First book by this author, but felt like this fell more into a category of YA and not adult fiction. So, I felt disappointed reading while waiting for larger themes.

This poignant young adult novel centers on Amelia (Lia) as she navigates her life after her once-certain future is shattered.

Reeling from the loss of her boyfriend Beck, Lia struggles to redefine her identity and find a way to move forward. Can she overcome the heartbreak of losing her soulmate, or will she remain trapped in solitude?

The narrative offers a raw and honest exploration of love, grief, and the confusion that often accompanies loss. Told through alternating timelines, the story is written in an easy to understand way with enough world building and character development that draw you into Lia’s journey.

Overall, this was a captivating read, filled with emotional depth as it explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle to find one’s way after tragedy. I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy stories that feel grounded in real life.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced reader copy in exchange for honest feedback

Rating: 4.2 rounded to 4.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing YA book by this author. Lia & Beck were close family friends, and grew up together. When they were in high school they started dating and fell deeply in love. But tragedy strikes, and leaves Lia devastated. At the beginning of her senior year, Lia’s family moves away and she is forced to start over, without Beck. A heart breaking story of love, loss, and moving on. All the feels. Highly recommend this book! It is released in January 2025. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this amazing ARC.
#booksbyashleynicole

Delightfully nuanced book perfect for fans of teen romance and drama. Delightfully nuanced book perfect for fans of teen romance and drama.

Everything I Promised You by new to me author K. Upperman, published by Sourcebooks, is a raw and gritty read. A story that did a number on me, stayed with me after finishing the book for some time now.
A story of grief and acceptance.
What comes after heartbreak? Lia and Beck. Despite army life orbiting them in and out of each other’s worlds, Lia knows they are destined to be together. It’s more than their friendship. When Lia’s mom was a teen, a fortune teller said her daughter would fall in love with her best friend’s son. Lia and Beck were always meant to be. Or so they thought.When tragedy steals one away, the other one is devastated. Is there room in the broken heart for life, new love?
A stunning story, deeply emotional, that gives all the feels, I recommend the book.

Katy Upperman’s Everything I Promised You is a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and the fragile process of healing. From the very first page, readers are drawn into Lia and Beck’s world, where friendship evolves into something more profound and meaningful. Their bond, shaped by the constant movement of army life, feels destined—solidified by a fortune that promised they were meant to be.

But when tragedy strikes and Beck is taken away, Lia is left shattered, questioning not only her future but also her identity. The novel gracefully portrays her grief and her battle to find a new path in a life that no longer includes the person she believed was her soulmate. Katy skillfully captures Lia's emotional turmoil, making her struggle to understand herself in the wake of loss feel deeply personal and authentic.

Katy’s writing is tender, yet filled with quiet strength, perfectly reflecting the complexities of moving forward after heartbreak. Lia’s journey of self-discovery and learning to live beyond a foretold fate is captivating, a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but there is hope and renewal in unexpected places.

Everything I Promised You is a beautifully written story about resilience, the power of love, and finding light in the darkest moments. It’s a novel that will resonate with anyone who has faced loss or found themselves wondering where to go next. Katy’s heartfelt storytelling offers both comfort and inspiration, making this book a must-read.