The Secrets of the Rose

De: Nicola Cornick

Narrado por: Janine Birkett, Hannah Genesius

Discover bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.

1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.

Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.

Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.

©2025 Nicola Cornick (P)2025 Boldwood Books

Absolutely loved

I absolutely loved Cornick's book, The Other Gwyn Girl, and was thrilled to be given a free copy of her new work to review. However, I kept telling myself that I would save it as a treat to myself because I knew that the story would be captivating and emotional. Unfortunately, I waited too long because this book was fantastic and it's been waiting on my Kindle for nearly a year!

This book was fantastic. The way that Cornick integrated the two timelines told by Dorothy in the early 18th century and Hannah in the present day had me enthralled from start to finish. Although you are switching between two different periods of time, somehow Cornick has crafted a narrative where both of the stories fit into each other seamlessly.

Hannah and Dorothy were both such relatable characters. They are dealing with the same pressures of their time and trying to care for their families and their hearts. Dorothy was also written in such a way that she felt like a woman fighting the constraints of her time in a completely believable way, rather than a woman with modern sensibilities who happens to live in a different time. This is a testament to Cornick's research and dedication to highlighting the stories of women not often found in the historical records.

Hannah, like Dorothy, felt like a woman of her time and place. The caution with which she moved through life was incredibly relatable, and to see her begin to open up to new possibilities as she unravels the mysteries around her had me on the edge of my seat at times.

In addition to providing a historical narrative, this book also has two light romance subplots that were so endearing to read and brought a breath of fresh air into the narrative. The family dynamics were interesting, but I do feel that the family members were the least fleshed out of the characters, as Dorothy and Hannah's respective siblings seemed to serve more as plot devices than holistic characters.

I was absolutely engrossed by this book! Do not put off reading it like I did. Do the enjoyable thing now and pick up a copy of this book. You'll enjoy the historical Nancy Drew (think modern CW version) ride that this book provides.

CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Dementia, Death of a parent, War