This story follows 5 children evacuated from London homes during WWII. Arriving in Wales, they are boarded with Dodie Fitznorton and her widowed sister in their spacious home.  Olive and her little brother haven't had the best start to life - she has a swollen, bruised lip and wets the bed every night; little Peter is angry at everyone and everything.  Michael and his siblings seem to come from a happy home but they miss their parents and are singled out for looking 'different' in this new town.

Dodie and her household do what they can to provide the children with love and sanctuary.  The children's teacher, Patrick White, has made the journey to Wales with them and Dodie relies on him to help these children who desperately need them.  With some of the townsfolk refusing to welcome or help the children and rumours spreading within the small town about potential spies in their midst, Dodie must decide who she can trust to help her provide a safe haven for the little ones left in her care.

This sad, moving story captures the difficulties faced when children were sent away from London during WWII.  Terrifying for the parents who sent their little ones away, frightening for the children being so far from their home and living amongst strangers who weren't always kind to them.  It also explores the mixed emotions for those 'forced' to take in children as well as the unhappiness of some of the locals who did not want these children in their midst.  I was quite surprised and disturbed by this aspect of the story.    Written as historical fiction, it provides insight into Operation Pied Piper which sent children to Wales at this time in history - a recommended read.

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

Set in 1939 at the brink of World War II, What We Left Behind by Luisa A. Jones is a stirring novel that weaves together the threads of love, war and tragedy into a deeply human story. When Dodie Fitznorton, a quiet librarian in rural Wales, opens her home to five evacuee children fleeing the Blitz, she doesn't realise that she's about to relive her own traumas, confront buried secrets, and discover love in the unlikeliest of places. Luisa A. Jones paints a tender yet unflinching portrait of wartime Britain—not from the trenches or the cities, but from the emotional battlegrounds of the heart. This is not just a story about survival during World War II. It’s a deeply human novel about the scars we carry, the families we build, and the love that makes healing possible.

4 stars from me! I really enjoyed this one—especially the main characters. I love historical fiction, and this was the first I’ve read that focused on the children evacuated from London during the war. The story does a great job fleshing out each of their backgrounds, and I liked how everything tied together in the end. A moving, well-paced read with heart.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Heart-wrenching, atmospheric and beautifully written, What We Left Behind is a compelling historical novel by Luisa A. Jones readers will struggle to put down.

It’s 1939 and the Second World War has turned everybody’s life on its head. In a tiny Welsh village, Dodie Fitznorton is preparing to welcome displaced children into her home and she knows that her entire world will change and be completely upended. Her orderly home soon becomes strewn with all manner of paraphernalia belonging to the children, however, it doesn’t take long for Dodie to realise that there is far more to her new charges than tattered suitcases and an inability to remain neat and tidy.

Little Olive refuses to utter a single word about how she got her bruised lip and trembles whenever anyone addresses her. Her brother, Patrick, on the other hand is constantly angry and at such a young age is full of rage and resentment. Dodie wants to help these children as much as she possibly can and help is at hand, thanks to the children’s teacher, American Patrick Winter, who makes her feel less alone and frightened in a world that seems bleak, scary and unstable.

Dodie knows that tomorrow isn’t promised and that she must do everything she can to protect those in her care. Can she stay strong and face the challenges coming her way head on? Or will all the sacrifices she made to build a safe home end up being completely in vain?

Luisa A. Jones is a talented writer who creates characters that feel so real, it is a wrench to get to the end of one of her books and having to bid them farewell. In What We Left Behind, she writes beautifully and with great sensitivity and heart about complex family relationships, finding happiness and the power of love and she had me reaching for the tissues many a time as I found myself completely immersed in the world she created.

What We Left Behind is an engrossing World War Two historical novel from Luisa A. Jones readers will certainly not forget in a hurry.

This was a slow moving but heartwarming and enjoyable read. The children sent from their London homes to the Welsh countryside as WW2 began endured so much. In this situation, five of them were taken in by Dodie at her family’s estate. Despite the luxuries they enjoyed with Dodie, the children still longed to be with their poor parents in London.
Louisa A. Jones also shows us what it was like for people in the countryside who were told they must take children. I didn’t realize their school teachers often accompanied them.
I found myself wanting to read more about Dodie, Charlotte, Patrick and the children later, after finishing the book. It starts very slow, though. Be patient.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Luisa A. Jones’s “What We Left Behind” was a 4-star read. It picks up years later from her first two novels in this series but can be read as a standalone. Set during World War II, the novel focuses on the relocation of children for their safety. As a fan of Luisa A. Jones’s historical fiction style, I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. Her ability to create an atmospheric and touching narrative is a true talent. The well-developed characters and heartfelt moments in the story brought it to life. I love the entire series.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you’ll likely enjoy this book. Unlike some heavy, overly sad World War II novels, “What We Left Behind” was a pleasant and enjoyable read.

Thanks, Storm Publishing via NetGalley.

What we Left Behind gives you an insight into the early war years when children were sent away to be safe. Centred around Olive, Peter, Michael and his sisters who all evacuated from London to a small village in Wales. Dodie was instructed by her sister to take one child but ended up with 5. This book tells the story of what the children endured as they struggled to settle into the village amidst prejudice and resentment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and hope there will be a follow on!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a very well written book on the impact of war on children. Brutally truthful in its portrayal of the emotional toll on kids, this was a great book to read.

#WhatWeLeftBehind

Happy pub day to @luisa_a_jones_author and her new novel What We Left Behind.
Dodie returned to her small Welsh village after her life in London fell apart. When a trainload of evacuees arrives and five children need a place to stay she offers up places in her family’s grand home. The children struggle to fit in with the village children but their new home becomes a haven for them as they adjust to life in the country. Their American teacher, Mr.Winter, does his best to keep an eye on all the evacuees and make sure they continue to receive the best education he can provide.
This is a really sweet story. I really enjoy found family stories as well as ones about people coming together in hard times and this is both. Apparently there is a book which preceded this one, which I have added to my ever growing TBR list, about Dodie’s mother.
Thank you to @netgalley and @stormbooks_co for letting me have a copy of #whatweleftbehind for review. #bookstagrammer #bookreviewer #bookreader #reading #readmore #booksofinstagram

What a powerful book. Fell in love with the characters. Sobbed through it! Highly recommend this if you love historical fiction

War is on the horizon and the bombing of London is expected to commence soon. Children are torn from their homes, assembled, and sent miles away to the Welch countryside.

The attitude of the men living in England was one of patriotism or shame that they were not fit for military service. Looked upon as less than manly, their favorite escapism is beating their wives and children.

The volunteers who take these children in are burdened with more mouths to feed. Letters from home are very important to help the children adapt but they are often misplaced or not sent at all during this tumultuous time.

This story visits the nightmares that were endured by both the caregiving volunteers and the children they were trying to help. The author is very adept at providing a look into this very tumultuous time in history. The story is both heart-wrenching and engaging at the same time. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

What We Left Behind by Luisa Jones is a beautifully written and emotionally layered novel that explores the echoes of past decisions and the resilience required to move forward. Jones has a talent for crafting deeply human characters whose regrets and hopes feel achingly real. The story gracefully shifts between timelines, drawing the reader into the intimate worlds of love lost, friendships fractured, and the quiet triumph of forgiveness. With lyrical prose and a strong emotional core, this book stays with you long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of introspective, character-driven fiction.

1939 England was on edge. The bombing of London hadn’t started but evacuation of children was being promoted and getting them to safety was important. On such a train five children found themselves left behind in a church hall after the initial selection was made. Three were colored and two were a brother and sister and Olive was determined not to be separated from Peter, who was a vicious, destructive little boy with a very foul mouth.

Olive was a soft hearted woman. She herself had suffered abandonment by her family and it was by their choice. She takes in all five children knowing she is in for a stormy ride. Her home always under the condescending patronizing sister Charlotte is going to be hard. Charlotte has a very low degree of tolerance for misbehavior or anything that disrupts her life.

Into this scenario we have teachers and villagers with attitude who do not take kindly to the evacuees, especially the colored children, taunting them and making life difficult. The saving grace is a teacher who accompanied the children, but again he is looked at with suspicion. Half American half Irish does not help in a very insular English village.

The story of day to day struggles of the children, the adults that surround them, the heartache of being separated from their families and the lack of communication is very emotional. Everyone is quite stoic bearing it up as best as they can. But of course, things do come to a head for everyone of them, and they also get resolved.

A warm, emotional read detailing history as it happened in a quiet English village, during a very bleak period.

At the onset of WWII, two teachers and their classes are evacuated to Wales, from London. Dodie, a local resident, is sent by her much older sister to bring two children home with her and instead, returns with 5. The novel explores what it was like to be evacuated, exploring the tensions between the locals and the evacuees, racial tension and the trauma experienced by the children themselves whilst establishing relationships between the characters.
This reminded me of a version of 'Carrie's War' for adults - it was a great read about one of my favourite periods of history.

This tale of WWII was a different take compared to a lot of the ones I’ve read. This story is about a woman named Dotie, who takes in a group of children who have been evacuated from London. The children struggle to fit in with the country children, and are bullied and harassed by them. Not only that, but the local parents don’t want the education of their children to be impacted by these displaced city kids. Dotie finds herself fighting for the basic rights for her young tenants, and growing feelings along the way.
I enjoyed this side of the war story, and found myself surprised that I hadn’t thought more on these types of difficulties people faced.

England is on the brink of WW2, In the heart of the East End of London, parents are sending off their children to not only unknown destinations but to people.
The main focus are five children: one set of siblings live in fear of domestic violence and the others are mixed race.
The children find themselves in Wales, although in a big house, they feel lost.
Host Dodie has issues from her childhood that she has to fight and avoids conflict.
Life in rural Wales is hard for the children as they are always fighting to losing battle. Be it through racism, neglect or confusion, every character in this book is fighting their own battle.

What We Left Behind is the first book I have read written by Luisa A. Jones. Focusing on the countryside of England during WWII it is exciting yet disturbing at times. The children who come to live with Dodie have problems of their own besides the war that took them from London. I appreciated how Dodie worked to make her home a safe haven for them. However, it is also a time of suspicion, doubts and prejudice among the community there.
The realistic fiction story tells both bad and good during that difficult time, no sugar-coating life in this story. Still, it is an uplifting story of quiet bravery and determination to make a positive difference for others.
4.5 Stars

Oh my goodness, what a poignant read, particularly since my late mother had been evacuated during the same period. Beautifully written. What families went through is quite hard to imagine. A truly beautiful read.

When I first saw the title and fabulous cover of ‘What We Left Behind’, I knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of this poignant and heartwarming story and couldn’t put it down. Although it may be read as a stand-alone novel, it was good to be back with some of the characters of the author’s previous two books again. Through a beautifully told story of evacuees leaving London for the safety of a Welsh village when Britain is on the brink of war with Germany, the author offers the reader much more. Reflecting meticulous research, she explores several themes of class, racism and prejudice, bullying, domestic abuse and self-esteem as well as the events of the time. The characters are very real and have stayed with me long after I finished reading. I loved the fact that some of the book is written from a child’s point of view, that of eight-year-old, Olive, who comes from a dysfunctional East End family, so that we see the effects of evacuation from a child’s as well as adults’ perspectives. I enjoyed the developing, unlikely relationship between Dodie and American teacher, Patrick Winter, who share a real concern for the evacuees in their care in the face of difficult times. I highly recommend this excellent novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC.

(Better to read on Goodreads - formatted for website) The link it posted below.

*Thank you to NetGally and Storm Publishing Group for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

“It was strange to be packing when no one knew where they were going.”


What We Left Behind by Luisa A. Jones
3/5 Stars - Good
Read May 2025 - ARC

What We Left Behind is a touching, moving novel about the importance of family…and the things we sacrifice while trying to keep our loved ones safe.

Positive messages: 3/5
Things seen on the outside aren’t always true; you must look deeper into the heart and unravel the mysteries of it and the events and emotions that bind it together. Family is not always a bloodline, but people who care for you. Honesty and love are two integral traits displayed by various characters.

Positive role models: 3.5/5
Olive, at eight, understands more than many adults and takes responsibility over her siblings. She’s quiet and introverted, but dealing with pain when you stop and take a closer look.
Peter, seven years old (Olive’s younger brother), is naughty and always getting into trouble. However, readers may connect with his spunk and love of life. He is also hurting and trying to navigate rejection, loneliness, and life changes.
Dodie agrees to take on five evacuees (Olive, Peter, Barbara, Shirley, and Michael) with her Charlotte (see below). She is determined, loving, patient, and altogether a well-rounded human being with a heart of gold.
Venetia is a friend to Dodie and offers helpful words of encouragement as she deals with the evacuees. Charlotte also mentions later that she was one of the people that got her through the tough seasons.
Charlotte, Dodie’s guardian, cared for her when no one else would. Although she may seem stuck-up and harsh at first look, there are some things under the surface…brought to light later in the novel.
Barbara, Shirley, and Michael are siblings and colored. They stick together and help each other get over the harsh words spoken to them by other siblings. Michael is understanding and mature beyond his years. I connected with his character from the start.
Mr. Winters (Patrick) cares for the children deeply and will do anything to ensure their safety and security. He’s a well-rounded, encouraging, and loving man.

Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 0/5
Little smoking.

Language: 1/5
‘Bastard,’ ‘bloody,’ ‘hell,’ ‘a—,’ and ‘damn’ are used infrequently. Some slurs present.

Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 1.5/5
A boy is bitten by a snake. Implications of an abusive father figure. Children get bitten by fleas and lice, as well as slapped for discipline. (view spoiler)

Sex, Romance, and Nudity: /5
Some passionate kissing and inferences to ‘wanting more’ (no direct inferences to sex).
What You Should Know:
This book was okay. At first, I thought it was boring. Later on, it got more interesting. Then, out of nowhere, it just stopped. I mean, the ending made sense, but it felt too soon. There were some plot holes along the way, as well, and some things that didn’t make much sense to me. Was it historically accurate? I’m not quite sure, as there wasn’t much “historical” about it except for the setting.
In general, there wasn’t much plot. But…the characters were good.
The book is appropriate (some passionate kissing, mild language, mild violence - look above) but may be confusing for younger readers, which is why I recommend it to teens.
I’d say read it if it sounds interesting and you have lots of time to spare…otherwise I’d say this one isn’t a must-read. In the description it says “Perfect for fans of When We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate” but I loved that novel a LOT more than this one. If you’re looking for something along the lines of this book topic but better written, I’d give that one a shot first.
Thanks again to NetGally and Storm Publishing for this advanced copy. I am grateful for the opportunity! Opinions are all my own.
Happy reading!

Age Range Recommendation: 13+ A Historical Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: ABUSIVE FATHER FIGURE, WAR, RACISM

“There’s no one I’d rather have as the hero in my love story.”