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Promises, Promises
The village of Glenree is home to the Munroe women, including from the glamorous new in-law, Emma; the homely Miriam; and airs-and-graces Sheila, who is forced to watch her own daughter Ellen become the talk of the county. The saying "love is blind" could have been invented for the wayward Ellen, whose life changes for ever when she leaves the ebony darkness and winding country roads of Glenree for the bright lights of the city. It is there she falls in love with Chris Wallace, a skunk of the highest order. A tale of love and heartbreak, laughter and tears, this is a moving novel will strike a chord with anyone who has loved a scoundrel.
608 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 1997
84 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Scanlan
68 books396 followersPatricia Scanlan was born in Dublin, where she still lives. Her #1 bestsellers include Apartment 3B; Finishing Touches; Foreign Affairs; Promises, Promises; Mirror, Mirror; City Girl; City Woman; City Lives; and Francesca’s Party. She has sold millions of books worldwide and is translated into many languages. Patricia is the series editor and a contributing author to the award winning Open Door literacy series, which she developed for adult literacy.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 8, 2013
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ!!!!!!!!!
This is a two part story so it's really a must to read Mirror,Mirror also. I had not heard of Patricia Scanlan before and really bought the set of two books because they were on special offer but this author should be at the top of the bestseller lists because I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality of her writing. It's a family story where a girl falls for a rotter and, for a time, things seem to go his way and he comes up smelling of roses every time. In the second book his run of luck runs out and everything seems to go wrong for him at the same time. This is a wonderfully healing read if you have gone through a bad relationship and/or divorce and many things said and done in the book were uncannily similar to my own experience! The charaters are so lifelike, for example, the mother-in-law who is a big noise at the Townswomen's Guild who wonders how she will show her face there again after all the scandal that has befallen her family. It is such a heart-warming story with a few comic episodes,it really does make you look back at your own divorce/split and makes it easier to get through, the revenge episodes made me think YES! This story is so life-like and so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down, it's perfect holiday reading. Patricia Scanlan's writing is so clever because she does different scenes from different characters' point of view, for example one moment she would have me thinking, poor Ellen, Chris is such a rotter then in the following interlude she would write from Chris' point of view and describe his confusion about his feelings so next thing I would feel sympathy for Chris and be able to understand why he had been acting as he had. One of my all time great reads, a brilliant saga.
This is a two part story so it's really a must to read Mirror,Mirror also. I had not heard of Patricia Scanlan before and really bought the set of two books because they were on special offer but this author should be at the top of the bestseller lists because I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality of her writing. It's a family story where a girl falls for a rotter and, for a time, things seem to go his way and he comes up smelling of roses every time. In the second book his run of luck runs out and everything seems to go wrong for him at the same time. This is a wonderfully healing read if you have gone through a bad relationship and/or divorce and many things said and done in the book were uncannily similar to my own experience! The charaters are so lifelike, for example, the mother-in-law who is a big noise at the Townswomen's Guild who wonders how she will show her face there again after all the scandal that has befallen her family. It is such a heart-warming story with a few comic episodes,it really does make you look back at your own divorce/split and makes it easier to get through, the revenge episodes made me think YES! This story is so life-like and so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down, it's perfect holiday reading. Patricia Scanlan's writing is so clever because she does different scenes from different characters' point of view, for example one moment she would have me thinking, poor Ellen, Chris is such a rotter then in the following interlude she would write from Chris' point of view and describe his confusion about his feelings so next thing I would feel sympathy for Chris and be able to understand why he had been acting as he had. One of my all time great reads, a brilliant saga.
February 9, 2017
The cover of this book compares it to Maeve Binchy's books. I must agree! I finished this quickly and plan to move right along to Mirror, Mirror.
A nicely told story of an Irish catholic family whose children are growing up in the 1960's. I remember the shame back then of having daughter get pregnant without the benefit of marriage. Heck, I only got married due to being pregnant in order to spare my own family the shame. LOL. Times have changed quite a bit since then. Ellen, Emma and Mildred are well rounded characters as are the parents, especially Shelia Munroe's character.
Lovely book and one that I plan to recommend to others.
A nicely told story of an Irish catholic family whose children are growing up in the 1960's. I remember the shame back then of having daughter get pregnant without the benefit of marriage. Heck, I only got married due to being pregnant in order to spare my own family the shame. LOL. Times have changed quite a bit since then. Ellen, Emma and Mildred are well rounded characters as are the parents, especially Shelia Munroe's character.
Lovely book and one that I plan to recommend to others.
February 16, 2025
I've read this book a few times & was in the mood to read it again. The characters are great and relatable. There's never a boring bit,each character is well described and brought to life.
Reading the sequel soon again too.One of my favourite authors.
Reading the sequel soon again too.One of my favourite authors.
August 22, 2019
A lovely book set in rural Ireland, just outside of Dublin. Following the lives of 3 sisters in law. Ellen who just couldn’t get over her failed love affair with selfish Chris, I just wanted to shake her at times, could she not see that she could do so much better. Miriam, who had never been brought up to believe that she could say no, I wanted her to hug her. Then spoiled Emma, I just wanted to bring her to her senses, also her deluded husband Vincent who ran around after her like a little puppy.
The story ends with Ellen, Miriam and a friend setting up a Deli and Ellen having dumped Chris embarking on a new relationship with the much more dependable Dan. I can’t wait to read how they all get on,
The story ends with Ellen, Miriam and a friend setting up a Deli and Ellen having dumped Chris embarking on a new relationship with the much more dependable Dan. I can’t wait to read how they all get on,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
I read this while on holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Patricia Scanlan books and also love that they are mostly set in Ireland, as having lived in Ireland it makes me feel like I am home. I have already read the follow on book Mirror Mirror years ago but may read it again now I have read this one.
For anyone wanting an easy, comfortable and escaping read, this is a must.
I did often find myself silently screaming at Ellen every time she went soft on Chris and would take him back no matter what but that's part of the story!
For anyone wanting an easy, comfortable and escaping read, this is a must.
I did often find myself silently screaming at Ellen every time she went soft on Chris and would take him back no matter what but that's part of the story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
I’ve read this set of books three or four times, they’re exactly the sort of good quality dramatic chick lit I sometimes crave when I’ve been reading something heavy (like Winners by Fredrik Backman which I just finished). Ellen and Miriam
Are so lovable and relatable, Emma and Chris are the antagonists you love to hate, there’s plenty of good laughs and sweet romances and bad guys getting their comeuppance. Always a treat!
Are so lovable and relatable, Emma and Chris are the antagonists you love to hate, there’s plenty of good laughs and sweet romances and bad guys getting their comeuppance. Always a treat!
May 7, 2017
I got totally drawn into the world of the characters in this book. Made me feel as though I was living everything with them. It made me switch off from the 'real world' and not many books manage that these days.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
February 29, 2020
Loved this book, a decade in the lives of the 4 Munroe women and a charming womanizer who left a trail of emotional destruction in his wake. This book evokes so many emotions, laughter and tears as you get to know these women.
February 24, 2021
omg loved this book, read this years ago, and got it out again for another read, Patricia Scanlan is a wonderful story teller,,, I just wanted the story to go on and on,,, now rereading all her novels,, shes a favorite.
July 3, 2018
Enjoyable read, written in a way that allows you to see it from perspective of each of the characters as they go through life
April 30, 2020
Loved it.
I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down at all. I woke during the night to read it! Brilliant
I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down at all. I woke during the night to read it! Brilliant
December 12, 2021
An enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book, a nice easy read . I look forward to reading the follow up book soon.
I really enjoyed this book, a nice easy read . I look forward to reading the follow up book soon.
May 12, 2024
Amazing writing and story telling.
December 1, 2024
Predictable but enjoyable easy read.
January 2, 2025
I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Very readable and engaging storyline. A bit predictable but a great example of chick-lit.
September 7, 2013
De familie Munroe telt drie vrouwen: moeder Sheila, die zich belangrijk voelt door in het bestuur van de vrouwenorganisatie van Glenree te zitten, daar vooral veel voor de bakken en te braden en zich vooral 'goed gedraagt'.
Haar schoondochter Miriam. Slecht behandeld door haar eigen familie, omdat ze nooit nee zei en door haar vader en broers als voetveeg werd gebruikt. Nu is ze gelukkig met haar man en kinderen en is de beste vriendin van haar schoonzusje.
Haar dochter Ellen. Ze woont nog thuis, want heeft de ware liefde nog niet gevonden. Dan, op een feest, ontmoet ze Chris Wallace. Een man, voor wie vrouwen snel vallen, die charmant lijkt en onbetrouwbaar is. Ellen valt voor hem als en blok en raakt zwanger. In het conservatieve Ierse dorp kan dat echt niet. De schande is enorm en moeder Sheila neemt het haar dochter erg kwalijk. Steun heeft Ellen van haar vader en van Miriam. Haar vader geeft haar het appartement boven de slagerij, waarvan hij de eigenaar is en waar Ellen werkt. Zo begint ze eindelijk aan een eigen leven.
De beklemmende sfeer in het conservatieve Ierse dorp is goed beschreven.
Haar schoondochter Miriam. Slecht behandeld door haar eigen familie, omdat ze nooit nee zei en door haar vader en broers als voetveeg werd gebruikt. Nu is ze gelukkig met haar man en kinderen en is de beste vriendin van haar schoonzusje.
Haar dochter Ellen. Ze woont nog thuis, want heeft de ware liefde nog niet gevonden. Dan, op een feest, ontmoet ze Chris Wallace. Een man, voor wie vrouwen snel vallen, die charmant lijkt en onbetrouwbaar is. Ellen valt voor hem als en blok en raakt zwanger. In het conservatieve Ierse dorp kan dat echt niet. De schande is enorm en moeder Sheila neemt het haar dochter erg kwalijk. Steun heeft Ellen van haar vader en van Miriam. Haar vader geeft haar het appartement boven de slagerij, waarvan hij de eigenaar is en waar Ellen werkt. Zo begint ze eindelijk aan een eigen leven.
De beklemmende sfeer in het conservatieve Ierse dorp is goed beschreven.
November 25, 2013
wow, if I could have given this book more than 5 stars, I would have; i loved loved loved this book.
It was so full of drama but it all turned out right in the end which is how I like books to end, because I'm a softy, like Ellen, (not saying I'd let men treat me like she did though. I felt very very sorry for her throughout the novel.)
And, how the 'upper class" people were in this book made me so angry.
Anyway, I found it very hard to put this book down to get on with life. I had no problems what-so-ever with the way the book was written at all.
The best thing was, I found this book by sheer accident while trying to search for another title in my audio library.
Now to find part 2!
I highly recommend this read for anybody who loves a bit of drama mixed in with a lot of romance.
It was so full of drama but it all turned out right in the end which is how I like books to end, because I'm a softy, like Ellen, (not saying I'd let men treat me like she did though. I felt very very sorry for her throughout the novel.)
And, how the 'upper class" people were in this book made me so angry.
Anyway, I found it very hard to put this book down to get on with life. I had no problems what-so-ever with the way the book was written at all.
The best thing was, I found this book by sheer accident while trying to search for another title in my audio library.
Now to find part 2!
I highly recommend this read for anybody who loves a bit of drama mixed in with a lot of romance.
July 23, 2015
I love Patricia Scanlan's books. She and Sheila O'flanagan are the only two women's writers who are consistently good and never seem to write duds.
This is more of the same. Perfect comfort reading about relatable women and situations.
This one is mainly about Ellen who falls for the vile Chris. But also her sister in laws Miriam and Emma. And interfering mother in law Sheila.
Sheila really annoyed the hell out of me, but I think that's the idea.
I purchased the next book in the series and have already started on it.
This is more of the same. Perfect comfort reading about relatable women and situations.
This one is mainly about Ellen who falls for the vile Chris. But also her sister in laws Miriam and Emma. And interfering mother in law Sheila.
Sheila really annoyed the hell out of me, but I think that's the idea.
I purchased the next book in the series and have already started on it.
February 16, 2014
After reading and loving the City series by Patricia Scanlan, it was my mission to find more books by this lady fast becoming my fav author. This book has surpassed my expectations, you can totally imagine you or someone you know being the characters. It is so well written, not a page is weary or added without reason. Fantastic book, bought its sequel half way through this book. Love, love, loved it.
March 1, 2015
great writing, I feel like I am one of the characters in the book too bad I didn't specifically identify with any of them just a few similarities with both Ellen and Emma but otherwise great story wish I can find more like this.
October 8, 2016
First book of the series. Mirror, Mirror the next. Very cozy feeling of family and village. Good story teller.
May 1, 2017
This the first novel I have read by Patricia Scanlan and I very quickly became absorbed into the characters and their families and lives. I found it very easy reading enjoyed learning about the Munroe family. I would now like to read the follow on book, Mirror Mirror to find out in particular about Ellen, her love life and proposed business venture.
May 4, 2018
what a great easy read so enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews