** spoiler alert ** The book's cover and title appealed to me when I was wandering around in the shop. I never read any Evans' books before and I find this book a good read.
Using the theme of promise in the novel to oppose lost hope is not a new thing. And although Mr Evans' writing is not as elaborated and sentimental as Jodi Picoult's, I find this book rather fresh and meaningful.
The ending really caught me off guard. I, of course, was expecting Matthew would had have to be from the future, however his identity entangling the future relationship worries me most. I could not explain the feeling, is it incestuous, or disloyal, or selfish to let Matthew having such relationship with Beth? Despite the choice he made in the end on Christmas Eve, it is obvious that he is still, and always will be, in love with Beth. However he is also in love with his wife, Charlotte. Maybe this is what he meant by "loving the stream of water and at the same time the source".
The relationship in 2008 was rather complicated and yet appropriate for all parties. It doesn't have to be pure love for them, the relationship is much more than that. Matthew saved her, her life, her house, her daughter, and most of all her ability to love and trust.
I was worrying the final hug in the final chapter was inappropriate, but after further analysing, I feel that Beth, after waiting 18 years to see the man that saved her and loved her to appear again, deserves a somewhat fulfillment of the wish. The coins thrown into the fountain not only brings her back to Rome, but also the man she once loved. And she feels blessed of all the things that happened in the past and the present.