Samantha Tonge is a completely new author to me so when Boldwood Books offered me the opportunity to read "The Promise of Tomorrow" ahead of release I almost declined... But there was something about the cover that drew me to read the blurb and then I was intrigued.

Ten year old Elena’s mother has been in a life threatening accident that the doctors don't expect her to survive.  Understandably young Elena is distraught and so she sneaks out the house to the woods.  There she meets a stranger and makes them a promise which will in turn save her mother's life. But while keeping her mother safe, young Elena puts her own life at stake.

The premise of this book really drew me in and after reading the prologue I was hooked.  The story then jumps to twenty years later and Elena is almost thirty, has a successful career and is doing well with her life. However the promise she made as a child looms over her, especially now her 30th birthday is drawing ever closer.  This plot definitely kept me turning the pages to find out more. 

I loved the characters of Elena and Rory and I enjoyed the friends to lovers vibe.  While most of the story is told from Elena’s POV, Rory gets his say too and I enjoyed his journal entries.  The two main characters are supported by some loveable side characters which gave me the whole found family feels.  

Overall I found this to be a heartwarming and uplifting romance story with a mystical and unexpected twist.  I enjoyed this authors writing style and I am keen to explore more of her novels.