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Kailua Marines #2
Promises at Pyramid Rock
I love her. I always have. But is telling her the truth worth ruining our friendship?
I met Ana on the playground when we were kids and we've been best friends ever since. But that's all we are. I am firmly in the friend zone. If she saw me like that, wouldn’t I know it?
Either way, we've never lived near each other as adults, and who wants a long-distance relationship? But now Ana is moving to Hawaii. Right down the road from me.
I’ll see her every day. I’ll have lunch with her. I’ll go to the beach with her. I’ll show her around and introduce her to my other friends. But what I won’t do is tell her the truth.
Only how can I hide how I really feel when each time she smiles at me, I want to do the one thing I know I shouldn’t?
I met Ana on the playground when we were kids and we've been best friends ever since. But that's all we are. I am firmly in the friend zone. If she saw me like that, wouldn’t I know it?
Either way, we've never lived near each other as adults, and who wants a long-distance relationship? But now Ana is moving to Hawaii. Right down the road from me.
I’ll see her every day. I’ll have lunch with her. I’ll go to the beach with her. I’ll show her around and introduce her to my other friends. But what I won’t do is tell her the truth.
Only how can I hide how I really feel when each time she smiles at me, I want to do the one thing I know I shouldn’t?
221 pages, ebook
Published April 28, 2021
139 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Jess Mastorakos
55 books700 followersJess Mastorakos writes sweet military romance books that feature heroes with heart and the strong women they love. She is a proud Marine wife and mama of four. She loves her coffee in a glitter tumbler and planning with an erasable pen.
Get a free novella from her San Diego Marines series, Forever with You, at the link below!
www.jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you
Get a free novella from her San Diego Marines series, Forever with You, at the link below!
www.jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 2, 2021
Another great book by Mastorakos! Amazing character development! These books really draw me in and make me want to plan an Hawaii vacay! I'm enjoying this series and can't wait to read Tyler's story!
October 12, 2021
Fun Characters!
I loved this friends to lovers story! Mac and Ana have THE BEST friendship-it's so tight and comfortable. They are both such great characters and by the end I felt like I really knew them well. I want to be their friend. I'm loving this series and I can't wait to read the next book.
I loved this friends to lovers story! Mac and Ana have THE BEST friendship-it's so tight and comfortable. They are both such great characters and by the end I felt like I really knew them well. I want to be their friend. I'm loving this series and I can't wait to read the next book.
May 3, 2021
A great book and I enjoyed reading this it.
June 1, 2025
4.5 Stars
Confession. Friends to lovers tropes always seem to be either a hit or a miss for me, never in between. But I'm happy to say that this one was a hit.
Ana and Mac have been best friends since she kicked him down the slide at the age of 4 because he was too scared to go down it. These two are the epitome of polar opposites. She's Miss Adventurer who leaps before she looks and he's Mister Thinker who always looks before he leaps. But some how this works for them. They always ground and balance each other out.
I absolutely adored Ana and Mac! Their witty banter back and forth had me crackin up throughout the book. There was no denying (unless you're Ana and Mac) that these two were wholeheartedly in love with each other. Their journey wasn't all hearts, rainbows and happiness. But that's what made it so fun. There's nothing better than watching two people finally opening their eyes to see what's been standing in front of them for years.
I am loving this series! Ms. Mastorakos definitely has another hit on her hands. I cannot wait to get my hands on Stone's story. Y'all. I predict fireworks. Lots and lots of fireworks! It's times like these that I have to remind myself that writing takes time.
And let's not forget my casting. I'm loving these two! What do you think?!
Confession. Friends to lovers tropes always seem to be either a hit or a miss for me, never in between. But I'm happy to say that this one was a hit.
Ana and Mac have been best friends since she kicked him down the slide at the age of 4 because he was too scared to go down it. These two are the epitome of polar opposites. She's Miss Adventurer who leaps before she looks and he's Mister Thinker who always looks before he leaps. But some how this works for them. They always ground and balance each other out.
I absolutely adored Ana and Mac! Their witty banter back and forth had me crackin up throughout the book. There was no denying (unless you're Ana and Mac) that these two were wholeheartedly in love with each other. Their journey wasn't all hearts, rainbows and happiness. But that's what made it so fun. There's nothing better than watching two people finally opening their eyes to see what's been standing in front of them for years.
I am loving this series! Ms. Mastorakos definitely has another hit on her hands. I cannot wait to get my hands on Stone's story. Y'all. I predict fireworks. Lots and lots of fireworks! It's times like these that I have to remind myself that writing takes time.
And let's not forget my casting. I'm loving these two! What do you think?!
April 22, 2021
Ana and Mac know each other better than anyone else so they're unprepared for their friendship to turn into more.
I absolutely adored this friends to more romance. Jess Mastorakos is quickly becoming a favored author with her written wit and utterly unique characters. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
I absolutely adored this friends to more romance. Jess Mastorakos is quickly becoming a favored author with her written wit and utterly unique characters. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
September 29, 2024
There’s wisdom in the adage “Marry your best friend.” Even if you feel like yelling at the characters to just TALK ALREADY. 😂 Plus, childhood marriage pacts are the cutest, and a grumpy Marine in mentor-mode is incredibly attractive. And did I mention it’s Hawaii?! Say no more!
April 24, 2021
Ana and Mac have been friends since childhood and comforted each other over their parents awful marriages as they saw them go up in flame. They moved away from each other but stayed “their person” for each other. Because of this they each have a full blown phobia for marriage and cut off every relationship quickly. Mac is a Marine and is stationed in Hawaii for 3 years. Ana makes big money as a social influencer and online presence. She moves to Hawaii with her business and to finally be living closer to “her person”. Mac wonders if the feelings he repressed for years towards Ana can finally come out, or is she determined to keep them in the friend zone?
This is set in Hawaii at the beautiful Marine base there on Oahu and the area around it. Pyramid Beach is specifically for the Marines there and it plays a big part in the story. Jess Mastorakos is an actual Marine wife and she writes military romance from that perspective. She’s my go to author for military romance as you know you are getting the real deal. She understands the camaraderie among the soldiers, their trash talking, their willingness to take the new kid in and looking out for the struggling young soldiers as they adjust. She understands and explains the reality of what military life is like for the soldiers and their families both near and far.
I received this as an ARC and I’m always honored to leave a review for Jess. She writes clean, fun, realistic military romance.
This is set in Hawaii at the beautiful Marine base there on Oahu and the area around it. Pyramid Beach is specifically for the Marines there and it plays a big part in the story. Jess Mastorakos is an actual Marine wife and she writes military romance from that perspective. She’s my go to author for military romance as you know you are getting the real deal. She understands the camaraderie among the soldiers, their trash talking, their willingness to take the new kid in and looking out for the struggling young soldiers as they adjust. She understands and explains the reality of what military life is like for the soldiers and their families both near and far.
I received this as an ARC and I’m always honored to leave a review for Jess. She writes clean, fun, realistic military romance.
April 18, 2021
PROMISES AT PYRAMID ROCK is a standalone read in a series about Hawaii Marines. It is appropriate for all ages to read and enjoy. Set on the beautiful island of Hawaii this story is about Ana and Mac and their journey to a happy ever after. Ana and Mac have been best friends since they were 4 and 6. They lived next door to each other in California. Their parents were involved in very unhappy marriages and were always fighting. Finally when Ana was 11 her parents divorced and she and her dad moved away. Broken hearted the two kids kept in touch and as adults they managed to visit one another at least once a year. At 19 Mac joined the Marines and Ana went on to become a very famous influencer on social media. Finally in their late 20's Ana decided she had enough of living alone and she bought a home and moved to Hawaii to be near her best friend.
When she arrived in Hawaii she was immediately accepted into Mac's group of friends. He discovered he had a big problem. He was going to have to tell Ana how he really felt or lose her to one of his friends that would want to date her. He hesitated because of his background and knowing love rarely wins out, he doesn't want to lose her friendship. She feels the same.
But it is not so easy to ignore your feelings when it comes to love. He has to decide rather to take a chance or risk losing her to another man. Things get heated and don't always turn out like you plan. This is a fun, entertaining and interesting read. It is refreshing to visit the beautiful island with it's sandy beaches and tropical views. Good for any age and I definitely recommend it.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 4/18/2021
When she arrived in Hawaii she was immediately accepted into Mac's group of friends. He discovered he had a big problem. He was going to have to tell Ana how he really felt or lose her to one of his friends that would want to date her. He hesitated because of his background and knowing love rarely wins out, he doesn't want to lose her friendship. She feels the same.
But it is not so easy to ignore your feelings when it comes to love. He has to decide rather to take a chance or risk losing her to another man. Things get heated and don't always turn out like you plan. This is a fun, entertaining and interesting read. It is refreshing to visit the beautiful island with it's sandy beaches and tropical views. Good for any age and I definitely recommend it.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 4/18/2021
May 2, 2021
Soooo, Mastorkaos has become one of my favorite authors and I am always super excited when she writes another book! I have been wanting to read this one ever since I read the first book, and it was super cute and sweet! Promises at Pyramid Rock is the second book in Jess Mastorakos’ Kailua Marines series. This was such a sweet best friends to lovers book!
I adored John “Mac” McCarthy! He was such a sweet and nice guy. I thought it was so cute, how he was kind of gruff but super sweet with Ana. They were so adorable together, and I liked how they had history. He was scared of losing Ana and so he wanted to stay friends, but as he spent time with her again he realized that he couldn’t hide his feelings. I also loved seeing Mac’s relationship with Grant, one of the Marines under him.
I thought that Ana was super cool especially because of her job. I am on bookstagram, and I am super impressed by people who make social media their main income. Ana was also a sweet character. She was super fun, she was energetic and sounded like a lot of fun. I liked reading about her interacting with Mac and meeting his friends. She was scared of ruining her relationship with Mac, and so she tried to push aside her feelings. But what will she do when Mac finally admits his feelings?
I really liked how Ana and Mac had so much history, so it didn’t feel like the romance went too fast. They did have a lot to talk about and they were both worried about ruining their friendship. It was so interesting to read about how they balanced each other out, he is steady where she is fearless. Ana and Mac had to figure out how to build a relationship with each other and how to work their fears from watching their parents’ marriages fall apart. I also enjoyed seeing more of the friendship between the guys. I loved their conversations and the family feel. The guys stood by each other, and I really liked how they told Mac straight up what they thought.
Promises at Pyramid Rock was a really good book! I loved meeting new characters and getting hints of new books. I would definitely recommend it. Promises at Pyramid Rock is a clean, contemporary Marine romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
I adored John “Mac” McCarthy! He was such a sweet and nice guy. I thought it was so cute, how he was kind of gruff but super sweet with Ana. They were so adorable together, and I liked how they had history. He was scared of losing Ana and so he wanted to stay friends, but as he spent time with her again he realized that he couldn’t hide his feelings. I also loved seeing Mac’s relationship with Grant, one of the Marines under him.
I thought that Ana was super cool especially because of her job. I am on bookstagram, and I am super impressed by people who make social media their main income. Ana was also a sweet character. She was super fun, she was energetic and sounded like a lot of fun. I liked reading about her interacting with Mac and meeting his friends. She was scared of ruining her relationship with Mac, and so she tried to push aside her feelings. But what will she do when Mac finally admits his feelings?
I really liked how Ana and Mac had so much history, so it didn’t feel like the romance went too fast. They did have a lot to talk about and they were both worried about ruining their friendship. It was so interesting to read about how they balanced each other out, he is steady where she is fearless. Ana and Mac had to figure out how to build a relationship with each other and how to work their fears from watching their parents’ marriages fall apart. I also enjoyed seeing more of the friendship between the guys. I loved their conversations and the family feel. The guys stood by each other, and I really liked how they told Mac straight up what they thought.
Promises at Pyramid Rock was a really good book! I loved meeting new characters and getting hints of new books. I would definitely recommend it. Promises at Pyramid Rock is a clean, contemporary Marine romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
April 18, 2021
Promises at pyramid rock absolutely blew me away. Jess Mastorakos has a way of writing that makes you fall in love with the characters and feel as if you are right there in the story experiencing everything right along side them. I love the camaraderie and banter between the Marines, it makes the story fun. I also love how strong of a person Ana is. I've always strived to be adventurous and not think everything to death so it was great to live in Ana's shoes if only for a little while.
Mac and Ana both have tough pasts and have been long distance friends for the majority of their lives so it makes it believable as to why they haven't tried to become something more up until this point. Nothing bothers me more than a friends to more story where they wake up one day and are like "hey let's be together" for no reason at all. Promises at pyramid rock was nothing like that. It had it all. The banter had me laughing, some parts had me swooning, but it also had a lot of things that needed worked through on both of their parts. My heart absolutely broke for the things that they have been through and I'm so glad they've finally found their happily ever after with each other. I cannot wait for the next story!
Standalone, happily ever after, feel good romance with lots of depth.
Mac and Ana both have tough pasts and have been long distance friends for the majority of their lives so it makes it believable as to why they haven't tried to become something more up until this point. Nothing bothers me more than a friends to more story where they wake up one day and are like "hey let's be together" for no reason at all. Promises at pyramid rock was nothing like that. It had it all. The banter had me laughing, some parts had me swooning, but it also had a lot of things that needed worked through on both of their parts. My heart absolutely broke for the things that they have been through and I'm so glad they've finally found their happily ever after with each other. I cannot wait for the next story!
Standalone, happily ever after, feel good romance with lots of depth.
May 15, 2021
Another hit for the series!
Ana and Mac had been best friends forever. They had been the sanity for each other in an otherwise crazy world with their parents. Both of their parents had divorced after years of being nasty and drawing their kids into their battles. Ana and Mac had used their friendship to escape and support each other. When they moved away from each other in their early teens, they vowed that they would remain best friends. Now they are in their late 20s and their friendship is just as strong as ever.
When Ana decides to move to Oahu to be close to Mac in proximity, their relationship starts to take a turn into more than friends territory. Would that destroy what they had been to each other all these years? Was it worth the risk?
I love the stories this author writes about the strong Marines with soft hearts and the women who love them. They are clean and wholesome and swoon-worthy romantic stories with a happy ending.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Ana and Mac had been best friends forever. They had been the sanity for each other in an otherwise crazy world with their parents. Both of their parents had divorced after years of being nasty and drawing their kids into their battles. Ana and Mac had used their friendship to escape and support each other. When they moved away from each other in their early teens, they vowed that they would remain best friends. Now they are in their late 20s and their friendship is just as strong as ever.
When Ana decides to move to Oahu to be close to Mac in proximity, their relationship starts to take a turn into more than friends territory. Would that destroy what they had been to each other all these years? Was it worth the risk?
I love the stories this author writes about the strong Marines with soft hearts and the women who love them. They are clean and wholesome and swoon-worthy romantic stories with a happy ending.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
April 21, 2021
This is another excellent and clean marine story from Jess Mastorakos. This book features Mac and Ana who have been best friends since they were very young. The story has some very hilarious moments (my husband kept asking me what was so funny) while Mac completes his 24-hour duty shift. I laughed so hard with the antics of the marines in the barracks. It brought back memories of my son’s duty shifts at Camp Pendleton. The story has serious moments while Mac helps a young Marine as well as heart breaking scenes between the two friends becoming more. There is the typical dry humor between friends who all serve on the airbase. This is another excellent read from the author and after each new book I have a new favorite. I am looking forward to more books featured in Hawaii and will definitely be interested in reading PJ’s love story, he is quite the character.
April 22, 2021
I loved reading Promises at Pyramid Rock. Mac and his best friend Ana are complete opposites in their approach to the next thing in life, but even so they are lifelong best friends even after being parted as children. Living in the same area now could possibly change that relationship. I liked Mac's Marine buddies and how Mac helped a young Marine with family problems. Even though the story deals with the bad marriages of Mac's and Ana's parents and how it affected them, I found it a lot of fun to read. I definitely plan to read more of the Kailua Marines series and other works by Jess Mastorakos.
I was given a complimentary copy to read and then to share my honest opinion of this clean well-written romance.
I was given a complimentary copy to read and then to share my honest opinion of this clean well-written romance.
September 19, 2021
I really love this book a lot. Ana and Mac are such good friends. I loved how despite their struggles they always made time for each. This was my favorite part because it showed how deeply they cared.
The overall romance was really good. I enjoyed the pacing. There was a lot of good slow push and pull. Their transition from friends to lovers was great. My other favorite part of the book was seeing the secondary characters. The bond the marines have is amazing. Go one-click this sweet romance book.
The overall romance was really good. I enjoyed the pacing. There was a lot of good slow push and pull. Their transition from friends to lovers was great. My other favorite part of the book was seeing the secondary characters. The bond the marines have is amazing. Go one-click this sweet romance book.
May 1, 2021
Promises at Pyramid Rock is the second book in The Kailua Marines series by Jess Mastorakos. This is a story of a couple who have been friends from childhood. They connected as neighbours and even more when both parents went through argumentative marriages that lead to divorces. During all the time they were apart they kept connected. Now at twenty eight Ana has enough money to buy a house and settle down. Her heart decides that Ana live near ‘her person, Mac’. Mac is a Marine based at Kailua, Hawaii. Ana has made a good living out of being a social media influencer. Jess wrote that, “Mac is an attention-to-detail guy, Ana is a Quick Draw McGraw girl.” Though this is a ‘friends to lovers romance’ there was plenty of other interactions between all the characters that kept my interest from the first to the last page. First we meet Mac’s team who keep aircraft up and running. Then Ana makes friends with another social influencer, Maggie and her daughter Bree. Later in the book, Mac’s mother makes a visit. Lots of good dialogue. Plus learning about Hawaiian food, beaches and culture is all worth reading this book. Looking forward to the next book where Tyler and Wilson’s sister, Kate get their story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of the book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of the book.
April 24, 2021
A great love story of friends to more theme. And set in Hawaii in a romantic setting is nice. Well written and easy to read. Perfect book for fans of tropical romance. I received a copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
December 10, 2022
Loving this series!
A best friends to more story full of chemistry, banter, and swoony kisses.
I'm loving this series about a group of marines in Hawaii, who are like brothers, and how they find their perfect partners. I can't wait to read Tyler's story next.
A best friends to more story full of chemistry, banter, and swoony kisses.
I'm loving this series about a group of marines in Hawaii, who are like brothers, and how they find their perfect partners. I can't wait to read Tyler's story next.
April 18, 2021
This is a super sweet story of how Mac and Ana risked years of friendship to build something more. Taking this kind of leap is scary when the chances of losing your best friend are high. I enjoyed the snapshots from their youth and how each of them worked through what made the other so special. There are other storylines woven in to build a sense of each character and to give a hint at what may be next in this series. I love these stand-alones that keep you coming back for more- looking forward to the next one!
*I appreciate the opportunity to provide an honest, early bird review. New readers won’t be disappointed!
*I appreciate the opportunity to provide an honest, early bird review. New readers won’t be disappointed!
April 24, 2021
This was such a sweet story. I'm a sucker for friends to more stories. This was an easy read, and just a feel good story. Nothing overly angsty (which is refreshing) and a happy ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next book
March 31, 2022
short and sweet
clean romance
love the friendship among the marines
3.5-4 stars
#kindleunlimited
October 8, 2022
Formulaic but sweet, clean and entertaining! Love that the characters come back in each book of the series.
April 19, 2021
I absolutely loved this best friends to lovers romance....the author has such a relaxed and easy to read writing style; she is a true story teller. I loved how the characters weren't perfect and had to overcome some challenges in the story. I couldn’t put this book down and read it all in one evening. This is book #2 in the Kailua Marines series. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
April 20, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book! Both the man and the woman had a difficult childhood because their parents fought and divorced when they were small. The guy is a marine and is based in Alaska so the girl decides to move there since they have been friends since childhood and she has not seen him in a year and a half! I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance.
April 18, 2021
Mac and Ana have been best friends forever and often from long distances. Whenever they needed advice or something great happened they always turn to each other. What they didn’t realize is just how much they loved each other! Until Ana moved to Hawaii and they soon realized it was meant to be.
I loved this storyline and was happy to see Mac and Ana together!
I loved this storyline and was happy to see Mac and Ana together!
April 19, 2021
Promises at Pyramid Rock is such a sweet read.! I love fiction that has a bit of ‘real-life’ struggle to it. This book didn’t disappoint. I found myself unable to put it down... until I fell asleep that is!
April 19, 2021
The characters were fantastic—I loved the different relationships.
This story has more emotional punches than the first and they come from several sides. Nothing is overpowering, though.
This story has more emotional punches than the first and they come from several sides. Nothing is overpowering, though.
November 2, 2021
Low-angst, G-rated, BFFs, military romance
Ana and Mac have been BFFs for the past 24 years, since age 4. They were next door neighbors in Los Angeles from toddlerhood to age 11, when Ana's parents acrimoniously divorced, and she moved with her father to Seattle. Mac also endured a highly dysfunctional family life, with his parents undergoing a bitter divorce as well, two years after that of Ana's parents. They are both only children whose parents did not give them the love and nurturing they deserved. Ana was completely abandoned by her mother, and Mac was completely abandoned by his father. They made a pact at age 11 that they would remain friends forever and, if neither of them was married at age 30, they would marry each other.
Neither Mac nor Ana opted to attend college. Since age 18, Mac has been in the Marines. Since age 18, Ana has traveled the world as an internet influencer. She has become so successful over the years that she has socked away enough enough money to buy what appears to be a multi-million-dollar, beachside bungalow in Oahu. She has decided to settle down for the first time in her adult life because she is lonely and alienated, and she wants to be near her only true friend, Mac, who is stationed at the military base at Oahu. The trouble is, while it has been possible to pretend they have no romantic feelings for each other when they weren't living in the same place, once they are now living a mere 10 minutes away from each other, and almost daily seeing each other In person, it is no longer possible for either Ana or Mac to avoid facing the fact that they are extremely good-looking, heterosexual individuals who are, inevitably, attracted to each other physically as well as emotionally, and neither can continue to sustain friend-zoning each other any longer.
Though the "friends become lovers" trope is extremely popular among romance fans, I confess it's not my favorite. Mainly because there is really only one possible, highly predictable, romantic conflict keeping these two gorgeous people from romantic involvement: "If we try to become more than friends, it might not work out, and then I will lose my best friend, and I couldn't survive that." What is never taken into account in this particular conflict is the reality that, if they aren't with each other romantically, sooner or later one or both of these BFFs is going to become romantically committed to someone else. And that someone is not going to tolerate their heterosexual significant other having a relationship of such deep emotional intimacy with a friend of the opposite gender. These days, especially in the USA, people expect their BFF to be their significant other, most particularly if the SO is their spouse.
Which brings me to my other objection to this particular romance trope. Given the fact that the absolute ideal for a marital partner in Western society in general, and the USA particular, is someone who is your BFF whom you are also strongly physically attracted to, it makes zero logical sense that adult BFFs of each other's sexually preferred gender, such as Ana and Mac, could purposely cut themselves off from an ideal SO prospect.
What makes this particular novel's presentation of the BFF trope more convincingly motivated is that the author has thrown in a secondary romantic conflict. Neither Ana nor Mac believes they are a good candidate as a potential marital partner or parent because of the terrible example set by their own parents. This is a romantic conflict that is typically assigned to commitment-phobic romance heroes. The twist in this novel is that it is Ana who suffers from this insecurity far more than Mac.
Given that this type of romance plot is more suited to a novella than a novel of more than 40,000 words, the author expands the word count in this novel by dedicating a substantial amount of the book to Ana's career as an internet influencer. There is also a subplot involving Mac's career as a Marine, in which he exercises effective, compassionate leadership while mentoring a young Marine who is suffering from severe anxiety and depression due to serious family issues.
Additional page space is entertainingly devoted to a tourist's-eye view of Oahu, Hawaii, the setting of this series. The author is a Marine spouse whose husband is stationed in Oahu, so there is an admirable degree of accuracy in her presentation of both Hawaii and the military.
There is an interesting theme that is developing throughout this military-romance series. Though male Marines are stereotypically perceived as uber-macho, in these books, without exception, the Marine heroes are quite comfortable at the prospect of marrying a woman who makes massively more money than they do. From what I understand, given how relatively poorly career military personnel are paid compared to what they might make for similar civilian jobs, this theme is an accurate representation of a pragmatic difference in attitude between military men and civilian men in general. Military families, in order to escape living in poverty, frequently find a second salary from a working wife to be essential. And in this regard, since romance is geared toward fantasy wish fulfillment, why not make that wife a high earner? However, there is also an additional factor in this series that lessens the degree of gender-role liberation contained within this theme. Each of these prosperous heroines conveniently has a flexible enough career that she is easily able to pick up and follow her man anywhere in the world that the military sends him as he pursues a 20-30-year career.
This author specializes in G-rated, no sex, no cussing romances suitable for even young teenagers to read. Therefore, there are no more than a few kisses late in this novel. Other than commenting a few times on what a great chest the hero has and that he is very handsome, there is little focus on his physicality. In the same manner, there is almost never any description in her books of what kind of figure the heroine has, from either her point of view or the hero's. The most that occurs in this book is that we are told that Ana is physically fit (even though there is not a single scene of her actually pursuing any kind of fitness efforts, though there is for the hero). In addition, this author typically avoids any descriptions of sexual chemistry between her protagonists, and this book is no exception. Romance readers who enjoy similar G-rated authors, such as Debbie Macomber, will probably approve of this artistic choice.
I have one particular, personal quibble with the structure of this book, which I admit that many other romance readers probably will not mind. Similar to G-rated, low angst, young adult (YA) novels, this author introduces--and offers quick and easy solutions to--serious, longstanding psychological issues caused by highly dysfunctional family dynamics. In this novel they occur between Ana and her father, Mac and his mother, and the young Marine that Mac assists. Given that the tone of this novel as a whole is light drama, in order to preserve that tone, the author takes what I call the YA, magic-wand route to an HEA resolution of these subplots. One conversation with a previously emotionally abusive family member is all it takes for an instant transformation of that relative into a repentant, self-responsible human being. Personally, as a retired family therapist, I don't enjoy this utterly unrealistic approach in YA, and I especially don't enjoy it in an adult novel. If serious psychological issues are introduced in a novel, I much prefer it when the author takes the time to create plausible resolutions, including the possibility that narcissistically abusive relatives may never change.
I experienced this novel in both Kindle and audiobook format. Though the narrators of the audiobook do a good job acting out all the parts, unfortunately, the audiobook is defective in that the most crucial, climax chapter at the end of the book is missing. In order to experience that chapter, I had to read it in the Kindle format. I therefore cannot recommend purchasing the audiobook until this error has been corrected.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 3.5 stars
Hero: 4.5 stars
Military Subcharacters: 5 stars
Family Subcharacters: 2 stars
Romance Plot: 3.5 stars
Career Subplots: 3 stars
Family-Dysfunction Subplots: 2.5 stars
Hawaii Setting: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Audiobook Narration: 4 stars
Audiobook Defect: 2 stars
Overall: 3.5 rounded to 4 stars
Ana and Mac have been BFFs for the past 24 years, since age 4. They were next door neighbors in Los Angeles from toddlerhood to age 11, when Ana's parents acrimoniously divorced, and she moved with her father to Seattle. Mac also endured a highly dysfunctional family life, with his parents undergoing a bitter divorce as well, two years after that of Ana's parents. They are both only children whose parents did not give them the love and nurturing they deserved. Ana was completely abandoned by her mother, and Mac was completely abandoned by his father. They made a pact at age 11 that they would remain friends forever and, if neither of them was married at age 30, they would marry each other.
Neither Mac nor Ana opted to attend college. Since age 18, Mac has been in the Marines. Since age 18, Ana has traveled the world as an internet influencer. She has become so successful over the years that she has socked away enough enough money to buy what appears to be a multi-million-dollar, beachside bungalow in Oahu. She has decided to settle down for the first time in her adult life because she is lonely and alienated, and she wants to be near her only true friend, Mac, who is stationed at the military base at Oahu. The trouble is, while it has been possible to pretend they have no romantic feelings for each other when they weren't living in the same place, once they are now living a mere 10 minutes away from each other, and almost daily seeing each other In person, it is no longer possible for either Ana or Mac to avoid facing the fact that they are extremely good-looking, heterosexual individuals who are, inevitably, attracted to each other physically as well as emotionally, and neither can continue to sustain friend-zoning each other any longer.
Though the "friends become lovers" trope is extremely popular among romance fans, I confess it's not my favorite. Mainly because there is really only one possible, highly predictable, romantic conflict keeping these two gorgeous people from romantic involvement: "If we try to become more than friends, it might not work out, and then I will lose my best friend, and I couldn't survive that." What is never taken into account in this particular conflict is the reality that, if they aren't with each other romantically, sooner or later one or both of these BFFs is going to become romantically committed to someone else. And that someone is not going to tolerate their heterosexual significant other having a relationship of such deep emotional intimacy with a friend of the opposite gender. These days, especially in the USA, people expect their BFF to be their significant other, most particularly if the SO is their spouse.
Which brings me to my other objection to this particular romance trope. Given the fact that the absolute ideal for a marital partner in Western society in general, and the USA particular, is someone who is your BFF whom you are also strongly physically attracted to, it makes zero logical sense that adult BFFs of each other's sexually preferred gender, such as Ana and Mac, could purposely cut themselves off from an ideal SO prospect.
What makes this particular novel's presentation of the BFF trope more convincingly motivated is that the author has thrown in a secondary romantic conflict. Neither Ana nor Mac believes they are a good candidate as a potential marital partner or parent because of the terrible example set by their own parents. This is a romantic conflict that is typically assigned to commitment-phobic romance heroes. The twist in this novel is that it is Ana who suffers from this insecurity far more than Mac.
Given that this type of romance plot is more suited to a novella than a novel of more than 40,000 words, the author expands the word count in this novel by dedicating a substantial amount of the book to Ana's career as an internet influencer. There is also a subplot involving Mac's career as a Marine, in which he exercises effective, compassionate leadership while mentoring a young Marine who is suffering from severe anxiety and depression due to serious family issues.
Additional page space is entertainingly devoted to a tourist's-eye view of Oahu, Hawaii, the setting of this series. The author is a Marine spouse whose husband is stationed in Oahu, so there is an admirable degree of accuracy in her presentation of both Hawaii and the military.
There is an interesting theme that is developing throughout this military-romance series. Though male Marines are stereotypically perceived as uber-macho, in these books, without exception, the Marine heroes are quite comfortable at the prospect of marrying a woman who makes massively more money than they do. From what I understand, given how relatively poorly career military personnel are paid compared to what they might make for similar civilian jobs, this theme is an accurate representation of a pragmatic difference in attitude between military men and civilian men in general. Military families, in order to escape living in poverty, frequently find a second salary from a working wife to be essential. And in this regard, since romance is geared toward fantasy wish fulfillment, why not make that wife a high earner? However, there is also an additional factor in this series that lessens the degree of gender-role liberation contained within this theme. Each of these prosperous heroines conveniently has a flexible enough career that she is easily able to pick up and follow her man anywhere in the world that the military sends him as he pursues a 20-30-year career.
This author specializes in G-rated, no sex, no cussing romances suitable for even young teenagers to read. Therefore, there are no more than a few kisses late in this novel. Other than commenting a few times on what a great chest the hero has and that he is very handsome, there is little focus on his physicality. In the same manner, there is almost never any description in her books of what kind of figure the heroine has, from either her point of view or the hero's. The most that occurs in this book is that we are told that Ana is physically fit (even though there is not a single scene of her actually pursuing any kind of fitness efforts, though there is for the hero). In addition, this author typically avoids any descriptions of sexual chemistry between her protagonists, and this book is no exception. Romance readers who enjoy similar G-rated authors, such as Debbie Macomber, will probably approve of this artistic choice.
I have one particular, personal quibble with the structure of this book, which I admit that many other romance readers probably will not mind. Similar to G-rated, low angst, young adult (YA) novels, this author introduces--and offers quick and easy solutions to--serious, longstanding psychological issues caused by highly dysfunctional family dynamics. In this novel they occur between Ana and her father, Mac and his mother, and the young Marine that Mac assists. Given that the tone of this novel as a whole is light drama, in order to preserve that tone, the author takes what I call the YA, magic-wand route to an HEA resolution of these subplots. One conversation with a previously emotionally abusive family member is all it takes for an instant transformation of that relative into a repentant, self-responsible human being. Personally, as a retired family therapist, I don't enjoy this utterly unrealistic approach in YA, and I especially don't enjoy it in an adult novel. If serious psychological issues are introduced in a novel, I much prefer it when the author takes the time to create plausible resolutions, including the possibility that narcissistically abusive relatives may never change.
I experienced this novel in both Kindle and audiobook format. Though the narrators of the audiobook do a good job acting out all the parts, unfortunately, the audiobook is defective in that the most crucial, climax chapter at the end of the book is missing. In order to experience that chapter, I had to read it in the Kindle format. I therefore cannot recommend purchasing the audiobook until this error has been corrected.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 3.5 stars
Hero: 4.5 stars
Military Subcharacters: 5 stars
Family Subcharacters: 2 stars
Romance Plot: 3.5 stars
Career Subplots: 3 stars
Family-Dysfunction Subplots: 2.5 stars
Hawaii Setting: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Audiobook Narration: 4 stars
Audiobook Defect: 2 stars
Overall: 3.5 rounded to 4 stars
August 11, 2021
Jess Mastorakos could write about a series about a group of Marines stationed at every Marine base in the world and I'm sure I would read every single one of them. Promises at Pyramid Rock was just as good as I expected. This book features a friends to more storyline as Mac and Ana battle feelings they don't want to act on. Both grew up with parents who had dysfunctional marriages that ultimately ended in divorce. They promised to each other that they would never fall in love and that at age 30, they would marry as friends. But is that really what they want? Or is just what they think is best? Can they be both happy and in love?
There were times I really wanted to shake Ana, but in a good way? You know every good romance novel has to have a bit of tension and her hesitancy to go for it after Mac finally tried to take a leap of faith was driving me nuts, as I'm sure it was intended to. But I guess, who could blame her? Her dad always compared her to her flighty mother who didn't want her husband or daughter in her life anymore. And that thought wiggled deep into her, making her think she was doomed to always run away and she couldn't stand the thought of doing that to her best friend. But oh, that chemistry between Mac and Ana. It's undeniable.
Each of these books can be read as standalones but I know I'll be binge reading this entire series again when it comes out because I vaguely remember details from the previous book and love reading it all at once to get a better picture. You won't be hopelessly lost if you read these out of order or only read some of them, but I highly encourage starting with book 1 and reading all the way through.
There were times I really wanted to shake Ana, but in a good way? You know every good romance novel has to have a bit of tension and her hesitancy to go for it after Mac finally tried to take a leap of faith was driving me nuts, as I'm sure it was intended to. But I guess, who could blame her? Her dad always compared her to her flighty mother who didn't want her husband or daughter in her life anymore. And that thought wiggled deep into her, making her think she was doomed to always run away and she couldn't stand the thought of doing that to her best friend. But oh, that chemistry between Mac and Ana. It's undeniable.
Each of these books can be read as standalones but I know I'll be binge reading this entire series again when it comes out because I vaguely remember details from the previous book and love reading it all at once to get a better picture. You won't be hopelessly lost if you read these out of order or only read some of them, but I highly encourage starting with book 1 and reading all the way through.
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March 16, 2021Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
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