The Robinswood Series Bundle

Books 1 & 2

By: Jean Grainger

Narrated by: Caroline Lennon

Length: 21 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

This bundle includes the first two books in the Robinswood series. 

In the first book, What Once Was True, two families, one of grandeur and one of the working class, navigate the conflicts associated with the looming war ahead. Despite delusions of grandeur, Lord and Lady Kenefick and their adult children live a life of decayed opulence as the money needed to keep such a house and grounds ever dwindles. Meanwhile, the Murphy family lives and works on the estate and does their best to keep everything running smoothly. Everyone knows their place, but as war looms, both families find themselves drawn into the conflict and begin questioning everything that once was true. 

In the second book, Return to Robinswood, years of neglect and abandonment have left the family seat of the Keneficks almost derelict, but the new Lord Kenefick and his charming young wife Kate are determined to breathe life into the old house once more. But the shadows of the past and the war are ever lurking, and there are many who are not willing to see the new Lady Kenefick as anything more than the housekeeper's daughter. Kate’s family, the Murphys, find themselves once more inextricably entwined with both the Keneficks and Robinswood, but this time everything is different — or at least so they hope.

©2019 Jean Grainger (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Excellent!

Loved this book! Could not put it down. The rich Irish history,character and story development drew me into another world. Excellent narrator. So excited to just discover this author. Will cherish the memory of this story.

Over the top excellent!

The author, the performer and the story are all my very favorites. A most enjoyable read!

Thoroughly enjoying historical fiction!

I knew little about the Irish involvement in WWII and I loved getting this introduction. The characters were well filled out and you felt they were someone you could know and like to have a cup of tea with. I listened to both stories back to back and couldn’t wait to get to my next listening binge.
The narrator was spot on and you could easily tell which character was speaking. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Wonderful

I learned a lot about the Irish and maybe why I'm the way I am. And the special bond I had with my sisters. It was a mesmerizing story.

Wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyable story and characters.

Another Jean Grainger set of endearing characters within an historical setting that gives me things to google and learn more. The narration by Caroline Lennon was superb with wonderful accents and voices. Truly delightful!

Awesome story!

What an awesome story! I have never cried so much listening to a book. I felt like I was walking the journey with each character! Can't wait to find more books from this author!

sensational

every single aspect of the books were more than I expected. I was enthralled and loved the mixture of characters so brilliantly brought to life by Grainger. Will read all her work now. the narration was excellent with her mastery of various dialects ...just superbly executed. 5 stars for sure 10 if I could.

lovely

Loved these books. I felt like I was part of the family. Want more.

SOOOO, SOOOO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD❣️

I was so sad when this two-book bundle ended, but was them DELIGHTED to find there is a third book in this series! I cannot WAIT to finish this review and start it!

Like all Jean Grainger books, the story starts off a bit slowly, but before you know it, you are completely invested in the story and just can’t tear yourself away (I gave up countless hours of sleep so I could keep listening)!

This is the story of a very rich, but soon to be destitute family and the Murphy’s, the servants who take care of the family. The Murphy’s are a warm, loving, Irish family, consisting of Isabella and Dermott, and their three very close, but sometimes impetuous daughters, Aislign, Eva and Kate.

The Murphy’s live in a house on the property belonging to the rich family they work for. When the master of the estate dies, his wife Violet discovers he has gambled and drunk virtually ALL of their fortune away. Violet is very high and mighty (and high maintenance) as well as stuck-up and snooty. Her spoiled daughter, Lillian, is even worse. The only down-to-earth member of the family is Samuel, heir to the mansion, which is showing signs of neglect and is in need of many costly repairs. He inherits a very large pile of his father’s debt, a whiny, entitled sister, and the Murphy’s, whom he grew up with and love, but cannot afford to keep.

There is only one logical thing to do. Escape it all by running off and joining the British Air Force as a fighter pilot in an effort to wipe out Hitler, who is suddenly gaining in strength and popularity. Before long, WWII is in full force and all of Europe is suffering.

Violet has to sell everything, right down to the furniture and ancestral portraits on the wall. She has to figure out another, affordable place to live, and for the first time in her very privileged life, she has to learn how to care for herself. It’s a big task for a woman who has never had to learn even how to brew a cup of tea for herself. And what to do with that whiny, bratty, often drunk, money-grubbing daughter of hers?

What will become of the Murphy’s? Fortunately, Dermott is a very talented man. He’s a skilled carpenter, gardener, farmer and all-around Jack-of-All-Trades. Isabella is also talented. She is an excellent cook and baker, nanny, seamstress and housekeeper. She can whip up something out of nothing and make it all look easy. The problem isn’t so much if they can get other jobs in other wealthy homes, the problem for Isabella and Dermott is where will they find employment that affords them their own home where they can bring their daughters with them and they can remain a family unit. Two of their impulsive daughters take that questions out of their hands and leaves the third daughter hanging in limbo, nursing crushed feelings.

DON’T MISS THIS SERIES! Jean Grainger has an amazing talent for creating memorable characters who soon feel like your own family. She draws vivid pictures of places and history (you NEVER feels like you are getting a history lesson). I have yet to read/listen to one of her books that didn’t make me feel sad when I reached the end of the story!

The narrator, Caroline Lennon, has a lovely, pleasing voice. She does a wonderful job bringing all of the characters in both books alive.

For one credit, you get TWO unforgettable books! If I could give more than five stars, I would!

The absolute best in every way!

Each character and their individual stories are so intriguing. The way whole story comes together in both series.

I didn’t want it to end and highly suggest a series!

The narrator is incredibly talented and pleasant to listen to. In fact, I will search for others she may have narrated as well