Today on TWG, I have the pleasure of reviewing Sally Jenkins’ ‘The Promise’ as part of the blog tour organised by RaRaResources. Big thank you for the blog tour invite and the ARC. Here is my review:
A man has been stabbed. A woman is bloodstained. The nightmares from her teenage years have begun again for Olivia Field – just as she is preparing to marry.
Ex-convict, Tina is terminally ill. Before she dies, the care of her younger, psychologically unwell brother, Wayne must be ensured. So Tina calls in a promise made to her thirty years ago in a prison cell. A promise that was written down and placed with crucial evidence illustrating a miscarriage of justice in a murder case.
Tina believes Olivia is perfectly placed to provide the care Wayne needs, but to do so, Olivia must be forced to cancel her own wedding and wreck the lives of those close to her. Tina’s terrible blackmail demands put Olivia’s entire future and, ultimately, her freedom under threat.
The Promise is a fast-paced psychological thriller told from several third person viewpoints. The novel explores the lengths to which people are prepared go in order to protect those they love and the impossibility of ever fully escaping our past actions.
What does TWG think?
Cor blimey – this book is intense!!
Not that I should feel sorry for a couple of the main characters in this book, but they are a bunch which seem to attract a lot of negativity. I mean, how many bad things can one person endure?
Olivia is such a one tracked minded type of character, often coming across as quite self obsessed. Tina, well, it’s hard NOT to feel sympathetic to her….well, that is until you get to know her character then any sort of empathy goes out of the window. And then there’s Wayne, Tina’s brother. I really don’t think it would be useful to you if I gave my opinion on this character, as there is a high chance I may end up giving something away. Who knows, other readers may view his character in a completely different way as I did, but a lot of my opinions were formed on his actions throughout the novel. Intrigued? Understandable!
Whilst ‘The Promise’ gripped me as much as I would grip someone if I saw cookies, I have to be honest and say that the last portion of the book really didn’t do it for me as there was far too many loose ends still loose. I really do think that ‘The Promise’ has room for a sequel and, due to the extremely open ending, I would welcome another book just so that I could get answers.
All in all, I did enjoy the storyline and the way in which the chilling themes engulfed me right from the very beginning. The author has cleverly entwined several devastating events with the minimal amount of effort, resulting in such a shocking reaction from myself. Like I said at the beginning of this review – this book is extremely intense, make sure you remember to breathe!!
Buy now from Amazon UK
Google Play
Nook
Author Bio –
Sally Jenkins lives in the West Midlands. She is a member of a Speakers’ Club, a volunteer library reading group coordinator and a church bell ringer. Sally’s first psychological thriller, Bedsit Three won the Ian Govan Award.
Social Media Links –
Facebook // Twitter // Website/blog
The Writing Garnet 
Wow this sure sounds intense, must keep an eye out for it
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