An Orphan's Wish: A gripping and emotional historical novel (Shilling Grange Children’s Home Book 5)
Book Description
England, 1953. An emotional and heartbreaking story about children tragically orphaned by the war, and the woman who is determined to save them, whatever it takes.
When Clara Newton became House Mother of Shilling Grange Orphanage, it was only supposed to be temporary, a job to help piece her life back together again after the war had torn it apart. But five years on, Shilling Grange is more than just a job, it’s her calling. The orphans have given her a reason to live again, as has her handsome war hero neighbour Ivor, who is now her dashing fiancé.
As Clara starts to plan her perfect wedding, she is shocked to discover that the village expects her to leave Shilling Grange once she is married. They can’t imagine how she could possibly be a good housewife while working full time at the orphanage. But Clara is horrified at the idea of deserting her orphans who have no one else in the world.
Clara starts to consider who could possibly replace her if she left. Who would take care of precious Peg who has never spoken a word or known love from anyone but Clara? And who would protect timid Jonathan from his life-changing secret that only Clara knows?
But when a storm causes a catastrophic flood that risks the life of Ivor and the children, Clara is suddenly on the brink of losing everything once more. In this final heart-wrenching book in the series, will Clara and Ivor finally make it down the aisle? And will Clara find the strength to save the orphanage and stop it from falling into the wrong hands?
An utterly tear-jerking and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'An Orphan's Wish' by Lizzie Page.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Lizzie Page, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 6th September 2023
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the fifth book in the 'Shilling Grange Children's Home' series but can be read as a standalone. The previous books are called 'The Orphanage' which is the first book in the series, 'A Place To Call Home' which is the second book in this series, 'An Orphan's Song' which is the third book in this series and 'The Children Left Behind' which is the fourth book in this series. I would highly recommend them all. This book and the previous can be read as standalone books but it is better to read in order to get a better insight into the characters.
This novel consists of a prologue and 70 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
Wow!!! Yet another absolutely captivating heart warming and tear jerking stunning page turner ♥ Well done Lizzie on yet another stunning success!
This book is absolutely beautifully written and it had me absorbed from the first page to the last. The vivid and evocative descriptions really put me in the storyline with Clara and the children and the cover and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
This series itself was quite unique for me as in I have never actually read a fictional book about a children's home apart from the first four book in this stunning series 'The Orphanage' (book one) , 'A Place To Call Home' (book two) 'An Orphan's Song' (book three) and 'The Children Left Behind' (book four). I have read several non fiction foster books but never any fictional so I have been looking forward to getting sucked into this continuation of Shilling Grange children's home !! The storyline is filled with heartbreak, love, friendship, family, shocks, tension, sadness, hope and much more. My mind and heart was completely captivated throughout and I couldn't stop turning the pages from start to end. I was completely shocked and saddened by certain events. This book is the last book in this beautiful series and OMG between everything that happens and the emotions flying around I was in absolute tears on so many occasions so make sure you have your tissues at the ready and clear your schedules as you will NOT be able to put this book down!!! I can't say any more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Goodbye to this amazing series but not goodbye to this amazing author who has so many other amazing books I cannot wait to get stuck into. Lizzie you have done such an amazing and beautiful job creating and bringing Clara, Ivor and these children to life and I would love to see these books turned into films!! They will all stay with me for life and THAT is how you know you have done an amazing job!!! Thank you for the stunning experience of this amazing series and group of characters!!!
Although this is the fifth book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GRAB THE TISSUES AS YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED ON THIS EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT IS SHILLING GRANGE CHILDRENS HOME!!!
I absolutely fell in love with the kids and I absolutely adored Clara in what she was doing for them in 'The Orphanage' and I was over the moon to "meet" them all again in all of the books since. This series has absolutely captured my heart and I am absolutely devastated that this is the last book in this series! What are you doing to me Lizzie!!! I absolutely love that the main protagonist Clara is a strong female who went from someone who seemed to have certainly chosen the wrong job and really annoyed me on several occasions with her materialistic ways to a fighter and a role model for the children and I enjoyed watching her grow and develop in 'The Orphanage' and watching her grow and develop even more in each book since. She is as determined as ever in this book and is even more annoyed at how the council and others are continuously letting the children down by allowing them, and her, to slip through the cracks meaning families that could have been reunited years ago are left apart!! . I absolutely love how she fights for the children as well as other things even when it felt like she was banging her head against a brick wall she never gave up!!! She was not only struggling with everything that was going on with the council but with the children, her own emotions and feelings and much more yet she continued to keep going strong even when, at times, she just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. This book sees her go through even more with her planning her and Igor's wedding, a cry for help from previous resident Clifford and Ivor, Clifford and Jonathon missing after a flooding tragedy. I cannot stand Mr Sommersby who I found to be horrible, insensitive and most definitely in the wrong job as he didn't seem to care for the children one iota! I love Marilyn and found her to be a fantastic and supportive friend to Clara!!! It is so lovely to see that, although Marilyn is Clara's ex fiance's mother (Michael, who passed away) that she has such a strong bond and is a mother figure to Clara and a grandmother figure to the rest of the children. We only get to hear from her in this book when Clara speaks to her over the phone but she is definitely worth a mention as she still plays such a big part in Clara and the children's lives. I loved all the children who each had their own unique personalities. It was lovely meeting the boys Frank and Trevor again who definitely reminded me of Billy and Barry, especially Frank with his A. Quirkiness and B. personality!!!! I wont say more about it so you will just have to pick up your own copy to find out! Jonathon is also back in this book and my heart went out to him also for the tragedy that he lost his family in and then what happens in this book too. It was also lovely to meet/hear from children that I have met from the previous books regardless of how short some of the meetings were. These include the sweetest of all the previous children Peg, the lovely Gladys, Evelyn who was adopted by Anita and Dr Carter, Clifford who ended up in the Hunstanton Reform School For Boys but leads a big part in this book and Maureen who is studying at secretarial college. I absolutely adore Ivor who is such a gentle and sweet man and is so amazing with the children and my heart was in my throat throughout with what happens in this book. I am devastated to say goodbye to them all but they are definitely characters I will never forget!!!
Congratulations Lizzie on yet another absolutely gorgeous book ♥ This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors. I am absolutely devastated that this series has come to an end but you managed to end it perfectly. I can't wait to read your next success 🥂
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Lizzie's 'When I Was Yours', which promises to be just as beautiful and emotional as this book. It is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!
Overall an absolutely heart-warming, soul lifting, emotional roller coaster ride of emotions and unputdownable book that will captivate your heart, body and mind.
428 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
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Author bio
Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens, a mum of three, who (for some reason) got a puppy this year. Sam has lived and worked in Paris, Tokyo and London and loves combining her love of history with fiction.
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