An RNA Romantic Novel Award nominee.
Heartbroken and hoping for a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job in rural France at the Château Bellevue. The old château echoes with voices from the past, and soon Abi finds herself drawn to one remarkable woman’s story, a story that could change the course of her summer—and her life.
In 1938, Eliane Martin tends beehives in the garden of the beautiful … garden of the beautiful Château Bellevue. In its shadow she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time, daring to hope that a happy future awaits. But France’s eastern border is darkening under the clouds of war, and history has other plans for Eliane…
When she is separated from Mathieu in the chaos of German occupation, Eliane makes the dangerous decision to join the Resistance and fight for France’s liberty. But with no end to the war in sight, her loyalty to Mathieu is severely tested.
From the bestselling author of Sea of Memories comes the story of two remarkable women, generations apart, who must use adversity to their advantage and find the resilience deep within.
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Yes, another WWII story but so much more. Engaging characters. Heartbreaking but uplifting at the same time.
I seldom write a review but this book was exceptional! The author did a wonderful job of telling two different stories. One in the present and one in the past. At first the woman in each of the stories seemed so different I just couldn’t see how they would come together in one story. Each story was told in rich detail so I could see, hear and feel what was happening. I LOVED that each of the woman were strong characters. Their story was very realistic and it was amazing to see how they related to each other as the story went along.
This is the first that I have read of this authors work, but I will be reading everything that she has written after reading this book!
A story of two women from different eras, each finding their inner strength to overcome devastating circumstances. Present-day Abi has escaped an abusive marriage and still bears the scars, both physical and emotional. In war-torn France of the 1940s, Eliane is caught up in the intrigue of protecting her loved ones from the occupying German army. The author deftly weaves these two stories, and while at times I felt Eliane’s story far overshadowed Abi’s, everything came together in a truly satisfying ending.
Abi is broken, having just escaped from an abusive and controlling husband. She takes a summer job at the Chateau Bellevue, hoping that a change of scene will begin to heal her emotional scars. Her employers tell her the story of Eliane and her family, who had lived at the chateau some 80 years before. Abi discovers more about herself as she learns of Eliane’s struggles during World War II.
It’s a great novel, but I didn’t really like how the two timelines run concurrently throughout the story. I think it would have been better if the author had told Eliane’s story first, and then told Abi’s, who of course comes along many years later. Timelines chop and change with each chapter, and you cannot get into Eliane’s life as on the next page you’re then thrust into Abi’s story.
Nevertheless, there are wonderful descriptive passages which took me back to a holiday I had in rural France 10 years’ ago. The romance aspect of the book could have been a bit better developed, but on the whole an enjoyable read for fans of historical WWII fiction.
Wonderful characters during a very scary terrifying time in history! It reminded me that there are people that do quite heroic things during horrific times!
This is the story about two women, generations apart, and a French chateau that connects them. An insecure young woman, looking for a fresh start, accepts employment at Chateau Bellevue. There, she learns about the chateau’s history, its significance during the war in 1938 and about the determined young woman who became part of the French Resistance and tended bees at the chateau. This was a wonderfully descriptive and inspiring tale of strength, bravery, compassion, and even romance. I particularly enjoyed how beekeeping was woven into the story and the scenes at the market selling honey. It was a nice contrast to the atmosphere of war.
A compelling story of survival and the sacrifices made during the German occupation of France during WWII. The characters are engaging and memorable. Highly recommended.
The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy is the story of two women. One lives during the World War II occupation of France and the other is a modern woman trying to put together the pieces of her shattered life and find herself again. Heartbroken and in need of a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job at the Château Bellevue in the rural village of Coulliac, France. The voices of the past surround Abi as she stays at the château. She finds herself drawn to the story of one remarkable woman. A story that may change her summer and her life. Eliane Martin tends the beehives in the gardens of the Château Bellevue. There she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time but as the rumors of war darken any hope for the future, she must decide to join the fight for France’s liberty or accept her new reality. Will Abi find a new meaning and purpose in life? Will Eliane find the courage to do what she must to survive?
The Beekeeper’s Promise is an amazing story of two women who are faced with adversity which tests them body and soul. A growing number of books are now featuring stories of the French Resistance during World War II; but there are so many stories that can be told that it is not repetitive. Ms. Valpy has been able to bring the stories of the French Resistance to life as one community quietly but quickly standing up and fighting back. I’ve read a few criticisms that there seems to be no connection between Abi in 2017 and Eliane during the war. However, as Abi hears Eliane’s story, she finds the courage to move on from her painful past. I interpret it as Abi deciding that if Eliane can face the Nazis with the hope to survive, she can face the ghosts of her past and move on. The two women’s stories don’t need to be similar to find meaning and the strength to say “if she can do it, so can I.” I enjoyed this story so much that I wanted to see both women survive and thrive. I highly recommend The Beekeeper’s Promise.
The Beekeeper’s Promise is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
I’m a fan of the dual timelines approach to storytelling and had read another book, ‘The Dressmaker’s Gift’, by the same author. While I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t nearly as interesting as the other one. I think it’s because I didn’t particularly care for the Abi character and her story in the present day timeline. Other than Abi’s learning of the war time history of Eliane and her family, her present day troubled marriage/abusive husband storyline didn’t really mesh well with the WWII storyline.
3.5 stars for me. I would have gone with 4 stars, but I didn’t like how the past-present jumps went from chapter to chapter, when some of those chapters were just 1 page long. I enjoy past-present historical fiction, but it just felt choppy in this novel for some reason. In this case, I felt the historical narrative had more depth and breadth, and the modern story didn’t have much going on. In fact, I’m not sure the modern story really added much to this particular story at all, but that’s just my take.
The historical story was WWII related, which I enjoyed immensely.
The author reveals how an unhappy woman, Abi, in 2017 finds completeness by listening to the story of a French woman, Eliane, who lived during World War II while France was invaded by the Nazis. Eliane’s courage and fortitude gives Abi the strength to realize her own worth, after having been in a physically and mentally abusive marriage.
I enjoyed this time-slip novel! The parallel lives of Eliane Martin and Abi Howes are intricately woven together. Ms. Valpy beautifully brings forth the resilience of the French people during the German occupation. She expertly demonstrates the courage to live again despite the effects of living in an abusive relationship. This story is well written and nicely paced. It was hard to put down.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy time-slip novels spotlighting courageous women. Please note that there is some profanity.
I borrowed a copy through Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
An incredibly moving story which had me hooked from beginning to end.
A dual timeline set in France during World War II and the present.
It tells of the atrocities of war, loyalty ,healing, discovrry, and enduring love.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
A wonderful look into WWII civilian life woven into a captivating story.
A beautiful story about two women who had to show resilience and strength in very different circumstances. The past and present intertwine as details are revealed, and the delicate narrative carries you through to the end. Stories like this show the incredible courage people had during the war, and it never ceases to amaze me. But domestic abuse is also like fighting a war, and just as much courage is needed to come through the other side, scarred but not defeated.
This is an wonderful book that I highly recommend.
I love historical fiction. This book had everything a great novel about WWII should have. I could not put it down. I was wrapped up in the characters and the historical period. I found out more information about the time, the place, and the resilience and resistance of the people during that tragic time. The prose brings one into the story in ways that a lesser writer could not.
Loved the characters. The author seamlessly told a current story and a woman’s story during WWII. Enough details to carry the plot, but not so many that the book plugged along.
Wonderful story! Well written.
I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down…stayed up until 2 am one night and 1 am the next one to finish it. The characters were wonderful. They were well developed and the story was one that flowed easily. Sometimes books that go back and forth from the present to the past are hard to follow or keep up with which time you’re in. But the author did a fabulous job of making the transition easy. And the connection between the main characters in the two time periods was amazing.
Stories of Hitler’s invasion in France are so moving and this one did a great job of taking you back to that time period and helping you experience the horror, fear, strength, compassion, and need of the people who endured such horrific events. You get a glimpse into how simple people made a difference in the defeat of Germany. Very inspirational and encouraging.
I would definitely recommend this book! It is a journey through time and how the characters learn that they are strong and resilient…despite their trials.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.