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

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 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
https://www.glynispetersauthor.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/glynispeters...

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four and the last goodbye.
1947 the war is over. Kitty Mccarthy her husband Michael drops a bombshell he's going back to Canada with or without her. They have been through so much and she thought this was a strong marriage but instead its in crisis, crying herself to sleep with no comfort from Michael. A woman's fight with help from friends, a new career and finding love again.
And what a journey ahead it becomes.
Truly touching read with powerful chapters to the end of this wonderful series. I certainly look forward to more work from this author.
lovely read.

[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.

[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.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this emotional new historical fiction novel and last book in the Red Cross Orphans series, readers follow former nurse Kitty McCarthy as she tries to rebuild her marriage with her husband Michael in the years after World War II ended. However, Michael wants to return to western Canada, and Kitty isn’t sure if that is the life she wants. When Michael leaves without her, Kitty must find her courage and travel across the Atlantic Ocean and most of Canada to find Michael and repair her marriage, but this trip soon becomes a quest of self-discovery, and this new Kitty might not want the marriage and life old Kitty wanted all those months ago. The characters are the stars of the book, and Kitty is a capable, competent, and strong protagonist with a big heart. Readers will definitely sympathize with her situation and find themselves rooting for her over the course of the novel. The depth of detail for the Canadian wilderness and the historical setting really pull readers into the story, and the friendships and relationships created along the way add incredible dimension to the final book in Glynis Peters’s fascinating and detailed World War II historical fiction series.

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the advance copy.

[Sallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that captured my interest from the very beginning to the very end. I loved the cover of the book because it really depicted the story for me. All of the characters jumped off the page and into my head as I read this one with great interest. I did not know that this is a series book and really did not need to read the ones before to love this book. The main characters are Kitty and Michael. Michael leaves Kitty behind and moves to Canada to have a new life and she is determined to find him and save the marriage. Her best friend Stanley makes the trip possible and goes with her on a journey to find their friend and her husband. This book shows how life can be when you have to start over in a new place with no friends or family and proves that the family you choose does become your family. I highly recommend this book and will be on the lookout for previous stories by this author.

I wish to thank Net Galley and St. Martin’s Harper Collins UK Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 of Red Cross Orphans

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 on the way to an unknown land. What begins as a journey to reclaim her husband, soon becomes a journey to find herself.

It's the last book of the series, and it's been such a joy to read. The characters are well-developed. I understood why Michael wanted to return to the wide-open plains of Canada. But Kitty wasn't ready to give up on her husband either, and followed him there to try and find him. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Published 20th November 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #GlynisPeters for my ARC of #TheOrphansLastGoodbye in exchange for an honest review.

[Dustybookjackets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of Red Cross Orphans and Their Last Goodbye.

After enduring six difficult years of war, former nurse Kitty McCarthy deserved a hopeful future. Yet her peace is shattered when her husband, Michael, suddenly confesses that he feels confined in Britain and longs to return to the expansive plains of the Canadian West.

Before she can fully absorb this life-altering revelation, Michael departs. Soon, Kitty finds herself on a journey to an unfamiliar land. What begins as an effort to reunite with her husband gradually transforms into a path of self-discovery.

This is the final book in the series, and I have truly enjoyed reading it. The characters are portrayed with depth and care. I understand Michael’s wish to return to the open Canadian plains, but I also empathize with Kitty’s heartbreak and her determination not to lose him. I found this story deeply touching.

First read of 2026 and my first star read!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a surprise . Kitty's renewed relationship with Michael is not great. He leaves England suddenly, claiming he wants to return to Canada, his homeland. He expects Kitty to carry on without him, but he doesn't know his wife! She pays a (perhaps) final visit to her 3 dear friends and her Uncle Frank. Surprisingly: Stanley Fell decides he needs more adventure in his life and asks to accompany Kitty to find Michael in the unknowns of Canada. They fly to Toronto, then take a long train ride to Calgary, Alberta. It's 1947, and the oil boom is on. The rest of the story you need to read. Kitty, as ever, is resilient and can tackle change. The ending is satisfying. I am Canadian and lived 30 years in Calgary. It was good to have the 2nd half of the book end there. Good historical writing, as always. This series should be read in order.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

O Canada

What a delightful ending for the story of Kitty the Red Cross nurse and Michael the Canadian surgeon. From the horrors of war, a hurried romance, to the afterwar peace and on to the wilds of Canada, what a story.

I loved meeting all the characters once more as we travel with Kitty on her quest for happiness.

The story was beautifully written. The descriptions of not only the countryside, but the people living within was warm and . I could almost see the scenes depicted.

The story took some unexpected turns and the ending was unexpected, but I loved reading this last story.

I received a copy of the book to read and review, the review is my own,

[Audrey Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and a well written book. I could empathize with the orphans feelings as they adapted to the changes in their lives. The orphans even ended up traveling through my own province in Canada so that was unique

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating this was hard. I think a 4.5 is best. It’s a different book but nicely written with good characters.

- Kitty
- Stanley, her staunch friend
- Michael, her war-time husband who returns to Canada most unexpectedly
- Mim and her Native American family

[anne bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Beautifully written with a good story line.easy to read and leaves you wanting more. Would recommend to all. Well done.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Was historical fiction but too much of a love story for me.

[Heather de boer · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh.. this dragged along. no real drama or climax.. just how she puttered along trying to find her husband. I needed a book for a vacation so I stuck with it .

[Holly Parcey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is interesting but the writing style is disappointing. I was not expecting a clunky Harlequin Romance. I wanted to like this book, because I love historical fiction, but did not.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting romance story.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good book! So good I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day.
It was fast moving and full of emotion. It was a nice conclusion to this series.

[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.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like watching a Hallmark movie.

[Tracy Eyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Orphan’s Last Goodbye by Glynis Peters is a last look at Kitty’s adventures. Over the course of Glynis’ novels, Kitty has loved, lost, faced gunfire and hoped for a future that only she could envision. When she marries Michael whom she met on a battlefield, she feels her life is just beginning. She feels contentment and loves her work. However, when a heated fight causes Michael to leave, she drops everything to follow him and try to reconcile. Over the course of the story, she does ultimately find Michael but finding her true self and what she was meant to do with her life is a far more rewarding achievement. Finding true happiness, a homestead and the family she’s always wanted was fated from the start. Overall, a good story about finding oneself and always hoping for a better tomorrow. I especially liked the way the author was able to describe the development of Cochrane, Alberta a place I had the opportunity to visit a few years ago. Simply uplifting!

[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!

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rated this a 1 star otherwise it does not count as a review. I will put this as mildly as I can. This book is terrible. Please do not take offence when I say I have a 10 year old granddaughter that could write better than this. Glynis Peters does not deserve any accolades for this piece of trash. If I had purchased this book I would be fuming mad at the money wasted. Get an Archies comic book instead.

[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

[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.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt story full of intrigue, emotion and twists I didn't see coming. I love this author's books, and The Orphan's Last Goodbye was no exception. This story kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Although I'm sad to say goodbye to Kitty McCarthy and for this series to end, this book brought Kitty's story to a satisfactory conclusion. Simply wonderful and a recommended read.

[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.