Loved this story by Shirley Dickson about two young children, Molly and Jacob who are sent to the English countryside during WW2 after their home is bombed and their grandmother is killed. Their mom has to work in a munitions factory and was hopeful that the twins would be safer in the countryside.

There is a lot of historical fiction written about WW2 but this book is mainly about the twins and how they struggled to adapt in a strange place during the war. Molly suffers from a handicap and Jacob has always been her protector. He sticks up for her when she's bullied and they start to adjust to life in their new home. Many setbacks occur and Molly and Jacob are constantly aware of the uncertainty of their future.

I have always loved the historical fiction genre but this year I seem to be more taken with it for some reason.
Bookouture have recently introduced me to author Shirley Dickson.
Oh but she is a wonderful author.
Her story The Lost Children really touched my heart.
The war itself was unimaginable wasn't it but the sheer trauma of having to send your small children to the countryside just to be safe from the bombings. I don't know how families did it back then.
In this tale, we meet Jacob and his twin sister Molly. Both have been sent for their safety to the countryside while their mother Martha works in an explosives factory. She wants to be able to give them a better life after the war.
Jacob assumes responsibility in looking after his sister Molly as she has a disability but she is a quiet, determined little girl.
Tragedy hits their young lives when first their granny dies and then their mother Martha in the factory.
Both now orphaned, they must support and rely on each other, they are all each other has left in the world.
Jacob wonders when is the right time to open the letter his mother placed in his hand at the train station when they were leaving.
What could have been so important that their mother needed to write it in a letter, only to be opened when they were in real trouble.
I don't mind admitting to you that I needed tissues reading this one.
It is such a soft, gentle and heartbreaking story. I didn't want it to end though.
There were so many tender moments in the story. I loved Aunty Brigit and her funny ways. I loved how the neighbour Bob Nichol, a gruff man, took the children in when their world had fallen apart which in turn helped him after the death of his wife Edie and son Wilf...
I loved how the postmistress Doris seemed to know everything about everyone at just the right time...
Oh you simply must read it....
I don't think you will want to leave it down until you turn the last page.

The Lost Children by Shirley Dickson is a wonderful historical fiction story that you WILL LOVE. Shirley is a terrific writer and I have really enjoyed her other books, especially The Orphan Sisters.

Historical fiction is a hit-or-miss genre for me but Shirley’s books are consistently well-written and I love the stories she comes up with.

Take a look here:

England, 1943: Home is no longer safe for eight-year-old twins Molly and Jacob. Night after night wailing bombs and screeching planes skim the rooftops overhead. They cradle each other, shivering in terror, not knowing if they will live to see dawn. Their mother, Martha, has no choice but to evacuate them to the safety of the countryside.

At the train station, Martha bites back tears as she says goodbye to her precious children. Knowing she might never see them again, she gives Jacob a letter, pressing the envelope into his hands and telling him to only read it if they are in danger.

In the country, Molly and Jacob must adjust to life with strangers. Every night they dream of returning home to the arms of their beloved mother. But then the unimaginable happens. Martha is killed in an explosion, leaving the twins all alone in the world.

The war has robbed Molly and Jacob of everything – all they have left is one another. Motherless and destitute, they face the grim reality of life in an orphanage. The time has finally come for Jacob to open the letter. What secret does it hold, and could it change the course of their tragic fate? Because if they are together, they can survive anything – but what if they are torn apart?

The Lost Children will make you emotional, your heart will break a little. Its always tough to read stories with war as a backdrop. You will be fully immersed and sad when the book is over!

This book is out now, be sure to get it! SO GOOD.

Historical fiction is fast becoming one of my favorite genres, especially when based around World War 2. The Lost Children is a heartbreaking story of loss and tragedy and above all love in the midst of the devastation of the War.

Young children such as Molly and Jacob are often the worst victims of war. The author has done a magnificent job of portraying the sense of loss and fear that displaced children in war torn England must have experienced. I l wonder how many children to their own devices and became victims of abuse and neglect.

This is an endearing story of the twins taking care of each other and giving each other strength in the most difficult circumstances. Jacob's care of Molly, his attempts to be brave, while still being a child himself are very moving. Molly too beings to find her own strength and puts the needs of others before her own.

While the story centres on the characters of Molly and Jacob, there are other fine characters in it like Aunty Doris and Aunty Brigit and Mr Bob who reached out to care for them. The author also brought out the strength of a community taking care of the vulnerable, like all responsible communities should.

A very emotional read and yet very heart-warming too.

My first read from this author. I'd definitely recommend it and will be looking out for more books from her.

An emotional look at the lives of a set of twins in war torn Britain who are sent by their mother to live out of London. Many children were sent out of London during WWII. The relocations were meant to keep them safe and insure they had a somewhat secure future.

History has given us many such stories that ended in pain and tragedy for the children with no bettering of their circumstances. So, while the story line is not an original one, Shirley Dickson has managed to capture the confusion and uncertainty these children felt and make us feel their loss with them. Her well developed back story...a young unmarried mother with no family support who does what she feels is best for her children...moves quickly from her heartbreak to the children's long road to a home that will feel like home should.

The Lost Children is an emotional read. Do not be surprised when you shed tears with these children or feel a mixture of sorrow and pleasure when the book ends on a better note. This author is very skilled a pulling your heart strings and making you care for the lost children.

I try and avoid sad books, because there’s enough sadness in real life and I read to escape.

Some authors like to wallow in the sadness of their stories, while others use the sadness to show fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit. In spite of being a book filled with tragedies, this one belongs in the latter category, and I am very glad that I read it.

As I have mentioned a few times, I find it interesting when my reading topics seem to follow patterns. I recently read another book that centered on the evacuation of young children to the countryside out of cities and strategic towns in WWII England.

This one has a similar setting, but I was pleased to find a different perspective on the experiences of the children. Molly and Jacob were fortunate to have found a town like Leadburn which proved that it really does take a village to raise children, especially in the face of war and uncertainty.

I don’t want to go too much into the plot because I think that the reader needs to experience Molly and Jacob’s journey on their own; it will be much more powerful.

I liked how they befriended people who were in similar situations to them. Everybody in the town had lost somebody important, whether it was in the war, by natural causes, or (in Frieda’s case) by force. They all showed bravery in the face of adversity, especially Molly.

The author did a fantastic job of illustrating how loss doesn’t have to define the rest of one’s life and how good people can come together to support each other, maybe thereby lessening their feelings of loss. Isolation does nobody any good.

I also liked how the author showed the importance of making connections with other people. One never knows the influence a person can have on somebody else. Sometimes, it could even result in people who were kept apart coming back together.

Ultimately heartwarming and uplifting, I’m glad that I got through the sad parts (and yes, I did cry) because Molly and Jacob will stay with me for a long time.

This is a beautiful yet heart breaking story of love, loss, hope and war.

The cover image seeks to highlight the despair, confusion and loneliness the two main characters, Molly and Jacob, have to deal with throughout the book. The challenges they face only result in them becoming ever closer and more fiercely determined to not live without the other.

The book is clouded by the devastation of war so there were many times my eyes filled with tears and I felt my heart sink as Jacob and Molly were dealt yet another disappointment. The book does not shy away from the realities and horrors of war.

However, there is also something so beautiful about the relationship between Molly and Jacob, there is joy to be found in their innocence and determination. My favourite aspect of the book was probably the transformation of Mr Bob. The book reminded me of one of my favourite childhood books, Goodnight Mr Tom, and it really did give me all the feels.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a highly emotional, historical page turner. This is truly a stunning story and one that will stay with me for some time.

This is the second int he series so i have read it and will have to reread it once i read the first book. Absolutely brilliant WW2 book and family saga

Britain's children suffered loneliness and difficult adjustment to a different way of life. Many became orphans as their parents died in the bombings of their homes. Some were lucky to find new families like our two orphan twins. SO many others were left in orphanages lost and alone and often forgotten. Suffering spared no one. It was a dark time. May it never be repeated.

Book Description:

As they walked towards the railway station, their mother took an envelope from her handbag. ‘I want you to keep this somewhere safe.’
‘What’s in the letter?’
‘Listen carefully. You’re never to open it unless you or your sister are in real trouble. Promise me.’

England, 1943: Home is no longer safe for eight-year-old twins Molly and Jacob. Night after night wailing bombs and screeching planes skim the rooftops overhead. They cradle each other, shivering in terror, not knowing if they will live to see dawn. Their mother, Martha, has no choice but to evacuate them to the safety of the countryside.

At the train station, Martha bites back tears as she says goodbye to her precious children. Knowing she might never see them again, she gives Jacob a letter, pressing the envelope into his hands and telling him to only read it if they are in danger.

In the country, Molly and Jacob must adjust to life with strangers. Every night they dream of returning home to the arms of their beloved mother. But then the unimaginable happens. Martha is killed in an explosion, leaving the twins all alone in the world.

The war has robbed Molly and Jacob of everything – all they have left is one another. Motherless and destitute, they face the grim reality of life in an orphanage. The time has finally come for Jacob to open the letter. What secret does it hold, and could it change the course of their tragic fate? Because if they are together, they can survive anything – but what if they are torn apart?

From the bestselling author of The Orphan Sisters comes an utterly heartbreaking and unforgettable tale of two children who must lean on each other in a time of tragedy and learn the shocking truth of their past. Fans of Wives of War, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe will be swept away by this sublime World War Two novel.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Lost Children' by Shirley Dickson.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 30th September 2020

This is the first book that I have read by this author.

I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing and beautiful cover and interesting sounding blurb. I also wanted a change from my typical genre of crime fiction and this looked perfect. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 32 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Jacob and Molly. I enjoy books written in third person as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.

This book is based in the UK. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.

This book is very well written with excellent descriptions that really made the story come alive for me. I think that the author did quite alot of research into what things were like during the war which is nice to see as sometimes you get books based around the war with several inaccurate events.

I would describe the storyline like a roller-coaster. The first 15% was quite slow while your being taken to the top and then all of a sudden you are swept of your feet going speeding towards twists and turns, several that you won't see coming!! It is filled with love, war, loss and heartbreak and shows the beautiful and strong relationship between Jacob and Molly. I absolutely adored the ending!!

THE characters are all strong and very well developed and I really enjoyed reading how they developed as individuals and the relationships that were formed.

Overall an absolutely beautifully written historical war novel that will sweep you off your feet and fill you with a wide range of emotions

Genres covered include Sagas, Historical Fiction.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a story that will stay with you for a long time.

374 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Author Bio:

Shirley Dickson was born and grew up in the seaside town of South Shields. She left school at fifteen and can’t remember a time when she didn’t write. She entered her first short story competition in ‘School Friend’ when she was eleven. After Shirley retired from auxiliary nursing, she was able to devote her time to writing.

After living in various locations, she settled under the big skies of Northumberland and has lived with her husband in the same house for over forty years. Shirley has three daughters and four grandchildren and likes nothing better than family gatherings.

https://twitter.com/ShirleyDWriter

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/2Hm3yvP
Apple: https://apple.co/2RO1I99
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hSS9jS
Google: https://bit.ly/2RQcg7F
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Like most WWII historical fiction novels, they are all pretty much heartbreaking. The Lost Children is no exception. Set around the Operation Pied Piper years, The Lost Children focuses on twins Jacob and Molly Moffat, who, born out of wedlock are forced to grow up in a war torn country. Struggling to survive, Jacob and Molly must face unimaginable hardships that are only exacerbated by Molly’s disability.

The Lost Children is very well written and will certainly please any fan of the historical fiction genre. The storyline is engaging, emotional, and will stir your heart. I felt hate, love, and disdain. A four star emotive read.

I received a digital ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Molly and Jacob are eight year old twins. They are evacuated during WWII to the countryside. Molly and Jacob are determined to stay together. But life in the country is different for the twins. Their resilience is tested several times. Martha, the twins mother, is a single parent. Her mother had passed away in a bomb raid. When Martha had taken the twins to the train station, she hands Jacob a letter. She tells him only to give the letter to someone that they trust to open but only if they are desperate.

This is a heartbreaking read . The twins have a strong bond which helps them overcome some of the obstacles that are put in their way. Molly is disabled and Jacob is very protective of her. A story of love, loss, tragedy and happiness. When Martha is killed in a factory explosion, the twins become orphans. We also meet Mr Bob, Aunty Doris and Aunty Brigit who helped care for the twins. 5hismis my first read from the author but I will look out for her in future.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #ShirleyDickson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twins Stick Together

This book tugs at the heartstrings. It is beautifully written and the characters are perfect. I love how Jacob is protective of his disabled sister and how Molly is so close to her brother. How they had to leave their mother at eight years old and go on a train to strange places and strange people. The mysterious letter Jacobs mother trusted him with when they were leaving and how that letter played out after their mother died in a factory accident.

It is a story of two twins evacuated to the countryside during WWII to escape the bombing in London. It is the story of the villagers where they were sent and how they loved and cared for the twins. This is a story of love and tragedy, of loss and of happiness. It is of how people lived through the war and although they all had problems they had compassion to help others.

I would recommend this book, it is a good read. You might want to have some Kleenex handy as parts are sad. I know you will love it as much as I did.

Thanks to Shirley Dickson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This is the story of twins, Jacob and Molly, who were evacuated during the war. It was an easy read and a great story. I only found out today that's it's the second of a series but it was great as a standalone book.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Shirley Dickson's latest emotional historical tale THE LOST CHILDREN.

I have been a fan of Shirley Dickson since her debut "The Orphan Sisters". Since then I have followed her book trail of fabulous historical fiction, reading each one and loving them all. Though having the backdrop of the second world war, her books are not about the war but more about those affected during the war...generally orphans or evacuees.

But what I especially love about Shirley's books, while none of them are part of a series, each one includes some characters from previous stories. For example, the orphanage that was much of the focus in her debut has been mentioned in each book since. As well the funeral director Mr Neville who has gained a mention briefly in this book who was so much a part of the first and second books. Now THE LOST CHILDREN features so many characters from her third book from earlier this year "The Outcast Girls" that they each play something of a different part now..and it was was lovely to revisit them once again.

South Shields, 1935: Working as a typist at a garage, Martha Moffat falls under the spell of Edward Fenwick and soon finds herself pregnant. When her condition is discovered, her boss sacks her with immediate effect and her mother is not best pleased either. Unmarried and pregnant, Martha is shipped off to a hospital for unwed mothers for the remainder of her pregnancy. Determined not to grow attached to her child her plan is to have the baby adopted, but then she is surprised when the nurse finds two heartbeats. Her mother, when she tells her, is livid. But when her babies are born, Martha is overwhelmed by a sense of pure love for them...and in that moment, she knows that she cannot give them up.

1943: The war is now into its fourth year with no sign of letting up and Martha works at a munitions factory while her mother looks after her twins Jacob and Molly She hasn't been home for some time to visit and when she manages to get 24 hours leave she is eager to see her now 8 year old twins. But upon arrival she finds South Shields in disarray. The wardens will not let her enter her street which had been decimated by a raid the night before. Her house was now a pile of rubble and her mother gone, who died protecting her children.

Determined her children must remain safe at all costs, Martha decides to evacuate them to the country where they will out of harms way. At the station she thrusts a letter into Jacob's hands, telling him not to open it but to give it to a grown up when they find themselves in trouble. How will I know, her young son asks. You'll know, she whispers to him.

Jacob is the older of the twins with a fortright manner, a stubborn streak and will protect his sister at all costs whereas Molly is the quieter of the two and much shyer. She had a difficult birth, leaving her with a weakness on her left side they called Cerebral Palsy resulting in her having to wear a calliper on her left leg. It often angered Jacob that people thought Molly wasn't bright because of her physical disability but she was much cleverer than him. Other kids often teased her and on such occasions Jacob was quick to jump to her defence. Their mam treated them as equals and that Molly was no different. It made him mad when no one else saw it that way.

The children arrive in Leadburn, a seemingly sleepy village with cows and horses and none of the smell of industry that they have been so used to back home. Not wanting to be separated, and no one wanting to take on a crippled child as soon as they see Molly, the children are billeted to Mrs Merryfield who they call Aunty Brigit. Though wary at first, the children adjust to life in the country and Aunty Brigit is a godsend. She is just like an older version of mam and the children grow to love her. But when Aunty Brigit fails to return from the coal merchant one day, they are shocked to discover she had fallen and broken her hip and is now recuperating in hospital.

So Doris Leadbetter, the postmistress, takes charge of the children and delivers them to somewhat grumpy farmer Bob Nichols, who had recently lost his son in the war and wife to illness. Reluctant to take them on at first, Mr Bob (as the children call him) takes them in until Doris is able to find something more suitable for them. But when the unthinkable happens and the children's mother Martha is killed in an explosion at the munitions factory, they are faced with the possibility of being sent to the orphanage. When Molly overhears a conversation stating as such, she and Jacob devise a plan to escape so they can remain together.

But then Jacob remembers the letter their mam gave him for safekeeping until they were in trouble. Does this constitute "trouble"? And which grown up does he trust enough to give the letter to? And what will it mean when he does? Will he and Molly be separated? But nothing will prepare Jacob or Molly for what is to come when a secret in the letter is revealed.

THE LOST CHILDREN is a heartfelt story of love, loss and tragedy in the face of a turbulent time such as the war. The bond between the twins is so fierce no one could break it and Jacob wouldn't let them. The way he takes care of his sister and looks out for her is endearing and yet when Molly begins to find her inner strength standing up for herself and putting others needs before her own is exemplary. Jacob is the embodiment of the British 'stiff upper lip' that was so abundant of the time and yet he also showed a vulnerability which reminded us that he was just a child.

Alongside Jacob and Molly, I was delighted to return to Leadburn again and revisit Sandra, Frieda, Doris Leadbetter, Bob Nichols and Matthew Carlton, whom we all met in the previous book "The Outcast Girls". I love how Shirley blended their stories with the current one, bringing out a side not previously seen to one particular character that was simply endearing. It reminded me another favourite read of mine, "Goodnight Mr Tom".

A heartwarming story that is also heartbreaking, THE LOST CHILDREN will have you reaching for the tissues throughout but by the end you will be smiling. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to end but one that will leave you satisfied.

A wonderful heartfelt tale that Shirley Dickson has delivered yet again! Recommended for fans of feelgood wartime historical fiction.

I would like to thank #ShirleyDickson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheLostChildren in exchange for an honest review.

A very emotional book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There was a strong storyline and interesting characters. It had everything and recommend it to be read.

What a great book, thoroughly enjoyed it. So much that half way I knew I was going to love it so purchased the rest of Shirley’s books.
It is so emotional, twins Molly and Jacob suffer more in their short lives than most in a full life. They are moved from home to home, different guardians, when all they long for is a family. Will this come at a high price. You must read, worth all ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Historical fiction has become one of my favorite types of books to read, especially ones based on WWII. This book was very emotional. So much tragedy and sadness. My heart constantly broke for Jacob and Molly....so much loss and heartache for such young children. I enjoyed all the characters in this book and I think the author did a great job describing each of them and giving us details into each of their lives. Of course I loved Molly and Jacob but I also really loved Mr. Bob, Aunty Doris and Aunty Brigit. The way they cared for these two children who have lost so many people in their short lives...it was just such an emotional story. I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book from Shirley Dickson kept me hooked from start to finish and i can highly recommend this book 5*

Incredible book - kept me glued to the end - loved how characters from previous books were referenced but you can read it as a stand alone. Highly recommended.