If you are looking to be swept away by superb characters, beautifully described settings and a finely written romance (or two!), then this is the book for you!In 1930's Dorset, young Grace is leading a happy life with her father, the local Beekeeper. When he dies unexpectedly, Grace has to find her place in life. Is it with her childhood friend Freddie, or Rufus, the man she loves from afar?Moving forward to the 1970's and Grace is living in America with her husband and daughter, Trixie. Trixie, falls in love with Englishman, Jasper, a singer in an up and coming band. When a family tragedy strikes, Jasper is forced to return to his home in England with plans to call for Trixie to join him when events are settled. Will he, or will Trixie remain alone in America?A connection between mother and daughter's lives is deftly revealed, and they each have to confront the past in order to move forward.As usual, Santa's descriptive writing, of characters, settings and storyline draws you in from the start, and for me, this was quite the page turner! The traversing of different time spans is handled seamlessly, and I simply adored the character of Grace and the unfolding of her tale. This is certainly on my 'to read again' shelf!*I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 starsThis story is told in dual timeline, following Grace Hamblin during her youth in England during the 1930's and in her later years, along with her daughter Beatrix “Trixie” Valentine, in America from the 1970's onwards.As the bee-keepers daughter on a large English estate Grace has a fairly idyllic childhood and adolescence despite her mother dying quite young and being raised by her father. The story follows Grace as she falls in love – an enduring love that will come full circle when her daughter also falls in love forty years after the beginning of this story – the two women eventually come to know that they have more in common than either of them realises.The Beekeepers Daughter is a delightful read. I particularly enjoyed the 1930's part of the story and I really liked how the two time frames were melded together to complete the story. The characters were charming especially Grace and Rufus and I also really liked the larger than life character of the aptly named “Big”. I felt for Freddie, who was only ever in love with Grace, and his was the saddest part of the story for me – a man resigned.This book is about love – enduring love – and duty. Love is the dominant theme of this book and we see this from the perspective of all those touched by their various loves. Underlying the story is Grace's love of bees which gave an interesting element to the plot as well and I was intrigued to read in the authors notes that it was in fact the authors experience with a swarm of bees that had initially inspired this book.I enjoyed this book, my first by Santa Montefiore, immensely and felt that overall it was a well rounded and engaging and I will definitely read more from this author.Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the review copy
What do You think about De Dochter Van De Imker (2014)?
A lovely romantic tale of lots loves & heart break spanning the decades between mother and daughter!
—Sonja
Loved this, has a very spiritual vein running through it.
—shujiotoko
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Great story and characters.
—Yxyxyxyx
Enjoyed the romance - believable characters.
—shirazm
