Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

So, this book isn’t my usual sort of read, but I really needed something different, a palette cleanser. This book did that for me.
It was fun, life-affirming, offers hope. Characters were ok, plot line was ok, it’s probably not going to be one I remember in the long term but it was a good example of its genre and I would recommend it.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC. It was much appreciated and enjoyed.

This is a stunning read and I quickly fell in love with the plot and characters. Elena and Rory are fabulous characters, very likeable and realistic and I saw them as my friends throughout. As a result I cared deeply about what they went through and this is very emotional at times so this was heightened for me. Tonge has captured the range of emotions perfectly.
This book is very emotional and at times, tragic but it is also full of lve, hope and Christmas vibes. I found this to be a complete joy to read and can highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

This was my first Samantha Tonge book and I loved it. Not afraid to tackle important issues, but full of hope and humour. I'll definitely be reading more,

In this fun new novel from Samantha Tonge, readers join Elena Swan who believes her life is almost over and that it will happen soon because when she was a child, Elena promised a stranger in the woods something to keep her mother safe and ensure her recovery after a horrible accident. Having forgotten the promise until her life is in danger shortly before her thirtieth birthday, Elena has only realized that she hasn’t lived the life she wanted or taken the risks she wanted -- including falling in love. Without a certain future, Elena must decide what dreams she wants to fulfill before it is too late. With a fascinating protagonist in Elena and a complex and deeply emotional storyline that resonates with readers, this book is brilliantly written and powerful in its ability to connect with readers’ fears about not living life to the fullest. The characters are the star of the novel, but readers will love how Elena connects with her fears and works to achieve her dreams in this brilliant new release. Poignant, emotional, and charming, Tonge’s new release is a fascinating story about life, dreams, and choosing one’s future that will resonate with readers’ hopes and fears.

What a totally impossible book to review, as no matter what I'd love to say or highlight is almost certainly a spoiler.

But rest assured that this is one of Samantha Tonge's best books - its uplifting, it kept me guessing and it makes you think.

Oh and its totally brilliant.

Set in the run up to Christmas and Elena's all important 30th birthday, this is a wonderful story.

There are even unusual pets as its not every day you come across stick insects as the animal interest in the book In fact I had totally forgotten they were a pet type of species until I read this, let alone that they even existed!

Definitely the most attention I've ever given stick insects.

I devoured this gloriously compulsive read. Just brilliant.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

It took me a while to get into the story but after the initial part it was quite emotional & wholesome. Loved the ending so much. And thoroughly enjoyed the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley.

This book was a very enjoyable read. I read it in a few sittings and was hooked after just a short time reading. The story was well paced and the characters were well developed.

The author is on a run of life-affirming books which have a way of hitting one's emotions where they hurt; this is a good thing and The Promise of Tomorrow is a great addition to this trend. Unpredictable, emotional and yes, scary (in a way) at all times, I really recommend you read this book, only reward yourself with a pat on the back too. The journey will be well worth it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for the reading copy.

What a great book! I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know the ending of this story. And I loved it.

The story beautifully explores themes of resilience and second chances, following a protagonist who learns to embrace life after hardship.

I loved the depth of the characters and the way their relationships evolved throughout the story. Tonge has a knack for creating emotional moments that really tug at your heartstrings. However, there were a few predictable plot twists that I saw coming, which made parts of the story feel less impactful.

Overall, The Promise of Tomorrow is a lovely exploration of hope and renewal, perfect for anyone looking to be inspired. It left me feeling uplifted and ready to take on my own promises for tomorrow.

The Promise of Tomorrow was a heartbreaking read full of love and family.
The story has lovable characters with endearing personalities.
I have to say the story was a bit slow at times.
A fast, easy read that will entertain you.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The writing was a bit all over the place and I couldn't really understanding what was going on. I didn't connect to the characters nor did I find them interesting. I ended up dnf'ing half way through

Elena made a promise when she was a child to a stranger in the woods that she would die when she turned 30 if her mother was kept alive after a life threating accident. Now she is approaching 30 she feels she hasn't done everything she's planned to do in her life. A good read shed a few tears along the way reading this.
Total rating 3 1/2 stars

Elena Swan believes she’s going to die. And soon.

She’s not ill. She’s not in imminent danger. But she is sure it’s going to happen.

Because many years ago… she’d made a promise to a stranger, in the woods. Elena’s mother was in hospital, after a life-threatening accident. The promise would keep her mother safe, but put Elena’s own life at risk, instead, when she grew up and turned thirty.

Elena put the promise to the back of her mind, over the years. But she’s twenty-nine now, and when something happens that puts her life in danger, she remembers. And she knows.

But Elena hasn’t done everything yet. She’s not brave like her daredevil friend Rory. But she’s also not ready to give up on life. Not before she’s been to Paris. She always wanted to skydive too. She’s never even fallen in love.

Without the promise of tomorrow, can she fulfil all her dreams before fate comes for her?

A completely unexpecting, romantic uplifting story, about friendship, love, and fate, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, David Nicholls and Faith Hogan.

Definitely gave me Jojo Moyes vibes. I really enjoyed the story. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.

This novel offers a fresh twist on romance fiction, blending elements of mystery and suspense with the emotional depth of a love story. While the romance is central to the plot, the true focus is on Elena's quest to uncover the truth behind a traumatic event from her childhood. At the heart of the story is Elena's search for answers about what really happened when she was 10 years old, which adds layers of intrigue and tension.

Though the pacing starts off slow, the story gradually pulls you in with its compelling twists and rich emotional stakes. Once it gains momentum, the narrative becomes gripping, and you’ll find yourself eager to uncover the mysteries alongside the protagonist. If you're looking for a romance that offers more than just the usual love story, this book delivers with a mix of suspense, intrigue, and heart.

The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge is an emotional, feel-good story about friendship, love, and finding the courage to truly live. At ten years old, Elena made a promise to a stranger, one she believes saved her mother’s life but left her bound to die at thirty. Now that her birthday is fast approaching, she’s starting to freak out!!! Realising she needs to squeeze every last drop out of life.

When her fearless co-worker Rory moves in as a temporary roommate, Elena finds herself both inspired and challenged. Rory’s zest for life nudges her out of her comfort zone, from trying extreme sports to embarking on a spontaneous trip to Paris. As their friendship deepens, so does her determination to face her fears—and maybe even find love along the way.

Tonge’s warm, witty writing captures the beauty of human connection and reminds us of the joy of living fully. With relatable characters and plenty of heart, The Promise of Tomorrow is a touching story about facing your fears and living each day like it truly matters.


Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books

This was my first book by this author, but it will not be my last! I loved this story so much! I cannot imagine how difficult it was for Elena to see the end looming and not being able to do anything about it. I had a lot of compassion for her and what she was going through. I absolutely adored Rory and her other friends and family. But Rory was adorable! *swoon* Overall, it was a great story with that made me laugh and cry! I definitely recommend it!

While it took some time to get into the story (it was slow), I eventually really loved this book.
The story was fun, the characters lovable, but the plot twist was disappointing.

I really tried. But for some reason the writting was not of my liking.
Plus I could not get attached to the characters and ended up DNFing at 40% mark