Review: “Broken Promises”
This book came to me via an ARC program, and I chose it because the preview sounded interesting.
The Premise
Years after Marcus and his wife Charlotte adopted Eva, her birth mother Reine shows up on their doorstep demanding to get her child back. However, she was the one who insisted they adopt her, so as to ensure she would be safe and not fall through the cracks of the foster system. Reine has everything to lose by showing up unannounced, but she risks it for a chance to get back her daughter. But with everything against her in a broken system, does she have a chance?
The Pros
This fast-paced drama that deals with serious issues that tug at your heartstrings — a mother does her best to protect her child, but she is no saint; does she deserve to get her child back? I particularly liked the dialogue between the characters and the build-up of the drama, and the conundrum that Reine faces when she is accused of a crime; in an already broken system, does her innocence or guilt even matter? The parole officer’s influence was a realistic portrayal of the power one holds in that position, and it was heartbreaking to see just how easy it is for him to ruin the lives of others. I also like the secondary roles that supported Reine, which gave the story its heart.
The Cons
Though I enjoyed the book for the most part, I really wanted to love it more. I liked all of the characters, but wished for more development and evolution throughout the story. It felt at times that they were broad strokes of archetypes — the hot-headed policeman, the long-suffering mother, the innocent child, the corrupt parole officer, and so on. This was a book in a series (Book 16) that could be read as a standalone, and (having not read the others) perhaps this is why it felt underdeveloped for me as characters didn’t get the chance to fully blossom on the pages and draw me in. There was potential for me, but not the ultimate payoff. For instance, the very end of it went from one scene where it seems impossible to remedy the situation, and then you turn the page and everything magically works out — what? All the tension fades away and it ends disappointingly.
Conclusion
Overall this was a decent read that will satisfy most readers who are looking for something dramatic, quick, and emotional. Though it wasn’t entirely for me, there is a lot to love here. I liked the writer’s style and would be interested to read further in the series, or perhaps other books by her.
