Men of Severn, 1
Wesley Blake is my brother's best friend.
He has been a part of my life longer than I can remember.
He’s seen it all: scrapped knees, birthday parties, and the worst moment in my life.
But I’m just a little sister to him.
To me, he is so much more.
He is all I have ever wanted.
I have never even considered anyone else.
But now that I am older, it’s time for me to make a decision.
Do I continue to wait for a man that doesn’t want me?
Or is it time for me to grow up?
Maybe it’s time for me to leave Severn and everyone I know in the rearview mirror.
Excerpt:
Jacob leans into my personal space, his hand resting on my hip. Usually, I wouldn’t allow something like this, but the booze has me functioning a little slower at the moment.
“He’s glaring again,” he whispers in my ear with a chuckle.
That’s the thing with Jacob. For all his faults he is still my friend. Yes, he hurt Lenor but that is between the two of them, not us. He knows me just as well as she does, all my secrets and the things I wish I could hide. Hell, he carried me for three blocks when we were nine years old and I broke my arm. He’s always been part of my life and I love him like a brother. Turning my head, I smile. He is standing so close we are basically nose to nose now.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he says before licking his lips. “He does not like when I touch you and his head looks like the top might pop right the fuck off.”
“He called me disgusting,” I say softly. My voice is barely a whisper, and I don’t even think he heard me.
It’s not something I want to discuss but the words have been on repeat in my mind since he said them. I can’t put into words just how much hearing him say that hurt.
Jacob’s lips touch mine in a gentle kiss that catches me off guard. I don’t have time to make the decision to push him away or kiss him back before he is gone. It takes a moment for my drunken brain to process that he isn’t kissing me anymore and for me to open my eyes. Looking around, I see Jacob on the floor, his hand covering his nose that is bleeding profusely.
Behind me, I hear a scuffle and turn to see what is happening. Adam has Wesley in his grasp, his arms pulled behind his back as he tries to get at Jacob once more.
“Get the fuck out of my bar!” he roars.
I know the crazed look in his eyes. His temper has always been short and now he has lost it. I’m not sure what pushed him over the edge, but it has my own anger flaring.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I yell. “You’re batting two for two in the asshole awards tonight.”
Bending down, I help Jacob up before leading him around the bar and out the front door. I hear yelling inside, but I ignore whatever is happening to stare at my crazy friend.
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, shoving his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he says through his laughter. “But that shit is funny as fuck.”
“I must be drunker than I thought because you aren’t making a lick of sense.”
“You said he called you disgusting but the moment I kissed you he exploded.”
“You kissed me to see what he would do?” I ask, feeling confused and a little pissed off.
I’ve never been attracted to Jacob even though he is a good-looking man and we’ve never been more than friends, but I had just assumed it was the alcohol and the moment. That makes twice I have been rejected by a man tonight.
“Karmen, that man is lying to himself and to you,” Jacob explains. “If he wasn’t into you, it wouldn’t have mattered whether we kissed or not.”
“You know you’re nuts, right?”
“But I’m a good friend. And now you owe me a favor.”
I shake my head. “Go home and get some ice on your face. I also suggest avoiding Wesley for the foreseeable future. He tends to hold a grudge.”
This is a short read. Have you ever had a crush on your brothers friend? This is Karmen and Wesley's story. Karmen has always had a crush on Wesley, but he seems to only see her as his friends little sister. When she leaves she comes back for Wesley to help him through a rough time. Will Wesley finally accept Karmen as more that a friend?
This is an entertaining age, gap short story, romance, book that captures your attention and holds it from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.
This was a difficult read for me because I lost my brother a couple years ago and I just lost my mother this year. Even so it was a really amazing book. I love Karmen and Wesley. I'm wondering if Adam is going to end up with her best friend. And I will never look at sugar the same way again.
This story was a bit fast, but full of emotions, since the first chapter with the loss of their brother to the last one with the marriage proposal! I hope we can get the story of the other two brothers, i can not wait!
I enjoy Jade Marshall books and I enjoyed this one too - was a nice difference to most that I had read before, being a small town, contemporary romance. Karmen and Wesley have known each other for most of their lives, as Wesley was Karmen’s dead brothers best friend and has treated Karmen like a little sister, however Karmen does not see Wesley as a big brother, she made a move and was knocked back, so she has to make a decision on how to move forward. The story is emotional with enjoyable characters, friends and family, drama, second chances and unexpected changes. Look forward to reading more books in this series, particularly in relation to finding closure (hopefully) on a bit of a side story / side characters that was introduced toward the end.
I loved this book! Karmen has been in love with Wesley for years. When she tells him he doesn’t say anything but when tragedy strikes can they find love!
Broken Promise is beautifully written, well balanced and beautifully executed by Author Jade Marshall. She continues to show me what a brilliant author she is with each book that I have read from her so far. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know Wesley and Karmen who I thought were well developed and beautifully executed throughout the story. I found their story to be quite entertaining and enjoyable to read. I’m not going to reveal anything about the book because I don’t want to spoil the book for future readers. However, I would absolutely recommend this amazing romance book for anyone to checkout and read. I’m looking forward to reading more fabulous romances from this author in the near future.
Broken Promise was such an emotional and beautifully written forbidden live story. I loved the drama, angst and spice. I’ve always love Jade Marshall’s writing style and this book did not disappoint. My heart broke, and it soared. I might have almost thrown my kindle a few times too, but the journey she took me on was a chef’s kiss to the best friend’s sister, promised to protect her, he fell first trope. I loved the angst and peas and pull both experienced in this book it kept me turning the pages until the end. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!!!
The first book in the Men of Severn, Wesley Blake was Karmen’s deceased brother Tommy's best friend and made Tommy a promise. But can he keep it/ I enjoyed reading their well written story. It held my interest and kept me turning pages.
Book one of the series. Its a brother's best friend story. I was hooked from the beginning. Karmen and Wesley have amazing chemistry.
I loved reading Wesley and Karmen’s story in Broken promise by Jade Marshall. Wesley has always mentioned everything to her but he’s the forbidden brothers best friend. After years apart they come face to face again , different people. The chemistry between them is undeniable but will they be able to make it work or end in heartbreak.
Love this trope of brothers friend and unrequited love--dealing the mixed up feelings and just trying to move on or figure it out. Great book--quick read--really good.
This is an enjoyable small town romance read. Karmen and Wesley are so good together! A sweet and steamy romance that had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen. Very enjoyable book to read.
What can you do when your brother’s best friend Wesley Blake treats you like his little sister when you want much more? For Karmen Jones it’s a dilemma she hasn’t been brave enough to fix. Then everything comes to a head and truths will be told. Broken Promise is a small town contemporary romance that is an emotionally engaging story that flows with good writing and well crafted characters, drama, friendships, family, and passion in a short and very engaging read.
Broken Promise is the ultimate small-town romance, perfectly blending heartfelt moments with simmering tension. The heroine’s lifelong love for her brother’s best friend, Wesley, is beautifully explored, making her emotional journey relatable and deeply compelling. Wesley is the quintessential older man—protective, steady, and seemingly unaware of her growing feelings. Watching their dynamic evolve as she wrestles with whether to move on or risk it all is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The small-town setting adds charm, while the friends-to-lovers trope keeps the stakes high and the emotions raw. If you love stories with unspoken longing, small-town vibes, and a perfect mix of sweetness and steam, Broken Promise will capture your heart. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance with a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of love!
Wesley and Karmen’s story has them knowing each other for a long time, since he’s was her brother’s bf. When he passed Wesley made a promise to protect her. But now she’s grown and has always wanted him. She professes her love and he pushes her away to deny their mutual feelings. But when a tragedy strikes she stays to help him since he was there for her when her bro, Tommy died. Will this be the break she needs or will she leave like she was going g yo do. A good story with entertaining characters and intriguing storyline
Great read, wonderful best friends sister romance and a wonderfully delightful romance read. Great HEA
This story has so much happening, making it relatable to real life! Our main characters face a mix of experiences, like dealing with loss, navigating love—both lost and found—and the journey of starting fresh. They grapple with breaking promises while also making meaningful commitments that can last a lifetime. It’s a colorful tapestry of life’s ups and downs!
Wesley Blake and Tommy Jones were best friend growing up, when Tommy died of cancer he promised too look after Karmen his younger sister. Six years later, he is still denying he feels anything for her. Everything comes to head on her 22nd birthday, when she tells him, she loves him but he says nothing. She is ready to leave town and Wesley behind but fate changes things when Wesley's mother dies unexpectedly. He was there for her when she lost Tommy, she cannot let him go thru this alone. This is an emotional story, that has some steamy moments and lots of drama.
This was such an emotional read that finally let Karmen and Wesley have the HEA she'd been dreaming of for years. Wesley, tied to the promise he made to his best friend, Karmen's deceased brother, kept his distance from her. He pushed her away and away and away...until things changed enough that he caved. Expect an engaging reading ride filled with drama, emotions, family and steam when you follow these two on their journey. It's well written and the characters are so well done. I'm looking forward to the next book :D
I don't usually like books with this kind of intensity, but this book sucked me in quickly, and I was hooked to the end. Karmen and Wesley have known each other for most of their lives. Because of promises made to Karmen's dead brother, Wesley has kept his distance. But life throws many curves, and things change. I love the plot of this book. It brought me tears a few times and then made me smile. Beautiful characters, excellent plot, and the perfect HEA!
Karmen has been in love with Wesley since she was a teen and he’s been watching over her since her brother his best friend died. Wesley has loved Karlene for a long time but never believed he was good enough for her. When his words and inaction pushes her away he has no one to blame but himself. However when Wesley’s life gets turned upside down Karmen steps up to support him and his brothers and Wesley refuses to lose out on this chance. It’s a rough road to their HEA but that makes it all the sweeter.
Wow, short but sweet. I have read other novels by this author and enjoyed them. This novella did not disappoint. I always enjoy a brother's best friend novel and this novella just checked alot of boxes for me. From the first chapter this novel captured my attention and held it for the entire novella. I enjoyed Wes and Karmen's story. My heart hurt for Karmen for all she had been thru. Although Wes tries to push Karmen away their chemistry is so good. I loved watching Wes's defenses lower and realize he is falling in love. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next.
Phenomenally written. Reading Wesley and Karmen's story was amazing, but also frustrating. Wesley is trying to protect Karmen by staying away from her, but that hurts her more than anything because Karmen has loved Wesley for a long time. When they are finally honest with each other it is absolutely beautiful. I got very invested with their relationship. Great characters and fantastic storytelling.
This is a great "brother's best friend" romance that pulls at the heartstrings. Wesley Blake was best friends with Tommy Jones until Tommy tragically passed away from brain cancer. Before he died, Tommy asked Wesley to look after his younger sister, Karmen, who was just 16 at the time. Six years later, Karmen has grown into a strong and independent young woman, but she's resigned herself to loving Wesley from afar, believing he still sees her as the little girl who used to tag along with him and Tommy. However, everything changes during her 22nd birthday celebration. When Karmen finally confesses her feelings for Wesley, she’s met with silence. Heartbroken, she decides it’s time to move on—selling her home and leaving town to start fresh. But fate has other plans. A day into her journey, Karmen and her best friend receive devastating news: Wesley’s mother has suffered a fatal heart attack. Karmen returns to be by Wesley’s side, along with his brothers, who have always treated her like family. Wesley now faces a difficult decision: should he take the leap and pursue a relationship with Karmen, or let her go forever? Adding to the tension is a shocking revelation—Karmen's high school nemesis, Charlotte, announces she’s pregnant with Wesley's child. This story is a strong start to what promises to be a captivating new series. The emotional depth, complex relationships, and well-drawn characters keep readers hooked from start to finish. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Wesley’s brothers in future installments!
When Wesley had to bury his best friend Tommy he promised him he would look after his younger sister Karmen but he did not expect to fall for her. As much as he tries to fight it to the point that she starts to move away because she loves him and he keeps pushing her away. Will Wesley ever give into his feelings for Karmen?
This story is romantic and sweet with a lot of charm. It’s brother’s best friend and the little sister who loves him. My favorite part is all of the friends/brothers that interfere at every stop. Have fun reading this book.
Engaging Romantic Read Wesley and Karmen both mad about each other but neither would tell the other when things come to a head, they both have to be honest in order to claim their HEA. An entertaining storyline with lots of fun characters, a little sadness but with a wonderful HEA!
Broken Promise is book 1 of the Men of Severn series by Jade Marshall. This book threw me for a loop! It’s not particularly long (hour and a half ish) but boy does this book pack quite the proverbial punch. It’s emotional impact is incredible, it grabs ahold of those emotions and pulls really hard almost feels like a book hangover.
ooo, this one got me right in the feels. I was mad at him for a bit there but he made it all up in the end. He was really a good guy at heart and I loved how strong she was. She did everything how I would have done it I think as well.
Watching Wesley and Karmen struggle with the love they have for each other was heart wrenching. Wesley trying to do what he feels is right even if it costs him. Seeing what finally pushed him over the edge to take what was always his had me crying for him. Karmen loving Wesley and even though she believes being there for him will break her heart she had the courage and strength to do. I was gut punched and cried for these two. I absolutely loved everything about it.
