3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Book Of Lost Children.

In the 1940s a nurse named Evelyn hides babies from the Germans. She is risking everything to keep those babies safe. In 2018 in Dublin Kitty is struggling to keep her family’s antique shop running after the death of her mother and her father drinking too much to cope. One day a woman brings in a violin and she finds a book in the case with a list of names. Her father is acting very odd about the book but she decides to do some digging and what she uncovers is astonishing.

This book had the potential to be great but was just okay for me. I felt like the stories could have been joined together better than they were. I just found it hard to get invested in the characters.

This book is told from two different points of view. Evelyn is a school teacher turned nurse. During World War II, the island of Guernsey was taken over by the Germans. This is the story of how the islanders survived the war. Kitty's portion of the story takes place in present day Dublin. A woman comes into her shop and sells her an old violin. In the case's lining is a photograph, a child's exercise book and a signet ring ...
I enjoyed this book very much. World War II is my favorite genre, and it was very interesting to learn more about Guernsey during its occupation. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for the chance to read and review this story. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Book of Lost Children is a historical fiction about a nurse during WW2 and Kitty who lives in Dublin in 2018. The story bounces between the narrative of these two women, ultimately bringing their stories together.

I really enjoyed the story of nurse Nightingale during the German occupation of Guernsey during the war. That she so bravely defied life at that time to be a better person and save lives was a gripping story to read.

The pacing of the book did feel off, especially when it would change to Kitty's current day perspective. I thought the last 20% of the story was the best and I wish the entire book was as gripping. Overall, it was a good story but not as emotional and impactful as I was hoping it to be.

I also felt like the main characters in the story weren't the right main characters. While others we should have felt more emotion and connection to, we hardly got to know.

Two days, if i didnt have to go to work i think i would of been sucked into a full day of reading.
This gripped me from the get go, mysteries about ones own family and the ease of going back and forth on the timelines.
The storyline for both ladies was heartbreaking at times, and how the end was for Evelyn made me cry.
Will be looking out for more by this author.

This book was very evocative for me as it gave an insight into what living under Nazi occupied rule was really like for the inhabitants of Guernsey. For people of a certain age, we learned about WW2 from our parents and grandparents as well as at school however we were never told about what life was like on the Channel islands and this book brings it very much to life. Not only does the author describe what went on, but also she grabs you emotionally too and you cannot help but sympathise with the people left on the island and feel their hardship. Good steady pace and a brilliant read.


Thanks to Netgalley/Storm for the ARC to review

I really enjoy reading historical fiction, and this tale based on a true story was no exception. I loved how it was also a dual timeline, and went from Kitty searching for answers to things hidden in an old violin case during 2018 to Evelyn who was a nurse in Nazi territory during 1943. If you are a fan of this genre, you will want to read this one!

Evelyn Nightingale works as a nurse during WW2 in her home of Guernsey. As the German army's occupation of the Channel Islands becomes stronger, Evelyn does all that she can to hide 3 babies and an escaped Irishman from the German army, as they're likely to suffer a terrible fate if discovered. In 2018, Kitty White is working hard to keep the family antique business going on the rake of her mother's death and her father's increasing drinking. When she is offered an old violin to sell, she finds an old diary containing a list of names which alarm her father, who refuses to tell her why. In a desperate attempt to find the truth, Kitty's journey takes her to Guernsey where she uncovers her family's long-buried secret.

This sad and moving historical story, told over 2 timelines, is inspired by true events. Evelyn's story is heartfelt and the author does a brilliant job of exploring the terrible circumstances for many people during this war, and how so many went without the basic essentials. However, I felt that both stories were a little disjointed and just didn't come together as well as they could have as they felt a little disjointed and slow at times, and the connection of the story to the title was tenuous at best.

The story was brought together well in the end however it didn't leave the sort of impact I thought it would, despite how emotional and poignant the storyline was. A lovely book that, while it was enjoyable to read, didn't quite live up to what I'd hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for thè opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I love that it’s inspired by a true story. I really liked the characters and loved watching them develop. It now makes me want to go to Gurnsey!

I really enjoyed this book, a different story of World War 2 that I hadn't heard about and based on a true story. The Channel Islands were occupied through the war and this is a story of the courage and determination of the people of Guernsey to do what they could against the Nazi occupation, particularly one amazing woman, a nurse, who saves babies and gives them a chance that the Nazi's would otherwise not allow to live, she finds them homes where they will be safe. Doing this put her and others at great danger but together they can make it work and fight against the evil officer in charge in particular. Thoroughly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of this authors work.

An old battered violin is brought into an antiques shop in Dublin and Kitty White is intrigued to find out more about it. She discovers that its history goes back to Nazi occupied Guernsey and has some connections to her own family...

Although all of the characters are fictional this is a fascinating read as it provides an insight into the struggles of the occupants of the island during the second world war. The author has researched the period well and many of the stories are based on real events. A great piece of historical fiction from an area that is not often written about.

The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O’Brien is a masterpiece. I felt every single emotion from each character like I knew them. I won’t redo the synopsis and don’t want to detract from this by explaining it. You have to read this and experience it personally. A million thank you’s to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

You can never go wrong with anything from this author, and this book has to be her biggest challenge yet.
So different, so unique storyteller remarkable story that made me cry.
As we are taking on Evelyn journey through WW2 startling chapters.

Inspired by true events, The Book of Lost Children takes us through dual timelines. Nurse Evelyn Nightingale leads us through the tragic scenes of Guernsey during Nazi occupation. Kitty leads us through the year 2018, as she makes discoveries that bring her family back to secrets of their past.

Evelyn’s story is compelling as she risks everything to hide three babies from the Germans. Along the way, a German commander is suspicious of her actions and always keeping an eye on her. As a teacher before the war, we have the privilege of seeing Evelyn put compassion and empathy first on every occasion.

This leads us to 2018 where Kitty is presented with an old violin as she is taking over her family’s antique business. Her investigation leads her and her family back to Guernsey to piece together a beautifully unexpected history.

I loved how Jenny O’Brien painted each scene in this book to recount a story based on real events. There were many characters, but they all held an important place in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in advance.

Evelyn Nightingale lived on Guernsey with her father, now her mother had died, and his grief hadn't left him. It was 1943 and the Germans had well and truly infiltrated the Islands, so with her father's work at the hotel curtailed, Evelyn volunteered at the hospital, her small amount of knowledge seeing her nursing the wounded and sick men, plus working in the maternity section, helping with deliveries, feeding the babies and more. Their rations meant they were hungry all day, every day, and their shifts were twelve hours and longer. Making decisions to save babies, saw not one, but three babies make their way to the nearby convent where Evelyn's aunt, Sister Therese, lived and worked. Keeping the secrets from the Nazis would be a death sentence if she was caught...

Dublin 2018 saw Kitty White coping with a father in grief, while she herself returned to their antique shop, in the wake of her mother's death. When a young woman brought a battered old violin in its case, desperate for it to be sold, Kitty bought it; before long she'd unearthed a hidden notebook, one which took her father deeper into his shell. Determined to find answers, Kitty headed to Guernsey and the aunt she knew was there.

The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O'Brien is a sad, yet heartwarming story, based on true historical events, which I loved. I've also loved the author's Detective Alana Mack series, so I'm now happy with another favourite author! Evelyn is an outstanding character, courageous, compassionate and caring, who hated the brutal Yannick, top German brass on the Island and a bully, but didn't cower to him. An exceptional read, The Book of Lost Children is one I recommend highly.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an early read of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Book of Lost Children'. Written within two timelines and inspired by the true story of a brave WW2 nurse on Guernsey Jenny O'Brien's historical novel is well worth its 5 stars. I raced through it willing Nurse Evelyn Nightingale on at every step. All of the characters are so well written and researched. Keep your tissues to hand as it can be quite an emotional read, certainly one I'm happy to recommend.

Huge thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and the author Jenny O'Brien for this arc.

Such an incredible historical fiction read! Inspired by a true story, The Book of Lost Children tells the story of a nurse living in nazi occupied Guernsey during the second world war as she works to protect her patients, many of them mothers with newborn infants.
Told in a dual POV and dual timeline, we shift between Kitty, an antiques dealer in present day Dublin, and Evelyn, a nurse in 1940s Guernsey. When Kitty comes into possession of an old violin case that has a list of names and photos inside it she works to uncover the history behind them.
It was fascinating to see the development of this story as the past and present came together throughout the duration of the novel. Tension underlined the entirety of the past POV as the author was able to expertly portray what life must have been like during the occupation, especially for those brave men and women who defied the Nazis. I found myself holding my breath a few times as I anxiously read through different scenes. Would highly highly recommend to historical fiction lovers.

Based on a true story, this is a fictional story set mainly in Guernsey about Evelyn Nightingale, an unmarried school teacher who, during the German occupation in World War II, went to work at the Emergency hospital. Told from dual POV’s, that of Evelyn Nightingale in 1943 and Kitty White in Dublin in 2018. Well written and clearly well researched this is a compelling read, I did get a bit confused with some of the characters as to who was who in the different timelines, but that aside the story flowed well.

Briefly, in 2018, Kitty is running the family antique shop. When a desperate woman asks her to buy a tatty old violin she reluctantly agrees. Hidden in the case she finds photographs, a ring and a book with a list of names. This leads her to her Aunt in Guernsey in an attempt to discover long hidden secrets. In 1943 Evelyn has been helping in the hospital and is transferred to help in the maternity ward. Over time she helps save three newborn babies from the German forces but one German officer is suspicious of her and it’s clear that she is in danger.

This is an emotional and at times distressing read. The life of the islanders who chose to remain on Guernsey was hard. Food was scarce as was work unless you were working for the Germans. Evelyn was a wonderful character. She was clearly brave and kind although it seemed as though her bravery was innate not contrived. She seems to act first and think later! There were some terribly sad moments and the treatment meted out by the Nazi’s was shocking but there were also some joyful and positive moments that lightened the heart. An enjoyable WWII historical novel.

4.5⭐️

Oh my. This book is beautiful, tragic yet hopeful, inspiring, and also horrifying. It is based on the true story of a nurse that protected babies by hiding them, switching them from the Nazi Germans.

This story is told in two alternating timelines: 1943 where Evelyn is trying to protect the babies in Guernsey, but the German commandant is becoming more suspicious of her. Yet she will do anything to protect the innocent.
2018: Kitty White it taking over the family antique shop when one day a woman sells her an antique violin. Kitty discovers a list of names hidden in the case. She decides to look into the names, and this leads her to Guernsey, where she discovers family secrets.

The descriptions of the setting, the places, the effect of the Nazi's on the daily lives of the people were detailed and genuine. The tension permeated the lives of these people daily while they dealt with near starvation, fear, mistrust.

The bravery that Evelyn has is mind boggling! This is a unique story to me, in that I had never really heard about this particular aspect of the times. This is a gripping, emotional read that is not easy at times, but show the resilience of the human heart. It is compelling and I loved every minute that I was immersed in Guernsey.

And the way that Ms. O'Brien ties the two women and timelines together was very well thought out. It did not seem contrived at all- but very satisfying!

I highly recommend this book. Be sure to have tissues ready. You will go through all the emotions- but in the end, there is hope!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing. This is my honest and voluntary review.

this book was too much. but in a very very good way. too much because the emotional heart break and heart gripping pages just has me in its hold for a long time after i finished reading. i wanted to read more and more because i needed to know this story. sadly we all know that many people lives didnt have the happy ending. and what everyone went through at that time, to me seem heroic just in itself. i dont know how people managed themselves in that time. emotionally i feel a wreck just reading some of the stories! so when you read about people who were either victimised or stood up tall and did acts of bravery most of us could never fathom, well, then im in absolute awe.
this book spans dual timelines. but it made sure to give both of the timelines its due space.
this book was brilliant. the story in itself was amazing but it was done so much credit by how Jenny tells it. this is an author full of pure talent if this book is anything to go by.
i have to admit i was with unshed tears a fair few times within this read.
we have the story of how one lady in war time risked it all to save children, who without her would have faced devastating circumstances.
and then our future timeline story is of how the people that lady saved are found out by their names being discovered in the back of a violin.
one of my favourite historical reads is war time themes and this really couldn't have been better. an excellent book. and even writing this review it has me thinking about it all once again.

Set against the backdrop of WWII, this novel takes place on the Island of Guernsey, which is a strategic invasion point for Germany. Although many of the islanders manage to evacuate, Evelyn choses to stay behind with her father. When an air raid strikes, Evelyn instinctively starts providing aid to the injured, leading to volunteer work with the ambulance service. As the hospital grapples with severe staff shortages, she is hired despite her lack of formal training. Evelyn’s life takes a dramatic turn when she impulsively follows a blood trail outside the hospital and helps rescue an escaped prisoner. When presented with the chance to save a newborn from a German Officer, she seizes it, only later considering the ramifications. Thus setting into motion circumstances that will reverberate for years to come.

In Dublin in 2018, Kitty purchases an old violin, which contains pictures and a notebook listing the names of children and their parents. This discovery uncovers a family secret and links her to Guernsey in ways she could never have imagined.

Inspired by true events, this novel is a heart wrenching, touching and compelling tale. The bravery of the characters, the unconditional love they share, and the theme of found family are both inspiring and heart warming. Although I was aware there is a connection between the two stories, O’Brien masterfully keeps the nature of that link a mystery until the powerful conclusion. This is no easy feat and is a testament to her writing skill.

Evelyn is a unique protagonist. Though undeniably courageous, with nerves of steel and heart of gold, she does not deliberately set out to be a rebel or to defy the Germans. Instead she is thrust into situations where she acts immediately to protect those in need, driven by an innate goodness. Once she has made her impulsive decisions, she has the strength to see them through, and her actions evolve into deliberate brave choices. Evelyn embodies the qualities and actions we all hope we would exhibit if faced with a similar challenge.

This novel also carries a strong feminist undertone, featuring female characters who are independent, unmarried and content with their lives. - an unusual but empowering portrayal for the time. These women are incredibly strong, willing and do sacrifice everything to protect others.

This is a beautifully written exploration of the devastation faced by Guernsey during the war, and of Evelyn’s courageous efforts to rescue and safeguard innocent lives. Although set during the war, it is a story about resilience, resistance to evil, the complexities of family and love and the remarkable impact of bravery.

Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the early copy of this book and the opportunity to provide honest feedback.