A Safe Haven for the War Orphans

by Rachel Brimble

Discover a BRAND NEW wartime saga series from the BESTSELLING author of The Home Front Nurses, Rachel Brimble Praise for Rachel

‘I enjoyed this heart-warming yet gritty and gripping first book of the series. Sylvia, Freda and Veronica, work hard in their job of nursing the wounded, each of them with their own secret heartache… Compelling reading. Another winner for this lovely author… A series that will garner a host of readers.’ Lizzie Lane

‘This a new writer for me and I absolutely loved this book. Well-researched, well-written and I couldn’t put it down.’ Fenella J Miller

‘Fantastic… Promises to be a brilliant series.’ Rosie Clarke

‘Heartwarming! I loved following the lives of the three girls, and the storyline pulled me in quickly, holding my attention. It was hard to put down!’ Patricia McBride

‘Rachel Brimble brings Sylvia, Freda and Veronica to life in her skilled and vivid storytelling. As the friends face the perils of war on the home front, we stand beside them, sharing their hopes, dreams and fears. I can’t wait to read more in this series.’ May Ellis

‘A sweet and enticing wartime story for anyone missing Call the Midwife.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely 10/10! Amazing storyline and loved the characters and setting, loved how the girls forged a friendship and stuck by each other, can’t wait to read more about these ladies.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A hopeful story about friendship and learning to trust. I love stories about women who strive for their own goals in life independent of men and who understand the joy and security of close female friendships. I’m looking forward to more books in the series!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Realistic… highlighted the research that went into writing this wonderful book… I am eager to find out what happens for Sylvia, Veronica and Freda next!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved how the nurses went above and beyond to help the patients feel happy and care for them whilst in hospital.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

About the author

Rachel Brimble is the author of multiple Amazon bestselling books, including The Home Front Nurses set in Bath during WWII. Book 4 of the series released Feb 2026.
Her next book is the first in a brand new WWII series - A Safe Haven for the War Orphans releases 18th September 2026.

When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!

Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop, The Writer Printable Co, providing resources she has created to help new authors achieve their writing dreams.

Reviews

[Lisa]

Full disclosure: I loved Rachel Brimble's Home Front Nurses series, and I've been anxiously waiting for the release of A Safe Haven for the War Orphans. I was delighted to find that a minor character, Susan Beckett, from the previous series is the main character in this one. (My favorite nurses from Upper Borough Hospital in Bath made a brief appearance too.)

Susan has made it her life's mission to care for any child in Bristol who needs comforting and safe shelter, just as her grandmother did. With the massive German bombings in Bristol, there are more orphans than ever. Unfortunately, her own home is destroyed by a bomb, forcing her to leave the city she loves. This first book is the story of Susan's safe haven, a stately manor in the countryside, along with her eight traumatized Bristol orphans. A Safe Haven for the War Orphans is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and impossible to put down.

[Elaine Briggs]

This story had me hooked from the beginning.Susan Beckett is taking in orphan from the bombing in Bristol when Stephen Hatherley comes into her life and offers his country home Hatherlay Hall to her to house her and her orphans,the only thing being his father Lord Hatherley trying to get too her over and over again.Susan employs a nurse,Judy , from Upper Broughton Hospital to help out with the children .Judy loves her job with the children and is good with them but Susan thinks their is something Judy is holding back on and it trying to see if she can get her to talk about it.Susan tries to find foster families for the orphans in her care and two of them go to live at a farm.Will Susan be able to find out what is wrong with Judy and will she be able to tell Stephen how she feels for him.

[Ann Dickman]

Amazing story

I throughly enjoyed this book, I would have liked it to have continued, I hope there is a follow up to this book.

[Angela Brown]

This is the first of a new series from Rachel Brimble but it is actually a sort of side series to the Home Front Nurses series.

This follows Susan who takes orphaned and children who cannot find their families and tries to get them fostered or adopted. Gloria is a child who has seen so much horror in Bristol and is now plagued by panic attacks as well as Benjamin and Elsa - twins who were orphaned but have family who have been unable to take them. And not forgetting Nicholas so traumatised he is mute. She has been taken to Hatherley House in Castle Combe -the home of a Bristol teacher Stephen - he is the heir to his father’s title and estate. A definite case of the social classes and not mixing. But there is a spark between them - will this be kindled?

We also meet Judy - who left the hospital in the last book of The Home Front nurses to a new role as a children’s nurse at the home. What is her secret and what part does Sister Porter play in this secret and what hold does she have over Judy?

All in all a lot to take in and at times it was a bit slow and convoluted - but not so that I didn’t want to finish the book and find out what happened. I’m also looking forward to the next in the series.

Rachel Brimble has done her research and manages to write with empathy towards the children and the terrible sights they must’ve seen and endured.

A great read

[Trudy Dowling]

Rachel Brimble has a way for transporting me back in time to a period I have studied, yet don't know enough about. Her books find me deep diving, learning more than I knew possible from as many places as possible. Family never talked much about the war, with each book I read I understand more and more why.

Stephen has taken Susan and the orphans to his family estate after the terrible bombings in Bristol. In the country they are safe, but it is a very different world. The class system creates many issues as they try to carry on.

Susan soon has a nurse, Judy, helping her with her eight charges. The reader soon learns that Judy has a terrible secret. From what I have learned, many were taken advantage of during the war, but each and every time, I become more infuriated.

Susan has her hands full as she tries to find foster homes for the children. My heart broke for her when she had to say goodbyes. Her struggles continue to grow as she tries to help the children to thrive. Her most challenging moments don't just deal with the children. She needs to protect her heart from Stephen reminding me that a lot was going on during the war.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola]

I really enjoyed this story about Susan who runs an orphanage and helps war orphans find new families. Stephen and Susan set up an orphanage at Hatherley Hall, his childhood home. His father takes a bit of a dislike to Susan and he just about tolerates the children. How will this dynamic work? Susan is falling for Stephen who is out of her class and their live in nurse is having all sorts of problems with her ex employer. Susan needs to navigate life by putting her feelings for Stephen to one side so she concentrates on the children by providing a safe and stable environment for them. Great story, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 18 September 2026.

[Trisha]

Book 1 of a series. Gentle WW2 romance. Susan looks after orphans who are homeless after being bombed out in Bristol. She has been offered a place to stay with the children at local manor house by Stephen, the heir to the estate.
As the year progresses, Susan is drawn to Stephen but he can never be hers as he's expected to marry within his class.
Alongside, there is a story about Judy, the children's nurse at the orphanage, who is hiding a secret about her past.
Well researched setting and plot. Engaging characters and easy to read.

[Sue Rouse]

I didn’t like this book as much as some of Rachel’s work as parts were slow and convoluted. Susan and Stephen we were first introduced to in the home front nurses series. Thanks to Rachel and her publisher.

[GG]

Heart warming and heart breaking all wrapped up in a well told story. Perhaps a little slow in places, but I really enjoyed the highs and lows of the experiences of Susan, Stephen and the orphans.