The Orphan's Promise is the fourth Lindsey Hutchinson novel that I have reviewed. I like Rose, but not her aunt Win. I felt sad that Rose was orphaned, and also that she didn't have a nicer person than Win to live with. I felt she deserved more.

Win is bossy and manipulative. She was determined to have Rose married off, but she's interested in Charles Dean and not who Win wants for her. I like this about Rose, that she fought for what she wanted in spite of what Win thought. I also liked the red ballgown and other clothes Rose chose. I loved all the mentions of makeup.

I liked Charles a lot, and he had a good sense of humor. There's a great contrast between Charles' Rose's and Win's personalities, and that makes for believable characters that are well fleshed out.

I like the way that Jackson the butler, Katie the maid and Mary. the cook were like family to Rose. I like their heart to hearts and how they trust each other. They all have special relationships, but Katie and Mary definitely have special friendships with Rose.

The novel has really good pacing. It's quick, but I never felt lost. It has an interesting plot. The attention to detail is excellent.

I finished it in a day.

Thanks to Lindsey Hutchinson and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

As with all Lindsey Hutchinson books I couldn't put it down
I would recommend this book to any Historical Fiction fans and will definitely but it to read again

Upstairs/Downstairs meets Downton Abbey. A* rating foe a wonderful novel. I read this in virtually one sitting excluding food breaks. A beautiful love story with a fabulous twist. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!

Rather light read that delves into family secrets and the effects thereof on lives across generations. In this story, it turns out that the main female character and her guardian aunt are/have been in love with the same man and the latter was rejected by him as a young woman. Aunt Win became Rose's guardian, her parents' will contained stipulations about their home; stipulations that held repercussions that were only made known to Rose in less than straightforward ways. The timing of her marriage would benefit Aunt Win or Rose - depending on just when Rose was married off. Aunt Win was aware of the timeline, but Rose was not.

Once this secret was revealed, many of Aunt Win's seemingly erratic directives made more sense. I didn't quite buy her long held crush (?) on the love interest that both women are involved with, but it did play to her unlikeable nature.

The most entertaining characters were the household staff - they were loyal and brought a touch of humor/levity to the story.

2.5 rounded up to 3.

Set in Birmingham England, Rose’s story is one of a young woman trying to come of age under the influence of her aunt. Aunt Win wants Rose married as soon as possible, but the only man Rose is attracted to has beef forbidden by Win. Her only friends are the staff. They feel more like family than her aunt. When Rose learns about the inheritance left by her father, she understands why Win wants her married. The Orphan’s Promise, by Lindsey Hutchinson, is a story of secrets that are overcome by love. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I was invested in Rose’s story from the off. Orphaned from a young age Rose Hamilton has been brought up by her aunt Win,(albeit reluctantly). So when her aunt is desperately trying to have Rose married off to any taker before her 21st birthday, it’ sets Rose on a mission to discover why, will she find what she’s looking for? If so will she be happy with what she uncovers?
During the many teas/parties that Rose is dragged along to she is quite taken with one man, who Win disapproves of but won’t reveal why. Secrets to be uncovered.

I really enjoyed this book, Rose was easy to take to, mainly I think because she had no airs and graces, treating downstairs staff as she would anyone else. They were her family that she chose. My favourite characters were Rose & Jackson. Least favourite was Dolly who was just mischievous. Worth more than ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Already looking forward to Lindsey’s next book.

A good story and toldwell. The characters were written so you could believe them. Lindsey Hutchinson is a great author.

An orphan's Promise is a book focusing on main character Rose who was taken in by her aunt Win when her parents died. Rose is a strong willed young lady who does not want to get married just to please her aunt, who she starts to believe has a secret agenda for marrying her off. Rose meets Charles who is older but seems very smitten with her which displeases her aunt greatly.
A good story with a few twists along the way. Thank you for advanced copy.

I enjoyed the clean read. It was a romance with a significant age difference. There were many secondary characters who were very much part of the storyline. One thing I found hard to believe was that the business ran so smoothly for years without an owner being involved more or at least the lawyers of the deceased owner. The FMC was very likeable and very caring. Her aunt was a selfish person. The MMC seemed to know what he wanted.

Nineteen year old Rose has lived with her aunt Win since a young child. Why is her scheming aunt determined to marry off Rose before her twenty first birthday.
Why is Win jealous and unfeeling towards Rose, only the servants are her true friends. Can they solve the terrible secret Win is hiding.
A romantic saga at its best.

Another lovely saga from this much loved author introduces us to a whole set of new characters. I'm hoping that this is the start of a new series! The story of Rose and Charles will not disappoint fans, and has the unusual slant of a household where the servants are treated as equals to the family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Another lovely read from this author. This book takes you back to a different age of poverty and hardships. It really paints a great picture of those times. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Birmingham.
Rose Hamilton nineteen years old, living with her scheming aunt Win (Winifred Jacobs) with only one thing on her mind for a reason and that is to see her niece to be married before she is twenty one.
Upon meeting handsome Charles Dean he is the only one for her, but her aunt is against it and it's for a big secret and lies, enough to send her mad, but Rose is holding onto her word.
With only the staff at the house to keep her going, why is her aunt jealous?
A legacy of lies.
A promise of love.
This is a very good read.
It takes us through lots of secrets, lies and love.
I certainly loved reading it all the way through to the end.

A sweet and mild family romance without a lot of tragedy, but one big mystery that comes out at the end. Since Rose wasn’t really an orphan, I’m not sure the title actually applies.

Rose is orphaned at a young age, she goes to live with her Aunt Win, who treats her horribly. when Rose turns 21 her aunt is determined to marry her off to a man Rose doesn't like.

I found this book to be an easy read. I enjoyed the storyline and read the book one evening and finished it the next afternoon. I couldn't wait to see how things worked out in the end. What I didn't like was how the book would refer in one sentence as "cook" and the next sentence using the cook's name, Mary. That was consistent throughout the book with all of the staff and I just found it annoying. Just a pet peeve of mine. That's the reason for 4 stars instead of 5.

I would like to thank the author and Boldwod Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.