Rediscover this heartwarming fan favorite by beloved author Deborah Raney!
When his precious wife of thirty years received a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton's world fell apart. As his wife slipped from him day by day, his love was being tested as never before, and he found himself confronted by a weakness he never knew he had. He desperately needed a confidante in this dark time, and a young widow named Julia Sinclair seemed to understand his pain as no one else could. Torn between doing what he knew was right and what his heart told him could not be wrong, John soon discovered that the heart can't be trusted where true love is concerned.
DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.
In my recent clean up the TBR quest, this book rose to the top a few days ago. I actually found the history about the book more interesting than the book itself. My Kindle copy had two upgrades available - that’s how long it’s been languishing!!! I read author, Deb Raney’s notes and found this was her very first book and she had updated it once for a movie scripting and second for the 25th anniversary in 2019. She was able to update the technology, (add in cell phones and internet), and science related to Alzheimer’s.
The story is heartbreaking, for the most part. A couple in their mid forties experiences the life altering effects of Alzheimer’s. Raney explores the effects on adult children and their relationships, friends, their church, work associates, casual acquaintances and of course, the couple. Raney writes Christian Fiction so there are some biblical references mentioned but not nearly as many as I expected.
As the disease slowly advances and takes his wife away from him, John looks for ways to maintain his VOWS TO CHERISH. Each of his children has an opinion about how and what he should do but have their own lives to live. He meets a newly widowed woman that’s 5 years his junior. They hit it off big time but he’s not honest with her about his situation. What exactly IS his situation? This is the real issue that is investigated over the bulk of this story.
This is a story that’s perfect for book clubs. Some might disparage the light religious influence where others applaud it. In either case, the language is clean with no sexual content, altho’ temptation is present, for sure📚
I honestly did not see what everyone else saw with this book. I understand I have no experience with Alzheimer’s, and t so a cruel disease. I realised Ellen changed and John was in pain. None of this on my book justified John’s cheating. He may not have had sex with Julia, but he had an emotional affair none he less. I read pages of how much he and Ellen loved each other, only to witness him fall in love with someone else when she was sick? I did not buy his love for his wife, it was not lasting. He only reason he doesn’t not ohsircally cheat with Juli, is that when he embraces her she runs, otherwise I do not doubt they would of been sleeping together. If John loved Ellen so much, he could not have fallen in love with Julia. I think the reader is meant to be moved by the scene where Brant gets married and John renews his vows to Ellen. Sure, he breaks things off with Julia, but not from love, but from duty, how romantic. I found Julia and John selfish, and was not loved by their happy ending. I am sick of reading about spouses who cannot stick by their partners in sickness, they are in the vowis for the reason. If someone really is the love of your life as insinuated in this novel, than seeing anyone else is the last thing on your mind. I’m thinking Noah from the Notebook, idealistic maybe, but what I expect from the man I marry and have children with. I would not want anyone else if the roles were reversed . John could have confide in anyone, not some new, attractive, single woman. They might as well have shacked up behind Ellen’s back, for all the emotional betrayal that happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4.25 stars and read via Kindle e-book. Read in August 2023.
I got this book to fulfill a 2023 reading challenge. I needed a book that was published in 2000 or before. I wanted to read something new so I went on a search. I had read a short story or novella by this author earlier this year. When I found this one, I discovered that this was her first book which was later made into a movie. It was written in the mid 90s.
This book’s synopsis stood out for me because of aphasia, dementia, and Alzheimer’s being present in my husband’s and my families. That made it a little emotionally and mentally difficult to read but I still finished it quickly. I had to periodically take little breaks.
The book got better as it went along. It felt a little simplistic early on. The sudden introduction to Julia halfway through was a little jarring. I was admittedly uncomfortable with the friendship and attraction with Julia. Yet I know that Alzheimer’s feels like a death. I was relieved that the story took a turn to honouring a covenant. The ending felt a little rushed. I wish that part happened in the second book, which I will read.
It taught me to less judgmental of those who move onto other relationships, though I’m still wholeheartedly against moving on when you’re still married. It is disrespectful under any and all circumstances. It helped me to see the depth of the pain and loneliness caused by Alzheimer’s. As was said in the book, it is like a death every time you see them and eventually there is nothing there from them anymore.
Where the author really shone was showing the utter devastation of Alzheimer’s. It’s not clean or sensical and there is no manual. Things are always changing back and forth, up and down. Eventually they become a shell and don’t know anyone at all. It is a beast of a disease physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically—for the patient AND the ones who love them.
The author showed the gamut of emotions and struggles by the husband, the kids, friends, family, neighbours, etc. I teared up many times. She did the same for Julia and her boys with the aftermath of losing her husband/their dad. It’s an incredibly tough road to walk.
The Church and the community need to come alongside these hurting people as the Bible instructs. We cannot just ignore them because we don’t know what to say or how to act. Nothing we say or do changes their circumstances. However we can help them to feel connected and cared for. People just need people to sit in the ashes with them, take them for coffee, and simply be WITH them.
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney is Rose Water Shortbread Cookies. These dense cookies hold their shape and yet have the ability to crumble at a touch. And mingled with the familiar flavor of butter and sugar twines the timeless rose.
Ellen and Jake Brighton have it all: a happy marriage, children to be proud of, and the approaching golden years of an empty nest. When Ellen begins to place sticks of butter in Jake's underwear drawer, they try to laugh it off. But, they both know something is not right. As Alzheimer's draws Ellen away from Jake, will he hold to his marriage vows?
A friend recommended this book to me as one of her favorites of Deborah Raney's. Although the writing style (third person) of this book is not my favorite and a surprise character entered mid-book (shoving me right out of the story for a few minutes), I found myself enjoying the story. I suddenly had a whole new perspective of what my grandmother lost when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By the time I remembered him, he was a shell of a human. As I read about Ellen and Jake, tears often filmed my eyes as I considered my own grandparents. I lived through this story, and I can now voice on my own (vicarious experience) that Alzheimer's is terribly unfair.
Although I compared this book to a delicious cookie, this was no fluffy read. This story offered substance and a perspective I could never get on my own. I recommend it.
I balled through the first half of the book as I am living a similar story with my mom who has Alzeheimers. I didn't think the book was particularly well crafted, but I really appreciated that the right/moral choice was made and that we see the benefit of that choice.
I don't usually read books like this for two reasons. First, too sad. Second, too cheesy. Although I will say, it was nice to read about people with control and integrity who turn to God in their lives.
This book is about a woman who at the age of 47 becomes diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. The story is told by the husband. I cried in the middle of the book and when I read the very ending it left me in tears. Finally a book I could not put down and what an amazing love story.
A very poignant picture of the love between a husband and wife before the early onset of Alzheimers Disease. This horrible disease invaded the lives of Ellen and John while they were younger than many others. Ellen was a school teacher and loved her life. John was the School Superintendent for their district. From the beginning, Ellen had no clue what was going on in her life. For as long as possible, they both ignored the facts until they could no longer could do that. Although these were proud parents of three, they let their adult kids wait longer than was wise. Eventually they had to explain it to them. It's a difficult story in many ways, but an important one as well. I found it true to reality for the situations I have known.
This is a heart-wrenching story about a marriage challenged by the wife diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the decisions faced ... dealing with the initial memory issues and diagnosis; how to break the news of the diagnosis to family members, to coworkers and friends; the isolation of the disease; the progression and ensuing decisions and emotions; temptations as the dynamics of the marriage and spousal relationship changed so drastically. The novel, first published in 1996, has had minor rewrites to bring it into the 21st century, so it didn't seem like I was reading an outdated book. The Christian values, and the theme of the value of commitment to marriage, were challenged in ways much appreciated. The story, very sad, very real, was also hopeful. Well done. 4.5 stars.
A book hard to read; however a book well worth reading. I found it particularly difficult as my father developed Alzheimer's disease in his late 70's and early 80's and he transitioned from his farm house to a Senior monitored apartment, to my sister's home apartment adjourning her house, to inside her house and finally he had to be put in a nursing home, where my Mom spent from Breakfast to Supper time every day with him for a number of years feeding him his meals and caring for him until he passed.
I think the author did this story justice, as it was particularly devastating for a young woman to develop this dreadful disease at such a young age, and particularly difficult for the husband and grown children at a time when their life should have started being easier.
A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney took me longer to read than it should have. Such emotional upheavals kept me all weepy-eyed and I had to plan my reading for when I didnt have to go out and face people with my eyes all red-rimmed. The tale is of the ultimate love story between Ellen and John, and their terrible journey into the world of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. As Ellen gradually transforms from dearly loved wife into a ranting stranger, John is hard pressed to remain faithful, even though his strong faith in God reminds him at a pivotal moment where his love & loyalty lie. What an excellent story this is. A must-read, for sure.
This book resonated with me on so many levels. Having lost my husband to a traumatic brain injury I was so moved by John's journey. The author must have experienced this tragedy to write so intimately about it. The realization that you are the care giver and not the spouse...the glimmer of hope when you see the flash of the 'well person' emerge fleetingly...the reaction of your sons to the death of their father...the guilt at feeling relief after 7 years of caring for your husband who is not the man you married...So real and moving. I wish I'd had someone to talk to at the time, but you think you are the only one. My church family carried me. Thanks for a moving and honest book.
I am a big fan of Deborah Raney. I have never read a book of hers that I didn't like. This story really touched my heart as I have a friend who's husband has alzheimer. I recently lost my husband and was pretty sure he was either getting dementia or alzheimer's after having a seizure earlier in the year. I recommend all Deborah's books to readers. I started reading it in the afternoon and finished when I woke up this morning. Just had to see how it ended. John is a man every woman would want to be married to. He truly believed in their marriage vows!
If you want to know what it's like to have a family member with Alzheimer's or Dementia this book will give you a glimpse into what life might be like. Each person is different. This is the story of Ellen and John who are celebrating the graduation of their youngest son from high school and looking forward to their time ahead in life. When suddenly Ellen is doing odd things. They then go see a doctor and receive the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. This is a vicious disease. Travel the journey as Ellen gradually gets worse in and how John and the rest of the family handles it. Be prepared to cry.
Wow. Deborah Raney never disappoints. Her books are so hard to read and yet so wonderful because she handles the terrible situations her characters are in with truthfulness and understanding, showing how hard the experience is without downplaying it, but also showing the hope that God gives to get through it. Her characters are so realistic, have flaws, make mistakes, and in doing so we can experience their trials with them. Raney isn't afraid to tackle very hard circumstances, and she handles the issues beautifully.
You can’t read a book by Debora Raney and not be changed for doing so. The Lord has given her a beautiful talent to bring life changing experiences to life and make them very personal. There are many people today struggling with this type of disease with a family member or friend, it’s heart breaking, but Ms Raney reminds us that our Heavenly Father is always with us, no matter the circumstance. We just need to trust Him.
An excellent portrayal of a most unfortunate disease and the devastating toll it takes on all members of a family. This author has a gift for drawing the reader into the stark reality of challenging issues in a frank, but compassionate manner. The characters are real and the emotions are raw. Be prepared to personally walk in their shoes and experience their struggles. Thought provoking and highly recommended.
Deborah Raney's characters, Christians, face difficult themes and situations. She doesn't gloss over feelings we'd rather not admit to, and there are no easy solutions. Just realistic people facing hard choices and making difficult decisions. This book is no exception. As John's wife Ellen, the love of his life, falls victim to Alzheimer's, John has to examine what his wedding vows really mean / meant.
This is an amazing story of a couple who had Alzheimer’s disease invade their life and how they dealt with it. Helen was a teacher and her husband was a Principal. Early signs of the disease are not always indicative of AD. The story takes from the beginning and trying to understand what is happening until the end of Helen’s life. A very emotional story but one that should be told.
(I listened to the audio book of this through Hoopla, and could not find the version I listened to here on GoodReads.)
The audio of this book was a good, and thoroughly showed the emotions and reflections of this story. It was heart-wrenching and realistic. If I could give it 4.8 stars I would. The ending was hard - stopping abruptly. I realize there's a sequel, but it just seemed an odd ending to me.
This book was filled with so much emotion and love. Such raw feelings and pure happiness. The story is built around Alzheimer's. One family's story. But it touches the reader with so much emotion and feelings.give this book a shot. And stick with it as the characters wade through the tough spots. You'll be so glad you did. I'll be reading more of Deborah Raney.
Deborah Raney takes you through the journey of what families go through dealing with Alzheimer's. She shows the temptations we face when we are at our weakest. She also shows a man that takes his views seriously no matter what he may have to face. It has also caused me to pray more for families dealing with this affliction. Praise to her for a very well written story.
Plot devices involving landline phones and answering machines was a fun reminder of life in the 1990s. That was about all that was fun in this book; I don't think anyone picks up a book about early onset Alzheimer's thinking it'll be a fun read. I appreciated the realism of the book. I didn't quite appreciate the use of telling over showing or how all of the characters except Jake were one-dimensional.
What an incredible story of love. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease and how it was treated in this book was heart wrenching and beautiful. As a caregiver of a loved with with Alzheimer's the story rang true. The tenderness and heartache was well portrayed, as well as the hollowness that I'm sure the spouses of Alzheimer's patients feel. Definitely a must read!
3.8 stars. I would have loved to give this story 5 stars. It was the author's first book and if it was rewritten I think 5 stars are possible. A challenging story. I thought the portrayal of the early onset Alzheimer's was excellent. A series of griefs and losses. Raney forces us to consider. What would we do if we were in the same situation? How would our family handle such a challenge?
Raney has written a story that a reader feels in every page, especially if you have known families dealing with Alzheimer’s.......the heartbreak, the devotion, questioning God, emotions that run the gauntlet. A reader leaves the book with an understanding & appreciation of families dealing with Alzheimer’s
Heart-rending and inspirational, A Vow to Cherish is the story (fiction) of the effects of Alzheimer's Disease on an individual, a family, and the spouse left behind. John and Ellen Brighton's story could be any man's or woman's story. It's a reminder of the meaning of our wedding vows and true love.
A good story, easy to read and keeps you wanting to know how it finishes, although it's kind of inevitable. Particularly poignant as my dad suffered from then died of Alzheimer's fair recently. It made me consider what it would be like to lose my husband that way. It is a Christian book, but at times it didn't feel like God was mentioned enough.
Being a retired nurse, I understand the sadness surrounding a family that has to deal day in and day out with Alzheimer's. This book is very well written and informative. I know that God has a plan for each one of us and we have to trust Him to always take care of us. I highly recommend this book.
Disney's books are always a delightful read. The characters are so well developed and easy to identify with. There is the Christian theme present in each of her books. Always a breath of fresh air and hard to put down. You'll speed read through this for sure.