• click here to return to the homepage •
or 
Home > Categories > Books > Fiction > The Promise review
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 by and watch, she must volunteer to help the wounded. But her work as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France throws her into the path of Etienne, the enigmatic man who played a significant role in her childhood, and Belle finds herself torn agonisingly between forbidden passion and loyalty to a good man.
But the past returns to haunt her present in other - more unpleasant - ways and Belle's character is put to the test like never before. Can she survive this most brutal of wars with her spirit intact? And will destiny finally lead her to lasting happiness even while war rages all around?
The Age of Unreason : 2 : A Calculus of Angels
Lonely Planet: Italy
Ping and Pong Are Best Friends (Mostly)
Loyalty in Death
Palace Pets: Sticker Scenes
Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures 
Running Girl
Messy Molly
Beetle Boy
All Because of a Cup of Coffee
1 - 2 - 3 Bird!
The Vanishing Deep
AbundanceProduct reviews...
Review by: rosielee3 (Rosie)
Dated: 4th of June, 2012
Another stunning book by Lesley Pearse. She is one of my all time favourite authors and i have read all her books to date. This is her latest book, released 2012 and is the sequel to Belle. Not often do Pearse characters get a chance to develop further into another book, but she does a great job here!
Every time i thought that the book was lacking and becoming weak, it turns and there is more drama around the corner! Nothing is beyond limits in this book. Pearse brings the first world war into perspective from the French front and from London - then in New Zealand! I love that the story incorporates New Zealand during this time, this makes it feel so real and intimate to me personally. Pearse uses vivid descriptions, which are so vivid and accurate, it feels like you are there seeing and breathing the same air.
The book takes you on an emotional roller-coaster though love, loss and passion and the ending is sure to pleasantly surprise all readers - and leave them hoping for another instalment of Belle's life! (here's hoping!). I recommend all Pearse's books to anyone interested in historical fiction, Belle is based in 1910 and The Promise is based on WW1 so 1914-1918 time period.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Naughty Nat's naughtiest idea yet hasn't quite gone to plan, and she's accidently travelled back in time! Now Santa has to search through thousands of years to find her. Can Santa find Nat among the prehistoric wraptors, wrestling Spartans, jousting knights, or elf aliens of the future? Or will Nat's naughty ways change the world forever?
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems."
Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
