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Goswell #1
The Vicar's Wife
🎧10 hours and 22 minutes
England, 1939: When Alice marries twinkly-eyed, kind-hearted vicar David, it means leaving everything from her old life behind and moving into the draughty vicarage in the beautiful but remote village of Goswell, Cumbria. Though homesick, she's determined to make a new life there for herself and her husband. But soon tragedy strikes, and Alice is devastated when war breaks out and David chooses to sign up to fight. But everything changes when she's asked to take in a child evacuee, and she makes a promise to protect this girl, no matter what it costs her… England, Present Day: When Jane and her family move to the small coastal village of Goswell where her husband grew up, she's afraid she might have made a huge mistake. Their new home, in what had once been the vicarage, feels a million miles from their previous fast-paced life in New York City, and Jane struggles with her empty days that seem lonely and purposeless. But then she finds a small note, forgotten behind a shelf in the pantry, a note written during the Second World War by a woman named Alice, whose incredible story has the power to change everything…
The first book in the Goswell Quartet, this novel combines two wives' stories, seventy years apart, that both focus on courage, finding a home, and how the unexpected arrival of someone else's story in your life can change your own.
Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and Barbara O'Neal, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
From a USA Today bestselling author: While her vicar husband is away fighting in World War II, Alice is left adrift in their remote village — until she takes in a child evacuee. In the present day, Jane’s new home, an old vicarage, holds a hidden letter with a message dating back decades. This dual-timeline tale is narrated by two talented performers!
England, 1939: When Alice marries twinkly-eyed, kind-hearted vicar David, it means leaving everything from her old life behind and moving into the draughty vicarage in the beautiful but remote village of Goswell, Cumbria. Though homesick, she's determined to make a new life there for herself and her husband. But soon tragedy strikes, and Alice is devastated when war breaks out and David chooses to sign up to fight. But everything changes when she's asked to take in a child evacuee, and she makes a promise to protect this girl, no matter what it costs her… England, Present Day: When Jane and her family move to the small coastal village of Goswell where her husband grew up, she's afraid she might have made a huge mistake. Their new home, in what had once been the vicarage, feels a million miles from their previous fast-paced life in New York City, and Jane struggles with her empty days that seem lonely and purposeless. But then she finds a small note, forgotten behind a shelf in the pantry, a note written during the Second World War by a woman named Alice, whose incredible story has the power to change everything…
The first book in the Goswell Quartet, this novel combines two wives' stories, seventy years apart, that both focus on courage, finding a home, and how the unexpected arrival of someone else's story in your life can change your own.
Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and Barbara O'Neal, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2013
2911 people are currently reading
1907 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Swartz
11 books88 followersAlso published under the name Kate Hewitt.
After spending three years as a diehard New Yorker, Katharine Swartz now lives in the Lake District with her husband, an Anglican minister, their five children, and a Golden Retriever. She enjoys such novel things as long country walks and chatting with people in the street, and her children love the freedom of village life—although she often has to ring four or five people to figure out where they’ve gone off to!
She writes women’s fiction as well as contemporary romance for Mills & Boon Modern under the name Kate Hewitt, and whatever the genre she enjoys delivering a compelling and intensely emotional story. Find out more about her books at www.katharineswartz.com.
After spending three years as a diehard New Yorker, Katharine Swartz now lives in the Lake District with her husband, an Anglican minister, their five children, and a Golden Retriever. She enjoys such novel things as long country walks and chatting with people in the street, and her children love the freedom of village life—although she often has to ring four or five people to figure out where they’ve gone off to!
She writes women’s fiction as well as contemporary romance for Mills & Boon Modern under the name Kate Hewitt, and whatever the genre she enjoys delivering a compelling and intensely emotional story. Find out more about her books at www.katharineswartz.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
January 26, 2023
4.5 brilliant stars! The Wife’s Promise: A totally escapist WWII historical fiction novel by Kate Hewitt was a very captivating novel about two strong willed women that lived more than seventy years apart. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated very well by both Gemma Dawson and Elizabeth Cottle. The audiobook alternated between each woman’s own story, one in the years that incorporated the years just prior to WWII and during WWII and one in present day. Their place of residence, the Vicarage, located in Goswell, Cumbria, was the thread that linked their stories together. The Wife’s Promise was the first book in this new series which is comprised of four total books including this one. The characters were well thought out and fit the two distinct time periods precisely. It was well plotted and executed and contained accurate historical facts that were incorporated into the storylines. The characters really grew on me and by the end I felt as if I really knew them.
Alice had been living with her widowed father in Cambridge when she met David. Her father had been one of David’s teacher and David had come to visit and chat. There was an instant attraction between Alice and David. Within a short period of time, Alice and David had married and she returned to Goswell, Cumbria with David to live in the Vicarage. Alice had a hard time adjusting to her new life as the vicar’s wife and she did not feel at home in the vicarage. It was old, drafty, and most unwelcoming. Alice was a mere girl of nineteen when she arrived at the vicarage with David. Their love for each other was very strong, though. Shortly after Alice had settled into the vicarage, WWII broke out and to Alice’s surprise and horror David decided to voluntarily enlist as a chaplain in the war. Alice missed David so much and prayed that he would be safe. At around this time, Alice heard that children evacuees were arriving in Goswell and that they were looking for people to take the children in and care for them. Alice did not hesitate for even a moment to volunteer to take one of the children into her home. She knew that David would have approved. That was how Vera came to live with Alice at the vicarage. Vera was twelve years old when she first came to live with Alice. She had been evacuated from Liverpool. Vera was not the easiest child but over time Vera and Alice became quite close. There was nothing that Alice would not have done for Vera.
Jane Hattan was a sophisticated career driven woman that lived and worked in New York City. She loved everything about her life. Jane had met her husband, Andrew at college and they had been living in New York City for the past sixteen years with their three children. Andrew was originally from England but had made New York City his home because he knew his wife, Jane, loved everything about it. When an incident occurred that involved Jane’s and Andrew’s oldest daughter, Andrew professed that it might be a good time to move to England. Andrew had applied and gotten a new job there so he pitched his idea to Jane. She was reluctant, skeptical and didn’t think that Andrew was serious about the move. He loved New York City as much as she did. Didn’t he? How could she leave her career behind? They needed her too much. Before she knew it, Jane, Andrew and their three children arrived in a rural town called Goswell, Cumbria and Andrew was opening the front door of what used to a vicarage. Andrew had found the place himself since Jane refused to go with him to England to look for a house. The vicarage was not far from where Andrew had grown up. Shortly after they all arrived in Goswell, the children started school and Jane started cleaning and painting the rooms that had been empty for so long. While cleaning the pantry one day, Jane found what appeared to be a hand written shopping list. Judging by the money denominations, Jane discovered after asking a few people, that the shopping list had probably been written during the years of World War II. Jane tried to imagine the person who had written the list and had probably lived in the house that her and her family were now living in. Her curiosity was piqued but that did not help Jane totally settle into her new home nor distract herself from missing her career and living in New York City. Would Jane ever feel at home in Goswell? Would she be drawn to discovering the history of the vicarage and who its inhabitants had been? Would Jane be able to discover and identify the person who had written the shopping list?
I really enjoyed listening to The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt and look forward to reading the other books in the series. The Wife’s Promise was about two strong, determined women who were initially unhappy living in the vicarage. Even though their lives were separated by more than seventy years, there were so many characteristics that tied the two women together. Both Alice and Jane loved their husbands and families with intense passion. They both had to summon up the courage to make changes in their lives so everyone around them could enjoy the lives they deserved to live. Both women had to learn to adapt to the circumstances they faced. They both experienced hope and learned to live with the losses in their lives. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Alice had been living with her widowed father in Cambridge when she met David. Her father had been one of David’s teacher and David had come to visit and chat. There was an instant attraction between Alice and David. Within a short period of time, Alice and David had married and she returned to Goswell, Cumbria with David to live in the Vicarage. Alice had a hard time adjusting to her new life as the vicar’s wife and she did not feel at home in the vicarage. It was old, drafty, and most unwelcoming. Alice was a mere girl of nineteen when she arrived at the vicarage with David. Their love for each other was very strong, though. Shortly after Alice had settled into the vicarage, WWII broke out and to Alice’s surprise and horror David decided to voluntarily enlist as a chaplain in the war. Alice missed David so much and prayed that he would be safe. At around this time, Alice heard that children evacuees were arriving in Goswell and that they were looking for people to take the children in and care for them. Alice did not hesitate for even a moment to volunteer to take one of the children into her home. She knew that David would have approved. That was how Vera came to live with Alice at the vicarage. Vera was twelve years old when she first came to live with Alice. She had been evacuated from Liverpool. Vera was not the easiest child but over time Vera and Alice became quite close. There was nothing that Alice would not have done for Vera.
Jane Hattan was a sophisticated career driven woman that lived and worked in New York City. She loved everything about her life. Jane had met her husband, Andrew at college and they had been living in New York City for the past sixteen years with their three children. Andrew was originally from England but had made New York City his home because he knew his wife, Jane, loved everything about it. When an incident occurred that involved Jane’s and Andrew’s oldest daughter, Andrew professed that it might be a good time to move to England. Andrew had applied and gotten a new job there so he pitched his idea to Jane. She was reluctant, skeptical and didn’t think that Andrew was serious about the move. He loved New York City as much as she did. Didn’t he? How could she leave her career behind? They needed her too much. Before she knew it, Jane, Andrew and their three children arrived in a rural town called Goswell, Cumbria and Andrew was opening the front door of what used to a vicarage. Andrew had found the place himself since Jane refused to go with him to England to look for a house. The vicarage was not far from where Andrew had grown up. Shortly after they all arrived in Goswell, the children started school and Jane started cleaning and painting the rooms that had been empty for so long. While cleaning the pantry one day, Jane found what appeared to be a hand written shopping list. Judging by the money denominations, Jane discovered after asking a few people, that the shopping list had probably been written during the years of World War II. Jane tried to imagine the person who had written the list and had probably lived in the house that her and her family were now living in. Her curiosity was piqued but that did not help Jane totally settle into her new home nor distract herself from missing her career and living in New York City. Would Jane ever feel at home in Goswell? Would she be drawn to discovering the history of the vicarage and who its inhabitants had been? Would Jane be able to discover and identify the person who had written the shopping list?
I really enjoyed listening to The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt and look forward to reading the other books in the series. The Wife’s Promise was about two strong, determined women who were initially unhappy living in the vicarage. Even though their lives were separated by more than seventy years, there were so many characteristics that tied the two women together. Both Alice and Jane loved their husbands and families with intense passion. They both had to summon up the courage to make changes in their lives so everyone around them could enjoy the lives they deserved to live. Both women had to learn to adapt to the circumstances they faced. They both experienced hope and learned to live with the losses in their lives. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
April 16, 2025
This is a well-written, entertaining, dual timeline, WWII historical fiction novel which follows the lives of two women who struggle to fit in. There is heartbreak, healing, drama, angst, and a bit of mystery. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Ms. Gemma Dawson and Ms. Elizabeth Cottle, have lovely voices and do a wonderful job voicing the characters.
November 17, 2022
Blog tour review on my blog https://veganbookblogger.wordpress.co...
The Wife's Promise is the first book in a quartet of books that will grab your heart and simply not let go. The series is The Goswell Quartet.
So far, I have only read the first book in this series, but I am planning on reding the entire series.
Such a gripping and emotional book, it is not one that will be forgotten any time soon.
Two wives' stories told over seventy years apart but yet the connection quickly becomes apparent.
I absolutely love these time slip books, and this is an example of one at its finest.
As you absorb the story you become invested in the characters. their emotions and thoughts become your own. It becomes as though you are experiencing the daily life right there with them in each time period.
Taking place in England in the late 1930's and in modern times, the characters are quite similar in many ways. There is a vulnerability to these characters. a reaching out of needing more but not quite sure how to get it.
"Two wives’ stories – told over 70 years apart – about courage, finding a home, and how the unexpected arrival of someone else’s story in your life can change your own. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal."
Previously published as The Vicar’s Wife by Katharine Swartz.
This has zoomed right to the top of my list of favorite books I've read this year!
Pub Date 17 Nov 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The Wife's Promise is the first book in a quartet of books that will grab your heart and simply not let go. The series is The Goswell Quartet.
So far, I have only read the first book in this series, but I am planning on reding the entire series.
Such a gripping and emotional book, it is not one that will be forgotten any time soon.
Two wives' stories told over seventy years apart but yet the connection quickly becomes apparent.
I absolutely love these time slip books, and this is an example of one at its finest.
As you absorb the story you become invested in the characters. their emotions and thoughts become your own. It becomes as though you are experiencing the daily life right there with them in each time period.
Taking place in England in the late 1930's and in modern times, the characters are quite similar in many ways. There is a vulnerability to these characters. a reaching out of needing more but not quite sure how to get it.
"Two wives’ stories – told over 70 years apart – about courage, finding a home, and how the unexpected arrival of someone else’s story in your life can change your own. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal."
Previously published as The Vicar’s Wife by Katharine Swartz.
This has zoomed right to the top of my list of favorite books I've read this year!
Pub Date 17 Nov 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 3, 2019
My main problem with this story was the time it took the main character to stop sulking about and feeling sorry for herself - at least half the book. Otherwise, it’s a good story jumping back and forth between times and I did eventually enjoy it and the way it ended.
February 28, 2023
I really wanted to love this story. It was just okay. I enjoyed it well enough but I found myself slightly board with both stories.
The narration was good.
The narration was good.
October 18, 2013
The Vicar's Wife came along at just the right time for me. I had finished The Pilgrim's Progress, which was a struggle and I had been doing some other heavy reading, including American Psychosis, which is about the problems with America's mental health treatment system, and believe me there are many. I've also been secretly reading Tony Judt's gut-wrenching Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945. (By secretly I mean I haven't reported it to Goodreads yet.)
In any case, I needed a book that is not lightweight but not too challenging. The Vicar's Wife is just that. It's the story of Jane Hatton, a New Yorker who has moved to Cumbria with her English husband after 16 years of married life in New York City. Jane doesn't want to leave her demanding and fulfilling job or her challenging but deeply rewarding city. Andrew, who teaches engineering at Columbia, has always wanted to go back to England and Jane doesn't feel like she can say no to him now, although neither she nor their three children are eager to bury themselves in the far northwest of England in a cold, dark, wet, windy town.
Jane tries to adapt to life in the old vicarage in Goswell, but she longs to return to her bustling city that never sleeps. She finds it hard to get to know other women in town and she suspects her children, especially Nadia, a sulky teenager, are having trouble at school. Andrew, a man with a sunny disposition, seems oblivious to her unhappiness.
But Jane is not the vicar's wife of the title. That's Alice James, who in 1930 married the vicar of Goswell and moved to the house where Jane's family is now trying to settle down. When Jane finds a scrap of paper behind a slate shelf in the "cold" pantry (where food would have been kept in the 30s) she becomes curious about the woman who wrote the list and what her life was like.
As she begins poking around, asking questions, Jane feels a kind of empathy with Alice. She suspects that her predecessor was not happy in this house either and slowly learns her story. Talking with a woman who was the housekeeper after Alice's time and an old man who was resident there as a boy and knew Alice, Jane discovers the joys and sorrows of Alice's life in Goswell.
Meanwhile she makes a trip back to New York City and finds that her children don't really want to go back even for a visit. Does she know her children at all? And what about her own feelings about the city and her old job? She still longs for the rewards that her old life brought her, including a flavored Starbuck's coffee every morning. A small thing and seemingly superficial, but it represents so many things Jane has lost.
The narrative of this book uses a technique I particularly like. It switches back and forth from Jane to Alice with each alternating chapter and we slowly learn Alice's story as we watch Jane struggle to adapt to this new life. This is not a traditional love story -- boy meets girl, boy loses girl, etc. The story is not the marriage plot. It's the story of two women coming to recognize who they are, how to adapt to difficulty and change, and what is important in their lives. The very thing for a rainy fall day.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
In any case, I needed a book that is not lightweight but not too challenging. The Vicar's Wife is just that. It's the story of Jane Hatton, a New Yorker who has moved to Cumbria with her English husband after 16 years of married life in New York City. Jane doesn't want to leave her demanding and fulfilling job or her challenging but deeply rewarding city. Andrew, who teaches engineering at Columbia, has always wanted to go back to England and Jane doesn't feel like she can say no to him now, although neither she nor their three children are eager to bury themselves in the far northwest of England in a cold, dark, wet, windy town.
Jane tries to adapt to life in the old vicarage in Goswell, but she longs to return to her bustling city that never sleeps. She finds it hard to get to know other women in town and she suspects her children, especially Nadia, a sulky teenager, are having trouble at school. Andrew, a man with a sunny disposition, seems oblivious to her unhappiness.
But Jane is not the vicar's wife of the title. That's Alice James, who in 1930 married the vicar of Goswell and moved to the house where Jane's family is now trying to settle down. When Jane finds a scrap of paper behind a slate shelf in the "cold" pantry (where food would have been kept in the 30s) she becomes curious about the woman who wrote the list and what her life was like.
As she begins poking around, asking questions, Jane feels a kind of empathy with Alice. She suspects that her predecessor was not happy in this house either and slowly learns her story. Talking with a woman who was the housekeeper after Alice's time and an old man who was resident there as a boy and knew Alice, Jane discovers the joys and sorrows of Alice's life in Goswell.
Meanwhile she makes a trip back to New York City and finds that her children don't really want to go back even for a visit. Does she know her children at all? And what about her own feelings about the city and her old job? She still longs for the rewards that her old life brought her, including a flavored Starbuck's coffee every morning. A small thing and seemingly superficial, but it represents so many things Jane has lost.
The narrative of this book uses a technique I particularly like. It switches back and forth from Jane to Alice with each alternating chapter and we slowly learn Alice's story as we watch Jane struggle to adapt to this new life. This is not a traditional love story -- boy meets girl, boy loses girl, etc. The story is not the marriage plot. It's the story of two women coming to recognize who they are, how to adapt to difficulty and change, and what is important in their lives. The very thing for a rainy fall day.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
February 24, 2023
I read the first book in The Goswell Quartet this week, and finally I found a novel to lift me from my book slump. This is a dual time - contemporary and 1940s - and tells the story of two wives who don’t feel at home in their home.
I loved both timelines, usually historical timelines have my heart, but reading this one I was happy in either plotline. The main characters struggles to belong, find their identity and learning to roll with the changes life throws at you was emotional and inspiring. I was literally captivated and I loved how the characters were connected by the house they lived in.
Loved it.
I loved both timelines, usually historical timelines have my heart, but reading this one I was happy in either plotline. The main characters struggles to belong, find their identity and learning to roll with the changes life throws at you was emotional and inspiring. I was literally captivated and I loved how the characters were connected by the house they lived in.
Loved it.
November 25, 2022
It all started with a shopping list...
Cumbria, present day: Jane and Andrew uproot their family from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives in New York City to relocate to the dank, cold and miserable Goswell on the Cumbrian coast. For sixteen years Andrew has lived in New York where he met and married Jane and now it's time for him to come home. But for Jane, the move is not as smooth sailing as they thought it would be...at least, not for her. Their three children Natalie (14), Ben (11) and Merrie (7 or 8) find the transition difficult at first but soon make friends and settle into their new life.
They move into a spacious old Vicarage and Jane has every intention of painting each room and making it home but for some reason can't seem to find a connection between the woman she was in New York to the one she's expected to become here and now in sleepy Goswell. It is while she is cleaning out the pantry that she finds an old shopping list stuck beneath the cold slate shelf, for keeping things cool in the times before refrigerators, that Jane finds herself a new purpose and feels compelled to investigate who wrote this list and what became of them.
In asking the current vicar in the neighbouring church about records of old vicars, does Jane come across the names of David and Alice James who lived in the vicarage from 1930 till 1943. And Jane feels sure she has found the writer of her list.
1931: Nineteen year old Alice has just met and married the man of her dreams, David James. After their small wedding at her home in Cambridge, the couple then make the long and slow journey by various trains to Goswell in Cumbria, where David is serving as vicar. As soon as she arrives, Alice realises she has not put much thought into what it means to become a vicar's wife and all that it entails. It seems the villagers have such expectations of what she must do and Alice hasn't the first idea of how to do any of it. Or if she even wants to. All she wants is to be married to David, have a family and grow old with him. But David's duties to his parish are many that they only seem to have a couple of hours together in the evenings before retiring for the night.
From the time to arrived in Goswell, it seems she has had to face many challenges. From adapting to being a vicar's wife to a tragedy from which she thought she may never recover to the onset of war and David enlisting as a chaplain. Life becomes very lonely for Alice in the ensuing years that she takes up gardening and soon has a thriving array of vegetables to keep them going through the harsh rationing.
By the time 1940 comes around, news arrives that the village is to take around fifty evacuees and Alice decides that she wants to take one of them on, much to the annoyance of her housekeeper and the nosey churchwardens (you don't know what you are getting with the likes of them from the cities). She ends up with a resentful surly 12 year old girl called Vera with a seemingly huge chip on her shoulder whose attitude borders on rude. Alice wants so much to give her a loving home but has no idea how to reach the sullen young girl. That is, until a stray German bomber empties the last of his load on the Vicarage's outbuildings and Alice finds a frightened Vera hiding under the table thinking she was going to die.
THE WIFE'S PROMISE is a beautiful heartbreaking tale of two women separated by seven decades who lived in the same house. It is compelling and engaging throughout as each story speaks of sacrifice, love and love. It did take me a while to get into the story but once I did I was fully invested in uncovering what happens next.
This is my second read by Kate Hewitt and I love this particular style in dual timeline, which is one of my favourite formats. I intend on diving right into the second book in this compelling quartet right away. I think though my favourite story was Alice's. I found Jane a little self-absorbed and Natalie a bratty teenager.
Overall, a pure delight to read. Perfect for fans of dual timelines.
I would like to thank #KateHewitt, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWifesPromise in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Cumbria, present day: Jane and Andrew uproot their family from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives in New York City to relocate to the dank, cold and miserable Goswell on the Cumbrian coast. For sixteen years Andrew has lived in New York where he met and married Jane and now it's time for him to come home. But for Jane, the move is not as smooth sailing as they thought it would be...at least, not for her. Their three children Natalie (14), Ben (11) and Merrie (7 or 8) find the transition difficult at first but soon make friends and settle into their new life.
They move into a spacious old Vicarage and Jane has every intention of painting each room and making it home but for some reason can't seem to find a connection between the woman she was in New York to the one she's expected to become here and now in sleepy Goswell. It is while she is cleaning out the pantry that she finds an old shopping list stuck beneath the cold slate shelf, for keeping things cool in the times before refrigerators, that Jane finds herself a new purpose and feels compelled to investigate who wrote this list and what became of them.
In asking the current vicar in the neighbouring church about records of old vicars, does Jane come across the names of David and Alice James who lived in the vicarage from 1930 till 1943. And Jane feels sure she has found the writer of her list.
1931: Nineteen year old Alice has just met and married the man of her dreams, David James. After their small wedding at her home in Cambridge, the couple then make the long and slow journey by various trains to Goswell in Cumbria, where David is serving as vicar. As soon as she arrives, Alice realises she has not put much thought into what it means to become a vicar's wife and all that it entails. It seems the villagers have such expectations of what she must do and Alice hasn't the first idea of how to do any of it. Or if she even wants to. All she wants is to be married to David, have a family and grow old with him. But David's duties to his parish are many that they only seem to have a couple of hours together in the evenings before retiring for the night.
From the time to arrived in Goswell, it seems she has had to face many challenges. From adapting to being a vicar's wife to a tragedy from which she thought she may never recover to the onset of war and David enlisting as a chaplain. Life becomes very lonely for Alice in the ensuing years that she takes up gardening and soon has a thriving array of vegetables to keep them going through the harsh rationing.
By the time 1940 comes around, news arrives that the village is to take around fifty evacuees and Alice decides that she wants to take one of them on, much to the annoyance of her housekeeper and the nosey churchwardens (you don't know what you are getting with the likes of them from the cities). She ends up with a resentful surly 12 year old girl called Vera with a seemingly huge chip on her shoulder whose attitude borders on rude. Alice wants so much to give her a loving home but has no idea how to reach the sullen young girl. That is, until a stray German bomber empties the last of his load on the Vicarage's outbuildings and Alice finds a frightened Vera hiding under the table thinking she was going to die.
THE WIFE'S PROMISE is a beautiful heartbreaking tale of two women separated by seven decades who lived in the same house. It is compelling and engaging throughout as each story speaks of sacrifice, love and love. It did take me a while to get into the story but once I did I was fully invested in uncovering what happens next.
This is my second read by Kate Hewitt and I love this particular style in dual timeline, which is one of my favourite formats. I intend on diving right into the second book in this compelling quartet right away. I think though my favourite story was Alice's. I found Jane a little self-absorbed and Natalie a bratty teenager.
Overall, a pure delight to read. Perfect for fans of dual timelines.
I would like to thank #KateHewitt, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheWifesPromise in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Wife's Promise' by Kate Hewitt.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kate Hewitt, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th November 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Goswell Quartet' series. I have also read 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' which I would highly recommend.
This book was previously published as 'The Vicar’s Wife' by Katharine Swartz and was the series was previously called 'Tales From Goswell'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal.' I am a fan of all three of these authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a HUGE fan of Kate Hewitt and if this is half as good as 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' it is bound to be an addictive read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 33 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the fictional village of Goswell, Cumbria and Cambridge, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in Cumbria so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Jane Hatton and Alice Mobberley. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Wife's Promise' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Kate discusses/includes loss of a child.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, forgiveness, moving on, and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself throughout this heartbreaking storyline. I didn't just question myself once about what I would do at the beginning of this book if I was in Jane's position but also what I would have done in Alice's position throughout. Kate's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was write next to both Jane and Alice during the present and past. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face by the time the gorgeous and heartbreaking ending(s) came. I was completely mind blown at the end and just when I thought I had run out of tears they started pouring out again. Kate has clearly done her History research. Well done Kate as there's nothing much worse that reading a novel filled with silly errors as the author hasn't done any research. I also adore the fact that this book is based on Kate's own experiences on changing one life for another which definitely helps makes this storyline realistic and helps it to come alive while you are reading it. It definitely gives you something to think about and shows you how much emotion and strength is involved from both Jane and Alice as well as their families to move from one place that is warm and bustling to somewhere that is isolated and cold and yet your expected to jump straight in to a new community. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and it had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book in this absolutely stunning series.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Jane and Alice. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone) . Although it was mainly through Jane and Alice's eyes that the story unfolds there are several many other characters that were affected by all the changes and the emotions charging through the characters and I was completely invested in Andrew, Merrie, Ben, Natalie, David and Viv. My heart went out to Merrie, Ben, Natalie and Viv especially who was clearly struggling with all the changes and everything that was going on along with being just children. Kate does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the community of Goswell to life and creates a perfect village life community with a vast arrange of characters and personalities. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but yet again Kate has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Kate!!!
Congratulations Kate on yet another absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books especially the rest of the books in what promises to be a stunning series beginning with 'The Daughter's Garden'. I would absolutely love to see this book and series turned into a movie!!! This is why you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of the next book in Kate's 'The Goswell Quartet' 'The Daughter's Garden' which is promising to be just as addictive as this book and is what I am off to read next!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction, Sagas, Mystery, General Fiction, Women's Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical German Fiction, Women's Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Women's Sagas and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal.
, Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain and anyone who loves a page turner.
389 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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Review for 'The Wife's Promise' by Kate Hewitt.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kate Hewitt, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th November 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Goswell Quartet' series. I have also read 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' which I would highly recommend.
This book was previously published as 'The Vicar’s Wife' by Katharine Swartz and was the series was previously called 'Tales From Goswell'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal.' I am a fan of all three of these authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a HUGE fan of Kate Hewitt and if this is half as good as 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' it is bound to be an addictive read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 33 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the fictional village of Goswell, Cumbria and Cambridge, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in Cumbria so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Jane Hatton and Alice Mobberley. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Wife's Promise' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Kate discusses/includes loss of a child.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, forgiveness, moving on, and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself throughout this heartbreaking storyline. I didn't just question myself once about what I would do at the beginning of this book if I was in Jane's position but also what I would have done in Alice's position throughout. Kate's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was write next to both Jane and Alice during the present and past. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face by the time the gorgeous and heartbreaking ending(s) came. I was completely mind blown at the end and just when I thought I had run out of tears they started pouring out again. Kate has clearly done her History research. Well done Kate as there's nothing much worse that reading a novel filled with silly errors as the author hasn't done any research. I also adore the fact that this book is based on Kate's own experiences on changing one life for another which definitely helps makes this storyline realistic and helps it to come alive while you are reading it. It definitely gives you something to think about and shows you how much emotion and strength is involved from both Jane and Alice as well as their families to move from one place that is warm and bustling to somewhere that is isolated and cold and yet your expected to jump straight in to a new community. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and it had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book in this absolutely stunning series.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Jane and Alice. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone) . Although it was mainly through Jane and Alice's eyes that the story unfolds there are several many other characters that were affected by all the changes and the emotions charging through the characters and I was completely invested in Andrew, Merrie, Ben, Natalie, David and Viv. My heart went out to Merrie, Ben, Natalie and Viv especially who was clearly struggling with all the changes and everything that was going on along with being just children. Kate does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the community of Goswell to life and creates a perfect village life community with a vast arrange of characters and personalities. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but yet again Kate has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Kate!!!
Congratulations Kate on yet another absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books especially the rest of the books in what promises to be a stunning series beginning with 'The Daughter's Garden'. I would absolutely love to see this book and series turned into a movie!!! This is why you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of the next book in Kate's 'The Goswell Quartet' 'The Daughter's Garden' which is promising to be just as addictive as this book and is what I am off to read next!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction, Sagas, Mystery, General Fiction, Women's Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical German Fiction, Women's Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Women's Sagas and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal.
, Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain and anyone who loves a page turner.
389 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheWifesPromise #KateHewitt #Bookouture #TheGoswellQuartet #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour. #NetGalley
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February 25, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review The Wife's Promise.
Published: 01/26/23
This was okay: it's not bad and it's not good; it's an airport book. Your hands are full, you're tired, and on your way home -- someone says, I wish I had brought a book. You hand it over. The story is not memorable. If you finish an airport book great. I wasn't a frequent flyer, however, I left a book in virtually every airport. I finish and left it on a seat before I boarded. Can't do that nowadays, I'm not even sure you can give a book to a stranger in an airport anymore, but you get the point.
I'm going to recognize the title in a month and will have to read my review, the story is that simple.
Now, there are a couple good things -- it has dual time lines, that were not confusing at all. Well done Kate Hewitt, There is no profanity. Hewitt wrote using her talents and skill. The familial dynamics are not over the top. The parents disagree, the kids are kids -- no smart mouths. Good examples of what to work for, respectful.
Also, I would have been pleased for my mid-teen to read this as their transitioning into adult books.
Published: 01/26/23
This was okay: it's not bad and it's not good; it's an airport book. Your hands are full, you're tired, and on your way home -- someone says, I wish I had brought a book. You hand it over. The story is not memorable. If you finish an airport book great. I wasn't a frequent flyer, however, I left a book in virtually every airport. I finish and left it on a seat before I boarded. Can't do that nowadays, I'm not even sure you can give a book to a stranger in an airport anymore, but you get the point.
I'm going to recognize the title in a month and will have to read my review, the story is that simple.
Now, there are a couple good things -- it has dual time lines, that were not confusing at all. Well done Kate Hewitt, There is no profanity. Hewitt wrote using her talents and skill. The familial dynamics are not over the top. The parents disagree, the kids are kids -- no smart mouths. Good examples of what to work for, respectful.
Also, I would have been pleased for my mid-teen to read this as their transitioning into adult books.
January 27, 2023
Two lifetimes apart, Alice and Jane reside at an old vicar's house. The house welcomes both women with cold walls and shatters their dreams for the future. But in a long run, the same walls of an old vicarage give the women strength to move forward with new life purposes, new goals for the future, and finally - find happiness at heart.
The story sheds the lite on women's life after a major move from the comfortable environments that they have known and spent all their lives living. Each woman struggles with their new identity as a wife/mother/homemaker. I was rooting for both women throughout the novel, and in all honesty - had strong doubts that Jane will make it thru. Alice's timeline was rough to read thru as well, but it made me so happy to see her turn her sorrows into something positive. I admire the strong and perceptive woman she grew into.
If you have enjoyed reading other historical fiction taking place during WWII, then you simply must read this emotional and brilliantly written story. It’s a completely gripping story of love, regrets, and harsh realities.
Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.
The story sheds the lite on women's life after a major move from the comfortable environments that they have known and spent all their lives living. Each woman struggles with their new identity as a wife/mother/homemaker. I was rooting for both women throughout the novel, and in all honesty - had strong doubts that Jane will make it thru. Alice's timeline was rough to read thru as well, but it made me so happy to see her turn her sorrows into something positive. I admire the strong and perceptive woman she grew into.
If you have enjoyed reading other historical fiction taking place during WWII, then you simply must read this emotional and brilliantly written story. It’s a completely gripping story of love, regrets, and harsh realities.
Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.
August 27, 2024
I couldn't get through this book. After about half way through I was so tired of the constant whining, especially from the more modern wife. It was too bad, because otherwise, I liked the book. It was an interesting story of two women coming to the same town in different eras who had difficulty adjusting. The writing flowed, and there was for me, the right amount of description of the surroundings and their home that I could imagine it, without it being too long. Unfortunately, there was not much about how these women worked through the adjustment, just a lot of description about how miserable they were. It was exhausting.
October 13, 2022
I'm a multi-booker, meaning I read several books at once. I knew that "The Wife's Promise" was something special, when, at nearly 30% in, I stopped reading all my other books just to finish this one! There are so many things about this book that appealed to me. I loved the fact that the story is told from a dual timeline, and chocked full of historical references. The characters are all wonderful, and the character growth is well paced and absolutely perfect. This gem is a clean read, which can sometimes be difficult to find for adult readers. I'm extremely excited to begin reading book two of the quartet. I hope it gives me all the feels this first book did!!
A huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the chance to review this book ahead of its November 17, 2022 release.
A huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the chance to review this book ahead of its November 17, 2022 release.
April 15, 2025
This was a bonus borrow and since I cap out my 16 hoopla books a month, I grabbed it.
It reminded me somewhat of the book I recently read, "A million little choices" as far as a woman living in a big house she didn't love, but discovering rich history while in it.
I LOVED the emphasis on how a quiet life, slow and steady, doing your duty, walking in love - matters! It might not be flashy, or what you'd choose, and may be laced with grief (she lost her husband and never birthed children) but she still had an impact where she was...in her own quiet way.
It reminded me somewhat of the book I recently read, "A million little choices" as far as a woman living in a big house she didn't love, but discovering rich history while in it.
I LOVED the emphasis on how a quiet life, slow and steady, doing your duty, walking in love - matters! It might not be flashy, or what you'd choose, and may be laced with grief (she lost her husband and never birthed children) but she still had an impact where she was...in her own quiet way.
November 11, 2022
This was a lovely book to read, a dual time -line and very easy. It just seemed to flow along and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what the promise was. This book is very atmospheric and I could see the rain in the hills of the Lake District and shivered along with the character when she was cold in her vicarage. A great story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
November 21, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Wife's Promise' by Kate Hewitt.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kate Hewitt, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th November 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Goswell Quartet' series. I have also read 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' which I would highly recommend.
This book was previously published as 'The Vicar’s Wife' by Katharine Swartz and was the series was previously called 'Tales From Goswell'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal.' I am a fan of all three of these authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a HUGE fan of Kate Hewitt and if this is half as good as 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' it is bound to be an addictive read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 33 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the fictional village of Goswell, Cumbria and Cambridge, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in Cumbria so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Jane Hatton and Alice Mobberley. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Wife's Promise' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Kate discusses/includes loss of a child.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, forgiveness, moving on, and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself throughout this heartbreaking storyline. I didn't just question myself once about what I would do at the beginning of this book if I was in Jane's position but also what I would have done in Alice's position throughout. Kate's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was write next to both Jane and Alice during the present and past. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face by the time the gorgeous and heartbreaking ending(s) came. I was completely mind blown at the end and just when I thought I had run out of tears they started pouring out again. Kate has clearly done her History research. Well done Kate as there's nothing much worse that reading a novel filled with silly errors as the author hasn't done any research. I also adore the fact that this book is based on Kate's own experiences on changing one life for another which definitely helps makes this storyline realistic and helps it to come alive while you are reading it. It definitely gives you something to think about and shows you how much emotion and strength is involved from both Jane and Alice as well as their families to move from one place that is warm and bustling to somewhere that is isolated and cold and yet your expected to jump straight in to a new community. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and it had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book in this absolutely stunning series.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Jane and Alice. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone) . Although it was mainly through Jane and Alice's eyes that the story unfolds there are several many other characters that were affected by all the changes and the emotions charging through the characters and I was completely invested in Andrew, Merrie, Ben, Natalie, David and Viv. My heart went out to Merrie, Ben, Natalie and Viv especially who was clearly struggling with all the changes and everything that was going on along with being just children. Kate does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the community of Goswell to life and creates a perfect village life community with a vast arrange of characters and personalities. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but yet again Kate has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Kate!!!
Congratulations Kate on yet another absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books especially the rest of the books in what promises to be a stunning series beginning with 'The Daughter's Garden'. I would absolutely love to see this book and series turned into a movie!!! This is why you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of the next book in Kate's 'The Goswell Quartet' 'The Daughter's Garden' which is promising to be just as addictive as this book and is what I am off to read next!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction, Sagas, Mystery, General Fiction, Women's Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical German Fiction, Women's Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Women's Sagas and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal.
, Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain and anyone who loves a page turner.
389 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheWifesPromise #KateHewitt #Bookouture #TheGoswellQuartet #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour. #NetGalley
@KateHewitt @Bookouture @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
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Review for 'The Wife's Promise' by Kate Hewitt.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kate Hewitt, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th November 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Goswell Quartet' series. I have also read 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' which I would highly recommend.
This book was previously published as 'The Vicar’s Wife' by Katharine Swartz and was the series was previously called 'Tales From Goswell'.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O’Neal.' I am a fan of all three of these authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a HUGE fan of Kate Hewitt and if this is half as good as 'My Daughter's Mistake', 'When We Were Innocent' and 'The Child I Never Had' it is bound to be an addictive read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 33 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the fictional village of Goswell, Cumbria and Cambridge, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.I have actually holidayed in Cumbria so am intrigued to see if I recognise places based on anywhere I visited while there.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Jane Hatton and Alice Mobberley. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Wife's Promise' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Kate discusses/includes loss of a child.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, forgiveness, moving on, and so much more. It is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read and I was questioning myself throughout this heartbreaking storyline. I didn't just question myself once about what I would do at the beginning of this book if I was in Jane's position but also what I would have done in Alice's position throughout. Kate's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was write next to both Jane and Alice during the present and past. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it in kindle every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face by the time the gorgeous and heartbreaking ending(s) came. I was completely mind blown at the end and just when I thought I had run out of tears they started pouring out again. Kate has clearly done her History research. Well done Kate as there's nothing much worse that reading a novel filled with silly errors as the author hasn't done any research. I also adore the fact that this book is based on Kate's own experiences on changing one life for another which definitely helps makes this storyline realistic and helps it to come alive while you are reading it. It definitely gives you something to think about and shows you how much emotion and strength is involved from both Jane and Alice as well as their families to move from one place that is warm and bustling to somewhere that is isolated and cold and yet your expected to jump straight in to a new community. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and it had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book in this absolutely stunning series.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Jane and Alice. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone) . Although it was mainly through Jane and Alice's eyes that the story unfolds there are several many other characters that were affected by all the changes and the emotions charging through the characters and I was completely invested in Andrew, Merrie, Ben, Natalie, David and Viv. My heart went out to Merrie, Ben, Natalie and Viv especially who was clearly struggling with all the changes and everything that was going on along with being just children. Kate does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the community of Goswell to life and creates a perfect village life community with a vast arrange of characters and personalities. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but yet again Kate has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Kate!!!
Congratulations Kate on yet another absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books especially the rest of the books in what promises to be a stunning series beginning with 'The Daughter's Garden'. I would absolutely love to see this book and series turned into a movie!!! This is why you are on my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of the next book in Kate's 'The Goswell Quartet' 'The Daughter's Garden' which is promising to be just as addictive as this book and is what I am off to read next!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction, Sagas, Mystery, General Fiction, Women's Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical German Fiction, Women's Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Women's Sagas and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal.
, Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain and anyone who loves a page turner.
389 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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February 5, 2014
What happens when you are asked to leave the life you love – the place that you call home – to sacrifice your hopes, dreams, and desires for the people around you – in a place far, far away? How will you cope? Can you adapt? Will you be able to build a new life – make new friends – pursue new dreams? Or, will you become a shadow of yourself as the memory and loss of the life that you once had consumes you?
These are the questions that Jane Hatton, a career-driven New Yorker, is faced with when she begrudgingly moves to a small village along the sleepy Cumbrian Coast, to please her husband. Andrew – who has stood in her shoes – now wants to return to his native land of Great Britain to be near his family and raise their children in a more wholesome environment.
Jane has a difficult time adjusting to life in her new home – a former vicarage that is the polar opposite of the former posh Upper West Side apartment she loved. But – when Jane finds a decades old shopping list one afternoon – she cannot help but wonder about the woman who wrote the list – the woman who lived there before her. Was she happy? Did she have a family? Or, did she feel as lonely as Jane did in the big, drafty house?
The Vicar’s Wife is the story of two women – Jane Hatton and Alice Cambridge – who lived in the same home almost 80 years apart. Although the circumstances of their lives are very different, underneath it all, they have much in common, and author Katharine Swartz weaves a beautiful tale that captures all of the longing, despair, hopes, and dreams that these women hold in their hearts.
I found myself getting lost in their world as I read – relating deeply with the choices they made and the disappointments they faced as life did not turn out the way they anticipated – but, also hoping that in the midst of their circumstances, they would find a way to find happiness and hope.
The Vicar’s Wife by Katharine Swartz is a wonderful book that many women will relate to.
To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
These are the questions that Jane Hatton, a career-driven New Yorker, is faced with when she begrudgingly moves to a small village along the sleepy Cumbrian Coast, to please her husband. Andrew – who has stood in her shoes – now wants to return to his native land of Great Britain to be near his family and raise their children in a more wholesome environment.
Jane has a difficult time adjusting to life in her new home – a former vicarage that is the polar opposite of the former posh Upper West Side apartment she loved. But – when Jane finds a decades old shopping list one afternoon – she cannot help but wonder about the woman who wrote the list – the woman who lived there before her. Was she happy? Did she have a family? Or, did she feel as lonely as Jane did in the big, drafty house?
The Vicar’s Wife is the story of two women – Jane Hatton and Alice Cambridge – who lived in the same home almost 80 years apart. Although the circumstances of their lives are very different, underneath it all, they have much in common, and author Katharine Swartz weaves a beautiful tale that captures all of the longing, despair, hopes, and dreams that these women hold in their hearts.
I found myself getting lost in their world as I read – relating deeply with the choices they made and the disappointments they faced as life did not turn out the way they anticipated – but, also hoping that in the midst of their circumstances, they would find a way to find happiness and hope.
The Vicar’s Wife by Katharine Swartz is a wonderful book that many women will relate to.
To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
January 28, 2023
I have to say what drew me to this book at first was that it was written by Kate Hewitt. I remember her from the days I used to read the ever wonderful Harlequin Presents romance novels! She was always an automatic buy for me! Well, this story is very different but boy I can tell you she still writes with all of her heart and soul!
This book was originally published in 2013 under the pseudonym, Katharine Swartz. It was originally titled, "The Vicar's Wife" and it is the first book from the Goswell Quartet Series.
I listened to the Audiobook and it was very nicely narrated by Gemma Dawson and Elizabeth Cottle.
This is a gentle and slowly captivating story. I really could not stop listening. It's a dual time line that alternates between two women named, Jane and Alice. Jane lives in the present day while Alice's story begins in the late 1930's. Both of these women lived in the same Vicarage house but seventy years apart. Both of these women are also living outside of their comfort zones and struggling emotionally.
Jane lives in New York City and has been married to Andrew (an Englishman) for sixteen years and they have three children. Andrew feels the family needs a change of pace and yearns to move back to his beloved England. Jane reluctantly agrees. They pack up and move to an isolated tiny village called, Goswell in Cumbria where Andrew is originally from. In her new home, Jane finds what appears to be a very old grocery list from someone who used to live in the house. She begins to wonder about it. She tries to find out more about who lived there but is also trying to come to terms with her new life in England.
Alice's story begins in the late 1930's when she is living in Cambridge with her Father. One of her father's old pupils named David comes to visit. He is now a Vicar in Goswell and Alice falls in love with him. She is quite young still and marries David and moves far away from her father. She starts to feel isolated and lonely in the Vicarage and begins to struggle.
Ultimately both women are strong and the story is very captivating. It wraps up very nicely and I am quite eager to read the other books in the series.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this Advanced Listener Copy.
This book was originally published in 2013 under the pseudonym, Katharine Swartz. It was originally titled, "The Vicar's Wife" and it is the first book from the Goswell Quartet Series.
I listened to the Audiobook and it was very nicely narrated by Gemma Dawson and Elizabeth Cottle.
This is a gentle and slowly captivating story. I really could not stop listening. It's a dual time line that alternates between two women named, Jane and Alice. Jane lives in the present day while Alice's story begins in the late 1930's. Both of these women lived in the same Vicarage house but seventy years apart. Both of these women are also living outside of their comfort zones and struggling emotionally.
Jane lives in New York City and has been married to Andrew (an Englishman) for sixteen years and they have three children. Andrew feels the family needs a change of pace and yearns to move back to his beloved England. Jane reluctantly agrees. They pack up and move to an isolated tiny village called, Goswell in Cumbria where Andrew is originally from. In her new home, Jane finds what appears to be a very old grocery list from someone who used to live in the house. She begins to wonder about it. She tries to find out more about who lived there but is also trying to come to terms with her new life in England.
Alice's story begins in the late 1930's when she is living in Cambridge with her Father. One of her father's old pupils named David comes to visit. He is now a Vicar in Goswell and Alice falls in love with him. She is quite young still and marries David and moves far away from her father. She starts to feel isolated and lonely in the Vicarage and begins to struggle.
Ultimately both women are strong and the story is very captivating. It wraps up very nicely and I am quite eager to read the other books in the series.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this Advanced Listener Copy.
January 21, 2014
My Thoughts...
This is the first book I've read by this author, Katharine Swartz. If it were a movie it would be rated "G" or "PG." I, personally love a story that is a nice clean read, and not filled with profanity. This is a story that centers around two women, Jane Hatton, and Alice James. Both are facing the struggles of moving to a new place, (Goswell, England) and trying to fit into their new life. The two stories more or less mirror each other. Jane's story is the present-day story, whereas, Alice's story happened in the 1930-1945 era. The story weaves back and forth from Jane present-day to Alice in 1940s.
My only problem with the story was Jane, she was a self-absorbed and whiny, selfish person. She could only think of herself and what poor Jane was going through, and the wonderful life she left behind just to please her husband, afterall he was the one who wanted to move back to his home country, England. Enough said, I don't even want to get into what I thought of her. Now....
Alice's part of the story I rather enjoyed, she was a sweet naive 19 year old when she married her Vicar husband, (she is the wife in the title of the story, "The Vicar's Wife") David and moved to Goswell. However, after some ups and downs for her, she finally set her mind to being a sweet understanding person. Her husband went off to war, she took in a 12 year old girl, invited a mother and her son to live with her. In other words, she made the best of bad situations.
The story was a nice enjoyable read, even if I couldn't come to love Jane as much as Alice. However, I can still like a story even if I don't like one of the characters.
This book is a part of my Kindle library and I liked it enough to award it 4 lovely silver stars. Oh, did I forget to mention someone stole the silver from the vicarage, but who stole the silver, I wonder?
This is the first book I've read by this author, Katharine Swartz. If it were a movie it would be rated "G" or "PG." I, personally love a story that is a nice clean read, and not filled with profanity. This is a story that centers around two women, Jane Hatton, and Alice James. Both are facing the struggles of moving to a new place, (Goswell, England) and trying to fit into their new life. The two stories more or less mirror each other. Jane's story is the present-day story, whereas, Alice's story happened in the 1930-1945 era. The story weaves back and forth from Jane present-day to Alice in 1940s.
My only problem with the story was Jane, she was a self-absorbed and whiny, selfish person. She could only think of herself and what poor Jane was going through, and the wonderful life she left behind just to please her husband, afterall he was the one who wanted to move back to his home country, England. Enough said, I don't even want to get into what I thought of her. Now....
Alice's part of the story I rather enjoyed, she was a sweet naive 19 year old when she married her Vicar husband, (she is the wife in the title of the story, "The Vicar's Wife") David and moved to Goswell. However, after some ups and downs for her, she finally set her mind to being a sweet understanding person. Her husband went off to war, she took in a 12 year old girl, invited a mother and her son to live with her. In other words, she made the best of bad situations.
The story was a nice enjoyable read, even if I couldn't come to love Jane as much as Alice. However, I can still like a story even if I don't like one of the characters.
This book is a part of my Kindle library and I liked it enough to award it 4 lovely silver stars. Oh, did I forget to mention someone stole the silver from the vicarage, but who stole the silver, I wonder?
January 1, 2024
Audio pub date: 26 Jan 2023
Previous name: The Vicar’s Wife
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt follows the lives of two women living in the same vicarage … some eighty years apart in time.
Present day, Jane and her husband have uprooted their family from fast-paced New York City to small and quiet Goswell. 1939, Alice has just married the love of her life and has to adjust as a vicar’s wife in this tiny town of Goswell. Their dual timelines are parallel with two women who are forced into a life they never expected for themselves and into a home that doesn’t feel like home.
I felt like Jane’s story took the front, but Alice’s had me begging for more chapters.
I had a lot of different feelings about Jane as I came to understand her as a businessperson, mother, wife, and woman. Jane isn’t perfect. She definitely has her selfish moments. She agreed to move for her husband, but mentally she’s kicking and screaming the whole time. Her lack of acceptance begins to cause issues with her family, marriage, and mental well-being.
Alice was similar, yet different. She didn’t realize what she was getting into when she married the vicar. She was very young and wasn’t what the town wanted out of a vicar’s wife. This leads her to feeling isolated from even her own staff.
I would recommend this for somebody who loves historical, women, and family fiction. I wouldn’t classify it as romance tbh, but it’s listed as such. The narrator was fantastic for this book, even using minor accents that didn’t seem fake and ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complementary audio!
Previous name: The Vicar’s Wife
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt follows the lives of two women living in the same vicarage … some eighty years apart in time.
Present day, Jane and her husband have uprooted their family from fast-paced New York City to small and quiet Goswell. 1939, Alice has just married the love of her life and has to adjust as a vicar’s wife in this tiny town of Goswell. Their dual timelines are parallel with two women who are forced into a life they never expected for themselves and into a home that doesn’t feel like home.
I felt like Jane’s story took the front, but Alice’s had me begging for more chapters.
I had a lot of different feelings about Jane as I came to understand her as a businessperson, mother, wife, and woman. Jane isn’t perfect. She definitely has her selfish moments. She agreed to move for her husband, but mentally she’s kicking and screaming the whole time. Her lack of acceptance begins to cause issues with her family, marriage, and mental well-being.
Alice was similar, yet different. She didn’t realize what she was getting into when she married the vicar. She was very young and wasn’t what the town wanted out of a vicar’s wife. This leads her to feeling isolated from even her own staff.
I would recommend this for somebody who loves historical, women, and family fiction. I wouldn’t classify it as romance tbh, but it’s listed as such. The narrator was fantastic for this book, even using minor accents that didn’t seem fake and ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complementary audio!
February 5, 2014
The Vicar’s Wife was such a delight to read. I drank in every word and enjoyed it so very much.
The beautiful, cold, blustery setting and the wonderful culture oozed from the pages.
I enjoyed getting to slowly uncover the layers of this story of two women, worlds (and time) apart.
The connection was the vicarage, both Alice and Jane lived under its glorious roof.
As I read, I felt I was there too…sipping tea near the warm, cosy fireplace.
Jane was miserable in her lot, though she had agreed with her husband to move- she left her heart in New York and secretly longed to return.
Alice happily moved into the vicarage to begin a new life with her husband, only to discover she wasn’t measuring up to her own expectations.
I found myself enjoying Alice’s side of the story, she was such a giving character…loving her husband and desiring to please him.
Jane’s story was more glumly and I found myself aggravated with her unwillingness to fully give herself to this new adventure….but it is easy to point the finger, I too have been there, unwilling to surrender.
This story was such a joy to read! I highly recommend it and I enjoyed every single moment.
The beautiful, cold, blustery setting and the wonderful culture oozed from the pages.
I enjoyed getting to slowly uncover the layers of this story of two women, worlds (and time) apart.
The connection was the vicarage, both Alice and Jane lived under its glorious roof.
As I read, I felt I was there too…sipping tea near the warm, cosy fireplace.
Jane was miserable in her lot, though she had agreed with her husband to move- she left her heart in New York and secretly longed to return.
Alice happily moved into the vicarage to begin a new life with her husband, only to discover she wasn’t measuring up to her own expectations.
I found myself enjoying Alice’s side of the story, she was such a giving character…loving her husband and desiring to please him.
Jane’s story was more glumly and I found myself aggravated with her unwillingness to fully give herself to this new adventure….but it is easy to point the finger, I too have been there, unwilling to surrender.
This story was such a joy to read! I highly recommend it and I enjoyed every single moment.
December 27, 2015
I wanted to enjoy this book but somehow I found it heavy going as I wasn't especially interested in either of the main characters. It is the story of Jane in the present day who has moved with her husband and children from New York to Cumbria to the village of Goswell. They have bought the old vicarage and Jane finds a shopping list made by a previous inhabitant of the vicarage and wonders about her.
Jane herself is finding it difficult to settle in Goswell just as Alice - her predecessor from the nineteen thirties did before her. The books narrates their stories in alternate chapters. I found I didn't really care what happened to either Jane or Alice after about the first fifty pages. I think there are a great many books with similar themes around at the moment and it is starting to seem as though if you've read one you've read them all.
If you like this interweaving of past and present I'm sure you will enjoy this book as it is well written but as I say it just wasn't the book for me. I received a free copy of this book for NetGalley for review.
Jane herself is finding it difficult to settle in Goswell just as Alice - her predecessor from the nineteen thirties did before her. The books narrates their stories in alternate chapters. I found I didn't really care what happened to either Jane or Alice after about the first fifty pages. I think there are a great many books with similar themes around at the moment and it is starting to seem as though if you've read one you've read them all.
If you like this interweaving of past and present I'm sure you will enjoy this book as it is well written but as I say it just wasn't the book for me. I received a free copy of this book for NetGalley for review.
November 17, 2022
It is 1939 and Alice was pleased to marry a local vicar, although this would require her to make a difficult move. During the early years of their marriage they both suffered great loss. With World War II underway, Alice’s husband David enlists as he feels that he can do a lot of good for the men fighting. Alice is not left completely alone, however, as the village has agreed to take in dozens of evacuees and soon Alice has twelve-year-old Vera in her care. The pair have a lot of difficulties, making it very difficult for Alice to warm to Vera. It might be slow, but I love the transition that occurs between them.
This book also takes place in present day with our character Jane. Her husband Andrew got the opportunity to return to his home with a new job. So the couple with their three children are now transitioning to a new life. This is especially hard for Jane because having lived in New York her entire life, she was a busy woman who had satisfying work. Now life is very different for her in the quiet village of Goswell. While her heart longs to be back at home, despite how much she loves her family, she does find a good distraction when she discovers a shopping list in her pantry, a shopping list that goes back to the 1930s. Jane becomes very curious and starts to do research, and this research leads her to discover that a couple once lived in the vicarage where Jane and her family now live. She learns that the wife’s name was Alice and Jane does what she can to learn about her life.
The Wife’s Promise is the wonderful first book in a delightful quartet by Kate Hewitt. Although Jane and Alice’s lives might have been separated by many, many years, the fact that they both lived in the same house proved to be very enlightening for Jane. Their stories differed as much as they paralleled which made this book quite a lovely read. This book delivered a wonderful message. The message of love, change, and growth. Both timelines were just as intriguing. In Jane’s case as I wondered if she would ever adapt to living so far from home. Then when you consider Alice and her taking in a preteen after so many tragedies and loss, her heartbreaking story turned into one of hope. What a wonderful start to a series that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/77sgQYHANy4
This book also takes place in present day with our character Jane. Her husband Andrew got the opportunity to return to his home with a new job. So the couple with their three children are now transitioning to a new life. This is especially hard for Jane because having lived in New York her entire life, she was a busy woman who had satisfying work. Now life is very different for her in the quiet village of Goswell. While her heart longs to be back at home, despite how much she loves her family, she does find a good distraction when she discovers a shopping list in her pantry, a shopping list that goes back to the 1930s. Jane becomes very curious and starts to do research, and this research leads her to discover that a couple once lived in the vicarage where Jane and her family now live. She learns that the wife’s name was Alice and Jane does what she can to learn about her life.
The Wife’s Promise is the wonderful first book in a delightful quartet by Kate Hewitt. Although Jane and Alice’s lives might have been separated by many, many years, the fact that they both lived in the same house proved to be very enlightening for Jane. Their stories differed as much as they paralleled which made this book quite a lovely read. This book delivered a wonderful message. The message of love, change, and growth. Both timelines were just as intriguing. In Jane’s case as I wondered if she would ever adapt to living so far from home. Then when you consider Alice and her taking in a preteen after so many tragedies and loss, her heartbreaking story turned into one of hope. What a wonderful start to a series that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/77sgQYHANy4
October 10, 2022
My first book in this series We start this series by meeting Jane who's moving country with her husband and kids. Jane struggles to find herself in the UK compare to New York.
We also meet Alice who lived in the house 70 years ago. Alice is 20 years old and loves reading other skills are not her first she meet David and married him and moved to Goswell.
Reading both these woman's journeys. Each woman has her troubles whilst adjusting to the Goswell.
I like reading each other's stories as very unique but shows how each one had their struggles and had to deal with them in the same place.
We also meet Alice who lived in the house 70 years ago. Alice is 20 years old and loves reading other skills are not her first she meet David and married him and moved to Goswell.
Reading both these woman's journeys. Each woman has her troubles whilst adjusting to the Goswell.
I like reading each other's stories as very unique but shows how each one had their struggles and had to deal with them in the same place.
September 18, 2024
"The Wife's Promise: A totally escapist WWII historical fiction novel" isn't really a book about WWII. It's a book about relationships and a lot of moping unhappy women, one of whom had good reason to be unhappy, but who is misogynistically portrayed as being at fault.
February 3, 2025
A really good example of how one’s attitude can lead to acceptance or rejection.
April 20, 2025
WWII/ contemporary. Two women who lived in the same vicarage house. Village life in England. Life changes. Grief. Home.
September 16, 2014
A dual story of a war-time (WW2) vicar's wife and a modern-day wife who is struggling with balancing career and the appeal of a city life, with the desire of her husband to move back home to the English countryside.
Jane decides she hates the new home in the country. It is drafty and cold, and the lifestyle is (putting it bluntly) boring, compared to her old life in the city. She discovers an old paper with some writing on it when she is cleaning the pantry and her curiosity is piqued. Who lived in this house and wrote that list? The story unfolds as she seeks to find answers both to her personal dilemma and the past.
"The Vicar's Wife" was interesting and at times, maybe a little simplistic (as the story unfolds it is fairly predictable) but I enjoyed reading about life in the country and the way it was contrasted with American-city life. The author has chosen a difficult topic, as many readers will empathise with Jane's desire to retain her career and juggle her responsibilities as a wife and mother. However, I did feel the problem was solved far too easily and with little explanation (since most of the story was drawn out until suddenly....Jane has made her decision).
"Do you not want to work any more? Is that why you stopped?"
"Well - " Jane broke off before she'd even formed a reply because the truth was, she didn't know what to say. Did she not want to work any more? Certainly not the crazy, consuming hours she'd had in New York, but forget work completely? Forever?
"I stopped because we moved here Merrie," she said at last, keeping her voice cheerful and mild. "And I'm glad for the break."
"But you'll go back? One day?" Merrie sounded anxious, and Jane couldn't tell if it was at the thought of her going back to work - or not going back.
"I don't know. I don't know if I could find the kind of job I'm suited for here. West Cumbria wasn't exactly brimming with employment opportunities."
Jane irritated me at times, as I found her behavior a bit too much to put up with! Andrew, her husband, also comes with his own idiosyncrasies. From seeming to change from a sudden decision to move the entire family back to England (autocratic?) to being the perfect husband who allows his wife to return to New York for a month and pick up her old life with barely a quibble....well, there are some 'stretches' in the novel. However, I found "The Vicar's Wife" to be a fast read and enjoyable, and it is well worth a summer read on the lawn with a nice cup of ice tea (or on a rainy day with a cup of hot tea!)
Jane decides she hates the new home in the country. It is drafty and cold, and the lifestyle is (putting it bluntly) boring, compared to her old life in the city. She discovers an old paper with some writing on it when she is cleaning the pantry and her curiosity is piqued. Who lived in this house and wrote that list? The story unfolds as she seeks to find answers both to her personal dilemma and the past.
"The Vicar's Wife" was interesting and at times, maybe a little simplistic (as the story unfolds it is fairly predictable) but I enjoyed reading about life in the country and the way it was contrasted with American-city life. The author has chosen a difficult topic, as many readers will empathise with Jane's desire to retain her career and juggle her responsibilities as a wife and mother. However, I did feel the problem was solved far too easily and with little explanation (since most of the story was drawn out until suddenly....Jane has made her decision).
"Do you not want to work any more? Is that why you stopped?"
"Well - " Jane broke off before she'd even formed a reply because the truth was, she didn't know what to say. Did she not want to work any more? Certainly not the crazy, consuming hours she'd had in New York, but forget work completely? Forever?
"I stopped because we moved here Merrie," she said at last, keeping her voice cheerful and mild. "And I'm glad for the break."
"But you'll go back? One day?" Merrie sounded anxious, and Jane couldn't tell if it was at the thought of her going back to work - or not going back.
"I don't know. I don't know if I could find the kind of job I'm suited for here. West Cumbria wasn't exactly brimming with employment opportunities."
Jane irritated me at times, as I found her behavior a bit too much to put up with! Andrew, her husband, also comes with his own idiosyncrasies. From seeming to change from a sudden decision to move the entire family back to England (autocratic?) to being the perfect husband who allows his wife to return to New York for a month and pick up her old life with barely a quibble....well, there are some 'stretches' in the novel. However, I found "The Vicar's Wife" to be a fast read and enjoyable, and it is well worth a summer read on the lawn with a nice cup of ice tea (or on a rainy day with a cup of hot tea!)
February 8, 2014
The Vicar's Wife swaps between two women struggling with homesickness. Alice's story is told during the 1930s-40s. She is young(19) when she marries the love of her life. She doesn't know how to cook or clean or crochet like a "good" vicar's wife would do. Knowing only a life with her father, it's quite an adjustment when she moves to a new home with her husband, David. Life doesn't turn out like she expected.
Jane moves to Cumbria after her daughter is negatively influenced by her friends in the U.S. and her husband declares his desire to move back to his homeland. Her husband is British, and he's made the sacrifice for her for the past 16 years to live in New York, after all. It's what any good wife would do. She has a difficult time adjusting to her new life, to say the least.
When Jane finds an old shopping list, she starts doing a little research and discovers that her and Alice shared a bit of the same heartache.
While this book is a bit depressing, I still found it to be a beautiful, cozy(ish) read. I fell in love with Alice's character. She was sweet and innocent, but still had her struggles. There was one part of me that could relate to Jane. I'm suffering through some intense winter blues, and I could feel her pain. On the other hand, I didn't so much connect with her. I long for a life of simplicity, and she can't bear it. She's left behind a world of "go-go-go" and she misses it. I was a little jealous of the cozy little world she couldn't seem to live with.
A couple of things to note:
I wouldn't label this book "Christian" at all. It is clean, though(very mild profanity). Also, if you're looking for a romance, you won't get it in this book. Surprisingly, these two factors made me enjoy the book more. Maybe it's the kind of mood I'm in right now!
Overall, I enjoyed my time in this relaxing English village, even it it did come with pain and heartbreak.
*Thanks to Kregel Publications for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Jane moves to Cumbria after her daughter is negatively influenced by her friends in the U.S. and her husband declares his desire to move back to his homeland. Her husband is British, and he's made the sacrifice for her for the past 16 years to live in New York, after all. It's what any good wife would do. She has a difficult time adjusting to her new life, to say the least.
When Jane finds an old shopping list, she starts doing a little research and discovers that her and Alice shared a bit of the same heartache.
While this book is a bit depressing, I still found it to be a beautiful, cozy(ish) read. I fell in love with Alice's character. She was sweet and innocent, but still had her struggles. There was one part of me that could relate to Jane. I'm suffering through some intense winter blues, and I could feel her pain. On the other hand, I didn't so much connect with her. I long for a life of simplicity, and she can't bear it. She's left behind a world of "go-go-go" and she misses it. I was a little jealous of the cozy little world she couldn't seem to live with.
A couple of things to note:
I wouldn't label this book "Christian" at all. It is clean, though(very mild profanity). Also, if you're looking for a romance, you won't get it in this book. Surprisingly, these two factors made me enjoy the book more. Maybe it's the kind of mood I'm in right now!
Overall, I enjoyed my time in this relaxing English village, even it it did come with pain and heartbreak.
*Thanks to Kregel Publications for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 5, 2023
Audio pub date: 26 Jan 2023
Previous name: The Vicar’s Wife
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt follows the lives of two women living in the same vicarage … some eighty years apart in time.
Present day, Jane and her husband have uprooted their family from fast-paced New York City to small and quiet Goswell. 1939, Alice has just married the love of her life and has to adjust as a vicar’s wife in this tiny town of Goswell. Their dual timelines are parallel with two women who are forced into a life they never expected for themselves and into a home that doesn’t feel like home.
I felt like Jane’s story took the front, but Alice’s had me begging for more chapters.
I had a lot of different feelings about Jane as I came to understand her as a businessperson, mother, wife, and woman. Jane isn’t perfect. She definitely has her selfish moments. She agreed to move for her husband, but mentally she’s kicking and screaming the whole time. Her lack of acceptance begins to cause issues with her family, marriage, and mental well-being.
Alice was similar, yet different. She didn’t realize what she was getting into when she married the vicar. She was very young and wasn’t what the town wanted out of a vicar’s wife. This leads her to feeling isolated from even her own staff.
I would recommend this for somebody who loves historical, women, and family fiction. I wouldn’t classify it as romance tbh, but it’s listed as such. The narrator was fantastic for this book, even using minor accents that didn’t seem fake and ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complementary audio!
Previous name: The Vicar’s Wife
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wife’s Promise by Kate Hewitt follows the lives of two women living in the same vicarage … some eighty years apart in time.
Present day, Jane and her husband have uprooted their family from fast-paced New York City to small and quiet Goswell. 1939, Alice has just married the love of her life and has to adjust as a vicar’s wife in this tiny town of Goswell. Their dual timelines are parallel with two women who are forced into a life they never expected for themselves and into a home that doesn’t feel like home.
I felt like Jane’s story took the front, but Alice’s had me begging for more chapters.
I had a lot of different feelings about Jane as I came to understand her as a businessperson, mother, wife, and woman. Jane isn’t perfect. She definitely has her selfish moments. She agreed to move for her husband, but mentally she’s kicking and screaming the whole time. Her lack of acceptance begins to cause issues with her family, marriage, and mental well-being.
Alice was similar, yet different. She didn’t realize what she was getting into when she married the vicar. She was very young and wasn’t what the town wanted out of a vicar’s wife. This leads her to feeling isolated from even her own staff.
I would recommend this for somebody who loves historical, women, and family fiction. I wouldn’t classify it as romance tbh, but it’s listed as such. The narrator was fantastic for this book, even using minor accents that didn’t seem fake and ridiculous.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complementary audio!
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