After reading A home for unloved orphans I had to read the second book too.
Lauren and Becky are running the orphanage but time hasn’t be easy. It’s still Depression so taking care of the children isn’t easy and other setbacks are coming and going. New children, new friends but also new hardships. But with love and hard work they manage until.....
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. From sadness when someone the all love get sick to finding happiness in small things. From finding new friends, and the love both Lauren and Becky deserve. A must read.....but keep tissues by hand.

This story is set during the great depression in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lauren and Becky run an orphanage called Hope House. They face many struggles as they try to keep the orphanage open and keep from being evicted. This was a beautiful and heartwarming story. Thank you to Rachel Wesson and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Baby on the Doorstep by Rachel Wesson is a very well written historical book. Stories in this world happening are sometimes very hard to accept. I never knew that national parks did some of the things that are talked about in this book like stealing the land of the mountain people. I like reading about history in the United States though I sometimes find some things that happened do not always place America in the best light. I love the acts of kindness in the book most of all. Read the book.

It is during the depression. Lauren opens the door to the orphanage. A little baby lies wrapped sitting on the doorstep. Lauren knows a lot of families are destitute. They're without food or homes. Her orphanage us full, but there is always room for one more.
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I enjoyed the story. It is a historical fiction based on fact.
The characters are strong and you cheer for them when they accomplished what they need to.
Recommended!

"A Baby on the Doorstep" by Rachel Wesson
Release Date: 1.22.2021

Two young women, Lauren and Becky, run an orphanage in rural Virginia in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The girls believe in love and kindness, rather than just sending the children away to the County Home.

An infant is found at the doorstep one morning, and of course, the sisters care for the child. As the child grows, notes and small gifts are left on the doorstep, promising to return for the child. The ladies must find a way to stay open and keep their orphanage and land.

I did not realize this was the sequel, so I definitely want to read the first one. I didn't feel that you needed to read the first one to understand the second novel. This book pictured the human emotion of the Great Depression, how desperate people became as unemployment soared.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

#netgalley #netgalleyreviews #netgalleyreads #historicalfiction #historicalfiction2021 #greatdepressionfiction #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #2021bookreleases #ababyonthedoorstep #rachelwesson

I wish to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Set in rural Virginia in the 1930s, this book is about an orphanage that is run by two young women. They believe in helping children with kindness, rather than sending the children to the County Home. One morning they find an infant left on their doorstep and welcome it lovingly to their home. They wonder who the parents might be as from time to time gifts are left for them to help in the children’s care. A note is also left indicating that the parents plan to return, whenever they can, to get the baby..

Woven into the story is the Depression, hard times, unrest in Europe and so much more. As the reader gets involved in the lives of the children, the town, and things like the government taking the farms of local citizens, including the Orphanage the story really grabs you.. There is even romance in it. This book has something for everyone and yet it is not overpowering on any one area. I found it to be a cannot put down book and highly recommend it to readers.

Oh how I loved this book. So much feeling from within. Plenty tissues at the ready, such strong characters. Lauren and Becky with so much love to give. Edward and big Will desperate for the chance to share theirs. You just want to give the kids a hug. My favourite character was Nanny Kat, a force to be reckoned with. Will there be a 3rd book, hope so.

Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Wesson and Bookouture for the ARC of A baby on the Doorstep. This is my personal review.
I was totally hooked on this story as I read the where the father silently went to the door and opened his bag to take the baby out and leave her on the porch. He knew she needed to be taken care of and leaving her at the Orphanage was the only hope he had for her.
Lauren and Becky are doing everything they can to keep the Orphanage open. The story drew me in and kept me in the lives of each person connected with the care given to the children.
This is the second book in the series, and I am going to go and read the first.

This is the second book in this series that I have read and enjoyed! I loved being back with these characters and updated with their lives!
We are still in the grips of the Depression, Europe is becoming unstable, a manic is taking control and people are following, they want. rid of the Jewish race/religion.
At home work is till under way by the CCC’s in building the Great Smoky National Park, and more people are loosing their homes, you don’t understand unless you are the ones having their land confiscated.
Lauren is still in control of the Orphanage, and what a change from the previous book! Becky is there with her, and so are the help coming from the men who support these woman, even if they aren’t responding to their love.
I love the surprises, sometimes not very nice, that keep popping up, and kept me page turning, Now I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review.

A heartbreaking story in many ways, but also a heartwarming story with lovable and endearing characters.
A story about a orphanage during the Great Depression and the people that strive to keep the orphanage open despite everything going on around them.
Beautiful story....
Compelling story.....
Inspiring story......
Endearing characters.....
If you enjoy historical fictions, definitely pick up this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

For the love of the Children

An inspiring and heartwarming story, set against the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, during the depression we witness the true beauty of caring for one another. The Struggles of the mountain people, the prejudices against them, the injustices done to them by the government and their intense love for family. They worked hard and when there was no more work and they lost their homes, they gave up their children to keep them safe.

We first met Lauren and Becky in Rachel Wesson's first book, "The Home for Unloved Orphans". The story continues as they take on new children and new challenges. The depression is hard on everyone and even the business's in town find it hard to stay open when no one has money to spend.

While they are fighting to find the finances to stay open, the find they now must fight to keep their orphanage and the land. This brings in the story of the building of the Shenandoah state park where many mountain people were forced from their homes.

It also touches on the rise of Hitler in Germany and how the beginning of the reign of terror for the Jewish in Germany. Two Jewish children are left at the orphanage by Lauren's fiancée, Edward, their uncle, while he goes to Berlin to try and convince their mother to leave.

There are other challenges both personal and with the orphanage that Lauren and Becky need to work out. Will they be able to win in court and keep the orphanage? Will Edward return from Berlin?

This book was a joy to read. I cannot believe the courage and fortitude people had during the hard times of the depression. It was a blessing how they worked together to help each other.

I would definitely recommend this book. It is a great read.

Thanks to Rachel Wesson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.

Before reading A Baby On The Door Step, I was unaware of the dislocation of those who lost their homes due to the creation of the state parks. This is one of those cases where fiction brings forth those lost to history. In that, this book does not shy away from the failings of American life. The novel follows an orphanage on these lands called Hope House. The story is of hope and of heart breaking in equal measure. Lauren, and the orphans she cares for, are a window in into the world of The Great Depression on the cusp of WWII. The small town squabbles feel as weighty as the looming conflict. In this, the pacing never loses momentum. You want what’s best for all of the characters. They are complex with kindness at their core. They are easy to root for. The twists and turns keep the story compelling to the very end. I highly recommend this book and the many tissues it will require.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a genre that I would normally pick up, but the book synopsis sounded interesting and the setting of VA caught my attention. However, I found it to be a little too slow for my liking. The characters were likeable and I was pleased with the ending, but overall, this just didn’t strike a cord cord for me.

A Baby on the Doorstep by Rachel Wesson was an emotional historical fiction novel. Lauren is running an orphanage on basically a shoestring and a prayer. At one point she even needs to borrow the limited pocket money from the orphans to keep the electricity on!

This book takes place in the foothills of the Shenandoah Valley as the National park is being constructed in 1934. The Great Depression is still very much a factor, several legal battles ensue, and Lauren’s love interest is also traveling back and forth to Germany to report on atrocities committed by Hitler. The multiple story lines are told fairly well.

This book is apparently part of a series, but I felt I could understand the plot and characters without reading the other book. The selflessness of Lauren and her helper Becky are admirable. The courage they exhibit so profoundly is believable and also inspirational. Now I want to read the other books about these characters to get an even deeper understanding. The book also has quite a few moments of comic relief with the antics of managing 13 orphans of various ages and even a cameo appearance by a famous historical figure.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Bookouture in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

I would encourage readers to read A Home for Unloved Children before reading this novel. Having not known about the first book, I was confused for a good part of the book since only glimpses of the background information are revealed. I liked the historical aspect of the story which brought attention to the Great Depression and how desperate people were. The government obtaining land for the park was eye opening. I liked the portrayal of the strong women standing up for the children and the support of the sheriff. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction.

There are not many books that make me cry but this one definitely did!

I was so happy to be reunited with the characters from Hope House. Lauren and Becky are still trying to run the orphanage on limited funds while supporting even more children. Both women are still being pursued by their men but both have been hurt in relationships and are reluctant in the romance department.

These young women are so strong in their fight for these kids and so many in their community.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I just recently discovered Rachel Wesson and have read 7 books in the last 5 or 6 weeks! I can't put them down and when I'm not reading a book I'm thinking about it. Her books and characters are endearing and lovable. I have adopted two children so orphans have a special place in my heart. Please pick up any of her books and start reading!

A Baby on the Doorstep is a heart-wrenching story about helplessness, kindness, and endurance.

Lauren and Becky were two strong women working hard to keep their home for orphaned children open despite the economic struggles of the Depression and the opposition of several community members who believed the kids were tainted by their parents' alleged sins.

The book takes the reader into these women and children's everyday lives; the pain of illness, abuse, and abandonment, and the fear of losing the roof over their heads once again.

A side plot encompasses the beginning of what would eventually be the Holocaust, with two German children coming to the home after managing to escape the nazis. It is very touching and alarming to see what happened not that long ago.

The characters are lovely, especially the children, and there is a little bit of romance in the background and even a special appearance of Eleanor Roosevelt. After all the suffering, a happy ending wraps everything up.

A Baby on the Doorstep is an emotional and inspiring read that made me feel blessed and thankful for everything, and mainly everyone, I have in my life.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 01/22/2021 as part of the book's blog tour*

The book historical fiction and provides a look at wonderful characters as well as the underlying themes. It is almost like a spin of The Waltons. Based in the hills of Virginia during the Great Depression this home for Orphans has a horrible past that is being remedied by Laura and Becky as well as some good ole fashioned fantastic neighbors and community. The past WW1 with the upcoming WW2 provides a look at how prejudices due to nationality impacted some people as well as openly loving thy neighbor provides for inclusion. I enjoyed the strong headed women and the love of neighbors as well as concern for children. If reflects on the government taking over family homestead's that go back generations for the sake of National Parks. This is something that had not occurred to me as we just see the wonderful themes of National Parks but not the history and pain in creating them. I was provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Bookouture) or author (Rachel Wesson) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on January 22-2021.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this book definitely fit the bill by depicting the unfortunate past era of orphanages, and children left to fend for themselves through no fault of their own. This story is about a well run orphanage where the owners treat the children well. The author did an excellent job of portraying the hard work that went into maintaining a home during the Great Depression, the generosity of the neighbors who also had little, as well as fighting attempts to take their home. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.