Eleven Things I Promised by Catherine Clark

by Catherine Clark

Catherine Clark has crafted a poignant story about the distances one girl is willing to go in the name of friendship that is at once funny, heartbreaking, and utterly romantic. Seventeen-year-old Frances wouldn’t describe herself as adventurous. Until now . . . Frances has one week—while she’ll be away from home competing in a high school bike race—to do every single thing on the Fix-It List. Ten crazy, totally out-of-character ideas her best friend, Stella, came up with to make the bike ride unforgettable. However, as each item on the F-It List opens Frances up to new adventures, new friends, and possibly even a new romance, it becomes increasingly difficult for Frances to keep the one promise that she knows she absolutely must obey—her promise to not tell anyone the truth about the accident that left Stella broken and angry, and started Frances on her quest to complete the list. When it comes to friendship, Frances must decide what distances she’s willing to go, and what risks she’s willing to take, for the person she cares about the most.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Teen, Summer Reads

Paperback

First published April 5, 2016

About the author

I love reading books for children, young adults, new adults and all the old people after that.

I love writing for pretty much the same audiences.

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)

“I wouldn’t tell her I had the list or that I was planning to complete it for her – unless and until it turned out well.”

This was a YA contemporary story about a girl taking part in a bike ride for charity.

Frances was a good friend, and it was an honourable thing that she was doing, taking part in the charity bike ride, even when her best friend Stella was unable to go after being hit by a car. She could have just cancelled, but instead decided to do stick with it, and complete the list of things Stella wanted to do that summer as well.

The storyline in this was about the bike ride, and the list of things that Frances tried to complete. We got a bit of information about what had happened to Stella, and also a touch of romance, but the pace was quite slow. The list was a bit different to the normal sort of ‘bucket lists’ you find in books though as there was no skinny dipping on there!

The ending to this was pretty good, and I was satisfied with the way things worked out.



6 out of 10

[Ruby Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

More important stuff just beyond this. Please skip if you do not want to hear my thoughts on this book.

When I picked this book up after reading all the reviews on it and hoping that it differed a tiny bit from Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson. First of all, that book was borderline clean and I have been wanting a VERY clean minimal swearing book for awhile, and also, the same type of books can get VERY boring if you know what I mean.

So here I am, thankful I read this book. I liked the plot and how the author actually kept the swearing to a minimum and made this book such a lighthearted read, no surprises.

So why not 5 stars you ask. It wasn't above and beyond. This book is what you expect it to be, a girl going on a long bike ride whos best friend gets into a bike accident, and has to go alone on a trip and do a list. What made it above was that the book was still a good book and it made me laugh plenty of times. I mean, dancing in the rain? Who wouldn't?

But anyways, this book is short, sweet and over the course of seven days tells a lot (I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be her, but if I were her I would have had a lot of practice by the time the competition came up...).

Anyways, here is the actual stuff you want to know about this book.

PARENT NOTE: Yes, this book is clean but there are still some things in it. They do have a spot in the book where there is underage drinking, one of the items on the list is in fact, "Drink something stronger than water." As well as she has an epic kiss and then basically hangs in her best friends brother's car the whole night and eventually falls asleep but there is nothing more than kissing (yes, I worded it like that because it isn't bad at all).

AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-5/10 (check my profile for how I rate these books)

SWEARING/LANGUAGE: 1 word that I saw. Maximum of 3 throughout the whole storyline.

ROMANCE: Clean, but check the "PARENT NOTE" for more info.

VIOLENCE/BLOOD: No violence, but there is a food fight, and she does hit some potholes and hurts her wrist as well as is probably bleeding but it isn't described. Her friend loses a leg in a bike/car accident (which is why the whole story is here), but how it describes it is just a spot missing basically.

Thanks for reading my review! Follow/Friend me fore more reviews like this one. Happy Reading! -Ruby Rose

[Lucy Buller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book not knowing much. I wasn't sure what it was about.When I realized it was about a bike thing, I was very wary.
I loved this book. It was very unique, and I found Frances' journey fascinating.
I loved the writing. It drew me in and held me there until the story was done. The character journey in this book is superb. I loved seeing Frances steadily grow as a character as she did this wonderful, wonderful thing for her friend. That was another thing I loved about this story. It wasn't focused on the romance, it was about a girl doing something completely amazing for her best friend. It was about the endurance of true friendship through hard times. This book portrayed the love of two best friends so absolutely amazingly. Frances and Stella stole my heart as they soldiered through this together. Because what is a girl without her best friend?
Then there's the list, a representation of who Stella is, of what Frances is willing to do for her. A list of eleven things that Stella wanted to do on this trip. A list that Frances is willing to complete for her friend, even though she would never willingly choose to do these things.
Overall, a strong book with good writing, great plot, and amazing characters. Five stars.

FOR THE PARENTS -
INTIMACY - Frances sleeps with someone. It is implied, not shown. Mild kissing
DRUGS - Frances drinks because it's on the list.
CUSSING - Maybe two or three uses of sh**?
VIOLENCE - None?

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this! A very quick and easy read

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and easy read. A little bit of romance and adventure with a happy ending.

[Liz Friend · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the publisher:
Seventeen-year-old Frances wouldn’t describe herself as adventurous. Until now... Frances has one week—when she’ll be away from home competing in a high school bike race—to do every single thing on the Fix-It List. Ten crazy, totally out-of-character ideas her best friend, Stella, came up with to make the bike ride unforgettable. However, when Stella is in a terrible accident weeks before the beginning of the race, Frances is left to complete the entire list by herself. And, as each item on the list opens Frances up to new adventures, new friends, and possibly even a new romance, it becomes increasingly difficult for Frances to keep the one promise that she knows she absolutely must obey—her promise to not tell anyone the truth about what happened to Stella.

June CLeaver's ratings: Language PG-13; Violence G; Sexual content PG-13; Nudity PG; Substance abuse PG-13; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (the transitory nature of life) PG; overall rating PG-13.

Liz's comments: A romance for those young ladies in the library who just can't get enough of boy-girl stories. Its consideration of the fact that "life can change forever in a split second" gives it a little bit of added weight.

[Allison Ludwinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not very happy with this book. I got this book from my library and I was very glad I didn't buy it. It was marked high school. Typically when books are marked high school there is some mature content in it, but I felt that this book would be appropriate for my ten-year-old sister. There was only a short scene that involved alcohol and they mention sex a couple times. I typically expect a book to have a more developed vocabulary that would make it more interesting, but I was let down when I read this. It also dragged on a bit when it was not needed. This book should not be labeled as romance at all because it did not really have much going on. There were just a couple of scattered thoughts and then a guy running to her (which was totally predictable and cliche), but nothing that really had me invested. I did like how the ending concluded the book, but I don't think that the message shown at the end was spread through the book very much. If this book was adapted a bit, then it would be more suited for middle or elementary school kids instead of high school or young adult. If you are looking for a bucket-list type of book that is a good read, then I suggest Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kindle battery died on my way to tap on Monday (I got the warning at 98% of my previous book which luckily I managed to finish!) so I swung by the library and just grabbed the first decent looking book I saw for the trip home, which happened to be this one.

And then Tuesday night I stayed up until almost midnight because I just couldn't put it down! Loved it! It's not edge-of-your-seat gripping or anything like that, but it's such a quick read that just flows so nicely that you just don't want to stop until you're done.

I thought Stella had been paralysed so I was shocked too when it came out that she had lost one leg. That's pretty much my worst nightmare so I can understand why she was so grouchy at first!

Loved all of the cycling team, such fun and different characters. Frances' romance with Mason seemed a bit rushed, but then they did have a history there so it wasn't insta-love at least. She was damn lucky she didn't get them kicked out when she broke curfew though! Silly girl.

[Lexie Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book two stars, because I thought it was very emotional, but it did not flow well and the dialogue was corny. The book was seemed choppy at times and the writing was only decent. Catherine Clark did choose a strong story to go along with the idea of accepting what has already happened in the past. This book gave a good explanation and some clear imagery of how people must come to terms with things they can no longer fix. I do not plan on reading more of her work though.

[Kwoomac · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her best friend has to drop out of a fund raising bike trip, 17 year old Frances decides to go in her place. She also vows to do everything on her friend's to do list for the trip. Frances us not much of a biker and isn't really embraced by the other team members. The story was like The Breakfast Club on wheels. Preconceptions, misunderstandings, and all kinds of teen angst wrapped up in a nice happy ending.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entire book about bicyclists and I didn't yell at it/Frances once. On the contrary, I thought she was endearing and I was cheering her on the entire way. After her friend's terrible accident, Frances embarks on an epic adventure to cross off Stella's bucket list and is enjoyably down-to-earth, a little bit goofy, a little bit underprepared, but has a whole lotta spirit.

I received a digital copy of this book through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great contemporary YA novel about a young woman in high school who goes on a bike tour to honor her injured best friend. Just enough romance to satisfy without overwhelming what this book is really about: the meaning of loyalty, discovering who you are, and learning to be a little more comfortable in your own skin. Loved the plot twists. And, of course, the list!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book romance while biking and friends. I loved that she tried to do it for her friend. I loved that she finally felt like a team toward the end. I loved the romance that happened in the book. I that she tried doing all eleven things for her friend.

[Catherine Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Bingo Category- Sharing a Name
Pages- 280

Summary- Frances and Stella are best friends, enjoying their lives as juniors in high school. The year in coming to a close, and they are getting ready to finish the events they've been planning all year. Most importantly, the week long charity bike race and prom shortly after. Unfortunately, after Stella is hit by a car while training for the race, she is severely hurt and unable to race. Frances has never viewed herself as adventurous or athletic, but in honor of Stella she decided to continue with doing the race. Throughout the week Frances decides she will complete the list of 11 crazy and reckless things that Stella had planned on doing during the race, in order to make sure she was living life to its fullest. Throughout the race Frances discovers more about what the race really means to her, grows closure with her teammates, and has an adventurous time completely the list.

Explanation of Rating- I gave this book a 4/5 as while it was not some amazing, incredible read, it was enjoying to read and has a steady plot that kept the reader interested throughout the entire book. It was a short book and would be perfect for a summer, even though I chose to read it in December. It had characters with realistic emotions and actions, that kept the story believable and therefore entertaining to read.

[Theresa Maiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot more than I expected to, honestly. I had read the previous reviews, but I have a habit of holding every book like this to Faceless, which I loved.

I enjoyed the fact that the narrator is not the victim herself. It adds a layer of understand-ability to the text. We don't have to "get" the situation of the tragedy through the eyes of the victim, which helps. Being in the eyes of the best friend adds clarity.

I don't know much about biking, but it seemed realistic.

Definitely a recommended read.

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is teenage fiction and even though I am not a teenager I loved this book. It is about a 17 year old girl whose friend is very athletic and then loses her leg in a bike accident. She was in charge of leading a Cure for Cancer bike ride but because of her accident she can no longer do the ride so her friend (who is not athletic) completes it for her and this story is about stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new (or hooking up with old) friends along the way. This was light reading and had some funny moments. Well worth the read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot different than I expected. For some reason I thought Stella died and frances was accomplishing actual promises she had made to Stella before she died.
I actually really didn’t like the character of Stella. She had a bad personality and she wasn’t in it enough to redeem herself. The storyline of the bike ride was awesome and different and I liked seeing Frances bond with her teammates. I wish there was more substance to the relationship with mason. Overall not a bad book.

[Terra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I had a hard time relating to the story for the first part of it. I kept thinking that if I were Stella I would be pissed if someone tried to do all those things because I couldn't any more. But other than that the book was pretty okay. It made me wanna go biking, and it was pretty solid all around

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a library spontaneously having never heard of it. Solid, read, more light-hearted than my usual. Not my favorite, but definitely worth having picked it up. It was entertaining. I liked it.

[Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out slow and the characters are a bit a flat. It was a nice story line, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I didn't really like the main character. She seemed a little self involved and while it's explained why later in the book it just didn't make for great reading.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much!! It’s the best book I ever read and it inspired me to make a “list” I HIGHLY recommend this book and it showed Frances and Stellas relationship thru thick and thin. I learnt so much from this book even though it’s a fiction story. Hands down my favourite book.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really awesome book! My dad bikes, and has done 1000 kilometer rides, but yeah, it's not something that I could do! Loved reading this book!

[Prim Seventeien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful read!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story, very obviously for teenagers

[Nya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is based on a 17 year old girl named Frances who is trying to keep the secret the her bestfriend, Stella, told her of the accident that changed Stella's life forever. I really enjoyed the story, and you can really picture the setting of the story. Frances is away from home competing in a bike race, and she has only one week to complete the ten things on the fix-it list that Stella made, which will make the bike ride outstanding. I think this book would be good for people who likes romance and sports.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of friendship and determination. Stella and Frances are best friends at seventeen, although they are very different. Stella makes things happen and Frances waits for things to happen. When their plans for a fundraiser bike ride encounter a hurdle, they will both have to decide how much their relationship means. Frances will step out of her comfort zone and Stella will have to learn what a real challenge looks like. A great YA coming of age but also a great tale of friendship, commitment and perseverance.

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Eleven Things I Promised by Catherine Clark

Stella and Frances are best friends. Stella has planned for both of them to go to prom after they have returned from riding in the Cure Childhood Cancer Ride. Stella rode in it last year and has talked Frances into going with her this year. She is doing it for Stella because she wants them to. Frances knows how athletic she is and is ok with how she will do.
Unfortunately plans change. While Frances is shopping for a Prom dress, Stella goes out to train with her bike. She gets into an accident. She is hurt pretty bad and has to stay in the hospital. She won’t be able to go on the ride. Frances decides to go anyway for her.
Stella is angry at her situation and Frances get the brunt of Stella’s anger. Frances hopes she will be happy after the Cancer ride is completed and Frances fulfills Stella’s wish list while on the ride. The Cancer ride turns out to be tougher than Frances thought. She is pushed physically and emotionally beyond her limits. She doesn’t know how it could change anything.
I liked this book. The author did a great job of driving home how your life can change in an instant. All Stella’s plans are gone and her anger is very real. You can feel it coming from the conversations she has with Frances. You feel for Stella and you understand her reaction. It is very realistic.
Frances is a great friend who tries to fulfill Stella’s plans. But in reality it is a journey of self-discovery for her. Frances has to rely on herself instead of Stella pulling her through. She is a great character that shines as the story evolves. She opens herself up to new experiences and jumps completely out of her comfort zone.
I also like how the author didn’t truly reveal the extent of Stella’s injuries until almost the end. That secret was another thing Frances had to contend with. I’m surprised she wasn’t a total basket case through the whole story. It was a great story full of realistic characters. A journey through life when met with an unexpected turn. I give it a 4.5 out of 5.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

My expectations for Eleven Things I Promised were super duper low. I mean, I’ve read that plot before, and absolutely no one I know has read this book, even though it came out in early April. Eleven Things I Promised turned out to be a little under the radar gem.

The plot on a base level does match that of Since You’ve Been Gone and a handful of other contemporaries, and, if you’re only going to read one, I’d recommend the Matson first. That said, Eleven Things I Promised does feel very different from any similar stories I’ve read. What sets it apart is the bike riding. I’ve not ready any books with a strong focus on cycling and that travel makes for a completely different setting.

Frances’ voice caught my attention from the start and was so engaging that I binged my way through this brief novel. In Eleven Things I Promised, Frances makes a lot of bad calls. She’s flawed, a bit selfish at times. And, even when she’s trying to be really helpful and selfless for her injured friend, Stella, she doesn’t necessarily get that right. It’s really hard to know how to help someone going through a crisis, so going on this cycling competition in her honor and completing Stella’s list of dares is the only idea Frances has.

One of my favorite tropes is when an odd group is forced to hang out by circumstances and find commonalities. That’s done excellently here, and I loved watching Frances bond with a bunch of people she’d initially judged negatively. Stella actually gets a pretty decent arc too, though I do think it’s a bit unrealistically fast for narrative reasons.

Cute and bantery (though only minorly shippy), Eleven Things I Promised is a fast-paced read about friendship, trying new things, and cycling.

[Kim at Divergent Gryffindor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

To be honest, I almost gave up on this when I reached about 25% of the book. I felt like the writing was kind of raw and amateur, and the flow just felt off to me. I decided to continue, however, because it's always been hard for me to put down books just like that.

When I finished the book, I felt glad that I read because the story truly is a good one. It's about coming to terms with the things that happened, about forming new friendships, being the best-est friend ever, having a sense of purpose and being strong enough to allow others to help you. Eleven Things I Promised made me learn so much, and for that, I would always be thankful.

Now, you might ask, "If it's so great, then why did you only give it 2.5 stars?" Well, my inhibitions still didn't change. Although the overall idea for the story is amazing, the execution is just not for me. I felt like I was reading a final draft of a book, but still a draft nonetheless. Not to put down books on Wattpad, because there are a lot of amazing books out there, but this felt like a Wattpad novel instead of a published one. It's hard for me to give this book only 2.5 stars when the impact on me is so great, but there's still a lot to be desired in terms of writing.

[Lexi Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Stella’s idea in the first place for her and Frances to tackle the Cure Childhood Cancer bike ride together. After all, Stella was the athlete, the driven one. She had created the “F(ix)-It List” of 10 wild self-improvement tasks she wanted to check off on the week-long ride. Frances was just planning on letting Stella drag her along, like always. But after Stella’s freak accident, Frances is determined to follow through, alone, on all that Stella had planned, for the sake of their friendship: Bleach her hair. Start a food fight. Sleep under the stars. Have an epic kiss. What Frances can’t be sure of is whether she will have the nerve to complete the list, how Stella will view these big wins, or whether their relationship can actually ever really be the same now that everything has changed. Clark is a seasoned YA author, and here again she demonstrates how well she can weave together the trials and truths of determined, passionate high-school kids.— Lexi Walters Wright, First published March 1, 2016 (Booklist).