Nothing seems to go right on Elena's 10th birthday- she's sick, her mother was in a horrible accident to the point that everyone is convinced she won't survive the night, and when she sneaks out to get some air, she runs into a woman who allows her to make a promise that will help her mom survive. She knows this promise will be fulfilled around her 30th birthday. Now only a month from 30, she's convinced she's not going to survive to see it. Enter her workmate, Rory, who needs a place to live while his flat is being renovated. He's adventurous and spontaneous and everything that she isn't. Their friendship is so much fun to be part of for the length of the read. There's so much more but honestly. you've got to read it to uncover all the secrets and ins and outs of Elena and Rory's story. Well worth it.

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I have read several of Samantha Tonge’s books now and love them all. Most recently this year, I read A Single Act of Kindness, which is a gorgeous book and I’ve been really looking forward to her latest release – The Promise of Tomorrow.
The story begins with a prologue set in 2004 when Elena Swan (our main character) has just turned ten years old and her mother has been in a bad car accident.
We then move forwards twenty years to catch up with Elena, whose work colleague Rory is just moving into her spare room. Rory is completely different to her. While Elena has lived a life without risky pursuits, Rory loves trying anything daring. She is dependable; he is impulsive. But they complement each other well and soon become great friends.
It’s a month before her thirtieth birthday. When her mum was ill, she made a pact with a stranger in the woods, that if her mother’s life was saved, Elena would die aged thirty. So here she is, realising she has settled for a safe, possibly unexciting, life. As the clock ticks to her birthday, should she make the most of what time she might have left and try the things she’s wanted to do, but never dared to try?
As always with Samantha Tonge’s writing, there’s a whole lot of warmth and heart here. The characters are beautifully written too. I loved Elena and Rory and wanted to see what was going to happen. I was intrigued to learn about stick insects too! There are also some great minor characters, Tahoor the neighbour being my favourite.
The premise of the story is a sad one, but the book isn’t at all solemn, it’s uplifting and lovely. It has a kind of fairytale quality to it – perhaps unsurprisingly given the idea is quite fairytale-like, almost making a pact with the Devil. There’s great friendship, family relationships, work colleagues and lots of secrets and doubts to work through. Overall, this book has a bit of everything and I loved it!

I love this story's many layers and how immersive it is to read. Elena has always lived her life carefully, believing that she must protect what she enjoys. The first chapter reveals a little of why this is so, but it is only the beginning of this thought-provoking story. Outwardly, Rory is living his life carelessly, but as the story unfolds, you realise he, too, is constrained in his life expectations. Elena and Rory are friends; they appear opposite in most things, but as we get to know them, we see that they are similar in lots of ways that matter. I like the friendship-to-romance element of this and the deeper issues that are explored through the characters. It's humorous, poignant, romantic, and mysterious, and it is lovely to read, concluding with heartwarming positivity. I like the characters, the storytelling, and its relatability.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Friendship, love, loneliness & grief are all explored in “The Promise of Tomorrow”. With endearing main characters & a spooky promise that saved a life but threatens to ruin another this book makes for an addictive read.

At first glance this is a simple rom com, a story of two colleagues, Elena and Rory, who work well as a team because they are complete opposites but are clearly attracted to each other. However there are so many layers that make it a special read. Aside from the aforementioned spooky and potentially life changing if not endangering promise, the story encompasses love in all it’s guises family, friends, neighbours, colleagues love that sees people of all ages through difficult times with laughter tears and caring company.

The promise itself is extremely enticing, the full details are not revealed too early on but the effects of it’s power are seen through Elena’s thoughts and actions, almost 20 years after she made it. I was left wondering about magic, fortune telling and how the fears of a child can be very real. I wanted to read on to see what exactly happened. I wanted to hug the small girl that had become a successful but scared adult.

Samantha Tonge has not disappointed me yet. Her books have all been meaningful, emotive and inspiring. This book is no exception. A five star read that left me longing to hear more.

Such a wonderful and unique idea for a story!
I loved how Elena has an epiphany moment when she starts hanging out with her work colleague Rory. For the last almost 20 years she had lived a cautious life, not taking risks and therefore not living a normal life.
Something happens and Elena then begins to take risks and to do things that she never would have done before meeting Rory. He encourages her and helps bring her back to living a full life.
It was lovely to see Elena and Rory become friends and to see them share their stories.
I enjoyed the intriguing moments too, and was wondering how it would all pan out at the end!
Great characters and a quirky backstory kept me reading avidly.
This was a very satisfying story to read.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Die Liebesgeschichte besitzt eine spannende, außergewöhnliche Ausgangsituation. Denn allzu oft trifft man in einem Buch nicht auf eine Heldin, die glaubt bald, noch vor ihrem 30. Geburtstag, zu sterben. Und deren Leben seit gut 20 Jahren von dieser Todesangst bestimmt wird.

Ich war sehr gespannt darauf, zu erfahren, was hinter Elenas Versprechen steht. Und nach den ersten Kapiteln habe ich mich auch auf die Liebesgeschichte gefreut, denn Elena sowie Rory wirkten auf mich von Anfang an sympathisch und interessant.

Ich mochte die Energie in ihren Dialogen und konnte ihre aufkommenden Gefühle füreinander spüren. Schon die Freundschaft zwischen beiden fand ich sehr angenehm. Die Gespräche der beiden brachten mich mehrmals zum Lachen und Lächeln.

Im letzen Drittel des Liebesromans wird dann die Situation um Elena aufgelöst. So ganz rund und komplett überzeugend wirkte die Erklärung auf mich leider nicht. Sie war aber definitiv überraschend, denn ich habe etwas ganz anderes erwartet.

Im letzten Drittel arbeiten Elena und Rory übrigens sehr aktiv daran, die Umstände von Elenas Versprechen nachzuvollziehen. Das fühlte sich wie eine Schnitzeljagd an, die auf mich teils etwas langatmig wirkte.

Blicke ich auf mein Leseerlebnis zurück, so ließ sich der Liebesroman insgesamt gut lesen und die Geschichte konnte mich teils auch berühren. Das Ende des Romans wirkte auf mich allerdings nicht komplett rund und die eigentliche Liebesgeschichte fand ich zwar nett, aber nicht mitreißend.

🖤🖤🖤 1/2

Für wen?

Wer Geschichten spannend findet, in denen die Heldin in den letzen beiden Jahrzehnten sehr vorsichtig gelebt hat und sich nun so einiges in ihrem Leben ändert, für den könnte das Buch eine schöne Sache sein.

I already love this author but this book in my opinion is one of the best, I was a little unsure when I read the blurb but I’m so glad I read it. Heartwarming read

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge.
A heartwarming tale of Elena and Rory.
Rory is so adventurous and Elena so safe, convinced that something that happened when she was 10 years old means she has no future.
They are so different anyone can see they are not couple material.
Can’t they 😂😍

Once I finished this book, I had to let it sit with me, and then I needed to send a message to the author as it deeply affected me. The story is so powerful that even if you only slightly recognise yourself in the story, it will present a massive wake-up call. It’s important that I don’t give anything away, and I can promise that my experience is only similar, but the clanging bells can still be heard after over a week.
Elena is the epitome of organisation and balance. Her life follows a protected path, and she actively avoids danger. Her path may be protected, but her life is not being lived. Elena seems contented with this situation until she offers her colleague Rory a place to stay. He’s a daredevil obsessed with extreme sports, constantly pushing himself to face danger. Opposites may attract, but their differences are broader and deeper than the Grand Canyon; obviously, there can be no common ground between them.
Slowly, Elena becomes braver, and Rory starts to calm down, so perhaps there is something invisibly binding them. However, she must conceal the secret that she is protecting with her life. As their friendship begins to flourish, the seeds of hope spring green shoots that bind their friends together.
This is a very special book that handles subjects that can be both overwhelming and yet empowering. Elena and Rory are perfectly mismatched, and I loved their friendship, particularly the way it developed in keeping with a couple of stick insects!
The supporting cast had the depth that a story like this requires. Each character added a layer to the narrative, and none felt superfluous. Whilst a book based on love and friendship may seem commonplace, I can categorically say that the twists caught me in a full sideswipe. The truth of this story has the deepest roots and deserves to be told, and I cannot imagine a more beautiful telling.

Elena Swan believes she’s going to die; however, she is not sick but just knows that a promise when her mother was ill, may come back to haunt her when she turns 30. Elena put the promise to the back of her mind, but as she is 29, she knows that her days are limited. So, she wants to live her life to the fullest like her friend, Rory.
Rory and Elena are two great characters who made this story so special. Whilst the story is told largely from Elena’s POV, I enjoyed hearing Rory’s voice through his journal entries. This book had plenty of twists to it, and I found myself captivated by Elena’s journey that is full of emotion and laughter.
This book I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Not my favourite book by Samantha Tonge. It was okay, but I never really warmed to Elena. I thought she was childish at times. I thought the story was sometimes far-fetched. Rory was a wonderful character. the ending fell a bit flat for me. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I could have read this book sooner and with less interruptions. The topics addressed in this book are eye opening and relevant to what we currently face in life.

The storyline is based post Covid so it is a modern storyline with past elements. One where two friends help each other realise their struggles and they help each other through it. It’s such a thoughtful story that concludes beautifully and left me with no unanswered questions.

I would recommend this book it has real life facts written in a way that doesn’t take away the fiction of the story. All the characters are so lovable and realistic.

What a beautiful story wrapped in a beautiful package. The cover drew me in but the premise really sold me on this. I wasn't sure what to expect, whether it would be magical realism or not. It was not, if you're wondering. It was genre-bending, in my opinion. A romantic comedy with an underlying mystery.

The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking of something that affected my life(I don't want to spoil) and I was so pleased that it ended up being mentioned. This really handled some delicate topics respectfully.

Elena is a successful marketing executive for a biscuit company. She's sensible and careful. She feels she has to be. When she was 10, she made a deal with a shadowy figure that would give her only 20 more years of life.

Those 20 years are coming to a close and Elena is worried. At the same time, her coworker Rory is coming to stay at her house while his is renovated. Rory is spontaneous and carefree. It should stress her out but it inspires her.

If Elena only has weeks left to live, she wants to stop wasting them and make memories.. maybe she'll finally let herself fall in love.

Firstly can we just take a moment to appreciate the cover, beautiful colours that really draw your eyes for another look!

I really really enjoyed this story. It was different and unique.
The character development was excellent and you felt like you knew these people inside out by the end.

When Elena was just a young girl a terrible accident sees her mum in a bad way in hospital, but a promise she makes ensured her safety, but what does it mean for Elenas future?

This isn’t your typical romcom book, it’s funny, it’s sad, it deals with life’s difficulties, it opens up and spills its secrets which will only draw you in more.

This book does just as the author describes another book within the story ‘it focuses on the journey, not the destination.’ Everything seems so real, there’s no rush to a happy ending but deeply develops what happens along the way.

You will fall in love with all the characters, Rory, I mean, what a guy when you truly get to know him. Tahoor, you will just want to hug and invite round for coffee. I could go on, even the characters who have seemingly small parts in this story will touch your heart in some way.

So what I’m saying is go and read it! Enjoy it. Grab a hot chocolate and settle down somewhere comfy and get lost in Elenas remarkable story.

Elena suffered trauma as a child of ten and because of this she is sure she will die before she reaches the age of thirty.
Elena has lived her life full of anxiety. She has been so careful and her motto has been safety first. She has never flown in plane or been abroad, never tried any dangerous sports. Elena's house has extra bolts on the door, safety rugs, bath rails etc. She is living like an elderly woman.
Rory, her co worker is the opposite, he loves dangerous pursuits, mountain climbing,bungee jumping, white water rafting etc. Eleena shakes her head at him often and thinks he's crazy.
What happens when Rory needs to leave his flat as it's in the middle of a messy renovation and Eleena offers him her spare room? Do opposites attract?
I enjoyed reading this book although at times I felt it a bit slow. I like Eleena until a certain part of the book and then she really annoyed me. Rory was a good character and very kind to put up with Eleena.
Interesting story about a subject I knew nothing about and I do like to leave a book being slightly more educated.
Samantha is a good storyteller and I always enjoy her books.

Gentle story about taking chances in life and finding connections. Elena is a 29 year old marketing employee for a biscuit company. When Elena was ten years old, her mother became very ill and Elena made a deal with a strange women in the woods to spare her mother's life in exchange for taking Elena's when she turned 30. Since that promise, Elena has lived under a lot of stress and tried to avoid any sort of danger, even refusing to fly in an airplane. With her 30th birthday coming up, she is filled with even more anxiety and sadness. Rory is Elena's coworker and her complete opposite as he seeks out adventure at every turn. When Rory's house is being renovated, he is forced to move in with Elena and is determined to bring her out of her shell.

Rory is a great character and with his sparkly shirts, sense of adventure and his refusal to care about other people's opinions, he was a perfect foil to buttoned-up Elena. I wish Elena would have been a little more fleshed out and that we would have met Rory and Elena when they first met instead of after they were friends for some time. I also thought this would be the perfect story to add some magic realism but instead everything is neatly explained and for me the story was a bit flat. Will Elena have to give up her life at age 30 and will she start living with a bit more life? Those are the questions that make up this cozy story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this story of Elena and Rory who are best friends, they work together but are totally different from each other.

Elena believes that she will die before her before her 30th birthday and is taking risks in doing different things. Rory loves doing activities that are risky.

As we continue reading, the reasons why both Elena and Rory behave as they do.

Will they be able to accept what happened in the past, and make changes to live the life they should.

I highly recommend this book.

This book follows the intertwined journeys of Elena and Rory, two friends and co-workers, as they navigate personal challenges together. When Rory’s apartment undergoes renovation, Elena offers him a room, bringing them closer. Elena, haunted by the belief that she will die when she turns thirty, is determined to embrace life by taking on new experiences before her birthday. These include falling in love, traveling to Paris, and trying extreme sports. While Rory appears spontaneous and adventurous, he is driven by personal struggles of his own.

As Elena confronts her fear, tied to a promise she made to a stranger at age ten, Rory helps her take risks while teaching her the importance of caution. Their friendship deepens, especially during their trip to Paris, and Elena eventually confides in Rory about her secret. Together, they grow emotionally, supporting one another in overcoming their fears.

The novel, filled with emotional and heartwarming moments, delivers a hopeful message about courage, friendship, and living fully.

The Promise of Tomorrow by Samantha Tonge
Published By Boldwood Books & being released on 8th October 2024

A Heartwarming story of Second Chances and Living Life to the Fullest. A captivating story that will tug at your heartstrings.

Centred around Elena Swan, a woman haunted by a childhood promise, the story explores themes of fate, friendship, and the importance of seizing the day.

Elena's life is upended when she realises her 30th birthday is approaching. A childhood pact with a stranger looms over her, promising her safety but also a tragic end. Faced with the ticking clock of her destiny, Elena embarks on a journey of self-discovery, determined to make the most of her remaining time.

Samantha's writing is both poignant and uplifting, effortlessly weaving together elements of romance, humour, and introspection.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, allowing readers to connect with Elena's struggles and triumphs. The story delves deep into Elena's emotional turmoil as she grapples with mortality and the fear of the unknown. The Supporting Characters; Elena's friends and family provide a heartwarming support system, adding depth and richness to the narrative.

A must read that I couldn't put down; in fact as the story evolved, I wished I could read faster.

I highly recommend this book & enjoying it with copious amounts of tea, or your favourite hot drink of choice, & a big plate of broken biscuits! (You'll understand once you've read it!)

The Promise of Tomorrow is a reminder to cherish every moment and live life without regrets! A poignant and heartwarming story that will stay with you long after the final page.


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Samantha Tonge is a completely new author to me so when Boldwood Books offered me the opportunity to read "The Promise of Tomorrow" ahead of release I almost declined... But there was something about the cover that drew me to read the blurb and then I was intrigued.

Ten year old Elena’s mother has been in a life threatening accident that the doctors don't expect her to survive. Understandably young Elena is distraught and so she sneaks out the house to the woods. There she meets a stranger and makes them a promise which will in turn save her mother's life. But while keeping her mother safe, young Elena puts her own life at stake.

The premise of this book really drew me in and after reading the prologue I was hooked. The story then jumps to twenty years later and Elena is almost thirty, has a successful career and is doing well with her life. However the promise she made as a child looms over her, especially now her 30th birthday is drawing ever closer. This plot definitely kept me turning the pages to find out more.

I loved the characters of Elena and Rory and I enjoyed the friends to lovers vibe. While most of the story is told from Elena’s POV, Rory gets his say too and I enjoyed his journal entries. The two main characters are supported by some loveable side characters which gave me the whole found family feels.

Overall I found this to be a heartwarming and uplifting romance story with a mystical and unexpected twist. I enjoyed this authors writing style and I am keen to explore more of her novels.