Trusting His Promise

Love on Sanctuary Shores

by Valerie M. Bodden

He’s the boy who once made her life miserable…so how can he be the man who teaches her to trust again?

The day Beckett Knox left Sanctuary Island was the best day of Josephine’s life. Throughout their school days, he’d teased her mercilessly, ridiculed her faith, and even played a nasty prank that left Jo reeling for years. She hasn’t thought about him since he left, focusing instead on raising her daughter and keeping the fishing charter company she runs with her dad from going under.

When Beckett left Sanctuary Island at the age of 18, he made himself two he’d never come back, and he’d never believe in the God who had taken his mother from him.

Wrong on both counts.

Now he is heading back to Sanctuary Island to make his next Christian film. Though the island is home to some of his worst memories and biggest regrets—including the way he treated Josephine Fletcher—he hopes the trip will be a chance to make amends.

When Beckett shows up, film crew in tow, Josephine makes it her mission to avoid him. Whatever trick he is playing with his apologies and attention, she’s not going to fall for it. She is certain his apologies—and his faith—are only for show. But that certainty begins to waver when Beckett steps in to help after her dad gets sick. And when she sees him connect with her daughter.

But she’s been hurt by someone pretending to be something he wasn’t in the past. And she’s determined not to let it happen again. Besides, two old enemies can’t become friends. And they certainly can’t fall in love…

***

Welcome to the shores of Sanctuary Island, where six bestselling authors of Christian romance bring you stories of love and redemption. From tender romance to enduring faith, each standalone novel in this series promises unforgettable characters and heartwarming small town charm.

Genres: Romance, Christian Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

I 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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Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trusting His Promise is part of the Love on Sanctuary Shores multi-author series of connected, yet also stand alone, novels.

There were so many things I loved about this book! First, I loved how clearly Beckett had changed from an angry and hurt young man into a caring, kind person…and it was all because of God. Jo had a very hard time at first believing that this change was genuine. I loved the way her eyes began to be opened to what God had done in Beckett’s life.

I loved the way Jo loved her daughter, even as she carried guilt and shame related to her conception. And I loved the way Jo’s daughter, Sam, was all in for Beckett right from the start! Beckett couldn’t help falling for both Jo and her daughter.

This author always has the most wonderful sermon scenes…and I am actually a reader who isn’t super fond of sermon scenes! Sometimes sermon scenes bog the story down for me. I always love when there is a spiritual or faith thread in the book I am reading, but for some reason, those sermon scenes don’t always resonate. Yet, with this author, they not only resonate, but naturally flow with the story and always seem to speak right to me, as well.

I loved this story from start to finish and was so happy to see both Beckett and Jo find each other.

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...

[Heather Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels

Oh, this story evokes ALL the feels (and yes, I even cried a little!) I always love a he falls first trope, and adding in an enemies to lovers... well, it's just FANTABULOUS! I loved watching Beckett pursue Jo sweetly and persistently, just loving on her in a way that she couldn't comprehend. I loved Jo's resistance and banter, but underlying hope and love growing despite her diligence to deny them. And most importantly, for both Beckett and Jo to find their forgiveness and love from their Heavenly Father who released them from guilt and shame. Of course, we can't forget about the joy that Sam brings, along with the matchmakers, Lisa and Sadie!

This book was delightful! Highly recommend!!!

[Stox4story · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a Long Road Ahead … but worth every step

Can a person really change? Well, with God all things are possible. Beckett has a LOT to make up for and to somehow, someway, show Jo he’s realizes the bullying he did to her was wrong, and he’s so very sorry. However, apologizing is easier said than done. How can Jo (Josephine) trust him? How can she forget? How can she forgive? How can she trust? After all she’s trusted before and got hurt, no way is she going to open herself up to that pain again.

Little does Jo know that Beckett had his own issues to deal with back in those high school days. All he wanted to do was to get away and to never, ever return to Sanctuary Island. There was just too much hurt and bad memories living there. He blamed God and ridiculed faith, and Jo seemed a good target for him.

But God works in mysterious ways and Beckett is coming back to the island to produce his new Christian film. Yes, I said Christian film. As you can see, a lot has happened to Beckett after leaving Sanctuary Island. He knows he needs to apologize to Jo, not only knows he needs to, but wants to apologize to her for all the bad treatment he made her suffer. As for Jo, she’s not that eager to even see him, let alone talk to him. After all, how can she believe a word coming out of his mouth? Is Beckett’s faith real or pretend? Trust simply can’t be given, it must be earned. And that journey in itself is why you’ll want to read this book. Like I said earlier, with God all things are possible.

[Jaycies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of this author's books and I continue to be impressed by them. The storyline kept my focus and attention from the first page to the very end. (So much so, I got fewer hours of sleep on several occasions!)

The two main characters, Beckett and Josephine (Jo) have had a broken relationship since they were both in school due to Beckett's demeaning of Jo's faith and hateful pranks played on her. When he left Sanctuary Island at the age of 18, making the decision to never return, Jo's world became much more peaceful.

However, life has not been easy for Jo as well. So, when Beckett comes back to town due to a movie he is playing a main character in, her peaceful world is shattered.

What I especially love about this author's books, besides the flawless writing style and format, is the inside peek into what molds her characters into the type of person(s) they are; what occurred in their life previously that has made them less trustful of the God we serve. And as you continue to read the characters' back stories, you then start to ponder how our own actions can affect a person's life path; to be conscious of never being a stumbling block to those around us.

If you are looking for an easy, faith-inspiring, and reflective read, I would highly recommend this book to you!

[Linda Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set on Sanctuary Island . . .a place that allows no motorized vehicles in the downtown area. Sanctuary Island is where Josephine (Jo) Fletcher and Beckett Knox grew up, and when they were in high school, they had a little unpleasant history between them. Beckett is living in Nashville when the story begins, and returns to Sanctuary Island to film a Christian movie in his childhood home (mansion), which now belongs to him.

Jo sees Beckett from time to time, and while he’d like to renew their acquaintance and apologize to Jo for how he treated her in high school, she wants nothing to do with him. Jo now has a young daughter to raise and takes her responsibilities seriously, and tries to steer her daughter away from Beckett.

This story started slower than I like, but once Beckett and Jo begin spending time together, the story becomes more interesting. Beckett is definitely intrigued by Jo, and Jo still wants little to nothing to do with him. For various reasons they are thrown together and Jo begins to find Beckett interesting. You’ll have to read the story to find out the rest, but it is a story well worth reading with God at the helm.

I was provided a copy of this book as an ARC reader for my honest opinion.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!! Gives ALL of the feels!!! Twelve years ago, Beckett was the bane of Jo's existence. She was thrilled when he left Sanctuary Island, but now he's back. Beckett is back on Sanctuary Island after saying he'd never return. Now, he's back to film a Christian movie, and he also wants to apologize to Jo. He regrets the things he did to her, especially what he did the night of their Winter prom. When Jo wants nothing to with him, he understands, but it doesn't stop him from wanting to apologize, and it doesn't keep him from wanting to be her friend. Jo's daughter, Sam, and her cat, Theodore, both fall for Beckett. The more time they spend together, Jo can see that Beckett has changed. It's not until she totally pushes him away that she comes to realize that she's not only not trusting Beckett, she's not trusting God. When she finally realizes that she can fully trust both God and Beckett, she's hoping, though not yet trusting, that it's not too late.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Joianne D. Pettigrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing from Past Pain

Some pain is brought to us by others deeds or words and some is the result of our own choices and our lack of understanding those who hurt us. Both Jo and Beckett are living with old pain. They must learn to let it go and allow God to walk them through it.

Jo and Becket each have a support group. Jo’s support comes from the wonderful people of Sanctuary Island that we have met in the first four books and there is an inner circle of close female friends. Beckett finds support among the cast of Christian friends making a movie on the Island he fled after High School.

Full disclosure, I am a retired Counselor. It was impossible for me to read this book and not think about all those things that work together to make a person who they are. Often the person just does not have all the facts to see clearly.

This may not be your response but is a natural way for my mind to go. I do not want you to think the book is heavy or depressing, not at all. Sam, Jo’s daughter makes it delightful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie does it again in this amazing story of the lives of Beckett and Jo...and of course Sammy cakes. Jo can't believe that Beckett is on her island again. The guy is there to film his latest movie. She does all she can to avoid him, but it is a small island and he seems to be everywhere. She can't get over the way he made fun of her when she was in school. How he stood her up just to make fun of her. But slowly Jo and Beckett learn to trust each other...harder for Jo then Beckett. They both have a lot in their past to over come the hurt and pain of their childhoods. But slowly Jo is letting her guard down. She has to learn to forgive herself and Beckett and she learns how once she gives it all over to God. I loved how Beckett not only fell in love with Jo, but Sam as well. Taking in another guys daughter and loving her unconditionally. Such a beautiful story. Thank you so much Valerie for allowing me to read this book for my honest review!

[J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book from the author.

Jo Fletcher works at a fishing charter business with her dad on Sanctuary Island. She is upset when she learns that Beckett has returned to the island to film a movie. He used to make fun of her faith in God and used to play pranks on her, and Jo wants to avoid him.

Beckett Knox wants to ask for Jo's forgiveness and to show her that he is a different person. He does go out with Jo to help her on the charter boat when her dad asks him. Beckett also shows kindness to Jo's daughter. He longs for a loving family that he never had growing up. He enjoys being around Jo and her daughter.

This is a beautiful story of faith, forgiveness and second chances. How God's love can make a difference in a person's life.

[Vicki Hanacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett had played a very cruel trick on Josephine when they were in high school together, so she was not at all happy that he had returned to Sanctuary Island to film a movie. Beckett hoped he could avoid Josephine for the short time he would be on the island, but God had other ideas. This is a beautiful story of an unlikely second chance at love. It is also a story of a new Christian gaining assurance of his faith and a long-time Christian regaining her faith. It was so rewarding to watch Beckett and Josephine develop a friendship and more.

This book held my interest throughout and I enjoyed it very much. Romances are not usually considered page-turners, but I didn’t want to put down my Kindle. Just one more chapter, and another, and another… I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy clean books with interesting and likable characters.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love everything I have read by Valerie Bodden. She is an amazing author who has an incredible talent of creating characters you can identify with and learn from. She weaves Christian values and sweet romance with redemption, healing and love. This book delivered all that and more.

Beckett left Sanctuary Island years ago thinking he would never return to the place where he had experienced so much pain when his mother died. Now, he is a successful actor and he is a changed man.

Josephine tried to be a friend to Beckett but he threw it back in her face years ago. Now, she wants nothing to do with him but he wants to apologize and show her he has changed. Will he get the chance or will he be forever be seen as a non-believer who was cruel and mean?

Loved this story so much. I highly recommend this book.

[Ashley Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, Relatable, and Beautiful

Wow! I just finished this one. I haven’t read any of the others in this series but this one is wonderful! I loved the storyline you chose and how real the characters were. Jo was so frustrating at time and I just wanted to push some sense into her. That’s when you know you do a really good job with your character because she seemed so real. And Becket, when you had him go through imposter syndrome, it made total sense. As a new Christian, I am sure that definitely happens to people. Also, the messages from the Paster were so enlightening. I thought they were just the right length, relatable to the characters, and relatable to all of us readers. I love when you put in scripture references. Thank you so much for all you do. You are doing God’s work through your novels.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about faith, forgiveness, healing, trust, second chances, finding true love, and more. Beckett returns to Sanctuary Island where he vowed never to return to. While there to film his latest Christian movie, he also hopes to make amends to Jo, someone he hurt many years before.

Jo wants nothing to do with Beckett but the more she runs into him around town, the more she sees he’s changed for the better. She keeps telling herself that she can’t fall for him, not after how he hurt her, and he keeps breaking down her defenses. But Beckett lives in Nashville, and Jo won’t leave Sanctuary Island. How could a relationship work?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book from this author is amazing! This is Christian romance at its best! The characters and stories pull you right into them. You feel part of the setting and can picture it in your head as you read. The Pastor’s sermons are always what I need to hear and apply to my life which is not something you can say about all authors.
Jo is a single mom who works with her dad in their family fishing charter company. Bennett is an actor who has avoided coming home for years but is now in town to shoot his latest movie. Jo and Bennett have history from childhood in which he was a bully and sometimes cruel to Jo growing up. Now, Bennett has changed he life and hopes to request forgiveness. Jo has a lot of anger from how she was treated and avoids Bennett as much as possible. Time and again, they are thrown together especially after her daughter, Sam, makes friends with Bennett. Through trying times, old fears, and pain, the couple begin to find healing as well as their way to each other

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enemies to in-love book grabbed my attention from the first few paragraphs and kept it to the very end. It featured Jo, a local girl to Sanctuary Island who is a single mother of an adorable 7 year old daughter, and Beckett who grew up on the island but moved away and never planned to return. Both characters’ lives had turned out differently than they had expected them to and they were both burdened with shame and regrets from their pasts. I loved the way they grew as people and how their rough start was eventually smoothed out by forgiveness, trust, and love. One of my favorite characters was Samantha, Jo’s daughter, who brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of everyone who knew her and to the story as a whole. It was a most enjoyable read!

[Ruth Oldham · Rating 4 out of 5]

my faith was strengthened by reading the experiences of Jo, Becket and Sam.

Both Jo and Beckett experienced the loss of their mothers. Their deaths and reactions of their dads were very different. Jo shared with Beckett that Jesus would be with him. He ridiculed her and made her life miserable until he left the island at 18, “Never to return.”When he returns to the island 12 years later to make a Christian movie, all the hurt returns, and she won’t believe he has found God and is changed. Jo carries all that pain and wants nothing to do with him. He proves his faith is real, and Jo learns she has not trusted God. Her daughter Sam is a catalyst between them. All 3 want a family and their wishes come true.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Love on Sanctuary Shores series (with a different author for each book). I enjoyed this book very much, and I think it’s my favorite of them all (although it’s hard to choose). The pacing is just right, and I enjoyed getting to know the characters, with Sam being one of my favorites. The spiritual content is done just right and is very inspirational and applicable to anyone’s life and issues. I wish the series would continue with updates on all the characters’ lives a few years down the road.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo is a single mom with a seven-year-old daughter. She was in high school with Beckett who tormented her with jokes and pranks. He also made fun of her faith in Christ. He is now a Christian who produces and acts in Christian films. They are reunited when he makes a film based on the island he grew up on. He has never wanted to return to the island but knows he must apologize to Jo for his behavior and how he hurt her. How can he convince her that is now a “new creature in Christ”?

This is an amazing story of the power of God to change lives.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Diana Acord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trusting His Promise is the 5th story in a multi-author series. This book includes plenty of drama when Bennett returns to Sanctuary Shore after 12 years. He spent years being mean to Jo and making fun of her faith. He returns to film a Christian movie and Jo does not believe he has changed. Jo doesn’t trust men due to being hurt by a previous relationship that blessed her with her daughter Sam. I enjoyed both characters remembering Matthew 11:28 and that they could lay down their burdens and move forward together. This is a wonderful story of redemption and hope on an island I wish I could visit.

[Julie Mancil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trusting His Promise is a must read for anyone who is struggling with past sins that seem overwhelming and unforgiveable. This story will lead the reader to understand the complete forgiveness of Jesus and trust Him. Then, in turn, help the reader to understand that she can forgive hurts, because of the forgiveness of Jesus. The author, also, did an excellent job of showing how love and trust can grow and draw people together even when the circumstances seemed very unlikely.
The reader will laugh and cry as she reads, because the story and characters seem real and will immediately be there in Sanctuary Island with them.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a little tired of Jo's attitude throughout this story until I neared the end. She seemed to be having a pity party. Her attitude toward Beckett was partly from him leaving the island and more about her weakness and sin. She could not believe Beckett or God could forgive her for that sin. But Forgiveness is a gift of God that God freely gives. We just need to confess the sin, ask for forgiveness, and then accept that forgiveness. Then the freedom comes. I think that is the premise of this story and what makes it a beautiful example of forgiveness. I was given a copy and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Beckett, who had issues of his own that Jo didn't know about, bullied Josephine (Jo) in school. Years later Beckett, an actor in Christian films, returns to Sanctuary Island to not only film a movie but also to apologize to Jo for his past actions. Jo has a hard time believing that Beckett has changed and doesn't want anything to do with him, but their paths cross constantly. Jo also has her own hurts from her past and has to learn not to doubt God's promises.
This was a good read about forgiveness, redemption, and a person's ability to change and transform after coming to know Christ personally.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five out of six of the "Love on Sanctuary Shores" book series. I have read five of them so far and I plan to also read the last book in the series as I have really enjoyed them. All six of the books are written by different authors. I find it amazing that they can make the story line and characters flow so well from book to book. This book has strong Christian faith threads woven into the story and with God's help the MFC (Jo) and MMC (Beckett) received healing and restoration from past wounds.
My favorite character of all was Jo's little girl, Samantha, who stole my heart. I would absolutley recommend this book..........

[Roberta aka Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett pulled a heartless prank on Jo when they were still in school. He moved away after high school, but a decade later he's back.

Jo wants nothing to do with him, but Beckett is persistent because he knows he owes Jo an apology. Can she forgive Beckett? Has he really given his life to God or is it another prank?

Jo's 7 year old daughter, Sammy, added a lot to the story like precocious children often do. She adored Beckett so it gave him a way to Jo, even when Jo wasn't eager to include him.

I recommend this clean, Christian romance that stresses faith, family and forgiveness.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful uplifting story. A story of forgiveness, a story of trust and a story of romance and believing. Both our mc’s have faced loss but they reacted differently by one turning to belief whilst the other mocked and ridiculed until the day he left Sanctuary island. Now Beckett is back and he has some apologies to make to Jo. It’s an emotional read full of pain and heartbreak and yes I did shed more then a few tears but by the end I found myself smiling and very happy with the ending.

[Tanya Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!

I loved Beckette & Jo's story! I think this is the first book of Valerie Bodden's that I have read, but definitely, not my last! I enjoy that this book is filled with scripture & what I like to call "mini sermon's". I also laughed quite a bit throughout this story. I highly recommend this book! I'm off to finish this series, called "A small town Christmas." Next, I'll be checking out more of Valerie's books! Great job, Valerie! Keep those God inspiring books coming!
Did I mention... 5 stars!! Lol!

[Mia2Four · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story out of Sanctuary Shores. Of course I love Valerie M. Bodden’s writing, so I’m not surprised this one was so good. She always includes an excellent biblical reference to the story. Both Beckett and Jo needed to accept the complete forgiveness that Jesus provides us through His blood. Every sin we have done, or will do, He has covered. He carried it all to the cross. Enjoyed watching them discover His cleansing love. Can’t wait to see other Sanctuary residents find their tue love.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Beckett Knox left Sanctuary Shores and his bad memories, but is now back with his crew to film a Christian movie. The first person he sees is Josephine Fletcher who he needs to apologize to for the way he treated her through school. He finds she has a daughter and is not eager to make friends with him, or listen to his apology, but he wears her down by being kind to her. An uplifting story of faith, growth, and forgiveness.

[Beautiful Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Valerie M. Bodden for sending me an advanced copy of Trusting His Promise. I absolutely loved this book and thought it was a beautiful story of forgiveness and family! Jo and Beckett’s love story is truly a God story and the faith throughout the book was done beautifully. The location was gorgeous and I felt like I was in the beautiful lake town of Sanctuary Shores. 10 out of 10 recommend this book!

[Sherry Deatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story about a woman who runs a fishing boat for a living and a man who is an actor in Christian films. It takes place on an island similar to Mackinac island and the descriptions are wonderful. It is truly a story about trusting God’s promises. It centers around faith, family and forgiveness.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.