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The Secrets of the Rose
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2025
451 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Cornick
222 books1,167 followersInternational bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes dual-time historical mysteries that draw on her love for genealogy and local history. She studied History at London and Oxford and worked in academia for a number of years before becoming a full time author. Nicola acts as a guide and researcher at the stunning 17th century hunting lodge, Ashdown House and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Lydiard Park in Swindon. She gives talks and tours on a variety of historical topics.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
March 2, 2025
This is a fabulous story it is a long time since I have read one of Nicola Cornick’s books and I am so glad I picked this one up, set over two time lines centuries apart in the same home and town we meet Dorothy Forester during the Jacobite Rebellion and Hannah Armstrong in the present, the story is intriguing, so well written and it was hard to put down.
1715 the country is on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forester lives in Bamburgh Hall with her ailing father, her older brother, Thomas is away at parliament in London and younger brother Nicholas is as Oxford, but trouble is brewing and Dorothy gets caught between the warring factions, all she want is to keep her family safe and then there is the mystery of The Rose a talisman that is hundreds of years old and it is said that her family is the keeper of The Rose and she knows she must keep it safe from falling into the wrong hands. The local blacksmith John Armstrong is there to support and help Dorothy and they get closer throughout the trying times.
Present times Hannah has returned home to Bamburgh to write a biography on a local hero Grace Darling but when she arrives she finds that her step-mother Diana is not well and that she has kept things from Hannah about her brother Brandon and Hannah is determined to get to the truth and this brings her to researching Dorothy Forester another local heroine during the Jacobite Rebellion and the more she digs the more she seems to think that there is a lot more to this myth about The Rose and is there a chance that somehow she is linked to The Rose as well and then danger arrives and like in her past there is someone there to save her Aaron her teenage crush, will they find the answers to the myths and secrets that abound around The Rose?
Nicola Cornick has researched and come up with a story that is intriguing, magical and has the reader thinking about myth, legend and facts, the characters are so very good and I felt a connection to them from the start, well most of them there are some that show their true self and I have no problem highly recommending this one to any reader and lover of a good historical story with a touch of everything in it. I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books
1715 the country is on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forester lives in Bamburgh Hall with her ailing father, her older brother, Thomas is away at parliament in London and younger brother Nicholas is as Oxford, but trouble is brewing and Dorothy gets caught between the warring factions, all she want is to keep her family safe and then there is the mystery of The Rose a talisman that is hundreds of years old and it is said that her family is the keeper of The Rose and she knows she must keep it safe from falling into the wrong hands. The local blacksmith John Armstrong is there to support and help Dorothy and they get closer throughout the trying times.
Present times Hannah has returned home to Bamburgh to write a biography on a local hero Grace Darling but when she arrives she finds that her step-mother Diana is not well and that she has kept things from Hannah about her brother Brandon and Hannah is determined to get to the truth and this brings her to researching Dorothy Forester another local heroine during the Jacobite Rebellion and the more she digs the more she seems to think that there is a lot more to this myth about The Rose and is there a chance that somehow she is linked to The Rose as well and then danger arrives and like in her past there is someone there to save her Aaron her teenage crush, will they find the answers to the myths and secrets that abound around The Rose?
Nicola Cornick has researched and come up with a story that is intriguing, magical and has the reader thinking about myth, legend and facts, the characters are so very good and I felt a connection to them from the start, well most of them there are some that show their true self and I have no problem highly recommending this one to any reader and lover of a good historical story with a touch of everything in it. I loved it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books
February 12, 2025
I like Nicola Cornick’s books because you always know what to expect from them, but at the same time each one is different and has something new to offer. With The Secrets of the Rose, her latest novel published this month, I got exactly what I knew I would get: a dual timeline narrative, strong female protagonists, a search for an historic relic that has found its way into the present, cameo appearances by characters from other Cornick novels, and hints of the supernatural. However, I also had the opportunity to learn about a woman I’ve never read about before – Dorothy Forster of Bamburgh Hall.
In the present day, we meet Hannah Armstrong, an author working on a new book about Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter who became a 19th century celebrity after helping her father to rescue the survivors of a shipwreck. In order to research the biography, Hannah has returned to Bamburgh, the village on the Northumberland coast where she grew up and which she can use as a base for visiting the Darlings’ lighthouse in the nearby Farne Islands. Unfortunately, Hannah is finding that she has very little interest in Grace and her life – the woman she really wants to write about is another local heroine, Dorothy Forster.
Dorothy’s story unfolds in 1715, the year of the Jacobite Rising when supporters of the exiled James Edward Stuart attempted to restore him to the throne. Dorothy, who is living at Bamburgh Hall with her ailing father, is alarmed when she learns that her two brothers, Thomas and Nicholas, have been persuaded by one of the Jacobite leaders, the Earl of Derwentwater to join the rebellion. As the nephews of Lord Crewe of Bamburgh Castle, not only will their involvement put their own lives at risk, it could also leave the whole family in danger. Then Dorothy discovers that the Forsters are the keepers of the Rose, a legendary talisman that both sides in the conflict believe could be the key to victory. Can Dorothy hide the Rose from their enemies and keep her brothers safe?
These two storylines start to come together when Hannah goes to stay at Bamburgh Hall, her stepmother Diana’s home, while researching her Grace Darling book. Here she finds a portrait of Dorothy Forster which appears to be full of Jacobite symbolism. As Hannah digs into Dorothy’s past, she learns about the Rose and its powers and begins to suspect that it may have survived into the 21st century. However, she’s not the only one who has come to that conclusion – it seems that someone else is also on the trail of the Rose and is prepared to go to any lengths to get their hands on it.
As is often the case with dual narrative books, I found that one storyline interested me more than the other and this time it was the Dorothy Forster one. There were a lot of things I liked about Hannah’s story as well – her relationship with her stepmother, a mystery surrounding her brother who seems to have fallen out with everyone in the village, a romance that begins to form with an old friend – but Dorothy’s was more exciting. Legend states that Dorothy rode to London on horseback to rescue her brother Thomas from Newgate Prison after the failed rebellion and Cornick does incorporate this episode into the novel, but also shows that there’s a lot more to Dorothy’s story than that. The Jacobite aspect of the novel plays out mainly in the background, far away from Bamburgh (although I did enjoy the brief appearances of the Earl of Derwentwater whom I first met in Anya Seton’s Devil Water) so the focus is more on Dorothy’s personal life and her relationships with family and friends.
I thought the novel was interesting enough without the magic talisman element and I’m not sure if it really added much to the plot. Still, Nicola Cornick’s books do usually have some supernatural touches and they’re not as strong here as in some of her others. I did love the setting – although I wouldn’t say I know Bamburgh well, I’ve been there a few times and enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of Hannah and Dorothy in two different centuries. And I was intrigued to find when I read the author’s note that Dorothy’s uncle, Guy Forster, and his wife also appear in Cornick’s previous book, The Other Gwyn Girl, which I haven’t read yet. The relationship between them is fictional, although they share the Forster name, but I do want to read that book anyway.
I really enjoyed The Secrets of the Rose, then, and would probably rank it in my top three Nicola Cornick novels so far, along with The Last Daughter and The Phantom Tree.
In the present day, we meet Hannah Armstrong, an author working on a new book about Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter who became a 19th century celebrity after helping her father to rescue the survivors of a shipwreck. In order to research the biography, Hannah has returned to Bamburgh, the village on the Northumberland coast where she grew up and which she can use as a base for visiting the Darlings’ lighthouse in the nearby Farne Islands. Unfortunately, Hannah is finding that she has very little interest in Grace and her life – the woman she really wants to write about is another local heroine, Dorothy Forster.
Dorothy’s story unfolds in 1715, the year of the Jacobite Rising when supporters of the exiled James Edward Stuart attempted to restore him to the throne. Dorothy, who is living at Bamburgh Hall with her ailing father, is alarmed when she learns that her two brothers, Thomas and Nicholas, have been persuaded by one of the Jacobite leaders, the Earl of Derwentwater to join the rebellion. As the nephews of Lord Crewe of Bamburgh Castle, not only will their involvement put their own lives at risk, it could also leave the whole family in danger. Then Dorothy discovers that the Forsters are the keepers of the Rose, a legendary talisman that both sides in the conflict believe could be the key to victory. Can Dorothy hide the Rose from their enemies and keep her brothers safe?
These two storylines start to come together when Hannah goes to stay at Bamburgh Hall, her stepmother Diana’s home, while researching her Grace Darling book. Here she finds a portrait of Dorothy Forster which appears to be full of Jacobite symbolism. As Hannah digs into Dorothy’s past, she learns about the Rose and its powers and begins to suspect that it may have survived into the 21st century. However, she’s not the only one who has come to that conclusion – it seems that someone else is also on the trail of the Rose and is prepared to go to any lengths to get their hands on it.
As is often the case with dual narrative books, I found that one storyline interested me more than the other and this time it was the Dorothy Forster one. There were a lot of things I liked about Hannah’s story as well – her relationship with her stepmother, a mystery surrounding her brother who seems to have fallen out with everyone in the village, a romance that begins to form with an old friend – but Dorothy’s was more exciting. Legend states that Dorothy rode to London on horseback to rescue her brother Thomas from Newgate Prison after the failed rebellion and Cornick does incorporate this episode into the novel, but also shows that there’s a lot more to Dorothy’s story than that. The Jacobite aspect of the novel plays out mainly in the background, far away from Bamburgh (although I did enjoy the brief appearances of the Earl of Derwentwater whom I first met in Anya Seton’s Devil Water) so the focus is more on Dorothy’s personal life and her relationships with family and friends.
I thought the novel was interesting enough without the magic talisman element and I’m not sure if it really added much to the plot. Still, Nicola Cornick’s books do usually have some supernatural touches and they’re not as strong here as in some of her others. I did love the setting – although I wouldn’t say I know Bamburgh well, I’ve been there a few times and enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of Hannah and Dorothy in two different centuries. And I was intrigued to find when I read the author’s note that Dorothy’s uncle, Guy Forster, and his wife also appear in Cornick’s previous book, The Other Gwyn Girl, which I haven’t read yet. The relationship between them is fictional, although they share the Forster name, but I do want to read that book anyway.
I really enjoyed The Secrets of the Rose, then, and would probably rank it in my top three Nicola Cornick novels so far, along with The Last Daughter and The Phantom Tree.
March 31, 2025
Nicola Cornick writes the most captivating fiction novels! I loved how beautifully this dual POV story between different timelines came together. The past of Dorothy Forster was intricately woven with the present storyline of Hannah Armstrong. The characters in this were vividly brought to life, and the history was rich and intriguing. I can't wait for her next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
February 28, 2025
THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE had all my favourite things - soulmates, Jacobites, a dual time line with two wonderful slow burn romances, a mysterious jewel/talisman and lots of fascinating historical details. In short, I loved it!
In 1715 at Bamburgh Hall Dorothy Forster’s life is turned upside down when her two brothers decide to join the Jacobite rebellion. Intelligent and independent, she tries to persuade them of their folly and avert disaster, but she’s a woman in a world ruled by men and no one listens to her. No one except the village blacksmith John Armstrong. (I fell totally in love with him!) There are unscrupulous villains putting her in danger but Dorothy has stalwart allies and a mysterious talisman that is supposed to protect its female owners. Can she prevail?
In the present, historian and biographer Hannah Armstrong returns to her childhood home Bamburgh Hall to work on a biography of local heroine Grace Darling. But she is soon sidetracked by another historical character, Dorothy Forster, as well as by her teenage crush Aaron Salter. Like Dorothy, Hannah has a feckless brother, Brendan, who will stop at nothing to obtain the mythical Rose talisman said to belong to their family. But he has no idea what it is or where it might be and neither does Hannah … or does she? Her story is perfectly intertwined with that of Dorothy, and Nicola Cornick’s skill in weaving them together is unparalleled! This story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page and I loved every moment!
In 1715 at Bamburgh Hall Dorothy Forster’s life is turned upside down when her two brothers decide to join the Jacobite rebellion. Intelligent and independent, she tries to persuade them of their folly and avert disaster, but she’s a woman in a world ruled by men and no one listens to her. No one except the village blacksmith John Armstrong. (I fell totally in love with him!) There are unscrupulous villains putting her in danger but Dorothy has stalwart allies and a mysterious talisman that is supposed to protect its female owners. Can she prevail?
In the present, historian and biographer Hannah Armstrong returns to her childhood home Bamburgh Hall to work on a biography of local heroine Grace Darling. But she is soon sidetracked by another historical character, Dorothy Forster, as well as by her teenage crush Aaron Salter. Like Dorothy, Hannah has a feckless brother, Brendan, who will stop at nothing to obtain the mythical Rose talisman said to belong to their family. But he has no idea what it is or where it might be and neither does Hannah … or does she? Her story is perfectly intertwined with that of Dorothy, and Nicola Cornick’s skill in weaving them together is unparalleled! This story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page and I loved every moment!
February 12, 2025
It’s another really good book by this author. The book is told through dual timelines, each one interesting. I found myself more caught up in the present day story than the past one. A perfect book for all historical fiction fans
March 23, 2025
4.5 ✨ RTC
January 29, 2025
Have you ever researched one person from the past for an assignment and found yourself gravitating toward another historical figure from a different era? Hannah Armstrong knows this feeling very well. She returns to her home in Bamburgh to write a biography about Grace Darling but is instead pulled towards an equally fascinating story of a Jacobite rebel. Dorothy Forster is a young woman who is trying to keep her family together as the world around her changes drastically. Can Dorothy protect her loved ones while fighting for her country and can Hannah find the truth hidden for far too long before it's too late? Two tales of courage, strength, and love are told in Nicola Cornick’s latest novel, “The Secrets of the Rose.”
I want to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been enjoying Nicola Cornick’s blend of modern-day and stories of the past to create thrilling novels, so when I heard that she had a new one coming out this year, I knew I wanted to read it. When I saw that it took place during the Jacobite Rebellion, it intrigued me because it is a period of English history that I am not familiar with and I wanted to learn more.
Let’s start with our friend from the past, Dorothy Forster. She was the daughter of Sir William Forster, the sister of Thomas and Nicholas Forster, and the niece of Lord Crewe. Dorothy is a strong independent young lady who does not want to get married and instead help her ailing father. It was a peaceful life until Earl Derwentwater convinced her brothers Thomas and Nicholas to the Jacobean cause to return Prince James Stuart to the throne, culminating in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. To top it all off, Dorothy finds out that her family, primarily the women in her family, are the Keepers of the Rose, a mythical talisman that both sides believe will make sure their victory is assured. When Dorothy’s brothers are taken prisoner, she must choose whether to leave her father and her beloved blacksmith John Armstrong, and travel to London or stay where it is safe.
Flash forward to the modern-day with Hannah Armstrong, a historian who came back home to study her latest subject, Grace Darling, a Victorian woman who saved her family and others from a shipwreck. It's been many years since Hannah has been home and there is a lot of tension once she arrives. Her step-mother Diana is hiding both medical and personal secrets from Hannah and her friends Alice and Aaron welcomes Hannah back with open arms. However, her estranged brother Brandon lurks in the shadows, searching for a particular portrait of Dorothy Forster and the Rose. Hannah has to piece the clues together while balancing her crazy social and romantic life before it is too late.
I found this a rather enjoyable novel and it was so fascinating to learn about not only Dorothy Forster and the Jacobite Rebellion but Grace Darling and her daring rescue. It was a thrilling romantic read full of twists, turns, and callbacks to Cornick’s previous novels. I hope that this novel will inspire more authors to explore the Jacobite Rebellion. If you want a novel that explores a moment in English history that does not get much attention with dynamic characters, I suggest you read, “The Secrets of the Rose” by Nicola Cornick.
I want to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been enjoying Nicola Cornick’s blend of modern-day and stories of the past to create thrilling novels, so when I heard that she had a new one coming out this year, I knew I wanted to read it. When I saw that it took place during the Jacobite Rebellion, it intrigued me because it is a period of English history that I am not familiar with and I wanted to learn more.
Let’s start with our friend from the past, Dorothy Forster. She was the daughter of Sir William Forster, the sister of Thomas and Nicholas Forster, and the niece of Lord Crewe. Dorothy is a strong independent young lady who does not want to get married and instead help her ailing father. It was a peaceful life until Earl Derwentwater convinced her brothers Thomas and Nicholas to the Jacobean cause to return Prince James Stuart to the throne, culminating in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. To top it all off, Dorothy finds out that her family, primarily the women in her family, are the Keepers of the Rose, a mythical talisman that both sides believe will make sure their victory is assured. When Dorothy’s brothers are taken prisoner, she must choose whether to leave her father and her beloved blacksmith John Armstrong, and travel to London or stay where it is safe.
Flash forward to the modern-day with Hannah Armstrong, a historian who came back home to study her latest subject, Grace Darling, a Victorian woman who saved her family and others from a shipwreck. It's been many years since Hannah has been home and there is a lot of tension once she arrives. Her step-mother Diana is hiding both medical and personal secrets from Hannah and her friends Alice and Aaron welcomes Hannah back with open arms. However, her estranged brother Brandon lurks in the shadows, searching for a particular portrait of Dorothy Forster and the Rose. Hannah has to piece the clues together while balancing her crazy social and romantic life before it is too late.
I found this a rather enjoyable novel and it was so fascinating to learn about not only Dorothy Forster and the Jacobite Rebellion but Grace Darling and her daring rescue. It was a thrilling romantic read full of twists, turns, and callbacks to Cornick’s previous novels. I hope that this novel will inspire more authors to explore the Jacobite Rebellion. If you want a novel that explores a moment in English history that does not get much attention with dynamic characters, I suggest you read, “The Secrets of the Rose” by Nicola Cornick.
July 9, 2025
3,7 stars
January 13, 2025
What another exciting and riveting historical dual timeline adventure by Nicola Cornick! I don’t think this author could write anything less than a 5 star novel as everything I have read of hers has been flawless. I was so engrossed in The Secrets of the Rose I did not realise I had come to the last page! What a powerful portrait of Dorothy Forster from the annals of Jacobite history. Also, Ms. Cornick has managed to create an equally strong female lead with Hannah Armstrong in the present day thread. I was cheering for both women equally and the parallels in their lives created an even stronger narrative that reflected in a special unified whole. Hannah exhibits her ancestor Dorothy’s brave and steadfast characteristics as she also deals with the troubles of her brother and secrets of her stepmother. Dorothy on the other hand had even more challenges due to the constraints on women of the era.
Dorothy Forster is a fascinating woman of the 1700’s who was up against some slippery enemies. A woman’s life then was ruled by the wishes of the men that surrounded them. But Dorothy being quite independent, manages to work around the challenges she faces. Her own brother Thomas is wrapped up in the Jacobite rebellion and leads his younger brother into dangerous territory. Labelled as traitors, their future is not looking very bright and Dorothy tries hard to help and protect her kin. With an ill father to care for, her journey ahead sees many challenges but thankfully she has the support of a hand full of good people as she navigates her way through a minefield of villains, while protecting the legendary talisman Rose and the men she loves.
Hanna Armstrong returns to Bamburgh Hall to work on a writing project she has been assigned: a biography of the Victorian heroine, Grace Darling, daughter of a local lighthouse keeper who helped her father rescue shipwreck survivors of 1838. But Hannah initially feels Grace’s heroism is ‘over-exaggerated until she visits the island with her old friend and things become clearer and her opinion changes. But also she must unravel the mystery that surrounds Dorothy from the past and her stepmother in the present who has been acting strange. What secrets has she been harbouring?
The Secrets of the Rose contains incredibly gorgeous description that transported me to the various locations and era (including outlines of Lindisfarne Castle). The haunting atmosphere that shrouds and enhances the settings—including Bamburgh Hall, is clearly felt in both past and present timelines. This all adds to the ghostly sketches and superstitious mystery that surrounds the legendary Rose and its believed powers. Ms Cornick certainly successfully creates tension, chills and splendour on her literary canvas. Plus the characters are distinct, well developed and delivered respectfully. We adore Dorothy’s kind yet fierce heart and Hanna’s intuitive mind and caring soul. These two ladies who are centuries apart hold some very common threads between them. They have the potential and make a huge difference in the lives of those who are close to them: including a few good men such as Aaron Salter and John Armstrong.
I loved this novel so much and could not put it down. It covers an interesting time period. Ms Cornick weaves history expertly into a fascinating fictional story. My only regret is that it had to come to a close! When the last page turned, my heart kept pondering the characters and eras these two women lived in. A definite must read for 2025! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
Dorothy Forster is a fascinating woman of the 1700’s who was up against some slippery enemies. A woman’s life then was ruled by the wishes of the men that surrounded them. But Dorothy being quite independent, manages to work around the challenges she faces. Her own brother Thomas is wrapped up in the Jacobite rebellion and leads his younger brother into dangerous territory. Labelled as traitors, their future is not looking very bright and Dorothy tries hard to help and protect her kin. With an ill father to care for, her journey ahead sees many challenges but thankfully she has the support of a hand full of good people as she navigates her way through a minefield of villains, while protecting the legendary talisman Rose and the men she loves.
Hanna Armstrong returns to Bamburgh Hall to work on a writing project she has been assigned: a biography of the Victorian heroine, Grace Darling, daughter of a local lighthouse keeper who helped her father rescue shipwreck survivors of 1838. But Hannah initially feels Grace’s heroism is ‘over-exaggerated until she visits the island with her old friend and things become clearer and her opinion changes. But also she must unravel the mystery that surrounds Dorothy from the past and her stepmother in the present who has been acting strange. What secrets has she been harbouring?
The Secrets of the Rose contains incredibly gorgeous description that transported me to the various locations and era (including outlines of Lindisfarne Castle). The haunting atmosphere that shrouds and enhances the settings—including Bamburgh Hall, is clearly felt in both past and present timelines. This all adds to the ghostly sketches and superstitious mystery that surrounds the legendary Rose and its believed powers. Ms Cornick certainly successfully creates tension, chills and splendour on her literary canvas. Plus the characters are distinct, well developed and delivered respectfully. We adore Dorothy’s kind yet fierce heart and Hanna’s intuitive mind and caring soul. These two ladies who are centuries apart hold some very common threads between them. They have the potential and make a huge difference in the lives of those who are close to them: including a few good men such as Aaron Salter and John Armstrong.
I loved this novel so much and could not put it down. It covers an interesting time period. Ms Cornick weaves history expertly into a fascinating fictional story. My only regret is that it had to come to a close! When the last page turned, my heart kept pondering the characters and eras these two women lived in. A definite must read for 2025! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
February 8, 2025
I really loved the way the author brought history to life in this absorbing read – her descriptions are stunning, with all those wonderful small details. And the characters were exceptionally well drawn, the writing so strong that I felt drawn into their lives.
In the present day, Hannah is back home in Bamburgh to research her next writing commission, a book about Grace Darling’s life – but she finds far more fascination in the life of Dorothy Forster and her involvement with the Jacobite cause around the time of the 1715 rebellion. But she’s also found that her stepmother is struggling with her health – well supported by her new partner, but influencing her decision to stay around rather longer than she’d originally planned. Meeting up with former friends, she finds that her absent brother might have ruffled a few feathers (putting it mildly…) – his planned return becomes something she’s rather dreading, and with good cause.
And then we have the story of Dorothy Forster herself – caring for her ailing father, her older brother a leading light for the Jacobite cause, her younger brother becoming far more involved than she’s comfortable with. And she’s promised in marriage to a vehement opponent of the cause, a match arranged by her controlling uncle who lives at the castle, when she’s already found a perhaps far less suitable man (in the eyes of others) who’s offered her his kindness and support.
I won’t tell the story, but I very much enjoyed the way it unfolded – the stories mirroring each other with their romantic elements and complications caused by errant brothers, the transitions between past and present smoothly handled, both narratives equally engaging. There’s plenty of well-written drama, twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, the mystery about the Rose and its significance at the book’s centre, and a touch of old magic that only enhanced the gripping story. The romantic elements are beautifully done, both relationships I really believed in, with the perfect emotional touch. And the historical detail was impeccably researched, used lightly to bring the past vividly to life – I felt entirely present at a time in history that I previously knew little about.
This is the first time I’ve read one of the author’s books, and I’ll certainly be reading more – and I’m really looking forward to my forthcoming visit to Bamburgh, with new insights into Dorothy’s compelling story. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and would very much recommend to others.
In the present day, Hannah is back home in Bamburgh to research her next writing commission, a book about Grace Darling’s life – but she finds far more fascination in the life of Dorothy Forster and her involvement with the Jacobite cause around the time of the 1715 rebellion. But she’s also found that her stepmother is struggling with her health – well supported by her new partner, but influencing her decision to stay around rather longer than she’d originally planned. Meeting up with former friends, she finds that her absent brother might have ruffled a few feathers (putting it mildly…) – his planned return becomes something she’s rather dreading, and with good cause.
And then we have the story of Dorothy Forster herself – caring for her ailing father, her older brother a leading light for the Jacobite cause, her younger brother becoming far more involved than she’s comfortable with. And she’s promised in marriage to a vehement opponent of the cause, a match arranged by her controlling uncle who lives at the castle, when she’s already found a perhaps far less suitable man (in the eyes of others) who’s offered her his kindness and support.
I won’t tell the story, but I very much enjoyed the way it unfolded – the stories mirroring each other with their romantic elements and complications caused by errant brothers, the transitions between past and present smoothly handled, both narratives equally engaging. There’s plenty of well-written drama, twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, the mystery about the Rose and its significance at the book’s centre, and a touch of old magic that only enhanced the gripping story. The romantic elements are beautifully done, both relationships I really believed in, with the perfect emotional touch. And the historical detail was impeccably researched, used lightly to bring the past vividly to life – I felt entirely present at a time in history that I previously knew little about.
This is the first time I’ve read one of the author’s books, and I’ll certainly be reading more – and I’m really looking forward to my forthcoming visit to Bamburgh, with new insights into Dorothy’s compelling story. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and would very much recommend to others.
February 12, 2025
*I voluntarily reviewed an e-copy of this book from Netgalley.
Once again, Nicola Cornick creates a dual-timeline novel that captures the imagination as well as your heart, making THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE simply unputdownable.
With two strong, intelligent female main characters, we are drawn deeply into a story that is emotional and compelling.
In the present day, Hannah has returned home to Bamburgh Hall to focus on her work but it soon becomes obvious that there are secrets hidden in the hall's depths and her stepmother knows more than she is letting on.
Bamburgh Hall is also the setting for Dorothy Forster but as it is 1715 Dorothy is living a much different life to Hannah. Restricted at every turn, Dorothy is fighting to protect those she loves and the Rose, a legendary talisman, that both sides of a dangerous rebellion will do anything to get their hands on. But can she make it through when the odds are heavily stacked against her?
With a stunning setting and characters that genuinely make you care about them, THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE by Nicola Cornick is a wonderful read from beginning to end. History is effortlessly interwoven with elements of danger, love, and the formidable strength of women, making Nicola Cornick one of the best dual-timeline writers ever. A must-read in every way, THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE needs to be next on your reading list for 2025.
Once again, Nicola Cornick creates a dual-timeline novel that captures the imagination as well as your heart, making THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE simply unputdownable.
With two strong, intelligent female main characters, we are drawn deeply into a story that is emotional and compelling.
In the present day, Hannah has returned home to Bamburgh Hall to focus on her work but it soon becomes obvious that there are secrets hidden in the hall's depths and her stepmother knows more than she is letting on.
Bamburgh Hall is also the setting for Dorothy Forster but as it is 1715 Dorothy is living a much different life to Hannah. Restricted at every turn, Dorothy is fighting to protect those she loves and the Rose, a legendary talisman, that both sides of a dangerous rebellion will do anything to get their hands on. But can she make it through when the odds are heavily stacked against her?
With a stunning setting and characters that genuinely make you care about them, THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE by Nicola Cornick is a wonderful read from beginning to end. History is effortlessly interwoven with elements of danger, love, and the formidable strength of women, making Nicola Cornick one of the best dual-timeline writers ever. A must-read in every way, THE SECRETS OF THE ROSE needs to be next on your reading list for 2025.
September 8, 2025
I struggled with this one. I thought the first half or so to be slow and quite heavy-going. I couldn’t connect with the characters in either time period and felt the story took a long time to get going. It was only until the final chapters that I felt the excitement building.
Reading this book made me realise that I am someone who does prefer shorter chapters. This one has very lengthy chapters and I found I was reading the book and hoping for some definite breaks. On the one hand, I sometimes rushed a chapter to get to the end; other times it took longer than my usual reading speed because I struggled to keep interested in the plot. I definitely think the pace of the story would have improved with having more chapters, but this is just a personal preference.
I liked that Cornick presents a different time period to one I usually read about. In the past narrative, Dorothy is living in a world where there are rebels uprising against the throne (nothing unusual there!), supportive of the Jacobean reign. However, Dorothy is pulled into this political war with her brothers’ involvement. Under scrutiny, Dorothy feels trapped as a single woman and vulnerable with her weak father.
However, there is more to this story as when the novel opens, we learn that Dorothy seems to have a spiritual connection with a mysterious person. She can talk to them and is convinced they are her soul mate. Not only that, her pendant, a rose, is rumoured to offer protection and, with her family at risk, Dorothy hopes this will help her family survive.
I really enjoyed how events in the eighteenth century are echoed in present day, creating a synergy between the two timelines. Hannah’s family is also suffering, she experiences an uprising of some sorts and her love life is heavily linked to her past. She has returned home to carry out research for a work project but I didn’t feel like this truly belonged in the narrative. Hannah has little interest in it and instead is more curious about Dorothy’s story. I would have preferred if the writer had omitted this subplot, instead allowing Hannah to fully explore Dorothy and uncover the truth about what really happened to her and the family.
The theme of supernatural was sadly missing from this book, dominated by the historical narrative. At times it felt like I was reading a dense historical account; I thought the secrets of the rose weren’t obvious enough until the latter part of the novel. I enjoyed how the writer presented a known figure in history, but I thought the portrayal could have been more immersive.
Overall, a good read and one for those who enjoy a historical narrative. It wasn’t as enjoyable as my previous read from this author, but I did appreciate learning a bit more about this period in time.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book made me realise that I am someone who does prefer shorter chapters. This one has very lengthy chapters and I found I was reading the book and hoping for some definite breaks. On the one hand, I sometimes rushed a chapter to get to the end; other times it took longer than my usual reading speed because I struggled to keep interested in the plot. I definitely think the pace of the story would have improved with having more chapters, but this is just a personal preference.
I liked that Cornick presents a different time period to one I usually read about. In the past narrative, Dorothy is living in a world where there are rebels uprising against the throne (nothing unusual there!), supportive of the Jacobean reign. However, Dorothy is pulled into this political war with her brothers’ involvement. Under scrutiny, Dorothy feels trapped as a single woman and vulnerable with her weak father.
However, there is more to this story as when the novel opens, we learn that Dorothy seems to have a spiritual connection with a mysterious person. She can talk to them and is convinced they are her soul mate. Not only that, her pendant, a rose, is rumoured to offer protection and, with her family at risk, Dorothy hopes this will help her family survive.
I really enjoyed how events in the eighteenth century are echoed in present day, creating a synergy between the two timelines. Hannah’s family is also suffering, she experiences an uprising of some sorts and her love life is heavily linked to her past. She has returned home to carry out research for a work project but I didn’t feel like this truly belonged in the narrative. Hannah has little interest in it and instead is more curious about Dorothy’s story. I would have preferred if the writer had omitted this subplot, instead allowing Hannah to fully explore Dorothy and uncover the truth about what really happened to her and the family.
The theme of supernatural was sadly missing from this book, dominated by the historical narrative. At times it felt like I was reading a dense historical account; I thought the secrets of the rose weren’t obvious enough until the latter part of the novel. I enjoyed how the writer presented a known figure in history, but I thought the portrayal could have been more immersive.
Overall, a good read and one for those who enjoy a historical narrative. It wasn’t as enjoyable as my previous read from this author, but I did appreciate learning a bit more about this period in time.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2025
Writer Hannah Armstrong has been commissioned to write the story of Grace Darling, a Victorian heroine who became famous after performing an amazing history following a shipwreck off the coast of the town of Bamburgh in north eastern England. For Hannah, this is a chance to come home for a while to spend time in the town she grew up and with her stepmother Diana. However, Hannah has never really been that enthralled with the tale of Grace Darling. She is much more interested in the story of Dorothy Forster, sister to a rebel Jacobite general, but she has a job to do, and she will do it. When she sees a portrait of Dorothy on the wall in her family home she is enthralled by the picture, and by all the Jacobite symbolism.
What she doesn't expect when she arrives at Bamburgh is to find that Diana has been keeping big secrets from her, and it means that she will need to spend more time in town than she first planned. It turns out though that there are many secrets, and as Hannah researches both stories, she begins to find more and more threads that link directly to her, and somewhat disturbingly that lead to some uncomfortable truths about her brother, Brandon.
Whilst this is a dual timeline, in effect we are getting three stories for the price of two. We find out more details about Grace's story as Hannah researches and writes. We get to see Dorothy Forster's story as it unfolds in the past. Dorothy is the person who keeps their household running. Her father is mentally absent most of the time and is very unwell, her older brother is mixed up in all sorts of trouble, including the Jacobite rebellion which aims to return Prince James Stuart to the British throne at the expense of King George I. Her younger brother Nicholas is away at Oxford studying, so Dorothy is most shocked when she finds out that he too is involved in the Jacobite conspiracy. Her uncle, Lord Crewe, is determined that the family name will not be tainted in any conspiracy as he knows that there is a risk that they will all be implicated, and he is prepared to use Dorothy as a marriage pawn if he needs to, much to her dismay.
To read more head to
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2025...
What she doesn't expect when she arrives at Bamburgh is to find that Diana has been keeping big secrets from her, and it means that she will need to spend more time in town than she first planned. It turns out though that there are many secrets, and as Hannah researches both stories, she begins to find more and more threads that link directly to her, and somewhat disturbingly that lead to some uncomfortable truths about her brother, Brandon.
Whilst this is a dual timeline, in effect we are getting three stories for the price of two. We find out more details about Grace's story as Hannah researches and writes. We get to see Dorothy Forster's story as it unfolds in the past. Dorothy is the person who keeps their household running. Her father is mentally absent most of the time and is very unwell, her older brother is mixed up in all sorts of trouble, including the Jacobite rebellion which aims to return Prince James Stuart to the British throne at the expense of King George I. Her younger brother Nicholas is away at Oxford studying, so Dorothy is most shocked when she finds out that he too is involved in the Jacobite conspiracy. Her uncle, Lord Crewe, is determined that the family name will not be tainted in any conspiracy as he knows that there is a risk that they will all be implicated, and he is prepared to use Dorothy as a marriage pawn if he needs to, much to her dismay.
To read more head to
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2025...
February 18, 2025
It has been a while since I was so spellbound by a historical fiction, as I was with this one. It was billed as a historical fiction with elements of romance, with romance not typically being a genre I’m interested in. However, I was pleasantly surprised by The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick.
The characters were wonderfully written with depth, real emotions, and development. The two stories between the main character, Hannah in the present time and the alternating character, Dorothy in the 1700’s was incredibly enjoyable to read. It was very clear that Nicola Cornick did her research on historical elements of the time period and wove a beautiful and haunting account of the Jacobite rebellion and the aftermath affecting those involved and the families outside of the rebellion.
I loved the imagery that was depicted in the book of the Bamburgh Castle, the beaches of the coastal town, homes repurposed or remodeled to be used in the present time linked to historical figures/events, and the research Hannah does in museums and in the small town. I found myself immersed in the scenery and wanting to traverse all the locations to view for myself.
It was an excellent read and I found that I didn’t want it to end!
Thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books publishing for an advanced readers copy. The opinions within this review are my own.
The characters were wonderfully written with depth, real emotions, and development. The two stories between the main character, Hannah in the present time and the alternating character, Dorothy in the 1700’s was incredibly enjoyable to read. It was very clear that Nicola Cornick did her research on historical elements of the time period and wove a beautiful and haunting account of the Jacobite rebellion and the aftermath affecting those involved and the families outside of the rebellion.
I loved the imagery that was depicted in the book of the Bamburgh Castle, the beaches of the coastal town, homes repurposed or remodeled to be used in the present time linked to historical figures/events, and the research Hannah does in museums and in the small town. I found myself immersed in the scenery and wanting to traverse all the locations to view for myself.
It was an excellent read and I found that I didn’t want it to end!
Thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books publishing for an advanced readers copy. The opinions within this review are my own.
December 27, 2025
This was a terrific dual timeliness, historical fiction story. I really enjoyed reading it.
I knew very little about the Jacobites and their attempted rebellion but the fictionalized story the author weaves around the actual events was educational as well as entertaining.
I very much liked both Dorothy in the 1700s, and Hannah in the present day. They are both strong, smart kind and capable women who live their lives and help others wherever they can. Both of them were likable, engaging characters the I very much enjoyed getting to know.
I also read this author's book The Other Gwyn Girl which I also very much enjoyed and if you like dual timeline historical fiction with strong female characters that includes and entertaining history lesson I recommend d both books highly.
I knew very little about the Jacobites and their attempted rebellion but the fictionalized story the author weaves around the actual events was educational as well as entertaining.
I very much liked both Dorothy in the 1700s, and Hannah in the present day. They are both strong, smart kind and capable women who live their lives and help others wherever they can. Both of them were likable, engaging characters the I very much enjoyed getting to know.
I also read this author's book The Other Gwyn Girl which I also very much enjoyed and if you like dual timeline historical fiction with strong female characters that includes and entertaining history lesson I recommend d both books highly.
nicola-cornick
May 28, 2025Join the search for The Rose
This is another excellent dual-timeline novel written by Nicola Cornick, one of my favorite authors.
In this story, we have Dorothy Forster in the early 1700s during the uprising to restore King James II to the throne. Dorothy and her family live in Bamburgh Castle.
In the present day, we have Hannah Armstrong, an author who has been commissioned to write a biography of Grace Darling, a local heroine who helped rescue survivors from a shipwreck.
The Rose appears in both timelines.
9
This is another excellent dual-timeline novel written by Nicola Cornick, one of my favorite authors.
In this story, we have Dorothy Forster in the early 1700s during the uprising to restore King James II to the throne. Dorothy and her family live in Bamburgh Castle.
In the present day, we have Hannah Armstrong, an author who has been commissioned to write a biography of Grace Darling, a local heroine who helped rescue survivors from a shipwreck.
The Rose appears in both timelines.
9
October 17, 2025
A good read, grabbed my attention from virtually the first page. It’s well written and there is enough detail to be enjoyable but not to be too heavy. I enjoyed the story although I guessed the connection quite early on. I’ve read another book by Nicola Cornick and found that story to have more depth than this one, having said that I will probably look her out as an author again.
March 31, 2025
I love everything Nicola writes. I'm heading to the north of England, which she describes so well. As someone whose ancestors - from Uhtred son of Uhtred - ruled the north, I was very interested to learn the later history. Always enjoy a Jacobite novel too. Cornick knows her history, which is why she is such a pleasure to read. Cathleen Ross
March 29, 2025
I enjoyed this dual timeline story. It was interesting without being dull and heavy. I found it fascinating to read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 25, 2025
Nicola Cornick has become one of my favorite authors. This book broke the spring 2025 reading slump I was in.
January 5, 2025
I would like to thank Boldwood books and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved it, it's set in Bamburgh in Northumberland and centres around the Jacobite uprising in the 18th century and the present day and a rose talisman that is passed down the generations what's not to love?
Living in Northumberland my whole life I could picture the locations as if I was actually there.
Fans of Nicola Cornick will love this as well as fans of Christina Courtney .
Come back to your Review on the pub date, Feb 07 2025, to post to retailers.
I loved it, it's set in Bamburgh in Northumberland and centres around the Jacobite uprising in the 18th century and the present day and a rose talisman that is passed down the generations what's not to love?
Living in Northumberland my whole life I could picture the locations as if I was actually there.
Fans of Nicola Cornick will love this as well as fans of Christina Courtney .
Come back to your Review on the pub date, Feb 07 2025, to post to retailers.
March 18, 2025
The story was ok. Just ok. I like this author, but this one was really sloppy. It felt rushed and the details... this is where my low star rating comes in. It's like she forgot what she was writing as she was writing and didn't bother to go back and check.
Here's an example:
Chapter 1- Daisy's partner is called Rob
Chapter 3- Daisy's partner is called Sam
Chapter 9- Daisy's partner is called Ben
Daisy is just a background character who only made one brief appearance, but still. It's stuff like this that irritates me. If you don't care enough about your story to get the details straight, why should I care about the story? It's a huge turn-off for me, and the story wasn't even that great, so it gets 2 generous stars.
Here's an example:
Chapter 1- Daisy's partner is called Rob
Chapter 3- Daisy's partner is called Sam
Chapter 9- Daisy's partner is called Ben
Daisy is just a background character who only made one brief appearance, but still. It's stuff like this that irritates me. If you don't care enough about your story to get the details straight, why should I care about the story? It's a huge turn-off for me, and the story wasn't even that great, so it gets 2 generous stars.
April 16, 2025
This is another stellar book from Nicola Cornick! She writes beautifully, smoothly connecting the past to the present through her characters. I loved how the personalities and lives of the present-day characters mirrored those of the 18th century, all living in the same village. Using the Jacobean Uprising, the author brilliantly illustrated how powerful men give little thought to the destruction their actions will cause to the lives of women and children around them...same as it ever was. This is a fast historical read with a bit of romance and a touch of the mystical, too. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 5, 2025
The latest dual-narrative historical-fiction, from a favourite author of mine, about Jacobite heroine, Dorothy Forster in the 1700s, and biographer, Hannah Armstrong in the present day; bound together by a centuries’ old mystery. A gripping tale of family, love, treason, secrets and betrayal, with a touch of the supernatural, but it didn’t quite grab me as much as Cornick’s previous novel: The Other Gwyn Girl. *
My Full Review: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpre...
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Boldwood Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
My Full Review: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpre...
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Boldwood Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 23, 2025
Nicola Cornick hat mich mit ihren letzten Büchern überzeugt, und somit habe ich hier blind zugegriffen. Okay, so blind vielleicht auch nicht, denn hey, ist das nicht ein wunderschönes Cover? Blumig, romantisch, und doch irgendwie mysteriös.
Ihrem bewährten Muster bleibt die Autorin auch in ihrem neuen Roman treu: es gibt zwei zeitliche Ebenen, eine im hier und heute, eine in der Vergangenheit; wir sind aber von der Lokalität an einem Hauptplatz; und zwar auf Bamburgh Hall, einem alten Anwesen in Northumberland. Im Jahre 1715 lebte hier Dorothy Forster mit ihrer Familie – und gleich zwei ihrer Brüder waren in der Jakobiner-Rebellion aktiv dabei. Dorothys Familie ist seit langem im Geheimen Hüter der Rose – die Rose, ein Kleinod, das von jeder Mutter auf die älteste Tochter vererbt wird; ein Talisman, der Schutz bei tödlichen politischen Konflikten bietet, ein kostbares Schmuckstück, hinter dem alle her sind. Aber kann Dorothy mit der Rose auch ihre Brüder schützen? Und kann sie den geplanten Hochverrat verhindern? Und außerdem ist da ja auch noch die Liebe, und hier wird es wirklich romantisch, denn Dorothys Auserwählter ist nicht wirklich standesgemäß – aber dafür ein Mann mit außerordentlich viel Mut und Ehrgefühl.....
Mehr als 300 Jahre später sind wir ebenfalls auf Bamburgh Hall bei Hannah Armstrong. Hannah ist Autorin und für Recherchezwecke in die alte Heimat zurückgekehrt. Eigentlich soll sie über eine lokale Heldin schreiben, interessieren tut sie aber Dorothy Foster, und somit folgen wir Leser eigentlich gleich 2 historischen Heldinnen, deren leben Hannah recherchiert. Ja, Dorothy, deren Portrait in Hannahs Zimmer hängt, und mit der sie sich auf merkwürdige intime Art verbunden fühlt. Dorothy mit ihrer Rose, die auch in der Gegenwart heissbegehrt ist, eine mittlerweile antike Kostbarkeit, für die manche Menschen bereit sind, Verbrechen zu begehen.... und auch bei Hannah gibt es romantische Verwicklungen, als ihr alter Jugendfreund Aaron erscheint....
Also, 2 starke Frauen, 2 spannende Geschichten, verwoben miteinander über die sagenumwobene Rose – insgesamt eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mich von Anfang an in Bann gezogen hat. Ms Cornick versteht es, lebendig zu schreiben, mitreißend zu schreiben, und Geschichte lebendig zu machen. Mich haben die beiden Heldinnen überzeugt. Eine glaubwürdige Cast, nicht nur bei den Hauptdarstellerinnen, sondern auch bei den Nebenprotagonisten.
Ich fand erneut das Setting überzeugend, und geschichtlich alles sehr gut recherchiert. Für mich als Ausländerin greift die Autorin immer Perioden der englischen Geschichte auf, die für mich eher unbekannt sind. Die Jakobiten-Rebellion ist für mich Deutsche historisches Neuland, von daher: fand ich bereichernd und spannend.
Ach und Dorothy und ihre Lovestory, das war echt herzergreifend :-) . Hat mir soooo gut gefallen :-) Eine toughe junge Lady, die gar nicht so außerordentlich daherkommt, aber ihr Leben und Lieben selbst in die Hand nimmt. Ich war in der historischen Zeitschiene wirklich komplett beim lesen dabei :-)
Wer einen spannenden dual-timeline-Roman lesen möchte mit glaubwürdigen Heldinnen, einem Hauch von Mystik und viel Action und Drama, dem sei dieses Buch allerwärmstens empfohlen! Mir hat es gefallen, ich gebe alle Daumen hoch und freue mich auf Ms Cornicks nächste Bücher!
Herzlichen Dank an Netgalley und Boldwood Books für das Rezensionsexemplar!
Ihrem bewährten Muster bleibt die Autorin auch in ihrem neuen Roman treu: es gibt zwei zeitliche Ebenen, eine im hier und heute, eine in der Vergangenheit; wir sind aber von der Lokalität an einem Hauptplatz; und zwar auf Bamburgh Hall, einem alten Anwesen in Northumberland. Im Jahre 1715 lebte hier Dorothy Forster mit ihrer Familie – und gleich zwei ihrer Brüder waren in der Jakobiner-Rebellion aktiv dabei. Dorothys Familie ist seit langem im Geheimen Hüter der Rose – die Rose, ein Kleinod, das von jeder Mutter auf die älteste Tochter vererbt wird; ein Talisman, der Schutz bei tödlichen politischen Konflikten bietet, ein kostbares Schmuckstück, hinter dem alle her sind. Aber kann Dorothy mit der Rose auch ihre Brüder schützen? Und kann sie den geplanten Hochverrat verhindern? Und außerdem ist da ja auch noch die Liebe, und hier wird es wirklich romantisch, denn Dorothys Auserwählter ist nicht wirklich standesgemäß – aber dafür ein Mann mit außerordentlich viel Mut und Ehrgefühl.....
Mehr als 300 Jahre später sind wir ebenfalls auf Bamburgh Hall bei Hannah Armstrong. Hannah ist Autorin und für Recherchezwecke in die alte Heimat zurückgekehrt. Eigentlich soll sie über eine lokale Heldin schreiben, interessieren tut sie aber Dorothy Foster, und somit folgen wir Leser eigentlich gleich 2 historischen Heldinnen, deren leben Hannah recherchiert. Ja, Dorothy, deren Portrait in Hannahs Zimmer hängt, und mit der sie sich auf merkwürdige intime Art verbunden fühlt. Dorothy mit ihrer Rose, die auch in der Gegenwart heissbegehrt ist, eine mittlerweile antike Kostbarkeit, für die manche Menschen bereit sind, Verbrechen zu begehen.... und auch bei Hannah gibt es romantische Verwicklungen, als ihr alter Jugendfreund Aaron erscheint....
Also, 2 starke Frauen, 2 spannende Geschichten, verwoben miteinander über die sagenumwobene Rose – insgesamt eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mich von Anfang an in Bann gezogen hat. Ms Cornick versteht es, lebendig zu schreiben, mitreißend zu schreiben, und Geschichte lebendig zu machen. Mich haben die beiden Heldinnen überzeugt. Eine glaubwürdige Cast, nicht nur bei den Hauptdarstellerinnen, sondern auch bei den Nebenprotagonisten.
Ich fand erneut das Setting überzeugend, und geschichtlich alles sehr gut recherchiert. Für mich als Ausländerin greift die Autorin immer Perioden der englischen Geschichte auf, die für mich eher unbekannt sind. Die Jakobiten-Rebellion ist für mich Deutsche historisches Neuland, von daher: fand ich bereichernd und spannend.
Ach und Dorothy und ihre Lovestory, das war echt herzergreifend :-) . Hat mir soooo gut gefallen :-) Eine toughe junge Lady, die gar nicht so außerordentlich daherkommt, aber ihr Leben und Lieben selbst in die Hand nimmt. Ich war in der historischen Zeitschiene wirklich komplett beim lesen dabei :-)
Wer einen spannenden dual-timeline-Roman lesen möchte mit glaubwürdigen Heldinnen, einem Hauch von Mystik und viel Action und Drama, dem sei dieses Buch allerwärmstens empfohlen! Mir hat es gefallen, ich gebe alle Daumen hoch und freue mich auf Ms Cornicks nächste Bücher!
Herzlichen Dank an Netgalley und Boldwood Books für das Rezensionsexemplar!
February 8, 2025
Hannah Armstrong heads to her hometown of Bamburgh to investigate the local heroine Grace Darling for her next book, but once there she discovers that her stepmother Diana is hiding some secrets and her childhood friend Aaron is no longer speaking to her twin brother Brandon. While looking into Grace’s story, she becomes enchanted by a portrait of Dorothy Forster. In the 18th century, Dorothy discovers that two of her brothers want to support the Jacobite rebellion, and she desperately tries to keep her family together in times of war and unrest.
Nicola Cornick always writes books about two female heroines living in different eras, with a touch of magical realism. For ‘the secrets of the rose‘, she chooses a very interesting historical perspective: that of Dorothy Forster during the Jacobite rebellion in 1715. I didn’t discover until very late in the book that there was a link to Guy and Rose from Cornick’s previous book ‘The other Gywn girl‘ (although that link is a fictional one).
I always find the Jacobite cause interesting, but I have to admit that I sympathized even more with Hannah in the 21st century. Unlike in some of Cornick’s earlier books, her struggles and those of her family and friends felt very real. Cancer, divorce, envy, a village full of gossip….
As always, the parallels between the two women are a bit too overdone for my taste, but that doesn’t bother me. The magical element surrounding “the rose” was quite nicely done. Cornick writes so smoothly that you fly through the chapters.
The secrets of the rose is definitely one of my favourite Nicola Cornick novels. Bamburgh, with the castle looming on the wild coast, comes to life. In two different centuries. And there’s even a reference to Uhtred Of Bebbanburg :).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Hannah Armstrong trekt naar haar geboortestad Bamburgh om er de lokale heldin Grace Darling te onderzoeken, maar eens daar ontdekt ze dat haar stiefmoeder een aantal geheimen verbergt, haar jeugdvriend Aaron niet meer spreekt tegen haar tweelingbroer en wordt ze betoverd door een portret van Dorothy Forster. In de 18de eeuw ontdekt Dorothy dat twee van haar broers de Jacobistische opstand willen steunen en ze probeert haar familie bij elkaar te houden in tijden van oorlog en onrust.
Cornick schrijft altijd boeken in twee perspectieven, met een tikkeltje magisch realisme. Voor deze kiest ze een heel interessant historisch perspectief: dat van Dorothy Forster tijdens de Jacobistische opstand in 1715. Ik ontdekte pas heel laat in het boek dat er een link was met Guy en Rose uit Cornick's vorige boek, haha.
Ik vind de strijd van de Jacobieten altijd heel interessant, maar ik moet toch toegeven dat ik nog meer meeleefde met Hannah in onze tijd. In tegenstelling tot in sommige eerdere boeken van Cornick lijkt haar leven en dat van haar omgeving echt. Kanker, een scheiding, afgunst, een dorp vol roddels...
De parallellen tussen de twee vrouwen liggen er zoals altijd dik op, maar dat deert me niet. Net zoals het magische element rond 'the rose'. Cornick schrijft zo vlot dat je door de hoofdstukken heen vliegt, ik vind dit altijd een ideaal boek om tussendoor op de trein te lezen.
En dat is zeker één van haar betere boeken. Bamburgh, met het kasteel dat opdoemt aan de kust komt tot leven. In twee verschillende eeuwen.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Nicola Cornick always writes books about two female heroines living in different eras, with a touch of magical realism. For ‘the secrets of the rose‘, she chooses a very interesting historical perspective: that of Dorothy Forster during the Jacobite rebellion in 1715. I didn’t discover until very late in the book that there was a link to Guy and Rose from Cornick’s previous book ‘The other Gywn girl‘ (although that link is a fictional one).
I always find the Jacobite cause interesting, but I have to admit that I sympathized even more with Hannah in the 21st century. Unlike in some of Cornick’s earlier books, her struggles and those of her family and friends felt very real. Cancer, divorce, envy, a village full of gossip….
As always, the parallels between the two women are a bit too overdone for my taste, but that doesn’t bother me. The magical element surrounding “the rose” was quite nicely done. Cornick writes so smoothly that you fly through the chapters.
The secrets of the rose is definitely one of my favourite Nicola Cornick novels. Bamburgh, with the castle looming on the wild coast, comes to life. In two different centuries. And there’s even a reference to Uhtred Of Bebbanburg :).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Hannah Armstrong trekt naar haar geboortestad Bamburgh om er de lokale heldin Grace Darling te onderzoeken, maar eens daar ontdekt ze dat haar stiefmoeder een aantal geheimen verbergt, haar jeugdvriend Aaron niet meer spreekt tegen haar tweelingbroer en wordt ze betoverd door een portret van Dorothy Forster. In de 18de eeuw ontdekt Dorothy dat twee van haar broers de Jacobistische opstand willen steunen en ze probeert haar familie bij elkaar te houden in tijden van oorlog en onrust.
Cornick schrijft altijd boeken in twee perspectieven, met een tikkeltje magisch realisme. Voor deze kiest ze een heel interessant historisch perspectief: dat van Dorothy Forster tijdens de Jacobistische opstand in 1715. Ik ontdekte pas heel laat in het boek dat er een link was met Guy en Rose uit Cornick's vorige boek, haha.
Ik vind de strijd van de Jacobieten altijd heel interessant, maar ik moet toch toegeven dat ik nog meer meeleefde met Hannah in onze tijd. In tegenstelling tot in sommige eerdere boeken van Cornick lijkt haar leven en dat van haar omgeving echt. Kanker, een scheiding, afgunst, een dorp vol roddels...
De parallellen tussen de twee vrouwen liggen er zoals altijd dik op, maar dat deert me niet. Net zoals het magische element rond 'the rose'. Cornick schrijft zo vlot dat je door de hoofdstukken heen vliegt, ik vind dit altijd een ideaal boek om tussendoor op de trein te lezen.
En dat is zeker één van haar betere boeken. Bamburgh, met het kasteel dat opdoemt aan de kust komt tot leven. In twee verschillende eeuwen.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
January 31, 2025
Review written for Aspects of History magazine. All views are my own.
The Secrets of the Rose is Nicola Cornick’s latest dual timeline historical fiction, set during the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Following the story of Dorothy Forster, an often forgotten ‘darling’ of the rebellion, this book explores what her life might have been like. Unlike Cornick’s other novels, this is not a timeslip, but does contain elements of magical realism.
Set in Bamburgh, Northumberland, The Secrets of the Rose follows Dorothy as she desperately attempts to persuade her two brothers to abandon their involvement in a plot to restore a Stuart king to the throne. Terrified of the repercussions of such treason, and the impact that conflict will have on ordinary people, her pleas are dismissed by her brothers and their companions: her concerns are deemed inconsequential in comparison to their desire to display heroic idealism and loyalty. This, combined with the fiscal irresponsibility of her male relatives, threatens to end her independence and leaves Dorothy as the sole defender of the only life she has ever known. Her perilous position, caused through no fault of her own, reflects that of many women during this tumultuous period.
Meanwhile, in the present day, historical biographer Hannah has returned to her family home at Bamburgh Hall to research local heroine Grace Darling. But despite her best efforts, she remains continuously drawn to a portrait of Dorothy in her stepmother’s home and eagerly sets out to learn more. As Hannah struggles to come to terms with her stepmother’s ill health and her brother’s erratic and malicious behaviour, her life seems to become increasingly similar to that of her ancestor.
Cornick ensures that there is a universally shared experience between the female protagonists, despite the centuries separating them: love. Whilst Cornick’s use of telepathic connection to symbolise soulmates is clever, what is truly moving is the way she articulates the complexities of familial love. Both Dorothy and Hannah’s experiences are rooted in their role as sisters attempting to save a problematic brother, and as daughters caring for an ailing parent.
Cornick notes that Bamburgh is one of the places that first kindled her love of history. Her admiration for Bamburgh and its stories, myths and legends is evident on every page in this novel. Her prose is highly detailed without being convoluted, with rich descriptions of rustic natural beauty and ideological symbolism, a reverence towards art, historic gardens and period features, and clever personification of historical buildings. Such imagery leads readers to feel as though they are walking through the past with Dorothy, and rediscovering it with Hannah.
This is a story of the Jacobite rebellion unlike any other I have read before, with a focus on the under-explored English, rather than Scottish, elements of Jacobitism. The Secrets of the Rose is a novel about the forgotten experiences of women (and children) caught in the political crossfires during the 1715 rebellion. And above all, it is a tribute to a fiercely determined woman whose story had been relegated to the stuff of myths and legends.
The Secrets of the Rose is Nicola Cornick’s latest dual timeline historical fiction, set during the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Following the story of Dorothy Forster, an often forgotten ‘darling’ of the rebellion, this book explores what her life might have been like. Unlike Cornick’s other novels, this is not a timeslip, but does contain elements of magical realism.
Set in Bamburgh, Northumberland, The Secrets of the Rose follows Dorothy as she desperately attempts to persuade her two brothers to abandon their involvement in a plot to restore a Stuart king to the throne. Terrified of the repercussions of such treason, and the impact that conflict will have on ordinary people, her pleas are dismissed by her brothers and their companions: her concerns are deemed inconsequential in comparison to their desire to display heroic idealism and loyalty. This, combined with the fiscal irresponsibility of her male relatives, threatens to end her independence and leaves Dorothy as the sole defender of the only life she has ever known. Her perilous position, caused through no fault of her own, reflects that of many women during this tumultuous period.
Meanwhile, in the present day, historical biographer Hannah has returned to her family home at Bamburgh Hall to research local heroine Grace Darling. But despite her best efforts, she remains continuously drawn to a portrait of Dorothy in her stepmother’s home and eagerly sets out to learn more. As Hannah struggles to come to terms with her stepmother’s ill health and her brother’s erratic and malicious behaviour, her life seems to become increasingly similar to that of her ancestor.
Cornick ensures that there is a universally shared experience between the female protagonists, despite the centuries separating them: love. Whilst Cornick’s use of telepathic connection to symbolise soulmates is clever, what is truly moving is the way she articulates the complexities of familial love. Both Dorothy and Hannah’s experiences are rooted in their role as sisters attempting to save a problematic brother, and as daughters caring for an ailing parent.
Cornick notes that Bamburgh is one of the places that first kindled her love of history. Her admiration for Bamburgh and its stories, myths and legends is evident on every page in this novel. Her prose is highly detailed without being convoluted, with rich descriptions of rustic natural beauty and ideological symbolism, a reverence towards art, historic gardens and period features, and clever personification of historical buildings. Such imagery leads readers to feel as though they are walking through the past with Dorothy, and rediscovering it with Hannah.
This is a story of the Jacobite rebellion unlike any other I have read before, with a focus on the under-explored English, rather than Scottish, elements of Jacobitism. The Secrets of the Rose is a novel about the forgotten experiences of women (and children) caught in the political crossfires during the 1715 rebellion. And above all, it is a tribute to a fiercely determined woman whose story had been relegated to the stuff of myths and legends.
February 28, 2025
Before you even open The Secrets Of The Rose, take a moment to admire the utterly gorgeous cover. It is one of the loveliest I’ve seen in recent times. Between the covers, you’ll find an intriguing and entertaining story that was hard for me to put down. Nicola Cornick has done a masterful job of weaving a plausible plot around some fascinating strands of history to create a fascinating story. Told in two timelines that eventually connect through the rose, this book is set almost exclusively in the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland.
In 1709, we meet Dorothy Forster, who has escaped her family home for the evening to attend the Midsomer Fair. Her life at this stage is full of pleasure, however change is foreshadowed, and in 1715 we see that coming into effect. By this stage, Dorothy’s father is ill, her mother has been dead for a long time and her older brother Thomas, not the sharpest tool in the shed, has embraced the Jacobite cause, putting the rest of his family in danger, including her younger brother Nicholas, who is fired up with the glory of it all.
Dorothy is a steadfast woman, well-loved by her family retainers and the villagers, and torn between trying to protect them all from the horrors of war. She’s both endearing and admirable, able to strongly refute unwelcome offers of marriage that seem to come often, and also capably running her brother’s estate for him. I cheered her as she faced one difficulty after another. Bamburgh blacksmith John Armstrong is also a strong character in this timeline, a staunch supporter of Dorothy and clearly in love with her if she would only recognise it. When danger comes, it is always John who steps in to sort things out.
In the present day, Hannah Armstrong has returned to Bamburgh Hall, her family home, to write a biography of local heroine Grace Darling, who helped her father rescue survivors of a shipwreck in 1838. While working on this, Hannah also indulges her fascination with Dorothy’s history. Meanwhile, her brother Brandon is a somewhat sinister character in the background, and Aaron Salter, her teenage crush, is newly single. While the attraction between these two is patently obvious and provides a nice secondary thread, it is by no means the driver of this story. I loved watching Hannah unravelling the mystery of the rose, including discovering exactly what it was. A cast of secondary characters, most notable among them Hannah’s stepmother Diana, add interest to the story.
The characters in both timelines are all superbly crafted and realistic, some of them easy to like and others very easy to loathe. The balance is very well done. This story had me racing from cover to cover and then regretting not having taken the time to savour the unfolding plot.
In 1709, we meet Dorothy Forster, who has escaped her family home for the evening to attend the Midsomer Fair. Her life at this stage is full of pleasure, however change is foreshadowed, and in 1715 we see that coming into effect. By this stage, Dorothy’s father is ill, her mother has been dead for a long time and her older brother Thomas, not the sharpest tool in the shed, has embraced the Jacobite cause, putting the rest of his family in danger, including her younger brother Nicholas, who is fired up with the glory of it all.
Dorothy is a steadfast woman, well-loved by her family retainers and the villagers, and torn between trying to protect them all from the horrors of war. She’s both endearing and admirable, able to strongly refute unwelcome offers of marriage that seem to come often, and also capably running her brother’s estate for him. I cheered her as she faced one difficulty after another. Bamburgh blacksmith John Armstrong is also a strong character in this timeline, a staunch supporter of Dorothy and clearly in love with her if she would only recognise it. When danger comes, it is always John who steps in to sort things out.
In the present day, Hannah Armstrong has returned to Bamburgh Hall, her family home, to write a biography of local heroine Grace Darling, who helped her father rescue survivors of a shipwreck in 1838. While working on this, Hannah also indulges her fascination with Dorothy’s history. Meanwhile, her brother Brandon is a somewhat sinister character in the background, and Aaron Salter, her teenage crush, is newly single. While the attraction between these two is patently obvious and provides a nice secondary thread, it is by no means the driver of this story. I loved watching Hannah unravelling the mystery of the rose, including discovering exactly what it was. A cast of secondary characters, most notable among them Hannah’s stepmother Diana, add interest to the story.
The characters in both timelines are all superbly crafted and realistic, some of them easy to like and others very easy to loathe. The balance is very well done. This story had me racing from cover to cover and then regretting not having taken the time to savour the unfolding plot.
February 6, 2025
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
My rating:
Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is my first book by this author and I must say it doesn’t disappoint. The writing is very full of atmosphere and creates a vivid picture of the scenery. I got absorbed pretty quickly and it was hard to put the book down. The book is based on real historical facts and people and takes place in a beautiful part of England. The historical facts are interesting I have read other books about the Jacobite Rebellion but they were all based on the Scottish perspective. This book is based on the English perspective which made it different and therefore interesting. The characters were well developed and their actions felt natural as they were explained well.
Overall:
A well written dual time line story, that captures you, has nice characters that appear realistic with the right amount of mystery and suspense and a satisfying ending.
Review copy provided through NetGalley at no cost to me.
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
My rating:
Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is my first book by this author and I must say it doesn’t disappoint. The writing is very full of atmosphere and creates a vivid picture of the scenery. I got absorbed pretty quickly and it was hard to put the book down. The book is based on real historical facts and people and takes place in a beautiful part of England. The historical facts are interesting I have read other books about the Jacobite Rebellion but they were all based on the Scottish perspective. This book is based on the English perspective which made it different and therefore interesting. The characters were well developed and their actions felt natural as they were explained well.
Overall:
A well written dual time line story, that captures you, has nice characters that appear realistic with the right amount of mystery and suspense and a satisfying ending.
Review copy provided through NetGalley at no cost to me.
November 1, 2025
I absolutely loved Cornick's book, The Other Gwyn Girl, and was thrilled to be given a free copy of her new work to review. However, I kept telling myself that I would save it as a treat to myself because I knew that the story would be captivating and emotional. Unfortunately, I waited too long because this book was fantastic and it's been waiting on my Kindle for nearly a year!
This book was fantastic. The way that Cornick integrated the two timelines told by Dorothy in the early 18th century and Hannah in the present day had me enthralled from start to finish. Although you are switching between two different periods of time, somehow Cornick has crafted a narrative where both of the stories fit into each other seamlessly.
Hannah and Dorothy were both such relatable characters. They are dealing with the same pressures of their time and trying to care for their families and their hearts. Dorothy was also written in such a way that she felt like a woman fighting the constraints of her time in a completely believable way, rather than a woman with modern sensibilities who happens to live in a different time. This is a testament to Cornick's research and dedication to highlighting the stories of women not often found in the historical records.
Hannah, like Dorothy, felt like a woman of her time and place. The caution with which she moved through life was incredibly relatable, and to see her begin to open up to new possibilities as she unravels the mysteries around her had me on the edge of my seat at times.
In addition to providing a historical narrative, this book also has two light romance subplots that were so endearing to read and brought a breath of fresh air into the narrative. The family dynamics were interesting, but I do feel that the family members were the least fleshed out of the characters, as Dorothy and Hannah's respective siblings seemed to serve more as plot devices than holistic characters.
I was absolutely engrossed by this book! Do not put off reading it like I did. Do the enjoyable thing now and pick up a copy of this book. You'll enjoy the historical Nancy Drew (think modern CW version) ride that this book provides.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Dementia, Death of a parent, War
This book was fantastic. The way that Cornick integrated the two timelines told by Dorothy in the early 18th century and Hannah in the present day had me enthralled from start to finish. Although you are switching between two different periods of time, somehow Cornick has crafted a narrative where both of the stories fit into each other seamlessly.
Hannah and Dorothy were both such relatable characters. They are dealing with the same pressures of their time and trying to care for their families and their hearts. Dorothy was also written in such a way that she felt like a woman fighting the constraints of her time in a completely believable way, rather than a woman with modern sensibilities who happens to live in a different time. This is a testament to Cornick's research and dedication to highlighting the stories of women not often found in the historical records.
Hannah, like Dorothy, felt like a woman of her time and place. The caution with which she moved through life was incredibly relatable, and to see her begin to open up to new possibilities as she unravels the mysteries around her had me on the edge of my seat at times.
In addition to providing a historical narrative, this book also has two light romance subplots that were so endearing to read and brought a breath of fresh air into the narrative. The family dynamics were interesting, but I do feel that the family members were the least fleshed out of the characters, as Dorothy and Hannah's respective siblings seemed to serve more as plot devices than holistic characters.
I was absolutely engrossed by this book! Do not put off reading it like I did. Do the enjoyable thing now and pick up a copy of this book. You'll enjoy the historical Nancy Drew (think modern CW version) ride that this book provides.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Dementia, Death of a parent, War
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