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Stealing Promises
Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that’s exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her.
With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change.
Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.
Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?
With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change.
Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.
Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?
120 pages, ebook
First published December 18, 2013
5 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Brina Courtney
21 books318 followersBrina Courtney is a young adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She's spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 12, 2016
*I received an eARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly don't know where to start with this novel. Oh wait, I guess I should call it a novella because it probably wasn't much more than a 100 pages. (Okay, it's 144, actually. But that changes nothing). And it was in the fact that this had so few pages where I disliked this book. TOO MUCH HAPPENED! Too much happened in this story, so much so that I didn't find any of it believable. The character development was lacking (Victoria's didn't seem believable in such a short time) and the plot was mostly filled with useless and irrelevant information that didn't really relate to anything that was going on in the scenes they were in. And I actually felt that a 1st person narrative would have been much better for how this was set up.
Stealing Promises had such... Well, promise. I'd been really looking forward to this book, but nothing about it worked for me. NOTHING.
***
Rating: 1 star!
Firstly, this book needed an editor. Badly. I also thought the writing style and the characters' conversations didn't seamlessly flow together.
Secondly, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Even though this book was 144 pages, the characters never really jumped off the page and become more than just cardboard cut-outs. I don't even know what kind of personality Victoria, the main character, has and what her past is like. I didn't find out anything about anyone!
Thirdly, the plot moved so fast that everything happened much too quickly for how this kind of story should have been handled. And in-between major scenes, it was filled with useless and irrelevant information. Those tidbits just seemed thrown in at random intervals, especially in the beginning! It just didn't... come together to form a more cohesive and effectively written story.
Fourthly, I hated, absolutely hated how the counselor and psychologist were written. As a psychology major who is heading toward a degree to become a counselor/school psychologist, I did NOT appreciate how they were portrayed. Kate's character was utterly unbelievable to me, and I didn't think her "therapy" was brilliant at all. In fact, I think Victoria moved through it all too quickly. It should never have been about how fast Kate could "help" Victoria move on from Levi's death, and she should never have been so bluntly honest with her. That's not the behavior of a counselor, nor is it "unconventional therapy" so much as ridiculous. Counselors help people; they don't bully them. They don't move in with them. They don't see how fast they can get their clients to live again as their ultimate goal. Counselors listen and offer unconditional support, never judgement or shame or disgust. They have to keep emotional distances from their clients, so her living at their house seemed entirely inappropriate. And the other psychologist that they called in when Victoria made a suicide attempt was portrayed as a tool. That scene didn't even last long, and Victoria was out of the hospital within 24 hours.
Fifthly, this book should be about 100 pages longer. Because of the quick pace of how the main character moved through each "stage" of her life, I didn't feel like her character development was all that believable. And, like I said, I think this book could have been improved by being in a 1st person narrative. The author actually slipped up a few times, using "I" and I almost didn't catch them.
Let's just say, if Stealing Promises had been a full-length novel, I may have actually liked it.
I honestly don't know where to start with this novel. Oh wait, I guess I should call it a novella because it probably wasn't much more than a 100 pages. (Okay, it's 144, actually. But that changes nothing). And it was in the fact that this had so few pages where I disliked this book. TOO MUCH HAPPENED! Too much happened in this story, so much so that I didn't find any of it believable. The character development was lacking (Victoria's didn't seem believable in such a short time) and the plot was mostly filled with useless and irrelevant information that didn't really relate to anything that was going on in the scenes they were in. And I actually felt that a 1st person narrative would have been much better for how this was set up.
Stealing Promises had such... Well, promise. I'd been really looking forward to this book, but nothing about it worked for me. NOTHING.
***
Rating: 1 star!
Firstly, this book needed an editor. Badly. I also thought the writing style and the characters' conversations didn't seamlessly flow together.
Secondly, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Even though this book was 144 pages, the characters never really jumped off the page and become more than just cardboard cut-outs. I don't even know what kind of personality Victoria, the main character, has and what her past is like. I didn't find out anything about anyone!
Thirdly, the plot moved so fast that everything happened much too quickly for how this kind of story should have been handled. And in-between major scenes, it was filled with useless and irrelevant information. Those tidbits just seemed thrown in at random intervals, especially in the beginning! It just didn't... come together to form a more cohesive and effectively written story.
Fourthly, I hated, absolutely hated how the counselor and psychologist were written. As a psychology major who is heading toward a degree to become a counselor/school psychologist, I did NOT appreciate how they were portrayed. Kate's character was utterly unbelievable to me, and I didn't think her "therapy" was brilliant at all. In fact, I think Victoria moved through it all too quickly. It should never have been about how fast Kate could "help" Victoria move on from Levi's death, and she should never have been so bluntly honest with her. That's not the behavior of a counselor, nor is it "unconventional therapy" so much as ridiculous. Counselors help people; they don't bully them. They don't move in with them. They don't see how fast they can get their clients to live again as their ultimate goal. Counselors listen and offer unconditional support, never judgement or shame or disgust. They have to keep emotional distances from their clients, so her living at their house seemed entirely inappropriate. And the other psychologist that they called in when Victoria made a suicide attempt was portrayed as a tool. That scene didn't even last long, and Victoria was out of the hospital within 24 hours.
Fifthly, this book should be about 100 pages longer. Because of the quick pace of how the main character moved through each "stage" of her life, I didn't feel like her character development was all that believable. And, like I said, I think this book could have been improved by being in a 1st person narrative. The author actually slipped up a few times, using "I" and I almost didn't catch them.
Let's just say, if Stealing Promises had been a full-length novel, I may have actually liked it.
January 14, 2014
Can I first say that Stealing Promises was an amazing read for me. As I have lost someone I loved to a tragic accident it broke my heart and pulled back all the memories I keep locked away. My first love died and when he did it just broke something in me and I was never the same. So when I started reading this story it was like reliving my life and the hurt and the pain I endured and no matter what anyone said to me I just COULD NOT GET OVER IT! When people would say that I just wanted to kick their ass because grief is grief and we all handle it in different ways and I spiraled out of control so I was right there with Victoria and her feelings and her reservations she had.
Victoria lost her first love and she is trying to regain some semblance of life and move on but life is hard and Victoria just can't seem to get it together. She tries and she tries and eventually she does get it together and she meets this great guy Brighton. Lord let me tell you that Brighton is such a lovable guy and I needed more of him. Brighton turned Victoria's dark days into light and he kept a smile on her face.
But everyone has a past and both Brighton and Victoria will have to decide if moving forward is worth it or should they stay in the background and remain friends. I don't want to give away to much because this is one hell of an emotional roller coaster that it is a MUST READ! It is short in comparison to some of the books I normally read but Brina did a great job of telling us a story about love, loss, and dealing with grief and moving on. No it is not easy but the best things in life are never easy and they are always worth the fight!
Victoria lost her first love and she is trying to regain some semblance of life and move on but life is hard and Victoria just can't seem to get it together. She tries and she tries and eventually she does get it together and she meets this great guy Brighton. Lord let me tell you that Brighton is such a lovable guy and I needed more of him. Brighton turned Victoria's dark days into light and he kept a smile on her face.
But everyone has a past and both Brighton and Victoria will have to decide if moving forward is worth it or should they stay in the background and remain friends. I don't want to give away to much because this is one hell of an emotional roller coaster that it is a MUST READ! It is short in comparison to some of the books I normally read but Brina did a great job of telling us a story about love, loss, and dealing with grief and moving on. No it is not easy but the best things in life are never easy and they are always worth the fight!
December 31, 2013
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. But then I couldn't put it down. I cried several times in this book. I've never been through anything like the situation in the book but it really makes you think about how your life goes on.
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Stealing Promises is a novella length New Adult story by Brina Courtney. I really loved the cover of this book, and after reading the blurb knew that I wanted to read it. I love books that get me emotionally invested, and end up showing a hero or heroine who overcomes something. I have mixed feelings about this book after reading it though. There are both things that I really liked, and then some things that I didn't care for. Stealing Promises was not what I had been expecting though.
Victoria thought that her and Levi would always be together. They grew up together, and over time their feelings grew from friendship into something more. Levi had some issues because of his mother, but with Victoria he was able to move on with his life. Victoria was set to graduate soon, and would be attending law school either at Yale or Harvard. Levi had just given her a promise ring and had secured an apartment for them to move into. Then one tragic night, everything changed. Victoria is left broken with no will to live in a future without Levi. She gets some help from a grief counselor who quickly becomes a good friend of hers. Even though she doesn't always agree with Kate's approach, she realizes that every time she ends up in a better place because of Kate's help. Victoria decides to transfer colleges for her last semester and ends up moving in with a friend. Kate helps her get involved with a group on campus for those that have lost someone. Victoria meets Brighton and they begin spending time together. Brighton wants to be with Victoria, but she knows that she is not ready for a relationship yet. Brighton says that he will wait for her, but Victoria wonders if she can ever move on with someone else and truly leave Levi behind. Even though she cares for Brighton and he makes her happy, she isn't sure that she will ever be able to love someone like she loved Levi.
I liked Levi. He was sweet and thoughtful and he really took care of Victoria. Even though he had a tough past and had issues because of his mother, he cared about Victoria so much that he put himself out there for her. Victoria was determined and devoted. I loved just how much she loved Levi and how committed she was to him in any capacity that he would allow. She knew that he had troubles because of his mom and yet she was happy just to be with him even if it wasn't exactly what she had envisioned for herself. After she lost Levi, she was a total wreck. It was awful how she just shut down and gave up. With Kate's help though, she was able to begin to move forward. She was stronger than she knew and I liked seeing her get her life together. One of the things that I really liked the most was that she didn't continue with the same path her life had been on before. She changed course and was able to figure out something that worked better for her and could possibly help others who were going through what she had been through. I liked Brighton and that he was able to start to bring Victoria out of her shell. They were able to help each other and had an understanding that most people don't have because they had both lost someone they were close to. I thought that they had a great balance and connection because of that. I feel like we didn't really get to know most of the characters in this book very well though because the focus was mainly on Victoria's process through her grief. I would have liked to have seen more character development and seen into the characters on a deeper level, especially with Victoria and Brighton.
Overall, I think that Stealing Promises was a good story. I think it had so much promise and had the opportunity to be even greater though. Even though this was about Victoria and her growth, I felt like the rest of the story and character's suffered because there wasn't room for much else. I also thought that because of the length of this story, that the reader was never really able to connect with the characters or become invested in them. My biggest complaint with Stealing Promises though was the ending. Just when the story starts to move forward, it is over. I felt like the ending was really rushed and rather abrupt. It just felt almost unfinished to me and as though it was missing something. I would have liked to have been given a bit more of their story or at least an epilogue or something so that we could have seen a bit more in the future of where things end up. I would have liked to have seen how things played out for Victoria and Brighton. I think that this was a good story about grief and moving forward. It showed how even the most heartbroken and broken can heal with the help of friends and loved ones. But I think that beyond that, this one had so much more promise than it delivered on. This book definitely was emotional though, and I found myself tearing up at several points. If you are looking for a quick and emotional read about growth and self progress, I think that this might be something that you would enjoy.
**ARC provided by Mark My Words Book Publicity**
Stealing Promises is a novella length New Adult story by Brina Courtney. I really loved the cover of this book, and after reading the blurb knew that I wanted to read it. I love books that get me emotionally invested, and end up showing a hero or heroine who overcomes something. I have mixed feelings about this book after reading it though. There are both things that I really liked, and then some things that I didn't care for. Stealing Promises was not what I had been expecting though.
Victoria thought that her and Levi would always be together. They grew up together, and over time their feelings grew from friendship into something more. Levi had some issues because of his mother, but with Victoria he was able to move on with his life. Victoria was set to graduate soon, and would be attending law school either at Yale or Harvard. Levi had just given her a promise ring and had secured an apartment for them to move into. Then one tragic night, everything changed. Victoria is left broken with no will to live in a future without Levi. She gets some help from a grief counselor who quickly becomes a good friend of hers. Even though she doesn't always agree with Kate's approach, she realizes that every time she ends up in a better place because of Kate's help. Victoria decides to transfer colleges for her last semester and ends up moving in with a friend. Kate helps her get involved with a group on campus for those that have lost someone. Victoria meets Brighton and they begin spending time together. Brighton wants to be with Victoria, but she knows that she is not ready for a relationship yet. Brighton says that he will wait for her, but Victoria wonders if she can ever move on with someone else and truly leave Levi behind. Even though she cares for Brighton and he makes her happy, she isn't sure that she will ever be able to love someone like she loved Levi.
I liked Levi. He was sweet and thoughtful and he really took care of Victoria. Even though he had a tough past and had issues because of his mother, he cared about Victoria so much that he put himself out there for her. Victoria was determined and devoted. I loved just how much she loved Levi and how committed she was to him in any capacity that he would allow. She knew that he had troubles because of his mom and yet she was happy just to be with him even if it wasn't exactly what she had envisioned for herself. After she lost Levi, she was a total wreck. It was awful how she just shut down and gave up. With Kate's help though, she was able to begin to move forward. She was stronger than she knew and I liked seeing her get her life together. One of the things that I really liked the most was that she didn't continue with the same path her life had been on before. She changed course and was able to figure out something that worked better for her and could possibly help others who were going through what she had been through. I liked Brighton and that he was able to start to bring Victoria out of her shell. They were able to help each other and had an understanding that most people don't have because they had both lost someone they were close to. I thought that they had a great balance and connection because of that. I feel like we didn't really get to know most of the characters in this book very well though because the focus was mainly on Victoria's process through her grief. I would have liked to have seen more character development and seen into the characters on a deeper level, especially with Victoria and Brighton.
Overall, I think that Stealing Promises was a good story. I think it had so much promise and had the opportunity to be even greater though. Even though this was about Victoria and her growth, I felt like the rest of the story and character's suffered because there wasn't room for much else. I also thought that because of the length of this story, that the reader was never really able to connect with the characters or become invested in them. My biggest complaint with Stealing Promises though was the ending. Just when the story starts to move forward, it is over. I felt like the ending was really rushed and rather abrupt. It just felt almost unfinished to me and as though it was missing something. I would have liked to have been given a bit more of their story or at least an epilogue or something so that we could have seen a bit more in the future of where things end up. I would have liked to have seen how things played out for Victoria and Brighton. I think that this was a good story about grief and moving forward. It showed how even the most heartbroken and broken can heal with the help of friends and loved ones. But I think that beyond that, this one had so much more promise than it delivered on. This book definitely was emotional though, and I found myself tearing up at several points. If you are looking for a quick and emotional read about growth and self progress, I think that this might be something that you would enjoy.
**ARC provided by Mark My Words Book Publicity**
January 13, 2014
I received an ARC copy of STEALING PROMISES to give an honest review that I will post to Amazon as well as Goodreads. It will be added to my blog for any blog tour going of the book at this time.
Victoria and Levi and known each other since they were younger, but never really felt anything toward each other until they were at a party at Trey’s house. They were trying to make each other jealous of each other. Victoria was sitting with a bunch of guys and Levi was looking at Victoria and she could tell. Levi walked over to Victoria and grabbed her hand said come with me so we can talk. They went to the leather sofa to talk. This was when they finally realized how much they liked each other and stared dating and had been together since.
Tyne is Levi’s older sister and she is six years older than him. Since their mother left them due to her problems with drugs and not being able to get help she became is mother/sister. There were times when Levi just wished she was his older sister and not a mother figure. When they use to hang out when they were younger Tyne use to keep an eye on both of them all the time. Victoria was closer to Tyne than her own sister Fallon.
Victoria and Levi took a special trip for just to two of them to have some time together since they have been so busy lately with her in school and him with work. Victoria was not one for surprises but Levi really wanted to try and surprise her. She asked him a dozen times where they were going and he wouldn’t say finally he said that they were spending in a cabin. They had a great time on their trip and Levi surprised Victoria with a special ring. He called it her PROMISES ring because it was more meaning for than an engagement ring. Because for them they promises mean more than anything.
Victoria’s life is shattered after one life changing event. After this happens she falls into a deep depression. She stays in her room and does not eat, get out of bed or even shower. Her family is really worried about her even her sister Fallon is worried. They have tried everything they can think of the help her but nothing is working out. They decide it time to call in a professional to see if they can help her out. The lady they get is named Kate and she is around the same age as Victoria’s sister Fallon. This Kate person came it Victoria’s room to talk to her. She wasn’t really sure how she felt about her for some reason she made her nervous. One night while everyone was sleeping Victoria decided she couldn’t go on living any longer, she had some to the decision to committee suicide, she could go down to the kitchen and use one of the knives in the mothers knife block to do what she wanted to do. As she made her way down stairs she walked pass the living room and see Kate sleeping on the cough. She just kept walking and went on with what she had planned doing. Picking a small knife from the block that was sharp she proceeded to cut her arm. Doing one at a time while not even feeling anything she slide down the cabinet and then took the knife to her neck because she knew this would be the sure way for her to die fast. Before she could even make the cut Kate was in the kitchen and grabbed the knife. She was standing there yelling at Victoria while holding her arms above her head. The next thing Victoria remembers in waking up in the hospital in a strange room with no television and she could see Kate sitting in a chair across from her. Victoria tries to talk but it is hard at first, then she tries again and she talk to Kate and she ask how long she has been in the hospital. She tells her for a few days. Kate tells Victoria in order to get out of the hospital she will have to talk to a psychologist. Victoria agrees to talk to the psychologist and this talk does not go good. He tells her that he understands that what has happen to her was really awful, but she really need to start living her life so she will have to stay 24 hours and she might be able to leave in the morning. She is able to leave and decides that she wants to finish college after she had taken time off. She was not going to stay in Cape Haven. She was going to move with her friend Claire to a place right outside of New York City. Victoria hopes this move will help her with changes she wants to make in her life. One big change she has decided is she doesn’t not want to be a lawyer.
So I am stopping my review here. There is something major that happens in the story, but I felt that each reader need to read that part for themselves to have their own reaction to it. I don’t want my reaction to have anything to do with how you as a reader handle this very important part of the story. After you read the story please leave a review for the author telling her how what you liked about the book.
Brina Courtney
Victoria and Levi and known each other since they were younger, but never really felt anything toward each other until they were at a party at Trey’s house. They were trying to make each other jealous of each other. Victoria was sitting with a bunch of guys and Levi was looking at Victoria and she could tell. Levi walked over to Victoria and grabbed her hand said come with me so we can talk. They went to the leather sofa to talk. This was when they finally realized how much they liked each other and stared dating and had been together since.
Tyne is Levi’s older sister and she is six years older than him. Since their mother left them due to her problems with drugs and not being able to get help she became is mother/sister. There were times when Levi just wished she was his older sister and not a mother figure. When they use to hang out when they were younger Tyne use to keep an eye on both of them all the time. Victoria was closer to Tyne than her own sister Fallon.
Victoria and Levi took a special trip for just to two of them to have some time together since they have been so busy lately with her in school and him with work. Victoria was not one for surprises but Levi really wanted to try and surprise her. She asked him a dozen times where they were going and he wouldn’t say finally he said that they were spending in a cabin. They had a great time on their trip and Levi surprised Victoria with a special ring. He called it her PROMISES ring because it was more meaning for than an engagement ring. Because for them they promises mean more than anything.
Victoria’s life is shattered after one life changing event. After this happens she falls into a deep depression. She stays in her room and does not eat, get out of bed or even shower. Her family is really worried about her even her sister Fallon is worried. They have tried everything they can think of the help her but nothing is working out. They decide it time to call in a professional to see if they can help her out. The lady they get is named Kate and she is around the same age as Victoria’s sister Fallon. This Kate person came it Victoria’s room to talk to her. She wasn’t really sure how she felt about her for some reason she made her nervous. One night while everyone was sleeping Victoria decided she couldn’t go on living any longer, she had some to the decision to committee suicide, she could go down to the kitchen and use one of the knives in the mothers knife block to do what she wanted to do. As she made her way down stairs she walked pass the living room and see Kate sleeping on the cough. She just kept walking and went on with what she had planned doing. Picking a small knife from the block that was sharp she proceeded to cut her arm. Doing one at a time while not even feeling anything she slide down the cabinet and then took the knife to her neck because she knew this would be the sure way for her to die fast. Before she could even make the cut Kate was in the kitchen and grabbed the knife. She was standing there yelling at Victoria while holding her arms above her head. The next thing Victoria remembers in waking up in the hospital in a strange room with no television and she could see Kate sitting in a chair across from her. Victoria tries to talk but it is hard at first, then she tries again and she talk to Kate and she ask how long she has been in the hospital. She tells her for a few days. Kate tells Victoria in order to get out of the hospital she will have to talk to a psychologist. Victoria agrees to talk to the psychologist and this talk does not go good. He tells her that he understands that what has happen to her was really awful, but she really need to start living her life so she will have to stay 24 hours and she might be able to leave in the morning. She is able to leave and decides that she wants to finish college after she had taken time off. She was not going to stay in Cape Haven. She was going to move with her friend Claire to a place right outside of New York City. Victoria hopes this move will help her with changes she wants to make in her life. One big change she has decided is she doesn’t not want to be a lawyer.
So I am stopping my review here. There is something major that happens in the story, but I felt that each reader need to read that part for themselves to have their own reaction to it. I don’t want my reaction to have anything to do with how you as a reader handle this very important part of the story. After you read the story please leave a review for the author telling her how what you liked about the book.
Brina Courtney
February 7, 2014
Stealing Promises
By Brina Courtney
☆☆☆Given a copy of this book for an honest review for Nerd Alert Book Love Blog ☆☆☆
At the start of the story you meet Victoria, a college student, a very type A personality, and comes from money. She is studying to be a lawyer and following in her father's footsteps. Her biggest decision right now seems to be deciding between Yale and Harvard.
"...Levi? Do you promise to take care of me?..."
Victoria is in love and dating her long time friend Levi. They met as children because his father, a a cop, works closely with her father. They grew up very close. They decided to take their close friendship to the next level one night at a party together.
"...and I never had a choice in loving you..."
Levi struggles with commitment because of his mother leaving when he was a young child. But after a weekend alone together in a cabin Levi gave Victoria a promise ring.
"...A promise that I will never stop loving you..."
A night out to celebrate Victoria's best friend Claire's twenty first birthday, Levi surprised Victoria with keys to an apartment for them. A night of celebration turned into the ultimate heartbreaking tragedy.
"...I'll always be close, I promise. Love you..."
After losing what she loves the most Victoria falls into a very dark place. And family is so worried about her after she locks herself in her bed for days and does not come out. They hire a grief counselor, Kate.
"...He was my life..."
Victoria's world got a little darker and she attempted to end her sadness and nightmares. But with the help from Kate, Victoria fought through her anger and her guilt and looked to find some kind of closure. Kate and her best friend Claire helped her find the ability to save herself through the grief and the pain.
"...You can do this, just one step at a time. .."
Victoria finally decides to move on with her life by moving away and finishing school. She gets an apartment with Claire and decides not to pursue becoming a lawyer. Taking advice from Kate, Victoria decides to attend a grief counseling group on campus.
"...We're so glad you decided to join us today Victoria. I know I am..."
Victoria meets Brighton, who is in charge of the grief counseling group. They share and instant friendship. With a bit of a push from Kate, Victoria and Brighton begin to build a close friendship with the possibility of more to come.
"...I'm not ready yet. I want to be, but I'm not. .."
Brighton has experienced his on tragic loss as well which gives him the compassion to understand what Victoria is going through and the patience to not push her. But they work together to help each other move on from their grief and build a new life and future.
Brina Courtney is a young adult author who really knows how to tell a tale of great tragedy and the rebuilding of your heart and life after moving on. This is a beautiful tale of a young woman's struggle after losing what she loves the most and finding the ability to move on and find love and happiness again. I look forward to seeing what else Brina has written! I gladly give her a Nerd Alert B++ or 4.5 stars.
By Brina Courtney
☆☆☆Given a copy of this book for an honest review for Nerd Alert Book Love Blog ☆☆☆
At the start of the story you meet Victoria, a college student, a very type A personality, and comes from money. She is studying to be a lawyer and following in her father's footsteps. Her biggest decision right now seems to be deciding between Yale and Harvard.
"...Levi? Do you promise to take care of me?..."
Victoria is in love and dating her long time friend Levi. They met as children because his father, a a cop, works closely with her father. They grew up very close. They decided to take their close friendship to the next level one night at a party together.
"...and I never had a choice in loving you..."
Levi struggles with commitment because of his mother leaving when he was a young child. But after a weekend alone together in a cabin Levi gave Victoria a promise ring.
"...A promise that I will never stop loving you..."
A night out to celebrate Victoria's best friend Claire's twenty first birthday, Levi surprised Victoria with keys to an apartment for them. A night of celebration turned into the ultimate heartbreaking tragedy.
"...I'll always be close, I promise. Love you..."
After losing what she loves the most Victoria falls into a very dark place. And family is so worried about her after she locks herself in her bed for days and does not come out. They hire a grief counselor, Kate.
"...He was my life..."
Victoria's world got a little darker and she attempted to end her sadness and nightmares. But with the help from Kate, Victoria fought through her anger and her guilt and looked to find some kind of closure. Kate and her best friend Claire helped her find the ability to save herself through the grief and the pain.
"...You can do this, just one step at a time. .."
Victoria finally decides to move on with her life by moving away and finishing school. She gets an apartment with Claire and decides not to pursue becoming a lawyer. Taking advice from Kate, Victoria decides to attend a grief counseling group on campus.
"...We're so glad you decided to join us today Victoria. I know I am..."
Victoria meets Brighton, who is in charge of the grief counseling group. They share and instant friendship. With a bit of a push from Kate, Victoria and Brighton begin to build a close friendship with the possibility of more to come.
"...I'm not ready yet. I want to be, but I'm not. .."
Brighton has experienced his on tragic loss as well which gives him the compassion to understand what Victoria is going through and the patience to not push her. But they work together to help each other move on from their grief and build a new life and future.
Brina Courtney is a young adult author who really knows how to tell a tale of great tragedy and the rebuilding of your heart and life after moving on. This is a beautiful tale of a young woman's struggle after losing what she loves the most and finding the ability to move on and find love and happiness again. I look forward to seeing what else Brina has written! I gladly give her a Nerd Alert B++ or 4.5 stars.
March 7, 2014
Stealing Promises
By Brina Courtney
☆☆☆Given a copy of this book for an honest review for Nerd Alert Book Love Blog ☆☆☆
At the start of the story you meet Victoria, a college student, a very type A personality, and comes from money. She is studying to be a lawyer and following in her father's footsteps. Her biggest decision right now seems to be deciding between Yale and Harvard.
"...Levi? Do you promise to take care of me?..."
Victoria is in love and dating her long time friend Levi. They met as children because his father, a a cop, works closely with her father. They grew up very close. They decided to take their close friendship to the next level one night at a party together.
"...and I never had a choice in loving you..."
Levi struggles with commitment because of his mother leaving when he was a young child. But after a weekend alone together in a cabin Levi gave Victoria a promise ring.
"...A promise that I will never stop loving you..."
A night out to celebrate Victoria's best friend Claire's twenty first birthday, Levi surprised Victoria with keys to an apartment for them. A night of celebration turned into the ultimate heartbreaking tragedy.
"...I'll always be close, I promise. Love you..."
After losing what she loves the most Victoria falls into a very dark place. And family is so worried about her after she locks herself in her bed for days and does not come out. They hire a grief counselor, Kate.
"...He was my life..."
Victoria's world got a little darker and she attempted to end her sadness and nightmares. But with the help from Kate, Victoria fought through her anger and her guilt and looked to find some kind of closure. Kate and her best friend Claire helped her find the ability to save herself through the grief and the pain.
"...You can do this, just one step at a time. .."
Victoria finally decides to move on with her life by moving away and finishing school. She gets an apartment with Claire and decides not to pursue becoming a lawyer. Taking advice from Kate, Victoria decides to attend a grief counseling group on campus.
"...We're so glad you decided to join us today Victoria. I know I am..."
Victoria meets Brighton, who is in charge of the grief counseling group. They share and instant friendship. With a bit of a push from Kate, Victoria and Brighton begin to build a close friendship with the possibility of more to come.
"...I'm not ready yet. I want to be, but I'm not. .."
Brighton has experienced his on tragic loss as well which gives him the compassion to understand what Victoria is going through and the patience to not push her. But they work together to help each other move on from their grief and build a new life and future.
Brina Courtney is a young adult author who really knows how to tell a tale of great tragedy and the rebuilding of your heart and life after moving on. This is a beautiful tale of a young woman's struggle after losing what she loves the most and finding the ability to move on and find love and happiness again. I look forward to seeing what else Brina has written! I gladly give her a Nerd Alert B++ or 4.5 stars.
By Brina Courtney
☆☆☆Given a copy of this book for an honest review for Nerd Alert Book Love Blog ☆☆☆
At the start of the story you meet Victoria, a college student, a very type A personality, and comes from money. She is studying to be a lawyer and following in her father's footsteps. Her biggest decision right now seems to be deciding between Yale and Harvard.
"...Levi? Do you promise to take care of me?..."
Victoria is in love and dating her long time friend Levi. They met as children because his father, a a cop, works closely with her father. They grew up very close. They decided to take their close friendship to the next level one night at a party together.
"...and I never had a choice in loving you..."
Levi struggles with commitment because of his mother leaving when he was a young child. But after a weekend alone together in a cabin Levi gave Victoria a promise ring.
"...A promise that I will never stop loving you..."
A night out to celebrate Victoria's best friend Claire's twenty first birthday, Levi surprised Victoria with keys to an apartment for them. A night of celebration turned into the ultimate heartbreaking tragedy.
"...I'll always be close, I promise. Love you..."
After losing what she loves the most Victoria falls into a very dark place. And family is so worried about her after she locks herself in her bed for days and does not come out. They hire a grief counselor, Kate.
"...He was my life..."
Victoria's world got a little darker and she attempted to end her sadness and nightmares. But with the help from Kate, Victoria fought through her anger and her guilt and looked to find some kind of closure. Kate and her best friend Claire helped her find the ability to save herself through the grief and the pain.
"...You can do this, just one step at a time. .."
Victoria finally decides to move on with her life by moving away and finishing school. She gets an apartment with Claire and decides not to pursue becoming a lawyer. Taking advice from Kate, Victoria decides to attend a grief counseling group on campus.
"...We're so glad you decided to join us today Victoria. I know I am..."
Victoria meets Brighton, who is in charge of the grief counseling group. They share and instant friendship. With a bit of a push from Kate, Victoria and Brighton begin to build a close friendship with the possibility of more to come.
"...I'm not ready yet. I want to be, but I'm not. .."
Brighton has experienced his on tragic loss as well which gives him the compassion to understand what Victoria is going through and the patience to not push her. But they work together to help each other move on from their grief and build a new life and future.
Brina Courtney is a young adult author who really knows how to tell a tale of great tragedy and the rebuilding of your heart and life after moving on. This is a beautiful tale of a young woman's struggle after losing what she loves the most and finding the ability to move on and find love and happiness again. I look forward to seeing what else Brina has written! I gladly give her a Nerd Alert B++ or 4.5 stars.
August 11, 2015
Victoria and Levi are childhood friends turned lovers. They didn't save themselves. They dated other people. Had a life. But they just realized that they were better together. Their relationship is sweet and genuine and you can tell that they really adore each other. However, the happily ever after and the life that Victoria and Levi had planned is shattered when Levi is ripped away from her. This throws her into a depression that she can't make it out of alone.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I really enjoyed it, but on the other, I feel as if there are one too many issues with it that kept me from loving it.
There's a lot of time spent building up Victoria and Levi's relationship. I know we're meant to try to understand how much he meant to her, but for me, it was lacking passion. However, I didn't really start feeling anything until it hit the pivot point. When Levi was taken away, I felt for Victoria. She was destroyed and that I understood. Her grief, her depression, I felt. It wasn't until he was gone that I felt her love for him. Everything before that felt... well, routine. Victoria's anguish was heartbreaking.
I also think something that would have made me love this book would have been more time spent with Victoria and Brighton. He was a new start for her, but his part of the book was really short and lacked substance. Victoria and Brighton had a lot in common, and he had the potential to be a great character if more time had been spent defining him. I get that this part of the book was about Victoria learning to live her life, and learning to rethink what she thought was her future, but if Brighton was going to be a part of that, why not carry it all the way through?
I love the relationship that forms between Victoria and Kate. Even though Kate was just doing her job, the two quickly began to deeply care about each other. I think this showed most when, even though Kate's job was done, Victoria still cared about Kate's input and opinion on her choices. She didn't lean on her to the point that she couldn't think for herself, but more that she wanted her approval, since she knew that Kate was one person who would tell her the truth. I feel she was trying to prove herself to Kate. Trying to prove that she could live again like Kate had told her she could.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I would like to love it. Since I felt like Stealing Promises was rather short, if there were a second, I would probably love it. But as it stands, I enjoyed it.
*I was provided a copy of Stealing Promises in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I really enjoyed it, but on the other, I feel as if there are one too many issues with it that kept me from loving it.
There's a lot of time spent building up Victoria and Levi's relationship. I know we're meant to try to understand how much he meant to her, but for me, it was lacking passion. However, I didn't really start feeling anything until it hit the pivot point. When Levi was taken away, I felt for Victoria. She was destroyed and that I understood. Her grief, her depression, I felt. It wasn't until he was gone that I felt her love for him. Everything before that felt... well, routine. Victoria's anguish was heartbreaking.
I also think something that would have made me love this book would have been more time spent with Victoria and Brighton. He was a new start for her, but his part of the book was really short and lacked substance. Victoria and Brighton had a lot in common, and he had the potential to be a great character if more time had been spent defining him. I get that this part of the book was about Victoria learning to live her life, and learning to rethink what she thought was her future, but if Brighton was going to be a part of that, why not carry it all the way through?
I love the relationship that forms between Victoria and Kate. Even though Kate was just doing her job, the two quickly began to deeply care about each other. I think this showed most when, even though Kate's job was done, Victoria still cared about Kate's input and opinion on her choices. She didn't lean on her to the point that she couldn't think for herself, but more that she wanted her approval, since she knew that Kate was one person who would tell her the truth. I feel she was trying to prove herself to Kate. Trying to prove that she could live again like Kate had told her she could.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I would like to love it. Since I felt like Stealing Promises was rather short, if there were a second, I would probably love it. But as it stands, I enjoyed it.
*I was provided a copy of Stealing Promises in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2014
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I received this book after I signed up to be a part of the blog tour. Of course, it doesn’t influence my review.
While I enjoy reading fun and light love stories, my first love is drama. For some unknown reason, I love to read a book in which angst, drama and intensity are a big part of the whole story. When it touches my heart and makes my eyes water, it’s amazing.
Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. While I enjoyed it, I think that the plot is not flowing enough or enough balanced to make it unforgetable. It’s possible that I’m asking for too much, but the story itself is a gut wrenching one so it needs to gut me to win me over.
While I think the author did a good job portraying the grief process, I think she spent too much time developing Levi and Victoria’s story to the point that it felt too long. I’m sure the author wanted to make us feel how special their relationship was, but when you devide the whole book in parts, this part is too long and the whole part with Brighton is too short and not enough detailed and explored. Not once did I feel some kind of connection between Victoria and Brighton. It’s an issue for me.
In fact, I think that this book is too short. Even the ending is rushed. In this kind of story, it’s needed to feel everything the character feels, to see the slow process of opening up and moving on and not just vaguely talk about it and put the character in this or that situation just for the sake of moving the story along. That’s how I felt while reading the last part of the book.
What I truly loved is the whole part during which we see Victoria dealing with her grief. I felt for her, wanted the best for, I was hoping that she would find the strength to move on. It’s something the author did really well and with care. Just for this part I’m glad I read this book.
But as I said, all the parts are not as good and it dampened my enjoyment of reading this book. Maybe I was expecting for too much, maybe I was expecting something else, but one thing is for sure, I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this book.
Because the ending is so rushed and left me with a taste of unfinished business, I hope there will be another book with Victoria and her next steps into her life. Fingers crossed!
I received this book after I signed up to be a part of the blog tour. Of course, it doesn’t influence my review.
While I enjoy reading fun and light love stories, my first love is drama. For some unknown reason, I love to read a book in which angst, drama and intensity are a big part of the whole story. When it touches my heart and makes my eyes water, it’s amazing.
Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. While I enjoyed it, I think that the plot is not flowing enough or enough balanced to make it unforgetable. It’s possible that I’m asking for too much, but the story itself is a gut wrenching one so it needs to gut me to win me over.
While I think the author did a good job portraying the grief process, I think she spent too much time developing Levi and Victoria’s story to the point that it felt too long. I’m sure the author wanted to make us feel how special their relationship was, but when you devide the whole book in parts, this part is too long and the whole part with Brighton is too short and not enough detailed and explored. Not once did I feel some kind of connection between Victoria and Brighton. It’s an issue for me.
In fact, I think that this book is too short. Even the ending is rushed. In this kind of story, it’s needed to feel everything the character feels, to see the slow process of opening up and moving on and not just vaguely talk about it and put the character in this or that situation just for the sake of moving the story along. That’s how I felt while reading the last part of the book.
What I truly loved is the whole part during which we see Victoria dealing with her grief. I felt for her, wanted the best for, I was hoping that she would find the strength to move on. It’s something the author did really well and with care. Just for this part I’m glad I read this book.
But as I said, all the parts are not as good and it dampened my enjoyment of reading this book. Maybe I was expecting for too much, maybe I was expecting something else, but one thing is for sure, I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this book.
Because the ending is so rushed and left me with a taste of unfinished business, I hope there will be another book with Victoria and her next steps into her life. Fingers crossed!
January 20, 2014
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Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney is a book of tragic loss, overwhelming grief, and the struggle to move forward in the present and find one’s self again.
Victoria is dealt a staggering blow when her picture perfect relationship is left in shambles. Despite her family’s attempts at ushering her through the grieving process, she cannot move past the devastation and wants her life to end. Her brush with death spurs a change in her as she realizes she cannot drown in sorrow forever. Determined to regain control of her life, Victoria travels down a path of growth and healing. Gaining new friendships, restoring relationships that were once strained, and finding a connection with Brighton Hanley could be the key to a healthy, happy future. Can she truly find redemption or is the weight of her past too much to overcome?
I fell head over heels in love with Stealing Promises and Victoria Blane. Her character truly experienced a roller coaster transformation. I felt every ounce of sorrow and loss, hope and love that Victoria experienced. I was wrecked and redeemed from start to finish. Brina Courtney has expertly written a story of soul crushing heartbreak and the struggle to gain closure and move forward. Her words tore me to pieces page after page, all while soothing and mending the ache in my chest. There is beauty in a story so tragic and Brina Courtney has perfectly captured the range of emotions one feels in a situation like Victoria’s. There is nothing artificial about the emotions behind her words. Her story has an air of authenticity, her characters are relatable, and the passion Brina has invested in her novel definitely shows.
If you’re looking for a gut wrenching ugly cry that leaves you with hope (and a book hangover), Stealing Promises is the perfect novel. Brina Courtney will destroy you but it’s absolutely satisfying.
Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney is a book of tragic loss, overwhelming grief, and the struggle to move forward in the present and find one’s self again.
Victoria is dealt a staggering blow when her picture perfect relationship is left in shambles. Despite her family’s attempts at ushering her through the grieving process, she cannot move past the devastation and wants her life to end. Her brush with death spurs a change in her as she realizes she cannot drown in sorrow forever. Determined to regain control of her life, Victoria travels down a path of growth and healing. Gaining new friendships, restoring relationships that were once strained, and finding a connection with Brighton Hanley could be the key to a healthy, happy future. Can she truly find redemption or is the weight of her past too much to overcome?
I fell head over heels in love with Stealing Promises and Victoria Blane. Her character truly experienced a roller coaster transformation. I felt every ounce of sorrow and loss, hope and love that Victoria experienced. I was wrecked and redeemed from start to finish. Brina Courtney has expertly written a story of soul crushing heartbreak and the struggle to gain closure and move forward. Her words tore me to pieces page after page, all while soothing and mending the ache in my chest. There is beauty in a story so tragic and Brina Courtney has perfectly captured the range of emotions one feels in a situation like Victoria’s. There is nothing artificial about the emotions behind her words. Her story has an air of authenticity, her characters are relatable, and the passion Brina has invested in her novel definitely shows.
If you’re looking for a gut wrenching ugly cry that leaves you with hope (and a book hangover), Stealing Promises is the perfect novel. Brina Courtney will destroy you but it’s absolutely satisfying.
February 1, 2014
Actually it's 3.5 stars
***I got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
Victoria Blane and Levi Manor have planned their life together.
Levi's found a perfect home to live, and already proposed.Promised he always will love her and never leave her alone...
Promises are made to be kept, never stolen...
A night out to celebrate Victoria's best friend Claire's twenty first birthday, Levi surprised Victoria with keys to their apartment...
Something tragically happened, and he couldn't keep those promises... She loses him, and it's shoking when your loved one dying in Your arms...
Victoria was perished...she didn't wanna live without him. She lost her other half.
Mourning is really a hard thing, and she needed help. Her parents hired a professional grief consuellor, Kate, who tried to help her.
Kate and her best friend Claire helped her through the grief and the pain.
"You can do this, just one step at a time."
When Victoria decided to attend a grief counseling group on campus, she met Brighton Hanley.
Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone...He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.
I loved the main idea of the book, it's really a tough subject...
My only problem is there is too much to tell, it rather be two books.
I need more time to fell their love with Levi, to make connectons with the caracters.
Overall I liked it, really emotional read.
But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?
You should read to find it out!
January 21, 2014
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
Victoria Blane and Levi Manor have already planned their lives together. Their relationship might not be perfect, but they knew they were in for the long-haul. Then, a tragedy strikes, promises were broken, Victoria was left alone, consumed with grief and struggling to move on from the horrific event she had experienced.
She had loved Levi all her life, and to live without him – she did not even consider it possible. It took some time, a desperate cry for help and a very determined friend to pull her up from her stupor.
Then there’s Brighton Hanley – he too have lost someone. He knows what it feels like to have a heart filled with grief that you think you have no room for more in there. When he met Victoria, he understands how she felt, the pain was radiating off her. But it didn’t stop him from wanting her –
Victoria likes Brighton – but she never knows if she’ll ever be ready to replace Levi in her heart. Brighton is patient, he’s always there, he never pushes himself, and he had given her the time and space to heal. The real question is though, is she ready to give him a piece of her heart?
Stealing Promises is a short, emotional read. You will feel Victoria’s struggle to go through with life, her intense grief as she wakes up and realize Levi would never be able to fulfill his promises, and hope as Kate and Brighton comes into her life. It’s a story of love, second chances, moving on and life filled with hope and endless possibilities.
★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★
Victoria Blane and Levi Manor have already planned their lives together. Their relationship might not be perfect, but they knew they were in for the long-haul. Then, a tragedy strikes, promises were broken, Victoria was left alone, consumed with grief and struggling to move on from the horrific event she had experienced.
She had loved Levi all her life, and to live without him – she did not even consider it possible. It took some time, a desperate cry for help and a very determined friend to pull her up from her stupor.
Then there’s Brighton Hanley – he too have lost someone. He knows what it feels like to have a heart filled with grief that you think you have no room for more in there. When he met Victoria, he understands how she felt, the pain was radiating off her. But it didn’t stop him from wanting her –
Victoria likes Brighton – but she never knows if she’ll ever be ready to replace Levi in her heart. Brighton is patient, he’s always there, he never pushes himself, and he had given her the time and space to heal. The real question is though, is she ready to give him a piece of her heart?
Stealing Promises is a short, emotional read. You will feel Victoria’s struggle to go through with life, her intense grief as she wakes up and realize Levi would never be able to fulfill his promises, and hope as Kate and Brighton comes into her life. It’s a story of love, second chances, moving on and life filled with hope and endless possibilities.
★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★
February 10, 2014
Stealing Promises is a book about grief and how you overcome grief. This book was given to me by the author and Paranormal & Romance Authors That Rock for an honest review. Victoria Blane is a pre-law college student in her last year prior to going off to law school at Yale or Harvard. She is a type A personality who doesn't like surprises and likes to plan her life out. Victoria's father is an accomplished lawyer himself and has always provided for the family. Victoria is in love with her best friend, Levi Manor, who we discover in the beginning of the book becomes her fiance. Victoria's life is turned upside down when she witnesses Levi's death. She is overcome with grief and doesn't know how to live her life anymore and doesn't know if she wants to without the love of her life. She experiences an overwhelming grief and doesn't know how to get past it. Her parents hire a grief counselor, Kate, to help their daughter. This book is mainly about the persevering nature of love and life and how friends and loved ones must continue on after the death of someone you love. Victoria goes through some very dark periods, but eventually does move on with her life. In the end, the experiences Victoria has shape her life and take her in a different direction than she had originally planned. Overall this book was good, not great. It was a short, easy read. I give it 3 out of 5 fangs.
April 20, 2018
This book started out sort of iffy for me. It starts out explaining the backstory of Victoria & Levi and all the while I was sorta thinking that would have made a great first book all on its own. There was a lot packed into a short read, roughly under 150 pages, & I felt there could have easily been 3 novellas or 2 novels easily. The overall story is a good one & mid-way through to the end it definitely pulled me in more with the route it went . There are some heavy subjects in the book & it takes a realistic look at the way a person struggles through it all. Realistic but somewhat rushed. I would have enjoyed it being more spread out & filled in with more detail & such around each step taken in the mourning process & the point at which one begins to move forward. You'll also need to look past the portrayal of the grief counselor & how involved she seems to get, but then again... maybe there are some that work like Kate. When it comes to Brighton, it will do ya some good to keep in mind that while he sorta runs the grief group he is a peer & not officially a therapist. I would say this is worth a read, especially if you've lost someone & dealt, or are dealing, with that. I'll definitely give some Brina's other books a read.
I was provided with an Arc of More Than A Promise: Bundle, which included this book along with Promise Me This, by Sarah Ashley a Jones, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided with an Arc of More Than A Promise: Bundle, which included this book along with Promise Me This, by Sarah Ashley a Jones, from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2014
I loved everything about Victoria Blane and Levi Manor and the dynamic between them and the history, that alone had me swooning and dreading the inevitable tragedy.
It was so very sad when she lost him the desperation and pain was so real. I was taken in by the detail of the depression that I have seen first hand before.
Kate was so instrumental and Claire they were so great with her. It takes time but the baby steps help so much. She finally after some time begins to get back on her feet. Her progress is slow going and it's always a battle not to slip back into the depression that can overtake when you least expect it.
Victoria has already taken some huge steps into getting her shattered life back when she meets Brighton at school in her group. He looks at her and makes her feel things she isn't sure about and she embarks on a journey to see if love is something she could ever do again. Lost love when it's sudden and tragic leaves a stain on the soul as far as I am concerned. This book is a raw and emotionally open look at life after the love of a lifetime and the battle to move on and live.
She deserves the new lease on life if she will allow herself to be happy, it's a really beautiful thing.
I really do love this book. I recommend it highly and I love what Brina is doing with #ipromise.
It was so very sad when she lost him the desperation and pain was so real. I was taken in by the detail of the depression that I have seen first hand before.
Kate was so instrumental and Claire they were so great with her. It takes time but the baby steps help so much. She finally after some time begins to get back on her feet. Her progress is slow going and it's always a battle not to slip back into the depression that can overtake when you least expect it.
Victoria has already taken some huge steps into getting her shattered life back when she meets Brighton at school in her group. He looks at her and makes her feel things she isn't sure about and she embarks on a journey to see if love is something she could ever do again. Lost love when it's sudden and tragic leaves a stain on the soul as far as I am concerned. This book is a raw and emotionally open look at life after the love of a lifetime and the battle to move on and live.
She deserves the new lease on life if she will allow herself to be happy, it's a really beautiful thing.
I really do love this book. I recommend it highly and I love what Brina is doing with #ipromise.
September 3, 2014
Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney is one of those emotional heartbreaking tales that sticks with you long after you finish reading. Within the first few pages I became hooked to the story and I couldn't help but love and care for each one of the characters, especially Victoria.
In Stealing Promises, Victoria and Levi are deeply in love. The book starts out with them going on a romantic vacation together that ends with Levi making a promise to Victoria that she is the only one for him. Their relationship is pretty much perfect and I could really feel the love that they shared for one another.
Their happiness is suddenly shattered with a plot twist that I really didn't see coming. Brina Courtney captures the raw emotional pain so well that I was moved to tears in some portions of the book. Now while parts of Stealing Promises are sad, there is a light at the end of the dark emotional tunnel and I was amazed at the growth that Victoria undergoes throughout the book.
The underlying message of Stealing Promises is deeply moving and really makes you think about life and love which made me enjoy the book even more. I would highly recommend it to any new adult contemporary romance fan looking for a love story with more emotional depth to it. I give it 5/5 stars!
In Stealing Promises, Victoria and Levi are deeply in love. The book starts out with them going on a romantic vacation together that ends with Levi making a promise to Victoria that she is the only one for him. Their relationship is pretty much perfect and I could really feel the love that they shared for one another.
Their happiness is suddenly shattered with a plot twist that I really didn't see coming. Brina Courtney captures the raw emotional pain so well that I was moved to tears in some portions of the book. Now while parts of Stealing Promises are sad, there is a light at the end of the dark emotional tunnel and I was amazed at the growth that Victoria undergoes throughout the book.
The underlying message of Stealing Promises is deeply moving and really makes you think about life and love which made me enjoy the book even more. I would highly recommend it to any new adult contemporary romance fan looking for a love story with more emotional depth to it. I give it 5/5 stars!
August 12, 2016
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like reading this book. It seemed narrated for me and not what I'm used to, but I got over it. This book had me go through so many emotions in a short time. One minute I was smiling, then crying and then I was a little bit angry. I loved reading how in love Victoria and Levi were (there's the smiling emotion). They were such a cute couple, that I couldn't help but smile! Especially with his announcement about the apartment. I was so proud of him at that moment. When Levi was taken away, I honestly started to cry for Victoria (in the lunchroom at work no less). Now here comes the anger.....I'm not sure that if I was in the same situation, I would be able to move on after a few months. Yes Brighton sounds like a great guy, really likes her & understands the pain she is going through.....but isn't it kind of a slap in the face to Levi who loved her so much and died protecting her that she moved on so quick? That being said (and I'm totally going against myself here) I wish there was a bit more of Victoria and Brighton's story in the end. Right after all feelings were sorted out, the story was done.
January 16, 2014
Stealing Promises is a book that starts out with the love story of Levi and Victoria. The beginning of the book takes us on their journey of love, and the hope of so much more, a future together, forever. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes leaving Victoria alone, with feelings of guilt.
Her parents try everything to get her to overcome her grieving by hiring a grief counselor who continually pushes Victoria to start living again and after awhile, she is finally able to.
She ends up moving and trying to finish up her college career, and trying to be comfortable with her new life, when in comes Brighton. Someone who can understand her past, someone who might just want to be a part of her future.
This is a really good read. It certainly made me cry because I was expecting a little bit of a different story, however, that is how you grab a reader's attention. I was definitely pulled in and did not take long to finish the book at all. While it was necessary to have Levi and Victoria’s story, I would love to see more of Brighton and Victoria’s story as well. If you are looking for something new to read, get a copy today, you will be happy that you did!
Her parents try everything to get her to overcome her grieving by hiring a grief counselor who continually pushes Victoria to start living again and after awhile, she is finally able to.
She ends up moving and trying to finish up her college career, and trying to be comfortable with her new life, when in comes Brighton. Someone who can understand her past, someone who might just want to be a part of her future.
This is a really good read. It certainly made me cry because I was expecting a little bit of a different story, however, that is how you grab a reader's attention. I was definitely pulled in and did not take long to finish the book at all. While it was necessary to have Levi and Victoria’s story, I would love to see more of Brighton and Victoria’s story as well. If you are looking for something new to read, get a copy today, you will be happy that you did!
April 11, 2014
4 stars
This was such an emotional book that i was in tears almost three quarters away in this book. There is so much heartbreak in this book that you feel Victoria's pain all the way through this book. I don't know if i could have survived what she did. The details were so overwhelming sometimes, that i had to catch my breath sometimes. The only reason i gave it a four star was because of the abrupt ending. I was upset that it didn't progress farther than it did.
This is not a book that you are getting a very happy ending. You are getting a real book. Victoria and Levi have been in love forever, and they have been together forever. One fateful night things change drastically. When life changes so drastically that you don't know what to do, you have to learn to live again. That is not the easiest thing to do. You need to learn to survive again.
My first time with this author, and i will continue to read more from this author. Such a great book, I highly recommend it.
This was such an emotional book that i was in tears almost three quarters away in this book. There is so much heartbreak in this book that you feel Victoria's pain all the way through this book. I don't know if i could have survived what she did. The details were so overwhelming sometimes, that i had to catch my breath sometimes. The only reason i gave it a four star was because of the abrupt ending. I was upset that it didn't progress farther than it did.
This is not a book that you are getting a very happy ending. You are getting a real book. Victoria and Levi have been in love forever, and they have been together forever. One fateful night things change drastically. When life changes so drastically that you don't know what to do, you have to learn to live again. That is not the easiest thing to do. You need to learn to survive again.
My first time with this author, and i will continue to read more from this author. Such a great book, I highly recommend it.
October 18, 2016
This is a difficult review for me to write. I have many conflicted feelings about this book. I was back and forth with how to rate this and review it.
This book starts out extremely slow. It took me a really long time to truly get into it. Once I did, it evokes some emotion. There is a large sense of loss and love. A girl trying to move forward.
Once things got going for me, the book took a bit of a dive. It got good, then it was over. It left me feeling like I missed something. I wondered where the rest of the book was.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book. It just isn't fully developed. It has the bones to be a good book. Just the meat and potatoes of the story seem to have been lost in the shuffle. Some have raved about it. I can see where it is loved. However, it just didn't do it for me. I needed more from the writing than what I got.
This book starts out extremely slow. It took me a really long time to truly get into it. Once I did, it evokes some emotion. There is a large sense of loss and love. A girl trying to move forward.
Once things got going for me, the book took a bit of a dive. It got good, then it was over. It left me feeling like I missed something. I wondered where the rest of the book was.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book. It just isn't fully developed. It has the bones to be a good book. Just the meat and potatoes of the story seem to have been lost in the shuffle. Some have raved about it. I can see where it is loved. However, it just didn't do it for me. I needed more from the writing than what I got.
January 15, 2014
I received an ARC copy of STEALING PROMISES to give an honest review
Stealing Promises is a book about young love and loss. It takes you down the path of a couple who saw forever and are torn apart. Its about finding life again and moving on. While the impact of loss realy hits home for any reader, the storyline still landed a little mellow for me. I hoped to get more into Victoria's future and wished she met Brighton sooner in the book. Having an idea how the story was going to take its turn, I felt it took alitle too long to get there. The story begins to get into her present and start with Brighton then ends. I would have hoped to read more fo there story.
February 1, 2014
Victoria Blane and Levi Manor knew they'd be together forever.. that is until tragedy strikes and things don't go the way it was supposed to. After a grief counselor pushes Victoria to start living again, Victoria moves and attempts to finish college.
When Brighton Hanley comes into her life after having dealt with his own heartache, she likes him but her heart isn't ready to move on from Levi.
Brighton tries to be patient and let her warm up on her own, but only time will tell if she will let down her guard and open her heart to another love. Can she let go of the grief from losing Levi or will she push Brighton away?
When Brighton Hanley comes into her life after having dealt with his own heartache, she likes him but her heart isn't ready to move on from Levi.
Brighton tries to be patient and let her warm up on her own, but only time will tell if she will let down her guard and open her heart to another love. Can she let go of the grief from losing Levi or will she push Brighton away?
January 9, 2014
This was an interesting book about love loss and Victoria trying to save herself. I'm trying to find the words I want to say about this book. I liked it but I feel like the first half of the book was dragging then half way into the book was rushed. The relationship that developed with Victoria and Brighton felt rushed. I did enjoy seeing the relationship between Levi and Victoria. Oh and the ending, it felt like something was missing, like that wasn't it. Although I wish there was more to this book I did find myself enjoying this book.
3.5
3.5
October 4, 2014
I found this book lacked the sufficient detail and emotion in the exposition. I couldn't feel anything at the beginning. But when Levi was killed and Kate's hollowness buried her, I felt it all. The emptiness and sorrow. But I didn't t get the complete effect because I never felt something prior. It just skipped through, leaving me no time to fully embrace what was happening. It didn't make sense for me to feel anything, when I didn't before.
January 17, 2014
A refreshing YA contemporary... awesome to get this book for a review by the author.. I did have tears reading this story. It usually takes me a while to brave up a tear jerker story. Loved the story and hoping there will be more Victoria and Brighton ;-)
September 12, 2016
You Broke Our Sniffer - This book is so amazingly good we just can't get an accurate reading! Explosive!
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September 15, 2014
3.5 STARS
January 15, 2014
Review Will Be Up Soon.
December 30, 2013
Where's the rest of the story? it just ended!!! It started slow, then it was amazing! Then it just ended! There was no finish to the story!!!
January 19, 2014
Not my kind of read it was sad all the way !
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