This book is one of several books I read while on holiday in Australia. I actually read most of it on the long flight home to Scotland – which was slightly weird but very fitting considering where the book is set. And not only is one of the best books I read on holiday, it’s one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

 Back Cover Blurb

A promise for the future. A threat from the past. Can Bel find happiness?

Back in Sydney after her aunt’s death, sixty-five year-old Bel Davison is making plans to sell up her home and business and return to Scotland where she has promised to spend the rest of her life with the enigmatic Scotsman with whom she’s found love.

But the reappearance of her ex-husband combined with other unexpected drawbacks turns her life into chaos, leading her to have doubts about the wisdom of her promise.

In Scotland, Matt Reid has no such doubts, and although facing challenges of his own, he longs for Bel’s return.

But when an unexpected turn of events leads him to question Bel’s sincerity, Matt decides to take a drastic step – the result of which he could never have foreseen.

Can this midlife couple find happiness in the face of the challenges life has thrown at them?

A sequel to ‘The Good Sister’, ‘Isobel’s Promise’ continues the story of Bel and Matt which began in Scotland

If you enjoy reading about strong women who have learned to live and love in later life, you’ll love Maggie Christensen’s books.

 My Review

Isobel’s Promise is the sequel to The Good Sister which I also very much enjoyed. But even if you haven’t read the first book this new one works well as a standalone. Although I have to say I’d recommend reading the first one too.

The novel is set in Sydney Australia, and in Glasgow and the Loch Lomond area in Scotland – and these settings provide the perfect backdrop to the story.

The plot is nicely balanced – not only between the two countries in which it takes place, but also between the differing points of view of the two main characters – Isobel and Matt. The reader is on both their sides – and is kept wondering if and how they will ever be able to resolve the problems and difficulties that stand in the way of them being together.

But it’s the characters who really make this book a page-turner. Isobel and Matt are in their sixties but they are not in any way stereotypically old. They are warm, likeable and flawed. They have full lives, families and friends who need them, and are open to new experiences – including falling in love. And they look forward – not back.

So, if you’re a fan of a good romantic story and you agree that age is neither a protection from, nor a barrier to, falling in love – then get this book. You’ll love it.

I was lucky enough to be given a pre-publication copy to read and was asked to give an unbiased review.

Isobel’s Promise is available to pre-order online and will be published as a paperback and as an ebook on the 2nd of August 2018.

Here a few links:

Amazon UK

Amazon Australia

Amazon US

Amazon Canada