Promises to Keep - Ann Tatlock

I patted my jeans pocket, not the one I'd taken the candy wrappers from but the other one. Tucked deep inside was the necklace Daddy had given to me for Christmas. That, I was going to keep. Not for any sentimental reason, but as a reminder. If I was going to survive in this world, I  had to understand that not everything I wanted to be true was true, and not everything that looked good was good. 

-Promises to Keep, Ann Tatlock

New year... same authors. Ann Tatlock has remained my favorite author ever since Every Secret Thing, and Promises to Keep book was no disappointment. I literally could not put it down, it was in my hand every day of my winter break until I finished it. 

This book was written in a different style than the first book I read by Ann. It had a little more of a charming, cozy and humorous theme to it. It had a lighthearted tone and I found the style of writing as well as certain topics reminded me greatly of To Kill A Mockingbird. 

The story centers on eleven year old Rosalind (Roz) Anthony and her family. Her mother was forced to leave the young girl's father due his alcoholism and anger issues. Throughout the story, we catch glimpses of what Alan Anthony (her father) was like, and we see that it wasn't safe to be with him. However, he soon finds and meets Roz and mends their relationship, but in secret. He has promised to change and restore their family when the time is right,

and Roz is very excited to be seeing her father again.

It is very difficult to write about this book without spoiling the ending. Roz definitely matured by the end. She learned that trust is something that is demonstrated by someone's actions rather than their words, and old habits die hard. My eyes were glued to the page during the last few chapters from excitement, and shock.

In typical Ann Tatlock style, the last two chapters were a curve-ball from the rest of the story. Somehow, she created a beautiful story, while disrupting the happy-go-lucky personality of the book. 

I really don't want to say much more, this book left me surprised, yet pleased. It was a masterpiece in my eyes... and another Ann Tatlock book will soon be in my hands.