Review: The Promise

The Promise
By Beth Wiseman
Thomas Nelson, 2014


Summary

Mallory's search for happiness leads her to a faraway place. There she finds heartache, betrayal---and danger.

Mallory Hammond is determined that no one will stand in the way of her goal---to save a life. She had that chance years ago, and she failed to take it, leaving her adrift and in search of the real meaning of her life. Finally, she meets a man online from a volatile corner of the world who offers her the chance to find that purpose. But she will have to leave everyone she loves behind in order to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for many years. He understands that Mallory will never be happy with him until her deepest heart's desire is satisfied. When Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dreams, Tate begs her not to go but tries to give her the space she needs. Mallory embarks on her dangerous journey only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray that she will make it out alive.

Inspired by actual events, The Promise is a riveting love story that asks the question: how far will we go for love?


My thoughts

The Promise by Beth Wiseman is certainly different and quite unique in comparison to other books I've read. It's a gripping read, one that can't help but make you think. It's obvious that the fictional telling of this real-life event has been on Beth's heart for some time, based on her personal experience and the story's relevancy for us today. The Promise is well written, suspenseful, and very real - and it's absolutely chilling to think that this story actually happened.  A Middle Eastern setting, appealing secondary characters, emotionally-charged scenes, and riveting suspense all combine to make a hard-to-put-down read.

Mallory is one of those characters that you just want to shake some sense into! Denied the opportunity to give a kidney to her cousin when she was 17, Mallory's desire to save someone affected her life and relationships. While it was hard for me to relate to Mallory's actions, I could understand her desire to give sacrificially and discover where her own faith lay. I was drawn to Tate, a piano instructor - and the storyline involving Tate and ten-year-old Verdell, a child prodigy, was one of my favorite parts.

I liked that there were no "perfect" characters, and that faith struggles play a big part. Mallory's faith was initially weak, as a result of being raised in a nominally Christian home, in contrast to Tate's stronger faith. Through the characters, we are given a glimpse into the Muslim faith and lifestyle, and the fact that there are good and bad people in both is brought out.

I enjoyed The Promise so much that I wish the story could have been a little longer, with more depth for the characters of Tate and Mallory, as well as an ending that stretched out a little more. But The Promise is an extremely moving and relevant read overall, and I'm glad Beth was motivated to write this story. Recommended, 5 stars.

Beth Wiseman

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple Bestseller lists. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series--Seek Me With All Your Heart--was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth lives in Texas with her family.

Meet Beth online at bethwiseman.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Promise can be purchased online at CBD, DeeperShopping, B&N, and Amazon.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.