Ah, the lies we tell ourselves. It’s almost embarrassing, how easily I believe myself when it’s the furthest thing from the truth.’

The contradictions of Sylvie’s personality are what makes her the most intriguing to me, I think. Combined with the dichotomy of the ever-patient yet fierce Spencer, the duo’s romance is an emotionally charged, coming of age story full of tender moments and explosive couplings. The only thing that I didn’t really like about this book is them doing so much “adult” stuff at the age of 13/14. It rubbed me the wrong way. It just seemed kinda unnecessary and could’ve been replaced with other things that they could’ve done to bond and get closer. From the bestselling author of A Million Kisses In Your Lifetime, this is the addictive Lancaster Prep novel about second chances and star-crossed love . . . I know a lot of people have been waiting for this one and let me tell you something, you better be ready because Monica Murphy did not disappoint. Having loved one another all their lives, Sylvie and Spencer Donato have had a tumultuous relationship. As a Lancaster, Sylvie would never be permitted to marry a Donato yet he’s the only person to see the real person behind the facade.On the surface, Sylvie Lancaster is the stereotypical “poor little rich girl.” However, on the inside she’s vulnerable, broken. Despite their truth, no one believes the outlandish claims she makes leaving her lonely on top of everything else. It was heartbreaking to read about Sylvie’s past. And that she went through it alone, no one really taking her seriously. Though Spencer didn’t fully know everything, he was always there for her, until he wasn’t. She believes she’s the reason. That she ruined everything between them. He blames her, too. But her actions were draped in so much trauma & abuse. So young, and so broken. Sensual and scandalous! Monica Murphy creates a world that surrounds you in Whit and Summer's story' 5***** Reader Review This heartbreaking love story will steal every ounce of your attention from the opening sentences, it’s impossible to stop reading! Her beautifully written words paint a picture of a tumultuous life led by a heroine who never had a chance to live her life freely. It was always dictated to her, expectations had to be met and an image cultivated. As the story progresses, you can see her move away from those who control her and get a little closer to the life she wants, dreamed of and only chooses. It’s a moving story of personal growth, chasing dreams and regaining lost love.

The spicy scenes also weren’t too much or took up too much of the plot which I liked. They were actually quite hot and well written if you ask me!I loved A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime, so I was very excited to read the next book in the Lancaster series! Promises We Meant to Keep is a second chance/brother’s best friend romance that follows Sylvie and Spencer from Thing I Wanted to Say, But Never Did. I loved Spencer and Sylvie so much, as indivduals and even more so together. I also loved how big of a role Whit and Summer played in this book.

Beautiful Summer Savage has no time for Whit. But his intense gaze traps her under a spell. Fills her with a longing she doesn't understand. For years she’s solely been her mother’s focus. Sylvia Lancaster is not just your run-of-the-mill autocratic socialite. No, overbearing would have even been preferable to the horrors Sylvie endured at the hands of her very own mother.

From start to finish you are hanging onto every single word. For the last 24 hours this book was my entire life. I ate, slept and breathed this story and this couple' 5***** Reader Review This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022-23, and to say the least it underwhelmed me in some ways. This is the third story that follows along one the Lancaster children, and this one being Sylvie Lancaster whom we meet in ‘things I wanted to say but never did’. I absolutely adored her character in that book and she was honestly what got me through it. So obviously with the open ended cliff they left us for Sylvie and spencer I was over the moon to get a book about them, especially after I found out it takes place years later after high school, and a second chance romance. I really hope Carolina gets a book in the future and I look forward to reading other books by this author, even though Promises We Meant to Keep wasn’t for me personally! Until one day she runs into him at a wedding. He's older and still unbearably handsome. Their undeniable connection draws them together. Thank you so much to Monica Murphy and Valentine PR for providing me an advanced readers copy of Promises We Meant to Keep, I had such a great time reading.