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.

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!

Within us all is a strength to find out way back to being true to yourself.

A story of timeless strength and perseverance of the human soul. Beautifully written and read. The perfect gift to someone dealing with their own personal struggle to find oneself again when all is thought list.

Good book.

This was a good book. It took me awhile to really get into it but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down until I finished it. It was very emotional for me during the last several chapters of the book. I can’t even comprehend what the characters, yet actual people, were going through during and at the end of the war 75 years ago.

Not as expected

Based on the book's description, I expected either a romantic escape into the French countryside or a stirring novel about a French resistance heroine. Neither was the case. This story is light and accessible, and you might learn something new about the war in France, but it's hard to see how it was nominated for a Romantic Novel Award.
I found the narrator's heavy accents annoying and unnecessary. I was only able to understand her completely by reducing the narration speed, and even then some of the character's names remained unclear. Some of her French pronunciations were unusual.

Story great, narration lacking

I really loved this book! I will admit it was hard to get through because I really disliked the narrator. Her French accent was very authentic, but very hard to understand (too authentic!) I also felt there wasn’t much Intonation or Life in a lot of the characters voices.

Hardships, War and Love

I have enjoyed reading this book which part of series. I find stories of WWII very interesting since my father served in WWII. Next up The Dressmkers Gift.

Great WWII French love story

My first audio book, really enjoyed it while driving here and there. Great story of two parallel lives set 70 years apart.

To Good to Turn Off

I was sad for this story to end. It was so engaging that I found myself listening long past the hours I should be asleep. I just couldn’t stop. A dark time in history is tied flawlessly to present day and both stories were so good. The characters were well defined, and the narrator was perfect with language and pitch. I highly recommend this one and will be adding it to my favorites list.

Tender and Delightful

This book had such mixed reviews and I really don't understand the folks who took issue with it now that I have read it. So glad I did not let them scare me away. It moved at just the right pace and the narration was spot on.

I have read a lot of WWII novels. This story brought a tenderness and reality that most don't. While others are monolithic tales of almost unbelievable heroism and complex operations, The Beekeeper's Promise shines a light on the everyday heroism that must have played out all over occupied Europe. Along with the beautifully developed characters who feel like friends and neighbors, we all could see ourselves playing a part in small village resistance. The modern day narrator, Abby, probably isn't everyone's cup of tea; nevertheless her story is coherent and provides a nice framework for the WWII story. Personally I like books that bridge WWII with modern young adult readers so that the lessons the Greatest Generation had to learn firsthand are never forgotten or repeated. Abby certainly does that.

Overall it was a very nice read. Thank you.

The Bee Keeper’s Promise

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bee Keeper’s Promise . Not wanting it to end because I had invested in the beautiful story, rich characters and amazing narration. I fully recommend this book.