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The Orphan with No Name
England, 1942: ‘Will I ever find my mammy or daddy?’ She looks up, her bright blue eyes full of unshed tears, but the kind nurse gently says, ‘Sweetheart, if you can’t remember your own name, I don’t think you’ll ever find them…’
Waking up in a rickety hospital bed, the sweet ten-year-old girl with soft blonde hair and flushed cheeks is lucky to be alive. But all she can remember is the screech of the air raid siren. The nurses call her ‘Rosie’, and hope someone will save her. But no one does, and without a family, she is taken to Blakely Orphanage in Scotland under the supervision of the strict Miss Black.
The only glimmer of hope is her new friend Alice and the two lost girls decide to become make-believe sisters. They help each other through the long, hard hours with Miss Black standing over them as they work in silence, wondering if they will ever escape.
One day, Rosie watches a beautiful woman in a pretty dress and a tall, handsome man step through the gates. Her heart squeezes as she hopes they might be her mammy and daddy. But Rosie’s heart shatters when they take the hand of a little boy and leave the orphanage.
Slowly, Rosie begins to piece together the mystery of her past despite Alice telling her they don’t need any adults. But if she does find her mammy and daddy, will she remember them? And will she ever have a happy family again – or is there more heartache to come?
From the bestselling author of The Orphan Sisters comes a page-turning and unputdownable World War Two story of a little girl who loses everything and her journey to finding a place she can call home. Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Nadine Dorries and Diney Costeloe.
Waking up in a rickety hospital bed, the sweet ten-year-old girl with soft blonde hair and flushed cheeks is lucky to be alive. But all she can remember is the screech of the air raid siren. The nurses call her ‘Rosie’, and hope someone will save her. But no one does, and without a family, she is taken to Blakely Orphanage in Scotland under the supervision of the strict Miss Black.
The only glimmer of hope is her new friend Alice and the two lost girls decide to become make-believe sisters. They help each other through the long, hard hours with Miss Black standing over them as they work in silence, wondering if they will ever escape.
One day, Rosie watches a beautiful woman in a pretty dress and a tall, handsome man step through the gates. Her heart squeezes as she hopes they might be her mammy and daddy. But Rosie’s heart shatters when they take the hand of a little boy and leave the orphanage.
Slowly, Rosie begins to piece together the mystery of her past despite Alice telling her they don’t need any adults. But if she does find her mammy and daddy, will she remember them? And will she ever have a happy family again – or is there more heartache to come?
From the bestselling author of The Orphan Sisters comes a page-turning and unputdownable World War Two story of a little girl who loses everything and her journey to finding a place she can call home. Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Nadine Dorries and Diney Costeloe.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2024
898 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Dickson
6 books205 followersShirley Dickson is the author of The Orphan Sisters, her debut novel.
She lives under the big skies of Northumberland with her husband, family and lucky black cat.
She wrote her first short story at the age of ten for a childrens' magazine competition. She didn't win but was hooked on writing for a lifetime.
For many years she wrote poetry and short stories and got many rejection slips.
Shirley decided to get serious about writing novels when she retired.
She signed with Bookouture in 2018 for a two-book deal. She has written two stirring World war two historical novels.
Shirley says she is a prime example of 'never give up on your dream.'
Follow Shirley on her Facebook 'Shirley Dickson Author' page.
She lives under the big skies of Northumberland with her husband, family and lucky black cat.
She wrote her first short story at the age of ten for a childrens' magazine competition. She didn't win but was hooked on writing for a lifetime.
For many years she wrote poetry and short stories and got many rejection slips.
Shirley decided to get serious about writing novels when she retired.
She signed with Bookouture in 2018 for a two-book deal. She has written two stirring World war two historical novels.
Shirley says she is a prime example of 'never give up on your dream.'
Follow Shirley on her Facebook 'Shirley Dickson Author' page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 17, 2024
When one of the nightly bombs hit the shelter that ten year old Polly was in, waiting for her Daddy to join her, many died. And when she woke up in hospital, badly injured, she couldn't tell anyone who she was. Her memory was gone and there was no family to find her. Eventually, the little girl the hospital staff had named Rosie Ward, was taken to Scotland to an orphanage. She had been told her memory could come back at any time, but Rosie felt alone until she made friends with Alice Blakely, another orphan who had no family.
It was 1942 England, when Rosie had lost her identity and as the orphans flourished under the new mistress, after the other, who was cruel and mean, retired, they wondered about their futures. When an orphan reached fourteen, they had to leave. And Rosie knew Alice wasn't far from turning fourteen - she didn't want to lose the friendship - the sistership - the two girls had gained. Would Rosie's memory return? Did she have anyone left of her family, and why hadn't they searched for her?
The Orphan with No Name is another exceptional historical novel by Shirley Dickson which I thoroughly enjoyed. Heartwarming, emotional and heartbreaking, the children in the orphanage tugged my heartstrings. What a sad life these children had, especially when they were cared for by a tyrant. All they wanted and needed was love. I've loved all Shirley Dickson's historicals, and this one was no different. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
It was 1942 England, when Rosie had lost her identity and as the orphans flourished under the new mistress, after the other, who was cruel and mean, retired, they wondered about their futures. When an orphan reached fourteen, they had to leave. And Rosie knew Alice wasn't far from turning fourteen - she didn't want to lose the friendship - the sistership - the two girls had gained. Would Rosie's memory return? Did she have anyone left of her family, and why hadn't they searched for her?
The Orphan with No Name is another exceptional historical novel by Shirley Dickson which I thoroughly enjoyed. Heartwarming, emotional and heartbreaking, the children in the orphanage tugged my heartstrings. What a sad life these children had, especially when they were cared for by a tyrant. All they wanted and needed was love. I've loved all Shirley Dickson's historicals, and this one was no different. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
August 13, 2024
This is my first read from this author,Polly lost her mum in a factory where she worked, and it was bombed... Polly and her dad went to the cinema when sirens started he couldn't get to the shelter and told Polly to go ahead and he would catch up with her...the shelter was bombed and Polly ends up in hospital a kind nurse looks after her.she can't remember her name or who are her family,she has to go live in an orphanage in scotland,where she meets Alice....a good read very emotional storyline.my rating is 3.5 rounded to four..
August 30, 2024
Another heartbreaking book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
August 10, 2024
I received a copy of the book, "The Orphan with No Name" from NetGalley. the book takes place in Britain during the world war 2. Polly has already lost her mother to bombings. Now after seeing a movie with her father the air raids start and the building they are in is bombed. Polly wakes up days later and due to a head injury has no memory of her name or her life. Polly is named Rosie and sent to a place that takes care of children who have lost their family and considered orphans. Because of her memory loss there is no way she possible family can be contacted. Now going by the name of Rosie she makes the best of her situation. she befriends a girl named Alice and spends the next year and a half at the orphanage. there are secrets kept at this building. one woman works there to be in close contact with one of the orphans but cannot tell anyone why. when Rosie adapts to her "home" there is hope that she regains her memory so there can be answers of who she is and is there family out there that can take her home. a good story. I would give this book an almost four.
September 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Orphan with No Name by Shirley Dickson. This was a good read but an emotional one. It will definitely pull at your heartstrings. At times I found it to drag on a little but I persevered through and got to a better part. A 3.5 rating from me that I have rounded up to 4.
September 17, 2024
Welcome back, Shirley Dickson! It has been so long since the author has released a book I had begun to wonder where she'd got to. But the latest book has arrived to deliver a wonderful yet heartbreaking tale that will warm you from the inside out and keep you snuggled until you turn the final page.
I have read all of the author's books and I love how she incorporates something or other into each of her books to link them without being a series. In this case, it is Blakely orphanage, which evacuated to Scotland after the orphanage itself suffered a hit in an air raid.
The story begins in South Shields once again as we meet the little girl who survived an air raid when so many others were killed but her injuries meant that she had no memory of who she was, her name or where she came from. The nurses called her Rosie and after being shifted from the children's ward to the women's ward, Rosie is sent north to Scotland to Teviot Hall where Blakely orphanage now resides. The journey is both unfamiliar and frightening as Rosie watches South Shields disappear from view and into unfamiliar territory.
At he orphanage, run under the strict hand of Miss Black, Rosie befriends the spiky Alice who herself was a foundling left on the doorstep of the old Blakely orphanage almost 14 years before. The orphanage is the only thing Alice knows but she is approaching the age where she will soon leave to go into domestic service. With a huge chip on her shoulder, Alice is unruly, spiky and argumentative at almost every turn. But Rosie brings a calmness to Alice and the two become inseparable make believe sisters.
Rosie dreams of recovering her memory and finding what became of her parents and why they never came looking for her, which is a bone of contention with Alice who harbours nothing but resentment for the woman who abandoned her on the cold doorstep without a second thought.
The two girls are unlikely friends and while they all suffer under Miss Black's harsh rule, kindness soon comes to the orphanage. First, in the way of the visiting American airmen who wish to sponsor the orphans and then in Miriam, Miss Balfour, who has been with the orphanage for many years. When an accident sees Miss Black housebound to recuperate, the orphanage gets a new lease of life under Miss Balfour's caring hand. But there is always the shadow of Miss Black's imminent return.
This is a moving tale from start to finish in Shirley Dickson's trademark way and I couldn't put it down until I turned the last page, reading it in one day. It is naturally predictable but in a good way and ends with that feelgood sense you have when finishing a wonderfully emotional story.
I hope it's not another three years before Shirley Dickson brings out another as I love her books and can't wait for the next one. If you like Lindsey Hutchinson, you will love Shirley Dickson.
I would like to thank #ShirleyDickson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheOrphanWithNoName in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I have read all of the author's books and I love how she incorporates something or other into each of her books to link them without being a series. In this case, it is Blakely orphanage, which evacuated to Scotland after the orphanage itself suffered a hit in an air raid.
The story begins in South Shields once again as we meet the little girl who survived an air raid when so many others were killed but her injuries meant that she had no memory of who she was, her name or where she came from. The nurses called her Rosie and after being shifted from the children's ward to the women's ward, Rosie is sent north to Scotland to Teviot Hall where Blakely orphanage now resides. The journey is both unfamiliar and frightening as Rosie watches South Shields disappear from view and into unfamiliar territory.
At he orphanage, run under the strict hand of Miss Black, Rosie befriends the spiky Alice who herself was a foundling left on the doorstep of the old Blakely orphanage almost 14 years before. The orphanage is the only thing Alice knows but she is approaching the age where she will soon leave to go into domestic service. With a huge chip on her shoulder, Alice is unruly, spiky and argumentative at almost every turn. But Rosie brings a calmness to Alice and the two become inseparable make believe sisters.
Rosie dreams of recovering her memory and finding what became of her parents and why they never came looking for her, which is a bone of contention with Alice who harbours nothing but resentment for the woman who abandoned her on the cold doorstep without a second thought.
The two girls are unlikely friends and while they all suffer under Miss Black's harsh rule, kindness soon comes to the orphanage. First, in the way of the visiting American airmen who wish to sponsor the orphans and then in Miriam, Miss Balfour, who has been with the orphanage for many years. When an accident sees Miss Black housebound to recuperate, the orphanage gets a new lease of life under Miss Balfour's caring hand. But there is always the shadow of Miss Black's imminent return.
This is a moving tale from start to finish in Shirley Dickson's trademark way and I couldn't put it down until I turned the last page, reading it in one day. It is naturally predictable but in a good way and ends with that feelgood sense you have when finishing a wonderfully emotional story.
I hope it's not another three years before Shirley Dickson brings out another as I love her books and can't wait for the next one. If you like Lindsey Hutchinson, you will love Shirley Dickson.
I would like to thank #ShirleyDickson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheOrphanWithNoName in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 14, 2024
In the universe of Historical Fiction, the vast majority seem to take place during World War II. It’s hard to find a story anymore that has a unique perspective. However, similar stories can also bring about different depths to the same subject.
In The Orphan With No Name by Shirley Dickson, the author covers the topic of orphans during the second World War while also managing to take on society’s norms at the same time.
Polly lives in South Shields, England during the war. A factory bombing has already killed her mother, and her father, injured during an earlier campaign, is trying his best. One night the air raid sirens howl, and he sends Polly on ahead of him to the shelter.
A little girl awakens in a hospital with a head injury and no memory of who she is. The nuns giver her the name Rosie after her rosy cheeks. She has injuries that will heal, but the biggest problem is that she has no memory of who she is. When no one comes looking for her and she has to leave the hospital, she is sent to an orphanage in Scotland.
To read my full review please go to The Orphan With No Name by Shirley Dickson – The Struggles and Hopes of WWII Orphans
In The Orphan With No Name by Shirley Dickson, the author covers the topic of orphans during the second World War while also managing to take on society’s norms at the same time.
Polly lives in South Shields, England during the war. A factory bombing has already killed her mother, and her father, injured during an earlier campaign, is trying his best. One night the air raid sirens howl, and he sends Polly on ahead of him to the shelter.
A little girl awakens in a hospital with a head injury and no memory of who she is. The nuns giver her the name Rosie after her rosy cheeks. She has injuries that will heal, but the biggest problem is that she has no memory of who she is. When no one comes looking for her and she has to leave the hospital, she is sent to an orphanage in Scotland.
To read my full review please go to The Orphan With No Name by Shirley Dickson – The Struggles and Hopes of WWII Orphans
September 22, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
i knew it would be an emotional read but man that last chapter had me in bits....
when rosie ward came to... she was in a hospital with no memory.... it was where she got her name rosie for her bright smile and rosy cheeks and ward as she was on a ward....
but soon as nobody came to claim her she was sent to an orphanage somewhere in the bowls of scotland to stay safe until someone came to claim her
this is a heart wrenching read as we get to know a few of the orphans and meet alice and the housekeeper miss balfour as their lives are played out for us to read... but what a read.... and what an ending...get the tissues ready.....
will be keeping an eye out for more from this author
i knew it would be an emotional read but man that last chapter had me in bits....
when rosie ward came to... she was in a hospital with no memory.... it was where she got her name rosie for her bright smile and rosy cheeks and ward as she was on a ward....
but soon as nobody came to claim her she was sent to an orphanage somewhere in the bowls of scotland to stay safe until someone came to claim her
this is a heart wrenching read as we get to know a few of the orphans and meet alice and the housekeeper miss balfour as their lives are played out for us to read... but what a read.... and what an ending...get the tissues ready.....
will be keeping an eye out for more from this author
August 9, 2024
In this heat warming novel, Polly (10 years old) has lost her memory during a bombing in London. Not knowing her name nor her address, she ends up in an orphenage... Will her family find her again, or did they die in the bombing? A light read though despite Polly's condition. At the orphanage, she meets good people and also not so fine people as expected... Many happy coincidences render the novel not very realistic, but so what? A delightful read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
August 11, 2024
The first quarter of this book was very emotional and heartbreaking. Two orphan girls learn to lean on each other through difficult times and commit to be “sisters”. Life however may not grant them that wish as the orphanage may be in jeopardy as well as other possible circumstances.
Alice and Polly learn some deep life lessons along their journey. Great emotional read!
Alice and Polly learn some deep life lessons along their journey. Great emotional read!
September 20, 2024
This was my first book by this author and I will definitely read more of her books. This book was all go right from the start. With the air raid sirens going off and people rushing to get to shelters it felt so real! Because she can't remember her name or recent memories the ladies at the hospital name her Rosie Ward. She gets moved to an orphanage when the hospital can no longer give her a bed. She settles into life at the orphanage and makes friends and hopes for her memories to come back. There are twists along the way that keep you reading to find out how it's going to end. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Shirley Dickson for the ARC of this book which I received free.
September 16, 2024
Set in England in 1942 during WWII this is the story of 10-year-old Polly. Polly lives with her disabled father following her mother’s death. After a visit with her father to the cinema, the air raid sirens sound and they run for the shelter however her father sent her on ahead as he is slower than her. Polly wakes up in hospital, her memory gone, and the nurses name her Rosie Ward. When no one comes to find her she sent to an orphanage in Scotland. This isn’t the sort of book I normally read however I really enjoyed this one, it’s well written and a compelling story with a wonderful main character in Rosie/Polly.
Briefly, life in the orphanage is hard. Miss Black who runs the orphanage works the children and metes out punishment for any small infraction of her rules. Although it takes some time, she eventually makes a friend in Alice, who seems forever in trouble with Miss Black. Luckily for them Miss Miriam Balfour also works at the orphanage and she tries to look out for the children, particularly Alice who she feels is treated very unfairly.
As Rosie’s memory seems to be coming back in tiny snippets it’s clear that Alice is hoping that she doesn’t regain her memory and leave her for her family. This is understandable as Alice, left at an orphanage as a new born baby, feels like she’s finally found herself a family in Rosie. A moving story about children orphaned by the war who ended up in homes where treatment was harsh, and I’m sure some were worse than this one. There are some good twists to the story, although I had guessed some of them, but that was fine. A very emotional story but with a feel good ending and I felt very satisfied when I put the book down.
Briefly, life in the orphanage is hard. Miss Black who runs the orphanage works the children and metes out punishment for any small infraction of her rules. Although it takes some time, she eventually makes a friend in Alice, who seems forever in trouble with Miss Black. Luckily for them Miss Miriam Balfour also works at the orphanage and she tries to look out for the children, particularly Alice who she feels is treated very unfairly.
As Rosie’s memory seems to be coming back in tiny snippets it’s clear that Alice is hoping that she doesn’t regain her memory and leave her for her family. This is understandable as Alice, left at an orphanage as a new born baby, feels like she’s finally found herself a family in Rosie. A moving story about children orphaned by the war who ended up in homes where treatment was harsh, and I’m sure some were worse than this one. There are some good twists to the story, although I had guessed some of them, but that was fine. A very emotional story but with a feel good ending and I felt very satisfied when I put the book down.
April 27, 2025
This book really made me run the gamut of emotions! I did honestly find it very slow going though, it felt like a very long read and for a long time nothing much was happening and it was just a day in the life of the orphanage. I think once the evil Miss Black was done away with was when it began to speed up and become more interesting. While I did enjoy it to the end it wasn’t the type of story I’m keen on - the Mitch and Miriam romance took a while to grow on me (and oh boy, the outcome of that! No spoilers but I nearly did cry - both times!) and most of the start in the orphanage felt like it was a tale for younger readers. I would have enjoyed Rosie’s story before she became Polly again a lot more at the age of eleven or so!
Jumping forward thirteen years at the end was a touch jarring at first as suddenly the small girls we’d been reading about were grown ups with kids and husbands of their own, but I suppose it was a nice way to tie all the ends together without the book needing to go on for another three hundred pages.
Overall liked, but didn’t love - it was lucky I was reading on my kindle because had this been a paperback I definitely would have started skimming pages and skipping ahead! I don’t know what the actual print length of this book would be but it felt incredibly long and though a good read, not entirely worth all that time.
Jumping forward thirteen years at the end was a touch jarring at first as suddenly the small girls we’d been reading about were grown ups with kids and husbands of their own, but I suppose it was a nice way to tie all the ends together without the book needing to go on for another three hundred pages.
Overall liked, but didn’t love - it was lucky I was reading on my kindle because had this been a paperback I definitely would have started skimming pages and skipping ahead! I don’t know what the actual print length of this book would be but it felt incredibly long and though a good read, not entirely worth all that time.
September 1, 2024
4 stars, Lost and Found
THE ORPHAN WITH NO NAME
by Shirley Dickson
England, 1942
War has come to England. A ten-year-old girl has been left in a bomb shelter by herself. The hospital she is taken to after a bomb hits the shelter and she is left with injuries, and she doesn't know who she is, nor if she has surviving parents. the ladies working there have named her Rosie.
Rosie is taken to an orphanage while the authorities search for any relatives. Rosie meets Alice, an acerbic girl with a chip on her shoulder. They eventually become friends.
This is not the typical WW2 novel. It isn't about fighting or picking a side, it's about survival and family-yes I know an orphan's family sounds odd, but it's true. There is a story within a story here.
The book lost somewhat of my interest near the middle, but when I came back to it and there was a good finish.
I received a complimentary copy of #TheOrphanWithNoName from #netgally #bookouture I was not obligated to post a review.
#historicalfiction #WWII #Orphans #love #loss
THE ORPHAN WITH NO NAME
by Shirley Dickson
England, 1942
War has come to England. A ten-year-old girl has been left in a bomb shelter by herself. The hospital she is taken to after a bomb hits the shelter and she is left with injuries, and she doesn't know who she is, nor if she has surviving parents. the ladies working there have named her Rosie.
Rosie is taken to an orphanage while the authorities search for any relatives. Rosie meets Alice, an acerbic girl with a chip on her shoulder. They eventually become friends.
This is not the typical WW2 novel. It isn't about fighting or picking a side, it's about survival and family-yes I know an orphan's family sounds odd, but it's true. There is a story within a story here.
The book lost somewhat of my interest near the middle, but when I came back to it and there was a good finish.
I received a complimentary copy of #TheOrphanWithNoName from #netgally #bookouture I was not obligated to post a review.
#historicalfiction #WWII #Orphans #love #loss
September 20, 2024
This book was a great book about found family. As much as it hurts to read about orphaned children during WWII, there’s always some special camaraderie between the women who run the orphanages and the children in their charge.
Rosie is a sweet young girl who is separated from her father during one of the many bombing raids in England. She doesn’t remember anything about her former life, including her name. She is left in under the charge of the Blakely Orphanage. While she’s there she makes a lifelong friend in Alice, and burrows into the heart of Miss Balfour, one of the women who works at the orphanage.
My heart hurt for Rosie. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not remember who you are, especially as a child. I loved to see the bonds she made with the other children in the orphanage. In some ways, children are so resilient.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.
Rosie is a sweet young girl who is separated from her father during one of the many bombing raids in England. She doesn’t remember anything about her former life, including her name. She is left in under the charge of the Blakely Orphanage. While she’s there she makes a lifelong friend in Alice, and burrows into the heart of Miss Balfour, one of the women who works at the orphanage.
My heart hurt for Rosie. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not remember who you are, especially as a child. I loved to see the bonds she made with the other children in the orphanage. In some ways, children are so resilient.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.
September 22, 2024
The Orphan With No Name by Shirley Dickson is a journey through the heart and soul of an evacuated child (Polly aka Rosie) who does not remember her real name. The air raid shelter in which she had taken refuge had taken a direct hit and she was one of only a few to survive, with many injuries, without her memory, without her parents.
The nurses named the girl Rosie and when she was suitably recovered, evacuated her to Scotland, under the "care" of the tyrannical Miss Black. The ordeal of the orphangae is made bearable by her new friend Alice, and together, they traverse each day, supporting each other and dreaming of, and fearing their future
Heart rending, full of drama and action as well as tension and suspense, this is a novel of tenacity and fortitude from an avacuated childs perspective in WWII.
Highy recommended and 5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Shirley Dickson for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
The nurses named the girl Rosie and when she was suitably recovered, evacuated her to Scotland, under the "care" of the tyrannical Miss Black. The ordeal of the orphangae is made bearable by her new friend Alice, and together, they traverse each day, supporting each other and dreaming of, and fearing their future
Heart rending, full of drama and action as well as tension and suspense, this is a novel of tenacity and fortitude from an avacuated childs perspective in WWII.
Highy recommended and 5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Shirley Dickson for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
August 25, 2024
I enjoyed The Orphan with No Name. The story begins with Polly Pearson and her dad living in the UK during WWII - her mother died in a German bombing raid so it's just her and her father. During another bombing, Polly is separated from her dad and when the shelter she is in is bombed, she is injured and loses her memory while her father thinks she has been killed. The nurses take to calling her "Rosie" since she can't recall her name. She gets sent to an orphanage where she meets Alice, an angry orphan who had been a foundling, who becomes her best friend. There is so much going on in this story of friendship, secrets, second chances, that I couldn't put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!
September 18, 2024
This is a riveting story that had all the feels. We meet Polly, a young girl who survives an air raid during WWII. She is separated from her father and loses her memory. She winds up in an orphanage, trying to figure out who she is. It is a difficult adjustment with a headmaster who is an unpleasant woman, although management changes. Polly makes a friend at the orphanage, Alice, who is someone who can get into trouble but has a good heart. Polly starts to regain her memory and things start to happen and her situation changes, finding out that her father is still alive.
While it can be a bit unrealistic at times, the story is heartwarming and the characters memorable.
I look forward to reading other books by Shirley Dickson.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
While it can be a bit unrealistic at times, the story is heartwarming and the characters memorable.
I look forward to reading other books by Shirley Dickson.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 20, 2024
When a nightly bomb air raid hits the shelter that Polly is in while waiting for her daddy to join her, Polly is injured and wakes up in hospital with no memory of anything including who she is. The nurses name her Rosie but she is heartbroken that no one has come forward from her family to claim her. She is sent to a orphanage where she meets Alice and the two end up becoming close like sisters. Alice says that they don't need anyone else as long as they have each other but Polly still hopes that her mother or father will come for her. The story is so emotional and I felt my heart literally tear for the kids in the orphanage. I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying it would be in the middle of a war with bombs dropping and not knowing if you and your family are safe. I enjoyed reading this book from the heart of my soul and the story will stay with me forever!
August 11, 2024
The Orphan with No Name was a good read. around 4.25 stars.
A young girl is separated from her father in the midst of a bombing raid and then has a concussion.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot but there are a couple of intersecting story lines and the author did a great job in holding my attention.
One of my favorite things about NetGalley is that it introduces me to "new to me authors"; this was my first book by Shirley Dickson.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Orphan with No Name in exchange for an honest review. 378 pages; publication date is Sept 19, 2024.
I kept seeing the word "heartbreaking"; maybe I'm cold hearted ... I thought it was a good novel, but I didn't feel heartbroken. (Although who really want to be heartbroken?)
A young girl is separated from her father in the midst of a bombing raid and then has a concussion.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot but there are a couple of intersecting story lines and the author did a great job in holding my attention.
One of my favorite things about NetGalley is that it introduces me to "new to me authors"; this was my first book by Shirley Dickson.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Orphan with No Name in exchange for an honest review. 378 pages; publication date is Sept 19, 2024.
I kept seeing the word "heartbreaking"; maybe I'm cold hearted ... I thought it was a good novel, but I didn't feel heartbroken. (Although who really want to be heartbroken?)
September 5, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Shirley Dickson and I'm so glad that I found her. I will certainly be looking for her other books after reading this gem.
What an absolutely terrible ordeal for Rosie to go through. Losing her memory, not knowing who she is, where she's from and then no one looking for her.
To be injured and alone, frightened and unsure and then to be sent far away to an orphanage that is run by a mean headmistress.
I loved watching the friendship grow between Rosie and Alice, and shed a few tears throughout for both of them. Miss Balfour was another favourite, as were all the other orphans.
I won't give anything away, except to say that I loved the epilogue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
What an absolutely terrible ordeal for Rosie to go through. Losing her memory, not knowing who she is, where she's from and then no one looking for her.
To be injured and alone, frightened and unsure and then to be sent far away to an orphanage that is run by a mean headmistress.
I loved watching the friendship grow between Rosie and Alice, and shed a few tears throughout for both of them. Miss Balfour was another favourite, as were all the other orphans.
I won't give anything away, except to say that I loved the epilogue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2024
I absolutely loved this book, so much so I bought all the others on Amazon. The story of the orphans, Alice, Rosie and all the others was so well written, the characters were just a joy to read about. Miriam was a person torn with her past but managed to keep at an arms length of the out come of her heart wrenching decision she had to make.
Just loved how their lives intertwined and the last few paragraphs brought a tear to my eye.
My thanks as always to NetGalley for the early read and to publisher Bookouture for the early read. My thanks to the author Shirley Dickson for the introduction to her books
Just loved how their lives intertwined and the last few paragraphs brought a tear to my eye.
My thanks as always to NetGalley for the early read and to publisher Bookouture for the early read. My thanks to the author Shirley Dickson for the introduction to her books
August 24, 2024
South Shields 1943.
Polly Pearson staying with her daddy a cobbler and aunty Jean at her house in Leadburn just till he gets a job and a home for them set up.
As the blast of the sirens in a air raid, this is the last she will see her daddy in a long time. As she wakes up in hospital with no memory, this poor child is lost an orphan with no name the nurses name her Rosie Ward, and she is sent away to a children's home till they find her family. this book is inspirational and heart breaking story to be told. I loved reading it with harrowing accounts of survival.
A much emotional story you will need tissues.
Polly Pearson staying with her daddy a cobbler and aunty Jean at her house in Leadburn just till he gets a job and a home for them set up.
As the blast of the sirens in a air raid, this is the last she will see her daddy in a long time. As she wakes up in hospital with no memory, this poor child is lost an orphan with no name the nurses name her Rosie Ward, and she is sent away to a children's home till they find her family. this book is inspirational and heart breaking story to be told. I loved reading it with harrowing accounts of survival.
A much emotional story you will need tissues.
September 20, 2024
A great story set during World War Two. Polly Pearson lives with her Dad after her Mum died during a raid. For her Dad’s birthday he takes her to see Dumbo which she loves. As they leave the cinema the sirens go and her Dad struggles to get to the shelter as he was injured in Burma and walks with a stick. Unbeknownst to him her Dad passes Polly over to a warden to get her to the air raid shelter quickly and this is the last he will see of her. Polly ends up in hospital with among other things a head injury which causes her memory loss. Will she ever get back her memory or to her beloved Dad. An emotional read that I definitely recommend.
September 20, 2024
I am loving all of the fantastic historical fictions that is coming onto the market at the moment and this is one of the best and also heartbreaking novels that I have read from the genre. This is a novel which focuses on the very real historical issue of children becoming orphans and how this both effects them and the truamatic elements to their lives once this happens. This however has and added element for 'Rosie's' story that she has experienced amnesia so was unable to remember who she is but this just added to the emotional aspects for her story. The author has completed a wide range of research which has allowed her to create these very vibrant characters and descriptive locations.
September 27, 2024
Lost Memory
The time is the blitz in England during WWII. A young girl is found injured in a shelter that has collapsed. She wakes up in a hospital and cannot remember her name, her family or anything that happened.
When she is in the hospital the nurses name her Rose. When it is time for her to leave and she still has not regained her memory and no one has come forward she is sent to an orphanage in Scotland.
In the Orphanage she meets another young orphan named Alice with whom she becomes best friends. Mrs. Black the lady that runs the orphanage is very strict and not very compassionate with the girls. When she falls and cannot continue the young Mrs. Balfour takes over the running of the orphanage. Mrs. Balfour has a secret, no one knows.
The orphanage is better under the management of Mrs. Balfour, but Rose still cannot remember anything about her parents. Her friend Alice is always sad because she was left on the orphanage steps and know neither of her parents.
Will Rose ever regain her memory and find her family and will Alice ever find a home?
I really enjoyed reading this story it was a good story and I would recommend it.
I received a copy of the book for free. The review and the words are my own.
The time is the blitz in England during WWII. A young girl is found injured in a shelter that has collapsed. She wakes up in a hospital and cannot remember her name, her family or anything that happened.
When she is in the hospital the nurses name her Rose. When it is time for her to leave and she still has not regained her memory and no one has come forward she is sent to an orphanage in Scotland.
In the Orphanage she meets another young orphan named Alice with whom she becomes best friends. Mrs. Black the lady that runs the orphanage is very strict and not very compassionate with the girls. When she falls and cannot continue the young Mrs. Balfour takes over the running of the orphanage. Mrs. Balfour has a secret, no one knows.
The orphanage is better under the management of Mrs. Balfour, but Rose still cannot remember anything about her parents. Her friend Alice is always sad because she was left on the orphanage steps and know neither of her parents.
Will Rose ever regain her memory and find her family and will Alice ever find a home?
I really enjoyed reading this story it was a good story and I would recommend it.
I received a copy of the book for free. The review and the words are my own.
September 21, 2024
The Orphan with no name provided an insight that I hadn’t read before. We meet Polly and her Father in the middle of the war. Polly soon wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of her past. In this novel we meet several characters who all struggle with their past in one way or another. This is an uplifting and inspiring story of how you can over come your struggles and move forward to a better future. I enjoyed the third person point of view and the multiple POV chapters where you gain insight to each character. The ending tied everything up perfectly and left the reader with a sense of completion.
August 31, 2024
The Orphan with No Name really tugs on your heart strings, this book had me totally gripped right from the start. Not my usual reading genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Polly and her dad find themselves split up when the bomb hit, and when Polly awakens she has no memory of who she is. The nurses name her Rosie and she's moved to an orphanage in the Scottish Highlands. Scared and not sure what's going on, Rosie befriends another orphan Alice, who tells her they don't need adults anyway.. but will Rosie finally remember her past and find why no one came looking for her?
September 16, 2024
The Orphan With No Name is a sweet story set during WWII. I loved the special friendship between Polly/Rosie and Alice. Brought up so many beautiful aspects of true friendship- making each other better and stronger together. The story was a little choppy in its flow and I had to go back and reread sections to piece the parts together. I loved the character of Miriam and her journey as well. Wish her journey had been more complete and clearer in the story line. Overall, a nice read.
Thank you NetGalley for the book. The review is all my own with honest thoughts.
Thank you NetGalley for the book. The review is all my own with honest thoughts.
September 25, 2024
Oh my. Wow. I read a lot of world war 2 fiction, it's been one of my favourite genres since I was old enough to pick my own books from my mums collection. And yet Shirley has managed to bring something completely new to the table.
Poor little 'Rosie', I was desperate to scoop her up and love her. And I haven't hated a fictional character as much as Miss Black for a long time.
An Orphan With No Name is a heartbreaking, and heartwarming, emotional rollercoaster of a book which will have you reaching for the tissues.
Poor little 'Rosie', I was desperate to scoop her up and love her. And I haven't hated a fictional character as much as Miss Black for a long time.
An Orphan With No Name is a heartbreaking, and heartwarming, emotional rollercoaster of a book which will have you reaching for the tissues.
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