Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.Once a reckless … reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.
Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?
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In A Promise Too Keep, librarian Savannah Sanderson promised her late husband that she would return to their 20-year high school reunion, no matter what. Widowed for about a year, she finds it challenging to be there, even when she runs into her friend, Michael McCann, whom she barely recognizes. Since graduation, Michael changed from an overweight troublemaker that Nick and Samantha knew, to a handsome athletic search-and-rescue professional. The three friends lost touch with one another after high school.
She doesn’t know that Michael loved her in high school, but was afraid to tell her due to his friendship with Nick Sanderson. She also doesn’t know Michael made a promise to Nick to attend the reunion. Can they overcome their past and open their hearts to a future together?
Teague does an excellent job at creating characters and setting that engage the reader. The faith element is interwoven seamlessly. The storyline is believeable and involves more than two high school friends meeting again after twenty years have passed. Both of them have memories and hurts to overcome, if they are going to move forward.
Disclaimer: Book reviews are written for books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, or authors. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
A Promise to Keep is a delightful blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and inspiration. Combined with delicious wit and humor and colorful imagery, this debut novel by Melony Teague is both emotional and realistic. I loved the shared history and connection between the two main characters, Savannah and Michael. They are engaging, layered, and lovable, and I enjoyed seeing the interaction and growth between them. I especially enjoyed two of the settings in the book—Niagara Falls and the Tetons. They are favorite places to me, and it was fun to visit them between the pages of this book.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy amusing second chance stories with great, realistic characters. I’m looking forward to more books from this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
In her debut novel, Melony Teague introduces readers to former friends Michael and Savannah who, due to choices and circumstances, meet again after twenty years at their high school reunion.
These two have a history that gives them insight into each other despite the years and distance between them. Michael has become a better man, one who makes it his life’s work to rescue others while Savannah’s experiences have caused her to burrow into a protective shell. One Michael wants to bring her out of.
A spur of the moment road trip, complete with small adventures, becomes a journey of discovery and honesty for these two friends. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Niagara area through A Promise to Keep.
Teague builds this story well with an intense ending that had me flipping through the pages as quickly as possible. At the heart of this story is the truth that no matter the obstacles in front of us, love is worth the risks.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
‘She wouldn’t cry. She was done with tears…..with the fortitude of fragile glass.’
Savannah Sanderson promises her late husband that she will go to her 20th year high school reunion, which is the absolute last thing she wants to do. She finds a hiding spot behind a fern and that’s where she plans to stay until the night is over. Then another classmate, Michael McCann, spots her and drags her out. He’s changed his life completely since high school, too. He and Savannah decide to visit some old favorite spots from their high school years and soon their adventure turns into an emotional journey they are not sure they can navigate past.
Well written, poignantly told, this debut novel from Melony Teague will touch your heart and have you cheering for these two. Watching them reconnect after 20 years and seeing their hearts shine is something you don’t want to miss. Don’t miss this one, folks. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Anyone who has been to their twentieth high school reunion will enjoy this delightful romance. Melony Teague brings her protagonist, Savannah, to life on the page as she relearns who she is and turns her upside-down world right-side up. A great book to slip into your beach bag and while away the hours at the water’s edge.
I won Melony Teague’s A Promise To Keep and finished it today.
This is an inspiring Christian romance. The story begins in deep grief and the trail to healing. If you have lost someone you loved deeply (romantically or otherwise), you can easily relate to Savannah. You may even relate to her struggle with God after her loss and her growth through it. I left this novel inspired and happy with the ending.
I definitely recommend reading it! Melony Teague thanks so much!
Would you go to your high school reunion? No? Would you go if you promised a dying man? Such was the case of Savannah Sanderson’s promise to her high school sweetheart and late husband, Nick. Perhaps this is what she needed to do to put aside her past, stop dwelling on what-ifs, and move toward a new future.
Michael McCann also made the same promise to his childhood best friend, Nick Sanderson, to attend the reunion. He had very little reason to return, but a promise was a promise. Little did Michael or Savannah have knowledge of the promise they had made to Nick, but both of them trusted him implicitly and decided to attend.
Dealing with grief and the loss of someone dear to you is handled with great gentleness and care in the story of Savannah and Nick. She needs to return to visit the places where her life with Nick began and to also find peace and bring closure to the life they would no longer share. Michael needs to return to their hometown to face the reason he so hastily left.
The love that was shown in a variety of ways in the book made me think of I Corinthians 13: 7-8 that says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Nick’s love for Savannah never ended. He wanted her happiness and to be cared for long after he passed away. Savannah had to take risks, believe in those who loved her. She showed her dedication and love to Nick even in sickness and unimaginable pain and loss. Michael had to let go and believe that love wants the best for others, no matter the outcome. I enjoyed this beautiful story of hope, love and sacrifice.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book. I was not required to give a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A lovely second-chance romance, A Promise to Keep is the perfect story for anyone seeking the soft and gentle embrace of a sweet comfort read. Savannah is grieving her husband’s death and coming to terms with a future without him when she reunites with Michael after a long hiatus, sending past and present into a collision course that brings both tumult and freedom.
Her initial reluctance toward getting romantically involved and putting her heart on the line is well done and realistic, and I appreciated that Michael met her where she was and didn’t put pressure on while nudging out of her shell with compassion and finesse. Their relationship grew in such an organic, tender fashion that it was impossible not to root for them.
Michael was a wonderful romance hero, kind and considerate with that edge of danger to make him interesting. Savannah was delightfully relatable, her healing and growth drawn with a deft hand. A soothing story that delivers on the promise of escape.
This story opens with a punch and promises a wild ride.
For this reader, though, the tension and pacing slowed way down way fast.
Oh, how my heart hurt for Savannah, widowed at such a young age. It was never clear, though, what her mission was, or why her husband made her promise to go to the reunion.
Michael was the opposite to what this reader was in high school, popular party guy. He, too, sought to correct past mistakes. (His mission was quite clear, however.)
I enjoyed the banter between them, and their journey of discovery. Ms. Teague takes Savannah on a difficult heart journey, balancing the past to the present and the future. Exploring how damaging it can be to stay locked in past memories, even if they are good ones. And the freedom of exploring—and embracing—the future, even when it’s scary.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
THREE FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, A Promise to Keep, Melony Teague, Singing Librarian Tours,
Oh I hope you are ready with tissues as you read this moving and emotional story. It is filled with warmth, faith and unforgettable characters. How many of you have ever made a promise that you knew you had to keep? In this story a promise will test two people’s faith and trust while finding their way to letting go of the past. Savannah is a wonderful character who works as a research librarian. I loved reading about her days as she helped patrons and discovered wonderful books to take home for herself. She has suffered a great loss and her grief has overtaken her. I don’t think she was really living, but just going through the emotions everyday. Her pain can be felt as she locks herself away in her apartment. Can anybody find a way to her heart again?
Michael is an on-call extreme rescue worker who has known Savannah since childhood. The authors’ details about his job is eye opening. You are in for a treat as we witness a rescue that will take everything Michael has to survive. I loved learning how much Michael has always cared for Savannah. It haunts him even now that he has never expressed his feelings for Savannah. Have you ever regretted not telling someone how you felt? The night they reconnect will cause a stirring within them that the author explores in a candid and engaging way.
I loved how the author shares how Savannah is afraid to take chances. She is so scared to lose someone she loves, that she has locked her heart away. Will she learn to live again and begin to trust those around her? Her lack of faith will catch up with her as she realizes that , “God is grieving over us when we walk away from Him.” That is something I never thought of, but God does grieve and he wants us to come back to Him.
The book is a compelling story of second chances, promises and trust. It will leave you with a feeling of hope as you find out what where Savannah and Michael’s journey takes them. It is easy to recommend this book because it is a breathtaking look at God’s unfailing love. God never breaks a promise.
” I’ve learned that opportunities pass you by if you hesitate.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Anaiah Press. The review is my own opinion.