Promise Me This

Promise Me This by Christina Lee

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.**

Thanks to NetGalley for the book in exchange for a honest review. 

I was happy to be back in the world that Christina Lee has created. We've met Nate and Jessie before but now we get to see them up close and personal. 

Nate, to be blunt, is a man whore. He has sex but he doesn't do relationships, he doesn't let himself be free with anyone. He could be just like his father, he could hurt them and he doesn't want to do that. One night while he's hanging with the guys and girls from the tattoo shop where his friend Bennett works, they play a drinking game; I've never. He learns some hot things about Jessie, things that make him look at her as more than his friend. 

Jessie is herself always. Her father taught her to be true to herself always. That night at the bar threw her for a loop about Nate as well. Not only from the game but she walked in on him with a girl in the bathroom. He's clean cut and not even remotely her type but something about him that night called to her. When she has a school project for her photography class she is trying to figure out what to do it on and Nate tells her about the bridges in his home town; where he lived before.  She does decide to do it on bridges and asks Nate if he'd go with her. That trip changes everything. 

Nate is haunted by this town. They left because his dad hurt his mom so badly they moved so questions wouldn't be asked. Being here again, it makes him feel off. Jessie knows something is up and she wants him to open up. One thing leads to another and they end up as more than friends. He's able to be free with Jessie, he can talk to her and he can please her and himself. 

I loved this book, it was hot and sweet in spots. I enjoyed watching Nate and Jessie learn to navigate things they weren't comfortable with but to do it together. Nate had a lot of issues that he had to deal with and with the help of Jessie he started going to someone to talk to, work through his issues. It takes time but it didn't seem like we were waiting for things to work out. I enjoyed this read so much and it was a fast read. Check it out! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. This is the fourth in a series so make sure you read the others first, some things won't make sense if you don't!

**Goodreads summary