But for the first time, he has the courage to try… if he can only convince Matt. Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s coworkers, Jared fears they’ll never find a way to be together. A summer camping and mountain biking together cements their friendship, but when Matt realizes he’s attracted to Jared, he panics and withdraws, leaving Jared all too aware of what he’s missing. Matt may not be into guys, but he doesn’t care that Jared is. But Jared’s opportunities are limited-the only other gay man in town is twice his age, and although Jared originally planned to be a teacher, the backlash that might accompany the gig keeps him working at his family’s store instead. Jared lives in the small town of Coda, Colorado.Can a man who loves his small hometown trust it to love him back? Jared Thomas has lived in the mountain town of Coda, Colorado his whole life. After college he returned to his hometown and owns the local hardware store with his brother and sister-in law. The townspeople are mostly homophobic and, while Jared is out, he is afraid to pursue his dream of being a teacher. He lives his life alone with only casual hookups from a friend who passes through town occasionally. Matt, who is new in town, has just accepted a job with the local police department and he and Jared become friends. Jared is immediately attracted to Matt, who considers himself straight. The men have a lot in common, spend lots of time together, and Matt becomes drawn to Jared. But Matt is dating a woman and his co-workers constantly tease him about his relationship with Jared.

Jared wants to spend all of his time with Matt and can see a future with him, if only Matt can acknowledge his true feelings. I had not read this book prior to listening to the audio. So the only basis I had to go on was, of course, what I heard on the audio. I will go into the audio review in a minute, but I definitely feel that my overall enjoyment of the book was hindered by the narration. There were several times I stopped the audio to think about the story and give it a different frame of reference other than what the narration was offering. I was delivered a fair version of what was most likely a great book. The story is told from Jared’s POV, but it as much Matt’s story as it is Jared’s. Jared is just a really good guy, but he is complacent in life. With both his work and his personal life, he is just getting by. Although his fears are spoken of in more depth later on in the story, his complacency bothered me at times. Jared and Matt form a true friendship, and for Matt, who considers himself straight, it is not an easy journey. They have a great connection and it becomes easy to see how they would work well as a couple and fall in love.

There is a slow build up to get these guys together and it really works well to establish a true relationship.

Promises by marie sexton