I really enjoyed this book about Kitty who lives with her aunt and uncle as her parents have died. She wants to do her but for the war effort and much to her aunt's dismay she leaves home to join the Red Cross. She is a nurse's helper but will eventually be a trained nurse. Kitty loves her job and the new friends she has made in Joan and Trixie.
Kitty meets Michael who is a Canadian doctor, he is also an orphan so this strengthens their bond.
They resolve to keep things on a friendship level until after the war when they are both free to commit to a relationship.
As in war friends move on and move away wherever the job they are doing takes them and this happens to Kitty and she makes new friends alone the way. There's a lot of heartache for her to go through before the war ends but she takes each setback as it is and gets on with things.
There are lovely characters in this story and a few not so nice just to stir the pot.
I am hoping this is the start of a series as I want to know what happens during the rest of the war years to a Kitty and Michael and what happens when war is over.
A really good read.

This book is all about Kitty. Kitty was four when she was orphaned and was taken in by her aunt & uncle. She had a happy childhood but as a young lady in war time she wanted to help her country so she left home to become a Red Cross trainee nurse. As a trainee Kitty got the worst of jobs but she has a natural aptitude for nursing and a caring personality which becomes appreciated by those about her. The story follows Kitty’s life as she tries to qualify as a nurse and grows into an independent young lady.
This was a new author to me, I enjoyed the book immensely and will look out for other books written by her.

Let me get this straight out the way - I adored this story.

Excellent WWII historical fiction, the story captured my attention from the first and held on to it. Wonderful imagery of true courage and female friendships. I truly enjoyed this title.

This is my first book by the author but definitely not my last.


Thanks to Harper Collins UK / One More Chapter and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. Opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my reading experience.

Oh, how I love this book! From the cover to the story itself to the characters to the ending this is non-stop beautiful. It grabbed my attention immediately and I had to inhale it in one sitting. My emotions were heavily invested and time was inconsequential.

Set during WWII, this heartwarming and heartbreaking book is about relationships, fighting and winning daily battles, abiding love, dreams, courage and hope. Kitty Pattison joins the war effort by training to become a volunteer Red Cross nurse. She is basically thrown into the deep end but she perseveres along with others she met including two young ladies Jo and Trix who become her dearest friends. Not everyone fares as well, sort of lost and floundering. One irritating character in particular is written in seamlessly and realistically and adds oomph to the story. And then there is Canadian Doctor Michael McCarthy, an orphan like Kitty. Heroics during the wars always astound me, as they are portrayed here.

Another of my favourite aspects of this dynamite book is the historical details such as uniforms, injuries and treatment, realities of war, food, accommodations and job duties. It is obvious that Glynis Peters did her research with thoughtfulness, love and care. She also wrote her heart into the story (or so it seems to me as a reader!) as it oozes soul. Her writing has that special je ne se quois which is sometimes lacking in Historical Fiction. It really resonated with me.

Historical Fiction readers, please do yourself a favour and read this unmissable gem and the other books written by Glynis Peters.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this astounding book! I enjoyed it with all my heart.

Set in 1940, Kitty Pattison is ready to show her British pride serving her country. The Red Cross presents the opportunity to serve her country while training to be a nurse. Sent 200 miles from her home, she experiences the reality of World War II. As we read the book, we live through the horrors of late night air raids along with Kitty and her new friends, the brave women of the Red Cross. We get a feel for the devastation and terror war brings to innocent civilians, including children who too often are orphaned because of the bombings. Kitty draws on her inner strength to survive and help those who need her. This is an excellent book which brings history alive. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong heroic women in the forefront.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

I have to say that you will need tissues while reading this emotional story of Kitty Patterson set during world war 2, Glynis Peters gets better with each book she writes they are atmospheric ,emotional and they draw you into the story making you feel as though you are there. Excellent book 5*

The title and book cover of this novel is rather misleading, The story is not about children orphaned in WW2, but about a nurse Kitty and her Canadian doctor sweetheart Michael, as they work through the privations of emergency care of bombing casualties. They discover they have both been orphaned as young children.
Kitty has made friends with two other trainee nurses based in the same hospital. I was disappointed in the lack of depth of character of the main protagonists, I didn’t really get a sense of them as individuals, they are all one dimensional, with little to differentiate them. The exception is Annabelle / Belle, an almost caricature personality of a posh, upper class, rude, selfish spoilt brat. I can’t help feeling that in such a busy, understaffed emergency hospital on a war footing, any matron would have sent her packing home to mummy within the first few weeks of her traineeship.
The research which has gone into the book is admirable. I just wish it had been less of a fluffy star-crossed lovers’ romance, with much stronger characterisation.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

"The Red Cross Orphans" by Glynis Peters
Release Date: 11.30.2021

Orphan Kitty Pattison is ready to help others during the World War II, so she volunteers with the Red Cross. She becomes fast friends with Joan Norfolk and Trixie Dixie, and they see one another through many tough days.

Kitty starts a relationship with Michael McCarthy, a Canadian doctor. Her friends encourage Kitty that everyone deserves love.

What a great read! I was hooked from the start. It was wonderful writing with realistic, relatable characters. Kitty was a brave young lady with a sense of duty.

Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest review.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleybooks #theredcrossorphans #redcrossorphans #glynispeters #2021bookreleases #historicalfiction

Absolutely could not put this book down, brilliant writing and a wonderful cast of characters.
We follow kitty who has joined the red cross to do her bit for the war effort and along the way she forges friendships and finds romance, I love the friendship she built with the other new recruits and how they become the 3 musketeers, always there for each other no matter what part of the country they ended up in.
Would love to read more on the girls and kitty's romance

Set during the Second World war, Kitty joins the Red Cross to do her bit for the country. She was brought up by her aunt & uncle after the death of her parents & baby brother. Although well looked after she has always felt different as an orphan, althoughshe rarely talked about it. The Red Cross nurses were sent for training in Birmingham, along way from her home near Harwich. Kitty met up with other girls on her way and easily became friends with 2 of them, Jo & Trixie. The third, Belle was unlikeable and had been brought up ina wea,thy home and had unreal expectations of the future she would encounter. Kitty became a good use and developed a friendship with a Canadian Doctor. The book tells the story of their friendships, experiances, losses and hardships as they are posted around Britain.
An easy enjoyable read.

The Red Cross Orphans by Glynis Peters is novel set during World War II. I was hooked from the start and could barely put it down. I was fully behind the main character Kitty and her journey as a Red Cross Nurse.
We read her adventures from the city of Birmingham up to Scotland and back again, each bringing problems or traumas of it’s own and new people to get used to working with. Kitty has a wonderful work ethic and is a lovely young lady so makes friends easily and impresses all who works with her. I loved her friendship with Jo and Trix, even when they all go their own ways.

I have to say Kitty is a character who is very brave, a wonderful sense of duty as well as a strong stomach – I admire the women who stepped up during the war to do the same as Kitty. A book that demonstrates the importance of friendships, working together, having spirit and determination.

Glynis Peters is a fabulous author, I’ve read a couple from her now and look forward to the next.

I received a free copy from the publishers via Netgalley.

I am freely reviewing this title. I fell into this book and The lives of the Red Cross nurses it revolved around. Kitty leaves the comfort of her aunt and uncle’s home to become a nurse and help with the travesties of war. I loved the first set of girls she was placed with and really enjoyed their interactions. Jo, Trixy, and the snobbish Belle, make for great reading! It’s apparent that Kitty will become a very good nurse and this leads her into many new situations and chances to serve. She meets a doctor and they become friends who work on the trauma team together saving many lives. As they become more than friends, one of the original girls causes trouble that follows Kitty and Michael many miles. Both Kitty and Michael were orphans and there are plenty of opportunities to serve the war orphans in this story. Well done!

This book was just okay to me. The first half moved very slowly and I honestly had to push myself to continue reading. The second half was much better and I became more interested in the story.

While it was interesting to read about the Red Cross’ role in assisting during WWII, I did not feel emotionally attached to the characters. The only person that truly brought out emotion in me was the nasty, spoiled Belle. I wanted to feel more for the characters, but it did not happen.

I am sure many people will response differently to this book. I know the author devoted quite a bit of time into research and that showed.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Kitty lost her parents and brother when she was just a little girl. Lovingly raised by her aunt and uncle, she vowed to make a difference in the war when their son was lost at Dunkirk. So, she joined the Red Cross as a nurse trainee. Quickly settling in to the routine of treating injured soldiers, she realized she had found her niche and proved herself to be a trustworthy, compassionate and competent nurse. She was subjected to sights and emergencies she never would have imagined and at times, surprised even herself at her ability to stay cool, calm and collected during moments of chaos. She learned the value of friendship and that one could fall in love during wartime and did so when she met a Canadian doctor who loved, supported and encouraged her.

I loved this story. While it wasn’t based on a specific person or event during WWII, this story paints the picture of a Red Cross nurse and the roles they played during the war. They were often shuffled around at the drop of a hat, exposed to injuries that could only happen when the world was at war and to people of all walks of life, coming together to serve the country that they love. The roles women, especially nurses who worked the front lines right along side doctors, played during the war should be recognized. They possessed strength, resilience and compassion that should be commended and not forgotten.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK & Glynis Peters for access to this lovely story.

Peters has a reoccurring theme in all her titles: orphans. Michael and Kitty meet during medical training in England during WWII. Both orphaned at young ages, they feel a connection instantly. However, lies, distance, and distrust threaten to tear them apart. It’s a light romance, fulfilling, yet not too heavy to entice readers to forget about the real world for a few hours.

This book is set in World War 2 and Kitty has been brought up by her Aunt and Uncle following the death of her parents and younger Brother. Kittie has decided to do her bit for the war effort by becoming a trainee nurse for the red cross.
During her training she makes good friends with Trixie and Joan and tolerates Annabelle who comes from a privileged background and expects to continue to have the good life. Kitty also meets Michael, a Canadian Doctor and there is a spark between them as soon as they are thrown together trying to assist people who had been in a bombing and were trapped in rubble. Michael is also an orphan brought up by his Grandmother.
During her nursing Kittie moves to different places around the country and looks after a variety of patients, including an RAF Officer who has lost a leg. Kitty is tasked with visiting his home to see whether he can return home to assist his wife who is unwell as they also taken in orphans.
Will Kitty decide to stay and assist the orphans or continue nursing?
This was an enjoyable read although I did feel that some parts were rushed, especially regarding the decision making for whether to continue to give up nursing or not.

The Red Cross Orphans by Glynis Peters is a marvellous historical novel set during World War II on the home front. I was completely consumed by the whole novel.
The reader follows the main character as she volunteers to be a Red Cross nurse. She journeys from Harwich to Birmingham up to Scotland and back down to County Durham. I loved that she did her training at the Q.E. in Birmingham as I am familiar with that hospital in my home town. None of the Red Cross postings are long term as the nurses go where they are most needed. I admired her bravery, sense of duty and strong stomach as there were some awful scenes during the Birmingham blitz.
There is a wonderful camaraderie between the three young recruits in Birmingham. Bonds formed are strong and friendships loyal.
There is a warmth within the novel as characters pull together to help the injured. Life is to be grabbed as there is no guarantee of tomorrow. This means that whilst there are still strong morals on the whole, there will always be those who play fast and free.
Glynis Peters is a fabulous author. Her descriptive passages really bring the novel alive for the reader. I particularly loved the snowfall in Birmingham and could ‘feel’ the fear of a stray enemy aircraft in County Durham.
War blights lives. Kind hearts open their home and heart to orphans in need.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Red Cross Orphans and cannot wait to read more by Glynis Peters.
I received a free copy from the publishers via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this good old fashioned storyline and makes me appreciate the world that we now live it. Would recommend.

Wow, quite the book story of love and hope while a war goes on. Really determined young women help during war time by becoming nurse while actually learning to be one! meets young doctor from Canada. well read the story!

The Red Cross Orphans quickly transports you back to World War II era Britain. Where Kitty, a young woman brought up by her loving aunt and uncle, after her parents and younger brother perish. Is about to step out on her own for the first time, by beginning her training as a Red Cross Nurse. Glynis Peters does an astounding job of bringing Kitty's anxious nerves to the foreground as she steps into this exciting new role and lifestyle.

The first night she makes lifelong friends in Trixie and Jo. They are a joined at the hip from this moment on. Supporting one another and being each other's personal cheerleaders. As they tackle the incredible knowledge that they must gather quickly if they are to help the growing number of injured. I love the friendship that Peters creates with these three ladies. Watching them bloom into strong, sure footed, and determined women. Who all have their heads on straight and care deeply for the people around them. It is not all work for these three, romance is in the wind. Which adds a fun twist to the book. Kitty feels a rush when she first lays eyes on the young Canadian doctor, Michael. She cannot stop thinking about him. As their friendship blossoms into something more, it seems like nothing can come between these two incredible people. As the war trudges on and the girls are split up, and Kitty and Michael are assigned to different posts and scattered to various parts of the country. Their bond holds strong, and much needed support comes in the form of letters.

From the first chapter I was completely immersed in Kitty's story. The obstacles that she had to overcome as an orphan, and how she used this to help others, completely intrigued me. However, the last quarter of the book lost steam. I did enjoy watching Kitty grow into a cunning, knowledgeable lady. Who is always willing to go into any situation to help another. It was also refreshing to learn about the Red Cross Nurses and how quickly they were thrown into dire situations. Thank you to Glynis Peters, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for this intriguing book, which is full of friendship and romance during the time of war.