Review - - A Promise of Forever

A Promise of Forever

by Sheryl Lister

Firefly Lake - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 19, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Terri Rhodes loves her husband—when he’s actually present. Their whirlwind marriage was a steamy fairy tale for about a year. They moved to Firefly Lake, made amazing friends . . . but over time, Jon’s legal practice and Terri’s work as an ER nurse have turned them into ships passing in the night. What she wouldn’t give to connect with Jon the way they used to before the long hours and unexpected tragedy broke both their hearts.

Jon can’t stand to see his beautiful wife in pain—or talk about his own. He couldn’t admit there was a problem until Terri got his attention in the worst way: by walking out. Jon will do anything to get her back, like leaning on their new friends in the Supper Club and taking her on dates that prove their chemistry is as hot as ever. He has to believe it’s not too late to prove to the woman he loves that his heart and ears are open. And that no matter what, he’s not giving up.

PJ's Thoughts:

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy. Book three, A Promise of Forever wraps things up with a story that was both charming and deeply emotional. Expect to laugh, cry, and sigh with heartfelt delight.

The four women at the heart of Serenity's Supper Club are friendship goals. I love how they rally for one another, offering support when needed and straight talk when appropriate. They are one another's biggest cheerleaders and Terri needs all of them when her marriage hits the rocks. 

I've also enjoyed how the new husbands from books one and two have formed their own bonds, pulling Jon into their circle in this book. As much as Terri needs her girls, Jon needs the brothers even more. The life-long toxic influence of Jon's father has Jon's marriage teetering on the brink. I love that the author uses strong, confident, happily married Black men to show Jon that being vulnerable,  sharing your feelings, and asking for help doesn't make you weak but, in fact, makes you stronger. 

The progression of Jon's and Terri's marriage from tension to separation to reunion unfolds in a thoughtful, organic, and authentic manner that kept me engaged and involved from beginning to end. The stakes of their actions are realistic and relatable, their love for one another palpable, but the issues between them not easily mended. The hard work they put in - especially Jon - had me celebrating their HEA with smiles and tears. 

If you enjoy charming, heartfelt, small-town romance with relatable, fully-dimensional characters, strong friendships, supportive community, drool-worthy food, emotional heft, and swoon-worthy happy endings, give A Promise of Forever a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation, as do books one and two, A Table for Two and A Perfect Pairing. 

Review - - The Dating Playbook

The Dating Playbook

by Farrah Rochon

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 17, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.

And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There's just one catch—no one can know what they're doing. But when they're accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor's game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win . . . or is he playing for keeps?

PJ's Thoughts:

Farrah Rochon's The Boyfriend Project was one of my best books of 2020. I loved it. I loved The Dating Playbook even more. 

Taylor and Jamar are such a wonderful couple. I loved their journey from trainer/client to friends to lovers to lifetime partners. Their relationship is so sweet, sexy, and genuine. I really liked these two and cheered them on from beginning to end. I appreciated the fact that Rochon gave them each complex - and realistic - issues to overcome, and stumbles along the way, before reaching their happy ending. It gave their story a realism that allowed me to view them as people dealing with the anxiety, guilt, fears, and family complexities that so many of us face in life. It made me want to be their friend. I was so proud of Taylor for all that she is and the courage it took to finally face her fears and realize all can be. And Jamar. Wow, what can I say about this guy? Let's go with this: Everyone should have a Jamar in their life. Yes, he is just that special and yes, I adored him. He captured my heart just as securely as he did Taylor's. I'll let you discover why when you read the book. He deserves to be savored, one page at a time. ;-)

One of my favorite aspects of this series is that it not only features romance but also equally important female friendships. The three women - Samiah, Taylor, and London - who meet in book one are the heart and soul of this series. Watching their unlikely friendship (they were all unknowingly dating the same guy when they met) strengthen and grow, alongside each of their romantic relationships, makes my heart so very happy. Kudos to Rochon for continuing to give this very important part of their lives the attention and nurturing it deserves.  

Some weighty issues are dealt with in this book yet it is not a heavy or angsty story. Rochon keeps things moving, sprinkling humor (I'm still laughing over the kitchen scene with Jamar and his parents), snappy banter, sizzle, and fun throughout the story without sacrificing the depth of emotion some of those weighty issues demand. It's a balancing act that the author executes with perfection.

Two other facets of this book that I enjoyed are the authentic diversity (a Black author writing Black characters) and the representation (a character with hearing loss, another with learning disabilities), seamlessly woven into the story, not with a blinking "look what I did here" neon sign, but as a natural part of everyday life, as it should be. 

For all these reasons and more - football and a love of Disney cannot be overlooked - I not only want to walk in this world and be friends with Farrah Rochon's characters but also with the author herself. I cannot wait to discover what she has planned for London. 

The Dating Playbook has my enthusiastic recommendation. The romance is this book stands well on its own but for a full appreciation of the evolving friendship among the three women, I would suggest reading the books in order. Whether you begin with The Boyfriend Project or jump in with The Dating Playbook, you have a great read ahead. 

Review - - Follow Your Heart

Follow Your Heart

by Brenda Jackson

Catalina Cove - Book 4

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Some things shouldn’t be left to chance…

Victoria Madaris is next on her great-grandmother’s matchmaking list—which suits her just fine. She’s laser-focused on her career and doesn’t have time to concentrate on her love life, too. Knowing that Mama Laverne is vetting unsuitable candidates—like rising US senator Roman Malone—makes things easy.

But Roman unexpectedly ticks all of Victoria’s boxes. The longtime family friend is outrageously sexy, and every time they meet, their chemistry crackles. Being a journalist, though, Victoria just doesn’t trust politicians. Plus, her matchmaker’s expert opinion keeps pointing to the charming and handsome Tanner Jamison. And everybody knows, Mama Laverne is never wrong.

Suddenly, Victoria sees Tanner everywhere—as if by fate—but she doesn’t feel any attraction. Meanwhile, the more Victoria gets to know Roman, the harder it is to resist him. Her head is saying play it safe, but is her heart strong enough to go against her better judgment…and Mama Laverne’s?

PJ's Thoughts:

Brenda Jackson returns to Catalina Cove for another heartwarming story of love and happily ever after...times two!

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and each new addition has me eager for a return visit to this idyllic little town on the Louisiana coast. If this was a real town I'd be booking a flight, packing my bags, and making plans to meet up with all my favorite Catalina Cove characters. Oh, and also making reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because fresh seafood (yum), baked delights from the apple orchard (double yum), and fresh blueberry muffins at the Witherspoon Café? Yes, please! 

I'm partial to the friends-to-lovers trope, especially when the author takes her time with the couple and that's exactly what Jackson does with Roman and Victoria. I enjoyed their conversations, the subtle flirting, the time they took to discover common interests. By the time they explored the flames of their desire for one another they had built a solid foundation of mutual friendship, trust, and respect to support the love that was beginning to flourish and would, hopefully, see them through looming obstacles. Because, oh yes, there are obstacles. 

The secondary romance in this book is also enjoyable though that couple has a very different dynamic from Roman and Victoria. The threads among the four characters intertwine enough to add complexity and tension to the story without creating an abundance of angst and the second HEA is a nice bonus. Plus, the twist at the end related to the secondary couple was a fun surprise I did not see coming. 

Even though Follow Your Heart is the fourth book in the Catalina Cove series, it stands very well on its own. Readers new to the series can jump into Roman and Victoria's story without missing a beat. This book also has a tie-in to Jackson's popular Madaris series. Fans of that series will no doubt enjoy revisiting a few of those characters as well.