This is a dual-timeline novel set in 1832 and the present day. In 1832, Prudence Merryfield is an unmarried 35 year old woman with dreams of freedom and travel who thinks her time has finally come when her father passes away. Instead of inheriting his estate, she is granted a yearly allowance with her neighbor left as her guardian with all control over the money. She runs away and is shipwrecked.

In present day, Eliza runs her parent's antique shop. Her aunt gifts her a pocket book (diary) from her ancestor Prudence. Eliza is intrigued and wants to piece together the mystery of Prudence's life. Her quest is made more difficult because pages of the diary are missing, and the entries are brief and factual with little emotion or exposition.

This is an intriguing story and I found both women to by sympathetic characters to root for.

This is a beautifully written story that held be captivated. A totally engrossing dual time line novel that was both well researched and also had great depth with the characters. A total joy to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

This book is set over a duel time frame narrative. One in 1832 and one in present day. In 1832 we meet Prudence who has been under the ruling of her father for the entirity of her life. Now that he has passed away Prudence is hoping that now is the right time for her to set her own way in life and curve her own fate. However at the reading of her father's will. She realises that she is going have to do something really drastic to set herself free from him ruling over her.

In present day we meet Eliza, whose Aunt has given her a notebook which used to belong to Prudence who happens to be one of Eliza's ancestors. Eliza soon finds herself drawn into the life, mystery and secrets surrounding Prudence and her life back in the 1800s.

What happened all those years ago will take you on a sweeping tale of a young women's life into her finding out who she is and how her life unfolded. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting, romantic and sweeping with drama and secrets. Its a well written book with a wonderful cast of characters.

What happened to Prudence, who disappeared in 1838 leaving behind a diary- which has missing pages. That's the question Eliza is trying to answer in this dual time line novel that moves between the 1830s and 2002- and between the UK and Samoa. Prudence was shocked when she learned that her father made their neighbor essentially her guardian- controlling her inheritance- and she took off from home. She's shipwrecked in Samoa and then..no spoilers from me. Her story is much more interesting than Eliza's but multiple POVs do add to the mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

A very interesting book to read! A dual timeline family story.

Historical timeline - Prudence is orphaned at age 35 when her father passes away. She believes she'll inherit his estate and plans on traveling. Until she learns that the neighbor guy is her trustee and manages everything for her. So she runs away and ends up shipwrecked.

Current timeline - Eliza is gifted Prudence's pocket book (diary) and is determined to find out what exactly happened to Prudence. All the while, trying to keep her parent's antique shop from failing after her mother's death.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

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

This book was beautifully written. It’s dual-timeline, in the present Eliza is finding it hard to continue to run her the antique and curio shop of her parents after she made a promise to her Mother before she passed away.

She receives a tiny pocket book as a gift, which Prudence, who was the wife of her ancestor used to own. Prudence disappeared in 1833 when she was cast away in Samoa, and thought has died in 1838.

The mystery of her disappearance caused waves within the family, with doubts cast that they had something to do with it.

Eliza is fascinated by these stories and is hoping to find out what happened. But the book locket isn’t complete, with missing pages and some entries to short.

The story then goes back in time to Somerset,
Devon, Samoa and London, 1830's. The descriptions are well It described through every characters viewpoints.

A story which kept me hooked, with mysteries to uncover.

I recommend this book.

A big thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for approving me of a copy of an e-arc of this book!
A pure DELIGHT. I'd say nothing more.

“The Keepsake” is a beautifully written and well researched dual timeline novel. In 2022 Eliza is struggling to run her parent’s antique and curio shop keeping a promise made to her Mother when she died whilst trying to be true to her own passions. She is gifted a tiny pocket book, one belonging to her ancestor’s wife, Prudence. Prudence went missing twice, once in 1833 when she was shipwrecked in Samoa and finally lost, considered dead in 1838.

The mystery surrounding Prudence caused ripples at the time with family members suspected of foul play. Eliza is intrigued by the old stories and becomes slightly obsessed with the little pocket diary hoping to find out exactly what happened. Unfortunately pages are missing and each entry is brief with little or no feeling behind the words, just facts.

The action takes you from Somerset in 2022 to Somerset, Devon, London and Samoa in 1830’s. It is full of descriptive accounts and life in each time and place is described vividly through the eyes of each character, not just Eliza. This is an absorbing read. Something completely different and refreshing, although love is there in each timeline it isn’t a driving force for these independent women. A book full of mysteries I am sure the reader will enjoy uncovering alongside Eliza.

i love at dual time way story and this didn’t disappoint, i read this book in one day (lazy sunday!) really enjoyed the story line and the investigating that prudence undertook to solve the mystery.

Unfortunately I just didn’t gel with the 2 main characters so I ended up skipping huge chunks of the book (which I would never do) as I was curious as to how it’d end, but didn’t care enough to read the full book. I do love dual time line stories so this would normally have been my cup of tea, I just didn’t much care for the characters

I really enjoyed this story. It had an intriguing plot, excellent research into Samoan culture in particular and a double love story to boot. I liked the contrast between the two main characters from each era, both similar in some ways yet a world apart from each other in terms of the ability to lead a free, independent life.

"The Keepsake" is an extremely enjoyable dual time line novel set in the current day and the 1830s. Eliza runs an antique shop in the village where she grew up. There is a mystery surrounding her distant ancestor Prudence who disappeared in 1838. Eliza is challenged by her aunt Jude to discover what happened to Prudence and becomes engrossed in her quest.

This book is very well-written and a real page turner. The differences between the lives and expectations for women at different times, and in different cultures and classes are highlighted. Prudence proves to be an intriguing character who led a life which was very different from most of her contemporaries. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I sat down to start The Keepsake and just kept on reading through the evening until I finished it. The story of these two women, years apart but living similar lives really drew me in. I love historical fiction and this added the extra touch of a mystery as to what happened to one of the main characters decades ago. I don't want to give to much away, but her life in the 1830's was still greatly affecting so many lives in her family, "almost" family and town almost 200 years later. I also enjoyed the love and romance aspect of the book as well as the antique/restoration element. I would love to read more from Julie Brooks!

1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral feeling hopeful, a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor reads his will, Prudence is shocked, and she’s only been left a yearly allowance, and her neighbor Mr. Edward Ambrose has complete control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her life from the grave.

The Keepsake has a dual timeline, it goes between 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other, and Eliza want's to uncover what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.

2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mother's antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their distant relative Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Eliza can’t believe she’s reading Prudence's private thoughts, and most importantly she want's to solve the mystery of what happened to her, did Prudence meet with foul play or did she willingly disappear?

Eliza visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor, he’s trying to restore the old house and what's left of the estate. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become invested in finding out what took place, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they discover a distant relative, and look into the family tree.

I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading about Westcott Hall, the South Pacific, Samoa, the Samoan culture, and Prudence's friendship with Lupe, and Eliza coming to terms with changes in her own situation. The links between the pocket book, family portraits and antique jewellery, all helped in resolving the interesting and captivating historical mystery and five stars from me.


































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.


































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.


































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.















































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.










































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.











































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.




































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.















































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.















































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.


































1832: Prudence Merryfield wakes up the morning after her father’s funeral, she feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders and she’s free. After her father’s solicitor read his will, Prudence is in shock, and she’s hasn’t been she gets a yearly allowance, and her neighbour Mr. Edward Ambrose has control over her inheritance. Prudence is thirty-five, she thought she could finally do what she wanted and her father is still controlling her from the grave.
The Keepsake is a dual timeline story set in 1832 and the present time. The two main characters Prudence and Eliza are related to each other and Eliza wants to solve the mystery of what happened to her ancestor over two centuries ago.
2022: Eliza Ambrose is running her mums antique shop called The Cabinet of Wonders in Somerset in and her family has lived in the area for decades. Her aunt Jude gives Eliza a present, she found it hidden in some boxes and it’s a Peacock’s Polite Repository or a ladies pocket book and it belonged to their ancestor Miss. Prudence Merryfield. Westcott Hall was once owned by the Merryfield family and then the Ambrose family and now it’s a decaying ruin. Eliza is fascinated by Prudence’s story, she can’t believe she’s reading words that Prudence wrote, she he wants to solve the mystery of what happened to Prudence Merryfield, was she murdered or did she willingly disappear?
Eliza can’t help herself, she visits Westcott Hall, here she meets Daniel O’Neill an Australian building contractor and he’s trying to save the old building. Eliza, Daniel and Jude all become interested in finding out what happened to Prudence Merryfield, some clues are revealed at Westcott Hall, in the remaining pages of the pocket book, they find a distant relative and look into the family tree.
I received a copy of The Keepsake by Julie Brooks from NetGalley and Headline in exchange for an honest review. The dual timeline narrative is well written, you’re taken on an adventure and you discover where Prudence escaped to and if she was found? I really enjoyed reading about the South Pacific, Samoa, and Westcott Hall, Eliza following the hidden clues and uncovering secrets. The links to the pocket book, family portraits, jewellery it all tied together beautifully and five stars from me.