Name: Lover of Romance 's review of Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams
Item: Forbidden Promises
Rating: 4
Author: Lover of Romance

Synithia Williams

What do you do when you want the one person you can never have? Get in and get out. That was India Robidoux’s plan for this family visit. But when her brother needs her help with his high-profile political campaign, India has no choice but to stay and face the one man she’s been running from for years—Travis, her sister’s ex-husband. One hot summer night when Travis was still free, they celebrated her birthday with whiskey and an unforgettable kiss. The memory is as strong as ever—and so are the feelings she’s tried so hard to forget. Travis Strickland owes everything to the Robidoux family. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for them—his divorce could never change that. Still, he has one regret. Impulsive and passionate, India always understood him better than anyone else. And the longer they work together on the campaign, the more torn he is. Coming between her and her sister is out of the question. But how can he let love pass him by a second time?

Forbidden Promises

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.


  First Impressions

Forbidden Promises is the first book in the Jackson Falls series and this is also my first book read by this author. I saw this one at my library and just had to grab it, the cover was gorgeous and I have been meaning to try out this author. And it also has a bit of a southern soap opera with some family dynamics thrown in the mix. And what we get in this book was so delightful. I was immediately pulled into the story and I knew from the first chapter that it would be one drama-filled ride but an entertaining ride. I really liked the forbidden feel to the romance and the way that there were some big hurdles that the couple would have to overcome. I also liked seeing the way that these two were together and their dynamics were so interesting. I am definitely intrigued by the setting and this family and this won’t be my last Williams romance.


  Summary

India Robidoux and Travis Strickland have a painful past. They once had a hope for a relationship, but then it was squashed when her sister became pregnant and Travis was duty-bound to marry her. Now they are divorced and Travis and India are back in each other’s proximity as India has come home for a visit and with her brother needing help with a political campaign for Senate, she is determined to help him as much as she can. But what she doesn’t expect, is that in doing so, she would be in such close contact with Travis. The chemistry between them is stronger than ever and she knows that what they had has never gone away, just been suppressed. They make a mutual decision to keep it from her family until the primaries but Travis is a man of honor and hates keeping secrets. But India fears what will happen to her and her family if the truth comes out that she has always loved Travis, and that she may have to make a choice between her family and the man that she loves….


  What I Loved

Forbidden Promises was such an interesting story, it does start out a bit slow, but very quickly I was captivated by the story. There was a quick transition in wanting to fight for these characters and what they had together. I also was so intrigued to see where their romance would develop. I do have a weakness for a good forbidden romance and nothing is more forbidden than being in love with your sister’s ex-husband who still wants him. I think out of the pair, Travis is one I adore, because of what a man of integrity he is. I loved that he hated keeping secrets and so it took some time to warm up to India. I struggle with heroines who keep deceptive secrets but her character warmed her way into my heart. I eventually wanted her to fight for herself and what wanted. MY heart broke for her and what happened with her parents. As her father cheated on her mother when she was dying of cancer and is now marrying his long-time mistress and you definitely feel the pain that it does to India and why she is so bitter against her father. And also I loved that she is a violinist (as I am as well and I hardly see them in romance) I really loved her siblings though and I am so interested in seeing what their stories will be. I also have been wanting to pick up more diverse books and I love a well-written black romance, and this had such a level of tender sweetness and I found it so refreshing. The book is so focused on just a fun sexy romance and I can’t wait to explore this author’s writing.


  What I Struggled With

I did struggle with India’s character at times, especially in the first half of the story. I just wanted her to get a spine and stand up to her family. And also the beginning is a bit slow at times, which is why I detracted a star from my rating.


  The Narration

This narrator ROCKED this book, with how well the accents were done. Sometimes accents can distract me from the story, but its done perfectly in this book and I just want to listen to more of her work because of how well she adapted the story and had it be a book I just couldn’t put down.


  Overall View

I found Forbidden Promises to be a heartfelt, stunning romance that quickly held my attention and warmed my heart in such an unforgettable way! Bring on the Jackson Clan!

What do you do when you want the one person you can never have? Get in and get out. That was India Robidoux's plan for this family visit. But when her brother needs her help with his high-profile political campaign, India has no choice but to stay and face the one man she's been running from for years--Travis, her sister's ex-husband. One hot summer night when Travis was still free, they celebrated her birthday with whiskey and an unforgettable kiss. The memory is as strong as ever--and so are the feelings she's tried so hard to forget. Travis Strickland owes everything to the Robidoux family. There's nothing he wouldn't do for them--his divorce could never change that. Still, he has one regret. Impulsive and passionate, India always understood him better than anyone else. And the longer they work together on the campaign, the more torn he is. Coming between her and her sister is out of the question. But how can he let love pass him by a second time?

b.andherbooks

Absolutely soapy and over the top second chance, brother's best friend romance that wasn't my to my personal reading taste, but was a fantastic and angst filled romance that will be right for many many readers from from an author who has penned many category romance titles for Kimani Romance (RIP). 

A young India spent a wild night under the stars kissing her brother's best friend and her sister's on again, off again hookup, a birthday to remember, but is devastated when he announces his engagement to her sister just two weeks later. 

India leaves her home, her family, and strikes off on her own path against her imperious father's wishes. Cut to ten years later and India is now a successful concert violinist, but is being called home to help her brother's election team. A team that also includes Travis. 


Travis has been divorced from India's sister for two years but still seems off limits. Her sister is family, no matter what India's heart wants. But Travis is out to get India for himself, consequences be damned.

There is SO MUCH going on in this story. It was hard to recap in a short blurb. I personally wanted way more of India and Travis on the page together, but the story often veered into many different paths and is clearly setting up a series for many of the other characters. I also am, in 2019, having a difficult time reading about rich people in politics, as I find it hard to believe billionaires are not Republicans. Also, for a story that involves politics so heavily it felt weird to not have any party names mentioned or political affiliation. One is left to guess. 

I received a free copy from Library Journal to review. I will try to remember to post a link to that review when it is live!



CW for miscarriage (off page), cheating (not between the main couple), India's family is wealthy because of their large Tobacco business, gun violence, a shooting, alcohol use.

Lover of Romance &
Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams

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Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams