Review of ‘The Secrets of the Rose’ by Nicola Cornick
Release date: Feb 7th, 2025
Publisher: Boldwood Books
🌹
REVIEW
What another exciting and riveting historical dual timeline adventure by Nicola Cornick! I don’t think this author could write anything less than a 5 star novel as each title of hers I have read has been flawless. I was so engrossed in The Secrets of the Rose I did not realise I had come to the last page! What a powerful portrait of Dorothy Forster from the annals of Jacobite history. Also, Ms. Cornick has managed to create an equally strong female lead with Hannah Armstrong in the present day thread. I was cheering for both women equally and the parallels in their lives created an even stronger narrative that reflected in a special unified whole. Hannah exhibits her ancestor Dorothy’s brave and steadfast characteristics as she also deals with the troubles of her brother and secrets of her stepmother. Dorothy on the other hand had even more challenges due to the constraints on women of the era.
Dorothy Forster is a fascinating woman of the 1700’s who was up against some slippery enemies. A woman’s life then was ruled by the wishes of the men that surrounded them. But Dorothy being quite independent, manages to work around the challenges she faces. Her own brother Thomas is wrapped up in the Jacobite rebellion and leads his younger brother into dangerous territory. Labelled as traitors, their future is not looking very bright and Dorothy tries hard to help and protect her kin. With an ill father to care for, her journey ahead sees many challenges but thankfully she has the support of a hand full of good people as she navigates her way through a minefield of villains, while protecting the legendary talisman Rose and the men she loves.
Hannah Armstrong returns to Bamburgh Hall to work on a writing project she has been assigned: a biography of the Victorian heroine, Grace Darling, daughter of a local lighthouse keeper who helped her father rescue shipwreck survivors of 1838. But Hannah initially feels Grace’s heroism is ‘over-exaggerated’ until she visits the island with her old friend and things become clearer and her opinion changes. But also she must unravel the mystery that surrounds Dorothy from the past and her stepmother in the present who has been acting strange. What secrets has she been harbouring?
The Secrets of the Rose contains incredibly gorgeous description that transported me to the various locations and era (including outlines of Lindisfarne Castle). The haunting atmosphere that shrouds and enhances the settings—including Bamburgh Hall, is clearly felt in both past and present timelines. This all adds to the ghostly sketches and superstitious mystery that surrounds the legendary Rose and its believed powers. Ms Cornick certainly successfully creates tension, chills and splendour on her literary canvas. Plus the characters are distinct, well developed and delivered respectfully. We adore Dorothy’s kind yet fierce heart and Hannah’s intuitive mind and caring soul. These two ladies who are centuries apart hold some very common threads between them. They have the potential and make a huge difference in the lives of those who are close to them: including a few good men such as Aaron Salter and John Armstrong.
I loved this novel so much and could not put it down. It covers an interesting time period. Ms Cornick weaves history expertly into a fascinating fictional story. My only regret is that it had to come to a close! When the last page turned, my heart kept pondering the characters and eras these two women lived in. A definite must read for 2025! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
