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The Nowhere Sisters
Berlin, 1938. One journey will change their lives forever.
Twelve-year-old Margarete has lost everything — her parents, her home, and the fragile safety of the orphanage she once knew.
When the Nazis target Jewish families across Germany, Margarete is placed on a Kindertransport train bound for England. She expects to face the terrifying journey alone.
Until a small, frightened girl is thrust into her arms.
Four-year-old Ilse is crying for someone to protect her. In that moment, Margarete makes a desperate choice that will change both their lives forever.
She tells a lie. She tells the world they are sisters.
As they travel across Europe to an uncertain future, Margarete vows to protect Ilse. But when they arrive in England, their fragile new family is at risk of being torn apart.
Now Margarete must fight harder than ever to keep the promise she made.
Because sometimes the strongest families aren’t the ones we choose.
And sometimes a single brave lie can change everything.
A sweeping, emotional wartime historical saga about courage, sisterhood, survival and hope.
Twelve-year-old Margarete has lost everything — her parents, her home, and the fragile safety of the orphanage she once knew.
When the Nazis target Jewish families across Germany, Margarete is placed on a Kindertransport train bound for England. She expects to face the terrifying journey alone.
Until a small, frightened girl is thrust into her arms.
Four-year-old Ilse is crying for someone to protect her. In that moment, Margarete makes a desperate choice that will change both their lives forever.
She tells a lie. She tells the world they are sisters.
As they travel across Europe to an uncertain future, Margarete vows to protect Ilse. But when they arrive in England, their fragile new family is at risk of being torn apart.
Now Margarete must fight harder than ever to keep the promise she made.
Because sometimes the strongest families aren’t the ones we choose.
And sometimes a single brave lie can change everything.
A sweeping, emotional wartime historical saga about courage, sisterhood, survival and hope.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2026
About the author
Jan Casey
8 books43 followersAll of my novels explore the themes around how ordinary people are affected by extraordinary events during any period of history, including the present. I'm fascinated with the courage, adaptability and resilience that people find within themselves during times of adversity and for which they do not expect pay, praise or commendation. I'm also interested in writing about the similiarities as opposed to the differences amongst people and the ways in which experiences and emotions bind humans together.
I was born in London but spent my childhood in Southern California where bookworm parents and regular trips to the library instilled a love of books and literature deep within me. For many years, I was a teacher of English and Drama and I worked, until recently, as a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
Now that my lifelong dream of becoming a published author as come true, I spend my time writing, reading, swimming, walking, cooking, practising yoga and enjoying my grandchildren.
You can follow me on Twitter @JanCaseyAuthor or find me on Facebook at facebook.com/JanCaseyAuthor
I was born in London but spent my childhood in Southern California where bookworm parents and regular trips to the library instilled a love of books and literature deep within me. For many years, I was a teacher of English and Drama and I worked, until recently, as a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
Now that my lifelong dream of becoming a published author as come true, I spend my time writing, reading, swimming, walking, cooking, practising yoga and enjoying my grandchildren.
You can follow me on Twitter @JanCaseyAuthor or find me on Facebook at facebook.com/JanCaseyAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 25, 2026
Touching, deeply moving … for the people who lived through some of these experiences, it will never be forgotten.
The Nowhere Sisters is an engaging and emotionally driven novel that combines family relationships, mystery, and personal growth into a compelling story.
The story unfolds at a steady pace, gradually revealing secrets. I especially appreciated the strong emotional core and the themes of identity, belonging, and the lasting impact of family ties.
Overall, this was a rewarding read with memorable characters and an intriguing premise. If you enjoy family dramas layered with mystery and emotional depth, The Nowhere Sisters is well worth picking up.
4 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Nowhere Sisters is an engaging and emotionally driven novel that combines family relationships, mystery, and personal growth into a compelling story.
The story unfolds at a steady pace, gradually revealing secrets. I especially appreciated the strong emotional core and the themes of identity, belonging, and the lasting impact of family ties.
Overall, this was a rewarding read with memorable characters and an intriguing premise. If you enjoy family dramas layered with mystery and emotional depth, The Nowhere Sisters is well worth picking up.
4 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 9, 2026
I’m a huge fan of WWII Historical Fiction and this piece by Jan Casey was provided to me by @zooloosbooktours. I don’t typically gravitate toward stories of children during this time but this tale was heart wrenching, and raw, and yet filled with protection, love, and the thread of family- no matter how it looks. It definitely did not shy away from culture shifts and the reality of families of the time.
We get to see the perspective of both German sisters- and their British “sister”. One desperately trying to keep hold of her culture and tradition, one trying to navigate her shifting world as a small child without a common language and understanding, and one trying to help them both navigate their new circumstance AND her parents expectations. We don’t often get a peek into the trials of children which are typically more complex than we believe possible. I really enjoyed the perspectives of each of the girls versus just one POV. This story takes us beyond the train ride that changed two lives and into a world of navigating, learning, growing, and adapting.
The pacing up through the end of the war works well. Post- war the pacing drags a little and feels choppier/less cohesive. It did not deter me from reading but it may have slowed the perspectives as it seemed to introduce alternative issues that didn’t follow the previous themes.
If you’re a HF fan, give this one a read!
We get to see the perspective of both German sisters- and their British “sister”. One desperately trying to keep hold of her culture and tradition, one trying to navigate her shifting world as a small child without a common language and understanding, and one trying to help them both navigate their new circumstance AND her parents expectations. We don’t often get a peek into the trials of children which are typically more complex than we believe possible. I really enjoyed the perspectives of each of the girls versus just one POV. This story takes us beyond the train ride that changed two lives and into a world of navigating, learning, growing, and adapting.
The pacing up through the end of the war works well. Post- war the pacing drags a little and feels choppier/less cohesive. It did not deter me from reading but it may have slowed the perspectives as it seemed to introduce alternative issues that didn’t follow the previous themes.
If you’re a HF fan, give this one a read!
August 7, 2026
I had very high hopes for this book. I loved 2/3 of the book through the war. As I read past the war and into adulthood the book dragged more. I do appreciate the sisters visiting Germany in adulthood and working with remembering what happened, I could have done without going into 1990s and early 2000s.
July 12, 2026
An amazing, moving, heart aching, story. I particularly enjoyed hearing the story from each sister’s viewpoint, and wondered how Mrs. Kingfisher’s voice would have sounded. I didn’t expect the story to continue through their lives. It was interesting to see how their past affected them as they aged.
June 19, 2026
Really good book about what the war was like for children in Germany that was able to escape, but just because they escaped Germany didn’t mean everything was suddenly okay. To see through the eyes of how people reacted when they can hear the German accent or in the early days not understanding English and everything being jumbled.
This book is worth the read.
This book is worth the read.
May 20, 2026
This is the story of a family and yet it is not your typical family all of the same bloodline. Instead it is a family formed through loss, loneliness and happenstance. Margaret was raised primarily by her grandmother and after her death, entered an orphanage in Berlin. As the Nazi party was increasing in power, Margarete was placed on a train heading who knew where. Life was not safe anymore for a young Jewish girl in Berlin.When a young German girl of about four is brought into her train car, Margaret offers to hold her and supervise her on this trip to wherever they might end up. To make sure that they remain together, Margarete claims that the angelic looking young Ilse is in fact her long lost sister. When they finally reach the end of their journey, disaster strikes when Ilse is chosen to go with the Kingfisher family who had been looking for a young girl to be a sister to their daughter Judith. If there is one thing Ilse knows, it is how to scream and cry. She cannot bare to be parted from Margarete, and Judith quickly persuades her parents that they must take Maragarete too. And so a new family is shaped but life is never simple.
Put yourself as a reader into Margarete's shoes. She is old enough to have some understanding of what is happening yet she speaks only German and cannot communicate with the Kingfisher family. It must have been terrifying and it was happening to so many young Jewish children. Else could adapt more easily as she had fewer memories of her life before this. And warmed up easily to those whe fell for her angelic prettiness.
This is a story set in wartime. Food was scarce and you must eat what you are given. Pork is fairly easy to access but for Margarete, it is a forbidden food. Judith works hard to teach them how to speak English. Else learns to speak it with a flawless accent but Margarete finds it harder and at school falls victim to distrust and bullying.
This is not an easy story. Margarete never really felt safe and missed her Jewish faith and the celebrations that went with it. Hard though she tries to help Ilse remember her faith, it seems like a lost cause. The more Ilse fit in, the less Margarete did. Judith's mother treats them very differently and when Margarete is forced to leave school at fourteen to work in a factory, things eventually come to a head. The bonds between Margarete, Judith and Else are strong ones, but the search for faith leads Margarete in a new direction.
Many novelists would leave the story at wars end, but Casey chooses to follow the story of these three down the years with all the highs and lows that occur. It is a story of family forged through hardship and surviving and moving on, only to return when they can. It's not an easy story because they did not have an easy life, but it is a story of resilience and love. It brought me to tears at times and filled me with hope at other times. I would highly recommend it to those who like family sagas that move through wartime.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #JoffeBooks for allowing me to read an advance readers copy. All opinions are my own.
Put yourself as a reader into Margarete's shoes. She is old enough to have some understanding of what is happening yet she speaks only German and cannot communicate with the Kingfisher family. It must have been terrifying and it was happening to so many young Jewish children. Else could adapt more easily as she had fewer memories of her life before this. And warmed up easily to those whe fell for her angelic prettiness.
This is a story set in wartime. Food was scarce and you must eat what you are given. Pork is fairly easy to access but for Margarete, it is a forbidden food. Judith works hard to teach them how to speak English. Else learns to speak it with a flawless accent but Margarete finds it harder and at school falls victim to distrust and bullying.
This is not an easy story. Margarete never really felt safe and missed her Jewish faith and the celebrations that went with it. Hard though she tries to help Ilse remember her faith, it seems like a lost cause. The more Ilse fit in, the less Margarete did. Judith's mother treats them very differently and when Margarete is forced to leave school at fourteen to work in a factory, things eventually come to a head. The bonds between Margarete, Judith and Else are strong ones, but the search for faith leads Margarete in a new direction.
Many novelists would leave the story at wars end, but Casey chooses to follow the story of these three down the years with all the highs and lows that occur. It is a story of family forged through hardship and surviving and moving on, only to return when they can. It's not an easy story because they did not have an easy life, but it is a story of resilience and love. It brought me to tears at times and filled me with hope at other times. I would highly recommend it to those who like family sagas that move through wartime.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #JoffeBooks for allowing me to read an advance readers copy. All opinions are my own.
May 20, 2026
The Nowhere Sisters by Jan Casey is a deeply moving and emotionally rich historical saga that explores loss, resilience, and the true meaning of family during one of history’s most turbulent times.
The story follows Margarete, a young girl left orphaned after losing her mother in childbirth and being rejected by her grief-stricken father. Raised by her grandmother until her passing, Margarete’s life is once again uprooted when she is sent to an orphanage in Berlin. Soon after, as war looms, the children are evacuated to England for their safety.
During the journey, Margarete forms a bond with a vulnerable four-year-old girl, Ilse Bauer. In a desperate bid to keep them together, she claims they are sisters—a small lie that will shape both of their futures in ways she never could have imagined.
Upon arriving in England, the girls are taken in by the Kingfisher family, who agree to foster them both. Judith, the Kingfishers’ daughter, plays a pivotal role in welcoming them, becoming a sister figure and source of comfort as they adjust to their new lives. As Margarete becomes Margaret and Ilse becomes Elsie, the girls do their best to fit in—learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and trying to leave behind the stigma of being German in wartime Britain.
However, life is far from easy. While Elsie quickly wins hearts, Margaret struggles to find the same connection with Mrs. Kingfisher, creating an emotional tension that lingers throughout the story. Against the backdrop of war, prejudice, and uncertainty, the novel beautifully captures both the hardships and the small, heartwarming moments that define their journey.
As the story progresses into adulthood, long-held secrets and difficult choices come to the surface. Margaret is forced to make a decision that could shatter the fragile family they have built, adding a powerful layer of tension and heartbreak to an already emotional narrative.
This is a compelling and easy-to-read novel that balances sorrow with warmth. It highlights the resilience of individuals during wartime and the strength found in community and chosen family. Told through the perspectives of Margaret, Elsie, and Judith, readers are given an intimate look at their growth, struggles, and hopes for the future.
I especially appreciated how the story spans from childhood into adulthood, allowing us to see how their experiences shape the women they become. It’s a poignant reminder that family isn’t always defined by blood, but by love, loyalty, and the choices we make.
A heartfelt and touching read that will stay with you long after the final page.
The story follows Margarete, a young girl left orphaned after losing her mother in childbirth and being rejected by her grief-stricken father. Raised by her grandmother until her passing, Margarete’s life is once again uprooted when she is sent to an orphanage in Berlin. Soon after, as war looms, the children are evacuated to England for their safety.
During the journey, Margarete forms a bond with a vulnerable four-year-old girl, Ilse Bauer. In a desperate bid to keep them together, she claims they are sisters—a small lie that will shape both of their futures in ways she never could have imagined.
Upon arriving in England, the girls are taken in by the Kingfisher family, who agree to foster them both. Judith, the Kingfishers’ daughter, plays a pivotal role in welcoming them, becoming a sister figure and source of comfort as they adjust to their new lives. As Margarete becomes Margaret and Ilse becomes Elsie, the girls do their best to fit in—learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and trying to leave behind the stigma of being German in wartime Britain.
However, life is far from easy. While Elsie quickly wins hearts, Margaret struggles to find the same connection with Mrs. Kingfisher, creating an emotional tension that lingers throughout the story. Against the backdrop of war, prejudice, and uncertainty, the novel beautifully captures both the hardships and the small, heartwarming moments that define their journey.
As the story progresses into adulthood, long-held secrets and difficult choices come to the surface. Margaret is forced to make a decision that could shatter the fragile family they have built, adding a powerful layer of tension and heartbreak to an already emotional narrative.
This is a compelling and easy-to-read novel that balances sorrow with warmth. It highlights the resilience of individuals during wartime and the strength found in community and chosen family. Told through the perspectives of Margaret, Elsie, and Judith, readers are given an intimate look at their growth, struggles, and hopes for the future.
I especially appreciated how the story spans from childhood into adulthood, allowing us to see how their experiences shape the women they become. It’s a poignant reminder that family isn’t always defined by blood, but by love, loyalty, and the choices we make.
A heartfelt and touching read that will stay with you long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Advance Reader Copy recieved from Netgalley.
The Nowhere Sisters by Jan Casey is a deeply moving and beautifully written work of historical fiction that captures both the heartbreak and resilience of children displaced during the Second World War. Emotional, immersive, and richly detailed, this novel stays with you long after the final page.
The story begins in Berlin in 1938 and follows twelve-year-old Margarete, a young Jewish orphan forced to flee Nazi Germany through the Kindertransport programme to England. During the journey she is entrusted with the care of four-year-old Ilse, another frightened orphan travelling alone into an uncertain future. From the moment they meet, Margarete instinctively steps into the role of protector. In an effort to comfort Ilse and perhaps to comfort herself, she convinces those around them that they are sisters who had simply been separated into different orphanages.
What follows is a sweeping saga spanning decades as the girls build a new life in England. The novel explores the family they are taken in by, the bonds they create, and the hardships they endure together. Through moments of joy, devastating loss, sacrifice, and enduring love, the relationship between Margarete, Ilse, and their new sister Judith becomes the emotional heart of the story.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how authentic it feels. The writing is so convincing and emotionally grounded that at times I found myself wondering whether the story was written as a memoir. Casey captures the fear, uncertainty, and emotional scars of wartime displacement with remarkable sensitivity, while also highlighting the incredible strength and hope that carried so many people through unimaginable circumstances.
The characters are wonderfully developed and easy to become attached to. Margarete in particular is a memorable protagonist whose courage and compassion shine throughout the novel. Watching her grow from a frightened child into a woman shaped by both tragedy and love is incredibly powerful.
At its core, this is a story about family in all its forms. It is about the families we lose, the families we find, and the connections that can sustain us through even the darkest times. Heartbreaking in places yet ultimately hopeful, The Nowhere Sisters is a compelling and unforgettable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional historical fiction.
The Nowhere Sisters by Jan Casey is a deeply moving and beautifully written work of historical fiction that captures both the heartbreak and resilience of children displaced during the Second World War. Emotional, immersive, and richly detailed, this novel stays with you long after the final page.
The story begins in Berlin in 1938 and follows twelve-year-old Margarete, a young Jewish orphan forced to flee Nazi Germany through the Kindertransport programme to England. During the journey she is entrusted with the care of four-year-old Ilse, another frightened orphan travelling alone into an uncertain future. From the moment they meet, Margarete instinctively steps into the role of protector. In an effort to comfort Ilse and perhaps to comfort herself, she convinces those around them that they are sisters who had simply been separated into different orphanages.
What follows is a sweeping saga spanning decades as the girls build a new life in England. The novel explores the family they are taken in by, the bonds they create, and the hardships they endure together. Through moments of joy, devastating loss, sacrifice, and enduring love, the relationship between Margarete, Ilse, and their new sister Judith becomes the emotional heart of the story.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how authentic it feels. The writing is so convincing and emotionally grounded that at times I found myself wondering whether the story was written as a memoir. Casey captures the fear, uncertainty, and emotional scars of wartime displacement with remarkable sensitivity, while also highlighting the incredible strength and hope that carried so many people through unimaginable circumstances.
The characters are wonderfully developed and easy to become attached to. Margarete in particular is a memorable protagonist whose courage and compassion shine throughout the novel. Watching her grow from a frightened child into a woman shaped by both tragedy and love is incredibly powerful.
At its core, this is a story about family in all its forms. It is about the families we lose, the families we find, and the connections that can sustain us through even the darkest times. Heartbreaking in places yet ultimately hopeful, The Nowhere Sisters is a compelling and unforgettable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional historical fiction.
May 20, 2026
Well Researched; Poignant; Very Good Reading.
It is November 1938 in Berlin shortly after Kristallnacht and the location is on one of the Kindertransport trains headed for England. Margarete is 12 years old, she has witnessed the horrors of the Night of Broken Glass from the windows of her orphanage and is now completely traumatized, alone in the world, totally ignorant of why she is sitting crushed up next to the window of a train about to leave the station of the only city she knows. Suddenly a man appears holding a screaming child who he thrusts into Margarete’s arms begging her to protect her. Thus 4-year-old Ilse, who was locked into a cupboard at her orphanage during the pogrom, and has no idea why she is alone or what is happening to the world around her, finds herself in a place that feels safe. Then the 12 year old whispers to the 4 year old “tell everyone you are my sister so we can stay together” so Ilse clings tightly to Margarete and they give comfort to each other through the frightening train and boat journey to England.
Once in England the authorities threaten to separate the two girls, but by now Ilse has perfected the art of screaming to get her own way and keep her with her new sister, so they both end up in the same family. This book follows the fortunes of the adoptive family, and the two girls as they grow up in an alien environment. Baby Ilsa is young enough to adapt to a different culture, but Margarete finds she cannot practice her Jewish faith, so outwardly complies with new rules in order to keep the sisters under a safe roof, and inwardly worries constantly about their future, their welfare. We are treated to vignettes which portray their lives as they get older, and how their early experiences affect their decisions and development throughout their lives.
This is well-researched, very thoughtful book. It is beautifully written for the reader to be able to relate to the characters and the environment as together they progress through time. The reactions and interrelations of all the characters are treated with dignity and nothing is condemned. I thoroughly recommend reading “The Nowhere Sisters” by Jan Casey for the history, for the study in human nature, but especially just because it is a very good story that you will find difficult to put down once you have read the first page.
It is November 1938 in Berlin shortly after Kristallnacht and the location is on one of the Kindertransport trains headed for England. Margarete is 12 years old, she has witnessed the horrors of the Night of Broken Glass from the windows of her orphanage and is now completely traumatized, alone in the world, totally ignorant of why she is sitting crushed up next to the window of a train about to leave the station of the only city she knows. Suddenly a man appears holding a screaming child who he thrusts into Margarete’s arms begging her to protect her. Thus 4-year-old Ilse, who was locked into a cupboard at her orphanage during the pogrom, and has no idea why she is alone or what is happening to the world around her, finds herself in a place that feels safe. Then the 12 year old whispers to the 4 year old “tell everyone you are my sister so we can stay together” so Ilse clings tightly to Margarete and they give comfort to each other through the frightening train and boat journey to England.
Once in England the authorities threaten to separate the two girls, but by now Ilse has perfected the art of screaming to get her own way and keep her with her new sister, so they both end up in the same family. This book follows the fortunes of the adoptive family, and the two girls as they grow up in an alien environment. Baby Ilsa is young enough to adapt to a different culture, but Margarete finds she cannot practice her Jewish faith, so outwardly complies with new rules in order to keep the sisters under a safe roof, and inwardly worries constantly about their future, their welfare. We are treated to vignettes which portray their lives as they get older, and how their early experiences affect their decisions and development throughout their lives.
This is well-researched, very thoughtful book. It is beautifully written for the reader to be able to relate to the characters and the environment as together they progress through time. The reactions and interrelations of all the characters are treated with dignity and nothing is condemned. I thoroughly recommend reading “The Nowhere Sisters” by Jan Casey for the history, for the study in human nature, but especially just because it is a very good story that you will find difficult to put down once you have read the first page.
May 20, 2026
A harrowing but uplifting story of two Jewish children rescued as orphans from Nazi
Germany.
Margarette is a twelve year old Jewish orphan who having survived the terrors of
Kristallnacht finds herself bundled onto a train bound to who knows where. The thugs
led by SS officers had smashed every window in the Jewish ghetto and arrested anyone
they could get hold off. With so much broken glass on the streets that awful event
became known as Crystal Night. Margaret is shoved onto a train with hundreds of other
children as part of the “Kinder transport” little does she know or understand but this is
the beginning of a journey that will save her life. Just as the train begins to move off
someone hands her a toddler and tells her to look after her. Her name is Ilse and she is
petrified. Margarette bundles the little mite in her arms and when questioned by guards
claims that they are sisters. So begins a lifelong bond stronger than blood. After a cold
and terrifying journey through Germany being questioned by hostile army officers the
train arrives in Holand and the children are boarded onto a ship bound for England and
safety, all the way Margarette is hugging and protecting Ilse as her little sister
Margarette’s troubles are not over though, the English family that have arranged to
adopt little Ilse don’t want a second child and she is sent back into line and its not until
Ilse screams frantically for her sister that the Kingfisher family relent and agree to take
Margarette. The Kingfishers have a child of their own, Judith, and she becomes the third
Sister and their champion. Growing up in a foreign country is tough, and the first hurdle
is language and Judith takes it on herself to teach them, first by mime. Judith goes on to
be their Guardian Angel when they are picked on as Germans at school.
Their follows the heart-warming saga of the three girls growing up together as sisters.
Ilse slowly forgetting her roots as she is so young and Margarettes determination to
maintain her jewishness. Through childhood to adulthood sorrow and joy this is a
superb piece of writing that i was sorry when it came to an end
Germany.
Margarette is a twelve year old Jewish orphan who having survived the terrors of
Kristallnacht finds herself bundled onto a train bound to who knows where. The thugs
led by SS officers had smashed every window in the Jewish ghetto and arrested anyone
they could get hold off. With so much broken glass on the streets that awful event
became known as Crystal Night. Margaret is shoved onto a train with hundreds of other
children as part of the “Kinder transport” little does she know or understand but this is
the beginning of a journey that will save her life. Just as the train begins to move off
someone hands her a toddler and tells her to look after her. Her name is Ilse and she is
petrified. Margarette bundles the little mite in her arms and when questioned by guards
claims that they are sisters. So begins a lifelong bond stronger than blood. After a cold
and terrifying journey through Germany being questioned by hostile army officers the
train arrives in Holand and the children are boarded onto a ship bound for England and
safety, all the way Margarette is hugging and protecting Ilse as her little sister
Margarette’s troubles are not over though, the English family that have arranged to
adopt little Ilse don’t want a second child and she is sent back into line and its not until
Ilse screams frantically for her sister that the Kingfisher family relent and agree to take
Margarette. The Kingfishers have a child of their own, Judith, and she becomes the third
Sister and their champion. Growing up in a foreign country is tough, and the first hurdle
is language and Judith takes it on herself to teach them, first by mime. Judith goes on to
be their Guardian Angel when they are picked on as Germans at school.
Their follows the heart-warming saga of the three girls growing up together as sisters.
Ilse slowly forgetting her roots as she is so young and Margarettes determination to
maintain her jewishness. Through childhood to adulthood sorrow and joy this is a
superb piece of writing that i was sorry when it came to an end
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A friend recommended this to me after she also got an ARC as historical fiction is my main genre and I really enjoyed it.
Set in 1938, this story follows twelve-year-old Margarete, who claims a younger girl, Ilse, is her sister while escaping Germany to England—a split-second lie that ends up shaping both of their lives. Their relationship is complicated from the start, especially since Ilse isn’t exactly easy to love in the beginning, which made it feel very real.
Once in London, they face the reality that older children are often overlooked for adoption and are nearly separated until Ilse intervenes. The early part of this book really stood out to me as it beautifully captures displacement, identity, and what it feels like to not quite belong, especially through cultural misunderstandings and language barriers.
As the story moves into the 1940s, the girls begin to integrate into London culture, there’s a quiet heartbreak in watching pieces of their identity fade. I loved the different perspectives of Margarete’s protectiveness, Ilse’s hidden depth, and Judith’s longing to have a family which all added to the story.
About halfway through, things take an emotional turn as secrets come to light and identities begin to unravel. Margarete’s journey of reclaiming herself was especially powerful here though I do think with how fiercely she protected Ilse that she wouldn’t have made the choice she did.
The book goes on to jump ahead through the years, which I think it could have done without. It was a nice wrap up to the story but it wasn’t keeping my interest and felt little less engaging than the first half.
Overall, this is a moving, character-driven story about identity, sisterhood, and the long-lasting effects of war. If you like historical fiction, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffee Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Set in 1938, this story follows twelve-year-old Margarete, who claims a younger girl, Ilse, is her sister while escaping Germany to England—a split-second lie that ends up shaping both of their lives. Their relationship is complicated from the start, especially since Ilse isn’t exactly easy to love in the beginning, which made it feel very real.
Once in London, they face the reality that older children are often overlooked for adoption and are nearly separated until Ilse intervenes. The early part of this book really stood out to me as it beautifully captures displacement, identity, and what it feels like to not quite belong, especially through cultural misunderstandings and language barriers.
As the story moves into the 1940s, the girls begin to integrate into London culture, there’s a quiet heartbreak in watching pieces of their identity fade. I loved the different perspectives of Margarete’s protectiveness, Ilse’s hidden depth, and Judith’s longing to have a family which all added to the story.
About halfway through, things take an emotional turn as secrets come to light and identities begin to unravel. Margarete’s journey of reclaiming herself was especially powerful here though I do think with how fiercely she protected Ilse that she wouldn’t have made the choice she did.
The book goes on to jump ahead through the years, which I think it could have done without. It was a nice wrap up to the story but it wasn’t keeping my interest and felt little less engaging than the first half.
Overall, this is a moving, character-driven story about identity, sisterhood, and the long-lasting effects of war. If you like historical fiction, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffee Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Nowhere Sisters is a historical novel that portrays the bond between three girls brought together during World War II. The story begins with the Kindertransport, which rescued Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Austria and Germany by sending them to foster homes in Britain. During the journey, twelve-year-old Margarete takes responsibility for a younger girl and quickly grows so protective of her that she claims her as her sister, promising to keep her safe no matter what happens.
Once in England, the girls must adapt to a completely new language, culture, and way of life. They are welcomed by a foster family whose nine-year-old daughter, Judith, has always dreamed of having a sister. Together, the three girls form a deep and lasting connection.
The novel does an excellent job capturing the fear, loneliness, and culture shock experienced by refugee children, while also showing the difficulties foster families faced as they tried to help them adjust. As the girls struggle to balance fitting in with preserving their identities, they are even given more “British” names—Margarete becomes Margaret, and the younger girl becomes Elsie. While Elsie adapts more easily, especially with Margaret by her side, Margaret remains deeply connected to her Jewish faith and heritage. Through years of hardship, loss, and resilience, the girls truly become sisters.
For most of the novel, the story is both compelling and informative. The final portion slows somewhat as the narrative jumps ahead in ten-year increments to follow the sisters through adulthood. Even so, these later chapters help illustrate the lasting emotional impact of displacement and war, ultimately leading to a meaningful and satisfying conclusion for both German girls.
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe books for this ARC.
Once in England, the girls must adapt to a completely new language, culture, and way of life. They are welcomed by a foster family whose nine-year-old daughter, Judith, has always dreamed of having a sister. Together, the three girls form a deep and lasting connection.
The novel does an excellent job capturing the fear, loneliness, and culture shock experienced by refugee children, while also showing the difficulties foster families faced as they tried to help them adjust. As the girls struggle to balance fitting in with preserving their identities, they are even given more “British” names—Margarete becomes Margaret, and the younger girl becomes Elsie. While Elsie adapts more easily, especially with Margaret by her side, Margaret remains deeply connected to her Jewish faith and heritage. Through years of hardship, loss, and resilience, the girls truly become sisters.
For most of the novel, the story is both compelling and informative. The final portion slows somewhat as the narrative jumps ahead in ten-year increments to follow the sisters through adulthood. Even so, these later chapters help illustrate the lasting emotional impact of displacement and war, ultimately leading to a meaningful and satisfying conclusion for both German girls.
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe books for this ARC.
July 28, 2026
The Nazi noose is tightening around the Jews of Germany including the orphaned children. Kindertransport will take a small number of them to England. Margaret’e is terrified but nothing compares to the confusion and distress of Ilse whom she chooses to protect by saying they are sisters. Even once they are “safe”, there will be many challenges ahead, not only learning the language and customs but being Jews in a world that despises them just for being Jews. They are both taken in by the Kingfishers but while Elsie, as she is now known, is embraced, Margaret finds her path more fraught. The best thing, however, is finding a new sister who accepts and loves both of them equally.
The book tells the sweeping story from refuges to grown women, through many ups and downs. It captivates and moves the reader through the eyes of these three women. It is the story of failure and despair and success and elation. Margaret and Elsie’s live will be forever moulded by the experiences as children. And it is only when they are able to tell that story and the story of others who survived the attempted extermination of an entire group of people that they are able to find peace with themselves.
It is such a moving tale but also one that needs to be told and repeated. There are those today who deny this ever happened. We are losing the first hand witnesses. Age eventually defeats even the strongest of individuals. Whether it be in fiction or history, those voices must not be lost. Anytime you can create a work that will engage and pass on the story, it is something to admire. Five purrs and two paws up.
The book tells the sweeping story from refuges to grown women, through many ups and downs. It captivates and moves the reader through the eyes of these three women. It is the story of failure and despair and success and elation. Margaret and Elsie’s live will be forever moulded by the experiences as children. And it is only when they are able to tell that story and the story of others who survived the attempted extermination of an entire group of people that they are able to find peace with themselves.
It is such a moving tale but also one that needs to be told and repeated. There are those today who deny this ever happened. We are losing the first hand witnesses. Age eventually defeats even the strongest of individuals. Whether it be in fiction or history, those voices must not be lost. Anytime you can create a work that will engage and pass on the story, it is something to admire. Five purrs and two paws up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It’s 1938 and ‘Twelve-year-old Margarete has lost everything — her parents, her home, and the fragile safety of the orphanage she once knew.’ Because Margarete is Jewish and is ‘lucky’ in that she is being sent to England on a Kindertransport train. My mother and her mother – also Jewish – were living in Vienna at the time. My mother was 22. They were also escaping to England. When I say they were lucky, they could have been sent to Auschwitz or Belsen and been ‘exterminated’ along with six million other Jews.
While waiting for the train, a large man thrusts a small child into Margarete’s arms. The child is called Ilse and looks like a beautiful angel. And in that moment Margarete vows to protect her. So she tells everyone that Ilse is her sister, who had been sent to a different orphanage.
After a traumatic journey by train and boat, they arrive in England where Ilse will be fostered. But Ilse won’t leave Margarete, so she screams and screams until the Kingfishers decide to take both girls. And so they stay together, Margarete being terrified of her lie being discovered.
But in spite of Margarete’s friendship with the Kingfishers’ daughter Judith, life is not easy for her. She has none of Ilse’s looks or charms, and clashes with Mrs Kingfisher at every turn.
And so we follow the lives of the three girls, their relationship with each other, and with the foster parents. They are often bullied at school for being German. They change their names to Margaret and Elsie to sound more English, and while Elsie doesn’t care about her Jewish roots, Margarete wants to celebrate the Jewish festivals and attend the Synagogue. She has to leave school at 14 to work in a factory.
It’s such an interesting and inspiring journey and an insight into some of the most harrowing experiences of children during the war. Margarete is haunted by the memory of Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass – and also of the SS soldiers who constantly checked them on the train, looking at the tags round their necks. Ilse remembers little apart from being hidden in a dark, dusty cupboard under the stairs, and making a sock doll which she called Kathe to take on the journey to England.
It’s very moving and while the girls’ childhood was emotional and harrowing, it was the last few chapters that had me in tears.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
While waiting for the train, a large man thrusts a small child into Margarete’s arms. The child is called Ilse and looks like a beautiful angel. And in that moment Margarete vows to protect her. So she tells everyone that Ilse is her sister, who had been sent to a different orphanage.
After a traumatic journey by train and boat, they arrive in England where Ilse will be fostered. But Ilse won’t leave Margarete, so she screams and screams until the Kingfishers decide to take both girls. And so they stay together, Margarete being terrified of her lie being discovered.
But in spite of Margarete’s friendship with the Kingfishers’ daughter Judith, life is not easy for her. She has none of Ilse’s looks or charms, and clashes with Mrs Kingfisher at every turn.
And so we follow the lives of the three girls, their relationship with each other, and with the foster parents. They are often bullied at school for being German. They change their names to Margaret and Elsie to sound more English, and while Elsie doesn’t care about her Jewish roots, Margarete wants to celebrate the Jewish festivals and attend the Synagogue. She has to leave school at 14 to work in a factory.
It’s such an interesting and inspiring journey and an insight into some of the most harrowing experiences of children during the war. Margarete is haunted by the memory of Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass – and also of the SS soldiers who constantly checked them on the train, looking at the tags round their necks. Ilse remembers little apart from being hidden in a dark, dusty cupboard under the stairs, and making a sock doll which she called Kathe to take on the journey to England.
It’s very moving and while the girls’ childhood was emotional and harrowing, it was the last few chapters that had me in tears.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
May 23, 2026
We begin Margarete and Elsie's story sharing their journey on kindertransport and on to a foster family. It's wartime and they're leaving Germany to live in England.
It's incredibly tense to begin with and you can imagine how terrifying it'd be for children having to travel miles to safety. The potential for harm was great and I imagine many might have moved on to families who weren't all that kind either.
Elsie's recollection of her childhood is very different and she seems more sheltered although I think the way she was treated would have also shaped her too. Margarete is, understandably, much more guarded and less favoured. Her experience is a tricky one as you can see that she's saved from all kinds of horrors that we know many suffered during the war. However, she was essentially stripped of her identity. It made sense for her to adapt to find some sense of security but the family's ignorance of her culture, particularly her faith was grossly unfair. I wasn't convinced that it was all down to ignorance either.
Margarete finds her way forward but still held on to her past memories. I imagine they're not something anyone could ever let go of and, sharing of those memories, helps people to see what things were life for people going through the sort of experiences that Margarete and Elsie did.
The sisters share a bond that seems at risk of breaking at times but they are strong and determined. The story follows their lives and, from their perspective, shares their thoughts and feelings of the situations they find themselves in.
It's incredibly tense to begin with and you can imagine how terrifying it'd be for children having to travel miles to safety. The potential for harm was great and I imagine many might have moved on to families who weren't all that kind either.
Elsie's recollection of her childhood is very different and she seems more sheltered although I think the way she was treated would have also shaped her too. Margarete is, understandably, much more guarded and less favoured. Her experience is a tricky one as you can see that she's saved from all kinds of horrors that we know many suffered during the war. However, she was essentially stripped of her identity. It made sense for her to adapt to find some sense of security but the family's ignorance of her culture, particularly her faith was grossly unfair. I wasn't convinced that it was all down to ignorance either.
Margarete finds her way forward but still held on to her past memories. I imagine they're not something anyone could ever let go of and, sharing of those memories, helps people to see what things were life for people going through the sort of experiences that Margarete and Elsie did.
The sisters share a bond that seems at risk of breaking at times but they are strong and determined. The story follows their lives and, from their perspective, shares their thoughts and feelings of the situations they find themselves in.
May 23, 2026
This is a compelling book which delves into the psyche not only of those who found themselves thrust into a new life in a new country after boarding the Kindertransport in Germany during World War II but also those who took those children in, offering them hope, love and family in desperately uncertain times.
It’s not an easy read for obvious reasons but the foray into the real life experiences of those affected is exceptionally well written and thought-provoking.
The story is told in chapters from the perspectives of the children and this allows the reader to fully understand the genuine fears, misunderstandings and confusion as well as the innocent acceptance of change, adaptation and new relationships.
The characterisation is strong throughout and I enjoyed the inclusion of the later chapters which dealt with the adult lives of Margarete, Elsie and Judith and how these had been impacted by their earlier experiences.
What struck me the most was the unraveling of the importance of identity and how easily this can be stripped away from someone, creating a significant knock-on effect on their lives. What was particularly clever, was how the author chose to depict this not just in Margarete but also, over time, in Mrs Kingfisher, which was incredibly poignant.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and experiencing their journeys with them.
With thanks to the author, Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Tours and Joffe Books for the opportunity to participate in this tour.
It’s not an easy read for obvious reasons but the foray into the real life experiences of those affected is exceptionally well written and thought-provoking.
The story is told in chapters from the perspectives of the children and this allows the reader to fully understand the genuine fears, misunderstandings and confusion as well as the innocent acceptance of change, adaptation and new relationships.
The characterisation is strong throughout and I enjoyed the inclusion of the later chapters which dealt with the adult lives of Margarete, Elsie and Judith and how these had been impacted by their earlier experiences.
What struck me the most was the unraveling of the importance of identity and how easily this can be stripped away from someone, creating a significant knock-on effect on their lives. What was particularly clever, was how the author chose to depict this not just in Margarete but also, over time, in Mrs Kingfisher, which was incredibly poignant.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and experiencing their journeys with them.
With thanks to the author, Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Tours and Joffe Books for the opportunity to participate in this tour.
May 22, 2026
I don’t know how to review this without spoilers so here we go! I was ready to give it a solid five stars because I couldn’t put it down… until the last third after Margrete had run away and then we kept jumping forward years at a time. I just didn’t feel as interested in the three sisters as adults as I did when they were children, and the times when we’d skip forward ten years at a time just felt a bit disjointed and like playing catch up, especially when the first two thirds about their childhood was so detailed! I kind of wish it could have ended with the adoption of Elsie and Margrete being spoken to, instead of her running off - that first jump forward of three months, instead of them finding her the next day, was when the book lost a bit of its shine for me :(
Not much shine though cos the first two thirds was just so engrossing and I couldn’t put it down! I was so MAD at Mrs. Kingfisher for how she treated Margrete, and wish she could have finished her schooling. The blatant favouritism of Elsie - and the fact that they had been prepared to just take one “sister” - was awful!
I loved the story of the two kindertransport girls acclimating to a new life, and of Judith learning alongside with them. I feel like they all had such strong characters, but when we read about them as grown ups they all felt a bit changed and I’d put that down to so many years being skipped so we never saw the growth, just there “here they are now”.
Not much shine though cos the first two thirds was just so engrossing and I couldn’t put it down! I was so MAD at Mrs. Kingfisher for how she treated Margrete, and wish she could have finished her schooling. The blatant favouritism of Elsie - and the fact that they had been prepared to just take one “sister” - was awful!
I loved the story of the two kindertransport girls acclimating to a new life, and of Judith learning alongside with them. I feel like they all had such strong characters, but when we read about them as grown ups they all felt a bit changed and I’d put that down to so many years being skipped so we never saw the growth, just there “here they are now”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2026
📆 single timeline.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "let's look for the good among the bad. There was also love and hope, faith and support, [...] there always is"
This was, as with so many Holocaust stories, ultimately a story about love. About hope, resilience and the family we choose.
Set between 1938 and 2005, 'The Nowhere Sisters' gives a glimpse into the children of the Kindertransport, and the long lasting
effects on them and the families who took them in. Casey has really captured some of the language difficulties the children will have faced, and the fear and confusion that this will have contributed to. The mixing up of 'Jüdisch' and 'Judith' early on, a well as the attempts at mime, which ended in even less clarity at times, made me smile.
The characters all had real depth which was shown especially well in their interactions with each other. The sisters relationships were so real and although they were sisters by love, not blood, the same siblings rivalries and petty issues were still a feature.
The story was really well paced and I love that it didn't just cover the war period, but came right up to the modern day.
I think I need to end this review by simply saying as Ilse would, "I like it"
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "let's look for the good among the bad. There was also love and hope, faith and support, [...] there always is"
This was, as with so many Holocaust stories, ultimately a story about love. About hope, resilience and the family we choose.
Set between 1938 and 2005, 'The Nowhere Sisters' gives a glimpse into the children of the Kindertransport, and the long lasting
effects on them and the families who took them in. Casey has really captured some of the language difficulties the children will have faced, and the fear and confusion that this will have contributed to. The mixing up of 'Jüdisch' and 'Judith' early on, a well as the attempts at mime, which ended in even less clarity at times, made me smile.
The characters all had real depth which was shown especially well in their interactions with each other. The sisters relationships were so real and although they were sisters by love, not blood, the same siblings rivalries and petty issues were still a feature.
The story was really well paced and I love that it didn't just cover the war period, but came right up to the modern day.
I think I need to end this review by simply saying as Ilse would, "I like it"
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Intriguing, heart-rending historical fiction.
This novel begins in November 1938. Just after the occurrence in Germany called Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), groups of Jewish children have been gathered to travel on the Kindertransport. This was an effort to get as many youngsters away from the Nazi terrorists as possible, as Hitler became more powerful. Among them were young Margarete, an orphan, and Ilse, a tiny, fragile-looking four year old. The lives of the two children intertwine when a man carrying the shrieking Ilse onto the train asks someone to look after her, and Margarete speaks up to volunteer.
The book follows the lives of these girls as they are placed in a foster home that is not prepared for both of them, and the adjustments they and the family must continually make, from 1938 all the way to 2005, when the two refugees are elderly women.
This was a great depiction of what the German-Jewish refugees had to endure as they were ripped from their homeland for their own safety, and their lives in the aftermath of WW2 and beyond.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
This novel begins in November 1938. Just after the occurrence in Germany called Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), groups of Jewish children have been gathered to travel on the Kindertransport. This was an effort to get as many youngsters away from the Nazi terrorists as possible, as Hitler became more powerful. Among them were young Margarete, an orphan, and Ilse, a tiny, fragile-looking four year old. The lives of the two children intertwine when a man carrying the shrieking Ilse onto the train asks someone to look after her, and Margarete speaks up to volunteer.
The book follows the lives of these girls as they are placed in a foster home that is not prepared for both of them, and the adjustments they and the family must continually make, from 1938 all the way to 2005, when the two refugees are elderly women.
This was a great depiction of what the German-Jewish refugees had to endure as they were ripped from their homeland for their own safety, and their lives in the aftermath of WW2 and beyond.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
May 29, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this amazing ARC. Historical fictions that focus on important topics like the Holocaust and stories of those who survived are some of the best reads. This story was emotional, beautiful, sad, informative, and everything you hope for in a historical fiction.
This story will take you from Berlin 1938 with two young girls ages 12 and 4 through an emotional ride through the years as they grow closer, gain a new family, and struggle with who they are. They both have lost their parents, became orphans who are fleeing Berlin. Being Jewish and alone 12 year old Margarete told a lie to a solider transporting the children to London that her and Ilse are sisters, and this will change their life’s forever.
This story follows these two young girls as they grow up and how they approach life while struggling to fit in, and deciding if they continue to be proud Jewish girls, or became someone new and never look back. They are adopted by a family with a 9 year old girl. Since Margarete lied about her and Ilse are sisters she will do anything to protect them both, while finding a new friend and ally possibly along the way. This story pulled at my heart, made me upset with how much they had to struggle at such young ages, but also made me smile and love the growth of these young girls. One of my top reads in 2026 5⭐️ and a must read.
This story will take you from Berlin 1938 with two young girls ages 12 and 4 through an emotional ride through the years as they grow closer, gain a new family, and struggle with who they are. They both have lost their parents, became orphans who are fleeing Berlin. Being Jewish and alone 12 year old Margarete told a lie to a solider transporting the children to London that her and Ilse are sisters, and this will change their life’s forever.
This story follows these two young girls as they grow up and how they approach life while struggling to fit in, and deciding if they continue to be proud Jewish girls, or became someone new and never look back. They are adopted by a family with a 9 year old girl. Since Margarete lied about her and Ilse are sisters she will do anything to protect them both, while finding a new friend and ally possibly along the way. This story pulled at my heart, made me upset with how much they had to struggle at such young ages, but also made me smile and love the growth of these young girls. One of my top reads in 2026 5⭐️ and a must read.
July 2, 2026
‘The Nowhere Sisters’ is a moving story that traces the lives of three sisters across different time periods, exploring the bonds of family, loss and resilience.
Jan Casey's characterisation is one of the novel's greatest strengths. I found myself genuinely invested in each sister's journey and eager to see how their lives unfolded. The earlier chapters, focusing on their childhood, were my favourite—they felt rich, immersive and emotionally engaging.
For me, the latter part of the novel wasn't quite as strong. As the timeline progressed, the story jumped around more and some of the later years felt a little rushed, meaning I didn't feel quite as connected to those moments as I had in the beginning.
That said, Jan Casey is undoubtedly a powerful storyteller. She weaves together multiple timelines with warmth and emotion, creating a poignant family saga that will resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction.
I think historical fiction is swiftly becoming my favourite genre! ❤️
Jan Casey's characterisation is one of the novel's greatest strengths. I found myself genuinely invested in each sister's journey and eager to see how their lives unfolded. The earlier chapters, focusing on their childhood, were my favourite—they felt rich, immersive and emotionally engaging.
For me, the latter part of the novel wasn't quite as strong. As the timeline progressed, the story jumped around more and some of the later years felt a little rushed, meaning I didn't feel quite as connected to those moments as I had in the beginning.
That said, Jan Casey is undoubtedly a powerful storyteller. She weaves together multiple timelines with warmth and emotion, creating a poignant family saga that will resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction.
I think historical fiction is swiftly becoming my favourite genre! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This well written story begins in the days following Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), and groups of Jewish children have been gathered to travel on the Kindertransport.
Among them were Margarete, an orphan, and Llse, a terrified four year old. Later they are joined by Judith and the three become sisters clinging together for safety and companionship. This companionship grows into love.
Although I enjoyed the story, it could have been set out better, maybe even as two books? Or as a split time book where the book begins at the end and then goes back in time? The book follows these children on their train journey to England and then there time in a foster home. Jan Casey does a really good job telling us the story of these German-Jewish refugees – it is a story of endurance, heartache, trauma and resilience. It is a book which will bring tears to your eyes.
Thank you to Jan Casey, NetGalley and Joffee Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Among them were Margarete, an orphan, and Llse, a terrified four year old. Later they are joined by Judith and the three become sisters clinging together for safety and companionship. This companionship grows into love.
Although I enjoyed the story, it could have been set out better, maybe even as two books? Or as a split time book where the book begins at the end and then goes back in time? The book follows these children on their train journey to England and then there time in a foster home. Jan Casey does a really good job telling us the story of these German-Jewish refugees – it is a story of endurance, heartache, trauma and resilience. It is a book which will bring tears to your eyes.
Thank you to Jan Casey, NetGalley and Joffee Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2026
A heart wrenching and heart warming masterpiece
This historical fiction saga follows the lives of two orphan jewish children who found each other on the kindertransport trains evacuating them from NAZI Germany as the antisemitic purge had reached its peak on kristalnacht. They found refuge with a British Foster family and formed a sisterly bond with the daughter of that family. But with the war raging, being Jewish and German; their troubles were far from over. I must admit, normally I read suspense thriller novels so this was a departure from those sort of novels. This was a literary, character driven novel set in a period of history that was terrifyingly colorful. Though the plot moved slowly compared to the thriller genre, I was absolutely riveted by the story and the characters. It was a moving tribute to the bonds of sisterhood and love in a time of unspeakable grief and hardship. A triumph of good over evil. This book should be on everyone's must read list.
This historical fiction saga follows the lives of two orphan jewish children who found each other on the kindertransport trains evacuating them from NAZI Germany as the antisemitic purge had reached its peak on kristalnacht. They found refuge with a British Foster family and formed a sisterly bond with the daughter of that family. But with the war raging, being Jewish and German; their troubles were far from over. I must admit, normally I read suspense thriller novels so this was a departure from those sort of novels. This was a literary, character driven novel set in a period of history that was terrifyingly colorful. Though the plot moved slowly compared to the thriller genre, I was absolutely riveted by the story and the characters. It was a moving tribute to the bonds of sisterhood and love in a time of unspeakable grief and hardship. A triumph of good over evil. This book should be on everyone's must read list.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'd never heard of the Kindertransport or Kristallnacht before but this was a really eye opening and emotional journey of the lives of Margarete, Ilse, and their English foster sister Judith as they navigate their new lives together and the relationships and traumas they go through as it spans throughout the years.
A new author for me, Jan Casey did a brilliant job of really bringing each of the girls to life, creating 3 different women that were bound together by chance, in a way that equally showed the frays and the pulls of the ropes that tied them. Strong characters and transformative storytelling make for a very compelling read. It felt real, honest and raw, describing the struggles and relationship fractures of each character and their lives believably. A must read if you like this genre.
A new author for me, Jan Casey did a brilliant job of really bringing each of the girls to life, creating 3 different women that were bound together by chance, in a way that equally showed the frays and the pulls of the ropes that tied them. Strong characters and transformative storytelling make for a very compelling read. It felt real, honest and raw, describing the struggles and relationship fractures of each character and their lives believably. A must read if you like this genre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story was fantastic, it took WW2 fiction to a different level that I hadn’t thought about before. It’s 1938 Berlin and Margarete and Iles are sent from their orphanages to London via the Kinder Transport where they will get fostered by families. It’s a rough road for the girls, they are scared and don’t speak the language. They have to fit into a world they know nothing about. It’s heartbreaking, the Jewish girls are now safe from the Nazis but are they safe and happy in their new family? Jan Casey has done an excellent job with this book it’s very emotional and pulls on the heartstrings. This is my first book by Jan and it will not be my last. Highly recommend, I pulled an all nighter on this as I couldn’t put it down
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 20 May 2026.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 20 May 2026.
May 25, 2026
This is my first book by Jan Casey, and what I call lost in a good book. Although I have read a few wartime sagas, it's not my usual genre. I'm so glad I was drawn to this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
It is a book that brought many emotions while reading and even reduced me to tears towards the end.
It's a well written book with characters you can relate to and how harrowing it must have been to go through the trauma, especially as a child. Of having to leave your homeland, Germany, to another country, England, and people, you have no idea about. Also, visa versa, the English people accepting someone from Germany.
This is a book I wouldn't hesitate in recommending to others.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
It is a book that brought many emotions while reading and even reduced me to tears towards the end.
It's a well written book with characters you can relate to and how harrowing it must have been to go through the trauma, especially as a child. Of having to leave your homeland, Germany, to another country, England, and people, you have no idea about. Also, visa versa, the English people accepting someone from Germany.
This is a book I wouldn't hesitate in recommending to others.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
May 17, 2026
The Nowhere Sisters is a beautifully written intertwined story of 3 girls through World War II and beyond. It dives deeper into the stories of children and feelings during the war. What is forgotten by some is nothing short of a tragic lifelong memory that forms their lives.
Elsie, Margarete and Judith went from small children and strangers to three loving sisters who are full grown and lived incredible lives.
These were deep developed and well written characters. The triple points of view added so much to the story. While this is fictional, I’m sure much of this story was shared by children living in Europe during the war and beyond.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC! A treasure.
Elsie, Margarete and Judith went from small children and strangers to three loving sisters who are full grown and lived incredible lives.
These were deep developed and well written characters. The triple points of view added so much to the story. While this is fictional, I’m sure much of this story was shared by children living in Europe during the war and beyond.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC! A treasure.
May 25, 2026
I'm so glad I read this book. It's a subject I thought I knew a bit about, but will now freely admit I'd not thought about the effect it might have on host siblings. I'd also not thought about the life long effects on the children & families who were part of the Kindertransport.
It took me a chapter or two for me to get into the book, but I was then hooked & pretty much read it straight through. It's a really thoughtful story of two young girls who escaped on the Kindertransport, their host family in England & how all of their lives progressed from there. It features hopes, beliefs, predudices, jealousy, mental health & how a horrendous situation can impact so many people's lives. I love that it covered their lifetime rather than only the immediate aftermath of the Kindertransport.
It took me a chapter or two for me to get into the book, but I was then hooked & pretty much read it straight through. It's a really thoughtful story of two young girls who escaped on the Kindertransport, their host family in England & how all of their lives progressed from there. It features hopes, beliefs, predudices, jealousy, mental health & how a horrendous situation can impact so many people's lives. I love that it covered their lifetime rather than only the immediate aftermath of the Kindertransport.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautifully written historical novel about three sisters and the lasting effect of World War II. Jan Casey has created three wonderful different characters with their own struggles and lives.
The time jumps in the second half of the book were quite big, especially compared to the first half of the book which describes just a couple of years. I would have loved to spend more time with Margarete, Ilse and Judith in their childhood.
The message of the book is (unfortunately) still relevant today, which makes for an emotional read.
Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.
The time jumps in the second half of the book were quite big, especially compared to the first half of the book which describes just a couple of years. I would have loved to spend more time with Margarete, Ilse and Judith in their childhood.
The message of the book is (unfortunately) still relevant today, which makes for an emotional read.
Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.
May 20, 2026
A beautifully written book , it tells the story of Margarete and Lise , two children of the Kinderstransport who were sent to Britain for safety . Alone and with no family, Margarete takes responsibility for four year old Lise and they are fostered together with a family who have also have a daughter . The story follows the emotional journey as they try to fit into a society that seems quite alien to them and how their relationships change over the years with their foster sister and each other , whilst never forgetting who they are and their heritage . An emotional story of courage and survival .
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