|
With the scope of a saga and the heart of a thriller, this is an evocative historical novel following a married couple whose idyllic 1950s suburban life is threatened by the promises they made during World War II.
Sidney and Ida Whipple are living the suburban 1950s American dream, complete with two children and a white picket fence, which didn’t seem possible when they first met at the height of WWII in France. Reveling in the present, they can almost convince themselves that their past is behind them. But when their neighbors show off a newly purchased Man Ray photograph, Ida comes face-to-face with the person she loved and lost in the war: Arlette. Only Ida knows the truth about the photograph, and why it can’t possibly be authentic. In an attempt to right past wrongs, she travels to California vowing to confront Man Ray. Sidney wakes to find his wife is missing, the photograph in question stolen, and all the secrets they’ve tried to bury come rushing back. With his daughters in tow, he travels after Ida, hoping to forge a new path together. Instead, their sojourn leads to a shocking discovery that could pull their family apart in this sweeping, unforgettable story about love and friendship, trust and betrayal, and how promises made, broken, and ultimately renewed, can determine our fate. |
"It is rare to find yourself in the presence of a life-changing book, but that is exactly what Burdick has written here.”
- Bookstr |
|
Praise for A Promise to Arlette
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
"The plot unfolds at a breakneck clip, and Burdick artfully highlights the difficult choices her central characters made to ensure their survival, even if it meant going against their moral compasses. This resonates."
HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY
"Serena Burdick writes sensitively and convincingly of wartime betrayal and pain, but also of the hope that comes from rebuilding life and trust afterwards. As both Ida and Sidney forgive themselves, the reader believes they have a chance to be happier, more authentic versions of themselves."
BOOKSTR
“A Promise to Arlette, is a shining example of her literary mastery...It is rare to find yourself in the presence of a life-changing book, but that is exactly what Burdick has written here.”
BOOKLIST
“Burdick (Find Me in Havana, 2021) sensitively explores the evolution of complex relationships forged during extraordinary times in a way that may appeal to fans of Jennifer Ryan.”
Patti Callahan Henry, NYT Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
"A Promise to Arlette masterfully explores love, betrayal, and the promises that have the power to shape or shatter our lives. Captivating, profound, and utterly unforgettable.”
Rowan Beaird, author of THE DIVORCEES
"A Promise to Arlette is a gripping saga of love and trauma. Burdick takes you from 1950s suburbia to the glittering artistic circle of Peggy Guggenheim to the horrors of World War II, vividly bringing each setting and her characters to life."
Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times Bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
"Burdick’s latest vividly comes to life, transporting you to a dazzling 1930s Paris, the vestiges of 1940s chateaus and into the 1950s American suburbs. A Promise to Arlette is filled with captivating characters and wonderful storytelling which makes it absolutely memorable!"
"The plot unfolds at a breakneck clip, and Burdick artfully highlights the difficult choices her central characters made to ensure their survival, even if it meant going against their moral compasses. This resonates."
HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY
"Serena Burdick writes sensitively and convincingly of wartime betrayal and pain, but also of the hope that comes from rebuilding life and trust afterwards. As both Ida and Sidney forgive themselves, the reader believes they have a chance to be happier, more authentic versions of themselves."
BOOKSTR
“A Promise to Arlette, is a shining example of her literary mastery...It is rare to find yourself in the presence of a life-changing book, but that is exactly what Burdick has written here.”
BOOKLIST
“Burdick (Find Me in Havana, 2021) sensitively explores the evolution of complex relationships forged during extraordinary times in a way that may appeal to fans of Jennifer Ryan.”
Patti Callahan Henry, NYT Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
"A Promise to Arlette masterfully explores love, betrayal, and the promises that have the power to shape or shatter our lives. Captivating, profound, and utterly unforgettable.”
Rowan Beaird, author of THE DIVORCEES
"A Promise to Arlette is a gripping saga of love and trauma. Burdick takes you from 1950s suburbia to the glittering artistic circle of Peggy Guggenheim to the horrors of World War II, vividly bringing each setting and her characters to life."
Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times Bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
"Burdick’s latest vividly comes to life, transporting you to a dazzling 1930s Paris, the vestiges of 1940s chateaus and into the 1950s American suburbs. A Promise to Arlette is filled with captivating characters and wonderful storytelling which makes it absolutely memorable!"