A Ring and a Promise (A Ring and A Promise #1) by Devon Rhodes

A Ring and a Promise (A Ring and A Promise #1) Reviews

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  ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~

  4.5 stars
  
  I'm updating my rating/review because last night I read A Ring and a Vow in the Semper Fidelis anthology:
  
  
  
  
  A Ring and a Vow is essentially an epilogue to A Ring and a Promise, and my only complaint about this story was the uncertain ending.
  
  Well, color me uncertain no more!
  
  I didn't even know a sequel to this story existed. But it does, and everyone needs to know about it!
  
  If you read this story, make sure to read the sequel, which is insanely romantic and sweet, and provides perfect closure.
  
  All the ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ for these hot men in uniform and their forever love!
  
  
  
  Original review posted January 30, 2015:
  
  This was a surprisingly well-developed story considering its short length.
  
  I felt the love and connection between Owen and Cary. There were plenty of sexy scenes, and that last scene with vocal Owen just begging for it was crazy hot.
  
  However, the ending, while sadly realistic, was deeply unsatisfying.
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  Simone - on indefinite hiatus -

  
  Goosebumps alert!
  
  You can probably blame Top Gun for my love of everything military-related (God, I don't even know how often I have watched this movie...) and of course I love books with a military background, too, so I jumped at the chance to get this little short story when it popped up on one of my friend's updates.
  
  Although there is no action in this book – military or otherwise – I enjoyed it immensely. A Ring And A Promise deals with the situation of two gay soldiers, Cary and Owen, who have a friends-with-benefits relationship since Academy and even though 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' is officially repealed, it is still hard for soldiers on active duty to be out and proud. To top it all off, there is always the possibility of years of separation due to different postings in other parts of the world and worse... So getting a chance on their Hea is a fight of a different sort.
  
  If you love hot -while at the same time- cute short stories that give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings and make you even tear up a bit (at least, me), read this book!!!
  

  
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  Gigi

  
  
  This is an awesome comfort read for me. I love my military boys and this is the story of two recruit roommates who became fuck buddies for two years. When they graduate, MC Cary, leaving for the Navel Academy to become a pilot, has fallen in love with MC Owen, leaving for Marine boot camp and several tours of duty overseas. How can a relationship possibly work? And how does Owen even feel? Read this delicious, romantic, sexy shortie to find out.
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  Can also be read in the
  His Hero Anthology, which has lots of other goodies in it for cop/military/firefighter lovers!
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  Ami

  3.5 stars
  
  I read this as part of
  His Hero Anthology however, since the title will also be released separately, I prefer to put down my opinion on the single title page here in Goodreads.
  
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  I think the idea of the two MCs as men in uniform from different branches as interesting. As the story goes, I find it tender and sweet (but not TOO sweet :p). Both men have different characteristic. Cary, the Navy officer, is more honest about his feeling towards Owen, his Marine lover. He knows that Owen is still reserved about 'defining' their relationship, but Cary knows that he loves Owen -- the part where he switches his Academy ring with Owen shows that. While Owen, he is more careful ... he is not comfortable of moving forward, even if he knows that his feeling towards Cary is stronger than anything he ever feels before.
  
  The story moves a bit fast, it started with them graduating before they are separated to different stations. Then they meet in between, until that day when Owen is called up for station duty in Middle East. For one, I don't mind it ... because it IS their life. Being officers from different branches meaning that they are in separation most of the time, and I prefer to read about when they DO meet this time. That "twist" when Owen telling Cary that he is being shipped out, where at first I thought that Owen will do the stupid thing (SPOILER: Owen asks Cary for his ring back ... and then a couple of paragraphs later, turns out that he does it to sort of 'making promise'), just puts smile on my face.
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  Serena Yates

  What a beautiful story! It is a great mix between the ‘rough and tough’ kind of love two military men might share and some extremely tender and intimate moments that were far more romantic than I had expected. As sweet as those moments are, they are never unrealistic. Control of their feelings is so engrained in these guys that deviating from what they had to practice for years while in training together doesn’t even change once they are stationed separately and can only meet very occasionally.
  
  Carey, the Navy guy, knows and admits he is in love with Owen almost from the start. He is the one who pursues his roommate until they become more, he is the one who comes up with this incredibly romantic idea of switching their rings. Interestingly, this doesn’t make him a sap, he is simply more honest with himself.
  
  Owen is a tough Marine, inside and out. I think he is in love long before he admits it, and, not knowing what to do with those feelings at first, he lets his concern for Carey guide his actions. At least, that is what he calls it. Once he does figure out what is what, his response to the exchanged rings, years later, brought tears to my eyes.
  
  This is a wonderful, contemporary story that shows the reality of military life, even in times after the DADT repeal. The heroes are very much in love, but it is the kind of enduring emotion that makes me hope they really will get their happy-ever-after one day. If you like men in uniform showing their feelings, if you want realistic love without syrupy sweetness but are not willing to compromise on the romance, and if you don’t mind shedding tear or two when they finally fully connect, you will like this story as much as I did.
  
  
  
  NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on
  QMO Books.
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  Mandy*reads obsessively*

  Two young cadets are now moving on into their respective branches of the military and careers and despite DADT being repealed are reluctant to acknowledge their relationship.
  Cary is far more aware of how he feels and more open to moving their friends with benefits into a real long term relationship despite the difficulties.
  Owen is a bit more reticent and it takes him a while to know how he feels, and of course I suffered with Cary while Owen was working it out for himself.
  This story was so sweet and I know I will reread it eventually just for ending!
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  Morgana

  A sweet story that put a smile on my face. I especially loved the tender moments *sigh* Just beautiful. I hope the author writes a sequel. Would love to read it!
  
  My rating: very close to 5 stars
  
  Note to self: A Ring and a Promise has also been published as part of the His Hero anthology, the copy of which I own.
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  Leaundra

  4.5 stars.. I loved them both and I totally get the whole military thing and how tough it can be to be separated from the one you love. My husband is retired army and I'm a retired army wife ;-) I know for them it's even a bigger challenge . They were hot and sweet together.
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  Sammy Goode

  A RING AND A PROMISE centers on the clandestine love life of two military men, Cary and Owen—not only are they military but in different branches—making the possibility of their being deployed or stationed together a rare and almost non-existent event!
  
  Cary is the first to come to the realization that he is in love with his best friend, with Owen coming round much more slowly. This short novella really centers on a span of years—and their brief, hot sexual encounters that occur with rare frequency. As they spend more and more time apart they realize how much they mean to each other.
  
  I really enjoyed this story—the tenderness—the growing respect and need for each other was so carefully mapped out by the author. Even though this was a short novella—it packed an incredible emotional punch—one that left me on the edge of my seat to see if these two men could make a relationship work. Distance, the military taboo against same sex relationships and their own insecurities gave an edge to the story that kept it from tipping over into just a sappy, sex-filled romp.
  
  The characters were well drawn and so very likeable. The glimpses of their families was a nice touch –it lent an air of familiarity to these men—a “realness” that really allowed them to take up a place in your heart.
  
  Devon Rhodes offers up a sweet story of love that overcomes a great deal of obstacles in order to find its way home. I highly recommend A Ring and a Promise!
  
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  Cory

  I'm on a military kick and this fit right in. I really enjoyed it and I'm immediately going to start A Ring and a Vow!
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  adrienne

  
  http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
  
  This quick read begins when Owen and Cary graduate from the Naval Academy, with Cary entering the Navy as a pilot, and Owen becoming a Marine. The young men had been roommates and friends throughout their Academy years, only becoming lovers in their last year of school. While Cary hopes to continue their relationship, Owen is more self-contained and Cary all but loses hope for their future together. A Ring and A Promise follows Cary and Owen for several years, and offers small glimpses into their lives, both together and individually. A sweet, heartfelt read that neatly avoids being overly sappy despite occasionally high emotional content.
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  Ruthie Taylor

  I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
  
  This short story is delicious. Two men who are destined to be military men, but also clearly destined to be together. Sadly, now they have been commissioned their service will keep them stationed apart. The story delves into a difficult issue for any couple, especially for a single sex couple. For all that it is short, a lot of development in the story takes place. The chemistry is clearly there, so I can't wait to see what happens next.
  
  
  
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  Candice

  Very good story with both the MCs in the military and hiding their relationship. I just wish it was longer and could have had a more in depth story about these two.
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  Jewel

  I admit to getting a bit teary when the scene the title refers to happened. *sniff*
  
  
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  ~Kristin~

  3.5 ✨Stars✨
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  Passerby

  Well well...This one was quite a short story but nothing wrong with that. What gave me some trouble, on the other hand, was the fact I couldn´t connect with the book. Guess it was caused by the fact I didn´t have enough time to get to know the guys better (such a sucker for a character growth). Or at least it seemed a little bit shallow on a "build-of-a-character" side. I mean, yea, the story has a plot and all that but the characters were kinda...flat.
  Also, as much as I liked the writing style, it wasn´t as catchy as to make me consider giving the story more stars.
  Though, all in all it was a pretty nice story. While not as strong in emotions as it could be, it still has some impact. The work of the author wasn´t meaningless. It just wasn´t enough for me. But hey again, that´s just me. :)
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  Plainbrownwrapper

  There's not really much to this -- a lotta sex with just barely enough plot to string it together -- but it's not a bad little read. Rhodes is a good enough writer that the story flows along without annoying speed bumps, and the characters are appealing enough. There's not much rounding-out of the characters, and not a heckuva lot happens between sex scenes, so don't expect too much.
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  Tanyabell

  Thanks to a review on ReviewsbyJessewave for the anthology His Hero, I bought this title and "In The Name Of The Law" as they were recommended. I enjoyed both stories tremendously and will look for both authors in future purchases.
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  Chris

  Very good short m/m romance about two guys in the military who start a friends with benefits relationship as cadets... but what will happen after they're commissioned and sent in different directions? I got a little sniffly on this one.
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  Susan65

  I really, really enjoyed this story. Short but so sweet, with just a little dash of angst. Maybe because I live in the Annapolis area and see midshipmen all the time, but this story just seemed so real and I can easily see it happening.
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  Devon Rhodes

  This is the single release of my story from the His Hero Anthology.
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  Ivka_s_knihou

  Love this story in His Hero Anthology.
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  Elizabeth H.

  Needed to be a lot longer in order to be effective, I think.
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  Gaa-chan

  Read as a part of His Hero Anthology
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  Marlobo ♥ epilogues

  Read as part of
  His Hero Anthology
  
  Between 4.5 and 5 stars
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  Adrianamae

  3.5
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  jules0623

  Beautiful. :)
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  Sue

  Loved this book...wish it was longer!
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  Sandra

  Part of
  His Hero Anthology