Reviewed by C.J. Anaya for Readers' Favorite

Pianos and Promises by Jennifer Peel is a collection of three romance novellas that simply took my breath away. I really want to touch on each one individually because each story deserves that kind of recognition.

Jaime and Christopher's love story has a unique beginning when you consider that the author tackled it after two decades of friendship and then skipped to the possibility of its demise. I really thought the transitions from past to present were seamless. The snippets of their developing friendship, rocky marriage, and present circumstances were truly ingenious. It made me feel as if I'd experienced their saga in the same way I would if I had spent weeks watching some episodic drama. To be that connected with the story and the characters in such a short amount of time is a testament to how well written the story is. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and even though I wanted to smack Christopher a time or two, I couldn't help but root for him because the author tempered his flaws with wonderful heroic moments that brought to light Christopher's kind and giving nature. Jamie is a wonderfully brave woman who is no push-over. She loves big, trusts big, and gives all of herself to those she cares for, but she also stands up for herself when she must. I absolutely loved their story.

I was anxious to read Call and Beck's story since Beck made an appearance in the first novella and I adored the man...even more than Christopher if I'm being honest. Edith Call, Call to her friends, has given up a professional singing career to take care of her brother when their mother passes away. If that selfless act doesn't make you love her, then her sass and spunk absolutely will. And even though I love Beck and his British accent - seriously, a handsome man with an accent is so yummy - it is awesome to have him taken down a peg or two when he interviews her to be his housekeeper and dog sitter. Call had some of the snappiest one-liners of the story. I would have liked to have seen more of them actually together. A lot of the development of their relationship happened over the phone when he was visiting family overseas, and while their texts and phone conversations were too cute for words, it's hard to drive that development much further when they aren't even in the same country. Having said that, their romance was scrumptious, and I enjoyed seeing a little more development in the next book.

Jillian and Cole were by far my favorites. This may have something to do with the fact that Cole is one hundred percent my husband in every way imaginable, so I could more than relate to the way Jillian felt when Cole pursued her with dogged determination even though she was more than unwilling at first. After coming out of a bad divorce with one famous musician, she isn't interested in jumping back into a relationship with another one, especially since Cole dealt with the same addictions as her ex. The dialogue and tension between these two characters were woven together so splendidly. It felt very natural and organic. Cole's persistence in breaking down Jillian's defenses is swoon-worthy without being overbearing or domineering in any way.

What I loved most about these love stories was the intense passion between the love interests without graphic sexual details. The book is squeaky clean, yet there were moments when I was fanning myself due to the chemistry between the characters. The dialogue and characterization pull you right in, allowing you to experience these heightened and turbulent emotions along with them. Fans of sweet love stories will get their fill of romance in these amazing novellas. I highly recommend them. Jennifer Peel is now a new favorite of mine. I can't wait to read more from her.