In 1932, Sibyl Trimble, a young banker’s daughter, falls in love with a down-on-his-luck hobo. Can she break from her socialist father’s beliefs and find God in the midst of her troubles?
I really enjoyed this story especially when I found out it was based on true people. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series to see what happens next to these interesting characters. I really liked Sybil and her sisters. My favorite character was Fremont and his family. They were so down to earth. Sybils Family was odd and had some money. This book definitely shows the different types of people that lived through some of the depression in Oklahoma. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Author
bettimace
3 years ago
‘Child, remember God has a plan for you….Never forget that!’
Set in the 1930’s the true story of this family is one of survival for some and not for others. The Great Depression has affected everyone, even those who live in town. Sybil wants nothing more than to make her Papa proud of her. This desire permeates almost everything she does. Deeply involved in socialism, Papa is a lot of talk and very little action. Realizing that she needs a purpose that is her own, spurs Sybil on to make very different choices than those that would be made for her.
Slowly growing in her faith, she learns to flesh out her dream of helping others.
The author has put a great deal of research into this book, which is evident as you read the detail of the town, the people and even the politics. I could almost feel the grit in my teeth as I read about the dust bowl and the incredible drought. It must have been very difficult to believe that God had everything in control and had not abandoned them.
This ARC was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions given are my own.
Author
ebosaifuobhokhan
3 years ago
Based on a true life story.
Emotionally packed book. Reading this book gave me a big and deep look into how things were in the early 1900s. Socialism was been promoted. The poverty and struggle to maintain life. The rich living their lives disdaining the poor, doing nothing but getting richer, the economy crumbling and people seeking how to live from day to day. Farmers were loosing their farms. People living off the pain and struggles of others.
Fremont Pope’s faith gave him a purpose, willingness to help others and to love a contented life. I admire his strength and faith even though he was very poor and barely able to get by. He worked hard and supported his family and still was able to not be bitter but rely on God for help and strength.
Sibly on the other hand was a rich, privileged lady who idolized her father and his opinions about life.
Sibyl, was discontented with life and wanted to be able to live up to the unrealistic standards set by her father. She wanted more out of life. She had a passion for life that was admirable but with the wrong knowledge on how to go about things
One of the great things I learnt from this book is how parents faith or lack of can influence their children’s faith or lack of. For Sibyl, her parent’s lack of faith made her set it aside. Her Father wanted to change the world through society justice. She wanted to change the situation of the poor. Later she came to realize that the piece that was missing was God. Through series of troubling events in her family, life and her choices Sibyl began to ask hard life questions which drove her to begin a relationship with God and with his word.
I loved reading about how through his words, lifestyle and soft disposition Fremont challenged her to choose a different way to life. She learnt through a series of events that God wanted her to live a life serving him. Not pleasing herself or her Father.
Fremont wanted to follow Christ freely and was not ready to compromise it for anyone not even her and he urged her to do same.
“Well, for me, if I follow God, that’ll be my purpose.”
The greatest lagacy a parent can give a child is the knowledge of Jesus.
Her decision to find answers to life troubles in God’s word lead Sibyl to be able to obtain knowledge needed to help others learn the scriptures. Her yearning to help others and elevate their sufferings lead her to find God and his word and to lead others to God’s word to find God for themselves. What better help can we render to our fellow man than the knowledge of God and his word.
One of the most endearing aspects of this book was reading about Fremont’s family which was different as night is from day to Sibyl’s family.
Reading this book would get anyone examining their lives to see where their priorities are and what kind of life they are modelling for others, especially parents to their children. It taught me that the real need of man is not wealth, food… But a relationship with God. When that part is sorted out, every other thing falls into place.
This book deserves more than a 5 star.
I love the author’s patience to write the details and skill to present it in a way one does not get bored.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
Author
deana
3 years ago
I enjoyed the setting of the book in the 1920’s to early 1930’s. The author gives readers a nice look at what it was like during the depression era. The story takes place in Oklahoma where my granddad homesteaded. I remember him telling me stories about how hard it was when he worked his farm trying to survive. He lived in a small town where the people knew each other and tried to help each other out.
When I make a promise I try never to break it because my integrity is very important to me. Sibyl adored her father and tried to always please him. I found it fascinating that the book was based on a true story . The author describes a family that has a comfortable living even though the depression was hitting hard. Sybil and her siblings didn’t seem to do without and had a carefree live. That all changes as the politics start to take over and her father strays from his commitment to family.
The story is based around a promise that Sybil makes to her father. She makes it not thinking she will ever have to actually follow through with her vow. I found her father to be quite arrogant at times and very judgmental of others. His lack of sympathy for the poor made me angry. He was very demanding and wanted his family to obey him without question. There are flaws in the family structure as Sybil starts to question her father and his political beliefs.
I found myself invested in the story and loved how the author writes a story with transparency and exposes the breakdown of a marriage. When Sybil goes against her father’s wishes to marry someone, that seemed to be the beginning of the breakdown in father/daughter relationship. Sybil has always done what her father wanted and to disobey him was unthinkable. Her father does take a detour and completely changes the dynamics of a close family. All he seemed to be worried about what his reputation.
The highlight for me in the story was Fremont. What he lacked financially, he made up for with his deep faith. I loved reading how his and Sybil’s relationship developed and how he helped her find her way back to God. The story talks about greed, family, power and how important it is to listen to God. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Author
jsisemore23
3 years ago
A promise to break
Sibyl makes a promise when she young to her father. She had a lot of growing up to do after that. She meets Fremont when he lived as a hobo for a short time. They dated even though he was from different background than her.
The book is a historical set in the 1930’s during the depression. Sibyl father made a good living but he was one of few that did.
I loved Sibyl, how she loved to help people. Another character I really loved was Sibyl mother in law. She was helpful to Sibyl and Fremont.
Based on a true story and first in a series. I definitely look forward to reading the next book. I found the book very interesting from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
Author
alekee02
3 years ago
The author has set this story back in the 1930’s, a time in America when things were very hard, people out of work and no jobs to be found, bread lines, etc. She has also set this story in Oklahoma, and we experience some of the dust bowl, along with the depression.
The main characters come from both sides of the fence, money and poverty, and compassion for their fellow man seems to draw them together.
The promise to break in the title felt like good and evil, and it plays well with this story, rich in history, and full of real life.
We do get choices in life, and we read how life is played out here, with the choices, and some that really surprised me, and all I can say is we reap what we sow, and as such will eventually meet the consequences of our actions.
I loved how this story played out, although I was cringing at times, the pages flew, and at the end I loved the Author’s Notes, you really do not want to miss them!
I received this book through the Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
Author
sarahsnider
3 years ago
The 1930s is not a time period with which I am very well acquainted. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, but I haven’t read many books set during this decade. The fact that Kathryn Spurgeon’s “A Promise to Break” is based on a true story enhanced my appreciation for this book, and because it is written in the first person, it truly felt like stepping back almost 90 years into the past. Something that struck me almost immediately was how much things have actually remained the same. Issues that our society and our country is now contending with may seem new, but in reality they are longstanding. Sybil Trimble’s father is an advocate for Socialism, and yet as a well-to-do bank auditor, he is more inclined to talk and not to action. He is not willing to sacrifice anything himself but thinks that he has all of the answers to society’s ills. As Sybil remarks, “Papa, not God, decided what was right or wrong for our family. And right and wrong always depended on his mood that particular day.”
As the oldest child and her father’s protégé, Sybil follows a path already set forth for her. It is not until she meets Fremont, a poor young man and a hobo, that she begins to see beyond the close confines of her sheltered life. Spurgeon does well in demonstrating the conflict within Sybil as her upbringing collides with Fremont’s worldview. Up until this point, she has lived under her father’s thumb, and her goal in life is to please him: “I would do anything to make Papa proud. Anything… I promised I would help Papa change the world. I could never break that promise—Papa was my hero.” As her eyes begin to open to the world outside of her own comfortable home, she finds herself questioning her future and what she truly believes. Sybil’s spiritual journey likewise progresses, and her questions and doubts are very credible coming from someone of her upbringing and class. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 9:24, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When we have everything we need to live securely, it is easy to rely upon ourselves and forget that the Lord is the one who blesses us and provides for us. The journey to accepting and trusting God may be filled with bumps and detours, as is Sybil’s, but what a spectacular treasure awaits for the heart of the faithful!
Anyone who enjoys reading historical memoirs and books about the 1930s, the disparity between rich and poor, and flawed but endearing and sympathetic characters will appreciate Kathryn Spurgeon’s debut, “A Promise to Break.” There were some grammatical errors throughout, but none of them detracted from the story itself, which contains an appealing mixture of faith, family, heartache, and triumph.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Author
pattistep53
3 years ago
I enjoyed this book from a historical point of view. The author did a good job of incorporating facts about the Trimble family in this novel. The author was able to interview family members and that added to the authentic feel of the family’s struggles and the time period in which these events took place.
The tone of this story reflects that of the times in which it occurred. Some families felt of a loss of direction because of the Depression and loss of jobs. They were struggling to make ends meet and facing hunger and poverty in a daily basis. Others, like the wealthy Trimble family, were almost careless in how they spent money and were always looking for a “good time”. There was heartbreak and trouble in the dance halls where ragtime was the rage, and the author was able to effectively communicate all of these contrasts throughout the story. The Trimble family experienced moral failures, too, but Sybil was shown the way of faith in God by her in-laws’ example of trusting through difficult times. It’s not always an easy book to read, but there is a light of hope that shines throughout the tough times.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Author
campbellamyd
3 years ago
A Promise to Break is the first installment from Kathryn Spurgeon’s series, The Promise. It is, also, my first book I have read by this author. It definitely will not be the last.
A Promise to Break is a wonderful read. I enjoyed Sibyl’s story. I admired her courage and strength. I loved how the author vividly described the historical details. I felt like I was right there among the characters living during the time. It was fun being transported back in time to see what it was like during the 1930s depression era Oklahoma.
I am giving A Promise to Break a well deserved five plus stars. I look forward to where Miss Spurgeon’s imagination will take the reader to in her next installment of The Promise series, A Promise Child. I highly recommend for readers to read this clean historical.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Author
nylakaywilkerson
3 years ago
A Promise to Break by author Kathryn Spurgeon is a Christian historical fiction set in 1930’s Oklahoma. It is based on the lives and experiences of the author’s family. When I learned that I felt like a fly on the wall watching as things happened.
This is the story of Sibyl (yes, the spelling is correct) and her desire to please her father by promising him to be part of a political movement that would change the world. She comes from a well to do family and is used to the finer things in life.
It is also the story of Fremont who is down on his luck and a self proclaimed hobo. He does come from a Christian family and is one himself. They are completely different but drawn to each other.
The author has given us a nostalgic tale of life in America in the Great Depression as well as Kansas in the Dust Bowl era. Life was hard and the author beautifully illustrates family issues, political and financial problems, as well as faith. Details are enjoyable and bring the story to life.
Characters are relatable and seem so real. It was easy to become invested in the story and their lives. I remember tales my own grandparents and parents told about the misery of the Great Depression and the author has captured the emotions well. This is a well researched, organized, and well planned novel.
The inspirational message to trust God is not watered down nor is it hidden. It was encouraging to watch as Sibyl grew in her faith and person. I learned more about the people and time period of the setting. Books that inspire, educate, and entertain are definitely my favorites.
I would recommend this book. The writing style was nice, dialogs were realistic and flowed easily, and the characters were memorable. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
Author
conniesaunders
3 years ago
As I began reading this book I was reminded that most young girls think that their father is extremely wise and beyond reproach and that was certainly the case with Sibyl Trimble. Sibyl didn’t understand all that took place when she attended a political meeting with her dad when she was very young but she did understand when he asked her to make a promise and to keep it. “Promise me. Promise me, child, that you’ll follow me and change the world”. What she didn’t realize in 1922 was that her father wasn’t quite the man that she thought and there would come a time when she must choose what she believed was right!
Author Kathryn Spurgeon has written a novel that is based on true facts. Sibyl Trimble was Spurgeon’s grandmother and both family records and historical facts have been used to tell Sibyl’s story from her youth until she met and married Fremont Pope and they started their family. A Promise to Break tells us about love, faith, and politics in the 1930s and it vividly describes those Depression years. Sibyl had grown up enjoying the perks of a well-to-do family and falling in love with and marrying a ‘hobo’ from the wrong side of the tracks was an unlikely possibility, but this story shows the true blessing that Sibyl received. It was Fremont Pope who showed Sibyl what true Christianity was and what true, selfless love truly felt like and it was Fremont who supported her when she was asked to choose between her mother and her father in their nasty divorce case. Sibyl hated to lose her father’s love and approval but she was torn and her decision was a surprise that wasn’t accepted by either parent. The true natures of both parents were revealed during those proceedings and the anguish of Sibyl and her siblings was very hard to read.
I enjoyed this book and I appreciate the research that Spurgeon devoted to it. A Promise to Break is often sad but it is also a testament to the power of love and true faith. As Sibyl strived to gain knowledge so that she could finally make a difference, she realized that ‘I didn’t have to struggle by myself. I could learn, not just from libraries and newspapers, but from God’s own words.’ (p. 212)
This is the first book of a three part series devoted to Sibyl and Fremont Pope and I hope to learn more about their lives in the other books. If you enjoy historical fiction and stories of hope and faith, you will want to read A Promise to Break.
I received a copy of this book from the author but I wasn’t required to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
Author
lifeofliterature
3 years ago
This story is not shy about its exploration of the explosive political and financial climate of the 1930s in Oklahoma. I really enjoyed the historical background of the book. I also love it when authors write about something that they have a connection to—and this author writes a fictional story about her very real grandparents! I thought that the story got bogged down at times by the political language (particularly the rants of the father of the protagonist) but nonetheless I liked the book overall. I really liked Sibyl, who grows from a spoiled wealthy girl to a strong and compassionate mother, with trials and emotional heartache along the way. The romance is so achingly tender and, although it gets pushed to its limits, true love prevails. I thought there were quite a few typos that would have benefited from another set of editing, but this did not detract from the story, which was powerful in its message of depending solely on God. I was really drawn to the characters and felt their emotions! I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who love historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Author
kristinahall
3 years ago
Characters: Sibyl and all the supporting characters were extremely realistic. They were based on the author’s relatives who actually lived in the ’30s. I could tell Kathryn Spurgeon had done extensive research to make the characters and all the historical details authentic.
Language: Clean. An adulteress was called a word referring to an immoral woman/prostitute.
Moral: This novel had several themes including God’s plan, finding your purpose in life, loyalty, and maturing as a Christian.
Plot: Do I even call events that actually happened a plot? 🙂 Anyway, plenty of character relationships, hardships, and tough decisions kept the plot moving; and I enjoyed seeing Sibyl realize socialism wasn’t the wonderful ideology her father made it out to be. I wasn’t aware socialism was a big thing in the ’30s, so I found it interesting (and rather disturbing) to learn about that.
Random comments: Mentions of an unfaithful husband—nothing detailed, and a few references to abortion. Sibyl considered getting one at one point but decided against it. Also, her sister had one. Although abortion definitely wasn’t advocated for, I felt like it could’ve been condemned more.
Romance: Clean. A couple did spend the night together before marriage, but it occurred off scene.
Writing: Kathryn Spurgeon has a good writing style that fit this book and the time period in which it was set well. I was able to see the events taking place, and I didn’t get lost in a bunch of unnecessary details.
Overall: A Promise to Break was an interesting, well-researched read, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian fiction and historical fiction.
I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Author
lucym
3 years ago
I was delighted to read this, as I haven’t read much about the struggles of the Dust Bowl except for The Grapes of Wrath. I didn’t realize this is actually Book II in a series, but I was able to read as a stand-alone. I loved that this story is actually based on the author’s grandparents. Their faith during the real life situations and circumstances is so uplifting and challenges us to face life’s difficulties with the strength that they did. God still hears our prayers when we falter and gives us strength. You can picture the settings with the descriptive writing style that immediately pulls you into the story. I didn’t understand the cold, selfish behavior of Sibly’s parents when family needed to pull together to survive. This gives great insight into how she is an overcomer through Christ. An emotional roller coaster ride that finds you looking forward to reading the next book in the series. It leaves you thinking about it for quite some time.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Author
elynda
3 years ago
Anyone with a family knows that relationships are not easy, that loving comes at a cost, and often that price is paid with a sometimes-painful return. A coming of age story set in the 30s, A Promise to Break deals with some difficult topics like finding who we are apart from our parents, determining our course in life, and discovering what we really believe, that for which we are willing to sacrifice.
Largely, this is a book about expectations, those we have for ourselves and those others place upon us. It’s also about how we react when life doesn’t turn out according to our plans, whether we choose to trust God to make sense of our mess or make things worse through our own, misguided efforts.
While well written and interesting, this is not an easy read. It is free of language and doesn’t portray wrong as right, but it deals with some difficult and weighty topics with no easy answers. For that reason, I recommend it for adults and up, especially those who have an interest in historical politics, Oklahoma history, or the different ways Christian faith is expressed in the past.
I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
I really enjoyed this story especially when I found out it was based on true people. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series to see what happens next to these interesting characters. I really liked Sybil and her sisters. My favorite character was Fremont and his family. They were so down to earth. Sybils Family was odd and had some money. This book definitely shows the different types of people that lived through some of the depression in Oklahoma. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
‘Child, remember God has a plan for you….Never forget that!’
Set in the 1930’s the true story of this family is one of survival for some and not for others. The Great Depression has affected everyone, even those who live in town. Sybil wants nothing more than to make her Papa proud of her. This desire permeates almost everything she does. Deeply involved in socialism, Papa is a lot of talk and very little action. Realizing that she needs a purpose that is her own, spurs Sybil on to make very different choices than those that would be made for her.
Slowly growing in her faith, she learns to flesh out her dream of helping others.
The author has put a great deal of research into this book, which is evident as you read the detail of the town, the people and even the politics. I could almost feel the grit in my teeth as I read about the dust bowl and the incredible drought. It must have been very difficult to believe that God had everything in control and had not abandoned them.
This ARC was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions given are my own.
Based on a true life story.
Emotionally packed book. Reading this book gave me a big and deep look into how things were in the early 1900s. Socialism was been promoted. The poverty and struggle to maintain life. The rich living their lives disdaining the poor, doing nothing but getting richer, the economy crumbling and people seeking how to live from day to day. Farmers were loosing their farms. People living off the pain and struggles of others.
Fremont Pope’s faith gave him a purpose, willingness to help others and to love a contented life. I admire his strength and faith even though he was very poor and barely able to get by. He worked hard and supported his family and still was able to not be bitter but rely on God for help and strength.
Sibly on the other hand was a rich, privileged lady who idolized her father and his opinions about life.
Sibyl, was discontented with life and wanted to be able to live up to the unrealistic standards set by her father. She wanted more out of life. She had a passion for life that was admirable but with the wrong knowledge on how to go about things
One of the great things I learnt from this book is how parents faith or lack of can influence their children’s faith or lack of. For Sibyl, her parent’s lack of faith made her set it aside. Her Father wanted to change the world through society justice. She wanted to change the situation of the poor. Later she came to realize that the piece that was missing was God. Through series of troubling events in her family, life and her choices Sibyl began to ask hard life questions which drove her to begin a relationship with God and with his word.
I loved reading about how through his words, lifestyle and soft disposition Fremont challenged her to choose a different way to life. She learnt through a series of events that God wanted her to live a life serving him. Not pleasing herself or her Father.
Fremont wanted to follow Christ freely and was not ready to compromise it for anyone not even her and he urged her to do same.
“Well, for me, if I follow God, that’ll be my purpose.”
The greatest lagacy a parent can give a child is the knowledge of Jesus.
Her decision to find answers to life troubles in God’s word lead Sibyl to be able to obtain knowledge needed to help others learn the scriptures. Her yearning to help others and elevate their sufferings lead her to find God and his word and to lead others to God’s word to find God for themselves. What better help can we render to our fellow man than the knowledge of God and his word.
One of the most endearing aspects of this book was reading about Fremont’s family which was different as night is from day to Sibyl’s family.
Reading this book would get anyone examining their lives to see where their priorities are and what kind of life they are modelling for others, especially parents to their children. It taught me that the real need of man is not wealth, food… But a relationship with God. When that part is sorted out, every other thing falls into place.
This book deserves more than a 5 star.
I love the author’s patience to write the details and skill to present it in a way one does not get bored.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
I enjoyed the setting of the book in the 1920’s to early 1930’s. The author gives readers a nice look at what it was like during the depression era. The story takes place in Oklahoma where my granddad homesteaded. I remember him telling me stories about how hard it was when he worked his farm trying to survive. He lived in a small town where the people knew each other and tried to help each other out.
When I make a promise I try never to break it because my integrity is very important to me. Sibyl adored her father and tried to always please him. I found it fascinating that the book was based on a true story . The author describes a family that has a comfortable living even though the depression was hitting hard. Sybil and her siblings didn’t seem to do without and had a carefree live. That all changes as the politics start to take over and her father strays from his commitment to family.
The story is based around a promise that Sybil makes to her father. She makes it not thinking she will ever have to actually follow through with her vow. I found her father to be quite arrogant at times and very judgmental of others. His lack of sympathy for the poor made me angry. He was very demanding and wanted his family to obey him without question. There are flaws in the family structure as Sybil starts to question her father and his political beliefs.
I found myself invested in the story and loved how the author writes a story with transparency and exposes the breakdown of a marriage. When Sybil goes against her father’s wishes to marry someone, that seemed to be the beginning of the breakdown in father/daughter relationship. Sybil has always done what her father wanted and to disobey him was unthinkable. Her father does take a detour and completely changes the dynamics of a close family. All he seemed to be worried about what his reputation.
The highlight for me in the story was Fremont. What he lacked financially, he made up for with his deep faith. I loved reading how his and Sybil’s relationship developed and how he helped her find her way back to God. The story talks about greed, family, power and how important it is to listen to God. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
A promise to break
Sibyl makes a promise when she young to her father. She had a lot of growing up to do after that. She meets Fremont when he lived as a hobo for a short time. They dated even though he was from different background than her.
The book is a historical set in the 1930’s during the depression. Sibyl father made a good living but he was one of few that did.
I loved Sibyl, how she loved to help people. Another character I really loved was Sibyl mother in law. She was helpful to Sibyl and Fremont.
Based on a true story and first in a series. I definitely look forward to reading the next book. I found the book very interesting from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
The author has set this story back in the 1930’s, a time in America when things were very hard, people out of work and no jobs to be found, bread lines, etc. She has also set this story in Oklahoma, and we experience some of the dust bowl, along with the depression.
The main characters come from both sides of the fence, money and poverty, and compassion for their fellow man seems to draw them together.
The promise to break in the title felt like good and evil, and it plays well with this story, rich in history, and full of real life.
We do get choices in life, and we read how life is played out here, with the choices, and some that really surprised me, and all I can say is we reap what we sow, and as such will eventually meet the consequences of our actions.
I loved how this story played out, although I was cringing at times, the pages flew, and at the end I loved the Author’s Notes, you really do not want to miss them!
I received this book through the Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
The 1930s is not a time period with which I am very well acquainted. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, but I haven’t read many books set during this decade. The fact that Kathryn Spurgeon’s “A Promise to Break” is based on a true story enhanced my appreciation for this book, and because it is written in the first person, it truly felt like stepping back almost 90 years into the past. Something that struck me almost immediately was how much things have actually remained the same. Issues that our society and our country is now contending with may seem new, but in reality they are longstanding. Sybil Trimble’s father is an advocate for Socialism, and yet as a well-to-do bank auditor, he is more inclined to talk and not to action. He is not willing to sacrifice anything himself but thinks that he has all of the answers to society’s ills. As Sybil remarks, “Papa, not God, decided what was right or wrong for our family. And right and wrong always depended on his mood that particular day.”
As the oldest child and her father’s protégé, Sybil follows a path already set forth for her. It is not until she meets Fremont, a poor young man and a hobo, that she begins to see beyond the close confines of her sheltered life. Spurgeon does well in demonstrating the conflict within Sybil as her upbringing collides with Fremont’s worldview. Up until this point, she has lived under her father’s thumb, and her goal in life is to please him: “I would do anything to make Papa proud. Anything… I promised I would help Papa change the world. I could never break that promise—Papa was my hero.” As her eyes begin to open to the world outside of her own comfortable home, she finds herself questioning her future and what she truly believes. Sybil’s spiritual journey likewise progresses, and her questions and doubts are very credible coming from someone of her upbringing and class. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 9:24, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When we have everything we need to live securely, it is easy to rely upon ourselves and forget that the Lord is the one who blesses us and provides for us. The journey to accepting and trusting God may be filled with bumps and detours, as is Sybil’s, but what a spectacular treasure awaits for the heart of the faithful!
Anyone who enjoys reading historical memoirs and books about the 1930s, the disparity between rich and poor, and flawed but endearing and sympathetic characters will appreciate Kathryn Spurgeon’s debut, “A Promise to Break.” There were some grammatical errors throughout, but none of them detracted from the story itself, which contains an appealing mixture of faith, family, heartache, and triumph.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book from a historical point of view. The author did a good job of incorporating facts about the Trimble family in this novel. The author was able to interview family members and that added to the authentic feel of the family’s struggles and the time period in which these events took place.
The tone of this story reflects that of the times in which it occurred. Some families felt of a loss of direction because of the Depression and loss of jobs. They were struggling to make ends meet and facing hunger and poverty in a daily basis. Others, like the wealthy Trimble family, were almost careless in how they spent money and were always looking for a “good time”. There was heartbreak and trouble in the dance halls where ragtime was the rage, and the author was able to effectively communicate all of these contrasts throughout the story. The Trimble family experienced moral failures, too, but Sybil was shown the way of faith in God by her in-laws’ example of trusting through difficult times. It’s not always an easy book to read, but there is a light of hope that shines throughout the tough times.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A Promise to Break is the first installment from Kathryn Spurgeon’s series, The Promise. It is, also, my first book I have read by this author. It definitely will not be the last.
A Promise to Break is a wonderful read. I enjoyed Sibyl’s story. I admired her courage and strength. I loved how the author vividly described the historical details. I felt like I was right there among the characters living during the time. It was fun being transported back in time to see what it was like during the 1930s depression era Oklahoma.
I am giving A Promise to Break a well deserved five plus stars. I look forward to where Miss Spurgeon’s imagination will take the reader to in her next installment of The Promise series, A Promise Child. I highly recommend for readers to read this clean historical.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
A Promise to Break by author Kathryn Spurgeon is a Christian historical fiction set in 1930’s Oklahoma. It is based on the lives and experiences of the author’s family. When I learned that I felt like a fly on the wall watching as things happened.
This is the story of Sibyl (yes, the spelling is correct) and her desire to please her father by promising him to be part of a political movement that would change the world. She comes from a well to do family and is used to the finer things in life.
It is also the story of Fremont who is down on his luck and a self proclaimed hobo. He does come from a Christian family and is one himself. They are completely different but drawn to each other.
The author has given us a nostalgic tale of life in America in the Great Depression as well as Kansas in the Dust Bowl era. Life was hard and the author beautifully illustrates family issues, political and financial problems, as well as faith. Details are enjoyable and bring the story to life.
Characters are relatable and seem so real. It was easy to become invested in the story and their lives. I remember tales my own grandparents and parents told about the misery of the Great Depression and the author has captured the emotions well. This is a well researched, organized, and well planned novel.
The inspirational message to trust God is not watered down nor is it hidden. It was encouraging to watch as Sibyl grew in her faith and person. I learned more about the people and time period of the setting. Books that inspire, educate, and entertain are definitely my favorites.
I would recommend this book. The writing style was nice, dialogs were realistic and flowed easily, and the characters were memorable. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
As I began reading this book I was reminded that most young girls think that their father is extremely wise and beyond reproach and that was certainly the case with Sibyl Trimble. Sibyl didn’t understand all that took place when she attended a political meeting with her dad when she was very young but she did understand when he asked her to make a promise and to keep it. “Promise me. Promise me, child, that you’ll follow me and change the world”. What she didn’t realize in 1922 was that her father wasn’t quite the man that she thought and there would come a time when she must choose what she believed was right!
Author Kathryn Spurgeon has written a novel that is based on true facts. Sibyl Trimble was Spurgeon’s grandmother and both family records and historical facts have been used to tell Sibyl’s story from her youth until she met and married Fremont Pope and they started their family. A Promise to Break tells us about love, faith, and politics in the 1930s and it vividly describes those Depression years. Sibyl had grown up enjoying the perks of a well-to-do family and falling in love with and marrying a ‘hobo’ from the wrong side of the tracks was an unlikely possibility, but this story shows the true blessing that Sibyl received. It was Fremont Pope who showed Sibyl what true Christianity was and what true, selfless love truly felt like and it was Fremont who supported her when she was asked to choose between her mother and her father in their nasty divorce case. Sibyl hated to lose her father’s love and approval but she was torn and her decision was a surprise that wasn’t accepted by either parent. The true natures of both parents were revealed during those proceedings and the anguish of Sibyl and her siblings was very hard to read.
I enjoyed this book and I appreciate the research that Spurgeon devoted to it. A Promise to Break is often sad but it is also a testament to the power of love and true faith. As Sibyl strived to gain knowledge so that she could finally make a difference, she realized that ‘I didn’t have to struggle by myself. I could learn, not just from libraries and newspapers, but from God’s own words.’ (p. 212)
This is the first book of a three part series devoted to Sibyl and Fremont Pope and I hope to learn more about their lives in the other books. If you enjoy historical fiction and stories of hope and faith, you will want to read A Promise to Break.
I received a copy of this book from the author but I wasn’t required to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
This story is not shy about its exploration of the explosive political and financial climate of the 1930s in Oklahoma. I really enjoyed the historical background of the book. I also love it when authors write about something that they have a connection to—and this author writes a fictional story about her very real grandparents! I thought that the story got bogged down at times by the political language (particularly the rants of the father of the protagonist) but nonetheless I liked the book overall. I really liked Sibyl, who grows from a spoiled wealthy girl to a strong and compassionate mother, with trials and emotional heartache along the way. The romance is so achingly tender and, although it gets pushed to its limits, true love prevails. I thought there were quite a few typos that would have benefited from another set of editing, but this did not detract from the story, which was powerful in its message of depending solely on God. I was really drawn to the characters and felt their emotions! I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who love historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Characters: Sibyl and all the supporting characters were extremely realistic. They were based on the author’s relatives who actually lived in the ’30s. I could tell Kathryn Spurgeon had done extensive research to make the characters and all the historical details authentic.
Language: Clean. An adulteress was called a word referring to an immoral woman/prostitute.
Moral: This novel had several themes including God’s plan, finding your purpose in life, loyalty, and maturing as a Christian.
Plot: Do I even call events that actually happened a plot? 🙂 Anyway, plenty of character relationships, hardships, and tough decisions kept the plot moving; and I enjoyed seeing Sibyl realize socialism wasn’t the wonderful ideology her father made it out to be. I wasn’t aware socialism was a big thing in the ’30s, so I found it interesting (and rather disturbing) to learn about that.
Random comments: Mentions of an unfaithful husband—nothing detailed, and a few references to abortion. Sibyl considered getting one at one point but decided against it. Also, her sister had one. Although abortion definitely wasn’t advocated for, I felt like it could’ve been condemned more.
Romance: Clean. A couple did spend the night together before marriage, but it occurred off scene.
Writing: Kathryn Spurgeon has a good writing style that fit this book and the time period in which it was set well. I was able to see the events taking place, and I didn’t get lost in a bunch of unnecessary details.
Overall: A Promise to Break was an interesting, well-researched read, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy Christian fiction and historical fiction.
I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I was delighted to read this, as I haven’t read much about the struggles of the Dust Bowl except for The Grapes of Wrath. I didn’t realize this is actually Book II in a series, but I was able to read as a stand-alone. I loved that this story is actually based on the author’s grandparents. Their faith during the real life situations and circumstances is so uplifting and challenges us to face life’s difficulties with the strength that they did. God still hears our prayers when we falter and gives us strength. You can picture the settings with the descriptive writing style that immediately pulls you into the story. I didn’t understand the cold, selfish behavior of Sibly’s parents when family needed to pull together to survive. This gives great insight into how she is an overcomer through Christ. An emotional roller coaster ride that finds you looking forward to reading the next book in the series. It leaves you thinking about it for quite some time.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Anyone with a family knows that relationships are not easy, that loving comes at a cost, and often that price is paid with a sometimes-painful return. A coming of age story set in the 30s, A Promise to Break deals with some difficult topics like finding who we are apart from our parents, determining our course in life, and discovering what we really believe, that for which we are willing to sacrifice.
Largely, this is a book about expectations, those we have for ourselves and those others place upon us. It’s also about how we react when life doesn’t turn out according to our plans, whether we choose to trust God to make sense of our mess or make things worse through our own, misguided efforts.
While well written and interesting, this is not an easy read. It is free of language and doesn’t portray wrong as right, but it deals with some difficult and weighty topics with no easy answers. For that reason, I recommend it for adults and up, especially those who have an interest in historical politics, Oklahoma history, or the different ways Christian faith is expressed in the past.
I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.