Some promises should never be made.

When Julie left Sweet Grove, Georgia, for the bright lights of Chicago, she vowed never to return. The small-town life—and the painful memories it held—were left behind for good. Or so she thought.

Now 61 and a powerful COO, Julie has built a life defined by ambition, precision, and control. Yet the unexpected call to care for her ailing, emotionally cruel mother during the isolating days of the pandemic forces her back to the hometown she fought so hard to escape.

As she confronts the shadows of her childhood, long-buried secrets rise to the surface—truths about her family, her own identity, and a love she never saw coming.

Can she find strength in vulnerability, forgiveness, and letting go, or will the weight of betrayal, grief, and loss crush her for good?

In the vein of Before We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak, Promises Made explores the healing power of love and the complexities of second chances. The emotional depth and layered family dynamics will captivate fans of Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo. This poignant and powerful tale of resilience, love, and the healing journey of one woman who must lose everything to find herself is perfect for readers who loved Family Ties, Family Lies by Jacqueline Boulden—stories of forgiveness, personal growth, and the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters.