In Patti Callahan Henry’s newest novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, Hazel starts an imaginary tale to help her sister, Flora, escape the changes of their life after World War II stripped them of their home and father. The magical world of Whisperwood turns up years later in a story written by and American author, a debut book. It can’t possibly be Flora, can it? After all, she disappeared one day when she was 5 years old when she was tempted to go to Whisperwood by way of the swirling river of stars near the home they were staying in outside of London.

The discovery of Whisperwood in print leads Hazel on a journey to her past. She questions those she lived with, loved, was friends with during that window of her life to see who knew of the secret land she shared with her sister and if someone had revealed it to the American who wrote the book. She even breaks her pact made after Flora’s disappearance to never see Harry, the son of the woman who took them in when evacuated from London and Hazel’s first love. She also reaches out to the reclusive author to see who told her the story. What Hazel finds at the end helps resolve all the questions she has asked again and again since Flora left her. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on May 1, 2023.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #patticallahanhenry #thesecretbookoffloralea #atriabookspublicity #simonandschuster

In 1940, Hazel and her little sister Flora Lea were sent to Binsey, Oxfordshire, in the English countryside from their home in Bloomsbury, London. Their relocation was part of Operation Pied Piper (a terrible name if you know the sad tale) where children from the cities were sent away from their families as the threat of German bombs escalated. The two sisters found a loving home with Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry. Fourteen-year-old Hazel had invented a fantasy world called Whisperwood, which helped to provide excitement and comfort to five-year-old Flora. One day, while taking her eye off of her sister for only a few minutes, Flora disappeared and was feared to have drowned. Twenty years later, Hazel is working in a rare bookstore and opens a package of a new book from an American author entitled Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Believing that only she and her sister knew of this place of fantasy, which came from her own imagination, Hazel, long racked with guilt over Flora's disappearance, upends her life to find out how the writer came to create this story. Could Flora be alive after all these years?

Patti Callahan Henry has created such a lovely story in The Secret Book of Flora Lea. The hamlet of Binsey came to life as an idyllic setting as London was faced with ongoing terror during the war. When the story shifted to London in 1960, Henry captured the city's vibrancy. While not a fantasy story, this book was magical. The mystery was compelling but more than anything, I adored the characters and their relationships - the bonds between sisters, mothers, friends and a first love.

Many thanks to Atria Books for providing an advance copy of this highly original book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of those books you never wanted to end. Childhood innocence, historical fiction and a wonderland we'd all love to visit and never have to leave. Such a great written novel! Hazel and her younger sister are sent to the countryside to escape the bombings of the war that has broken out, and yet it is almost like a dream. Hazel and Flora are picked to live with a wonderful mother and son, it is like their secret fairyland world has come to life and although they are not happy to be away from their mother they are cared for and loved. How can a war be happening? There are no signs of such a thing out here, where they can run free, there is plenty of food and the only worry they have is what adventure they will have tomorrow. But all that changes when Flora goes missing by the river and Hazel forever blames herself, her fairy tales and the war. Decades later when a book appears from the US, and tells their story of Whisperwood, Hazel cannot believe it. Is Flora still alive or who is the fraud that took their story and from when? A mystery Haze must solve as it may lead her back to the truth of that happened that terrible day. I just loved this book. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free review copy. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

THE SECRET BOOK of FLORA LEA by Patti Callahan Henry

What a story this was! It’s not so much historical fiction as it is coming of age, a family saga, a mystery and a fairy tale. There are even elements of paganism included which was a pleasant surprise.

It’s had all the things I love; a compelling story, a history lesson, a touch of romance, love of family and friends, and descriptive, lyrical prose. The characters were complex, interesting and well developed - I fell in love with all of them and their individual stories.

The only caveat I have is the pacing. The middle was a bit slow and there were a few storylines to juggle, but the end made up for it. It’s also nice when endings aren’t overly complicated or feel contrived.

While I’m not much of a sap these days, the convo between Hazel and Harry at the art exhibit was incredibly sweet and hit me right in the “first love” feels.

Overall, this book is wonderful an ode to books, sisterhood, family, and the art of storytelling itself. Highly recommend!


Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

This is the first of the author’s books I’ve read, but after finishing the book I’ll be looking for other books she has written!

So much thought and effort was put into researching the time period and location - I enjoyed learning some things I didn’t already know. The character and relationship building was phenomenal. The references to great authors of the period and location were a welcome addition to the story.

Hazel experiences more than her fair share of tragedy in this story of historical fiction with mystery and romance entwined!

I read a lot of World War II literature. Much of it is harrowing. and gruesome. This one is different. Yes, there is a missing child. However, that event, while a significant focus of the book, does not feel so horrifying. Rather, the lives of the two sisters who miss their mother and their life in London and thus invent stories of an imaginary land, shapes a gentle, flowing storyline. The plot eventually ramps up as the older sister, now an adult, becomes obsessed with investigating what happened to her little sister.

I really appreciated the descriptive, meandering writing style. The reader is given a beautifully idyllic look at the English countryside which is mirrored in the girls' stories. The home where the girls are billeted is warm and supportive. You are lulled into thinking the girls are safe from the war when the unthinkable happens: the youngest sister disappears, leaving only her teddy bear. The plot turn is so well done.

Many years later Hazel, the older sister, opens a package that contains a book manuscript. The manuscript features a story identical to the one she told her sister many years ago that they had never shared with anyone. Hazel becomes convinced that her sister is alive and renews her efforts to find out what happened. The resolution of her search is really creative, although slightly unbelievable. Additionally, I was initially skeptical that a six-year-old would forget everything about her previous life. That just didn't ring true to me. However, the author goes to great lengths to explain (through characters) how that might happen - so I eventually bought into that aspect of the plot. (And after all, this is a story full of references to fairy tales and fantasy books.) The reveal of the perpetrator did catch me by surprise, yet was very believable.

There is a secondary plot regarding the author of the manuscript Hazel discovers. I was initially impatient with this subplot as it seemed to slow down the overall narrative. But this impatience dissipated as the author wove the two together plots together and revealed clues regarding what happened to the missing sister.

Hazel was well-developed as a character. The reader comes to know her as a both young teen and an older woman haunted by the past. It was a bit cliche to have her end up with Henry, her first love. (I did feel sorry for Barnay), However, the author developed his character to the point that you knew they were right for each other.

This is a lovely story about hope, healing, resilience, and the power of story to heal and comfort.

Thank you for sending a review copy of this book.

*****Publishing May 2, 2023*****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hazel Linden had immeasurable loss when her sister, Flora, was believed to have drowned when they were living in the English countryside due to being evacuated along with other children during WWII’s Operation Pied Piper. Fast forward to March 1960 when it’s Hazel’s last day working at Hogan’s Rare Book Shoppe , a book from the United States is delivered called Whisperwood and the River of Stars by Peggy Andrews. It’s a story that Hazel and Flora made up! This sends Hazel searching for answers. Is this a sign Flora is still alive?

This book alternates between WWII with the story of Hazel and Flora’s life before in Bloomsbury and during Operation Pied Piper in the English countryside and how they used storytelling to escape their harsh realities and 1960 with Hazel on a journey searching for answers to find out how this book came to be? Will she find the answers she is looking for?

A wonderfully written book that will transport you to England! Patti Callahan Henry’s writing just draws you in from the start and makes you feel apart of the story! She takes what she meticulously researches and turns it into a book that perfectly captures the emotions and hardships of the time period. If you love historical fiction, then this one to put on your TBR list!

Thanks to Atria Books, I was provided an ARC of The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hazel and Flora-two children removed from their home in London in 1939, are relocated to a small town and to the home of Birdie and her son, Harry. Their lives are turned upside down but they find love and comfort with Birdie. All is well until Flora disappears. Hazel blames herself for the fairytale she has repeated to Flora to comfort her.
So begins a lovely and heart wrenching tale of lost but never forgotten sister and a deeply buried love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the best books I have read in a while! I had seen some others post about The Secret Book of Flora Lea and I was instantly intrigued. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put this one down! The story of Whisperwood itself was magical, but everything else just built on the wonder. I don’t tend to read books more than once, but I want to start this one over already. Absolutely recommend to anyone who is looking for mystery, history, and love all rolled into one.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea is such a heartwarming, subtly magical surprise, inspired by her love of classic children’s stories like the Narnia books (which she also wrote about in her previous CS Lewis historical fiction works), Alice, and Peter Pan. From the general premise of evacuated children during World War II to the children’s storybook with mentions of illustrations from original Narnia illustrator Pauline Baynes, this is as much a love letter to those books as it is a tribute to the experiences of the evacuees themselves and the uncertainty they faced.
The story unfolds in two timelines, following older sister Hazel twenty years after her sister Flora’s disappearance in 1960, as well as both Hazel and Flora while staying in the countryside in 1939-40. I like how this helps to establish the sisters’ relationship, while also keeping a sense of mystery and suspense as to what happened. Hazel as a character, with everything she went through losing her younger sister was relatable, on top of the intense emotions she felt in being parted from her mother herself, and I like how she really clung to this one clue that her sister was still out there.
As for what happened to Flora, there were some misdirects at first, but I appreciate how it ultimately led to the story they made up together being spread and becoming special for at least a few more people through the rare book. Finding out about the process of how that came about, and that it was also rooted in a similar family structure was beautiful.
I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or books about classic children’s literature and rare books.

Two young sisters are caught in the chaos of 1939 London, just as German bombers darken the British skies. Their mother follows an urgent plea to send her daughters to the English countryside through Operation Pied Piper, a plan to place children in the care of rural families and protect them from anticipated danger. Flora, a tender five-year-old, looks to her older sister Hazel for comfort as they settle into their new life in Binsey of Oxfordshire. Hazel has a gift for storytelling. She creates a magical world she calls Whisperwood, a secret place where they can escape the turmoil and sadness of leaving their London home. But can the evacuation promise the children will be safeguarded from harm? The events that unfold shatter the peaceful community and create a mystery that will haunt the characters for twenty years. The plot toggles in time between 1939 and 1960, as readers learn the fate of each character and are held in suspense as the mystery unravels. The bucolic countryside of Oxfordshire is painted in exquisite, fairytale-like detail Readers are immersed in the story of Whisperwood, a place that echoes favorite childhood tales. Operation Pied Piper evacuated 800,00 children from urban targets in England and their stories are waiting to be told. The author has created a captivating story full of heart and hope. Recommended.

I very much enjoyed this read! Full of mystery and love.. And about the lengths family will go to protect their own. And a good historical perspective regarding Pied Piper Act in England.

In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village along the Thames. Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.

But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river, and Hazel carries the guilt into adulthood. Her missing sister is a wound that will not heal,

When she discovers a book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars, supposedly written by an American woman,, she is catapulted into a search for answers. Could Flora really be alive?

Patti Callahan Henry has given us an original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling. Recommended. #TheSecretBookOfFloraLea #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

The Secret Book of Flora Lea, by Patti Callahan Henry. So many things to love about this book! Two young sisters Hazel and Flora Lea leave London to escape WWII and find Bridie and her son Henry - the family that chooses them. In the more recent timeline Hazel is a young woman working in a rare book shop with many choices to make that will affect her future. The timelines are connected by the stories of Whisperwood. Hazel and Flora Lea built them and drew comfort from them during their separations from their mother and the loss of their father because of the war. But Young Flora Lea goes missing during the war, and the storytelling of Whisperwood ends. Young adult Hazel is about to move away to her dream job and a new life with her amazing fiance - but a mystery unfolds that kept my pages turning. I raced through this book, but will happily be reading it again soon when my book club picks up our signed first editions on May 2 in Charleston. Thank you Patti Callahan Henry, you have done it again! There are themes of story and life choices and more that will be great for book club discussions.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. To be published May 2, 2023

I throughly enjoyed “The Secret Book of Flora Lea”. The story is told in dual timelines during a twenty year period. The early years deal with Hazel and her younger sister Flora being evacuated from London during WWII as part of the Piped Piper evacuation order. Hazel creates a mystical story for her sister to help offset the homesickness they feel for their mother. Twenty years later, it is this mystical story helps heal wounds.

#Simon&Schuster, #AtriaBooks, #PattiCallahanHenry and #TheSecretBookofFloraLea for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

The year is 1939. Against the backdrop of a tumultuous, war-torn London, sisters Hazel and Flora Linden escape as often as they can into a magic world all their own--Whisperwood. In the whimsical world of Whisperwood, there are no bomb threats or impending calls for evacuation; no message from the battlefields that their father will not return home to them. Before long, Hazel and Flora are evacuated to a quaint, rural village to live with Bridie Aberdeen and her young son, Henry.

And there, away from the horrors of World War II, Flora disappears into thin air.

Set in a dual-timeline of 1939 and 1960 London, "The Secret Book of Flora Lea" is what devoted Patti Callahan Henry readers have come to love from her: a modern story with an undercurrent of mystery that leans on flashbacks from the past as the true story comes to light.

Despite its allure as part-historical fiction and part-modern fairytale, "The Secret Book of Flora Lea" was lacking in execution for me. Even with Henry's well-researched and descriptive writing, I felt she tried to do too much with the story and in doing so, left her ensemble of characters without much emotional depth. The story itself developed in a way that simultaneously felt slow and predictable, but then suddenly rushed and disjointed.

An overall refreshing, redemptive story of lost sisterhood, I'd recommend to readers wanting to breeze through a story that doesn't require much of them. I wanted so badly to love this, but found it overall fine.

WOW, just WOW!!! I do expect a well-written, colorful book from Ms. Callahan Henry and she has delivered it once again. This time the reader gets a story about two girls, Flora and Hazel. They were sent from their mom and home in London at the start of the Blitz, They enjoyed where they were staying, but missed their mom and home. Hazel had made up a make-believe land named Whisperwood (reminds me of Narnia) and escaped there whenever life got too much. Life was as good as it could get with food rations, missing their mom, and living in a strange place with new friends, until everything fell apart...Flora disappeared.

In the modern timeline of 1960, we find Hazel, still not over the day her sister disappeared, but she has a fiance', a new job, and a lovely home. She just can't get over the guilt she has over the day Flora disappeared.

I won't tell you anymore so I don't spoil anything for you, I just want you to know that this book is worth your time. The text is so descriptive that you can visualize the settings and you will feel the emotions. I do believe this is my new favorite by Patti Callahan Henry.

This was my first Patti Callahan Henry book and it did not disappoint! I loved this book. It had all the elements I love in a story - historical fiction, fairytales, magic, etc. I did take off 1/2 a star because I felt some parts were a bit slower and lost my attention for a bit.

This story is told over two timelines, one being 1939/1940 during WWII and the other being 20 years later. This is the story of Hazel Linden and her lost sister, Flora.

The writing was stunning and so magical. I found myself completely enamored by Hazel and Flora from the very beginning. The amount of tears this book pulled from me - loved it.
I usually have a hard time with endings in books, but this one was wrapped up nicely (in a beautiful red ribbon). I would highly recommend this book and I plan to read from this author again.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance e-copy of this book.

This book combines books, storytelling, war, loss and a mystery. Hazel's sister disappeared during her time in the English countryside after being sent there during Operation Pied Piper. The mystery unfolds when Hazel gets her hands on a first edition book while at her job at a rare books store. Hazel begins to find herself during this quest for the truth. I had not previously read much about Operation Pied Piper and thought the telling of that part of the story was interesting. I learned something new. The author has created an enjoyable read that I would recommend for lovers of historical fiction and books. I certainly wish I could visit that bookstore!

In the middle of WWII sisters Hazel & Flora are sent to the countryside to escape London. They find refuge in the house of Bridie & her son, Harry. Hazel & Flora take comfort in the imaginary word of Whisperwood, a story Hazel has created. Everything seems magical until the disappearance of Flora. Years later, Hazel finds a rare first edition book by an American author containing her story. Is Flora alive? Did she write this book? A story unfolds full of twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing what happened to Flora. I could not put this book down. Readers of historical fiction will enjoy the dual storyline. The book is just magical and the characters are so easy to love. My favorite book of 2023!