This novel was set in WWII. This was an enjoyable read. Not as graphic as some novels set in this time but new information as it was set in England.

Heartbreaking and heroic at the same time. Maisie Reynolds is an angel who is often treated unfairly because she is an orphan. She remains positive through the horrific results of war. Meeting Cam may be the of the best things to happen to her. If they both survive the war to return to each other, they may find the love Ava has been searching for all of her life.

The Forgotten Orphan portrays the wages of war by showing the heartbreak and triumph that occur off the battlefields. It is not a rosy read but glimpses of love and endurance arise in small but meaningful doses.


I received an ARC from One More Chapter through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

A lovely story with an underlying sadness that is revealed as the book develops. Keeps you involved from the beginning right through until the final page. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

I really enjoyed this book. I was captivated by Maisie and the life she had to survive in the orphanage. It was empowering and at times heartbreaking. I definitely recommend.

This tale of Maisie Reynolds, an orphan living in Shirley on the outskirts of Southampton, is set during WW2. It is really a coming of age story, with Maisie finding her vocation and also love in those troubled times. The suffering of ordinary members of the public is highlighted, especially as Southampton was badly bombed. There are also some good times, with wartime weddings and dances for the troops based locally.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Maisie Reynolds and her twin brother were abandoned at an orphanage as babies. Her brother was adopted around the age of 4, while Maisie remained at the orphanage until the age of 18. As Maisie was about to age out of the system, WWII hit. The war started Maisie on a journey to find out about her past. What she finds is way more than she bargained for.

This is not your typical WWII Historical Fiction book, it reads more like a romance novel. It is very slow and repetitive in parts, however the revealing parts of the book seem rushed and not well thought out. The story line left me wanting more.

Thank You Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for this free advanced digital galley.

A nice read about an orphan who had been neglected, coming of age, finding her worth, and finding true love against the backdrop of World war 2.

It was OK and found the story to be a little slow and lacking in historical fiction. I found the book hard to get into. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. When Maisie finally finds the truth about her mother, it felt rushed. Since the beginning of the book, that's all Maisie wanted to find out. I would have loved to read more about it. Simon was completely over the top. Maisie's reaction to him at the dance was laughable. She wanted to break up with Cam, the love of her life, because she feared Simon. What would that have solved? Simon and Maisie didn't even have a romantic relationship. The book felt more like Women's Fiction with a bunch of Romance and a dash of Historical Fiction.

Give the book a try, it just wasn't for me. I loved "The Secret Orphan" and look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Maisie has been in Holly Bush orphanage since she was 4, separated from her twin brother, Jack, who was adopted. She has been harshly treated all her life by the Matron and her successor. Now at 17, and in the midst of war, Maisie finds her life changing and discovers qualities she doesn't know she has. She is determined to find her brother and the secret of her past. But will she like what she discovers? This was a charming read. #netgalley #theforgottenorphan

A good story about about two children left in during world war 2, a miserable childhood follows but despite
her start in life Masie flourishes even when all around her are adopted including her twin brother. Can she come together with him again.

Moving and compelling historical novel set in the 40s. A young girl is orphaned as a child and separated from her twin during WWII era.  I really enjoy historical fiction set during this time period and this book did not disappoint. It is very easy to empathize with the protagonist of the story; a beautiful and well written story. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to review this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emotionally gripping from the beginning. Definitely worth the read if you are a fan of historical fiction!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book despite finding it rather 'twee'. Maisie has been brought up in an orphanage since she was 4 years old. Her twin brother was adopted and she was prevented from keeping in touch by the cruel Matron of the home. Now that the orphanage has become a hospital for injured soldiers, Maisie finds herself as a nursing assistant. When she meets handsome Canadian serviceman Cam, she starts to believe she has found true love. But both have to survive the war in order to have their dream lives...…. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This was my first read by this author, and while I wanted to love the story and the characters, it just kind of fell flat for me, there were moments that stood out and made the book good but there was no real WOW moment that made me jump up and down with joy.

This book is about Maisie, a young women who grew up in an orphanage and was never adopted and really only finds out who she is when the orphanage is closed and turned into a war hospital and then that's where the story takes off and secrets are revealed.

Overall a good read

This was a very moving story taking place during the Second World War. IT covered the whole gamut of human emotions with some very appealing characters and some not quite so nice. The conclusion was very emotive but ended on a high.

What a book it was so good.

It tells the story of Maisie who is a orphan and lives in a orphanage. She had a twin brother but he ended up being adopted while she stayed in the orphanage. There is some members of staff who are not nice to her.

It tells you what happens to Maisie througt the War where she meets Harry Cameron (Cam) and ends up writing to him.

I certainly could not put this book down and read it very quickly. There is heartache and romance in this book.

I would read more books by this author.

Maisie Reynolds has been at the Holly Bush Orphanage since she was 4 years old. She is now 19 and is still there. Her bushy red hair and reticent personality has kept her from getting adopted and has caused her to be teased by the other orphans. Her twin, Jack, was adopted early and she has never heard from him. The Matron of the orphanage seems to hate Maisie, and always tells potential adoptive parents that Maisie is no good and lazy which, in reality, Maisie is just the opposite. World War 2 is now blasting its way around the English countryside; and when Matron is killed during a bombing attacking and the temporary Matron is killed as well, Maisie finds herself in charge of the orphanage as the military takes it over for a hospital for military personnel suffering from what is now known as PTSD. Will Maisie be up to the tasks she takes on and will it change her life forever in many different ways?

I absolutely loved Maisie and how she faced and overcame each challenge presented to her. She learned she had capabilities beyond what she thought and found that she did have an inner beauty as well as outer beauty that others appreciated. This is my first novel from Peters, and I loved her historical knowledge of the orphanages that sprang up during WW2 as children were left without parents due to bombing. Her character development was also spot on with both the major and minor characters. The letters and poetry that she included between Maisie and Cam was so heartwarming, and I looked forward to reading each of their letters especially Maisie's beautiful poetry.

I will certainly be looking for Peters' previous books as this one was so enjoyable.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Maisie Reynolds has grown up at the Holly Bush orphanage in Southampton. At the age of 17, she realizes she'll never be adopted. Separated from her twin brother Jack at the age of five and with no memories from her parents, Maisie is looking for answers about her past. When WOII arrives in Engeland, all the orphans except Maisie are moved from the city. The building will be turned into a care home for wounded soldiers. Maisie's future is unsure. Will she be able to set up a life on her own? Can she find her brother?

I must start with the fact that this wasn't a book for me. It is a standard WOII fiction, a genre that dominates the book store shelves. These kind of books tend to feel like they are all the same.

This is a coming of age story with good character building. Maisie is a young naive girl trying to make the best of the situation. She has some lovely friends in Charlie and Joyce. I enjoyed to read about all the secondary characters and their lives during the war. But the plot is just too thin for my liking. Especially the mystery around Maisie's family is too far fetched and there are too much coincidences in how the revelations slowly unfold. There is also a heavy romance plot line, in the form of boy meets girl and they are instantly in love.

Britain in times of war made for a fine scenery. In times when the world outside comes to a halt due to a global pandemic, it's strange to read about normal life going on through the bomb attacks of the Germans.

If you love some WOII fiction with some drama and romance, this might be the perfect holiday read for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in return for my honest opinion.

I have spent this last week reading The Forgotten Orphan. This is my first Glynis Peters’ book.. I thoroughly enjoyed this book set mostly at Holly Bush Orphanage near Southampton, England during WWII. Maisie Reynolds has been raised at this orphanage. Her twin brother was separated from her at the age of four. For some reason, The Matron and her assistant make life extremely hard for Maisie. As the book starts, she is turning eighteen, does not know where her brother is, being treated like a servant and WWII has started. This book made me think of a Dicken’s novel. A good story, a protagonist who is treated badly but the protagonist is able to maintain a good heart through out her journey to get answers.

We follow Maisie through all of her problems. She has no birth certificate, and can’t find her brother. During one of the bombings, both the matron and her assistant were killed and Maisie is left in charge . This is a lot for an eighteen-year-old. And the military is taking over the orphanage as a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. One problem after another, and still Maisie moves forward. Of course she does have some good friends that care about her and a dashing Canadian paratrooper, Cam, enters the story.

I thoroughly loved the journey the author took me on while reading this story. My thanks to Harper Collins and One More Chapter for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

Maisie was left at Holly Bush House orphanage with her twin brother Jack when she was 4 years old, Jack was adopted but Maisie stayed there having a miserable childhood until the war started. As children were being evacuated from London the orphanage became a rehab centre for injured servicemen and Maisie now 15 stayed on to work there.

A great book I loved how Maisie's character grew over the story, finding love with Cam, and overcoming the disadvantages of her childhood