It’s 2012 and Natalie has tried to find Hugo Caplin several times, now she is in a Jewish care home and she feels she is coming to the end of her life. She is not well and has not gone long left. So starts off the new book from Lizzie Page, The Wartime Nanny and the short prologue was enough to have my interest piqued. Who is Natalie and why does she wanted to find this man named Hugo? I found this book to be very character driven so if you are expecting lots of information about the war and lots of mystery eventually connecting the past to the present than you won’t find it here.

Instead there is an in-depth exploration of how a choice made by a family to send their daughter away will have long lasting repercussions. The story is not action packed by any means instead there is a slow build up to a finale that will leave you heartbroken when some things are revealed but there is also some little glimmers of hope, acceptance and resolution at the end. This was an enjoyable read and I came to understand and appreciate the story more when I realised that things would evolve at a steady pace rather than have action and subplots strewn throughout every chapter.

We are taken back in time to 1936, Natalie Leeman is newly arrived in Manchester from Vienna. She is employed by the Caplin family as a nanny to their young son Hugo. Right from the beginning Natalie to me was like a fish out of water and completely out of her routine and comfort zone. On reflection what other way could she have been having left everything she had known and her family behind in order to venture to a new country. Her father had died in recent years so she leaves behind her mother and an older sister Rachel, who is now married, and a younger sister Libby.

Natalie pines for her family and little does she realise that in the long term it will be better that she has this new job. What we now know as the rise of Hitler and discrimination of Jews and which ultimately led to World War Two, well the stirrings of these are being felt in Europe, and Natalie’s family being Jewish are prime targets. But when we first meet Natalie she is not aware of any of this. In fact, I think for the majority of this story she very much remained an innocent. At certain points I wanted to shake her because I felt she became complacent and almost immune to the dangers her family were experiencing. I thought she needed a push in the right direction to try and do more but then on the other hand she was very helpless as she was in a different country.

In 1936 life for Jews in Austria was not good with discrimination coming to the fore and deprivation and unemployment rife. Natalie viewed this new opportunity to work with the Caplin family as a way of working on her translator skills and to get some new life experiences. I enjoyed reading of the detail of her daily life with the family and it was evident that a very special bond was being built between herself and Hugo. She became like a surrogate mother to him as his own mother Carol seemed to be absent. I couldn’t warm to the character of Carol at all, she seemed lost in her own little life as if she alone solely existed in it and also she was trying to get roles in the acting world and it was as if her son and husband didn’t exist. Carol had her eye on other men and what Natalie discovers disturbs her. To be honest the entire Caplin family apart from Hugo, I found to be super creepy. They made me feel uneasy so I can only imagine how Natalie felt living with them. The other servants who worked for the family became friends with Natalie and if it wasn’t for her cousin Leah working for another family she would have been very much alone, distraught and without vision or aim.

I don’t think Natalie was the strongest of people in terms of her ability to get out there and do things on her own. She needed to be urged to take matters into her own hands and despite constant pressure from Leah that things were further taking a turn for the worst in Austria, I just thought Natalie did too little too late until eventually she had no other choice but to put some sort of plan into action. The letters that feature every now and again throughout the story brought home the real dangers Natalie’s family were experiencing in Austria and they were heart-breaking to read. Natalie slowly starts to realise that she was one of the lucky ones that in fact she has escaped from Austria and that her mother sent her away to work because she could sense what was coming down the line. Natalie comes to understand that her mother made a huge sacrifice for her and that Natalie wasn’t forgotten or abandoned. Natalie feels that her boyfriend Rudi has forgotten all about her as he never writes anymore but this aspect of the story was actually brilliantly written and I loved how cleverly it came together towards the end.

When Natalie finally realises the seriousness of the situation that has befallen her family, I thought bravo she will finally get her act together and try and do something to help them. She visits the labour relief agency but is unsuccessful but she keeps persisting. Asking the Caplins for help with a visa was again met with a negative response. I think no matter what the Caplins had been asked to do they would not have put themselves out for anybody. So at the turning point in the book finally I saw a glimmer of strength in Natalie. It was like the wool had come down from her eyes and she was determined her family would be safe and she would get them out of Austria. Would the Kindertransport be the answer to her prayers?

The Wartime Nanny was an interesting read and Lizzie Page has again opened my eyes to an aspect of the war that I would never even have considered before as in what happened to those people from European countries living in England pre-war? How did they cope with knowing their family members were caught up in so much danger and persecution? The not being able to help or not getting news must have been awful and Lizzie Page highlighted this very well. Some parts of the story fell flat for me and not much seemed to happen at all, rather days Natalie spent with Hugo were just recounted, but then I thought towards the end things really picked up a gear and I wanted nothing but the best and positive outcome for Natalie and her family. Whether that occurs or not you will have to read and find out for yourself.

As I have mentioned before, many historical fiction novels set in and around WWII usually focus on the war itself, or occupied territories. This one is unique because it is actually set in England in the years leading up to Hitler’s rise.

It starts with an elderly Natalie asking her daughter to find a person for her, and we get an inkling that this person is very important to her past. From there, we are taken back to 1936, when Natalie arrives in England (from Austria) as a nanny (hence the title).

The rest of the story is told entirely in the past, as the reader gets to experience a new country and new customs through Natalie’s 16-year-old eyes. Of course, the timeframe needs to be taken into account here.
I liked how Natalie tried to fit in with the other servants in the Caplin household and how they eventually came to understand each other. I also thought Natalie’s discomfort in new situations, partnered with her efforts felt realistic.

I did feel like the Caplin family was sort of a collective enigma. At first, I thought it might have been purposeful, with a possible respelling of their name. It wasn’t until later in the book that it became apparent Caroline and her husband were just at opposite purposes. I don’t mind saying that Caro was one of the more easily despisable characters I have come across.

As news comes from home, Natalie realizes that she needs to get her sister and mother out of Vienna. The scenes at the refugee offices were especially interesting, because that is not an aspect that is often addressed, especially the anti-Semitism in western countries. It is often subtle here, mainly because 16 is still a naïve age, but also apparent in cutting remarks and actions of certain characters.

I thought there were a few weak plot points, with Natalie’s love life being one of them. I understand that this was just as much a “coming of age” story as it was a historical novel, but some of her interactions just didn’t ring true to me. They weren’t bad or anything, they just didn’t seem to fit.

It also seemed as if the ending was all wrapped up rather quickly, given the three-year span that was the focus. One of Natalie’s driving forces became trying to help her mom and sister, but that was all addressed quickly with mostly some commentary. I wish it had been a bit more balanced. And the very end seemed a little neat, given the messiness of the rest of the relationships.

For me, it didn't quite reach the level of success of The Forgotten Girls. Overall, however, it was an interesting book for its unique perspective and focus, which this author does excel at, and for that reason alone, I would definitely recommend this book.

Wow this is not usually a genre i would pick for myself but i was intrigued by the synopsis of the book! Its 1936 and 17 year old Natalie finds herself moving from Austria to London to become a nanny to a boy named Hugo Caplin, she immediately bonds with young Hugo the bond between the two is very strong thank goodness as his parents pay no attention to him whatsoever. The nazis quickly invade Austria and Natialie becomes very scared for her family. After this part i really got bored and could not pay attention as parts seemed to ramble on.

We follow young Natalie as she travels from Austria to London and watch her grow from a teenager into a young woman. As a naive young girl she tries to make the best of her situation, enjoying her role as her nanny to young Hugo, yet longing for Vienna, her family and the boy she loved.

In many ways this is a coming of age story too as Natalie learns not to take everything and everyone at face value. She’s reluctant to believe that the Nazis will be as cruel as people seem to believe. She learns the hard way that they are cruel beyond imagination and that anti-Semitism is rife even in London. Her interactions with Hugo’s father and mother are based on her very shallow perceptions and once again she is challenged when she realizes that neither of them are what they seemed to be. Her judgement of Erich too leads to pain. She had the same experience her cousin, Leah, and Molly, the maid.

I like the development of characters in this novel and how people can grow positively even in the darkest of circumstances. The change in not just Natalie, but her cousin Leah too is remarkable. How love and attention can make people glow is evidenced in Hugo’s behaviour when Natalie is around.

Despite all the darkness of the situation in the world and in Natalie’s world especially, the book has humour too as she struggles with the nuances of the English language.

For me, what really tugged at my heartstrings was how hard Natalie tried to keep the promise to her mother to be ‘good’.

When the cover of a book says that it is unputdownable, you begin to wonder if that’s really true. Then you read it and discover that it is a fact! Will be looking out for more books from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Lizzie Page for my copy of: The Wartime Nanny.

Natalie Leeman is only sixteen when she arrives in London in 1936, her mother Dora made the difficult choice to send her to England and stay behind with her two other daughters in Vienna. Natalie isn’t completely alone her cousin Leah is working in England, they have organized for Natalie to work as a nanny and her employers the Caplin’s need someone to look after six year old Hugo. Natalie misses her mother, sisters and her friend Rudi, life in England is very different, she’s very young to be on her own and people notice her German accent. Nat really enjoys looking after Hugo, they have fun together, her relationship with Hugo keeps her going when she’s home sick and she’s not as lonely.

In 1938, the German army march into Austria, people naively believed life in Vienna wouldn’t change and some thought it might actually be better of course we know it was the start of the Nazi’s invading countries and wanting to take control. While reading The Wartime Nanny you really understand how difficult it was for Jewish people living in England when WW II began in 1939, how concerned they were for their families living in Europe, they had no idea what was going on and they heard horrible rumors.

Natalie begins to visit the labor relief agency, she and other Jewish people line up for hours to try and find a way to get their family members to England. They fill out never ending forms, speak to any official who will listen and finally Natalie hears about the kinder-transport it might be her only way of getting her little sister Libby to England and she’s tries desperately to get her sister on the list.

You also read about an older Natalie wanting to find Hugo, she asks her daughter to help her, and she needs to find closure and see him for one last time. I really enjoyed reading The Wartime Nanny, Lizzie Page has done a brilliant job of writing a unique historical fiction story, and it’s emotional, heartbreaking and poignant.
I gave The Wartime Nanny five stars.

THE WARTIME NANNY by LIZZIE PAGE is an excellent read with characters and a story that will really stay with you.
The story starts in 1936 where we come upon sixteen year old Natalie Leeman, a young Jewish girl, leaving her native Austria to go to England and work as a nanny. Armed with her vast English vocabulary, her book of English etiquette and her desire to translate her favourite children's book into English, she arrives at the Caplin's beautiful home, Larkworthy, and takes to their son Hugo immediately. The feeling is mutual and she is more of a mother to him than the selfish Mrs Caplin.
I love Natalie's running commentary, her naive trust, her desire to say the right thing and to be "good" to honour her promise to her mother. I also love her strong attachment to her family and her tireless efforts in trying to get them to England.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Yes, I know, another wartime book. What can I say? I love this genre.
3.5 stars rounded up.
The story begins in 1936 when 16 year-old Natalie Leeman gets a job as a nanny in England with the Caplin family. She leaves her mother and sisters behind in Austria and travels by train alone where she is met by the wonderful Mrs Sanderson who has arranged the position for her. Natalie's cousin, Leah, left Austria some time earlier and is working for Mrs Sanderson. Leah is actually a driving force behind getting Natalie - and later, her family - out of Austria to safety. 

Natalie enjoys her job, particularly looking after young Hugo, but she is also, naively, somewhat enamoured with Mrs Caplin, who she sees as elegant, beautiful, and - to her detriment - a friend. 

As life for Natalie's family worsens, she finally comes round to agreeing with Leah that they need to leave. (For a while she was unwilling to accept the dangers her Jewish family faced, and they too were reluctant to admit they were vulnerable.) When letters from home change into appeals for help, Natalie arranges for her mother and younger sister to join her (with the help of Mrs Sanderson). Unfortunately, plans go awry when her newly-married  elder sister falls pregnant and her mother changes her mind about leaving Austria.

Later, that mistake will cost the family dearly as their situation deteriorates further. By now, Natalie is not alone in seeking an escape for her family. The immigration and visa office is swamped by requests and the possibility of meeting the requirements decreases by the day. It is at the immigration that she first meets Erich who is also trying to secure visas for his much larger family. 

As the story develops, the atrocities become more widely known and fears escalate. But Natalie keeps going; she even turns to Mrs Caplin for help, convinced her beloved benefactor will do all she can to help. Sadly, she is disappointed to find that not only is Mrs Caplin a vapid mother to Hugo, but she is also in love with a man who seems to support Hitler and whom she daren't cross, not even for Natalie. As a result, by the time war actually breaks out, Natalie is no longer a nanny for Hugo, but instead working with Leah in a local cafe. 

The story moves forward to present day and we learn what happened to Natalie and her family, as well as Leah and Hugo. Admittedly, it's a slow-burner to start but picks up pace in the last third before skipping ahead to modern times.

There are a couple of points that niggled me: How does she meet up with Erich again after their first one-off encounter? Coincidence? There is no mention of a planned meeting? Also, isn't the title somewhat misleading as she isn't even a nanny during the war years? Then again, maybe I'm too pedantic when it comes to history (It's true, I am ;) frequently!) It also bugs me when a book is described as "unputdownable" - I know it''s a marketing ploy, but it's hyperbole at best. Okay, rant over! 

I liked Natalie as a character and she grew up a lot during those early years in England. Her childish nature sees her relate wonderfully with Hugo, almost as if she were the mother he deserved rather than the awful Mrs Caplin. Her fears for her family and friends in Austria are heart-wrenching at times, as are the events that befall them. The author has a great talent for really giving her characters personality, her descriptions are so vivid, often humorous, and always memorable. Natalie, Leah & Mrs Sanderson were my stand-out characters, diamonds in the rough all of them, beautifully drawn and with hidden depths. 

An enjoyable read, (not unputdownable though) but nonetheless a good story with memorable characters, plenty of heartfelt emotions, and proof of the goodness of most people during troubled times. 

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll be sure to look out for more by this author.

The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page takes place in London during World War II. At the age of 16 Natalie Leeman travels to London from Vienna to become a nanny for the the Caplin family's son, Hugo. She leaves her mother and 2 sisters, as well as her love Rudi, behind. Her cousin Leah works as cook in another household and together they work to get a job and place in the household for Natalie's mother and youngest sister. Her oldest sister's pregnancy keeps her family from coming to London and then it seems too late. Their worst fears come to reality when Hitler and the Nazis take over Vienna and life for their Jewish family becomes the nightmare Jewish people across Europe are facing.

Natalie tries everything she can think of to be able to get visas for her family, while worrying about the antii-Semitism she sees in London. She meets Erich, who is also working on trying to secure visas for his family and it takes a toll. In spite of all of the barriers she and other hopeful people face Natalie does not give up the hope that she will be able to save her family. Missing the bus and being late to pick Hugo up from school after a visit to the visa office leads to a change that will lead her on a lifelong hunt for him.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. The Wartime Nanny was another book I could not put down and pushed back some chores so I could find out what happened next. Natalie is a character I truly enjoyed. She was strong, outspoken and ended up with her foot in her mouth on a few occasions. It is rare to find a character in a book who I would truly want to be friends with but Natalie is that character for me.

As the title implies, the main character in this book is a Jewish teen, Natalie, who leaves Austria to be a nanny in England, starting in 1936. She wants to improve her English and possibly become a professional translator. The novel mainly covers the years from 1936-1939, in both Vienna and London. Because of the time and place, we in 2020 know the outcome of history, so there is a sense of dread as we are reading. Of course the characters in the book don’t have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, but some, like Natalie’s cousin Leah, who is also working in England, have a more clear-eyed view than Natalie does. She’s a rather naive girl and it shows in many of her interactions with the English people that she comes into contact with along the way. She often misunderstands situations, but we can’t be sure if that’s because she’s a bit naive or because she’s from another culture/country.

There are plenty of light-hearted moments in this novel. I really enjoyed Natalie’s reactions to some of the oddities of the English she encounters. One example is her reaction to some of the unusual food names, like “bubble and squeak.” The other staff in the home of the Caplins, where she works with a little boy named Hugo, are delightful and are well-drawn as individuals, not “types.”

The author highlights the difficulties Natalie endures when trying to navigate the English bureaucracy while trying to get visas for the rest of her family to leave Austria. She also highlights how pervasive anti-semitism was in England.

Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.

As much a coming of age story as a WWII story, this is the tale of Natalie, a Jewish girl sent from Vienna to London to serve as a nanny even as things begin to seriously deteriorate at home. She finds work as a nanny interesting but the parents- oh jeez. Hugo is lucky to have her! Then, Natalie finds herself searching for.way to get her family out. Her little sister Libby is a wonderful character, as, of course, is Natalie. Page has done a nice job of capturing the rising tension of 1938. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of the genre.

Natalie was just sixteen when she moved from Austria to London to become a Nanny and translator. When Hitler invaded Austria, her family who are Jewish, were now in danger. Tge family Natalie works for are wealthy. She's hoping they will help her bring her family to Lindon.

It was dangerous times, especially for Hews during WWII in Austria. It's a beautifully written story that in parts is heartbreaking. The guilt that the young people carried about with them for escaping Austria was immense. They are horrified by the events happening to their family members. Tge storyline is intriguing and filled with believable characters. The story follows Natalie's life. This us a must read for fans of wartime historical fiction.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

Pre-World War II in Austria was a time of unknown and uncertainty as this novel portrays. Natalie, at sixteen is sent to England as a nanny to escape the unrest. Naive to the facts of the rise of Hitler and his hatred for the Jewish people, Natalie goes about her job with love and devotion to Hugo. Her eyes are finally opened and she sets about trying to get her family out of Austria. Natalie's love for the little boy, Hugo was endearing. Hugo's mother was horrid and father seemed to be distant but understandable as the story will show. I liked cousin Leah and her common sense approach to the situation. The author did a great job bringing these dark days of history alive. Recommended!

The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page is a novel based on events that occurred during Workd War II. The main character, Natalie, is a Jewish girl from Vienna who moves to England to be a nanny. Natalie does this to improve her English skills and hopes to one day be a translator. Her family stays behind in Vienna. As the plot progresses one get to know the characters on a very personal level. The main character is a very caring and loving individual who has strong connections to the family she has left behind in Vienna. Natalie becomes an excellent nanny to a boy named Hugo who she loves dearly. As time goes on the Nazis in Germany begin to infiltrate Vienna and the life of her Jewish family becomes unbearable. Natalie tries so very hard to find a way to get her family to England and out of the horrible conditions in Vienna. As the story continues Natalie continues her job as a nanny in a family that spends very little time with their son, Hugo. Natalie appears to be the only person who really loves him. Natalie also makes romantic connections while in England with another Jewish man who is also trying to get his family into England. This novel is very realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you to the author Lizzie Page, the publisher Bookouture, and netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lizzie Page does it again. Her research is always meticulous and her female characters are always believable and likeable.
We meet Natalie who comes to England to work as a nanny just as things in Austria deteriorate for the Jews. Through her eyes we learn more about the situation there as she tries to get her family out. However it is also the story of a young woman's relationship with her charge Hugo and her realisation that people aren't always what they seem.

This is the story of Natalie ,a naive young girl who is sent from Austria to be a nanny,just before the outbreak of World War Two..She grows through the story which is historically interesting but doesn't tug the heartstrings.

This is a book that will transport to an earlier time, the description was enough for you to feel like you are there without being over the top with describing words or long passages.
The characters were believable and likeable well not all of them.
I enjoyed this read and read it in one sitting. It was a heart warming, sad but funny read.

Thank you for the advance copy in return for a full and frank review which is my own opinion.

This was a heartbreaking story of a young girl who came from Austria in the 1930s to find work and ended up as a nanny to a small boy who was shown little love by his mother and the man he assumed was his father,
It was sad, thought provoking and showed how bad Fascism and Anti-Semitism could be in pre-War London.

It was the tale of a young girl who spoke mostly German and a little English when she arrived, her cousin and the household that she came to live in in London. It also told of her realisation that the Austria she had left could never be the same and the unrelenting search she made for a Guarantor for her family to come to London as well. I had not realised that so many young women came to the UK pre-WW2 and how badly they were sometimes treated.

I think I always knew that the book would not have a happy ending though in some ways it did and in others events in Austria meant I knew that not all the characters would survive. There, however, were unexpected twists and turns in the tale. I found the ending a little rushed but to be honest I can find this with many books - almost as if the author has reached a certain word or page limit and has to fit the rest of the story in. It did have a conclusion though.

I really enjoyed this book - thank you to Lizzie Page

This was a very interesting story about a young girl, Natalie, who leaves her home country of Austria to flee for her safety in the time of world war II.

The challenges are many for Natalie as she adjusts to being a pariah in England. It is difficult for her to know who she can depend on during this tumultuous time.

I really enjoyed the characters of Natalie, Hugo and Erich!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Today I'm sharing my review for this historical fiction novel by Lizzie Page, a new author to me. Thank you to Bookouture for a digital review copy via NetGalley and for inviting me to join the blog tour.

As regular readers of my blog know, I do enjoy reading books set during the first half of last century, a period I studied at school. I enjoyed The Wartime Nanny, a story following the life of Natalie, a young Austrian girl of Jewish descent, who moved to England to be a nanny to Hugo

The story is primarily about Natalie's relationships, those with her Austrian family and friends, her new employers (the Caplin family), the other staff employed by the Caplin's and her cousin Leah, who has already moved to England. Natalie has to battle homesickness, prejudice and the misunderstandings that can arise when English isn't your first language. As Natalie settles in, she starts to see that the situation in Austria is worsening for her family, and tries to help them flee the persecution of the Nazi's. The story examines one of those questions I remember asking years ago when studying history - why didn't more people leave Austria earlier?

Alongside all this Natalie has to deal with her employers, a couple who appear to have nothing in common, apart from their child Hugo. There are lots of twists and turns in this thought provoking, well written story and I will be looking to read more books by Lizzie Page in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Lizzie Page for my copy of: The Wartime Nanny.

Wartime Nanny is about a 16-year-old Natalie who leaves her family in Austria to work as a domestic help in a wealthy British family when the world is about to witness Hitler's cruelty.

The story - heartbreaking at times traces Natalie through her life - her feelings of guilt, falling in love, raising a family and hoping to reunite with her beloved Hugo at the end of her life

#TheWartimeNanny #NetGalley