The Forgotten Locket: An absolutely gripping novel of the power of hope from the bestselling historical fiction author of The Memory Box

I read this book in a week. I was hooked immediately. The characters are well written. Author keeps you guessing band wanting b answers .

The writer crafted a highly woven story, keeping this reader’s attention to the end. The last chapter seems like it would have fit better elsewhere…or left out entirely. One might have concluded that Larry had gone over the cliff and into the river far below never to be found. However, adding his whereabouts at the end seemed very anticlimactic, if you will. No doubt, the ending she crafted for Larry was fitting, but just seemed in the wrong place. Otherwise, really enjoyed the story!

The Last Promise is written by Kathryn Hughes. This book talks about the relationship between Mother and Daughter when they are alone together and when they are apart. It talks about bringing up a child alone. It also talks about bringing up a child when you are not there.Violet Dobbs, also known as Violet Skye when she was performing, has done her best to keep her daughter, Tara, in a home. The home may be no more than a single room; but she tried. She had kept her in school, which in itself was a feat. This time, she was too far behind in her rent to keep. She and Tara left and came upon a For Rent sign in the front window of a hardware store. Alf, the owner, wanted someone to rent the place and to keep him company. He grew fond of Violet and Tara. He allowed Tara to work for him in the store. He stayed with Tara when her Mother went out. Tara was thrilled when Alf hired Tom Graham to work for him as well. Tom had developed a crush on Carla as well but pretended it was friendship.Violet had finally met the love of her life- Larry Valentine. He found her fascinating and she loved his wealth. She found him delightful and easy to fall in love with. He decided to take her on a European vacation for her birthday. Tara thought she was going too; but no one clarified hit with Tara. Nothing could convince Tara to go with them then. So Larry and Violet left. On her birthday, Violet wanted to call home; but no one answered.So they went to dinner. After dinner and a lot of wine, Larry decided to go driving.Tara is upset when she can’t reach her Mother and Violet does not come home. Forty years later, she gets her Mother’s locket and frets until her old friend Tom takes her to try to find her Mother.The book is really good. You simply cannot put it down.

This book started off fine, but I got bogged down in the middle, so I went to another book for awhile. I tried reading it from the middle again and got caught! I didn't think would finish this one, but the last third of it explained the sad story. This was a unique story, just couldn't rate it too high...worth a try.

I reall loved this story. The first of it was a bit confusing the way it went from past to present and why we're being introduced to some characters, but towards the end, it comes together and you find out the connection. Kathryn did a beautiful job of bringing this story out and pulling you into the characters lives. I'll definitely be looking forward to reading more of her books!!

At first it jumps from one story to another and then back again. Three stories condensed in one which finally come to an end.

I read the above about this book but thought — we will see!The reviews were right. A great read — great characters — colorful language — and great story.Pick it up — you won’t be disappointed!

Solid 4.5 stars. Kathryn Hughes has a poignant way of crafting a mesmerizing tale of past circumstances and pulling these circumstances together to create a tale of resilience and hope. It is not as if the outcomes come out perfect like a fairy tale, but she is able to capture the strength of the human spirit in spite of life's hurdles without sounding wishy washy. Initially, I was unclear how the histories would come together as there was a little bit of bouncing back and forth between Tara, Violet, Larry, Tom and Leo's pasts and present (hence the 4.5 stars not 5). However, when it did come together, I was pleased. I could really picture and feel the conditions and emotions the characters were living through.

An incredible book - to the very last pages. Couldn’t put it down. Heartbreaking story, told from various points in time, weaves together beautifully.

Yes it was a page turner, like other readers recommanded. The characters felt real and I could not put the book down. Only the last sentences I would debate with the author...but:A wonderful read.

Although a bit of a slow starter, once I had got in to it I couldn't put it down. At first different chapters of the book seemed to have no connection with what had gone before or came after. However the way the plot unfolded and the disparate parts came together as the reader began to see that connection was masterly. I really empathised with the well drawn characters and so wished for a happy conclusion. Excellent.

sono belle le storie dove le persone si ritrovano

I adored this book from the first to the last page. The choices we make a ripple and change other peoples lives too but for Tara Richards, it was more like a tsunami that ripped apart the life she had always known.Violet Dobbs is a single mum and night club singer, doing the best she can for herself and her fourteen-year-old daughter Tara, so when the opportunity to make huge life changes for them both comes up she grabs it with both hands. That is the last night Tara saw her, now almost forty years later a letter and a mysterious key to a safety box will open up those lost years.This isn’t just a visual read, I can still hear the music and Violet singing, see her wardrobe and feel the love that she has for Tara. Tara was her world. Violet was a bit of a dreamer though often aiming pretty high for a new life for them both.I adored so many of the characters, Tara of course but also Alf their landlord. What a lovely man he is. Besides the story of Tara taking place over two times lines, one being in the 1970s which brought the era to life with perfection and present day, there are two separate stories taking place too. One in Spain the other in the UK, revolving around two sets of brothers. The background to the brothers is worlds apart, each one moulding the men that they would become. I knew that somewhere in the future I would meet them again.This is quite an epic read that I didn’t want to come to an end and impossible not to become part of this book emotionally. Beautifully written, it will stay with me for a very long time.