by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Lost Boys #1.5
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Morgan Young had a perfect upbringing, and now she’s got a perfect boyfriend and a perfect future—until her twenty-first birthday changes everything. First Morgan finds out, in the most painful way possible, that her relationship is a sham. But that’s nothing compared to the nightmare about to unfold. It’s too late for Tucker Noscalo. A brutal childhood left him with a bad reputation and a criminal record. Fresh out of jail, Tucker has a score to settle with Baybrook’s crooked chief of police—his own father. Nobody will believe Tucker’s explosive accusations without proof and a good lawyer, neither of which he has on his side. Until he sees someone he used to know, someone who just so happens to be the daughter of the best lawyer in the county. He needs Morgan to convince her father of the ugly truth. But first he has to convince her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get her to listen. Confronted by the story of Tucker’s dark past, Morgan feels utterly compelled to help him. And as their connection grows into a fierce bond fueled by raw passion, Morgan finds herself falling for the wrong guy—but never has the promise of love felt so right.
Forgotten Promises by Jessica Lemmon is book #1.5 in her Lost Boys series. Forgotten Promises offers a heart-breaking story with a flawed, damaged hero who will anger you and have you wanting to heal him all in the same breath. Lemmon continues to amazing me with her unique storylines.
Caffeinated Aspects of Forgotten Promises
- Love um’ or hate um’ Lemmon writes characters that get the reader emotionally invested. Tucker Noscalo is one such character. At first glance, he is a rebel and criminal who turned his back on his middle class upbringing, but as Lemmon peeled back his layers, she melted my heart. He will make mistakes that will anger you, but he is redeemable and worthy so read on.
- Morgan Young is celebrating her twenty-first birthday and everything that can go wrong does. I immediately felt and connected with her. She is a likable character and her interaction with her parents and their confidence in her shows what a level-headed, kind person she is.
- There is a suspenseful thread as Tucker tries to settle a score with his father. It just so happens his father is Baybrook’s Chief of Police. I loved how Lemmon shed light on crimes by those in authority and how we have preconceived notions about individuals.
- Tucker decides Morgan and her lawyer father might be able to help him, but he makes some disaster errors in accomplishing that. Some of those actions were hard to swallow, but Lemmon did a good job of allowing their friendship and attraction to one another develop slowly.
- The romance may have started out all wrong, but I loved how it developed and Lemmon provided a realistic open ending that made me smile.
- There wasn’t a lot of drama. Most of the plot dealt with Tucker actions, getting the truth out, and his personal growth.
- Lemmon addressed the issues with Tucker in a professional way and avoided the “love heals all” pitfall giving us a much more realistic story.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
- Tucker’s childhood was dark and some of his experiences may be a trigger for readers or make them uncomfortable. While Lemmon tactfully handles it, sensitive readers should be warned that there is child abuse. View Spoiler »
- When Tucker sees Morgan his plan is to share his story with her, so that she in turn will seek her father’s help. While his cause is just and his actions were not premeditated, how he goes about getting Morgan to listen pushes the line.View Spoiler » As wrong as his first actions were, I should note that despite what occurred I liked Tucker and connected. Lemmon was able to convey just how desperate he was, and he owns his mistake.
Forgotten Promises was a powerful, emotional and bittersweet story with a slow-building romance that left me ultimately smiling.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Sharon - Obsession with Books
This sounds like it has some tough subject matters, it sounds quite interesting and you have me curious about the romance.
A great review Kimba! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Cyn
I finally read my first Lemmon book and really enjoyed it! Will definitely have to check out this new series.This sounded like a lovely romance despite the emotional and bittersweetness. I love the truffle and the wtf tags! Great review, Kim!
Lorna
I keep hearing about this author. I just may have to try reading her someday. Thanks for the heads up on all the problems that could be triggers for people 🙂
Sophia Rose
Revenge on dad and dad’s the chief of police, huh…sounds interesting.
Christy LoveOfBooks
Wait, isn’t that how you’re supposed to get people to listen to you? Ya’ll are lucky I don’t have your addresses. lol
The Bibliophile Babe
Child abuse is always so hard for me to read.
Bookworm Brandee
I recently ‘met’ Lemmon via Fighting for Devlin, Kimberly, and I can’t wait to read more from her. She certainly knows how to write damaged and/or flawed characters and delivers the feels. I’m glad Forgotten Promises delivered on those elements. I’ll be giving this series a go soon!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I love an anti hero and this one looks good. I also love that it is more realistic in the romance dept. I think this one I would like even through the parts that are difficult.
kindlemom1
This does have some hard subject matters doesn’t it? I agree about the author, she knows how to write them and you do either love them or hate them.
I hope you are doing okay Kim, thinking of you and your family lots right now!!
Aurian
I really like a Happy for now ending, instead of HEA when it would not fit the story. I will keep this one in mind. Great review Kimba!
Kristin
I actually looked past the method he used to get Morgan’s “attention” 😉 I had immediately thought what Tucker mentioned later about convincing her to get in his car AND Tucker also mentioned about that he forgot how deal normally with people on the outside of jail – that he was used to bullying to get what he wants. Not excuses, per se, but why I looked past the methods 🙂 DEFINITELY jarring aspects to the story, though!! Phew!!
And I honestly had no clue this was Lost Boys #1.5!!! I should of investigated that!! Good job, girl!
Angela Adams
That’s a very “intense-looking” book cover and does well in selling the premise. Thanks for the post.
Debbie Haupt
I like these kinds of reads and its unusual for a NA to not have a huge dose of DRAMA!
I like bad boy reads especially ones where the hero has a good reason for it.
Thanks Kim
Katherine
This definitely sounds grittier than most of the new adult romances I’ve seen but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Despite the trigger issues I think this is a book I’d enjoy and this is an author I’ve been wanting to try. Great review!
Angel Erin
I’ve never read any of this series, but it looks pretty good!
I hope you are doing ok Kim. <3
Quinn's Book Nook
This seems interesting. Even with Tucker going about things the wrong way. I have read Jessica Lemmon book (not this series) and I liked it.
Nick
Child abuse is always so hard to read because it always makes me feel ragey and just plain sad. I know Kristin liked this one as well, so I might give it a try,
Thanks for the informative review, Kim!
LeKeisha
I still need to try her other series out. Glad you enjoyed this!
Ksenia
This sounds like an emotional read. I glad to hear there wasn’t “love heals all”, and the author went for the more realistic approach. Great review, Kim!
You were in my thoughts all day. I hope you family helps you in this sad time.
Lisa thomson
I’ve never read any of her books. This one sounds intriguing. I like the plot.
melliane
child abuse is always a difficult thing… I didn'”t know about this one but thanks for the discovery
blodeuedd
I need to try one of her books