In 2011 Fern Britton would write her first novel, which would be titled ‘New Beginnings,’ and it would be a stand-alone romance novel. The following year in 2012 she would start her ‘Hidden Treasures’ series of romance novels, starting with the book also named ‘Hidden Treasures.’ These titles would fast see her becoming successful, as many would come to appreciate her as a fully fledged author in her own right. I really loved the forward that Fern has written with regards to the Queen and her passing. It really shows Fern's great respect and sadness in and around the event and is a great prelude to the story she goes on to tell. I just cannot process how beautifully this story was told, I must confess I didn’t go into this read expecting much as I hadn’t heard anything of this book and only knew of the author from tv presenting but I will certainly be reading more from her. Her writing flows so easily and it was such an enjoyable read. Overall, I think this book will appeal to people who enjoy TV shows like The Crown or perhaps Downton Abbey, but it is not a book for anyone who already knows the story well. A family saga beginning at the end of the first and continuing through second world war, as it begins in 1918 with Clara Bolitho fighting for her family. Later in 1947 Hannah, Clara’s daughter, is falling in love for her very first time, but with the wake of World War Two underway, she must now protect her baby Caroline. Moving ahead to 2020, Caroline is living quietly on the Cornish coastline, but there’s devastating family secret that threatens to rear its head. Will she be able to get past it, can they all overcome this hurdle, and what will become of the daughters of Cornwall?

I’d heard of Miss Crawford (Crawfie) before but don’t know her full or story or the scandal that happened later on in her life.I knew George was going to be no good for Crawfie when a certain incident happened , it was only a minor detail but it set me thinking about him. I adored this book, I like anything historical and this of course gives you a glimpse into something we well never really know about unless we are amongst it. Royalty is steeped in mystery no matter how old you are and I think it should be, to know the real truth would somehow ruin that.I have enjoyed Fern Britton's books in the past and this was a little different from her other reads but no less brilliant. There were so many historical events mentioned which I either remembered hearing or reading about, which of course makes for enhanced comprehension. In my lifetime - The Queen Mother; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; Princess Margaret; Edward VIII Duke of Windsor following his abdication from the throne; Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, an American socialite and wife of the former King Edward VIII.

Loyal up until circumstances take Marion down a different path, her words her twisted, her actions questioned and her loyalty broken. She told of what happened behind palace walls. She broken the trust. But did she? Was she a victim of something else, influence by those around her who were fed up of being in her shadow?

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I was not expecting this ! I’ll be honest I expected a good read but I did not expect to fall in love with this book!!

A British television presenter and author, Fern Briton is a household name for many throughout the United Kingdom. Communicating with a wider audience on a regular basis, she’s become a highly recognizable personality for many on a regular basis. This is largely due to her accessible style and approach, something which she has brought with her into her writing. Producing numerous novels over the years, she really sets herself apart, with her engaging, compelling, and extremely evocative style. Fern Britton anchored her own ITV1 Saturday night series, That's What I Call Television in 2007. In December 2007, she went on a secret trip to Basra to broadcast behind-the-scenes footage of the troops. She appeared as a guest presenter for the show, Have I Got News for You on 27 April 2007 and again on 17 October 2008. On 12 January 2008, she was the winner in the first episode of Thank God You're Here, a television comedy series hosted by Paul Merton. In April 2008, Fern Britton together with her colleague, Phillip Schofield was the presenter of the revived 'all star' version of the super hit ITV show, Mr and Mrs. The show was broadcast on Saturday nights as a six-part series. This is a very well-written and researched book. The reader finds himself in the vortex of a totally different life, court life. All the characters are well developed, and the naivete of Marion toward her future husband was actually so annoying, yet, she couldn't see his corruptive nature until it was too late. Windsor Castle. At first this ordinary woman is in a new world, working as governess to two young princesses Elizabeth & Margaret, in a household she calls home but where everyone is at a distance. As the course of history changes, she finds herself companion to the future Queen, and indispensable to the crown. And slowly their needs become her needs. Their lives become hers. It’s then she meets George, and falls in love for the first time. Now Marion faces an impossible choice: her sense of duty or the love of her life. This story is well-written, detailed, and fast-paced, and I am sorry I waited this close to it publication date to read it…especially in one sitting as I was so drawn into the story and the characters. Did I mentioned that I love all things Royal? I think I did and I loved, loved this novel. The minor characters added to the story (i.e., Duke and Duchess, Mrs. Simpson etc.) as well. There are various times during my reading that I found myself empathetic for the heroine and all she had to go through…dealing with a despicable husband for so long and the manipulation pressed upon her by him, the Royal family, and the media. Dare say that the events of that time are no different than those of today.No one will really know the true story but I have to say Fern Britton clearly has researched and gives us a very good fictionalised account of what could have been. What could have happened. I for one, would like to think that Marion was influenced by her husband, the world he existed in was so far removed from Marion’s, there was a sense of jealously. However I also feel that perhaps the palace were at fault for not being clear enough in some of their later intentions when it came to Marion’s writing. Something I think they are still carrying with them to this day and perhaps haven’t learnt from? I was utterly engrossed by this semi fictional novel as I’ve said before I’ve always been fond of the Royals especially in the 1930s & 1940s so i really wanted to read this and it didn’t disappoint. in Britain, was the year of three kings – King George V, who died; King Edward VIII, who abdicated; and King George VI. In a departure from perhaps what we known Fern Britton for in terms of writing, she has branched into historical fiction. Historical fiction very much in reality. I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured all the rich details in Crawfies story including her home in Scotland and all the details about the different palaces she worked in while taking care of the Princesses, all the royal history that I love and her friendship with Bobo & Alah was very endearing as they are all in it together taking care of Elizabeth and Margaret. This is based on a true story, but a lot of it is fictionalised, and what a story, Britton has written. I truly felt for Crawfie. I really enjoyed the correspondence throughout the book. It was an interesting way to glean information. Locations and dates headed each chapter, which I found very helpful.Marion “Crawfie” Crawford, a governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, for the most part sacrifices her own happiness, nuptials and education, to become a dedicated and loyal servant to the monarchy. This story has its host of characters, including Crawfie’s husband who is a drunkard and liar, the other Royals, staff and other characters. Marion’s time with the family lasted until 1949 and she retained favour for some time afterwards until she was taken advantage of by some unscrupulous people who wanted to buy her “inside stories”. Of course today, the Royal Family’s private lives are far more well documented but in the 1950’s it was quite different and as the first servant to cash in on the private lives of the royals, Crawfie was ostracised by the royal family and they never spoke to her again. Whilst it is widely accepted that she had been under the influence of George Buthlay, who she married in 1947, Marion was absolutely devastated when she realised the implications and she never really recovered, living the rest of her life under a cloud away from everyone she had once been so close to.