This was a sweet, gentle novel that explores the themes of courage when things seem darkest, of renewal and redemption, and romance. I liked the time period, and it reminded me of "downton abby" a little. Enjoyed this.

Good book. Good author. Loved the characters and the plot. Look forward to reading more of her work.

I haven't read any of Rosie Clarke's books before but I thought this one looked quite interesting. Set not long after the First World War, Jessie, a nurse finds herself out of a job when she complains about a doctor making unwelcome advances to another nurse. She takes a job in Devon caring for an elderly lady and two children. Once there she becomes involved with the life of the family.

Although the outcome was somewhat predictable, the story was engaging and I found it an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to discover this author

This is an average family saga set just after World War One. Jessie becomes nursemaid for Mary and Harry Kendle, at Kendlebury Hall. There is an awful lot happens in such a short space of time. I don't want to spoil the story by giving details however I did have trouble believing the events which unfolded. The story is really sugar coated but if you like First World War stories then you may enjoy it.

This is good old fashioned story telling with a good old fashioned plot. Nicely atmospheric of the post WWI era with a good heroine in Jessie, it's an entertaining low key read. Liked the children (how different it was for kids then! ) Captain Kendle was more or less a stock character to me but that was okay. This is well written- thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You will like this if you enjoy historical novels where a woman finds love and hope after loss.

Rosie Clarke’s latest novel, Jessie’s Promise, is set in England after World War I and follows Jessie Hale, a 26-year-old nurse navigating the depths of grief, social upheaval, and her place in the world. Jessie was a VAD during the war, and when the novel opens she has lost her job at a London hospital for speaking out on behalf of a fellow nurse. Still grieving the loss of her fiancé during the war, she cannot marry the kind bookstore owner Archie and instead takes a position at Kendlebury Hall in Devon as a nurse to Lady Kendle and her grandchildren, precocious 5-year-old Jack and sweet 2-year-old Catherine.

Jessie immediately embraces her new role, taking care of the aging Nanny, forging a close bond with the children, and attempting to bring some order to the understaffed household despite the overbearing presence of her employer, Mary Kendle, who is cold to her daughter, barely tolerant of her son, and distant from her husband, Captain Harry Kendle. Jessie’s determination to do right by the children, especially Catherine, who needs special care and attention, frequently puts her at odds with Mrs. Kendle but earns her the admiration of Captain Kendle — a man haunted by a lifetime of tragedy, most recently the war, but whose warmth toward the children and kindness toward her begin to break down the wall Jessie had built around her heart after Robbie’s death. Just as she beings to feel at home at Kendlebury Hall and believe that happiness is possible after all, a series of tragedies befall the Kendles and Jessie is forced to contend with yet more loss and the consequences of her decisions.

Clarke has done a great job creating a strong heroine in Jessie. She stands up for what is right and goes out of her way to help those in need, but she is far from perfect. However, it is her strength amid devastating loss and broken dreams that makes Jessie a truly admirable character. She loves deeply, cares fiercely, and steps up and takes charge when she is needed, even when she is desperately hurting inside.

The pace of the novel starts slow, but that helps to develop all of the characters, highlight the weight of responsibility that Jessie assumes from her very first moment at Kendlebury Hall, and set the stage for all that follows. Jessie’s relationship with Harry feels real, and Clarke doesn’t sugarcoat any of the obstacles in their way. She has created a strong cast of supporting characters, namely Nanny, Lady Kendle, and the rest of the household staff, adding numerous layers to the story.

Jessie’s Promise is about finding love amidst grief and finding oneself after the chaos of war as society dramatically changes in terms of sex and class. Clarke puts readers directly into the setting, so they understand what Jessie is up against and that the times are changing. I loved that Jessie was a modern women, understanding society’s constraints but unwilling to simply accept the way things were. Even when there was little she could do to change the situation, she questioned things, fought back in little ways, and refused to just give up. I was caught up in Jessie’s story from the very beginning, and I loved all the little twists and turns along the way, so much so that I look forward to reading more by Clarke in the future.

Set in 1918, lifestyles were incredibly different in terms of finding employment, amongst other things. If you were deemed a 'well-respected' member of the work force and irreplaceable, your word was pretty much 'it'. However, if you were at the lower end of the work force, for example a nurse (deemed replaceable), it would be lucky if anything you said was believed by those higher up. After all, who would you believe; a top-notch, irreplaceable member of the team, or a...nurse? Similar circumstances were featured within the storyline for 'Jessie's Promise'; it was as if you needed to keep your friends close, your enemies closer and someone well respected to be your ally. It did shock me I must admit.

When Jessie found a new position as a nursemaid in Devon, she soon realised how much thicker her already thick skin, needed to get. Especially seeing as members of the family she worked for seemed to disagree with every single thing she uttered. In the first few chapters leading up to Jessie's new job, I did find myself struggling with the overall storyline as I couldn't find the edge I needed, to hold onto and fully invest in the characters.
I'm not one to give up on books, especially when it sounds so promising and my cup of tea, so I didn't! Soon enough I found myself three-quarters of the way through the book, without even realising. Somewhere between Jessie's old job and her new job, a light switched on and I was hooked on the storyline and its fabulous characters. Well, not ALL of the characters were fabulous! Lets just say one in particular was shockingly hateful; everything about this character rubbed me up the wrong way and her actions towards those around her were diabolical. I was impressed with Rosie Clarke's way with words, especially where THAT character was concerned; hats off to the author for including a character who will be spoken about for a very long time!

Despite having a rocky start with the novel, it proved itself to be such a wholesome, jam-packed and emotional read; I am SO glad that I didn't give up on it and carried on reading. There were moments of devastating circumstances and eye-opening situations, yet the author kept the momentum one hundred percent; and didn't falter when it came to continuing the storyline after those events. I really did enjoy 'Jessie's Promise' and I have to say that Catherine was my most favourite character, without a doubt.

A learning curve within a novel, Jessie's Promise is full of just that, promise. With three-dimensional characters and enough storyline substance to keep you going through until dinner, 'Jessie's Promise' is a book that just HAS to be devoured this year. The first book I have read by Rosie Clarke, I am about to go nab her others!

Thank you Aria!

Jessie’s Promise by Rosie Clarke is a historical novel set in Devon in 1918. Jessie Hale is dismissed from her position as a nurse at St. Joseph’s after reporting Doctor Acrington for accosting a fellow nurse (he was handsy). After being unable to find a job locally, Jessie applies for a position in Devon at Kendlebury Hall. She would be taking care of two young children and Lady Kendle. Jessie feels fortunate when she gets the position working for Captain Harry Kendle and his wife, Mary. Jessie arrives to find Nanny (an elderly woman who was the Captain’s nanny) has suffered a stroke. Jessie now has two patients and two children to look after. Mary Kendle takes little interest in the children or the household. She is busy with her friends and parties (and other extracurricular activities). Captain Kendle loves his children, but he returned from the war a changed man. Her two young charges are Jack and Cathy. Jack is a lively boy who just needs a firm hand. Cathy is developmentally challenged much to her mother’s embarrassment. Cathy was deprived of oxygen during her birth. It turns out that Cathy just needs the right attention and help. Jessie soon adjusts to her new job and enjoys life at Kendlebury Hall. The last thing Jessie was looking for was romance when she came to Devon. Jessie lost her fiancé, Robert during the war (three years prior) and it has taken her this long to recover from his death. Slowly, Jessie gets to know Captain Harry Kendle and falls in love with the kind, gentle man. When the unthinkable happens, Jessie knows she needs leave the people and place she has grown to love. To find out what happens to Jessie Hale, you will need to read Jessie’s Promise.

I found Jessie’s Promise to be nicely written and easy to read. I really liked the character of Jessie Hale. Jessie forthright, stubborn, hardworking, knows her mind. I give Jessie’s Promise 4 out of 5 stars. There are a couple of slow paces, but they are outweighed by the rest of the novel. I really enjoyed reading about Jessie’s journey, and the author provides a lovely ending. The author did not give us another predictable romance novel. I only summarized the novel above. There is so much more in the book. Jessie’s Promise shows us a flawed family. She provides us with different characters with various personalities. Ms. Clarke also gave us the gamut of emotions with joy, tragedy, love, grief, heartbreak. I appreciate that Rosie Clarke included little Cathy and her challenges. It was interesting to see how Jessie responded to Cathy and her developmental challenges. Jessie’s Promise contains good life lessons that are still applicable in today’s society. I am looking forward to reading Rosie Clarke’s other novels.

Jessie loses her job in a hospital and moves to Devon to become the nursemaid to the Kendle family. She falls in love with the children quickly and also the Nanny and the elderly mother. She isn't so keen on the children's mother wh0 is extremely offhand with everyone.

I quickly got drawn into this book and loved the setting and the house and staff. It makes you realise how tough life in service was.

Jessie is keen to get Captain Kendle more involved with his children and this has unexpected consequences. She's a feisty character who seems to rebel against the constraints you would expect.

I loved the characters and I really like Rosie's writing style. I enjoyed her previous books .

I voluntarily read a copy of this book with thanks to NetGalley.

Jessie's Promise is the first book I have read by Rosie Clarke although I have had me eye on her others yet just have never gotten round to reading them. This read proved to be much more than just a family saga set around the time of war and it surprised me with the depth of the storylines and the feelings and emotions it inspired in me towards certain characters. Set in 1918 after the conclusion of World War One, Jessie Hale is 26 and working as a nurse in a London hospital having returned home from nursing at the front with the V.A.D's.

As we meet Jessie another unexpected turn is about to come upon her life and all because she dared to brook convention and speak her mind and the truth. She stands up and makes a complaint against a doctor working in the hospital of which several women have had not so savoury dealings with. Jessie was witness to one such incident and she can't keep it a secret even though the woman it happened to wishes the truth kept buried. Unfortunately the outcome Jessie wished to occur didn't materialise and she finds herself out of a job from a profession she loves and which has seen her through some hard times but also made her the person she is today. This willingness and determination within Jessie of always doing the right thing and sticking to both her beliefs and morals is so evident within the first few pages and that is what makes the reader instantly like her character. She maintains this stance throughout the book no matter what grave injustices or wrongs are thrown at her over the course of the story. I liked this aspect to her and she went against the convention of the time where men held the influence and women wouldn't have been given short shrift as their opinions were viewed as not valuable and time wasting or even worth listening to or considering. It's this feisty, resilient and observant side of Jessie that forms the backbone of Jessie's Promise and which made for a very good read. Although at one or two stages I will admit I did disagree with Jessie's actions but I suppose if your heart and mind work together to say one thing you can't but not listen to it.

Now Jessie is jobless and combined with the fact she still harbours deep feelings for her lost love she knows she needs a change. She cannot stay with her Aunt forever but she needs to move on. She answers an ad in a magazine for a nanny and nursing assistant at Kendlebury Manor in Devon. It would be a total change for Jessie and maybe give her time to re-evaluate which direction she would like her life to now go in. Little does she realise her hopes for peace and to go silently about her business with the children she is charge of won't exactly materialise. It seemed once the story moved to Devon it took on a different quality. It was like the house and its residents were stuck in another era with the weight of time and past events pressing heavily on them. The house was not what it had once been with the minimum of staff now in place and I sensed an overwhelming feeling of desperation and of needing a change. Would Jessie be the one to implement this or will she to get caught up in something she may best keep out of for fear of her involvement which would result in upsetting the overall picture? Or will she prove the tonic and solace the residents need?

Jessie came across as someone who could settle in anywhere and she would at first test the waters, get a feel for the place and then being an outsider looking in could see what needed to be done. She was a force to be reckoned with but not in a pushy or dominant way or with any sense of aggression. She could see that care, love and respect and being mindful of others was what what needed. She knew none of the background to the family which slowly unfurled the more I read through the story so to my mind she was the perfect person with just the right perfect, positive touch that could implement change for the better. Even if stern opposition awaited her.Jessie aswell as making friends with the servants below stairs who soon become close friends finds her self in charge of Lady Kendle and her two grandchildren, Jack and Catherine. Jessie finds even the old Nanny has been neglected as the wife of Captain Kendle, Mary is often away from the house and has little or no time for her in laws or her own children.

Captain Kendle too is not the man he once was and I could sense he was haunted by something but Jessie begins to work her magic and show her caring nature and he begins to reconnect with his children albeit in little ways. For me the children really shone through in this book, Jessie could see they had been neglected and forgotten about having had a succession of nanny's come and go and the old nanny was just that too old to care for them herself and she lived in fear of being thrown out of the house. Jessie saw what others didn't that Jack needed a gentle firm hand and as for Catherine she needed love, affection and attention instead of being dismissed as an idiot through no circumstance of her own. She should not have been something kept hidden and away from public eyes she needed to be nurtured and Jessie could be the one to do that.

I loved how Jessie just pushed everyone's views and abrupt dismal of things aside and got on with her own plans which were only ever for the good of the children. She was upsetting the apple cart but all for good. I loved how she was blunt and told a few home truths and even if they weren't what the powers that be wanted to hear Jessie knew everything she did was for the children in her care. I felt she brought the house back to life and even though she wasn't aware of past events or even the bigger picture as to what was happening none of this mattered she wanted to create some positivity and love in the children's lives and in doing so she was helping to heal her own past hurts.Midway through the book I felt things did become slightly repetitive before picking up again. For my liking there was just that bit too much about the daily routine with the children and Lady Kendle, and it didn't move the story on enough, but then things slowly started to get going again and Jessie experiences feelings she never thought possible again but if she listens to what is being said deep within her it may cause more harm than good. The reader could see some of these feelings emerging yet then I felt everything rushed ahead like a steam train on full power and became slightly unbelievable and it needed to be reined in ever so slightly. I knew the outcome I wanted for the characters but given the situation they found themselves in I never quite knew whether this could be achieved or not.

I was with Jessie every step of the way as she navigated her new life through the ups and downs but I didn't agree with what her heart was saying all the time. I enjoyed how the author wrote about a child with a disability and how children like this may have been viewed at the time, it brought a surprising element of depth to the story. The romance element was overpowering at certain stages but then a few shockers were thrown in and some were very unjust and shocking and I was almost angry at the author for letting these things happen. Jessie's Promise was definitely a much better read than I had been expecting which provided a few twists and turns along the way and kept this reader turning the pages. Jessie was a strong character who you were rooting for and not some damsel in distress, weak character that I read about far too often. The ending may have been a little too rushed but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. I would say this book is well worth the read and now having enjoyed this book I do want to try out Rosie Clarke's Workshop Girls series.