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THE
PROMISE

A WWII ROMANCE

What readers are saying about

THE PROMISE

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READERS FAVOURITE 
BOOK REVIEWS

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Promise is the story of World War II through the eyes of soldiers Will and Jimmy. Rose is the girl who has been in love with Will and they enjoyed many carefree hours together along the seaside coast of her English village. There is Betty who is Rose’s shy best friend and also Will's sister. Tom has been friends with Rose, Will and Jimmy growing up but he was unable to join the service and is unhappy to be left behind. Rose and Tom develop a close friendship and each feels their own kind of love for the other.  

The Promise is written so that each chapter is told by one of the characters and they share their thoughts, feelings, fears, and joys with the reader in a very personal manner. It is a touching story with promises being kept, friendships being made, love being found and lost, and the agony, pain, and death in the battles of the war. I found The Promise to be everything it promised and much more. It was a look at the war through a group of young people that were forced to quickly grow up and face the real world. Authors Kathleen Harryman and Lucy Marshall wrote of love, bravery, friendship, courage and respect in a very beautiful story. The characters became very real and likable for me. If you enjoy the history and romance genres, this is a must-read book; you will not be at all disappointed. The Promise is a winner.

GOODREADS
BOOK REVIEWS

There is a lot more to this story than its genre would suggest. There are touching, honest love stories set against the uncertainty and horrors of WWII, but there is the deeper pull of relationships of all kinds that really drew me in and held my interest. The author went to great care to flesh out the key players in this drama that ultimately spans decades. 

What starts as a benign, happy look inside post-World War I subtly begins to take on a wary expectancy as England’s Prime Minister declares war against Germany. Suddenly, the sheltered youth who only knew of wartime horrors second-hand are now faced with the possibility of losing everything their predecessors had worked so hard to recover. Young love and the prospect of family and a future are now put on hold indefinitely.

Hearing from the key players in this rich historical drama in their own words is what really hooked me. The insights the author has for each of her characters is truly remarkable. Nothing about this story was pat or standard; everyone in this drama comes across vividly, with their own unique mindsets. Watching as they grow and adjust to the impacts of war is eye-opening and refreshing, and most of all authentic.

I think this is a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more by this insightful author

A BOOK TO REMBER
There is a lot more to this story than its genre would suggest. There are touching, honest love stories set against the uncertainty and horrors of WWII, but there is the deeper pull of relationships of all kinds that really drew me in and held my interest. The author went to great care to flesh out This was such a wonderful but sad book. For people like me not living through The Great War or not old enough to remember World War 2, it was very thought provoking. I'm not going to say too much about this wonderful book except that I loved every person in the story. All events that happened regarding World War 2 were gripping and held my attention -I did not want to put the book down. Wonderful writing by the authors. I would like to see more like this book. It is highly recommended to be read by anyone wanting to learn about life and history key players in this drama that ultimately spans decades. 

What starts as a benign, happy look inside post-World War I subtly begins to take on a wary expectancy as England’s Prime Minister declares war against Germany. Suddenly, the sheltered youth who only knew of wartime horrors second-hand are now faced with the possibility of losing everything their predecessors had worked so hard to recover. Young love and the prospect of family and a future are now put on hold indefinitely.

Hearing from the key players in this rich historical drama in their own words is what really hooked me. The insights the author has for each of her characters is truly remarkable. Nothing about this story was pat or standard; everyone in this drama comes across vividly, with their own unique mindsets. Watching as they grow and adjust to the impacts of war is eye-opening and refreshing, and most of all authentic.

I think this is a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more by this insightful author

AMAZON 
BOOK REVIEWS

A BITTERSWEET TALE SET IN WWII
Five young friends face the horrors of the second world war in Author Kathleen Harryman and Author Lucy Marshall’s The Promise. Rosie and Will are in love, facing the heartbreak of separation brought on by the looming of World War II. Childhood friend, Jimmy is always close by their sides–when Will decides to enlist, he is right there to support him through thick and thin. Will’s sister, Betty, is a shy nurse whose skills will soon be in demand at the convalescent home set up in their village of Whitby. Tom, a former childhood friend whose life changed with the suicide of his father, longs to join Will and Jimmy in combat to escape a life he has come to dread, but fears leaving his mother and young sister behind.

The conflict of war changes the course of many lives as we go through the years. A bizarre accident leads to a new love. Shyness and strict Catholic upbringings test a new relationship. The war shows the soldiers the horrors of life–their perspectives forever changed.

A brutal final conflict alters the friends’ destinies forever. Who will live, and who will be blessed with a relationship for the future? The Promise is an outstanding, bittersweet tale that shows the dramatic impact of war on the people who live through it on the battlefield and home front. A great read, highly recommended!

A CAPTIVATING STORY OF FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, WARE. SORROW, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
A touching tale of friendship, love, war, sorrow and everything in-between. Three people growing up together until WW2 took two of them off to fight while the third, Rose had to learn to grow up fast. Well written and easy to read. This story kept me wanting to read on to find out what happened next.

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