Member Reviews

The Orphan’s Letters is the second volume of Glynis Peters Red Cross Orphans series. While this he book can be read as a stand-alone novel I highly recommend reading the first volume to have a good grasp the background.

The Orphan’s Letters is a story about a Red Cross nurse, Kitty, and her friends. The story takes place during World War II. Kitty and her friends give their all and then some to help ‘King and Country” . As always Ms. Peter’s writes an excellent narrative. Everything flows seamlessly from one chapter to the to other. While I think this is the most romantic of all Ms. Peter’s works, it isn’t over done. She has done an excellent job of expressing the emotions of these woman who were overworked, under loved and in some cases broken hearted.

I have to admit that I didn’t like the ending as it felt quite abrupt. It was not the type of ending I can usually expect from Ms. Peters. I was left with wanting to know more about the outcome. Perhaps this is what is in store for us in book three, at which time I will come back and adjust my review. I am anxious to see what Ms. Peters has in store for us next.

I would like to thank Glynis Peters, HarperCollins UK/ One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Nursing critically wounded soldiers during WWII wasn’t easy. Nurse Kitty Pattison is transferred around Britain, stealing herself to deal with the awfulness. This is book 2 in the Red Cross Orphans series. Reading book 1 first is recommended. Many characters return here. I suspect there will be a book 3, as this ends abruptly and leaves us with an unsatisfying ending. The book’s flow has sudden changes in time, making it a bit confusing. Still, it was nice to catch up with Kitty, Jo, and Trixie, and not so much with Belle.

Was this review helpful?

The Orphan's Letters by Glynis Peters is a heartwarming novel set during World War II. In England as the Second World War rages on, nurse Kitty Pattison’s life takes a turn as her work with the Red Cross has her travelling the country. With her friends Jo and Trixie also scattered across the UK, and her soldier sweetheart Michael undertaking medical missions he can’t discuss, the war takes its toll on Kitty. Now, Kitty’s hopes rise and fall with the arrival of the mail. Every moment spent with her loved ones is cherished, because each one could be the last.

Peters does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of a nurse's courage during World War II. The Orphan's Letters had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 5 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and supports medical workers.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

A heart breaking read.
Red Cross Orphans book two.
nurse Kitty Pattison at the red cross at Shotley Bridge Hospital this is an amazing WW2 saga.
Michael McCarthy her canadian sweetheart and friends Jo and Trixie she is missing so much.
Brought up by her aunt Lil and uncle Frank been an orphan herself she decides that nursing isn't all it cuts out to be. She applies for the job at Fell Hall Brancepeth working for the Walker Fells looking after the orphans a rewarding job that she loves.
I loved this book just as much as the first as we follow Kitty's journey with the letters included into the story, heart breaking but so lovely to read, it's a unputdownable read once again from this talented author that never lets her readers down. Superb

Was this review helpful?

An excellent follow on book following the lives of Kitty and Michael and their Red Cross friends. It’s been good to connect with these characters again although I was disappointed at how it ended so assume another book will be on its way. Although fictional I can easily imagine the reality of many of the situations. War is awful so thanks to the real Red Cross. Thanks to Glynis and her publisher. Also thanks to NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

We learn about a woman thru her letters to friends, and more commentary than was needed. I would have liked to read more letters instead.

Was this review helpful?

A moving story of lovers separated by war. Red Cross nurse Kitty, orphaned in childhood, falls in love with Michael, a Canadian medic. Both move around as World War II unfolds and the couple find it difficult to keep in contact, particularly as Michael is sometimes on secret missions. As she waits for his letters, she relies on her friends for fun amidst the chaos. It makes you appreciate mobile phones! This story has echoes surely relevant to Ukraine today. Hope there's a third book about Kitty. Curl up and enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

Kitty's been through so much in her young life and now, as a Red Cross nurse in the thick of WWII England, she's struggling a bit while caring for so many injured people. She misses her fiance Michael, a Canadian born doctor, desperately and worries about him and his deployment. Although her friends are scattered around the country, she's able to keep in touch and has built new friendships as well. No spoilers from me but any WWII novel will have love and love combined. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is the second in the series but is easily read as a standalone.

Was this review helpful?

As the Second World War rages on, nurse Kitty Pattison’s life takes a nomadic turn as her work with the Red Cross sees her traversing the country, moving from post to post. With her best friends Jo and Trixie also scattered across the UK, and her medic fiance Michael off on the continent undertaking medical missions he can’t discuss, the war takes its toll and long days are followed by sleepless nights with nightmares of what she’s seen on the wards. Now, Kitty’s hopes rise and fall with the arrival of the post – the only thing that keeps her connected to her aunt and uncle, her dear friends, and her Michael – and every moment spent with those she loves is held dear, because each one could be the last…

I did not realize that this was part of a series as it was not indicated, but it was a very good read as a stand-alone. The characters and the war torn lands of Europe and England are described so well that I felt like I was there. I was not familiar with the author but will look for more books she has written. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read this book. I highly recommend, especially to those who like WWII historical fiction.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second Red Cross Orphans book and having enjoyed the first one so much I was looking forward to diving in. Having done so, I do recommend if you are new to the series you read the books in order.

Kitty Pattison’s war continues as she is shifted from pillar to post by the Red Cross throughout the early 1940s, normally in a different direction to her Canadian doctor fiancé, Michael. Many of the cast of characters from the first book are carried forwards, but there are some new faces as well and Peters captures the era very well.

I particularly like the way she does not sugar coat war in any way, and it was refreshing to have a heroine who suffers mental health issues arising from what she has to do and the things she sees, rather than simply displaying a stiff upper lip.

Was this review helpful?

The Orphan letters continues the story of Kitty Pattison who works for the Red Cross in WW11, which takes her all around the country to do her bit for the war. Her Canadian Medic fiancé Michael works for the British army but is always away on top secret missions that he can’t tell her where he is so as Kitty has not got much family of her own, so she confides her feelings to her friends Jo Trixie and Belle who are all loyal to each other. That she longs to see Michael again. Her work and her training keep her busy but also troublesome, when she sees the bad conditions that soldiers are in coming back from the war.
Thank you Harper One more chapter for an ARC The Orphan letters the second book in the The red cross orphans series. I read the first one and enjoyed it immensely, that I was looking forward to the continuation of this story of Kitty Pattison and her Canadian boyfriend Michael. This had the same likeable characters from the previous book, and it started well but, I found the middle of this book rammed with too much going on it, and it the story didn’t flow right like her previous books I have read from this author. To be honest it felt rushed and then by the end of the book the paced slowed down again. The story is worth the read but, for me not one of her best. 3 stars from me.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely wonderful book loved it i am certain readers will also love it.The story is emotional and the characters are brilliant.5*

Was this review helpful?

This book centers around a Red Cross nurse during WWII. While the book itself wasn't bad, I just didn't feel that it had anything to set it apart from the numerous other WWII books that I have read. It was just okay.

Was this review helpful?

WW2, England, grief, grieving, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, frustration, friendship, uncertainty, angst*****

Who cares for the caregivers?
All the non-soldiers at home and the Canadian soldiers in Europe are reassigned with little or no notice or even uncommon sense. Following along with a few of the caregivers of displaced orphaned children as they are shuffled from place to place with no continuity. No wonder that nightmares and PTSD are the norm. This book clearly presents the apparent stories of The War At Home. Compelling.
I requested and received an ARC e-book from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

The Orphan’s Letters by Glynis Peters is the second book in the Red Cross Orphans series by Glynis Peters. This second book can be read as a stand-alone, but you may want to grab the first one before moving further.
The Orphan Letters features Kitty Pattinson, a Red Cross nurse, and her experiences as she is moved to various places during wartime. Kitty is sent to care for orphans during a time but will soon be moved back into the harsh realities of caring for the war injured. Kitty is always refreshed when she is able to unexpectedly see or hear from her boyfriend, Michael. He is a Canadian doctor serving with the British army. Join Kitty and her nurse friends as they face the devastating ravages of the war injured.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Publication Date: November 30, 2022

Was this review helpful?

This book centers around a Red Cross nurse during WWII. While the book itself wasn't bad, I just didn't feel that it had anything to set it apart from the numerous other WWII books that I have read. If you are a diehard WWII fan and love to read things set in that time, this will be perfect for you. I was just hoping for more of a unique perspective.

Was this review helpful?

I hadn't read the first book and wasn't familiar with the characters, but had no problem with the storyline. It's the story of war, friendships, Red Cross nurses, wartime romance and the importance of mail delivery. Good read.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my days, I waited with anticipation for this follow up to The Red Cross Orphans. Well I wasn’t disappointed.
Kitty thrives on worrying about her family, sweetheart and friends as the war rages on around her volunteering and being thrown into the frontline to nurse soldier being rescued from the beaches in operation Overlord.
As Kitty moves around the country with the red cross she is able to pick up her friendship with Jo, Belle, Trixie and Smithy.
There is a mix birth, death and even an act of treason to keep you glued to the pages. Absolutely loved it. Now to wait for the next one!

Was this review helpful?

Peters has packed this second installment of the Red Cross Orphans series with more history, mystery and romance. I enjoyed getting to know the background of a few of the characters and seeing what life was like on the battlefield and on the homefront. I was happy to see my Canadian doctor reappear in this one. The highlight for me was seeing that love surfaces in the midst of difficulty. It was a heartwarming read, despite it being heavier on romance than book one.

Peters explores wartime fatigue and those who selflessly reached out to comfort and offer a future to those left with nothing due to the war.

I appreciated the acknowledgement of the worry many faced while attempting to focus on their work while worrying about a loved one serving overseas. The author appealed to my emotions. I also connected with those who were suffering fatigue as a result of putting others' needs first. The recent pandemic has highlighted this for us. In attempting to relate it to my own life, I noted that, although I’m not in a wartime situation, I had difficulty maintaining fridge friendships during lockdown and re-establishing them in a social setting once restrictions were lifted. On the flip side, I appreciated modern technology’s ability to bring my close friends even closer and strengthen the bond during lockdown. They were a lifeline to me. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to maintain friendships under the stress of war without the technology we now possess.

While it wasn’t as compelling a read as book one mainly due to pacing and providing background information, I enjoyed the necessary character development and look forward to book three.

I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Was this review helpful?

This book by Glynis Peters is another enjoyable read.
The characters emotions are very real and you can feel there pain.
It is the latest addition to the red Cross series although it can be read as a stand alone. A really nice historical fiction series.

Was this review helpful?