The Promise

by Ruth Saberton

No matter what promises you make, some dark secrets refuse to stay buried...

When Nell Summers stumbles across a photograph in her late father’s belongings, the faded image of a young soldier leads her to question everything she knows. Drawn to Cornwall in search of answers, a neglected garden and crumbling Second World War fortifications offer some explanation, but does anyone remain who might remember the truth? And whose promise was broken with devastating consequences?

As her world turns upside down, Nell must face her own past and confront secrets deeper and darker than she could ever imagine. 

From the bestselling Winston Graham Historical Prize for Fiction shortlisted author, comes a haunting and beautiful new novel.

What Amazon readers and reviewers are saying about The Promise:

"One of my books of the year,"

"If you like Kate Morton, this is the book for you!"

"I loved every word and had to ration myself"

"A truly captivating and well told story"

"My favourite book of the year"

"Compelling and enchanting."

"A heartwrenching story that will live long in the memory"

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2019

About the author

Ruth Saberton is a bestselling British author with over 25 books written under her own and pen names. Her books feature romance and secrets and are set in beautiful Cornwall.
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton

www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor

Reviews

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is very emotional and extremely detailed. Although I have enjoyed the reading, I was curious to find out what really have happened and ended up skipping pages and endless paragraphs.
I intent to come back to this book one day, now that I know the ending, and read all the detailed descriptions without getting stressed by them.
It is a very interesting point of view of the events preceding the D day, the horrors of war and the people who suffered through the experience.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[dunkelgefunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5-4 Sterne
ausführliche Review folgt noch

[Pocahontas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nach dem Tod ihres Vaters drohen Trauer und Verlust die junge Schriftstellerin Nell zu überwältigen. Da findet sie unter seinen Besitztümern ein altes Foto: Es zeigt einen jungen Soldaten, der ihrem Vater wie aus dem Gesicht geschnitten ist. Nell folgt den Hinweisen bis an die Küste Cornwalls, um die Geschichte ihrer Familie zu erforschen. Dabei begegnet sie der neunzigjährigen Estella, die sich an den Sommer 1944 erinnert, an eine verbotene Liebe und eine unvergleichliche Freundschaft. Und der charmante Josh weckt Gefühle in Nell, die sie längst verloren geglaubt hat ... 
Meinung
Dies ist der zweite Roman der Autorin, den ich gelesen haben. Und wieder einmal hat sie es geschafft mich zu fesseln und zu unterhalten.
Das Buch ist in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart aufgeteilt und die Kapitel wechseln sich ab. Der Prolog ist geheimnisvoll. Als würde man mit dem Paar, dessen Namen man nicht kennt, dieses teilen.
Gerade die Vergangenheit die 1939 beginnt hat mich in seinen Bann gezogen.
Die Zeit war wie das Meer. Genau wie die Worte, die Evie und Estella vor über achtzig Jahren mit den Spitzen zweier Stücke Treibholz in den Sand geschrieben hatten, spülte es jetzt die Erinnerungen davon.
Ein Buch über Liebe Rassismus, Krieg, Gewalt und über Freundschaft.
Große Lese Empfehlung

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise is by Ruth Saberton. This World War II novel was a wonderful surprise. Sometimes you read a book that just resonates with meaning for you. It takes you completely out of your time and place into a different world where there are terrible and wonderful things happening. When those things happening are those that actually happened and happened to real people, it really wakes you up. That is a book that you simply never want to end and although you are thrilled for it to end, you are also disappointed that it ends as you have to leave that magical world for the real world. Ruth Saberton has done that with this book. She has taken a time of turmoil and created an Eden where love and romance take the stage. However, evil and trouble lurk in the background.
This book was a surprise which I found recommended for me on Amazon Unlimited. Without that recommendation, I probably would never have found this book and my reading world would not have been so blessed. The book has just about everything you could want in a good book and it is well-written and compelling to read. I highly recommend this to readers who are interested in reading different aspects of World War II.

[Michael Christian Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Saberton weaves a magic spell.

The author enchants with her unique prose, drawing the reader into her mysterious garden, forrest and Pencallyn House. She employs Cornish superstition and occultic myth, folklore, and magic, to set a creepy mood for her gripping novel, with a touch of scary Heathcliff Wuthering Heights intensity thrown in. Things like Druid Ley-lines; a straight alignment line drawn between historic structures and prominent landmarks such as the well, the sundial, and of course, the garden. Language like odd atmosphere, uneasy feelings, clawing sensations, lurking shadows, are used to call-up spooky notions and chill sensations. I often question whether Juliet, Shakespeare's star struck lover, actually had a clue about the ardent passion that Shakespeare penned. Likewise, was it possible for Estella and Evie to articulate the same ardent desires? Well, I leave that for the reader to decide. It's a spell binding read, reminiscent of a Thomas Hardy tragedy.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say this...

I gave up. I didn’t get to the end. I was so looking forward to reading this book after seeing the amazing reviews and reading about the links to racism the war but I got 48% through and nothing has even happened. It is so terribly over descriptive that it has so much unnecessary and (sorry to say this) boring information in it that really isn’t needed to create a story. I get that it usually takes a few chapters to develop a story line but 48% through and I still can’t grasp one. Not only the content, but has this book even been proofread? There are so many mistakes and sentences that don’t make sense. The characters are likeable and the story has potential but I just ... couldn’t finish it. Quite frankly, I got bored and gave up.

[Annett Jummrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very moving and sad story told badly. The story itself is very emotional and the main subject is very serious (racial discrimination and prejudice), but unfortunately it's written badly. The endless descriptions, the repetitions, the choice of words make the story drag on. As a reader you pretty much know after a third of the book where the story goes and what the likely ending is.
The mistakes in the book (e.g. incorrect name for one of the characters, a year that is incorrect) made me question how thorough the proofreaders actually did their jobs.

Could have been an amazing book, but unfortunately the book doesn't live up to its promise (pardon the pun). 2-2.5 stars.

[Georgiana R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent Descriptive Read!

There’s very few books where I enjoy lengthy descriptions, but this book is worth taking time to read every word. Whilst this didn’t make it a quick read for me, it made it a deliciously slow walk through someone else’s life, through beautiful gardens and secret places.

I don’t wish to spoil this for anyone so my review isn’t going into any character descriptions, however, I loved each and every one of them, and equally detested the unlikeable characters. This book made me truly feel deep emotions!

Superb writing!

[Lizzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story, but I agree with one of the other reviewers, it seems poorly written, with endless repetitive descriptions and so many errors it is hard to imagine anyone proof read it. Incorrect name of a major character and so many missing words.

I did enjoy the story overall though, and the mystery kept me turning the pages.

[Nancy G. Murdoch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story with too many words

I liked the premise and the characters. Unfortunately, the author hasn't learned that less is more. About a 100 less words would have made this book more compelling. After all, the reader doesn't pay by the word.

[Michele Zito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but this book did nothing for me. Skipped a lot of parts, descriptions of locales, feelings etc... too long and repetitious, it actually became somewhat boring.
I am sure others have enjoyed but it was not for me.

[lenisvea`s Bücherwelt (Sandra Berghaus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verlag

Aufbau Taschenbuch
Veröffentlichung
14.02.2022
ISBN
978-3-7466-3789-1
Format
Taschenbuch
Anzahl Seiten
541
Sprache
Deutsch
Paperback/Audio-Download 12,99 €

Heute, morgen und für alle Zeit.

Nach dem Tod ihres Vaters drohen Trauer und Verlust die junge Schriftstellerin Nell zu überwältigen. Da findet sie unter seinen Besitztümern ein altes Foto: Es zeigt einen jungen Soldaten, der ihrem Vater wie aus dem Gesicht geschnitten ist. Nell folgt den Hinweisen bis an die Küste Cornwalls, um die Geschichte ihrer Familie zu erforschen. Dabei begegnet sie der neunzigjährigen Estella, die sich an den Sommer 1944 erinnert, an eine verbotene Liebe und eine unvergleichliche Freundschaft. Und der charmante Josh weckt Gefühle in Nell, die sie längst verloren geglaubt hat ...

Eine junge Frau auf den Spuren ihrer Vergangenheit: dramatisch, herzzerreißend und voller Hoffnung.

Zur Autorin

Ruth Saberton wurde in London geboren und lebt heute mit ihrer Familie in Cornwall. Obwohl sie weit gereist ist, gibt es für sie keinen Ort, der sich mit der rauen Schönheit dieser Küstenlandschaft messen kann. Hier findet sie immer wieder neue Inspiration für ihre Romane. In England gilt sie als absolute Bestsellerautorin.

Meine Meinung


Ich habe im letzten Jahr schon mit Begeisterung Der Liebesbrief von der Autorin gelesen und gehört. Daher habe ich mich jetzt sehr über diese Neuerscheinung gefreut.


Auch der Einstieg in diesen Roman ist mir sehr gut gelungen.


Man lernt hier die junge Schriftstellerin Nell kennen, die nach dem Tod ihres Vaters in dessen Unterlagen Fotos gefunden, die ihr rätselhaft sind. Ihre Suche führt sie nach Cornwall und dort kommt sie langsam dem Rätsel um die Herkunft ihres Vaters näher.


In der Vergangenheit geht es in Kriegszeiten um Estelle und ihrer Freundin Ivy. Estelle wächst in gutsituierten Verhältnissen auf und Ivy kommt eines Tages mit in die Familie und die beiden sind ein Herz und eine Seele. Doch dies ändert sich vorübergehend und das Schicksal nimmt seinen Lauf.


Das Setting rund um Cornwall hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Auch die Charaktere wie Nell, Estelle und Ivy und ihre Geschichte konnten mein Interesse schnell wecken.


Ich habe mich hier für das Lesen und Hören entschieden. Die Sprecherin des Hörbuchs ist hier Marylu Poolman.


Zwischendrin war der Roman ein wenig langatmig und für meinen Geschmack leicht kitschig, aber als es dann zum Ende und zur Auflösung kam, war ich absolut gefesselt und begeistern.


Alles in allem kann ich hier eine absolute Lese- und Hörempfehlung mit sehr guten 4,5 Sternen aussprechen. Ich freue mich schon jetzt auf den nächsten Roman der Autorin.


4,5 von 5 Sternen



Cover, Buchdetails und Klappentext: ©Aufbau Verlag
Infos zur Autorin: @Aufbau Verlag

Rezension: ©lenisveasbücherwelt
Beitragsbild: ©lenisveasbücherwelt

[Marimirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nell begibt sich auf der Suche nach ihrer Herkunft nach Cornwall. Dabei beschäftigt sie sich mit den Geschehnissen im 2. Weltkrieg und taucht tief in die Geschichte eines amerikanischen Soldaten ein.

Für mich besteht das Buch aus zwei Teilen: der erste Teil handelt von Nell bevor sie sich auf ihre Reise macht und hat leider so gar nicht meinen Geschmack getroffen. Der zweite Teil in Cornwall konnte das Buch dann doch noch halbwegs retten.

Schon nach dem Vorwort habe ich kurz überlegt, ob ich es nicht wieder sein lassen soll. Die Sprache war so steif und einfach, überhaupt nicht flüssig. Zum Glück hat sich das aber sofort im ersten Kapitel gebessert. Noch immer hatte ich so meine Schwierigkeiten mit dem Stil der Autorin, es wollte einfach nicht flutschen. Dazu kommt, dass die ersten 40% des Buches auch nicht wirklich spannend waren. Ich war mehr als einmal kurz davor, das Buch vorzeitig zu beenden. Alles war aus ähnlichen Büchern bekannt: eine junge Frau findet einen Hinweis auf ihre Herkunft und möchte nun herausfinden, wer sie wirklich ist. Es gab keine Überraschungen und ich fand auch, dass alles sehr emotionslos erzählt wurde.

Dann wurde es besser. Kaum hat war Nell in Cornwall angekommen, wurde es endlich interessanter. Ich wollte nun tatsächlich wissen, ob ich mit meiner Vermutung recht habe. Nun ja, es war dann eine nette Geschichte, aber mehr auch nicht. Die geschichtlichen Einblicke in das Leben im Krieg haben mir sehr gut gefallen - ich denke, die Autorin sollte mehr in diesem Bereich bleiben und das drum herum in der Gegenwart auslassen. Ich hatte das Gefühl, tatsächlich am Schreibstil zu merken, dass ihr die Passagen in der Vergangenheit mehr liegen. Da hat sich alles gleich viel flüssiger und leichter gelesen, obwohl es inhaltlich sicher der anspruchsvollere Teil war.

Mit 541 Seiten ist es doch eine recht lange Geschichte, die für meinen Geschmack an der ein oder anderen Stelle, vor allem aber in der ersten Hälfte, ruhig etwas gestrafft werden hätte können.

Mich konnte das Buch leider nicht überzeugen.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Promise by Ruth Saberton is a 2019 Millington publication.

This book has not only been languishing on my Kindle for a little while but is also a Kindle Unlimited book I checked out a really long time ago- so, it was time to read it or return it. Overall, the book seemed well received and I have not read a historical fiction novel in a long time…. So here we are.

The story switches back and forth between the present and Cornwall during the second world war. After her father’s death, Nell is going through his things when she discovers a faded photograph, she knows will unlock the key to her father’s heritage. When she arrives in Cornwall, she eventually finds Estella, a woman who knew her grandfather during the war.
As Estella lies in a hospital bed facing down her final days, she finally tells her story to her neighbor, Josh and to Nell, who will finally get the elusive answers to what really happened to her grandfather, a black man accused of desertion…

This is a really good story. It is emotional and bittersweet, compelling and mysterious. Unfortunately, the pacing is just too slow and there were some issues with the writing, as well. A bit of editing would have done wonders, but as it was, I did find myself skimming here and there- feeling like it was time to get things wrapped up, especially as it was clear where the story was heading.

The author definitely has the right idea, and her story is absolutely one worth investing in- but it does require patience and one will have to overlook the rough draft quality of the book. The story has real potential; it just needs some professional spit and shine work done to give it a good polish.

Although the story is worthy of at least a four-star rating, I do feel I should consider the reading experience, which was rocky at times, which unfortunately brings it down to 3 stars.

Although the book suffers from some common small or self-pub editing issues, the storytelling is fine. I'll consider reading this author again.

[Dagmar Ernst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nell findet nach dem Tod ihres Vaters in seinen Unterlagen ein altes Foto. Darauf ist ein junger Mann in Uniform, der ihrem Vater sehr ähnlich sieht. Sie reist nach Cornwall und begegnet hier der fünfundneunzigjährigen Estella, die sich noch sehr gut an den Sommer 1944 erinnern kann.
Ruth Saberton erzählt diese Geschichte mit einem sehr blumigen Sprach-u. Schreibstil. Die Protagonisten sind sehr gut ausgearbeitet und deren Charakter bildhaft dargestellt. Estella, die Hauptprotagonistin ist voller Fantasie und trägt ihr Herz auf der Zunge. Sie ist bodenständig und aufrichtig. Ihre Liebe gilt dem „geheimnisvollen Garten“. Evie, ein junges Mädchen, das von London auf das Land verschickt wurde, ist clever, sieht alles und ist quicklebendig. Nichts entgeht ihrer Wachsamkeit. Jakob ist ein schwarzer GI, der kurz vor seinem Einsatz steht. Estella und Jay verlieben sich unsterblich ineinander und wollen nach dem Krieg in Amerika ein gemeinsames Leben beginnen. Für beide ist es die Liebe ihres Lebens. Die Autorin hat diesen Roman sehr gut recherchiert und die Rassenprobleme bei der Armee und der Bevölkerung authentisch dargestellt. Leider hat das Buch einige Längen und Wiederholungen, die meinen Lesefluss beeinträchtigten. Trotzdem hat mir das Buch gut gefallen und ich war stets gespannt, wie es weitergeht.
Mein Fazit:
Ein dramatischer und herzzerreißender Roman, den ich gerne weiter empfehle. 4 Sterne.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is an enthralling story, and so beautifully told. In the present day, Nell, struggling with grief and loss following the death of her father and feeling set adrift, finds some photographs among his possessions and follows the clues to the Cornish coast where she hopes to find out more about her family history. The other key character is Estella, living alone in her dilapidated mansion set in its overgrown garden, struggling with age and infirmity, feeling the onset of confusion and dementia (particularly sympathetically and well portrayed): but she has a rich seam of memories – retold to Nell – beginning with a deep childhood friendship, then moving into wartime where she finds a deep and forbidden love.

I’d never before considered the impact of the “friendly invasion” of US troops on such a community, and the author’s obvious depth of research brings a vivid authenticity to their experience – the fenced off beaches, the billeting of the officers, the sprawling camp, the bursts of frightening and frenetic activity. And then there’s also the reality of life for the troops themselves – and the enduring prejudice and alienation when your skin happens to be a different colour.

This is one of those wonderful sweeping books that consumes you – gently told, with some exceptionally vivid descriptions bringing the setting to life in the past and present. I particularly liked the touches of Cornish magic and mysticism, the nods to myth and legend, the significance of ley lines, the glimpses through the veil, the labyrinth and sundial, the closed-off well, the echoes of sadness. The romance – past and present – is well-done too, real and convincing, with a deftness in the handling of the emotional content. And it’s a really powerful story, with a very satisfying and uplifting ending – filled with love, hope, and ending with the real possibility of moving on.

At close to 400 pages, I will admit it took me quite a while to read, and I perhaps found my attention drifting a little at times: while the descriptions are stunning, I did feel they sometimes affected the pace and momentum of the story a little. But the whole was so enjoyable, such an engaging story with its unexpected twists and turns, that I can totally forgive that – and perhaps put it down to reading in fits and starts when unable to sit down with it for a more focused read. Yes, I’d really recommend this one – a slice of hidden history I found simply fascinating, an absorbing story so well told, and a book I very much enjoyed.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that this book was historical fiction set in WW2 times which happens to be one of my fave genres, it was an easy choice for me to decide to try a new author and to give this book a read, plus the book cover and blurb were highly appealing.

It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Estella and Evie back in 1939 to 1944 and that of Nell and Josh in present day, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1939/1940 to present day which was done so seamlessly.

Overall I loved the story, it was shocking, emotional, heart breaking and insightful in equal measures. The story really pulled me in and grabbed me tight. It was tense hard reading in places when you imagine that this is what it really was like back in WW2 times. If I had to make one criticism it would be that some of the book is slow going because of the detailed in-depth description of people, locations, scenery, that sort of thing, so much so that I did find my self scrim reading over those parts.

Despite that I still thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.

[Mary Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars

Wow! This book pulled at emotions hard. It also ticked off all of the boxes for what I consider Goodreads! Family, devoted friends and lovers, in a backdrop of world war two. It is fast paced, moving from current times back to England's pull into the war and eventually, U. S. troops. It also centers around a young couple, a beautiful young English teen from an aristocratic upper class family and a young black medic with the American forces. The book chronicles the abhorrent discrimination against black men in the military during WWII.
The book was well researched, well written and well edited. Definitely worth reading! It could easily be enjoyed by all age groups, from teens to seniors.

[June Richland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, beautifully written and thoroughly well researched book! The writing style and language perfect and so easy just to keep reading and reading to find out the truth behind the story. The description and detail are amazing. Draws you completely in to this time now lost to all but a few.

My only small disappointment with the book was that when Estella tells her story it is not in her words but a continuation of the story. The same with Evie's letter of explanation. I think this would have been nice. Made it a little more realistic.

However, cant wait to discover more by this author. One of my favourites now..

[Deanna Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise

I loved this book it was an amazing mix of life, Love and tragedy, with history thrown in for good measure. I will certainly be looking for more by this author. I did guess quite a bit as it went along, but it was such a gripping story. However, I do think the book could have been shorter and told just as well. There were pages of musings over the same issues, and inconsequential information. At the ending Nell reading the letter to Estella from Eve would have served just as well as a whole long chapter about why she’d left. There was enough in the book overall to have most of the information. But it was a book you didn’t want to put down.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I read the Kindle version...it's filled with transposed words, missing words, superfluous words. It's quite distracting and the further I got into the book, the worse it seemed to get.

As far as the story itself, I couldn't put the book down. It's a character bio, mystery, historical fiction all rolled into one. I enjoyed the author's approach to telling the story in both past and present. Set in WWII and the present, we learn of the life of Estella who lives to 95. She shares her life story of love and pain and what she learned from it all.

[SUSAN GRIFFIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

This story and its characters really brought to life how tough it must have been for those black GI's who were proud and willing to fight for their country and for freedom.
To enlist and stand up to the evilness of Hitler, whilst having to deal with physically and emotionally the constant acts of hatred and jealousy from their white GI comrades.

War is a tragedy for those who sadly died or returned forever traumatised.
And for all those they left behind forever broken hearted.

True love can last a life time, I have witness this myself.
Estella was a brave soul who never gave up loving Jay.

I have read many of Ruth's novels but this is by far my favourite.
It's was a magical read.
I have known loss myself and I felt comforted by this story, one can only hope our loved ones are waiting.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story of love lost and found.

Love lost and found .The power of true friendship and soul mates can break through any barriers, even time and mortality.Even dimensia cannot alter true love or true friendship.Or hope that it can live on in other generations in surprising ways.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved This Novel

This well written story brings Cornwall to life for this reader. I can picture all the American soldiers training and awaiting the invasion of France. This is a story which will year at your heart and make it almost impossible to put down. I highly recommend. Ms Saberton is a gifted author.

[Buchliebhaber.2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Das Versprechen" stammt aus der Feder von Ruth Saberton. Ihr Roman "Der Liebesbrief" hatte mir gut gefallen, von daher freute ich mich auf Nachschub. Im Großen und Ganzen wurde ich auch nicht enttäuscht.

Insgesamt kann ich daher "Das Versprechen" empfehlen. Liebe, Krieg und Drama in Cornwall - ein unterhaltsamer, aber manchmal etwas langatmig erzählter Roman, für den ich 4 Sterne vergebe.

[Julia Povall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow and long winded to begin with but the story picked up and became a more enjoyable experience. The writer tends to rely on too much descriptive writing which slows the pace of the narrative and doesn't really take it forward. I almost gave up reading it but glad I didn't in the end as this was a good plot with lots of twists and turns.

[Wendy Duncalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author. There are a lot of descriptive passages and I had had to read quite a lot before it had me hooked - and then I couldn’t put it down. A definite 5🌟 read!

[Michelle Marie McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tear-jerker! Get the tissues ready! A beautifully written story set in war time Cornwall with threads to current day. A heart breaking (and heart warming) tale of love, loss, grief and healing.

[Jean Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, especially the authors' view from a 95 year old, Estelles' point of view.. Being 93 years old myself, not very mobile but still quite alert, I was amazed how accurate it was.
Love all her books, am into her sagas and following family situation. Many thanks.