The Promise of Together is the third book in Jay Hogan’s Fisher & Church series, and it picks up a few weeks after the end of book two (The Question of Us), when Nick received a letter from the mother he hasn’t seen for forty-seven years. While the previous two books featured a suspense plot that unfolded on a large scale, this one focuses more on the domestic, with Nick Fisher and Madigan Church continuing to find their way forward as a couple while at the same time discovering and trying to thwart a scheme to perpetrate a despicable fraud.

Note: This is a same-couple series with an overarching plotline, so you need to read The Meaning of You and The Question of Us first. There are spoilers for those books in this review.

It’s been weeks since Nick received Chloe Fisher’s letter and he still hasn’t decided what to do about it. He has never got over his mother leaving him with his abusive father when he was just eight years old, and his fear of abandonment, the emotional walls he built for self-protection and his stubborn determination never to rely on anyone other than himself have followed him into adulthood and caused problems in his relationships over the years. Fortunately for him, his partner, Madigan Church, is a patient and understanding man, although he has his fair share of hang-ups and insecurities to deal with, too.

By the end of the previous book, Nick and Madigan have been through a lot – proving Nick’s late husband was murdered and smashing an international trafficking ring – and along the way, they’ve fallen in love and have decided they’re in it for the long haul. But they’re still figuring out their dynamic, and Nick’s tendency towards avoidance whenever he’s faced with anything conerning his past or heavy emotions is still causing some friction between them.

Madigan – Mads – knows all too well why Nick is still sitting on the letter two months later, and that his indecision is eating away at him. Mads makes it clear that he will stand by whatever Nick decides, but also that he needs to make a decision as to whether he’s going to see Chloe or not, because not doing so is clearly hurting him. A few days later, Nick tells Mads he wants to meet her and asks Mads to go with him. Even though Nick is still so very conflicted, Chloe has the answers to the myriad of questions he’s had running around in his head for years, and talking to her is the only way he’s going to get them. Mads is already planning to attend an antiquarian book fair which is being held close to where Chloe now lives – and suggests they can visit her while they’re in town.

The meeting between the estranged mother and son is… awkward, but not hostile. Nick isn’t sure what he’d expected, and is almost surprised when he realises he can see see parts of the woman he remembers in the woman in front of him now – but he’s here for answers, and doesn’t waste time in asking for them. As his mother speaks about that awful night – she’d planned to take Nick with her, but his father came home before she was able to get them both away – Nick listens and gains a better perspective on why she acted as she did. But understanding doesn’t mean he can forgive her for it, or for never getting in touch to check on him, or even send him a birthday card. But as the conversation continues, it becomes clear that Chloe doesn’t expect understanding or forgiveness; she had good reasons for staying away from Nick, but doesn’t expect anything from him after this conversation, if that’s what he wants.

It’s not a comfortable afternoon, but it is a necessary one for Nick – and he doesn’t have any idea of what he wants to happen next, whether this is a one-off meeting or if he wants to have Chloe in his life again. It’s a lot to think about, and then when, at the end of the visit, they meet his mother’s (quasi) stepson, Austin (her late partner’s son), Nick finds himself facing an even bigger dilemma. Austin is immediately confrontational and suspicious, despite Chloe’s assurance that Nick and Mads are old friends (they have decided not to tell anyone that Nick is her son yet), and although his attitude is understandable – he doesn’t know them from Adam after all – something about him is… off. He’s very disrespectful towards Chloe and doesn’t hesitate to criticise her or talk about her health issues in front of two strangers; Nick isn’t happy, but has to admit that just because the guy is an arsehole doesn’t mean he’s up to no good.

I enjoyed The Promise of Together more than the previous book in the series. The scenes between Nick and Chloe are heartbreaking and incredibly well done, the mystery element is so disturbingly plausible, and I enjoy stories featuring an ongoing relationship in which the protagonists are figuring out how to be a couple; making mistakes, fixing them and making all those adjustments that come with being together long-term. I like that Nick and Mads are mature characters with relatable flaws and idiosyncrasies who don’t play games and are learning that it’s not a weakness to ask for help or let someone shoulder part of their burden.

One of the things that has made Nick difficult to like at times has been his tendency to ignore the feelings of others as he charges into something without really thinking it through, putting himself in harm’s way as a result. His behaviour is understandable given the psychological damage he’s suffered due to his childhood, but it’s no less frustrating to watch him jumping feet first into making the same mistakes all over again. His stubborn determination not to need anyone has infuriated and saddened Mads many times; they’re committed to each other and to making a life together, but Nick is still acting first and thinking afterwards. Mads is his rock in this book, but he doesn’t hesitate to call him on his actions big time; he’s got the patience of a saint, but Nick’s recklessness pushes him past his limits, and I was really pleased when he lays it on the line and forces Nick to own his behaviour and admit that it’s time for him to learn to do better.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey I’ve taken alongside these two characters, and although I’m sad to see the Fisher & Church series come to an end, I’m pleased to be leaving these two guys in a good place and with their very hard-won HEA. Suspenseful, sexy, dramatic and charmingly tender, The Promise of Together is a gripping read and a terrific series finale.