Some books you pick up to read and are not sure what really
grabbed your attention when you put in on your to-read list. Promise Me by Jill
Mansell is one that quickly proves it is a delicious treat!
The story centers around Lou, a kind caring woman who has
had a few hard knocks in life, particularly with men! She finds herself out of
job and a home and visits a dear longtime friend Sammy. In the town he lives
in, she bumps into Edgar Allsopp. Edgar is a man known to the town as a recluse
with personality like sour milk. The ornery 80-year-old knows she is the one he
wants as his caretaker so he makes an offer hard for her to refuse. He is
relentless in his pursuit of her saying yes!
As their relationship progresses, we learn a whole lot about
several other people from the little town of Codwolds. The small village is
full of charm and likeable characters, all with a story. Each leaves a lasting
impression on the reader. Many other side stories also develop with these other
people that stand on their own but take a backseat to the main story
thread.
I loved how the writer wove multiple themes into the book so
it hits home in many different areas. It
is an uplifting story for most everyone in the book.
This author makes the character, Lou and even the grumpy old
fart Edgar Allsopp turn into someone lovable and understandable. As Lou’s influence changes him, we change a
lot in how we view him, his beloved dog Captain Oates and several others in the
story line and you can’t help rooting for everyone’s happiness or karma for the
rotten ones.
The story is funny, and I suppose some negative reviews had
more to do with where the reader was at, when reading this. It was not meant to
be taken as a realistic story but more entertainment as many great stories are.
Some reviews were upset because they did not feel everything was believable and
a few characters annoyed them. I think characters come in all shapes and sizes
and a good writer utilizes all types and weaves them into a story, as in this
book. I don’t think the intent was to
make it dead-on reality but more a story to enjoy sitting back and watching it
play out. It offers a taste of life through a creative fun funny novel.
I loved it, I actually gave it a 5, something I seldom do
particularly with a non-serious book. I rated it high because it exemplifies
why I read. Among the most valued reasons for reading, for a break from the world,
a chance to root for folks, an opportunity to sit back and just enjoy life’s
little moments. This book is full of that kind.
You will be laughing and anxious to know what happens next. The love pulls of Sammy’s brother Remy and
our central character Lou is fun to watch play out too.
I was not familiar with the writer but I felt her writing
was really quite good. In books that are more light-hearted, great writing
usually goes out the window and I would say this one is the exception. There
were a few spots where the grammar did not seem quite right to me but it did
not deter from the story one iota. It is written in third person but scattered throughout
are chapters that are written from the perspective of some of the main
characters. This really added to character development. We all have our own
ideocracies but showing each of them in some of the side view chapters makes
the story more humorous and engaging.
If you really want to
read a book entertaining that still conveys some important themes, go into this
book with that attitude and enjoy the ride!
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