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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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? This is based on a true story, but a lot of it is fictionalised, and what a story, Britton has written. I truly felt for Crawfie. 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. The characters were well researched, written and developed. And you really get a feel of how Marion lived her life. The situations she found herself in, and the massive part that she played in education, loving and shaping the young princesses throughout childhood and in to adulthood. It's just a shame that she was, in many ways, used and duped by the very people around her who were supposed to love her. Yes, I know it isn't 100% accurate, but I was hooked from the beginning and I read the whole book in pretty much a day! Loved it!

Windsor Castle. At first this ordinary woman is in a new world, working as governess to two young princesses Elizabeth & Margaret, in a household she calls home but where everyone is at a distance. As the course of history changes, she finds herself companion to the future Queen, and indispensable to the crown. And slowly their needs become her needs. Their lives become hers. It’s then she meets George, and falls in love for the first time. Now Marion faces an impossible choice: her sense of duty or the love of her life. 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. As dramatic events sweep through the country and change all their lives in an extraordinary way, Marion loyally devotes herself to the family. But when love enters her life, she is faced with an unthinkable choice… Ma non si parla di due giovani ragazze che vede crescere e educare, ma una di loro è persino la futura Regina d'Inghilterra.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 Escape this summer with this sweeping love story about family secrets and the heart-breaking decision of choosing between your head and your heart… Reader’s love The Good Servant

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. Marion’s funeral in 1988 was a lonely one. There were no wreaths from the Royal Family. Her royal pension was paid until the day she died”. 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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I really loved the forward that Fern has written with regards to the Queen and her passing. It really shows Fern's great respect and sadness in and around the event and is a great prelude to the story she goes on to tell. Come sapete sono una grande amante del genere, quindi potevo mai farmelo scappare Assolutamente no. In the end, I decided that this is quite a good book. The story of Marion Crawford -- governess to the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret from 1932 to 1950 -- is a compelling one; the writing of Fern Britton, for me, is less so. Three-and-a-half stars, I thought, but gave it four because it finished strongly. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 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.

This was an easy, if far from scintillating read. If the definition of a good servant is loyal, hardworking, trustworthy and discreet then Marion Crawford for the majority of her career fulfilled the brief, only to fall at the last hurdle. I’ll leave it to you to decide whether or not it was her dogged pursuit of her own happy ever after that hastened her demise but I know which side of the fence I’m sitting on! 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!!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. Initially released through HarperCollins once again, this was published in 2021 on the 29th of April to a great deal of acclaim. Providing another stand-alone romance, it’s similar to Fern Britton’s other books, but it also has some twists and turns of its own. Taking place in Cornwall in England, it’s a story with a lot to offer, and is a must for both fans of the author and the genre as a whole. 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.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve just rewatched the crown and the jubilee parties are still fresh in my mind but wow.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. I really loved Marian’s story and knowing it was based on a true story made it extra special’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The late Queen Elizabeth II, and her sister Margaret were the last members of the royal family to be educated at home by tutors in the traditional manner. Elizabeth and Margaret were home-schooled by their governess, Marion Crawford.