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Secrets and Promises
Bessie Rushbrook has a secret.
A haunting secret, which she’s carried with her since the days of the First World War.
Norfolk, July,1944 - with the world at war again for the second time in a generation, warmhearted Bessie takes in Marigold, an evacuee girl, giving her a safe home away from the dangers in London. Marigold’s arrival starts a chain of events which force Bessie to face the truth, and reveal her secret to those she loves. Will they accept what she did, or will it tear the family she holds so dear apart?
A haunting secret, which she’s carried with her since the days of the First World War.
Norfolk, July,1944 - with the world at war again for the second time in a generation, warmhearted Bessie takes in Marigold, an evacuee girl, giving her a safe home away from the dangers in London. Marigold’s arrival starts a chain of events which force Bessie to face the truth, and reveal her secret to those she loves. Will they accept what she did, or will it tear the family she holds so dear apart?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2013
About the author
Kate Jackson
18 books3 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 6, 2021
Having just read rosie Hendry secrets and promises I have to rate it 5 ***** definitely a brilliant book didnt expect to finish it in one day but couldnt put it down really enjoyed it x
July 2, 2023
A well written, believable war story, set in the last year of WW2 and the last year of WW1. I liked the different points of view and the stories from both wars and how they intermingled. I guessed the secret early on, but this didn’t detract from the story.
April 10, 2021
Just wonderful
1944 Rackbridge Norfolk, Bessie Rushbrook is waiting at the station for the Norwich train, waiting for Grace. She is arriving from war torn London with her daughter Marigold, but a woman Helen MacDonald gets out of the end carriage with the child and hands her safely over. Eight years old Marigold is taking home to Orchard farm in a village called Rackbridge, and Bessie has promised Grace that she will be well cared for and the secrets they have will remain that, she promised, Peter is hanging on the gate to greet marigolds arrival and inside so is Harry Bessie husband and Dottie and Prune the two timber Jill's, it was all so strange to the little girl and the farm is so beautiful and different the house is converted out of two railway carriages, and she settles in well. Secrets and Promises is such a delightful warming read as it takes us through the months of life in Norfolk and also London, we also get to read parts of Bessies diary of her love growing for Harry in the first war. It's such an inspirational read that I could not fault right through to the end.
1944 Rackbridge Norfolk, Bessie Rushbrook is waiting at the station for the Norwich train, waiting for Grace. She is arriving from war torn London with her daughter Marigold, but a woman Helen MacDonald gets out of the end carriage with the child and hands her safely over. Eight years old Marigold is taking home to Orchard farm in a village called Rackbridge, and Bessie has promised Grace that she will be well cared for and the secrets they have will remain that, she promised, Peter is hanging on the gate to greet marigolds arrival and inside so is Harry Bessie husband and Dottie and Prune the two timber Jill's, it was all so strange to the little girl and the farm is so beautiful and different the house is converted out of two railway carriages, and she settles in well. Secrets and Promises is such a delightful warming read as it takes us through the months of life in Norfolk and also London, we also get to read parts of Bessies diary of her love growing for Harry in the first war. It's such an inspirational read that I could not fault right through to the end.
April 8, 2021
COTTON CANDY CLOUDS.❤
Firstly I would like to thank Rosie Hendry for an outstandingly beautiful book.
In secrets and Promises a journey from the great war and ww2 take shape and we learn how Bessie and Harry meet and cope with all that's flung at them there lives and there aspirations in life, will it working down on the farm with young Peter an evacuee from Austria sadly his crime in life is to be born Jewish the two lumberjills who had different secrets and young Marigold who was the apple of everyone's eye was taken out of London by her mum Grace for her safety from the v2 bombs an amazing cast of worthies who keep you wondering and guessing the whole journey I read this book in 1 day it felt like being wrapped up in cotton wool I just adored it from beinging to end and can highly recommend this outstandingly beautifully book.❤
Firstly I would like to thank Rosie Hendry for an outstandingly beautiful book.
In secrets and Promises a journey from the great war and ww2 take shape and we learn how Bessie and Harry meet and cope with all that's flung at them there lives and there aspirations in life, will it working down on the farm with young Peter an evacuee from Austria sadly his crime in life is to be born Jewish the two lumberjills who had different secrets and young Marigold who was the apple of everyone's eye was taken out of London by her mum Grace for her safety from the v2 bombs an amazing cast of worthies who keep you wondering and guessing the whole journey I read this book in 1 day it felt like being wrapped up in cotton wool I just adored it from beinging to end and can highly recommend this outstandingly beautifully book.❤
April 14, 2021
This is a lovely insight into the life of Bessie Rushbrook after she takes in Marigold an eight year old evacuee.Its 1944 and life for marigold in london is too dangerous so her mother Grace contacts Bessie and asks that she and Harry look after her as she knows she will safe in Norfolk.Taking in Marigold stirs up memories in Bessie but she made a promise and she has kept it but reading her diary from when she was a VAD in the great war brings it all back.When Grace is hurt in london Bessie goes to see her and to find out how badly hurt she is.When Bessie returns home she is worried about Harry and what his reaction will be.I have really loved reading this book and if i could i would give it more stars.5*
April 10, 2021
Wonderful ww2 story
I loved this book from start to finish especially as it’s set in norfolk and mentions Norwich where I was born so could relate totally to the story learning all about the lives of Bessie and Harry and their family during ww2 another great book from the very talented Rosie hendry I love all her books
I loved this book from start to finish especially as it’s set in norfolk and mentions Norwich where I was born so could relate totally to the story learning all about the lives of Bessie and Harry and their family during ww2 another great book from the very talented Rosie hendry I love all her books
May 20, 2023
Secrets and Promises!!!
Rosie Hendry has not written a book that I haven't loved. Her writing makes you feel like you. are with her characters from the beginning page and a part of their lives;!!!
Please read about Bessie, Harry, Peter and Marigolds and ever one on the farm during WW 2.
Rosie Hendry has not written a book that I haven't loved. Her writing makes you feel like you. are with her characters from the beginning page and a part of their lives;!!!
Please read about Bessie, Harry, Peter and Marigolds and ever one on the farm during WW 2.
June 21, 2022
Promises and secrets
Rose 🌹Hendry does a fantastic job Depicting WWII and all that it implies..While Making you fall in love with the Characters..Marigold Peter and Prune
Just to name a few!
Rose 🌹Hendry does a fantastic job Depicting WWII and all that it implies..While Making you fall in love with the Characters..Marigold Peter and Prune
Just to name a few!
Read
March 9, 2024Secrets and Promises Kept
I so enjoyed this World War 2 novel. I loved the twist and turns the story took. It kept me so interest to the very end. The characters were so human with all their flaws and mistakes. I was sorry to reach the end ..
I so enjoyed this World War 2 novel. I loved the twist and turns the story took. It kept me so interest to the very end. The characters were so human with all their flaws and mistakes. I was sorry to reach the end ..
Read
July 21, 2025Such a heart warming story
A really enjoyable read. I loved the characters and the storyline going backwards and forward in time. The outcome of each h characters storyline was what I'd hoped for.
A really enjoyable read. I loved the characters and the storyline going backwards and forward in time. The outcome of each h characters storyline was what I'd hoped for.
June 21, 2021
I found this a beautiful easy to read story I just could just not put it down. Another ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from Rosie.
January 4, 2022
Lovely read
This book was a lovely easy read and I enjoyed the story line very much. It's nice to read a book with so many happy ending for the characters.
This book was a lovely easy read and I enjoyed the story line very much. It's nice to read a book with so many happy ending for the characters.
July 9, 2022
Secrets and Promised by Rosie Hendry
I enjoyed this book very much. I give it 5 stars. I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I enjoyed this book very much. I give it 5 stars. I recommend this book to my family and friends.
November 13, 2022
When Bessie takes in a evacuee the little girl
Isn’t to no she isn’t a stranger Set in WWII this
Beautiful story is about love friendship and secrets
Isn’t to no she isn’t a stranger Set in WWII this
Beautiful story is about love friendship and secrets
March 15, 2024
good little book
December 20, 2024
I enjoyed this
May 4, 2021
This book was incredible, Rosie Hendry is becoming one of those authors who’s books I just adore and will definitely be an automatic buy author now. This book intrigued me as the blurb didn’t give too much away and I knew there was more to the story. I loved the flashbacks from Bessie’s diary and just fell in love with the characters. The setting of Norfolk was incredible and each time I would pick the book up I would be transported into the little world this book was part of. I was shocked by certain twists in the storyline and didn’t expect them at all but loved this book so much.
February 7, 2022
This book is another great one by Rosie Hendry (also known as Kate Jackson)
This starts in 1944 on Orchard Farm where Bessie lives with husband Harry, timber Jills Dottie & Prune plus refugee Peter who came age 7 just before the war
She takes in Marigold after her mum Grace writes asking so she is away from the doodlebug
As you read this book you learn more about Bessie when she was a VAD in WW1
You learn what the secrets & promises are
I really enjoyed the book & while the ending was tidy I do feel that a epilogue would have been very nice to finish off
This starts in 1944 on Orchard Farm where Bessie lives with husband Harry, timber Jills Dottie & Prune plus refugee Peter who came age 7 just before the war
She takes in Marigold after her mum Grace writes asking so she is away from the doodlebug
As you read this book you learn more about Bessie when she was a VAD in WW1
You learn what the secrets & promises are
I really enjoyed the book & while the ending was tidy I do feel that a epilogue would have been very nice to finish off
April 25, 2021
A warm feel good read that is slightly different in it’s location from Rosie’s usual books but just as good and the first stand-alone that I have read. Despite going through two of the worst parts of our world history, Bessie and her family are lucky that apart from the worry of having loved ones away , they escape the constant attacks that the characters in her other books faced . I do hope that in time , Rosie will revisit Norfolk and we get to meet some of these characters again.
August 11, 2016
a real sunny day holiday read a romance set in WWII on a farm and in London a story of family secrets and the effect the war has on a family a fab romance
March 12, 2025
Amazing, great story, look forward to reading more of Rosie Hendry’s fab books
July 7, 2025
Marigold is taken to someone her Mum knew during the first world war, but she is not all she seems, read it to find out. I couldn't put it down
January 6, 2014
Excellent story, although the spelling mistakes got a bit annoying.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews