This review was prepared by Lis of The Daring Kitchen.
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When I was first asked to read Promises to Keep, I had my doubts. I'm a pretty narrow-minded reader, to be truthful. I read one type of book and don't vary away from it often. And a "chick" book just isn't my type of book.

With that being said, I decided to agree to read the book because there was one truly interesting aspect of it - it held over 30 unique recipes. Yes, it's a novel, but it's also kind of a mini cookbook if you will.

I had never heard of Jane Green before being approached, so I had no idea what she writes about. I can honestly say, I'm quite happy to have been introduced to her. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Truly. The story tugged at my heart, made me cry, made me laugh and I found some excellent recipes to boot!

Basically the book is about 2 sisters and their friends/family. Steffi is the chef of the family. She's also the sister who seems lost for most of her life.. she jumps from restaurant to restaurant, she is attracted to men who are definitely wrong for her and she hasn't laid down any foundations like many women of her age have. She's a free spirit to say the least. But she has a huge heart and loves her family and friends with a true passion. If she's needed, she's there. She enjoys doing things to make her loved ones happy. She's just not ready to be tied down.

Callie is her sister and pretty much her polar opposite. Callie is married to a loving man and they have 2 wonderful children. Callie is a SAHM but she also runs a successful photography business. Everyone who meets Callie falls in love with her. While Steffi is hitting the coolest bars and getting wild, Callie is attending book club with her girlfriends. She deeply cares about those close to her and enjoys doing things for others. She the mom everyone wishes they had, the wife every husband wishes he had and the friend we all could use in our lives.

Tragedy hits the family when Callie gets sick and the story tells of how these 2 sisters, their partners, their parents, and their friends band together to get through one of the scariest times of their lives. Many ways they cope is through food - it plays an integral part in this book. Be it a vegan dish that Steffi has created and is the talk of the restaurant she works in, to a luscious trifle dessert that Callie throws together for her friends, to nurturing food made especially for one sick woman to help keep her strong. Regardless of how it's used, it's described in such a way that makes you wish you were enjoying it with them.

I highly recommend this book.. not only for the great story about how powerful the bond between love, family and friends is.. but also for the mouth-watering recipes created by Jane Green.

Now is your chance to win a copy of this book! Just leave a comment and on June 12th, I'll choose one comment number through www.random.org - I'll email that person to get their mailing address and the lovely folks at Penguin Group Publishing will send Promises to Keep off to the lucky winner.

Good luck!

xoxo