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The Teacher Evacuees
Evacuated to the countryside, she realises there are more dangers than German bombs in wartime…
In summer 1939, Canadian-born teacher Victoria McKaye takes up a new position at a London school, only to shortly coordinate the evacuation to the countryside with standoffish spinster Beatrice and quiet, young Nell. Arriving in the village of Hazelbury, Victoria sorts out billets for her young charges and meets Louis Grainger, a naval officer.
As their friendship turns to something more, she notices some strange behaviours – including him meeting with foreign men in secret locales. When she confronts Louis, he admits he's working for the British government and recruits Victoria to help.
Drawn into a clandestine world, everything comes to a head when her work helps foil a Nazi plot. Yet the police have never heard of Louis… Can she trust the man she's grown to love?
A thrilling and compulsive Second World War saga for fans of Lesley Eames, Katie Flynn and Betty Walker.
In summer 1939, Canadian-born teacher Victoria McKaye takes up a new position at a London school, only to shortly coordinate the evacuation to the countryside with standoffish spinster Beatrice and quiet, young Nell. Arriving in the village of Hazelbury, Victoria sorts out billets for her young charges and meets Louis Grainger, a naval officer.
As their friendship turns to something more, she notices some strange behaviours – including him meeting with foreign men in secret locales. When she confronts Louis, he admits he's working for the British government and recruits Victoria to help.
Drawn into a clandestine world, everything comes to a head when her work helps foil a Nazi plot. Yet the police have never heard of Louis… Can she trust the man she's grown to love?
A thrilling and compulsive Second World War saga for fans of Lesley Eames, Katie Flynn and Betty Walker.
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2025
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Rose Warner
1 book3 followersRose Warner, who also publishes as Jen Gilroy, writes historical women’s fiction and sweet contemporary romance—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home.
A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.
Canadian-British, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London.
Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.
When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.
A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.
Canadian-British, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London.
Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.
When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 8, 2025
August 1939. Victoria McKaye is a Canadian teacher and she moves to England, her new job is at Park Royal School in London. Before she knows it she and her co-workers are coordinating the children's evacuation to a North Norfolk village called Hazelbury.
When Victoria, Beatrice Wentworth and Nell Potter arrive there is no accommodation provided for them and only the students, after a few uncomfortable nights, they board with the Grainger sisters, two elderly ladies who reside in nearby Hazelbury Manor.
Living in the country is a shock for them all, with no indoor plumbing and in some cases electricity, the children are homesick and others are not happy staying with their foster families and they have to overcome lots of issues, obstacles and big cows.
Louis Grainger is the great nephew of Adelaide and Henrietta and a naval officer, he and Victoria develop feelings for each other and however both have been engaged and hurt in the past and wonder if it's wise to fall in love during a war?
People are told to take note of any suspicious behaviour, Victoria thinks Louis is involved in something very hush hush, when she notices him meeting a stranger in the woods, she doesn’t know who she can trust and wonders if they have a traitor in the town?
The Teacher Evacuees by Rose Warner is a narrative that takes you back to just prior to the start and beginning of the Second World War, masses of children and teachers were evacuated to the English countryside, the nation was vulnerable to attack, everyone was worried about being invaded and unsure what the future held and you can sense this while reading the novel.
I really liked Victoria’s character, from taking her infant’s class on nature walks and her understanding children can learn not just in the class room, but in different places and environments. Victoria and her fellow teachers become firm friends, and time goes on they and the students become a part of the community and village.
I have met an evacuee, his descriptions of what happened to him were very similar to what Ms Warner pens, I’m looking forward to the second book in the series, and five stars from me and I highly recommend.
When Victoria, Beatrice Wentworth and Nell Potter arrive there is no accommodation provided for them and only the students, after a few uncomfortable nights, they board with the Grainger sisters, two elderly ladies who reside in nearby Hazelbury Manor.
Living in the country is a shock for them all, with no indoor plumbing and in some cases electricity, the children are homesick and others are not happy staying with their foster families and they have to overcome lots of issues, obstacles and big cows.
Louis Grainger is the great nephew of Adelaide and Henrietta and a naval officer, he and Victoria develop feelings for each other and however both have been engaged and hurt in the past and wonder if it's wise to fall in love during a war?
People are told to take note of any suspicious behaviour, Victoria thinks Louis is involved in something very hush hush, when she notices him meeting a stranger in the woods, she doesn’t know who she can trust and wonders if they have a traitor in the town?
The Teacher Evacuees by Rose Warner is a narrative that takes you back to just prior to the start and beginning of the Second World War, masses of children and teachers were evacuated to the English countryside, the nation was vulnerable to attack, everyone was worried about being invaded and unsure what the future held and you can sense this while reading the novel.
I really liked Victoria’s character, from taking her infant’s class on nature walks and her understanding children can learn not just in the class room, but in different places and environments. Victoria and her fellow teachers become firm friends, and time goes on they and the students become a part of the community and village.
I have met an evacuee, his descriptions of what happened to him were very similar to what Ms Warner pens, I’m looking forward to the second book in the series, and five stars from me and I highly recommend.
December 28, 2025
The start of a new historical saga series. It is the start of the Second World War and on the home front, children are being evacuated away from the cities. Alongside them is the teachers as well.
Victoria is fairly new to her role when she finds herself thrust into organising the movement and settling of the children. Alongside spinster Beatrice, and young Nell they find themselves accommodated in a large manor house. Victoria meets Louis Grainger a Naval Officer and a friendship blossoms into something more.
But Louis behaviour makes Victoria suspicious and it seems that there is more to this little village and his behaviour and she finds herself drawn into helping the war effort.
There is much packed into this book and had me hooked from the beginning. If you want to get involved with a new saga which involves different aspects of the home front that I have not read about before, then this is the book for you.
Victoria is fairly new to her role when she finds herself thrust into organising the movement and settling of the children. Alongside spinster Beatrice, and young Nell they find themselves accommodated in a large manor house. Victoria meets Louis Grainger a Naval Officer and a friendship blossoms into something more.
But Louis behaviour makes Victoria suspicious and it seems that there is more to this little village and his behaviour and she finds herself drawn into helping the war effort.
There is much packed into this book and had me hooked from the beginning. If you want to get involved with a new saga which involves different aspects of the home front that I have not read about before, then this is the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews