Navy SEAL Promise is Kyle's story (James and Adrian's son from His Rebel Heart )--he's all grown up now(!) and a SEAL(!!) It's a slow burn romance, partly because there's a forbidden aspect to it (she's a bit younger, his best friend's little sister, and used to be involved with another of his good friends, who was killed in action--she's now raising their daughter as a single mom) and partly because there's an extra bit of drama going on in the background with a mysterious car and possible attempts on one or more character's lives.

In other words, a lot is going on here.

Fortunately, the romance is very sweet, and the aforementioned little girl is absolutely adorable. Kyle's habit of calling Harmony "Carrots" a la Gilbert Blythe and Anne of Green Gables is cute, and they really are an easy couple to root for. The background drama, though, got a bit convoluted at times (and seemed to wrap up just a bit too easily in the end...) and it did feel like some of the "we can't possibly be together" protests went on too long.

Still, the HEA, when it comes, is all that one could wish for.

This is book five in the series, and though it probably could be read as a standalone, much of Kyle's parents' history comes into play in the later part of the book, and since I read it two years ago, I did feel a bit lost, so...re-read? Or read that one first. Or, just solider through like I did--slightly confused at all the extra people to keep track of, but still entertained. :)

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )