The Promise

By: Claire Highton-Stevenson

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Ali and Susan Jenkins have it all. Their life together is mapped out on a one-way path to happiness, that is, until Susan is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ali refuses to accept it - her world is shattered.

Susan's last act of love is to make her wife promise that, one day, she will open her heart again and let somebody else love her. But, will Ali keep her promise?

©2017 Claire Stevenson (P)2019 Claire Stevenson

Such a well written novel!

I have never felt as moved by an audiobook. The Storyline was so emotional and heartfelt. I can only imagine how hard this had to have been to write. Amazing!
Kelsey Navarro also did an amazing job bringing this story to life.
It took me a long time to get through this novel because it was so well written and recorded that it was heartbreaking and I found myself having to stop listening for several weeks at a time. But I am truly glad I kept coming back to it because it was worth it. This novel deserves any and all awards it is eligible for. Just Wow!

I wasn't going to...but I am so glad I did

Let me start by saying I like/love most of CHS books. The audiobooks she has released so far have all been done very well and this one is no exception. Navarro did a great job narrating with enough difference in voices to make it good and a smooth read to make it great.
Now in regards to the book...I honestly had no intentions on reading it because the blurb just made me sad from the get go. However, this book is soooooo worth the read, well listen at least. It is broken into two parts. Part 1 is the part you will need tissues for, I kid you not. It's sad but also really good. I mean, I thought getting to know Susan and pretty much falling in love with Ali and Susan together would make me hate whoever Ali moves on with, but it didn't. It was well written/narrated so well that not only do you fall in love with all three women but you are helped to accept it because of the amount of time spent with them. Then Part 2 comes along and that story just added to Part 1 and you fall in love more with all three women, yes Susan included.
Take the journey and the leap into this book. It's sad and cancer plaus a huge role in this story but so does hope and definitely love. One of my favorites by CHS to date

Vau vau vau

Is it possible to assign 6 or more stars to a certain review.
This book is incredible. The story is so well written, there are all these emotions happening. Ali and Susan sound like such a perfect couple and even though I new what the ending would be, I still hopped for Susan’s survival.
I love the fact that the author was not afraid to write about a topic that is hard to discuss. Cancer discussion are so not common in books like that and the author really captured the authenticity of the theme.
All my praise also to the narrator. Great job!
I highly recommend this one.

well written and very emotional

having lost a partner and soul mate to cancer, I can relate. She made me promise to move on and find love again. I haven't yet but hoping.

A great story

A wonderful very sensitively written and well narrated book well developed characters, loved the way the story was set.

This story is poignant and gripping.

I admit that I had to put it down a few times in order to process what I was reading, not because it was confusing, but because my heart cried for the characters. There just aren't enough words in the world for me to describe how incredible this book is.

A work of art!

All I can say is WOW! The author did an amazing job! She portrayed ultimate true love, death/grieving, and finding love again in the best way possible. Everything I have listened or read has been amazing.

Life shatters our dreams, love holds them always.

This is such a tender story. I cried deeply, laughed much and loved these characters. Kelsey Navvaro gave such a cherished gift to help feel the emotions. Claire Highton Stevenson has gifted readers with a powerful story that holds your heart. Well done, a must read.

Lovely and deep story

The Promise by Claire Highton-Stevenson is a deeply felt story of love and loss and love again. It is so apparent, the love between Susan and Ali, especially during the hard times when Susan is going through her cancer therapy. I love how Highton-Stevenson shows us how difficult it is for Ali to accept what is going on with Susan, yet she gives in because she realizes how best to support her in this journey. In the second part of the book where the input of Susan into Ali's psyche and memory, shows a real perspective of keeping someone who is deeply loved close and at hand. The slow burn between Ali and Blair is just the right speed, and gives authenticity to their relationship. Kelsey Navarro's narration made the audiobook enjoyable to listen, as her flow and change of voices were even and precisely rhythmed depending on the mood. Thankyou for this beautifully written and narrated piece of work.

Another Great audiobook by this author!

The Promise” really hits hard. I love the way Claire tackles the subject of Cancer threw out the first part of the book...The one last true act of love & unselfishness from Sarah to Ali so she may move on after she is gone was beautifully written. By the second half of the book you find that you can’t help but feel for Ali and want to see her fine her HEA. The story is very well written and the narrator- Kelsey Navarro does a wonderful job with this book and allowed the story to flow with her words. A definite 5 stars ⭐️