Taren needs a do-over. She’s decided the best way to put the high school bullies behind her is to pledge a Taylor-Swift-lip-syncing, beer-guzzling, sorority. Sisterhood helps Taren find the acceptance she’s always craved, but not the love she needs.
Alec wants freedom. To escape his father’s iron fist and unrealistic expectations, he pledges a campus acrobatics club where he finds that drugs and alcohol aren’t the only ways to get high. His addiction to danger helps him gain his independence, but it comes at a heavy price.
When the two cross paths, Alec fears his undeniable attraction to the party girl just might threaten everything he’s worked so hard to earn. Taren hasn’t forgotten that Alec humiliated her back in high school, but she also can’t deny the chemistry they share.
Alec and Taren have nothing in common, but fate is bound and determined to bring them together. They know falling in love is a risk, and yet it’s too hard to ignore. When their worlds clash and they both end up suffering, will they fight to stay together? Or are some pledges too hard to keep?
Laura’s and Christine’s Favorite Quotes from The Pledge
“Taren’s hands worshipped my body. Her lips followed the path of her fingers to brand every part she touched. The heat spreading through me was a slow burn; the kind that snuck up on you. The kind where you didn’t know you were in trouble until it was too late and you were lost in a blazing inferno.”
We love this quote because the road to Taren and Alec’s physical relationship was a long one. Once the two finally found themselves able to be together, their chemistry was hot!
“We’ve both made pledges that are important to us and the things we believe in, but this time, my pledge is for you.”
This quote is the essence of our book. Two very different characters pledge themselves to different worlds, but through growth, are able to realize their most important pledge is to one another.
“He pulled me close, and as he kissed me in the moonlight, my soul felt like it was lodged in my throat. My heart beat erratically because with every part of me, I was sure. I know it. I love him. I love Alec Hart.”
We loved this quote because early on in the book Taren insists that she hates Alec Hart because of how he humiliated her in high school. But, as we all know, there’s a thin line between love and hate. As Taren and Alec get to know and trust one another, she discovers that not only does she like Alec, she loves him with all of her heart.
“I want you to know that you will always be my yes. I promise that no matter how life might try to tear us apart, no matter how tangled things get, I will always come back to you.”
The concept of the red string of fate is one of our favorite surprises for readers of The Pledge. This quote hints to the theme that no matter how different Alec and Taren are, they’re bound by fate. When things go wrong, their connection is strong enough to withstand the problems and they come out stronger.
“Second chances don’t change the past. They just prove we can learn from our mistakes. I’m not the same guy I was in high school. I’m going to prove that to you.”
Another theme of this book is starting fresh and getting a second chance to do things right. This quote is a perfect one to highlight that theme.
“With her body pressed up against mine, we danced in the flickering light of hundreds of candles on a night of second chances.”
We like this quote because this is the perfect way for Taren and Alec to get a second chance at the night that created so much pain for both of them.
“A tear rolled down my face as emotion overwhelmed me. I wasn’t just another body. He saw me. The real me.”
Isn’t this what each of us wants more than anything else? To be seen for who we really are? Taren was bullied and ignored for most of her young life, so when she realizes Alec sees all of her, she can’t contain her emotion.
LAURA WARD is the author of New Adult novel, NOT YET, She lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. Laura married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels.
The first thing Christine does when she’s getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She’s addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeine-laden bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books.
