply real this situation felt. This isn’t a romance built on miscommunication or petty misunderstandings. It’s built on grief, burnout, silence, and the kind of slow emotional drift that happens when you stop paying attention. Terri isn’t leaving to punish Jon—she’s leaving to save herself from disappearing. And that distinction matters. Lister writes her with so much care and clarity. She’s not perfect. She’s scared, tired, and vulnerable. But she’s also brave enough to ask for more.

Jon, meanwhile, is a man who thought he was doing everything right. Providing. Working hard. Being dependable. But what he wasn’t doing—really listening, opening up, showing up emotionally—nearly cost him his marriage. Watching him come to terms with that was satisfying and painful. He doesn’t magically fix himself overnight. He struggles, stumbles, and has to unlearn years of emotional avoidance. But the key is that he tries. He doesn’t run from the discomfort. He leans into it, even when it hurts. And that makes all the difference.

Their journey back to each other is full of awkward conversations, tender moments, and hard truths. There’s no grand romantic gesture that solves everything. Instead, there’s effort. Consistency. Dates that are more about emotional reconnection than flowers and candles. Moments of silence that slowly shift from tense to comfortable. It’s a slow burn, even though they’re already in love, and I found that incredibly refreshing. Real relationships take work, and this book doesn’t shy away from showing that work in action.

The supporting cast adds richness without distraction. The women of the Supper Club are warm, funny, and fiercely loyal. Their bond adds another layer to the story—reminding us that love isn’t just about romance. It’s about community, friendship, and the people who see you even when you don’t see yourself. Firefly Lake as a setting works perfectly. It has all the charm of a small town without feeling saccharine. There’s a grounded energy here, a sense of shared history and quiet support that permeates the pages.

I also appreciated how the story handles grief and trauma. It doesn’t reduce either to plot devices. Instead, Lister treats both with nuance. The loss that Terri and Jon suffered is never fully explained in graphic detail, but the emotional fallout is felt on every page. You understand the weight they’re carrying and how it impacts everything—how they talk to each other, how they touch, how they avoid. That emotional realism is what elevates the book from a sweet romance to something more resonant.

And still, despite the heavier themes, the book never loses its sense of hope. There’s warmth in every chapter. Humor in the banter. Joy in the small wins. It reminds you that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth fighting for. It just has to be chosen, again and again.

Sheryl Lister has written a love story that doesn’t start with butterflies but with broken pieces—and then shows us how those pieces can be put back together, not perfectly, but meaningfully. A Promise of Forever is about what happens after the “I do,” when the real tests begin. It’s about showing up even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard. And it’s about the kind of love that’s deep enough to weather storms, strong enough to rebuild, and soft enough to forgive.

I closed this book feeling grateful—for the honesty, for the vulnerability, and for the reminder that love is less about magic and more about choice. Every day. Every moment.