Another beautifully written love story filled with history. This is a more romance heavy story. Also another dual time story. A bit predictable at times, but I enjoyed it.

This historical fiction novel alternates between the 1970’s where we follow teenager Trixie as she falls in love with Jasper, an up and coming musician who ultimately leaves Trixie with a broken heart, and 1938 where we go back to see Trixie’s Mother, Gracie’s own story of young love and realise that sometimes history really does repeat itself.

I adored the settings in this novel and felt like the authors descriptions were so vivid I could picture actually being there.

I really liked the characters in this book and I just adored the relationship Gracie had with her Dad, it was definitely my favourite part of the story.

This was my first novel by this author but it most definitely will not be my last!

Gracie's mother died at birth. She's been raised by a loving father and surrounded by love from those in the village, including her mother's best friend, May, and her family. Her father is a beekeeper for a wealthy family. He also creates the most beautiful gardens and Gracie is following in his footsteps.

May's son Freddie has been Gracie's best friend forever. After a conversation with her father she realizes that he may just be marriage material after. But does she really love him? Her heart doesn't patter like it does when she sees Rufus - even though he's not in the same social standing as Gracie. Then war strikes and both men are off to war. She writes to both men and prays for a safe return.

Years later Gracie's daughter, Trixie, is in love. Without revealing the past Gracie tries to tell her daughter there's no way it will work but Trixie's heart just can't believe that. Will history repeat itself and honour prevail.

The Beekeeper's Daughter is the second book by Santa Montefiore that I've read recently. I really enjoyed The Beekeeper's daughter. I know I've heard from a few people who enjoy a lighter read during the pandemic and I think this would story would be perfect. The war part of the story is very minimal and not a focus of the book.

A few years ago, I read the Deverill Chronicles by Santa Montefiore and I loved it so much! It was beautifully written and I felt so connected to the characters. I really enjoyed Montefiore’s writing and I rarely if ever read series' so I when I found this on NetGalley I had to request it but sadly, I was disappointed to say the least.

It was hard to like the characters and I felt they lacked emotion. There was a lot going on but at the same time, nothing that just pulled me in. I was waiting for something dramatic to happen and when it finally did, it was so rushed and predictable. All the big events happen so quickly and the author doesn't give us time to process it.

What bothered me the most about this book is the infidelity. I don’t care if this is fiction but nothing justifies cheating on your partner. I seriously don’t understand what’s so romantic about that? That just ruined the entire book for me. Infidelity being romanticized is the biggest turn-off for me. I wish I had known this part of the book before picking it up!

I feel like I do have to include some positive things though because I did actually enjoy the historical parts and that the present was set in the 70s. I also liked the parts about the beekeeping which I found to be really interesting and realistic. Montefiore writes great historical fiction, but this one didn't do it for me.

I do recommend checking out other books by Santa Montefiore, just not this one.

In a matter of 2 years, Santa Montefiore has become one of my go-to authors. Her books are beautifully written and are timeless. Her female protagonists hold themselves with grace and dignity as they face love, loss, and heartbreak. The Beekeeper’s Daughter encompasses all of this, and I couldn’t be happier. Originally published in 2014, The Beekeeper’s Daughter has been rereleased with a fresh new cover, that will attract many of her new followers (me included). Written with a dual timeline, this gem is the relationship between a mother and daughter – the similarities of heartbreak they’ve endured and the secrets they feel they need to cover.

Santa Montefiore has thoroughly described the different people and places contain within - whether it’s on an estate in pre-war England or the beaches of 1970’s Massachusetts, it is all written with beauty and passion.

I’m so glad I was given the chance to read this book in advance, thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster!

And just a quick afterthought, I’m slowly making my way through the entire Santa Montefiore library, but my only dismay is that there are not enough hours in the day.
4.5 stars

Sweet escapist bittersweet romance

I recently discovered Santa Montefiore's books and am very glad I did. Right now, after a year of COVID, I need escapism, nice sweet escapism. This book fits the bill. It seems to have been written in 2014 but is being reissued in Feb 2021. Just right for my current mood.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

A beautiful story of love lost, secrets held, and mothers and daughters discovering how much they truly have in common. Montefiore has written the story of Grace, a young woman orphaned in 1938, left to take over her father’s beekeeping duties on the grand estate. The story alternates between 1938, and 1970 where Grace’s daughter Trixie has fallen for a young British musician, and starts to plan her future. As life intercedes for both women, secrets and silence feel like a necessity, only to find that support and empathy are all you truly need. This book will make a great beach read, or for the warm summer evening, sitting in the flower garden, with the bees buzzing quietly behind you.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Beekeeper’s Daughter is a historical fiction novel with strong romantic elements. When Freddie Valentine and Grace Hamblin’s daughter Beatrix (Trixie) falls in love with future rock star Jasper Duncliffe they are relieved when he is forced to return to England after a death in his family as his presence brings back echoes of a past they moved to America to escape. The story moves between Grace’s past and Trixie’s present, and we learn how the past seems to repeat itself with a story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking when long-held secrets come to light. I enjoyed reading this book and do recommend it. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: February 23, 2021. #TheBeeKeepeersDaughter #SantaMontefiore #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #RomanticHistoricalFiction #SimonAndSchusterCanada #SimonAndSchusterUK #bookstagram #bookstagramer #NetGalley

This is a lovely, warm-hearted read of a mother and daughter trying to find love and happiness in their lives. We follow Grace growing up in the 1930s and see her daughter face many of the same challenges as she grows up in the 1970s with a secret that binds them together. The characters were very likeable, the pacing was good and the writing was beautifully descriptive. This is a charming story which provided a great escape. Very enjoyable read. Note that this novel was first published in 2016 but is being re-released in North America on February 23.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this novel in advance for an honest review.

This book just warmed my heart! It was such a loving story, with genuine and interesting characters. A win for me.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

What I loved about this one...

•The story is told between a family and the two generations of mother an daughter. It dives into the story from the view of the mother in the last as a young woman, and her daughter in present day. Both of these women are searching and fighting for love, while learning about themselves and each other as time goes by. I found their relationship very genuine.

•Loved the setting. I feel like I became honestly interested in what a life in the country looks like, and what taking care of bees entails! I had no clue before but this book did a great job at setting the scene and wonderfully describing even the small aspects of the town, or the homes the story took place in.

•The romance! Although there is some great sadness in this book, there is equally as much love and passion. It made me happy to read about the love stories these charters shared over the course of their lives. Love stories between family, friends and lovers - it was featuring so many kinds of love.

Ultimately if you’re looking for a really warm, easy to read, sentimental love story - this is for you! I would recommend grabbing it if you see yourself as a reader who enjoys a true love story with struggles and all.

Thanks to Netgalley for this arc - it is being republished this month, in February 23! Grab yourself a fresh new copy then!

Thank you to Netgalley, Santa Montefiore, and Simon and Schuster Canada for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have not met a Santa Montefiore book I didn’t like, and I knew this one wouldn’t be an exception! I truly do not know how she takes a story that on the surface seems so simple, and weaves multiple characters and has crossovers you wouldn’t anticipate! Twists and turns, surprises and so much love, this story was another great story set across different decades and time periods and the way in which the little hidden treasures come out are always such a wonderful treat!

I now want to know everything there is about bees lol. That is something you should know if you jump into the world of Santa’s books: you will want to learn all the things about the topics involved in her stories! What a beautiful tribute to bees, especially in a time when we so desperately need them, and it’s a lovely tribute to beekeepers and the work they do! The war aspect in this story is minor, but plays a major role to the story. Bringing some characters out of their shell, creating connections, and really a character in itself.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters and each of their story. While there is infidelity in this book, it fits, if that makes sense. Without it, the story could not be what it is and it is a necessary part. And sometimes even when you know something is morally wrong, it’s so right for the story and the characters and you just have to go with it!

As always, I cannot wait to read more of Santa’s books. She is such an incredible author and I look forward to meeting more of her characters, visiting more interesting places, and discovering all the things!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book I return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This author writes some of the best books I’ve read. This book is no exception, I loved the story, I love dual timeline stories in general and this author writes some fantastic ones. This book takes place starting in 1938 when Grace is a young girl and the other time period is when Grace’s daughter Trixie is 19, both characters are well written the stories were wonderful and I loved how they combined the two.

When Trixie gets involved with Jasper, a young up and coming musician, she loses her heart to him, and he to her; but heartbreak is soon to follow and Grace knows better than anyone what heartbreak is all about. Grace has been living her life always pining after someone else from her past, her one true love. As we follow Trixie and Grace’s story, we learn about love, heartbreak and family. As always this author writes a wonderful story and this one left me with a smile and a warm feeling as always. Cannot wait for her next novel.

💫 Book Review 💫
The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Santa Montefiore

There’s been so many beautiful books written in the past year in historical fiction & historical romance genres that it’s hard to find a way to describe each one in a unique way that the novel deserves.

This was my first Montefiore novel, gifted to me by the publisher, in return for an honest review (thank you!). I have 1 more on my bookshelf by her that I hope to read this summer when we are hopefully out of lockdown and enjoying the warmer weather 💛

***
Oh to be young and in love for the first time..

The Beekeepers Daughter is a dual timeline story (1938 and 1973) about the electricity of a first love. The the duelling battle that can happen when you throw duty and expectations on top of that fire.

Grace and Freddie are best friends from birth. Their friendship begins as a brother-sister love until one day in their teens when the comfort of the love that forms from friendship takes over. The only problem is that Grace also loves another man. Is it possible to love two at the same time?

In the 1970’s, we meet Trixie, who is the daughter of Grace and Freddie. She’s got fire and a passion of voice that is driving her desire to be more than what her parents want her to be. And her escape comes in the form of Jasper, an English aspiring singer who holds his own secrets that are woven into Grace’s past.

Two women, 3 men, bees and duty sewn together to form a beautiful novel. Really enjoyed this one 💛 highly recommend.

Pub date is Feb 23,2021!

Ps. My heart jumped when the author mentioned Claridge’s in London. It’s been a dream of mine to stay there for my 40th bday (which happened in 2020) but clearly due to the pandemic, that never happened. Fingers crossed I get to enter that beautiful hotel this September so I can have a “40th do-over”


Thank you Netgalley & Simon & Schuster

I really thought I would like this book but I found it mediocre. I like how the author goes from past to present but the third timeline put everything out of whack for me. I found that the story skipped most of the important details so I couldn’t feel anything towards the romance between Grace and Rufus and Grace and Freddie when they were young. I found I didn’t care one way or the other. The ending was nice but I just found the whole book lacking in romance.

A mother and a daughter both struggling with love lost, but what has happened in the past is an obstacle they must both overcome in this well written novel.. A lovely read with great characters in Grace and Trixie.

The Beekeeper's Daughter is a heart warming book of family.

Like any family there are secrets, betrayals and loyalty.

The Beekeeper's Daughter is beautifully written story of Grace that goes between time lines from 1937 to the 1970's and beyond.

You can hear the buzzing of the bees, smell the beautiful gardens . Feel the salt spray of the ocean.

I hated the book to end, the characters were my friends and I will think often of them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada, Simon and Schuster UK for a book to get lost in

Santa Montefiori causes the past and present to collide in The Beekeeper’s Daughter to be re-published February 23, 2021. This dual timeline journey, a masterpiece on all levels, is the story of a mother and daughter searching for love and happiness.

Grace Hamblin lives on the Walbridge Hall Estate with her father who has been the head gardener and beekeeper for the past 20 years. A chance meeting with Rufus, the Earl of Melville, changes the course of her life forever. Having reminded herself of her social class, she settles for and marries her childhood friend, Freddie, who has loved her his whole life. When he returns from war, a shadow of his former self, they leave Dorset, England and move to Tekanasse, Massachusetts, and raise their strong-willed daughter, Trixie. Paralleling Grace’s beloved bees, life comes full circle for the family as they struggle to look out for each other. Will past secrets haunt another generation? What does it take to move on and create one’s own happiness? Are they strong enough to break the chains of tradition and forge ahead?

This is my first Montefiori novel and I’m completely impressed with her ability to transport me to another place and time. Not only are her transitions between 1933 England and 1973/1995 Massachusetts seamless, but her narrative also exquisitely captures the essence of each time period. Furthermore, her lovable characters are realistic with flaws and readers get a front-row seat to see them evolve as they confront the past and discover what they long for. Montefiori has created a fictional island, Tekanasset, off the coast of Massachusetts and her vivid descriptions are such that she pulls you into the setting. It’s as if you are there with the characters experiencing the flora and fauna, listening to the local gossip and enjoying and the seaside setting. Although I’ve never been to Dorset, I feel like I could close my eyes and tell you the layout of Walbridge Hall, Beekeeper’s Cottage Number Three and the surrounding fields, rich with animal life.

Montefiori’s narrative causes us to think about, not only a father’s love but also the importance of family and the extent we’d go to keep each other happy. Showcasing the bees and their inherent desire to protect their queen drives home a clear message. Of equal importance is the quintessential theme of wartime England – duty. We see the men leaving as soldiers to fight during the war and we see the characters putting duty first before happiness. Montefiori’s creation of Walbridge Hall gives rise to the class and duty issue so clearly as those born on the estate are bound by duty to the future of their titles and the land that accompanies them. My favourite quote sums up one relationship in this novel: “Duty was the bond that tied them to each other, bitterness was the impediment that kept them apart.”

Thank you Santa Montefiore, Simon and Schuster Canada/UK, and Netgalley for this gift in exchange for an honest review.