Before That Promise (Unfinished Love Series: Drew & Skylar duet, Book One of Two): A holiday new adult romance

Violet Duke

Dec 2016 · Sold by Violet Duke

About this ebook

For Drew Lawson, there isn't anyone else as undeniably off-limits as the addictively sweet, mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan. Hell, she's the very definition of the girl-next-door do-gooder. And while he is officially classified as a white hat hacker by the suit-wearing folks who keep track of that sort of thing, no one would ever say that hat of his is exactly pristine.

So when Skylar's arrival at his doorstep on the roughest night of the year for him every year leads to a downright memorable hotel mishap, an impromptu road trip, and the discovery of a secret that could change how she sees him forever, Drew is convinced the universe is on some kind of convoluted mission to thaw his cold, jaded heart. 

...Because, lordy, they've certainly sent in a ringer to get the job done right.

Before That Promise is a quick & emotional, short & sweet crossover novella starring two of my favorite secondary characters -- Skylar Sullivan from my Can't Resist series, all grown up, and Drew Lawson from my Cactus Creek series, as swoonworthy as ever (no worries, you don't have to have read either of those series). There's a HFN (happily-for-now) ending, with the second book in this duet (Every Promise Unspoken) picking up a few years down the line for this utterly meant to be couple. 

NOTE: Book Two will be released after Violet's medical prognosis improves (she's been on medical leave since January 2017 receiving aggressive new treatments and surgeries for multiple failing organs). We're hopeful that these treatments take and she'll be able to return to publishing by Spring 2019. Updates will be available on her website and social media pages.

* * * * * EXCERPT * * * * *

His arms became full-body shackles around her when the thought of her being hurt slammed into him.

Skylar released a surprised mini-yelp, and then quickly tried to reassure him, "Drew, I'm fine. Nothing happened to me."

Where once he'd thought the neverending possessiveness he felt about her was his most primal fate, Drew now discovered his protectiveness over her far eclipsed it. "Don't ever do anything so recklessly romantic like that again. Not for me or anyone. I'd never forgive myself if anything had happened to you. And I sure as hell would've made certain no living soul would ever be able to forgive the man who harmed you."

Eyes glued to his, her breathing faltered at whatever she saw in its depths. "Wh-what happened to your due north?"

Drew slid his hands up to cup both sides of her face. "I'm looking at it. Don't ever doubt that where my moral compass is concerned, you're my due north. More than I realized. More and more every day, it seems."

Strange how this was the first time he was admitting out loud that he often pictured Skylar in his future, and yet it didn't sound at all foreign coming out of his mouth.

Her gaze fell to his lips as he uttered that declaration and it took every last bit of restraint in his body to keep himself from kissing her.

Because he knew that once he did, he'd never be able to let her go again.

The UNFINISHED LOVE Series

Four brothers. Each fighting for their second first chance at love. Years be damned.

(Caine & Addison) 

-- Book 1: Before That Night 

-- Book 2: Every Night Without You

(Drew & Skylar) 

-- Book 3: Before That Promise 

-- Book 4: Every Promise Unspoken

(Gabe & Hannah) 

-- Book 5: Before That Kiss 

-- Book 6: Every Kiss Goodbye

(Max & Kennedy) 

-- Book 7: Before That Chance 

-- Book 8: Every Chance We Lost

Ratings and reviews

Before That Promise is the third book in the Unfinished Love series, the first of the Drew & Skylar duet. It was a novella, so shorter than Book 1 of the Caine & Addison duet, but it definitely had a romantic Happily For Now ending so it closed very nicely. The concluding book will be out in the spring. What I liked most about the book is how emotional, but sweet it was. It brought two people who had very unique backstories, both happy and sad. Drew's backstory was just beautifully heartbreaking. His older brother was such a huge part of his Christmas, which is why the holiday is so hard for him. Skylar's backstory was very surprising. Her past with her mother's life and passing isn't one you hear about very often. Hers wasn't as heartbreaking a past as Drew's, but as a mother myself, I can honestly say I was tearing up thinking of my own relationship with my daughter. It was poignant, and hopeful, which was wonderful. Throughout the roadtrip the two take, they learn about themselves through these reflections of their past, and through each other. Their interactions are endearing and heartfelt. Their chemistry is so spot on for two very good, very giving people. In the end, the pair each surprise the other, and the scene had me smiling and my heart melting. It was such a romantic ending to a sweetly poignant, not overly emotional, but still very heartwarming and heart-tugging romance about two people who are clearly meant to be. They each have futures ahead of them that neither are going to stand in the other's way for, which is why their happily for now ending is so perfect. I can't wait for the conclusion of their story, a few years into the couple's future. With everything that we've learned about what is to come in Drew's life alone, it promises to be an emotional ride. As a bonus, we got to see a brief cameo from Skylar's dad Brian, who was my absolute favorite character from Violet Duke's Can't Resist series. And it was great to see a bit more about Lia and Leo from the Cactus Creek series. I love how this author weaves her series together and allows us to follow the lives of our favorite characters and towns. Five stars. An excellent read. For me, during this busy holiday season, it was the perfect length, and perfect amount of emotions and romance to leave me with a smile on my face as we end the year.

Before That Promise: Drew and Skylar by Violet Duke is book one of two in the Unfinished Love series. Skylar Sullivan has been attracted to Drew Lawson since she started working at his brother’s security office. Drew sees Skylar as the girl of his dreams but has declared her off-limits for the time being. Skylar’s flight home happened to be grounded in the same town where Drew is working. Between a hotel mix up, a giant secret hanging over their heads, and a little holiday road trip, these two help each other rediscover memories from their pasts that were important and start making new ones to look forward to remembering in the years to come. This was a fun and entertaining story with loveable characters that you want to support and cheer on hoping for that happy ending. The characters were well written, authentic and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is part one of a two part series telling Drew and Skylar's story. In this part Skylar is 18 to Drew's 21. Skylar has been in love with Drew forever but Drew has put her in the off limits zone until she's 21. On her way home for the holidays Skylar makes an unexpected stop in Vegas and ends up on Drew's doorstep. The attraction between these two is off the charts but he's determined to make sure nothing will happen between them for another 3 years so they come up with a plan..... This is a very well done story and I can't wait to read how everything turns out. I recommend this one.

About the author

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education ecstatic to be on the other side of the page now writing emotion-rich stories with fun, everyday characters and sweet, sexy match-ups. Since her debut series in 2013, over a million readers have put all four of Violet's laugh & cry contemporary romance series on bestseller lists and Top 10 charts across the major eretailers, both in the U.S. and internationally. 

When she isn't feeding her book-a-day addiction, Violet enjoys doing far too many things without checking the directions first (often with outrageous power tools she has no business operating), and cooking impossible-to-replicate 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. She lives in Hawai'i with her kids (Violet & Duke) and Mr. Violet Duke (their ringleader), with a PJs-and-rubber-slippers work dress code she takes very seriously.

For fan info & epic giveaways, visit: www.facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks