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Book Review of A Promise Kept

A Promise Kept
PianoLady357 avatar reviewed on + 157 more book reviews


"This wasn't the life Allison Kavanagh had imagined for herself, but it was what her life had become. Like it or not, she had to get on with it." With these beginning words, Robin pens a deeply personal and moving story of marriage, divorce, heartbreak, and restoration.

The descriptions of the mountain cabin and community of Kings Meadow just north of Boise, Idaho create a great sense of place. And while I'm not a dog person, I fell in love with Gizmo. Allison had "read somewhere that owning a Papillon meant never going to the bathroom alone, and it was true. . . . She loved him for making her feel less alone."

The contemporary narrative seamlessly flashes back to the 1920s and 30s through the journals of Allison's Great Aunt Emma, a character I was immediately drawn to - financially independent as a nature photographer and considered to be the "rebel" of the family. But a different Emma emerges through the pages of her journal, and her words that impacted Allison will speak to readers also.

Allison, a woman of deep faith who had tried so hard to save her marriage, is heartbroken when her obedience results in Troy walking away. "She'd been so certain God would heal her marriage, but it was clear that she'd misunderstood. For Allison's marriage was over and God did not lie."

Relevant, compelling, emotional, honest, Spirit filled, real . . . A Promise Kept is Christian fiction at its best, a well-written story that entertains, yet challenges and convicts at the same time. For while this story focuses on a marriage torn apart by alcohol addiction, it also reminds us of spiritual truths that we know, but often tend to forget in the heat of the moment. It's piercing message is for all Christians as Allison asks herself, "Am I thankful for the hard things and disappointments that have happened in my life? Have I let Him be Lord over every area of my life?"

A Promise Kept is a great example of how God can use Christian fiction to change lives. I am thankful Robin and her husband, Jerry, were willing to share their story and pray that many readers will pick up this book and be touched by its message. I highly recommend this story to all readers.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.