Promises to Keep

Jane Green is back again with a new novel about family, friends, and the power of love. Callie has it all, the perfect husband, beautiful children and a career she loves. She has her minor complaints; she wishes her husband didn't travel so much, she wishes her kids didn't fight quite as often, but compared to her sister she had it made. Steffi, Callie's little sister is the girl who has never grown up. Now in her 30's she is still dating loser guys and until recently flitting from job to job. It isn't until she finds a job as a chef at a little vegetarian restaurant that she discovers her true passion and begins her journey towards " growing up." The cast expands to include Callie's best friend Lila, and her parents. As each character faces their own problems in life, they all know that no matter what they would drop everything to be there for eachother in times of need. One added bonus is that Green has added some of Steffi's recipes throughout the book and they all look delicious!
       While Green does write a touching tribute to what it truly means to love, I felt that this novel was a little predictable. Not to say it wasn't enjoyable, and touching. It definitely spurred on a few tears here and there and Green does a good job building each character to be relatable as well as lovable. However, I knew the ending by the third chapter and was a little dissappointed that it unraveled the way it did. My favorite part about the book was probably the recipes, which isn't saying a whole lot for the book itself.

Heart of The Matter

In Emily Griffin's new novel she writes from the stand point of two very different women. One is a stay-at-home mom struggling with the everyday aspects of caring for a family, while keeping up with chores and having a little time of her own. She never quite feels like she can keep up with the other "perfect moms" around her, but does her best to balance it all. The other is a single mom who has put herself through law school and has a successful career while still making time for her son. When tragedy strikes the two women's lives interweave and they are faced with dealing with eachother's differences and their own shortcomings.
    Griffin once again has given us a well-written tale to follow. The plot, being more realistic than fantasy, may be a hard one for some to swallow and there were moments when I was ready to put the book down. However, the ending is appropriate and leaves you with a sense that all is how it should be. Just be warned, this is not a happy-go-lucky look at love and life and the perfect little family. It is a more closer-to-home look at how life can really be, with a happier ending than most realities!