An amazing book! Fascinating, intriguing and enthralling. I don't know where fact crosses over into fiction, and I'm not sure I need to know. It's a beautifully written story that pulls together bits of fact and blends them into a wonderful story. Naivety and manipulation are powerful things. Powerful enough? Who knows. My favourite book this year.

This is the second book I've read by Fern Britton. I was mightily impressed by my first encounter with her writing, which made me determined to read more, if not all, of her books. So I pounced on this when it landed in my lap!

In this book, Britton has taken the bones of a true event and put meat and fat on them to provide a moving, thoroughly enjoyable and just a little bit sad story.

It's a delightful blend of royal fact and Britton's fiction. This fusion results in a delightful, very readable account. It's one that makes you wonder about Marion Crawford, the main character: a dedicated governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, a loyal daughter to a dominant mother and an unwitting, devoted puppet to a devious, lying suitor, who tricked her into breaching the utmost confidence for the sake of money and which resulted in her eighteen years of dedication ending very badly.

Britton is a brilliant writer. She captures every aspect of a character and makes them real. She draws you in right at the beginning of her story and keeps you hooked till the very end.

A story of servitude and sacrifice, you can't help but warm to Crawfie as she puts her dreams on hold for the happiness of others. Her loyalty to the Crown is unwavering as she feels torn between her devotion to the Princesses and her love for George.

This fictionalised version of history is extremely well written and thoroughly researched, with an incredible attention to details. My heart goes out to her as things go full circle and Crawfie makes her contribution to those in poverty (albeit in a different way than she intended) together with a last act to prove she remained loyal to the core...I will be honest, I shed a tear!

This was an appropriately timed release with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy.

Interesting insight into the life of the queen’s nanny Crawfie. No idea how much is fact and how much fiction but a good easy read

I loved this book. I was familiar with the story of ‘Crawfie’ being the governess to our Queen and her sister and her being ostracised after publishing a book about her time with the princesses. I always wondered why this was and the circumstances surrounding her decision to write such a book. This filled in all the (possible) gaps. Whilst the author emphasises that this is a work of fiction, her research seems thorough and her writing is convincing. I really felt that I was in the nursery with the two princesses and the developing bond between governess and her pupils is beautifully portrayed. The characters are well described and it was fascinating being taken through such key events (the abdication and its effect on the new king and his family, the war, Princess Elizabeth’s marriage) and to see it from inside the royal family. It also threw a very interesting light on the machinations of the palace. Crawfie’s story is very sensitively told, and I found the author’s argument for why matters developed as they did totally understandable and logical. I do enjoy MS Britton’s books and I also like learning about the royal family so this was the perfect book for me. My anticipation was high and I was not disappointed!

Thanks to @netgalley for arc
What a fantastic novel I was hooked from first page by the wonderful world of Marion Crawford or. Crawfie as the family affectionately called her, although she was governess to no ordinary family by flood of being in right place and right time she managed to hook the job of governess to two little girls who were simply Elizabeth or. Lilibet and her sister Margaret
At the. start they were just nieces of the future king but as time went on it became clear that the king was not going to take up the throne without Wallis Simpson by his side so he abdicated leaving his brother to take up the throne and Elizabeth a future Queen
Throughout this whole time Marion had served them faithfully never listening to idle gossip or repeating any of it much to her mothers dismay
Eventually married at last to George who was not what he seemed he could be very violent it still Marion stood by him and insisted on marrying him after of course Elizabeth had married Phillip and Margaret no longer needed her
By then George had her involved in a deal with some Americans to write a few words about what it was like living with the royals. Marion spoke to the Queen who she was very close to and she said as long as no private stories or information was given she would not object. This was later worded in a letter that said if any such piece appeared with Marian’s name attached to it she would lose friends very quickly, Marion wasn’t sure what that meant but was convinced it would never apply to her.
The Americans however wrote a book which they attached Marian’s name to and there was swift retribution
What happened next?

When I was a child, I was given a copy of 'The Little Princesses' and loved every word of the book. When you think now of the trash that is written about the Royal family, this book could be an example of how to write kindly and affectionately about a family that she loved. Marion Crawford overcame disappointments in her career and went on the have a fantastic job with the princesses. How terribly sad that she was thrown on the scrapheap by a family to whom she had been so faithful.
A lovely book, gently and kindly written. Thank you letting me have a review copy.

This is not Fern Britton's usual style of novel, but it was okay. Based on a true story. It is a bit bitty all the way through, but I did enjoy reading it

I've read a few of Fern Britton's books but hadn't realised that this was a fictionalized book about Marion Crawford. Good book but not really something I would normally have read as you didn't really know what was the truth or not

Perfect timing with the platinum jubilee. When Marion finds herself being governess to the future Queen of England, her needs aren't considered. When she falls in love she must decide duty or love. Based on a true story this is enchanting. I couldn't put it down.

This story is very different to the way that Fern usually writes and it isn't set in Cornwall. I think this was well set for this year with it being the Royal Jubilee as it is based on the Royal Family. The research has been very well done and this makes for a wonderful read. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

A fictionalised telling of the story of “Crawfie”, governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

An enjoyable telling of the story of Marion Crawford and her eventual fall from grace with the royal family. It gives an insight into what life may have been like behind the closed doors.

This is the first book I've read by Fern Britton and I'm impressed. Despite The Good Servant being quite a long book, it's very quick and easy to read. I had so many emotions whilst reading this book, anger for poor Marion at several times throughout the book (first of all not being able to follow.her dream of being a child psychologist, pretty much was guilted into staying with the family and of course with what happened later on in her life). My heart broke for her and the hatred I felt for George was immense. I finished this book feeling quite sad and heartbroken on Marion's behalf. I feel like she was a very gullible and naive woman who genuinely meant no harm. I really did enjoy this semi fictional account of Marion's life and I'll definitely read more by Fern in the future.

This was a fascinating story concerning the governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. I did feel sorry for Marion, she did have her dream of attending Glasgow university cut short due to the wants of the Duchess of York. It did seem as though what the duchess wanted, was what happened. It was interesting to read of historical events from a different viewpoint and also all the things that went on in the background. Unfortunately for Marion, she didn’t have a very supportive mother or friends outside of work she could talk to. There was also her relationship with George, if only she had listened to her colleagues. This book and the characters that will stay with me for some time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Good Servant is a story with a royal flavour, particularly topical in England in June. It hints at a possible scandal in its prologue. The reader realises that this is going to be an emotional journey, and it is. Marion Crawford is an intelligent young woman who wants to make a difference. Fate draws her into a world of privilege but as a servant.

I love the detailed characterisation that draws on historical figures and embellishes their lives with lyrical fictional storytelling. The reader learns about events and people from every viewpoint making this an engaging read. I enjoyed the historical details and the rich imagery in this poignant and well-written story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Fern Britton's books are always a good read. This is a complete change from her usual Cornish novels, but is just as good. It's the story of Crawfie, devoted governess to Princesses Lillibet and Margaret. The love between our Queen's close family shines through. It also makes you realise how much some of their household staff have to give up in order to serve them. A timely read for Jubilee year.

Having read most of Fern’s previous books set in Cornwall, I was looking forward to reading her latest story, and wasn’t disappointed. Of a different genre to her previous books, this story is about Marion, a young governess who has the care of Lilibet and Margaret, two young children with wealthy, aristocratic parents living in Windsor. A work of fiction based on fact.
In the 1930s, there were real differences between the rich and the poor. From a Scottish working-class background, Marion had wanted to do a degree at university to help those in poverty. However, realising the importance of teaching her young charges about issues facing famiies suffering poverty, she becomes totally immersed in the children’s lives.
As I was reading the book during the Queen’s 70th Jubilee year celebrations, with unseen footage of the Queen and Margaret’s early years, it bought to life their incredible story through their childhood, the war years, Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip, and through a series of unexpected events, Lilibet eventually becoming crowned Queen Elizabeth II.
Marion’s devotion to the family is second to none, coming before her relationship with George (her fiancé) who is based in Scotland. She only sees the good in George, who isn’t what he seems. An intriguing, well-researched book celebrating a caring, devoted woman whose loyalty to the Royal family was boundless. Highly recommended.

Having read all of Fern's previous book, I was unsure to expect with this being an historic novel. But true to form, a lovely researched and well-written book.

While this book was supposed to be a longer read... I read in no time!
This book ticks quite a few boxes for me, mainly the historical fiction one. While I'm not up to date in such great detail about current British Royal affairs, This book filled me in on some of my knowledge gaps in the early life of the current Queen. But the book is not just about that. I would say, it is mainly about the Scottish lass, who found herself in life and situations, she never thought she would. From dreams to become a child psychologist and helping underprivileged children in Scotland to actually becoming a Royal governess, as it later turned out, for the future Queen. Fictionalized but strongly based on true events, people and their accounts, this book also offers a glimpse into a life of an ordinary woman living an extraordinary, and at the same time, very difficult human life, balancing it precariously between Royalty and personal dreams. Mistakes have been made, various decisions.. as we all do. And perhaps, regrets. There is something to learn from this book for everyone.

A fictional account of the life of a real person, Marion Crawford.
This was an engaging read about the life of the woman who was the governess of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. A very timely book given that this is the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee but it would be an entertaining read at any time.
This book gives an insight into life in the Royal family and despite being a fictional account appears to have been well researched and accurate in historical details.
It is worth a read.