Hodaya is only twenty one and she and her family are shoved into cattle cars from their hometown of Bochina, Poland and headed to Auschwitz. She clings to her parents for life while her little sister Bayla holds on tight to her. Once they arrive at the horrible place of Auschwitz, Hodaya and Bayla are immediately separated from their parents. Hodaya promises her sister that no matter what, no matter what the cost, she will always protect her and keep her safe. When Alaric, a German soldier offers Hodaya food from his satchel, she wonders if she can trust him. Bayla becomes ill and Hodaya feels as if she has failed her little sister. Can they escape or is it too late?

A Promise to My Sister, written by author S.E. Rutledge is a phenomenal story of sacrifice for your family, determination to survive and never losing faith. I was completely engrossed in this story from the very first page. There wasn’t a page that was turned that didn’t leave a tear fall down my cheek. I loved everything about this book from cover to cover. It broke my heart but then put it back together again. This unputdownable book is a favorite read on my list this year. I am stunned that this is a debut book for this author. Rutledge writes well beyond her years and the research and facts she wrote into her story is phenomenal. This author is automatically on my auto buy list. I look forward to reading many more stories from her. Don’t pass up this wonderful book, but keep your Kleenex box close because you will need it for sure. Definitely one of the best books I have ever read. If I could give a ten star rating, it wouldn’t be enough. I highly recommend this book.

Wow. I can’t believe this is a debut novel. I enjoy historical fiction and this one didn’t disappoint. I absolutely loved it.
A heartbreaking WWII story set Poland 1943 following Hodaya and her sister Bayla as they are sent to Auschwitz. Separated from their parents Hodaya promises to keep her sister safe.
I was completely engrossed from the first page. I couldn’t put this book down. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a read.
The writing is brilliantly captivating, poignant and powerful. The story really comes to life on the pages as the author describes every detail and you can feel yourself right there. With well written characters and a beautiful bond between the two sisters. Just brilliant.
Overall, an engaging, moving story. I definitely recommend this book. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this.
I look forward to reading more from @s.e.rutledge in the future.
With thanks to #NetGallery and @bookouture for an arc of #APromiseToMySister in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 29 August 2024.

This book was a lot emotionally. WWII fiction always pulls me in since the atrocities that were carried out against so many people are just mind boggling, but this one has a special twist at the end. While I saw it coming from a mile away, it did nothing to detract from the amazing piece of work that this book was. I flew through the pages in 3 days during an extremely busy time, simply because I couldn't put it down. I highly, highly recommend this book. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.

I was not really a fan of A Promise to My Sister. The jumping of time period during the 1930s-mid 1940s seemed unnecessary and could of been chronological.

I also felt that everything from the genre was thrown into one book. I think there is a fine line between remembering the events of WWII and romanticizing the events. This seemed to be the later

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. A Promise to My Sister deserves far beyond 5 stars. Often times on the covers of WWII novels, you see the term unputdownable, and often times, those books are. But this. . . This book is the true definition of unputdownable. It is the book that kept me up into the late hours of the night and the book that I found myself picking up to read at every chance of free time I got.

In the autumn of 1943, twenty year old Hodaya and her family are crammed into cattle trains from their hometown of Bochnia ,Poland and shipped off to Auschwitz. Upon arrival, Hodaya's family is split up, her parents to the left, and she and her 10 year old sister Bayla to the right. As Hodaya's family is ripped apart, she realizes she has one goal: to keep Bayla alive no matter what. Hodaya and Bayla face unfathomable atrocities in Auschwitz and in the darkest of places, a small, sliver of hope appears in the form of a man, Alaric, with deep blue eyes that wears a uniform as gray as the darkest thunderstorm. Hodaya finds herself at a crossroad: trust this strange man, or risk imminent death for herself and Bayla.

I was shocked to find out that this is S.E Rutledge's debut novel - because the writing was impeccable, flawless, and utterly captivating on every single page of this book. I was certain I was reading a novel written by someone who has spent an entire career writing novels like this. I am very eager to read more work from S.E. Rutledge in the future. Rutledge grabbed the attention of my mind and heart as she told the story of Hodaya and Bayla. She described each emotion, situation, and feeling felt by Hodaya so brilliantly that I felt the emotion through the pages of the book. I also think that Rutledge did a phenomenal job at showcasing the psychological aspect of what the prisoners of Auschwitz went through during the war and for decades after in this novel. This book will pull at your heartstrings, use up an enormous amount of tissues, and show you a different side of WWII that is not often shared.

I felt like I was transported back in time while reading this book. As the author describes each thing Hodaya saw, smelt, touched, experienced, and felt - it was as if I was there, too. She truly brought the story alive in every way possible - and gave a beautiful tribute to those who were victims of Auschwitz. She showcased their grit, determination, bravery, heroism, love, and spirit to never give up and to fight for those they loved.

A Promise to My Sister has torn my heart to shreds whilst quietly reminding of the kindness that humanity can provide. The author has done a stellar job of allowing you to imagine yourself in the characters shoes by smelling what they smelt and eating what they ate while gagging. I don't think I could have done it but if you have no choice you do what you need to survive. Her love for her little sister shines high above everything else happening and I don't think there is a single thing she wouldn't do to protect her. The horrors of the war are atrocious but it also brings to life the strength and durability of the characters. A thought provoking read!

I think I went through a full box of tissues. My gut got so tight and twisting that I wondered if I might need a bucket. The author transported me back to WW2 Poland. Through the eyes of her characters I saw the atrocities. Through their sense of smell, I was gagging. I was in awe of those that attempted to survived and those that did survive. The author's words brought the horrors to life.

We all learn about WW2 in school. We don't learn near enough. We don't study the human factor enough. We don't study destruction enough. We don't get the details. We don't study the survivors, their struggles that still imprison them. We all need insight and to humanize the facts we are taught.

A Promise to My Sister taught me more in one in depth story than numerous university history classes. Hodaya and Bayla's story takes the reader from pre-invasion Poland until 1961 when Hodaya finally gets a small bit of her life back.

Experience the treatment of Jews by Nazis and those who they thought of as friends after the Germans invade. Suffer the living conditions of the Jewish getto and see how they were treated. Arrive at Auschwitz, and know that we could all benefit from learning more about the atrocities. I closed the book, tears rolling down my cheeks, praying this never happens again. We can honor those that suffered by not forgetting and not repeating.

A heartbreaking and raw account of life during WWII and the importance of family bonds and promises. This is definitely an emotional read but an important story to learn from.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Such a heart-wrenching yet beautiful story about the love one sister has for another. Hodaya does everything in her power to protect her younger sister and keep her alive while living in concentration camps.

While imprisoned, Hodaya finds an ally in an unexpected person. Ultimately, this person's surprising kindness helps Hodaya and her little sister survive.

I can't even imagine the torturous nightmares that the survivors must have endured.

While the writing was almost lyrical at times, I did find the ending to be a little far-fetched.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review

The subject matter of this book is as harrowing and heartbreaking as you would expect, but the author writes in such a way that while you are sad you also feel hope for the sisters plight. The depth of research and heart the author put into this book really comes across in the writing and the story elements to make this book a very good read.

Hodaya and Bayla are the main characters of this book, their relationship, journey and resilience are so well written that they stand up off the page with their tale.
The secondary characters were just as well rounded even the more horrible character straits are tangible and terrifying. These background characters were what enriched the story and highlighted the depth of the research the author clearly did to write this story. No one was portrayed as a cliche or characture of what one may expect from this sort of story.

While the subject matter is dark the story telling covers all aspects of the human story. The author offers us hope, love, and even laughter as the story is told. And well balanced without making light of the terrible history this book is based in.

I'm thankful to read the fictional tale of Hodaya and Bayla, but come away aware that not everything into the pages was fictional.

Grab this book for a weekend read as it's a little heavy subject matter for bedtime reading.

Absolutely stunning - a heartbreaking novel full of heartbreak but also hope. Incredibly moving and one you will not forget

A Promise to My Sister is a fantastic debut novel by S.E. Rutledge. The narrative follows Hodaya, who, along with her parents and her little sister Bayla, arrives at Auschwitz. In the sorting line, Hodaya is separated from her parents and is acutely aware that her sister's survival depends on her.. Determined to protect Bayla, it is at that moment she makes a promise to keep watch over her sister throughout the ordeal. The hardest thing that Hodaya has ever done is trying to keep her sister safe in the camp, but it is devastating to lose friends and family all while watching her sister quickly succumb to the camp's brutality.

The novel's portrayal of Hodaya's struggle is poignant and powerful, but it takes a hopeful turn with the introduction of Alaric, whose unexpected assistance becomes crucial to their survival.

It is remarkable that this is Rutledge's debut novel given the depth and complexity of the characters. This story evoked a full spectrum of emotions from laughter and tears to despair and hope. For readers seeking a historical fiction narrative that is both devastating and ultimately uplifting, A Promise to My Sister is a compelling choice. Just be sure to have a box of tissues nearby.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this advance review copy.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Promise To My Sister’ written by S E Rutledge in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Hodaya, her Mama, Papa and little sister Bayla are Jews living in Bochnia, Poland, when the SS break into their Ghetto and force them into inhumane conditions in an overcrowded cattle car before being taken to Auschwitz. On arrival Hodaya and Bayla are sent in one direction and their parents another, but Hodaya struggles to care for Bayla as she weakens. She makes the unlikely acquaintance of a young German soldier who doesn’t want to follow Nazi orders and helps by bringing them food but Hodaya worries if she can trust him.

‘A Promise To My Sister’ is the heart-breaking story of Polish Jews struggling to survive during WWII. It’s a beautifully written emotional novel by an author who’s obviously researched deeply into what happened in Auschwitz and has given a credible account of events. This story is so much more than pure fiction as it gives an idea of how people struggled in concentration camps and the cruelty they encountered. It should be on the school curriculum for young people of today to learn from so hopefully it will never happen again. Although hard to read at times, this is a novel with characters for whom I felt great compassion and empathy, as well as learning about times that I was fortunate enough never to have experienced.

A Promise To My Sister by S E Rutledge is a powerful, heart breaking historical novel that was all consuming.
The novel begins in Poland in 1961 before going backwards to 1939. Along with the leading characters we ‘experience’ Nazi occupied Poland from the ghetto to Auschwitz. We ‘hear’ of the horrendous evil and wonder how anyone could survive hell on earth.
The leading characters are two sisters who mascaraed as mother and daughter. They need luck to survive, as well as finding little pockets of kindness amongst the depravity as we see that not all Germans were evil Nazis.
Hope is needed – a hope for a brighter tomorrow. “If we survive today, we will be free tomorrow” was uttered on a daily basis. Without hope, the people will perish.
Strength of character is seen. Remaining alive to tell the world of the great evil is a goal of some.
For others, clinging to God helped them to survive (and luck). “Why God saw fit to save our lives when so many hundreds of others were senselessly lost, I will never know.”
There were times when it felt like God had abandoned them. “Every whispered prayer to God has gone unanswered, and now, here, God has vanished.” God never leaves us alone, but in the terrible times of man’s inhumanity to man, we sometimes lose sight of Him but He never loses sight of us. “God if You are listening.” God heard and God wept.
There is a beautiful bond between the sisters. They have to survive for the sake of the other.
Even with the war ending, some minds never left the confines of Auschwitz. In order to move towards tomorrow, yesterday must be let go of.
This is such a powerful read that needs to be read in memory of the six million innocents who perished, and of those who survived.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A Promise to My Sister is a piece of historical fiction narrating the life of Hoday, her sister, Bayla, and their family (both by blood and found) as their lives change on the lead up to WW2, as it continues, and later on, decades after the war ends. Hodaya lives her life doing anything and everything she can to save her sister - her turmoil in undertaking this task becomes the focus of the story as they are taken to Auschwitz.

I was wary of this not sharing the true story of a prisoner but I feel as though the author did enough research to (mostly) portray an experience of the holocaust without romanticising it or making it unrealistic. It was a heartbreaking read and the writing itself was excellent.

An aspect of the book I respected was the reflection of the presence of a god or higher with everything the Nazis put innocent people through. The only qualm I have is the ending which made me feel uneasy.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Have no words left! Sobbed my absolute heart out over this book! Highly recommend and thanks
net Galley

Such a moving, beautifully written book.

I have read a lot of WWII fiction, and this is up there with one of my favourites. The heartbreaking decisions and actions Hodaya had to take in order to keep Bayla alive hit me so hard. Hodaya was a well-written character, and her inner turmoil throughout the book had me crying on more than one occasion!

4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️

I have been through an emotional wringer… a tearjerker! I was completely absorbed from the first page… My heart was in my throat

Hodaya and Balya are two sisters who are 17 and 6 at the start of the book.
they are sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau where they are
separated from their family and trying desperately to survive, .Hodaya makes a promise to herself to keep Balya alive and in all honesty the trauma and strength she shows was inspiring.
It's a heartbreaking story as many of these stories are but I feel it's important to read them
it's a truly excellent book by S. E. Rutledge.

Deserves more stars! Amazing, heartbreaking book. Hodaya is one heck of a sister to Bayla. Sad story and I do believe a lot of it did happen. I was happy that Hodaya did have a good friend in Alric. Fabulous story and great ending. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.