Promises to Keep by Jane Green

  I have read and enjoyed several of Jane Green's previous novels -- Jemima J especially, but also The Other Woman and Bookends -- but I haven't read any of her more recent books.  When I saw her most recent book, Promises to Keep, on the new releases shelf at the library I thought I'd give it a try.  I've been reading a lot of books lately with heavier subject material, so I thought a lighter read would be just the thing to cleanse the ol' reader's palate, as it were.

 

  I certainly did not expect to be crying my eyes out 15 minutes after closing the book when the message of the book hit me.  Not that it is a completely sad story - which I don't want to describe too much at the risk of giving it away - but it is a personal one for Jane Green and I think she did a wonderful job.

  The story is centered around two sisters - Callie and Steffi.  Callie is the almost-stereotypical suburban woman -- taking care of her kids and her workaholic husband while running a photography business from her home.  Steffi is 33 but to her family still hasn't grown up and settled down.  It seemed to be a typical "chick lit" (and I admittedly do not like that term) plot, but then something happens that impacts the lives of the sisters and those closest to them -- Callie's husband and two young children; the sisters' divorced parents, Walter and Honor; and Callie's best friend Lila.  It is here that the story takes an bittersweet turn and I literally could not put the book down until I reached the last page (thank goodness for lazy Saturday mornings). 

 

  As I put the book down and started to think about it, I was overwhelmed by the amount of emotion Jane Green put into these characters.  And though it had me tearing up, sadness is not what it's all about;  there is a good sprinkling of humor throughout as well, along with some really tempting recipes (Steffi is a chef, and there is a recipe at the end of each chapter for a particular dish described in the narrative).

  I highly recommend this novel.  I haven't read Jane Green for a few years, but she's back on my must-read list.