Promises to Keep | Book Review

Author: Genevieve Graham

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Publication Date: April 4, 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary: An enchanting and poignant story about the unfailing power of love in a world turned upside down by war—from the bestselling author of Tides of Honour.

Summer 1755, Acadia

Young, beautiful Amélie Belliveau lives with her family among the Acadians of Grande Pré, Nova Scotia, content with her life on their idyllic farm. Along with their friends, the neighbouring Mi’kmaq, the community believes they can remain on neutral political ground despite the rising tides of war. But peace can be fragile, and sometimes faith is not enough. When the Acadians refuse to pledge allegiance to the British in their war against the French, the army invades Grande Pré, claims the land, and rips the people from their homes. Amélie’s entire family, alongside the other Acadians, is exiled to ports unknown aboard dilapidated ships.

Fortunately, Amélie has made a powerful ally. Having survived his own harrowing experience at the hands of the English, Corporal Connor MacDonnell is a reluctant participant in the British plan to expel the Acadians from their homeland. His sympathy for Amélie gradually evolves into a profound love, and he resolves to help her and her family in any way he can—even if it means treason. As the last warmth of summer fades, more ships arrive to ferry the Acadians away, and Connor is forced to make a decision that will alter the future forever.
Heart-wrenching and captivating, Promises to Keep is a gloriously romantic tale of a young couple forced to risk everything amidst the uncertainties of war.

Review:

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for including me in this book blog tour and for sending a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

To start, Genevieve Graham’s writing is absolutely amazing. From the description of the landscape of the appearance in the people, all of it felt true to the time and the place.

Although the book was a historical fiction, many of the details and events seemed very true to actual encounters that had occurred in the past. Being in an Aboriginals class right at this moment, we learn about the encounters with the French, British and Aboriginals, as well as many of the problems that these encounters resulted in. As well, it is not often that local authors write of Canada, let alone about the encounters between the Aboriginals and those coming from the “Old World/Old France”. It was a nice change of scenery from fantasy and dystopian tales.

Throughout the tale, Amélie Belliveau, French, and Corporal Connor MacDonnell, and English (and quite dashing if I do say so myself) present the forbidden love story that the novel revolves around. A mixing of a nation was not seen as proper during these times, and many had to marry within their ethnicity. But, there is always an exception when love is present.

This book presents the strength that women needed to have during this time. While the men were often recruited due to their strength, this left women to fend for themselves. Amélie Belliveau and her family are strong, even when all odds are against them. Through death and grievances, Amélie Belliveau is able to prove that women are powerful as well, and deserve to have a happy ending of their choosing, not someone else.

I highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, but also romance lovers as well. But if this review didn’t grasp your attention, be sure to watch the book trailer of it below!