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River Falls #5
Promises of Mercy
Judah Calvano has spent the past two decades running from his faith, his family, and the guilt of his past sins. But will returning to River Falls finally allow him to come to peace with all of it—and maybe even lead to a second chance at love?
*** “I fell in love with River Falls and the Calvano family!”
Fall in love with the Calvano family as they find forgiveness, second chances, and new beginnings in the small town of River Falls, Tennessee. Filled with faith, humor, and heart, this series will draw you in, make you part of the family, and leave you wanting to stay in River Falls forever.
***
“The characters draw you in and keep you to the end as you see them growing in their faith and their relationships. You want to cry with them, laugh with them - and rejoice with them, and go on to the next book to find out more…”
“This family was like walking into a big hug.”
“These books always make me feel like I'm sitting there watching and listening, more than just reading!”
“The characters all are real to me, I almost wanted to call them family.”
*** “I fell in love with River Falls and the Calvano family!”
Fall in love with the Calvano family as they find forgiveness, second chances, and new beginnings in the small town of River Falls, Tennessee. Filled with faith, humor, and heart, this series will draw you in, make you part of the family, and leave you wanting to stay in River Falls forever.
***
“The characters draw you in and keep you to the end as you see them growing in their faith and their relationships. You want to cry with them, laugh with them - and rejoice with them, and go on to the next book to find out more…”
“This family was like walking into a big hug.”
“These books always make me feel like I'm sitting there watching and listening, more than just reading!”
“The characters all are real to me, I almost wanted to call them family.”
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
518 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Valerie M. Bodden
44 books465 followersI have three great loves: Jesus, my family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). I write fast-paced, emotional Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. My characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but I promise I'll always give them a happy ending.
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VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR A FREE BOOK!
www.valeriembodden.com
CHAT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK!
https://www.facebook.com/ValerieMBodden/
CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST!
https://www.pinterest.com/valbodden/
HANG OUT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/valboddenbo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 2, 2025
Best book in the series so far! I loved the medical drama of this story. We've heard a bit about Judah in previous books and this deep dive into his estrangement from his family rings true. He is a flawed hero, as we all are, and his struggles with acknowledging God are the same ones many of us struggle with. The forgiveness of Judah's father for his son's long departure from his family was heart warming and reminded me that nothing we do is this life can separate us from the love of our heavenly Father. A great story of family, reconciliation and the journey home.
April 7, 2025
Receiving an advanced copy of Promises of Mercy by Valerie Bodden was an absolute privilege. Having been a longtime admirer of Bodden’s works, my expectations were already high—but this novel didn’t just meet them, it far exceeded them.
The story centers on Judah, a member of the cherished Calvano family. Years ago, Judah walked away from his faith, his family, and his first love, Faith, driven by his ambition to become an acclaimed heart surgeon. Though he achieved his career dreams, a hereditary condition forces him to leave his profession and face an uncertain future. Seeking clarity, Judah returns to River Falls for a brief stay, hoping to determine his next steps.
Faith, meanwhile, has built a life centered around her dream—a thriving pie shop—and her teenage son. Surrounded by a close-knit circle of friends and the unwavering support of the Calvano family, Faith has found peace. However, her carefully constructed world is upended when Judah reappears—the man she once loved and never expected to see again.
Valerie Bodden’s storytelling immerses readers into the lives of her characters with extraordinary depth and authenticity. Every thought, emotion, and interaction is meticulously crafted, leaving readers not only invested in Judah and Faith’s journey but also reflecting on their own life experiences long after turning the final page. The seamless character development and relationships ensure a smooth, engaging reading experience without a moment of disconnect.
Beyond the compelling narrative, Promises of Mercy beautifully illustrates how God’s plans intertwine with the lives of Judah, Faith, and the broader Calvano family. It carries a profound message of hope and redemption, reminding readers of God’s unwavering mercy—even in times of doubt or perceived silence. The lessons woven throughout the story resonate universally, prompting introspection and spiritual reflection.
This novel delivers a spectrum of emotions—from joy to heartache, tension to humor—all while reaffirming the comforting truth that God’s mercies are renewed every morning. It’s a book that not only entertains but inspires, making it truly unforgettable.
For anyone seeking a heartfelt and meaningful read, Promises of Mercy is a must-have. I wholeheartedly recommend it—it’s more than a story; it’s an experience that will leave you touched and transformed.
The story centers on Judah, a member of the cherished Calvano family. Years ago, Judah walked away from his faith, his family, and his first love, Faith, driven by his ambition to become an acclaimed heart surgeon. Though he achieved his career dreams, a hereditary condition forces him to leave his profession and face an uncertain future. Seeking clarity, Judah returns to River Falls for a brief stay, hoping to determine his next steps.
Faith, meanwhile, has built a life centered around her dream—a thriving pie shop—and her teenage son. Surrounded by a close-knit circle of friends and the unwavering support of the Calvano family, Faith has found peace. However, her carefully constructed world is upended when Judah reappears—the man she once loved and never expected to see again.
Valerie Bodden’s storytelling immerses readers into the lives of her characters with extraordinary depth and authenticity. Every thought, emotion, and interaction is meticulously crafted, leaving readers not only invested in Judah and Faith’s journey but also reflecting on their own life experiences long after turning the final page. The seamless character development and relationships ensure a smooth, engaging reading experience without a moment of disconnect.
Beyond the compelling narrative, Promises of Mercy beautifully illustrates how God’s plans intertwine with the lives of Judah, Faith, and the broader Calvano family. It carries a profound message of hope and redemption, reminding readers of God’s unwavering mercy—even in times of doubt or perceived silence. The lessons woven throughout the story resonate universally, prompting introspection and spiritual reflection.
This novel delivers a spectrum of emotions—from joy to heartache, tension to humor—all while reaffirming the comforting truth that God’s mercies are renewed every morning. It’s a book that not only entertains but inspires, making it truly unforgettable.
For anyone seeking a heartfelt and meaningful read, Promises of Mercy is a must-have. I wholeheartedly recommend it—it’s more than a story; it’s an experience that will leave you touched and transformed.
April 6, 2025
The Medicine of Unbelief … prepare to be challenged
“The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” Ahhh, but we also read in the best selling book of all time, that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. (Psalms 14 and 1st Corinthians 1)
Bad things happen to good people. Why? How? These answers and more will be found as you turn the pages. There’s loss, there’s pain, there’s anger. But there’s also love… the love of a parent, the love of a child, the love of a ‘maybe’ one day spouse. Yes this book is captivating and complex, but easy to understand and will keep you wanting to know how it all comes together.
Judah needs a savior, in more ways than one. As a college student he was ridiculed by professors for his faith, then as a doctor he found his colleagues were no different. With his father being a pastor and his siblings all believers, Judah found going 'home’ was not a welcoming place now that he’s no longer a believer, so he stayed away… for years. During that time he became a renowned cardiologist receiving lots of fame and fortune…. UNTIL. Judah developed Essential Tremors, a shaking disease with no cure … not good for a heart surgeon.
Faith, his girlfriend earlier in life, was just like her name…. a person of faith. She couldn’t handle Judah’s loss of faith and breaks up with him. Little does Judah know, that was only part of the reason for the breakup. He has no idea he has a teenage son.
It wasn’t easy being a single mother, especially when Faith had no help whatsoever. When her dad discovered her pregnancy, he disowned her, calling her all kinds of horrible names, and hasn’t seen or spoken to her in over 18 years. Her son, Evan, grows up believing his father died before he was born. That was the easiest way for her to deal with being a single mother.
Now that Judah is back in town things become complicated. The road to healing begins and there’s nothing easy about it. Hard choices have to be made as secrets are revealed, fears have to be dealt with and trust must be rebuilt. Enjoy the journey, I know I did.
“The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” Ahhh, but we also read in the best selling book of all time, that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. (Psalms 14 and 1st Corinthians 1)
Bad things happen to good people. Why? How? These answers and more will be found as you turn the pages. There’s loss, there’s pain, there’s anger. But there’s also love… the love of a parent, the love of a child, the love of a ‘maybe’ one day spouse. Yes this book is captivating and complex, but easy to understand and will keep you wanting to know how it all comes together.
Judah needs a savior, in more ways than one. As a college student he was ridiculed by professors for his faith, then as a doctor he found his colleagues were no different. With his father being a pastor and his siblings all believers, Judah found going 'home’ was not a welcoming place now that he’s no longer a believer, so he stayed away… for years. During that time he became a renowned cardiologist receiving lots of fame and fortune…. UNTIL. Judah developed Essential Tremors, a shaking disease with no cure … not good for a heart surgeon.
Faith, his girlfriend earlier in life, was just like her name…. a person of faith. She couldn’t handle Judah’s loss of faith and breaks up with him. Little does Judah know, that was only part of the reason for the breakup. He has no idea he has a teenage son.
It wasn’t easy being a single mother, especially when Faith had no help whatsoever. When her dad discovered her pregnancy, he disowned her, calling her all kinds of horrible names, and hasn’t seen or spoken to her in over 18 years. Her son, Evan, grows up believing his father died before he was born. That was the easiest way for her to deal with being a single mother.
Now that Judah is back in town things become complicated. The road to healing begins and there’s nothing easy about it. Hard choices have to be made as secrets are revealed, fears have to be dealt with and trust must be rebuilt. Enjoy the journey, I know I did.
April 10, 2025
This was such a powerful story! It’s book five in the River Falls series, so if you are jumping into this story, be prepared to meet a family full of siblings, their significant others, and their children. But this book can definitely be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the other stories, because the author does a good job of filling in enough information to understand Judah and Faith’s tale.
It’s a story of a man who achieved amazing career success, yet lost his family and his faith years earlier. In fact, Judah would soon learn that he lost even more than he ever realized. His journey is one of both spiritual and emotional healing.
It’s also a story of a woman who struggled for many years just to make ends meet while doing everything she could for a son with health issues. Yet, Faith kept her focus on God to see them through. She made some decisions throughout the years that would come back to haunt her in this book and would force her to come face to face with the consequences of lies she told.
I loved the way Judah and Faith reconnected and how they worked through things from the past. Judah’s faith journey in this story was remarkable, but also believable. His hard heart wasn’t going to be changed in an instant. Instead, there was a slow and determined softening that occurred.
I could not set this book down once I started reading it. The emotions of these characters drew me in as I watched them struggle through many things. However, their story was also one of hope, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal that left me very happy when I finished reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
It’s a story of a man who achieved amazing career success, yet lost his family and his faith years earlier. In fact, Judah would soon learn that he lost even more than he ever realized. His journey is one of both spiritual and emotional healing.
It’s also a story of a woman who struggled for many years just to make ends meet while doing everything she could for a son with health issues. Yet, Faith kept her focus on God to see them through. She made some decisions throughout the years that would come back to haunt her in this book and would force her to come face to face with the consequences of lies she told.
I loved the way Judah and Faith reconnected and how they worked through things from the past. Judah’s faith journey in this story was remarkable, but also believable. His hard heart wasn’t going to be changed in an instant. Instead, there was a slow and determined softening that occurred.
I could not set this book down once I started reading it. The emotions of these characters drew me in as I watched them struggle through many things. However, their story was also one of hope, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal that left me very happy when I finished reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
March 31, 2025
This was sooooooooooooo good!!! Loved Faith and Judah's story!! This has all of the feels! I was laughing, I was crying, and everything in between!!! Judah left home, his family, River Falls, and God behind. He and Faith left behind, too, though she was the one who broke up with him. Now, after ten years of not being home at all, he's back, and he's not sure why. Part of it is that he has nowhere else to go, part of it is that he's been fired from being a doctor, and part of it (the part he doesn't acknowledge) is that God wants Him home. The more he's home, the more he realizes how much he's missed being home, being with his family, and being without Faith. He even comes to realize how much he's missed God. Faith has kept secrets, and now that she's back in River Falls, she's hoping she's made the right choices, especially the one coming back. Faith has always depended on herself and God, though she hasn't fully trusted God to be in control. Now that she's back in River Falls, she's not ready to give Him full control here, either. The more she and Judah spend time together, she's still pushing him away, because he'd just be one more person to leave her again. As these two slowly become friends through trying circumstances, as they finally realize they can both fully trust God to work good, will they get the desire of their hearts?? LOVED this story of second chances and redemption!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
April 2, 2025
Reading a River Falls book is like coming home to the Calvano family who actually feel like real family. It’s great to be familiar with the characters and know their stories. But you can easily read this as a standalone and not have read the books before it in the series.
This book has Dr. Judah Calvano returning to River Falls after a long absence from his family. He is unsure how he will be welcomed. At the same time his college girlfriend, Faith has just inherited the pie shop in town. She and her son are now living in River Falls.
They both have secrets that are hard to hide. Secrets that will bring them together yet pull them apart.
I absolutely loved the use of scriptures, sermons and faith discussions in this book. They were so perfectly placed and applicable not only to the characters but often to me also.
Valerie Bodden truly has a gift for writing. Her stories are uplifting, encouraging and delve into life issues that only God can help us effectively deal with.
I recommend them highly.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.
Favorite quotes:
“It’s a good thing it’s not the strength of your faith that’s going to get you through this. It’s the strength of your God.”
“There is nowhere you can go that he won’t find you.”
“It’s a promise that when we are in the depths of despair, he is there.
When we are in the heights of joy, he’s there too.”
This book has Dr. Judah Calvano returning to River Falls after a long absence from his family. He is unsure how he will be welcomed. At the same time his college girlfriend, Faith has just inherited the pie shop in town. She and her son are now living in River Falls.
They both have secrets that are hard to hide. Secrets that will bring them together yet pull them apart.
I absolutely loved the use of scriptures, sermons and faith discussions in this book. They were so perfectly placed and applicable not only to the characters but often to me also.
Valerie Bodden truly has a gift for writing. Her stories are uplifting, encouraging and delve into life issues that only God can help us effectively deal with.
I recommend them highly.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.
Favorite quotes:
“It’s a good thing it’s not the strength of your faith that’s going to get you through this. It’s the strength of your God.”
“There is nowhere you can go that he won’t find you.”
“It’s a promise that when we are in the depths of despair, he is there.
When we are in the heights of joy, he’s there too.”
April 7, 2025
In the long anticipated installment of the Calvano family story we finally get to read about Judah, the oldest son. I have been waiting for his story since hearing him mentioned in prior books and this one did not disappoint. Judah, a very successful cardiologist, returns home after receiving a diagnosis which essentially ends his career. We get to witness Judah coming to terms with his past in the context of familial relationships and how his past actions, including his rejection of God, have affected them. We also meet Faith, Judahs past flame, who holds a secret to his past. I absolutely enjoyed reading about each relationship, and how each brother or sister dealt with Judah's past actions to shape the current reality of Judah's return. That enjoyment was only eclipsed by Judahs own journey back to his faith. Especially poignant were the dialogue scenes between Judah and his pastor father. The book wrestles with some common, yet heavy themes ("why does God allow evil?") and handles them well in the context of this book's genre and objectives. Even though I did receive an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review, the opinions are mine and I can wholeheartedly recommend this fun and thoughtful read.
April 7, 2025
Wow! Another phenomenal book from the author! Her writing pulls you right into the story and you feel as though you are part of it. With real life problems addressed in her books and the great characters that go through it, her books are great to read. This book tackles problems that anyone can face through their lives and how with God’s Mercy and Love, we can trust Him to guide us and help us through the trials, bribing us to the other side. This author’s books continually have messages in them that are exactly what I need to hear.
This story is about Judah, Pastor Calvano’s son who has come back to town. Faced with no longer being able to perform his job as a surgeon, he has come home at the request of his younger brother and to decide what is next. Faith has returned to town when she inherited a pie shop that she is now running. Judah and Faith were high school sweethearts who broke up in college. The breakup was based on Judah’s lack of faith as well as Faith finding out she was pregnant. Now it is 18 years later with her son away at summer camp, Faith is making pies and Judah has decisions to make. As Faith and Judah become closer as he helps her due to flooding at the pie shop, the begin to face more trials and medical emergencies that bring truths to light. As they grapple with the past, the lies, hurt feelings, and fear, Judah and Faith come together for their HEA. I couldn’t put this down!
This story is about Judah, Pastor Calvano’s son who has come back to town. Faced with no longer being able to perform his job as a surgeon, he has come home at the request of his younger brother and to decide what is next. Faith has returned to town when she inherited a pie shop that she is now running. Judah and Faith were high school sweethearts who broke up in college. The breakup was based on Judah’s lack of faith as well as Faith finding out she was pregnant. Now it is 18 years later with her son away at summer camp, Faith is making pies and Judah has decisions to make. As Faith and Judah become closer as he helps her due to flooding at the pie shop, the begin to face more trials and medical emergencies that bring truths to light. As they grapple with the past, the lies, hurt feelings, and fear, Judah and Faith come together for their HEA. I couldn’t put this down!
April 6, 2025
Faith is raising a high school age son by herself, and owns a homemade pie store in River Falls. Her son has experienced health issues all his life and she has always managed to pay the medical bills by sacrificing necessities for herself.
Judah Calvano’s family lives in River Falls and he returns to River Falls after experiencing tremors which no longer allow him to work in the field of medicine as a surgeon. Judah and Faith’s paths cross, and he helps her again and again with unexpected problems, which surprises even him as he does not want any involvement with a female. His last girlfriend scarred him for life. Judah’s faith is also very shaky and Faith is a strong Christian.
I loved the attraction and chemistry between Faith and Judah, and especially loved how being around Judah’s Christian family made him think about his roots and how he had stopped believing in God. Judah gets involved in his own personal journey to find God again, and starts by reading margin notes in his deceased mother’s bible. This was a wonderful story I will re-read. Loved it!
Judah Calvano’s family lives in River Falls and he returns to River Falls after experiencing tremors which no longer allow him to work in the field of medicine as a surgeon. Judah and Faith’s paths cross, and he helps her again and again with unexpected problems, which surprises even him as he does not want any involvement with a female. His last girlfriend scarred him for life. Judah’s faith is also very shaky and Faith is a strong Christian.
I loved the attraction and chemistry between Faith and Judah, and especially loved how being around Judah’s Christian family made him think about his roots and how he had stopped believing in God. Judah gets involved in his own personal journey to find God again, and starts by reading margin notes in his deceased mother’s bible. This was a wonderful story I will re-read. Loved it!
April 21, 2025
Valerie does it again in another amazing story. I will say if you don't like to hear about the Lord, learning to lean on the Lord, forgiveness, and learning to be a Christian don't read it. Valerie grabs my attention every time I start to read her books. I am honored to be an advanced reader for her. I am a little late to the game, but there was a mix up with our emailing which is now fixed. So this amazing book is about Faith and her long time lost love Judah. They find each other again in River Falls, but Faith has hidden a pretty big secret from Judah all these years. Evan her son is now grown and does not know who his father is. Faith has told him his father passed away when he was young so he is not very happy when he actually finds out and Judah can't believe she would keep his son from him for 18 years. Can they work things out and can Judah give up on his own way and finally turn to the Lord. Well worth the read and thank you so much Valerie for allowing me to read you wonderful books!
May 7, 2025
oh my the tears ! happy and sad but joyful always
Order extra Kleenex , you will need them! It was a slow beginning , but oh boy when it got rolling ….. the tears started falling . Tears of sorrow, joy, sadness then tears of redemption but all good because it’s about all of God’s mercy . This one was a roller coaster of emotions, because it touched me so deeply . I lost the love of my life three years ago and our trials had brought us so much closer to God and each other that this mirrored closely parts of our life. While Nothing can separate us from God except our unbelief our own humanness but oh my am I human ! This author has captured the redeeming qualities of God and his loving mercy beautifully. It’s a wonderful real LOVE story. It’s not preaching it just real truth and love that I needed after this week . Lots of tough stuff going on this week and it’s been a rough week and it’s only Tuesday ! But my soul feels drenched in goodness now after reading to the end . Thank you Valerie M Bodden for writing a wonderful Romance . It touched me deeply .
Order extra Kleenex , you will need them! It was a slow beginning , but oh boy when it got rolling ….. the tears started falling . Tears of sorrow, joy, sadness then tears of redemption but all good because it’s about all of God’s mercy . This one was a roller coaster of emotions, because it touched me so deeply . I lost the love of my life three years ago and our trials had brought us so much closer to God and each other that this mirrored closely parts of our life. While Nothing can separate us from God except our unbelief our own humanness but oh my am I human ! This author has captured the redeeming qualities of God and his loving mercy beautifully. It’s a wonderful real LOVE story. It’s not preaching it just real truth and love that I needed after this week . Lots of tough stuff going on this week and it’s been a rough week and it’s only Tuesday ! But my soul feels drenched in goodness now after reading to the end . Thank you Valerie M Bodden for writing a wonderful Romance . It touched me deeply .
April 7, 2025
This is a well written story where Judah and Faith both find themselves back in their hometown surrounded by people who love them. Faith is trying to guard her heart and hold secrets to protect herself and her son. Judah vowed to never come home. He was afraid with his Dad being a Pastor and his siblings all following God that they would push God at him...the God he had vowed not to believe in. Now the woman he loved as a young man was here as well. As they walked through one thing after another together it becomes harder than ever to fight their love and for Judah to refuse to see God's hand in everything happening.
This story kept me captivated from the start. The way these characters work, love and grow together is so true to life. And seeing how God weaves His plan into each person while seamlessly using those around them is told so beautifully. Grab your tissues, a chunk of alone time and read this story--you will NOT be disappointed!
This story kept me captivated from the start. The way these characters work, love and grow together is so true to life. And seeing how God weaves His plan into each person while seamlessly using those around them is told so beautifully. Grab your tissues, a chunk of alone time and read this story--you will NOT be disappointed!
April 8, 2025
Gripping. Emotional. Hope-filled. These are some words I would use to describe Promises of Mercy, the latest installment in Valerie Bodden’s River Falls series. This book centered on Judah Calvano, the long lost brother who has finally come home at the lowest point in his life. He unexpectedly reconnects with his first love, Faith Armstrong, whom he has not seen in 20 years. There was so much character growth in the lives of Judah and Faith as well as in the lives of the secondary characters which was, in itself, hopeful for me because it showed that we’re all works in progress (even Pastor Calvano, Judah’s dad) and that God is always pursuing His children with His love and mercy and drawing us into a closer relationship with Him. And it’s all because of God’s immeasurable love; not because we have earned it. Could not put it down. Highly recommend! I received an ARC from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 26, 2025
I think this is Valerie Bodden's best book yet. I was moved to tears by Judah’s return to faith as he realized how God had orchestrated events so that he would be in the right places at the right time. The sermons and prayers were excellent and very moving. The author sprinkles Scripture throughout this book, but is not the least bit preachy. I had great difficulty putting my Kindle down in order to do chores, cook, sleep, you name it. This is such a beautiful story and a great reminder that God works in ways beyond our understanding. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy clean books with interesting and likable characters. Christian readers will especially find this book, and others in the series, quite rewarding. Although part of a series, each book may be read independently of the others.
Disclosure: I was given a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
Disclosure: I was given a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
June 21, 2025
Sneakily sweet story
How can words that make up fictional characters cause me to cry? But I did cry!!!!. I fought valiantly, but the tears came, emotions rose, and I choked 😭
The book starts off in the usual "prodigal, son comes home because of failure, job loss, sickness....etc" But then it sneakily brings in Evan and his health problems, his dad finding angels on his way to Evan, like the 2nd Evan helping Judah, the taxidriver and all of them saying " I am praying for you and your family." the brothers came to the hospital their forgiveness and support and that proposal.
I mean, these are make-believe people from Miss Valerie's imagination. But she drew me into this world and became part of the family.
Thank you, Miss Valarie. I love the story and the large family. Just like mine... but there are more girls in my family than the one boy and a few male type inlaws.
I'm waiting for Zeb's story. He is my favourite brother.
How can words that make up fictional characters cause me to cry? But I did cry!!!!. I fought valiantly, but the tears came, emotions rose, and I choked 😭
The book starts off in the usual "prodigal, son comes home because of failure, job loss, sickness....etc" But then it sneakily brings in Evan and his health problems, his dad finding angels on his way to Evan, like the 2nd Evan helping Judah, the taxidriver and all of them saying " I am praying for you and your family." the brothers came to the hospital their forgiveness and support and that proposal.
I mean, these are make-believe people from Miss Valerie's imagination. But she drew me into this world and became part of the family.
Thank you, Miss Valarie. I love the story and the large family. Just like mine... but there are more girls in my family than the one boy and a few male type inlaws.
I'm waiting for Zeb's story. He is my favourite brother.
March 30, 2025
This is the 5th book in Valerie Bodden’s River Falls series. Each time I read her new book I have a new favorite until the next one! I have been eagerly waiting for Judah’s story and was not disappointed. The story features Judah’s career ending diagnosis, Evan’s serious and critical medical illnesses, Faith’s financial struggle and faith to hold everything together as well as the 18-year secret of Evan’s father. The Biblical references as well as the sermons coincide with the storyline of forgiveness with each other and the promise of God’s mercy. This story will bring tears as well as laughter as it features the rest of the large Calvano family. This is an excellent read you don’t want to miss and another 5-star winner for Mrs. Bodden.
I Received an advance copy, and this is my honest review (6 stars if I could).
I Received an advance copy, and this is my honest review (6 stars if I could).
March 31, 2025
Judah Calvano returns to River Falls believing he doesn’t deserve the welcome home he receives from his family. He wouldn’t even be home if a medical diagnosis hadn’t ended his career. Now he needs to figure out what to do next.
The only one who doesn’t seem to be happy about his return is Faith Armstrong, Judah’s first love. Faith has her own reasons for not being thrilled about Judah’s return. When a series of events happens in Faith’s life, the first person there to help her with each one is Judah. But can she open her heart to Judah again?
I love Pastors Calvano and Cooper. They make the sermons fun and interesting, and Pastor Calvano always offers good advice. You might want a box of tissues nearby.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The only one who doesn’t seem to be happy about his return is Faith Armstrong, Judah’s first love. Faith has her own reasons for not being thrilled about Judah’s return. When a series of events happens in Faith’s life, the first person there to help her with each one is Judah. But can she open her heart to Judah again?
I love Pastors Calvano and Cooper. They make the sermons fun and interesting, and Pastor Calvano always offers good advice. You might want a box of tissues nearby.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2025
I had the opportunity to review an advance reader copy of the book by the author.
Judah Calvano, a surgeon, returns to his hometown after turning his back on his faith and family. He has a longing for something. In time, he enjoys being around his family and has a warm acceptance from his dad and most of his brothers. He eventually tells them why he came back. Judah’s dad wants him to come back to his faith in God. Judah still struggles with his faith, and he realizes that his dad loves him whether he believes in God or not.
Judah meets up with Faith, a woman he loved when he was younger. They continue their friendship and through hard circumstances, Judah helps Faith with her pie-baking business, and then he finds out that he has a son.
A warmhearted story of unfailing love, forgiveness and second chances.
Judah Calvano, a surgeon, returns to his hometown after turning his back on his faith and family. He has a longing for something. In time, he enjoys being around his family and has a warm acceptance from his dad and most of his brothers. He eventually tells them why he came back. Judah’s dad wants him to come back to his faith in God. Judah still struggles with his faith, and he realizes that his dad loves him whether he believes in God or not.
Judah meets up with Faith, a woman he loved when he was younger. They continue their friendship and through hard circumstances, Judah helps Faith with her pie-baking business, and then he finds out that he has a son.
A warmhearted story of unfailing love, forgiveness and second chances.
April 12, 2025
Judah turned his back on his family to pursue his career and he stubbornly stayed away until a medical condition made it so he could no longer be a heart surgeon. He comes home while he decides what he wants to do next. Reconnecting with his first love Faith offers new possibilities but she’s been harboring a secret for eighteen years and is only forced to reveal it when she has no other choice. I can understand not telling Judah back then because she knew he wouldn’t support her. But she kept pushing him and the opportunity for an extended supportive family away out of fear. I felt for young Evan who deal with so many medical issues but still had a smile and doesn’t want to be a burden. Judah’s father and siblings are amazing, they way they rallied and supported through all the struggles.
April 15, 2025
An excellent read! As young adults, Judah and Faith loved each other, and made decisions, but not necessarily the right ones. As Faith did not want to hold Judah back from his dreams, they parted ways and he left home for many years. He "lost" his faith in college and could not reconcile the faith of his childhood with his future.
The book takes a lot of looks at the past, the present, and can there be a future for the love they had in the past. Even though life is hard with its many decisions and consequences, he realizes, finally, that God is ever merciful.
I love Pastor Calvano's messages. They speak to your heart. I love the familial love that the brothers, sisters, and in-laws all have for each other.
You will truly love this book! You may want to keep tissues handy, too.
I was provided with an advanced copy of the book. This review is my thoughts
The book takes a lot of looks at the past, the present, and can there be a future for the love they had in the past. Even though life is hard with its many decisions and consequences, he realizes, finally, that God is ever merciful.
I love Pastor Calvano's messages. They speak to your heart. I love the familial love that the brothers, sisters, and in-laws all have for each other.
You will truly love this book! You may want to keep tissues handy, too.
I was provided with an advanced copy of the book. This review is my thoughts
November 7, 2025
I’ll admit I was a little frustrated with Faith in this one just because she was so incredibly stubborn when it came to Judah and the fact that she didn’t tell that man that the boy he was donating his liver to was his son until he was going to do it is kinda crazy. I guess it was justified by the fact that she didn’t want to raise a son with a man who wasn’t in the faith and had literally been ranting to her that he had told his own friend to tell his girl to abort their soon coming baby and she didn’t want to hate him if he told her to do the same. Other than that, I loved reading about their second chance love and how the Calvano family keeps expanding. I’ve already started on Zeb’s book so I hope he’s able to also get his own little happy ending as well especially after losing Carly and his unborn child due to the accident with Abigail in Simeon’s book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2025
Promises of Mercy
By Valerie Bodden.
Is a well-written faith-building romance.
A very heartwarming moving story with beautiful characters that keep you captivated until the end. A doctor who is struggling with his health and a single mother of a sick child see each other for the first time after 18 years and the story
unfolds a search for God and each other. God's mercy and compassion for our lives is described in a very moving way and I often had tears in my eyes while reading it. I was so into the story that the book was hard to put down. A hopeful story that makes you think about what the relationship between God and you and your family is like. The book is definitely worth reading. Thank you Valerie for this great story.
By Valerie Bodden.
Is a well-written faith-building romance.
A very heartwarming moving story with beautiful characters that keep you captivated until the end. A doctor who is struggling with his health and a single mother of a sick child see each other for the first time after 18 years and the story
unfolds a search for God and each other. God's mercy and compassion for our lives is described in a very moving way and I often had tears in my eyes while reading it. I was so into the story that the book was hard to put down. A hopeful story that makes you think about what the relationship between God and you and your family is like. The book is definitely worth reading. Thank you Valerie for this great story.
April 8, 2025
Promises of Mercy is an amazing, Christian, second chance romance! I am so glad to visit with the Calvano family. This well written, well paced book is full of examples of God's mercy, forgiveness and plans to prosper his children. Ms. Bodden's books always draw me into the story and make the characters seem like old friends. Faith and Judah both have secrets, but when a burst pipe renders Faith's bakery unusable, Judah (and his entire family) are there to help her fulfill her orders. As they are drawn together, their secrets begin to be revealed. There are several emotional events before Ms. Bodden brings the book to a wonderful conclusion. You will be uplifted by Pastor Calvano's sermons. You do not want to miss this book!
April 8, 2025
Inspirational story of a PK never really believing what his Pastor Dad and brothers believed. Living in a small town, Judah seemingly hadn't been ridiculed for these beliefs until college. At the first scoff he decided he had been foolish and left God and his family behind, becoming a renowned heart surgeon. Then disaster struck and he found himself back home wondering about his next step. It was interesting seeing him struggling with his new reality. He experienced so many God incidents and still couldn't quite believe. Family changes, old girlfriend with a seriously ill son, strangers helping when needed. What next? Yes, there's a HEA. The book is long but worth the read. Received an ARC and this is my unsolicited honest review.
April 12, 2025
Loved this book. This the 19th book of Valerie's that I have read. Each time I say this is the best one. Each book renews and strengthens my faith and brings me joy. As always, the pastor's sermons are inspiring, meaningful, and an integral part of each of Valerie's stories. It was so rewarding to read how God worked in the lives of Faith, Judah and Evan's lives. Judah's return of faith especially touched me and gave me hope for some family members. As soon as I see that Valerie has another book available, I order it. I highly recommend all of her books. If you are not a subscriber to her newsletter you are missing out as she equates her daily life with God which makes me look at life a little differently. Thank you, Valerie, for writing such inspiring books.
March 30, 2025
This is the fifth book in Bodden’s River Falls series, although you don’t have to read them in order (but it does help know who is who). Have your tissues handy, as there are lots of very emotional scenes in this story! I also laughed a lot in between the tears. The characters are wonderful. There are great insights into why God allows bad things to happen to good people. There are great examples of how families can work together to help each other through difficult times. And over all are God’s promises of mercy.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
March 31, 2025
I love the Calvanos. This family feels so real, mostly because they are as fallible as I am. When Judah comes home he does so under a cloud. His career seems to be over and his faith is as nonexistent as it was 20 years ago. There is so much to appreciate in these pages but my favorite parts are the sermons, especially the one by Pastor Cooper. In truth, a series about a family this large should have weak points, a disappointing story, a failure to meet expectations but it sure hasn’t happened yet. Promises of Mercy lives up to all previous installments and sets a high standard for future ones. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
April 8, 2025
"heart of stone to heart of flesh"
This story was a page-turner for me. It definitely stirred up every feeling or emotion possible.
If you've read any of the other Calvano family stories you know Judah was the black sheep or prodigal son. Why is he back in River Falls? And wouldn't you know... Faith is the first person he sees when he arrives.
There's so much to this story that it held my interest from start to finish. It is a clean contemporary story with a strong Christian theme. I highly recommend it.
I was given an ARC of this story from BookFunnel at the request of Valerie Bodden, the author. All thoughts and comments are mine, given voluntarily.
This story was a page-turner for me. It definitely stirred up every feeling or emotion possible.
If you've read any of the other Calvano family stories you know Judah was the black sheep or prodigal son. Why is he back in River Falls? And wouldn't you know... Faith is the first person he sees when he arrives.
There's so much to this story that it held my interest from start to finish. It is a clean contemporary story with a strong Christian theme. I highly recommend it.
I was given an ARC of this story from BookFunnel at the request of Valerie Bodden, the author. All thoughts and comments are mine, given voluntarily.
April 9, 2025
Judah & Faith both made wrong choices when they were young. Judah made a statement. Faith made a wrong choice. Her father said the wrong thing which wounded her deeply. Judah and Faith each have their secret, and when several crises occur and they continue to keep those secrets life becomes challenging for them. We can choose to do good or bad, but we can't choose the consequences that follow. God gives us neverending mercy, however, because that is part of His nature. This story is an excellent example of His mercy that we don't deserve but He freely gives to all who ask for it. I was given a copy of this book. This is my voluntary opinion.
April 5, 2025
I love these books! This is Faith and Judah's story but as always- the whole Calvano family is involved. Judah has been away for 10 years, Faith just inherited Daisy's bakery. Faith had her heart broken once by Judah and is more interested in protecting her heart and son than giving Judah a second chance. One crisis after another seems to pull Judah and Faith together except that Faith keeps pulling back. You'll have to read the book to find out why and how it all plays out the end. I love this series so much- I hope it never ends!
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