The Beekeeper's Promise

By: Fiona Valpy

Narrated by: Henrietta Meire

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

An RNA Romantic Novel Award nominee.

Heartbroken and hoping for a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job in rural France at the Château Bellevue. The old château echoes with voices from the past, and soon Abi finds herself drawn to one remarkable woman’s story, a story that could change the course of her summer - and her life.

In 1938, Eliane Martin tends beehives in the garden of the beautiful Château Bellevue. In its shadow she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time, daring to hope that a happy future awaits. But France’s eastern border is darkening under the clouds of war, and history has other plans for Eliane...

When she is separated from Mathieu in the chaos of German occupation, Eliane makes the dangerous decision to join the Resistance and fight for France’s liberty. But with no end to the war in sight, her loyalty to Mathieu is severely tested.

From the bestselling author of Sea of Memories comes the story of two remarkable women, generations apart, who must use adversity to their advantage and find the resilience deep within.

©2018 Fiona Valpy (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

I would read it from the book- not the audible

The audio of this drove me crazy. I couldn't finish it. Between the thick French accent that I couldn't understand and the narrators voice raising at the end of every sentence, I couldn't get through it. From the first 3 chapters I listened to, I could tell the story was well written and I will go back and read it myself.

Speaking as a beekeeper...

The narrator's French accent was delightful and her ability to switch between male/female and English/French characters was excellent.
The beekeeping info was accurate, as well.

Très bien fait

Good intertwining story of two women survivors - one of war, one of abuse. Takes place in my favorite province of la belle France. Although many years apart, the two women’s stories are bittersweet, yet show their strength of character and ability to find peace after their traumas. Excellent narration with super French accents making the story come alive. Bravo!

Not as expected... poor narration

I couldn’t finish this as the narrator was so monotone and quick you had a hard time getting it. You have to listen very hard. Then there were times she spoke in a very heavy French accent, which if it was someone very new to the English language, you could see how it would be so heavy, but for listening purposes, it made it even harder to understand. The story just got lost in all that. I can’t even tell you exactly what the story was. I listen at night before sleep. So many are so good, but this wasn’t one of them. Authors need to pick their narrators very thoughtfully, cause they can make or break your book. I would have rather heard a person not trained to narrate then listen to this. No feeling, emphases or anything in this.

The Beekeeper's Promiseby Fiona Valpy.

A beautiful book based on a terrifying war. To have past and present stories going at the same time means you must pay attention. To write the them together without totally confusing the reader/listened to me is an excellent author. Thank-you.

Lovley

Lovely Very (fiction) historical I liked it very much. I liked how it tied in the old with the new.

The Beekeeper's Promise

I very much enjoyed the audio version of this historical novel. The narration was excellent. Elaine's story was very moving. You were there with her throughout. I cheered Abby for her courage to live her life again. When the clouds bring rain, dance!

Wonderful

This was a very captivating story set in WWII. The characters are well developed and the story line was easy to follow. I found myself sitting in the driveway waiting for the chapter to end.

Good WWII read

Good WW II read. However, the book goes back and forth between a young woman of today (2017) and Eliane, who lived in 1938 and went through WW II. A very moving story of survival and strength by those who lived during the war and how a young woman, Abi, finds her strength today. Definitely a good read and well worth the time.

Lovely Story

A lovely story, full of pathos and beauty. It took some time to get used to the narration. I sometimes could not understand the accent. Otherwise great!

French accent

I have never written a review but I feel I need to on this occasion. Why on earth did you read this story with an abysmal French accent?. You either tell the story in English or in French. I am French and live in England. I couldn’t understand anything and it really frustrated me. I gave up half-way through the book as it was so painful to listen too.

Great story but The narrator ruined it!

A good story ruined by the narrator, the phoney French accent is terrible and she has a harsh English accent which grates somewhat. She speaks far to quickly without intonation or any feeling...

Mixed feelings

The story was good but the narrator's voice really irritated me. Don't be fooled by the title either, only a very tenuous connection to bees.

Damned emotional, well written story

Stacking shelves for a well known supermarket at night I didn't expect to have tears welling up at this beautiful tale. it's hard to read the labels.

Many thanks to the author for surprising an old bloke.

Dance through the storm

Story of recovery mental and physical learning from the past. How a French family coped with the controlling power of their Nazi conquerors and how this helped heal a girl broken by a controlling man in 2016.

Brilliant

Loved this book from start to finish. Didn't want to put it down.
I really drew you in to the to the lives of the 2 main characters.

Excellent

My first ever audio book, I was a little distracted by the French accent in places but thoroughly enjoyed the story and, on the whole, enjoyed the experience of listening to a book rather than reading it. I thought the author dealt with some difficult content in a sensitive manner - it certainly taught me a thing or two about WWII France - and this was very thought provoking at times. Will definitely be looking out for Fiona Valpy again.

Good book

It is good book about the war. Marries are not always great . Hope love life

A must have

really good story, set in the present and the past. Extremely well read with exceptional accents

gripping. such a wonderful narrator too!

Loved the storyline and parrallells. Henrietta the narrator gives a wonderful believable per for,mince that truly brings to life all the key characters no matter what gender. terrific thank you