Say You Swear
By Meagan Brandy
Closing this book at the end, I got closure I wasn’t sure I was going to get more than halfway through this book. It gave me all the feels and Noah Riley could very well be my number 1 book HUSBAND, forget the boyfriend label. I should mention, I am writing this review after my second read of this book. I picked it up for a re-read after some major changes occurred in my life and I needed the feelings this book gave me – sorrow, anguish, swoon worthy butterflies, awe, and all of the synonyms that go along with these listed. It is not a slow burn but it’s not a fast burn, either. Is there such things as a “medium burn?” If so, this is it, but again, WORTH IT.
The plot is primarily from the point of view of the FMC, Arianna, but also includes POV from MMC, Noah. Arianna has a twin, Mason, whose best friend is named Chase. Arianna has been in love with Chase since the minute she met him as kids, when his family moved to town. However, from the first interaction between them, Mason stepped in and shut it down, quick-like. From that point on, Chase was too afraid to choose Arianna over Mason, as he felt like he was going against his best friend. Fast forward to the summer before college and while the gang is enjoying the summer at their new beach house (gifted to them by all of their parents) and Arianna meets Noah, the new captain of the football team at Avix, where all of them will attend college together at the start of the year. Noah is handsome, has beautiful blue eyes, and does not push himself on Arianna, although it is very clear he is attracted to her. She is attracted to Noah, too, but she can’t get pass the childhood crush on Chase. The story develops with a new quick friendship between two characters and a want-what-you-can’t-have mentality from another. Fast forward, again, towards the end of the semester and tragedy strikes. I mean, it is devastating! What happens with Ari and Noah? What happens with Ari and Chase?? You MUST read to find out how this story ends – it is so worth it!
Meagan Brandy’s writing style in this book was right up my alley, I followed along well AND (the first time I read it) I definitely did not guess the plot. I don’t enjoy books where I can predict what is going to happen, who the “bad guy” will be, etc. Meagan hit me with the plot twist around the 75-80% mark in the book and my insides fell to pieces. My overwhelming need to know how it was going to pan out kept me going with determination to finish the book. I am glad I did. It did NOT immediately result in a HEA, either. After the devastation of the major plot twist in this book, there is lots of turmoil and anguish amongst all of the characters and Brandy kept you pressing forward towards the ending.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“We’re half a bowl down when he looks over. “What?” I ask over a mouthful of French bread. “For the record, that about killed me, and it was a one-time thing that will never replay itself.” His lips pull into a one-sided grin. “So next time you ask, be sure because I won’t deny you again.” ‘Say you swear.’”
“At first, Noah doesn’t move, his head following my brother and the boys, but then slowly returning to me. It takes him a moment, but his attention finally falls to the hoodie I’m wearing, and his eyes snap up to mine. He gets it, that I didn’t come for them. I came for him. His backpack falls to the ground where he stands, and he erases the last two steps between us. Before he reaches me, I spin, showing him the back, where his number is boldly printed, but he knows that. After all, he’s the one who gave me the hoodie. I throw my arms out, peeking at him over my shoulder. “Does this count as me wearing it to a game?” His lips curve up, and he gives a slow shake of his head. “Not a chance.” I spin again, now facing him fully, and step closer. “Does it count for something?” Noah reaches out, gripping the front of the hoodie, and tugs me to him. He whirls me around until we’re half hidden by the open door, his hand gliding into my hair. “You already know the answer to that,” he says, and then he’s kissing me.”
““You will?” he rasps. “Of course I will.” His palms shake as he grips my cheeks, his eyes piercing mine. “Say you swear?” Placing my palm over his tattoo, I recite its meaning. “Fear not the fall, but the life that comes from having never leaped at all.” I smile through my tears. “I’ll always leap if the jump leads me to you, Noah Riley. Always.” “And forever.” “I swear.”"
Overall, this book definitely sits on my “will be re-read” shelf in Kindle. It is hard to pull yourself away from such an all encompassing love! I loved this book so much, I followed up with reading the other two with overlapping characters from Say You Swear, which are: Fumbled Hearts and Defenseless Hearts. All three are 5 stars, in my opinion. Read them all when you are looking for a perfectly written story with great characters, where you’ll feel happy, devastated, on pins and needles during the torment of the fall out, back to where Meagan Brandy puts your heart back together, piece by piece.
Say You Swear
4.6 | 59,675 ratings
Price: 5.99
Last update: 12-25-2024
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Top reviews from the United States
Megan P.
“I’ll always leap if the jump leads me to you..."
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
Kasey????
Say You Swear????
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024