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The Girl in Lifeboat Six
In a world at war, a young woman must face her darkest fears… 1941. After the death of her beloved mother, nineteen-year-old Romilly Brooks impulsively accepts a job as a nanny, accompanying eight-year-old Freddie and his grandmother on a sea voyage from war-torn London to the safety of New York. From the first, Romilly is entranced by the opulent ocean liner… if only she could put the idea of German U-boats circling beneath the waves out of her mind. Then she meets Edward Witney . Handsome and attentive, Edward wants to know everything about her, without sharing anything of himself. Why is this mysterious man aboard the Lucknow , and who is the dark-haired woman with an unplaceable accent he keeps whispering with behind closed doors? Just as she’s beginning to unpick his secrets, a thunderous explosion tears through the night. A German torpedo has struck the ship, and Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the deadly Atlantic. Clinging to a flimsy raft, they spot Edward, unconscious nearby. As they’re beginning to lose hope, they glimpse the Lucknow ’s lifeboat six – its emergency light a beacon of safety in the freezing night. But when Romilly and Freddie try to board, they’re told that there isn’t enough room for them both. Romilly is suddenly forced to confront a terrible this is a night they might not all survive… Filled with heart-wrenching emotion, this gripping novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Don't miss this captivating tale of courage, love, and survival, perfect for fans of The Alice Network , Kelly Rimmer and We Were the Lucky Ones. What readers say about Eliza Graham’s “ Absolutely loved this book . A wonderful story… An absorbing read I found very difficult to put down. Highly recommended.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Evocative and emotional .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “This book is so incredibly written, it reels you in from the start. The storyline is so well structured and full of detail, it is impossible to not find yourself well and truly immersed in the world that the author creates… emotionally driven… so many layers to this brilliant story.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Eliza Graham is a skilled storyteller… Well-developed and interesting characters make for a wonderful read.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “What a wonderful book… I could not put it down .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
354 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2023
356 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Graham
22 books243 followersEliza Graham is an Oxfordshire-based UK author whose adult novels reflect her fascination with how historical events affect families..
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July 9, 2023
The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham was inspired by harrowing real events. Eliza Graham’s research for her book was impeccable. She took the liberties to create The Lucknow, a well appointed luxurious ocean liner that was transporting young refugee children to Canada from Great Britain, much like the SS City of Benares did during World War II, when it was torpedoed by German U boats. The parallels between the fate of the two ships was uncanny.
In 1941, nineteen year old, Romilly Brooks, responded to an advertisement that was requesting a nanny to accompany an eight year old boy and his grandmother from Great Britain to New York City on a luxury ocean liner. Sadly, Romilly had recently lost her mother and The Blitz was getting the better of her. Romilly saw this position as an opportunity to escape her own life and possibly start anew in a new country. She didn’t have a lot of prior experience with children but Mrs. Dekker decided to hire her. Romilly’s charge, young Freddy, had been sent to England from Prague by his mother and father when the Nazis invaded Prague. Freddy had been living with a Jewish host family in London when his grandmother travelled to London from New York to bring Freddy back home with her. Romilly was not sure how she felt about both Freddy and Mrs. Dekker but she was up for the challenge.
Once aboard The Lucknow, Romilly was so impressed with the luxuriousness of her surroundings. She could not believe the delicious and plentiful food that they was served on board the ship when rations were so scarce back in England. Romilly was surprised to learn that Mrs. Vida Dekker also possessed a small dog named Smoky that was to accompany them onto The Lucknow and reside in Mrs. Dekker’s quarters with her. They all learned very quickly that it was mandatory for all the passengers on the Lucknow to wear their life jackets at all times. That included sleeping in them. There was a drill conducted everyday so that passengers would familiarize themselves with the best route to take if they were ever attacked. In addition, each passenger was assigned to a particular lifeboat. All of these exercises were precautionary but German U-boats could be lurking anywhere. The passengers had to be prepared for an emergency. That didn’t stop certain passengers from complaining about wearing the life jackets all the time. The captain of the Lucknow assured the passengers that they would be protected by a naval escort until the ship got beyond German range. On board, there was a group of a little more than a hundred refugee children who were being escorted to Canada by youth leaders. Romilly befriended one of the youth leaders whose name was Louise Henderson. Louise invited Romilly and Freddie to a puppet show. It was there that Romilly became acquainted with Edward Whitney. Romilly learned that Edward and Louise (whose real name was Catherine) were involved with a plight to get America to join the war.
The Lucknow had finally entered waters that were deemed safe enough for their naval escort to leave them. No sooner had their naval escort returned to where they had come from that the Lucknow was hit by a German torpedo late one night. Romilly and Freddie were separated from Mrs. Dekker when Smoky took off and Freddie ran after him and Romilly ran after both of them. When the three of them finally managed to get back up to the deck, the captain instructed them to get on a raft and hopefully they would find their way to lifeboat six. As another torpedo hit the Lucknow, Romilly and Freddie were thrown from the ship. They plunged into the icy cold and churning Atlantic Ocean. Somehow Romilly and Freddie found the life raft but they couldn’t survive unless they found a lifeboat. Would Romilly be able to keep Freddie safe and alive? Would they get to the lifeboat in time to survive?
The Girl in Lifeboat Six was harrowing, heartbreaking and uplifting. It addressed the senseless deaths of so many innocent refugee children that were trapped on board the attacked ship, the hardships of surviving the conditions of the ferocious Atlantic Ocean, the haunting effects of witnessing so many deaths and being forced to leave those victims behind at sea and The America First Movement headed by Charles Lindbergh. I loved how Romilly’s relationship with Freddie evolved over time and became so strong and caring. Romilly’s character became stronger, more confident and determined over time as well. I had not known about this particular attack on the ship that was carrying so many refugee children prior to reading The Girl in Lifeboat Six. It saddened me so much to learn of their fate. The way Eliza Graham concluded this story, I hope that perhaps she will be inclined to continue to write about Romilly’s life. I would welcome a sequel. The Girl in Lifeboat Six was a very well written book and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In 1941, nineteen year old, Romilly Brooks, responded to an advertisement that was requesting a nanny to accompany an eight year old boy and his grandmother from Great Britain to New York City on a luxury ocean liner. Sadly, Romilly had recently lost her mother and The Blitz was getting the better of her. Romilly saw this position as an opportunity to escape her own life and possibly start anew in a new country. She didn’t have a lot of prior experience with children but Mrs. Dekker decided to hire her. Romilly’s charge, young Freddy, had been sent to England from Prague by his mother and father when the Nazis invaded Prague. Freddy had been living with a Jewish host family in London when his grandmother travelled to London from New York to bring Freddy back home with her. Romilly was not sure how she felt about both Freddy and Mrs. Dekker but she was up for the challenge.
Once aboard The Lucknow, Romilly was so impressed with the luxuriousness of her surroundings. She could not believe the delicious and plentiful food that they was served on board the ship when rations were so scarce back in England. Romilly was surprised to learn that Mrs. Vida Dekker also possessed a small dog named Smoky that was to accompany them onto The Lucknow and reside in Mrs. Dekker’s quarters with her. They all learned very quickly that it was mandatory for all the passengers on the Lucknow to wear their life jackets at all times. That included sleeping in them. There was a drill conducted everyday so that passengers would familiarize themselves with the best route to take if they were ever attacked. In addition, each passenger was assigned to a particular lifeboat. All of these exercises were precautionary but German U-boats could be lurking anywhere. The passengers had to be prepared for an emergency. That didn’t stop certain passengers from complaining about wearing the life jackets all the time. The captain of the Lucknow assured the passengers that they would be protected by a naval escort until the ship got beyond German range. On board, there was a group of a little more than a hundred refugee children who were being escorted to Canada by youth leaders. Romilly befriended one of the youth leaders whose name was Louise Henderson. Louise invited Romilly and Freddie to a puppet show. It was there that Romilly became acquainted with Edward Whitney. Romilly learned that Edward and Louise (whose real name was Catherine) were involved with a plight to get America to join the war.
The Lucknow had finally entered waters that were deemed safe enough for their naval escort to leave them. No sooner had their naval escort returned to where they had come from that the Lucknow was hit by a German torpedo late one night. Romilly and Freddie were separated from Mrs. Dekker when Smoky took off and Freddie ran after him and Romilly ran after both of them. When the three of them finally managed to get back up to the deck, the captain instructed them to get on a raft and hopefully they would find their way to lifeboat six. As another torpedo hit the Lucknow, Romilly and Freddie were thrown from the ship. They plunged into the icy cold and churning Atlantic Ocean. Somehow Romilly and Freddie found the life raft but they couldn’t survive unless they found a lifeboat. Would Romilly be able to keep Freddie safe and alive? Would they get to the lifeboat in time to survive?
The Girl in Lifeboat Six was harrowing, heartbreaking and uplifting. It addressed the senseless deaths of so many innocent refugee children that were trapped on board the attacked ship, the hardships of surviving the conditions of the ferocious Atlantic Ocean, the haunting effects of witnessing so many deaths and being forced to leave those victims behind at sea and The America First Movement headed by Charles Lindbergh. I loved how Romilly’s relationship with Freddie evolved over time and became so strong and caring. Romilly’s character became stronger, more confident and determined over time as well. I had not known about this particular attack on the ship that was carrying so many refugee children prior to reading The Girl in Lifeboat Six. It saddened me so much to learn of their fate. The way Eliza Graham concluded this story, I hope that perhaps she will be inclined to continue to write about Romilly’s life. I would welcome a sequel. The Girl in Lifeboat Six was a very well written book and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 7, 2023
Two weeks after nineteen year old Romilly Brooks had lost her mother, she'd departed London on The Lucknow, as companion to eight year old Freddie and his grandmother, heading for New York and Freddie's new life away from the dangers of war, with his aunt and cousins. Romilly hoped to stay in America after her initial four weeks employment on their arrival, but she decided she'd wait and see. The ship was luxurious, accompanied by destroyers, who were a deterrent to the German U-boats. The third night, out of the range of the Germans, and after the destroyers had left them, Romilly and a new friend, Edward, were on deck, when a torpedo smashed into The Lucknow doing irreparable damage. It wasn't long before Romilly and Freddie were thrown into the Atlantic, amid a storm. The thoughts going through Romilly's mind were random - but one was that the Germans were devious...
When they saw lifeboat six, they were desperate to board. But would there be enough room on the small lifeboat? Would they survive this terrible night, shivering, freezing, hungry and thirsty? Had Romilly let down Freddie and his grandmother?
The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham is my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently read The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor and funnily enough, both novels were inspired by the same real-life disaster. The true events of the SS City of Benares which took evacuated children to Canada and was torpedoed by German U-boats as they neared their destination. The Girl in Lifeboat Six took a different turn, one which kept me glued to the pages. An excellent historical novel, I recommend it highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When they saw lifeboat six, they were desperate to board. But would there be enough room on the small lifeboat? Would they survive this terrible night, shivering, freezing, hungry and thirsty? Had Romilly let down Freddie and his grandmother?
The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham is my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recently read The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor and funnily enough, both novels were inspired by the same real-life disaster. The true events of the SS City of Benares which took evacuated children to Canada and was torpedoed by German U-boats as they neared their destination. The Girl in Lifeboat Six took a different turn, one which kept me glued to the pages. An excellent historical novel, I recommend it highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2023
In 1941, Romilly Brooks has recently lost her mother, she applies for a job as a nanny and is shocked when she's hired. Romilly is to travel with eight year old Freddie Landau and Mrs. Dekker aboard the Lucknow. Freddie has been staying with a host family in England and his grandmother wants him to live with family in New York.
The ocean liner is grand, Romilly hasn’t seen so much food in years, the ship is being escorted only part of the way and after that they should be out of range of the German U-boats. The captain makes it very clear from the start, everyone must always wear a life jacket, take part in the drills and make their way straight to their assigned lifeboat.
Romilly meets fellow passenger Edward Witney, he's handsome and charming and she wonders why he isn’t fighting in the war. She notices him talking to a lady with short black hair, no one knows who she is and Romilly thinks he's keeping a secret. One night a German torpedo hits the ship, Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Romilly knows they have no chance of survival in a small raft, eventually they see lifeboat six, but it’s full and someone makes the selfless decision to trade places.
I received a digital copy of The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham from Storm Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Graham has written an emotive story about children being sent across the sea to safety during the Second World War, but the Germans were prowling the ocean waiting to destroy any allied ships and with no regard to who was on board. Surviving against the odds, Romilly has to deal with the flashbacks about the harrowing time she's with young Freddie and the others aboard the lifeboat and wondering if she made the right choices.
I felt a real connection with the characters of Romilly, Freddie, Smoky, Mrs. Dekker, Ahmed and Ruth. The narrative includes information about the lobbying from aviator Charles Lindbergh and the America First Committee, they didn't want the US fighting in the war and of course this was prior to Pearl Harbor. Four and a half stars from me, at nineteen Romilly was mature beyond her years and her relationship with Freddie was heartwarming, I have been a fan of Eliza Graham’s novel's since I read You let Me Go, and I highly recommend both books.
The ocean liner is grand, Romilly hasn’t seen so much food in years, the ship is being escorted only part of the way and after that they should be out of range of the German U-boats. The captain makes it very clear from the start, everyone must always wear a life jacket, take part in the drills and make their way straight to their assigned lifeboat.
Romilly meets fellow passenger Edward Witney, he's handsome and charming and she wonders why he isn’t fighting in the war. She notices him talking to a lady with short black hair, no one knows who she is and Romilly thinks he's keeping a secret. One night a German torpedo hits the ship, Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Romilly knows they have no chance of survival in a small raft, eventually they see lifeboat six, but it’s full and someone makes the selfless decision to trade places.
I received a digital copy of The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham from Storm Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Graham has written an emotive story about children being sent across the sea to safety during the Second World War, but the Germans were prowling the ocean waiting to destroy any allied ships and with no regard to who was on board. Surviving against the odds, Romilly has to deal with the flashbacks about the harrowing time she's with young Freddie and the others aboard the lifeboat and wondering if she made the right choices.
I felt a real connection with the characters of Romilly, Freddie, Smoky, Mrs. Dekker, Ahmed and Ruth. The narrative includes information about the lobbying from aviator Charles Lindbergh and the America First Committee, they didn't want the US fighting in the war and of course this was prior to Pearl Harbor. Four and a half stars from me, at nineteen Romilly was mature beyond her years and her relationship with Freddie was heartwarming, I have been a fan of Eliza Graham’s novel's since I read You let Me Go, and I highly recommend both books.
March 26, 2024
Another powerful, impeccably researched book by Eliza Graham. The story is divided into two parts: the S.S. Lucknow voyage and a short time in NYC. The description of the torpedoing of the ship was so visceral that my heart was pounding as Romilly desperately tried to save Freddy and the little dog, trapped inside the sinking ship. I felt as paralyzed by the freezing Atlantic water as Romilly and Freddy did when they sunk into the cold, dark depths.
The second half of the book brilliantly illustrated the frustration felt by the British when after two years, America still hadn't entered the war, leaving England to face the onslaught of Hitler alone. Romilly's reactions to the bright lights & hustle of New York after living with the nightly bombings of London were perfect, as well as her guilt over plentiful food and being able to shop for clothes. "She wasn't just on the other side of the world--she was on another planet." Reading about Charles Lindbergh's speeches for the America First Movement was disturbing since the same rhetoric is being heard once again. This book presents a different chapter of World War II that mustn't be forgotten, especially by Americans.
The second half of the book brilliantly illustrated the frustration felt by the British when after two years, America still hadn't entered the war, leaving England to face the onslaught of Hitler alone. Romilly's reactions to the bright lights & hustle of New York after living with the nightly bombings of London were perfect, as well as her guilt over plentiful food and being able to shop for clothes. "She wasn't just on the other side of the world--she was on another planet." Reading about Charles Lindbergh's speeches for the America First Movement was disturbing since the same rhetoric is being heard once again. This book presents a different chapter of World War II that mustn't be forgotten, especially by Americans.
June 27, 2023
The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham is a harrowing and heartbreaking story of the horrendous repercussions of war which devastated and uprooted families and lives. Nineteen-year-old Romilly Brooks is in London during the Blitz and after losing her mother decides to escape to New York. She accepts a job nannying eight-year-old Freddie who, with his grandmother Mrs. Dekker, also flee England aboard the Lucknow. Mysterious Edward Witney befriends reluctant Romilly. My favourite relationships which developed were those between Romilly, Mrs. Dekker and Freddie.
The story is mostly told by Romilly but also Mrs. Dekker's perspective which was well done. Their emotions and feelings about the ship, the war and their pasts are gradually revealed and I could feel the trepidations and unease. When the ship is torpedoed by Germans, lives again are changed in an instant. Several are killed. All survivors must make a life afterward in new-to-them North America. People's courage and perseverance under dire circumstances such as these always amaze me.
The sea voyage setting and historical information including U-boats and Charles Lindbergh are told with finesse. Though fiction, the author describes her inspiration on real events. It is obvious she wrote with heart.
My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this lovely book.
The story is mostly told by Romilly but also Mrs. Dekker's perspective which was well done. Their emotions and feelings about the ship, the war and their pasts are gradually revealed and I could feel the trepidations and unease. When the ship is torpedoed by Germans, lives again are changed in an instant. Several are killed. All survivors must make a life afterward in new-to-them North America. People's courage and perseverance under dire circumstances such as these always amaze me.
The sea voyage setting and historical information including U-boats and Charles Lindbergh are told with finesse. Though fiction, the author describes her inspiration on real events. It is obvious she wrote with heart.
My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this lovely book.
August 17, 2023
Listened to this over 2 days. Loved it.
May 29, 2023
I really enjoy reading this writer's novels! Once again, I got fully immersed in the lives of the novel's characters, their psychological development and the events shaping them. I also found particularly interesting to learn about the USA before they joined the war, their position and about Lindbergh. I did not know anything about his political tendencies, influence over the people as to the war. Very interesting indeed.
I received a digital complimentary ARC from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital complimentary ARC from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
June 19, 2023
I was completely engrossed in this immersive story of a young woman finding her purpose in a world that has completely changed around her.
Romilly leaves Blitz-battered Britain behind in the wake of her mother’s sudden death. She’s still in shock and mentally adrift, but starts to bond with her new employer Mrs Dekker and her grandson Freddie, who are Jewish and seeking safety from persecution in America.
It’s no spoiler to reveal that their ship goes down. My heart was in my mouth during the evocative scenes depicting the sinking and its aftermath.
Romilly is a remarkable character who learns her own inner strength as she overcomes the events that threaten to overwhelm her. As she declares, “Perhaps we all have to be a bit fierce, Freddie. Just to get by. Not all the time, not with everyone. But when it matters. Most people are kind.” It seemed to me that this was the heart of Romilly’s story. Despite the cruelty of war, and the people who would wreak destruction or stand by and allow others to suffer, there are still good people, and Romilly is one of the best. She is brave and principled, but not perfect. Eliza Graham is too skilled and insightful a writer to fall into the trap of making her, or any of the other characters, an angel. They are interesting and well-rounded.
I’d love to read a sequel to this book, as I am left feeling Romilly’s story has bags of potential to develop further. Whatever happens, I’ll look forward to reading whatever story the author writes next.
Romilly leaves Blitz-battered Britain behind in the wake of her mother’s sudden death. She’s still in shock and mentally adrift, but starts to bond with her new employer Mrs Dekker and her grandson Freddie, who are Jewish and seeking safety from persecution in America.
It’s no spoiler to reveal that their ship goes down. My heart was in my mouth during the evocative scenes depicting the sinking and its aftermath.
Romilly is a remarkable character who learns her own inner strength as she overcomes the events that threaten to overwhelm her. As she declares, “Perhaps we all have to be a bit fierce, Freddie. Just to get by. Not all the time, not with everyone. But when it matters. Most people are kind.” It seemed to me that this was the heart of Romilly’s story. Despite the cruelty of war, and the people who would wreak destruction or stand by and allow others to suffer, there are still good people, and Romilly is one of the best. She is brave and principled, but not perfect. Eliza Graham is too skilled and insightful a writer to fall into the trap of making her, or any of the other characters, an angel. They are interesting and well-rounded.
I’d love to read a sequel to this book, as I am left feeling Romilly’s story has bags of potential to develop further. Whatever happens, I’ll look forward to reading whatever story the author writes next.
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August 26, 2023I did not enjoy this book. If it wasn’t for book club I would not have finished it.
July 9, 2023
In 1941, 19 year old Romilly Brooks is given the chance of a lifetime. An escape from war torn England. And the chance to start over. With nothing left to keep her home after the death of her mother, Romilly is hired to escort a young boy and his grandmother back to New York. But travelling across the Atlantic during World War Two is not an easy feat. For the first half of their journey they are escorted by the milatary. No one could have imagined the germans would attack a passenger ship carrying hundreds of children to safety. When the torpedo hits, Romilly has to put aside her budding suspisions concerning her fellow shipmates. She was hired to do a job, and she was going to keep Freddy safe.
I am personally a huge fan of historical fiction and i thourougly enjoyed this book! It was very interesting seeing another perspective from USA before they had joined the war. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
I am personally a huge fan of historical fiction and i thourougly enjoyed this book! It was very interesting seeing another perspective from USA before they had joined the war. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2023
mostly everything happens in the first 100 pages
June 3, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a historical fiction book, as I’ve been a lot more invested in fantasy and romance recently, but I’m so glad this was my reintroduction.
Things I loved:
- The setting. As someone with a fascination of boats, shipwrecks, and all things nautical, the fact that this started at sea was so cool. It showed life on a 1940s cruise liner and then a sinking ship. Brilliant.
- Romilly. What an actual legend she is. She takes charge during the sinking, single-handedly saves a bunch of people, makes her own way in NYC, agrees to take part in a political movement she doesn’t understand purely because she trusts one man (good decision, turns out) and she does not allow herself to change her morals. What a woman.
- Edward. There are times when he deserves to have a chair thrown at him. But most of the time, he is a kind, compassionate, selfless man, and I love him.
- The side characters. Freddie, Stormy, Danny, Louise, Ruth…so many good, well rounded characters.
Could be improved:
- I mean, I didn’t LOVE the ending…would have loved a HEA. But, this is war, so I guess it was appropriate! I’ll console myself with the thought that they found each other again and got their happy ending when the war was over.
I adored this book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a historical fiction book, as I’ve been a lot more invested in fantasy and romance recently, but I’m so glad this was my reintroduction.
Things I loved:
- The setting. As someone with a fascination of boats, shipwrecks, and all things nautical, the fact that this started at sea was so cool. It showed life on a 1940s cruise liner and then a sinking ship. Brilliant.
- Romilly. What an actual legend she is. She takes charge during the sinking, single-handedly saves a bunch of people, makes her own way in NYC, agrees to take part in a political movement she doesn’t understand purely because she trusts one man (good decision, turns out) and she does not allow herself to change her morals. What a woman.
- Edward. There are times when he deserves to have a chair thrown at him. But most of the time, he is a kind, compassionate, selfless man, and I love him.
- The side characters. Freddie, Stormy, Danny, Louise, Ruth…so many good, well rounded characters.
Could be improved:
- I mean, I didn’t LOVE the ending…would have loved a HEA. But, this is war, so I guess it was appropriate! I’ll console myself with the thought that they found each other again and got their happy ending when the war was over.
May 27, 2023
A story of how a girl who is employed by a Grandmother to encompany her Grandson, who she just met, to return to New York from London.
Romilly, Freddie and Mrs Dekker travel by boat to New York. Romilly is to care for Freddie, Mrs Dekker and Smoky the dog. The trip was such an eye opener for Romilly, who had no one else. Romilly was taking in what was occurring around her, with the other passengers and what needed to be done if need be.
However, the boat was torpedoed, even though they all thought they were safe. Romilly needed to ensure that Mrs Dekker and Freddie were safe. But things didn’t go as planned. Romilly and Freddie were washed into the sea, but were saved. But not everyone were picked up another boat.
When Romilly and Freddie and Smoky arrived at Mrs Dekkers’s daughter house, things changed. Romilly was no longer needed. But Edward had plans for Romilly.
As time goes,on, Edward realises he can’t help Romilly and Freddie is safe with his family, Romilly decides it is time to go home and face whatever she will face back in England.
A riveting story that takes you through a time that war was occurring and the sacrifices that were made by people in many countries.
Thanks to #NetGalley for advancing me a copy of this story.
Romilly, Freddie and Mrs Dekker travel by boat to New York. Romilly is to care for Freddie, Mrs Dekker and Smoky the dog. The trip was such an eye opener for Romilly, who had no one else. Romilly was taking in what was occurring around her, with the other passengers and what needed to be done if need be.
However, the boat was torpedoed, even though they all thought they were safe. Romilly needed to ensure that Mrs Dekker and Freddie were safe. But things didn’t go as planned. Romilly and Freddie were washed into the sea, but were saved. But not everyone were picked up another boat.
When Romilly and Freddie and Smoky arrived at Mrs Dekkers’s daughter house, things changed. Romilly was no longer needed. But Edward had plans for Romilly.
As time goes,on, Edward realises he can’t help Romilly and Freddie is safe with his family, Romilly decides it is time to go home and face whatever she will face back in England.
A riveting story that takes you through a time that war was occurring and the sacrifices that were made by people in many countries.
Thanks to #NetGalley for advancing me a copy of this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2023
Thank you for allowing me to review this book.. I found this a very well written story, about a young lady who leaves England in 1941 after the unexpected death of her mother. She accompanied a young Czech boy and his grandmother to New York. The characters are very well written and their emotions are explored with care. Each of them had experienced hardship and was trying to move on, either by choice or because Freddie was too young to decide for himself.
I had very recently visited The Titanic Quarter in Belfast & The Titanic Experience in Cobh, so the experience Romily encountered on board the ship and the lifeboat were very familiar to those of the Titanic passengers 20 years earlier. The outcome for the main characters was not as I had expected, but they grew in strength and courage. The ending was unexpected and I would love to read more.
I can highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. You quickly become immersed in the storyline, I couldn't put it down.
I had very recently visited The Titanic Quarter in Belfast & The Titanic Experience in Cobh, so the experience Romily encountered on board the ship and the lifeboat were very familiar to those of the Titanic passengers 20 years earlier. The outcome for the main characters was not as I had expected, but they grew in strength and courage. The ending was unexpected and I would love to read more.
I can highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. You quickly become immersed in the storyline, I couldn't put it down.
July 5, 2023
Complicated Story. This tale is one of those stories where the front half and back half are wildly divergent, and thus one's feelings of the overall tale may become more complex and nuanced - even as this book gets ever more preachy towards the end, even though it too started out more nuanced.
The front half of the book, spending roughly 30% of the front of the book establishing the various characters and their relationships, as well as the esteemed luxury liner they all find themselves on in the early periods of WWII - before December 1941. The next 20% or so is then spent in disaster/ survival mode, showing what happens with these characters as the worst happens and they are now in a desperate fight for survival. Indeed, this section even feels very reminiscent of the tales of the Titanic survivors, though I suppose those are only the most famous of the unknowable number of people over the course of human history to survive a ship sinking in the northern Atlantic ocean. Through these two sections in particular, we get a very good degree of nuance and showing, as The Imitation Game said it best "sometimes it is those no one imagines anything of that do the things that no one can imagine".
The back half of the tale begins to focus more and more on the aftermath of the sinking - and of British efforts to get America involved. This is where, as an American who has studied the relevant histories in some depth and who had direct family involvement in the era... the tale gets a LOT more complicated, personally. The writing is still great, and the tale itself flows very well. But my own thoughts and reactions to the tale became much more complicated.
At the time of the setting of this tale, one of my grandfathers had already enlisted in the US Army, knowing a war was on the horizon. It would be two more years, as the US military built up to the event now known as D-Day, before my other grandfather would come into the Army. While I never knew this second grandfather - he died weeks after my birth - I learned quite well his legacy in my own life, from the stories of my grandmother (his ex-wife) and my dad (who has made his point in life to largely do the opposite of what his own father did). The first grandfather, I shared the last 20 years of his life with the first 20 years of mine, and knew him as little more than a somewhat stereotypical southern US farmer grandfather. By the time I came around - and apparently even when my mom was growing up - he *NEVER* spoke of his time in WWII. I learned much when I got both of their service records about a decade ago now, and this is where my more complicated feelings about this book come to bear.
The first grandfather clearly believed similarly to our characters here in the back half of the tale, that Hitler *must* be stopped and America *must* join the fight. no matter the reason or cost. (Thinking of this now, it sounds eerily similar to statements some make about another ongoing European war in 2023...) Both of my grandfathers were at the Battle of the Bulge, and this first grandfather got a Silver Star and a Purple Heart because when he was ordered to clear a building on a particular corner in a tiny hamlet of a town, the Germans in that building came out in body bags, and he came out with an injury severe enough to send him to the field hospital. That was 38 years to the day before my birth, when his oldest son was something like 18 months old and my mother - his next to youngest child - was far off. He would die 58 years and a few weeks after that day, apparently the most decorated WWII veteran in his home County at the time of his death.
But that other grandfather. He was at the Bulge, but he was AAA infantry - and at that point, AAA infantry was being used for little more than cannon fodder for German tanks, sometimes literally being told to make do with broomsticks painted black to look like rifles. He was in the Division that liberated the first concentration camps on the American side of the war, though I have no record of where he individually was at that time. From hearing the second and third hand stories over the years, these experiences changed him - and little for the better. Nothing excuses what he became... but it was these very experiences, this very change that he had resisted for so long... what would have changed in *my own life* had that grandfather never been there, had the US never been in the war at all?
So getting back to the book, when the back half here is spent trying to manipulate the press into manipulating America into a war, when it is a tale of working to manipulate the press to make certain domestically popular positions as unpopular as they are in other nations - particularly nations America spent literally two *other* wars breaking away from... it becomes a much more complicated tale, both in the setting at the time and in the current environment where press manipulation is all too rampant - and equally, inaccurate cries of press manipulation (itself a press manipulation) are also all too rampant. Reading it with my own history of the war then and my own thoughts on the war now, the tale becomes much more complicated in this back half.
And yet, in the end, it really is a great tale, solidly told, and sometimes... sometimes we need those complicated stories that roil our hearts, without destroying them. Sometimes we need those complicated stories that make us think, both of our histories and of our current realities. Sometimes we need a tale that while escapism on its face, isn't quite the escapism we were expecting and instead confronts us with these Big Complicated Ideas.
If you're looking for a more "pure escapism" "Summer Read"... maybe this isn't that. And maybe you should read it anyway.
Very much recommended.
The front half of the book, spending roughly 30% of the front of the book establishing the various characters and their relationships, as well as the esteemed luxury liner they all find themselves on in the early periods of WWII - before December 1941. The next 20% or so is then spent in disaster/ survival mode, showing what happens with these characters as the worst happens and they are now in a desperate fight for survival. Indeed, this section even feels very reminiscent of the tales of the Titanic survivors, though I suppose those are only the most famous of the unknowable number of people over the course of human history to survive a ship sinking in the northern Atlantic ocean. Through these two sections in particular, we get a very good degree of nuance and showing, as The Imitation Game said it best "sometimes it is those no one imagines anything of that do the things that no one can imagine".
The back half of the tale begins to focus more and more on the aftermath of the sinking - and of British efforts to get America involved. This is where, as an American who has studied the relevant histories in some depth and who had direct family involvement in the era... the tale gets a LOT more complicated, personally. The writing is still great, and the tale itself flows very well. But my own thoughts and reactions to the tale became much more complicated.
At the time of the setting of this tale, one of my grandfathers had already enlisted in the US Army, knowing a war was on the horizon. It would be two more years, as the US military built up to the event now known as D-Day, before my other grandfather would come into the Army. While I never knew this second grandfather - he died weeks after my birth - I learned quite well his legacy in my own life, from the stories of my grandmother (his ex-wife) and my dad (who has made his point in life to largely do the opposite of what his own father did). The first grandfather, I shared the last 20 years of his life with the first 20 years of mine, and knew him as little more than a somewhat stereotypical southern US farmer grandfather. By the time I came around - and apparently even when my mom was growing up - he *NEVER* spoke of his time in WWII. I learned much when I got both of their service records about a decade ago now, and this is where my more complicated feelings about this book come to bear.
The first grandfather clearly believed similarly to our characters here in the back half of the tale, that Hitler *must* be stopped and America *must* join the fight. no matter the reason or cost. (Thinking of this now, it sounds eerily similar to statements some make about another ongoing European war in 2023...) Both of my grandfathers were at the Battle of the Bulge, and this first grandfather got a Silver Star and a Purple Heart because when he was ordered to clear a building on a particular corner in a tiny hamlet of a town, the Germans in that building came out in body bags, and he came out with an injury severe enough to send him to the field hospital. That was 38 years to the day before my birth, when his oldest son was something like 18 months old and my mother - his next to youngest child - was far off. He would die 58 years and a few weeks after that day, apparently the most decorated WWII veteran in his home County at the time of his death.
But that other grandfather. He was at the Bulge, but he was AAA infantry - and at that point, AAA infantry was being used for little more than cannon fodder for German tanks, sometimes literally being told to make do with broomsticks painted black to look like rifles. He was in the Division that liberated the first concentration camps on the American side of the war, though I have no record of where he individually was at that time. From hearing the second and third hand stories over the years, these experiences changed him - and little for the better. Nothing excuses what he became... but it was these very experiences, this very change that he had resisted for so long... what would have changed in *my own life* had that grandfather never been there, had the US never been in the war at all?
So getting back to the book, when the back half here is spent trying to manipulate the press into manipulating America into a war, when it is a tale of working to manipulate the press to make certain domestically popular positions as unpopular as they are in other nations - particularly nations America spent literally two *other* wars breaking away from... it becomes a much more complicated tale, both in the setting at the time and in the current environment where press manipulation is all too rampant - and equally, inaccurate cries of press manipulation (itself a press manipulation) are also all too rampant. Reading it with my own history of the war then and my own thoughts on the war now, the tale becomes much more complicated in this back half.
And yet, in the end, it really is a great tale, solidly told, and sometimes... sometimes we need those complicated stories that roil our hearts, without destroying them. Sometimes we need those complicated stories that make us think, both of our histories and of our current realities. Sometimes we need a tale that while escapism on its face, isn't quite the escapism we were expecting and instead confronts us with these Big Complicated Ideas.
If you're looking for a more "pure escapism" "Summer Read"... maybe this isn't that. And maybe you should read it anyway.
Very much recommended.
July 3, 2023
The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham was given to me as an ARC by NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my honest review.
As a history major, I am always thrilled to find an honest depiction of how the United States acted before entering WW II. People tend to have a romanticized version of our country and reading how things actually were is a pleasant surprise on our not so heroic entry into the war.
The story of the U-Boat attack, their fight for survival and the aftermath is compelling and drew me in.
This is my first book by Eliza Graham, but definitely won't be my last.
As a history major, I am always thrilled to find an honest depiction of how the United States acted before entering WW II. People tend to have a romanticized version of our country and reading how things actually were is a pleasant surprise on our not so heroic entry into the war.
The story of the U-Boat attack, their fight for survival and the aftermath is compelling and drew me in.
This is my first book by Eliza Graham, but definitely won't be my last.
December 2, 2023
It’s like someone took the boat scenes from the titanic and wrote it, but then added some weird shit at the end. Missed the mark for me.
July 1, 2023
This is one seriously powerful World War II story dripping with courage, strength, loss and love. Love for a parent, a child and friend. Plus, the early start of a romantic interest. But the danger that some of these characters faced had my heart in my throat. The various harrowing events at the centre of this novel created such tension, it was as taut as a bow string! And when that arrow flew, the damage was mind numbing.
I have read a number of novels lately on the topic of the torpedoed passenger ships of World War II. Each one has been excellent in their own right with various external focuses but this novel’s different approach and plot really shook my heart. Romilly is an intriguing character. Two weeks after her mother passes away, she accepts a companion position that involves being a nanny to eight year old Freddie and his grandmother on a voyage to New York from London.
I kept forgetting this woman was nineteen years old as she seemed so mature for her age. She is also much stronger than she thinks. Even though she appears to be running away from her problems at home, we can easily sympathise with her need to escape a war targeted city. Her survival instincts are on alert and from the very start once boarding the ship, she is paying attention to her surroundings and the safety measures. Her careful observances prove useful and, when the ship goes down after being attacked by a German U-Boat, she knows what to do but, of course, an unexpected event occurs to set her off track temporarily. Freddie dashes off to retrieve his frightened dog. Romilly goes after him causing them to lose their spot on Lifeboat Six. Yet she still handles the diversion well—even though it puts her and Freddie in an incredibly difficult situation. Survival is number one in her mind and she will do all she can to save the boy, his dog and his grandmother. Even the handsome, intriguing Edward she meets on the ship is in need of her help. She does everything in her power while the ship is going down. When Edward is thrust overboard, she tries to get him out of the freezing water and on to a life raft. What follows, creates even more tension and despair when his fate looks grim.
The story is so well presented you fall into its embrace and it offers a clutching hold to the very end. I could hardly breathe in spots! I will not spoil the experience for others but I will say Romilly’s journey continues on land and there are many obstacles yet for her to face (and unexpected twists!). We see how difficult it was for survivors seeking refuge in America. Finding a place in society, dealing with a different culture. Even their response to plenty of food and other comforts would have felt foreign to those who had been on rations and lived in constant fear. Eliza provides a broad and informative picture.
A further note on Freddie: I found him to be such an amazing child so perceptive and connected to his surroundings. He had to face so many changes and loss at such a young age. His warm attachment to Romilly is understandable—her devotion and compassion for this boy was admirable. Their connection would have been made stronger partly due to their struggle together to survive. It was a joy to watch their relationship grow but also heart-breaking when they were briefly torn apart.
The historical inference of what might have happened on the ship, Charles Lindbergh, the London bombings and New York of 1941—appear to be authentic representations and well researched. I personally felt totally transported to the settings and events and was immersed in that world—both fictional and real. This story offers a sweeping view of New York city at that time as seen through the fresh eyes of Romilly. We get a clear idea of what it was like for those who tried to escape the London bombings and the refugees leaving other parts of Europe to find peace and safety. It was a difficult era and I certainly felt the author took us on a complete and unforgettable journey.
I cannot praise Ms Graham enough for delivering such a moving and heart-gripping story that I most definitely and sincerely recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
I have read a number of novels lately on the topic of the torpedoed passenger ships of World War II. Each one has been excellent in their own right with various external focuses but this novel’s different approach and plot really shook my heart. Romilly is an intriguing character. Two weeks after her mother passes away, she accepts a companion position that involves being a nanny to eight year old Freddie and his grandmother on a voyage to New York from London.
I kept forgetting this woman was nineteen years old as she seemed so mature for her age. She is also much stronger than she thinks. Even though she appears to be running away from her problems at home, we can easily sympathise with her need to escape a war targeted city. Her survival instincts are on alert and from the very start once boarding the ship, she is paying attention to her surroundings and the safety measures. Her careful observances prove useful and, when the ship goes down after being attacked by a German U-Boat, she knows what to do but, of course, an unexpected event occurs to set her off track temporarily. Freddie dashes off to retrieve his frightened dog. Romilly goes after him causing them to lose their spot on Lifeboat Six. Yet she still handles the diversion well—even though it puts her and Freddie in an incredibly difficult situation. Survival is number one in her mind and she will do all she can to save the boy, his dog and his grandmother. Even the handsome, intriguing Edward she meets on the ship is in need of her help. She does everything in her power while the ship is going down. When Edward is thrust overboard, she tries to get him out of the freezing water and on to a life raft. What follows, creates even more tension and despair when his fate looks grim.
The story is so well presented you fall into its embrace and it offers a clutching hold to the very end. I could hardly breathe in spots! I will not spoil the experience for others but I will say Romilly’s journey continues on land and there are many obstacles yet for her to face (and unexpected twists!). We see how difficult it was for survivors seeking refuge in America. Finding a place in society, dealing with a different culture. Even their response to plenty of food and other comforts would have felt foreign to those who had been on rations and lived in constant fear. Eliza provides a broad and informative picture.
A further note on Freddie: I found him to be such an amazing child so perceptive and connected to his surroundings. He had to face so many changes and loss at such a young age. His warm attachment to Romilly is understandable—her devotion and compassion for this boy was admirable. Their connection would have been made stronger partly due to their struggle together to survive. It was a joy to watch their relationship grow but also heart-breaking when they were briefly torn apart.
The historical inference of what might have happened on the ship, Charles Lindbergh, the London bombings and New York of 1941—appear to be authentic representations and well researched. I personally felt totally transported to the settings and events and was immersed in that world—both fictional and real. This story offers a sweeping view of New York city at that time as seen through the fresh eyes of Romilly. We get a clear idea of what it was like for those who tried to escape the London bombings and the refugees leaving other parts of Europe to find peace and safety. It was a difficult era and I certainly felt the author took us on a complete and unforgettable journey.
I cannot praise Ms Graham enough for delivering such a moving and heart-gripping story that I most definitely and sincerely recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
August 5, 2025
I do not like to do this but this book started off great but by the end I hated it SO much and was glad to be done with it. If I could throw my kindle across the room and not damage it I would have as soon as I finished this book.
It started off great, the relationship between Romilly and Freddie as the journey progressed was sweet, the mystery between Edward and what business he is trying to recruit Romilly for kept my suspense up and of course a boat being sunk by a torpedo is drama enough...but after all of that by page 200 I was feeling like it was all petering out.
The mystery with Edward was not dramatic and very much stupid in my opinion...creating fake news to try to force America to join the war against Hitler, really that was the BIG secret it felt like a letdown. Then Romilly getting sucked into choosing between helping Edward with his fake news scheme or choosing between Freddie it should not have even been a choice and I felt so bad for Freddie as if Romilly had better things to do. And then in the end Romilly and Edward go their separate ways so he can continue trying to force America to join the war...like REALLY!! I wasn't a fan of Edward and really did not like how he talked or treated Romilly at times but for the main characters to have chemistry to kiss/ make-out multiple times and then not come together in the end was just the biggest let down.
This started off wonderful and I felt like I could not put it down...I had to find out Edward's secret and his plans for Romilly, I had to see what happened between Mrs Dekker, Romilly and Freddie and everything after page 200 was the complete opposite of what I wanted to happen. The ending made me angry and I am SO happy I never bought this book to add to my collection and was able to read in on Kindle for free because I would not pay $1 for it with that ending. So sad because I really thought I would love this but it only made me angry instead
It started off great, the relationship between Romilly and Freddie as the journey progressed was sweet, the mystery between Edward and what business he is trying to recruit Romilly for kept my suspense up and of course a boat being sunk by a torpedo is drama enough...but after all of that by page 200 I was feeling like it was all petering out.
The mystery with Edward was not dramatic and very much stupid in my opinion...creating fake news to try to force America to join the war against Hitler, really that was the BIG secret it felt like a letdown. Then Romilly getting sucked into choosing between helping Edward with his fake news scheme or choosing between Freddie it should not have even been a choice and I felt so bad for Freddie as if Romilly had better things to do. And then in the end Romilly and Edward go their separate ways so he can continue trying to force America to join the war...like REALLY!! I wasn't a fan of Edward and really did not like how he talked or treated Romilly at times but for the main characters to have chemistry to kiss/ make-out multiple times and then not come together in the end was just the biggest let down.
This started off wonderful and I felt like I could not put it down...I had to find out Edward's secret and his plans for Romilly, I had to see what happened between Mrs Dekker, Romilly and Freddie and everything after page 200 was the complete opposite of what I wanted to happen. The ending made me angry and I am SO happy I never bought this book to add to my collection and was able to read in on Kindle for free because I would not pay $1 for it with that ending. So sad because I really thought I would love this but it only made me angry instead
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
Enjoyable Historical Fiction. A little slow to start but an overall good story. A point of view not often written about.
In a world at war, a young woman must face her darkest fears… 1941. After the death of her beloved mother, nineteen-year-old Romilly Brooks impulsively accepts a job as a nanny, accompanying eight-year-old Freddie and his grandmother on a sea voyage from war-torn London to the safety of New York. From the first, Romilly is entranced by the opulent ocean liner… if only she could put the idea of German U-boats circling beneath the waves out of her mind. Then she meets Edward Witney .
Handsome and attentive, Edward wants to know everything about her, without sharing anything of himself. Why is this mysterious man aboard the Lucknow , and who is the dark-haired woman with an unplaceable accent he keeps whispering with behind closed doors? Just as she’s beginning to unpick his secrets, a thunderous explosion tears through the night. A German torpedo has struck the ship, and Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the deadly Atlantic. Clinging to a flimsy raft, they spot Edward, unconscious nearby.
As they’re beginning to lose hope, they glimpse the Lucknow ’s lifeboat six – its emergency light a beacon of safety in the freezing night. But when Romilly and Freddie try to board, they’re told that there isn’t enough room for them both. Romilly is suddenly forced to confront a terrible truth: this is a night they might not all survive…
In a world at war, a young woman must face her darkest fears… 1941. After the death of her beloved mother, nineteen-year-old Romilly Brooks impulsively accepts a job as a nanny, accompanying eight-year-old Freddie and his grandmother on a sea voyage from war-torn London to the safety of New York. From the first, Romilly is entranced by the opulent ocean liner… if only she could put the idea of German U-boats circling beneath the waves out of her mind. Then she meets Edward Witney .
Handsome and attentive, Edward wants to know everything about her, without sharing anything of himself. Why is this mysterious man aboard the Lucknow , and who is the dark-haired woman with an unplaceable accent he keeps whispering with behind closed doors? Just as she’s beginning to unpick his secrets, a thunderous explosion tears through the night. A German torpedo has struck the ship, and Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the deadly Atlantic. Clinging to a flimsy raft, they spot Edward, unconscious nearby.
As they’re beginning to lose hope, they glimpse the Lucknow ’s lifeboat six – its emergency light a beacon of safety in the freezing night. But when Romilly and Freddie try to board, they’re told that there isn’t enough room for them both. Romilly is suddenly forced to confront a terrible truth: this is a night they might not all survive…
May 15, 2024
Brooke's life had definitely taken a different turn and had fallen apart. First was breaking up with Phillip, second was having her mother die that same night. If she had been home rather than with Phillip, maybe she would have gotten her mother to the hospital in time for her to live. Now, she found herself on board The Lucknow sailing to New York City. She had taken a job with Mrs. Decker to take care of her grandson, Freddie until they got to New York City. Then, she would stay a little while to acclimate Freddie to his new life. After all, he didn't know his grandmother or family in New York City as he had never met them before. Leaving his mother in Prague added to his confusion and sadness.
However, she might as well enjoy her stay on the ship until it docked in New York City. She had never experienced first class and decided to enjoy it. With Mrs. Decker being a bit cantankerous, that proved a little hard to do; but with Freddie's help, they managed to create their own good time. That is until the ship was hit by a torpedo and was going down. Separated from Mrs. Decker, Brooke and Freddie find themselves in one of the extra life rafts, completely soaked. If they didn't find a lifeboat quickly, they could easily freeze to death. What wil happen next.
However, she might as well enjoy her stay on the ship until it docked in New York City. She had never experienced first class and decided to enjoy it. With Mrs. Decker being a bit cantankerous, that proved a little hard to do; but with Freddie's help, they managed to create their own good time. That is until the ship was hit by a torpedo and was going down. Separated from Mrs. Decker, Brooke and Freddie find themselves in one of the extra life rafts, completely soaked. If they didn't find a lifeboat quickly, they could easily freeze to death. What wil happen next.
June 3, 2023
I don’t quite know what to make of this book. It was very good and I learned lots of things about American feelings about entering WW II. I had no idea there were protests in the US to stay out of the war that resulted in injuries and arrests, as well as Lindbergh’s dedication to those protests. I felt the characters’ terror after the bombing of the ship the characters were sailing on from London to Canada with plans to go on to New York City. Those who were able to get in a life boat also faced unseen terrors until they could be saved. After Romilly delivers her charge to his aunt she is at loose ends and also still feels a connection to the boy. The book was very well written and makes the reader think about the unknown sacrifices of war. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.all opinions and are my own.
May 4, 2024
I found The Girl in Lifeboat Six eminently readable in fact, I gulped it down. Despite this I found a few bothersome burrs that detracted from my enjoyment and wouldn't let me give the rave review I might.
Young Romilly seeks to flee her old life and unhappiness in WWII London and start anew in the US. She finds employment as a caregiver for a crotchety woman's 8-year old grandson, Freddy aboard a luxurious ocean liner en route to New York.
The title of the book is a spoiler. There is much more to the book and some interesting twists. The ending is a bit unsatisfactory as I longed for more to the story.
Young Romilly seeks to flee her old life and unhappiness in WWII London and start anew in the US. She finds employment as a caregiver for a crotchety woman's 8-year old grandson, Freddy aboard a luxurious ocean liner en route to New York.
The title of the book is a spoiler. There is much more to the book and some interesting twists. The ending is a bit unsatisfactory as I longed for more to the story.
November 7, 2024
3.5 stars
After losing her mother, nineteen-ear-old, Romilly leaves England for New York on the Lucknow as a companion to young Freddie and his grandmother. Three nights into their journey, the luxurious ship is torpedoed by the Germans causing fatal damage. Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the sea but are rescued by lifeboat 6 after one of the passengers makes a selfless decision to make room for them both,.
For me, the best parts of this novel were when Romilly and Freddie were on the lifeboat trying to survive the cold, hunger and thirst they and the others were suffering. It certainly had Titanic vibes but their time on the boat was only a very small part of the story.
Overall, The Girl on Lifeboat Six was a fairly good read but a little slow at times.
After losing her mother, nineteen-ear-old, Romilly leaves England for New York on the Lucknow as a companion to young Freddie and his grandmother. Three nights into their journey, the luxurious ship is torpedoed by the Germans causing fatal damage. Romilly and Freddie are thrown into the sea but are rescued by lifeboat 6 after one of the passengers makes a selfless decision to make room for them both,.
For me, the best parts of this novel were when Romilly and Freddie were on the lifeboat trying to survive the cold, hunger and thirst they and the others were suffering. It certainly had Titanic vibes but their time on the boat was only a very small part of the story.
Overall, The Girl on Lifeboat Six was a fairly good read but a little slow at times.
May 23, 2025
The Girl of Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham (Audiobook read on Everand app)
This started out very interesting. 19 year old Romilly is hired to be little Freddie’s companion as he and his Grandmother travel from England to the United States. The year is 1941. On board is a group of children also sent by their parents to the safer shores if America to avoid Hilter and policies.
However, their ship is stuck by a torpedo and goes Down. Romilly fights to keep herself and Freddie alive and get Them to the United States.
The ending is disappointing. It is like the author met her Word quota and just wrote the words The end. Definitely wish there was a second book detailing the lives of Romilly and Freddie in the future.
This started out very interesting. 19 year old Romilly is hired to be little Freddie’s companion as he and his Grandmother travel from England to the United States. The year is 1941. On board is a group of children also sent by their parents to the safer shores if America to avoid Hilter and policies.
However, their ship is stuck by a torpedo and goes Down. Romilly fights to keep herself and Freddie alive and get Them to the United States.
The ending is disappointing. It is like the author met her Word quota and just wrote the words The end. Definitely wish there was a second book detailing the lives of Romilly and Freddie in the future.
August 16, 2023
The Girl in Lifeboat Six
is a historical fiction loosely based on true events. I found this novel charming and an interesting read. The characters are well thought out and engaging. The novel tackles different issues of the times. Kept me reading until the end!
Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
is a historical fiction loosely based on true events. I found this novel charming and an interesting read. The characters are well thought out and engaging. The novel tackles different issues of the times. Kept me reading until the end!Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Girl in Lifeboat Six by Eliza Graham through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 1, 2025
First of all, if you are contemplating reading this book, do NOT get the audiobook. This narrator’s ethereal and monotone delivery came off like she was totally bored with the story. That’s not the fault of the author, but it was so irritating, it was hard get past and enjoy the book. The story itself was slow paced with a lot of introspection with too many repetitive side trips down memory lane.
Romilly’s character has a pretty good arc, from a daydreaming lost soul to a stronger person who finds a purpose. A couple of “Oh please!” Moments regarding both Edward and Smokey’s fate, but ok.
Not a fan of the ending. No spoilers, but I don’t believe she was ready to do what she did…yet.
Romilly’s character has a pretty good arc, from a daydreaming lost soul to a stronger person who finds a purpose. A couple of “Oh please!” Moments regarding both Edward and Smokey’s fate, but ok.
Not a fan of the ending. No spoilers, but I don’t believe she was ready to do what she did…yet.
July 8, 2025
This book was well-written and definitely pulls at your heartstrings. This story hits even harder as it was inspired by true events. It was heartbreaking but the connections built were lovely. I loved Romilly's connection with Freddie and how it deepened as the book went on. Overall, the characters are all well thought out and fully realized. I just wanted to know more about the characters and was sad to see the book end. I didn't want to put the book down!
This was the first book that I've read from this author and will definitely check out more! I definitely recommend this book! Just be prepared with tissues!
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book that I've read from this author and will definitely check out more! I definitely recommend this book! Just be prepared with tissues!
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2023
I receiveI this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
It was interesting to read a different sort of WW2 fiction. I believe an oceanliner setting is new for me and I enjoyed it.
The story itself starts very slow, we get to know our cast and the scene gets set for the rest of the story. Once you hit part two be ready for an exciting adventures with many twists and surprises (at least for me)
Great fictional book exploring another point of view of WWII
It was interesting to read a different sort of WW2 fiction. I believe an oceanliner setting is new for me and I enjoyed it.
The story itself starts very slow, we get to know our cast and the scene gets set for the rest of the story. Once you hit part two be ready for an exciting adventures with many twists and surprises (at least for me)
Great fictional book exploring another point of view of WWII
September 11, 2025
What a fantastic book! There is so much depth in this story and in the characters- my heart was broken and healed between these pages. Romilly has just endured a tragedy when she is hired to be the companion of an 8 year old boy leaving war torn London on a ship bound for NYC to live with his grandmother and cousins. This isn’t a spoiler- but the ship is eventually hit by a German torpedo. The rest of the story explores the main characters’ roads to recovery in many different ways. I’ve read loads of WW2 books, but none like this one. I highly recommend this outstanding book.
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