The Wartime Mother

The Wartime Evacuees #3

by Lizzie Page

England, 1941: Heartbroken villager Winnie has only just lost her husband when she’s asked to house an evacuee from the city. Will these two lonely souls heal each other’s broken hearts? An inspiring and emotional story of love, loss and hope in the darkest of days.

After her husband died fighting for their country, Winnie is heartbroken, reeling, and suddenly solely responsible for the struggling family pub. With nothing else to focus on, she pours her heart and soul into her work, trying desperately to keep afloat.

When news arrives of a ten-year-old girl who lost her mother and siblings in the Blitz, Winnie is unsure if she can help. She knows little Francine is alone and in need of a home, but she doesn’t know how much love she has to offer. But there is nowhere else for Francine to go, and Winnie can’t bear to think of her without a family…

Caring for a little girl as the war rages and resources run low takes all of Winnie’s energy. But little Francine is full of ideas to help keep the pub open, and as her cheeky sense of humour and infectious giggle breathe life back into Winnie’s world, Winnie’s heart opens to the possibility of love. That is, until the Canadian pilot she’s fallen for has to return home, and asks Winnie to go with him – just as Francine’s relatives appear to try and claim her.

Winnie can’t bear the thought of losing the family she and Francine have become, but is it safer for Francine to let her go or hold her close? And can they leave the past behind and find the happy ending they both deserve?

A heart-wrenching yet totally uplifting historical novel set in World War Two that is impossible to put down and will have you reaching for the tissues. Perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe, Shirley Dickson and Sandy Taylor.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2025

About the author

Hello and thank you for stopping by.

I love reading ALL the books, and I've always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to me to write historical fiction.

I live with my family by the sea in South East England. And with my dog. How did I forget my dog? I enjoy traveling and lived in Japan for several years. I've had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling - but being a writer is my absolute favourite.

I hope my novels help shine a light on the achievements, love and relationships of twentieth-century women, and that the books are entertaining and moving.

I'd love to hear what you think - feel free to send me a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review here.

Happy reading,

Love Lizzie xx

Reviews

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winnie is heartbroken after her husband left to fight for their country and died. Winnie is left to tend to the family pub all by herself. She can’t help but wonder how she can continue on.

Winnie hears about Francine, a young girl that has lost her mother and siblings. She is only ten years old and is in need of a home. She can’t survive on her own. Winnie decides to take her in and become Francine’s family.

Winnie is about ready to give up on the pub. She doesn’t have the money to keep it going. Francine offers lots of great ideas to Winnie of how to keep the pub open. Francine is giving Winnie a purpose in life. But things change when Francine’s relatives arrive to claim her. Winnie can’t take more loss in her life.

The Wartime Mother, written by author Lizzie Page, is a beautifully written story of love, loss and hope. Winnie was a lovely character that I felt a great connection too. From the loss of her husband to her taking in Francine, she had a wonderful heart. My heart broke for her.

Francine was an amazing person and she showed so much bravery during such a horrible time. I was reaching for the Kleenex many times during this book. This heartwarming story had me flying through the pages. My heart broke over and over but I could not stop reading until I got to the very end. I highly recommend this phenomenal book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 3rd book in the Wartime Evacuees series. It could be read as a standalone book but I think readers who have read the first 2 books would get more out of this book.
I like how the author has focused on 3 individual children with intertwining experiences. You get a nice perspective from each child/woman.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for letting me read this awesome book

what a compelling storyline this one was....

francine is all alone... her mom and brothers and sisters had been killed in the shelter whilst the bombs were landing around london... she was the only one spared because of chicken pox

at first francine was placed with an old man and it did work out but shortly he died and francine was eventually placed with winnie the pub landlord....

winnie herself was also grieving for the loss of her husband... and she hadnt wanted to take in francine but at that moment in time she did....

what was to happen was to change their lives....

its a powerful story about loss and love and finding that family with others it will bring a tear to your eye...

cant wait to see what is next from this author..

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wartime Mother by Lizzie Page.
The wartime evacues book 3.
This was a lovely heartwarming read. I really felt for Winnie and Francine. My heart went out to them. I liked the writing style and the story. Even though this is book 3 and I haven't read the first two in this series, I was able to read it. I did love Albert. I really didn't like Mr Williams at all. I was very emotional reading this book. I would recommend this book.

[Jennifer Hines Hansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this last book in the 3 part series about three families from London during the Blitz and their 3 daughters they send to the countryside to be safe. Wasn’t as good as the other but still worth reading.
The editing of this book was atrocious. Whoever edits her books does a bad job, but this one was really really bad!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Wartime Mother" takes place starting in 1941. Francine is an 11 year old girl who has lost her mother, younger sister and brothers in a bombing. Her father is missing and not known as dead or alive. Francine is in need of someone to take care of her. She is first fostered by an elderly man Mr. Cohen. She grows to love the old man and his cat but when Mr. Cohen dies she has to be placed in a new foster home. She is sent to live with Winnie who lives above a pub that is owned by her husband { who is away and fighting in the War} the pub is called "the Castle" Francine enjoys living in the Castle and turns out to be a pretty helper in the Pub. Over the next fews years there are tragedies when Winnie's husband dies in the War. Francine is dealing the hatred by a bully teacher because she is Jewish.
this is a good story about characters trying to survive during World War 2. The book goes from 1941 to about 1955. I liked this book. It has good characters in Winnie and Francine. the author does a good job writing about what surviving during World War 2 and coming together to help each other.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅A up=lifting WWII historical novel with many heart wrenching moments.
The story revolves around Winnie and Francine and how they navigate through the hardships and horrors of the War.
The story shows how resilient one has to be to survive and go forward in life.
A heartwarming story that will pull on your heartstrings.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winnie is a heartbroken pub owner and widower whose husband died after he ran off to fight in WWII and was killed. She's matched up with Francice, a 10-year-old evacuee who'd recently lost her mom and siblings during a bombing and was evacuated to the country.

I loved this story! I loved the relationship between Winnie and Francine and how they helped each other heal after heartbreak and loss. I felt that the author did a great job of revealing the inner thoughts of the main characters. Francine went through so much after her loss: bullying and separation from her friends. Winnie and Francine go through a journey after dealing with their losses throughout the war and beyond. This series focuses on the perspective of 3 friends who were evacuated from the country to protect them. Each is fine as a standalone. I read the 2nd and 3rd, but I feel it might be helpful to read all 3 of them.

Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author for his ARC.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wartime Mother is the third and concluding part to Lizzie Page’s Wartime Evacuees series and without doubt it is the best in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books but finally discovering what happened to Francine after her mother and siblings were killed when the air raid shelter they were in was destroyed proved to be a great read. Lots of serious themes were explored and anyone thinking oh this is just another run of the mill wartime family saga book than you are definitely wrong and would be missing out on a read that pulls at the heartstrings. The books can be read in any order as each book focuses on a different child and adult but whatever one you start with, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back and read the others. They aren’t the most taxing of reads but instead have the perfect balance between nice, gentle, relaxing moments and more tense and challenging subject matter.

Francine is left alone upon the death of her mother and siblings. Her father who was originally from Holland is away fighting in the war and can’t be located to inform him of the tragedy which has befallen his family. A brief spell in the countryside with her fellow friends and evacuees Lydia and Valerie has come to an end for Francine and now she lives with Valerie’s mother Mrs. Hardiman in the building she once resided in with her own family. Francine has nothing left to tie her to anyone or anywhere and she feels immense guilt that she was not in the shelter when her mother perished. She had been sent out as she had chicken pox and her mother didn’t want her siblings catching it. She desperately wishes that she had been there so that she would have been taken also. Instead the ghosts of her mum and siblings haunt her throughout the book. They appear to her at different times and in various forms of distress. I found this to be quite chilling to be honest but it did only enhance the survivors guilt that permeates Francine’s every waking hour. For someone so young as she was only aged 10 when we meet her she shouldn’t really have to experience this.

Francine is very tough on herself and though it’s not specifically said I felt that she was suffering from some sort of malaise or depression which was only natural given her circumstances. She relies heavily on dice her father once gave her and she keeps them in her pocket and throws them every time she needs guidance or an answer to a question. But the dice don’t always give her the answers she wants. Francine is taken from London to Kettering where she meets social worker Scott who places her with an old man named Mr Cohen. What an unlikely pairing but somehow it works and Francine becomes like a little mini housewife tending to the house whilst going to school. She seemed settled and happy there but then one day she finds Mr Cohen has passed away sitting in his armchair. Tragedy has once again struck her life and the feelings of despair strike once again. Why is it she says that everyone she loves or who loves her has to die? Is she the cause of it? Here is where I felt things got dark for Francine as she won’t let love her into her life for if she does it will leave her again through death. She was so deep in thinking this and I was just so desperately hoping that her fortunes would turn around. She was like a lost little soul wandering along a path just waiting and hoping that someone would find and care for her and never leave her life.

This person that Francine had been longing for and whom she so desperately needed came in the form of Winnie. There were so many similarities between the older woman and the young child as both had suffered heart-breaking tragedy in their lives. Winnie lost her husband Trevor in the first year of the war and has been deep in grief ever since. His death has had a devastating impact on her and she no longer can put her heart and soul into the running of the pub The Castle. Her regulars come every day but footfall in general is low and the brewery has threatened her with closure. Winnie is no longer the carefree person she once was as now she sees everything as a risk and a danger. She is bereft, powerless and has nothing left to give to anyone not least a little girl. But how can she let the resilient little girl be sent away once again to god knows where to an unknown future?

Winnie was insistent that she hadn’t the capacity in her heart nor the where with all to care for someone else but Francine little by little broke down those barriers and it was as if the pair were kindred spirits each seeing in each other what they couldn’t personally see in themselves. I loved how their relationship was subtly developed and it flowed naturally and effortlessly throughout the book. I also thought it was brilliant that the timeline didn’t stay specifically in the war years as there was a danger of a bit too much repetition. Instead, as Winnie and Francine grow and adapt to each other and their new lives, the years move forward and we see the changes occurring within both of them. Francine takes a keen interest in the pub and is determined it won’t be the one the brewery shuts down. She was creative and inventive with her ideas for bringing the punters in. This also allowed for a new strand of the story to develop for Winnie which ebbed and flowed with its ups and downs but I was desperately hoping it would end up a certain away.

Life wasn’t all easy for Francine and again a darker and more sinister element to her story began to emerge. I could see what was happening and it was brilliant that the author included this as I think others would have shied away from this topic given the genre of the book in that it had the family saga strand to it. What happens to Francine only adds to her shame that she hadn’t previously died and I wanted Winnie to wake up and see what was going on and do something about it. As I’ve previously said the book did take place over several years and towards the end, I did think the final chapter two or three chapters were just that little bit rushed. The pre-war years colliding with Francine in the 1950’s well I felt the reader had been waiting for this throughout all three books and when you long for something and it’s what you have been expecting you expect due attention to be given to it. That’s my only minor criticism of the book in that this section needed some more fleshing out.

The Wartime Mother was the fitting conclusion that this series deserved. Francine will capture a piece of readers hearts as will Winnie. A powerful story full of friendship, community, loss, grief, survival and refuge and finding happiness.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart bleeds for Francine. She has been through so much. She had been evacuated once before but her mother wanted her to return to London. She left the safety of the country side for the bombs of London. She soon realizes there is no safe place in London.

She soon finds herself evacuated again, but this time as an orphan. She is dumped in the small village of Kettering. It isn't easy to find someone that can open their heart and home for a little girl lost. The social worker thought he had the best place for her. He thought he could help his friend, Winnie, and a little girl at the same time. Winnie thought otherwise..

Francine is soon placed with an elderly man. He had been on the foster list since 1905. I gained so much from her placement with Mr. Cohen. Francine finds purpose with Mr Cohen. He has a kind heart, something that she desparately needed. It would not last.

Everything changes when Francine enters The Castle Pub. She didn't know where else to go after her guardian did not wake up. Francine finds herself needing a new place to live. Winnie didn't know how much she needed Francine. The patrons had stories to tell, I just needed to listen. Francine was an inspiration as she helped Winnie. She loved the pub and it showed. She was soon finding ways to bring in more customers. The Pub was her safe place.

I was left speechless experiencing the struggles Francine has in school. Francine remained quiet. Francine took what was dished out. The fear of being removed from a safe place was not something I had thought about. My stomache ached. My heart cried. I didn't think it could happen in a small village.

[Angela Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read the other books in the series and looked forward to this one and Francine’s story.

But I was so disappointed - it was so slow and jumped about so much. I almost never give up on a book but I nearly did on this one but I wanted to know the outcome - and of course it brought the 3 evacuees, Francine, Lydia and Valerie from Somerset back together.
Francine had lost all that was dear to her, had no idea where her Dutch father was and had terrible survivor guilt.
She was also Jewish and came on the wrong side of a headmaster who rightly got his just desserts.

As with all of Lizzie Page’s books this was well researched but somehow the style of writing was very stilted.

Francine’s life with Winnie seemed odd at times but both were grieving for their past lives and sometimes unable to move forward though Winnie followed her heart and her Canadian soldier in the end.

But the book did close the loose ends of the previous books - but never quite explained why Francine ended up in Kettering?

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three, The Wartime Mother, can they heal each other's broken heart.
Another absolutely beautiful WW2 novel from this inspiring author.
Kettering Northamptonshire,
Widowed pub landlady Winnie Eldridge and evacuee little Francine Salt together in this heart- wrenching story.
Old Mr Cohen death bring these two together, Winnie takes in Francine and Tiger the cat at the Castle pub without the H.
She won't even think about sending this little girl back to a children's home in London who has lost her mother and siblings and her father away fighting in this war, and Winnie has a threat of a pub closure that both fight to keep open.
I got such a big lump in my throat reading this book that is filled with love, through a special bonding forming with all the highs and lows along the way.
Tissues on the ready as always from this author once again as she takes her reader's into another best seller.
I totally 100% loved it.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series and this book. I like that the stories are from the POV of the girls that were sent away from home during the war to ‘protect’ them. This one is Francine’s story. She stayed in more than one place, originally sent away during the blitz because she had the chicken pox. She ends up with Aunt Winnie, a woman who ended up fostering her, somewhat against her will. We also get Winnie’s POV. She is a grieving widow with a grown child off supporting the war effort. She’s stuck where she is because of the bar and she doesn’t know how to move on with her life.

I loved the resilience that Francine had. She was only 10 years old, but she was forced to grow up way too fast. She made herself a home with Aunt Winnie and the Castle, Winnie’s bar.

This was an emotional story. I felt for both Winnie and Francine. The war changed them both so drastically but somehow they were able to continue on.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.

This captivating WWII novel follows the lives of two main characters - Francine, who is left alone in the world, and Winnie, who is grieving for the loss of her husband, Trevor.

Francine struck me as a wonderfully perceptive character, and I enjoyed how the author brought the story to life through her eyes; through her experiences and memories.

Winnie was a character that I connected with in a different way. She seemed like a kindhearted and caring person, who enjoyed looking out for others and taking care of them. I appreciated that quality about her.

I enjoyed following both of these characters, to see how their lives became interlinked. It was heartwarming to see them grow and develop as the story progressed, and this book left me smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third, and final book in the Wartime Evacuees series, and I think it's possibly my favourite of the three. The Wartime Mother centers on Francine, the third and final main character child that we meet in the first book of this series, although she's only in it briefly. So I really loved getting to know her better. The pacing is great, and whilst some of the language felt too modern, I don't actually know if it is.

I absolutely adored Mr Cohen, I was so desperate to find out what happened to his daughter Ruthie, but the ending to that particular thread was heartbreakingly realistic. Mr Williams on the other hand had me raging. And scary that his opinions are becoming all too common again.

Overall, whilst it had moments of sadness, this has been a lovely cozy world war two series, which really reflects on the variety of experiences that evacuees had; and the sometimes devastating affect that the evacuation had on families.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read ! I have loved this novel. The characters are brilliantly defined, their community is so warm and pulls you to The Castle (without the h) pub. I felt I was there with them all and it felt good!
Lizzie Page masterfully writes heartwarming novels. The storyline pulls at your heart, the plot is lively and entertaining, and the characters are more than likeable. Wit also colours this novel (as well as in her other novels!). What I also enjoyed in this novel, is that I learned quite a bit about public house regulations during WWII which I was not aware of. This was interesting!
I highly recommend this novel that brings (warming and cosy) light into a dark period of time.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book 3 of The Wartime Evacuees, we follow Francine’s journey after losing her mum and siblings during The Blitz.

Winnie has recently lost her husband to the war and is still grieving. Running the pub (The Castle) that she and her husband had ran together is keeping her going.

We join Winnie and Francine at their most difficult times, when they both need help and guidance.

My heart went out to both Winnie and Francine. They had both lost their loved ones and both were struggling to cope … until they found each other.

Winnie’s immediate love for Francine was wonderful and I could feel it through the pages.

Francine was wonderful for Winnie, she helped to keep the pub going by coming up with great ideas.

A beautifully told story that had my emotions running all over the place!

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wartime Mother is part of Lizzie Page’s Wartime Evacuees. This WWII story is both a tragic one and heartwarming one in that it deals with loss of life. Still new opportunities and relationships are formed. It is a captivating story of how Winnie becomes a widow then a substitute caretaker for a ten-year-old who has been evacuated from London. Even more it is the child’s story.

Winnie’s perspective is both fateful as well as sad at the beginning. However, it is Francine’s story that is so compelling with the touching and tear bringing events in this young one’s life. The author has a splendid way of connecting the reader to Francine. Not all sad, Francine has ideas, wit, and a way of looking at life. An outstanding addition to the series. The Wartime Mother can be read as a stand-alone. Be sure to do so today.
4.5 Stars

[Susan McAulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of a trilogy and I have read the second part but not the first. However, it is really more the theme versus the characters that is continued in the series versus the characters, so it can be read stand alone or out of order. In each book, a child who is an evacuee in WW II comes to live with someone and the characters form a relationship.
I think I preferred the second book to this third book, though it picked up steam later on. We meet Winnie, the adult, who is widowed and is in need of someone to connect to, and Francine, a 10 year old girl who needs a home. We follow the relationship that is formed between them and see Francine grow into an adult. Later on, Winnie needs to make a major life decision.
This is more or less a "formula" novel, but it is a good one. You know that it is going to be a heartwarming, feel good story, which is a nice change. The characters are fully developed, more through actions and dialogue than through exposition. I would rate this 4 1/4.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with early access to this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the author’s Wartime Series providing an emotional conclusion to the series. Winnie, a widowed pub landlady lonely following the death of her husband in World War II. Struggling with her grief, running the pub she shared with her husband is all she has left. Enter Francine, a struggling orphan who has seen her fair share of heartache. When their paths cross, both are desperate to fill the emptiness inside their souls. The relationship between Winnie and Francine is heartwarming. They need each other to be whole again. This story is beautifully written and filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. I may have shed just a few tears while reading this one. I’ve enjoyed the whole series and highly recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was an emotional read. Winnie and Francine meet during the war, they don’t realise it yet but they need each other to heal from the horrors of losing loved ones. It was heartbreaking and sad but also very healing and with hope. Follow these two, a woman and a young girl as they navigate loss and life together. This is a real cozy feel good book, although tragic there is also hope and love which is very uplifting. Highly recommend this book I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth five stars as I couldn’t put it down, I really needed to know how it would end.

[Heather Stringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read from this author, enjoyed style of writing.
Post war orphanage, introduction of the children’s act and the complexities of the children in Clara’s care.
Particularly enjoyed Clara’s character and her thoughts during the book which mirrored some of mine, placing children’s welfare at the heart.
Page turner for me.

[Alana Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wartime Mother

A sad and beautiful story of a young girl who loses her Mother and siblings in World War 11. She is sent to foster with a lady who lost her husband in the war. Together they form a strong bond and build a family. Together they heal from the pain in their hearts.

[T McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I enjoyed reading this book as it draws you in as if you are actually in the story. I also found it hard to put down. Another great book by Lizzie Page.
I would recommend her to my friends.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking WWII story of a widow and her child. Lizzie page is a great author. I suggest reading her other books too.

[Emma Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved the first two books in this series, I couldn’t wait to read Francine’s story. After losing her entire family in the Blitz, she was so vulnerable and I wanted so much for her to find love and protection.

As in all Lizzie Page’s books, the characters are so well drawn that you feel as if they are people you know. Both Francine and Winnie have their own tragedies to come to terms with and it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming to see how they navigated their bereavements. There’s a great cast of minor characters in this one, too. From the Canadian airmen, the old men in the pub and the lovely Mr Cohen who I fell in love with!

This was such a satisfying end to the trilogy. Lighter moments of warmth and humour, darker moments about the underbelly of human nature and – as always with Page’s books – the realisation that human beings are the same across time. I am sad to finish this series and say goodbye to Valerie, Lydia and Francine but am leaving with a full heart and hope for another series from Lizzie Page soon!