Promises Lost

by Audrey Howard

Alice Hamilton is determined to use marriage to advance her social standing, and is appalled when her younger sister, Sara, falls in love with Jack Andrews, a common railway worker

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Audrey Howard was born on 1929 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK, and grew up in St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, where she lives in her childhood home.

Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels published since 1984. In 1988, her novel The Juniper Bush won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Punit Sahani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first novel by Audrey Howard, and the intriguing premise immediately drew me in. The story follows two sisters whose lives are forever changed after a traumatic assault, and the brave man who saves them becomes central to their future. Sarah's journey, her separation from Jack, and the complex relationship with her elegant yet domineering sister form the heart of the novel.
While the emotional depth and eventual reunion make for a satisfying conclusion, I felt the story dragged in places. At nearly 600 pages, it could have been significantly tighter without losing its impact. Overall, it's an engaging, one-time read with memorable characters and a heartwarming ending.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3 Star score for this one, would have been a 3.5 score if it hadn't ended so abruptly - it seems quite a few of Ms Howard's books end that way ... almost as if she can't be bothered to finish them off properly, or she is told to cut them down a bit and goes for the red slash right at the end!

I'm hardly getting anytime to read, and thus even less time to review, so just to remind me this is the story of Sara Hamilton, youngest daughter of a country doctor (he is a gentleman, but has very little money) and Jack Andrews a navy who rescues Sara and her sister Alice from a gang of rough railway workers on the randy.

He gets beaten near to death for his pains, and Sara and her father nurse him back to health. Having fallen love with her he sets off once recovered determined to make something of his life and prove to the Doctor that he is worthy of Sara.

Meanwhile the Doctor dies and leaves his daughters penniless and homeless, and Alice is driven by the need to get her sister away from, as she sees it the lowering influence of Jack. She decides the girls shall go to Liverpool so that he will never be able to find them.

Will the girls find a home, and work, will Jack ever find Sara or will she settle for another man?

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this, it's definitely one of my favourite books. It's super romantic, and quite dramatic. Definitely one of the best Audrey Howard books I've read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story of two sisters and how their lives change over the years when love comes between them.