Welcome to my stop on Rachel’s Random Resources Book Tour for The Foyles Bookshop Girls’ Promise by Elaine Roberts – the second installment in this page-turning wartime historical fiction series. 

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2024 by Boldwood Books

About the Book:

London, 1918: war rages on, but the girls of London’s Foyles bookshop always have a place to feel safe.

Rosie Burrows loves being part of the Foyles team, and outwardly, she’s a happy young woman, engaged to the love of her life. But inside, Rosie faces a horrible dilemma. When Alfie enlisted, she promised to wait for him to return from France. And she has waited, quietly preparing for him to come home so they can marry. But for years her letters to him have gone unanswered, and now she doesn’t know where she stands.

To keep occupied, Rosie starts volunteering at the local school. She loves reading to the children, and takes solace in her growing friendship with the kind and gentle class teacher. But Rosie knows she can’t allow herself to develop feelings for Sam – she gave her word.

But why hasn’t Alfie answered her letters? Has he changed his mind about her? And how long should she wait for a man who may never come back?

My Review:

I absolutely adored this novel and read it in one day, alternating between print and audio so I could have it with me at all times. I have not read the first in the series (A Wartime Welcome from the Foyles Bookshop Girls), but did not have any issues following along. However, I have downloaded the first book and am feverishly searching my resources for anything else written by Elaine. She is a masterful storyteller. 

This is a character-driven story of wartime London and I found the day-to-day life on the homefront fascinating. Elaine does a wonderful capturing the emotions of this time–both the determinedness and the sadness. The cozy bookshop provides a wonderful comfort and contrast to the realities faced during wartime. There’s warmth, humor, anger and grief in the lives of our characters and all are handled with grace. I was immediately drawn in and sorry when it ended. 

Fans of historical fiction who especially enjoy books for Jennifer Ryan or Patricia McBride, should fix themselves a cup of hot tea and settle in for a wonderful reading experience. 

About the Author:

Elaine Roberts is the bestselling author of historical sagas set in London during the First World War. Previously published by Aria, she brings her successful Foyles Girls titles to Boldwood.

Author Links:

~ Facebook ~ Twitter: @RobertsElaine11 ~ Newsletter Sign Up ~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 

Stop by the rest of the tour!