I was lucky enough to be gifted an ARC for this. I will try and make this as spoiler free as possible

Edie's home was a very slow burn book for me, and while it wasn't bad, i really struggled to get into it and often found myself putting it down in favor of doing other things. It took me about 20 days to complete and I'm the kind of person that can read a book overnight.

Edie wanted to assist with the war effort, but due to an illness in her childhood, was only able to assist as a land girl, a task which she sees as less than. She moves into a home in the country with Prudence, the grumpy land lady, Tilly, an outcast of the town, and old man Jack. There she assists with the land there and with Farmer Sam's land a small bike ride away. Throughout the story, Edie will discover how the smallest thing can make the biggest difference, and she, and the other outcasts may find themselves a family...

Character wise, I think we only got one real fleshed out character, and that was Edie. A couple of others were touched upon, and we got a small glimpse into who they are, but it was not enough for me to really care about anyone.
One character totally lost me in the last couple of chapters, I really liked her growth, but then i feel like she really messed up, and maybe I'm not that easy to forgive, but it felt to me like she threw all that growth away and really spat on the people that loved her. Yes, she said sorry, but what she said was hurtful and one of the things she said, she had said previously, and as this book was really only set over a few months, I wonder how often she may use that argument when she is angry, and I saw that as a form of abuse, and so i could not reconcile her character development with that behavior

The romance, I didn't get it. I don't think we spent enough time with them to really feel that much, I love a good love story but this was very lackluster. The fact that Edie didn't even know for sure that love was involved, tells me that it was a bit slow all round. I personally didn't feel the connection, and i desperately wish we had seen more of the build up

I think the UK title (home for strays) works better than Home for Orphans, as strays is more those who are lost, and i feel that all those who entered Prue's home were lost in someway.

By the end of the book, i was relieved i was finished, but i thought it ended a bit too wishywashy. There were no real stakes in this book that is set during the war. The only character we met and lost was a blip, to the point i hardly remembered who they were. In comparison to other books about war, this one made it easy to actually forget there was a war on at all, and I guess maybe that was the point? But i just wish there had been a bit more at stake..

I'm still giving this a 3 star, as it wasn't badly written, I actually think the Author did a wonderful job with the world building and while i found it dull, it was still a sweet story and I do think others will enjoy it. Its a good novel to escape into, it's just not my jam.

Edie wants to join up to help in the fight against Hitler, but all of the avenues of opportunity are closed off to her because she had consumption as a child and her lungs are just not strong enough. The ONLY thing she can do is to become a Land Girl and help out on a farm in a Cumbrian village. She boards at the Applewood Manor and works part time at the Larkstone Farm. Her landlady at Applewood, Prue Hewitt, is a woman who has closed herself off from the rest of the world and given up the hope of ever loving again. Edie shows up with stars in her eyes and a willing heart. The work is harder than anything she ever expected and yet she shows her pluck by never giving up.
Prue has inherited Applewood from her late husband, Albert, who married the housekeeper's daughter in spite of the "class difference." Prue is not one of the more popular residents of the village, and Patricia, the priest's wife, takes every opportunity to let her know just how far beneath she is. When Patricia insists that Prue take in evacuee children, Prue isn't entirely happy about it, but when the children (Aggie and Jimmy) arrive, she loses a bit of her heart to them. Edie is on hand to help with the children and makes fast friends with them.

Also inhabiting Applewood are Jack and Tilly. Jack is the gardener who has loved Prue since they were children, and Tilly is a young mother-to-be who is secretly married to an Italian prisoner of war.

Edie works for Sam Nicholson at Larkstone Farm, helping with the sheep--birthing, raising, and general care of the farm. Sam sees a like-minded woman in Edie and wants to know her better, but doesn't quite know how to go about it. He is branded as a coward because he is not off fighting in the war, even though no one in town knows that he can't pass the physical. He feels his problems are his own and no one else's business.

This book is misnamed to a degree, because it is Prue's home that takes in all of the strays and orphans. It is Prue's attitude that changes as the plot moves on through the book. It is Prue who has the bigger romantic plot line, rather than Edie; which is not to say that Edie doesn't have her own romantic plot, hers is just not as significant as Prue's.

This is the first book I've read by Gracie Taylor, and I hope it is not the last one I will read by her. The characters are engaging, and the plot is compelling. The settings are bucolic and inviting, and there are events in the plot that make it more exciting. Gracie has also dealt with PTSD (although that was not the term for the condition back in the day) in a dignified way to bring empathy toward the sufferers. This is the kind of book a reader picks up and won't put down until the very last page is finished.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and Aggie's Cheese Custard for tea.

HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved the premise of this book and the setting and main character were well written giving me a thorough picture.

Edie is keen to do her part for the war effort but due to health issues is sent to the country/small village to help with growing food and assisting on a farm.

My main concern was that although Edie was well fleshed out, most other characters were not or their characteristics changed too suddenly. Also relationships were not developed and so as a reader I wondered hw they could fall in love when they'd only had 2 or 3 conversations. And those were brief.

I did love reading and learning about another way some people spent the war years. (WW2)

London born Edie Cartwright sullenly goes to the country to help out with the war efforts as a Land Girl. She wants to do more, but due to having consumption as a child, she’s not quite up to health to be a Wren. She stays in Applefield Manor with the curmudgeonly Prue Hewitt, the lady of the house. As time goes on, Edie’s spirit and different views on things changes her landlady for the better. She meets all sorts of people, romantic interests included, and seems to have a positive impact on all of them. She encourages Prue to take in some evacuees from London, then a puppy, then some kittens...the list goes on. Soon, the manor is a home to lost causes. In a beautiful WWII novel that tugs on your heartstrings, you’ll want to move to Applefield Manor yourself!

I love this unique women’s novel! It is full of fascinating characters and the overall theme of doing good in spite of hardship is a very powerful one for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

During the Blitz in the early days of World War 2, many Londoners relocated to rural villages such as Applefield. One such person, Edie, finds herself thrust into the role of a Land Girl billeted at the local manor house, reluctantly hosted by its dour, widowed mistress. As Edie adjusts to farm life, she also ushers in a stream of refugees, strays and misfits, both human and animal alike. Will the mistress of the manor be softened by the plight of those in need? Will Edie finally find a place to belong? Find out in this heartwarming story of making the best of harsh realities and rising to meet challenges in the midst of wartime turmoil. An excellent portrait of English village life during the Second World War, this novel would be a fine addition to any historical fiction collection.

I was excited to read this book because it sounded like an adorable WWII story (well, as adorable as any WWII story can be, really). Edie Cartwright is a Londoner desperate to do her part to help the war effort. Her goal is to be a Wren, but due to a childhood bought with consumption as a child, her doctor feels the best way for her to serve her country is as a Land Girl.

Edie is sent to Applefield Manor, near where her late father grew up. Her landlady, Prue Hewitt, and her boss, Sam Nicholson have been hardened from their own trauma. Edie works to soften their hard shells and open their hearts to love and life again.

I feel like the potential is there for this to be a great book. The idea of Edie helping Sam and Prue work through their resistance to love is great, and the take on animal rescue during the war is not something I've read a lot about, and I've read a LOT of books set in the WWII era. However, this book just falls flat for me. The writer uses a lot of dialogue to explain instead of showing us and trusting the reader to figure out what the characters are feeling and thinking. I also don't see a lot of plot to show how some of the characters made their evolution, in particular Sam. There is also a lot of jumping around from points of view, even between paragraphs in points. I would probably not have finished this book if it wasn't an advanced read copy.

I think with some tweaking this could be a good young adult novel so I'd recommend this book for people who enjoy young adult historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced read copy in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely read about the outer fringes of London during WWII. The main character, Edie, leaves London for the country to help with the war effort, and runs into so much more than she expected. I loved all of the characters in this book, and was pleased with the few little twists there were as well. A great novel!

Edie's Home for Strays (Edie's Home for Orphans-UK title) by Gracie Taylor is an excellent WWII era historical fiction novel that I truly enjoyed. It takes place in rural northern England 1941 in a quintessential town. There were moments I laughed out loud, I teared up, and that I also smiled as I read the heartfelt stories of this hodge-podge group of amazing individuals.

Edie is a young woman from London that has had her fair share of obstacles in life. Edie is a passionate, warm soul that wants to do her part and help out her country any way she can. However, Edie contracted TB as a child and is not medically cleared to join any group other then The Land Army. Edie travels to Applefield Manor to do what she can. Through this move, Edie is able to find her purpose in life, find herself, forgive herself for what she perceives as her part in some of her family losses, and is able to help transform a group of lost souls in the process.

What I loved most about this novel is the wonderful changes that take place in not only Edie, but with several characters within two different farms/homesteads. It is as if everyone is frozen in confusion, listlessness, loss, and unhappiness. It takes one person to break that mold, to start the process of forgiveness, acceptance, and the ability for many feel that they are able to find happiness and live again. I loved seeing the changes to Edie, Jack, Prue, Tilly, Sam, Davy, Aggie, and Jimmy. To see these lost souls, with feelings of being completely homeless and unwanted in life with no place to call home and no purpose, finally all be able to work through their obstacles and find these things, was so heartwarming and wonderful to read. I loved these characters, and I really think that the author has plenty of material here to be able to create a series, or at least a set, of subsequent novels featuring these characters. I would love to see a novel about Luca and Tilly, or about Bertie and his life now that he is discharged from service. Such amazing, complex, and well-thought out characters to use and draw from.

I also loved reading about the Land Army in general. Some of the tasks that they performed, and also Sam's farm with the lambs and birthing. It was definitely interesting to learn more.

I truly loved this novel and I highly recommend it. I hope it turns into a series, and if so, I would be the first person to pick it up. Excellent.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts on publication on 5/27/21.

We meet young Edith as a novice Land Army girl and share her many trials and successes. Set in the

countryside, a huge change from London blitz experiences, we accompany her as she contends with

surprises, struggles, and romance..

This is an uplifting and optimistic wartime tale. written with care and hope. for humans and animals.. A sensitive

mix..

You are drawn into life on the farm very easily. and feel true gratitude to the wonderful characters..

A great read.

Let me start by saying how pleased and delighted I was with this book. I was also very surprised and disappointed. When I finished reading this beautifully written, heartfelt story, I immediately looked for another novel by Gracie Taylor for my next read. The biggest surprise was that this was her first historical novel. That too is where the disappointment comes in.
Ms. Taylor has such a beautiful voice in her writing. The characters were so believable and special. I felt like I was right there with them and they were all my newest friends. I hated every time I had to sit the book down because my real life was interfering. The overall returning theme was love and family. Family, as we know, isn't just our biological relatives. The families that were formed during this story were so touching. This was a story set in WWII Britain with bombings, air raids, being called up, also not qualifying, and MIA's, but it was so much more. I am not sure when a novel has touched me quit like this one did. I am so thankful to have received a copy of this wonderful book from Avon Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have a soft spot for books that feature an underdog girl who has spunk. Edie Cartwright is just that. That girl made this book! The transformations that every character made was impressive. The author treated all the characters as true people with thoughts and feelings and that made the story that much better. I fell in love with Prue and Jack, Tillie and Samantha, and of course Edie and Sam.

It was such a beautiful story of Edie who wanted to do something meaningful with her life, but consumption at a young age left her lungs weak. She could only join the Land Army during WW2 and while she wasn't happy about it, she made the best of it. This was one of the best WW2 love stories I've read in a while.

Edie has joined the Land Army during War War 2,There she meets a bunch of people she lives with. There is Prue the mansion owner ,Tilly the Cook and Jack the hand who has also known Prue sine childhood. Prue is a tough cookie or so she wants others to think. She also works for Sam on his farm a grumpy guy. Soon 2 small children join the crew and a puppy. Love blooms . This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it. Was sad to see it end. I could have read more . Great people in the book. I recomend this #Netgally#

Edie joins the land army during the second world war and is sent to Applefield Manor. Pru, the owner, doesn't accept her straight away but friendship blossoms.

I loved all the characters and the uplifting storyline. The author really brought them alive. I'm always fascinated by life during the wars so the bar was high but this one didn't disappoint. I loved it.

A lovely read throughout by this author that will bring wholesome enjoyment to the readers will definitely be reading more loved it all

Love is the pulse of this charming book which exudes warmth and tenderness, like being wrapped in a cozy quilt. Set in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside during WWII, the story is engaging, lovely, heartbreaking and delightful. Stark realities of war are part of the story but the overwhelming themes are love, courage, acceptance and hope...not just romantic love, either, but between friends and siblings as well.

Edie, a "townie" from London, is desperate to dive into the war efforts and becomes a Land Girl. Tough work to begin with but she grows accustomed to it, physically and mentally, and discovers she is capable of more than she originally thought. She really shines in finding her niche and is a beacon and help for others. She billets at Prue's vast home and is first intimidated by her but as the story goes on we learn why Prue has built defensive walls around her heart. Many other characters are introduced, including farm workers, evacuees and stray animals which is particularly relevant to me as an animal lover. What a sweet addition! As in real life, each character has something personal to overcome and it was delightful to watch this progression here.

Historical Fiction readers are sure to get swept away in this book, especially if you have a fondness of orphans, human or animal. Your heart will be touched and warmed by it. It was a tremendous treat.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Genuinely heartwarming! Even though this book was written about Edie, Prue was my go to gal in this book. I was so warmed and charmed by her growth and love and feelings. Her battle within herself and the way she shut herself down and how hard it was for her to open back up again. This sort of struggle is real and it really touched me. I loved the way Edie finagled the care back out of Prue and I adored her belief in the older woman. The family they bonded together to create was absolutely beautiful and I am so thankful I was chosen to receive a copy of this book! It was definitely something that touched my heart and something I will remember for a long time to come!

Edie wants to help the war effort but can only do so by becoming a land girl and making sure the country had food for the table.A lovely book with plenty of surprises that you will need tissue's handy.5*

Edie.s Home for Orphans is one amazing book with surprises on each and every page. A must read to all but have tissues for sad tears and happy tears,\.

I thought this book may have been a sequel to Eddie's Home for Strays but it is the same book with two different titles so please refer to my review for the other title.