From Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times bestselling author and the “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader through her characters that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews) comes a warm-hearted and charming enovella. Two years have passed since their friend Andy’s death, and the Eight is still struggling to cope with their loss. In an attempt to give the … loss. In an attempt to give the group some time to reconnect with one another, remember their friend, and reflect on the last two years, Marie decides that a relaxing couple’s getaway is just what they need before the craziness of the holiday season begins. When their large cabin in the woods turns out to be more rundown than rustic, though, Marie fears that she’s ruined everything, but at least, she thinks, the trip can’t get any worse–that is, until a lost English girl named Beth appears at the cabin. And with such heavy snow, the Eight is forced to take her in for the next twenty-four hours.
Although Marie feels as if all her planning and good intentions were for nothing, she has no idea that Beth will give the group a gift they didn’t know they needed: the reminder that life may not always be fair and sometimes it’s painful, but there’s always another day.
With Shelley Shepard Gray’s signature “thought-provoking, emotional” (Patricia Davids, USA TODAY bestselling author) prose, Promises of Tomorrow is a moving story of love, friendship, and faith.
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A perfect ending to a beautifully written series that touches on topics that will make you take stock of your life.
Without giving anything away, you know by the end of the novella that the Eight will be ok. Each book and novella is written as standalone reads but I heavily suggest you start with Friends to the End and read in order. You will get so much more out of the books. I have needed tissues with every story but that is good for me as it means that it was a memorable read for me.
Beth’s story touches on the thoughts I had in the early dating stages of my husband. If something tragic happens early on, how do you grieve? Sometimes you know from the beginning that you have found your person. I wanted to reach into the novella and comfort Beth with lots of hugs.
A quick read for an afternoon but one that stays with you long after.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Gallery Books, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray is a novella that is #4.5 in The Walnut Creek Series. I thought Promises of Tomorrow was well-written with steady pacing and developed characters. It is best that this series be read in order otherwise you will be lost plus it will spoil the previous books for you. The story begins with Mr. & Mrs. Warner having their annual “It’s December!” holiday party where it is Marie’s turn to share a tale about Andy. This side story is told in small parts before each chapter. I like how it had me laughing as it unfolded. The Eight which has changed since the series began, all meet to share a couple’s retreat weekend before the holidays begin. They encounter Beth Trainor who also rented a nearby cabin, but she became lost while walking. Because of the heavy snowfall and approaching nightfall, the group gets Beth to agree to stay with them overnight. It turns out to be what the group and Beth needed. They get a chance to help a woman in need which in turns helps them as well. The main themes in Promises of Tomorrow are grief and hope. I like how the group of friends lift each other up. There are two phrases from Promises of Tomorrow that I wanted to share. “Everything was easier with friends” is the first one. The second phrase was provided by Beth when she said, “That there is always, always the promise of tomorrow.” In this novella, we see that God puts us where we need to be when we need to be there. Promises of Tomorrow is an uplifting and inspiring story.
This is what is called an e-short ebook. It’s a novella and the final book of Shelley Shepard Grays Walnut Creek Series. It’s also a Christmas book. I enjoyed reading one more book about the eight, who all were friends from elementary school. Mennonite, Amish and English make up this group of friends. There’s really more than eight friends because they always welcome new friends to their fold. Now the years have passed and they are adults. Some of them have paired up and married while others have married outside their group of friends but always they remain a group.
The Eight decide to rent a Cabin in the wilderness for a get away weekend. They want to reminisce about memories and a member of the Eight who died suddenly, two years ago. The cabin isn’t what they thought it would be. A real dive to be truthful. The guys go outside to bring in wood for the fireplace and while outside they find a lost woman . There’s a bad snow storm and the temperature has dropped drastically. What are they to do about the woman? What kind of person is she and where did she come from? Could they trust her if they were to bring her inside out of the cold? She is confused and freezing. They can’t leave her outside in the frozen elements.
Readers who have read the other five books in the series will enjoy this novella. This series is considered Amish Fiction.
I purchased a Kindle copy of Promises of Tomorrow. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
The story is about eight people who are friends or siblings to someone who died tragically and who were all affected by his death. They all get together at a cabin that they rent to spend time together and to reconnect. While at the cabin, they find a young woman who is lost in a snowstorm so they take her in and through their interactions are able to help her cope with a tragedy of her own.
The story was good and the characters were fun but I had a little bit of a hard time following the story at times. At the heading of each chapter, they kept talking about their friend and a girl named Stephanie. It just didn’t seem to mesh with the story, at least not for me.
I was given an arc copy of this story and I willingly offer my honest review.
I enjoyed this novella that is part of a great series. Each of these characters in the series are wonderful. I love how we learn a little more about each person in this group of friends in each book. I am never disappointed in this author. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. These books make me laugh and cry.
Another great book in the Walnut Creek Series. It brings back the group of eight . The group misses Andy and they want to get together to share their memories. They rent a cabin that is more rustic than it was suppose to be. A short novella that shows the meaning of Christmas. They meet Beth who also rents a cabin that is more like a shed. She gets lost and ends up at the groups cabin. Beth shares her story of loss and they bond together. Another great story by Shelley Shepard Gray. She never disappoints me.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella Promises of Tomorrow, the latest in the Walnut Creek series which is a wonderful series.
I was able to read it in 2 sittings since I didn’t want to put it down even to get to sleep!
Even though this can be a stand-alone book, I’d recommend starting from the beginning of the series to fully grasp who the characters of the “Eight” are.
Shelley Shepard Gray has never let me down. She is an excellent writer.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
In the final book of the Walnut Creek series, author Shelley Shephard Gray pens a story that shows how heartache and loss can be used to reach someone else.
Promises of Tomorrow is not a fast paced novella but is rich with caring and personal growth. The characters are all well developed and true to life as they struggle in their own ways to come to terms with a loss the group has suffered. They learn that by giving to another they can receive healing for their hearts.
If you’re simply looking for a Christmas story with heart then I recommend this book.
I highly suggest reading all the books in order so you understand all that is happening.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
A sweet Christmas Novella and we are back with the eight. Although, this is a short read, this story packs a lot into it, and it filled with love and compassion, who wouldn’t want to be friends with group.
At the top of each chapter there is a small blip of a side story, but then we are gifted by this author of a read that resonates of the true meaning of Christmas, and when the last page is turned, I wanted more!
Can’t wait for future stories of this wonderful group!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.