The Promise (The 'Burg #5) by Kristen Ashley

Since his brother’s death, Benny Bianchi has been nursing his grudge against the woman he thinks led to his brother’s downfall. He does this to bury the feelings he has for Francesca Concetti, his brother’s girl. But when Frankie takes a bullet while on the run with Benny’s cousin’s woman, Benny has to face those feelings.

The problem is Frankie has decided she’s paid her penance. Penance she didn’t deserve to pay. She’s done with Benny and the Bianchi family. She’s starting a new life away from Chicago and her heartbreaking history.

Benny has decided differently.

But Frankie has more demons she’s battling. Demons Benny wants to help her face. But life has landed so many hard knocks on Frankie she’s terrified of believing in the promise of Benny Bianchi and the good life he’s offering.

Frankie’s new life leads her to The ‘Burg, where Benny has ties, and she finds she not only hasn’t succeeded in getting away, she’s doesn’t want to.

 Anyone who has read The Burg Series, especially book #2 in the series, At Peace, has been waiting for this day to come. It’s the day when Frankie and Benny come together. It’s time to work all this family drama out.  They had such a short amount of time in At Peace, but oh what an impact they made.

Up front, The Promise was not at all what I was expecting. After pondering and fantasizing about this dynamic, I really did think we were going to get a big fight and some uproarious zingers. We did. But it came across so smooth. So subtle that I had to stop myself and realize this is what KA does. She comes in hot and leaves us wrapped in a simple feeling of comfort and love.

It’s a much tamer read than I thought it would be. Forgiveness is asked for and granted many times from many people. Sometimes it’s easy and other times I think it’s given WAY too easily. But what a great read. OH! And there are so many great surprises when it comes to our Burg family and friends. We get to visit MANY friends again and participate in events; Plus revisiting  KA’s Alphas are always a good thing!

T~