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The Good Servant: From the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author comes a sweeping royal historical fiction romance novel to escape with in summer 2023!

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The story paints a vivid and insightful look into royal life throughout her tenure as Governess. And I loved the really fond memories, the close relationships that were formed as a result of the unique situations that the Royal Family live through as is dictated by their status and constitutional rules that history has lain down before them. This fictionalised account of a real story follows Marion Crawford, a young Scottish woman who finds herself becoming the governess for the tiny Princesses, Lilibet and Margaret, and follows her years with them, until an awful misunderstanding occurs, causing her to be cast out of the Royal fold, after many, many years of devoted service.

Dunfermline, Scotland. Marion Crawford, a bright, ambitious young teacher, is ready to make her mark on the world. Until a twist of fate changes the course of her life forever. This is the story of a bright young woman with aspirations of helping children who becomes the governess of the future queen and princess Margaret and the love and sacrifices she experiences throughout her life. 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. 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.

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

The Good Servant is in fact Marion Crawford, the governess to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in the 1930s onwards. Names familiar to us a Princess Elizabeth is now the longest serving monarch in British History having just celebrated her platinum jubilee. And with time, she stoically pushed her own desires aside. Like postponing her marriage for over ten years. Even though the other employees warned her that she is just one of the staff in the royal household, she would do anything for the monarchy. And she would do anything for her no-good husband too. Not without the consequences for her life and her relations with the royals. And for the most part it is, until she meets George, older than her, but with the ambitions of becoming Marion’s husband much to the delight of Marion’s mother. Marion is loyal and faithful to the household she serves as well as falling in love with George. She has to choose duty and the path she thinks is best. It is not until much later that she chooses a married life. All that time George waited. But is there something bitter from Marion’s dedication to something other than the man she is supposed to love. 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. I do love some of the English expressions: “Toot sweet” for immediately. “Tinkety tonk, Old Fruit” for “goodbye, my friend”, although I’m not sure if any friend of mine would be too pleased with being called “old fruit” lol

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. 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?Please make sure you read the afterwords though as ferns notes on writing the book and the questions she raises to the reader add a whole new dimension to this wonderfully constructed book. 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!!

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. Marion Crawford had ambitions on becoming a child psychologist and helping those less fortunate than her and certainly her later charges to be educated as she saw as their right. However after a interim job before she starts university with Lord and Lady Elgin, she comes to the attention to the Duke and Duchess of York and suddenly finds herself in London, in Windsor Castle. A far cry where she thought she would end up. 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. I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The Good Servant is an enjoyable and poignant story based on the true story of Marion Crawford, 'Crawfie'. Who was governess to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in their younger years. Despite being in the historical fiction genre. Fern has interpreted and revitalised actual events based on Marion's own book, The Little Princesses.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.

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?Fern Britton worked with a touring theatre company and in 1979, she started her career with Westward Television in Plymouth. She worked as a newsreader and continuity announcer on Westward Diary, the nightly local bulletin. Later, she switched to present BBC’s Southwest news programme, Spotlight. She became a known as the youngest national news presenter to present News After Noon on BBC1. Fern Britton then moved to work for TVS in Southampton, where she hosted the South edition of the news programme, Coast to Coast, together with Fred Dinenage. She has also presented other programmes, like Coast to Coast People, The Television Show and Magic Moments. 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.

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