I bought this book at a used bookstore, only because I like the author's books, I had no idea about the story. It sat on my bookshelf for about a year, then I was surprised at the storyline. The most difficult was to realize it really happened.

Mallory worked for a kidney transplant program in Houston because her best friend had kidney disease and it was getting worse. But she was not an adult, and her parents refused to give consent to donate a kidney to her friend. By the time she was old enough to donate, her tests showed that she was pre-diabetic. Very upset that she could not keep her promise to God and herself to save a life, she became very vulnerable and talked to a doctor at work about the situation.

The doctor, Ismail, was contacted constantly by his father who he had no reason to trust told him that his niece was seriously ill and needed medical treatment. The doctor told Mallory about it and she volunteered to fly to a dangerous part of Pakistan to bring the girl to the United States.

Mallory's boyfriend taught piano and one of his customers who was the aunt of an eleven-year-old boy, wanted the boy to get back his passion for playing the piano but his heart was not in it after both of his parents died tragically. Tate, Mallory's boyfriend was very sweet and kind and of course, shocked when Mallory decided to fly to Pakistan. His student, Verdell, does not have a guardian who will carefully watch out for him and is very neglected. Verdell's aunt drops him off with a suitcase and drives to Oklahoma to be with her boyfriend.

All of the above happened very quickly in the book and the writing of this very intense story is riveting and I felt like I did not want to stop reading. What happens to Mallory was shocking and read the whole book very quickly.

After I divorced I dated a man from Iran who gave a me warning to be very careful and never marry and go to the Middle East as a wife. He told me it was not safe. I wish that the woman who was Mallory in this story ( the woman's real name was not disclosed) would have been able to receive that warning from my friend. It could have prevented her from almost losing her life.

This is a very important story that all women need to read for their safety. ( )

This book will leave you breathless, on the edge of your seat! At first I had a hard time understanding why anyone would want to travel to an unsafe part of the world. I still don't really understand, but at least I have a bit of a glimpse now.

I'll admit to staying up late a couple nights, anxious to see if/how Mallory would get back to US soil, and back to Tate. ( )

This is a story that was inspired by actual events, which the author talks about at the end of her book. It was a very well told story and deals with a woman who is seeking to find fulfillment in her life, which will eventually lead her to a distant land, where she will find true heartache and betrayal and much danger. It is also a love story, which fortunately has a happy ending, although it could just as easily turned tragic.

Mallory Hammond has one goal in life - to keep her promise to a friend when she died, that she help save a life someday. She is searching for meaning in her life and has no idea what real truth is and who to follow when it comes to religion. She has a man in her life which she loves and is loved in return, but can't settle down until she fulfills her promise.

She is then introduced, through a friend, to a man in Pakistan who has a daughter who he says is dying of cancer and needs to come to the United States for help, but can't . . . unless he perhaps married an American and can then get into the country. Her boyfriend, Tate (who is a very understanding guy by the way), and others beg her not to go to Pakistan as it is a very dangerous place; but Mallory feels sure this gentleman she has been talking to on-line would never let anything harmful happen to her.

Mallory embarks on this dangerous journey, only to discover lies and betrayal and danger. How quickly things change and now she must try to find a way home, before it is too late.

This was a story I couldn't put down under I finished it. The fact that it is based on actual events, made it even more interesting. There is a lot going on in the story, but what stood out to me is how easily one can be persuaded to do something you know they shouldn't, but they feel it will truly help someone. Mallory's promise became an obsession. She didn't even see how she could help save a life right there at home in the form of young Verdell (who you will come to know and love as you read the story). A story of someone searching for answers, truth, and who to believe in and sadly, but honestly, the author didn't really put an ending to that specific search. What Mallory really needed was to know personally the one true God, who would never leave her nor forsake her, but sadly she was looking into different religions, instead of looking into the person of God and His Son, Christ Jesus. ( )

See full review @ The Indigo Quill

Special thanks to Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beth Wiseman was introduced to me a few years back when my mother brought me a bag full of books that her neighbor gave her because she knew I was a big reader. I have several of her earlier books, but I was very excited to see her newest novel on my list. I love journeying with an author through their career and seeing them progress. This is a book that can be relatable for contemporary audiences, and that's something I can definitely appreciate.

One of the great things about this story is that it's based off a true story. As far-fetched and bizarre as some of it may seem, this actually happened. The main character, Mallory, has a heart to change the world. However, Mallory is still a bit naive about things. This is a huge part of what got her in such trouble. This book serves not only as an adventure story, but a good warning for those with good intentions, but susceptible to getting caught in online scams. It has a lot of good messages to it, and I believe this is Wiseman's best work yet.

I very much enjoyed this book! I think my only complaint would be that I wish there was more of the story that set the book off, Mallory and her cousin. It seemed to be really important at first, and then we moved on without looking back. After you read the book description and then read the first few chapters, you get a little confused as to what the book is actually about. Other than that, I thought this was a great book and would definitely recommend it! ( )

WOW! WOW! WOW!


The Promise is the kind of story that every single young person needs to read!

Parents – BUY this book for your young women! Because I can tell you, FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, that this kind of thing does not ONLY happen when going across oceans to another culture! It can happen right in your own backyard!

One reviewer said “I know things like this happen….sometimes it is just easier to put our heads in the sand.” and that seems to be what far too many of us parents do.

DON’T!

THANK YOU to Beth Wiseman for taking such a courageous step and writing this amazing book! I can not imagine the depths your research took you to – BRAVO!

And THANK YOU Beth, for infusing this story with such a powerful message of God! If ever there was a place for it…

BRAVO!


I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )