A Promise Fulfilled

Review Orphaned as a baby, Jackie is raised by her great aunt and uncle in a small English town. At the tender age of 14, she meets Wilhelm Furtmeller, the son of a German doctor who came to do research in a local hospital in 1926. Their friendship grows into love as she and Wilhelm consummate their relationship before he returns to Germany. At first they write constantly, but finally the letters stop altogether, leaving Jackie virtually friendless after her great aunt and uncle die. Jackie is hired by Richard Bennett as a companion to his mother, Verity, who has lost her sight. Jackie grows to love Verity, but she feels uncomfortable with Verity's husband, never really trusting him. She does trust their son, Richard, who works in London, although she finds him remote and stiff. Richard falls for her, but Jackie is searching for the excitement she felt with Wilhelm. Fans of comfy British lit will enjoy spunky Jackie, and Monk's recreation of pre-war English rural life. --Booklist, 15th September 2009