This is the second book in the Foyles Bookshop Girls series and it is as good, if not even better than the first book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book focuses largely on Rosie Burrows. Her fiance is missing in action during wartime, and despite her doubts about whether he really is the man for her, she is determined to wait for him. She must believe that he is alive and will come home.

Rosie hasn't spoken to her best friend, Fran since Alfie (her fiance) went to war. She can't understand why they have fallen out, and she tries constantly to get Fran to see her, talk to her, and let her help with her baby, who sadly she had out of wedlock.

There are a lot of emotional moments in this book. Some of the time I wanted to cry, other times I was laughing out loud.

The story was paced out perfectly so that there wasn't a dull moment, and I love that although the war plays a large part in the story, the book didn't just focus on that part of it. The staff of the bookstore are like one big family and each one's story always entertains me. There is drama, romance and mystery, all things that make a book a perfect read for me.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

Rosie works at Foyles bookshop and she enjoys it, as well as that she volunteers at the hospital, a way of doing her bit in the war.

Before Alfie, her boyfriend enlisted, she promised him that she’d wait for him, she was only 16 at the time. Now, after 4 years she’s changed and no longer how she used to be.

Then she begins to volunteer at the school, reading to the children, and starts to get close to Sam who teaches at the school, is also the brother of Alfie. But, since Alfie enlisted, she’s not once heard from him.

Then, after not hearing from him for ages, he comes home. But his homecoming isn’t without issues, and it seems he’s not being truthful, what exactly is he hiding? I guessed what it was, and was hoping that it would be correct.

I highly recommend this book.

I loved being back with the characters linked to Foyles Bookshop with this story focussing on Rosie Burrows. It’s 1918 and Rosie has promised to wait for Alfie when he goes off to fight but then he stops writing to her and his family. Then his parents receive a telegram saying his missing in action. Should she wait for him or not? Best friend Fran has also cut off all communication after finding herself a single mother and Rosie has no idea why. To keep busy she starts to help at the local school as well as volunteering at the hospital and working at Foyles. The class she helps has Alfie’s brother Sam as their teacher and it’s obvious that they have feelings for each other. However neither of them admit these feelings. A heartwarming story with a great cast of characters that looks at family, friendship and loyalty. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Another fabulous book about the Foyles bookshop ladies by Elaine Roberts. It’s so nice in books that are Sagas as you reacquainted with favourite characters although this one focuses on Rosie. WW1 is still in full swing but the bookshop ladies try and make life as positive as they can even when their own lives are in disarray. Thanks to Elaine and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Another great addition to this series. 'London, 1918: war rages on, but the girls of London’s Foyles bookshop always have a place to feel safe.' This is what the book is all about and I enjoyed reading this gripping tale of war and those left behind not knowing. It brings together a story of not just war but of friendship, love, community and so much more.

Love the characters and the writing lifts this story right off the pages. It is a heartfelt story and one I could fully immerse myself into. Loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Foyles Bookshop Girl's Promise by Elaine Roberts

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.
This book is the latest outing by Elaine Roberts , and what a great one it is ! They are getting better and better . The storyline continues to be gripping and the girls struggles during the war are totally believable , you almost feel you are experiencing it all with them.

Heartwarming story about friendship, love and betrayal towards the end of W.W.2. A very enjoyable book. Hopefully there’s another in this wartime saga.

For fans of bookshops and historical fiction. Pick up this novel and you will find it hard to put it down again, and when you have read it, you will find it easy to believe that you have actually been there experiencing the story yourself.
Loved this book so much and I cant wait for the next!

A wonderful book by this lovely author.historical fiction at its best. Enjoyed the setting the story the characters.# netgalley #boldwoodboks.

The Foyles War Bookshop Girls' Promise

Rosie had promised Alfie that she would wait for him when he signed up. But three and a half years have passed with no word from him. Then his parents get a telegram telling them that Alfie is missing in action - presumed dead. Should Rosie still wait for him and see if Alfie turns up?

Set around WWI. All the staff at Foyles Bookshop seem to be either falling in love or getting married, but is Rosie really still in love with Alfie? Rosie is getting closer to Alfie's brother, Sam. Sam is in love with Rosie, but does Rosie feel the same way?

The characters are well-developed and likeable. This story shows how war left families and loved ones in turmoil. Not knowing if their sons, brothers, husband and fathers were alive must have been soul destroying. This easy-to-read story will mess with your emotions.

Published 24th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ElaineRoberts for my ARC of #TheFoylesBookshopGirlsPromise in exchange for an honest review.

At the age of 16 Rosie said goodbye to her boyfriend Alfie who goes off to war. He tells her to wait for him. Three and a half years later and Alfie hasn't replied to any of Rosie's letters and then comes a telegram to say he is missing in action.
It took a while for me to remember who everyone was in the book. Although this is about Foyles bookshop, the shop and the workers are not really in this book much.
Rosie really frustrated me but I suppose she was of the time when women put up with things they wouldn't now. Bullied into waiting for Archie,someone she has never loved and still waiting even though she hadn't heard from him for over 3yrs Really? Because his mother would be upset with her. Would anyone do this even in wartime especially when he wasn't even civil to her before he left ? Rosie doesn't even listen to the girls at Foyles telling her she's being daft it takes a long time for the penny to drop and it has to drop right in her face before she realises what's been happening.
A nice enough story but not as good as the first one.

A nice light romance about two young women and two brothers trying to arrange their lives near the end of WWI. No politics, no war, only life and love.

Book 2 follows Rosie while she continues to wait for news on Alfie who is fighting in the war. When Alfie's parents get a letter stating that he is missing in action Rosie is in turmoil. Should she move on? This is a nice addition to the historical saga genre and the author has obviously done extensive research. I loved watching the happenings of The Foyles Bookshop and the characters as the war rages on. I think the moral of the story is too follow your heart.

This talented writer has written a page turner. Historical fiction with dynamic characters who keep the story moving quickly. Thanks Netgalley

Heartwarming historical drama,second in this series featuring the people who work in Foyles bookshop during the war . A good read.

As WWI rages on, Rosie promises Alfie she will wait for him after he signs up. Several years pass with no contact from Alfie; however, his parents
finally receive a letter stating he was missing in action. How long should you put your life on hold for a slim possibility? For Rosie, a promise is a promise and she intends to keep it until either Alfie comes home or is officially declared a casualty of war.

All during this time, Rosie's best friend Fran avoids her even when Fran could really use a friend or two. Rosie and Sam, Alfie's younger brother, become great friends and Rosie is blind to the fact that Sam is in love with her. Rosie's friends at Foyles Bookshop are all falling in love, getting married, and questioning her about Alfie and Sam!

When Alfie suddenly shows up alive and well, Rosie's life turns to turmoil! He barely talks to her, is still quite mean to Sam, and visits their friend Fran and her out-of-wedlock son James. Finally, Rosie comes to realize that the time has come for her to get the answers she needs to all of her questions from both Fran and Alfie.

While this could be termed a "historical fiction" book, it is more of a life lesson book. This is one of those "follow your heart" type stories that I hope you enjoy reading.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book by this lovely author

Family saga wartime the best books ever

Book two at the London Foyles book shop Charing Cross.
It's 1918 and as the war rages, Rosie Burrows see's her man Alfie Bennet leave for France.This war will only be on going for a few months then he will come home for them to marry.
All her letters become unanswered its now been three and half year's when his mother gets the dreaded telegram missing persumed dead. She needs to know, she needs a letter from him, is she really in love with Alfie. And why is her best friend Fran been avoiding her all this time?
Such a welcoming story to pull at your heartstrings in the second book. As we are taking on Rosie's struggles working during the war effects in the hospital as well as the bookshop and finding her emotions drawn into another love. You just flick over all the pages and chapters and forget the time. And Rosie finds life is to short to hold onto grudges between family and friends. Go with your heart, this read is exceptional in every way. I loved it.

What a welcome return to Foyles, they sound like a real friendly team to work alongside.
It’s going to work there that helps raise Rosie Burrows spirits while she inwardly fights with her thoughts. Fact is Rosie is missing the friendship of lifelong friend Fran Wilson who appears to be avoiding her for no known reason. Rosie is still worrying about sweetheart Alfie who is posted missing. It is the not knowing and lack of correspondence that have Rosie imagining all sorts. To keep busy she volunteers at the local hospital with the library and then the local school to help the wee ones with their reading. The fact that she gets on well with their teacher helps!

I love the camaraderie of the girls in the shop, all the different characters with their dramas sound like a normal workplace. My favourite was Albert, least favourite character was Alfie. Look forward to the next instalment.

Loved this - I've enjoyed all of the Foyles Bookshop Girls books, but this one was probably the best so far! I hope there are more books to come from Elaine - I think she writes wonderful books :)