A Promise to Remember

Kathryn Cushman
Bethany House Publisher (2007)
ISBN 9780764203800
Reviewed by Lisa Kisner for Reader Views (3/08)


Andie Phelps is married to a successful businessman, has a wonderful son and is active in her community.  Melanie Johnston is a hard-working single mother of a son and daughter.  A tragic accident claims the lives of each of their sons.  What follows is a heart-wrenching journey as each woman tries to come to grips with the tragedy.  Although from different worlds, each is gripped by grief, which consumes their personal lives and reaches into the community.  Both women must undergo a journey of discovery about themselves and their faith, facing adversity every step of the way.

Kathryn Cushman’s debut novel is well written and engrossing from the first page. This book depicts a realistic account of lives torn apart by tragedy and dealing with the repercussions. I felt each woman’s raw pain and anger as if I knew them personally.  I found myself nodding as each woman made choices, realizing I would have made the same decision should I be in her shoes.  There was no clear “right” or “wrong” in this book, only choices made in the wake of devastating heartache.  “A Promise to Remember” is a book about loss, forgiveness and renewal of faith should be on everyone’s must-read list.  I am looking forward for more from this gifted author.

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