What I Promise You by extraordinary wordsmith Liz Tolsma is Book Two in her Echoes of the Past Series. It may easily be read as a standalone. Beginning in 1943, jumping to. 1955, and finishing in 2022 this incredible tale combines history, contemporary, World War II, and Christian fiction in a masterful way. It gave me all of the feels and emotions.

The book begins with Noemie Treves, a pregnant Jewish woman. During the time of the Holocaust, she and her husband are arrested. The author has done research to provide accurate details of this horrible time in our history. Characters are expertly crafted and come alive on the pages.

There are suspense, mystery, drama, as well as a beautiful Christian message all blended into this novel. The story is captivating and the writing superb. This tale will stick with you long after you have finished it.

I highly recommend this poignant book. It receives a 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

This was a great story, partially based on true facts. A time slip novel with three separate parts. In WWII when Germany began invading parts of France, many Jews were captured and taken to prison camps. One such couple was Noemie and Levi Treves. Taken from their home with very few possessions, they were taken to a prison camp simply because they were Jewish. Eventually Noemie was smuggled out along with two little girls. New Gentile identities were given to hide their Jewish heritage for safety. In 1942 we follow Noemie and her trials and heartbreaks during this cruel war. In 1955 we follow reflections from a participant remembering the things that happened back in 1942. And thirdly in 2022, we learn of Caitlyn Laurant and her struggles after a horrific car accident. Piecing the complete story together was eye-opening and historically sad in parts. I’ve often heard it said that we should always remember the holocaust and those that suffered and died because of their heritage. Learning new things of history through fiction is a great way to broaden our minds and I certainly learned some new and also interesting things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

What I Promise You is a wonderful dual-timeline historical fiction novel that gives you two love stories plus suspense and a mystery. Both stories are connected but they’re also unique and their own stories to be told as well.

One story takes place in France during WWII. We follow a Jewish couple who get taken to a concentration camp and then we follow Noémie as she changes her name and her identity as well as goes through some unspeakable horrors. It’s hard to tell my thoughts on her story without giving away the story. But I’ll say she does get out of the concentration camp and into a maternity home. But what happens next is chilling and I will say that I shed tears while reading her story.

The modern-day story is about a college-level student and her struggle with anxiety and who she is/what she should do with her life. She’s also searching into her family’s past. They’re from the part of France she’s visiting and she wants to find out their history. But what happens when what she thought was the truth turns out to be not the truth she was expecting.

I’d love to see a sequel to this book. It was wonderful but I want to know more about Caitlyn and what happens after this book stops. Oh and if the author wanted to share what occurred between WWII and the modern-day story I’d take that too!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Courage, Resilience, Faith

What an amazing book of courage, resilience, and faith this Historical Fiction book is. It took me a bit to follow the storyline, but once I did, I really enjoyed the book. There are three portions of the book beginning during WWII in 1942, 1955, and 2022.

Hannah, a young, pregnant, Jewish woman is arrested and ends up in Camp Rivesaltes. Before she is moved on to Poland with other captives she escapes to a maternity hospital. She becomes a very integral part in helping other women and children who have escaped.

Moving forward to 2022 Caitlyn is training in Portugal to become a missionary nurse. While there she badly wants to search the heritage of her grandfather, a Jew, who was born in France during the war.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it especially to those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I received a copy from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review.

What I Promise You captured my attention from the beginning, as do all of Liz Tolsma's books. It's a bittersweet story, packed with action, and faith. It provides a different angle on events during World War II. You will also find how challenging it can be to trace one's Jewish ancestry from the war.

If you enjoy stories set during WWII, in France, and of some of the heroes/heroines risked their own lives to help save Jews during the war, you will certainly want to add this book to your list of books to read.

Tolsma has given readers another informative and entertaining novel focusing on one aspect of efforts to save Jewish mothers and children from death during WW II. I really appreciate Tolsma's note at the end of the book identifying the historical facts upon which she wove her fiction.

There are a number of issues explored in this novel. One issue is the time and effort needed to recover from from a traumatic experience and the false guilt experienced when helpless to prevent the tragedy. Other issues include still birth and ancestry issues. The most interesting issue for me was discerning God's will in a calling and not trying to live a friend's dream nor live to the expectations of others.

This book is a good one for readers who like finding out more about WW II and the courageous heroes who put their own lives in danger to help others. There is a good faith message and a little bit of romance as well.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

#WhatIPromiseYou #NetGalley
I can hardly express what this book meant to me. I read it in less than twenty four hours. The horrors of the Nazi's and WWII, the heroine and heroes that came out of that time period. Those who helped the Jewish people during a time that was horrendous. Many who lost their own lives to help those in need. This story is told in three different time periods and though that sounds complicated it really wasn't at least for me.
I got so caught up in the story that I had to keep reading. There was something to learn from each time period. This story will bring you to tears keep your tissues handy,

What a heart-wrenching read for any mama out there! This is a three-timeline book that was a little difficult to get into, just because of the multiple sets of characters and times, but once the reader gets a grasp on those, the book is impossible to put down. A story of resilience, sacrifice, courage, and strength of character, the central character is the little baby who grows up to be an older man dealing with dementia and impending death. We meet the women who loved him during our three timelines - the women most pivotal in his life - and watch as they grapple with what is best for him. Set in World War 2 and post-war France, as well as modern day America, this is a mystery that you'll want to curl up and finish in one super long night!

I absolutely couldn't quit reading this once i had started. The Jewish concentration camps of World War II have always been difficult for me to read about, but cruel and heartless as it was, Noemie's story was just a little different. She displayed such bravery and her heart for helping others, clear through to the end. I admired her so much for how she handled heartbreaking loss while still using every ounce of courage she could muster when someone else needed help. I often wondered if I would have been brave enough to take the risks Noemie did, all for the sake of those worse off than herself.
The later time story of Caitlyn searching for facts about her Jewish ancestors was almost like reading a cozy mystery. Throw in a little romance and some emotional trauma and I had every reason to keep turning pages as fast as I could.
You wont want to miss this beautiful story of overcoming loss by Liz Tolsma. You will remember these characters long after you're done reading.

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

What I Promise You is educational about life for a young Jewish woman during World War II. The book is actually written in three different time lines so was a little difficult for me to keep up with. I learned much about being a pregnant Jewish woman who escaped imprisonment to a maternity home during the war. The current time line was about a college student in France who is attempting to trace the birth of her elderly grandfather who believes he was born in the maternity home during World War II. Caitlyn Laurant searches for his birth information and does a DNA test which does not show Jewish ancestry! Secrets revealed are very interesting! I recommend What I Promise You to history lovers. I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion.

What I Promised You by Liz Tolsma
What I Promised You by Liz Tolsma is a time slip story, which has three settings 1942, 1953, and 2022. This was the first book I had read by Liz Tolsma, and I look forward to reading others by her. I appreciate that she carefully researches for historical accuracy.
2022: While Caitlyn is in Spain training to be a missionary nurse, she takes side trips to France to investigate her grandpop’s history, especially information about his mother.
1942: Pregnant Noemie and her husband are taken to a concentration camp because they were Jews. There is much more to her story.
1955: An unidentified woman is roaming through an old house in France while she waits for someone. We find out that it was a maternity hospital and home for a few orphans.
The stories of 2022 and 1942 are very interesting and tense. There is danger and some light romance. The 1955 story seemed to be an interference or distraction to me, but in the end it made sense.
There were a few things that annoyed me a bit. Caitlyn dwelled too much on the death of her best friend. I do not belittle sorrow for losing her friend, but it seemed so constant. Also, Caitlyn’s grandfather was described as very old-like a 98-year-old rather than 79 years old. I also was born November 1942. People I know are not that elderly and feeble. There were also some items and vernacular that did not belong in the various eras (e.g. pantyhose in 1955).
I highly recommend this book and would rate it 4.5 stars.
I was given a free ARC book by NetGalley and the publisher, but my opinions are strictly my own.
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As I've come to expect from Tolsma's books, this is a beautifully written, though heartbreaking, story. It's unusual in that it's told through three different time periods: 1942, 1955, and 2022. Characters are well-crafted and realistic. The timeline is complex due to the various time periods. However, everything is well connected across the generations. Themes of love, sacrifice, resilience, and faith are key. The descriptions are vivid, allowing the reader to picture everything from the Mediterranean sea to the Pyrenees Mountains. Timelines are seamlessly linked together. Religious elements are woven throughout, but they're not preachy. Hope, even during the dark times, shines through.

A stirring time-slip novel portraying loss and healing through the lives of three very different women. I was hesitant to read another WWII novel, but Tolsma has written a very different story linking these brave souls together by their love for one man (with three different names). One gave him birth, one rescued and raised him, and one loves him as he approaches dementia and death. Each of these woman ask hard questions about God's goodness and power as they deal with incredible grief. But raw and honest love eventually gives them the perspective they need to make courageous choices. Such growth and sacrifice! I really couldn't put this book down. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and was not required to post a review.

This is an edge of your seat multi-timeline stand alone novel, or as part 2 of the Echoes of the Past series. In 1942 pregnant Noemie Treves & her husband Levi are taken to a Jewish camp by the Germans. In 2022 Caitlyn is in France researching her grandfather's past in hopes of getting answers for him while dealing with her own demons. In 1955, a lot of questions are answered, but it won't be what you expect. It was very well written, haunting & unforgettable. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

There are some books that stick with you for a while. This one will be one of those books. There were lots of nuggets of wisdom included. The story is one of heart break, coming to a point of being able to move on from tragedy and so much more. Set in WWII France, 1950s France and 2022 France, the author did an excellent Job differentiating between the timelines and it seemed at the end of each chapter to be a cliff hanger, urging me in to keep reading to get back to that timeline to find out what happened. There was a bit of mystery and it took me completely by surprise as well. Such a well written book. Highly recommend it. I received the book from the publisher, all views stated here are my own.

A beautifully written triple time line story. The story is set predominantly in the present day and in 1942, during WWII in France, following the stories of two characters experiencing different heartaches. These two stories are interwoven with a short chapters set in the 1950s, narrated by an unknown female, who is slowly revealed towards the end of the story.

The context of this fictional story has been so well researched and the harrowing details of life during the WWII really help bring this story to life.

The writing is descriptive, expressive and creative and really brings the stories to life, painting the characters so well.

The hope, courage and resilience shown by the characters shines through and captivated me from start to finish. With many references to the characters' faith and hope in the Lord, keeping on going even through such difficult trials.

This is the first book I have read by Liz Tolsma but it certainly won't be the last.

I received a complimentary copy from the publishers. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

So here's a funny thing: I forgot I'd read book 1 in this series (and that, true confession, it hadn't been my favorite). I also forgot there _was_ a book 1! So I'd rather safely bet one could pick this up out of order and enjoy as desired. :)

I liked this read very much! The history was fascinating, the characters showed development and growth over the course of the story, and the plot kept me guessing until the end. I was particularly pleased at that last bit; the surprises felt genuine and unforced, and I was happy to be proven wrong.

The book does have some of the same struggles as its predecessor in the series; more telling than showing for my taste, and speakers often repeated foreign phrases in English. This not only defeated the purpose of the glossary, it drew unnecessary attention. (And so much use of "je suis désolée!")

But that aside, the story was quite moving, and brought to life a previously unfamiliar aspect of WWII to me. Tolsma deftly entwined three different narrators and their stories here. Well done.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I discovered Liz Tolsma’s books a few years ago, and for awhile now I have been reading all the books she publishes. She is very skilled at writing split-time fiction that draws me in and keeps me reading. I really enjoyed What I Promise You, and seeing how the two strands came together. I figured out the truth long before the end of the book, but certainly didn’t lose interest in seeing how everything turned out!

When I finished reading What I Promise You and read the author’s notes at the end, I realized that this was the second book I read this year based on the maternity hospital and the woman who founded it, helping expectant mothers and protecting Jewish children. Both books were quite engrossing, but I appreciated the Christian faith that came through in this book. The matron continually pointed Noemie to God, and Caitlyn was also pointed to God and His love, over and over. I loved the way her story turned out and the realizations she came to! If you love split-time fiction, and historical fiction set in World War II, you will enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

This compelling, heart touching story features three beautifully crafted storylines set in France in three different time periods--1942, 1955, and 2022. The timelines are skillfully woven together into one cohesive, entertaining story. Captivating characters in the historical storylines are inspiring with their resilience and courage as they navigate difficult and dangerous circumstances brought on by World War II. Caitlyn’s strength and courage in the modern-day storyline is admirable as she searches for the truth about her family’s past while dealing with a haunting tragedy in her personal life. Amazing historical detail adds depth and interest to the story. I greatly appreciate the strong faith thread woven through in each storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it as a must read especially for inspirational historical fiction fans. Note: This is the second book in the Echoes of the Past series. Each book in the series is a standalone read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.