‘I’m afraid I was born stubborn, sir. It gets me into trouble and some would say I don’t know my place.’
‘Ah…’ A soft chuckle escaped him. ‘But what is your place, Miss Hale? I wonder if any of us know these days.’
(from Jessie’s Promise)
Rosie Clarke’s latest novel, Jessie’s Promise, is set in England after World War I and follows Jessie Hale, a 26-year-old nurse navigating the depths of grief, social upheaval, and her place in the world. Jessie was a VAD during the war, and when the novel opens she has lost her job at a London hospital for speaking out on behalf of a fellow nurse. Still grieving the loss of her fiancé during the war, she cannot marry the kind bookstore owner Archie and instead takes a position at Kendlebury Hall in Devon as a nurse to Lady Kendle and her grandchildren, precocious 5-year-old Jack and sweet 2-year-old Catherine.
Jessie immediately embraces her new role, taking care of the aging Nanny, forging a close bond with the children, and attempting to bring some order to the understaffed household despite the overbearing presence of her employer, Mary Kendle, who is cold to her daughter, barely tolerant of her son, and distant from her husband, Captain Harry Kendle. Jessie’s determination to do right by the children, especially Catherine, who needs special care and attention, frequently puts her at odds with Mrs. Kendle but earns her the admiration of Captain Kendle — a man haunted by a lifetime of tragedy, most recently the war, but whose warmth toward the children and kindness toward her begin to break down the wall Jessie had built around her heart after Robbie’s death. Just as she beings to feel at home at Kendlebury Hall and believe that happiness is possible after all, a series of tragedies befall the Kendles and Jessie is forced to contend with yet more loss and the consequences of her decisions.
Clarke has done a great job creating a strong heroine in Jessie. She stands up for what is right and goes out of her way to help those in need, but she is far from perfect. However, it is her strength amid devastating loss and broken dreams that makes Jessie a truly admirable character. She loves deeply, cares fiercely, and steps up and takes charge when she is needed, even when she is desperately hurting inside.
The pace of the novel starts slow, but that helps to develop all of the characters, highlight the weight of responsibility that Jessie assumes from her very first moment at Kendlebury Hall, and set the stage for all that follows. Jessie’s relationship with Harry feels real, and Clarke doesn’t sugarcoat any of the obstacles in their way. She has created a strong cast of supporting characters, namely Nanny, Lady Kendle, and the rest of the household staff, adding numerous layers to the story.
Jessie’s Promise is about finding love amidst grief and finding oneself after the chaos of war as society dramatically changes in terms of sex and class. Clarke puts readers directly into the setting, so they understand what Jessie is up against and that the times are changing. I loved that Jessie was a modern women, understanding society’s constraints but unwilling to simply accept the way things were. Even when there was little she could do to change the situation, she questioned things, fought back in little ways, and refused to just give up. I was caught up in Jessie’s story from the very beginning, and I loved all the little twists and turns along the way, so much so that I look forward to reading more by Clarke in the future.
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About Jessie’s Promise
DEVON 1918. When Jessie Hale loses her nursing job at the end of the First World War, she leaves London to become the nursemaid to the Kendle family in Devon.
On arrival she finds the family in disarray. Captain Kendle is a loving father but is traumatised by the war and kept at arm’s length by his frosty wife. When their elderly Nanny suffers a bad fall, Jessie has to try to bring the household together. Gradually Jessie finds her place in their lives, becoming devoted to Captain Kendle’s lively son Jack, his lovely, but quiet daughter Catherine, as well his invalid Mother.
Jessie soon starts to love her life at Kendlebury Hall, but problems arise when her feelings for her employer start to change…
Check out Jessie’s Promise on Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
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About the Author
Rosie Clarke was born in Swindon, but moved to Ely in Cambridgeshire at the age of nine. Married at eighteen, she ran her own hairdressing business for many years. Rosie started writing in 1976, combining this with helping her husband run his antique shop. She loves to write for her own enjoyment and to give pleasure to her millions of fans. Rosie was the well-deserved winner of the 2004 RNA Romance Award and the Betty Neels Trophy.
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Giveaway
Aria is generously offering a giveaway of 3 ebook copies (epub or mobi) of Jessie’s Promise. To enter, simply leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway will close Sunday, February 19, 2017. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
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Disclosure: I received Jessie’s Promise from Aria for review.
Wonderful review. You have my attention. Thank you for the giveaway.
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Thanks, Becky!
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Love the setting and situation of this one that you describe. Hadn’t heard of it, but I’d definitely read it. Great review, Anne!
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Thanks, Sophia! Hope you get a chance to read it. I really liked that it’s a standalone novel; didn’t want to have to start another series. 😉
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I think I would definitely enjoy reading this book!! Thanks for sharing
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My pleasure!
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Sounds interesting. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
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Thanks for stopping by!
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Your review certainly shines and shows how much you enjoyed this book. I certainly am intrigued with this one!
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I hope you get a chance to read it, Carole!
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Terrific review, Anna! This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
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Thanks, Suko!
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I have not heard of this novel but your review makes me want to read it. Since watching Downton Abbey, I have been interested to know the Great War and the effects of way on people back then. Thank you for the giveaway.
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I really need to watch Downton Abbey!
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I haven’t heard of this book before, but I love this time period! Jessie sounds like a strong woman. savvyverseandwit at gmail
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I think you’d like this one!
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New to me so thanks for the review. Love the setting.
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Thanks, Mystica. I’m a sucker for novels set during the World Wars.
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Wow, this sounds amazing! Just the kind of deeply moving read that would entice me away from JAFF. Wonderful review, Anna, I’m looking forward to reading this!
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My pleasure! Though I devote a lot of my reading time to JAFF, historical fiction set during the World Wars is a favorite of mine.
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Great review! I’m adding it to my TBR list now!
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Thanks, Kim! Happy reading!
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Thanks to everyone who stopped by to read my review and enter the giveaway. The winners are Suko, Joana Starnes, and Mystica. Congrats and happy reading!
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Thank you so much, Anna! 🙂
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You’re very welcome. Happy reading!
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