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The Promise You Made
Best friends. Broken promises. Buried secrets.
Ten years ago Rose made a promise to help her goddaughter Eloise if she was ever in trouble.
A promise she may live to regret.
But she meant every word� until the night Eloise turns up on her doorstep covered in blood and asking for the unthinkable.
Rose has buried secrets before. Only this time they’re about to come back and haunt her.
Ten years ago Rose made a promise to help her goddaughter Eloise if she was ever in trouble.
A promise she may live to regret.
But she meant every word� until the night Eloise turns up on her doorstep covered in blood and asking for the unthinkable.
Rose has buried secrets before. Only this time they’re about to come back and haunt her.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2021
247 people are currently reading
1,044 people want to read
About the author
A.J. McDine
10books336followersA J McDine was a journalist and police press officer until she realised writing fiction was much more fun.
She lives in Kent in the UK with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
The author of six dark, domestic thrillers, she loves to keep her readers guessing till the very last page.
Her debut thriller, When She Finds You, was followed by Should Have Known Better, No One I Knew, The Promise You Made and The Invite.
Her sixth thriller, The Baby, reached the Amazon top 20 in the UK and the Amazon top 100 in the US when it was published by Bookouture in April 2024.
Her seventh thriller, The Photo, will be released on 11 July 2024.
When she’s not writing, playing tennis or attempting to run a 5k, A J can usually be found people-watching in her favourite café.
She lives in Kent in the UK with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
The author of six dark, domestic thrillers, she loves to keep her readers guessing till the very last page.
Her debut thriller, When She Finds You, was followed by Should Have Known Better, No One I Knew, The Promise You Made and The Invite.
Her sixth thriller, The Baby, reached the Amazon top 20 in the UK and the Amazon top 100 in the US when it was published by Bookouture in April 2024.
Her seventh thriller, The Photo, will be released on 11 July 2024.
When she’s not writing, playing tennis or attempting to run a 5k, A J can usually be found people-watching in her favourite café.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 5, 2022
as lonesome Rose tries to adjusts to
her estranged goddaughter's arrival,
her unreliability gravitates around
dark old secrets, love memories,
and fair persecution paranoia.
her estranged goddaughter's arrival,
her unreliability gravitates around
dark old secrets, love memories,
and fair persecution paranoia.
December 2, 2021
What a brilliant, addictive read! Rose is a quirky character you don't know whether to like or dislike, until... well, no spoilers! The child of a controlling mother, her life didn't turn out as planned, and Rose dropped out of med school to work in the charity sector. She is trudging through life, when her long-lost goddaughter turns up out of the blue, reminding her of 'the promise you made!'
I highly recommend this book for lovers of psychological thrillers.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of psychological thrillers.
December 6, 2021
Oh my word this book. I started this as a buddy read with AJ Campbell but unfortunately due to being poorly I fell behind. Luckily the story had stuck so firmly in my mind it was easy to pick back up and get straight into it again.
That was mostly down to the deliciously wonderful characters. Now I love a female psycho and the way Rose has been developed she even manages to elicit sympathy. Unrequited love, a medical career cut short and an unfulfilled life looking after a mother who is cold and uncaring. She then loses her father and her life is sad and lonely, her only escape is her work for Sisterline, a women’s support charity.
Told via dual timeline, in the present you have Eloise turning up on Rose’s doorstep covered in blood and with the body of her boyfriend Theo in her car claiming it was in self defence as he was controlling. A perfect ploy maybe, knowing that domestic violence is close to Rose’s heart if indeed she has one? While in the past you learn of Rose’s relationship with Eloise’s mother Juliet and philandering father Danny.
There is also a wonderful subplot that ties in nicely and leads you to think of different conclusions. My mind was chartering all possibilities and it is always nice to be pleasantly surprised when the best is left right to the last sentence.
That was mostly down to the deliciously wonderful characters. Now I love a female psycho and the way Rose has been developed she even manages to elicit sympathy. Unrequited love, a medical career cut short and an unfulfilled life looking after a mother who is cold and uncaring. She then loses her father and her life is sad and lonely, her only escape is her work for Sisterline, a women’s support charity.
Told via dual timeline, in the present you have Eloise turning up on Rose’s doorstep covered in blood and with the body of her boyfriend Theo in her car claiming it was in self defence as he was controlling. A perfect ploy maybe, knowing that domestic violence is close to Rose’s heart if indeed she has one? While in the past you learn of Rose’s relationship with Eloise’s mother Juliet and philandering father Danny.
There is also a wonderful subplot that ties in nicely and leads you to think of different conclusions. My mind was chartering all possibilities and it is always nice to be pleasantly surprised when the best is left right to the last sentence.
September 27, 2024
It was entertaining and appropriately twisted until the very end.
December 2, 2021
A 5-star, addictive read, I loved everything about it!
Having read all of A J McDine’s books, I can honestly say that they just get better and better. The Promise You Made is utterly brilliant and so well written, this is a new firm favourite of mine.
Life hadn’t gone the way Rose had hoped, dreams of becoming a doctor had been dashed at a young age and with no family left and nobody she could really call a friend, she is now living life as a spinster in her childhood home whilst volunteering for a charity. Rose keeps herself to herself, so nobody is more surprised than her when there is a knock at the door of her cottage late one night.
The surprise guest turns out to be Rose’s goddaughter Eloise, who she’s not seen for ten years. Covered in blood and clearly distressed, Eloise begs Rose to help her and asks if she can stay for a while. In all honesty, I think Rose would rather shut the door in Eloise’s face but she is quickly reminded of the promise that she made to her all those years ago and that was that she could always come to her if she ever found herself in trouble.
The story is told in a dual timeline, starting with the present day and then occasionally skipping back to the past, filling us in on Rose’s years at university and beyond when she was best friends with Eloise’s mum. Secrets and lies are unearthed as we progress through the story, with some excellent twists and turns this makes for an unputdownable read! The ending was just perfect!
I really loved Rose as a character and have a perfectly formed image of her in my head. The crazy cat lady look springs to mind. I felt sorry for her a lot of the time, but I loved her darker/ slightly psychotic side! Eloise was a character that I just did not trust from the word go but again I loved her psychotic side. I read the whole story feeling on edge with these two unpredictable characters. It is definitely a book that I could have devoured in one sitting if it wasn’t for work, kids and day to day life!
This book is so well written, and I will be recommending it to all who’ll listen. If you are a fan of books like What Lies Between Us by John Marrs then I think this would be the perfect book for you.
Thank you so much to A J McDine for sending me a copy of this fabulous book and trusting me to read and review it for you.
Having read all of A J McDine’s books, I can honestly say that they just get better and better. The Promise You Made is utterly brilliant and so well written, this is a new firm favourite of mine.
Life hadn’t gone the way Rose had hoped, dreams of becoming a doctor had been dashed at a young age and with no family left and nobody she could really call a friend, she is now living life as a spinster in her childhood home whilst volunteering for a charity. Rose keeps herself to herself, so nobody is more surprised than her when there is a knock at the door of her cottage late one night.
The surprise guest turns out to be Rose’s goddaughter Eloise, who she’s not seen for ten years. Covered in blood and clearly distressed, Eloise begs Rose to help her and asks if she can stay for a while. In all honesty, I think Rose would rather shut the door in Eloise’s face but she is quickly reminded of the promise that she made to her all those years ago and that was that she could always come to her if she ever found herself in trouble.
The story is told in a dual timeline, starting with the present day and then occasionally skipping back to the past, filling us in on Rose’s years at university and beyond when she was best friends with Eloise’s mum. Secrets and lies are unearthed as we progress through the story, with some excellent twists and turns this makes for an unputdownable read! The ending was just perfect!
I really loved Rose as a character and have a perfectly formed image of her in my head. The crazy cat lady look springs to mind. I felt sorry for her a lot of the time, but I loved her darker/ slightly psychotic side! Eloise was a character that I just did not trust from the word go but again I loved her psychotic side. I read the whole story feeling on edge with these two unpredictable characters. It is definitely a book that I could have devoured in one sitting if it wasn’t for work, kids and day to day life!
This book is so well written, and I will be recommending it to all who’ll listen. If you are a fan of books like What Lies Between Us by John Marrs then I think this would be the perfect book for you.
Thank you so much to A J McDine for sending me a copy of this fabulous book and trusting me to read and review it for you.
June 6, 2022
This is a terrible book. Obviously my thoughts are subjective, but if you, like myself, cannot stand it when every single character is a wanker (especially protagonist) and none of said wankers get their ‘just desserts� then steer clear.
January 25, 2025
Rose is visited by Eloise, who says she is Rose's Goddaughter. Eloise reminds Rose of her promise to Eloise after her mother died when Eloise was just a child - if Eloise ever needs her, Rose will be there for her.
Eloise has never contacted Rose since the funeral, but, boy, will Rose have to make up for it when she hears what Eloise needs her to do!
A twisty thriller, which I enjoyed more than I expected.
Eloise has never contacted Rose since the funeral, but, boy, will Rose have to make up for it when she hears what Eloise needs her to do!
A twisty thriller, which I enjoyed more than I expected.
February 27, 2025
4.5 stars 🌟 Wow what a story this was, I wasn’t expecting it at all and was pleasantly surprised by how it all played out!
I enjoyed getting to know Rose who lives alone but recently took in her goddaughter who turns up on her doorstep saying she needs help as she has killed her boyfriend. Intriguing from the start! We then slowly get to see how Rose got to where she is now with flashbacks to her teenage and then young adult years where she meets her goddaughters mum at university. I enjoyed the development of this relationship between the two friends.
I suspected one of the twists but I think it was meant to be that way - there are plenty of other twists and turns along the way and I found myself wanting to finish to know what happens. The ending was pretty satisfying too! Would definitely recommend.
I enjoyed getting to know Rose who lives alone but recently took in her goddaughter who turns up on her doorstep saying she needs help as she has killed her boyfriend. Intriguing from the start! We then slowly get to see how Rose got to where she is now with flashbacks to her teenage and then young adult years where she meets her goddaughters mum at university. I enjoyed the development of this relationship between the two friends.
I suspected one of the twists but I think it was meant to be that way - there are plenty of other twists and turns along the way and I found myself wanting to finish to know what happens. The ending was pretty satisfying too! Would definitely recommend.
February 14, 2022
A fast read but so predictable. And how did Rose get Theo to the train station when Eloise had her car? And why didn’t Eloise eat that yogurt??? That would have been a good ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
"The Promise You Made" is an exceptional novel that captivates the reader with its enthralling, suspenseful, and dramatic storyline. The characters are well-crafted, and their development is impressive, making for an emotionally engaging read or listen. The narration is flawless, and it brings everything to life, making it easy to visualize the dual timeline that flows seamlessly throughout the book.
One of the things that stood out to me was the vivid description of the local locations in Kent. As someone who grew up in the area, I was delighted to hear them mentioned. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the settings to life, making it feel like you are right there with the characters. It's a rare treat to read a book where the settings are so relatable, which adds to the enjoyment of the story.
The plot twists in the book are expertly crafted, and although some are predictable, there are plenty of surprises that keep you engaged throughout the storyline. The book's central themes of obsession and secrets are explored in a thought-provoking way, and the tension builds steadily throughout the book, making it hard to put down.
Overall, I would highly recommend "The Promise You Made" in all formats, whether you prefer to read or listen to audiobooks. It's a well-paced thriller with excellent character development, a compelling storyline, and plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing until the very end.
One of the things that stood out to me was the vivid description of the local locations in Kent. As someone who grew up in the area, I was delighted to hear them mentioned. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the settings to life, making it feel like you are right there with the characters. It's a rare treat to read a book where the settings are so relatable, which adds to the enjoyment of the story.
The plot twists in the book are expertly crafted, and although some are predictable, there are plenty of surprises that keep you engaged throughout the storyline. The book's central themes of obsession and secrets are explored in a thought-provoking way, and the tension builds steadily throughout the book, making it hard to put down.
Overall, I would highly recommend "The Promise You Made" in all formats, whether you prefer to read or listen to audiobooks. It's a well-paced thriller with excellent character development, a compelling storyline, and plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing until the very end.
April 20, 2022
The character development was good and the story flowed well. Unfortunately I was able to guess most of the ending but there were a few twists at the end that I didn’t expect.
December 11, 2021
Really enjoyed this book from the first page 🥰
April 11, 2025
4.5 - Twisted murder tales of obsessed unlikeable female characters are right up my alley, so I loved this. 😏
August 31, 2024
Slow start. Predictable.
May 12, 2024
It all seemed really predictable? The characters are also very unlikeable and the male characters lacked much personality and characterisation other than the generic “this character is just here to cheat to justify the protagonists morally wrong actions�. So, it’s hard to want them to succeed or to carry on the book when there’s nothing connecting you to them. I really really wanted to like this book.
Really close to dnf but my pride got the better of me so I finished it. Could have been a really fun concept - and the authors writing style is brilliant, I did like the changes in years between chapters, but overall the plot didn’t work for me. It feels like the author does not trust the audience to figure things out for themselves, and tells you a lot of the information rather than letting you figure it out. Which is why I think it’s very easy to guess the major plot twist at the end.
Really close to dnf but my pride got the better of me so I finished it. Could have been a really fun concept - and the authors writing style is brilliant, I did like the changes in years between chapters, but overall the plot didn’t work for me. It feels like the author does not trust the audience to figure things out for themselves, and tells you a lot of the information rather than letting you figure it out. Which is why I think it’s very easy to guess the major plot twist at the end.
January 28, 2022
If I could have rated it 0* stars - I would have done.
Where do I start
Poor grammar
Unbelievable plot
But what really annoyed me is
The main character is a lesbian;
Now I’m an out and proud lesbian.
But in books or stories or films the main character is a lesbian and they are portrayed as evil
Murderous and psychotic
Why do they always have to be the bad person.
It portrays gay women as an abomination and not a normal member of society who wants to lead a quiet life - they do exist
It reflects back on a whole society of lesbians who have done nothing wrong
It sickens me
Where do I start
Poor grammar
Unbelievable plot
But what really annoyed me is
The main character is a lesbian;
Now I’m an out and proud lesbian.
But in books or stories or films the main character is a lesbian and they are portrayed as evil
Murderous and psychotic
Why do they always have to be the bad person.
It portrays gay women as an abomination and not a normal member of society who wants to lead a quiet life - they do exist
It reflects back on a whole society of lesbians who have done nothing wrong
It sickens me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
TRIGGER WARNING! Animal death which I absolutely hate, and it could have been just as effective with a happy outcome!
A little bit of a slow burn, but still holds interest. Rose is definitely neurotic, and I wasn’t sure if I should root for her or not! Not particularly twisty, but kind of what happens if you lead your life a certain way.
A little bit of a slow burn, but still holds interest. Rose is definitely neurotic, and I wasn’t sure if I should root for her or not! Not particularly twisty, but kind of what happens if you lead your life a certain way.
May 25, 2022
A bit too predictable for me. And I don’t like nor can I related or have sympathy for any of the characters, apart from Dinah the lovely ca
December 2, 2021
My second read by this author and one I enjoyed. I flew through it. Some wonderful but damaged characters. Juliet, beautiful if a little self obsessed but just wants to be loved. Rose dreams of being a doctor but when she meets Juliet she becomes infatuated with her. Eloise, Juliets daughter, brought up in foster homes from the age of 11 and who is more like her father than her mother. Danny, the love of Juliets life but a serial philanderer.
Briefly, when Rose promised Juliet she would look after Eloise she never dreamt what that could involve. Friends throughout university only one thing ever came between them, Danny. After university they lead their own very different lives until their paths cross again and link them inextricably.
Written in dual timelines, the present and the past starting when Rose and Juliet first meet. Both stories connect seamlessly and show just how far an obsession with another person can lead you to do the unthinkable. I did pick up on most of the clues that were dropped into the story so not everything was a surprise but the are a few big twists, one of which I didn’t see coming. A well written and enjoyable psychological thriller and I would definitely read this author again. 4.5⭐️
Briefly, when Rose promised Juliet she would look after Eloise she never dreamt what that could involve. Friends throughout university only one thing ever came between them, Danny. After university they lead their own very different lives until their paths cross again and link them inextricably.
Written in dual timelines, the present and the past starting when Rose and Juliet first meet. Both stories connect seamlessly and show just how far an obsession with another person can lead you to do the unthinkable. I did pick up on most of the clues that were dropped into the story so not everything was a surprise but the are a few big twists, one of which I didn’t see coming. A well written and enjoyable psychological thriller and I would definitely read this author again. 4.5⭐️
January 14, 2025
The story had all the ingredients of a gripping thriller—secrets, lies, and betrayal—but it never quite delivered on its potential. The premise started strong, drawing the reader into the protagonist’s seemingly perfect life that unravels after an old secret surfaces. However, the pacing faltered, bogged down by too many unnecessary twists and turns. By the time the climactic reveal arrived, it felt rushed and lacked the emotional punch it needed.
The characters were a mixed bag, most feeling like hollow shells rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The protagonist’s decisions often came across as irrational, making it hard to root for her, while the supporting cast leaned heavily on stereotypes. Whether it was the cold antagonist or the lacklustre love interest, their motivations felt shallow, robbing the story of the tension and complexity it needed to engage truly.
Set in a small town with a backdrop that should have oozed suspense, the setting barely made an impression. The writing, though clear, lacked the descriptive depth and atmospheric tension that could have elevated the narrative. Themes of trust, guilt, and redemption were present but explored superficially, leaving little lasting impact. Despite a promising premise, the execution left the story feeling flat and forgettable.
Read more here:
The characters were a mixed bag, most feeling like hollow shells rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The protagonist’s decisions often came across as irrational, making it hard to root for her, while the supporting cast leaned heavily on stereotypes. Whether it was the cold antagonist or the lacklustre love interest, their motivations felt shallow, robbing the story of the tension and complexity it needed to engage truly.
Set in a small town with a backdrop that should have oozed suspense, the setting barely made an impression. The writing, though clear, lacked the descriptive depth and atmospheric tension that could have elevated the narrative. Themes of trust, guilt, and redemption were present but explored superficially, leaving little lasting impact. Despite a promising premise, the execution left the story feeling flat and forgettable.
Read more here:
April 4, 2022
I find this book quite difficult to review. I enjoyed it, it had a good story but I just felt that something was missing and I can't put my finger on what it was. It's like I should have been on edge throughout, but I wasn't.
The story was good, told from a dual timeline; in the present where Eloise has turned up on Rose's doorstep asking her for help after she murdered her boyfriend. And the older timeline, moving through Rose's childhood, to university where she met her best friend Juliet and on to Eloise's birth and Juliet's death. As a sub plot, Rose is going for promotion at the women's helpline where she volunteers.
There was a twist at the end, in fact there were multiple twists in the last quarter of the book, some I saw coming, some I didn't.
The story was good, told from a dual timeline; in the present where Eloise has turned up on Rose's doorstep asking her for help after she murdered her boyfriend. And the older timeline, moving through Rose's childhood, to university where she met her best friend Juliet and on to Eloise's birth and Juliet's death. As a sub plot, Rose is going for promotion at the women's helpline where she volunteers.
There was a twist at the end, in fact there were multiple twists in the last quarter of the book, some I saw coming, some I didn't.
April 17, 2022
Wow!!! This book was amazing. The plot was so interesting and had me literally trying to figure out what was going to happen next. This is only my second read from the author but I’m determined to read all of her books now. There was so many twists and turns throughout this book all the way to the very end. I absolutely recommend reading this if you love gripping psychological thrillers.
May 2, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. Enjoyed the queer theme but also the realness of the struggle of having queer feelings for your friend. It was interesting, one hand you felt sorry for Rose then the next you felt uncomfortable like she was a dirty sly villain.
July 15, 2024
Great book and beautifully written by A.J. McDine! I loved the storyline very unique! I couldn't put the book down 📚
Listened on Audible - Fiona Mitchell - Narrator.
Would recommend this book and any other of A.J McDine if you're a fan of Lisa Jewell.
*Psychological
*Suspense
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Listened on Audible - Fiona Mitchell - Narrator.
Would recommend this book and any other of A.J McDine if you're a fan of Lisa Jewell.
*Psychological
*Suspense
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 4, 2024
read as a free audiobook on Audible! really enjoyed this story, looking forward to (actually) reading more from this author. didn't feel super predictable and had some really good twists!
May 2, 2024
This one was a crazy one
May 29, 2024
Found this very boring, not normally my type of genre so I’m hoping it hasn’t put me off these types of books
There was an interesting ending but kind of predicatable
There was an interesting ending but kind of predicatable
July 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book - it was another audiobook read and the lady who read it was the perfect choice
The whole book had me hooked and eager to keep reading/listening
A jump from past to present really set the scene for the end of the book and the ending was awesome
Overall I really enjoyed this book and my first of A.J McDine
I loved this book - it was another audiobook read and the lady who read it was the perfect choice
The whole book had me hooked and eager to keep reading/listening
A jump from past to present really set the scene for the end of the book and the ending was awesome
Overall I really enjoyed this book and my first of A.J McDine
October 29, 2024
Very good new author to me lots of twists and turns going to try another one by her soon
May 21, 2024
2⭐️ this book was lame, the main character was made so unlikeable and the rest of the characters weren’t developed enough to care about. Maybe I just didn’t connect enough to the plot but was not a fan.
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