Hello fellow romance lovers and bookish friends. Welcome to my blog tour stop for ONE HUNDRED PROMISES by Kelly Collins hosted by Inkslinger. Today, I have my review and an exclusive excerpt to share with you, so let’s get to it lovelies!
ONE HUNDRED PROMISES is the fourth standalone in the Aspen Cove series and if you love small-town contemporary romance, you won’t want to miss this one!
Join Bestselling Author Kelly Collins on another trip to Aspen Cove where anything is possible when it comes to love…
Aspen Cove, Colorado isn’t on Lydia Nichols’s wish list when she finishes her residency at Denver General Hospital, but life delivered several surprising blows. Her long-time boyfriend, who was also her boss, moved on with a nurse and took Lydia’s job with him. No boyfriend. No job. No options. As a favor to her sister, she arrives in the small mountain town for a temporary job as the clinic doctor. Her first question when she gets there is ‘how fast can I leave?’ That is, until sinfully, sexy Wes Covington comes into the clinic seeking care. With him around Lydia may have found a reason to stay—for now.
Wes Covington left his demons in Denver. Working for his family’s architectural firm, he was tired of being almost—almost good enough—almost rich enough—almost loveable enough. He abandoned his penthouse, his high-paying position and his Porsche for simple, small-town life. All he wants is to restore his ancestral home and find a good woman who’ll love him for who he is and not what he’s worth. When Wes meets Dr. Lydia Nichols, he likens her to a hellion with a halo. She’s the perfect mix of sassy and sweet, cunning and compassion, but she’ll never be his unless he can convince her to stay.
Love blooms when the timing is right, but will Lydia surrender her chance at love or can Wes convince her that everything she’ll ever want or need is right in Aspen Cove?
Find out in One Hundred Promises…
“Did I kiss you?”
She let out a frustrated breath. “Yes, Wes, did you kiss me?”
He appeared to enjoy her discomfort. “Well, as a matter of fact, I did.”
Ba boom, ba boom, ba boom her heart raced until it became boom boom boom boom.
She dropped her breakfast to the plate and buried her face in her hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Nothing to be embarrassed about.”
The heat of her blush burned her cheeks. She licked her lips, hoping that action would spur a memory. As if she’d taste him. There was nothing. Mad at herself for her lack of control, she lashed out. “Couldn’t have been a good kiss if I don’t remember it.”
“Below par as far as kisses go. You want a memorable kiss, all you have to do is ask.” He reached for the bag of bandages and pulled out the gauze and tape. “Give me a hand?”
“You insult my kisses and now you want help?” Surely the kiss couldn’t have been that bad. How bad could her kiss be?
He moved his hand to the center of the table palm up. “I didn’t insult your kiss.”
She tugged his hand and wrapped the wound with gauze. She might have tugged it a little too tight. Certain she did when he hissed. As much as she wanted him to suffer for his comment, she couldn’t in her right mind torture him, so she loosened the bandage and taped it in place. “You don’t think calling our first kiss subpar is an insult?”
Wes’s laugh filled the air. Even Sarge lifted his head to see what was going on. “Lydia, you asked me to kiss you several times. I refused. Not because I don’t find you attractive. I think you’re stunning.”
“Why did you give in and kiss me?”
He moved his chair so he sat next to her. When he twisted his body, they were close enough for a repeat performance.
“Against my better judgment, I gave in because I couldn’t resist.” He lifted his shoulders and let them drop.
She watched his lips as he spoke—full, lush lips that surely gave memorable kisses. She hated that she couldn’t recall the moment. “Sorry I disappointed you.” Her shoulders tipped forward and her head hung low.
Wes thumbed her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “Lydia, you weren’t a disappointment. We barely brushed lips and honestly you were already passed out when that happened. I told you last night if you really wanted a kiss you needed to ask me for it when you were sober.”
His words worked their way from her head to her heart. “You didn’t want to take advantage of me.” The words came out in soft awe because so many people would have taken what she’d drunkenly offered.
“I’m not that guy.” He let go of her chin and cupped her cheek. “I hear you’re an amazing kisser, Lydia.”
She smiled. “Who told you?”
He leaned forward. “You did,” he whispered across her lips.
“I could do better.” She shifted her body so her knees moved between his thighs. Face to face, their lips were a separated by a breath. “I want to do better.”
“Overachiever?” The hand that had cupped her cheek now cradled her neck.
He was close enough for her to see the gemstone flecks in his eyes. When she inhaled, she breathed in the citrus and spice that mixed with his scent. Lust and need made her dizzy. Her head spun. Unsteady, she palmed his chest for balance. The hard muscle flexed under her hand. Her fingers trailed down his chest to explore every hill and valley of sinew.
She breathed deeply. “Call it what you want, but kiss me.”
Soft and sure, his lips pressed to hers. It wasn’t a frenzied kiss, but a measured moment until she parted her lips to grant him access. He dipped his tongue inside and slid it across her tongue for a languid taste.
Fingers threaded through her hair, he gripped her tight and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Sweet like honey, his mouth moved over hers. His soft, velvet tongue danced across hers. She knew he was a busy man, but he sat there and kissed her like he had all day. When he pulled away, he nipped at her bottom lip until he sucked it into his mouth. Rockets of desire shot like fireworks through her body.
With a pop, he released her lip and sat back. His eyes burned with passion. The kind of passion she had always wanted to see from a lover but never did.
“Now that’s a kiss I’ll remember.”
A delightfully comforting and romantic story set in a charming small town
This book was so swoony and adorable and my newest favorite romance series! Just so utterly in love with Aspen Cove and it’s charmingly lovable characters that I cannot wait to binge the other novels.
I don’t read small town romances that often, but when I do, I always have the warm fuzzies and feel so wonderfully happy. One Hundered Promises by Kelly Collins was no exception. This book was filled with heart tugging moments, steamy scenes, and humorous situations that had me flipping through the pages. I was positively enamored until the end and totally swooned like crazy.
This book also reminded me so much of Hart of Dixie, one of my favorite T.V. shows. If you’ve seen that show and loved it, then you have to read this book, and if not, and you enjoyed this book, go watch that show. They have some similarities, but still different enough that you’ll find something new to love about them. Anyway, I remember being incredibly fascinated by that show and the delightful homey feeling of living in a small town. I was definitely addicted — I’ve seen the entire series twice, and rewatch my favorite episodes from time to time. And that’s exactly how I feel towards this book. I was hooked and never wanted the story to end and I kept rereading my favorite scenes just to spend a little more time in Aspen Cove. It was just that good!
So, obviously, there were many things I enjoyed and loved about One Hundred Promises. The writing was genuine, beautiful, and so full of heart. The characters were very realistic and so relatable and I adored them all so much. The plot was perfectly paced and balanced with sweetness, spice, and a lot of love. There were plenty of heart skipping swoony scenes and moments with warm fuzzies that will make you smile. The romance was beautiful and I enjoyed the relationship between Wes and Lydia. Their chemistry was off the charts and their flirtatious bantering was just so fun. But, what I truly loved most about this book was none other than Sarge. I love all animals, but I’m a dog person at heart and Sarge was just so adorable and spunky.
One Hundred Promises by Kelly Collins was absolutely the sweetest and so beautifully heartwarming. I smiled, I laughed, and I had the best time getting to know this amazing town and fascinating characters. If you’re looking for a delightfully comforting and romantic story set in a charming small town filled with so much love and beauty, then I think this book is perfect for you.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
International bestselling author of more than thirty novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.
Kelly lives in Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her husband of twenty-eight years, their two dogs, and a bird that hates her. She has three amazing children, whom she loves to pieces.
Hope you enjoyed reading my review and the excerpt! Don’t forget to add this on your TBR loves!
Have a great day!!
Sincerely Karen Jo 