What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma

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1942/2022 – France

A Family’s History Is Lost to the Ravages of WWII in Southwest France

1942
Noémie Treves, a young, pregnant Jewish woman, had her entire world shattered when she is arrested and taken to the Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France. No sooner does she arrive, though, than she assists in helping two young girls scheduled for transport escape to a nearby maternity hospital. The matron there befriends her and changes her name to help hide her. But nothing goes according to plan, and Hannah finds herself doing the unimaginable to save one precious life.

2022
Caitlyn Laurant is haunted by recent events in her life and hopes becoming a nurse on the mission field will help her forget. While in training, she and her friends travel to France where her grandfather was born. What should have been an easy search for his birthplace turns into anything but and reveals secrets that no one alive has ever heard.

2 Comments

“What is right is not always easy.”
Promises made-Promises kept. It is always hard to keep promises when things are not under your control. And we must consider what God desires.
In the present, Caitlyn learns a hard lesson when she tries to fulfill promises made to her friend before a fatal accident. She promised to become a missionary nurse. On a side trip from missionary school in Spain to Southern France, she discovers holes in her family history. She is searching for the birth records of her grandfather who has dementia.
In 1942, under occupation in France, Helene/Noemie, goes through heartache when she becomes separated from her husband and is uncertain of her future and that of her unborn child. “Life will never be what it once was. We will never be who we once were. All the things happening to us will transform our lives in some way or another. For good or for evil. Will we hate or will we forgive.”
Another heartfelt story about tragedy during WWII and the brave souls who did their best under hopeless circumstances. This was a faith filled story recounting another aspect of occupation during the 1940s and how it affected people for generations afterward. The author did a great job of getting us to see this through the eyes of the characters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour on behalf of the author and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

I’ve read several dual-timeline novels in the past year, but this book has three timelines! One is set in current-day America, another in 1942 South France and the third timeline takes place in 1955 South France. What I Promise You is a riveting tale of three young women who suffer tragedies that would break most people. Two of these women are caught up in the death and destruction of WWII and the third discovers a special connection with one of the others. It’s left up to us to discover just what it is!

How can I best describe this book? Captivating? It has memorable characters and page-turning suspense. Inspiring? There’s a beautiful faith message within its pages. Unforgettable? It’s a poignant portrayal of the pain, hurt, and death that occurred during this time in history, and a powerful reminder that we must prevent this evil from ever happening again! What I Promise You is stunning historical Christian fiction!

I accepted a digital copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. I am freely sharing my thoughts.

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What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma