I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This is such an emotional book. Prepare to spend your day reading it and not doing much else. You won't be able to put it down. The characters are beautifully portrayed, the setting is perfect. Such a feel-good book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Idyllic location that set the tone of the book to perfection. Perfect seasonal book to get you in the mood for the festive season or the winter months

A beautiful powerful book about 2 teenagers and their love story that is caught up the Troubles. I found this one so engaging that my life had to stop until I reached the final page. Thanks you so much for the advanced copy.

As soon as I started to read this story I was gripped. I remember only too well growing up in a time when “the troubles“ in Northern Ireland were a way of life. Thankfully, we have all moved on and the troubles have been consigned to the history books. While this is not a history book it nevertheless touches on the not too distant past when people were judged on who they were and where they came from.
In the first chapter we meet Kate, a young trainee nurse visiting her Mam, who has been imprisoned for being involved with the local paramilitaries. As an activist and civil rights campaigner Kate’s mum was an easy target for the local police force
. In the next chapter we meet David who is the son of the local clergyman. While deciding where his future lies he is working in the local supermarket.
Circumstances bring David and Kate together on one fateful day but the ramifications of that day are with them both for a long long time to come. A super book, I loved it. Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperFiction for an ARC of this super book. I would give it 4⭐️

The plot development was superb and I was rooting for both Kate and David. I had a really hard time putting my Kindle down to do my Adult responsibilities.
This book is perfection.
I loved the emotions this book puts the reader through. Stunning absolutely stunning!

Loved this book. The trauma David and Kate go through and yet find love and happiness is amazing and on the way they bring their families together from different sides and the divide. I would think I could imagine living through the troubles in northern Ireland - but this proves you really had to be there and the persistence of the divides even after the Good Friday agreement.

Oh my heart. Emma Heatherington had broken my heart into millions of tiny pieces and glued it back together with this absolutely wonderful gem.

I have to admit, this was far away from what I had expected but I have loved it so much I’m unsure a written review will give the book justice.

I have adored Kate and David, what a fantastic mix of characters. The tension between their families is an added element to this book.

This is unique and unlike anything I’ve read previously, it’s a book that has imprinted on my heart and will stay with me for a long time.

I have been hooked on this one from the very beginning. The bomb explosion pulled me in even deeper and I have been wanting these characters to find their way.

There is nothing negative I can say about this one. Emma is a massively talented author and one who gets better with every book. This is possibly my new favourite.

A book highly deserving of all the stars and a definite recommendation from me.

The Promise - Emma Heatherington

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily

One terrible moment changes everything for teenagers Kate and David. Brought together during the darkest of times of the Troubles, a spark of hope is ignited between them – a hand held in the darkness, a promise whispered. Neither of them will ever forget those moments.

It’s another ten years before they meet once more, and their lives are now so different. The promise they made to each other on that fateful day still binds them, but now they have so much more to lose.

Have they missed their one chance at happiness? They only way they will ever know is to risk everything to be together. Is that too high a price to pay for love…?

This is an emotional book - it will take you through a variety of different emotions. Ultimately this is a love story, but it is also a tale of hope and overcoming many boundaries. It is a lovely book to read that will leave its mark on you.

I thought that this book was much deeper than I initially anticipated. Some of the topics covered are delicate but these are handled in such a way that the book is an easy read.

Rating: 4/5

LOVED THIS! This is absolutely the most perfect book to read this winter. Prepare yourself to fall in love with the characters and strap yourself in for an incredible journey.

The promise by Emma Heatherington.
One terrible moment changes everything for teenagers Kate and David. Brought together during the darkest of times, a spark of hope is ignited between them – a hand held in the darkness, a promise whispered. Neither of them will ever forget those moments.
It’s another ten years before they meet once more, and their lives are now so different. The promise they made to each other on that fateful day still binds them, but now they have so much more to lose.
Have they missed their one chance at happiness? They only way they will ever know is to risk everything to be together. Is that too high a price to pay for love…?
Wow this was a lovely read. I love romance stories. This was no exception. Absolutely brilliant. 5*.

This is an incredibly powerful and thought provoking novel that gripped me right from the start and held onto me until the end.

One eventful day in Ireland changed two lives. Meeting up again 10 years later this story is told from both perspectives. Powerful and thought provoking
Definitely recommend

This felt at times like a modern day Romeo and Juliet story.. and at any rate it was a complete epic.

I really wasn't sure which way it would end up, I would have believed pretty much any ending, as there were so many possibilities.

Set in Northern Ireland starting during the time of The Troubles, one explosive day, changed the course of Kate and David's lives forever. We then meet them 10 years later and get to see how their lives have changed and from then on, we get snapshots are regular intervals of what each of them is doing.

The book is written from both perspectives and it is really easy to mentally switch between them both. And Kate and David really are clearly connected but also know that their ultimate destiny and happiness could be completely impossible due to their families and differences in upbringings.

This is turning out to be an impossible book to review without spoilers, so I'm just going to say that the story will have you thinking, it may have you researching more about what was really like during The Troubles, and it will grip you completely.

I suspect I'll be thinking about Kate and David for many days to come, and it really is a powerful and must read book.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the advance copy of this book to be published on 14th October.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I was not disappointed, it is beautifully written.
An engaging emotional read throughout. I enjoyed reading both sides of the story as it alternated between Kate and David. This story had me gripped and I recommend it. 4 stars 🌟

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

One moment and everything has changed for Kate and David, who come together in darker times, where a flicker of hope is lit between them, and a promise is made silently. A time neither of them will forget.

The book is set in Ireland, following the lives of 2 young people, Kate and David, who separate and go their own way, only they meet up 10 years later….

Captivating from the start to the end.

Recommend It.

The cover really doesn't do the book justice. The story inside is serious and meaningful but the cover suggests romance and almost a chiristmassy novel. I think that's why I felt a bit torn about this as, as I read, I felt I was reading the wrong novel. A better one infact but a novel of two faces.

Quite apt in a way as there is a divide in the book too - Kate and David from two sides of the Irish religious divide. This has meaning for the author and the author note was enlightening.

I think some who would love this novel might miss it because of the cover though.

Emma Heatherington is one of my favourite authors, especially for her Christmas reads.

The Promise is another extremely moving book that highlights things that most of us will thankfully never have to experience.

The promise is such a poignant heartwarming read of true love overcoming so many boundaries!
Set in Ireland when” the troubles” were rife and guards patrolled the streets, political and civil unrest and the massive divide between catholic’s and Protestants ruled lives!
Remarkably two people Kate a working class catholic and David a Protestant ministers son are caught up in a terrible bombing along with Kates neice Shannon, what they experience and endure in the aftermath of the bomb formed a tight unique bond between them that ultimately dictates the rest of their lives, through thick and thin, disapproval, personal battles, family dynamics their love eventually pushes through and leads to the most enchanting love story that shows love can conquer all.
Such a tender thought provoking read.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

The Promise by Emma Heatherington


One terrible moment changes everything for teenagers Kate and David. Brought together during the darkest of times, a spark of hope is ignited between them – a hand held in the darkness, a promise whispered. Neither of them will ever forget those moments.
OMG ! An absolutely fabulous book , set in Ireland , and follows the lives of Kate and David , 2 young people , who part and go their own way , only to meet up 10 years later.
I loved the story , and I loved Kate and David. Couldn't put the book down. Spellbinding.