Secrets and Promises

by Rosie Hendry

Previously published as Secrets and Promises by Kate Jackson A poignant and unputdownable story of a woman who must finally acknowledge the secret she has hidden for a lifetime. But will it cost her all she holds dear? England, 1944 : With deadly doodlebugs terrorising London, Bessie Rushbrook agrees to give shelter to eight-year-old evacuee, Marigold , in her Norfolk home. However, the little girl is no random stranger, and Bessie must honour the promise she gave to Marigold’s mother, Grace , and not reveal her connection to the child. Marigold’s arrival stirs up Bessie’s memories from the past when the world was at war for the first time. She is forced to face her actions from those days, and question the haunting secret that she’s long kept hidden. When Grace is injured in London, Bessie makes the heart-wrenching decision to confess her secret, knowing that it could destroy everything she holds dear – her marriage, family and home. Will those who love her understand, and can they forgive her? Readers absolutely love Rosie Hendry’s books : “I enjoy the fabulous communities that Rosie creates within her stories, they are so uplifting and inspiring … Rosie Hendry’s gorgeous books are historical fiction at it’s very best .” – Susanne B Net Galley Reviewer “Rosie has the knack of being able to make the Second World War come alive . Rosie has clearly done a lot of research into Wartime Britain and this shines through in the quality of her writing .” – Gingerbookgeek book blog “the writing is wonderful, very descriptive and emotive .” - The Comfy Chair Blog Good Reads “Rosie Hendry’s style is effortless to read making for a heartwarming and feel good reading experience .” – Linda Hill – Good Reads “Such a lovely read, that I read it within one day! ” – Literacy Indulgence blog " Call the Midwife fans are going to love Rosie Hendry’s delightful, dramatic and engrossing new saga that sparkles with so much warmth and heart. " - Bookish Jottings blog

Genres: Historical Fiction, Womens Fiction, World War II, Historical

322 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2013

About the author

Award winning author Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband and two children. East End Angels is the first book in her uplifting and heart-warming saga series that follows the lives and loves of Winnie, Frankie and Bella, who all work for the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) during the Blitz. Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she loves researching further, searching out gems of real life events which inspire her writing.

Reviews

[Chris Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just read rosie Hendry secrets and promises I have to rate it 5 ***** definitely a brilliant book didnt expect to finish it in one day but couldnt put it down really enjoyed it x

[Marie Keates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, believable war story, set in the last year of WW2 and the last year of WW1. I liked the different points of view and the stories from both wars and how they intermingled. I guessed the secret early on, but this didn’t detract from the story.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful

1944 Rackbridge Norfolk, Bessie Rushbrook is waiting at the station for the Norwich train, waiting for Grace. She is arriving from war torn London with her daughter Marigold, but a woman Helen MacDonald gets out of the end carriage with the child and hands her safely over. Eight years old Marigold is taking home to Orchard farm in a village called Rackbridge, and Bessie has promised Grace that she will be well cared for and the secrets they have will remain that, she promised, Peter is hanging on the gate to greet marigolds arrival and inside so is Harry Bessie husband and Dottie and Prune the two timber Jill's, it was all so strange to the little girl and the farm is so beautiful and different the house is converted out of two railway carriages, and she settles in well. Secrets and Promises is such a delightful warming read as it takes us through the months of life in Norfolk and also London, we also get to read parts of Bessies diary of her love growing for Harry in the first war. It's such an inspirational read that I could not fault right through to the end.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

COTTON CANDY CLOUDS.❤

Firstly I would like to thank Rosie Hendry for an outstandingly beautiful book.
In secrets and Promises a journey from the great war and ww2 take shape and we learn how Bessie and Harry meet and cope with all that's flung at them there lives and there aspirations in life, will it working down on the farm with young Peter an evacuee from Austria sadly his crime in life is to be born Jewish the two lumberjills who had different secrets and young Marigold who was the apple of everyone's eye was taken out of London by her mum Grace for her safety from the v2 bombs an amazing cast of worthies who keep you wondering and guessing the whole journey I read this book in 1 day it felt like being wrapped up in cotton wool I just adored it from beinging to end and can highly recommend this outstandingly beautifully book.❤

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely insight into the life of Bessie Rushbrook after she takes in Marigold an eight year old evacuee.Its 1944 and life for marigold in london is too dangerous so her mother Grace contacts Bessie and asks that she and Harry look after her as she knows she will safe in Norfolk.Taking in Marigold stirs up memories in Bessie but she made a promise and she has kept it but reading her diary from when she was a VAD in the great war brings it all back.When Grace is hurt in london Bessie goes to see her and to find out how badly hurt she is.When Bessie returns home she is worried about Harry and what his reaction will be.I have really loved reading this book and if i could i would give it more stars.5*

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ww2 story

I loved this book from start to finish especially as it’s set in norfolk and mentions Norwich where I was born so could relate totally to the story learning all about the lives of Bessie and Harry and their family during ww2 another great book from the very talented Rosie hendry I love all her books

[susan bellinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets and Promises!!!

Rosie Hendry has not written a book that I haven't loved. Her writing makes you feel like you. are with her characters from the beginning page and a part of their lives;!!!
Please read about Bessie, Harry, Peter and Marigolds and ever one on the farm during WW 2.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promises and secrets

Rose 🌹Hendry does a fantastic job Depicting WWII and all that it implies..While Making you fall in love with the Characters..Marigold Peter and Prune
Just to name a few!

[Jo Boyle]

Secrets and Promises Kept

I so enjoyed this World War 2 novel. I loved the twist and turns the story took. It kept me so interest to the very end. The characters were so human with all their flaws and mistakes. I was sorry to reach the end ..

[MRS J P WELSH]

Such a heart warming story

A really enjoyable read. I loved the characters and the storyline going backwards and forward in time. The outcome of each h characters storyline was what I'd hoped for.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a beautiful easy to read story I just could just not put it down. Another ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from Rosie.

[Sandra Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

This book was a lovely easy read and I enjoyed the story line very much. It's nice to read a book with so many happy ending for the characters.

[jill dunklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets and Promised by Rosie Hendry

I enjoyed this book very much. I give it 5 stars. I recommend this book to my family and friends.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bessie takes in a evacuee the little girl
Isn’t to no she isn’t a stranger Set in WWII this
Beautiful story is about love friendship and secrets

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

good little book

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible, Rosie Hendry is becoming one of those authors who’s books I just adore and will definitely be an automatic buy author now. This book intrigued me as the blurb didn’t give too much away and I knew there was more to the story. I loved the flashbacks from Bessie’s diary and just fell in love with the characters. The setting of Norfolk was incredible and each time I would pick the book up I would be transported into the little world this book was part of. I was shocked by certain twists in the storyline and didn’t expect them at all but loved this book so much.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another great one by Rosie Hendry (also known as Kate Jackson)

This starts in 1944 on Orchard Farm where Bessie lives with husband Harry, timber Jills Dottie & Prune plus refugee Peter who came age 7 just before the war
She takes in Marigold after her mum Grace writes asking so she is away from the doodlebug
As you read this book you learn more about Bessie when she was a VAD in WW1
You learn what the secrets & promises are

I really enjoyed the book & while the ending was tidy I do feel that a epilogue would have been very nice to finish off

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm feel good read that is slightly different in it’s location from Rosie’s usual books but just as good and the first stand-alone that I have read. Despite going through two of the worst parts of our world history, Bessie and her family are lucky that apart from the worry of having loved ones away , they escape the constant attacks that the characters in her other books faced . I do hope that in time , Rosie will revisit Norfolk and we get to meet some of these characters again.

[Laura jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

a real sunny day holiday read a romance set in WWII on a farm and in London a story of family secrets and the effect the war has on a family a fab romance

[Michelle Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, great story, look forward to reading more of Rosie Hendry’s fab books

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marigold is taken to someone her Mum knew during the first world war, but she is not all she seems, read it to find out. I couldn't put it down

[Lizzie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story, although the spelling mistakes got a bit annoying.