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For Those Who Are Lost
On the eve of the Nazi invasion of the island of Guernsey, terrified parents have a choice to make: send their children alone to England, or keep the family together and risk whatever may come to their villages.
Ava and Joseph Simon reluctantly put their 9-year-old son, Henry, and four-year-old daughter, Catherine, in the care of their son's teacher, who will escort them on a boat to mainland England. Just as the ferry is about to leave, the teacher's sister, Lily appears. The two trade places: Helen doesn't want to leave Guernsey, and Lily is desperate for a fresh start.
Lily is the one who accompanies the children to England, and Lily is the one who lets Henry get on a train by himself, deciding in a split second to take Catherine with her and walk the other way. That split-second decision lingers long after the war ends, impacting the rest of their lives.
Perfect for readers of Sold on a Monday, For Those Who Are Lost is at once heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and uplifting.
Ava and Joseph Simon reluctantly put their 9-year-old son, Henry, and four-year-old daughter, Catherine, in the care of their son's teacher, who will escort them on a boat to mainland England. Just as the ferry is about to leave, the teacher's sister, Lily appears. The two trade places: Helen doesn't want to leave Guernsey, and Lily is desperate for a fresh start.
Lily is the one who accompanies the children to England, and Lily is the one who lets Henry get on a train by himself, deciding in a split second to take Catherine with her and walk the other way. That split-second decision lingers long after the war ends, impacting the rest of their lives.
Perfect for readers of Sold on a Monday, For Those Who Are Lost is at once heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and uplifting.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2022
517 people are currently reading
8584 people want to read
About the author
Julia Bryan Thomas
3 books210 followersJulia Bryan Thomas is a graduate of Northeastern State University and the Yale Writers’ Workshop. She is married to mystery novelist Will Thomas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
September 12, 2022
“Inspired by true events, For Those Who Are Lost begins on the eve of the Nazi invasion of the island of Guernsey, when terrified parents have a choice to make: send their children alone to England, or keep the family together and risk whatever may come to their villages.”
As the war is beginning, Ava and Joseph decide to send their four- and nine-year-old children, a daughter and son, respectively, along with their teacher, Helen, to the mainland and off the island of Guernsey, hoping they will be safer. In a twist, Helen’s sister, Lily, escorts the children to England instead, and she lets Henry go but not Catherine.
The story is told in several points-of-view. Emotion, heartbreak, intrigue. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and I read it quickly, even though it was close to 400 pages. It’s my favorite kind of immersive story where I was fully transported to this past time and place and felt like I was alongside the characters as they made decisions that would impact themselves and others for a lifetime.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
As the war is beginning, Ava and Joseph decide to send their four- and nine-year-old children, a daughter and son, respectively, along with their teacher, Helen, to the mainland and off the island of Guernsey, hoping they will be safer. In a twist, Helen’s sister, Lily, escorts the children to England instead, and she lets Henry go but not Catherine.
The story is told in several points-of-view. Emotion, heartbreak, intrigue. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and I read it quickly, even though it was close to 400 pages. It’s my favorite kind of immersive story where I was fully transported to this past time and place and felt like I was alongside the characters as they made decisions that would impact themselves and others for a lifetime.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
October 31, 2023
4.5* An outstanding view of the decisions made before the Nazis invaded Guernsey. Parents were given hours to decide whether their children should board a bus with their teacher to the mainland of England during WWII. If they decide to send them, it may be years before they are reunited and the war is over.
Ava and Joseph are hard working people on a farm with two small children to care for in that heart-wrenching decision for their safety they entrusted Henry 9 yrs old and Catherine 4 years old in their teacher's care. Later they will learn that 5,000 children were sent to schools elsewhere to be protected from the tragedies of war.
"We can never go back again, that much is certain." ~Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca
Helen is one of the teachers that decided to go with her students until her sister Lily takes her place to escape an abusive husband and leave Helen to take care of their aging parents.
Lily not only leaves her wealthy husband and comfortable mansion, but takes her husband's hidden cash as well. When she takes Henry and Catherine under her charge, she falls instantly for the beauty of Catherine. In one split of a decision, she sends Henry on the train and takes Catherine in a different direction to claim as her own. This decision will have ramifications later overpowering the hidden motive and consequences she had not thought of.
The German troops moved into Guernsey and the rationing of food and constant surveillance began. Cutoff from the news, but finding strength as well as guilt that her children were safe Ava held on with resilience, strength and sacrifices.
Told in several POVs, Henry's story is about his courage and guilt as a small child told to look after his little sister. He suffers bullying and abuse by other older boys and eventually is moved again. Lily's story is the most interesting with her new found daughter in tow, new love and her marriage to Peter. Peter is oblivious to Lily's plot.
We know so much about the horror's of concentration camps and the Nazi invasion, but this is about the ones who suffered the ramifications of war, and the ones that were lost. It is a story of forgiveness and incredible sacrifices made for the ones we love. This is a heart-wrenching historical fiction that can easily be read in a day until you find out what happens to all the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Ava and Joseph are hard working people on a farm with two small children to care for in that heart-wrenching decision for their safety they entrusted Henry 9 yrs old and Catherine 4 years old in their teacher's care. Later they will learn that 5,000 children were sent to schools elsewhere to be protected from the tragedies of war.
"We can never go back again, that much is certain." ~Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca
Helen is one of the teachers that decided to go with her students until her sister Lily takes her place to escape an abusive husband and leave Helen to take care of their aging parents.
Lily not only leaves her wealthy husband and comfortable mansion, but takes her husband's hidden cash as well. When she takes Henry and Catherine under her charge, she falls instantly for the beauty of Catherine. In one split of a decision, she sends Henry on the train and takes Catherine in a different direction to claim as her own. This decision will have ramifications later overpowering the hidden motive and consequences she had not thought of.
The German troops moved into Guernsey and the rationing of food and constant surveillance began. Cutoff from the news, but finding strength as well as guilt that her children were safe Ava held on with resilience, strength and sacrifices.
Told in several POVs, Henry's story is about his courage and guilt as a small child told to look after his little sister. He suffers bullying and abuse by other older boys and eventually is moved again. Lily's story is the most interesting with her new found daughter in tow, new love and her marriage to Peter. Peter is oblivious to Lily's plot.
We know so much about the horror's of concentration camps and the Nazi invasion, but this is about the ones who suffered the ramifications of war, and the ones that were lost. It is a story of forgiveness and incredible sacrifices made for the ones we love. This is a heart-wrenching historical fiction that can easily be read in a day until you find out what happens to all the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 14, 2022
June 1940: The Germans are poised to invade Guernsey and Ava and Joseph Simon have to make the difficult decision to send their two children to England or should the family to stay together? Henry and Catherine leave the next day, the children will be traveling with their teachers and Ava is having second thoughts.
Lily Carre knows it’s her only chance to flee her abusive husband Ian, her sister Helen Matthews doesn’t want to leave their parents and Lily takes her place on the boat leaving Guernsey. Lily accompanies the children to England, Henry unknowingly boards the train to Manchester on his own and Lily hides Catherine. Lily has always wanted to be a mother, Catherine is too young at four to go to school and she worries what will happen to her. They travel to the English countryside, Lily finds a cottage to rent and starts a new life.
Henry is only nine, he’s extremely upset when he can’t find his sister on the train, he promised his parents he would look after her and he’s failed. In Guernsey the Islanders are having a terrible time, their completely cut off from the mainland and the Germans confiscate everyone's radios.
Conditions on the Island get worse, everyone is hungry and Ava knows she made the right decision and she has no idea when she will ever see her children again. Lily’s living with Catherine in a small English village, she meets new people, makes friends and she can’t tell them what she has done. As the war comes to an end, should Lily confess, she’s caught up in an elaborate lie and she feels guilty.
A story about two women making a life changing choice, both want to protect Catherine and did Lily go too far and despite her good intentions? I questioned lily’s morals, considering the circumstances did she do the right thing, or was she selfish and should I judge her so harshly?
I received a copy of For Those Who Are Lost in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Landmark and Julia Bryan Thomas thoroughly researched the evacuation of school children and their teachers from Guernsey. She discovered some of the parents never saw their children again, how did this happen and it gave her inspiration to write her latest book. A thought provoking read about war, love, courage, guilt, compassion, forgiveness and four stars from me.
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Lily Carre knows it’s her only chance to flee her abusive husband Ian, her sister Helen Matthews doesn’t want to leave their parents and Lily takes her place on the boat leaving Guernsey. Lily accompanies the children to England, Henry unknowingly boards the train to Manchester on his own and Lily hides Catherine. Lily has always wanted to be a mother, Catherine is too young at four to go to school and she worries what will happen to her. They travel to the English countryside, Lily finds a cottage to rent and starts a new life.
Henry is only nine, he’s extremely upset when he can’t find his sister on the train, he promised his parents he would look after her and he’s failed. In Guernsey the Islanders are having a terrible time, their completely cut off from the mainland and the Germans confiscate everyone's radios.
Conditions on the Island get worse, everyone is hungry and Ava knows she made the right decision and she has no idea when she will ever see her children again. Lily’s living with Catherine in a small English village, she meets new people, makes friends and she can’t tell them what she has done. As the war comes to an end, should Lily confess, she’s caught up in an elaborate lie and she feels guilty.
A story about two women making a life changing choice, both want to protect Catherine and did Lily go too far and despite her good intentions? I questioned lily’s morals, considering the circumstances did she do the right thing, or was she selfish and should I judge her so harshly?
I received a copy of For Those Who Are Lost in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Landmark and Julia Bryan Thomas thoroughly researched the evacuation of school children and their teachers from Guernsey. She discovered some of the parents never saw their children again, how did this happen and it gave her inspiration to write her latest book. A thought provoking read about war, love, courage, guilt, compassion, forgiveness and four stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KarrenReadsH...
August 25, 2022
I devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the story and the characters. To quote the author “Life can be messy and complex because we are imperfect human beings. We all need forgiveness at times as well as the ability to forgive in order to have healthy relationships. It’s an integral part of happiness.”
August 9, 2023
Oh my goodness, just when I think that I've read a beautiful book that touched my heart and think that the rest will be good, this book came into my life and swept me away! It filled my heart and mind with so very many emotions that I feel inadequate to express the heart wretching and beautiful story told in this emotionally moving book. I'll try.
I had to keep reminding myself that this is based on a true story. We all make split second decisions every day from what we'll wear, to what we need to make for dinner, to bigger ones such as what job offer is best for my family or what state should we move to. However, when you make a split second decision to take a 4 year old little girl away from her 9 year old brother sending Henry on a train alone and walking away with his sister, Catherine, it's a huge life changing decision. Their parents entrusted you to take care of both of them from Guernsey to England during WW2 for the evacuation, that is just wrong! But, it happened! It really happened! I was appalled that Lily could do such a horrible thing. These poor parents only had 24 hours to make a life changing decision to keep their children on the island of Guernsey which was going to be taken over by the Nazis or send them to safety in England during WW2. Please keep in mind that these parents may never see their children again or at best, their children would be returned home after the war. As a parent what would you do?
I've read many stories about evacuating children during WW2, but something about this story really touched my heart. I was captivated. Maybe because this book focused on Joseph and Ava Simon who made the heartbreaking choice to send Henry, age 9 and Catherine, age 4 to England. Maybe because I never thought someone, in this case, Lily could kidnap a little girl making a decision for Catherine that affected so many people during & after the war. I really don't have an answer, but it brought the struggles of Lily's decision to life. You'll read about Ava, Joseph, Henry, Catherine, Lily and her sister, Helen and a beautiful vicar named Peter & how this choice effected all of them. I fell in love with little Henry! I just wanted to hold him and tell him that he didn't lose Catherine, Lily took her and it wasn't his fault! I kept saying that Lily's story should be labeled "What a tangled web we weave." because of all the lies she told to try to keep her story straight.
There's so much more that I could say, but I'll let this beautiful poem written by a member of Ava and Joseph's Church sum up what I felt while reading this book. Although I want to say that this book is well written, clean ( points for no swearing!! ), well researched and so beautiful that it'll change you for the better! I really loved this book & will keep it close in my heart!
" FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOST
a poem
There are, in this world, those of us who linger
And those of us who are lost;
Where time intersects and t'wines ' round the moments
We yearn for, now and always, taken from us, perhaps forever.
The winter of our years, comes far too soon for some
And for others, it never comes at all
But we remember from the grave and beyond
The splendid, heart-wrenching of loving
And being loved.
Christ opened the tomb to defeat the hand of Death
And promised eternal life;
Yet the glimpse of heaven afar,
That vision of cloudless skies and meadows, ever verdant,
Sheltering the ones we have surrendered against our will
Is beyond our reach
And seems, at times, so far away to not exist at all.
We cannot penetrate the veil of life and that which comes after.
Therefore memory - the sounds, the sweetest kiss, the brief moments shared -
And buried in our hearts forever,
Let us not forget to summon the good,
Putting away sadness and loss for those
moments that had meaning,
And keep love alive and burning in our souls,
For without love,
We are nothing.
Do not forget those who brought you joy;
Hide them in your heart and to keep it beating."
I very highly recommend this beautiful book! 💙
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
I had to keep reminding myself that this is based on a true story. We all make split second decisions every day from what we'll wear, to what we need to make for dinner, to bigger ones such as what job offer is best for my family or what state should we move to. However, when you make a split second decision to take a 4 year old little girl away from her 9 year old brother sending Henry on a train alone and walking away with his sister, Catherine, it's a huge life changing decision. Their parents entrusted you to take care of both of them from Guernsey to England during WW2 for the evacuation, that is just wrong! But, it happened! It really happened! I was appalled that Lily could do such a horrible thing. These poor parents only had 24 hours to make a life changing decision to keep their children on the island of Guernsey which was going to be taken over by the Nazis or send them to safety in England during WW2. Please keep in mind that these parents may never see their children again or at best, their children would be returned home after the war. As a parent what would you do?
I've read many stories about evacuating children during WW2, but something about this story really touched my heart. I was captivated. Maybe because this book focused on Joseph and Ava Simon who made the heartbreaking choice to send Henry, age 9 and Catherine, age 4 to England. Maybe because I never thought someone, in this case, Lily could kidnap a little girl making a decision for Catherine that affected so many people during & after the war. I really don't have an answer, but it brought the struggles of Lily's decision to life. You'll read about Ava, Joseph, Henry, Catherine, Lily and her sister, Helen and a beautiful vicar named Peter & how this choice effected all of them. I fell in love with little Henry! I just wanted to hold him and tell him that he didn't lose Catherine, Lily took her and it wasn't his fault! I kept saying that Lily's story should be labeled "What a tangled web we weave." because of all the lies she told to try to keep her story straight.
There's so much more that I could say, but I'll let this beautiful poem written by a member of Ava and Joseph's Church sum up what I felt while reading this book. Although I want to say that this book is well written, clean ( points for no swearing!! ), well researched and so beautiful that it'll change you for the better! I really loved this book & will keep it close in my heart!
" FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOST
a poem
There are, in this world, those of us who linger
And those of us who are lost;
Where time intersects and t'wines ' round the moments
We yearn for, now and always, taken from us, perhaps forever.
The winter of our years, comes far too soon for some
And for others, it never comes at all
But we remember from the grave and beyond
The splendid, heart-wrenching of loving
And being loved.
Christ opened the tomb to defeat the hand of Death
And promised eternal life;
Yet the glimpse of heaven afar,
That vision of cloudless skies and meadows, ever verdant,
Sheltering the ones we have surrendered against our will
Is beyond our reach
And seems, at times, so far away to not exist at all.
We cannot penetrate the veil of life and that which comes after.
Therefore memory - the sounds, the sweetest kiss, the brief moments shared -
And buried in our hearts forever,
Let us not forget to summon the good,
Putting away sadness and loss for those
moments that had meaning,
And keep love alive and burning in our souls,
For without love,
We are nothing.
Do not forget those who brought you joy;
Hide them in your heart and to keep it beating."
I very highly recommend this beautiful book! 💙
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
May 24, 2022
I've been in the mood for some historical fiction lately with all the fantasy I've been reading and this book was just what I wanted. I really enjoyed reading it, and I think it was pretty good!
My favorite character by far was Henry. I absolutely loved him with all my heart! His determination at a young age was so cute and heartfelt, and I love his strong desire to take care of his little sister and make it back home to his parents. I just love him.
I also love Catherine, Peter, and Ava, for different reasons. Catherine grew into a lovely young lady, which was so touching to see. I love the effort she put in to reach out to her family, which showed that she had a beautiful heart.
Peter was a darling too, and I'm sorry that he had to get caught in the middle of everything.
Ava was without a doubt the strongest person here, and the part where she was willing to let go because she realized that was what would make her daughter happiest almost had me in tears.
Lily I feel kind of conflicted about. On the one hand you can tell she was genuinely a nice, good person, but on the other hand, I HATE that she separated Henry and Catherine. How dare she? She had absolutely no right to do that to these poor little kids, and then making little Catherine forget her home altogether. Also I feel like we never really got her inner thoughts, so it was hard to feel for her a lot. It seemed to me as though we got an outsiders view of her, like we were only seeing what others were seeing too. I don't know if that had to do with the narration style or something else, but it made it a bit harder for me to side with her.
Also I was wondering why the author decided to use quotes from Rebecca at the start of chapters. I know we got a bit of an explanation at the beginning with the loose connection between Lily and Rebecca, but I was hoping there'd be something more in the author's note or questions at the back of the book. But there wasn't so I'm left wondering.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad I won it in a giveaway! I don't know if I'll be rereading it though, so I might donate my copy. It does look good in the historical fiction section of my bookshelf though so we'll see.
My favorite character by far was Henry. I absolutely loved him with all my heart! His determination at a young age was so cute and heartfelt, and I love his strong desire to take care of his little sister and make it back home to his parents. I just love him.
I also love Catherine, Peter, and Ava, for different reasons. Catherine grew into a lovely young lady, which was so touching to see. I love the effort she put in to reach out to her family, which showed that she had a beautiful heart.
Peter was a darling too, and I'm sorry that he had to get caught in the middle of everything.
Ava was without a doubt the strongest person here, and the part where she was willing to let go because she realized that was what would make her daughter happiest almost had me in tears.
Lily I feel kind of conflicted about. On the one hand you can tell she was genuinely a nice, good person, but on the other hand, I HATE that she separated Henry and Catherine. How dare she? She had absolutely no right to do that to these poor little kids, and then making little Catherine forget her home altogether. Also I feel like we never really got her inner thoughts, so it was hard to feel for her a lot. It seemed to me as though we got an outsiders view of her, like we were only seeing what others were seeing too. I don't know if that had to do with the narration style or something else, but it made it a bit harder for me to side with her.
Also I was wondering why the author decided to use quotes from Rebecca at the start of chapters. I know we got a bit of an explanation at the beginning with the loose connection between Lily and Rebecca, but I was hoping there'd be something more in the author's note or questions at the back of the book. But there wasn't so I'm left wondering.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad I won it in a giveaway! I don't know if I'll be rereading it though, so I might donate my copy. It does look good in the historical fiction section of my bookshelf though so we'll see.
April 16, 2022
“When your heart tells you to do something, you have to listen.”
This poignant and compelling read set in Guernsey just prior to the Nazi invasion centers around two split-second decisions which result in rippling effects for years.
Ava and Joseph Simon, like all the parents on the island, have a heart-wrenching choice and only a mere 24 hours to make it. Do they keep their 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter at home and live with the risk or do they evacuate them to safety in England with the other children and their teachers? Reluctantly, they agree to send their children. What they agree to and what happens are two different things!
The rest of the novel hinges around a second split-second decision.
This novel shook me up, spun me around and then wrung me out. I was an emotional wreck. I don’t mean that my response was negative. I was truly captivated by this story of love, loss, and courage where the author explored the reverberations that echo long after a split second choice is made. I can’t imagine the guilt involved nor the level of forgiveness needed, let alone the cost of the sacrifice in the name of safety. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief.
I came away with the thought that I have no right to judge another’s decision without having lived their experience which culminated in making a particular choice. For this very reason, this book would make a great book club choice. Under what circumstances do we gain the right to play ‘God’?
Thomas was inspired by the evacuation in June 1940 where 5000 students and their teachers were evacuated from Guernsey in a single day. A few days later, Germany invaded and kept the families apart for five years.
I was gifted this advance copy by Julia Bryan Thomas, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This poignant and compelling read set in Guernsey just prior to the Nazi invasion centers around two split-second decisions which result in rippling effects for years.
Ava and Joseph Simon, like all the parents on the island, have a heart-wrenching choice and only a mere 24 hours to make it. Do they keep their 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter at home and live with the risk or do they evacuate them to safety in England with the other children and their teachers? Reluctantly, they agree to send their children. What they agree to and what happens are two different things!
The rest of the novel hinges around a second split-second decision.
This novel shook me up, spun me around and then wrung me out. I was an emotional wreck. I don’t mean that my response was negative. I was truly captivated by this story of love, loss, and courage where the author explored the reverberations that echo long after a split second choice is made. I can’t imagine the guilt involved nor the level of forgiveness needed, let alone the cost of the sacrifice in the name of safety. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief.
I came away with the thought that I have no right to judge another’s decision without having lived their experience which culminated in making a particular choice. For this very reason, this book would make a great book club choice. Under what circumstances do we gain the right to play ‘God’?
Thomas was inspired by the evacuation in June 1940 where 5000 students and their teachers were evacuated from Guernsey in a single day. A few days later, Germany invaded and kept the families apart for five years.
I was gifted this advance copy by Julia Bryan Thomas, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 5, 2023
This was a beautifully-written book inspired by true events, and it was evident that the author researched well. The book was told in different points of view of interesting characters. I loved Henry and also liked Peter. There are some tough decisions made by the characters and was an emotional read. It’s a story full of courage, loss, and forgiveness. I loved that it was a clean read and got the point across without gruesome details. That time of history is heartbreaking enough, and I cannot imagine what all involved had to endure. Yep, you might need a few tissues for this read!
January 31, 2022
Let me start out by stating that I had SUPER HIGH HOPES for this book.
They were dashed almost from the get go.
This book has so much going for it, but the author decided to torture the reader with pages upon pages of agonizing dialogue about the separation of Catherine and Henry from their parents. The children were sent from Guernsey to England.
Over a quarter of the book is taken up by this decision....just this separation. It was so boring going over and over and over again how much the decision hurt.
THEN and this is the part that just tears me up...THEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS GLOSSED OVER!
The affair with the German officer, the sending away of Joseph to a prisoner camp, the death of the elderly Miss Milly, the death of Lily, the family of Lily,,,,,EVERYTHING ELSE WAS A FEW SENTENCES!
This book could have been spectacular...in the end it falls flat for its brevity of the above items.
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
They were dashed almost from the get go.
This book has so much going for it, but the author decided to torture the reader with pages upon pages of agonizing dialogue about the separation of Catherine and Henry from their parents. The children were sent from Guernsey to England.
Over a quarter of the book is taken up by this decision....just this separation. It was so boring going over and over and over again how much the decision hurt.
THEN and this is the part that just tears me up...THEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS GLOSSED OVER!
The affair with the German officer, the sending away of Joseph to a prisoner camp, the death of the elderly Miss Milly, the death of Lily, the family of Lily,,,,,EVERYTHING ELSE WAS A FEW SENTENCES!
This book could have been spectacular...in the end it falls flat for its brevity of the above items.
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
Fascinating novel based on the true story that 5,000 children were evacuated from the island of Guernsey to the southern coast of England in 1940. The British government in Guernsey had given citizens a 24 hour notice of the evacuation. Children were evacuated with their teachers, not their parents.
Ten days after the evacuation, Germans landed on and occupied the island of Guernsey.
This novel is about a brother, age 9, and a sister, age 4, who are part of the evacuees. At the last minute, the teacher who was supposed to evacuate with them decides to remain on the island and her sister leaves the island with the two children.
The story moves rapidly and provides glimpses into the impactful decisions that are made in split seconds.
Ten days after the evacuation, Germans landed on and occupied the island of Guernsey.
This novel is about a brother, age 9, and a sister, age 4, who are part of the evacuees. At the last minute, the teacher who was supposed to evacuate with them decides to remain on the island and her sister leaves the island with the two children.
The story moves rapidly and provides glimpses into the impactful decisions that are made in split seconds.
September 22, 2022
5.0
Uncertainty, impulsive, stepping stone, cattle barge…
WOW!!
5000+ children were evacuated from Guernsey in 1940, including in this story, nine-year-old Henry and his four-year-old sister Catherine. They were relocated to England by ships, fishing boats, and barges and scattered throughout England.
The plan was for the classroom teachers to accompany the kids for an indefinite amount of time. Miss Helen Matthews was meant to escort the students but at the last minute, her sister Lily switched places with her. Lily is leaving an abusive husband for a new life and takes Henry and Catherine by cattle barge to England. Once there, she puts Henry on a train to Manchester, alone, and leaves with Catherine.
The decision that had been made in a moment would last forever.
“There are many stories about the children who were evacuated, each as different as the people who tell them.”
Will the Simon family ever be reunited?
What happened to Henry and Catherine during the five years they were gone?
How did Lily survive once she and Catherine arrived in Cornwall?
* A story about forgiveness.
* A great ending! After the war, you will learn what happened to each character.
* Emotional!
* This book was different from other recent WWII books I’ve read. Unique!
* I can’t even imagine the responsibilities for the classroom teachers. These residents and teachers had 24 hours to prepare.
Uncertainty, impulsive, stepping stone, cattle barge…
WOW!!
5000+ children were evacuated from Guernsey in 1940, including in this story, nine-year-old Henry and his four-year-old sister Catherine. They were relocated to England by ships, fishing boats, and barges and scattered throughout England.
The plan was for the classroom teachers to accompany the kids for an indefinite amount of time. Miss Helen Matthews was meant to escort the students but at the last minute, her sister Lily switched places with her. Lily is leaving an abusive husband for a new life and takes Henry and Catherine by cattle barge to England. Once there, she puts Henry on a train to Manchester, alone, and leaves with Catherine.
The decision that had been made in a moment would last forever.
“There are many stories about the children who were evacuated, each as different as the people who tell them.”
Will the Simon family ever be reunited?
What happened to Henry and Catherine during the five years they were gone?
How did Lily survive once she and Catherine arrived in Cornwall?
* A story about forgiveness.
* A great ending! After the war, you will learn what happened to each character.
* Emotional!
* This book was different from other recent WWII books I’ve read. Unique!
* I can’t even imagine the responsibilities for the classroom teachers. These residents and teachers had 24 hours to prepare.
June 5, 2022
4.5 Stars! Pensive, charged, and atmospheric!
For Those Who Are Lost is a poignant, heart-wrenching tale set in England during WWII that takes you into the life of a handful of people whose lives are unimaginably changed one day when Ava and Joseph Simon allow their two children, Henry and Catherine, to evacuate the island of Guernsey, prior to occupation, in the hands of a young woman who unbeknownst to them is using the opportunity to flee her abusive husband and perhaps acquire that one child she’s always yearned for.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are distressed, brave, and resilient. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine seamlessly into an absorbing tale of life, loss, family, tragedy, desperation, secrets, friendship, parenthood, separation, and war.
Overall, For Those Who Are Lost is one of those novels that sweeps you away so thoroughly to another time and place that before you know it you’re turning the final page and the afternoon is completely gone. It’s a moving, alluring, impactful tale by Thomas that does a beautiful job of highlighting that survival of any kind often involves moral dilemmas, courage, strength, and beyond all else, inconceivable sacrifice.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
For Those Who Are Lost is a poignant, heart-wrenching tale set in England during WWII that takes you into the life of a handful of people whose lives are unimaginably changed one day when Ava and Joseph Simon allow their two children, Henry and Catherine, to evacuate the island of Guernsey, prior to occupation, in the hands of a young woman who unbeknownst to them is using the opportunity to flee her abusive husband and perhaps acquire that one child she’s always yearned for.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are distressed, brave, and resilient. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine seamlessly into an absorbing tale of life, loss, family, tragedy, desperation, secrets, friendship, parenthood, separation, and war.
Overall, For Those Who Are Lost is one of those novels that sweeps you away so thoroughly to another time and place that before you know it you’re turning the final page and the afternoon is completely gone. It’s a moving, alluring, impactful tale by Thomas that does a beautiful job of highlighting that survival of any kind often involves moral dilemmas, courage, strength, and beyond all else, inconceivable sacrifice.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2022
This is the story of when 5000 children, accompanied by some of their teachers and parents, were evacuated off Guernsey, an island off the English coast, in advance of the German occupation. Ava Simon reluctantly sends her two children, Henry, age 9 and Catherine, age 4, away with their teacher. Unbeknownst to her, the teacher hands the children off to her sister, Lily, who is fleeing an abusive marriage. Once in England, Lily sends Henry off on a train by himself, and keeps Catherine with her. She and Catherine end up in Cornwall, where they are befriended by some of the locals, especially the Vicar, Peter Ashby. She passes herself off as a widow and becomes immersed in the lives of some of the townspeople. Meanwhile, Ava and Joseph Simon are suffering through the German occupation and Henry is trying to cope with his own situation, while feeling tremendous guilt over having lost Catherine.
The story is really quite good, alternating between Lily, Henry and Ava’s perspectives. It is well written and perfectly paced. My biggest problem with the story is reconciling the choices that Lily makes with her portrayal as a good person. She made horrible choices and was living a lie from the moment she reached England. Her lies impacted so many people, and yet she kept on telling them. A lot of rationales are given for what she did, but I just couldn’t buy them. While I was reading the book, I felt like I was sitting in judgment of her, which was not comfortable. I originally was going to give the book 3 stars but the ending, from Catherine’s perspective, saved it. But because of my reservations, I’m not sure I can recommend it.
Thank you to Sourcebook’s Early Reads for a free e-ARC of this book.
The story is really quite good, alternating between Lily, Henry and Ava’s perspectives. It is well written and perfectly paced. My biggest problem with the story is reconciling the choices that Lily makes with her portrayal as a good person. She made horrible choices and was living a lie from the moment she reached England. Her lies impacted so many people, and yet she kept on telling them. A lot of rationales are given for what she did, but I just couldn’t buy them. While I was reading the book, I felt like I was sitting in judgment of her, which was not comfortable. I originally was going to give the book 3 stars but the ending, from Catherine’s perspective, saved it. But because of my reservations, I’m not sure I can recommend it.
Thank you to Sourcebook’s Early Reads for a free e-ARC of this book.
December 8, 2025
When a woman seeking to escape her past makes the choice to switch places with her sister, many lives are changed forever.
I loved this read. I learned so much about a piece of history that I had no idea existed. I learned to rethink selfish choices and open my mind more to the depths of what drives a person to make them.
The History: The evacuation of an island that occurred during World War II.
The Selfish Choices: It is easy to cast judgement on another for making a choice that you didn’t have to make. It is harder to take it all in and ponder the why. I can’t say more because I don’t want to spoil the book for others.
The writing style was average, the plot was extremely interesting, and the characters were fascinating. I would for sure recommend it to others that like historical romance or like to read about characters going through it.
Four stars to a book that helped me to forgive a little bit more.
I loved this read. I learned so much about a piece of history that I had no idea existed. I learned to rethink selfish choices and open my mind more to the depths of what drives a person to make them.
The History: The evacuation of an island that occurred during World War II.
The Selfish Choices: It is easy to cast judgement on another for making a choice that you didn’t have to make. It is harder to take it all in and ponder the why. I can’t say more because I don’t want to spoil the book for others.
The writing style was average, the plot was extremely interesting, and the characters were fascinating. I would for sure recommend it to others that like historical romance or like to read about characters going through it.
Four stars to a book that helped me to forgive a little bit more.
June 14, 2022
Truly love at first read.
This story is one of those heartbreaking stories that I didn't even think was something that had come up during WWII but again things are always there to surprise you.
For the most part this is the story of unconditional love between a child and a mother but on the other side of things it's also a story about how situations and feelings can evolve in stressful situations.
Lily is in a particularly stressful situation at the start of the book. Faced with a loveless and painful marriage she looks at the evacuation as a way to be free. She convinces her sister to let her go in her stead and is then placed in custody of two children, Henry and Catherine. Lily is forced to make many decisions throughout the book that ultimately impact Catherine substantially but also as a by product effect both Henry and his parents.
Catherine is only a child throughout the book so we only hear about her reactions through the lens of adults until the last chapter in the book. But she's sort of like a leaf in the wind, her life is in the hands of everyone else and she's learning to adjust and move beyond.
Henry, Catherine's brother and Ava, her mother are faced with a lot of interesting situations with in the book. There's topics brought up that leave you wishing that you could really see beyond the veil of there interactions but it brings about a lot of interesting conversation pieces.
WWII was difficult for everyone who was directly and indirectly involved but this book focuses on situations that aren't the clearest about how they would be resolved or how they would have arisen. There's missing family members and affairs; relationships with people who some are forced into. It covers a lot of intriguing topics in a respectful manner.
Definitely a read if you have a love for historical fiction. A read for if you're taking a chance and you not only want to be entertained but also learn. Experiencing WWII through books like this is one of my favorite ways to do so, there are so many perspectives to take into consideration and this book does a beautiful job of expressing each and every one of them.
This story is one of those heartbreaking stories that I didn't even think was something that had come up during WWII but again things are always there to surprise you.
For the most part this is the story of unconditional love between a child and a mother but on the other side of things it's also a story about how situations and feelings can evolve in stressful situations.
Lily is in a particularly stressful situation at the start of the book. Faced with a loveless and painful marriage she looks at the evacuation as a way to be free. She convinces her sister to let her go in her stead and is then placed in custody of two children, Henry and Catherine. Lily is forced to make many decisions throughout the book that ultimately impact Catherine substantially but also as a by product effect both Henry and his parents.
Catherine is only a child throughout the book so we only hear about her reactions through the lens of adults until the last chapter in the book. But she's sort of like a leaf in the wind, her life is in the hands of everyone else and she's learning to adjust and move beyond.
Henry, Catherine's brother and Ava, her mother are faced with a lot of interesting situations with in the book. There's topics brought up that leave you wishing that you could really see beyond the veil of there interactions but it brings about a lot of interesting conversation pieces.
WWII was difficult for everyone who was directly and indirectly involved but this book focuses on situations that aren't the clearest about how they would be resolved or how they would have arisen. There's missing family members and affairs; relationships with people who some are forced into. It covers a lot of intriguing topics in a respectful manner.
Definitely a read if you have a love for historical fiction. A read for if you're taking a chance and you not only want to be entertained but also learn. Experiencing WWII through books like this is one of my favorite ways to do so, there are so many perspectives to take into consideration and this book does a beautiful job of expressing each and every one of them.
July 8, 2022
Lily's Choice
A heartbreaking and engrossing story of one young girl and one young woman in a time of great confusion and split second choices. A story that you will remember and wonder about for long after you have finished reading it.
This is a story of the Guernsey Island just before the Nazi invasion. Parents are desperate to evacuate their children to England ahead of the Nazi's. The Simon's young children Henry nine and Catherine only four are sent with their teacher.
At the last minute the teacher's sister Lily takes her place and escorts the children instead so that she can stay with her parents and care for them during the trying times ahead. Lily makes a decision at the last minute to put Henry on the train to Manchester and travel alone with Catherine to Saint Austell a small village in Cornwall instead.
Lily's decision would change the course of life for everyone.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Julia Bryan Thomas for writing a great story, to Sourcebooks Landmark for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing with a copy to read and review.
A heartbreaking and engrossing story of one young girl and one young woman in a time of great confusion and split second choices. A story that you will remember and wonder about for long after you have finished reading it.
This is a story of the Guernsey Island just before the Nazi invasion. Parents are desperate to evacuate their children to England ahead of the Nazi's. The Simon's young children Henry nine and Catherine only four are sent with their teacher.
At the last minute the teacher's sister Lily takes her place and escorts the children instead so that she can stay with her parents and care for them during the trying times ahead. Lily makes a decision at the last minute to put Henry on the train to Manchester and travel alone with Catherine to Saint Austell a small village in Cornwall instead.
Lily's decision would change the course of life for everyone.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Julia Bryan Thomas for writing a great story, to Sourcebooks Landmark for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing with a copy to read and review.
August 7, 2022
To be candid, I had decided to take a hiatus from reading WWII historical fiction. I have read a great deal set before, during, and after WWII, so I thought I should branch out a bit. Then I discovered For Those Who Are Lost by Julia Thomas. The premise of the story immediately captured my attention. So I suspended my hiatus; after all, flexibility is the hallmark of a good reader!
Lily Mathews Carre’ lives on the idyllic island of Guernsey. She is married to a handsome, wealthy, well-respected man. On the outside, their marriage appears to be ideal. However, only Lily knows of the abuse behind closed doors. When Lily learns children are being evacuated from Guernsey in advance of impending German occupation, she determines she can leave Ian, her abusive husband, along with the children.
At the waiting bus, Lily sees her sister Helen, a teacher in the primary school, with some of her students. Lily offers to take Helen’s place in shepherding the children into England. Lily’s plan, ill-formed, is to get to England and make her way to Cornwall where she will build a new life for herself. Helen really does not want to leave Guernsey, so she agrees, although hesitantly, to Lily’s plan.
Lilly takes Henry, 9, and Catherine, 4, Simon to help them on the trip. Lily realizes that Catherine needs more protection than Henry, so she puts a ten-pound note into Henry’s bag and urges him onto a train to Manchester. Henry expects that Lily and Catherine will follow him aboard. Henry has promised his parents, Ava and Joe that he will take care of Catherine. Imagine his surprise when he gets on the train and Lily and Catherine are not behind him.
In a moment that will change her life forever, Lily takes Catherine’s hand and finds a way to Cornwall, assuring herself that she is doing the right thing in protecting a child so young and vulnerable. As indicated, Lily’s life will forever be changed, but so will Catherine’s.
Over the course of the story told through Ava’s, Henry’s, and Lily’s points of view, readers discover the full effect of Lily’s decision. Catherine becomes Lily’s daughter; then Lily falls in love and marries Peter Ashby, vicar at Holy Trinity Church in Saint Austell, Cornwall. Peter is a loving husband to Lily and a devoted father to Catherine.
At the end of the story, an adult Catherine picks up the thread and describes her life before Lily, with Lily and Peter, and after learning of her birth parents and her brother. This part of the story is equally as touching as the previous one.
For book clubs, For Those Who Are Lost will generate a lively discussion. Some will believe that Lily’s decision to separate Henry and Catherine is wrong and selfish on Lily’s part. Others will disagree. Lily’s secrets haunt her and that will certainly be a point of discussion.
For Those Who Are Lost is based on the true story of the many children who were evacuated to safer locations during WWII. I’ve read a great deal about children from London, particularly, but this story focuses on Guernsey and the children from there. It is a compelling story and highly recommended.
Lily Mathews Carre’ lives on the idyllic island of Guernsey. She is married to a handsome, wealthy, well-respected man. On the outside, their marriage appears to be ideal. However, only Lily knows of the abuse behind closed doors. When Lily learns children are being evacuated from Guernsey in advance of impending German occupation, she determines she can leave Ian, her abusive husband, along with the children.
At the waiting bus, Lily sees her sister Helen, a teacher in the primary school, with some of her students. Lily offers to take Helen’s place in shepherding the children into England. Lily’s plan, ill-formed, is to get to England and make her way to Cornwall where she will build a new life for herself. Helen really does not want to leave Guernsey, so she agrees, although hesitantly, to Lily’s plan.
Lilly takes Henry, 9, and Catherine, 4, Simon to help them on the trip. Lily realizes that Catherine needs more protection than Henry, so she puts a ten-pound note into Henry’s bag and urges him onto a train to Manchester. Henry expects that Lily and Catherine will follow him aboard. Henry has promised his parents, Ava and Joe that he will take care of Catherine. Imagine his surprise when he gets on the train and Lily and Catherine are not behind him.
In a moment that will change her life forever, Lily takes Catherine’s hand and finds a way to Cornwall, assuring herself that she is doing the right thing in protecting a child so young and vulnerable. As indicated, Lily’s life will forever be changed, but so will Catherine’s.
Over the course of the story told through Ava’s, Henry’s, and Lily’s points of view, readers discover the full effect of Lily’s decision. Catherine becomes Lily’s daughter; then Lily falls in love and marries Peter Ashby, vicar at Holy Trinity Church in Saint Austell, Cornwall. Peter is a loving husband to Lily and a devoted father to Catherine.
At the end of the story, an adult Catherine picks up the thread and describes her life before Lily, with Lily and Peter, and after learning of her birth parents and her brother. This part of the story is equally as touching as the previous one.
For book clubs, For Those Who Are Lost will generate a lively discussion. Some will believe that Lily’s decision to separate Henry and Catherine is wrong and selfish on Lily’s part. Others will disagree. Lily’s secrets haunt her and that will certainly be a point of discussion.
For Those Who Are Lost is based on the true story of the many children who were evacuated to safer locations during WWII. I’ve read a great deal about children from London, particularly, but this story focuses on Guernsey and the children from there. It is a compelling story and highly recommended.
October 3, 2022
4.5 stars. I had no idea that the Guernsey Islands gave 24 hours for children to evacuate during WW2. I can’t imagine the disruption, fear and loss these families endured
June 8, 2024
A compelling read from beginning to end. I was so caught up in the understated drama of this story that I felt I was living it—the trauma, the angst, the guilt, the joy, the standing on the precipice of dilemmas and urgent decisions made in a moment that would change lives forever—decisions for which there were no good choices, and questions with no clear answers. It is a story of desperation, sacrifice, betrayal, moral questions, great love and ultimately forgiveness that comes at great cost. This is the first book I’ve read by Julia Bryan Thomas and the best story I’ve read of the Guernsey Island evacuees to date.
August 31, 2022
It’s really a 2.5 book. Could’ve been a good story but too repetitive and wordy. A bit elementary in delivery. Meh
October 29, 2025
I can't resist good WWII novels, despite splashing tears on the pages. Both my parents served in WWII and talked very little about it. After their deaths and my move across the country (early 80s), I began devouring WWII books to learn more about my parents' lives. It's still amazing how much variety authors come up with. I think this was just my second book that took place in Guernsey.
Although much of the action took place in England, many of the sorrowing parents on Guernsey sent their children off to England for their own safety. They apparently didn't anticipate they'd be unable to hear any news once their island was invaded.
There are many twists and turns in this book, which is precisely why I won't spoil them for you.
Although much of the action took place in England, many of the sorrowing parents on Guernsey sent their children off to England for their own safety. They apparently didn't anticipate they'd be unable to hear any news once their island was invaded.
There are many twists and turns in this book, which is precisely why I won't spoil them for you.
May 31, 2023
This is an incredible story. A perspective of the war that I have never read. This story pulls at your heart strings and you cannot put it down to see what happens to each character. I’ll be thinking of this book for awhile.
January 6, 2025
WWII historical fiction based on true events of the evacuation of 5000 children from the island of Guernsey. I think this is my first book about the evacuation. Very sad, not just the separation, but the kidnapping and the effects of that.
April 22, 2025
3.5 stars! Loved how the ending wrapped everything up!
January 13, 2024
Thanks to a snow day, I finished this book in record time! Mix of audio and book to keep moving. Enjoyed the audio due to accents :)
It was such a good story about a segment of WWII I knew nothing about. This wasn't the typical extremely sad story about concentration camps - it was about the children evacuated for five years and sent to live elsewhere to be kept safe. ... and then sent back to parents some of them never remembered. I ended up down a rabbit hole after discovering how much of this story was true and was fascinated. Loved this book and recommend it!
It was such a good story about a segment of WWII I knew nothing about. This wasn't the typical extremely sad story about concentration camps - it was about the children evacuated for five years and sent to live elsewhere to be kept safe. ... and then sent back to parents some of them never remembered. I ended up down a rabbit hole after discovering how much of this story was true and was fascinated. Loved this book and recommend it!
Want to read
June 19, 2022For Those Who Are Lost is based on a true story. This story covers the lives of two parents that must decide whether to send their 9 year old son and 4 year old daughter away from Guernsey to England to keep them safe from WWII. The story as involves a school teacher and her sister who make decisions that will affect all the lives of everyone involved.
You can tel that Julia Bryan Thomas heavily researched the story and brought it to life for her readers. You can feel all the heart breaking and heart wrenching decision that is made and it will definitely have an impact you as the book continues. A definite must read in Historical Fiction.
Thank you to #netgalley and #SOURCEBOOKSlandmark for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
You can tel that Julia Bryan Thomas heavily researched the story and brought it to life for her readers. You can feel all the heart breaking and heart wrenching decision that is made and it will definitely have an impact you as the book continues. A definite must read in Historical Fiction.
Thank you to #netgalley and #SOURCEBOOKSlandmark for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
July 1, 2023
I have read a number of books both novels and non-fiction about the Channel Islands occupation by German troops during WW 2. For Those Who are Lost included some aspects about those who did not flee to England, but remained for the 5 year occupation in Guernsey. Perhaps the most gut-wrenching aspect of suddenly being faced with the need to send their children to England to live with strangers became the total absence of any information for the duration of the war about how their children were surviving the separation. This story follows the Simon family who reluctantly sent their nine-year-old son and four-year-old daughter to England. The son was instructed to hold onto his little sister. Yet a woman, Lily, chose to escape her own enemy, that she happened to be married to by fleeing with the children. Lily lied her way into a life that had both joy and immense guilt for separating the Simon children from each other once they arrived in England. This was a sad story of the Simon family being unable to reconnect with their daughter when she returns to Guernsey after bonding closely with those who became her family in England. It is also the story of a brave and sacrificial mother who allowed her daughter to choose which family she would continue to grow up with after the war. In the non-fiction accounts I have read about the children who spent five years of their childhood living apart from their biological parents and the difficult choices that came after the war this story came close to reality. I liked this story, but it was not one I would choose to reread. Maybe because it was so sad, or maybe because I felt unconnected to any of the characters. For me it was a three star book and I thank Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2022
Whenever I read about children being separated from parents during times of war, I’m emotionally moved. And this book was no exception. The plot immediately gripped me by the heartbreaking decisions being made. These gut-reactions have a long-lasting impact on the rest of the story and bring about themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the meaning of family.
The book alternates between multiple character perspectives and I really enjoyed seeing things through each of their eyes. Lily is a very flawed character, who seemed very selfish at first. However, the author did well at portraying feelings of guilt and the effects of the trauma Lily had experienced too. Throughout all the chapters, the overarching themes of forgiveness and a mother’s love were moving.
For Those Who Are Lost did start out a little slower for me but it was worth it. There were also elements to the story that I wish would have been expanded upon (particularly in Ava and Henry’s perspectives.) However, as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of this author's future work!
The book alternates between multiple character perspectives and I really enjoyed seeing things through each of their eyes. Lily is a very flawed character, who seemed very selfish at first. However, the author did well at portraying feelings of guilt and the effects of the trauma Lily had experienced too. Throughout all the chapters, the overarching themes of forgiveness and a mother’s love were moving.
For Those Who Are Lost did start out a little slower for me but it was worth it. There were also elements to the story that I wish would have been expanded upon (particularly in Ava and Henry’s perspectives.) However, as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of this author's future work!
January 23, 2022
As is typical of books with multiple perspectives, I found myself looking forward to some characters’ chapters and muddling through others (though by no means hated any of the plots). Ever since reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I have been fascinated by the role of the Channel Islands in World War II, so I was glad to go back to that time and place in this book.
I have read many World War II historical fictions, so I am no stranger to the anxiety and unease that these stories cause. Typically I am worried about characters in Eastern Europe being detained in concentration camps, whereas in this story, Lily’s own actions made me anxious for the future and what would come after the war.
I did find the timelines hard to follow at times because not all chapters were dated, so I wasn’t always sure when it was in each story. However, as I read this as an ARC, this very well could be resolved for the finished book.
I have read many World War II historical fictions, so I am no stranger to the anxiety and unease that these stories cause. Typically I am worried about characters in Eastern Europe being detained in concentration camps, whereas in this story, Lily’s own actions made me anxious for the future and what would come after the war.
I did find the timelines hard to follow at times because not all chapters were dated, so I wasn’t always sure when it was in each story. However, as I read this as an ARC, this very well could be resolved for the finished book.
March 31, 2023
3.5🌟
This book was 4 stars when it came to the story and 3 stars for the execution. It was well researched and I liked the different points of view, but the writing itself was rather stilted. I liked the characters but the emotional connection wasn't really there, and there were certain aspects that didn't seem believable (taking one child and leaving the other, the affair with the German officer,the 4yo not remembering anything).I did appreciate that it was overall clean,I think there was one swear word, and a mention of intimacy.
I did like the story and the character of Henry was my favorite,I just wanted more emotion and less recitation...
This book was 4 stars when it came to the story and 3 stars for the execution. It was well researched and I liked the different points of view, but the writing itself was rather stilted. I liked the characters but the emotional connection wasn't really there, and there were certain aspects that didn't seem believable (taking one child and leaving the other, the affair with the German officer,the 4yo not remembering anything).I did appreciate that it was overall clean,I think there was one swear word, and a mention of intimacy.
I did like the story and the character of Henry was my favorite,I just wanted more emotion and less recitation...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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