April's Promise

Title: April's Promise

Author: Terrie Todd

Publisher: Little Sparrow Press

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Author Provided

My Review:

I love the cover of April's Promise by Terrie Todd. However, it doesn't hold a candle to the beautiful story within.

An unexpected pregnancy. A family lie. A devastating illness. A sudden tragedy.

If you like heart-wrenching family dramas that deal with tough issues, with redemption and forgiveness breaking through, you will enjoy April's Promise.

April's Promise is told in the first-person perspective of the three sisters: April, Bernadette, and Emmaleen. It is interesting to see how the events of the story affect each of them differently.

I loved the story more than I thought I would. It was a quick-read. I would say it's part coming of age, the loss of innocence, but also eye-opening. For me, as a parent, it was a reminder of conversations we need to have with our children to be sure they understand the ways of the world. It is also a story that is hard to review without giving spoilers.

Trigger warning: The author states: "The early part of this story includes one incident of sexual assault. There is also a brief reference to a suicide. I have attempted to handle both with utmost sensitivity and care. If these are difficult topics for you, I hope you will read through to the book’s triumphant conclusion and find some small measure of healing." I wholeheartedly agree with her. I would not usually read a book that I know has an instance of sexual assault, but we are given very few details.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads): 

Emmaleen Kimball is fourteen when she becomes convinced she was born to traveling acrobats and left on her parents’ doorstep. Why else would there be a thirteen-year age gap between her and her closest sibling? When her family won’t tell her the truth about her origins, she’s determined to solve the mystery herself.
Bernadette Kimball is twenty-seven and living back at home to help with a family crisis, but she can’t wait to get back to her career in the city. She doesn’t fit in with her family. Not that she cares. Who needs a family? Families are just one big mess of secrets and lies.
April Kimball-Madden carries the burden of a secret she promised never to reveal. She wishes she could tell Emmaleen the truth. But she’s convinced that if her husband Joey ever finds out who Emmaleen’s biological parents are, her marriage won’t survive.
As a world war wages across the globe, the Kimball family faces a different kind of conflict at home. Will their personal battles drag them down and tear their family apart? Or can the faith they’ve been taught, and the mercy they’re shown, lead them to victory?