You will fall in love with Ruby and little Tommy. They go through devastating times and manage to regroup. They have a strong will to overcome the damages of war and to makes better life for them and their neighbors. A great read. You will find it hard to put this one down. Enjoy!

This book, was a very interesting read. It was said that was happened to her family. It touches the heart.

A detailed account of the devastation and emotions of a young 16 year old during the bombing of Coventry, England during World War II. With the total loss of family and home, Ruby's determination for answers leads her to a roof over her head and a handful of adults who see strength in the girl. Jean-Paul Clayton, a Canadian solider photographing the war, adds a love thread to this compelling story. As if the daily struggles of rationing and rebuilding her life weren't enough, a little boy comes to her asking for financial help and gets a toe-hold into her heart. I have not read Ms. Peters debut novel, but look forward to reading it now.

I really enjoyed this, but until the kiss I actually thought it was upper middle grade/ young YA! I read a lot of MG so was perfectly happy. Loved the entrepreneurship and core messages.

I was drawn right into this emotional moving novel.World War two a young girl Ruby her family lost her struggle to survive..Heart-wrenching tissues needed a book a heroine that will keep you turning the pages.#netgalley#harperimpulseandkillerreads.

A quick easy read which focuses on Ruby’s life during World War 2. It is sad but heart warming.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is a very well written historical novel about the the bombing and devastation in Coventry England during WWII. 16 yr old Ruby Shadwell loses her entire family in the first bombings in that city. Her home is destroyed and she is alone. So starts the beginning of her effort to survive in a war torn town, as she struggles to keep moving, to avoid leaving the only place that she has ever known.
This is a story of struggle and hardship in an effort to survive the brutalities of war. It’s the unlikely people that Ruby meets along the way that become her new family and support system. They is Glynis Peters’ second novel and it reveals wonderful storytelling, intense research and strong, interesting characters.
Looking forward to her next novel, which sounds good also.
My thanks to #NetGalley #HarperCollinsPublishers and #GlynisPeters for the ARC. All comments are my own.

The Orphan Thief by Glynis Peters is a heartbreaking historical fiction that is sure to send you on a roller coaster of emotions. A story that shares what life was like and the obstacles that many faced during the second World War. The Orphan Thief is about survival, hope, tragedy, and heartbreak. This is a sad story that has moments of hope and love. A story that is sure to stay with you long after reading.

"It's a compliment to those gone before us, that they gave us something to live for - to remind the world they once existed."

Set in Coventry, England during World War 2, this new-to-me author set me in the middle of the extreme German bombing of Coventry and captured my attention from start to finish. Families wiped out leaving orphan children who without support of friends can't make it on their own or turn to crime in order to survive. With a touch of mystery, a 16 year old young woman who has strength and determination to make it with the help of family friends, a 7 year old boy who may or may not have family, and a Canadian soldier who comes to care for Ruby, the main female character, the cast of characters makes this story memorable.

Now I can't wait to read Peter's debut novel: The Secret Orphan.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Absolutely beautiful Wartime story from Glynis Peters. A story of devastating loss but also of heartfelt love. There are also some laughs thrown in too. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed “The Orphan Thief”. It brought about a part of the Hitler era that isn’t as prominent in history. It focused on the idea of how life continues when all you know and loved has been taken from you.

A beautiful, moving story set in WWII England showing the strength of love and it's bond. Ruby is such a strong and loving soul., a brilliant girl. Human spirit is so strong and you can love wholeheartedly after loss. A wonderful book that causes you to strongly feel so many emotions!

The Orphan Thief starts Christmas Day 1938 war is looming. Ruby Shadwell enjoying Christmas with her family in Coventry; Jean-Paul Clayton in Toronto Canada, where he received his gift to fulfill his passion of photography.

Fast forward to Coventry, November 1940.
Ruby suffers a family tragedy. Unaware her family home was bombed; at only 16, left alone to grieve/fend for herself.

Some months later, it is through Jean-Paul's photography, that he meets Ruby, by chance, whilst taking photos.

This book is set between Christmas 1938 to May 1945. A whole new family is gradually formed, who've loved and lost, as Ruby has. Whilst so young, with all she's been through, Ruby appears older than her years. She's looked to assist those she can, her acts of kindness and determination, giving people hope. She has had many highs and lows, but has found new friendships/family along the way, who've been by her side.

There are various lovely characters in this book, Ruby has a great inner strength for someone of this age, I realize, back then it would've been very different times. The book focuses around her story mainly, although is not the reason for its title.

The characters have been portrayed well. You can tell how fond of her new family members, Ruby is, even before they've given themselves titles.

I've not read any books by Glynis Peters before, but would do again. This book is well written, it is not my usual genre of choice, having said that this book was a great read, definitely worth reading. If not your normal genre, you may surprise yourself, why not give it a try.

Set in Coventry, England during World War II. Ruby was just sixteen years old when the Germans bombed her neighbourhood and killed her family. She is forced to break into other peoples homes to find herself something to eat. She spends her days picking up items left after homes and businesses had been bombed. She also meets and makes new friends, they are all survivors. John us a Canadian photographer who Ruby develops feelings for. Ru y sells the items she finds from a shop. But then the shop is also bombed. What will Ruby do now.?

This story deals with the obstacles that challenged many people during the Second World War. How people had to persevere in every day challenges for survival. I really liked the main characters: Ruby Fred, Tommy and John, who all seemed realistic. Timmy is only six years old but he does whatever is necessary to survive. This is a sad story at times but there is so much love as well. Ruby had to grow up quickly and learn how to be resourceful at the same time. I loved this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Glynis Peters for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a difficult time getting involved in the story. The dialog seemed bland and stiff to me. I pushed though reading, although the pages went by and the story did not seem to be leading anywhere. It was a depressing account of how life was in Coventry after the Blitz. While my heart did go out to the situation the main character, Ruby, was living with, I was not especially drawn to her from the story. My feeling were more from the history of how awful WWII was on everyone than from this book.

I did become more interested about half way in the book and I was happy that I kept reading. I appreciate all the research the author did to write what I imagine is a fiction based on fact novel. I want to thank Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, One More Chapter for allowing me to read the ARC. My review is my own opinion, not influence by receiving the ARC.

Really enjoyed this book. The story was born out of tragedy but I loved how the group came together and supported each other during their times of need. The characters were well developed and this was a good read. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book

It’s WW2 in Coventry. Hitler’s bombs are raining down on the city. 16 year old Ruby Shadwell comes home not only finds her home gone but, also her family too and a crater in the ground left in its place. With the shock of what happened she goes to her Grandmothers house only to find she also has had the same fate. Ruby still grieving but is determined to get on with her life and build a future for herself. Along the way she meets Fred, Beatty and little Tommy, her own little family. She builds a business of buying and selling things until the shop is bombed and she does her own bit for the war with several of the other survivors of the war they knit things for the troops.
One day while searching for things through the debris she meets a Canadian soldier photographer John Clayton they become friends and later sparks fly. But this is not a romance novel more about how people coped in the war in Coventry.
I thank you NetGalley and Harper Impulse for a copy of this book. I have read many historical novels like this one. But this is slightly different than others I have read. For a start it’s set in Coventry. It’s about courage, growing up and having the determination to get a better life in the times of the war. I really enjoyed this, and I will be looking out for more books from this author in the future. 4 stars from me.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Orphan Thief by Glynis Peters is a story that takes place during World War II when Coventry, England was under siege from the Blitz. Sixteen year old Ruby Shadwell lost her entire family when a bomb hit the house they were living in. All alone in the world Ruby creates a family of her own with others who have been displaced by the bombing. Fred Lester her Gran’s neighbour becomes her honorary Grandfather, Beatty Price who’d lost her husband and home comes to live with them, Tommy Jenkins an orphan who’d been tricked by a Fagin like criminal and young Canadian soldier Jean-Paul Clayton. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking Ruby’s story is one that will inspire you with her grit and determination during a time of great difficulty and loss. Publishing Date November 28, 2019. #NetGalley #TheOrphanThief #GlynisPeters #HarperCollinsPublishers #HarperCollinsCanada #bookstagram #historicalfiction #harperimpulseandkillerreads #onemorechapter

Ruby lost everything as the result of the German bombing of Coventry. Her parents, her grandparents, her home. She is only 16 but somehow she pulls herself up and together and created a life not only for herself but also for the small family of other survivors she bonds with. The mystery of the story is young Tommy who is integral to keeping Ruby, Fred, and Beatrice fed and on an even keel. Set between 1940 and 1945, this is WWII Homefront fiction with a lovely romance as a bonus. John, a Canadian photographer, winds his way into Ruby's heart. No spoilers but you'll be happy with how things work out. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of the genre.

When you read the first chapter of this book, you feel as if you are reading a dystopian sci-fi fantasy. A sixteen girl lives in a ruined, grey nightmare landscape, and survives by her wits, while avoiding capture by the authorities. But it’s not dystopian, this book is based on true events, and really is a historical romance. I prefer to call it a sweet fairy tale as it is a simply told, but lovely tale.

The book is set in Coventry, England. Coventry was bombed many times during the Second World War by the German Air Force. The most devastating of these attacks occurred on the evening of 14 November 14, 1940, and continued into the morning of November 15. The book begins at this point in time. Ruby Shadwell is a plucky girl, raised in a loving family. Her parents operated a grocery store. All this is wiped away by the horrific bombings. She like many others, has lost all she had, although she comes to learn that inside her she still possesses a strong will to live and love.

The characters are so precious, and you will bond with them. They reminded me of Charlie’s family in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. From nothing, they create a life together, an old man, an older lady, and a puzzling you boy from London. Their world is a proper and plain world, a different time than now. Their “once upon a time” story spreads love and good will to themselves and others. A handsome Canadian soldier appears, like a Prince Charming in the eyes of Ruby.

The book closes with the end of the War. Love and the birth of new babies has replaced the grey skies. As I read the touching conclusion, I thought that surely babies born as the War ended must have been the most loved children, as bombs gave way to hope.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads/One More Chapter for this digital advance review copy. This is my honest opinion.