What do you think?
Rate this book
The Forbidden Promise
1940: Der Krieg tobt in ganz Europa. Doch auf Invermoray House in den einsamen schottischen Highlands herrscht noch Frieden. Bis zu Constances 21. Geburtstag, als die junge Erbin des Anwesens kurz vor Mitternacht vor der glamourösen Abendgesellschaft flieht und als Einzige beobachtet, wie ein britisches Flugzeug in den nahegelegenen See stürzt. Constance springt ins Wasser, um den Piloten vor dem sicheren Tod zu retten. Doch das Versprechen, das er ihr abringt, wird ihr Leben auf immer verändern …
2020: PR-Beraterin Kate soll aus dem verfallenen Invermoray House ein luxuriöses Bed and Breakfast machen. Doch der mysteriöse, wenngleich sehr attraktive Lord legt ihr Steine in den Weg, wo er nur kann. Misstrauisch geworden, taucht Kate tiefer in die Geschichte des Herrenhauses ein – und entdeckt, dass der Name einer früheren Bewohnerin nachträglich aus der Familienchronik gestrichen wurde. Bald ist Kate einer schicksalhaften Liebesgeschichte auf der Spur …
2020: PR-Beraterin Kate soll aus dem verfallenen Invermoray House ein luxuriöses Bed and Breakfast machen. Doch der mysteriöse, wenngleich sehr attraktive Lord legt ihr Steine in den Weg, wo er nur kann. Misstrauisch geworden, taucht Kate tiefer in die Geschichte des Herrenhauses ein – und entdeckt, dass der Name einer früheren Bewohnerin nachträglich aus der Familienchronik gestrichen wurde. Bald ist Kate einer schicksalhaften Liebesgeschichte auf der Spur …
344 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2020
529 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Cook
15 books406 followersLorna Cook writes historical fiction, weaving secrets and forgotten history with mystery and romance.
She also writes contemporary fiction under the name Elle Cook.
She also writes contemporary fiction under the name Elle Cook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 306 reviews
February 11, 2020
This one was more romance than Historical Fiction, but still a has a bit of a mystery to it. It takes us on a journey of two timelines-1940 and 2020.
I enjoyed Constance's story in 1940 the most. She witnesses a pilot crashing into a lake on the property of her parents. She rescues him and must hide his secrets.
Kate's story takes place in 2020. She takes a job in a B&B and discovers some interesting background and connections to the 1949 story.
I feel the story could have been a bit shorter and some dialogue seemed cliche. In the end, I did enjoy it and it was an "escape" type of read. Predictable, but has a bit of mystery angle too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for my copy. Out in March 2020!
I enjoyed Constance's story in 1940 the most. She witnesses a pilot crashing into a lake on the property of her parents. She rescues him and must hide his secrets.
Kate's story takes place in 2020. She takes a job in a B&B and discovers some interesting background and connections to the 1949 story.
I feel the story could have been a bit shorter and some dialogue seemed cliche. In the end, I did enjoy it and it was an "escape" type of read. Predictable, but has a bit of mystery angle too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for my copy. Out in March 2020!
January 26, 2020
It’s very rare that you pick up a book and within the first few pages you are completely hooked. I fell in love with this straightaway!!
The story is set at Invwemoray House in Scotland over 2 timelines 1940 and 2020.
In 2020 Kate is employed by Liz and her reluctant son James to help promote their home as a guest house. Kate comes up with a plan to get more tourists, she says there could be a monster in the loch (think that idea has been done before). There is something in the loch but it is definitely not a monster!! Kate soon starts to dig into Liz’s family history and the story of a pilot drowning in the loch.
In 1940 Constance has escaped her 21st birthday party and goes for a walk, when she sees a Spitfire plane crash into the loch, she jumps in and saves the pilot Mathew who she hides away in a disused Ghillie cottage. They fall in love but he has a secret that will tear them apart.
I fell in love with this book. I loved how the 2 timelines run parallel to each other but come together at the end. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there watching everything happen first hand!!
Beautifully written. A magical blend of history and romance and strong likeable characters, that make this an addictive book that you can fall in love with and will think about long after reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
The story is set at Invwemoray House in Scotland over 2 timelines 1940 and 2020.
In 2020 Kate is employed by Liz and her reluctant son James to help promote their home as a guest house. Kate comes up with a plan to get more tourists, she says there could be a monster in the loch (think that idea has been done before). There is something in the loch but it is definitely not a monster!! Kate soon starts to dig into Liz’s family history and the story of a pilot drowning in the loch.
In 1940 Constance has escaped her 21st birthday party and goes for a walk, when she sees a Spitfire plane crash into the loch, she jumps in and saves the pilot Mathew who she hides away in a disused Ghillie cottage. They fall in love but he has a secret that will tear them apart.
I fell in love with this book. I loved how the 2 timelines run parallel to each other but come together at the end. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there watching everything happen first hand!!
Beautifully written. A magical blend of history and romance and strong likeable characters, that make this an addictive book that you can fall in love with and will think about long after reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
March 24, 2020
When I saw the blurb to this book, I knew that I would immediately love it. A few pages in, and I faced a dilemma: could I pace myself and really take my time? Or would I lose my head and obsess with the book until I had finished it, in as few sittings as possible? Well, life made that decision for me and, returning to the novel several times, I found myself gradually reading faster and faster, enjoying it more every time.
This was a lovely read. I do enjoy a good dual-narrative story. Typically, I find that I prefer one story thread over the other. This time, Cook has made both timelines equally fascinating. She provides equal attention to both, demonstrating to readers that events from 1940 are just as important to present day. Indeed, at times the chapters in one timeline finished on an action that was continued in the other period: a clever piece of writing and a great match on action that you would usually find in films.
Both female protagonists are admirable. Constance is keen to escape the social restrictions that bound her to her parents and is desperate to do something for the war effort. In present day, Kate is also keen to escape – this time from her troubled past (which also links to social expectations, just like for Constance). The two women converge in Scotland and Cook’s descriptions of Invermoray House and the surrounding highlands are so vivid that I could easily imagine myself there. I felt transported across to Scotland and wanted to visit the secluded cottage that was hidden in the forest on the loch.
Whilst the modern day story follows Kate’s attempts at trying to make Invermoray House a business, undoubtedly, this is more of a romance story with a mystery thrown in as well. Kate gradually finds more about Constance after discovering that she was disinherited from the McLay family. As Kate learns more about what occurred, so do the readers. There were plenty of moments where Cook leaves the time period on a cliffhanger and, whilst I was desperate to find out what happened, quickly became absorbed in the next plot developments. Indeed, as the closing chapters were reached, the writer switches each time between 1940 and 2020; I was literally gasping with shock and surprise because I had not anticipated the revelations.
Cook has been on my radar for a while. Having not read her previous book, I was keen to see what this would be like. I certainly was not disappointed! Although the cover is rather mediocre and repetitive of so many current novels out there, (how many more books are we going to see with the protagonist’s back to the camera?!) I do not feel it reflected how good this story is. This book definitely met my expectations and was simply enjoyable. So much so, that I am desperate to read Cook’s other book. Historical, romantic and mysterious – this is a great literary mixture.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely read. I do enjoy a good dual-narrative story. Typically, I find that I prefer one story thread over the other. This time, Cook has made both timelines equally fascinating. She provides equal attention to both, demonstrating to readers that events from 1940 are just as important to present day. Indeed, at times the chapters in one timeline finished on an action that was continued in the other period: a clever piece of writing and a great match on action that you would usually find in films.
Both female protagonists are admirable. Constance is keen to escape the social restrictions that bound her to her parents and is desperate to do something for the war effort. In present day, Kate is also keen to escape – this time from her troubled past (which also links to social expectations, just like for Constance). The two women converge in Scotland and Cook’s descriptions of Invermoray House and the surrounding highlands are so vivid that I could easily imagine myself there. I felt transported across to Scotland and wanted to visit the secluded cottage that was hidden in the forest on the loch.
Whilst the modern day story follows Kate’s attempts at trying to make Invermoray House a business, undoubtedly, this is more of a romance story with a mystery thrown in as well. Kate gradually finds more about Constance after discovering that she was disinherited from the McLay family. As Kate learns more about what occurred, so do the readers. There were plenty of moments where Cook leaves the time period on a cliffhanger and, whilst I was desperate to find out what happened, quickly became absorbed in the next plot developments. Indeed, as the closing chapters were reached, the writer switches each time between 1940 and 2020; I was literally gasping with shock and surprise because I had not anticipated the revelations.
Cook has been on my radar for a while. Having not read her previous book, I was keen to see what this would be like. I certainly was not disappointed! Although the cover is rather mediocre and repetitive of so many current novels out there, (how many more books are we going to see with the protagonist’s back to the camera?!) I do not feel it reflected how good this story is. This book definitely met my expectations and was simply enjoyable. So much so, that I am desperate to read Cook’s other book. Historical, romantic and mysterious – this is a great literary mixture.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
Constance McLay lives at Invermoray House in Scotland, with her parents Alistair and Augusta. The estate's beautiful, with it's own loch, a forest full of venison and it's a tranquil place. England’s at war with Germany and her brother Douglas is a fighter pilot and so far he’s been based in Scotland. On the night of Constance’s twenty first birthday, her brother’s friend Henry makes a nuisance of himself and Constance escapes his wandering hands. She’s outside looking at the loch and notices a spitfire crash into the water and she dives in to save the pilot. Matthew the pilot is burnt-out by the war, Constance lets him stay in the empty Ghillies cottage and she has no idea he’s keeping a big secret. When the house is turned into a convalescent hospital for officers, she’s worried about Matthew’s being discovered and she has no idea she's putting herself and more than her reputation at risk.
Publicist Kate arrives in the highlands, she’s gets lost in her hire car and almost has an accident. When she finally finds her new place of employment, Invermoray House, the owner Liz Langley-McLay is there to welcome her and her moody son James. They want to turn the old house into a luxurious bed and breakfast, the estate, house and Ghillie cottage are all in need of major repairs. Kate has no idea how bad the financially situation is, and she and James desperately try to save Invermoray House from being sold. While coming up with idea's, Kate discovers the children of the owners didn’t inherit the estate and she wants to discover why?
The Forbidden Promise has a dual timeline, it goes between 1940 and 2020 and I had no trouble following the two stories and they come together perfectly at the end. Lorna Cook has written a story full of compelling characters, she describes the Scottish countryside beautifully, I also enjoyed the mystery, secrets and romance in the narrative. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, it had me hooked from the first page and five stars from me.
Publicist Kate arrives in the highlands, she’s gets lost in her hire car and almost has an accident. When she finally finds her new place of employment, Invermoray House, the owner Liz Langley-McLay is there to welcome her and her moody son James. They want to turn the old house into a luxurious bed and breakfast, the estate, house and Ghillie cottage are all in need of major repairs. Kate has no idea how bad the financially situation is, and she and James desperately try to save Invermoray House from being sold. While coming up with idea's, Kate discovers the children of the owners didn’t inherit the estate and she wants to discover why?
The Forbidden Promise has a dual timeline, it goes between 1940 and 2020 and I had no trouble following the two stories and they come together perfectly at the end. Lorna Cook has written a story full of compelling characters, she describes the Scottish countryside beautifully, I also enjoyed the mystery, secrets and romance in the narrative. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, it had me hooked from the first page and five stars from me.
March 20, 2020
Scotland 1940: It was Constance's twentyfirst birthday party. She sneaks out and goes for a walk. But then she sees a spitfire crash into the loch. She jumps in and saves the pilot, Matthew's life then takes him to a disused Ghillie cottage. They love each other but Mztthe2 is hiding something from Constance.
2020: Liz and James employ Kate to promote their home as a guest house. Kate comes up with the idea that there is a monster in the Loch. Kate starts digging into Liz's family and the story that a pilot had drowned in the Loch.
How will promises and decisions change the fate of two women that lived decade apart.
Both stories are set in Invermoray House. The story is a little bit predictable at times. The dual timeline eventually intertwined seamlessly. There's a few twists but there is a great near the end of the book. Thenoace is steady in this well written and descriptive read. Another book that drew me in from the start.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books Uk and the author Lorna Cook for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2020: Liz and James employ Kate to promote their home as a guest house. Kate comes up with the idea that there is a monster in the Loch. Kate starts digging into Liz's family and the story that a pilot had drowned in the Loch.
How will promises and decisions change the fate of two women that lived decade apart.
Both stories are set in Invermoray House. The story is a little bit predictable at times. The dual timeline eventually intertwined seamlessly. There's a few twists but there is a great near the end of the book. Thenoace is steady in this well written and descriptive read. Another book that drew me in from the start.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books Uk and the author Lorna Cook for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
Many Thanks to Net Galley, Avon Books UK and Lorna Cook for a chance to review this book.
Invermoray House in Scotland, oh how beautifully did the author bring alive the beauty of this place in Scotland. The loch, the mountains, the highland air, never have I wished so much to be physically present and walk in the shoes of the characters.
In 1940, the war is raging on and Constance has escaped the party hosted for her 21st birthday when she sees an aircraft crashing into the loch and she jumps in to save the pilot. She takes the pilot Mathew to the empty ghillie’s cottage in her property where she is requested to keep his presence a secret. Out of the goodness of her heart and fearing his mental stability, Constance agrees to keep the promise which has far reaching repercussions and never imagined consequences.
In the present day 2019, Kate a successful PR has had trouble at her work and to escape the belittling and embarrassment, searches for a new job and gets appointed by Liz the owner of Invermoray House to convert it into a B&B. James, Liz’s son who is also in the house trying to save the roof from collapsing is not keen about Kate’s presence and is hostile initially.
The story is enchanting and captivating as along with Kate who wonders about the heirs to Invermoray house Constance and her brother Douglas, we can’t help but turn the pages to know about the fateful night in September 1940 and to know what destiny had in store for Mathew. I loved how the author has developed the romance in a slow and sweet manner that one can’t help but fall in love with both the couples. The Invermoray village and its friendly inhabitants induces warmth and there’s a mellow feeling at the end of final chapter in the book.
For all fans of Kate Morton who love dilapidated houses, dual time story lines, with family mysteries and romance should definitely check this book out.Recommended!
Invermoray House in Scotland, oh how beautifully did the author bring alive the beauty of this place in Scotland. The loch, the mountains, the highland air, never have I wished so much to be physically present and walk in the shoes of the characters.
In 1940, the war is raging on and Constance has escaped the party hosted for her 21st birthday when she sees an aircraft crashing into the loch and she jumps in to save the pilot. She takes the pilot Mathew to the empty ghillie’s cottage in her property where she is requested to keep his presence a secret. Out of the goodness of her heart and fearing his mental stability, Constance agrees to keep the promise which has far reaching repercussions and never imagined consequences.
In the present day 2019, Kate a successful PR has had trouble at her work and to escape the belittling and embarrassment, searches for a new job and gets appointed by Liz the owner of Invermoray House to convert it into a B&B. James, Liz’s son who is also in the house trying to save the roof from collapsing is not keen about Kate’s presence and is hostile initially.
The story is enchanting and captivating as along with Kate who wonders about the heirs to Invermoray house Constance and her brother Douglas, we can’t help but turn the pages to know about the fateful night in September 1940 and to know what destiny had in store for Mathew. I loved how the author has developed the romance in a slow and sweet manner that one can’t help but fall in love with both the couples. The Invermoray village and its friendly inhabitants induces warmth and there’s a mellow feeling at the end of final chapter in the book.
For all fans of Kate Morton who love dilapidated houses, dual time story lines, with family mysteries and romance should definitely check this book out.Recommended!
March 19, 2020
The Forbidden Promise is one of those books that I just could not put down!
Written as a dual timeline - 1940 and 2020 - I thought that I'd find the parts set in the earlier time period more intriguing as I particularly enjoy books set in the past, but no, I enjoyed them equally - both are full of suspenseful drama.
I took to Constance straight away and I really felt for her - for a few reasons. As I delved deeper into her story, I felt so many emotions rise to the surface and I kept thinking to myself, just one more chapter then I'll stop, but the chapters had me gripped from start to finish. I just wanted, needed, more; to find out more about this wonderful bunch of characters and how the past would define the future, for the characters, and for Invermoray House.
This book had so many surprises, I was lost for words. It is written with so much imagination, the scenery so vivid, and well balanced, thought out elements, make this a first class story. I was so engrossed in the story, I was as rooted as the threads of the story were, they were interwoven, flawlessly.
Kate is the protagonist in the present and although I liked her, I did have a soft spot for Constance.
Kate starts a new job at Invermoray House, Scotland, and I wondered if she would be able to stick it out throughout the whole of her contract. I thought that Liz Langley-McLay, the owner of Invermoray House was a warm character and very welcoming towards Kate and she had a sense of humour that threw Kate on occasion. James, well, I found that there might be a lot to learn about him, but I found him funny, how he just came out with his comments. And like his mother, warm-hearted.
I enjoyed this story immensely and I loved the ending, clever and conclusive. This is a beautiful, albeit, tragic tale which will draw out many emotions in the reader.
I highly recommend!
Many thanks to Avon Books UK via NetGalley.
Written as a dual timeline - 1940 and 2020 - I thought that I'd find the parts set in the earlier time period more intriguing as I particularly enjoy books set in the past, but no, I enjoyed them equally - both are full of suspenseful drama.
I took to Constance straight away and I really felt for her - for a few reasons. As I delved deeper into her story, I felt so many emotions rise to the surface and I kept thinking to myself, just one more chapter then I'll stop, but the chapters had me gripped from start to finish. I just wanted, needed, more; to find out more about this wonderful bunch of characters and how the past would define the future, for the characters, and for Invermoray House.
This book had so many surprises, I was lost for words. It is written with so much imagination, the scenery so vivid, and well balanced, thought out elements, make this a first class story. I was so engrossed in the story, I was as rooted as the threads of the story were, they were interwoven, flawlessly.
Kate is the protagonist in the present and although I liked her, I did have a soft spot for Constance.
Kate starts a new job at Invermoray House, Scotland, and I wondered if she would be able to stick it out throughout the whole of her contract. I thought that Liz Langley-McLay, the owner of Invermoray House was a warm character and very welcoming towards Kate and she had a sense of humour that threw Kate on occasion. James, well, I found that there might be a lot to learn about him, but I found him funny, how he just came out with his comments. And like his mother, warm-hearted.
I enjoyed this story immensely and I loved the ending, clever and conclusive. This is a beautiful, albeit, tragic tale which will draw out many emotions in the reader.
I highly recommend!
Many thanks to Avon Books UK via NetGalley.
April 13, 2020
The Forbidden Promise is set in the dual timelines of 1940 and 2020. In 1940 Constance McLay has run away from her 21st birthday party at Invermoray House in Scotland following unwanted amorous attentions and is the sole witness to a Spitfire crash in the loch within in the grounds of the house.
Bravely diving in to save the pilot, she shelters him in a disused cottage in the grounds, whilst he recovers, keeping his existence a secret from the rest of the household.
Moving to 2020, PR expert Kate has accepted a job at Invermoray House from owner Liz Langley-McLay. Heavily in debt following repairs and with the huge house needing to make an income, Liz wants Kate’s help with promotion to turn it into an up market B&B but Liz’s son James is rather hostile to the idea of Kate’s presence – and the expense of employing her. Kate faces a challenge on both fronts!
The Forbidden Promise promises romance, intrigue and secrets with a surprising twist or two along the way. Kate comes across Constance’s name in the McLay family bible and wonders why her name has been scratched out and why her portrait had been spoilt.
The main characters are all engaging (although there are some minor ones that I disliked with a passion) and although I thought Kate was the stronger female character, probably because of the modern setting, Constance had a strength of character but in a different way. She was desperate to help the war effort but held back by her family. The 1940’s wartime setting and the changes that the McLay family have to endure both personally and to their beloved Invermoray give the story another depth.
The Forbidden Promise was a thoroughly enjoyable read, with the two timelines having consistency and flowing seamlessly. My only observation and this is purely personal, was in thinking the ending slightly abrupt with regard to the historical part of the timeline. The Scottish location was vividly described which made Invermorary House a character in its own right and gave a good sense of place.
Bravely diving in to save the pilot, she shelters him in a disused cottage in the grounds, whilst he recovers, keeping his existence a secret from the rest of the household.
Moving to 2020, PR expert Kate has accepted a job at Invermoray House from owner Liz Langley-McLay. Heavily in debt following repairs and with the huge house needing to make an income, Liz wants Kate’s help with promotion to turn it into an up market B&B but Liz’s son James is rather hostile to the idea of Kate’s presence – and the expense of employing her. Kate faces a challenge on both fronts!
The Forbidden Promise promises romance, intrigue and secrets with a surprising twist or two along the way. Kate comes across Constance’s name in the McLay family bible and wonders why her name has been scratched out and why her portrait had been spoilt.
The main characters are all engaging (although there are some minor ones that I disliked with a passion) and although I thought Kate was the stronger female character, probably because of the modern setting, Constance had a strength of character but in a different way. She was desperate to help the war effort but held back by her family. The 1940’s wartime setting and the changes that the McLay family have to endure both personally and to their beloved Invermoray give the story another depth.
The Forbidden Promise was a thoroughly enjoyable read, with the two timelines having consistency and flowing seamlessly. My only observation and this is purely personal, was in thinking the ending slightly abrupt with regard to the historical part of the timeline. The Scottish location was vividly described which made Invermorary House a character in its own right and gave a good sense of place.
April 28, 2021
As with Lorna Cook’s debut novel, The Forgotten Village, this is a lovely light & absorbing easy read. Both books are dual timeline and both feature an element of mystery along with the history and an element of romance. Although the romantic aspects are rather predictable the story as a whole isn’t and it’s written without any patronising of the reader (which always helps!). The characters are well rounded and believable & the setting here in a Scottish stately home is original.
I’ve enjoyed the book very much & I would describe it as the perfect holiday read;enjoyable & interesting enough without being too demanding.
The ending however did let it down a little - it reminded me of the ending of the film Pretty Woman!
I’ve enjoyed the book very much & I would describe it as the perfect holiday read;enjoyable & interesting enough without being too demanding.
The ending however did let it down a little - it reminded me of the ending of the film Pretty Woman!
September 12, 2022
"Der Mondscheinsee" erzählt eine Geschichte rund um ein altes Herrenhaus in den schottischen Highlands. Die Geschichte spielt zum einen im Jahr 1940, mitten währends des 2. Weltkrieges, und hier lebt Constance mit ihrer Familie in dem Herrenhaus bis eines Nachts ein Flugzeug in den See stürzt und sich damit ihr Leben komplett verändert. Im Jahr 2020 soll Kate das Herrenhaus in ein Bed & Breakfast verwandeln. Auf der Suche nach Besonderheiten, um Gäste für das Bed & Breakfast anzulocken, stößt Kate auf die Geschichte von Constance und ihrer Familie.
Mich konnte das Buch auf beiden Zeitebenen gut unterhalten und ich war gespannt wie sich die Leben der beiden Frauen entwickeln. Die Geschichte in der Vergangenheit hatte durch den Krieg und die Geheimnisse für mich den spannenderen Aspekt und konnte mich daher auch ein wenig mehr mitreißen.
Sympathisch waren mir beide Frauen und ich fand es sehr interessant die beiden in ihrem Leben zu begleiten.
Das Setting rund um das Herrenhaus fand ich ebenfalls sehr gelungen und es hatte eine tolle Atmosphäre. Lediglich Kates Arbeit rund um das Herrenhaus fand ich manchmal ein bisschen zu kurz geraten und hätte mir ein paar mehr Details zur Renovierung gewünscht.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war wieder sehr flüssig zu lesen und ich würde mich auf weitere Übersetzungen ihrer Bücher freuen.
Mich konnte das Buch auf beiden Zeitebenen gut unterhalten und ich war gespannt wie sich die Leben der beiden Frauen entwickeln. Die Geschichte in der Vergangenheit hatte durch den Krieg und die Geheimnisse für mich den spannenderen Aspekt und konnte mich daher auch ein wenig mehr mitreißen.
Sympathisch waren mir beide Frauen und ich fand es sehr interessant die beiden in ihrem Leben zu begleiten.
Das Setting rund um das Herrenhaus fand ich ebenfalls sehr gelungen und es hatte eine tolle Atmosphäre. Lediglich Kates Arbeit rund um das Herrenhaus fand ich manchmal ein bisschen zu kurz geraten und hätte mir ein paar mehr Details zur Renovierung gewünscht.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war wieder sehr flüssig zu lesen und ich würde mich auf weitere Übersetzungen ihrer Bücher freuen.
September 28, 2020
I loved this book. I loved her other one The Forgotten Village but, this one was even better. I kept on reading every moment I could as I wanted to find out what happened in the end. What a truly wonderful finish to a fabulous book.
It was set in an era that I love and it had a dual time line which again is my favourite genre so it was a win, win.
Looking forward to reading her other books when she writes one.
It was set in an era that I love and it had a dual time line which again is my favourite genre so it was a win, win.
Looking forward to reading her other books when she writes one.
September 20, 2020
This was a new author for me but what a great read with a blend of mystery, history and romance. It was one of those books I just couldn't put down and immediately found myself liking the characters. Well worth a read.
July 8, 2020
Having thoroughly enjoyed Lorna Cook's debut
"The Forgotten Village"
I knew that I would love THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE. Two love stories, one house, 80 years apart. This was set to be a cracker of a tale...and I wasn't wrong. I was hooked from the first moment until the very end.
Invermoray House, Scotland, September 1940: As the war rages in England and in Europe, Constance McLay has escaped the confines of the party hosted for her 21st birthday after being manhandled by her brother's friend Henry, who drunkenly assured her that it's what they both want when nothing could be further from the truth.
Seeking the solitude of the peaceful loch, Constance is then the sole witness to a Spitfire fall from the sky and crash into the murky depths. Sparing no thought for herself, she bravely dives into the water - evening dress and all - swims out to where the plane had disappeared and brings the pilot to safety. She takes him to the shelter of the disused guillie cottage on the estate where she is then requested to keep his presence a secret. Fearing for his mental stability, and out of the kindness of her heart, she agrees to the promise.
But little does she know that that promise will have far reaching consequences that will change her life forever.
August 2020: Kate is a successful PR consultant but after finding herself in an embarrassing situation, she applies for a job as far away as you can get...in the highlands of Scotland. Liz and James Langley-McLay are the owners of the rather neglected Invermoray House and wish to convert it to a Bed and Breakfast but are in dire need of some assistance to get their plan up and running.
When Kate arrives at Invermoray House, she is welcomed excitedly by Liz but not so much by her son James, who had no idea his mother had hired her. He has been single-handedly been trying to keep a roof over their heads whilst trying to repair that same roof from collapsing. It appears all the money from the estate has been over spent and now James is trying to keep things running from his own personal savings...including Kate's wages. They soon formulate a plan to get the business up and running, and to attract guests to what is essentially an out of the way part of Scotland. Loch Ness has the monster to bring in visitors - but what can Invermoray offer?
When Kate comes across an old family Bible that seems to have run for generations, she notices the last two names entered - Douglas McLay born 1914 and Constance McLay born 1919 - with a line struck through Constance's name so fiercely that the nib went through several pages below. What had caused such a visceral reaction to strike someone's name from the family Bible? Liz shows her the portraits of Constance and Douglas hanging above the staircase, telling her that when she discovered Constance's it had a great big gash ripped through the centre of it. She had since had it restored but upon looking closely, Kate could see the line that she had thought was just part of the silver gown Constance was wearing.
As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Constance and why it seems her and Douglas had been disinherited, Kate has no idea what she is about to uncover that will change the course of history at Invermoray.
I love dual timeline stories and this one is no different. Both female protagonists are likable and admirable. Constance wants to escape the social restrictions that keep her bound to Invermoray and her parents, and do something for the war effort. In sheltering Matthew, she then feels she is helping in her own way. The two fall in love but there is something lingering in the background that's just a little out of reach. A secret, something that has been left unsaid that could change everything. Kate also wishes to escape her life in London and her troubled past. And in her search for answers to the past she then makes some other startling discoveries, after many over analysing conversations with herself. I could have happily throttled Kate with her many cliched thoughts at times.
But it was Constance I had the softest spot for. I took her immediately and felt for her through every step of the way. I wanted to delve deeper into Constance's story for I knew there was a tale to be told there.
I loved the setting. Scotland is always a picturesque and magical setting - even with the hint of monsters and selkies - with its highlands and ever changeable weather. Invermoray House was a formidable presence (and a character in itself) with the secrets it held and the author brought its essence alive that I felt I was there by the loch, breathing in that highland air.
THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE is enchanting and captivating from the very first page, as the reader is drawn into Constance's story from the beginning. There is an air mystery throughout as secrets are revealed little by little until a final twist that I never saw coming.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE promises romance, intrigue and secrets in this beautifully woven dual timeline tale that flows seamlessly. And that twist...OMG! How did I not see that coming? It was so brilliant it was perfect.
I loved THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE so much that I didn't want it to end. Except maybe Kate's cliched over-analysing...but Constance's story I wanted to go on forever. I wanted to step back into 1940 and stay there.
Another cleverly woven tale by Lorna Cook. Perfect for fans of Kathleen McGurl and Kate Morton.
I would like to thank #LornaCook, #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #TheForbiddenPromise in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Invermoray House, Scotland, September 1940: As the war rages in England and in Europe, Constance McLay has escaped the confines of the party hosted for her 21st birthday after being manhandled by her brother's friend Henry, who drunkenly assured her that it's what they both want when nothing could be further from the truth.
Seeking the solitude of the peaceful loch, Constance is then the sole witness to a Spitfire fall from the sky and crash into the murky depths. Sparing no thought for herself, she bravely dives into the water - evening dress and all - swims out to where the plane had disappeared and brings the pilot to safety. She takes him to the shelter of the disused guillie cottage on the estate where she is then requested to keep his presence a secret. Fearing for his mental stability, and out of the kindness of her heart, she agrees to the promise.
But little does she know that that promise will have far reaching consequences that will change her life forever.
August 2020: Kate is a successful PR consultant but after finding herself in an embarrassing situation, she applies for a job as far away as you can get...in the highlands of Scotland. Liz and James Langley-McLay are the owners of the rather neglected Invermoray House and wish to convert it to a Bed and Breakfast but are in dire need of some assistance to get their plan up and running.
When Kate arrives at Invermoray House, she is welcomed excitedly by Liz but not so much by her son James, who had no idea his mother had hired her. He has been single-handedly been trying to keep a roof over their heads whilst trying to repair that same roof from collapsing. It appears all the money from the estate has been over spent and now James is trying to keep things running from his own personal savings...including Kate's wages. They soon formulate a plan to get the business up and running, and to attract guests to what is essentially an out of the way part of Scotland. Loch Ness has the monster to bring in visitors - but what can Invermoray offer?
When Kate comes across an old family Bible that seems to have run for generations, she notices the last two names entered - Douglas McLay born 1914 and Constance McLay born 1919 - with a line struck through Constance's name so fiercely that the nib went through several pages below. What had caused such a visceral reaction to strike someone's name from the family Bible? Liz shows her the portraits of Constance and Douglas hanging above the staircase, telling her that when she discovered Constance's it had a great big gash ripped through the centre of it. She had since had it restored but upon looking closely, Kate could see the line that she had thought was just part of the silver gown Constance was wearing.
As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Constance and why it seems her and Douglas had been disinherited, Kate has no idea what she is about to uncover that will change the course of history at Invermoray.
I love dual timeline stories and this one is no different. Both female protagonists are likable and admirable. Constance wants to escape the social restrictions that keep her bound to Invermoray and her parents, and do something for the war effort. In sheltering Matthew, she then feels she is helping in her own way. The two fall in love but there is something lingering in the background that's just a little out of reach. A secret, something that has been left unsaid that could change everything. Kate also wishes to escape her life in London and her troubled past. And in her search for answers to the past she then makes some other startling discoveries, after many over analysing conversations with herself. I could have happily throttled Kate with her many cliched thoughts at times.
But it was Constance I had the softest spot for. I took her immediately and felt for her through every step of the way. I wanted to delve deeper into Constance's story for I knew there was a tale to be told there.
I loved the setting. Scotland is always a picturesque and magical setting - even with the hint of monsters and selkies - with its highlands and ever changeable weather. Invermoray House was a formidable presence (and a character in itself) with the secrets it held and the author brought its essence alive that I felt I was there by the loch, breathing in that highland air.
THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE is enchanting and captivating from the very first page, as the reader is drawn into Constance's story from the beginning. There is an air mystery throughout as secrets are revealed little by little until a final twist that I never saw coming.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE promises romance, intrigue and secrets in this beautifully woven dual timeline tale that flows seamlessly. And that twist...OMG! How did I not see that coming? It was so brilliant it was perfect.
I loved THE FORBIDDEN PROMISE so much that I didn't want it to end. Except maybe Kate's cliched over-analysing...but Constance's story I wanted to go on forever. I wanted to step back into 1940 and stay there.
Another cleverly woven tale by Lorna Cook. Perfect for fans of Kathleen McGurl and Kate Morton.
I would like to thank #LornaCook, #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #TheForbiddenPromise in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 20, 2020
This is a perfect example of a supremely well-crafted and structured and historically researched novel that fails in everything else. I was conflicted while reading this because I was not enjoying myself (the characters and romance and writing were mediocre at best and nothing was holding my attention) but I admired how much work went into this novel. A very unique reading experience for me.
This is Lorna Cooke's second published novel and it shows in the less than stellar writing. This has nothing to do with grammar and punctuation. This is all about the prose and why it is always easy to tell how much a writer, even a debut author, feels at ease writing and how experienced they are as a writer by reading their prose. The prose was beyond clunky. There is no fluid rhythm to the writing.
The dialogue was often overdramatic. The numerous instances of "Oh!" I read made me think all of these characters went around with their mouths half opened in astonishment at one thing or another in their daily lives. It was very soap opera-y.
The awful attempts at poetic descriptions were also jarring to read because I could easily see Cook's failing attempt to be poetic and it broke the spell of the book as the descriptions were terrible. A good book is one you can get lost in and not notice the writing. All I could notice was the blocky writing in this book and wonder at how mediocre it was, especially as it is in a published novel. Before anything else, the writing needs to be improved. There is potential here so I am hoping by Cook's fourth or fifth book, the prose will improve enough to allow the story to be the main focus of the story.
Not that there is anything spectacular about the story either.
If you have read even a handful of the numerous historical books coming out for the past several years where you follow two intertwining stories set in different timelines, one set in the past and one set in the future, this is just another one of those novels. There is nothing unique about this story or anything that makes this story stand out. It is cliche and lackluster and completely ordinary. The quality is slightly below average among the sea of similar books being published right now. The story is tolerable enough to read if you have nothing else to read. A plane ride book is how I would categorize this novel.
The big mystery was no mystery. And it was just so frustratingly predictable.
The characters... Let's just say there was an attempt. But they are all forgettable. The characters were all extremely shallow and their character arcs were far too predictable. And dull. So mind-numbingly dull to read. Constance and Kate, absolutely nothing remarkable about either. Constance is trapped by the social rules of her time and wants to do more. Kate is a modern woman who is running away from her past and finds things about herself at this historic building. Again, zero creativity. I can list way too many novels with similar storylines with the same protagonists. The love interests, Matthew and James, are the same, they have nothing about them that will live on in my memories. I liked Liz, she had a fun personality. The others, blah is all I can think.
With all these shortcomings, one thing I admired was that this novel was extremely well-crafted. Yes, this novel bored me to the point I wanted to and should have DNFed it early on, but there was a lot of thought placed into making a quality plot and you can't help but admire that. Each detail led to another and the flow between one plot point and another was well thought out. This book has one of the best structures I've seen in a novel, every moment was there for a reason, no scene was wasted doing nothing.
Lots of novels start with a great high concept and quickly fizzle out as they reach the dreaded middle-of-the-book slump before they ramp up again towards the end. Not this one, there was a steady flow of details revealed in each chapter that showed a lot of effort and historical research was put into the craft of this story. The pacing was even throughout, like a pleasant drive. I predict that Cook made many notes in figuring out what would go where for this novel. And this did make the reading experience a tiny bit more tolerable.
If I had to compare it, if this was a meal, the recipe would be a great recipe that is true and tested, but the ingredients are lacking and the cookware is horrific, resulting in something that could have been better, if only.
There was a lot of potential and Cook shows talent, but the story is not something I could ever recommend to anyone when there are so many much better stories out there. I will be keeping an eye on Cook and hope future books improve because I feel that Cook may write something that I will enjoy one day.
This is Lorna Cooke's second published novel and it shows in the less than stellar writing. This has nothing to do with grammar and punctuation. This is all about the prose and why it is always easy to tell how much a writer, even a debut author, feels at ease writing and how experienced they are as a writer by reading their prose. The prose was beyond clunky. There is no fluid rhythm to the writing.
The dialogue was often overdramatic. The numerous instances of "Oh!" I read made me think all of these characters went around with their mouths half opened in astonishment at one thing or another in their daily lives. It was very soap opera-y.
The awful attempts at poetic descriptions were also jarring to read because I could easily see Cook's failing attempt to be poetic and it broke the spell of the book as the descriptions were terrible. A good book is one you can get lost in and not notice the writing. All I could notice was the blocky writing in this book and wonder at how mediocre it was, especially as it is in a published novel. Before anything else, the writing needs to be improved. There is potential here so I am hoping by Cook's fourth or fifth book, the prose will improve enough to allow the story to be the main focus of the story.
Not that there is anything spectacular about the story either.
If you have read even a handful of the numerous historical books coming out for the past several years where you follow two intertwining stories set in different timelines, one set in the past and one set in the future, this is just another one of those novels. There is nothing unique about this story or anything that makes this story stand out. It is cliche and lackluster and completely ordinary. The quality is slightly below average among the sea of similar books being published right now. The story is tolerable enough to read if you have nothing else to read. A plane ride book is how I would categorize this novel.
The big mystery was no mystery. And it was just so frustratingly predictable.
The characters... Let's just say there was an attempt. But they are all forgettable. The characters were all extremely shallow and their character arcs were far too predictable. And dull. So mind-numbingly dull to read. Constance and Kate, absolutely nothing remarkable about either. Constance is trapped by the social rules of her time and wants to do more. Kate is a modern woman who is running away from her past and finds things about herself at this historic building. Again, zero creativity. I can list way too many novels with similar storylines with the same protagonists. The love interests, Matthew and James, are the same, they have nothing about them that will live on in my memories. I liked Liz, she had a fun personality. The others, blah is all I can think.
With all these shortcomings, one thing I admired was that this novel was extremely well-crafted. Yes, this novel bored me to the point I wanted to and should have DNFed it early on, but there was a lot of thought placed into making a quality plot and you can't help but admire that. Each detail led to another and the flow between one plot point and another was well thought out. This book has one of the best structures I've seen in a novel, every moment was there for a reason, no scene was wasted doing nothing.
Lots of novels start with a great high concept and quickly fizzle out as they reach the dreaded middle-of-the-book slump before they ramp up again towards the end. Not this one, there was a steady flow of details revealed in each chapter that showed a lot of effort and historical research was put into the craft of this story. The pacing was even throughout, like a pleasant drive. I predict that Cook made many notes in figuring out what would go where for this novel. And this did make the reading experience a tiny bit more tolerable.
If I had to compare it, if this was a meal, the recipe would be a great recipe that is true and tested, but the ingredients are lacking and the cookware is horrific, resulting in something that could have been better, if only.
There was a lot of potential and Cook shows talent, but the story is not something I could ever recommend to anyone when there are so many much better stories out there. I will be keeping an eye on Cook and hope future books improve because I feel that Cook may write something that I will enjoy one day.
April 15, 2021
Voor de fans van past present verhalen! Een boek dat vlot leest met 2 verhaallijnen die vlot samenvloeien naar het einde toe. Geen ingewikkelde complotten maar gewoon een erg mooi verhaal om te lezen.
December 7, 2020
This is the first novel I’ve read by this author but definitely won’t be the last. A really enjoyable dual-timeline story that held my interest all the way through.
September 23, 2021
Segundo livro que leio da autora, notando do anterior para este um crescimento na escrita. Uma história contada em dois tempos distanciados de 70 anos, facto que não gosto por norma, mas que neste livro incentivou a sua leitura rapidamente querendo descobrir o que iria acontecer
March 18, 2020
4.5+ stars
Split between 2 timelines at Invermoray House in Scotland, The Forbidden Promise looks at the ripples of events across time. In 1940 the house was at peace while the world was at war, but as war ramps up, the members of the household start to feel the pressure of the war. On Constance’s 21st birthday, she is the only witness to a plane crash that leads her to make a promise to keep the downed pilot hidden. Her promise will bring about consequences she could not have imagined.
Sixty years later, Kate is hired to help the current owners reimagine the house into a bed and breakfast, but quickly learns that the task is larger than she was led to believe. Plagued by finances and a reluctant owner, she has her work cut out for her to turn the house into the beauty it once was. But as she works to market the house, she is intrigued by the secrets that seem to be hiding within the history of the house’s past residents.
The two stories wrap seamlessly around each other, building in similar paces. As Kate learns more about Constance and the house, readers get to see more and more about Constance and the events that would change the fate of the house so drastically.
I loved the role the house played in moving both storylines forward. Constance’s secret is hidden due to the circumstance of war, and as the house moves forward with war efforts, her attempts at keeping the pilot a secret become that much more difficult. Kate’s entire purpose for being in Scotland is the house, and her intrigue at the house’s history makes it easier for her to look past her initial challenges dealing with James.
I loved the way the romances unfolded as well. Both time periods have elements of romance and each builds as is appropriate for the time periods.
This is the first book I have read from the author, but I will be looking to pick up her first (previous) book soon. I loved the writing itself and look forward to more from Ms. Cook.
Split between 2 timelines at Invermoray House in Scotland, The Forbidden Promise looks at the ripples of events across time. In 1940 the house was at peace while the world was at war, but as war ramps up, the members of the household start to feel the pressure of the war. On Constance’s 21st birthday, she is the only witness to a plane crash that leads her to make a promise to keep the downed pilot hidden. Her promise will bring about consequences she could not have imagined.
Sixty years later, Kate is hired to help the current owners reimagine the house into a bed and breakfast, but quickly learns that the task is larger than she was led to believe. Plagued by finances and a reluctant owner, she has her work cut out for her to turn the house into the beauty it once was. But as she works to market the house, she is intrigued by the secrets that seem to be hiding within the history of the house’s past residents.
The two stories wrap seamlessly around each other, building in similar paces. As Kate learns more about Constance and the house, readers get to see more and more about Constance and the events that would change the fate of the house so drastically.
I loved the role the house played in moving both storylines forward. Constance’s secret is hidden due to the circumstance of war, and as the house moves forward with war efforts, her attempts at keeping the pilot a secret become that much more difficult. Kate’s entire purpose for being in Scotland is the house, and her intrigue at the house’s history makes it easier for her to look past her initial challenges dealing with James.
I loved the way the romances unfolded as well. Both time periods have elements of romance and each builds as is appropriate for the time periods.
This is the first book I have read from the author, but I will be looking to pick up her first (previous) book soon. I loved the writing itself and look forward to more from Ms. Cook.
March 19, 2020
4.5 stars
I did enjoy this book, the main characters were engaging and the dual timeline worked well. The attitude of Constance’s parents during 1940 seemed to be typical of their class. I enjoyed the romances, although they were different in many ways. The ending was a complete surprise, I had been wondering how the two stories would come together but never guessed how it would. As I found this book to be so entertaining, I have now purchased The Forgotten Village. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I did enjoy this book, the main characters were engaging and the dual timeline worked well. The attitude of Constance’s parents during 1940 seemed to be typical of their class. I enjoyed the romances, although they were different in many ways. The ending was a complete surprise, I had been wondering how the two stories would come together but never guessed how it would. As I found this book to be so entertaining, I have now purchased The Forgotten Village. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 28, 2020
The Forbidden Promise is the second book from Lorna Cook following on from her brilliant début The Forgotten Village which was published last year. Again the story is told in a duel timeline format and as I am a big fan of this type of writing I was more than pleased to delve into the book. This book is really character driven focusing on two women Constance and Kate separated by many years but who are both seeking something new in life.
August 2019 and Kate is escaping from London after her successful career in PR has come crashing down all thanks to some high powered businessman who spun some lies and made Kate out to be the culprit. Kate is seeking peace and quiet and space for her to rebuild her reputation away from all those who know about the awful situation that unfolded. Her best friend Jenny made her apply for two jobs from away from the city and Kate has been successful in securing a position in Scotland. She has a six month contract to work at Invermoray House which is a beautiful estate surrounded by woodland with a loch at its centre. The loch will go on to play a crucial role in the story for many different reasons. Kate thinks she is there to provide some PR for the house in order for more tourists to visit. On arrival little does she realise any form of visitor or guest is non existent and her first encounter with James Langley does not go to plan either. Liz, his mother, had kept secret the fact that she had employed Kate and this does not go down well at all with James. Clearly, there is a lot more going on than first meets the eye when it comes to Invermoray House and its residents and the same can be said for its past history during the war years as well.
For the majority of the book James came across as being surly, sullen, argumentative and just not open to discussion or new ideas. But underneath it all there was something about him that was vulnerable and that if Kate pushed that little harder he would accept the help she was offering in order to turn the fortunes of the house around. I could see the chemistry developing between the pair but neither of them wanted to give into it. They were both stubborn and there was lots of miscommunication but I felt things went on more of an even keel for them when they started to work as a team to bring their ideas and innovations for the house to fruition. Also as they started to dig back into the past as to what had happened in the year that Constance celebrated her 21st birthday, things got very intriguing.
I loved the chapters set back during 1940 as we get to know Constance. We meet her on the night of her 21st birthday as she flees from the house as unwanted advances from a member of the opposite sex do nothing to make her enjoy the celebrations. As she sits overlooking the loch, she sees something strange and startling and before she knows it she is in the water rescuing a pilot who has been shot down. As his plane sinks into the water, Constance rescues Matthew and with this heroic action Constance's life is changed forever. She takes Matthew to the ghillie's cottage which has been abandoned since he left for war. The events of the night and Matthew himself must remain a secret for Matthew says he does not wish to return to his squadron. Constance is torn between a rock and a hard place, she knows the right thing to do but there is also a part of her who longs to go against convention. She keeps Matthew a secret but at what cost?
Constance was a young woman from a privileged background but she felt stifled by the constraints placed against her. She longs to do her bit for the war but is prevented from doing so by her parents. So in some small way by sheltering and protecting Matthew she believes she is alleviating some of her guilt at not being allowed out into the wider world instead of hiding behind the walls of Invermoray House. Up until now she had been threading water, with no sense of herself but upon rescuing Matthew she finds purpose and feels renewed. The friendship that develops between the pair was slow and steady and you can tell that there is more to come when it comes to matters of the heart. But is Constance just rushing into things for want of some excitement or is this her true calling in life. She put herself in great danger and made plenty of sacrifices but would it ultimately led to danger, loss and disappointment? At times I thought she lost sense of the bigger picture and wasn't truly thinking fully of the consequences of her actions. If Matthew was discovered and Constance's part in it all surely the fallout would be catastrophic.
I loved the element of a character in the present uncovering secrets and mysteries from the past but I felt at times there needed to be more of this. I thought Kate didn't investigate enough as to the background of the family living at Invermoray and why someone seemed to have been written out of said family. Yes she started asking questions but I never felt a really urge from here to dig that little bit deeper to discover just what had happened and why. Towards the end she did get a little spurt under her to seek out old newspapers and to do some online research but I would have loved if this had been constant throughout the book. It just felt that it happened a little bit too late and therefore made the ending slightly rushed. Perhaps another chapter or two focusing on the historical element would have allowed for some more exploration as to what happened to certain characters and why. It read as if too much was being fitted into it in order to answer all the questions and angles that had arisen throughout the course of the story.
All that said this was another very good read from Lorna Cook and I did enjoy the story. I mean that twist in the last few chapters I literally stopped and said oh my God. How could I not have seen that coming? As truly everything you had thought up until that point was turned on its head. Instantly I had changed my opinion of certain characters that perhaps I had put faith and trust in as we got to know them over the course of the story. I know it was wrong to do that but that was my gut reaction and I think many other readers will feel the same. The reason for such a twist was very well explained and justified but it did make me really feel for the main characters as these revelations led to consequences that I couldn't have foreseen occurring.
The last few chapters were startling and tense as a whole range of emotions came rushing to the surface and the fallout for all involved led to heartbreak, devastation, anger and trauma. The reader really runs the gauntlet with the characters and you desperately hope that some form of love, happiness and acceptance can be found in the most desperate of times. I hope Lorna Cook is hard at work on book number three because she has shown she is a fantastic author of historical fiction and deserves lots of success especially with this new book.
August 2019 and Kate is escaping from London after her successful career in PR has come crashing down all thanks to some high powered businessman who spun some lies and made Kate out to be the culprit. Kate is seeking peace and quiet and space for her to rebuild her reputation away from all those who know about the awful situation that unfolded. Her best friend Jenny made her apply for two jobs from away from the city and Kate has been successful in securing a position in Scotland. She has a six month contract to work at Invermoray House which is a beautiful estate surrounded by woodland with a loch at its centre. The loch will go on to play a crucial role in the story for many different reasons. Kate thinks she is there to provide some PR for the house in order for more tourists to visit. On arrival little does she realise any form of visitor or guest is non existent and her first encounter with James Langley does not go to plan either. Liz, his mother, had kept secret the fact that she had employed Kate and this does not go down well at all with James. Clearly, there is a lot more going on than first meets the eye when it comes to Invermoray House and its residents and the same can be said for its past history during the war years as well.
For the majority of the book James came across as being surly, sullen, argumentative and just not open to discussion or new ideas. But underneath it all there was something about him that was vulnerable and that if Kate pushed that little harder he would accept the help she was offering in order to turn the fortunes of the house around. I could see the chemistry developing between the pair but neither of them wanted to give into it. They were both stubborn and there was lots of miscommunication but I felt things went on more of an even keel for them when they started to work as a team to bring their ideas and innovations for the house to fruition. Also as they started to dig back into the past as to what had happened in the year that Constance celebrated her 21st birthday, things got very intriguing.
I loved the chapters set back during 1940 as we get to know Constance. We meet her on the night of her 21st birthday as she flees from the house as unwanted advances from a member of the opposite sex do nothing to make her enjoy the celebrations. As she sits overlooking the loch, she sees something strange and startling and before she knows it she is in the water rescuing a pilot who has been shot down. As his plane sinks into the water, Constance rescues Matthew and with this heroic action Constance's life is changed forever. She takes Matthew to the ghillie's cottage which has been abandoned since he left for war. The events of the night and Matthew himself must remain a secret for Matthew says he does not wish to return to his squadron. Constance is torn between a rock and a hard place, she knows the right thing to do but there is also a part of her who longs to go against convention. She keeps Matthew a secret but at what cost?
Constance was a young woman from a privileged background but she felt stifled by the constraints placed against her. She longs to do her bit for the war but is prevented from doing so by her parents. So in some small way by sheltering and protecting Matthew she believes she is alleviating some of her guilt at not being allowed out into the wider world instead of hiding behind the walls of Invermoray House. Up until now she had been threading water, with no sense of herself but upon rescuing Matthew she finds purpose and feels renewed. The friendship that develops between the pair was slow and steady and you can tell that there is more to come when it comes to matters of the heart. But is Constance just rushing into things for want of some excitement or is this her true calling in life. She put herself in great danger and made plenty of sacrifices but would it ultimately led to danger, loss and disappointment? At times I thought she lost sense of the bigger picture and wasn't truly thinking fully of the consequences of her actions. If Matthew was discovered and Constance's part in it all surely the fallout would be catastrophic.
I loved the element of a character in the present uncovering secrets and mysteries from the past but I felt at times there needed to be more of this. I thought Kate didn't investigate enough as to the background of the family living at Invermoray and why someone seemed to have been written out of said family. Yes she started asking questions but I never felt a really urge from here to dig that little bit deeper to discover just what had happened and why. Towards the end she did get a little spurt under her to seek out old newspapers and to do some online research but I would have loved if this had been constant throughout the book. It just felt that it happened a little bit too late and therefore made the ending slightly rushed. Perhaps another chapter or two focusing on the historical element would have allowed for some more exploration as to what happened to certain characters and why. It read as if too much was being fitted into it in order to answer all the questions and angles that had arisen throughout the course of the story.
All that said this was another very good read from Lorna Cook and I did enjoy the story. I mean that twist in the last few chapters I literally stopped and said oh my God. How could I not have seen that coming? As truly everything you had thought up until that point was turned on its head. Instantly I had changed my opinion of certain characters that perhaps I had put faith and trust in as we got to know them over the course of the story. I know it was wrong to do that but that was my gut reaction and I think many other readers will feel the same. The reason for such a twist was very well explained and justified but it did make me really feel for the main characters as these revelations led to consequences that I couldn't have foreseen occurring.
The last few chapters were startling and tense as a whole range of emotions came rushing to the surface and the fallout for all involved led to heartbreak, devastation, anger and trauma. The reader really runs the gauntlet with the characters and you desperately hope that some form of love, happiness and acceptance can be found in the most desperate of times. I hope Lorna Cook is hard at work on book number three because she has shown she is a fantastic author of historical fiction and deserves lots of success especially with this new book.
November 26, 2021
I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed previous books from this author, however it was a bit heavier on the romance factor thank I would have preferred.
March 27, 2024
Another great book by Lorna Cook. I love the dual time line and the story telling was so good - the different chapters often ended right at a moment when you wanted that part of the story to continue so if course I had to read on and couldn’t go to bed until I finished it!
February 8, 2020
My first Lorna Cook and I loved this one, look out for its release on 19 March 2020
April 1, 2022
Outstanding!
I was unsure, having not read this author before. Much to my pleasure the story captivated me from the start. I need to find other titles from the author!
I was unsure, having not read this author before. Much to my pleasure the story captivated me from the start. I need to find other titles from the author!
October 28, 2023
ההבטחה האסורה הוא רומן היסטורי מקסים. בימים מודרניים קייט מחפשת עבודה. היא יחצנית מלונדון שנמאס לה מהעיר הגדולה ואחרי אסון אישי בעבודה היא מחליטה לקבל עבודה זמנית באחוזה בעיירה נידחת בסקוטלנד שמנסה לעבור הסבה למלון בוטיק. באחוזה היא מגלה את הסיפור של קונסטנס. נערה שמלאו לה 21 בימי מלחמת העולם השנייה. בזמן שהיא בורחת ממסיבת היום הולדת של עצמה היא רואה מטוס צבאי שמתרסק לאגם שמול ביתה. האם היא תצליח להציל את הטייס ובאיזה מחיר? עד לקראת סוף הספר חשבתי שזה רומן היסטורי נורא נחמד ושגרתי. כתוב באופן סוחף ונורא אהבתי את הדמויות אבל עדיין סטנדרטי. ואז הגיע הטוויסט של הסיום שהפך לאותו לספר מרוב הרומנים ההיסטוריים שקראתי. אם כי הטוויסט הרגיש לי קצת כנמנע מלהתייחס למשמעויות האמתיות שלו והשאיר את הספר ברמת חביב מאוד במקום עמוק.
October 24, 2021
Eerste boek van haar dat ik lees en wat een parel. 😍😍 Het verhaal speelt zich af in het verleden en heden... Wat lees ik zo'n boeken toch graag. Een vleugje geschiedenis met romantiek vervlochten vs de hedendaagse tijd in al zijn facetten ☺️☺️ Top boek!!
April 11, 2022
3,75*
Gostei bastante da história que se passava no presente. Já a do passado, irritou-me um bocado.
Mas era uma historia necessária, para compreender o presente :)
Gostei bastante!!
Gostei bastante da história que se passava no presente. Já a do passado, irritou-me um bocado.
Mas era uma historia necessária, para compreender o presente :)
Gostei bastante!!
October 27, 2025
3.5 stars
December 7, 2019
A lifetime of Happiness
Two romance stories, one in WWII and one in current life. Both stories connected to a house called Invermoray on the Scottish Loch.
The year was 1940, the war between Britain and Germany had just begun. This is the story of a house called Invermoray where Douglas a young British pilot and his younger sister Constance lived with their parents. This is where it all begins. Douglas's friend Henry, his sister Constance, and a downed Pilot in the loch named Matthew. The story is about a love affair, secrets reviewed and a tragic death. The story ends with a banishment from Invermoray, a disinheritance, and a happy ever after.
The year is 1999, and James and his mother have inherited Invermoray and decided to turn it into a bed and breakfast. they have hired a young lady from London named Kate to help with this project. Not only do James and Kate discover the mystery behind the airplane they find in the loch, but they actually meet the daughter of Constance. In all this they discover their own forever happiness.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and the characters were realistic and believable. I was very vested in both storylines and had a hard time putting the book down. The house and the surroundings sound so beautiful.
I recommend this book, it will give you hours of enjoyment.
Thanks to Lorna Cook, Avon Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this book
Two romance stories, one in WWII and one in current life. Both stories connected to a house called Invermoray on the Scottish Loch.
The year was 1940, the war between Britain and Germany had just begun. This is the story of a house called Invermoray where Douglas a young British pilot and his younger sister Constance lived with their parents. This is where it all begins. Douglas's friend Henry, his sister Constance, and a downed Pilot in the loch named Matthew. The story is about a love affair, secrets reviewed and a tragic death. The story ends with a banishment from Invermoray, a disinheritance, and a happy ever after.
The year is 1999, and James and his mother have inherited Invermoray and decided to turn it into a bed and breakfast. they have hired a young lady from London named Kate to help with this project. Not only do James and Kate discover the mystery behind the airplane they find in the loch, but they actually meet the daughter of Constance. In all this they discover their own forever happiness.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and the characters were realistic and believable. I was very vested in both storylines and had a hard time putting the book down. The house and the surroundings sound so beautiful.
I recommend this book, it will give you hours of enjoyment.
Thanks to Lorna Cook, Avon Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this book
Displaying 1 - 29 of 306 reviews