Official Review: Broken Promises by Susan Liberty

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 16 Aug 2019, 10:55

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Broken Promises" by Susan Liberty.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Broken Promises is a moving and suspenseful romance novel and the first in The Promises Book Series created by Susan Liberty.

Devilan Kincaid lives a double life: first, as a successful businessman, a tattoo artist, husband to Ellen, and father to Brie; second, as a Mafia boss and the accountant and right-hand to Gavin Kincaid, the Godfather of the Irish Mafia, himself. For the past ten years, Devilan has been dealing with the consequences of his one night of indiscretion that cost him his one true love, Maggie. Though he loves his wife, he is not in love with her. His heart belongs only to Maggie and he knows he has to do something about it before it drives him crazy.

However, before he could act on his feelings and fix his broken promises to Maggie, war breaks between the Irish and the Italian Mafia leaving a significant number of casualties including Ellen.

Told, for the most part, in the first-person perspective of Devilan Kincaid, this is an intriguing, a suspenseful, and a fast-paced thriller novel with twenty-one chapters. The plot is developed by introducing the conflict early in the story. It is unpredictable with surprising, and even shocking, turns of events. Scenes are graphically described in minute details including sex and fighting scenes. Characters are well-developed with sufficient backstories and the ending is, understandably, cliffhanger.

All in all, this is an enjoyable book. It is interesting and easy to read. It is about family, love, friendship, and loyalty, as well as duplicity, betrayal, and murder. Though not as intense as The Godfather by Mario Puzo, it has its own touch of ruthlessness and brutality that befits a Mafia-themed novel. There are three from the group of characters that I find interesting. I like Aaron, the quiet and cool-headed older brother, then Tommy, the reliable and intriguing enforcer, and Maggie, the compassionate and motherly Mafia woman.

Admittedly, I enjoyed the book more than I expected I would. The part I like most is the depiction of the values and tradition of the Irish Mafia. They are big on celebrations. They protect their women. They look out for each other. They fight fiercely and love just as fiercely.

However, though the book is listed under the romance genre, I find the romantic scenes very minimal. Moreover, I find the main character, Devilan Kincaid, detached, insensitive, and even clueless, which is not very good for male protagonists. Furthermore, fans of standalone novels may not find this book enjoyable. There are just too many questions left unanswered which may leave some readers a feeling of dissatisfaction. Finally, there are several noticeable errors within the entire book (like before he when undercover instead of went undercover and Aaron alerted me to hours ago instead of two hours ago).

I, therefore, rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is interesting and suspenseful. I recommend it to readers who enjoy crime, thriller, and romance novels. Scenes of sex, violence, and gore may not be suitable for young readers.

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Broken Promises
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LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 21 Aug 2019, 06:21

Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. Great review. Keep it up.

OuKoyoo · Post by **OuKoyoo** » 21 Aug 2019, 11:02

This sounds like an interesting read. For one who loves romance genre; this would be a great book for me. Thank you for the review.

Wanjugush · Post by **Wanjugush** » 21 Aug 2019, 11:59

From your review, this sounds like a suspence thriller and less of a romance novel. Great review, though this might not be my type of book especially if it can't do well as a stand alone.

Ekta Swarnkar · Post by **Ekta Swarnkar** » 21 Aug 2019, 21:34

I think it is not for me. Although, it is an enjoyable read with its suspenseful plot. Nice review!

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 22 Aug 2019, 00:39

LinaMueller wrote: ↑21 Aug 2019, 06:21 Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. Great review. Keep it up.

Thank you very much! It's an enjoyable book.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 22 Aug 2019, 00:48

OuKoyoo wrote: ↑21 Aug 2019, 11:02 This sounds like an interesting read. For one who loves romance genre; this would be a great book for me. Thank you for the review.

You're welcome. I hope you get a chance to read it.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 22 Aug 2019, 00:56

Wanjugush wrote: ↑21 Aug 2019, 11:59 From your review, this sounds like a suspence thriller and less of a romance novel. Great review, though this might not be my type of book especially if it can't do well as a stand alone.

Thank you very much. Yes, I would say so. It's more of a suspense thriller than a romance novel. It's an interesting book, nonetheless. Except if you're a fan of standalone novels.