1,000 STAR REVIEW!!! EPIC LOVE STORY!!!!

Oh my! What a ride this story was! I just have to start by saying this is my favorite story of all time! It has definitely made it to the top of the "Read Again" list and I just can't wait to do it again.
I am crying as I write this review, so let's get to it!
**SPOILER ALERT**
The story begins following five teens who have been lifelong friends and are enjoying the summer between the end of senior year and the beginning of college. We are introduced to one of our main characters and learn that she has loved one of her twin's best friends since they were children (12). Her name is Arianna and her childhood love is Chase; her twin is Mason, her best friend is Camryn, and her brother's other bestie is Brady. The five of them were given a beach home along the California coastline and this is where they are vacationing together before starting their freshmen year.
Arianna and Cam are vivacious, flirtatious, and love life. The boys are very protective of them and have been forever. Although Arianna "loves" Chase, Mason has insisted that his best friends are to have NOTHING to do with his "baby sister". One night Arianna crosses a line with Chase (she kissed him) to test the attraction and she became hard for him to ignore. He tried.
So, while Chase is trying to ignore Arianna they are all continuing to go on group outings. One day they all go to the beach and low and behold, while Chase is refusing to acknowledge Arianna, a VERY HOT young man is playing beach football when he misses a pass that goes awry and hits Arianna in the head. When she looks up she is unable to speak because all she sees is a good-looking man who she does not even realize, is checking to see if she is okay. Chase steps up behind her and begins acting possessive. Mason, Cam, and Brady make their way over to find out what has happened and Mason immediately recognizes the man -- It is Noah Riley, their football captain at Avix University where the three boys have all made the football team and will be playing in the new season. Mason likes him and jogs their (Brady and Chase) memories. Mason and Brady invite Noah to come back to their home later that evening for a small "get together". Noah said he would have to bring four of the other players who he was with, but he wasn't sure because he had to leave at 6:00 am the next day.
Evening comes, and eventually, Noah shows up with his other teammates. Arianna, finds herself setting alone at the party pining for Chase who is visiting with everyone else. He pays her absolutely no attention until Noah shows up and immediately gravitates to Arianna on the patio. Of course, Chase notices this. It is obvious that Noah realized from the second he laid eyes on Arianna that she was what he wanted and he knew that he needed to be near her. Their banter was witty and intelligent. During their short conversation, their attraction became even more apparent, but Noah also recognized that Arianna had feelings for Chase who was exhibiting jealousy. She commented that Chase wasn't really interested, but Noah explained that some men realize who they want when other men begin paying attention to them. He showed Arianna that Chase could not take his eyes off of them while they sat there together. At some point, she called Noah Romeo in jest and he referred to her as Juliet. He left after a short period because he was respecting her feelings for Chase, but as he left he called her Juliet again. Arianna pointed out that story was a tragedy but Noah made it known that from his perspective it was an "epic" love story.
The time left in the beach house with the five friends was fraught with sexual tension between Arianna and Chase, and with Mason cock-blocking the two. Arianna kept throwing herself at Chase, who continued pushing her away until the group had to help a friend of the family deal with a loss. They all felt grief for what had happened. During a moment of raw emotion, Chase gave in and Arianna gave her virginity to him. Chase would not claim her as his to his friends (Mason, Brady, and Cam) and went as far as to tell Arianna, "it was a mistake."
Those four words broke her and she ran. She left the next day cutting her vacation short. She began her freshman year as a recluse and did not go to parties or dinners with her friends or brother. If she would have, Arianna would have had to have been with the group which would have included Chase. She almost did not go to their first football game, but eventually gave in to Cam while still refusing to go to the parties at the football house because she would not be able to face Chase. Arianna just quit living while the other four continued moving on with their lives. Chase did not seek Arianna out to try and talk or make things better between them and Arianna tried to take it upon herself to keep the knowledge of what had happened between them away from the boys so the group friendship could be maintained. It almost ruined her--it did until...
One night Cam finally talked Arianna into going out with her because they would be on their own without the boys. During this outing, Arianna ran into Noah who, although enamored, recognized the hurt and brokenness that embodied her. Noah listened and acted like a real gentleman. They hit it off and began a wonderful friendship because he knew that is all she was ready for at that point.
As time went on, Noah realized that she was truly THE ONE, but he held back. He did not want to make any moves until she recognized her attraction to him. When she started flirting with him during their weekly cooking lessons he warned her that he would give her anything she asked of him, but she needed to be sure of it before she asked because he would not deny her. Noah was always trying to do the right thing. (It was apparent from all of his actions that he was raised by a good woman and that he was much more mature than the other characters because he lacked much of their impulsivity.)
Eventually, it was obviously apparent to everyone that they were IN LOVE, the really-deeply-truly-soul searching kind of love, and Noah has no problem claiming Arianna proudly to everyone--including her brother. Enter Chase again... Now that Noah has her, Chase sees and wants her. He is green with envy and tries to interfere whenever he can.
Noah is kind and continues to hold back allowing Arianna to choose what is right for her every step of the way. He steps back and lets her make choices that are best for her, while Chase keeps trying to insert himself and "convince" her to change her mind. These actions show how truly selfless Noah's actions are, and contrast those with the selfish actions of
Chase. Noah is acting in the best interest of Arianna every step of the way while Chase is only acting in his own best interest.
Arianna and Noah finally give in to their attraction and begin living life on campus as a couple. She meets his mother, his ONLY relative! He goes away with her (and all of her friends) to the beach house. Noah shows respect to her and her family and he shows his love for her by cooking Thanksgiving dinner for all of them (This dinner was supposed to be cooked by all of them in shared duties, but Peyton, the family friend, went into labor and everyone took her to the hospital because her baby daddy died early in the pregnancy. After many hours, Arianna sent Noah home, and what better way to show his love for her than to take care of her by cooking.)
During this trip, Noah was allowed to see the inner workings of the group dynamics and he was able to see just how intricately woven the fibers of their friendships were. He gave Arianna trust and allowed her to go to Chase and try to talk to him because he knew she cared about him as a friend, but this hurt Noah because he really wanted her to choose him. Chase put the moves on her and Noah almost left because he thought she had chosen Chase over him, but Arianna apologized and it seemed all was well.
Upon arriving back at campus, Noah and Arianna shared a sexual experience that was all theirs and a first for her. They were in a public place and Chase walked in on them. Noah shielded her and tried to prevent her from being exposed to Chase, and he tried to exit with some dignity. Arianna, unfortunately, took this opportunity to use their encounter as a means to hurt Chase because of the grief he caused at the beach house. This hurt Noah and cheapened the experience for him and he realized, even though she did not see it, that Arianna would not have tried to hurt Chase had she not had some feelings for him. He asked her to take time to really think about Chase and if she had any romantic feelings for Chase, to please let him (Noah) go.
This separation was heart-rendering for both of them. They were both spiraling. Finally, she made her decision and wanted Noah. She texted him and asked him to meet her after the game. He was not at the meeting place because he got the text late and ended up having to run to her because he had been drinking. He knew she had chosen him. He got to the football house in time to see the fallout of her drunken confession to all of her friends (her family) in front of the entire football house and party-goers. She was drunk and sleep-deprived. She was yelling and being chased. Noah saw this and called out to his Juliet to see if she would come to him.
As they moved toward each other, tragedy struck! She was hit by a car and this is where Noah is shown to be a man worthy of the love of a wonderful woman!!! At this point in the book, there are more than four hours left in the story. Noah lived and loved what seemed like twenty years in this part of the book. His true selflessness is evident here and a distinct dichotomy is drawn between his character and that of Chase.
The experiences of the characters in this last part of the book take the reader on an extended emotional experience. Every emotion is fully experienced because of the immersive properties of Meagan Brandy's written work! THIS IS, HANDS-DOWN MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME!!! Noah is a character that is truly swoon-worthy and the epitome of what everyone would hope that their son would grow up to be and what their daughter would find for a mate. I would love to see this particular story continue into adulthood. I would like to know what career Noah chose...did he participate in the draft or get picked up anyway by a pro team? How did the relationship between her family and him develop because now all he has is Arianna and whatever family (and friends) choose to stick with him from her inner circle and college? This particular question is a big one because he did not have a friend circle that stayed with him as she did. Her friends became her family and are now permanently linked by the ownership of the beach home. Noah's mom referenced that he had friends on the teams he participated in each year but he did not hang out with them and so they cycled in and out of his life. He valued his home life. Arianna had a small group of friends that became family and they followed each other to college. I would like to see Noah become accepted into this family and how his place in it developed. There are many possibilities of where this story could go and how it could continue ... and I wish it would because I just can't give these characters up yet -- it feels as if their EPIC LOVE STORY is just beginning!! I would love to see this and more in a movie and read about the other four of this fab five falling in love! (But not until I get the rest of this story!) I want more!
In ending this review, I would like to state that this book is worthy of more than 5 stars...I would give it 1,000 stars if I could. Please give it a chance. You will feel everything, but in the end you will feel inspired and be in love! I think Meagan Brandy has become my new favorite author and I do not say that lightly. I know that NOAH has become my FAVORITE CHARACTER of all time!
I listened to it on audible and it was well worth the purchase! The narrators were excellent--Sarah McEwan and Lee Samuels(--good job!). I will listen to them again and look for their names in more stories.

6 people found this helpful

I couldn't finish

I'm 31 this is a teen book. it had an okay story it but took forever to get to some points. I couldn't finish it

3 people found this helpful

It was just ok

Unpopular opinion but this book was just ok. i
I had high hopes because I heard such great things on book tok but it reminded me of the notebook with amnesia and a HEA even down to the character name of Noah.

2 people found this helpful

Beautiful and heartfelt romance with excellent narration

Dirty Curve was my first Meagan Brandy book and I loved it! When I saw the blurb for Say You Swear I knew I would have to check it out.

Sarah McEwan, who portrays Arianna, is new to me, and all I can say is, “Wow!” Her character has such an emotional journey and she does a wonderful job conveying it all. And boy, does Ms. Brandy give her some challenging material.

I confess part of my draw to this title was seeing Lee Samuels was on board. He does not disappoint! He is the perfect Noah. Noah goes through so much and you feel it all: sweetness, lust, devotion, sorrow, determination, and of course most important, love.

Although this is a very long audiobook, I didn’t feel like it dragged on at all. The pacing was excellent. Early on, I thought it was going in one direction and then it took a turn I wasn’t expecting. I like how there was plenty of time given to really explore the depth of the feelings of all the characters. I also appreciated the concept of friends that grew to be family.

Arianna grew up in a loving home with an equally supportive network of friends. This is in stark contrast with Noah’s experiences. I loved how detailed the family interactions were. As a listener, I was completely invested in the outcome of the story.

I would highly recommend this story and think the excellent narration definitely adds to the experience.

1 person found this helpful

Good but….

I wish the guy had talked more. The story needed more spice and dirty talk! Just my opinion but I do love the story.

1 person found this helpful

great book.

I enjoyed everything about this book. Meagan Brandy did not disappoint as always. very well written.

1 person found this helpful

Loved this book!

I read this when it first came out but of course I had to get the audible version when it was on sale. This is a book I will probably listen to over and over again! Their story is heartfelt, and I fell in love with the characters from the beginning. The narration was good. I listen to a lot of audible books and a narrator can make or break a book for me and these two were great!

The guy we all wish for. LONG

This is the ultimate romantic story. Noah is every girl's dream and has the patience of a saint. Adrianna loves Chase, Chase loves her but is too chicken to admit it because of her brother, which at a certain point feels completely ridiculous but, plot points, anyway Adrianna meets Noah and cue the push, pull, indecision of teenage love. just when you think it's over, plot twist, tragedy strikes and they have to fall in love all over again. Overall I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite from Meagan Brandy and I thought some parts were dragged out, but you can't help but fall in love with Noah and Arianna. I even felt bad for Chase!

A must read

Such a great standalone. I will go through every emotion possible and the twists will throw you for a few loops.

So good!!

This book was so beautifully written and narrated. It showed how live is filled with beauty and pain and all that really matters are the people you love. I could not recommend this more!!