The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2)

The book’s tagline, “They couldnt be more differentor more completely perfect for each other.”, is right on point. Following her shooting and subsequent crippling, Claire becomes an extreme homebody, prioritizing safety and family.
Logan is a globe-hopping photojournalist, with no real ties to places, family, or even friends. While both grew up together, Claire harbored a crush on Logan, which he did not reciprocate. Years later, the two are brought together by events surrounding Peyton, Logan’s sister and one of Claire’s two youthful besties. Peyton stole Claire’s boyfriend, ending Claire and Peyton’s long-time friendship. Sometime after the estrangement, Peyton developed breast cancer, and Logan took Peyton to his New York apartment to help her through the ordeal. Logan begins to change as a consequence, and when he brings Peyton back to Sanctuary Sound, makes it his mission to get Claire to forgive Peyton.

Yeah, right!! Logan comes across as a manipulative, know-it-all jerk, but because of Claire’s attraction to Logan, Claire begins to open herself to the world and to Logan, and to interact with Peyton. One can tell that Peyton and Logan are siblings, as both are self-centered. Peyton’s apology to Claire was striking in that it revealed her narcissistic justification on stealing Claire’s boyfriend, and the humbling introspection that resulted from her cancer battle. Logan gains as much from his interactions with Claire as Claire does, although Logan fights his humanization and growing attraction to Claire, while Claire much more bravely faces her fears. Finally, when Logan returns from an expedition to Greece, does he realize what he needs and what he must do.

I loved this story, with emphases on forgiveness, bravery, growth, and acceptance spread among several characters. I finished reading the book within 24 hours of receipt, and now I have long wait for book 3 (Peyton’s story).

Claire’s story is a heartfelt one. Suffering from PTSD, she struggles to find her center. After being a victim to a terrorist shooting, Claire loses her future and her sense of being safe in public places. She places her recovery around those who love her and her two closest friends Peyton and Steffi.

But a betrayal and the passage of time force Claire to become deadset in her views and insecurities. The small town playboy and brother to her now frenemy, comes back to town with a mission.

While I did not agree to Logan’s motives (which were to try and win forgiveness on behalf of his sister), and his way of forcing Claire to obviously do what she didn’t feel comfortable doing (which was to break out of her comfort barrier). I did appreciate that he was just trying to be a friend.

His sudden awareness about being attracted to her may have been a bit forced and Claire being the total opposite of him, may have contributed to me rolling my eyes a few times at both of them. Claire may seem to come off as bitter, but I guess she’s earned it. Her family didn’t help her situation either by always being worried and telling her to “be safe”. Granted, she did need the push to break free, and Logan was totally responsible for all character growth for her. So it was nice to see his playboy character taken down a notch by grumpy Claire.

“For all the ways he’d criticized Claire for letting fear stop her from trying new things, he’d let fear stop him from grasping on to love.”

I like the sub story of Claire and Steffi owning their own contracting business. Claire’s love for decorating and design was a fresh spin on her otherwise tough character. It also plays a factor in bringing Logan and Claire together as well.

This was such a great book. I really enjoyed Logan and Claire and watching them progress and retreat in their relationship. Then you add Peyton into the situation which made everything more interesting. Loved seeing everyone, it was like catching up with old friends. This book to me was, forgiveness, taking chances and living life and it was nice that some fences were starting to be mended, though slowly but mended none the less. My favorite quote from this book was Her love kept him company, even in her absence. Looking forward to reading Peytons book.

You’re going to want to read this one! THE PROMISE OF US is remarkably captivating and amazingly real to life. Learning the value of love, friendships and forgiveness is very well played out in the book.

Claire, recovering from a trauma which has impacted every corner of her life receives much needed guidance and encouragement from her childhood friend, Logan. Through Logan’s helpfulness and love both he and Claire learn much about themselves and the importance of forgiving others, forgiving self and moving forward.

Jamie Beck will speak to your heart, mind and soul in this book! Phenomenal!

Another wonderful book from Jamie Beck!

Claire had a promising start on a tennis career when a senseless act of violence ended it, leaving her with a permanent limp and dealing with chronic pain. Her reaction is to make her world small and try to keep herself safe.

Logan is the opposite: running around the globe with something to prove and at the same time running away from home. His sister, Peyton, betrayed Claire, a childhood friend and has battled breast cancer.

In an attempt to bring to reconcile Peyton and Claire, Logan hires Claire for a design project. They soon find they have an undeniable attraction to each but struggle to figure out how to make it work.

This book hit all the right emotional notes for me. It has so much depth and touches on so many important issues. I cant wait for the next book in the series featuring Peyton!

As a bonus for me, the author portrays older characters as still being active and vibrant! It always annoys me when an author assumes someone in their 60s or 70s is like an older octogenarian!

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