This fabulous novel takes place in three different timelines that are equally interesting and flow together flawlessly. The beautiful characters in all three timelines faced heart wrenching losses that they struggle to heal from. I absolutely could not put this book down and truly did not want it to end. I’d love to see a continuation of Caitlyn’s story in another book. What I Promise You is timeslip, historical fiction at its best.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

Liz Tolsma has crafted a heart wrenching tale of love, loss and family secrets that spans through three different time periods of 1942, 1955, and 2022. While I haven't read too many of this author's books in the past, I have enjoyed the ones I did, and I was looking forward to trying another of her books, especially since the synopsis sounded intriguing.

In 1942, we follow a young Jewish woman who has recently been sent to a transit camp with her husband. Several months pregnant, she doesn't understand why God would allow this to happen to His people. When she's given the chance to escape the camp and make her temporary home at a women's maternity hospital, she's hesitant to leave her beloved husband. However, there's more to come her way than she could ever have imagined in her worst nightmares, and soon she's doing everything she can to give back to the cause that's helped her and so many others. What happens at the maternity hospital will have a life changing impact, and she continues to question where God is amidst life's never ending tragedies?

In 1955, we're not give much to go on at the start, but the readers knows they're following the narrator thirteen years after the devastating tragedies that occured at the maternity hospital, and watching the way the grief associated with it has shaped so many lives.

In 2022, a young woman named Caitlyn is dealing with the devastating loss of her best friend, while trying to enter the mission field as nurse because it was said friend's dream. When the chance arises to find out more of her grandfather's family history, she jumps at the chance. Only she seems to find more questions than answers on her quest to finally be able to give her beloved grandfather the information he's desperately wanting.

The three storylines weave together into an emotional and heartfelt rollercoaster as the protagonists learn firsthand the horrible effect that such a horrific time in history has had on anyone who came into contact with it. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the grieving process both realistically and authentically, and I found my heart breaking for each of these women as secrets are revealed and healing seems impossible. Thankfully what's impossible for us is always possible for Him, and I loved how the faith element ends up playing such a large part of the story towards the end.

All in all, this was definitely an interesting read with a heartfelt storyline, but I wouldn't say it's a new favorite for me. I found the story really dragged at the start, and it took me quite awhile to get into it. I also felt there was a lot of build up towards the big family secrets, but the ending felt anticlimactic and extremely rushed. I wish there had been a bit more to it, as it ended up feeling almost incomplete.

Still a beautiful historical fiction that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys faith based reads set during World War Two, but I don't see it being a reread for me in the future.

Final Rating: 3/5.

Thanks so much to Barbour for allowing me to read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Intriguing story with 3 timelines: 1942, 1955, and 2022. The 1955 timeline left me a bit confused until the very end when all was revealed. I felt a bit let down with the ending of Caitlyn’s story in 2022, but felt the author was probably right in not tying it up too neatly. Helene’s story was tragic, but ultimately a triumph as everything was revealed. I had a hard time putting this one down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What I Promise You is written in three different timelines from the past to the present time. Surprisingly, the author made it easy to switch back and forth seamlessly. They were all exciting, steeped in mystery and intrigue.

The characters in each timeline are exciting and have lots of layers. The descriptions of the countryside and the camps made me feel as though I was there. I had tears in my eyes while reading the heartbreaking events that took place but was inspired by the character's courage.

There was a twist at the end when everything was finally revealed. I enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it to those who like inspiring and uplifting WW2 stories. A great read overall.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

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What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma is a moving multiple timeline story. The book is the second in a series of similar books, but it is related by theme not characters, thus it can stand-alone. Due to Ms. Tolsma’s meticulous research, I found the story realistic and believable.

As with all of Liz Tolsma’s books, this is definitely an inspiring story. It is moving and poignant and sometimes frightening, but the primary message is of redemption, hope and faith. Tolsma is a master at describing places and moods and feelings. As I read each timeline, I could imagine myself there with the characters and feeling their feelings.

In the current day timeline college age Caitlyn, is trying to overcome a recent trauma. She is fulfilling a lifelong dream to go school to become a missionary nurse. Since she will be in school in Spain, very close where her grandfather says he was born, she sets out to clarify the hazy information he has concerning his birth in WW2 France.

The 1942-1944 timeline follows the woman who is Caitlyn’s great-grandmother. Noemie/Hélène is a pregnant Jewish woman who is taken by the Nazis, with her husband Levi, to a transit camp at the Southwestern border of France. The couple is separated into different camps. An incident in the women’s camp involves Noemie with helping two young Jewish girls escape to a nearby maternity hospital. For her safety at the maternity hospital, Noemie’s name is changed to Hélène.

The middle timeline is set in 1955. As opposed to the other two timelines, it is a first-person narration. It is not until almost the very end of the book, that the narrator is revealed and all the timelines are resolved. The revelation scene was absolutely my favorite part of the book. As they say, “it has all the feels.”

I received an advanced reader copy of What I Promise You from the author and NetGalley. These words are my own and were in no way solicited.

1942/1955/2022 France

This time slip novel did a great job of keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to Noemie in the 1942 timeline. I loved how part of the tale unfolded through Caitlyn in 2022. In addition to a high level of anticipation, What I Promise You delivered deep messages about resilience, kindness and living fully after tragedy.

The historical details both in the novel and in the author's note at the end added a great deal to this reader's enjoyment.

This novel had 3 timelines: 1942 & 1955 & 2022. Periodically, I wondered why the 1955 thread was necessary, but by the end, I not only knew why but was glad for it. It definitely enriches the story. In fact, each timeline weaves through the other perfectly as events and their significance are gradually uncovered.

Both the 1942 and 2022 timelines with Noemie and the contemporary Caitlyn engaged me. Many chapters were cliffhangers that tempted me to skip the alternate timeline and read ahead to find out what happened. But I resisted the urge. Instead, I benefitted from the author’s well-planned timing. Everything unfolds methodically as needed.

For safety purposes, Noemie had to change her name halfway through the book, and was afterward referred to by a different name. but that was handled smoothly and did not become confusing or awkward.

At one point, I was extremely tense about a decision Noemie was making. Part of me was angry at her foolishness, for even contemplating such a dangerous plan. But her wrestling with all the pros and cons made sense, especially considering her own culpability in a previous situation. Her choice was believable. And the way it bore out was not completely predictable. The story kept me guessing.

Additionally, I appreciated the faith thread without heavy-handedness. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. It is told from 3 point of views, and at first was a little hard to get into, but quickly I was encaptured by all 3 of them, eager to find out the connections & determine how it would end. You quickly get caught up in the plot lines, wanting to quickly see what will happen next.
I was surprised (in a good way) at the ending. But really enjoyed how it all connected!
This is #2 in a series but is able to be read alone. Thanks netgalley for an advanced copy. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

A great book!. A lovely story told from three different perspectives. So well written, and described. I will certainly recommend this book to friends and followers.

What a remarkable story! " What I Promise you" grabs the readers interest and the three different points in time keep us turning pages to see how everything ties together. Kudos to author Liz Tolsma for such a riveting story!

1942. A beautiful Jewish couple Noemie and Levi Treves are tragically rounded up and sent to Camp Rivesaltes. Set in Southern France, near the Spanish border at the Camp de Rivesaltes (a transit camp for deportation to Auschwitz-Birkenau via Drancy), and at the Maternité Suisse d’Elne (a beacon of hope for the expectant mothers who were lucky enough to be taken from the concentration camps in Rivesaltes to give birth at the maternity hospital located in a château on the outskirts of Elne.)

1955 Memories years after the war at the Maternité Suisse d’Elne

2022-2023 France and Illinois. Contemporary thread has Caitlyn Laurent trying to recover from a traumatic loss, and figure out what her purpose in life is, while trying to learn more about the French maternity home her grandfather was born in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this original story and enjoyed connecting the dots between the different threads. I highly recommend What I Promise You for lovers of riveting dual timeline stories.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a story written over three different time periods telling a tale with the backdrop of WW2. The entire story was achingly haunting in a unique way that stuck with me. We know the history of WW2, but Tolsma brings a new perspective through this book that again, creates a deep and low ache in your spirit that just sticks with you throughout the entire telling of the story and beyond. I read this book in the evenings and couldn’t wait each night to crack the pages.

This eye opening book covers 3 different timelines, all linked together by the tragedies of WW II. While this book is #2 in a series it easily stands alone, following a twisting tail of heartache, loss, laughter, discovery, and the meaning of walking the path God has marked out for each person. From the first page to the last the reader joins in a story that unfolds through an amazing backdrop and layers of research that Liz Tolsma has meticulously recorded. The attention to detail makes the story more involved and rich. I could see the book playing like a movie in front of me, the details leaping off the page. Liz Tolsma has the wonderful ability to bring characters to life, each person weaving into a story that keeps the reader intrigued and involved through the whole thing. This book brought a unique piece of WW II history to life and it was so interesting how the jumping timeline brought the history to the present day. I can't recommend this book enough. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series. It is sure to be as spellbinding and engrossing as this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What I Promise You #2 Echoes of the Past by Liz Tolsma

France1942 and 2022
1942
The peaceful life Noémie Treves and her husband knows is shattered when WWII begins; forever changing their lives. They are taken to Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France along with other Jews. Here they try to survive in deplorable conditions. Noémie assists in helping two young girls escape to a nearby maternity hospital, and hopefully to safety. In an attempt to safeguard them, they change their names. But, is it enough to keep them safe? Noémie - now Hélène Etu – works diligently to help insure the children and women at the maternity hospital are safe, including herself. With all that Hélène has endured, tragedy strikes again. Will she recover from this tragedy? Will she turn to God for comfort and peace? Aime Laurant is a big help to the maternity hospital and will play an important role in Hélène’s life. He goes out of his way to safeguard them all, in spite of the danger to himself if caught.

2022
Nursing student, and hopeful missionary, Caitlyn Laurant visits France while in training nearby to search for her grandfather’s birthplace and learn something about his family. During her research, she uncovers secrets - secrets tied to WWII - that not even her grandfather is aware of. Learning that names were changed during the war makes it more difficult to uncover her grandfather’s ancestors. What impact will what she has discovered have on their lives?
Historical events are woven within the fictional characters and their lives; as they endure tragedies, war and death, loss and grief, fear and uncertainties, starting over, learning to trust and love again, forgiveness and faith. The authors note at the end of the book share the historical events that are woven within the storyline.

~I received an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain was exchanged), this is my honest review~

What secrets and stories and laughter and pain does this building contain?

This incredible story starts in 1943, touches down in 1955 and concludes in 2022. A time of great love and also a time of enormous sadness. For Noemie and Levi the excitement and joy of expecting their first child is marred by evil. From a transit camp to a maternity home the fear of loss never leaves. Yet with Jesus beside you, you’re never alone.

Returning to a building that holds so many memories and yet such great sorrow. Perhaps disrepair is a memorial to all that occurred there. Promise me that you will never tell what you saw or heard and yet remember those the world may have forgotten.

For Caitlyn the attempt to find out and learn the history of her grandfather finally teaches her that she needs to lean on the Lord for strength. She will learn to stand and turn her face to a new future.

An early copy of Echoes of the Past #2 was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this story. Written in three time periods and viewpoints, this blended together well at the conclusion. Hints of the mystery writer were so vague that readers may be surprised when the identity is revealed. Both Caitlyn and Helene struggled with faith after tragedy which many readers will relate with. The story was very moving but I found the ending to be a abrupt.

This was a beautifully written story told from three different times : 1942, 1955, and 2022.,

1942- during Ww2 about a women and a man who love each other and are happily married and are about to have their first baby when the worst happens : they are picked up and put in concentration camps because they are Jews. The woman had to eventually decide to choose life and her baby over staying in the concentration camp for occasionally maybe seeing her husband in the adjoining mens camp.
She begins helping forge documents to help Jewish children escape the Nazis via an orphanage . There are many side stories within the 1942 tale regarding many who try and help others even though their life is at risk too.
1955- honestly was a bit confusing for awhile . Usually less than a page reflecting on generalities no specifics . At the end the author tied it all together and these pages much more sense.
2022- a girl whose best friend dies in a tragic accident and she blames herself . She decided to travel across the world to become a nurse and at the same time to do some studying about her grandfathers life as he had lived in an orphanage in WW2.
She goes through her own journey of grief at the same time as finding out her grandfathers heritage might. It be completely what he has thought his whole life.
This book kept my attention , made me heart ache for those in ww2 , wonder what would happen to this character or another . I appreciated the information at the end of the book as well . I will be doing more research on ww2 due to reading this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an unbiased review !

What an extraordinary journey through time and human resilience! What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma crafts a narrative masterpiece, skillfully merging the fabric of history, the nuances of faith, and the strength of the human soul. Experience an enduring adventure within the pages of this remarkable novel, spanning three timelines—1942, 1955, and 2022—delivering a poignant and gripping narrative.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story unfolds with Noemie Treves, a pregnant Jewish woman whose life is shattered when she and her husband are arrested. Tolsma skillfully paints a vivid picture of the harrowing circumstances faced by Noemie as she navigates through the darkest days of the war. With meticulous precision and historical authenticity, the author resurrects the harrowing realities of the Holocaust and wartime, immersing readers in a deeply impactful and chilling encounter with history.

The characters themselves are a testament to Tolsma's gift for storytelling. From Noemie's steady courage to Caitlyn Laurent's quest for truth and healing in 2022, each character resonates with authenticity. The multi-timeline narrative adds complexity to the plot and serves as a brilliant device to connect the characters across generations. The author's exploration of genuine faith, love, and sacrifice adds depth to the characters, making them relatable and inspiring.

The descriptions of various settings, from the picturesque Pyrenees Mountains to the sparkling blue Mediterranean, are nothing short of enchanting. Witness Tolsma’s storytelling mastery as she adeptly navigates through the fabric of time and geography, effortlessly transporting readers to different eras and locations with unparalleled finesse. The multi-timeline approach, with the 1955 chapters having a powerfully profound impact on both the past and present, adds a layer of intrigue that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of What I Promise You is the author's clean and impactful incorporation of biblical themes. The narrative beautifully intertwines faith with the characters' struggles, offering a beacon of hope even in the darkest moments. This adds spiritual depth to the story, making it more than just a historical novel—it's evidence to the enduring power of the Christian faith, God’s sovereignty, and His love.

The book masterfully balances heart-wrenching moments with glimpses of joy, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. The mystery element adds an additional layer of suspense, keeping readers engaged until the very end. Tolsma's writing style is impeccable, creating a narrative that is both emotionally charged and intellectually stimulating.

In What I Promise You, Liz Tolsma delivers a compelling World War II novel and a timeless exploration of human resilience, love, and the pursuit of truth. Although this is book two in a series, it can certainly be read as a standalone. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautifully written historical fiction with a powerful message. Five stars without a doubt!

I received a digital copy of What I Promise You from Barbour Publications and the author via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased evaluation. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on this story’s breathtaking content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

This story is a nicely based on actual places and events. It takes place in separate decades, first 1942 and then 2022. In 1942, pregnant Noemie Treves’ life is shattered when she and get husband are arrested for being Jewish. They are taken to separate camps and Noemie is layer rescued and taken to a maternity home along with two girls she knows. Her name is changed to help protect her identity but will it be enough to
save her life?
In 2022 Caitlyn Laurent is struggling with her life. She goes to Italy to study to become a missionary and while their begins to investigate her grandfather’s family from France. She uncovers many surprising details but can they help her to heal and figure out her life?
Very well written with relatable characters. A great read.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest
review.

In July of 1942, pregnant Noemie and Levi were snatched from their home in the middle of the night in the South of France by German soldiers and taken to Camp Rivesaltes where they were separated.
Noemie is rescued by Madame Touissant; she helps to run a home for pregnant mothers and their children and orphans. Noemie helps to hide them by changing their names and registering them as Gentiles, their real names are kept in a secret place in case they are separated later on.
There are 2 other timelines here; one is in 1952 when Noemic comes back to visit the home where she was rescued and one is 2022, when a grandchild of Noemie tries to find out the history of her family during the war.
Noemie is terrified by not knowing how her husband is doing, she goes on a mission to rescue more people and tragedy strikes, she feels alone and helpless.
Noemie's granddaughter is in nursing school in Spain and she visits Noemie's childrens home and tries to find out more about Noemie and her past, she has to help her grandfather find his roots before he dies.

Wow! Three timelines that span from 1942, 1955, and 2022. The main characters in each timeline are experiencing heartache. The story in 1942 deals with harrowing circumstances. Some of it was difficult to read.

I have so many characters that I love in this book! Each one rises above their pain and presses on towards a brighter future.

There were many different settings in the book. My favorite was when Caitlyn was on the train passing by the Pyrenees Mountains and the sparkling blue Mediterranean!

This is a book that will touch the readers heart. It's fictional history, but the author does include facts. The time period of WWII is heartbreaking but needs to be remembered.

I was provided a copy of the book from the publisher/author via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.