This book switched between three times: 1942, 1955, and 2022. I enjoyed the stories from 1942 and 2022 more than the middle one, and didn’t understand until the end of the story why it was needed!

This was very well-written and kept me engaged and not wanting to put it down. I’m sure there were many Jewish women who were expecting babies in the harsh conditions of the camps, and this book dealt with one woman with the Red Cross who aided in the escape of women and children to a nearby maternity hospital/orphanage. True to life and great story!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Four and a half stars!

This story is deeply touching. It is told in three timelines. 1942, Vichy, France; Noemie Treves and her husband, Levi, are taken from their home by the Nazi occupiers and forced to go to Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp. Eventually Noemie is secretly taken to a nearby maternity home where many Jewish women and children are being cared for. 1955; the character who 'tells' the story portion is unknown to the reader as she visits the abandoned maternity home/hospital after 10 years away. 2022; Caitlyn Laurent, a missionary nursing student travels to Spain from the U.S. for her studies. She is determined to travel to France to learn about the maternity home where her great-grandfather tells her he was born.
The three stories are interwoven, and each stay recognizable throughout the book. I received an advanced reader's copy of this book by Liz Tolsma from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. This is my unsolicited opinion about it. There is a lot of sadness here and questions of abandonment by God. This book is so well written, I can imagine the surroundings, feel the anxiety or grief, that the characters were experiencing. The writing is detailed with compassion and an intensity in various situations.
This is an excellent story. If you are interested in the time period, how generations may have been affected by the Holocaust, or the beauty of sacrifice this book could be for you. There is even a love story.

“What is right is not always easy.”
Promises made-Promises kept. It is always hard to keep promises when things are not under your control. And we must consider what God desires.
In the present, Caitlyn learns a hard lesson when she tries to fulfill promises made to her friend before a fatal accident. She promised to become a missionary nurse. On a side trip from missionary school in Spain to Southern France, she discovers holes in her family history. She is searching for the birth records of her grandfather who has dementia.
In 1942, under occupation in France, Helene/Noemie, goes through heartache when she becomes separated from her husband and is uncertain of her future and that of her unborn child. “Life will never be what it once was. We will never be who we once were. All the things happening to us will transform our lives in some way or another. For good or for evil. Will we hate or will we forgive.”
Another heartfelt story about tragedy during WWII and the brave souls who did their best under hopeless circumstances. This was a faith filled story recounting another aspect of occupation during the 1940s and how it affected people for generations afterward. The author did a great job of getting us to see this through the eyes of the characters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour on behalf of the author and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

Normally I love anything that this author writes but for some reason not this time.
I think it's because of the three different time lines. I'm not used to reading a book like this. And at first, it was confusing.
I think my favorite was the 1942 timeline. Historical has always been my favorite. The way she describes the events and places well I felt like I was there. The pain, grief, loss, and hope I felt it all.
My heart went out to this strong woman that went through so much. I can't imagine being in her position. This part of the story was awesome.
I didn't much care for the 2022 timeline. I'm sorry but I really tried liking Caitlyn. Something about her just didn't sit right.
Not much about what went on in 1955. So please forgive me I really didn't see the nessissity in adding it.
Overall, a very nice story just didn't care much for the 3 different timelines made things a little harder for me.
I will still recommend this book to others who may enjoy it more.
I'm giving this read 4 out of 5 stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and Barbour for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"What I Promise You" by Liz Tolsma is set in 3 different time periods from different points of view. The first timeline is set in 1942 Vichy France, in a real life prison camp and a fictional maternity hospital. The second is set in 1955 France by an unknown female narrator for most of the story. The third is a young woman, the granddaughter of a man born in the maternity ward who now has Alzheimers, set in 2022 Spain, France and USA.

The story is woven together beautifully and the imagery in this novel is fantastic. There were times I could picture what the places mentioned in the story looked like it was so descriptive. This was a book that I had a hard time putting down in my busy mom life and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.

One of my favorite lines in this book is early on and it says, "But the years have this way of running away from us, and we chase after them with open arms in a desperate attempt to hold onto them. They always manage to elude us."

This book brings faith and trust in God to the forefront of your mind while reading it. It's another 5 star read for me in my favorite genre, historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Goodreads for the ARC for this novel. The receipt of the ARC does not impact my review and the opinions are expressed are my own.

Journey back and forth in time between World War 2 era France and present day. See the travesty and horrors faced by Jews in 1942 through the eyes of Noemie Treves, who is young, pregnant, and finds herself relocated to a prison camp with her husband in the south of France. Years later, witness the struggles of a college graduate, Caitlyn Laurent, as she sets out on a quest for answers to her grandfather’s mysterious past while dealing with her own personal trauma. Will the secrets be revealed before her grandfather’s memory fails completely? Find out in this meticulously researched work of World War 2 historical fiction.

This fabulous novel takes place in three different timelines that are equally interesting and flow together flawlessly. The beautiful characters in all three timelines faced heart wrenching losses that they struggle to heal from. I absolutely could not put this book down and truly did not want it to end. I’d love to see a continuation of Caitlyn’s story in another book. What I Promise You is timeslip, historical fiction at its best.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

Liz Tolsma has crafted a heart wrenching tale of love, loss and family secrets that spans through three different time periods of 1942, 1955, and 2022. While I haven't read too many of this author's books in the past, I have enjoyed the ones I did, and I was looking forward to trying another of her books, especially since the synopsis sounded intriguing.

In 1942, we follow a young Jewish woman who has recently been sent to a transit camp with her husband. Several months pregnant, she doesn't understand why God would allow this to happen to His people. When she's given the chance to escape the camp and make her temporary home at a women's maternity hospital, she's hesitant to leave her beloved husband. However, there's more to come her way than she could ever have imagined in her worst nightmares, and soon she's doing everything she can to give back to the cause that's helped her and so many others. What happens at the maternity hospital will have a life changing impact, and she continues to question where God is amidst life's never ending tragedies?

In 1955, we're not give much to go on at the start, but the readers knows they're following the narrator thirteen years after the devastating tragedies that occured at the maternity hospital, and watching the way the grief associated with it has shaped so many lives.

In 2022, a young woman named Caitlyn is dealing with the devastating loss of her best friend, while trying to enter the mission field as nurse because it was said friend's dream. When the chance arises to find out more of her grandfather's family history, she jumps at the chance. Only she seems to find more questions than answers on her quest to finally be able to give her beloved grandfather the information he's desperately wanting.

The three storylines weave together into an emotional and heartfelt rollercoaster as the protagonists learn firsthand the horrible effect that such a horrific time in history has had on anyone who came into contact with it. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the grieving process both realistically and authentically, and I found my heart breaking for each of these women as secrets are revealed and healing seems impossible. Thankfully what's impossible for us is always possible for Him, and I loved how the faith element ends up playing such a large part of the story towards the end.

All in all, this was definitely an interesting read with a heartfelt storyline, but I wouldn't say it's a new favorite for me. I found the story really dragged at the start, and it took me quite awhile to get into it. I also felt there was a lot of build up towards the big family secrets, but the ending felt anticlimactic and extremely rushed. I wish there had been a bit more to it, as it ended up feeling almost incomplete.

Still a beautiful historical fiction that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys faith based reads set during World War Two, but I don't see it being a reread for me in the future.

Final Rating: 3/5.

Thanks so much to Barbour for allowing me to read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Intriguing story with 3 timelines: 1942, 1955, and 2022. The 1955 timeline left me a bit confused until the very end when all was revealed. I felt a bit let down with the ending of Caitlyn’s story in 2022, but felt the author was probably right in not tying it up too neatly. Helene’s story was tragic, but ultimately a triumph as everything was revealed. I had a hard time putting this one down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What I Promise You is written in three different timelines from the past to the present time. Surprisingly, the author made it easy to switch back and forth seamlessly. They were all exciting, steeped in mystery and intrigue.

The characters in each timeline are exciting and have lots of layers. The descriptions of the countryside and the camps made me feel as though I was there. I had tears in my eyes while reading the heartbreaking events that took place but was inspired by the character's courage.

There was a twist at the end when everything was finally revealed. I enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it to those who like inspiring and uplifting WW2 stories. A great read overall.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

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What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma is a moving multiple timeline story. The book is the second in a series of similar books, but it is related by theme not characters, thus it can stand-alone. Due to Ms. Tolsma’s meticulous research, I found the story realistic and believable.

As with all of Liz Tolsma’s books, this is definitely an inspiring story. It is moving and poignant and sometimes frightening, but the primary message is of redemption, hope and faith. Tolsma is a master at describing places and moods and feelings. As I read each timeline, I could imagine myself there with the characters and feeling their feelings.

In the current day timeline college age Caitlyn, is trying to overcome a recent trauma. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream to go school to become a missionary nurse. Since she will be in school in Spain, very close where her grandfather says he was born, she sets out to clarify the hazy information he has concerning his birth in WW2 France.

The 1942-1944 timeline follows the woman who is Caitlyn’s great-grandmother. Noemie/Hélène is a pregnant Jewish woman who is taken by the Nazis, with her husband Levi, to a transit camp at the Southwestern border of France. The couple is separated into different camps. An incident in the women’s camp involves Noemie with helping two young Jewish girls escape to a nearby maternity hospital. For her safety at the maternity hospital, Noemie’s name is changed to Hélène.

The middle timeline is set in 1955. As opposed to the other two timelines, it is a first-person narration. It is not until almost the very end of the book, that the narrator is revealed and all the timelines are resolved. The revelation scene was absolutely my favorite part of the book. As they say, “it has all the feels.”

I received an advanced reader copy of What I Promise You from the author and NetGalley. These words are my own and were in no way solicited.

1942/1955/2022 France

This time slip novel did a great job of keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to Noemie in the 1942 timeline. I loved how part of the tale unfolded through Caitlyn in 2022. In addition to a high level of anticipation, What I Promise You delivered deep messages about resilience, kindness and living fully after tragedy.

The historical details both in the novel and in the author's note at the end added a great deal to this reader's enjoyment.

This novel had 3 timelines: 1942 & 1955 & 2022. Periodically, I wondered why the 1955 thread was necessary, but by the end, I not only knew why but was glad for it. It definitely enriches the story. In fact, each timeline weaves through the other perfectly as events and their significance are gradually uncovered.

Both the 1942 and 2022 timelines with Noemie and the contemporary Caitlyn engaged me. Many chapters were cliffhangers that tempted me to skip the alternate timeline and read ahead to find out what happened. But I resisted the urge. Instead, I benefitted from the author’s well-planned timing. Everything unfolds methodically as needed.

For safety purposes, Noemie had to change her name halfway through the book, and was afterward referred to by a different name. but that was handled smoothly and did not become confusing or awkward.

At one point, I was extremely tense about a decision Noemie was making. Part of me was angry at her foolishness, for even contemplating such a dangerous plan. But her wrestling with all the pros and cons made sense, especially considering her own culpability in a previous situation. Her choice was believable. And the way it bore out was not completely predictable. The story kept me guessing.

Additionally, I appreciated the faith thread without heavy-handedness. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. It is told from 3 point of views, and at first was a little hard to get into, but quickly I was encaptured by all 3 of them, eager to find out the connections & determine how it would end. You quickly get caught up in the plot lines, wanting to quickly see what will happen next.
I was surprised (in a good way) at the ending. But really enjoyed how it all connected!
This is #2 in a series but is able to be read alone. Thanks netgalley for an advanced copy. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

A great book!. A lovely story told from three different perspectives. So well written, and described. I will certainly recommend this book to friends and followers.

What a remarkable story! " What I Promise you" grabs the readers interest and the three different points in time keep us turning pages to see how everything ties together. Kudos to author Liz Tolsma for such a riveting story!

1942. A beautiful Jewish couple Noemie and Levi Treves are tragically rounded up and sent to Camp Rivesaltes. Set in Southern France, near the Spanish border at the Camp de Rivesaltes (a transit camp for deportation to Auschwitz-Birkenau via Drancy), and at the Maternité Suisse d’Elne (a beacon of hope for the expectant mothers who were lucky enough to be taken from the concentration camps in Rivesaltes to give birth at the maternity hospital located in a château on the outskirts of Elne.)

1955 Memories years after the war at the Maternité Suisse d’Elne

2022-2023 France and Illinois. Contemporary thread has Caitlyn Laurent trying to recover from a traumatic loss, and figure out what her purpose in life is, while trying to learn more about the French maternity home her grandfather was born in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this original story and enjoyed connecting the dots between the different threads. I highly recommend What I Promise You for lovers of riveting dual timeline stories.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a story written over three different time periods telling a tale with the backdrop of WW2. The entire story was achingly haunting in a unique way that stuck with me. We know the history of WW2, but Tolsma brings a new perspective through this book that again, creates a deep and low ache in your spirit that just sticks with you throughout the entire telling of the story and beyond. I read this book in the evenings and couldn’t wait each night to crack the pages.

This eye opening book covers 3 different timelines, all linked together by the tragedies of WW II. While this book is #2 in a series it easily stands alone, following a twisting tail of heartache, loss, laughter, discovery, and the meaning of walking the path God has marked out for each person. From the first page to the last the reader joins in a story that unfolds through an amazing backdrop and layers of research that Liz Tolsma has meticulously recorded. The attention to detail makes the story more involved and rich. I could see the book playing like a movie in front of me, the details leaping off the page. Liz Tolsma has the wonderful ability to bring characters to life, each person weaving into a story that keeps the reader intrigued and involved through the whole thing. This book brought a unique piece of WW II history to life and it was so interesting how the jumping timeline brought the history to the present day. I can't recommend this book enough. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series. It is sure to be as spellbinding and engrossing as this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What I Promise You #2 Echoes of the Past by Liz Tolsma

France1942 and 2022
1942
The peaceful life Noémie Treves and her husband knows is shattered when WWII begins; forever changing their lives. They are taken to Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France along with other Jews. Here they try to survive in deplorable conditions. Noémie assists in helping two young girls escape to a nearby maternity hospital, and hopefully to safety. In an attempt to safeguard them, they change their names. But, is it enough to keep them safe? Noémie - now Hélène Etu – works diligently to help insure the children and women at the maternity hospital are safe, including herself. With all that Hélène has endured, tragedy strikes again. Will she recover from this tragedy? Will she turn to God for comfort and peace? Aime Laurant is a big help to the maternity hospital and will play an important role in Hélène’s life. He goes out of his way to safeguard them all, in spite of the danger to himself if caught.

2022
Nursing student, and hopeful missionary, Caitlyn Laurant visits France while in training nearby to search for her grandfather’s birthplace and learn something about his family. During her research, she uncovers secrets - secrets tied to WWII - that not even her grandfather is aware of. Learning that names were changed during the war makes it more difficult to uncover her grandfather’s ancestors. What impact will what she has discovered have on their lives?
Historical events are woven within the fictional characters and their lives; as they endure tragedies, war and death, loss and grief, fear and uncertainties, starting over, learning to trust and love again, forgiveness and faith. The authors note at the end of the book share the historical events that are woven within the storyline.

~I received an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain was exchanged), this is my honest review~

What secrets and stories and laughter and pain does this building contain?

This incredible story starts in 1943, touches down in 1955 and concludes in 2022. A time of great love and also a time of enormous sadness. For Noemie and Levi the excitement and joy of expecting their first child is marred by evil. From a transit camp to a maternity home the fear of loss never leaves. Yet with Jesus beside you, you’re never alone.

Returning to a building that holds so many memories and yet such great sorrow. Perhaps disrepair is a memorial to all that occurred there. Promise me that you will never tell what you saw or heard and yet remember those the world may have forgotten.

For Caitlyn the attempt to find out and learn the history of her grandfather finally teaches her that she needs to lean on the Lord for strength. She will learn to stand and turn her face to a new future.

An early copy of Echoes of the Past #2 was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.