Promise Me
By Richard Paul Evans
Reviewed by: Julia Dixon
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Dates: October 2010
Beth Cardall is your average “woman next door.” She works for a local drycleaner alongside her best friend Roxanne. Beth has a 6 year old daughter named Charlotte and while her husband Marc is away on business more often than not, they manage to maintain a warm and loving home. Marc and Beth are “that couple” that everyone admires. They don’t have everything but you sure wouldn’t know it by looking at them. Charlotte adores her father and their family time is sprinkled with lots of love and laughter.
1989 was the year that came in like a Lamb and went out like a Lion for Beth. In the blink of an eye, Beth’s world is turned upside down. Her marriage spontaneously combusts right before her eyes, her daughter is struck by an unidentifiable illness that has everyone who knows Charlotte worried about her health. To top that off, Beth is managing to hold on to her meager job barely by a thread.
A seemingly typical turn of events places Beth in the path of a stunning yet mysterious man who ultimately changes the course of her life entirely. Beth begins to heal and manages to climb gracefully out of her pit of despair thanks to what started as a chance meeting at the 7-11. Only after falling deeply in love does Beth become privy to this handsome strangers incredible secret. Her life is literally altered forever.
I cannot say enough about this book. I was literally on the edge of my seat for the majority of my time within its pages. I love an author who can keep me on my toes and insure that I’m not guessing what is next with any accuracy whatsoever! The journey that Beth embarks on in this book will pull you into to her world. You will find yourself holding your breath with each chapters ending. Don’t even get me started on the ending of this one! I was up until 3am reading Promise Me only to sit it down right before the end because I did not want the story to be over. I didn’t know what was next and I tucked it away to savor the next day. Richard Evans manages to illustrate these characters with such intensity that you will find yourself on the verge of tears before the last page – GUARANTEED!
Rated PG for mature themes
Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster
