4 Star
Successful photographer Callie Perry thinks she
has a pretty perfect life, although it may not be everyone's idea of
happiness: a great job, lots of time with her daughters, but a
workaholic husband. She couldn't be more unlike Steff, her younger
sister, who has never held down a job—or a boyfriend—for more than six
months. Walter and Honor, their divorced and perpetually feuding
parents, have almost given up hope that Steff will ever learn what it is
to be responsible … until they all receive a shocking email that
changes their lives forever, and brings them together one extraordinary
summer in Maine.
Kathryn - 4 Star
It’s not a secret that I’ve struggled a bit recently with Green’s latest novels. I was a huge fan of her older work but the last few left me feeling frustrated and bored. Promises to Keep is different from the beginning for me- I was far more intrigued by the characters and they felt less flat and empty.
I found the first few chapters a bit confusing as there were
a lot of people and places - it took me a good few chapters to sort them out and
grasp their relationships. I think there
was probably an easier way to introduce them all without it being so choppy but
once I got over this I became really wrapped up in the family’s life and struggles.
I enjoyed the whole lot of them and I laughed with them and cried my eyes out
more than once. I’ve been trying to pin down a favourite character but if it
was anyone it was probably Steffi’s friend Mason (which is a bit odd as he’s
not one of the main players) but he seemed natural and honest for me- I liked
him a lot. I also appreciated that Green
gave some depth to the children in this story- they were, after all, extremely
important to the family as a whole and a lot of focus on their care was needed
too- Green made this seem unlaboured.
After I finished reading the book I read the notes from
Green at the back and realised that Promises to Keep is written from a more personal place for her. It shows entirely in her writing and I really
hope this will re-engage the feeling in her writing for me again.
Thank you to Penguin Canada for our review copy!
Connect with Jane Green: Thank you to Penguin Canada for our review copy!
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