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A Cornish Wartime Story #2
Promise You'll Wait
Cornwall, England, 1942. Their special place is up here on the clifftop, where the gulls cry and the waves crash. Rosie’s heart swells as she gazes into Danny’s deep green eyes. ‘Let’s come back, every year. No matter what.’ But will the war force them to break their promise?
Rosie knows that air force pilot Danny is the love of her life. It doesn’t matter if his family think she isn’t good enough for him, with her factory job and East End accent. And when Danny proposes on holiday in Cornwall, high on the cliffs above the wild blue sea, Rosie can’t wait for him to come home after his next mission so they can be a proper family. They promise to return to Cornwall every summer to celebrate their love.
But in wartime, tragedy is just around the corner. The Missing in Action telegram about Danny shatters Rosie’s heart into a million pieces. Even as the bombs of the Blitz rain down, and orphaned children huddle for shelter, Rosie vows to never forget Danny or the promise she made.
Rosie’s family can’t understand why she insists on visiting Cornwall and sitting by the sea where Danny proposed. Everyone has lost someone in this terrible war. But when Rosie learns a terrible secret, it turns her world upside down all over again. How well did she really know the man she loved? And as she comes to terms with the shocking truth, when she meets someone new should Rosie risk opening her heart again – or, in this perilous time, will her loyalty to Danny tear her apart?
An absolutely heartwrenching, powerful and emotional novel about the hardships of war, and the strength of love. Perfect for fans of Shirley Dickson, Wives of War and Lisa Wingate.
Rosie knows that air force pilot Danny is the love of her life. It doesn’t matter if his family think she isn’t good enough for him, with her factory job and East End accent. And when Danny proposes on holiday in Cornwall, high on the cliffs above the wild blue sea, Rosie can’t wait for him to come home after his next mission so they can be a proper family. They promise to return to Cornwall every summer to celebrate their love.
But in wartime, tragedy is just around the corner. The Missing in Action telegram about Danny shatters Rosie’s heart into a million pieces. Even as the bombs of the Blitz rain down, and orphaned children huddle for shelter, Rosie vows to never forget Danny or the promise she made.
Rosie’s family can’t understand why she insists on visiting Cornwall and sitting by the sea where Danny proposed. Everyone has lost someone in this terrible war. But when Rosie learns a terrible secret, it turns her world upside down all over again. How well did she really know the man she loved? And as she comes to terms with the shocking truth, when she meets someone new should Rosie risk opening her heart again – or, in this perilous time, will her loyalty to Danny tear her apart?
An absolutely heartwrenching, powerful and emotional novel about the hardships of war, and the strength of love. Perfect for fans of Shirley Dickson, Wives of War and Lisa Wingate.
332 pages, Paperback
Published August 23, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 7, 2022
It was 1942 when Danny and Rosie spent the day in Cornwall overlooking the ocean. It was a special place for the young couple, in love and preparing to get married on Danny's next leave. Danny was a pilot and heading to the front. Their promise to one another to visit Cornwall on their anniversary each year was strong. But war changed things for the young couple. When Rosie received the telegram saying Danny was missing in action, she was devastated. And when she heard no more over the months, and then years, she had to tell herself he was dead. But a small part of her kept a sliver of hope...
As Rosie's life changed, so did that of her family and friends around her. The bombing of London saw tragedy and sorrow, and Rosie's work kept her busy. Her sister Gracie became a Land Girl and flourished, while Rosie's mum grieved for her husband who was in a POW camp. Life moved forward - when the war was finally over, would they move forward with time?
Promise You'll Wait is the 2nd in A Cornish Wartime Story by Elaine Johns and my second by this author. Rosie was a strong, independent and feisty character, who cared for her mother and young sister Gracie, also befriending Alice, when she had no one. I did find Promise You'll Wait a little drawn out, but enjoyed it none the less. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
As Rosie's life changed, so did that of her family and friends around her. The bombing of London saw tragedy and sorrow, and Rosie's work kept her busy. Her sister Gracie became a Land Girl and flourished, while Rosie's mum grieved for her husband who was in a POW camp. Life moved forward - when the war was finally over, would they move forward with time?
Promise You'll Wait is the 2nd in A Cornish Wartime Story by Elaine Johns and my second by this author. Rosie was a strong, independent and feisty character, who cared for her mother and young sister Gracie, also befriending Alice, when she had no one. I did find Promise You'll Wait a little drawn out, but enjoyed it none the less. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2022
Promise You'll Wait is somehow better than it seems from the title and cover! It starts out as a sweet wartime story about two young lovers. It's unusual in that the book skips past their initial meeting and romance. Through various twists and turns, each thinks the other is killed in the war. I've read lots of WWII historical fiction, but this one had some pieces I didn't know, especially about the Dutch resistance. This is a lot more than a romance, even if that's the main point of the book. It's about a group of people who are a combination of biological and found family, who all lead lives that are both big and small. I really enjoyed it.
August 27, 2022
Rosemary and Danny, a couple who have a very special love. Of course, the course of true love never runs smooth, and WWII starting just as they become closer, doesn't help.
This book started strongly and finished strongly, for me. The middle bit dragged a little bit, although there was this constant thread of tension as well which made me put the book aside for a week or so. I did really appreciate how honest the novel was about wartime conditions for people and mentioning the resistance in Holland was appreciated. I don't think I have read a book before which mentioned the incredible work they did, at that time.
Something else I really liked: how many coincidences there were and how family is not only about blood but feelings and bonds between people.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
This book started strongly and finished strongly, for me. The middle bit dragged a little bit, although there was this constant thread of tension as well which made me put the book aside for a week or so. I did really appreciate how honest the novel was about wartime conditions for people and mentioning the resistance in Holland was appreciated. I don't think I have read a book before which mentioned the incredible work they did, at that time.
Something else I really liked: how many coincidences there were and how family is not only about blood but feelings and bonds between people.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
July 10, 2023
Great Love Story spanning many years
Rosie and her family lived through WW2 and the devastation to London. Rosie is in love with a pilot whose plane is shot down and he is classified as MIA, presumed dead. Rosie is a hard worker and betters herself by attending classes and changing jobs to prove women can do as well as men in business. Rosie does not know her fiancé survived being shot down over the Netherlands and was rescued by the Dutch underground and nursed back to health. Danny searches for Rosie, but is told she died. Both Rosie and Danny never forget each other and the deep love they had. The book takes us to the end of the war and then into the future, where they meet again. This is a true love story that brings tears and smiles to the reader. I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Rosie and her family lived through WW2 and the devastation to London. Rosie is in love with a pilot whose plane is shot down and he is classified as MIA, presumed dead. Rosie is a hard worker and betters herself by attending classes and changing jobs to prove women can do as well as men in business. Rosie does not know her fiancé survived being shot down over the Netherlands and was rescued by the Dutch underground and nursed back to health. Danny searches for Rosie, but is told she died. Both Rosie and Danny never forget each other and the deep love they had. The book takes us to the end of the war and then into the future, where they meet again. This is a true love story that brings tears and smiles to the reader. I look forward to reading other books by this author.
October 31, 2022
A Sweet Romance
This is a well written novel which takes place e in England and Holland during WW2. It is about family, sacrifices, war and romance. Rosie is a very determined young woman who does all she can for the war effort. Danny is s British flyer fighting the Germans. An enjoyable read.
This is a well written novel which takes place e in England and Holland during WW2. It is about family, sacrifices, war and romance. Rosie is a very determined young woman who does all she can for the war effort. Danny is s British flyer fighting the Germans. An enjoyable read.
September 24, 2023
When war thinks you lost the one true love
When Danny is reported missing in action presumed dead it leads Rosie on to a different path also Danny goes on a different path but yrs later a mircal happens
When Danny is reported missing in action presumed dead it leads Rosie on to a different path also Danny goes on a different path but yrs later a mircal happens
October 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this book it was so surprising and emotional.
This book was tripping a complete surprise to me. I have not read any books by this author before but certainly will read more books by her.
This book was tripping a complete surprise to me. I have not read any books by this author before but certainly will read more books by her.
October 10, 2023
Loved this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
“Promise You’ll Wait” is the second in the “A Cornish Wartime Story” series by Elaine Johns. I read the first book in this series recently, so I was pleased to see that this book is a stand-alone one. In this book, two characters, Rosemary and Daniel, knew they were destined to marry each other. However, the war intervenes and Daniel is sent up into the skies while Rosemary continues working for the war effort. What I liked about this book was the true grit of the characters - how they managed to survive through the war, devastation, incredibly difficult times, and kept, literally, the home fires burning through it all. I also liked how Ms. Johns, as she noted in her Author’s Note, wanted to show elderly love and how incredibly sweet and wonderful it can be.
“Promise You’ll Wait” is the second in the “A Cornish Wartime Story” series by Elaine Johns. I read the first book in this series recently, so I was pleased to see that this book is a stand-alone one. In this book, two characters, Rosemary and Daniel, knew they were destined to marry each other. However, the war intervenes and Daniel is sent up into the skies while Rosemary continues working for the war effort. What I liked about this book was the true grit of the characters - how they managed to survive through the war, devastation, incredibly difficult times, and kept, literally, the home fires burning through it all. I also liked how Ms. Johns, as she noted in her Author’s Note, wanted to show elderly love and how incredibly sweet and wonderful it can be.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews