This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Katya – young, beautiful and impoverished – arrives in Paris, hoping to begin a new life. She leaves behind a terrible secret, and her survival in this strange and beautiful new city depends on nobody ever discovering who – and what – she is.

Immediately, Katya is swept up in the city’s glamour – particularly the boutiques on the main boulevard, where glittering gowns are hand-sewn for an exclusive clientele. Dare Katya dream that she may someday wear – or even design – one of these dazzling creations? It feels like an impossible wish, until she meets businessman Harry Morten.

Tall, handsome and well-connected, Harry could give Katya everything she wants and more… but at what price? And should she break the vow she’s made and trust him with her secret when her very survival could be at stake? (less)

liked this book very well writen I like how the plot came out a lovley story characters i did like easy to read your pulled into the plot great book as all way

Did not manage to download this book on time. I am very sorry that I did not manage. Thanks for the opportunity.

Katya came from wealth and now she is working had to make something of herself. I liked her character she was strong and did not let life defeat her. It was a good read.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

I don't really have a lot to say about this one. It was good, but not great. Nothing about this book really stood out against other Historical Fiction novels in my opinion. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of, which was slightly annoying.

I've read all of Natalie Meg Evan's books, and she is one of the historical fiction authors I really enjoy reading. This book was no exception! It tells the story of Katya, who fled Russia for Paris. She and her family were titled and wealthy but had to leave it all behind. She was expecting some family money in a bank but found there was nothing there. They had to start over to survive, and Katya works hard to become a fashion designer.

This is a well-written book that I highly recommend.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. I would most definitely recommend. Would like to read more by the same author, thank you Net galley for letting me read this book.

Yaass!! I really liked this story. The war setting and the tone of the book was pretty good! Slightly slow to start, but loved the characters and how the plot progressed! I still have few issues, but overall a very good read!

*Detailed review coming soon*

Winter 1918. Russia is in chaos. The Czar and his family are dead and the aristocracy are in fear for their lives. Princess Katya knows her family is in danger, and that they must flee before the Cheka comes to take them away. She manages to escape to Paris but not without tragic loss. And in a country where her title and lineage mean little, she must build a new life for her family. ⁣
⁣
This story was an emotional journey! Major feels fest! There is some romance is this book, but I feel it’s secondary which is totally fine! My heart went out to Katya at every turn. Her development is amazing. There were certain moments between her and her younger sister that hit very close to home. ⁣
⁣
If you are looking for a historical fiction story with a strong female protagonist, with some romance and mystery, this is it! ⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 🙌🏻⁣
⁣
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture! ⁣
⁣
🖤Katie ⁣
⁣

Great read. Kept me interested and gripped from the very first page. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and felt drawn into the story itself. Great

This is my second book by this author. I enjoy her writing and will continue to read books written by Natalie Meg Evans. This is the story of Katya, who leaves Russia at the end of WWI. She arrives in Paris looking for a better life. Along the way she gets swept up in the beautiful city and really enjoys all of the boutiques. She soon meets Harry Morten and they fall in love. She is harboring some secrets and she is not sure Harry will accept her when he finds out. Great Historical Fiction!

Firmly in the realm of chic lit and romance, I have most definitely strayed from my regular selections. But the cover and description were both too pretty to resist – and it turned out to be a damned good decision because The Secret Vow turned out to be an amazing read chalk full of history, fashion, and family drama to boot.
As much as I hate a healthy dose of mush, the dynamic between Katya and Harry was so reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy that I couldn’t help but be drawn to it. A poor and striving young lady in want of an income, a rich and haughty young heir with a good heart, and both too proud and petulant to allow for their emotions to win out sooner. Now throw in a distant but overbearing mother, a brash and disrespectful younger sister, and a minor miscommunication regarding a betrothal and you know you’ve got a winning recipe.

Of course, that’s about as far as the Austen parallels go. The Secret Vow is set at the close of WWI and during the height of the Russian Revolution which adds a dash of fear, desperation and rationing that really heightens the drama. Add to that the immeasurable loss that the Vytenis family suffered as they fled, the impossible choices that haunt Katya as she strives to make a new life for her family in Paris, and the fact that the Vytenis’s have former friends looking to bring them down further at every turn.

While I appreciated the difficulties Katya encountered with her mother, the dynamic between Tatya and her older sister was perhaps the most fraught – with the elder taking on the weight of the family and the younger thinking of no one but herself. I went through the entire book wanting to smack Tatya for her impertinence, but I suppose that’s the mark of a well written character, as they get so far under your skin as to actually aggravate you! And really, what’s a good family drama without a character that you love to hate?

Katy too had moments where I wanted to bring her back down to reality, but I suppose when you’re a former princess adapting to relative poverty there’s sure to be some growing pains. And while I found her arrogant and insufferable at times, I appreciated the conviction with which she worked to protect and provide for her family. I appreciated how no job was too small for her to take, and how even when her upbringing predicated that she looked down on certain types of work, that Katya always saw needs and reason and quickly came to grips with reality.

What I loved the most though, was the shifting landscape of Paris fashion between the wars. I enjoyed the stark contrast between the highly structured Russian aristocratic culture, and the influence of Coco Chanel with looser shapes and the shedding of the corset. The descriptions of cuts, colours, and fabrics were truly sumptuous and honestly made me want to pull out my Gran’s photo albums. The fashion aspect worked too, with the romantic arc in the story, as Harry’s embedded status in the textiles world provided organic avenues through which his and Katya’s paths could frequently cross.

I adored the descriptions of atelier life, the process and the shows, and especially the life of a mannequin before these women were replaced with plastic objects. The behind the scenes glimpses into the cut-throat world of fashion houses bring a tread of reliability as both girls and fashion have proven in their steadfastness to remain nasty. Perhaps my only complaint about this setting is that the good Harry Morten is always there to save day, which means that Katya’s success is not truly self made, but rather indebted to his generosity. I can’t really complain though, as it is Harry’s role as the reluctant hero that makes the romantic elements of this story so appealing.

The Secret Vow by Natalie Meg Evans is an epic historical novel set in 1918 and 1919 at the close of WWI.
The reader is in for a real treat as we travel from Russian palaces to Paris via Sweden. True breeding lasts in spite of circumstances. Once a princess always a princess. Atrocities inflicted on the aristocrats in Russia means trust comes hard. There is always someone willing to betray others for a quick buck.
We witness the strength of character needed to survive. Some Russians are deluded into believing the Czar’s family survived and long to see them restored.
Family matters. Family pull together. Unscrupulous people try to take advantage of grief. Forgiveness needs to be dished out but it is hard.
War changes people. The moral code is distorted. People do what they can to survive.
A truly epic read that will have the reader glued as we travel through a bygone era. Even war torn Paris still has an air of glamour and sophistication. A fabulous read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

The Secret Vow was written by Natalie Meg Evans and is set at the end of World War I.

Summary: Princess Katya and her family must flee Bolshevik Russia-their home country no longer being safe for those of royal blood. Before leaving, Katya must fulfill one final vow to her sister-one that haunts her every waking minute and fills her dreams with torment.

As the family reaches the safety of Paris, France, they realize their lives have dramatically changed. Can Katya hold her family together by sheer force when it seems everything around her is breaking apart? And, what will happen if anyone ever learns what occurred during the final days before their departure to France?

My Thoughts: This book is FILLED with storylines. It seems Katya can never catch a break and is running at break-neck speed just to hold everything together. It definitely made for an interesting read as there are no lulls in this book!

I do enjoy reading historical fiction, so I liked the setting and timeframe of the book, but I have to admit there were a lot of characters-making it a bit hard to follow at the end. Also, I will caution that there is a graphic sex scene in this book. If this is not something you would enjoy (like me), you might want to skip this one, or at least be aware of it.

Overall though, there was so much story to this book-everywhere you turned something major was happening, and made for an intriguing read. I really did like the main characters Katya and Harry as well.

I appreciate Bookouture for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for my review. Thank you.

Beginning in Russia in 1918, this story details the life of Katya who is fleeing from Russia to Paris to begin a new life. Leaving in devastating circumstances, Katya’s survival balances on her being able to keep who she really is a secret. Meeting handsome Henry Morgan on the journey to Paris, he appears to be her knight in shining armour, but can he really be trusted?

This is the first book that I have read by this author. The synopsis of the book sounded so intriguing that I knew I had to read it. Katya is such an interesting character, coming across as very strong willed on the outside but obviously weaker and frightened on the inside. But, who can blame her after facing the atrocities which she and her family have gone through.

I love Harry’s character and warmed to him from the first time he was introduced to us! The hint of a love story between him and Katya kept me turning the pages to see what happens. Similarly the story of her missing sister, Vera also kept me hooked and I found the suspense of this storyline particularly gripping!

The location of post war Paris was beautifully described and you can actually feel you are there experiencing it first-hand. This is definitely a book filled with heartache, suffering, lies and betrayal, although there still is plenty of romance and passion! I found this book to be a captivating and elegant read which is perfect for any historical fan! Would definitely recommend!

This was perfectly written historical fiction! I felt like I was transformed to the time period while reading and the plot made sense for that period, which sometimes doesn't happen with historical fiction. I found the author did a brilliant job of realistically capturing this moment in time and I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

Winter - 1918

Katya Vytenis is a Russian Princess fleeing with her family from the revolution happening in Russia and the war with Germany. Her father was killed and her sister captured and later died. However, Katya has managed to escape with her sister’s baby, her mother, and another sister. They are on a train headed to Paris when Katya meets Harry Morten, a British businessman, who is also headed to Paris. He commiserates with her over the loss of her father and sister because he has just lost his brother in the war. Harry loans her some money to help her get settled and she wants to pay him back as soon as she can.

When they arrive in Paris, Katya and her family are shocked to find that the cousin they were to stay with only lived in a one room place and not the palatial estate that had been described to them. In addition, her cousin has just passed away from influenza. There are a number of Russian royalty in Paris who have been reduced to much lesser circumstances than they have been used to. Katya is having difficulty with the bank to release funds to them because the documentation she was given had been stolen by a maid along with their jewels.

Katya is working serving food and trying to get her sister to work as well. Their mother claims to be unwell and it’s difficult to get her to help take care of the baby. But, Katya gets with some other women and together they find a way to open their own design shop. As it happens Harry deals in fabrics and helps her. Katya is in love with Harry but he does not seem to feel the same way.

The story continues with how hard Katya works and the difficulties she faces. The greediness of fellow countrymen is disgusting as they steal from others.

This is an OK story. I found it to be interesting with how many Russians were killed and how they suffered during this time, was certainly quite dreadful.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow, wow, wow is all I can say, what an epic return to form for Natalie Meg Evans. Little did I think I would find a book so late in the year that would be a strong contender for my book of 2018, The Secret Vow is that book. I say return to form because for me I adored Natalie's first two books but then her last book The Wardrobe Mistress just didn't have the same affect or appeal for me. But this brilliant new wartime love story was historical fiction at its very best with a family story of survival, guts, resilience and love at its centre.

Focusing on an elite Russian family fleeing to Paris, this story reeled me in from the very first line and didn't relinquish its grip until I reluctantly read the last few words. From the writing, the wide range of characters, the setting and the incredible detail of events at the time it was clear a lot of research went into this book. It just read like the author thoroughly enjoyed every minute she spent writing Katya's story and when this comes across in the story it always makes for an incredible and engrossing read that I can't get enough off.

Winter 1918 and Harry Morten is on board a train travelling through the Swedish countryside. There is an air of mystery combined with subtle authority surrounding Harry and instantly the reader's interest is piqued and I definitely wanted to know more about him and what he was up to. As the train makes its way to Gothenbourg he observes a Russian family clearly fleeing from the persecutions and executions being carried out by the Cheka, the secret police who work on behalf of the Russian government. A young girl, a member of the family Harry is observing places herself in danger but Harry steps in and so sets in motion a chain of events that will see innumerable twists and turns, danger, suspicion, quests and love. Their's was a meeting that may very well change the fate of this upper class family whose lives have been torn apart.

We then flash back to a little earlier to Moscow to where Katya Vytenis and her family are preparing to flee the country they have called home for so long. They have titles as in Prince Ulian Vytenis but what use is that to them as life has become unbearable in Russia, fraught with dangers on a daily basis. People are arrested for no obvious reason which then leads to executions or interment in prisons that once you enter you are more than likely never to come out of. Or else another alternative is to be sent away to labour camps to work as slaves and never see ones family again. The family is aiming to go to Paris where they have relatives but what follows is a harrowing scene full of drama, tension, anguish and despair as the family are ripped apart and life will never be the same again. Katya by far the most sensible has to step up and take charge. She promised her father in his last moments that she would protect her mother, sisters and young niece and she will get them to Paris no matter what the costs. With the absence of a male figure and a fellow sister lost to the damp dark cells of the notorious city prison- Lubyanka- there is little else but for Katya to step forward and embark upon a journey to bring her mother, sister and niece to safety.

From the outset Katya was a stand out character. She could have quite easily have followed the route of her mother Irina and sister Tatiana and sunk into misery and become dependent on others but once Katya makes a promise she firmly sticks to it and she became a pillar of strength and maturity. I felt Irina and Tatiana became so reliant on Katya, that they left things to her to sort out and given an awful incident regarding a maid and therefore the family are left without money or jewels it shouldn't have been left to Katya to keep going whilst dragging the other two behind her. But something else apart from the promise she made to her father drove her on and as flashbacks are interspersed here and there throughout the entire story things became a little more clearer. I understood what powered and motivated her to make a new life in Paris despite all the obstacles thrown in her path. That said those flashbacks did give hints but they didn't give too much away so as to detract from the overall story or to allow the reader to guess things far too early on. I had my suspicions but as to the eventual outcome I was left shocked and my mind was blown.

As Harry helps Katya that day on the train in more ways than one she feels a loyalty to him, a connection that cannot be broken but also a duty that she needs to repay him for what he has done both in terms of money and how he helped set them up in Paris. Their's is a friendship that could possibly develop into something more but both are stubborn and obstinate in their various ways. It's like they circle around each other and come to each other when they need help but do so perhaps reluctantly. As more is revealed about Harry one is reminded not take everything and form opinions on first sight of that person. People have many layers and guises and should not be underestimated.

The same could be said for Katya. Her family go from a life of plenty with riches and maids and a sumptuous house to a life of poverty and living in a cramped room. Katya knows her father has looked after them but as access to their safety net is repeatedly denied she questions what is the point of it all? Why should I strive for a family who don't seem to care? But it's her loyalty that keeps her long term goal in sight and she feels deep down that it is achievable. Ensconced with the Russian community in Paris who have also fled, Katya places her faith in people who seemed to me just that little bit too good to be true. I felt I shouldn't doubt their intentions in wanting to help but there was a bit too much of a cloak and dagger feeling pervading throughout the story for me to completely trust everyone. In that sense Katya was gullible and I thought she should have listened and respected Harry more rather than venturing down paths that could prove to be very dangerous.

As Katya is plunged into a new and unknown world, I felt she did become stronger although naturally enough she wavered at times. She wanted to prove to everyone and in particular Harry that she was a fortress of strength and one that would never weaken. But when even bigger games are at a play and you are not aware of this but become the pawn how can this be achievable? Still I admired Katya and as she ventures into the world of dress design and clothing, a similar strand used in the first two books written by this author and one which works very well, I felt she began to find herself more and to follow her passion. In one sense she was playing a waiting game regarding financial security and in another she was pushing that to one side to embark upon a journey that would fulfil a long held desire. The scenes in the fashion house in which she does come to work at were at times difficult to read. That's simply because I loved Katya as a character so much that what she was subjected to was distressing and hard to accept but this is where she steps up to the mark and where Harry comes in handy too.

Over the course of the story Katya becomes a leader, a survivor but at what cost? She is always pushing forward and maintains an optimistic viewpoint whenever possible but how can one sustain this when there are people surrounding you who would love nothing more than to see you fail? Should she put her complete trust in Harry? Should she tell him her secret which if exposed could destroy what she is trying to achieve? I for one would have told Harry anything and that's because of the way his character was written. I felt I could put my absolute trust in him and that he would stand by me and do whatever he could to be helpful and supportive. He had a warm and embracing aura surrounding him when it felt like showing it but when he felt things were not going his way or if he could see Katya being foolish he did shut down and this is where his stubborn side began to show through. Saying all that I did want a positive outcome for the pair and given the nature of the last quarter or so of the book I did question would this even be possible?

Natalie Meg Evans certainly ramped up the tension as we raced towards the conclusion of The Secret Vow, it was tense and the surprises just kept on coming. The author had very successfully pulled the wool over my eyes and some of the characters too and as everything began to be revealed I was kicking myself that I hadn't spotted subtle hints and clues that had been dropped in from the beginning. But on the other hand this made me very excited to see what had actually been going on and how could things be resolved?

Betrayal, drama, passion and suffering all feature strongly in the later chapters and this book turned out to be so brilliantly plotted that it made it a stand out read for me. This is Natalie Meg Evans writing at her very best and The Secret Vow will thrill both old and new readers. That ending though, that very last line god it tore at my heart and a few simple words threw everything on its head. Does it mean we will return to these characters in either a full length book or a shorter novella? I do so hope that will be the case as really it can't be left like that. The words mind blowing twist come to mind, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending The Secret Vow. It's one of those books that once you finish you will want to go back to the very beginning and start it all over again immediately.

The Secret Vow is billed as an epic wartime romance but I would argue that it should also be labeled as a coming of age novel. We meet our protagonist, Katya, as her family prepares to flee Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution. After a harrowing scene that ends with her father murdered and sister arrested, the remaining family continues forward with the plan to head for Paris. On the train from Stockholm, Katya meets Harry; a handsome, well-connected man involved in textiles. We follow Katya as her family arrives in Paris to discover things are not what they expected. Katya serves as the backbone of her family, dragging them from their new impoverished situation with the help of Harry and his connections. Ms. Evans did a fantastic job of setting the backdrop of a war-torn France trying to rebuild as Katya works to rebuild life not only for her family but to establish her own identity and realize her dreams as a fashion designer.

It was my first time reading a historical romance that referenced Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution and I think Evans did a wonderful job maintaining a balance between the grim realities of war and revolution with the light and hope that accompanies rebuilding. Bottom line is I adored this novel and would be interested to hear about Mikhail and Vera's tale.

Full review on Dream Come Review