Review: Promises for Life!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 19, 2013
I always love making it to the third book in a series.  I know going in that I am going to get the closure I need, and hopefully, the happy ending I wanted since the beginning of book one.  When I heard the title for the third book in the Riverside Trilogy, Kitchen Promises, I took Brooke Cumberland's title at its word and began Drake and Molly's happily ever after as soon as I started reading page one. And, true to that book title promise, Drake and Molly found closure after so much chaos threatened to not only end their relationship but perhaps even their lives.  Not that this book didn't have its own drama to deal with, which, once again, dealt with lives in peril; this time from the whack job Denny.Book three begins soon after book two's conclusion.  The aftermath of Travis' attack and subsequent death is still at the forefront of Molly's mind, and Drake is right there to help her through the nightmares  and make sure she knows that she is safe and loved. Readers definitely see a softer side of Drake in this installment.  Jealousy is no longer an issue; past relationships are no longer a concern.  Molly is Drake's heart, and he does his best day in and day out to make sure Molly knows that.Life is much calmer than it has been in quite some time for Molly, Drake, and the gang; Molly and Drake are finally engaged...Drake has a great relationship with his son, Liam...Stella is the light of Molly's eyes...Molly and Drake are building their little family with twins, and Michael is still there to lighten the load with his assistance and banter. But like any good story, a complication or two arise; the first being Molly's forced bed rest because her pregnancy becomes high risk. Molly is not happy to say the least, and as the days turn in to weeks, life becomes a bit strained for the happy family, but through it all, Drake just goes with the flow, taking Molly's mood swings in stride and doing his best to keep Molly's inner hussy at bay because it is unsafe to have intercourse. But even through all the turmoil with Molly's pregnancy, Drake and Molly remain a team, working together to make a happy home for their family.  All is good until complication two surfaces - a ghost from the past that doesn't seem to want to stay in the shadows - Denny.  You'll have to read Kitchen Promises to find out how that problem is handled:)The chalkboard vows that Drake and Molly exchange is one of the MOST romantic scenes I have ever read:"'I promise you. I promise you everything - I promise to be true, always faithful, I promise to stand by your side, to love you unconditionally 'til death parts us... I promise to make you breakfast in bed every Saturday....I promise to massage you in the tub as often as you want...'"Not even a princess wedding would top that for me!Another aspect of Kitchen Promises that stands out for me is the banter between Drake and Michael.  They have always been cordial to each other and work together to do what is best for Molly and Stella, but in book three, readers witness a new dynamic to their relationship. These men are the two most important people in Molly's life and to see them form their own connection without Molly's meddling is refreshing.The prologue is phenomenal as well. I'm usually jonesing  for a prologue that is 5 years in the future and tells readers where/how the couple is.  Getting it from Michael's perspective, seeing the crazy, happy moments from his eyes was just wanted I needed to bring this series to a close.All three books are great reads...they are jam packed with steamy scenes, angst ridden moments, and even high suspense at times.  Definitely pick this whole series up!  I dare you not to read it from start to finish once you start book 1;)Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.4 poison apples! (Fairest of All Book Reviews)