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The Pinky Promise Sisterhood #1
Promise Me Always
Thirty-five-year-old widow Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping business. After losing her job, Allie's Pinky Promise girlfriends convince her to enter Shady Grove's Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition. The prize? The town's landscaping and maintenance contract. But there's a hitch. Every move Allie's ragtag crew makes will be featured in the reality segment of a local TV show. Armed with only a green thumb and a motley crew of helpers, does Allie have any chance of surviving the hype and making her dream a reality? Daniel Montgomery, the man behind the camera, is after more than just a story. Will he be satisfied with anything less than Allie's heart?
285 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Christine Lynxwiler
28 books65 followersAward-winning author and past president of American Christian Romance Writers, Christine Lynxwiler has numerous novels and novellas published with Barbour Publishing. She and her husband, Kevin, along with their two daughters, four horses, and two dogs live in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in their home state of Arkansas."
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: Thirty-five-year-old widow Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping business. After losing her job, Allie's Pinky Promise girlfriends convince her to enter Shady Grove's Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition. The prize? The town's landscaping and maintenance contract. But there's a hitch. Every move Allie's ragtag crew makes will be featured in the reality segment of a local TV show. Armed with only a green thumb and a motley crew of helpers, does Allie have any chance of surviving the hype and making her dream a reality? Daniel Montgomery, the man behind the camera, is after more than just a story. Will he be satisfied with anything less than Allie's heart?
REVIEW: A lighthearted, enjoyable contemporary romance with great characters and a good storyline. Definitely "girl-lit" and a quick, summer read. I had read the second book in this series which read well as a stand alone. But it was nice to read the first one and discover how the "Pinky Promise Sisterhood" got started. I am sure there will be additional books involving these 4 BFF's . I will look forward to reading them.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Needing to control every detail kind of makes us think the world revolves around us, doesn't it."
"You're doing this for their future. But their present is important too."
"I realized that some storms can be prepared for.....But most can't. And in those particular storms, God is our tarp and faith is the tent stake
that keeps the wind fromblowing it away......And that's all we have, but it's enough."
REVIEW: A lighthearted, enjoyable contemporary romance with great characters and a good storyline. Definitely "girl-lit" and a quick, summer read. I had read the second book in this series which read well as a stand alone. But it was nice to read the first one and discover how the "Pinky Promise Sisterhood" got started. I am sure there will be additional books involving these 4 BFF's . I will look forward to reading them.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Needing to control every detail kind of makes us think the world revolves around us, doesn't it."
"You're doing this for their future. But their present is important too."
"I realized that some storms can be prepared for.....But most can't. And in those particular storms, God is our tarp and faith is the tent stake
that keeps the wind fromblowing it away......And that's all we have, but it's enough."
March 20, 2007
I just finished Promise Me Always and I LOVED it. From the first sentence I was hooked. It kept me laughing all the way through and I could definately relate to the characters. I highly recomend this book.
April 25, 2020
This was my first time reading a book by Christine Lynxwiler and it definitely did not dissapoint!! I am so glad I picked this book on a whim at the bookstore because I absolutely LOVED this book! It was such a fun read I couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the very first sentence:
"Today's my thirty-fifth birthday. And for the first time in my life I wish I were a man."
If that doesn't intrigue you I don't know what will! This book had me chuckling out loud and the relationships between Allie and her Pinky Promise Friends is of true friendship. She has knows these ladies since childhood and they do life together so its easy to relate to them. The relationship between her girls, mom and brother are relatable as well. And the relationship with hunky, blue eyed, Harley riding, bookstore/coffee owner, camera toting, former rebel,amazing guy Daniel is swoon worthy!!
I loved too how the author inter weaved God into the story without being too pushy. Allie had to learn a very important lesson to let go and let God. She is what you would consider a control freak and has these ideas in her mind on how her life should go. (Don't we all have those moments) Daniel tries to help her realize that sometimes you just need to let go of all these ideas and take the road that God has already mapped for you not the one you are trying to carve out for yourself!
I HIGHLY recommend this read if you enjoy Chick-Lit! Make yourself some popcorn, grab some chocolate and enjoy the book. You won't want to put it down!
If you don't enjoy Christian Fiction do not pick this book up! Definitely not for you!
Happy Reading!
"Today's my thirty-fifth birthday. And for the first time in my life I wish I were a man."
If that doesn't intrigue you I don't know what will! This book had me chuckling out loud and the relationships between Allie and her Pinky Promise Friends is of true friendship. She has knows these ladies since childhood and they do life together so its easy to relate to them. The relationship between her girls, mom and brother are relatable as well. And the relationship with hunky, blue eyed, Harley riding, bookstore/coffee owner, camera toting, former rebel,amazing guy Daniel is swoon worthy!!
I loved too how the author inter weaved God into the story without being too pushy. Allie had to learn a very important lesson to let go and let God. She is what you would consider a control freak and has these ideas in her mind on how her life should go. (Don't we all have those moments) Daniel tries to help her realize that sometimes you just need to let go of all these ideas and take the road that God has already mapped for you not the one you are trying to carve out for yourself!
I HIGHLY recommend this read if you enjoy Chick-Lit! Make yourself some popcorn, grab some chocolate and enjoy the book. You won't want to put it down!
If you don't enjoy Christian Fiction do not pick this book up! Definitely not for you!
Happy Reading!
March 30, 2020
i enjoyed the book alot. showed me how we cant get caught up in doing our own thing without God in it
June 20, 2021
My first summer read of 2021 and it did not disappoint! So glad this was one of my random summer selections! Onto the next :)
March 14, 2022
This book hooked me right from the beginning. I loved how the main character was able to recognize her faults and learn from them, and how the other ladies all loved and supported each other.
March 2, 2023
I loved it. You could really get into the characters. You feel you were there.
Read
July 4, 2023DNF
June 7, 2015
When I picked this book off the shelf and spontaneously decided to try it, I had unknowingly discovered a treasure. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It was cozy, it was fresh, it was heartwarming, and it was ridiculously funny. And when I say funny I mean really, really, there's-milk-running-out-of-my-nose kind of funny. I think I must have laughed once on every page. This lady sure knows how to make the reader laugh. At least, she made me laugh. ;-)
This is what you'd called Christian chick lit, which is not what I typically read, but I'm finding how much I enjoy it every once in a while. It's fun to read something that makes you think of your own life, instead of imagining your life as that of the character in the book, in whatever era or place it may be. Allie Richards is down-to-earth, slightly frazzled (okay, more than slightly), delightfully imaginative, determined, and I found a true friend in her. Even though she's thirty-five, a widow with two daughters, and her circumstances were nothing like mine, I felt such a kinship with her from the beginning. (We actually think a lot a like...which may be part of it. ;-P) Her adventures, mishaps, dramas throughout the book were SO much fun to read. It felt like I was there, hanging on for the ride with her and her friends.
And then there was Daniel, the Harley-riding, novel-writing, movie camera-toting, blue-eyed reformed rebel. He was a great character, a heartening reminder that true gentlemen DO still exist.
Another thing I loved about this book....Allie watched The Waltons!!!! By that time we were best friends. ;-) There was also mention of Aragorn, which I appreciated, and conversations about John Wayne movies. I love it in books when they talk about movies and TV shows that I know.
I could not leave this book alone; I finished it in less than two days, it had such a hold on me. Absolutely loved every minute of it. It didn't even bother me that it was written in present-tense, because everything moved so fast, it was just like I was watching it happen.
Quirky people, hilarious situations, and strong friendship are what you'll find in this story. You'll also laugh your head off. ;-)
My rating: 10/10
This is what you'd called Christian chick lit, which is not what I typically read, but I'm finding how much I enjoy it every once in a while. It's fun to read something that makes you think of your own life, instead of imagining your life as that of the character in the book, in whatever era or place it may be. Allie Richards is down-to-earth, slightly frazzled (okay, more than slightly), delightfully imaginative, determined, and I found a true friend in her. Even though she's thirty-five, a widow with two daughters, and her circumstances were nothing like mine, I felt such a kinship with her from the beginning. (We actually think a lot a like...which may be part of it. ;-P) Her adventures, mishaps, dramas throughout the book were SO much fun to read. It felt like I was there, hanging on for the ride with her and her friends.
And then there was Daniel, the Harley-riding, novel-writing, movie camera-toting, blue-eyed reformed rebel. He was a great character, a heartening reminder that true gentlemen DO still exist.
Another thing I loved about this book....Allie watched The Waltons!!!! By that time we were best friends. ;-) There was also mention of Aragorn, which I appreciated, and conversations about John Wayne movies. I love it in books when they talk about movies and TV shows that I know.
I could not leave this book alone; I finished it in less than two days, it had such a hold on me. Absolutely loved every minute of it. It didn't even bother me that it was written in present-tense, because everything moved so fast, it was just like I was watching it happen.
Quirky people, hilarious situations, and strong friendship are what you'll find in this story. You'll also laugh your head off. ;-)
My rating: 10/10
January 23, 2016
PROMISE MY ALWAYS is the first book in The Pinky Promise Sisterhood Series. Of course, I didn’t know that when I read ALONG CAME A COWBOY, the second book in the series. And since I enjoyed that one, I decided to take a step back and read book one as well. I’m glad I did. PROMISE ME ALWAYS is a fast read with fun characters and a unique premise wrapped around a typical plot.
Allie Richards is a widowed mother of two. When she is laid off from her job, she decides to follow her dream and open her own landscaping business. Unfortunately, the bank is not as enthusiastic as she is. When she fails to secure a loan, she enters the Shady Grove beautification contest - first prize- the city landscape contract, a new truck, and prize money. Now, all she needs is a staff to take on her adventurous project. No problem. Her Pinky Sisterhood friends jump in with love, support, and spade in hand. Everything seems to be going as planned, until she realizes Daniel Montgomery, will be following her around with a camera to document her progress for the local reality show. Daniel is the high school bad boy who’s returned to his hometown as a changed man, or has he? Other than being the reality show cameraman, he rides a Harley, owns the new local coffee shop hangout, and desires to be an author. Though Allie is attracted to Daniel, she ignores her feelings. She knows the next man she marries has to be a dependable, stable, father figure to her impressionable young girls, not a rebel turned daydreamer. Daniel’s pursuit of Allie, challenges her determination to remain nothing more than friends.
PROMISE ME ALWAYS is a fun, carefree story. Predictable, but hey, most romances are. A good read.
Allie Richards is a widowed mother of two. When she is laid off from her job, she decides to follow her dream and open her own landscaping business. Unfortunately, the bank is not as enthusiastic as she is. When she fails to secure a loan, she enters the Shady Grove beautification contest - first prize- the city landscape contract, a new truck, and prize money. Now, all she needs is a staff to take on her adventurous project. No problem. Her Pinky Sisterhood friends jump in with love, support, and spade in hand. Everything seems to be going as planned, until she realizes Daniel Montgomery, will be following her around with a camera to document her progress for the local reality show. Daniel is the high school bad boy who’s returned to his hometown as a changed man, or has he? Other than being the reality show cameraman, he rides a Harley, owns the new local coffee shop hangout, and desires to be an author. Though Allie is attracted to Daniel, she ignores her feelings. She knows the next man she marries has to be a dependable, stable, father figure to her impressionable young girls, not a rebel turned daydreamer. Daniel’s pursuit of Allie, challenges her determination to remain nothing more than friends.
PROMISE ME ALWAYS is a fun, carefree story. Predictable, but hey, most romances are. A good read.
March 31, 2013
This is Book 1 in the 2 book Pinky Promise Sisterhood series. I didn't realize until after I read books 1 and 2 of the McCord Sisters series, that the two series are somewhat intertwined. Reading Pinky Promise books first is not a requirement, but the characters from books 1 and 2 show up in the McCord books.
Allie Richards, the heroine in Promise Me Always, is a single out of work mom raising two daughters. Her dream, to own her on landscaping business, is within reach if she can win a design contest. She enlist the help of her Pinky Promise friends, as well as her brother.
Daniel Montgomery was the town bad boy. He's returned to his hometown to help his sister raise her son while her husband is fighting in the war overseas, as well as opening the towns only coffee shop / bookstore.
Although Allie had a major crush on Daniel in high school, and still is very much attracted to him, she is determined to keep their relationship to just being friends. God and Daniel have other ideas.
Really liked Daniel; Allie, not so much. Although she did redeem herself towards the end.
The book has a good storyline, but is somewhat slow moving. Of course, it could have just been me getting tired of Allies take control attitude. Although predictable, the ending felt a little forced, or rushed.
Book 2 in the series centers around another Pinky, Rachel. Looking forward to seeing what's in store for Rachel, as well as getting to the happily-ever-after for Daniel and Allie.
Allie Richards, the heroine in Promise Me Always, is a single out of work mom raising two daughters. Her dream, to own her on landscaping business, is within reach if she can win a design contest. She enlist the help of her Pinky Promise friends, as well as her brother.
Daniel Montgomery was the town bad boy. He's returned to his hometown to help his sister raise her son while her husband is fighting in the war overseas, as well as opening the towns only coffee shop / bookstore.
Although Allie had a major crush on Daniel in high school, and still is very much attracted to him, she is determined to keep their relationship to just being friends. God and Daniel have other ideas.
Really liked Daniel; Allie, not so much. Although she did redeem herself towards the end.
The book has a good storyline, but is somewhat slow moving. Of course, it could have just been me getting tired of Allies take control attitude. Although predictable, the ending felt a little forced, or rushed.
Book 2 in the series centers around another Pinky, Rachel. Looking forward to seeing what's in store for Rachel, as well as getting to the happily-ever-after for Daniel and Allie.
February 7, 2010
I picked this book up at the Salvation Army because I thought the back cover was interesting as to the write up of the book. When I finally decided to sit down and read it, it took me only 3 days to read and most of it was finished this past snowy Saturday afternoon. I am sure most of us can relate to the struggles that Allie has in our own lives and it rang true that with God and his guidance, and realize we are not in control...made me open my eyes and it was a great read and I really enjoyed the book. I want to find the next book which I have found on the internet and look forward to more stories about the characters in the story...
November 2, 2014
Allie was under a lot of stress n pressure in regards to finance n being a single mum. She has already had to handle the death of a husband n father n doesn't want to get in a relationship in case she gets hurt or they die and leave her to pickup the pieces. The pressure of having her dream fulfilled in having a landscape business was very real to her while participating in a contest with two other teams to win. But life dramas happen and Allie needed to refocus that she wasn't in control but God is. Having the support of her pinky friends kept them all accountable. Thought provoking story to look at myself.
August 5, 2013
A widow with two young girls is looking for Mr. Right. Instead, she meets a man who rides a motorcycle and refuses to give him a chance. Meanwhile, her BFFs set her up with Mr. Wright, Trevor Wright. In the midst of all her love life troubles, she is persuaded to enter a landscaping contest (she just lost her job and got turned down by the bank for a start up loan for starting her own landscape business), and has to deal with being a single soccer mom to two preteen daughters. I loved the ending to the book-somewhat predictable but still great. Overall, a good wholesome book!
August 10, 2010
Finished this Sunday nite. I really enjoyed it. A good, Christian based book about the bond between a group of women, and how they support each other thru the good times and bad. I have never read from this author before, but I will look for more by her after reading this one. I recommend this book very highly.
July 3, 2012
This book was kind of like a Hallmark Channel movie (not the ones with the Hallmark card commercials - the other feel good ones) . It was predictable...light and fluffy-ish, yet I finished it. I like Christine Lynxwiler's style of writing. It's a good "sick in bed, got nothin' else to do" book, but not one that keeps you up reading into the middle of the night.
December 20, 2013
I read the second book in this series first, so I had to go back and read this one. I find first-person perspective hard to read, although it does allow you a window into the main character's thoughts. This was a Christian romance/comedy and it wasn't bad; it just wasn't spectacular. I would recommend it to someone who just wanted a fast read.
April 5, 2009
Short and sweet and very well done. I love the characters and the story line and it was a perfect read during the blizzard we're having. It is a definite curl-up-under-an-afghan-and-read-the-day-away kind of a book!
March 15, 2013
I very much enjoyed this lighthearted read by Christine Lynxwiler. The story was funny and very believable. The dialogue excellent. I loved how what the heroine said wasn't always what she was thinking. I will be sure to check out CL's other books. Very fun read!
March 13, 2009
Great book. Talk about knowing you are not in control.
April 17, 2009
Cute, Christian chick-lit. Light and simple - quick read!
July 27, 2009
Cute story. I can totally relate to this story of a women losing her job and then following her dreams. Plus there is a little romance in the story as well, which is always nice.
August 17, 2010
I am giving this 5 stars because I really enjoyed reading it and missed the characters after I finished reading the book. I also loved Allie's sense of humor and the book's main message.
October 29, 2010
I laughed a bit with this book. I thought the characters were likable and believable-sometimes hard to find in light-hearted romances.
August 28, 2012
witty author, enjoyed her style
September 12, 2014
Widowed woman who enters a landscaping contest.
August 29, 2008
A sweet Christian romance;
June 5, 2010
Light, fun, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews