Avenging Angels: A Lick and a Promise by Kristen Ashley
Book 5 in the Avenging Angels Series, a campy romantic suspense spin-off. I recommend reading this series in order.
Avenging Angels: A Lick and a Promise is the fifth installment in the Avenging Angels Series, a spin-off of the Rock Chick Series by Kristen Ashley, and I think it may be my favorite of the bunch. While the romance technically stands alone, I don’t recommend reading it that way. Start at the beginning of this series, or even better, go read the original Rock Chick books first.
I couldn’t wait for Luna’s story from the very beginning. She and Knox had a secret relationship that burned hot and fast until he gave her an ultimatum. I loved that Luna recognized she shouldn’t have to give up something important to herself for a man, even one she loved.
“…you gave me an impossible choice, proving you weren’t into it with me, but into it with the woman you wanted to force me to be, and you gave me about five minutes to decide, even if there was only one choice I could make. That choice was continue, as ever, to be me.”
Because Knox is part of the Hottie Squad at Nightingale Investigations and Luna is one of the Angels, they kept their failed relationship quiet for the sake of the friend group. Knox moved on and dated someone else, but she wasn’t Luna, so eventually he ended it.
Knox comes from an awful family involved in drug running, and he keeps as much distance from them as possible. Unfortunately, they aren’t willing to let him go so easily. When an attempt to pull him back into the fold leaves him with a gunshot wound to the shoulder, Luna steps in to take care of him during his recovery. Strictly as a friend, of course. (Suuuuure.)
“It’ll only take half an hour. Can you wait half an hour?” he asked.
I could wait eternity for him, which was the problem.
I really liked that this book focused more on the relationship and character development than on the campy Charlie’s Angels-style action. It wasn’t quite as tied to the original Rock Chick books as some of the earlier installments, and that allowed the Avenging Angels series to come into its own here. At the same time, it was still classic Kristen Ashley: fun, sexy, emotional, and packed with characters you can’t help but love.
“Can your stitches hack it if I play cowgirl?” I asked.
“I don’t give a shit if they can’t.”
In addition to getting more depth from Luna and Knox’s second-chance romance, we also spent plenty of time with the previous couples. More importantly, though, we got a glimpse of several future pairings, and I’m ridiculously excited that it looks like there are at least three or four more books coming in this series.
Likes:
- Classic Kristen Ashley with a more modern vibe.
- Still retains some of the campy fun, but it’s much less in-your-face.
- So many cameos from the original Rock Chick series.
- More emotional depth and relationship building than previous books, with a little less action.
- Dream getting redeemed. I loved her story.
- Seeing all the previous couples again.
- The setup for three or four future couples.
- The character list in the back. Though I’d love it even more if it included who everyone is paired with.
Dislikes:
- Real people in their twenties and thirties probably don’t talk the way these women do (“That’s rad!”), but that’s also a signature Kristen Ashley thing at this point.
The Down & Dirty:
I love the Avenging Angels series. It’s the perfect blend of classic Kristen Ashley and modern romance, especially when it comes to consent and relationship dynamics. The entire series has a fun, nostalgic feel, but A Lick and a Promise stands out because it’s the most emotional and relationship-driven book so far. If you’re looking for a second-chance romance wrapped in campy romantic suspense with a lovable found family cast, this one delivers. The Avenging Angels series is my favorite Kristen Ashley series of the decade, and I’m thrilled there are more books on the way.
Rating: 4.75 Stars, 2.5 Heat
Purchase Avenging Angels: A Lick and a Promise by Kristen Ashley
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See my review for Avenging Angel
See my review for Avenging Angels: Back in the Saddle
See my review for Avenging Angels: Tenderfoot
See my review for Avenging Angels: Bad Medicine
SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE TO KRISTEN ASHLEY
Elizabeth Greever says
I adore KA books so much! They make me feel warm and cozy and they’re always so beautiful. I’ve enjoyed the AA series, and with Mace as my fave from Rock Chick, I love to see him and Stella in these books. I do feel like these books are missing some of the KA magic. Here long scenes of the couple doing something simple (cooking, getting coffee, etc) where nothing happens but everything happens! I feel like all the scenes with the couples are rushed, especially in boom 5. I miss the depth of the simple scenes. I don’t like it when books just tell me xyz happened. I love being immersed in that simple moment. This series, and book 5 in particular, felt like it was missing those magical elements. I still like the book and KA has my heart forever, I just don’t feel as satisfied as usual. Thoughts on this?
Ana's Attic says
Interesting! I feel like these retain the most KA feel of her recent series, but now that you mention it, I think I can see what you mean. I am currently listening to Night’s Fall (I read it the first time) and I must say, those moments where they are just laying in bed and being a couple with the cats are my favorite.
I’m going to look out for what you mean more in future books. Thanks so much for commenting!