The Lost Evacuee

by Cathy Sharp

Will their new lives bring happiness, or heartache? As the Blitz casts a dark shadow over London, Julie Miller, a teenaged orphan, is sent far away to keep her safe. Hoping this will be a new chapter after years of sadness, Julie voyages by ship across the Atlantic, and on the long passage, forges a bond with a young child called Beth, both of them dreaming of their new families and the happy like that awaits them. Upon arrival, Julie quickly realises that reaching their destination is just the start of their journey, with many hardships for the orphans. But taking matters into her own hands, Julie is determined that she and Beth will have their happy ending…

Genres: Historical Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Cathy Sharp is happily married and lives with her husband in a small Cambridgeshire village. They like visiting Spain together and enjoy the benefits of sunshine and pleasant walks, while at home they love their garden and visiting the Norfolk seaside.

Cathy loves writing because it gives pleasure to others, she finds writing an extension of herself and it gives her great satisfaction. Cathy says, 'There is nothing like seeing your book in print, because so much loving care has been given to bringing that book into being.'

Reviews

[Susan Maracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good read,I even dreamt about it I was so into this book.
I would like to know the seaquence to follow . Would be nice if the author or whoever would say Book one, book two ect ect.

A bit of truth to this read, as I am sure these young children ended up with much pain and struggle. Leaving behind parents and home to become refugees in another country with maybe not so nice homes and cruel people.
Your heart goes out to all of them.

[Dorothy Timm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty enjoyable read, although it got a little coincidental in spots. What really upset me, though, was at the end, there was an unfinished mystery that obviously led to a next book. I've never liked to read series, just stand-alone books. So to make it so obvious that you were being led to read another book bothered me.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart breaking story for many of the children during WW2 that were shipped away to safe countries; England being pounded by Hitler's bombing raids. Canada was considered a safe haven for children, many of whom by now were orphans or had mothers who were either unable to care for their children particularly when their husbands were killed or because of illness and/or homelessness. Julie Miller has been affected in this way. Her father was killed and her mother died through illness. Initially sent away in England, the sexual harassment both mental and physical forced her to run away; caught up by the authorities, she found herself on a ship headed for Canada. Julie is a kind teenager who looks out for two small children, Arthur and Beth, the three forging a strong bond. 

Arrival in Canada sees the trio separated, Arthur adopted, Julie senses a kindly couple when introduced to her. However, Julie isn't so lucky, the woman who paid £10 for her, Miss Cotton, is as mean as she appears on her introduction to Julie. She will be required to assist with the running of the small school she operates, board and keep but no wages, an unpaid servant. Arriving in a poor manner with a small amount of clothing only and totally unsuitable for Canadian winter, Julie is given cast-offs for her to adjust to suit her size. Fortunately, she is able to sew and with this in mind, she is also given mending to do. Julie's disposition worsens when due to being expelled from the school he attends a nephew, Ralph comes to live and for which she finds herself in similar danger to that of her experience in England and with a few stolen pennies she runs away and heads for town to look for work.

Small Beth left on the ship, her guardian not turning up, she is taken to the home of Vee Bittern by her brother Malcolm who works on the ship, Vee is a widow, her much loved husband had died a few years back, leaving her to run their successful timber yard and other town businesses. She has picked up this responsibility with ease and is very successful, however, this doesn't fill the spot in her heart left by her dear husband's demise, that is until Beth arrives. Beth becomes a large part of the family and is adored by everyone, particularly Jago, who is her timber yard manager and her housekeeper Aggie.

While Julie is at the school, she had seen Jago several times while she had been investigating the timber surrounds of the area, Jago too had spied Julie and had wondered about her. When she disappears he becomes very concerned. Julie meanwhile manages to obtain work and board with a new employer but with each day, more and more is required of her. She feels she is safe from Miss Cotton's nephew but Ralph has a fixation about her and causes her more trouble.

Trouble brews for Vee also, a businessman of some ill repute has been determined to buy her timber yard and causes problems of destruction and intimidation of all manner. His son Pete had also been expelled from school, Pete's relationship with his father is tenuous and he is convinced that he doesn't like him, let alone love him. He had a close relationship with his mother but she had disappeared out of the blue. Pete had wondered why she hadn't ever written, his father making all sorts of unbelievable accusations and for which after investigations Pete discovers the truth. Armed with this and other information he brings an end to his father's tyranny. 

Julie's problems increase with the separate deaths of her employers and she has no option but to leave and look for more work, getting caught up in a snowstorm. It's only by chance that she is discovered, at the base of a tree, frozen, near death. She is taken to Jago's home where his mother cares for her. 

Finally, Beth and Julie are reunited but the question remains as to what happened to Arthur when it's discovered that his family had shut up their business and had disappeared.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a novel written in the 1920s or 1930s (there are the good guys, there are the bad guys, there is the guy who needs to redeem himself, etc.), which is not necessarily bad, but the story was largely predictable. I did get tired of the redundancy such as when Julie muses about how she is not good enough for Jago, and how Jago similarly knows that Julie could never love him, again and again. Also, I found Maya to be a little over the top with her prescient visions and ability to look at someone and instantly know their true essence. By the end, I just wanted to finish so I could get onto another book.

[Mim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My God this was terrible. I bought it cheap for Kindle because the first few pages made it seem like a perfectly enjoyable YA novel about an interesting time period. But the writing seemed to get worse with each passing chapter: cardboard characters, dialogue and plot that sounded like what a 10 year old thinks grown-ups talk about. And there was just enough occasional mention of sex and rape that I can't imagine this was written for kids. (Originally I was thinking the formulaic plot and one-note characters might make sense for a middle grade chapter book). I basically finished it hate-reading, feeling pleasantly shocked every time it got even worse.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A engrossing and solid warm-hearted read with an element of jeopardy and sadness but not overwhelmingly so. It’s the tale of a put-upon teenage evacuee from wartime London struggling to establish a new life in Nova Scotia where she encounters a colourful mix of locals with both good and evil intent.

[Laura Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Novel Based upon the transfer of English children to Canada during WWII

This novel explores the journey of children moved out of London during WWII. The challenge of these children from the city to the countryside of Canada exposed them to major cultural differences that exposed them to developing resilience to facing new challenges; and prepared them to deal with change.

[Sue Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book back to back with the boy with the large suitcase and it did not disappoint. This is a different story to the boy with the large suitcase but it’s still a lovely enjoyable book with lovely characters and a great storyline

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have read all the orphan books and enjoyed every one but the picture on the covers especially this one doesn't depict the right age of julie. She was fifteen and the child on the front of the book looks about ten, it's very deceiving

[Judith W Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I liked the story. The writing is so much like Anna Jacobs that I started looking for similarities and sure enough I found one of Anna's favorite phrases "bits and pieces'. Anna takes her characters from England to Australia and now Canada. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked this book but did speed read a few bits here and there when I felt it a bit laboured. Disappointed with the end as it left the reader wondering about some characters, never a good thing for me.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book, finding out what happens to the children, will they go to good familes and find happiness

[TERESA DAVIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story

Well developed characters and storyline. This is the first book by Cathy Sharp but it definitely won't be my last.

[Brenda D. Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another inviting storyline

I'd read some similar stories about orphans sent to North America during WW2.
It's sad to think that many of them ended up being treated like slaves.

[Jennifer Mcgirr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me to Nova Scotia during war time. I really felt like I was there, felt the hardship, the pain and the good times.

[Christine Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because of the connection with someone who had been evacuated to Canada. However although very sad it was not my cup of tea.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and tender story of children sent to Canada during WWII. Lots of troubled events but lots of good people and events too.

[Lindsay Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyline was interesting and had good chracters. But the constant repetition of bits of information got quite annoying.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during WWII the story is centred around orphaned children who are transported to Canada for a safer life.
There is a large cast of characters; young and old, good and bad.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't get into this book but kept going, halfway through it was OK but then about 4 chapters from end I gave up.

[Mary Am · Rating 2 out of 5]

this felt like any other book with the same trope, nothing unique

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable storyline. I didn't really understand the title. The paperback had larger print and that was good.

[Chris McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Easy to read.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story loved every minute of it brilliant not to be missed 5*

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story set in WW2 in Canada. Lots of plot twists

[Kezzia Mikolajczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice easy read and pleasant story.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fantastic story. Shame about the writing. Still worth a read but terribly repetitive. At times it felt like she was just trying to fill pages. Shame bcs the story was great

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book a sad story but with a happy ending. A very enjoyable read.