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Book Two: The Promise Trilogy
East Harlem, August 1919. Lucie Santoro knows the the life her family chose for her is not the life she wants. But knowing isn't the same as choosing — and choosing has a price she hasn't yet learned to pay.
Still wearing Carlo Colucci's ring, bound by family honor and two hundred wedding invitations already addressed, seventeen-year-old Lucie tries to sustain an impossible double life. By day, she's the dutiful daughter and devoted fiancée everyone expects. By night, she teaches civics and literacy to immigrant union men at the Henry Street Settlement House — men whose citizenship exams stand between them and deportation.
When a silver flask engraved with the wrong man's initials scatters across the church steps after Sunday Mass, the careful performance shatters. Scandal doesn't wait for the right moment. And in East Harlem, the neighborhood sees everything.
As the Red Scare tightens around immigrant communities and federal agents compile their lists, Lucie's classroom becomes as dangerous as it is vital. Dante Mazzarone's reappearance sharpens every fracture. Carlo's heartbreaking kindness — his steady, genuine love — makes the hardest choice harder, not easier. And her students' trust raises the stakes beyond anything she this isn't just her freedom anymore. It's theirs.
To claim the life she believes in, Lucie must break an engagement backed by the Archbishop, withstand the full weight of community judgment, and accept exile from the only world she has ever known.
Book One ended with awareness. Book Two ends with consequence.
The Promise Book Two is historical women's fiction set in 1919 New York, for readers who love stories where women navigate power, scandal, and selfhood with intelligence and cost.
Still wearing Carlo Colucci's ring, bound by family honor and two hundred wedding invitations already addressed, seventeen-year-old Lucie tries to sustain an impossible double life. By day, she's the dutiful daughter and devoted fiancée everyone expects. By night, she teaches civics and literacy to immigrant union men at the Henry Street Settlement House — men whose citizenship exams stand between them and deportation.
When a silver flask engraved with the wrong man's initials scatters across the church steps after Sunday Mass, the careful performance shatters. Scandal doesn't wait for the right moment. And in East Harlem, the neighborhood sees everything.
As the Red Scare tightens around immigrant communities and federal agents compile their lists, Lucie's classroom becomes as dangerous as it is vital. Dante Mazzarone's reappearance sharpens every fracture. Carlo's heartbreaking kindness — his steady, genuine love — makes the hardest choice harder, not easier. And her students' trust raises the stakes beyond anything she this isn't just her freedom anymore. It's theirs.
To claim the life she believes in, Lucie must break an engagement backed by the Archbishop, withstand the full weight of community judgment, and accept exile from the only world she has ever known.
Book One ended with awareness. Book Two ends with consequence.
The Promise Book Two is historical women's fiction set in 1919 New York, for readers who love stories where women navigate power, scandal, and selfhood with intelligence and cost.
- GenresHistorical
606 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2026
About the author
Sherilyn Decter
26 books53 followersSherilyn Decter writes emotionally rich historical fiction about strong, determined women navigating the shadows of Prohibition-era America. Whether uncovering secrets in speakeasies or confronting legacy in Little Italy, her stories blend meticulous research with unforgettable characters. She is the author of the Bootleggers’ Chronicles, Rum Runners’ Chronicles, Moonshiner Mysteries, The Promise Trilogy, and Legacy Letters, a serialized fiction project delivered directly to readers.
Inspired by authors like Kristin Hannah, Fiona Davis, and Rhys Bowen, Sherilyn Decter brings untold women’s stories to life with rich detail and emotional depth.
Learn more at sherilyndecter.com.
Inspired by authors like Kristin Hannah, Fiona Davis, and Rhys Bowen, Sherilyn Decter brings untold women’s stories to life with rich detail and emotional depth.
Learn more at sherilyndecter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 22, 2026
There was so much happening in this book, I couldn’t wait to see how things would turn out. I had so many different emotions when reading this book. I was angry and frustrated by Lucie’s parents. They were so certain that the wedding was the best outcome for Lucie but took no notice of her feelings. Surely they could see she was unhappy and desperately wanted to be a teacher. Then there was all the pressure of the family’s reputation in the community. I wasn’t surprised that in a close knit community that people were so quick to judge but without knowing all the facts. I found the details about the festival very interesting. Lucie is left with a quandary about what to do next. This was a good paced story, I certainly felt the tension building as to what would happen next. I liked the character of Lucie, she was very capable and strong when she needed to be. I look forward to the conclusion of this trilogy. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 22, 2026
The Promise: Book Two
Book Two was mostly about Lucie and I felt was her ability to make the best decisions for herself that were practical, tangible, and meaningful for her life. Of course she had many obstacles to deal with for a woman living in 1919 is Italian, born to immigrant parents, living in an immigrant community in New York. Lucie has to dig deep in herself and consider others also. Women in that era didn’t have the choices and freedoms that women in 2026 have. Reputation was like currency! This book is so full of so much history it is enjoyable to read. I could tell the author put in quite a bit of her time researching her information. I would highly recommend this story to anyone.
Book Two was mostly about Lucie and I felt was her ability to make the best decisions for herself that were practical, tangible, and meaningful for her life. Of course she had many obstacles to deal with for a woman living in 1919 is Italian, born to immigrant parents, living in an immigrant community in New York. Lucie has to dig deep in herself and consider others also. Women in that era didn’t have the choices and freedoms that women in 2026 have. Reputation was like currency! This book is so full of so much history it is enjoyable to read. I could tell the author put in quite a bit of her time researching her information. I would highly recommend this story to anyone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Continuing the story from book one, this volume works through the emotionally charged system of love and control prevailing in immigrant families in the early 1900s (probably before and afterwards but the story is based in that era).
Young women like Lucie are just trying to sort out how to find their way in a growing America, while still feeling the pull and confines of their family expectations.
Family name and reputation is huge, and the Italian neighborhood is full of busy bodies who delight in spreading stories whenever they can.
Again, I got so emotionally invested in this story, that it became very important to me to find out what happened.
Young women like Lucie are just trying to sort out how to find their way in a growing America, while still feeling the pull and confines of their family expectations.
Family name and reputation is huge, and the Italian neighborhood is full of busy bodies who delight in spreading stories whenever they can.
Again, I got so emotionally invested in this story, that it became very important to me to find out what happened.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The cost of wanting more
After the awareness and fight for the right to choose in book one, book two didn’t disappoint in showing the cost young girls paid to following their own dreams. This book was about the reckoning and was sharper, sadder, and somehow braver than book one. It left me with feelings of frustration at the ties that bound young woman, and in awe of the risks they were prepared to take to break them. Can’t wait to read the final book to see where the story takes Lucie.
After the awareness and fight for the right to choose in book one, book two didn’t disappoint in showing the cost young girls paid to following their own dreams. This book was about the reckoning and was sharper, sadder, and somehow braver than book one. It left me with feelings of frustration at the ties that bound young woman, and in awe of the risks they were prepared to take to break them. Can’t wait to read the final book to see where the story takes Lucie.
September 13, 2026
The history of the people of East Harlem comes alive in a way few authors manage. So many emotions, yet the determination of Lucie shines through on every page. The courage of her family, trying to accommodate everyone and keep them safe within the rigid expectations of their society and world. A story worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews