The Beekeeper's Promise

Happy belated Pub Day to The Beekeeper’s Promise ?, which came out yesterday! ? I was fortunate enough to be able to read this book through NetGalley so thank you to both them & the store Publishing for making that happen in exchange for an honest review. ?
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The Beekeeper’s Promise is a story about love and persistence in the face of evil and alternates between two female narrators in two different time frames. Abi is a young woman in 2017 trying to recover from a horrific past and Eliane is a girl trying to survive Nazi-occupied France during WWII. Fiona Valpy intertwines both characters and their stories to spin an enjoyable read. I especially loved the imagery of the French countryside that Valpy was able to paint with her words. Overall a good summertime read which reminded me a little bit of The Nightingale. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a great book this was, loved everything about it!
The story is told from 2 perspectives and timelines: Eliane in 1940's France during WWII, and Abi in 2017 after she has left London for France and ends up with a summer job there.
We meet some incredible characters, especially the ones in Eliane's story; the courage and heartbreak of WWII is handed with great sensitivity, it broke my heart as I remembered the experiences my parents shared with my siblings and I. Abi has her own painful past to try to put behind her and Eliane's history helps her do just that. This is a story of hope and love, courage and compassion; it's a must read.
Thanks to Fiona Valpy, Lake Union Publishing and Netflix for the eARC.

This was a delightful surprise - a wonderful tale of two women who are years apart in age, both from a different time one of whom faces challenges head on and the other who learns from her story. Switching back and forth between WW11 Nazi invasion of France and modern times this is very special.

This is largely Eliane Martin’s story, who embodies spirit during the dreadful occupation of France during WW2, she and her family choose to help their neighbors & friends to escape the tyranny of the Germans at great peril to themselves. Eliane is determined to not be crushed by the enemy despite what she must sacrifice.

Decades later, Abi Howes arrives at the chateau where Eliane worked during the war, still battling the grief she listens to Eliane's story, she finds her own resolve returning and determines to live life to the full despite her personal hardships.

Many subtle and beautiful lessons through out, quoting from the book..' Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain' ....
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA ??

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book of Fiona Valpy in which I have read, and I’m so very grateful I was allowed to read it. One of the top 10 books of 2018 thus far. I enjoyed the way the author would do the past and then the present without getting the reader lost or couldn’t remember which character they were read. I felt she connected the characters and made them like they were telling me their story face to face, to introduce me into their lives. I found myself being drawn into their lives as well. The writing was smooth, to where it kept me intrigue as to not what to put it down. You could feel the emotions of the characters from abuse to love, suspense, history, as this is set in WWII, and then you could feel the healing process in which they needed.

In 1938, one of the main character’s Eilane is a beekeeper at Château Bellevue, in rural France. She meets, falls in love, and marries Mathieu Dubosq. When the German’s occupy France, their lives takes a turn for the worse, something neither one of them thought would ever happen. Eilane makes a decision to join the resistance, along with fellow French men and women, family, friends. Here Eilane learns how strong she actually is during these dark times for her country. She knows the danger, and what could happen to her if she gets caught.

Abi is a broken woman, she believes she isn’t good enough to have someone lover her. When she is offered a job at the Chateau Bellevue, which is now known as the Estate of Count Comte, she takes the job in hopes of healing herself, both mental and physically. Abi learns some of the history of the old Chateau Bellevue, and one part of history in which she finds intriguing is Eilane’s.

Fiona Valpy writes about two women who overcome adversity, one facing an enemy during WWII and another finding courage to live life in current times. If we dig deep into ourselves will we find courage to overcome our own demons?

Calling history buffs. Although fictitious, the story is written in a way that enables the reader to envision the people, their struggles and triumphs during a global war and those of us who face personal wars as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book primarily because I am interested in stories dealing with World War II Europe. Also it was written well - held my interest throughout. A page turner for those who enjoy similar stories.

WWII historical fiction is my favorite genre. This book did not disappoint. It was fascinating reading from an enemy occupied territory point of view as opposed to the concentration camps. Eliane’s character was very endearing and developed quite well. I did wish for more character development for some of her family members as well as Jacques (Jack) and Mathieu. The link between the past and present traumatic experience was well done. I would love to have gotten a little more of Abi’s story though, it fell a bit flat for me. Overall very enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this story. I especially liked the intersection of past and present. In our world todat, we do often miss the lessons to be learned from history. This story brought past and present together beautifully.

I love reading historical fiction, especially from the WWII era and this book did not disappoint. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next in each of the two women’s stories. I’m always amazed and awed at the bravery and resilience of those who lived those times, and though this story is fictional it resonates with the truth that there was indeed an Eliane somewhere in France whose actions, bravery, and choices allowed her to make it through terrible times.

Another amazing novel from Ms. Fiona. I've read 1 other of her amazing novels. She has a way of making the reader feel like they are experiencing what her characters are. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has a live of historical fiction. I can't tell you how many books I've read involving WWII in this genre. This kept me up at night so i could finish it. I hope all reading this review give this book your time. You won't be disappointed.

The stories of tragedy and resilience are artfully woven together during two different time frames and highlight the struggles and triumphs not only of the characters but also society. Well written and immediately transports the reader to France in 40s as well as modern day with vibrant characters and their crossover stories.

Beautifully written tale of a group of French villagers and family members set against the destruction and deprivation of WWII whose stories give courage to a modern visitor who has lost her own way.

I enjoyed the story, felt like the characters were real. Little bit of history about the tragedy of Hitlers madness and the cruelty of the German army. The family that lived and loved through it all.

This book has been a page turner.
Beautifully sculptured and detailed,it has transported me back in time.The tragedy of war,the courage of the oppressed, and the
rural beauty along with a host of great characters...
Beautiful prose and memorable

Beautiful description of people and life prewar and during WWII intertwined with modern day. Of patriotism heroism and the sacrifices everyone made for love of country and freedom. How the war brought out the best and worst among neighbors.

I loved this book! The characters are so believable and the descriptions are spot on. If I can visualize the characters and countryside as if I were visiting and I feel like I've traveled without leaving my home then the book is successful. This was done exceptionally well. Thank you Fiona.

The story is a little confusing at first. There is a dual storyline in this book. Abi lives in modern France and Elaine lives in German occupied France during WW2. I enjoyed this book and its message of resilience.

Really enjoyed listening to this book with a great story and characters on my daily walks. Lots of important human history and current issues. Several situations caught me off guard but very uplifting with my current life choices. Please read it. So good

What a story! It was like reading two stories that were intertwined. Unexpected storylines. A great love story with such tragedy. I couldn't put it down in hopes that something good would happen. Am looking forward to reading more from this writer.l

The author depicts ,so very vividly, poetically and magically the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances of day to day life in occupied France.
The Martin family is the kind of family that all should strive to be.
They see the beauty and magic of the land on which they live. Fiona Valpy makes it very easy to see into the lives of all her characters.
This book was a pleasure to read, and was almost impossible to put down.

I loved this book and the ties between the generations. I love historcal fiction and Ms Valpy knows how to tell a beautiful, touching, tragic story. We should never forget what sacrafice and heroic measures were taken in the face of such horrible circumstances.

Very satisfying read, in spite of the historical reality. I appreciate the story of Eliane and the inspiration of courageous behavior. The intertwined stories of past and present are very well done. Recommended reading for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I love reading historical fiction, especially from the WWII era and this book did not disappoint. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next in each of the two women’s stories. I’m always amazed and awed at the bravery and resilience of those who lived those times, and though this story is fictional it resonates with the truth that there was indeed an Eliane somewhere in France whose actions, bravery, and choices allowed her to make it through terrible times.

I learned much about the occupation of France in this thought provoking story. Our Freedom was won with such courageous lives like the fictional characters in this story. I will read more of Fiona Valpy`s stories. Her writing style has broadened my thoughts.

Another amazing novel from Ms. Fiona. I've read 1 other of her amazing novels. She has a way of making the reader feel like they are experiencing what her characters are. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has a live of historical fiction. I can't tell you how many books I've read involving WWII in this genre. This kept me up at night so i could finish it. I hope all reading this review give this book your time. You won't be disappointed.

The stories of tragedy and resilience are artfully woven together during two different time frames and highlight the struggles and triumphs not only of the characters but also society. Well written and immediately transports the reader to France in 40s as well as modern day with vibrant characters and their crossover stories.

Beautifully written tale of a group of French villagers and family members set against the destruction and deprivation of WWII whose stories give courage to a modern visitor who has lost her own way.

I enjoyed the story, felt like the characters were real. Little bit of history about the tragedy of Hitlers madness and the cruelty of the German army. The family that lived and loved through it all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really loved how the author intertwined two stories from different generations into one with keen parallels. The descriptions of France were so vivid that I could picture it in my minds eye. So beautiful and yet harsh with war conditions. And the characters were well rounded and each enriched the story. I highly recommend!

This book has been a page turner.
Beautifully sculptured and detailed,it has transported me back in time.The tragedy of war,the courage of the oppressed, and the
rural beauty along with a host of great characters...
Beautiful prose and memorable

Beautiful description of people and life prewar and during WWII intertwined with modern day. Of patriotism heroism and the sacrifices everyone made for love of country and freedom. How the war brought out the best and worst among neighbors.

I loved this book! The characters are so believable and the descriptions are spot on. If I can visualize the characters and countryside as if I were visiting and I feel like I've traveled without leaving my home then the book is successful. This was done exceptionally well. Thank you Fiona.