{"id":1331,"date":"2014-07-11T20:06:07","date_gmt":"2014-07-12T03:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=1331"},"modified":"2017-01-29T05:37:11","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T10:37:11","slug":"review-the-promise-the-burg-5-by-kristen-ashley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=1331","title":{"rendered":"Review: The Promise (The ‘Burg, #5) by Kristen Ashley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n

\r\n <\/div><\/div>\n
\n

Review\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

5 \u201cMinute by minute, baby<\/em>\u201d stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u2018Burg series is one of my favourite KA series, and I have been desperately waiting on this book! We first met Frankie and Benny in\u00a0At Peace\u00a0(which you NEED to read before reading this one!), where we got a hint of their backstory which had me instantly intrigued and strangely attached to them. Frankie was involved with Benny\u2019s older brother, Vinnie Bianchi, when Vinnie got involved with the mob and got himself killed, Frankie was left broken, and this wasn\u2019t helped by the Bianchi the family blaming her for his demise, and she was ostracised from the people that she adored as her own.<\/p>\n

Frankie and Benny had always been close, but his anger over Vinnie\u2019s death, and events immediately following it, put a wedge between them. In the 7 years since Vinnie\u2019s death, Frankie lived a solitary life paying a penance she didn\u2019t deserve, and right when she decided to move on with her life, move to Indianapolis and forget about the Bianchis, the terrifying but exciting climax of\u00a0At Peace<\/em>\u00a0brings her and Benny together in a way that neither of them were expecting, and it changes everything.<\/p>\n

So this book takes us back in time in the series, picking up immediately after the end of\u00a0At Peace<\/em>. Frankie has been injured while helping to save the life of Violet – significant other of Joe Callahan (*swoon*), Benny\u2019s cousin. Benny has finally gotten his head out of his ass, realised what he feels for Frankie and in grand KA-alpha style, isn\u2019t about to let her go.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what this is. That\u2019s why you\u2019re freakin\u2019 and hidin\u2019. I know what this is. That\u2019s why I\u2019m not lettin\u2019 this shit go.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And here begins the back and forth that KA does so well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is insane,\u201d I snapped, because it fucking well was!
\nHe got even closer. \u201cThis is real and you fuckin\u2019 know it.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Knowing what had happened in the past, and the way that Frankie had been treated by Benny and his family, I could totally understand her freaking out about being dragged back in their fold. And although I wasn’t happy with how easily they were let off after treating her so badly for so long, once it comes down to it, she handles it with style and class. And Benny is absolutely incredible! The way he cares for Frankie, opens up to her, and makes it his mission to win her, is absolutely beautiful!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were mine, even when you were his.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBeen waitin\u2019 years for this, baby. Thanks for makin\u2019 it worth the wait.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But Frankie has some serious demons that she\u2019s fighting, and it\u2019s going to take more than a few weeks of Benny Bianchi\u2019s sweetness to overcome that. Before Benny came back into her life, Frankie had a plan for her new life, and she\u2019s still intent on claiming it. And that brings her to the \u2018Burg. But Benny is one determined alpha, and he\u2019s not about to let her go\u2026 not that Frankie really wants him to.<\/p>\n

I love Frankie and Benny individually, and I love their relationship to bits! Benny is everything you would expect him to be as a KA-man (with most of them being pretty much interchangable at this point), and Frankie is a bit of a drama queen, but she totally owns it. The banter between them is sensational, and when Frankie\u2019s high-maintenance sass is combined with Benny\u2019s alpha ways, the dynamic is fantastic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou own a dress that won\u2019t make my dick get hard?\u201d
\nHer eyes got squinty, but her mouth stayed closed.
\n\u201cCan I take that as a no?\u201d he pushed.
\n\u201cFYI, women don\u2019t like it when men talk like that, Benny Bianchi.\u201d
\n\u201cBullshit, Francesca Concetti. They fuckin\u2019 love that shit.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Both of them are hotheaded, and there is so much passion between them! They bicker and argue constantly, and they totally get off on it. And then there is the hotness\u2026 SO much hotness! Benny\u2019s a bit of a dirty talker and these two are, eventually, very open with each other, so anything goes – and that translates into the bedroom. Phew!<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve made it relatively clear you bein\u2019 bossy isn\u2019t my favorite thing,\u201d I told him.
\n\u201cIt is when you\u2019re wet for me,\u201d he returned.
\nIt sucked, but he had a point.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But beyond that, their connection is deep, and Benny makes it his mission to be there for his girl. Frankie\u2019s past is not a happy one, and her battles to overcome her past are heartbreaking, but Benny is there to help her sort through her issues and deal with her craptastic family, and he is absolutely awesome every step of the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you happy? What do you want outta life?\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2026\u201d I started, then changed what I was going to say. \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d
\n\u201c\u2019Cause I wanna know if it\u2019s in me to give it to you.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And it\u2019s full of those beautifully special little moments that KA does so well. Tender, intimate encounters that bring the feels and drag you right into the story, and make you feel exactly what is happening between her characters. She\u2019s the master.<\/p>\n

\u201cStick with me?\u201d he whispered, his lips still against mine.
\n\u201cYeah.\u201d
\nI felt his mouth smile.
\nI closed my eyes.
\nThen I felt his mouth touch my forehead.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So. Much. Swoooooooooooon!!!!<\/p>\n

There is a secondary mystery storyline which starts late in the book and ties in with other things happening in the story, but which I actually felt wasn\u2019t necessary. Even if it did allow for some moments of awesome, to me, it dragged a little bit, and took attention away from where I wanted it \u2013 right on the romance! But it wasn’t enough to detract from my overall love of the book.<\/p>\n

And in yet another surprising but awesome addition to this book, there is lots and lots of time with Joe and Vi and their family. And not just little moments, but the big, significant ones! Benny and Joe are cousins, and Frankie and Vi have bonded over their shared experience, so there is a lot of interaction between them all, and I absolutely LOVED the opportunity to check in with them, it was absolute gold!<\/p>\n

The book also features a couple of cameo from my other favourite KA series \u2013 Rock Chick \u2013 with not one, but two of the Hot Bunch (and a couple of extras) appearing. I won\u2019t say who or how, but it is full of awesome, and had me grinning like an idiot!<\/p>\n

I loved this book! I was completely absorbed in Frankie and Benny\u2019s story, and even though it was another long, marathon read, it was full of everything that I love about KA \u2013 including the kickass epilogue. I am so excited for Merry\u2019s story coming up next, and finishing off the series. I\u2019m a bit surprised by his love interest, but am really excited to see how KA is going to make it all happen.<\/p>\n

Another win for me! 5 huge, quote-whorey stars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The ‘Burg series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"For<\/a>\u00a0 \"At<\/a>\u00a0 \"Golden<\/a>\u00a0 \"Games<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"Hold<\/a><\/p>\n

For You (#1) <\/strong>(Colt & Feb)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

At Peace (#2)<\/strong> (Joe & Vi)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Golden Trail (#3)<\/strong> (Layne & Rocky)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Games of the Heart (#4) <\/strong>(Mike & Dusty)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

The Promise (#5) <\/strong>(Frankie & Benny)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Hold On (#6) <\/strong>(Merry & Cher)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fore more KA awesomeness, check out our Kristen Ashley Author Spotlight<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buy: Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback Review\u00a0 5 \u201cMinute by minute, baby\u201d stars The \u2018Burg series is one of my favourite KA series, and I have been desperately waiting on this book! We first met Frankie and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173,25,9,29],"tags":[22,48,101],"class_list":["post-1331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-epic-romance","category-friends-to-lovers","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-kristen-ashley","tag-review","tag-the-burg"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/23533867-e1456547867995.jpg?fit=150%2C234&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-lt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}