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Claire Highton-Stevenson
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The Promise: A second chance romance. Kindle Edition

by Claire Highton-Stevenson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 307 ratings

When goodbye is inevitable, love leaves behind one final promise.

Ali and Susan Jenkins have it all.
A love that’s steady, deep, and built over years of shared dreams and quiet moments. Their life together is seamless—laughter in the kitchen, lazy Sundays in bed, plans for holidays they’ve yet to take. A future that feels certain.

But everything changes when Susan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Ali is shattered. Denial becomes her anchor as she clings to hope, desperate to rewrite a fate that feels impossibly cruel. As Susan’s condition worsens, every breath, every glance, every touch becomes a precious memory in the making.

Knowing she can’t stay forever, Susan makes Ali promise one last thing: Don’t close your heart. Let someone love you again, one day.

Left behind in the ruins of their once-perfect life, Ali must navigate grief, guilt, and the terrifying thought of moving on. Can she keep a promise that feels like a betrayal? And if she tries, what does love look like after loss?

This is a story about enduring love, heartbreaking goodbyes, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.

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  1. Print length
    284 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 8, 2018
  4. File size
    502 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claire Highton-Stevenson has previously published two books in the Cam Thomas Serial. OUT and NEXT. She lives in Sussex with her wife, two cats and two dogs. Claire is an avid Liverpool FC fan and is often found out and about with her camera. An active member of social media. You can get in contact via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by following ItsClaStevOffical.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07BBVK8H1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ self-published (March 8, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 8, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 502 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 307 ratings

About the author

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Claire Highton-Stevenson

Claire Highton-Stevenson

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Claire Highton-Stevenson is a British Indie author. She writes heartwarming, Sapphic romance in contemporary settings. Claire's characters are bold, strong, independent women who love women.

However, she is also known to throw in a mystery or two. Claire likes to move around the tropes at will, and will often bend the rules to create exciting and often unique situations. She's not afraid to tackle darker topics either.

2019 Goldie Winner - The Promise

2019 Rainbow award Winner - The Doll Maker

2020 International Book Award Finalist - Escape and Freedom

2020 International Book award Finalist - The Promise

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
307 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance novel heart-warming and beautifully composed with sincere sensitivity, with one review noting how it touches deeply. The book evokes strong emotions, with customers mentioning being moved to tears in the first part. They appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the different personalities, and find the writing easy to read.

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15 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers praise the beautiful and heart-warming story of second love, with one customer noting it is composed with sincere sensitivity.

"I cried and cried then I laughed and cried some more. what an amazing love story...." Read more

"...And the second chance of Ali's life is beginning. Such love stories! This is a favorite read this year. Should be more than 5 stars!" Read more

"This is a story about loss, acceptance and moving forward slowly. It is heartbreaking and the journey to healing and acceptance is slow and painful...." Read more

"...Such an incredible story. Definitely made me feel all the feels. READ IT!" Read more

5 customers mention "Emotional content"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with some mentioning it made them sob in the first part.

"This book had me sobbing in the first part. But after the death of Susan, her wife, Ali is beside herself...." Read more

"Wow. This book made me cry my eyes out. For the first part of the book I couldn’t even make it a full page without tears...." Read more

"This was an incredibly sweet, emotional and sincere story. Filled with tears, laughter and love...." Read more

"...I had all the feels with this one. I could feel the love, the sadness, the loss, the anger and the hope. Truly incredible!" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning the diverse personalities and another noting the fragile dialogue between them.

"...The three main characters are strong individuals with very different personalities and the individualism avoid a stand-in scenario...." Read more

"...and the struggles brought up so much emotion.... And Blair’s character is a true godsend. Such an incredible story...." Read more

"...Filled with tears, laughter and love. The dialogue between the characters are fragile and filled with hope. Love is there only if you let it." Read more

"Loved the characters , the slow falling in love experience. They were characters you wouldn’t mind knowing. Truly a beautiful story of second love." Read more

4 customers mention "Love"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the love story in the book, with one mentioning the highs and lows of the romance, while another appreciates the passion.

"...Susan & Ali's together, we were completely immersed in the intensity, passion, sincerity & depth of their connection, devotion & love for each other..." Read more

"...The author takes us through all the highs and lows of love." Read more

"...Filled with tears, laughter and love. The dialogue between the characters are fragile and filled with hope. Love is there only if you let it." Read more

"...I felt so much for Ali and Susan's characters and the overwhelming love they shared. It was simply beautiful. I couldn't put it down...." Read more

3 customers mention "Laughter rate"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor.

"...Filled with tears, laughter and love. The dialogue between the characters are fragile and filled with hope. Love is there only if you let it." Read more

"I loved it!!.. I cried, I laughed, and I cheered!!.. I felt so much for Ali and Susan's characters and the overwhelming love they shared...." Read more

"One of my favorite reads. Be prepared to cry and laugh. You’ll fall in love with all of the characters." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is easy to read.

"...Her writing is easy to read, the story is so touching. I t makes one believe there are second chances at live." Read more

"This is such a well written book that surprised me. How can you say goodbye to your wife after being diagnosed with terminal cancer?..." Read more

"Beautifully written. I couldn’t put the book down...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Stacy
    5.0 out of 5 stars 🥰🥰🥰
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I cried and cried then I laughed and cried some more. what an amazing love story. This is such a great author I have read many of her books and I’m glad I came across this one. Bravo Ms Stevenson
    Helpful
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  • VLL
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great 2nd chance at love!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book had me sobbing in the first part. But after the death of Susan, her wife, Ali is beside herself. But Blair Susan's nurse asks Ali to do the signage of her new healing home! And the second chance of Ali's life is beginning. Such love stories! This is a favorite read this year. Should be more than 5 stars!
    Helpful
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  • Jen Bunny Bear
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Emotional… Perfect!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    “ʼIt’s not enough, loving someone. It’s never enough,ʼ Ali said sadly.”

    “She had seen families fall apart, grow closer, change beyond recognition, but watching Ali and Susan, she realised she had never witnessed a couple just be in love with each other.”

    “I am so grateful that we met so young, that we have had all these years to spend getting to know each other, and that I got to fall in love with you,”
    + • + • + • +

    That in just the brief few months we got to see Susan & Ali's together, we were completely immersed in the intensity, passion, sincerity & depth of their connection, devotion & love for each other & everything they truly meant to each other.

    It was a pleasure to be able to read & enjoy & experience this story. May we all celebrate the love we have & the love that will bring happiness… & to finding our Susan & having a Blair when we need her!
    + • + • + • +

    “She had taken her last breath while watching Ali smile and laugh about their life together. She had known in her last months, weeks, days, and minutes that she was loved; and that, at the end, was all that mattered.”
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Your life can change in an instant
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a story about loss, acceptance and moving forward slowly. It is heartbreaking and the journey to healing and acceptance is slow and painful. Do not let this prevent you from reading this book because there is also a great story about a second change to love. The three main characters are strong individuals with very different personalities and the individualism avoid a stand-in scenario. I would recommend the book to readers who like an almost real life drama full of emotions without an easy fairytale outcome. The author is very talented and tells a compelling story
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Bandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, such hardships
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Wow. This book made me cry my eyes out. For the first part of the book I couldn’t even make it a full page without tears. Susan and Ali’s story is very similar to my own in terms of timeline and that fairytale love you read about. Only my father was the one taken by cancer and not my partner. But reading about the care and the struggles brought up so much emotion.... And Blair’s character is a true godsend. Such an incredible story. Definitely made me feel all the feels. READ IT!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Kuhnster62
    5.0 out of 5 stars Have tissues available
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A tough storyline to write about. Nobody wants to think about death even though it happens to all of us. A great love that ends. A great sadness that follows. Then allowed to find another great love. The author takes us through all the highs and lows of love.
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  • HL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book is.... beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever described any other book as this but there’s really no better word. I’ve also never cried so much from reading a book. For someone who reads to escape the harshness of life, I don’t usually enjoy any book that makes me cry. But this book.... made me cry and yet I couldn’t put it down. It is just too beautiful that I had to continue reading it. No regrets. I love every bit of it. Thank you for writing this book and sharing such a beautiful story with the world.
    Helpful
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  • Sally Chatelain-Rovelstad
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was wonderful!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was the first book by Claire Highton-stevenson I have read and I found it hard to put down. Her writing is easy to read, the story is so touching. I t makes one believe there are second chances at live.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Chris Flynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so intelligently written, that you will want to keep turning ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Following on from 'Out' and 'Next' , Claire Heighton-Stevenson's first two novels, I have been eagerly awaiting more from this very talented story teller.

    The Promise was certainly worth waiting for !! We meet two new Characters Ali and Susan in a totally different story to the Cam Thomas series. The 1st word in chapter one gives a very clear picture that this is going to be a heart wrenching story.

    We are taken on an emotional journey as we are not only looking at this from the perspective of Susan who faces her diagnosis with such courage and who wants to help Ali as much as she can to accept what is happening but also from that of Ali.
    The author clearly has experience of being the one having to deal with the knowledge that she will be losing someone she loves dearly.

    This book is so intelligently written, that you will want to keep turning those pages to follow Susan and Ali on their journey as life crashes in on them.

    How will Ali move forward with life?
    Will she be able to keep the promise?

    Well, You will have to order your copy to find out . 😉
    Report
  • Julie H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Learning to love again
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a powerful book about love, grief and opening yourself up to love again, and all the guilt and recrimination that comes with it. Whilst difficult to read, the earlier part of the book is a moving account of a relationship navigating terminal illness. It feels authentic and you get a real sense of the characters of the women. This is the second book I have read by this author, and I would very much recommend you try her book. A fulfilling read but keep the tissues handy!
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  • itslollo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed this book, felt I not only got to know Blair and Ali but also their surroundings and a bit about their history. Look forward to my next Claire Heighton Stevenson story.
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  • Dee.
    5.0 out of 5 stars I throughly recommend this but have some tissues handy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was a difficult book to read as it was so moving, I must have gone through half a box of tissues.
    If anyone, like me, has had to deal with a loved one dying too young then they know the heartbreak it brings. This story was written with such feeling and sympathy. The best part though is it didn't have a sad ending. I throughly recommend this but have some tissues handy.
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  • C. A. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Love Story at its finest
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I was gripped by this beautiful story of love from the first words to the last. Even though I knew where it was going, the journey was fascinating, heart wrenching, funny, & totally believable. I cried for Susan & Ali, crossed my fingers for Brice, & fell a little bit in love with all of them.
    Claire Highton-Stevenson, I have yet to be disappointed by you.
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