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The Lost English Girl
The acclaimed author of The Light Over London weaves an epic saga of love, motherhood, and betrayal from World War II to the 1960s.
Liverpool, 1935: Raised in a strict Catholic family, Viv Byrne knows what’s expected of her: marry a Catholic man from her working-class neighborhood and have his children. However, when she finds herself pregnant after a fling with Joshua Levinson, a Jewish man with dreams of becoming a famous Jazz musician, Viv knows that a swift wedding is the only answer. Her only solace is that marrying Joshua will mean escaping her strict mother’s scrutiny. But when Joshua makes a life-changing choice on their wedding day, Viv is forced once again into the arms of her disapproving family.
Five years later and on the eve of World War II, Viv is faced with the impossible choice to evacuate her young daughter, Maggie, to the countryside estate of the affluent Thompson family. In New York City, Joshua gives up his failing musical career to serve in the Royal Air Force, fight for his country, and try to piece together his feelings about the family, wife, and daughter he left behind at eighteen. However, tragedy strikes when Viv learns that the countryside safe haven she sent her daughter to wasn’t immune from the horrors of war. It is only years later, with Joshua’s help, that Viv learns the secrets of their shared past and what it will take to put a family back together again.
Telling the harrowing story of England’s many evacuated children, bestselling author Julia Kelly’s The Lost English Girl explores how one simple choice can change the course of a life, and what we are willing to forgive to find a way back to the ones we love and thought lost.
Liverpool, 1935: Raised in a strict Catholic family, Viv Byrne knows what’s expected of her: marry a Catholic man from her working-class neighborhood and have his children. However, when she finds herself pregnant after a fling with Joshua Levinson, a Jewish man with dreams of becoming a famous Jazz musician, Viv knows that a swift wedding is the only answer. Her only solace is that marrying Joshua will mean escaping her strict mother’s scrutiny. But when Joshua makes a life-changing choice on their wedding day, Viv is forced once again into the arms of her disapproving family.
Five years later and on the eve of World War II, Viv is faced with the impossible choice to evacuate her young daughter, Maggie, to the countryside estate of the affluent Thompson family. In New York City, Joshua gives up his failing musical career to serve in the Royal Air Force, fight for his country, and try to piece together his feelings about the family, wife, and daughter he left behind at eighteen. However, tragedy strikes when Viv learns that the countryside safe haven she sent her daughter to wasn’t immune from the horrors of war. It is only years later, with Joshua’s help, that Viv learns the secrets of their shared past and what it will take to put a family back together again.
Telling the harrowing story of England’s many evacuated children, bestselling author Julia Kelly’s The Lost English Girl explores how one simple choice can change the course of a life, and what we are willing to forgive to find a way back to the ones we love and thought lost.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2023
503 people are currently reading
37284 people want to read
About the author
Julia Kelly
22 books2,527 followersJulia Kelly is the international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical mystery novels about the extraordinary stories of the past. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia has called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home. She now lives in London with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 746 reviews
July 8, 2023
I love Julia Kelly's writing! She fully captured my attention with this stunning story!
Viv Byrne comes from a strict Catholic Family. She meets the Jewish Joshua Levinson one night at a dance in Liverpool, England. He's an aspiring Jazz musician and it's Pre-WW II. One night they get carried away and Viv finds herself pregnant. They get married but little does Viv know that her wedding day will be the last time she will see her groom in a very long time. Viv is determined to raise her daughter on her own (while still living at her parents house.) WW II strikes and children are being evacuated from the big cities in England to the safer parts of the countryside. Viv's daughter, Maggie is only 4 years old and the local Parish Priest makes private plans to find Maggie a foster family. Viv is devastated to send her daughter away. Will they ever reunite?
There's so many parts to this story and it's beautifully written. The story is told in alternating parts. One is Joshua and Viv's meeting and the time they spend together before she gets pregnant. Then it jumps to the War years and Viv and Maggie's story as well as Joshua's story. I was fully invested from start to finish. I enjoyed the Author's notes on her own family history and how that inspired the story.
This is a WW II story that is not all about the hardships of war but also the hardships of family dynamics. I can safely say that I did not care for Viv's Mother at all and to some extent Joshua (although he did redeem himself!)
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
Available from March 7, 2023 and onwards
Viv Byrne comes from a strict Catholic Family. She meets the Jewish Joshua Levinson one night at a dance in Liverpool, England. He's an aspiring Jazz musician and it's Pre-WW II. One night they get carried away and Viv finds herself pregnant. They get married but little does Viv know that her wedding day will be the last time she will see her groom in a very long time. Viv is determined to raise her daughter on her own (while still living at her parents house.) WW II strikes and children are being evacuated from the big cities in England to the safer parts of the countryside. Viv's daughter, Maggie is only 4 years old and the local Parish Priest makes private plans to find Maggie a foster family. Viv is devastated to send her daughter away. Will they ever reunite?
There's so many parts to this story and it's beautifully written. The story is told in alternating parts. One is Joshua and Viv's meeting and the time they spend together before she gets pregnant. Then it jumps to the War years and Viv and Maggie's story as well as Joshua's story. I was fully invested from start to finish. I enjoyed the Author's notes on her own family history and how that inspired the story.
This is a WW II story that is not all about the hardships of war but also the hardships of family dynamics. I can safely say that I did not care for Viv's Mother at all and to some extent Joshua (although he did redeem himself!)
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
Available from March 7, 2023 and onwards
March 7, 2023
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Happy Publication Day! March 7th, 2023.
I read and so loved The Last Garden in England by this author and was so excited to get this one from NetGalley and let me tell you Julia Kelly does not disappoint. This story broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together again. The writing was engaging, I could not put the book down until I was done with Maggie and Viv's story. I loved how fiercely Viv loved her daughter and how she found the strength to push back because of that love.
Viv's mother was so manipulative and I loathed her, I love it when a book's character can evoke emotions in me and every single one in this book did that, they were fully rounded, well-developed and believable. I will never understand people who claim to follow God when they aren't kind or compassionate towards others who they believe have sinned. I thought God's teachings were to be loving, kind and forgiving.
The book deals with topics of unwed pregnancy, religion, love, loss and second chances. It is about yet another priest abusing his position but in an entirely different manner than usual. What a powerful story that was complex and well-written, I could tell the author did a lot of research. The book is pure fiction but is based on families sending their child(ren) away to safety during the blitz of WWII and I loved every page. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Happy Publication Day! March 7th, 2023.
I read and so loved The Last Garden in England by this author and was so excited to get this one from NetGalley and let me tell you Julia Kelly does not disappoint. This story broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together again. The writing was engaging, I could not put the book down until I was done with Maggie and Viv's story. I loved how fiercely Viv loved her daughter and how she found the strength to push back because of that love.
Viv's mother was so manipulative and I loathed her, I love it when a book's character can evoke emotions in me and every single one in this book did that, they were fully rounded, well-developed and believable. I will never understand people who claim to follow God when they aren't kind or compassionate towards others who they believe have sinned. I thought God's teachings were to be loving, kind and forgiving.
The book deals with topics of unwed pregnancy, religion, love, loss and second chances. It is about yet another priest abusing his position but in an entirely different manner than usual. What a powerful story that was complex and well-written, I could tell the author did a lot of research. The book is pure fiction but is based on families sending their child(ren) away to safety during the blitz of WWII and I loved every page. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
February 28, 2023
Vivian Byrne grew up in Liverpool, her parents are Catholic and extremely strict. She was raised to know her place, follow in the footsteps of her older sister Kate, marry a hardworking Catholic man and have children. When a young and naive Vivian meets Joshua Levinson, it’s a case of infatuation at first sight and she falls pregnant. Both are still teenagers at the time, Joshua offers to marry Viv and do the right thing by her.
Vivian’s mother is furious, her daughter has committed a sin and with a Jewish man. Joshua has always dreamt of being a famous Jazz musician, after he marries Vivian, he’s offered a way out of his predicament and he grabs it. The Levinson's are heartbroken, his younger sister Rebecca is furious, and a pregnant Vivian has to continue living with her parents, she's a disgrace and her mother never lets her forget about the mistakes she has made.
Five years later, Kate is sending her three school age children to the country and the English government has started Operation Piped Piper. Maggie is too young to go with them, the parish priest finds a couple who live in a village near Henley-in-Arden, they offer to look after Maggie and Viv reluctantly lets her go. The Thompson's are a wealthy and childless couple, Viv tries to visit Maggie when she can, Vivian feels like Mrs. Thompson would prefer her to say away and let her be Margaret’s mother.
Joshua returns to England, his dreams of making it big in New York City failed, and he’s decided to join the Royal Air Force. How can he repair the damage and hurt he caused his parents, sister, Vivian and the daughter he’s never seen and make them understand how much he regrets what he did?
When The Blitz begins, Viv is working as a postie delivering mail and Liverpool is a target. Tragically she learns that nowhere in England is safe from the deadly German bombs, and of course she receives no sympathy from her parents. Kate, the Levinson family and her work colleges all support Viv and together they get through the hard war years and loss of loved ones.
I received a copy of The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. The well written and insightful narrative considers the repercussions of the mass evacuation of children during WW II, some felt abandoned by their parents, particularly younger ones didn’t understand why they were sent away and it permanently changed the relationship they had with their parents and others. Ms. Kelly story examines the stigma of teenage pregnancy and interfaith marriage at the time, how one single mistake can change the course of a person’s life, is it possible to forgive the individual who hurt you, and the lengths a mother will go to keep her daughter safe and could a child be lost or stolen in the chaos of a world war?
I felt so many emotions while reading this poignant historical fiction novel, I'm a mother and what would I have done if I was in the main characters situation, keep a box of tissues handy because you will need them and five big stars from me.
Vivian’s mother is furious, her daughter has committed a sin and with a Jewish man. Joshua has always dreamt of being a famous Jazz musician, after he marries Vivian, he’s offered a way out of his predicament and he grabs it. The Levinson's are heartbroken, his younger sister Rebecca is furious, and a pregnant Vivian has to continue living with her parents, she's a disgrace and her mother never lets her forget about the mistakes she has made.
Five years later, Kate is sending her three school age children to the country and the English government has started Operation Piped Piper. Maggie is too young to go with them, the parish priest finds a couple who live in a village near Henley-in-Arden, they offer to look after Maggie and Viv reluctantly lets her go. The Thompson's are a wealthy and childless couple, Viv tries to visit Maggie when she can, Vivian feels like Mrs. Thompson would prefer her to say away and let her be Margaret’s mother.
Joshua returns to England, his dreams of making it big in New York City failed, and he’s decided to join the Royal Air Force. How can he repair the damage and hurt he caused his parents, sister, Vivian and the daughter he’s never seen and make them understand how much he regrets what he did?
When The Blitz begins, Viv is working as a postie delivering mail and Liverpool is a target. Tragically she learns that nowhere in England is safe from the deadly German bombs, and of course she receives no sympathy from her parents. Kate, the Levinson family and her work colleges all support Viv and together they get through the hard war years and loss of loved ones.
I received a copy of The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. The well written and insightful narrative considers the repercussions of the mass evacuation of children during WW II, some felt abandoned by their parents, particularly younger ones didn’t understand why they were sent away and it permanently changed the relationship they had with their parents and others. Ms. Kelly story examines the stigma of teenage pregnancy and interfaith marriage at the time, how one single mistake can change the course of a person’s life, is it possible to forgive the individual who hurt you, and the lengths a mother will go to keep her daughter safe and could a child be lost or stolen in the chaos of a world war?
I felt so many emotions while reading this poignant historical fiction novel, I'm a mother and what would I have done if I was in the main characters situation, keep a box of tissues handy because you will need them and five big stars from me.
March 12, 2023
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly was an engaging and poignant historical fiction novel. Julia Kelly brilliantly explored the topics of inter-faith marriage, out of wedlock pregnancies and Operation Pied Piper during World War II in England in her newest book, The Lost English Girl. It was well written and impeccably researched. The characters were well developed and portrayed the sentiments of what they were experiencing during those times. The setting was Liverpool, England during the mid 1930’s where big bands played in ballrooms, war still seemed distant and young women were expected to act in certain ways.
Viv Byrne grew up in a strict and observant Catholic family In Liverpool, England. Her mother outwardly favored Viv’s older sister, Kate. To their mother, Kate represented the “perfect” daughter. Kate had married a Catholic boy from the neighborhood, had three beautiful children, a husband that loved her, and a comfortable home of her own. Viv’s mother showed little to no affection toward Viv. She was often the target of her mother’s verbal and emotional abuse. Viv never knew what she did to trigger it off. All she knew was that it didn’t feel good or right. There were times when her mother wouldn’t speak to Viv for days or weeks at a time. Other times, Viv had to endure her mother’s ranting and complaining. Her father was never able to stand up to the wrath of her mother. He was weak, overshadowed by her and always took her side. Viv grew up feeling unloved and ridiculed.
One night, Viv convinced her mother to allow her to go to the Locarno Ballroom with her good friend Sylvie. It was there that Viv was introduced to the handsome saxophone player, Joshua Levinson. Viv was infatuated with Joshua’s good looks and the easy conversation they shared. When he asked her out on a date she accepted without hesitation. Their first date led to a second date. Viv really thought she liked Joshua a lot. At the end of their second date, Joshua took Viv for a drive. They stopped at a secluded spot he used to frequent with his family. Viv wanted Joshua to kiss her. She was overcome with desire. One thing led to another and when all was said and done everything became awkward and almost embarrassing. Viv started to ignore Joshua’s calls and avoided seeing him until she couldn’t anymore. Viv soon discovered that she was pregnant. She confronted Joshua and without any hesitation he offered to marry her. In those days, interfaith marriages were frowned upon. Joshua promised to do right by her. Viv and Joshua got married but Viv’s mother spoiled it all. She offered Joshua a large sum of money to go away. According to Viv’s mother, Joshua had done what was required of him. He gave their unborn child his last name and legitimized the child. By marrying Viv, Joshua would be forced to give up his lifelong dream of becoming a famous musician. The money proved to be too tempting. Joshua accepted it and sailed to New York. It saddened and angered Viv to realize that Joshua had been swayed by her mother and the money. He had broken his promise to her. Joshua had promised to stand by her and support her no matter what. She told Joshua that she wanted nothing to with him then. He was never to contact her. Viv went home to live with her parents. She gave birth to a very precocious baby girl. Viv named her daughter, Maggie. The love Viv felt for Maggie was so encompassing and strong. The relationship between Viv and her mother, though, never improved. Viv became a servant to her mother. Her mother never showed any love or affection for Maggie. Her mother continued to care more about what others thought about her. Her reputation came before her love for Viv or Maggie.
When England declared war on Germany in World War II, the English government devised Operation Pied Piper. It was established to evacuate school age children out from the cities where most of the bombings were occurring and resettle them in the countryside. Viv was being pressured by her parish priest, her mother and even her sister, Kate, to send Maggie somewhere safe. Maggie was only four years old. She needed her mother and who but her mother could protect her best? Slowly, Viv acquiesced to the suggestion. Her priest had told Viv that there was a respectable and wealthy Catholic family that was willing to take Maggie. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, were unable to have children of their own. The Thompson’s welcomed Maggie and generously gave her all she could ever want. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson did not make it easy for Viv to visit with Maggie. Did they have an agenda? Were they purposely trying to keep Viv away from Maggie? Viv decided to go back to work in the postal service where she had worked before Maggie was born. This time she secured a position as a postie, delivering the mail. Viv was determined to save enough money to be able to afford the bus fare to visit Maggie more often. She was also determined to save enough to move out of her parent’s house and afford a place for her and Maggie to live after the war.
Things had not gone well for Joshua in New York. He never caught his break or secured a spot as a saxophone player like he had hoped. When Joshua found out that England had entered the war, he traveled back to England and joined the Royal Air Force. Joshua became a navigator. Much to his dismay, Joshua was confronted with outbursts of antisemitism in the RAF. Joshua regretted the choices he made the day of his wedding. He thought of Viv often and wondered about his child. Would Joshua ever get to meet his daughter?
I really enjoyed reading The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly. This was the fourth book that I have read by her. Her books just seem to get better and better with each new book she writes. The Lost English Girl was about motherhood, unconditional love for a child, the trauma associated with evacuation and resettling, interfaith marriages, the stigma associated with pregnancy outside of marriage, betrayal, courage, separation and family. In her notes, Julia Kelly disclosed that some aspects of this story were based on one of her own family member’s history and occurrences in their life. I really enjoyed that Julia Kelly chose to convey both Viv’s and Joshua’s point of views to tell this story. It will be exciting to see what she writes about next. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Gallery Books for allowing me to read The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was March 7, 2023.
Viv Byrne grew up in a strict and observant Catholic family In Liverpool, England. Her mother outwardly favored Viv’s older sister, Kate. To their mother, Kate represented the “perfect” daughter. Kate had married a Catholic boy from the neighborhood, had three beautiful children, a husband that loved her, and a comfortable home of her own. Viv’s mother showed little to no affection toward Viv. She was often the target of her mother’s verbal and emotional abuse. Viv never knew what she did to trigger it off. All she knew was that it didn’t feel good or right. There were times when her mother wouldn’t speak to Viv for days or weeks at a time. Other times, Viv had to endure her mother’s ranting and complaining. Her father was never able to stand up to the wrath of her mother. He was weak, overshadowed by her and always took her side. Viv grew up feeling unloved and ridiculed.
One night, Viv convinced her mother to allow her to go to the Locarno Ballroom with her good friend Sylvie. It was there that Viv was introduced to the handsome saxophone player, Joshua Levinson. Viv was infatuated with Joshua’s good looks and the easy conversation they shared. When he asked her out on a date she accepted without hesitation. Their first date led to a second date. Viv really thought she liked Joshua a lot. At the end of their second date, Joshua took Viv for a drive. They stopped at a secluded spot he used to frequent with his family. Viv wanted Joshua to kiss her. She was overcome with desire. One thing led to another and when all was said and done everything became awkward and almost embarrassing. Viv started to ignore Joshua’s calls and avoided seeing him until she couldn’t anymore. Viv soon discovered that she was pregnant. She confronted Joshua and without any hesitation he offered to marry her. In those days, interfaith marriages were frowned upon. Joshua promised to do right by her. Viv and Joshua got married but Viv’s mother spoiled it all. She offered Joshua a large sum of money to go away. According to Viv’s mother, Joshua had done what was required of him. He gave their unborn child his last name and legitimized the child. By marrying Viv, Joshua would be forced to give up his lifelong dream of becoming a famous musician. The money proved to be too tempting. Joshua accepted it and sailed to New York. It saddened and angered Viv to realize that Joshua had been swayed by her mother and the money. He had broken his promise to her. Joshua had promised to stand by her and support her no matter what. She told Joshua that she wanted nothing to with him then. He was never to contact her. Viv went home to live with her parents. She gave birth to a very precocious baby girl. Viv named her daughter, Maggie. The love Viv felt for Maggie was so encompassing and strong. The relationship between Viv and her mother, though, never improved. Viv became a servant to her mother. Her mother never showed any love or affection for Maggie. Her mother continued to care more about what others thought about her. Her reputation came before her love for Viv or Maggie.
When England declared war on Germany in World War II, the English government devised Operation Pied Piper. It was established to evacuate school age children out from the cities where most of the bombings were occurring and resettle them in the countryside. Viv was being pressured by her parish priest, her mother and even her sister, Kate, to send Maggie somewhere safe. Maggie was only four years old. She needed her mother and who but her mother could protect her best? Slowly, Viv acquiesced to the suggestion. Her priest had told Viv that there was a respectable and wealthy Catholic family that was willing to take Maggie. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, were unable to have children of their own. The Thompson’s welcomed Maggie and generously gave her all she could ever want. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson did not make it easy for Viv to visit with Maggie. Did they have an agenda? Were they purposely trying to keep Viv away from Maggie? Viv decided to go back to work in the postal service where she had worked before Maggie was born. This time she secured a position as a postie, delivering the mail. Viv was determined to save enough money to be able to afford the bus fare to visit Maggie more often. She was also determined to save enough to move out of her parent’s house and afford a place for her and Maggie to live after the war.
Things had not gone well for Joshua in New York. He never caught his break or secured a spot as a saxophone player like he had hoped. When Joshua found out that England had entered the war, he traveled back to England and joined the Royal Air Force. Joshua became a navigator. Much to his dismay, Joshua was confronted with outbursts of antisemitism in the RAF. Joshua regretted the choices he made the day of his wedding. He thought of Viv often and wondered about his child. Would Joshua ever get to meet his daughter?
I really enjoyed reading The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly. This was the fourth book that I have read by her. Her books just seem to get better and better with each new book she writes. The Lost English Girl was about motherhood, unconditional love for a child, the trauma associated with evacuation and resettling, interfaith marriages, the stigma associated with pregnancy outside of marriage, betrayal, courage, separation and family. In her notes, Julia Kelly disclosed that some aspects of this story were based on one of her own family member’s history and occurrences in their life. I really enjoyed that Julia Kelly chose to convey both Viv’s and Joshua’s point of views to tell this story. It will be exciting to see what she writes about next. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Gallery Books for allowing me to read The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was March 7, 2023.
March 9, 2023
It is 1935, and Viv is living the perfect life except for her strict home life.
When Viv was able to work and get out of the house, she relished the freedom.
She met Joshua, a handsome Jewish man, whose passion was to become a musician instead of having to work for his father in the family's tailor shop.
Viv and Joshua became romantically involved, and Viv became pregnant.
The only way out of this situation and to keep her parents from being embarrassed was to marry even though they both were so young.
At the wedding her parents did a very unusual and seemingly cruel thing that kept Viv and Joshua apart.
Viv had no choice but to remain in her childhood home with her controlling mother.
When the war broke out four years later, Viv had to send her beautiful Maggie to the countryside to keep her safe from the bombings.
Julia Kelly brings us another heartbreaking, well-researched book that has us following the lives of Viv, Joshua, and Maggie before, during, and after the war.
What will happen to the characters?
And who is the "LOST" English girl?
As always, Ms. Kelly's masterful, engrossing writing style has you not wanting to stop reading for many reasons, but mostly for the characters and the themes of family, forgiving, and learning to live life the way it should be lived.
Don't miss Ms. Kelly's newest gem...it is FAB!!
This book was given to me by the publisher for an honest review - print and NetGalley copy.
When Viv was able to work and get out of the house, she relished the freedom.
She met Joshua, a handsome Jewish man, whose passion was to become a musician instead of having to work for his father in the family's tailor shop.
Viv and Joshua became romantically involved, and Viv became pregnant.
The only way out of this situation and to keep her parents from being embarrassed was to marry even though they both were so young.
At the wedding her parents did a very unusual and seemingly cruel thing that kept Viv and Joshua apart.
Viv had no choice but to remain in her childhood home with her controlling mother.
When the war broke out four years later, Viv had to send her beautiful Maggie to the countryside to keep her safe from the bombings.
Julia Kelly brings us another heartbreaking, well-researched book that has us following the lives of Viv, Joshua, and Maggie before, during, and after the war.
What will happen to the characters?
And who is the "LOST" English girl?
As always, Ms. Kelly's masterful, engrossing writing style has you not wanting to stop reading for many reasons, but mostly for the characters and the themes of family, forgiving, and learning to live life the way it should be lived.
Don't miss Ms. Kelly's newest gem...it is FAB!!
This book was given to me by the publisher for an honest review - print and NetGalley copy.
May 8, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining, informative, WWII historical fiction novel which is based on actual events. It vividly describes the evacuation of children to the countryside during the war. It has likable characters, family drama, supportive friends and family, heartbreak, resilience, and a satisfying conclusion. The author's notes are insightful and enlightening, and are truly appreciated. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrators, Danielle Cohen and Raphael Corkhill, who has a captivating voice, do an outstanding job portraying the characters.
February 2, 2023
Did you ever read the Pied Piper of Hamelin?
Author Julia Kelly highlights a government-led evacuation scheme, code-named Operation Pied Piper, designed to protect children from the risks of aerial bombing by relocating them to areas thought to be less at risk. Her story gave me flashbacks to the German fairytale - a piper leading the children of Hamelin away from the town, never to return.
I absolutely loved this story because it let me experience what it was like to be one of those evacuated children. I’d heard about home children before, but always from the mother’s point of view. This time it was interesting to see how it affected all in the triangle; the birth mother, the foster mother and the child. Kelly examined how the war changed children; from the fear and confusion at being separated to the guilt and experiencing some of the happiest days of their life, to the reunion and readjustments for all involved after the war. It truly was life-changing for all involved. This is just one story, but there were nearly 2M children whose lives were upended by evacuation. Impressionable children.
What impacted me the most was how the immense gratitude was so precariously balanced with such strong emotions of regret and loss.
I also appreciated the exploration of how a single choice can change the course of a life, and the deep dive into what we are willing to do to forgive and find a way back to those we love. I voluntarily walked a few hours in the shoes of someone who was pressured to give up the most precious thing in her life, assured safely and congratulated for making ‘the right choice’.... I don’t think I could do it if it was required of me. I have a deeper sense of respect for those who gave all to Operation Pied Piper.
I will remember Viv, Joshua and Maggie’s story for quite some time.
I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Julia Kelly highlights a government-led evacuation scheme, code-named Operation Pied Piper, designed to protect children from the risks of aerial bombing by relocating them to areas thought to be less at risk. Her story gave me flashbacks to the German fairytale - a piper leading the children of Hamelin away from the town, never to return.
I absolutely loved this story because it let me experience what it was like to be one of those evacuated children. I’d heard about home children before, but always from the mother’s point of view. This time it was interesting to see how it affected all in the triangle; the birth mother, the foster mother and the child. Kelly examined how the war changed children; from the fear and confusion at being separated to the guilt and experiencing some of the happiest days of their life, to the reunion and readjustments for all involved after the war. It truly was life-changing for all involved. This is just one story, but there were nearly 2M children whose lives were upended by evacuation. Impressionable children.
What impacted me the most was how the immense gratitude was so precariously balanced with such strong emotions of regret and loss.
I also appreciated the exploration of how a single choice can change the course of a life, and the deep dive into what we are willing to do to forgive and find a way back to those we love. I voluntarily walked a few hours in the shoes of someone who was pressured to give up the most precious thing in her life, assured safely and congratulated for making ‘the right choice’.... I don’t think I could do it if it was required of me. I have a deeper sense of respect for those who gave all to Operation Pied Piper.
I will remember Viv, Joshua and Maggie’s story for quite some time.
I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 12, 2023
I was so hoping this book would be one of my 2023 favorites. Unfortunately, for me, it was plodding, repetitious, and so very slow in developing the story that the title led one to believe it was revolving around.
I loved the idea of a child being evacuated because of the war in England, but the delivery of the story could have focused more on little Maggie, than the whole number of scenes with the family of shame on the one side, and the Jewish element on the other.
Sad to say, this one was not on that higher end of my book likes.
Many others have loved it and I am sorry I can't be within that group as well.
I loved the idea of a child being evacuated because of the war in England, but the delivery of the story could have focused more on little Maggie, than the whole number of scenes with the family of shame on the one side, and the Jewish element on the other.
Sad to say, this one was not on that higher end of my book likes.
Many others have loved it and I am sorry I can't be within that group as well.
Want to read
June 16, 2022After a lot of anticipation, The Lost English Girl now has a gorgeous cover and is available for you to preorder!
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April 27, 2023
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
It's 1935 and you're a teenager from a strict catholic family. You meet a Jewish boy and yes, things get a little intense and you find out you're pregnant. What do you do? Well, you married that boy, he does the right thing, but then he doesn't. So, you're living with your parents, in Liverpool, who are not exactly thrilled with you, right? Then, the war happens and you're young, with a child and faced with the difficult decision of giving your child to other people to keep her safe until the war ends. Well, I can tell you that I had a tough time putting this audiobook down, I had to know what was going to happen. The narration is well done and the story moves along at a good pace.
It's 1935 and you're a teenager from a strict catholic family. You meet a Jewish boy and yes, things get a little intense and you find out you're pregnant. What do you do? Well, you married that boy, he does the right thing, but then he doesn't. So, you're living with your parents, in Liverpool, who are not exactly thrilled with you, right? Then, the war happens and you're young, with a child and faced with the difficult decision of giving your child to other people to keep her safe until the war ends. Well, I can tell you that I had a tough time putting this audiobook down, I had to know what was going to happen. The narration is well done and the story moves along at a good pace.
February 12, 2023
This is a beautifully written and well researched novel about the human toll of Operation Pied Piper in England in 1939. The war was ramping up and the government made people in the cities send their children to assumed safety in the rural areas of England. Almost 3 million children were evacuated during the first four days of the operation and ultimately more than 3.5 million children were relocated.
The story begins in 1935 in Liverpool. Viv lives with her parents and they are very strict Catholics. The plans for her life were that she marry a Catholic man and have babies while staying in the working class area of the city. After a brief fling with a Jewish man, Joshua, Viv finds that she's pregnant. The only solution was for them to marry. He agreed but right after the marriage when Viv's mother offered him money to leave, he left for New York to try to make a living as a saxophone player in the clubs. Viv had no choice but to move back with her parents who treated her like a servant and never let her forget that she had committed a major sin by having a baby out of wedlock. Five years after her beloved daughter, Maggie was born, Viv was forced by the local Catholic priest (with pressure from her parents) to send her daughter to a family in the country for her safety. She didn't want to send her daughter away but decided that it was safer for her daughter out in the country than in an area that would surely be dangerous for her. She planned to visit her daughter frequently and saw how affluent the family was that she was living with. She decided to get a job - partially to get away from her disapproving parents and partially to save enough money to bring her daughter home at the end of the war. At the same time Joshua, now living in NYC, decides to return to England to fight in the RAF. He is finally beginning to realize what a mistake it was to leave England and his wife and baby. When Viv finds out that the safe haven where she sent her daughter isn't safe at all when German planes drop bombs on the home where her daughter is living. There were twists and turns after Viv met Joshua again and they had to re-define their relationship and Viv had to re-start her life despite her grief.
This wonderful story is told mainly from two points of view. Viv's is story of love for her daughter in the midst of condemnation from her parents. She always sees the best in people and is able to forgive some - but not all - of the wrongs that were done to her. Joshua was basically a coward when he ran to NYC and he had to learn how to forgive himself for his earlier life. Viv and Maggie were my two favorite characters, with Joshua in the middle and I absolutely loathed Viv's mother who never had a kind word for her daughter or granddaughter and treated Viv like a slave.
This was a novel about family and love, forgiveness and redemption but mostly it's a story of how one decision can change someone's entire future. My thanks to the author for creating a story and characters that I won't soon forget.
The story begins in 1935 in Liverpool. Viv lives with her parents and they are very strict Catholics. The plans for her life were that she marry a Catholic man and have babies while staying in the working class area of the city. After a brief fling with a Jewish man, Joshua, Viv finds that she's pregnant. The only solution was for them to marry. He agreed but right after the marriage when Viv's mother offered him money to leave, he left for New York to try to make a living as a saxophone player in the clubs. Viv had no choice but to move back with her parents who treated her like a servant and never let her forget that she had committed a major sin by having a baby out of wedlock. Five years after her beloved daughter, Maggie was born, Viv was forced by the local Catholic priest (with pressure from her parents) to send her daughter to a family in the country for her safety. She didn't want to send her daughter away but decided that it was safer for her daughter out in the country than in an area that would surely be dangerous for her. She planned to visit her daughter frequently and saw how affluent the family was that she was living with. She decided to get a job - partially to get away from her disapproving parents and partially to save enough money to bring her daughter home at the end of the war. At the same time Joshua, now living in NYC, decides to return to England to fight in the RAF. He is finally beginning to realize what a mistake it was to leave England and his wife and baby. When Viv finds out that the safe haven where she sent her daughter isn't safe at all when German planes drop bombs on the home where her daughter is living. There were twists and turns after Viv met Joshua again and they had to re-define their relationship and Viv had to re-start her life despite her grief.
This wonderful story is told mainly from two points of view. Viv's is story of love for her daughter in the midst of condemnation from her parents. She always sees the best in people and is able to forgive some - but not all - of the wrongs that were done to her. Joshua was basically a coward when he ran to NYC and he had to learn how to forgive himself for his earlier life. Viv and Maggie were my two favorite characters, with Joshua in the middle and I absolutely loathed Viv's mother who never had a kind word for her daughter or granddaughter and treated Viv like a slave.
This was a novel about family and love, forgiveness and redemption but mostly it's a story of how one decision can change someone's entire future. My thanks to the author for creating a story and characters that I won't soon forget.
March 18, 2023
From the minute I picked up The Lost English Girl I couldn’t put it down. I found myself going through the whole emotional gamut with the different characters in this beautifully written story that takes on single motherhood during WWII.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I love a story that takes on individual female growth, especially when that character(s) has to go up against unjust social norms and is willing to find their own way, even when it means standing up to your own family. Viv’s character was so layered, and seeing her deal with the impact of the separation from her child during the war and deciding what she wants for herself along with other more difficult decisions had me wanting to jump into the story an become part of her found family too.
I also appreciated how Kelly took on the complex themes of religion, antisemitism, complicated family dynamics, found family, women’s rights and the lack of choices for them during this time, and even the daring topic taking on the repressive hold the Catholic church held on women.
How did you like the multiple POV in this story?
The multiple POV are what really made this story a hit for me. With each character we were able to get into more complex layers of the story and how each person was dealing and rationalizing their choices as emotions run high and the dynamics between characters become more and more complex as the story unfolds.
How was the pace?
The story itself holds a steady pace, but I flew through it in 24 hours. There are some twists woven into the plot, but the story itself was predictable and I found that this made the story really enjoyable since I wasn’t wanting a heavy/depressing and daunting read. Plus, Kelly writes characters you will fall in love with and others you want karma to come crashing down on and this is what had me hooked!
Do you recommend this book?
This is a lighter historical fiction story and one that I think all fans of historical fiction will enjoy. Especially those that look for stories that feature strong women and those willing to go against an unjust system. Also, please read the Author’s Notes for more information on the Pied Piper Program for protecting children during the London bombings during WWII.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Thank you, Gallery Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I love a story that takes on individual female growth, especially when that character(s) has to go up against unjust social norms and is willing to find their own way, even when it means standing up to your own family. Viv’s character was so layered, and seeing her deal with the impact of the separation from her child during the war and deciding what she wants for herself along with other more difficult decisions had me wanting to jump into the story an become part of her found family too.
I also appreciated how Kelly took on the complex themes of religion, antisemitism, complicated family dynamics, found family, women’s rights and the lack of choices for them during this time, and even the daring topic taking on the repressive hold the Catholic church held on women.
How did you like the multiple POV in this story?
The multiple POV are what really made this story a hit for me. With each character we were able to get into more complex layers of the story and how each person was dealing and rationalizing their choices as emotions run high and the dynamics between characters become more and more complex as the story unfolds.
How was the pace?
The story itself holds a steady pace, but I flew through it in 24 hours. There are some twists woven into the plot, but the story itself was predictable and I found that this made the story really enjoyable since I wasn’t wanting a heavy/depressing and daunting read. Plus, Kelly writes characters you will fall in love with and others you want karma to come crashing down on and this is what had me hooked!
Do you recommend this book?
This is a lighter historical fiction story and one that I think all fans of historical fiction will enjoy. Especially those that look for stories that feature strong women and those willing to go against an unjust system. Also, please read the Author’s Notes for more information on the Pied Piper Program for protecting children during the London bombings during WWII.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Thank you, Gallery Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 6, 2023
Immersive, moving, and sweet!
The Lost English Girl is a captivating, heart-wrenching tale set in Liverpool during WWII that takes you into the life of Viv Byrne, a young catholic girl who, after making a mistake with a local Jewish boy whom she marries in name only to protect her family’s reputation, struggles to raise her child alone under the roof of her cruel, judgemental parents until she is coerced into sending her daughter to the British countryside to live for the duration of the war leaving her wracked with heartbreak, guilt, and a determination to do whatever she can to build a new life for them for when she returns.
The prose is vivid and smooth. The characters are resilient, brave, and endearing. And the plot is a poignant, compelling tale about life, loss, family, secrets, separation, desperation, tragedy, grief, parenthood, friendship, duplicitous behaviours, and the horrors and hardships of war.
Overall, The Lost English Girl is a hopeful, heartwarming, affecting tale by Kelly inspired by true-life events that is a wonderful choice for anyone who loves to be swept away into a well-written historical fiction novel that delves into the unimaginable sacrifices and deeply emotional choices people often must make during times of war.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost English Girl is a captivating, heart-wrenching tale set in Liverpool during WWII that takes you into the life of Viv Byrne, a young catholic girl who, after making a mistake with a local Jewish boy whom she marries in name only to protect her family’s reputation, struggles to raise her child alone under the roof of her cruel, judgemental parents until she is coerced into sending her daughter to the British countryside to live for the duration of the war leaving her wracked with heartbreak, guilt, and a determination to do whatever she can to build a new life for them for when she returns.
The prose is vivid and smooth. The characters are resilient, brave, and endearing. And the plot is a poignant, compelling tale about life, loss, family, secrets, separation, desperation, tragedy, grief, parenthood, friendship, duplicitous behaviours, and the horrors and hardships of war.
Overall, The Lost English Girl is a hopeful, heartwarming, affecting tale by Kelly inspired by true-life events that is a wonderful choice for anyone who loves to be swept away into a well-written historical fiction novel that delves into the unimaginable sacrifices and deeply emotional choices people often must make during times of war.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2024
very unexpected emancipated-from-heteropatriarcal-norms-ending and for that i say this book is a win
April 24, 2023
5.0
“Veneer of respectability,” regrets, sacrifices….
A tale of how two dates changed many lives forever. 18-year-old Catholic Viv becomes pregnant after two dates with 19-year-old Joshua, who is Jewish. Despite her parent’s disapproval , Joshua and Viv will marry, providing a father and a name for their future child. After being pronounced man and wife on their ill-fated wedding day, Viv’s mother offers Joshua a hard-to - refuse offer.
Joshua will go to NYC to pursue a musical career and Viv will raise Maggie as a single mother.
Five years later, in 1939, when many children are being evacuated for pre-war safety reasons, four-year-old Maggie will be placed with a wealthy, childless couple in the British countryside.
What happens during the next five years will be a truly harrowing story . We will learn the choices made and the consequences of these decisions.
* A little bit of mystery, history, and romance!
* I liked the cast of characters! What a difference between the two sets of grandparents! I loved the twist involving the priest! A story of relationships.
* I am stingy with 5.0 ratings. However, after saying that, I have read several deserving books in the last few months. This book was one of them.
* I will read future books by this author.
* I liked the letters scattered throughout.
* For Those Who Are Lost by Julia Bryan Thomas was another book about pre-war evacuation of children. (Guernsey). 5000+ children were evacuated. Both books were excellent — NOT at all duplicates. For Those Who Are Lost was one of my top three favorites for 2022. I rated both 5.0.
“Veneer of respectability,” regrets, sacrifices….
A tale of how two dates changed many lives forever. 18-year-old Catholic Viv becomes pregnant after two dates with 19-year-old Joshua, who is Jewish. Despite her parent’s disapproval , Joshua and Viv will marry, providing a father and a name for their future child. After being pronounced man and wife on their ill-fated wedding day, Viv’s mother offers Joshua a hard-to - refuse offer.
Joshua will go to NYC to pursue a musical career and Viv will raise Maggie as a single mother.
Five years later, in 1939, when many children are being evacuated for pre-war safety reasons, four-year-old Maggie will be placed with a wealthy, childless couple in the British countryside.
What happens during the next five years will be a truly harrowing story . We will learn the choices made and the consequences of these decisions.
* A little bit of mystery, history, and romance!
* I liked the cast of characters! What a difference between the two sets of grandparents! I loved the twist involving the priest! A story of relationships.
* I am stingy with 5.0 ratings. However, after saying that, I have read several deserving books in the last few months. This book was one of them.
* I will read future books by this author.
* I liked the letters scattered throughout.
* For Those Who Are Lost by Julia Bryan Thomas was another book about pre-war evacuation of children. (Guernsey). 5000+ children were evacuated. Both books were excellent — NOT at all duplicates. For Those Who Are Lost was one of my top three favorites for 2022. I rated both 5.0.
November 2, 2022
I received a free copy of The Lost English Girl, by Julia Kelly, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Being Catholic and having a Jewish man's baby, while not married, is a huge thing back in the day. The 1940's is so different from what we know. Viv is raising her daughter Maggie, while Maggie's father Joshua, is fighting in the war. Such a complex, well written book. I really enjoyed the book.
February 23, 2023
I love a story about strong women who step up to claim their lives when it goes against the norms of society, and Kelly's latest features such a heroine. Viv chafes against her sheltered life and nearly finds a way out by marrying her baby's father. But when Joshua follows his dreams instead of keeping his promises, Viv becomes a single parent. At the same time, tensions are rising with Germany, and when the British start evacuating children to the countryside, Viv reluctantly lets Maggie go.
As heartbroken as she is, this leads Viv to redefine her life - her independence, her relationship with her parents, her sister, and especially her in-laws. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking story that brought me to tears and then had me smiling again; had my jaw drop at the twists so that I never quite knew what was coming. Deftly told, with an abundance of emotion and strength, this was a gripping read. Kelly is very quickly becoming an autobuy author for me!
As heartbroken as she is, this leads Viv to redefine her life - her independence, her relationship with her parents, her sister, and especially her in-laws. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking story that brought me to tears and then had me smiling again; had my jaw drop at the twists so that I never quite knew what was coming. Deftly told, with an abundance of emotion and strength, this was a gripping read. Kelly is very quickly becoming an autobuy author for me!
December 14, 2022
“The Lost English Girl”, by Julia Kelly, is a domestic drama set during WWII, but not actually about WWII. The war is simply the background and the catalyst for the action (the Holocaust gets a mere mention.)
Viv is Catholic and Joshua is Jewish, and their immediate attraction to each other results in an unintended pregnancy. Joshua agrees to marry Viv to “give the baby his name”, but then he immediately makes a selfish decision that significantly alters all their lives.
We get both Viv and Joshua’s points of view, and for me, Joshua’s is the most interesting because it’s more complicated. He’s basically “sorry not sorry” for most of the novel.
While there is nothing new or unexpected in this story, Kelly’s writing flows well and it was an enjoyable read.
Viv is Catholic and Joshua is Jewish, and their immediate attraction to each other results in an unintended pregnancy. Joshua agrees to marry Viv to “give the baby his name”, but then he immediately makes a selfish decision that significantly alters all their lives.
We get both Viv and Joshua’s points of view, and for me, Joshua’s is the most interesting because it’s more complicated. He’s basically “sorry not sorry” for most of the novel.
While there is nothing new or unexpected in this story, Kelly’s writing flows well and it was an enjoyable read.
March 29, 2023
When Viv Bryne finds herself pregnant by Joshua Levinson, he offers to marry her and they exchange vows. Josh is a professional saxophonist. He's also Jewish. Viv is Catholic. On the steps of city hall, Viv's mother offers him money to disappear. He takes it and goes to New York. Four years later, Viv is faced with the impossible decision to evacuate Maggie, as England braces for war. But Viv finds out that the countryside is not immune from war's horrors...
I love this author's work. Reading her books are like sinking into a warm bath with a glass of wine. The only thing that bothered me was that Josh and Viv stayed married but weren't really a couple. For some reason, that felt false to me. Other than that? Highly recommended.
I love this author's work. Reading her books are like sinking into a warm bath with a glass of wine. The only thing that bothered me was that Josh and Viv stayed married but weren't really a couple. For some reason, that felt false to me. Other than that? Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
Another amazingly emotional WWII historical fiction novel that follows the lives of an interfaith couple as they're torn apart by their families and the war and have to face the absence of their daughter when they send her off to the country for her own safety. Extremely moving and great on audio narrated by Danielle Cohen and Raphael Corkhill. Recommended for fans of Pam Jenoff or Kelly Rimmer. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 19, 2022
Nice story illuminating some different aspect of British life especially in the early days of the war. Interesting notes at th end. Someone is always in love with someone they shouldn't be ;)
October 30, 2022
This book is beautifully written with characters that push back time to when there was harsh punishment for a woman who unexpectedly got pregnant prior to marriage. Women’s rights were a huge issue in 1939 and this book opens our eyes to what was happening.
Vic wasn’t thinking about motherhood when she went on a second date with Joshua. She was 16-year-old living in Liverpool with her mom and dad. Her older sister was married – the sister that was considered by her parents perfect in all ways. Joshua, at 19, was living in town with his parents and sister. His dad owned a tailor shop and Joshua had the opportunity to learn from him but he wanted to follow his true passion and become a famous saxophone player.
The story begins with the wedding. She had tears in her eyes. Vic was Catholic and Joshua was Jewish. Her life would now change with a baby on the way. Vic’s parents offered her new husband a way out with money and he took it with the agreement that he would never be able to see his new wife and child again. He grabbed the money and was off to NY with his sax.
Vic and her baby Maggie remained with her parents. Four years later, when there was talk about the Germans invading Britain, people were sending their kids to the countryside to be safe. Vic was encouraged to place little Maggie in the hands of a nice family away from the city. She refused and Father Monaghan said she was putting her own desires in front of her child’s safety. Her mother then told her to send Maggie away or pack her things. Vic relinquished. Meanwhile, as a married woman, there was a rule that she couldn’t work so she had to stay with her parents with their strict rules until she was able to figure a way out.
The author did an amazing amount of research to write this story during WWII with the bombs and the fighter pilots. The chapters switch from different point of views between Vic and Joshua which sometimes included letters – some which were written too flawlessly. There were some characters I liked more than others. Maggie was on top of the list with good manners, nice, happy and always respectful. Maybe too nice. The end of the story wasn’t what I was expecting. It certainly makes me think about how much has changed for women after the war. It would be a good book club discussion.
My thanks to Julia Kelly, Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with the expected release date of March 7, 2023.
Vic wasn’t thinking about motherhood when she went on a second date with Joshua. She was 16-year-old living in Liverpool with her mom and dad. Her older sister was married – the sister that was considered by her parents perfect in all ways. Joshua, at 19, was living in town with his parents and sister. His dad owned a tailor shop and Joshua had the opportunity to learn from him but he wanted to follow his true passion and become a famous saxophone player.
The story begins with the wedding. She had tears in her eyes. Vic was Catholic and Joshua was Jewish. Her life would now change with a baby on the way. Vic’s parents offered her new husband a way out with money and he took it with the agreement that he would never be able to see his new wife and child again. He grabbed the money and was off to NY with his sax.
Vic and her baby Maggie remained with her parents. Four years later, when there was talk about the Germans invading Britain, people were sending their kids to the countryside to be safe. Vic was encouraged to place little Maggie in the hands of a nice family away from the city. She refused and Father Monaghan said she was putting her own desires in front of her child’s safety. Her mother then told her to send Maggie away or pack her things. Vic relinquished. Meanwhile, as a married woman, there was a rule that she couldn’t work so she had to stay with her parents with their strict rules until she was able to figure a way out.
The author did an amazing amount of research to write this story during WWII with the bombs and the fighter pilots. The chapters switch from different point of views between Vic and Joshua which sometimes included letters – some which were written too flawlessly. There were some characters I liked more than others. Maggie was on top of the list with good manners, nice, happy and always respectful. Maybe too nice. The end of the story wasn’t what I was expecting. It certainly makes me think about how much has changed for women after the war. It would be a good book club discussion.
My thanks to Julia Kelly, Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with the expected release date of March 7, 2023.
February 26, 2023
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly. Thanks to @gallerybooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Liverpool, 1935, Liv finds herself pregnant after a brief fling with a Jewish musician. As strict Catholics, her family is less than pleased and events do not go as planned. Now, four years later, Liv has sent her daughter to the country assuming she’ll be safe from Germany’s bombs.
While another World War Two story, this one is a lot different than most. It focuses more on residents of Liverpool and how their worlds were changed by the war. I liked the unique situation the main character was in and how she pushed against the times. While I did predict one of the major plot twists, it didn’t ruin my enjoyment at all. I was happy with the ending and how it all turned out, but there were certainly some stressful moments and some horrible characters!
“Our lives could have been different - her life could have been different - and now you will have to live the rest of your life knowing that you gave all of that up.”
The Lost English Girl comes out 3/7.
Liverpool, 1935, Liv finds herself pregnant after a brief fling with a Jewish musician. As strict Catholics, her family is less than pleased and events do not go as planned. Now, four years later, Liv has sent her daughter to the country assuming she’ll be safe from Germany’s bombs.
While another World War Two story, this one is a lot different than most. It focuses more on residents of Liverpool and how their worlds were changed by the war. I liked the unique situation the main character was in and how she pushed against the times. While I did predict one of the major plot twists, it didn’t ruin my enjoyment at all. I was happy with the ending and how it all turned out, but there were certainly some stressful moments and some horrible characters!
“Our lives could have been different - her life could have been different - and now you will have to live the rest of your life knowing that you gave all of that up.”
The Lost English Girl comes out 3/7.
January 17, 2024
I’m a big fan of Julia Kelly. She really knows her stuff when it comes to WWII historical fiction and she tells a great story. This one was heart-wrenching.
October 17, 2024
This was a sweet story and I loved how the main character stood up to her parents - seemed very rare back in those days and I was proud of her for it!
November 8, 2023
Author Julia Kelly takes us on a journey to Liverpool in 1935, where we meet 18-year-old Viv Byrne, who was raised in a strict Catholic home. She finds herself in a difficult situation when she becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with a Jewish saxophonist Joshua Levinson.
To avoid the shame of being an unwed mother, Viv and Joshua hastily tie the knot. But Viv’s overbearing mother offers Joshua a large amount of money to disappear on their wedding day, knowing the child will now be born in wedlock. He agrees and heads off to New York City to chase his dreams of jazz stardom.
Five years later, Viv has to choose whether to evacuate her daughter, Maggie, to the countryside to protect her from German bombs. Over the course of three days, 1.5 million people, including 800,000 children, were evacuated from British towns and cities in Operation Pied Piper.
Tragedy strikes when Maggie’s host family’s house is bombed, while Joshua, who gave up his musical aspirations, returns home to serve in the Royal Air Force. The story revolves around Viv and Joshua’s efforts to reunite and find out what happened to their daughter.
The Lost English Girl is told from the alternating perspectives of Viv, Joshua, and Maggie. The author's commitment to historical accuracy is clear through her portrayal of child evacuations and the stigma surrounding teenage pregnancy and interfaith marriages.
I supplemented the book with audio, but the male narrator didn’t quite hit the mark. The book deserves a 4-star rating for its compelling characters and historical depth.
** I received a free copy of The Lost English Girl, by Julia Kelly, from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To avoid the shame of being an unwed mother, Viv and Joshua hastily tie the knot. But Viv’s overbearing mother offers Joshua a large amount of money to disappear on their wedding day, knowing the child will now be born in wedlock. He agrees and heads off to New York City to chase his dreams of jazz stardom.
Five years later, Viv has to choose whether to evacuate her daughter, Maggie, to the countryside to protect her from German bombs. Over the course of three days, 1.5 million people, including 800,000 children, were evacuated from British towns and cities in Operation Pied Piper.
Tragedy strikes when Maggie’s host family’s house is bombed, while Joshua, who gave up his musical aspirations, returns home to serve in the Royal Air Force. The story revolves around Viv and Joshua’s efforts to reunite and find out what happened to their daughter.
The Lost English Girl is told from the alternating perspectives of Viv, Joshua, and Maggie. The author's commitment to historical accuracy is clear through her portrayal of child evacuations and the stigma surrounding teenage pregnancy and interfaith marriages.
I supplemented the book with audio, but the male narrator didn’t quite hit the mark. The book deserves a 4-star rating for its compelling characters and historical depth.
** I received a free copy of The Lost English Girl, by Julia Kelly, from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2023
I’m no fan of the “naive young woman” as protagonist, and spent a lot of time rolling my eyes with frustration at the insipid Viv, who comes with a controlling mother straight out of central casting. The only redeeming characters here were her reluctant but loving in-laws, providing the few emotional high points in the book. The flashback chapters were totally unnecessary and added nothing other than a chance to skip forward a few pages and get this thing over with. However, a big bonus point for an absolutely appropriate ending.
July 20, 2023
Maybe I was expecting too much, but I was irritated by the protagonists through the entire book. Then the ending was saccharine, which resulted in the low rating. I’d recommend another book on a similar subject, “The Secret Book of Flora Lea.”
September 4, 2023
I liked the idea of the story it just fell flat for me 🤷♀️
March 9, 2023
The Lost English Girl
By: Julia Kelly
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once again, Kelly proves to me a top-notch and fierce Historical Fiction author.
Liverpool, 1935
Viv Byrne is a catholic girl who is marrying a Jewish boy, Joshua. An unplanned pregnancy has them getting married under the hardest of circumstances.
Joshua has big dreams of becoming a Jazz musician and traveling the world so he is having a hard time with the idea of settling down. An unlikely offer has him going to the states to pursue his dream leaving Viv behind to raise their child.
Five years later… Viv makes an incredibly difficult decision to evacuate her daughter Maggie to the countryside for her safety. She ends up with a well-to-do family and the mother is friendly at first. Clearly she wants Maggie to be part of her family.
As the years go by she finds out something happened to Maggie and the family. She tries to move forward with her life.
This story is gut wrenching, especially page 53. 😭I heard Julia’s interview with her sister Justine and when she mentioned that page, I knew!
The author notes really tell you more details about some of the evacuations. Kelly always has unputdownable books that I must read in one sitting!
#thelostenglishgirl, #juliakelly, #gallerybooks, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
By: Julia Kelly
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once again, Kelly proves to me a top-notch and fierce Historical Fiction author.
Liverpool, 1935
Viv Byrne is a catholic girl who is marrying a Jewish boy, Joshua. An unplanned pregnancy has them getting married under the hardest of circumstances.
Joshua has big dreams of becoming a Jazz musician and traveling the world so he is having a hard time with the idea of settling down. An unlikely offer has him going to the states to pursue his dream leaving Viv behind to raise their child.
Five years later… Viv makes an incredibly difficult decision to evacuate her daughter Maggie to the countryside for her safety. She ends up with a well-to-do family and the mother is friendly at first. Clearly she wants Maggie to be part of her family.
As the years go by she finds out something happened to Maggie and the family. She tries to move forward with her life.
This story is gut wrenching, especially page 53. 😭I heard Julia’s interview with her sister Justine and when she mentioned that page, I knew!
The author notes really tell you more details about some of the evacuations. Kelly always has unputdownable books that I must read in one sitting!
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