War rages, but the women and children of Liverpool's Dr Barnado's Home cannot give up hope. An Orphan's War is a gripping saga about love and loss on the Home Front.
A lovely, heartfelt, warming slice of saga fiction set during the Second World War. Maxine endures heartbreak at the beginning of the war, she then faces an impossible choice before finding herself a job at a Dr Barnardo’s orphanage in Liverpool. Maxine is a wonderfully thoughtful, loveable character, supported by the author, who with care and compassion covers some moving and poignant topics. I found myself visiting the effects of the war on the home front, and some previously unexplored and interesting areas. There is a gentleness to the writing as it walks some difficult paths, ensuring ‘An Orphan’s War’ is an engaging, generous read.
| Primary Genre | Historical romance |
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Green is a talented novelist though the fictional series, only two books in, is fast-becoming stale, predictable even.
After losing husband Johnny in Occupied France, Maxine Grey needs to occupy her mind. With an overbearing mother and imprisoned brother, Max breaks free of the family shackles to start a nursing career in London. Despite a natural flair, she returns to Liverpool harbouring a secret after catching the eye of a flirtatious surgeon. Bereaved and burdened, she finds solace helping those in need at a Dr Barnardo’s orphanage. But how long before her past catches up?
Allowing contemporary thinking to infiltrate war-time characters gives the impression limited research has been conducted which is regretful when, in this instance, scholarly investigation into orphanages ensure protagonists are more rounded and deeper than they otherwise might be; peripheral ones nonetheless remain one-dimensional and shallow.... Read Full Review
This historical fiction is lovely, easy to get in to and heart-warming.
A nice story about finding love in the darkest of times. Set throughout the Second World War and following the start of Maxine’s career, as a nurse.
An uplifting story set in some of the darkest times in history. As the Second World War starts, Maxine embarks on married life. Loss and turmoil seems to follow Maxine wherever she goes as she works to gain her nursing certificate. The detailed backdrop of The Blitz, blackouts and sirens excellently place this book in time and offers a historically realistic setting without pulling the focus from the main characters.
In a time when life seemed fleeting, it is heart breaking to see everyone Maxine becomes close to get pulled away. It would seem that the odds are against Maxine finding happiness and throughout the book and my heart went out to her.... Read Full Review
A novel of love and loss and a remarkable story of the children of Barnardo's in the 1940s
I was asked to review this book by LoveReading
This novel is about love and loss - set in 1940. The main character Maxine trains as a nurse and works in St Thomas Hospital in London which was damaged in the blitz. Rather mills and Boon she falls in love with a surgeon - who is not all he appears to be. She then takes a post with Barnardos and throws herself into helping children whose lives have been changed by the ravages of war.
Well written and would appeal to fans of Nadine Dorries.... Read Full Review
