🎄❄️💗 "The Christmas Promise" (Lighthouse Cove #2) (2021) 💗❄️🎄 - Book Tour & Review
The Christmas season
Is perfect for new beginnings
After a tragedy seventeen years ago, author Ella Jacobs never wanted to come back to Lighthouse Cove. Not to the whispered rumors, the judgment or even to Ben Winters, the boy she loved. Now she's returned in time for Christmas and some much-needed closure. But old flames burn bright. Can Ella find her way back to Ben or will the secrets of their past extinguish their love for good?
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
Ends January 27, 2021
Thank you in advance to the author, Janice Carter, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested and all words are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and it didn’t disappoint.
The sweet cover was a great draw for me – I love Christmas stories so I can’t really say no. They’re even better when they’re clean reads
But, this is a different type of romance. It is heartbreaking, complex, and interesting with themes of second chances and redemption. It has a slight darker tone. According to the author this is the second (2nd) book in the Lighthouse Cove series, and is Grace’s story.
There are also some trigger warnings that are at the heart and center of the story. Slight spoiler –> the events that involve Ben, Grace, and Ella are the result of a drowning/potential suicide some 17 years earlier. This gives it a bit edgier tone than others I’ve read.
Carter’s engaging and descriptive writing had my attention and this was definitely a page-turner though there are a few Canadian terms used (reno for renovation and “brekkie” for breakfast). Carter also crafts realistic characters – both the main and supportive ones.
I alternated between liking Ben and Grace and not liking them. I wasn’t too sure about Ella at times. Though it was quite understandable why she was the way she was. And, it could’ve easily been avoided by the three of them talking a bit more than they did.
As some books of the Heartwarming line, this can easily play out like a Hallmark movie.
I loved the idea of Grace owning a bookstore which is why she invites Ella back to the Cove – to have Ella participate in a talk as well as a book signing.
Ella goes back for an apology from both Grace and Ben regarding an accident 17 years earlier over the Labor Day weekend. The accident, which led to Ben’s cousin’s death, stemmed from a prank that Grace participated in.
Both Ella and Ben are divorced, and it is clear that despite the time lapse, Ben still cares for Ella. Though she is quite different than the Ella he remembers. It is clear he isn’t giving up on their relationship.
At this point, she is very off-putting, and I really wasn’t sure if I was going to like her.
Grace is the first to apologize – and it is revealed that the townspeople thought Ella was responsible.
Carter does a great job of showing the difference between the townspeople and those like Ella (and her family) – the vacationers. There is, despite friendship, a stigma of “outsider”. This is also affecting Ella’s relationship with the town.
Ella decides to stay in town for a bit longer. But, this leads to rekindling the old feelings with Ben – ice skating, hot chocolate, revisiting past perspectives, and a kiss.
But, a question during the book signing comes back in the form of an op-ed article regarding the connection of Ella’s book and the accident.
The reporter isn’t the only one with some ill feelings – even Ben and Grace’s parents still see Ella as culpable despite Grace’s own confessions to them.
By the halfway point, Ella confronts Ben and gets what she wants – no surprise that the apology didn’t bring any relief or at best vindication.
It was at this point, I totally disliked Ella as Ben had feelings for her, was sorry and she just blew him off. She was mad at both Ben and Grace for not making it right with the townspeople.
But, Ella soon has regrets and is looking at a lonely Christmas due to her own family dynamics.
Grace invites Ella back to the Cove, and despite her misgivings, Ella comes back.
At a council meeting, she is snubbed, and still sees those “attitudes” continuing from that summer. Yet, she still writes a favorable article for growth in the town.
There is also a good mystery in the side-story with Ben’s company. I had suspected one co-worker, and it turns out it was an off page character. Still, Ben sees the effects of being falsely accused, and somewhat understands the burden Ella has carried.
This is apparent when Ella has a run in with Brandon’s sister and another woman.
It is at Grace’s engagement dinner, that Suzanna apologies to Ella. But, Ella also confronts everyone. It is needed. Yet, there is another confession that is about to come forward. That confession almost destroys what Ella wants.
But, broken doesn’t equal unable to mend.
One of the messages that Ella learns, and stems from the book – apologies are not enough and distrust is very contagious. She also states how the false accusations can destroy not just the person – but their family. She also learns that holding grudges can affect your entire life, and the events may never have influenced the present. And, it leads to loneliness.
Carter did a wonderful and realistic presentation of a tragedy and its fallout for everyone involved. Each person had their own share of guilt for it.
The author also had another side mystery – a woman leaving “tributes” for Brandon at the site of his death. I had suspected one person, but who it ended up being was different, though not shocking. And, it really was an interesting surprise. It did make sense in a way.
Fans of the author, genre, and those who’ve read the previous book will enjoy this story. I definitely want the first book to see how this all began, and would love to see where Carter is going next with this series.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
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