Review: Keeping Promises by C.E. Benson

Synopsis:

Jason and Kamry met in the second grade. They were best friends who did everything together – it was inevitable that they would fall in love. And in any other lifetime, they probably would have ended up together – but that’s not how their story went – they didn’t get the “happily ever after” they thought they deserved. At least, they didn’t the first time around. It’s been five years since they’ve laid eyes on each other and the feelings that time should have erased are still raging strong for both of them – but they’re not kids anymore. Experience and caution have replaced recklessness and naivety. They aren’t the people they once were – but they are still far from strangers – and Jason wants nothing more than to keep the promise they made to each other as kids. Kamry is hesitant though because she knows the truth – some promises are just too hard to keep.

Favorite Lines:

“Life hadn’t happened to us yet – and that was the beauty of everything”

“It’s laughable to think I was willing to put that much power over myself – over my existence—into the hands of someone else – let alone, a man who didn’t even deserve my time. How silly I’d been to imagine the hands of the clock would bend to my emotions – that the sun would slow its rising to match the pace of my broken heart – that life was fair and forgiving and willing to let me sign out of it while I got myself together. I was too young to realize how naïve I was. My life did not end with leaving Jason – that was the point where it began.”

My Opinion:

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review… so let’s do it!

I’m always one for romance, it is one of my favorite genres. This book follows Kamry and Jason throughout their lives as they learn that their feelings for each other are deeper than either of them knew. I will admit I thought the book started off a bit slow; just a bit. It shows Kamry and Jason as kids and the development of their friendship and then relationship. I understand the importance of this, I’m just a greedy romance goblin.

I really enjoyed that the book was split into dual point of views. I’m always a sucker for seeing how each character feels about the other and it’s not in every book that a reader gets to see both sides of the love interest. I also like that Kamry plays video games; it was just a fun little fact that I relate to.

Without any spoilers, as the story goes on and the main characters grow up, I started to see a reflection of some of my more toxic relationships in the story. I am not sure how I felt about that; it hit a bit close to home. Because of this, I am not sure how I felt about the ending. I know where Benson was trying to go by showing that the characters have grown up and discovered themselves and that they are only human and such. Maybe I have more growing up to do personally, but I didn’t like the seemingly easy acceptance of toxic behavior. There wasn’t enough proof that things had truly changed for me to be comfortable with the ending. But that is just my personal opinion.

Summary:

Overall, this was a very well written book. Benson has her own unique writing style and voice that is reflected on every page. If you are looking for a quick and easy romance read, this book sits at 205 pages and would be perfect for you. Happy reading, everyone!

Keeping Promises