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The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie
Life as Kim and Krickitt Carpenter knew it was shattered beyond recognition two months after their marriage when a devastating car wreck left Krickitt with a massive head injury and in a coma for weeks.
When she finally awoke, she had no idea who Kim was. With no recollection of their relationship and while Krickitt experienced personality changes common to those who suffer head injuries, Kim realized the woman he had married essentially died in the accident. And yet, against all odds, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again.
The Vow tells the true story of this journey, one of a commitment unbroken and a vow fulfilled.
When she finally awoke, she had no idea who Kim was. With no recollection of their relationship and while Krickitt experienced personality changes common to those who suffer head injuries, Kim realized the woman he had married essentially died in the accident. And yet, against all odds, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again.
The Vow tells the true story of this journey, one of a commitment unbroken and a vow fulfilled.
Unknown Binding
Published February 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2025
Okay- this is so well written and so heartfelt. But! I looked up where the couple was now and he cheated on her and now they are divorced!!!!! So sad and because of that, it kind of ruined the whole point of the book for me. Ugh- men.
October 18, 2025
A sweet story, though you can tell that it's not written by a trained writer. I love the strong theme of faith. Unfortunately the book was kinda ruined for me when I looked up where the couple is today. DO NOT waste your time on the movie! They changed EVERYTHING!
November 6, 2025
Something about the way this guy talked felt very dishonest. The slippery way he glossed over how he was screaming regularly at his brain damaged wife and then continued to do so for years. Then he cheated on her and left her so not very surprising I guess? He sounded like a douche to begin with
January 2, 2025
4.7 **
I really enjoyed reading this! A marriage is a reflection of Gods relationship with His people and His eternal love.
I can’t believe Kim’s faithfulness to the vow he made. He is obviously human - but portrayed the selfless, unconditional and sacrificial love of Christ so well .
Ps if krickets journal was a published book I would totally read it !!
I looooved how she literally wouldn’t do anything without praying about it or making sure Christ is at the centre. This is what truly made me fall in love with the book
I really enjoyed reading this! A marriage is a reflection of Gods relationship with His people and His eternal love.
I can’t believe Kim’s faithfulness to the vow he made. He is obviously human - but portrayed the selfless, unconditional and sacrificial love of Christ so well .
Ps if krickets journal was a published book I would totally read it !!
I looooved how she literally wouldn’t do anything without praying about it or making sure Christ is at the centre. This is what truly made me fall in love with the book
August 28, 2025
Really good book (true story). I was on the edge of my seat.I would have given it 5 stars till after I read the book… their love was so strong. He stayed by her side and they were devoted Christian’s who always tried their best to trust God in their situation . Once I finished his book I looked up where are they now. He cheated on her… after all she went through. It def ruined it in my opinion. How can u write how much you love this women and make me believe ur a power couple and do that?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Krickitt, please think. Who’s your husband?”
“I told you. I’m not married.”
I picked this up in a charity shop just because I’d seen the film and knew it was based on a true story.
I know films do tend to move away from books but I did think this did quite a bit.
The basic story line is there but that’s it from what I remember. The couple are hugely religious and believe a lot happened because of their believes and prayer.
A short book to start the year off..
“Krickitt, please think. Who’s your husband?”
“I told you. I’m not married.”
I picked this up in a charity shop just because I’d seen the film and knew it was based on a true story.
I know films do tend to move away from books but I did think this did quite a bit.
The basic story line is there but that’s it from what I remember. The couple are hugely religious and believe a lot happened because of their believes and prayer.
A short book to start the year off..
October 21, 2024
A great testament to God’s power and love. A quick read too.
April 11, 2025
There are several versions of this book on Goodreads, and I am choosing this one, although it's less popular, because it most matches the picture and the full title.
One can tell that this young couple scrupulously tried to do everything right in their initial romance. Still, an accident destroyed Krickitt's memory - a Job-like story, if ever there was one - and proof that living well does not always prevent catastrophes in this broken world.
I had heard of this story before, a long time ago, but had never read it. I remember the person who told me about it said that what made the story popular is that women frequently stick by and caregive their husbands after a catastrophe, but husbands very rarely do the same, to the point of giving up a career. Fewer husbands are willing and capable to serve as caregivers.
I don't know if that's true. I can think of my uncle bringing sunshine into the room when he helped take care of my grandma. He said that he wasn't qualified to help her with personal things, but that if they needed someone to sit with her, he could do that. I remember how everything seemed better while he was there, and he had a natural ability to lift people's spirits.
I also remember a male friend who resigned his position to take care of his mom. He said that everyone looked at him strangely for doing that, as if he were some sort of pervert. But his mom didn't have a daughter to help her, and so that role fell to him - in a non-perverted way. I told him about my uncle as well. Some men just have a gift for caregiving, just the way some women do. I respected him greatly for giving up his position to help the woman who had given him life.
Kim Carpenter did give care for his wife, not only for her own benefit, but also because of the vow he'd made. Hence, the title.
I would have had little patience for someone to coach me through rehabilitation, either. It would've had to have been my own choice. Encouragement is one thing, but ruthless, hard-nosed coaching is something else entirely. I would've liked to have heard Krickett's side of the story at this point, more. She may not have been as volatile as Kim indicated, but maybe it was a natural reaction to his barking orders.
One can tell that this young couple scrupulously tried to do everything right in their initial romance. Still, an accident destroyed Krickitt's memory - a Job-like story, if ever there was one - and proof that living well does not always prevent catastrophes in this broken world.
I had heard of this story before, a long time ago, but had never read it. I remember the person who told me about it said that what made the story popular is that women frequently stick by and caregive their husbands after a catastrophe, but husbands very rarely do the same, to the point of giving up a career. Fewer husbands are willing and capable to serve as caregivers.
I don't know if that's true. I can think of my uncle bringing sunshine into the room when he helped take care of my grandma. He said that he wasn't qualified to help her with personal things, but that if they needed someone to sit with her, he could do that. I remember how everything seemed better while he was there, and he had a natural ability to lift people's spirits.
I also remember a male friend who resigned his position to take care of his mom. He said that everyone looked at him strangely for doing that, as if he were some sort of pervert. But his mom didn't have a daughter to help her, and so that role fell to him - in a non-perverted way. I told him about my uncle as well. Some men just have a gift for caregiving, just the way some women do. I respected him greatly for giving up his position to help the woman who had given him life.
Kim Carpenter did give care for his wife, not only for her own benefit, but also because of the vow he'd made. Hence, the title.
I would have had little patience for someone to coach me through rehabilitation, either. It would've had to have been my own choice. Encouragement is one thing, but ruthless, hard-nosed coaching is something else entirely. I would've liked to have heard Krickett's side of the story at this point, more. She may not have been as volatile as Kim indicated, but maybe it was a natural reaction to his barking orders.
June 6, 2025
I read The Vow without ever seeing the movie or hearing the story of Kim & Krickitt Carpenter. And wow, did this book touch me in a way that I couldn't have imagined going into it.
This book hit home. While I have not dealt with the specific situation that the Carpenters have, I found that their outlook on God and their religion during that time was inspiring. When dealing with a challenge a while back, I reconnected with God and began to strengthen that relationship.
This book was an excellent portrayal of the miracles that God can and does perform in our lives. It was an excellent portrayal of His love for us. Of his work behind the scenes. Of the fact that God has a plan - even in the chaos, the heartbreak, the turmoil - and we need to trust in Him even when we do not understand it.
The bookmark that I chose when I picked this book up was one with Jeremiah 29:11 on it. It states "11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This felt very fitting as I went through the book. This book is a perfect example of Jeremiah 29:11.
Side note: I read this book through the audiobook version. I tend to lean more towards books that are in first person and present tense. This was in first person and past tense, which was different for me in terms of the reading experience. I highly recommend the audiobook version (although, my physical copy was annotated throughout my listening experience because there were quotes that were profound, relatable, and life changing).
This book hit home. While I have not dealt with the specific situation that the Carpenters have, I found that their outlook on God and their religion during that time was inspiring. When dealing with a challenge a while back, I reconnected with God and began to strengthen that relationship.
This book was an excellent portrayal of the miracles that God can and does perform in our lives. It was an excellent portrayal of His love for us. Of his work behind the scenes. Of the fact that God has a plan - even in the chaos, the heartbreak, the turmoil - and we need to trust in Him even when we do not understand it.
The bookmark that I chose when I picked this book up was one with Jeremiah 29:11 on it. It states "11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This felt very fitting as I went through the book. This book is a perfect example of Jeremiah 29:11.
Side note: I read this book through the audiobook version. I tend to lean more towards books that are in first person and present tense. This was in first person and past tense, which was different for me in terms of the reading experience. I highly recommend the audiobook version (although, my physical copy was annotated throughout my listening experience because there were quotes that were profound, relatable, and life changing).
December 27, 2025
It was a good book, liked hearing the story about them. Definitely different from the movie.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews