Promises to Keep by Nan Rossiter

Have your box of tissues nearby when you finish this touching novel of family relationships. The character development is great as we see a son deal with the alienation from his family and a woman come to grips with an event from her past. There are many lessons included in this novel about resentment and pride and forgiveness and reconciliation.

Rossiter writes novels about events in lives that culminate in a way we want life to be. Yes, there are obstacles on the journey but characters survive the better for them. Like the old novels ending where the couple rides off in the sunset to live happily ever after, you'll give a contented sigh when finishing this one.

A prominent issue in the novel is an exploration of the old school, strict rules Christianity and the newer Christianity, accepting behavior that would have been considered immoral by the old school. This is definitely a novel for the more accepting Christians as we see no qualms about an unmarried couple living together and the affirming of alternative lifestyles.

There is one aspect of the novel I did not like at all, the pretty descriptive sex scenes. They did not have an essential place in the plot and seemed totally unnecessary to me.

This is the second novel in a series. While it read pretty well on its own, do read Promises of the Heart first to get the full emotional impact of this book. You can read my review of it here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Nan Rossiter is the award-winning and bestselling author of eight novels. Her seventh novel, Summer Dance, was the 2018 winner of the Nancy Pearl Book Award. Rossiter and her husband are the parents of two adult sons. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and a black Lab. When not writing she enjoys hiking and curling up with a good book. You can find out more at www.nanrossiter.com.

HarperCollins, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)