Promises, Promises

by Erica James

'I Must Stand Up for Myself More' so promises Maggie Storm who spends her days cleaning houses for people who often have more money than manners. Married to a man with as much sex appeal as Mr Blobby, she dreams of a life straight from the pages of a romantic novel.

'My Head Must Rule Over My Heart' so promises Ella Moore who, determined never to let her heart get the better of her again, is recovering from seven wasted years of failing to win over the daughter of the man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.

'No More Women' so promises Ethan Edwards who, to distract himself from the depressing sham of his marriage, is a repeat offender when it comes to turning to other women for sexual consolation. But when Ella appears unexpectedly in his life, he finds himself turning to her for very different reason

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Roman, Womens Fiction, Audiobook

429 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

With an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.

The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine, just fine. Not awfully engaging but enough to get through.

Two stars.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️ = Not For Me
Hardback.
Now, I’m reading another of EJ’s books at the moment and I’m quite enjoying it. This one was very nondescript and I found my attention wandering at times.
Just not ‘meaty’ enough for me… and that’s a strange phrase coming from a vegan!😂

[June Staff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unputdownable book for me.....yes one of those you pick up whenever you have a spare 10 mins. Great characters and insight into relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think this was quite as good as some of her earlier books but still an easy and pleasant read.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book, an easy read, so true to real life, will definitely be reading more from this author

[Jenny L · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you are well into this story, you really wonder how Erica James will resolve the issues, but she does and I think rather well and believably. Maggie is a cleaner - of mostly rich people's homes, looked down upon by the people she works for and treated like a dogsbody by her slob of a husband. Most of the time when the story revolves around her home life it is extremely frustrating as you are desperate for her to develop a backbone. Eventually she does. Ella is a more independent free spirit who knows her own mind, but she has the usual hang ups of many women in their late 30's and then there is Ethan, a successful, wealthy, married man in a truly unhappy relationship with a rather unpleasant wife! A good read, if annoying at times. Not James's best, but a satisfying read nonetheless and one I would recommend.

[Marion · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Erica James' writing, but this book was a tough go for me. There are two main characters, and many secondary ones. All the secondary players had no redeeming qualities at all, which made the main characters weak in my estimation as to why they would continue having a relationship with such awful people, and for so long without doing anything about their situation. I wanted to quit or skip to the end so many times, as I was frustrated with the idiocy and meanness of the secondary players, but I slogged thru to the finish line. The ending was nice but very predictable at the same time. I'm not sure I will attempt to reread this story at another time. Too depressing for me.

[Sonja Born · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk boek om even tussendoor te lezen!

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erica James - Nederlandstalig - 397 pagina's - 9789032511920 - april 2011

Beloofd is beloofd is een super fijn boek dat heel vlot leest en waar geen einde aan mag komen.

Het boek volgt 3 personen, Maggie, Ethan en Ella. Maggie is de poetsvrouw van Ethan en Ella is een gespecialeerd decoratieschilderes dat het huis van Ethan zal opknappen. Ethan is ongelukkig getrouwd, Maggie is ongelukkig getrouwd en Ella is aan het herstellen van een mislukte relatie.

De auteur vertelt afwisselend vanuit de verschillende personages, in de "ze" vorm. Ik kon me super goed inleven en voelde met hen allemaal mee. De auteur laat hun wereld en gedachten echt tot leven komen. Alle woorden zijn heel duidelijk en goed gebruikt. Er waren geen woorden dat ik niet kon plaatsen of begrijpen.

Naar mijn inziens zaten er geen verrassende wendingen in het boek. Eens de lijn gezet was werd het duidelijk wie met wie zou eindigen. Enkel op 1 gebied was ik wel heel erg benieuwd of ze gekwetst zou worden of niet. Ik verwacht niet van boeken dat ze helemaal origineel zijn of ongelooflijke plottwist hebben. Ik wil dat ze me vastnemen en meehebben tot het einde. Dit boek deed dat, het boek liet me niet los.

[Riva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of Erica James'books. She has the knack of creating an emotional rollercoaster which makes us laugh one minute and cry the next. She writes light romance but not quite so light as to be chick-lit. Having said that, I don't think this is one of her best. I found the characters a little too black and white and stereotyped. The 'bad' characters especially had nothing at all to redeem them. There was also a little to much reliance on co-incidence. After the first few chapters, I did consider putting it down but I persevered and although a little too light for my taste, it was a good read in the end. It won't put me off buying her next book but only on the basis of those I've read before.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. I had a difficult time even getting into this book. The characters were over the top awful which made it unbelievable. Even the main characters, who I think I was supposed to like/root for annoyed the crap out of me. I found myself skipping ahead just to see if it was going to get any better. It didn't.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Erica James book read really liked it!

[Emelie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gag

[Marie Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been so long since I've read an Erica James novel that I'd forgotten how fantastic they are, and this one is no exception!

As you can tell from my reading list, murder is my material of choice, but every so often I need a palate cleanse, if you know what I mean ;-)

Promises, Promises is a charming story which follows the lives of Maggie - a cleaner to the wealthy, Ella - a brilliant artist and feisty lady, and Ethan - disappointing husband to one of Maggie's wealthy clients. All three characters bump into each other at Ethan's house, some having met elsewhere.

Ella saves Ethan from a mugging and then ends up decorating a room in his house, as commissioned by his awful wife. Ethan, as one would expect, becomes rather taken with her, but she has one foot in a previous relationship that she isn't sure she wants to walk away from.

Maggie is in a loveless marriage, where she is a slave to her husband and son, and is also treated like a slave by the snooty women whose houses she cleans. It is only through meeting the gorgeous Daryl that she discovers her life may just have a rosier future.

Each of the characters helps the others in this intricate tale of friendship, love, heartache and, of course, happy endings.

I love the way James writes and draws you immediately into her fictional world. Her novels make me feel warm and cosy and have definitely got that 'unputdownable' quality about them.

I need to find more that I haven't read now!

[Pippa Catterall · Rating 4 out of 5]

At one time romantic novels featured marriage as the end-point. More recent works in that genre are written in the knowledge that the wedding does not necessarily lead to happily ever after. Indeed, some could be seen as self-help books in how to escape dreadful relationships and learn to love yourself and life. This book certainly fits into that category. It starts with the protagonists promising themselves at New Year that they will cope stoically with life and its disappointments. Happily, they all gradually become wiser. Along the way we encounter some monstrous figures who are nonetheless sadly all too recognisable, make mistakes, judged and are judged. We meet needy people, vicious people, spoilt people and narcissists. I suspect that there are a number of subtexts - including hints that women who spend all their time curating their appearance might not be great to be with. Alongside the gallery of sometimes amusingly ghastly grotesqueries (think a gentler Tom Sharpe) the plot twists and turns cunningly. It’s that combination of sharply observed characters, clever plot, and a winning humanity and humour that made this for me such a satisfying read.

[Suganya Jothi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a tight knitted novel with three major characters namely Maggie, Ella Moore, Ethan Edwards. The story revolves around their respective relationships and how the said characters come together with the same perspective in their life. The work soundly speaks about failed relationships and the toxic effect it creates in one's life. The novel clearly conveys the difference between becoming comfortable in a relationship and taking things for granted. Intentionally or unintentionally the author has beautifully spun the story taking people from different status, which eventually gives away the notion of universality in the novel.

Well portrayed characters and well described setting. The witty conversations weaved into the story is surely a page tuner. The story moves in a normal pace and doesn't lag. The novel does have multiples of irritating and cunning characters but that doesn't bother the flow. The novel does belong to the night stands of many and as the title reads the work surely promises an emotional roller coaster.

[Shiva Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promises Promises by Erica James is such a delightful read.
Ella is a specialist painter trying to live her life after a break from a seven year relationship. She gets a commission to paint a mural in a beautiful big house. Mrs Edwards is so picky but Ella knows she will pay well.
One evening, she saves a stranger from being mugged whilst he was on his phone leaving the station. He is very grateful and when he asked her name, she says the dragon slayer.
Ella is at work painting and the owner Mr Edwards comes home, they are both shocked that they have met already. This is the man who she helped that evening.
Maggie is the cleaner and she becomes friends with Ella.
Maggie’s life is hard as she is not appreciated or loved from her husband. She dreams of falling in love again.
Ethan Edwards wants to befriend Ella but does she let him.
A wonderful feel good story about relationships which will make you laugh out loud!

[Sandra Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a superb book. I picked it up at a National Trust book barn, I always enjoy Erica James’s books but this has to be one of my favourites. It wasn’t as predictable as some of this genre. We love them anyway don’t we but I do like it when I’m not sure how things will work out. A great mix of characters to love and good grief some monsters to hate a plenty. Wives, next door neighbours, lazy idle good for nothing husbands, mother in law, father in law, brother and sister in law, ghastly pug dog! You name it they are there. The well drawn character of each of these is quite extraordinary, it makes me wonder whether they are drawn from life, I do hope not, to have that many horrors in your personal experience would be too much to bear.

I know this book is 11 years old but that doesn’t matter a jot, if you haven’t read it yet do, if this is your type of book you will really enjoy it.

[Sonia Bellhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars from me. We've all done it, made promises to ourselves, vowing to change something in our lives. Erica James takes three people all at a point of wanting to change an aspect of their lives.
Maggie dreams of romance while stuck in a depressing marriage and working as a cleaner. Ella wasted seven years with a man who couldn't challenge his spoilt teenage daughter while Ethan consoles himself for his loveless marriage by having one night stands.
They all vow to change and make a different life this year, but promises are easily made and harder to keep.
While I did enjoy the story and was cheering them on from the sidelines at times I felt that it dragged slightly, which why I choose to give three stars.

[Katie's Book Haven · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was such a disappointment to me.
It had a great, easy to read writing style and a good story line, but it was the little things that kept nagging at me.
For example, at several stages during this book there were lines like "he'd rather impale himself on a pitchfork than be friends with him" or "I'd sooner gouge out both my eyes than be with that woman". These line's are completely unnecessary, because let's face it, NOBODY would rather cause themselves bodily harm that would result in killing themselves than to suck it up and do the first option... Unless if they're a psycho that that wants a painful death.

I am super glad there was a fairy tale ending with a happily ever after. That is one of my musts in a romance book.
2.5 Stars

[Aparna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart warming story from Erica James. What I love about Erica's books is that they are so realistic. You can relate with the characters and recognize their flaws.

This story revolves around three individuals Ethan, Maggie and Ella who have made themselves a promise to change one thing about themselves.

Ethan has sworn to keep away from women and one night stands.. Maggie has sworn to stand up for herself..Ella has sworn to move on from the toxic relationship that she just got out off..The story follows the struggle these three individuals face ro stick with their promises. What happens when their paths cross in strange and unexpected ways..Definitely worth a read...

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Promises, Promises here for just $8!

James has a great ability to combine emotions, well-depicted characters and interesting situations into a beautiful mix that transforms into a novel you cannot put down. Main characters Maggie, Ella and Ethan will feel as familiar as family members. A perfect summer beach read, but also a great one for a rainy, cozy day.

Elisa - The Book Grocer

[Adeline Kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book for many years already but didn't manage to finish it. Lately I just try reading it again and wow..this book is good. A lengthy book but with short, interesting chapters. A very real story as to what is going in most people's life now. It is a matter of what we want and can we do anything to change the life we have now. I enjoyed every chapters in this book. Great story and characters. Wish this book can be made into a movie too! Kudos Erica James! :-)

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book of so many different stories, but brought together by little things. Kind of like how the movie Love Actually comes together, people knowing each other but finding out their own little secrets and stories. The characters are so down to earth and easy to like, minus the villains of course. Just overall a feel good read.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erica James novels are constantly wonderful stories. She has the ability to make you believe in her characters and their stories. Her books keep you engaged right from the first line. She has some suspense, but in a nice way. I did enjoy the this book.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did like any of the men in this book. All too presumptuous or down right rude to women. Apart from maybe Daryl.

Enjoyed some of the characters but did also fine Christine annoying and Mrs edwards too up herself. I don’t think people are really like that.

A good entertaining read.

[Tamara Leemans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ongelooflijk vlot gelezen. Niets wereldschokkends, maar toch steeds weer zin om het boek vast te nemen en verder te lezen. Fijne karakterbeschrijvingen. Ik wou eens een alternatief voor Jill Mansell en dat heb ik bij deze echt wel gevonden. Fijn boek.

[Marie Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Erica James books. I find them well written and easy to read. They tend to be my go-to when I'm in a reading slump or I've just read something hard-hitting and need a bit of light relief. Whilst this wasn't my favourite Erica James book, it was still an enjoyable read.

[Sandra Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read as always

[Tractor Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read, so many of us must be able to identify with Maggie Storm....made me laugh out loud on many occasions ...especially Ethan singing in the garden!