The sad truth is that I read this book three times – before it was published. It’s not as if I’m desperate for reading material, either. I have the novels for my Barnes & Noble column to read, and then all those novels that I might put in the column, but realize half way through that they won’t fit the topic (naturally, I keep reading), not to mention novels by authors whose books I never miss (see my Authors I Adore page!). I don’t have time to re-read books by debut authors, let alone a third go-around. But somehow every time I picked up Promise Me Tonight, I started over again, enchanted by the sweetness of the story, the humor and wit of the dialogue and the fierce emotions of the two main characters, Isabella Weston and James Sheffield.
To put it bluntly, I was sucked in like a dieter offered a flourless cake (surely it’s got less calories without flour, right?). I just couldn’t stop myself. Promise Me Tonight is the story of a forced marriage, and I always love a marriage that erupts with fury (except in reality). Plus, the characters are Julia Quinn-like. I always think of Julia’s characters rather longingly, as if they were friends I’d known in the past and somehow lost track of. I felt the same about Isabella and James.
The two of them have grown up together, and Isabella decided early on that James was just the man for her. So when she finally makes her debut, she summons him home for a dance (which he promised her years ago). He almost falls over when he sees the gorgeous young lady who drifts down the stairs at the ball. But…there’s a problem. James has a number of good reasons, quite good reasons, for deciding that he does not intend to marry, ever. And if he did marry, it wouldn’t be Isabella (there’s a good reason for that, too). But Isabella is a stubborn, passionate wench. When any sensible woman would be weeping into a glass of brandy, she skinnies out the window, jumps on the horse, rides over to his house in the middle of the night, finds his bedchamber, and…
Let’s just say that there are lots of reasons why this marriage looks as if it’s bound for the rocks. She tricks him, plain and simple. And then she extracts a promise from him that he won’t join the army – so he joins the navy instead. He basically lies to her.
All I can say is… it’s all good. Don’t miss this one. I think we’re seeing the beginning of a really terrific career.
One Comment
I totally agree with everything you said, Eloisa. I was lucky to read this book before Sara signed with an agent and before it sold. When things didn’t seem so bright and cheerful in my life, I would find this book on my computer and reread it, and PMT made everything seem better. I think that the power and beauty of PMT is that it has that type of magic—it can take you away from the troubles and worries of real life and put you into a world where HEAs always come true.