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Keepers #1
Keepers
At eight months pregnant, Raine shouldn’t be on a jolting bus crawling through snow searching for her husband. He might not want to be found. She might not want to find him.
When Raine Merrett’s beloved Pop falls ill, her family is forced to leave the peaceful countryside for a migrant camp on the flat plains outside post WW2 Adelaide. Life in the cramped Nissen hut is harsh, but Raine tackles her hated new life with gritty persistence.
Teddy Greene, newly arrived in Australia from war-torn London, shares Raine’s struggles.
But when Teddy and his best friend rescue Raine from a drunken attack, their heroism ignites a whirlwind of passion, uncertainty, and heartache.
Caught between the expectations of her times and her own desires, Raine's struggle to discover where her true path to happiness lies will test both her courage and her resilience.
Inspired by true events, Keepers is an emotionally charged story of love, abandonment and self-discovery.
An Amazon Charts Bestseller
Chill with a Book Premier Readers' Award
Readers’ Favourite Five Stars
When Raine Merrett’s beloved Pop falls ill, her family is forced to leave the peaceful countryside for a migrant camp on the flat plains outside post WW2 Adelaide. Life in the cramped Nissen hut is harsh, but Raine tackles her hated new life with gritty persistence.
Teddy Greene, newly arrived in Australia from war-torn London, shares Raine’s struggles.
But when Teddy and his best friend rescue Raine from a drunken attack, their heroism ignites a whirlwind of passion, uncertainty, and heartache.
Caught between the expectations of her times and her own desires, Raine's struggle to discover where her true path to happiness lies will test both her courage and her resilience.
Inspired by true events, Keepers is an emotionally charged story of love, abandonment and self-discovery.
An Amazon Charts Bestseller
Chill with a Book Premier Readers' Award
Readers’ Favourite Five Stars
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2021
546 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Burman
16 books74 followersCheryl Burman grew up as the child forever reading on her bed. But as this was Australia, she was also often tempted outside to the beach and the yabby creeks near her suburban home.
When she moved to the Forest of Dean, UK, she followed the likes of Tolkien, Rowling and many others in being inspired to write. As a devout Narnia fan, she started with middle grade fantasy, discovered a taste for historical fiction, and then combined the two into historical fantasy.
Given she is lucky enough to live in a place chock-a-block full of history, legend and myth, there is much to draw on. She does so, as well as on her own childhood in Australia.
Two of her novels have won awards, as have several of her flash fiction pieces and short stories. Some of these are included in her two short story collections, while others are published in various anthologies.
A keen student of writing craft, Cheryl has had articles published on writing-related topics both online and in print, and maintains a popular writing tips post on her blog.
As Cheryl Mayo, she is a former chair of Dean Writers Circle and a founder of Dean Scribblers, which encourages creative writing among young people in her community.
Find her and her books at https://cherylburman.com/
Follow her on twitter @cr_burman
and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CherylBurman...
Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/cr_burman
Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CherylBurman...
Follow her on BookBub bookbub.com/authors/cheryl-burman
When she moved to the Forest of Dean, UK, she followed the likes of Tolkien, Rowling and many others in being inspired to write. As a devout Narnia fan, she started with middle grade fantasy, discovered a taste for historical fiction, and then combined the two into historical fantasy.
Given she is lucky enough to live in a place chock-a-block full of history, legend and myth, there is much to draw on. She does so, as well as on her own childhood in Australia.
Two of her novels have won awards, as have several of her flash fiction pieces and short stories. Some of these are included in her two short story collections, while others are published in various anthologies.
A keen student of writing craft, Cheryl has had articles published on writing-related topics both online and in print, and maintains a popular writing tips post on her blog.
As Cheryl Mayo, she is a former chair of Dean Writers Circle and a founder of Dean Scribblers, which encourages creative writing among young people in her community.
Find her and her books at https://cherylburman.com/
Follow her on twitter @cr_burman
and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CherylBurman...
Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/cr_burman
Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CherylBurman...
Follow her on BookBub bookbub.com/authors/cheryl-burman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 25, 2021
You know when you come across a book by chance and you start reading… and it turns out to be a true gem and absolute delight? Keepers was one of those books.
Cheryl Burman’s writing drew me in immediately. Her style is vivid, descriptive, and of high literary quality (sadly not something that can be said for every book these days). She starts the story with a scene out of the main character’s life—a young mother in 1950s Australia, abandoned by her husband, trying to make ends meet and deal with the demands of life in a small rustic, isolated cabin. The author then transports the reader back in time to where it all began, leading up to how the main character, Raine, found herself in her desolate situation… and what happens from there.
Intellectually, Burman had my buy-in from the start—as soon as she began telling the back story and bringing in the surrounding characters, I was emotionally invested, too. I found myself unable to set down the book, reading into the wee hours of the night, wanting to find out how the story would unfold. She kept me guessing until the final paragraph! My only disappointment was that the book had to end. I’m hoping the author will write a sequel (or a few)—I’d love to learn more about the lives of some of the secondary characters in Keepers.
Cheryl Burman’s writing drew me in immediately. Her style is vivid, descriptive, and of high literary quality (sadly not something that can be said for every book these days). She starts the story with a scene out of the main character’s life—a young mother in 1950s Australia, abandoned by her husband, trying to make ends meet and deal with the demands of life in a small rustic, isolated cabin. The author then transports the reader back in time to where it all began, leading up to how the main character, Raine, found herself in her desolate situation… and what happens from there.
Intellectually, Burman had my buy-in from the start—as soon as she began telling the back story and bringing in the surrounding characters, I was emotionally invested, too. I found myself unable to set down the book, reading into the wee hours of the night, wanting to find out how the story would unfold. She kept me guessing until the final paragraph! My only disappointment was that the book had to end. I’m hoping the author will write a sequel (or a few)—I’d love to learn more about the lives of some of the secondary characters in Keepers.
June 1, 2021
If you enjoy historical fiction set in 1950s Australia with a bitter sweet romance tucked within the story, then you’ll love Cheryl Burman’s Keepers.
The main character, Raine Greene, has a tough decision to make when her insecure husband runs away, leaving her and their child behind and she finds she’s pregnant with their second child. Should she give up and accept the loving, sweet attention of their best friend, Alf, a gentle man who would do anything for her and children? Or take a mighty risk over frozen, rough roads set high on cliffs to talk with her husband at the migrant camp and see if there’s anything left in their relationship to salvage?
Her choice seems obvious, but is it?
The main character, Raine Greene, has a tough decision to make when her insecure husband runs away, leaving her and their child behind and she finds she’s pregnant with their second child. Should she give up and accept the loving, sweet attention of their best friend, Alf, a gentle man who would do anything for her and children? Or take a mighty risk over frozen, rough roads set high on cliffs to talk with her husband at the migrant camp and see if there’s anything left in their relationship to salvage?
Her choice seems obvious, but is it?
February 17, 2021
I read Keepers today--I loved it. The age the main characters are at--makes every decision so important. Watching her struggles with loss, changes, decisions, and compromise. When she finds her keeper--I found myself loving her decision.
March 13, 2021
“Keepers” is one of the most exhilarating books I’ve read in ages. If historical fiction is your genre, you won’t be disappointed. Cheryl Burman is a gifted writer whose words flow easily while painting extraordinarily evocative scenes. The vitality in her writing is captivating.
It’s rare to find a book which offers a real multi dimensional sense of the characters and their environment, a world where the consequences of choices, conscious decisions and random actions are so acutely felt. “Keepers” transported me to a 1950s Australian city, where displaced Australians and post war migrants’ worlds collide. Family, camaraderie, resilience and hope all jockey to replace the gaping holes left by war, privation and dislocation.
Cheryl Burman’s story transports us to a time and place in a post war Australia which was full of hope and also monumental challenges. Raine, an young Australian girl, meets Teddy and his best mate Alf, English migrants who have come with their families from the devastation in Britain to start a new life. The story that follows is a ripper! Raine is a kind, resourceful girl with hope in her heart. Teddy is full of bravado and easy charm. Alf is his sidekick, with perhaps more human understanding and true compassion, though not as easy on the eye...
Cheryl Burman cleverly develops each of her characters so that we see not only what they do, but why they do it. When a seemingly perverse choice is made, the repercussions of that slowly evolve and the consequences leave the reader gasping. Each time. Right to the end.
“Keepers” is a book which truly captures the Australian light. The feel and smell of the bush, the greyness of the migrant camp, the promise of the city and the harsh isolation of the high country, all ring true. Cheryl Burman’s book is about hope, trust and faith. It’s about not giving up, or giving in. It’s about the temptation to do so.
It’s rare to find a book which offers a real multi dimensional sense of the characters and their environment, a world where the consequences of choices, conscious decisions and random actions are so acutely felt. “Keepers” transported me to a 1950s Australian city, where displaced Australians and post war migrants’ worlds collide. Family, camaraderie, resilience and hope all jockey to replace the gaping holes left by war, privation and dislocation.
Cheryl Burman’s story transports us to a time and place in a post war Australia which was full of hope and also monumental challenges. Raine, an young Australian girl, meets Teddy and his best mate Alf, English migrants who have come with their families from the devastation in Britain to start a new life. The story that follows is a ripper! Raine is a kind, resourceful girl with hope in her heart. Teddy is full of bravado and easy charm. Alf is his sidekick, with perhaps more human understanding and true compassion, though not as easy on the eye...
Cheryl Burman cleverly develops each of her characters so that we see not only what they do, but why they do it. When a seemingly perverse choice is made, the repercussions of that slowly evolve and the consequences leave the reader gasping. Each time. Right to the end.
“Keepers” is a book which truly captures the Australian light. The feel and smell of the bush, the greyness of the migrant camp, the promise of the city and the harsh isolation of the high country, all ring true. Cheryl Burman’s book is about hope, trust and faith. It’s about not giving up, or giving in. It’s about the temptation to do so.
December 27, 2023
I enjoyed reading a work of historical fiction set in Australia. It made a welcome change from books set in the war, or during some other important historical event. The characters of Raine and Alf drew me from the start, but I have to admit I didn’t like Teddy at all, until the author began writing from his point of view mid-way through. Then I got to know and like him more, because I could understand where he was coming from. The romance was sincere, without being slushy, and I also liked the cast of supporting characters. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
October 25, 2022
Author Cheryl Burman crafts a lovely and melancholy tale that draws readers into a realistic portrayal of hopeful young Australian ladies facing both personal tragedy and budding love, while balancing their stories with the personal trials of recent UK immigrants escaping the postwar aftermath of London life. Set in the early 1950s, the author writes in a lyrical style married to knowledge of the period and tempered with deep character insight, tying the mundane of a work-a-day lives to the inner psychology of her characters. Phrases such as “The kids slurped and squabbled and Raine’s temper, made brittle by self-pity, cracked” illustrate her ability to capture both character development and the essence of the setting.
Historical fiction is best when it invokes a sense of place and this novel truly immerses the reader in its world. Passages such as this clearly show how skillfully the location is captured in the narrative:
"Raine fell behind, breathing in the scent of eucalypt and listening to the chet chet nattering of pink and white galahs flocking in the branches. Up ahead, Teddy, Jack and Alf disturbed a group of rosellas which rose startled from their chattering feeding among the leaves. Raine laughed her delight at the flurry of scarlet and green."
The main character Lorraine nicknamed “Raine,” faces challenges from the first chapter and struggles with her own feelings and the results of her choices, while her older and “more glamourous” sister Faye seems to be a prime example of an unachievable perfection. After an introduction, a flashback carries the readers into the back story and sets the stage for Raine’s search for the “Keepers” to hold dear in her life and heart. The easily foreseen death of their father further defines the melancholy tone of the overall work. The story is compelling and well-written. (No Spoilers!)
Personally, I found the characterization fascinating, the narrative thought-provoking and the novel a good exploration of interpersonal relationships and the time period of its setting. If you enjoy historical fiction with a literary bend and a nod to the romance genre, I would highly recommend this book.
Historical fiction is best when it invokes a sense of place and this novel truly immerses the reader in its world. Passages such as this clearly show how skillfully the location is captured in the narrative:
"Raine fell behind, breathing in the scent of eucalypt and listening to the chet chet nattering of pink and white galahs flocking in the branches. Up ahead, Teddy, Jack and Alf disturbed a group of rosellas which rose startled from their chattering feeding among the leaves. Raine laughed her delight at the flurry of scarlet and green."
The main character Lorraine nicknamed “Raine,” faces challenges from the first chapter and struggles with her own feelings and the results of her choices, while her older and “more glamourous” sister Faye seems to be a prime example of an unachievable perfection. After an introduction, a flashback carries the readers into the back story and sets the stage for Raine’s search for the “Keepers” to hold dear in her life and heart. The easily foreseen death of their father further defines the melancholy tone of the overall work. The story is compelling and well-written. (No Spoilers!)
Personally, I found the characterization fascinating, the narrative thought-provoking and the novel a good exploration of interpersonal relationships and the time period of its setting. If you enjoy historical fiction with a literary bend and a nod to the romance genre, I would highly recommend this book.
July 5, 2023
Keepers by Cheryl Burman is the bittersweet tale of a young woman in the 1950's who is desperately in love with a young man. The kind of man, mama's warn- will break your heart. This girl's sensible head keeps warning her against falling in love with him but when your knees go weak and your heart beats fast at the sight of him who has time for such paranoia? It's much easier to give into those feelings and suffer at leisure and suffer Raine does when he leaves her and disappears after a silly argument.
Now here is the twist.
Teddy, her husband's best friend, Alf is devoted to Raine . When Teddy disappears Alf steps in like a valiant knight. Who will Raine choose - the child man who is always looking for reassurances.? The man who tends to put himself first and the woman and children he is supposed to love always second or the guy who is always there for her? The awkward but loving friend who wants to be more than a friend?
Will she choose a lifetime of watching what she says and mollycoddling or choose the man who treasures her?
Keepers is all about love, but it is also about choices and the paths we take. This wonderful book by Cheryl Burman is testimony to the aching truth of many a woman today, falling in love is easy, staying in love and being there for each other through better or worse, not so much.
A definite must read for all girls with stars in their eyes who might need a bit of a reality pill. Also a must read for all romantics because the book ultimately carries the message that true love triumphs against all odds.
Now here is the twist.
Teddy, her husband's best friend, Alf is devoted to Raine . When Teddy disappears Alf steps in like a valiant knight. Who will Raine choose - the child man who is always looking for reassurances.? The man who tends to put himself first and the woman and children he is supposed to love always second or the guy who is always there for her? The awkward but loving friend who wants to be more than a friend?
Will she choose a lifetime of watching what she says and mollycoddling or choose the man who treasures her?
Keepers is all about love, but it is also about choices and the paths we take. This wonderful book by Cheryl Burman is testimony to the aching truth of many a woman today, falling in love is easy, staying in love and being there for each other through better or worse, not so much.
A definite must read for all girls with stars in their eyes who might need a bit of a reality pill. Also a must read for all romantics because the book ultimately carries the message that true love triumphs against all odds.
April 13, 2021
I already want a sequel. This was a book I read in two sittings, which is unusual for me. I was immediately transported to the setting and time period by this author’s eloquent writing. I adore the characters and the story. It was an escape from current times for me. I’m thankful to have found it.
May 2, 2022
The opening pages of this novel are beautifully observed and the predicament in which Raine finds herself is starkly described. The introduction of - most of - the main characters is handled skilfully; with no need for exposition or backstory we learn immediately that Alf is an important figure in Raine's life, and that there is 'bad history' between her and her in-laws. The mystery is: why has Teddy left?
The narrative alternates between the present (1951) and the very recent past (1949) and explores how Raine first meets Teddy and Alf (and this is where we, too, get to meet Teddy), and gradually we discover the circumstances leading up to Teddy's disappearance. At just the right moment in the story, we begin to see things from Teddy's point of view, which greatly adds to our understanding of the harsh decision he has taken.
I'd firmly made up my mind about who I felt were the 'goodies' and 'baddies' in this story, but the author cleverly throws up some surprises, not only for the reader but for some of the characters too, when they have their beliefs about what's really going on challenged.
There's a strong supporting cast: Raine's mum and sister, the in-laws, and the mix of good and bad bosses where Raine works. Ms Burman crafts exquisite sentences and the 'now' scenes, set in 1951 and written in the present tense, are exceptionally strong, with the description of the cabin in particular providing vivid detail. The book is expertly presented - the formatting is spot on, her editing team have done a fantastic job, and the cover is excellent.
I'd perhaps have liked just a touch more 'period' atmosphere and, to satisfy my curiosity, a little more detail about the distinctly different setting, 1950s Australia being 'new' to me in terms of fiction reading, but for lovers of will they, won't they romance this will be a treat to savour.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
The narrative alternates between the present (1951) and the very recent past (1949) and explores how Raine first meets Teddy and Alf (and this is where we, too, get to meet Teddy), and gradually we discover the circumstances leading up to Teddy's disappearance. At just the right moment in the story, we begin to see things from Teddy's point of view, which greatly adds to our understanding of the harsh decision he has taken.
I'd firmly made up my mind about who I felt were the 'goodies' and 'baddies' in this story, but the author cleverly throws up some surprises, not only for the reader but for some of the characters too, when they have their beliefs about what's really going on challenged.
There's a strong supporting cast: Raine's mum and sister, the in-laws, and the mix of good and bad bosses where Raine works. Ms Burman crafts exquisite sentences and the 'now' scenes, set in 1951 and written in the present tense, are exceptionally strong, with the description of the cabin in particular providing vivid detail. The book is expertly presented - the formatting is spot on, her editing team have done a fantastic job, and the cover is excellent.
I'd perhaps have liked just a touch more 'period' atmosphere and, to satisfy my curiosity, a little more detail about the distinctly different setting, 1950s Australia being 'new' to me in terms of fiction reading, but for lovers of will they, won't they romance this will be a treat to savour.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
September 7, 2022
If you have any interest in historical fiction, then you’ll love Cheryl Burman’s Keepers as much as I did. Burman thrusts her readers into a world of poverty and hardship in Australia during the late 40s and early 50s. We’re with her characters in that environment completely. Clearly, she has done her research. Keepers is the story of family, friendship, love, personal sacrifice, hardship, and coming of age in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Burnam has a knack for creating a melancholy tone that provides an undertone for the entire novel. That tone moves the story along smoothly--even when the lives we’re tracking are full of ups and downs. The narrative switches back and forth in time, and the point of view switches between the main characters Raine, Teddy, and Alf. That could lead to reader confusion, but in Burman’s deft hand, we never get lost in the action or the plot.
We’re given so much authentic detail in the novel that we feel the sights, sounds, and smells of the cramped quarters these characters experience. We can almost hear the sound of our boots crunching the snow, and we can feel the warmth of holding an infant close to shield it from an unforgiving world. The weather is almost another character in the story.
The characters are likable and relatable, with some uncomfortable exceptions, but this is Raine’s story. Her emotional and physical journey draws us in from the first page and never lets us go. We share her pain, frustration, love, and determination. She is a strong young woman who manages to cope with whatever life throws her way. She suffers more than she should have to along the way, but we’re rooting for her to succeed the whole time. Whether she’s successful or not isn’t revealed until the very end. You’ll have to read Keepers to find out for yourself.
Keepers is historical fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and bitter-sweet romance all seamlessly combined in a reading experience you won’t soon forget.
Burnam has a knack for creating a melancholy tone that provides an undertone for the entire novel. That tone moves the story along smoothly--even when the lives we’re tracking are full of ups and downs. The narrative switches back and forth in time, and the point of view switches between the main characters Raine, Teddy, and Alf. That could lead to reader confusion, but in Burman’s deft hand, we never get lost in the action or the plot.
We’re given so much authentic detail in the novel that we feel the sights, sounds, and smells of the cramped quarters these characters experience. We can almost hear the sound of our boots crunching the snow, and we can feel the warmth of holding an infant close to shield it from an unforgiving world. The weather is almost another character in the story.
The characters are likable and relatable, with some uncomfortable exceptions, but this is Raine’s story. Her emotional and physical journey draws us in from the first page and never lets us go. We share her pain, frustration, love, and determination. She is a strong young woman who manages to cope with whatever life throws her way. She suffers more than she should have to along the way, but we’re rooting for her to succeed the whole time. Whether she’s successful or not isn’t revealed until the very end. You’ll have to read Keepers to find out for yourself.
Keepers is historical fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and bitter-sweet romance all seamlessly combined in a reading experience you won’t soon forget.
April 12, 2021
This book put me through the wringer
The story is told in a unique narrative that blends past and present. This took a little getting used to at first. Though it was soon clear that this was the author’s intended style throughout.
Burman’s opening chapters paint the all-too real mundane drudgery of motherhood and morning sickness—and include delightful motherly snippets like Raine washing her baby’s teaspoon, which he dropped on the floor, in her tea.
Pop’s dwindling illness is fully realised by the author—poignant and realistic with his up and down days. As someone who has dealt with a terminally ill family member, Raine’s relationship with Pop was relatable.
From his first charming smile, Teddy was a completely likeable character, until he wasn’t. He doesn’t half put poor Raine through the wringer! He’s also so maddeningly tied to his awful mother’s apron strings.
For readers looking for a dive back into the slower-paced world of a more somber time of yesteryear. It follows the everyday family and work lives of characters—capped by regular weekend dances—who are just trying to survive the hardship of post-war poverty.
If you’re after a book with slow-burning angst that has you yelling in exasperation at the characters’ unpredictable decisions, then this book is for you.
The story is told in a unique narrative that blends past and present. This took a little getting used to at first. Though it was soon clear that this was the author’s intended style throughout.
Burman’s opening chapters paint the all-too real mundane drudgery of motherhood and morning sickness—and include delightful motherly snippets like Raine washing her baby’s teaspoon, which he dropped on the floor, in her tea.
Pop’s dwindling illness is fully realised by the author—poignant and realistic with his up and down days. As someone who has dealt with a terminally ill family member, Raine’s relationship with Pop was relatable.
From his first charming smile, Teddy was a completely likeable character, until he wasn’t. He doesn’t half put poor Raine through the wringer! He’s also so maddeningly tied to his awful mother’s apron strings.
For readers looking for a dive back into the slower-paced world of a more somber time of yesteryear. It follows the everyday family and work lives of characters—capped by regular weekend dances—who are just trying to survive the hardship of post-war poverty.
If you’re after a book with slow-burning angst that has you yelling in exasperation at the characters’ unpredictable decisions, then this book is for you.
September 13, 2021
This wonderfully researched and crafted historical romance transports the reader to post-war Australia with an authentic blend of characters and their unique backstories. I loved being drawn into a time and place I had little background with such ease. The author has an exquisite ability to set the scene, show the struggles of character we can relate to in some way. I love historical fiction, but this also added a coming-of-age feel for young adults struggling, faced with hard choices. I enjoyed the push-and-pull of choice up until the last pages. The author does an amazing job of bringing the reader to the edge. I had no idea who Raine would choose until the last pages. I love all the works I have read by Cheryl Burman. Keepers, I have to say it, is a keeper.
February 1, 2022
Cheryl Burman has written the most interesting book that looks into the relationship of Raine, Teddy, and Alf. There is no denying that living in Australia in the 1959's is hard but it seems Raine had it harder when Teddy leaves her to fend for herself and their children. Although Alf is willing to take it all on Raine isn't sure he should.
Cheryl Burman's character building is phenomenal. You can definitely get into each. And the Australian backgrounds give you an excellent look at how the living at the time would be.
A truly excellent book!
Cheryl Burman's character building is phenomenal. You can definitely get into each. And the Australian backgrounds give you an excellent look at how the living at the time would be.
A truly excellent book!
October 10, 2022
Heartfelt
Heartfelt is the word that comes to mind after reading 'Keepers'. Although I felt heart wrenching and heartbreaking were words to describe the book at times, it was always heartfelt in the prose aspect. I believe Cheryl evoked every emotion from me with this book. This work is for a reader who wants a life story, not fantasy, not mystery, nothing but a family tale of survival and personal strength. I am a fan of Cheryl's work and this one is top notch. It will take you to the end to find out what 'Keepers' means. Bravo!
Heartfelt is the word that comes to mind after reading 'Keepers'. Although I felt heart wrenching and heartbreaking were words to describe the book at times, it was always heartfelt in the prose aspect. I believe Cheryl evoked every emotion from me with this book. This work is for a reader who wants a life story, not fantasy, not mystery, nothing but a family tale of survival and personal strength. I am a fan of Cheryl's work and this one is top notch. It will take you to the end to find out what 'Keepers' means. Bravo!
January 27, 2025
I’m not usually a big fan of romance novels, but I couldn’t resist one set in the 50s in the country I’ve chosen to call home.
This isn’t quite like most romances. It is, as the author describes it, emotionally gripping. I really loved all the characters, although at times I wanted to bang their heads together! And right up until the end, I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out.
A worthy addition to your reading list.
This isn’t quite like most romances. It is, as the author describes it, emotionally gripping. I really loved all the characters, although at times I wanted to bang their heads together! And right up until the end, I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out.
A worthy addition to your reading list.
June 1, 2021
This is genre bending novel - historical fiction, romance and grit. I was sent into a different era and location (1950s Australia), vividly described and captured for the reader. This was unlike my usual reads but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 14, 2025
Great writing, fantastic plot, engaging story, a must read!
April 27, 2023
This is a book to lose yourself in and fall in love with the characters. The main protagonist, Raine, finds herself alone and in a desperate situation. I related to her vulnerability now that she is a mother, compared to the strong and feisty younger version of herself. For me, Raine made the book! The time period was really interesting to read about; post WWII an influx of Brits migrated to Australia for a better life, only to find themselves in migrant camps and on a harder road then they were sold. The plot is a slight slow burn to start with, but then I was fully committed to following Raine and Teddy’s journey. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the landscapes and the challenges this brought. There are complex relationships throughout that added a gritty but relatable dimension.
Thank you for the gifted ARC @cherylburmanauthor @randomthingstours and Holborn House.
Thank you for the gifted ARC @cherylburmanauthor @randomthingstours and Holborn House.
April 13, 2021
I love Cheryl Burman's writing. She brings characters to life and makes you care about them. I don't do historical fiction but this is actually women's fiction at its best. Raine's life in 1950's Australia is so well described my own lack of knowledge was no hindrance to me. I was kept guessing till the end. I loved every bit of this book. Read whatever you can by this versatile author. You won't regret it.
June 3, 2021
What an amazing read, really enjoyed reading this hard to put down at times . Good story line keeps you in suspense until the last page would definitely recommend anyone to read this excellent
March 2, 2022
Great romance
This is the first book I've read by this author. I found a great romance within, a love triangle if you will, and all that happens in the early 1950s in Australia. Life is hard, and hearts break, but the will to go on doesn't give out. Surroundings are perfectly written in a manner in which the reader feels they are right there, in the thick of the scenery, weather, terrain, and life at the time this story is set. This book is highly worthy of five shiny gold stars.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I found a great romance within, a love triangle if you will, and all that happens in the early 1950s in Australia. Life is hard, and hearts break, but the will to go on doesn't give out. Surroundings are perfectly written in a manner in which the reader feels they are right there, in the thick of the scenery, weather, terrain, and life at the time this story is set. This book is highly worthy of five shiny gold stars.
December 6, 2022
Loved this story, woven from snippets of the author's family lore, and set in the 1950s. I knew nothing of the hardships endured by those living in the temporary camps in Australia, and was intrigued by the detail of the author's descriptions. Another time and another world, but with an enduring and timeless story. Well worth reading - but you won't want to put it down!
December 25, 2023
A good read.
May 27, 2021
Keepers by Cheryl Burman is a historical romance that explores 1950s Australia alongside a group of youth stricken by the end of WWII, struggling to find their place in a world that’s changing due to the yielding of time and tragedy. With descriptions that are like gems in a coal mine of fraught desires and confusion, this painstakingly researched book explores how they fit in relationships that become entangled in self-worth and fear of further abandonment and trauma.
Hands down, fans of historical fiction should give this book a go. There are so many details to pick up in this novel that had to have been purposely researched and detailed for the sake of authenticity. This is the hallmark of good historical fiction: being true to the time as much as can be done with the research materials available.
Fans of romance will enjoy this love triangle with true-to-life, intricate emotional entanglements. The romance and relationships themselves are complex. Burman doesn’t take the easy, cliche way out by any means, and keeps us guessing until the very end. Each character has so much texture and complexity, with unique backgrounds and reactions to similar situations. Yes, there is a lot of miscommunication and mistakes made concerning motivations on the part of the characters, but it’s done in a way that’s natural and understandable, rather than just to feed intentioned drama.
The descriptions? Wow. I can’t get over how immersive the experience of this novel is, not just about describing scenery, buildings, or even actions, but metaphors for thoughts and emotions. It’s sophisticated with Burman’s fingerprints all over every sentence, down to where each comma lays.
Despite being a decent size novel, over 300 pages, I read Keepers quickly, devouring it. And that is my final testament to the strength of this novel. It dealt with heavy subjects in a way that didn’t feel heavy or overwrought. Burman did a great job of taking our hand and traveling through an adventure of the heart with us while preserving our own.
Hands down, fans of historical fiction should give this book a go. There are so many details to pick up in this novel that had to have been purposely researched and detailed for the sake of authenticity. This is the hallmark of good historical fiction: being true to the time as much as can be done with the research materials available.
Fans of romance will enjoy this love triangle with true-to-life, intricate emotional entanglements. The romance and relationships themselves are complex. Burman doesn’t take the easy, cliche way out by any means, and keeps us guessing until the very end. Each character has so much texture and complexity, with unique backgrounds and reactions to similar situations. Yes, there is a lot of miscommunication and mistakes made concerning motivations on the part of the characters, but it’s done in a way that’s natural and understandable, rather than just to feed intentioned drama.
The descriptions? Wow. I can’t get over how immersive the experience of this novel is, not just about describing scenery, buildings, or even actions, but metaphors for thoughts and emotions. It’s sophisticated with Burman’s fingerprints all over every sentence, down to where each comma lays.
Despite being a decent size novel, over 300 pages, I read Keepers quickly, devouring it. And that is my final testament to the strength of this novel. It dealt with heavy subjects in a way that didn’t feel heavy or overwrought. Burman did a great job of taking our hand and traveling through an adventure of the heart with us while preserving our own.
May 8, 2021
Review of “keepers” by Cheryl Burman May 2021.
This story is set in 1950s Australia, which is where the lead character lives with a loving family. Raine and her family move from the countryside to the city. The story sets a warm picture of the family and their relationships with each other.
As Raine gets older, typically her thoughts and relationships develop to include boyfriends. Raine meets Teddy and Alf whose families move from London, seeking a better life.
Teddy is exciting and bold and Alf predictable, always there. Both are attractive to Raine in their own way.
Fate in a series of realistic life incidents takes Raine through highs and lows including the dilemmas and choices she needs to face.
This is tale of emerging adults , facing the challenges of the adult world and the complexities faced in relationships outside the family.
The characters and storyline is realistic, relatable and likeable.
The story develops naturally, engaging and holding the reader
This is a book that holds you from the first to the last page.
You find yourself invested in and routing for Raine but also frustratingly wanting to warn her about the choices she makes. It is one of the rare books you could read again and still delight in its story.
This story is set in 1950s Australia, which is where the lead character lives with a loving family. Raine and her family move from the countryside to the city. The story sets a warm picture of the family and their relationships with each other.
As Raine gets older, typically her thoughts and relationships develop to include boyfriends. Raine meets Teddy and Alf whose families move from London, seeking a better life.
Teddy is exciting and bold and Alf predictable, always there. Both are attractive to Raine in their own way.
Fate in a series of realistic life incidents takes Raine through highs and lows including the dilemmas and choices she needs to face.
This is tale of emerging adults , facing the challenges of the adult world and the complexities faced in relationships outside the family.
The characters and storyline is realistic, relatable and likeable.
The story develops naturally, engaging and holding the reader
This is a book that holds you from the first to the last page.
You find yourself invested in and routing for Raine but also frustratingly wanting to warn her about the choices she makes. It is one of the rare books you could read again and still delight in its story.
July 18, 2021
A Truly Tough Choice
Keepers is a unique and emotionally charged historical romance novel. Due to its unique structure with a complex chronological flow, it is difficult to write this review without including a few spoilers. I shall try my best!
This novel has a somewhat explosive opening with the arrival of a telegram. I have mixed feelings about this. Again, I cannot give out too much information due to spoilers, but I personally interpreted this event in a very specific way due to the date of the event, the main protagonist’s powerful reaction, and the significance I attach to telegrams due to my age and personal experiences.
The telegram certainly introduces an effective hook, which not only keeps the reader turning the pages during this chapter but also for many chapters to come. I personally got it all wrong, which I only discovered around the midpoint of the novel.
This left me personally feeling somewhat cheated. However, this is only my reaction, and I would urge any reader who made the same assumptions and mistake as me to continue on reading. The story gets much better, and I suspect that the author was aware of the misinterpretation some readers may have and played on it with some of the analogies used in the opening chapter.
Raine, or Lorraine, is the main protagonist. During the opening, I developed a strong sense of sympathy for her due to her circumstances and unfolding events…especially during chapter 3. However, I often felt she acted somewhat foolishly due to her young age and lack of experience. This feeling extended to all three main characters.
All the characters are three-dimensional with a lot of background and backstory information filtering in. I especially liked Teddy’s fascination with fine carpentry as apposed to the joinery he is obliged to perform during his everyday job. And Raine’s discussions with Ronnie and Faye concerning work and the future enable her to easily pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test.
I didn’t like Teddy quite so much. I understand now why he acted the way he did, but as he was introduced and during the first few chapters, I found it difficult to empathize with him. He came across as childish, selfish, and irresponsible. This impression only became stronger as the story developed.
I did feel a small amount of sympathy for the fact that he suffered through the London Blitz as a child, but this was tempered a lot by the fact that all the members of his family survived and my hindsight knowledge that their future life in Australia will likely be far superior to the life of most people left behind in the UK.
Alf was by far my favorite character. Almost every thought he has, every thing he does, and every move he makes is to benefit others before himself. Okay, he does have selfish thoughts during the midpoint of the story, but it’s to his credit that his actions follow the good thoughts rather than the bad ones most of the time.
The basic plot follows the difficult choice trope commonly found in contemporary romance, but it is developed in an interesting and unique way. Partly this is due to the interaction between Raine’s two potential love-interests, and partly through the complex narrative that intertwines two timelines, a present and a past. Using present-tense narrative for the “now” sections and past-tense for the “then” sections, the author is able to keep the time shifts clear to the reader.
There are many interesting plot twists along the path leading to a nice resolution. What’s really good about this journey is that the author successfully keeps the tension high throughout the novel. Even up until the last few paragraphs, we aren’t sure who Raine will choose for her happy ever after ending.
Personally, I found Teddy’s actions childish, frivolous, and foolish throughout. In contrast, I applauded Alf’s every act. However, love and emotions are not guided by logic and wisdom but by mysterious feelings that escape description and explanation. Thus, I must allow you to decide for yourself who you think is the better suitor for Raine and then to compare your choice with hers in the final scene.
Much of the “action” of this novel is found within the emotions and internal narrative of the various characters as they debate their actions and make decisions. As a reader, I sometimes found their thoughts frustrating for me. However, they did add texture to the tale and made it more interesting.
The little crime and sexism side plot was very nice highlighting social attitudes of the time as well as white-collar crimes that no longer exist. I liked how that scenario played out, especially the final cafe meeting at the close of the novel.
Personally, and this is only me speaking, I’m not keen on narratives that give away too much. I understand why the author gave so much away in the opening chapter, and it did provide an effective hook and began an interesting journey, but I would have preferred not to know which of the two men she initially chose in the “now” before we meet the two prospective beaus in the “then”.
The post-war Australian setting is exquisite and unique. Few novels are set during this period, presumably because the war years and then later the swinging sixties provide much more interesting background tension. These years of austerity and rationing, with their limited travel and frills, can prove a little depressing. However, in this case it works well because it covers fresh, untrodden ground.
Despite my personal reservations about the chronological order of this story and misleading opening, there is no disputing its quality and originality. The characters are well developed, the plot interesting, and the setting unique. Therefore, I feel obliged to rate Keepers 5 out of 5.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.
Keepers is a unique and emotionally charged historical romance novel. Due to its unique structure with a complex chronological flow, it is difficult to write this review without including a few spoilers. I shall try my best!
This novel has a somewhat explosive opening with the arrival of a telegram. I have mixed feelings about this. Again, I cannot give out too much information due to spoilers, but I personally interpreted this event in a very specific way due to the date of the event, the main protagonist’s powerful reaction, and the significance I attach to telegrams due to my age and personal experiences.
The telegram certainly introduces an effective hook, which not only keeps the reader turning the pages during this chapter but also for many chapters to come. I personally got it all wrong, which I only discovered around the midpoint of the novel.
This left me personally feeling somewhat cheated. However, this is only my reaction, and I would urge any reader who made the same assumptions and mistake as me to continue on reading. The story gets much better, and I suspect that the author was aware of the misinterpretation some readers may have and played on it with some of the analogies used in the opening chapter.
Raine, or Lorraine, is the main protagonist. During the opening, I developed a strong sense of sympathy for her due to her circumstances and unfolding events…especially during chapter 3. However, I often felt she acted somewhat foolishly due to her young age and lack of experience. This feeling extended to all three main characters.
All the characters are three-dimensional with a lot of background and backstory information filtering in. I especially liked Teddy’s fascination with fine carpentry as apposed to the joinery he is obliged to perform during his everyday job. And Raine’s discussions with Ronnie and Faye concerning work and the future enable her to easily pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test.
I didn’t like Teddy quite so much. I understand now why he acted the way he did, but as he was introduced and during the first few chapters, I found it difficult to empathize with him. He came across as childish, selfish, and irresponsible. This impression only became stronger as the story developed.
I did feel a small amount of sympathy for the fact that he suffered through the London Blitz as a child, but this was tempered a lot by the fact that all the members of his family survived and my hindsight knowledge that their future life in Australia will likely be far superior to the life of most people left behind in the UK.
Alf was by far my favorite character. Almost every thought he has, every thing he does, and every move he makes is to benefit others before himself. Okay, he does have selfish thoughts during the midpoint of the story, but it’s to his credit that his actions follow the good thoughts rather than the bad ones most of the time.
The basic plot follows the difficult choice trope commonly found in contemporary romance, but it is developed in an interesting and unique way. Partly this is due to the interaction between Raine’s two potential love-interests, and partly through the complex narrative that intertwines two timelines, a present and a past. Using present-tense narrative for the “now” sections and past-tense for the “then” sections, the author is able to keep the time shifts clear to the reader.
There are many interesting plot twists along the path leading to a nice resolution. What’s really good about this journey is that the author successfully keeps the tension high throughout the novel. Even up until the last few paragraphs, we aren’t sure who Raine will choose for her happy ever after ending.
Personally, I found Teddy’s actions childish, frivolous, and foolish throughout. In contrast, I applauded Alf’s every act. However, love and emotions are not guided by logic and wisdom but by mysterious feelings that escape description and explanation. Thus, I must allow you to decide for yourself who you think is the better suitor for Raine and then to compare your choice with hers in the final scene.
Much of the “action” of this novel is found within the emotions and internal narrative of the various characters as they debate their actions and make decisions. As a reader, I sometimes found their thoughts frustrating for me. However, they did add texture to the tale and made it more interesting.
The little crime and sexism side plot was very nice highlighting social attitudes of the time as well as white-collar crimes that no longer exist. I liked how that scenario played out, especially the final cafe meeting at the close of the novel.
Personally, and this is only me speaking, I’m not keen on narratives that give away too much. I understand why the author gave so much away in the opening chapter, and it did provide an effective hook and began an interesting journey, but I would have preferred not to know which of the two men she initially chose in the “now” before we meet the two prospective beaus in the “then”.
The post-war Australian setting is exquisite and unique. Few novels are set during this period, presumably because the war years and then later the swinging sixties provide much more interesting background tension. These years of austerity and rationing, with their limited travel and frills, can prove a little depressing. However, in this case it works well because it covers fresh, untrodden ground.
Despite my personal reservations about the chronological order of this story and misleading opening, there is no disputing its quality and originality. The characters are well developed, the plot interesting, and the setting unique. Therefore, I feel obliged to rate Keepers 5 out of 5.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.
July 12, 2021
I loved this book. The period details of poorer families struggling to cope in 1950s' Australia were vivid and convincing; the little descriptions of the vast landscape (so different to the UK) added a lot to the book.
And then you have the main characters. Raine is a strong lead, likeable, believable and easy to identify with without being overly perfect. Teddy is charming and complex and I'll leave the reader to make up their own mind about him!! Alf is someone the reader roots for. Which man will Raine end up with? The book keeps you guessing.
The minor characters are well sketched out, from the truly awful mother-in-law to the exuberant and warm sister-in-law.
Overall a warm, cosy read that combines romance with a non-sentimintal style and lots of period and scenic details. A well deserved 5 stars!
And then you have the main characters. Raine is a strong lead, likeable, believable and easy to identify with without being overly perfect. Teddy is charming and complex and I'll leave the reader to make up their own mind about him!! Alf is someone the reader roots for. Which man will Raine end up with? The book keeps you guessing.
The minor characters are well sketched out, from the truly awful mother-in-law to the exuberant and warm sister-in-law.
Overall a warm, cosy read that combines romance with a non-sentimintal style and lots of period and scenic details. A well deserved 5 stars!
February 7, 2022
An historical novel set in Australia not long after WWII. Encompassing the years of some of the country’s most significant events - the influx of English and European migrants and the building of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. It is a story of hardship and determination, self doubt and love conquering obstacles. For me it felt like roots reaching back into my family history. Much of what was described was part of my own experience as a youngster in the 1950’s.
February 21, 2022
This was a fun and satisfying read. I particularly enjoyed the post-WWII Australian setting, full of fascinating historical details on everything from the lives of post-war British immigrants to the experiences of young women in their working lives. The characters were likeable but believably imperfect, and the romance plotline kept me guessing until the end – I was rooting for Raine to find her happy ending despite being just as confused as she was about what it should be!
March 16, 2025
“Keepers” by Cheryl Burman is heartfelt women’s fiction set against an intriguing historical backdrop. In my book, the irresistible combination.
Raine wants to be good at her office job and for her father to get better so that their family can be the safe harbour it used to be. Instead, she finds herself a wife and a mother, and her relationship with her husband is nothing like what she witnessed between her parents.
The setting of Australia in the 50s is absolutely charming. It isn’t picture-perfect. Raine lives in a migrant camp, the temporary housing arrangements far from what anyone could call nice and cosy. Learning about the Nissen huts the Australian government used in those camps was a very educational experience. I even looked up the construction on the Internet to better visualise it.
Yet, Raine’s life isn’t solely about the hardships of living in a prefabricated steel structure originally designed for military use. She wears pretty dresses to the solicitors’ office where she works and meets for lunch in cafes with her sister. Besides, after an unfortunate incident with a rude neighbour when more pleasant neighbours showed up like knights in shining armour to save her from disgrace, her life has an added flavour of activities more suitable for the young than daily hospital visits and typing legal letters. Now Raine has a company with whom to go to local dances and other amusements.
I felt a connection to Raine due to the similar experiences I had to live through when I was young. Seeing how your family, which always was like a stronghold against the world, at the same time being a self-sufficient world itself, crumbles under the hardships of illness and the turbulence of economics is what makes you grow up too fast.
Raine is a remarkable character with many facets. She is strong and also vulnerable. She is patient but with the temper of a lioness who when facing injustice or danger snaps ferociously at the enemy or at her lion alike. So often strong women are portrayed in a one-dimensional manner, and I find it confusing. Having been raised by too undeniably strong, incredibly brave, and resilient women, I don’t see any resemblance between them and how independent women are often presented in movies and literature. They weren’t harsh and bitter, denying the need to have someone around who would take care of them. They were sharp-tongued when provoked. Even so, the things they said to those who tried to offend them were full of wisdom rather than petty venom.
Raine is like my mother and my aunt. She doesn’t declare that she detests love. Yet, she isn’t the one to pursue marriage as the sole goal of her life. When trapped by the circumstances to make a decision she hadn’t planned to make so early in life, she faces it determined to do what’s best for everyone. And when her husband’s decision threatens to ruin her life and its consequences drag her through unbearable hardships, she acts not only with her own interests at heart.
Reading about Raine’s struggles, alone, in a house not fit to be run by a mother with a small child, not now and most certainly not in the Australia of the 50s, I told my husband that if he’d done what Raine’s Teddy had done, I wouldn’t have taken him back. By the way, he said that I would have been right. But what will Raine do once she pushes her way to the point when she is finally given a chance to make up her mind?
In my eyes, Raine is the quintessence of a woman. She is capable of being a loving wife, a devoted mother, a courageous human being, and a capable office worker. Still, she makes her choices following her heart.
“Keepers” by Cheryl Burman is an unputdownable story I won’t soon forget.
Raine wants to be good at her office job and for her father to get better so that their family can be the safe harbour it used to be. Instead, she finds herself a wife and a mother, and her relationship with her husband is nothing like what she witnessed between her parents.
The setting of Australia in the 50s is absolutely charming. It isn’t picture-perfect. Raine lives in a migrant camp, the temporary housing arrangements far from what anyone could call nice and cosy. Learning about the Nissen huts the Australian government used in those camps was a very educational experience. I even looked up the construction on the Internet to better visualise it.
Yet, Raine’s life isn’t solely about the hardships of living in a prefabricated steel structure originally designed for military use. She wears pretty dresses to the solicitors’ office where she works and meets for lunch in cafes with her sister. Besides, after an unfortunate incident with a rude neighbour when more pleasant neighbours showed up like knights in shining armour to save her from disgrace, her life has an added flavour of activities more suitable for the young than daily hospital visits and typing legal letters. Now Raine has a company with whom to go to local dances and other amusements.
I felt a connection to Raine due to the similar experiences I had to live through when I was young. Seeing how your family, which always was like a stronghold against the world, at the same time being a self-sufficient world itself, crumbles under the hardships of illness and the turbulence of economics is what makes you grow up too fast.
Raine is a remarkable character with many facets. She is strong and also vulnerable. She is patient but with the temper of a lioness who when facing injustice or danger snaps ferociously at the enemy or at her lion alike. So often strong women are portrayed in a one-dimensional manner, and I find it confusing. Having been raised by too undeniably strong, incredibly brave, and resilient women, I don’t see any resemblance between them and how independent women are often presented in movies and literature. They weren’t harsh and bitter, denying the need to have someone around who would take care of them. They were sharp-tongued when provoked. Even so, the things they said to those who tried to offend them were full of wisdom rather than petty venom.
Raine is like my mother and my aunt. She doesn’t declare that she detests love. Yet, she isn’t the one to pursue marriage as the sole goal of her life. When trapped by the circumstances to make a decision she hadn’t planned to make so early in life, she faces it determined to do what’s best for everyone. And when her husband’s decision threatens to ruin her life and its consequences drag her through unbearable hardships, she acts not only with her own interests at heart.
Reading about Raine’s struggles, alone, in a house not fit to be run by a mother with a small child, not now and most certainly not in the Australia of the 50s, I told my husband that if he’d done what Raine’s Teddy had done, I wouldn’t have taken him back. By the way, he said that I would have been right. But what will Raine do once she pushes her way to the point when she is finally given a chance to make up her mind?
In my eyes, Raine is the quintessence of a woman. She is capable of being a loving wife, a devoted mother, a courageous human being, and a capable office worker. Still, she makes her choices following her heart.
“Keepers” by Cheryl Burman is an unputdownable story I won’t soon forget.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews