cover image One More Promise

One More Promise

Samantha Chase. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4926-1643-6

Chase’s competent follow-up to One More Kiss revolves around Dylan Anders, a rock star and recovering alcoholic in need of redemption, and Paige Walters, a PR expert whose insecurities are amplified by working with her family. Paige’s father, Robert, runs a successful Los Angeles public relations firm, where her sister, Ariel, is his obvious favorite and reliably steals Paige’s thunder. Worried that Paige might actually achieve something, Ariel convinces Robert to add Dylan to the literacy campaign project Paige is working on. If Paige successfully produces the project, she may finally get some respect at the office, but if the public keeps seeing Dylan as a loser, he could tank all of her hard work. The growth of the couple’s slow and smoldering love story is modern and sweet. Dylan supports Paige, encouraging her to blossom into a sexy, confident woman, while Paige assists Dylan in rebuilding his reputation. The author, however, draws Paige’s family with overly broad strokes—Robert treats Paige like trash and Ariel takes all the credit for her hard work, avoiding blame with remarkable ease. Though effective, the Cinderella premise is long in the tooth and lessens the impact of a well-matched couple’s romance. (Feb.)