The Secret Orphanage completely stole my heart from the very first page! The plot was absolutely fantastic and had me hooked right from the beginning. Little baby Brielle Aimée just captured my heart in such a powerful way. My mama heart clung to this story so tightly. I felt every ounce of Celina’s fierce, love-at-first-sight connection to Brielle and the way she protected her at all costs.

I also adored watching Rachel’s love and life grow and develop in the present-day storyline. Both timelines were filled with so much emotion, strength, and beauty, even in the midst of heartbreak. There’s a depth to this story that really resonated with me, reminding me of the power of love, sacrifice, and hope in dark times.

The epilogue was the perfect, emotional ending that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. This book is a stunning, unforgettable read that I will be thinking about for a long time!

This book was fantastic. I loved every minute of it. I am so thankful I had the pleasure of reading it. I will be recommending to everyone!

I loved this book, it captured my heart from the minute I started reading it. Told in dual timelines, in 1942 Celina, a schoolteacher in German occupied France is hiding and protecting Jewish children during the war — and Rachel, a young woman in 2018 in New York unraveling her grandfather’s past through a forgotten book. I couldn’t put this book down, the story was interesting and full of tension, fear, resilience and love.
Highly recommend this book it was absolutely brilliant.

A enticing story from start to finish. The dangers are prominent and made me feel extreme fear for the characters safety. The story progresses at a fast pace and I easily read the book in a day.

I really really enjoyed this book. Hidden children, my heart wept for them, hidden secrets , i liked to figure them out. Strong Main characters yes absolutely. A strong read
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I loved this book!
Dual timeline, with one story in 1942 about righteous Gentiles running a secret orphanage for Jewish babies whose parents had been killed by the Nazis; the other set in 2018 about a young woman who goes to Europe to find answers to mysterious questions about a European children’s book author she had been doing PhD research on. The contemporary character travels to the French town where she is hoping to find answers about a mysterious children’s-book author.. The reader knows that there’s going to turn out to be a connection between the stories (as there always is in a dual timeline novel), but the enjoyment is in finding out what it was.
Meanwhile, romantic relationship arcs in both timelines told with Josselsohn’s rare ability to make things sweet but not sappy, and to keep us wondering how things will turn out.
Josselsohn brings the plots and various storylines together really well and writes the most evocative and beautiful descriptions of things. Loved it!

I can always count on a book written by Ms Josselsohn to be well written and full of intrigue. The book is written in dual timelines of Italy during World War II and 2018. When Celine finds a baby in the underbrush near Paillettes au Sommet her live changes forever. She finds the baby is supposed to be delivered to an orphanage there and decides to stay. In New York City Rachel’s grandfather is in memory care and one day he says something that made her think his life was not what she thought. She travels to Paillettes au Sommet to see if she can find out about his life. Through people she meets there she finds out her grandfather’s background and learns why he has been saying the things he did that she thought were a result of his dementia. This is another historical fiction book that awakens me to the happenings in the past. Although the story is fiction the events are based on actual happenings. I received a copy of this book free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There’s something about WWII fiction that always pulls me in — maybe it’s the quiet strength of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, or the way history reminds us that courage often begins in the most unlikely places.

The Secret Orphanage is exactly that kind of story.

Told in dual timelines, this one follows Celina, a schoolteacher in German-occupied France risking everything to hide Jewish children during the war — and Rachel, a young woman in present-day New York unraveling her grandfather’s past through a forgotten children’s book. What connects them is powerful, heartbreaking, and beautifully told.

This story is full of tension, resilience, and a love that spans generations. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with emotional depth and rich character arcs — add this one to your TBR.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC — I absolutely devoured this book.

This isn't you typical World War II if that is the first impression you get when you first look at thee cover. This is actually a dual timeline story of events that happened during the war significant to the time period itself and then following the actions to the modern day telling. I for one was very impressed with the storyline and of the bravery of the characters. I will admit this was quite the emotional story but thankfully things turned out for the better.
In 1944 we are introduced to Celina who is a schoolteacher in France. During the day she gives the germans the facade of devoted schoolteacher but at night she takes the risk of being a protector of the jewish children. Thankfully she has the help of her good friend Remy to help her get through the day.
In the modern day storyline we are introduced to a young girl named Rachel living in New York. She is trying to find out some answers to her past but her grandfather's memory is starting to fade. She decides that a trip to France is the vest option. From there she ventures to the run down Orphanage which may have some answers.

If you're looking for the typical WWII/Holocaust book that focuses on concentration camps, this book isn't it. This is a very emotional novel that is written from 2 different perspectives and 2 different time periods; Celina in 1942 and Rachel in 2018.

This was a very heart-warming book that I just didn't want to put down. I was hooked and just wanted to keep reading so I could figure out what the connection was between the 2 main characters.

This author was new to me, but I will definitely be checking out her other books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

“𝘼𝙣 𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙩; 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙖𝙡; 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣; 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨…”

I can always count on historical fiction author Barbara J to place me in her character’s shoes and encourage me to face the unthinkable.

I was swept back to World War Two France, got caught up in the dangers of the Nazi occupation and felt the emotional pull of the glitter on the mountain top.

I loved how Josselsohn tied the present and past together, mixed in some intergenerational dynamics (including dementia care), some identity revelations, and a wonderful children’s book titled 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑭𝒊𝒔𝒉.

Rachel, Celina, Brielle Aimee, Max, Remy, and grandpa pulled at my heartstrings and I enjoyed uncovering the mystery at Paillettes au Sommet.

Inspired by real wartime events but framed with fiction, this story felt so real that I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days afterwards.

Gorgeous cover, as always.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A hidden orphanage. A coded message. A wartime secret waiting to be uncovered.

Barbara Josselsohn returns with a moving dual-timeline novel that blends historical danger with present-day discovery in The Secret Orphanage—a tender, suspenseful tribute to quiet acts of resistance and love.

In Nazi-occupied France, Celina is a schoolteacher by day and a protector of hidden Jewish children by night. Beneath the orphanage’s quiet facade, she and Remy risk everything to keep these children safe. But when a Resistance message arrives, offering the chance to reunite one baby with their mother, Celina faces an impossible decision—one that could expose everything.

Decades later, Rachel’s search for answers leads her from New York to a crumbling orphanage tucked deep in the French countryside. As her grandfather’s memory fades, long-buried secrets begin to surface—along with a story of bravery, sacrifice, and love that still echoes through the walls.

Josselsohn masterfully weaves together past and present, building emotional depth through both timelines. The themes of memory, intergenerational trauma, and moral courage resonate throughout. Though at times the pacing slows, the emotional payoff is both heartfelt and poignant.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A stirring, heartfelt read about the bonds that endure across time, and the quiet courage it takes to protect what matters most. For fans of Fiona Valpy and Soraya Lane.

Book Review: The Secret Orphanage by Barbara Josselsohn
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the gifted ARC of this warm and emotionally satisfying novel.

The Secret Orphanage is the kind of historical fiction that wraps around you like a favorite sweater—soft, comforting, and full of heart. Barbara Josselsohn has written a World War II story that doesn’t focus on battlefields or politics, but on the quiet strength of one woman, a small schoolroom, and a group of children who just want to feel safe. It’s about the people who hold things together when the world is falling apart—and how sometimes, the biggest acts of courage happen in the smallest of places.

Celina, the schoolteacher at the center of the story, is easy to love. She’s not loud or flashy—she’s steady, thoughtful, and brave in the way that truly matters. In a tiny village in German-occupied France, she opens her classroom to Jewish children, teaching them by day and hiding them upstairs by night. There’s such a gentle rhythm to her world, even with the danger always nearby. Her bond with the children feels so natural and warm, and their laughter brings a lovely lightness to the story. Every moment between them—the chalk dust, the lessons, the whispered goodnights—feels cozy despite the high stakes.

Remy, the kind and dependable friend who helps Celina run the orphanage, adds a touch of romance that feels honest and sweet. There’s no big drama between them, just two people quietly falling into step together. Their connection is based on shared purpose, trust, and a growing love that feels all the more powerful because it’s rooted in everyday moments. A shared meal, a late-night conversation, a reassuring touch on the shoulder—it’s all written with such tenderness that I found myself smiling more often than tearing up.

And while the historical thread is rich and full of emotional depth, the modern storyline adds a cozy charm of its own. Rachel, a young woman in New York, discovers a name scribbled in a childhood book once read to her by her grandfather. As his memory begins to fade, she sets off for a quiet French village in hopes of piecing together his past. Her journey is gentle and curious, more about connection than drama. When she arrives at the now-crumbling orphanage, she doesn’t just find history—she finds a part of herself.

The transitions between timelines feel smooth and natural, like stepping from one warm room into another. There’s no jarring shift in tone or pace. Instead, the stories of Celina and Rachel feel beautifully linked by shared themes of care, courage, and the importance of remembering where we come from. Rachel’s discoveries don’t just offer answers; they bring comfort—to her, to her grandfather, and to the reader, too.

What I truly appreciated about The Secret Orphanage is how it stays grounded in the emotional truths of its characters. There are moments of sadness and suspense, of course—how could there not be, given the setting? But the overall tone remains hopeful and reassuring. Even when choices are difficult, even when the future feels uncertain, there’s always love guiding these characters forward. As one line puts it, “There’s more than one kind of bravery. Sometimes, it’s just keeping the light on for someone else.” That simple quote captures everything I loved about this book—its warmth, its compassion, and its belief in quiet heroism.

Josselsohn’s writing is lovely without ever being showy. She paints the world with small, gentle strokes: the smell of baking bread, the creak of old stairs, the sound of children’s voices echoing through an empty hallway. She doesn’t need to raise the volume to make her message heard. The heart of the book beats steadily from start to finish, and it left me feeling not just moved, but comforted.

This is the perfect read if you’re looking for historical fiction with emotional depth but without the heaviness. It’s heartfelt, hopeful, and just the right kind of bittersweet. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories of found family, gentle romance, and the enduring power of kindness. The Secret Orphanage isn’t just a story about the past—it’s a warm reminder of the goodness that lives quietly in people, even during the darkest times.

An interesting, but all too short story of a group of people hiding children from the Nazis. It would have been better without the lady searching for her family history in 2018, since that took time away from the WWII story.

Look, I picked this up thinking oh, just one more WWII historical fiction, and then suddenly I’m crying over a baby, a brave teacher, and a crumbling orphanage in France. Didn’t plan to be emotionally ruined today, but here we are.

You’ve got:
✔️ Secret attic hideouts
✔️ A Resistance code note (!!)
✔️ A swoony guy named Remy
✔️ A granddaughter trying to piece it all together before her grandpa’s memory fades

It’s dual timeline done right—past and present woven together with just the right amount of suspense, emotion, and “wait, what?!” reveals. And somehow, despite all the heartbreak, it still leaves you with hope.

🌼 For fans of The Nightingale and The Paris Orphan
🍼 Bonus points for secret babies and old books with scribbled names
🫠 One or two slightly dramatic plot turns, but I was in it

Not 100% perfect, but emotionally satisfying and just the right amount of historical heartbreak for a cozy weekend read.