The Orphan’s Last Goodbye

by Glynis Peters

The final installment in The Red Cross Orphans series from the Globe & Mail bestselling author!

When the war is over, what will remain?

With six hard years of war behind her, former nurse Kitty McCarthy should be facing a bright future. But her husband Michael shatters her peace in an instant when he tells her he feels hemmed in by Britain, and wants to return to the wide-open plains of the Canadian west. Before she can process this life-changing news, Michael is gone.

It’s not long before Kitty finds herself in the air and on her way to an unknown land. But what begins as a journey to reclaim her husband and restore her marriage, soon becomes a journey to find herself, and this new, liberated and adventurous version of Kitty is like nothing she could have imagined…

Genres: Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

I write historical novels set in WWII Britain, and live by the sea in Essex.


One More Chapter / HarperCollins

USA TODAY BESTSELLER 2019/2020/2021
GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER 2019/2020/2021
TORONTO STAR BESTSELLER 2019/2020
NEW YORK BEST SELLERS AWARD (Gold) 2019
AMAZON UK AND USA BESTSELLER 2019 / 2020/2021

Newsletter / Giveaway Opportunities
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Reviews

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sorry to see this series end, but the ending was fantastic. The story shows that even after a war ends the struggles continue. Kitty and Michael have been through a lot as medical personnel during the war. Kitty had thought she had lost Michael when he was sent home to Canada to heal from a head injury in a previous book. I don't know who was more surprised when he returned to Kitty inorder to start their future. It wasn't easy. Michael still struggled. Like so many, he did return as the man he left.

In this book they are trying but it isn't easy. Michael has problems communicating. Kitty gets frustrated and jumps to conclusions when they try and talk. Both like to run, but not towards each other. Their marriage is crumbling but neither have words. When Kitty regrets her words, her one goal to go home and fix it. Only to find Michael had. left. She needs to find him. She needs to explain.

So begins the search for Michael. Secrets are revealed. Truths are uncovered. Kitty has only one option--go to Canada and prove to Micheal that they belong together. With her best friend, Stanley, by her side; they embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

They are confronted by many challenges. They know nothing about Canada. They have no idea where MIchael is, just a few clues from friends in England. They must take breaks so Stanley doesn't over do it with his prothetic. I have to admit it was blast following along with them. I learned along side them without the complications.

It was so fascinating to watch them find where the were meant to be. I found hope is seeing how they faced challenges head on. They worked the land. They learned how to be Canadian. I was all a twitter as they grew closer. I couldn't help but smile as they realized that they were searching for the wrong thing. Kitty had made the right choice as they settled into a new life.

Michael knew they were looking for him. It was up to him to come to them. When he showed up; it was mindblowing. The shocks just keep coming. What she had been searching for turned out to be the man that helped her search for her past. Together they helped each other find a perfect future.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphan’s Last Goodbye by Glynis Peters is a powerful historical novel that I loved. It is the fourth book in the Red Cross Orphans series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The year is 1947 and the war has been over for a couple of years but its’ effects are still being felt in lives. Nightmares of things that they cannot change, remain.
We witness that relationships formed in war cannot always stand the test of peace time. In contrast, other relationships strengthen due to shared experiences.
There are hearts of gold. “You always invested your heart into each child who stepped over the threshold.” Orphans of war were guaranteed a loving home in a big family house in the North East. These huge hearts continue as nothing is too much trouble despite personal hardship. In contrast, a heart is selfish, seeking out personal gain and not thinking of others.
Injuries in the war, remain. Some are physical due to leg amputation. Others are injuries to the mind.
We join characters seeking new lives in the Canadian wilderness. Relationships are formed with those who already live on the land, and the Native Canadians. They are all welcoming, offering new friendships and tips for living on the land.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Orphan’s Last Goodbye. It was an entertaining read.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Orphans Last Goodbye by Glynis Peters is the fourth and final book in the Red Cross Orphans series.
The story continues about Kitty and her husband Michael. Their marriage is a turbulent one When Micheal tells Kitty that he wants to return to Canada and have Canadian children. Before Kitty getting used to the idea, she comes home to find Michael gone with half her savings too. She tells her best friend Stanely, and he tells her that find Michael. So, they decide to travel to Canada to find him and explain. But when they find him, she discovers something that she wasn’t expecting.
I always love a Glynis Peters book, and I was really looking forward to reading it. Her books always give me a warm fuzzy feeling. But for me personally I was quite disappointed with ‘The Orphans Last goodbye. I just couldn’t grasp the storyline. Why would someone leave all their family and friends who love them dearly and go and chase after a man who has abandoned her without no note and virtually left her homeless. It didn’t make sense to me at all. Also, the authors style of writing was completely different to the others, and I struggled to connect to it all. On the positive note I loved the other characters in Canada and of Stanely. He was quite a chivalrous man and the story at the end tied up nicely. 3 stars from me.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth and final installment in The Red Cross Orphans series. I have not read the previous books but this did not detract from my enjoyment of this as a standalone book. That said, I would like to double back and read the whole series to appreciate the build up to this book.

The book centres around Kitty McCarthy who had been a nurse with The Red Cross during World War Two. Her husband Michael, a Canadian born doctor, wants to return to his homeland. He wants more than their quaint house, ironically in Quebec, UK. He feels suffocated but Kitty is torn between her own homeland and her husband. He leaves and she follows to look for him.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the plot was a new twist on a book in the aftermath of World War Two for me. I loved Kitty’s story and her relationship with Stanley as strongly as I disliked selfish Michael. I also loved the setting of Canada and Kitty’s journey across it. The set of four books would make a wonderful gift for any historical fiction fan.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orphan’s Last Goodbye is the fourth and final book in Glynis Peters’ Red Cross Orphans series. It is a book about love, hope, forgiveness, and second chances. It is also a story of women who exhibit strength and courage, who are able to survive no matter what life throws at them. After Kitty’s husband, Michael, moves back to his homeland of Canada with no word of where he is, she enlists the help of her friend, Stanley. They embark on an adventure, flying across the pond to Canada in a valiant effort to locate Michael. In the process, Kitty and Stanley fall in love with Canada while taking on new challenges and opportunities. This book can be read as a standalone but it is interesting knowing the full story, which comes from the first three books in the series.

[Pam Papworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I did not read the previous books in this series but hoped that I would like it enough to go back and read them. Unfortunately, I did not like this book. I read 51% of it and just could not make myself read the rest (so many books, so little time!). I did not like the main character at all and did not wish to waste more time reading her storyline. Since this is book 4 in a series, obviously other people enjoy this author and the other characters...it just wasn't for me!

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the series but it can be read as a standalone .Kitty's husband Michael moves back to Canada suddenly so Kitty and her friend Stanley decide to follow him ,what happens next are new challenges and opportunities exploring change loss and hope wrapping up Kitty's story .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of 4, the end of the Red Cross Orphan Series. I suggest reading them in order. This book is after WWII when Kitty’s husband moves back to Canada. It has a heartbreaking type of ending. Great series.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another Hallmark-movie-of-the-week/WW2 book, that is well-crafter, gentle comfort food. I will give it credit for the original reason behind the husband's abandoning of his marriage...otherwise it's exactly what I expected it to be.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like watching a Hallmark movie.

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4th book in the series and the final book. As Kitty goes off to Canada to find her husband Michael who has deserted her, her family and friends gather around Kitty to help find herself a new life. Kitty and her best friend set off to Canada on the first tourist plane which is amazing compared to where life is at now. Thanks to Glynis and her publisher.