The Promise of Amazing poses a question: What is the promise of love worth? For 16-year-old Wren Caswell, that’s not a question she’s considered much. Her last relationship ended when her boyfriend dumped her before he went to college. But then Wren meets Grayson Barrett at her parents’ medieval-themed banquet hall and saves his life.
Grayson is a notorious player whose term paper broker business got him kicked out of a prestigious private school. Wren is the quiet, good girl who feels her mediocrity is keeping her from the more exciting life she craves. Grayson and Wren are complete opposites, and yet they are drawn to each other. After nearly choking to death, Grayson feels like Wren did more than save his life. She is genuine and challenges him to be a better man. Wren feels like Grayson is the only person who truly understands her. He doesn’t see her as quiet and unassuming, and he awakens in her a sense of passion and adventure.
But as Grayson’s unscrupulous past comes to light, Wren has to reconcile how much of his misdeeds she is willing to forgive in order to be with him—especially when Grayson’s former best friend is adamant Grayson returns to his old ways.
Told in alternating voices, Robin Constantine’s debut novel is, quite simply, a love story. Grayson’s first-person narrative is singularly important; without it, readers might assume Grayson is an unredeemable player instead of a complex, sympathetic hero. Like many teenagers, Grayson has made mistakes that have endangered his future plans. If not for Wren’s love, he might’ve continued in his downward spiral.
For Grayson, true love is worth the emotional pain of living honestly. For Wren, love is worth forgiveness. Fans of Maureen Johnson and Jennifer E. Smith will devour this romantic read.
