Promise Me Always

Christine Lynxwiler
Barbour Publishing (2006)
ISBN 1597893552
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (9/06)

The bank just turned down Allie Richards request for a loan, dooming her dream landscaping business before it can even launch. The thirty-five-year-old widow recently lost her job and needs a way to provide for her daughters. This last stroke of bad luck leaves her reeling.

Fortunately, Allie’s childhood Pinky Promise friends are still her closest buddies. These ladies from Shady Grove, Arkansas—Victoria, Lark and Rachel—intervene on Allie’s behalf. They talk her into entering the Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition. They see the opportunity and the prize as an alternate way for Allie to start her landscaping business and make her dream into reality.

Of course, competing against established landscaping companies means she will face tough competition. But when Allie’s design entry ranks her among the finalists, her life really spins out of control. 

The three finalists are each assigned an area of the town to beautify. The Pinky Promise friends become her crew. Allie hires her unfocused younger brother. And, her mom watches the two girls, who also help on weekends. With her amateur crew, Allie tackles the daunting task of refurbishing Shady Grove’s park while staying within the competition budget.

Another complication comes in the form of the local TV program featuring the progress of the three teams as they compete for the grand prize. One of Allie’s least favorite people anchors the daily reality show, and the annoying woman puts a negative spin on almost everything Allie’s crew does.

The cameraman, Daniel Montgomery, provides an attractive distraction from pursuing her goal. Allie hadn’t planned on another man entering her life or bringing love back into her crazy world. Harley-riding Daniel is too much of a free spirit for Allie, but her attraction to this great guy keeps growing.

Allie no longer feels in control and control is the one thing she feels driven to maintain. As Allie plays “what-if” games in her head, her physical labors and her riotous emotions drain her as she tries to be a good mom, lead her crew, and win the competition so she can fulfill her dreams and provide for her girls long-term.

Divorced or widowed, single moms who struggle to make ends meet and to provide for their children will relate to Allie because sometimes life leaves us out of control and uncertain how to cope or get back on our feet. Family, friends and faith help Allie find firm footing again. But even then, she realizes her life is out of her control and that only God knows for sure what’s coming her way. She has to accept life and love without guarantees about what the future holds.

This first book in The Pinky Promise Sisterhood Series offers a great life lesson, an enjoyable read, and a lot of levity and fun. The author assembles a great cast of characters who help the reader root for Allie to win in business and in love.

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