This book is told in a dual timeframe, with Elaine's story set in London during WW2 and Jen's story set in present-day Spain. Elaine is a typist for the military, typing in letters written by POWs and looking for secret messages, when she meets -- and falls deeply in love with -- famed real-life war photographer Robert Capa (aka Bobby) who travels around to photograph the men on the front lines. Jen is newly divorced from her husband, has a teenage son she worries about, and is visiting her brother and mother in Spain, both of whom she has complicated relationships. While in Spain, they are approached by a team doing a documentary on Robert Capa's life, trying to get more information about Jen's late Nana Elaine.

While both stories were interesting, I really enjoyed Elaine's story a lot more. It was a bittersweet love story with a lot of real details about Robert Capa woven in. Elaine was a frustrating character to read, though, and made several poor choices that really limited her happiness.

I also really enjoyed how the stories were tied together, and how it almost seemed like Jen learned from Elaine's mistakes, even though she didn't actually know the whole story of her grandmother's life. Definitely recommend this book for those who like the women's historical fiction genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It did not influence my opinion.

I liked some parts of this book more than others. I was fascinated by the historical sections, mainly because they contained a “real-life” person (Robert Capa). After looking up his biography, I think that the author did an admirable job of conjuring up a plausible storyline that fit what is known about him. I also enjoyed learning about the clerical girls of WWII. I found the contemporary scenes to be less exciting, but they were necessary to tie the two time periods together. I would recommend, especially for fans that like a dash of realism in their historical fiction. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a pre-release digital ARC of the book.

A great story spanning the war years and bringing the story up to date with some unexpected twists. Unfortunately for me, there were a couple of bits that 'annoyed'' me. One was, on another review 'Samuel' was mentioned. I knew that Elaine was reading the soldiers letters, but don't remember Samuel being mentioned. The other thing was when they mentioned Elaine removing her teeth! I just felt it wasn't necessary We didn't know before then that she had dentures. The other point that I felt wasn't true to life contains a massive spoiler so don't really want to mention it. Despite all of this I still really enjoyed the story. Recommended

Ooh i do love dual timeline books set in WW2, especially if they are written by this author as you always know you’re in for a great read.

The two main characters Elaine and Jen are both strong woman who are instantly likeable and I was instantly on their side. I always enjoy it when a real historical person is bought to life, especially when I haven’t heard of them before, so I found it fascinating to learn more about Elaine and the photographer Robert Hale. They aren’t particularly well known characters which gives the author the freedom to weave facts with fiction to create a great insight into their lives and the events that continued to haunt them for years to come

The author’s vivid descriptions helps brings war time London to life and I really felt transported back to that time. I hadn’t heard of Elaine’s job before so I found it particularly fascinating to learn more about that. Some of the attitudes of the time made my blood boil and I found it hard to read about some of the decisions Elaine was forced to make. It really highlighted the sacrifices woman had to make during the war.

This was a bit of a slow burner for me but I didn’t mind as I was so absorbed in the story and the characters lives. I loved following them both and enjoyed watching the two storylines come together in a very clever way. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

Huge thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley. A must read for fans of dual timeline historical fiction!

I enjoyed this story of WWII, though it wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought that since the description highlighted the codes in POW letters that that would be a major point in the plot, but this was really a love story. Elaine is a working class young woman who falls in love with a famous war photographer, Robert Capa. This is the story of their relationship. It was an interesting read, but it was even more interesting after I finished it and discovered that these were all real people. I went online and found pictures of Robert and Elaine and some of the photos that are written about in the story. Their story is heart-breaking and memorable, and I highly recommend it if you like this genre.

Thank you for my ARC!

This is two stories running along side each other. The first is the Grandmother Elaine and the struggles she overcome during WW2 with her family. The second story is of her granddaughter and her more modern day family problems. Elaine falls in love with Robert Cappa a war photographer who she gives up for the sake of her abandoned young niece. Her granddaughter is having marriage problems so goes to visit her brother in Spain seeing also her Aunt and her mother and they start to look into Elaine’s life with her beloved Bobby.

A delightfully well-written romance/women's novel with two story lines: Nana Elaine's passionate wartime (WWII) romance with a famous photographer and the contemporary life of her granddaughter - a woman whose husband has left her for a younger woman at the outset. While there are definitely romances in both lives, the book is more than that. It is a powerful description of the women who stepped up during the war and were then sent home once it was over, and while her grand romance is key, Elaine's story entails much more. Her granddaughter recognizes parallels between them and must decide what choices to make for her own life.

I read lots of books set in world war 2 and it usually doesn't take long before I can't put them down as the stories are so good, This one was different. I just couldn't engage with it. I was 80% into the book before it interested me and only kept reading because I had to write a review.
I don't see the point of it or the title. I googled Robert Capa ( whose name I was fed up hearing) and found that he did exist and some of the story was true. Other things like who Elaine married and who she was married to before she met him were untrue and I can't understand why these parts were changed.
I also found the present day story in Spain boring and I didn't care about the characters.
I'm sorry this just didn't do anything for me ,

I have been a fan of Lizzie's work for a little while now. I love the way in which she writes heart wrenching historical fiction that tugs on even the toughest of heartstrings like mine. I read the synopsis for 'The Forgotten Girls' and it certainly sounded like another emotive read. I wasn't wrong either because it was an emotive read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
I must be honest and say that for me, 'The Forgotten Girls' was a little slow to get going and initially I found it difficult to get into the story. That's just my opinion though and it could have something to do with the fact that I was finding it hard to concentrate on anything. However, once I got into this story that was it, I was away and I became addicted to reading this book. I didn't think that it was a book I could have binge read over the course of a day but I managed to read the book over the course of a few days. I would read a sizeable chunk of the story and then put the book to one side for a few hours before picking it back up again. I totally immersed myself in the life of Elaine and I had to keep reading to see how life turned out for her and how the story concluded.
'The Forgotten Girls' is well written. Lizzie has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Lizzie certainly knows how to grab your attention and then slowly but surely she draws you into the story. Once Lizzie has your attention, she keeps it for the duration of the story. Lizzie writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I felt as though I had been transported back in time to the Forties and Fifties and that I was part of the story myself.
Reading 'The Forgotten Girls' certainly took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride and then some, with all the highs, lows, ups, downs, happiness and sadness and well you get the picture by now. 'The Forgotten Girls' is sure to tug on even the hardest of heartstrings like mine.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading 'The Forgotten Girls' and I would recommend it to other readers. Whilst I did enjoy reading it, it wasn't my favourite book of Lizzie's. I look forward to reading more from Lizzie Page in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

The Forgotten Girls is the fourth book from Lizzie Page. It's told in the form of a dual narrative blending historical fact with fiction and once again has a woman as the central character. I love that the author always places women at the forefront of her novels and gives them a voice when at the time the books are set they may not necessarily have had one given the constraints of society. Elaine Parker, is not a fictional character and the author has done extensive research on her life. I had never heard of her before, nor of the war photographer Robert Kappa with whom she falls deeply in love with, but I feel I have been given a very good insight into a short period in their lives which deeply affected both of them for many years after. Writing about lesser known women behind the scenes gives the author to some extent free rein to bring these characters to life and Elaine's interesting and tumultuous life was compelling although I think she did herself a disservice in that she didn't always put herself first when I felt she ought to.

We follow Elaine in 1943 and for several years after but also in 2016 we come to know Jenny. This is the first time that the author has moved between the past and the present and to be honest I found Elaine's story much more engrossing. I can understand why Jenny and her family featured in attempts to establish legacies and connections and when that pivotal moment arrived I did go, oh is this the path we are venturing down and my interest was definitely peeked. But apart from that I thought if Jenny's aspect of the overall story was omitted the book as a whole would have worked perfectly well. Jenny was a difficult character to warm to and she felt very disjointed and disconnected from her family as they gather at her brother's villa in Spain for a family holiday. Her mother Shirley and Aunt Barbara are there too and a documentary maker arrives with some startling news. A tattered family photograph is the stimulus for exploration, discovery and discussion and soon truths and secrets begin to spill forth but will what is revealed please or dissatisfy those who hear what has to be said.

Jenny was very much struggling in her personal life following her separation from her husband Paul. She longs for a reunion and in my mind didn't seem that strong that she couldn't face facts that she was married to a man who had a wandering eye and didn't show women the respect and compassion they deserve. Combined with this fact her relationship with Shirley seemed as if it had a huge gap between them and really Jenny was in a complete state of worry and there was no way she was relaxing on this holiday. There were much more chapters focusing on Elaine and I preferred this and there were even times when we jumped back to Jenny and her family I had completely forgotten that they featured in the book because honestly I was more absorbed in Elaine and her experiences of love, sacrifice and family relationships and bonds.

Elaine worked as a clerical officer for the government transcribing letters from prisoners living in camps where such cruelty was common place. Elaine and her colleagues search for hidden clues or signs that might provide information for the government to help win the war. Elaine had been courting Justin for a year and now he is away fighting. She feels their relationship has now more or less become non-existent and that she as a person has changed and is beginning to move on. These changes gather apace and Elaine finds herself a very different woman from when the war started. This all comes about when she meets the famous war photographer Robert Kappa whom she soon calls Bobby - (this does become annoying in that one sentence he is referred to as Robert Kappa and then the next Bobby and so on). A game of cat and mouse all based around seduction ensues and the reader can see that Elaine is falling for him hard and fast but she has her own secrets to keep. She was entranced by this man who was known for having a woman in every port but there is an aura about him combined with his marvellous photography skills that Elaine can't shake and she becomes deeply embroiled with him. He is everything that has been missing and evading her in her life thus far.

Elaine's greatest fear is to be parted from her loved ones and you can understand that given she became the sole carer for her two brothers. For her family always comes first, and I do understand the importance of this, but I thought she pushed aside her own personal wants, needs and desires far too quickly because she was always thinking of others. Her brother Clive was an old rogue always doing a bit of wheeling and dealing. He did have a caring nature beneath it all but I didn't like the way he rather left things to Elaine rather than step up and be the man of the house. Younger brother Alan was suffering greatly, and given the stigma and shame around his situation at the time where as now there is a lot more understanding, compassion and a willingness to help, the reader has to step back and carefully analyse and consider what they think of Elaine's overall actions.

Elaine is a divisive character in that you wish she would follow her heart and be more honest with herself. Is she to be applauded for the sacrifices she makes or will readers think oh Elaine what have you done? You cannot doubt the love that Elaine felt for Robert, it was like a magic reeling her in, something brand new and the thing she was missing all her life. But at times I thought it wasn't always reciprocated and that maybe she was falling into some sort of trap and this could never end well. Elaine's paranoia and insecurities I felt were entirely justified. As for Robert's sidekick Marty, his executive fixer at Life Corp publishers, he seemed to control Robert's life and it was like he had a firm grip on him and as if he was slightly obsessed and wanted to control every aspect of his life. The question persists throughout the book just what is the connection between Elaine and the family photograph discovered in the present?

The cover and synopsis of The Forgotten Girls implies you are getting a gripping and heartbreaking historical fiction novel based around World War Two but to be honest its very different from what I had been expecting. I didn't think it would be such a slow burner as it did take me quite some time to get into it but the last quarter or so of the book really did capture my attention and I was rooting for Elaine and wondering would she stand true to her selfless actions and be able to face the repercussions? The Forgotten Girls is a good story if you are looking for something that little bit different from your usual historical fiction.

I have read only one other book written by Lizzie Page so I was eager to see if I would enjoy The Forgotten Girls as much as I did When I Was Yours. The stories were very different but both had the great sense of place and strong character development of very complicated and complex characters.

The plot is as complex as the characters with twists and turns that keep you turning the page. Thinking again and again, I must read one more chapter before I turn out the light for the night. At the heart is the need of two women to find their identity and path in life. Still much is different such as the dual time of past and present, which is so well done in The Forgotten Girls.

WWII, 1943 is such a major factor in this story almost taking on a life of its own. What a wonderful depiction of the times, the people, the current state of life in London during the war and the role it plays in one woman’s life. Then it moves to the present, 2016, with another woman also facing unsettling times in her life. Between the two is the connection of the two little girls in the faded photograph.

Historical fiction fans who enjoyed The Nightingale or Sold on a Monday will love this book as much as me. Authentic, heart tugging and soul stirring. Be sure to have tissues nearby. It is a truly satisfying read.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoy dual timelines and was very interested in the mystery aspect of the book. Also I was not aware of who Robert Capa was, so that was an interesting add to the story. A book that educates and entertains is always a win for me.

A story of love and life after love. It was a heartbreaking tale of life in 1943 living through the war.

It does go in clumps where you jump from 1940s then to 2016. It also jumps to other interesting times in history but it is more just an after thought to really bring life to Elaine.

I thought this was spectacularly written and shows what those who were left behind went through instead of focusing on the war in the eyes of those who fought it.

One of the best historical fiction I have read in a long while and has so much depth.  It shows Elaine through her life and then her family as well.

I’ve read a couple of books by this author and have found them to be gripping and emotional historical reads, mainly based during the Second World War. This book is told from two different timeframes, firstly midway through the war years and secondly in present day. Back in the past, the story is based around Elaine who transcribes letters sent from Prisoners of War to their families. In present day, it’s Jen’s story and she is asked to look into the mystery of an old photograph of two little girls.

Obviously the two women are connected in some way, but you aren’t given the reason why until much further into their stories. The book switches backwards and forwards between the two timeframes, but this was done simply without any confusion. I loved Elaine’s story the most, with her character’s employment being fascinating, working within a government department transcribing letters and looking for any hidden codes. Whilst based amongst the frugality of life in the war years, Elaine had a story of love and passion, whilst also hiding what was going on at home with her family. I love wartime stories, and this one showing a government department doing hush hush and dangerous work showed us how brave and courageous people were.

Jen’s story, for me, was a little bit slower and not as exciting. Jen, however, was a lovely character who was obviously going through a lot in her life at that time. The request, by her brother, to look into an old photograph of two little girls was a welcome distraction for her. Jen’s story was just as emotional as Elaine’s was but in different ways. Both stories though were heart-breaking at times and moving at others.

The author keeps you waiting with bated breath to see what the connection is between the two women. The characters really come to life through the pages and this makes you feel like you are there experiencing it with each of them. This isn’t just a work of historical fiction though, as it contains stories based around real life people, which bought that realism to the storyline which you don’t always get in books like this. It not only brought tears to my eyes when the connection between the two women was revealed, but it pulled on my heart-strings all the way through the book. A story of love and loss, family and friendships, this book will keep you gripped until the very last page. Would definitely recommend.

This one just didn't mesh with me. It felt choppy and the story just didn't grab me like I hoped it was going to. The characters didn't grab me and I felt like this one just wasn't a good fit for me. I love historical fiction but this one just didn't work.

A really good read. I enjoyed reading this book. I had never heard of Robert Capa and I was interested in who he was and the details of Elaine’s work. The story was made more interesting by the two different time lines.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A historical novel from a dual perspective, set between 1940s and 2016, The Forgotten Girls tells the story of two women who linked through a photograph. It’s a truly moving story of love and family in the darkest of times.

Until the end of the book, reading though the authors notes, I had no idea that the two main characters from the 1940’s perspective were in fact real people. A war photographer and a clerical assistant who fell in love during the war. This seemed to add a deeper dimension to the novel, and it some way I wished I had realised this before I started.

Having not read much dual perspective historical fiction, I did find the switching between time periods a little confusing at first. However once I’d gotten into it, I came to really love the blossoming romance between Robert and Elaine. I also really felt for Jen, the main protagonist in the present day perspective; negotiating family dramas and somewhat of a lack of understanding of her self.

A beautiful novel, and one I highly recommend.

The historical side of this book fascinated me. I really enjoyed reading about Robert Capa and then trying to work out who was who of The Forgotten Girls. It took me a while to adapt to the two time frames but persevered and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Even if this book is well written I found hard to follow the story and the characters seems sometimes odd.
It didn't keep my attention and fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

2.5★s

It was 1943 in London where Elaine Parker did clerical work involving letters from POWs, searching for codes and secret messages. Her pilot boyfriend felt more for Elaine than she for him, and that was highlighted when she met Robert Capa, famous war photographer. Her workmate and friend Annie warned Elaine against him, but she wouldn’t listen.

2016 and a family photograph came to light. It depicted two small girls, backs to the camera, poignant and haunting. Jen’s marriage was crumbling; a holiday in Spain with family would surely help. But as the past interrupted the current day, Jen wondered if everything was as it seemed.

The Forgotten Girls by Lizzie Page is a hard one to review. I struggled with it. I didn’t take to any of the characters and the writing style seemed choppy and disjointed to me. The blurb was misleading as I found when reading the book. I was looking forward to it as I thought it to be everything I love in historical fiction. But unfortunately, this one didn’t fit the bill for me this time.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.