THE PROMISE: A World War 2 Historical Romance Novel
by Kathleen Harryman (Author), Lucy Marshall (Author)

Description: How far would you go to keep a promise?
In the heat of battle, one man’s promise to another will be tested.

September 1939 – As Britain is gripped by the fear and uncertainty of war, Tom Armitage stands to gain the one thing that he never thought possible – his freedom.

Rosie Elliot sees her future crumbling to dust as Will Aarons leaves Whitby with Jimmy Chappell to fight in the war. As she begins work at The Turnstone Convalescent Home, Rosie finds something she thought she had lost. Friendship. But friendship soon turns to love. Can this new love replace Will?

This is not an ordinary love story.
It’s a story of love, loss, courage, and honour.
Of promises that must be kept or risk losing everything you’ve ever held dear.

Review: A Compelling, Well-Crafted, Gripping Story That Engages The Reader From Start To Finish
THE PROMISE is a novel that begins by transporting the reader to a small seaside town in Yorkshire, northern England just before Britain enters World War II. One of its residents, the spirited Rosie Elliot, is young and in love. She can’t believe that Will Aarons, the man she wants to marry, is willing to leave her to go off to war. However, Will and a mutual friend, Jimmy, believe that joining the military is their duty.

When Britain enters the war and Will and Jimmy enlist, Rosie is crushed and angry. She feels her youthful world, one that’s been very small and protected, has been snatched away from her. But she can’t ignore the war or the casualties who need help. She begins working in The Turnstone Convalescent Home, hoping to do her part. As she helps to care for the wounded, there isn’t any room for the person she used to be, a carefree girl who only thought about dresses, dances and being with Will Aarons.

This story does an excellent job of demonstrating how tragic events completely change a person’s life. In this case war completely changes the lives of not only Rosie and Will, but the lives of their families and friends. Each person is forced to go beyond their personal agenda and find a way to give their best. Many are surprised to know how strong and courageous they are deep down. And when it comes to love, several of the main characters learn how the concept of love changes, how it can deepen as they become less judgmental and more mature.

The first person narrative, told by each of the main characters, is very effective and beautifully handled in this story. The reader is given a close up and personal visual of what it’s like to live in extreme circumstances, to never know what the world will be like when they wake in the morning. In the case of soldiers like Will and Jimmy, we feel how uncertain the next breath can be. It could be snatched away in the next moment.

All and all, I found THE PROMISE to be a compelling, well-crafted, gripping story that engages the reader from start to finish.

Five stars!

Visit Kathleen Harryman’s website and Amazon Author US Page and her UK page.
You can also find her on Goodreads, and Twitter.