I’m so delighted today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of the latest book from Samantha Tonge, The Promise of Tomorrow: published on 8th October by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), as an audiobook, and in paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I unfailingly love every book Sam produces – the original storylines, the relationships between her wonderfully drawn characters, the way they’re always so heartwarming and life affirming but with real emotional depth. You’ll find reviews of all her books since she joined Boldwood (and a few others too) if you pop her name into my search bar – and she just gets better and better with every book. Her last one, A Single Act of Kindness dealt sensitively with some pretty heavy issues, always balanced with a warmth, lightness, and humour that was totally enchanting – powerful and emotional, it broke my heart before slowly putting it together again, was filled with love, and I adored every single moment (you can read my full review again here). I really couldn’t wait to read her latest – and what a fascinating premise…
Elena Swan believes she’s going to die. And soon.
She’s not ill. She’s not in imminent danger. But she is sure it’s going to happen.
Because many years ago… she’d made a promise to a stranger, in the woods. Elena’s mother was in hospital, after a life-threatening accident. The promise would keep her mother safe, but put Elena’s own life at risk, instead, when she grew up and turned thirty.
Elena put the promise to the back of her mind, over the years. But she’s twenty-nine now, and when something happens that puts her life in danger, she remembers. And she knows.
But Elena hasn’t done everything yet. She’s not brave like her daredevil friend Rory. But she’s also not ready to give up on life. Not before she’s been to Paris. She always wanted to skydive too. She’s never even fallen in love.
Without the promise of tomorrow, can she fulfil all her dreams before fate comes for her?
A romantic uplifting story, about friendship, love, and fate, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, David Nicholls and Faith Hogan.
Elena works at a biscuit factory – she has friends there, her ideas for improvements are respected, her opinions valued. But outside work, she lives a quiet and careful life – escaping only through her love of books – with a constant awareness that her life might be limited because of a moment in her childhood.
We slowly learn more about that pivotal moment that’s had such a life-limiting impact, and why she fears the approach of her thirtieth birthday – but things begin to change for her when she offers friend and work colleague Rory a place to stay while having work done on his apartment. He’s her opposite – flamboyant and upbeat, a risk taker with his interest in extreme sports and travel – and, as well as being fun to be with, his influence begins to rub off on her. If her time is limited, perhaps it’s time for her to live a little – leave that door unbolted, attempt some of those activities she’s always been too fearful to try (taking a plane to a destination she’s always wanted to visit, bungie jumping, see if she can find love before it’s too late). When there’s no tomorrow, it becomes important to live for today – until she finally shares her secret with Rory, and they set about finding out if she can change her future.
You might be expecting magic realism – that bizarre promise, and its consequences, along with some other unexplained details – but instead this is a book that deals very powerfully with other more serious issues, along with the strength to be found through letting other people into your life and sharing your burden, and the possibility of finding joy when all hope seems to be lost. There’s considerable depth and emotion to the story, as your understanding of Elena’s situation slowly builds – and other layers to it, particularly with the introduction of neighbour Tahoor, also barely living but for very different reasons. But there’s plenty of humour and lightness too, with Rory’s zest for life – although he has his secrets too – and their very special friendship that begins to develop into something rather more. With their care for Tahoor and for each other – and the stick insects whose wellbeing also becomes their shared concern – it’s very much a book filled with hope and love. And yes, there is a twist to the story – an unexpectedly powerful one, that caught me unawares, but sensitively and perfectly handled.
This book was unlike anything that I’ve ever read before – a really original premise, difficult subjects dealt with so very beautifully, the warmth of the bond between two very different people slowly overcoming the dread and fear and finding strength in each other, and a story about the power of love that moved me really deeply. I really loved it – and couldn’t recommend it more highly.
About the author
Samantha Tonge is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 15 romantic fiction titles published by HQ, and most recently Aria. Her books for Boldwood marked a broadening of her writing into multi-generational woman’s fiction. She lives in Manchester with her family.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub | Newsletter sign up
Perfect review for a simply beautiful book that really resonated with me.
I loved this book – and your review of it too!