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The Promise of Home: A Mill River Novel Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 864 ratings

Writing in the tradition of Jan Karon and Maeve Binchy, New York Times bestselling author Darcie Chan returns readers to Mill River, the charming town whose residents experience surprises and sorrows, witness acts of goodwill and kindness, embrace family love and friendship—and uncover age-old secrets and heartaches.

These days, Mill River, Vermont, is a hive of activity. Karen Cooper bids farewell to her husband, Nick, as he leaves for Saudi Arabia to work as a contractor. But when he goes missing, Karen turns to beloved nonagenarian Father O’Brien for counsel. Kyle Hansen and Claudia Simon blissfully prepare for their wedding—until a new acquaintance threatens their romance. Emily DiSanti, haunted by a tragedy that tore her world apart a decade ago, is renovating the old McAllister mansion, eager to restore its former beauty and to find peace in the intense workload. All these lives—and the lives of others in this small town—move forward, bump up against one another, and intertwine. And when a cache of letters is discovered, a powerful and unexpected secret comes to light—one rooted deeply in the childhood of the longtime priest who has touched the lives of everyone in Mill River.

Praise for The Promise of Home

“Chan has once again told a mesmerizing tale about how difficult yet beautiful navigating the river of life can be. This author is, quite simply, an amazing storyteller.”
—Fredericksburg Free Lance–Star

“Difficult to put down . . . [a] celebration of the healing power of community.”
Booklist

“Who better to satisfy [summer] reader cravings than Darcie Chan. . . . Read on—and keep turning those pages [until you] find yourself looking forward to Darcie Chan’s next novel. Whew.”
Hudson Valley News

“This serene backdrop is the perfect juxtaposition to the internal turmoil of Karen Cooper. Together the townsfolk make a well-rounded novel full of desperation, hope and redemption. This is a beautiful addition to the Mill River series, yet also reads well as a stand-alone novel.”
RT Book Reviews

“[A] layered and heartwarming novel that intertwines a number of engaging contemporary storylines and intersperses them with . . . fascinating insights and historical details along the way. A light-handed affirmation of the power of love, faith, and community.”
Kirkus Reviews

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Promise of Home

“[Darcie] Chan has once again told a mesmerizing tale about how difficult yet beautiful navigating the river of life can be. This author is, quite simply, an amazing storyteller.”—Fredericksburg Free Lance–Star

“Difficult to put down . . . [a] celebration of the healing power of community.”
Booklist

“Who better to satisfy [summer] reader cravings than Darcie Chan. . . . Read on—and keep turning those pages [until you] find yourself looking forward to Darcie Chan’s next novel. Whew.”
Hudson Valley News

“This serene backdrop is the perfect juxtaposition to the internal turmoil of Karen Cooper. Together the townsfolk make a well-rounded novel full of desperation, hope and redemption. This is a beautiful addition to the Mill River series, yet also reads well as a stand-alone novel.”
RT Book Reviews

“[A] layered and heartwarming novel that intertwines a number of engaging contemporary storylines and intersperses them with . . . fascinating insights and historical details along the way. A light-handed affirmation of the power of love, faith, and community.”Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Darcie Chan’s
The Mill River Redemption

“An enchanting storyteller, Chan is one of those rare authors who makes you feel more fully alive.”
—Elizabeth Letts, author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion

“An engrossing page-turner [with] sympathetic and relatable characters.”
—Library Journal

Praise for The Mill River Recluse

“A heartwarming story.”
Examiner.com

“Chan’s sweet novel displays her talent. . . . A comforting book about the random acts of kindness that hold communities together.”
Kirkus Reviews

“A real page-turner.”
IndieReader

“Chan does an amazing job with pacing while maintaining continuity and weaving universal themes such as friendship, love, new beginnings and overcoming adversities into small town life.”
RT Book Reviews

“This debut novel is a genre-breaking thriller with romantic overtones that should appeal to both men and women.”
Huntington News

“Chan’s compassionate novel . . . blends elements of mystery, suspense and romance . . . [and] culminates in a beautifully rendered denouement that rekindles hope for a troubled world.”
Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Darcie Chan is the New York Times bestselling author of the eBook sensation The Mill River Recluse and the novels The Mill River Redemption and The Promise of Home. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. For fourteen years, Chan worked as an attorney drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U.S. Senate. She now writes fiction full time and lives north of New York City with her husband and son.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00R04GD6Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books (August 4, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 394 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 864 ratings

About the author

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Darcie Chan
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(c) Carrie Schechter

Darcie Chan is the New York Times bestselling author of the eBook sensation The Mill River Recluse and the novels The Mill River Redemption and The Promise of Home. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.

For fourteen years, Chan worked as an attorney drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U.S. Senate. She now writes fiction full time and lives north of New York City with her husband and son.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
864 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book and found it an enjoyable read. They appreciated the engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and well-written writing style. The emotional content was heartfelt and expressed hopefulness about life. Readers enjoyed the simplicity of the story while retaining their interest.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

51 customers mention "Readability"51 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it an engaging read that kept them hooked until the end. The series is enjoyable, with a bit of mystery and history of the characters.

"The Promise of Home is one of the very best books that I have read in a long time. Every character was interesting and the story line was wonderful...." Read more

"...The writing style makes them all very easy reads. The characters are well defined and you remember them and root for them (well, most of them)...." Read more

"I loved this book. I feel that it was the best of the trilogy. It really pulled a lot of information together from all 3 books...." Read more

"...Not much substance but a good story. This series was so enjoyable to read. I spent my entire weekend reading all 3...." Read more

35 customers mention "Storyline"34 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find the characters intriguing and the author's storytelling engaging. The book is described as a sweet tale of devotion set in a small town. Readers appreciate the happy endings and find the series enjoyable.

"...I loved this book. I loved the happy endings. I also loved reading the story about Michael's early life before he became a priest...." Read more

"I loved this book. I feel that it was the best of the trilogy. It really pulled a lot of information together from all 3 books...." Read more

"...Not much substance but a good story. This series was so enjoyable to read. I spent my entire weekend reading all 3...." Read more

"...The story centers around a few families and how their lives interact with each other...." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development. They love the characters and how Darcie brings them together. The books in succession make the people feel real.

"...Every character was interesting and the story line was wonderful. I loved this book. I loved the happy endings...." Read more

"...The writing style makes them all very easy reads. The characters are well defined and you remember them and root for them (well, most of them)...." Read more

"...is not necessary to read the books in succession, it does make the people feel so real. Congratulations on a wonderfully written story!" Read more

"...old friends, meeting new acquaintances and of course remembering past characters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style. They say the author is wonderful and that the story is beautifully written.

"...Darcie Chan is a wonderful writer and this is just a terrific series. There is something in this book for everyone...." Read more

"This is the 3rd book I've read by Chan. I really like her writing style and I can relate to the characters in her books...." Read more

"This was an exceptionally well written novel. It kept my interest at all times. Sorry the trilogy had to end...." Read more

"I sure hate to see this beautiful series end. Thank you for a beautifully written story. I hope you will write more." Read more

7 customers mention "Emotional content"5 positive2 negative

Customers find the emotional content heartfelt and soulful. They appreciate the characters' support for each other and their hopefulness about life. The book offers a great way of looking at life and makes readers feel there is hope in bad times.

"...She has a great way of looking at life and making you feel there is hope in bad situations and that things will work out...." Read more

"...This third in a series provides soulful material that I can use to relate to my own life and relationships. [..." Read more

"...I found them less than satisfying. I’ve seen many reviews touting the descriptions and “feelings” of small town life...." Read more

"...of Mill River, their trails and tribulations and their warmth and compassion." Read more

6 customers mention "Interest"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They appreciate its simplicity while still keeping their interest. The book brings together information from multiple sources, and they wish there were more of it.

"...I feel that it was the best of the trilogy. It really pulled a lot of information together from all 3 books. I wish there were more!" Read more

"...As was the case with other two, this one was just as intriguing! I don't often read into the night but toward the end I had to read until I finished!" Read more

"Very good read. Kept my interest. Excellent character development." Read more

"Enjoyed the simplicity, while keeping my interest" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
    The Promise of Home is one of the very best books that I have read in a long time. Every character was interesting and the story line was wonderful. I loved this book. I loved the happy endings. I also loved reading the story about Michael's early life before he became a priest. That part was probably the best. He had the greatest friend in his grandmother and what a funny scene when he had to put on her clothes to milk the cow. Of course, the doctor had to witness that which made it even more humorous. Every character in the book played such an important part for the entire book. Darcie Chan is a wonderful writer and this is just a terrific series. There is something in this book for everyone. Religion and faith, plumbing problems during restoration of a house, wedding dresses, hardware stores, loan companies, bakeries, weddings to plan, Thanksgiving dinners to cook, men missing in the mideastern countries, bullies at school. This book has it all and I had a wonderful time reading it. I hope there will be more in this series from the author.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016
    This is the third book in the Mill River series. I fell in love with the first book and thoroughly enjoyed the second and third as well. The writing style makes them all very easy reads. The characters are well defined and you remember them and root for them (well, most of them). It is also nice to see some of the characters go from one book to the next - it reminds me of the way everyone knows everyone else in a small town.
    I am anxiously awaiting Ms. Chan's next book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023
    I loved this book. I feel that it was the best of the trilogy. It really pulled a lot of information together from all 3 books. I wish there were more!
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
    I am so sad that I am at the end of this series. I just loved it. Is a 4th book in the works? I read a lot and sadly many are good books that I refer to as fluff. Not much substance but a good story. This series was so enjoyable to read. I spent my entire weekend reading all 3. I have to admit, I usually stick with the Kindle Unlimited free books because I do read so much. I hesitated a mere second before I paid for the 2nd one and then the third. So sad it is over. Awesome read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2015
    This is a second book by this author that I've read and fallen in love with set in the small town of Mill River. The story centers around a few families and how their lives interact with each other. They all support each other emotionally and help each other out when crises happen and when happy events occur. This town seems to have a strong pull on individuals who have grown up there, left for awhile to live their lives, then returned to the small town because it truly was "home" for them. One of the main characters that I loved the most is Father O'Brien. It is nice to hear about his upbringing as he is one of the main characters in all 3 of the Mill River books that seem to keep the town running smoothly and held together. Everyone in the town seems to care about everyone else and it is genuine love and support from neighbors and long time friends. You don't have to read any of the other Mill River novels to understand this one but it helps clarify some history of past characters in the town. Each one is a "stand alone" novel on its own. I have a 3rd one to read and will being doing that shortly. I also will investigate other books this author has written. She has a great way of looking at life and making you feel there is hope in bad situations and that things will work out. She also makes you want to get in your car or walk to this little town, pull up a chair in the bakery where most people gather for coffee, and chit chat with folks and get to know what's the latest going on. I give this story 5 stars as I did her previous book I read (The Mill River Recluse),
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019
    There are times when less is more. This trilogy fits that adage. I had read “Mill River Recluse” sometime ago and enjoyed it. Basing my future orders on this book, I ordered the next two installments in the trilogy. I found them less than satisfying.
    I’ve seen many reviews touting the descriptions and “feelings” of small town life. While a small town in Vermont is true, I found the characters in the next two installments hackneyed, shallow, catty, and a plot which was plainly worn out. I felt I was reading the same plots in two and three with only the dialogue and names changing.

    It’s a shame the author didn’t stop at “Recluse” and move onto something entirely different. “Recluse” makes for a very good stand alone novel. There was no need for a trilogy.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2015
    I have read all three of the Mill River books and The Mill River Recluse is still my favorite of the three. I enjoy following this small town cast of characters with their trials and tribulations through out the series. In The Promise of home, I liked reading the history of Michael's character (Father O'Brien). The other characters in The Promise of Home were so storybook and a bit too predictable. Overall though, a good enjoyable read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2015
    After reading the first 2 Darcie Chan books, I was so looking forward to the third!! it did not disappoint.
    I enjoyed reading about the backgrond about the priest when he was a young boy and the back story about his spoon obsession was so sad yest heart warming,
    Learning how Emily and her family were doing made me happy. So wish I could actually see her finished work on the mansion. The descriptions of the work she did as well as the problems that happened during the renovations made it seem so real.
    Do not know if Darcie Chan's next book will continue in Mill River, regardless I can not wait to read her next book.
    Although it is not necessary to read the books in succession, it does make the people feel so real.
    Congratulations on a wonderfully written story!
    5 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • K Scanlon
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2023
    I really enjoyed this book. It was really good to catch up with the residents of Mill River again
    .
  • michelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... 3 times and will read them again-she writes the best books ever
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2015
    I have read all her books at least 3 times and will read them again-she writes the best books ever.-story line is fantastic in all her books-I get nothing done as I never want to put the book down.....
  • brenda
    4.0 out of 5 stars Okay
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2017
    An okay story, not as good as Darcie's previous books though. Very readable, and I'd still recommend it, but it just didn't seem to go anywhere. The story simply fizzled out.....
  • Joan Wood
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2016
    Enjoyed the book, hope there is more of the series in the works
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2017
    Really enjoyed this book, following the lives of residents in a small American town. Hard to put down.

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