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99th out of 178 books
—
1,186 voters
The Promise
London, 1914. Belle Reilly finally has the life she's dreamed of thanks to a devoted husband in Jimmy and the hat shop she's wanted to own since she was a child. But as the storm clouds of World War One begin to gather, Belle's already turbulent life is to change in ways she never imagined possible. — When Jimmy enlists in the army and leaves for the battlefields of Ypres,...more
Hardcover, 503 pages
Published
January 19th 2012
by Michael Joseph
(first published January 1st 2012)
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I've been a huge fan of Lesley Pearse since way back in the early 90s. She writes huge, fat, satisfying stories with wonderful characters and such well-researched plot lines. During my reading years, I've discovered many new authors and new genres, I'll admit that I've abandoned old favourites along the way as my tastes have grown and changed, but the thought of a new Lesley Pearse novel never fails to thrill me. Thanks to the wonderful new world of social media, and especially Twitter, I now fe...more
This was the first Lesley Pearse book I have ever read, and I was plesantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I was tempted to give the novel four stars, however towards the end of the book I became fed up of the main protangonists brooding romance, which I personally had no interest in whatsoever.
This was an unusual turn of events as I'm a sucker for a good romance, however due to the fact that this was a sequel to Pearse's previous novel "Belle" the attraction between Belle and Etienne had...more
This was an unusual turn of events as I'm a sucker for a good romance, however due to the fact that this was a sequel to Pearse's previous novel "Belle" the attraction between Belle and Etienne had...more
The Promise is an entertaining read set against the backdrop of WW1. I didn't realise until I was about a third of the way through that it was actually a sequel to Belle, which explains why I kept wondering who some of the characters were (one in particular is mentioned many times, but doesn't appears until towards the end). The characters are quite likeable, although the female characters were definitely developed more effectively than the male ones. Belle is unbelievably beautiful and everyone...more
Jul 05, 2012
Janet
is currently reading it
this is the follow up book from Belle.
This is the second book by Lesley Perase featuring the character and background of Belle, and I would recommend reading the first one before attempting this.
Belle is a young lady who after the trials of being kidnapped, taken abroad and used for prositution, has returned home and achieved her dream, to open a hat shop. The book is set just before the first world war, and when this breaks out, deals with what wartime Britain was like, Belle's emotions as her husband is caught up in the turmoil, a...more
Belle is a young lady who after the trials of being kidnapped, taken abroad and used for prositution, has returned home and achieved her dream, to open a hat shop. The book is set just before the first world war, and when this breaks out, deals with what wartime Britain was like, Belle's emotions as her husband is caught up in the turmoil, a...more
This book picks straight up where Belle ended. All the characters we loved are still there and we read more of how life for Belle has flourished and how happy she is. It wouldn’t be a Lesley Pearse if everything stayed rosy and simple!
Her past life comes back and stirs up all sorts of memories and new problems for Belle and those around her. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Relationships are stretched to the limit and war really changes things that she used to hold so dear.
Packed full of e...more
Her past life comes back and stirs up all sorts of memories and new problems for Belle and those around her. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Relationships are stretched to the limit and war really changes things that she used to hold so dear.
Packed full of e...more
Satisfying, indulgent chick lit. The characters are well developed, the story is intricate yet easy to follow and even though parts of the plot are predictable you still find yourself reading hurriedly along wondering what will happen next. There were some references to Belles history and it hinted at a prequel already out on the shelves, but I didn't feel any poorer for not having read it as the author gives you short snippets of need-to-know background information. It's a vivid story and I lov...more
The Promise is the sequel to Belle by Lesley Pearse. It is every bit as good as Belle but quite different as it is set in WW1 and Belle herself has matured. Learned a bit about WW1 and the inventions in technology and medicine that were borne out of necessity. It also shows how the changing roles for women and the breakdown of British class system started due to the war. Its an easy read and essentially a love story between Belle and the two men in her life. I suggest that if you are interested...more
In this sequel to Belle, the year is 1914 and Belle is happily married to Jimmy, her childhood sweetheart. When she reencounters Etienne, a Parisian who saved her life, she is reminded of her youthful love for him. However, Belle is optimistic about her future with Jimmy and her life as a milliner in London. Her past is filled with more unhappiness than one can imagine, and Belle believes that it is time for her happy ending. When England enters war with Germany, Belle’s life slowly starts to un...more
Time Taken To Read - 5 days
Publisher - Penguin
Blurb from Goodreads
London 1914
Belle Reilly finally has the life she's dreamed of thanks to a devoted husband in Jimmy and the hat shop she's wanted to own since she was a child. But as the storm clouds of World War One begin to gather, Belle's already turbulent life is to change in ways she never imagined possible.
When Jimmy enlists in the army and leaves for the battlefields of Ypres, her world is shattered and she realises she can no longer stand...more
Publisher - Penguin
Blurb from Goodreads
London 1914
Belle Reilly finally has the life she's dreamed of thanks to a devoted husband in Jimmy and the hat shop she's wanted to own since she was a child. But as the storm clouds of World War One begin to gather, Belle's already turbulent life is to change in ways she never imagined possible.
When Jimmy enlists in the army and leaves for the battlefields of Ypres, her world is shattered and she realises she can no longer stand...more
As soon as I finished reading Belle, which I really enjoyed, I got my hands on a copy of The Promise - I had to find out more about Belle and see what her future held, particularly as The Promise is set during World War I.
Picking up almost exactly where Belle finished, The Promise continues the story of Belle's struggles upon her return to England after being kidnapped and sold into prostitution as a teenage girl, her budding career as a milliner, and her time as an ambulance driver in France d...more
Picking up almost exactly where Belle finished, The Promise continues the story of Belle's struggles upon her return to England after being kidnapped and sold into prostitution as a teenage girl, her budding career as a milliner, and her time as an ambulance driver in France d...more
I received this book as a firstread and I’m thankful I did, it is a very good book.
First off I must say if you are not familiar with the series or the author, as I wasn’t, then you should read Belle (book #1) before you read The Promise (book #2). I dove right into this book and spent the first chapter and following sections of this book getting the details of the first book as they tie in closely. Belle sounds like it was a great book, probably better than this one, but I already know what happ...more
First off I must say if you are not familiar with the series or the author, as I wasn’t, then you should read Belle (book #1) before you read The Promise (book #2). I dove right into this book and spent the first chapter and following sections of this book getting the details of the first book as they tie in closely. Belle sounds like it was a great book, probably better than this one, but I already know what happ...more
In the late 90's i was given a Lesley Pearse book to read from a dear friend and since then have had to buy them all! And will continue to do so. She writes wonderful, satisfying journey's with fantastic characters . The Promise is Lesley Pearse's twentieth novel and is a sequel to Belle.
Once again, Lesley Pearse has created a terrific, dramatic read through Belle's marriage to Jimmy and then continuing on through the trauma of World War 1. A real page turner......
Once again, Lesley Pearse has created a terrific, dramatic read through Belle's marriage to Jimmy and then continuing on through the trauma of World War 1. A real page turner......
what an amazing book i so loved the characters of mog and belle what a wonderful relationship. think i would like to have seen a bit more of annie in this book but im not too disappointed in that.. Belle was such a strong character and so loyal to Jimmy but i have to say i was really pleased at the ending dont want to spoil it brilliant book highly recoomend this author if you have not read any cant wait for next book
This is Lesley Pearse's 20th Novel.
I enjoy historical romances set in WW1 and never tire of them.
This saga concentrates mainly on Belle, who was introduced to readers in Lesley Pearse's previous novel entitled Belle. We get some background from the previous novel, for those of us who have not read Belle, and it is enough to find out where Belle has come from and where she is now.
Belle, is making a success of her hat shop and has a genteel life with husband Jimmy. This is far removed from her p...more
I enjoy historical romances set in WW1 and never tire of them.
This saga concentrates mainly on Belle, who was introduced to readers in Lesley Pearse's previous novel entitled Belle. We get some background from the previous novel, for those of us who have not read Belle, and it is enough to find out where Belle has come from and where she is now.
Belle, is making a success of her hat shop and has a genteel life with husband Jimmy. This is far removed from her p...more
Couldn't wait to get this book having recently read "Belle". The same great writing and pacing was evident so I did enjoy reading it. However, as the plot unfolded, there was just a few too many (bordeline ridiculous)coincedences which left me wishing I (and the writer) had left Belle at the end of her eponymous story, and left our imagination to what happened next...
I loved this book, it was amazing the hardships belle goes through in this one are nearly as intense as the first book. I would have to say that this is one of my favourite books that i have read thsi year, and I would recommend it to anyone! especially if you like war books, the war is happening in the background. the past comes up, and belle has to get past alot of Obstacles
When a reader finishes a book and comes away with more knowledge than when they begun, that is a sign of a well researched book. I was dubious whether the squeal to Belle, would be as good, since Belle was a fantastic story. Lesley pulled it off, with flying colours as always. If you like history and a good romance you won't be disappointed, but be aware, love does not always have an happy ending, and be prepared to have your heart string pulled from your chest.
This was the sequel to Belle the story went on much to my delight as I wanted to find out more about what happened to belle, along with this it was very interesting to read more about the war and what went on when Belle decided to join as an ambulance driver, the story had my emotions all over the place , I would defiantly recommend belle then read the promise.
wow, wow, wow, could not put it down. The writing was so good that I could visualise everything and I was there. I was transported off to the first world war. You could so feel what the characters were going through. You can see how much research Lesley does before writing the books. Yet again, Lesley pulls off another super book.
So far - just a couple chapters in - it places the scenes nicely, and brings you up to speed with snippets of the previous book 'Belle' for those who may not have read it. (Since this is an uncorrected proof copy, I have noticed some rather glaring errors in grammar and even word selection, but overall, not too distracting.)
So much happens! So much good, so much bad, then more good. Set in the first world war mostly in France, it's good to know the first book, but this book is good on it's own....more
So much happens! So much good, so much bad, then more good. Set in the first world war mostly in France, it's good to know the first book, but this book is good on it's own....more
I read Belle last year & although I enjoyed it I wasn't crazy about the character of Belle. I felt Lesley Pearce wanted to portrait her as someone men want & women want to be but she didn't fulfill that, at times I was left frustrated with Belles character. I did however enjoy the story behind it so that's why I read the promise. I really enjoyed the story even if it was very predictable. I really warmed to the character of Miranda & the world war 1 background was interesting & g...more
Another fab read from Lesley Pearse who makes this book another you just can't put down! This is the second book with the first one being called Belle. A third one is due out next year! If u haven't read any Lesley Pearse where have you been?
Entertaining, enjoyable read in the traditional saga style. There are some gritty frontline elements dealing with WW1 and the research seems sound and solid. I liked it a lot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this follow-up book to Belle. Luckily it came out a few days after me reading Belle so I was able to carry on with her story. I really hope there will be a third book coming out.
I am so happy that I won this book on GoodReads.
Belle is torn between her husband who is in the army during World War I and someone from her childhood. Who doesn't love a good love triangle.
I had not read anything by Pearse before but after reading this book I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
Belle is torn between her husband who is in the army during World War I and someone from her childhood. Who doesn't love a good love triangle.
I had not read anything by Pearse before but after reading this book I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
A good sequel......ending was a lttle bit "Harliquin" but fortunately that was just the last 10 pages or so. The book picks up right after where Belle ended. This time it goes through the War, and the descriptions are often far to vivid! Overall the book was excellent
I received this book as a Goodreads First Read and I enjoyed it immensely. As an uncorrected proof, there were a few mistakes in spelling and grammar; however, it did not affect the story at all.
I loved the characters, the level of language, and the era with it was written. I will now be finding more Lesley Pearse novels to enjoy!!!
I loved the characters, the level of language, and the era with it was written. I will now be finding more Lesley Pearse novels to enjoy!!!
The follow on from Belle. Had to wait for this to be published and wow it was worth the wait. Heartache with some shocking moments. An amazing read
what a great storyline,went right to the bookstore and bought "BELLE" (the book that came before "the promise" and one otherone from this author,she writes beautiful, heartgoing books
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Lesley Pearse is one of the UK's best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether cri...more
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