Yay! My first book review on my blog! I'm an avid reader and am so grateful that I have a job that allows me to read as much as I want. With that being said be prepared for many more book reviews to come! I have tons in the house to read yet. I went on a big shopping spree to multiple Borders during their final days and really stocked up. A deal I made with myself was to not purchase any more books or an e-reader till I've read everything I own. I've got a long way to go and this is the first book I've actually finished since I've began blogging. Reason being is I have a problem with starting books and not finishing them unless I'm totally engrossed. I have like six books going at a time. ADHD!!
Promises to Keep is the fifth novel I've read by Jane Green. I stumbled upon her thru Tumblr when I came across a quote of hers from her book, Mr. Maybe, that I totally related to. I was intrigued and looked up more quotes and completely fell in love with pretty much everything I found. So I went out and bought Mr. Maybe and Jemima J which was my first dive into chick-lit. While reading one on the plane, the flight attendant noticed the author and said she read her as well and had a couple of books. Well, to my surprise, she actually left this book, Second Chances and Babyville in my box at work! SCORE!! To say the least I was thrilled!
Promises to Keep is Green's twelfth novel of thirteen. Here's the insert:
Callie Perry has a pretty perfect life. It may not be everyone’s idea of happiness – her husband spends more time travelling for his job as a commercials director than he does at home – but it works for her. It gives her time to work – she is a successful family photographer – and be around for her two kids, and her friends. She lives in Bedford, New York, is beloved by all who know her, and wakes up every morning grateful for how happy she is.
Her younger sister, Steffi, the baby of the family, has never grown up. In her early thirties and the epitome of a free spirit, she’s never held down a job, or a boyfriend, for longer than six months. Her latest incarnation is as a vegan chef. She’s living with the latest unsuitable man, in a sixth floor walk up in Soho, and her parents have almost given up hope that she’ll ever learn what it is to be responsible.
Lila Grossman is Callie’s best friend. Single, she’s finally met the man of her dreams. Ed has a son she adores, a crazy ex-wife she doesn’t, and she finally feels ready to settle down. If, that is, their goals are the same.
And then there are Callie and Steff’s parents. Walter and Honor . Divorced for almost thirty years, they haven’t spoken for most of that time. They may share two grown-up daughters, but it is agreed by all who knew them, they share little else.
Until they all receive a shocking phone call that changes their lives forever, and brings them all together one short, snowy winter.
Promises to Keep is about the hard choices we sometimes have to make; about having to be a child, long after you’ve grown up, and mostly, about the enduring nature of love.
Well, this wasn't one of my favorites of Green's. Her writing style has changed much since, Jemima J and Mr. Maybe, her second and third novels. She was all about single, carefree, independent women in those books. This book was filled with lots of sap! The one thing I loved about the book is there is recipe after each chapter and I just love trying new recipes! The book reads in first person of eight different characters in the book. I think she did well in making the transitions flow. My favorite character was Steffi as I could somewhat relate to her carefreeness. She never came across as the thirty-three year old she was. My favorite relationship was between Callie and her childhood best friend, Lila. They share a bond that reminded me of some of my friendships. Their moments together in the book were the ones that brought tears to my eyes. This was a bit of slow read for me and I struggled to finish it. The book seemed to be filled with a lot of filler. Lots of background stories/ flashbacks and simple everyday routine things. I did enjoy some of them, however, Green introduced an illness in the family in the beginning of the book and we don't even find out what it is till the last hundred pages which is when all the "promises to keep" become apparent then the book just seems to end. Overall, I did enjoy it and it made me think of my relationships with certain people and who would be there when I needed someone the most. Not quite sure I would recommend the book tho. This also prepared me for more of the "mature" Jane Green novels A.K.A the ones about family life, marriage and etc.
This excerpt from the book sparked my interest: "It is almost amusing, he thinks, how some stewardess will respond delightedly to a man traveling alone, their hopeful looks swiftly disappearing, replaced with a bored look of resignation as they offer the same drinks to the woman behind." I gave this the ULTIMATE side eye! SMH
