This novella is the last in The Walnut Creek series. It could be read on it's own but reading the series in order makes much more sense. I enjoyed reading this novella and it only took a little while to read. It provided me with some insight in how to handle bad things that come up in life and reminded me to always have faith. A great finish to a great series.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved the characters in this series, and it was a delight to get to read another story about them. The Christmas theme of this book revolves around Beth, a troubled young woman who loses her way in the woods and is rescued by the friends who have gathered together at a cabin for a pre-Christmas celebration. As they extend their friendship to Beth, she opens up about the trouble and sorrow in her life. The friends arrive to be a source of hope and encouragement to her, and as they help Beth, they find that they are also helping themselves to recover from their own heartache and sadness. A beautiful story with themes of faith, hope, and love.

You can enjoy this story even if you haven’t read the rest of the series. Once you’ve read this one, you’ll want to read the other books that features this wonderful group of friends.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The story is about eight people who are friends or siblings to someone who died tragically and who were all affected by his death. They all get together at a cabin that they rent to spend time together and to reconnect. While at the cabin, they find a young woman who is lost in a snowstorm so they take her in and through their interactions are able to help her cope with a tragedy of her own.

The story was good and the characters were fun but I had a little bit of a hard time following the story at times. At the heading of each chapter, they kept talking about their friend and a girl named Stephanie. It just didn't seem to mesh with the story, at least not for me.

I was given an arc copy of this story and I willingly offer my honest review.

It's been 2 years, since Andy's death, the impact of that loss has impacted the Eight. The Eight, a group of 8 friends, since childhood are having a hard time, and Marie comes up with a wonderful....at least it started out as wonderful.....idea. Marie books a cabin, just before the holidays, so that the Eight can spend time as group again and remember why they are together. BUT.....as all readers know.....there is always a clinker, in the fire! And the clinker is Beth.....an English girl who ends up at the cabin of the Eight and starts to give them insight into their relationships and why they are there. Sit back, enjoy this book which covers an often taboo subject and continue to read the novels of Shelley Shepard Gray.....you won't be sorry!!

If you’ve read any of the stories about “the Eight”, you’ll love this culmination of the Walnut Creek Series. Although this short novella centers around Marie and John, there’s so much more tucked into this gem. While on a couples getaway at a remote cabin, they befriend Beth, a woman who got lost when wandering away from her own cabin. This is a novel of acceptance, letting go, deep friendships, and God’s grace. Like the book says, “no matter how bad something is, it doesn’t have to be that way the next day. That there is always, always the promise of tomorrow.”

This is a nice, inspirational quick read I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this novella that is part of a great series. Each of these characters in the series are wonderful. I love how we learn a little more about each person in this group of friends in each book. I am never disappointed in this author. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. These books make me laugh and cry.

When Marie plans a couples weekend getaway before the holidays with her group of friends known as “the eight”, she does not realize that no matter how she feels like she let her friends down by renting a rundown cabin and how disappointed they may be, this weekend will introduce a new friendship with Beth, a stranger, and will help an entire group of friends learn how to deal with their loss of one of their best friends several years ago or how it will help Beth deal with her own tragedy that recently happened. This book shows compassion and love for a fellow human being and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion and review.

Another great book in the Walnut Creek Series. It brings back the group of eight . The group misses Andy and they want to get together to share their memories. They rent a cabin that is more rustic than it was suppose to be. A short novella that shows the meaning of Christmas. They meet Beth who also rents a cabin that is more like a shed. She gets lost and ends up at the groups cabin. Beth shares her story of loss and they bond together. Another great story by Shelley Shepard Gray. She never disappoints me.

Promises of Tomorrow is a very well written book. Well developed plot and characters. You should definitely read the previous books. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella Promises of Tomorrow, the latest in the Walnut Creek series which is a wonderful series.

I was able to read it in 2 sittings since I didn't want to put it down even to get to sleep!

Even though this can be a stand-alone book, I'd recommend starting from the beginning of the series to fully grasp who the characters of the "Eight" are.

Shelley Shepard Gray has never let me down. She is an excellent writer.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

#PromisesofTommorow#Net Galley
At the start of holiday season the "eight" meet to share a special time while trying to heal from their friends death. They have rented a cabin that is fun down and not just rustic as the ad read. As they are getting settled they find a lost English girl Beth. They take her in as the snow is falling heavily and she is unsure where her cabin is. Marie the friend who planned the weekend is feeling like the weekend is going from bad to worse. Beth will need them as much as they need her. This book is about friendships promise of tommorow. That life isn't always fair and sometimes painful.
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book

Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray is a novella that is #4.5 in The Walnut Creek Series. I thought Promises of Tomorrow was well-written with steady pacing and developed characters. It is best that this series be read in order otherwise you will be lost plus it will spoil the previous books for you. The story begins with Mr. & Mrs. Warner having their annual “It’s December!” holiday party where it is Marie’s turn to share a tale about Andy. This side story is told in small parts before each chapter. I like how it had me laughing as it unfolded. The Eight which has changed since the series began, all meet to share a couple’s retreat weekend before the holidays begin. They encounter Beth Trainor who also rented a nearby cabin, but she became lost while walking. Because of the heavy snowfall and approaching nightfall, the group gets Beth to agree to stay with them overnight. It turns out to be what the group and Beth needed. They get a chance to help a woman in need which in turns helps them as well. The main themes in Promises of Tomorrow are grief and hope. I like how the group of friends lift each other up. There are two phrases from Promises of Tomorrow that I wanted to share. “Everything was easier with friends” is the first one. The second phrase was provided by Beth when she said, “That there is always, always the promise of tomorrow.” In this novella, we see that God puts us where we need to be when we need to be there. Promises of Tomorrow is an uplifting and inspiring story.

With the start of the holiday season, the Eight meet to share some special time together before the crazy season begins. While each is still mourning the loss of Andy, Marie hopes they find some comfort and understanding with one another. When things don't go as planned, Marie fears that all her planning is for naught until an unexpected house guest shows them that there is always tomorrow.

Grief and loss is the theme of this book. Each person grieves in their own manner. However, the process can be made easier with friends. Shelley Shepard Gray has a way of making the reader become engaged with her characters and fall in love with them. While each book in the series is a stand alone, it helps to read them in order to discover the true characters and their natures. I received an advanced copy through Netgalley. A review was not required and the views are my own.

Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray
Two years have passed since their friend Andy’s death, and the Eight is still struggling to cope with their loss. In an attempt to give the group some time to reconnect with one another, remember their friend, and reflect on the last two years, Marie decides that a relaxing couple’s getaway is just what they need before the craziness of the holiday season begins. When their large cabin in the woods turns out to be more rundown than rustic, though, Marie fears that she’s ruined everything, but at least, she thinks, the trip can’t get any worse—that is, until a lost English girl named Beth appears at the cabin. And with such heavy snow, the Eight is forced to take her in for the next twenty-four hours.
Although Marie feels as if all her planning and good intentions were for nothing, she has no idea that Beth will give the group a gift they didn’t know they needed: the reminder that life may not always be fair and sometimes it’s painful, but there’s always another day.
This is Marie Byler and husband John's story.
This is the Eight's story.
This is a lost English girl named Beth's story.
Even though a good amount of time had passed, Marie Hartman Byler still felt Andy Warner’s absence a lot of the time. Sometimes she thought she noticed his loss more than the rest of the Eight—their large group of longtime friends.
Though they’d all been close from the time their mothers had dropped them off for day care at Mrs. Kurtz’s house in the summers, only she and Andy had attended school together.
I highly recommend reading.
Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray is a wonderful 5 star book.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
more books by Shelley Shepard Gray
Bridgeport Social Club
1. Take a Chance
2. All In
3. Hold on Tight

Walnut Creek
0.5. Friends to the End
1. The Patient One
2. The Loyal One
3. The Protective One
4. The Trustworthy One
A Precious Gift
Promises of Tomorrow
Dance With Me
1. Shall We Dance?
2. Take the Lead
3. Save the Last Dance
Berlin Bookmobile
1. A Perfect Amish Romance

I didn't realize when I started this that it was the ending novella of a series. I've enjoyed many Amish books by Shelley Shepard Gray in the past so I just figured I'd enjoy this one too. The theme of this book was being there for each other and helping one another with grief. I'll definitely go back and read through this series from the beginning!

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the last book in the Walnut Creek series. The storyline of this novella moves along well and covers a lot in such a short book, and the characters are well defined and likable. I’m sad to see this series end, as the books have followed the young lives of the remaining Eight, and the rest of their lives are left to the imagination. Each of the books in the series can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it would be best to start from the beginning of the series to understand all the characters. I received a copy of this book from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.

In the final book of the Walnut Creek series, author Shelley Shephard Gray pens a story that shows how heartache and loss can be used to reach someone else.

Promises of Tomorrow is not a fast paced novella but is rich with caring and personal growth. The characters are all well developed and true to life as they struggle in their own ways to come to terms with a loss the group has suffered. They learn that by giving to another they can receive healing for their hearts.

If you’re simply looking for a Christmas story with heart then I recommend this book.
I highly suggest reading all the books in order so you understand all that is happening.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Shelley Gray is an absolute delight to read and I adore her Amish stories but I think that this one is a little on the darker side than most of hers. Actually, the whole series has been.
I especially love how she portrays her characters in how they take care of each other and remain friends even in hard times and also in keeping their Faith no matter how difficult it is.
Faith is the most important thing there is. For without God we are nothing or at least that's how I feel.
I think of the Eight, Marie feels it the hardest. I really admired her a lot. There were even times that I found myself hoping and praying for Marie just because she's my favorite.
Gray shows us that even though that we carefully plan our events they don't always go the way we want them to. Sometimes it turns out better than we originally thought it would. God always has a much better plan for us.
Believe me, I know how that is. Life isn't always what we think it should be. I really admired these friends who have stuck together through thick and thin.
I highly recommend this book because Gray is an excellent story teller and this is one you definitely won't forget.
My thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review for this book. All opinions are my own.

I did receive an advanced reader copy for review. This was my first reading of a book by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. Very much enjoyed my time spent within the pages. Highly recommended.

This book is a great addition to this series, and I am sad to see it end. I am a huge fan of Shelley Shepard Gray and this book doesn't disappoint. The story is emotional and just what I needed. I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it.