Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great romcom!! This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last. It was such a cute story! The writing style is great and I loved the characters chemistry.

I DNF'd very quickly. I was interested in the premise, however it read like a middle-schoolers first foray into creative writing. I was shocked by the rudimentary approach and descriptions. A blueprint of the setting is not necessary and distracting.

I really enjoyed reading The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge. This is a beautiful story told in the point of view of Elena and Rory who work together. When Elena was younger she made a deal that makes her believe that her life will end at the age of 30. I loved seeing Elena grow as a character. These characters are so well written and very lovable. I’m so happy with how it ended. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story of Elena and Rory. They are best friends and work colleagues but are polar opposite personalities.......Elena is preparing to die before her 30th birthday (even though she isn't sick.......no spoilers given) and Rory is daredevil who tries every extreme sport known to man.

As the story progresses, we find out the history of both characters and what has made them become the people they are. Can they deal with the past and step into the future that awaits them?

Highly recommended.

4.25 ⭐️

Loveeeedddd this book. I’m 30, so I can definitely relate to what she was feeling. I somewhat did the same, lived my life as best as I could before I turned 30- a lot of self finding and facing things were scared of. So it definitely resonated me.

The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge is a unique and engaging read. The story follows Elena, who made a mysterious promise years ago that she now fears will lead to her demise when she turns thirty. As her birthday approaches, she decides to live life to the fullest—falling in love, bungee jumping, and visiting Paris. The book alternates between Elena’s cautious approach and her friend Rory’s adventurous spirit, adding great depth to the story. I deeply resonated with Elena’s journey of overcoming her fears and chasing her dreams. Although I did find it a bit slow at the start but once things were being revealed I was intrigued. Samantha Tonge delivered a captivating and memorable story that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

The Promise of Tomorrow is a heartwarming story about facing fears and finding hope. The story follows Elena who is haunted by a promise she made as a child and believes her life will end when she turns 30. As her birthday approaches, she decides to live life to the fullest and heads off to Paris with Rory, her co-worker turned housemate.

The characters feel relatable and real. Elena’s journey of personal growth, alongside Rory’s bold personality, keeps the story interesting and engaging.

This book is perfect for those who enjoy books about overcoming personal challenges, friendship, and embracing life’s uncertainties.

What a gorgeous romantic mystery. Elena and Rory are multilayered characters and their relationship is sweet and authentic. I desperately wanted their connection to flourish and for them to end up together.

The prose Is accomplished, the plot intelligent and a few twists in the narrative that are surprising yet feel believable.

I absolutely adored the book themes that were threaded throughout and thought this was a magical book.

This was my first book by Samantha Tonge and I will definitely look into her other works! I enjoyed the writing and the premises of the book. Aswell as the main plot and the characters. It was definitely an un usual story and it kept me intrigued to read further.
I enjoyed reading about the character own fears, and their own development. As well as learning to share your burden with others.
I think my only issue with this story was that i felt like there was no romance or tension in most of the book and then it just felt all quite rushed in the end. I think it was missing some of the buildup. Like yeah it was kinda there but i feel like it could have been more. Atleast more tension could have added to the story!

All in all I did truly enjoy this read and will recommended it to others.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this eARC in exchange of an honest review.

Samantha Tonge is one of my favourite authors and she never disappoints, I always grab her newest release as soon as I can. The Promise of Tomorrow is full of the wit and warmth that Tonge is known for in her writing. She writes about the human condition in such a realistic way. And although it is typical Tonge through and through this story is wholly original without missing her usual charm and style.

I loved the two main characters so much. Elena and Rory are co-workers and friends. Elena decides to give Rory her spare room while his home is undergoing renovations and a true friendship blossoms. We get chapters from each character's point of view. I learned their secrets, hopes, dreams and fears. I loved how complex these characters were and their backstories explain a lot. Their journey together was an interesting one and I love that they helped each other really come alive. Their trip to Paris was such fun and an interesting turn takes place in the story while they're there.

There was so much of myself in this book because I have a lot in common with Elena. Her grandmother lives in Canada in the province of Ontario and that's where I live. She's rereading the book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen and that's my very favourite book in the whole world and the only one I have reread a thousand times.

A lot of the book is emotional and even sad at times but ultimately it was heartwarming and it gave me all the feels and left me feeling very hopeful in the end.

I received a free copy of, The Promise of Tomorrow, by Samantha Tonge, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Elena made a promise when she was young and her mother was sick, that she would would risk her life at age 30, for her mother's. Now Elena is 29 and cant get the promise out of her mind, the anxiety she is feeling is overwhelming, she does not want to die yet. This was a seemly read.

Enjoyed this book. Was a very heartfelt story. I did find it a bit slow to get into but glad I persevered.Tha k you Net Galley

This is my first book by author Samantha Tonge and I would be keen to read more of her work. After scanning the premise in the publisher’s blurb, I was intrigued and thought it would be fun to dive into something a bit different. Without question, this is an unusual or original story that certainly kept me interested and turning the pages! There’s a bit of mystery, romance and life altering experiences related to the extreme sports. I can’t say I would have the courage to do some of the things mentioned like the deep dive bungee jump!

It is a novel about facing your fears. Learning to share what’s on your heart, too, so that you don’t carry some heavy burdens that could affect your life choices and experiences. I was eager to see the outcome and was satisfied with the results.

The chapters are divided between the two main characters Elena and Rory who share their viewpoint in telling the story. They are good friends who work together. Rory moves in with Elena when she offers him a room in her detached house while his apartment is being renovated. They get to know each other fairly well while being roommates and are quite comfortable in each other’s presence.

Elena’s life has been on hold due to an event that happened when she was ten years old. She is now approaching thirty in a few weeks. She has an unusual obsession. She is convinced she is going to die when she turns thirty at midnight. Why she believes this is quite an intriguing tale and the author slowly reveals all we need to know so we can understand her dilemma and sympathise with her. But it also makes us want to believe she will be okay and that her worst fears will not happen. In the meantime, while her hourglass is running out, we learn she wants to do everything she can that she has not tried before. This includes falling in love, taking a trip to Paris, participating in some extreme sports (sky diving, bungee jumping, etc). She is in sharp contrast to her friend Rory who she sees as being ‘brave, daring, living life spontaneously.’ She is now ‘more afraid of missing out’ of life than worrying about ‘things going wrong.’ It seems Rory rubs off on her and she begins taking risks—but not necessarily all good ones! He tries to help her see, though, it is good to try new things but she must listen to experienced extreme sports leaders and obey certain rules to be safe. She should not just throw ALL caution to the wind.

Rory’s reason for being so active is different from what she expected. He is not acting out of competitiveness but ‘chasing …a sense of being alive.’ Elena is ‘sick of being scared’ and risk assessing her every move. This drive takes her on a sometimes reckless journey but she begins to learn a lot about herself and eventually how to move forward.

The word ‘Promise’ noted in the title is an important clue to this plot. I won’t give anything away as it is important to learn of this woman’s reasons of why she is in this predicament by reading the story. I can say this: she made a promise to a stranger when she was ten and she has carried this secret/ mission / burden alone since then. Now that she is in the last months of her twenty-nineth year, she wants to make up for the fun she missed her whole life before she must face the outcome of her promise.

Rory is also a very complex person and I liked getting to know him and what makes him who he is. Little by little we learn of his family and what shaped his attitudes and led him to his ‘extreme’ interests and actions. There are some sad moments in his revelations but he has used them to his advantage to get the most out of life. He may appear spontaneous and carefree to Elena but he follows a strict form of rules to maintain safety in whatever he attempts. His movements are wise and controlled—even when he pushes boundaries. He has a respect for nature and his environment. Risk assessments are part of his activities.

These two discover a lot on their journey together, particularly in Paris, and their relationship takes on a new shape. I enjoyed watching Elena grow and it was a joyous moment when she trusts her dearest friend, Rory, with her secret. This is an uplifting story about friendship, facing and understanding the sources of your fears and having the courage to live, love and be open to the Promise of Tomorrow. 4 strong Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

This book is a beautifully emotional and heartfelt tale that explores the themes of fate, promise, and the urgency of living life to the fullest. From the outset, the narrative centers on Elena Swan, a woman grappling with an unshakable belief that her time on Earth is limited due to a promise made in her childhood. This tantalizing premise draws readers into Elena’s world as she navigates the weight of her past while seeking to carve out a meaningful present.
Elena’s character is compelling and relatable. As a young woman on the cusp of thirty, she feels the heaviness of expectations, both from society and herself. The tension between her desire for adventure and her fear of death creates a powerful narrative drive. Tonge does an excellent job of portraying Elena's internal struggles while also introducing a supporting cast of vibrant characters, such as her fearless friend Rory and the intriguing strangers she meets along her journey. Each character serves to illuminate different aspects of Elena's personality and desires, adding depth to her quest for fulfillment.
What I found particularly engaging was how Tonge interwove the past and present, making Elena's longstanding promise a haunting specter that propels her towards self-discovery. The writing is poignant and evocative, with rich descriptions that bring Elena's dreams—like skydiving and seeing Paris—to life. Each new experience she seeks feels like a vital piece in the puzzle of her existence, expertly crafted to reflect not just her fear of the future, but her hope and determination to create lasting memories.
The emotional stakes are high, and Tonge masterfully balances moments of tension and vulnerability with humor and warmth. Readers will find themselves rooting for Elena as she takes her first steps toward daring adventures, grapples with her feelings about love, and confronts the promises of her past. The pacing of the story is engaging, with just the right amount of suspense to keep the pages turning, especially as the countdown to her thirtieth birthday looms closer.
Overall, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartfelt, emotional journey filled with inspiration, laughter, and a touch of whimsy. It serves as a powerful reminder that while tomorrow may be uncertain, the promise of today is what we can truly hold onto. Its not just a story about confronting mortality; it’s a celebration of life’s possibilities and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

I found this book to be a little slow, but still enjoyable. An extremely heartwarming story. I loved getting to know Elena and Rory.
The overall message of family and love are what kept me reading.

Is it time you live a life you love?
Elena Swan, without the promise of tomorrow, can she fulfil her dreams before fate comes to her?
A romantic story, after she makes a promise twenty years ago can she keep it?
Rory Bunker her colleague at work Bingley Biscuits moves into her spare room, his apartment is been renovated and due to be finished by Christmas, then turning up with a big tank two stick insects Brandy and Snap, oh dear she didn't expect three lodgers.
Bonfire night and Elena is hit with a firework and her guardian angel Rory saves her so her time wasn't up. this story that takes this couple through a lot of tough times. I loved these two characters together.
A heart warming book to touch you as you learn about the illness, and what a child goes through right up to later in life still believing.
Loved it once again from this author who knows with superb writing how to make it your story.
Comment

LOVED it!! I didn't want to put it down, I didn't want it to finish. Elena and Rory..both absolutely loveable and very real characters from the start.
I also love it when a main character is also a book lover, and their love of books is weaved throughout the story, so thank you...and I think I may need a Rory in my life too!

Such an honest and heart-tugging at times read, but so positively and heart-warmingly told, with so many real and believable people. Every sentence was needed and every loose end tied up.
I got it and that just added to how special it was written.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing me an ARC! Unfortunately, this one just isn’t for me. I tried to push myself through it but decided to DNF at 20%. I kept hoping for the moment that would hook me, but this book fell flat for me.

Elena Swan was so upset when she overheard her mother was seriously ill and may not last the night, it was her 10th birthday when everything was supposed to be perfect. Her neighbour, Gloria, was watching her as she was feverish and her father was at the hospital. Elena sneaked out of the back garden onto the common that backed onto their house and found herself face to face with a mysterious stranger who exacted a promise from Elena in return for saving her mother's life. The shadow of that night has hung over Elena making her extra careful to avoid risks but as her fateful 30th birthday approaches she begins to question her choices. Very enjoyable story.

This book is all about Elena and the struggles she has been through in her life. With the help of Rory a beautiful friendship begins.

I found this a bit slow to start with but once I got into the story it flowed really well and I was hooked.

A heartwarming story that I couldn’t put down, which showed the power of friendship, love and family.

Thanks to Netgalley, Samantha Tonge and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.