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Promises to Keep by Nan Rossiter
Genre: Women’s Fiction | My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
320 Pages | Published: April 27, 2021 by Harper Paperbacks
Book Jacket Synopsis
In this heartwarming sequel to Promises of the Heart in the Savannah Skies series, USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter returns to Tybee Island off the Georgia coast to focus on beloved characters Maeve and Gage as their relationship is tested by secrets they are keeping from each other.
Thirty-four-year-old Maeve Lindstrom loves her job at Willow Pond Senior Care. Her older sister Macey thinks Maeve is the only human being on earth who can make working in a nursing home sound like fun. Maeve enjoys being around the sundowners, as she calls them, helping them navigate their senior years—brightening a time that can be, all too often, a lonely, sad stage of life.
Thirty-three-year-old Gage Tennyson—who brings his mischievous yellow Lab, Gus, to whatever restoration job he is working on with Macey’s husband, Ben—loves Maeve with all his heart. He’s a handsome country boy and a true southern gentleman. But as he and Maeve grow closer, they both sense that they haven’t been completely forthcoming about their pasts.
When Maeve realizes Gage might be planning to propose, she knows she must finally be honest with everyone she holds dear. She can no longer live with the secret she’s been dragging around like an anchor, and she knows the only way she will be free to build a lifetime relationship with Gage is to risk everything—including his (and her family’s) love and respect. Before she finds the courage, however, her past comes careening into her life in a shocking and unexpected way.
Book Links: Amazon
Favorite Quotes
- It’s amazing what a little positive energy and positive thinking will do.
Review & Thoughts
Themes, Elements & Review Notes:
Promises to Keep had a bit of a ‘Love Actually’ vibe for me in regards to all of the connecting stories throughout and certainly in a good way! It was interesting to see where the stories intersected through common links through the people and connections in their lives. Beautiful stories of life and loss. Celebration and honoring of life rather than wallowing in sadness and grief. Promises made and promises kept.
Wonderfully written, heartfelt and heartwarming. I don’t usually enjoy religious aspects written into a story but it really lent itself nicely to the overall story and perspective on life and change. I absolutely loved this book. It made me cry and interesting connections and twists in the story. Overall, I really enjoyed it. My only regret is not having read the first one in the series before picking up this one, though it can be read as a standalone. This one was so good that you definitely should start at the begging if you can.
Two aspects of the story I loved: One: Mason’s graduation speech was profound and beautiful (and yes, it made me cry!). Two: I loved Maeve and Harper’s weekly tradition!
In a Nutshell: Wonderfully written story about life and loss. I recommend reading the first one in series because this second one is so good you’ll want to start from the beginning!
Book Format & Source: Paperback Advanced Review Copy gifted from Harper Perrenial. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Any ARC editing errors noticed are assumed corrected prior to the final published copy release.
About Nan Rossiter
From the author’s Goodreads profile:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter loves to weave together stories about the complicated relationships to which all readers can relate — motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, marriage and romance. She draws from her own life experiences to create authentic situations that mirror the trials and triumphs we all face. Compassionate, real, and funny, her books take readers on emotional journeys that often include heartbreak and joy, but also include threads of faith, a furry friend or two, and uplifting endings. Nan’s books have been highly acclaimed by reviewers from Publisher’s Weekly to Booklist. Her novel, SUMMER DANCE, was the 2018 winner of the Nancy Pearl Award.
Nan is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and began her writing career in the world of children’s books. Along with her many contemporary fiction novels, Nan is also the author/illustrator of several books for children, including RUGBY & ROSIE, winner of Nebraska’s Golden Sower Award, and THE FO’C’SLE: Henry Beston’s Outermost House.
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