This was a very good book. Well written and edited (!), told a great story and kept me wondering. The writing was lovely. Will def recommend this one.

Looking for a book to read with a hot cup of tea and a cozy blanket? This is the one. Henry weaves a magical tale of loss, trauma, and rediscovery set in 1960s England. Bookish Hazel, still processing the trauma of World War II and the suspicious disappearance of her five-year-old sister Flora, stumbles across a book by an American author about the magical world of Whisperwood. The only problem? Whisperwood is Hazel's creation, a secret fairytale land she created for Flora to allow them both to escape the horrors of war. Seized by the story and the impossibility of its existence, Hazel undertakes a quest to discover if her dear Flora could still be alive. Henry's
story is tender and sweet, and she successfully brings Hazel's story and the magic of Whisperwood to life. Switching between 1960 and Hazel's memories of 1940, the pacing can be slow but the story is solid and easy to slip into. Re: cozy blanket, hot tea, and this book.

The Secret Book of Flora Lee is a strong read for historical fiction fans, especially for fans of this author and writers such as Susan Meissner and Natalie Jenner. The story will draw in fans who appreciate WWII themes and stories of siblings and the pursuit of hope/resolution in the face of hardship.

My own note is that despite this being a great read for historical fiction readers, I felt that the characters lacked for me a little depth and nuance. The story and the journey were well told but at times my engagement/interest was lacking. That being said, I think this book is perfect for a lot of readers who are waiting to dive into this story of childhood stories and sisterly bonds and wartime struggles.

Found myself skimming a lot of this book, especially the flash back sequences. While I appreciated the layers of plot and the final turn, the characters and the situational obstacles the faced felt pretty flat. I'll stick to my Rosamunde Pilcher for a convincing UK setting.

Lovely historical fiction taking place in England during WWII and the 1960s. Sisters are evacuated from London during the blitz and live a fairy tale life full of fairy tale stories until one sister disappears and appears to have drowned. In the 1960s a book with the fairy tale stories the sisters shared is published in the US. Could the younger sister still be alive?

History. Mystery. Magic, Love. The Secret Book of Flora Lea has it all. Operation Pied Piper in Britain tried to save the children of heavily populated areas during WWII by evacuating them to the countryside. A missing 6-year-old girl is presumed drowned in the Thames. The magic, escape, and comfort of a fairy tale and the love of family and friends. These elements combine with brilliant writing to produce one of the best stories I've read this year. I could not put it down.

"The Secret Book of Flora Lea" is a story that takes place across two different time periods and settings. In 1960, or present day London, Hazel Linden seems to have her life set. She's accepted a job at the prestigious Sotheby's, leaving behind her decades long position at Hogan's Rare Book Shoppe, and is in a committed relationship with her boyfriend Barnaby. On her last day of work at Hogan's, however, Hazel discovers a book with illustrations that completely shocks her - a novel written by an American author named Peggy Andrews that details a world known as Whisperwood. It's a world that Hazel once crafted and shared with one other person - her younger sister Flora, who disappeared nearly two decades prior.

Interspersed throughout the novel are flashbacks to earlier years, when Hazel and Flora were forced to leave their mother due to Operation Pied Piper, set in place during World War II to protect them from German bombings. They are adopted by a family in Binsley, Oxfordshire and cared for by a woman named Bridie and her son Henry. Unfortunately, their joy is ruined when Flora disappears at the edge of the Thames River, an event that Hazel has never been able to forgive herself from happening. What follows is Hazel's attempt to figure out the truth of Whisperwood and what happened to Flora, and her journey to reconnect with the people in her past.

As a whole, I found the story and premise intriguing, especially as I typically enjoy novels written during this period of time. What I struggled with was the writing; the prose is simple and straight-forward, and there isn't much complexity or variety across passages or perspectives. Characters and their personalities felt fairly surface-level at times; I didn't really connect with Hazel even though she was the main character although I was empathetic to her situation and struggles. The pacing feels slow as well, and I struggled with some of the middle sections and events as it seemed repetitious at times.

The Secret Life of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry is a beautiful and heartfelt story.
Leave it to this incredible author to tell us a story of two sisters, their mother and what they had to sacrifice during the Blitz in WWII, London.

This is a dual timeline, World War II and 1960s England, that takes place primarily in a charming village near Oxford and in Bloomsbury in London.

Sisters, Hazel and Flora Lea, were two of the many children that had to flee London during this tragic time. They were part of Operation: Pied Piper when children had to evacuate and relocate because of the bombings. Forced to leave their home to escape the horrors of the war, they end up with the Aberdeen family who keeps them safe and loved. Hazel tries to keep her sister happy and distracted from any uncertainty and tells her stories of a magical place called Whisperwood. Whisperwood and the River of Stars becomes their very own secret fairy tale land.
When Flora Lea disappears suddenly, Hazel is determined to find her. Fast forward twenty years and Hazel is working in a Rare Book Store in London. She comes across a book and some Illustrations that send her back to that time before Flora went missing and is reminded of their magical place. She starts off on a quest to find out about this book and the illustrations..

I really loved this captivating story. Masterful storyteller Patti Callahan Henry has written a timeless story about love, determination, tragedy and perseverance. She interlaces historical facts in this moving sweet story about heartbreak, family and love.

I will highly recommend this book and am so thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

A well written dual timeline of how one moment in time can stunt the lives of loved ones.
Hazel the main character was a 14 year old evacuee with her younger sister Flora who was five. To create an escape from the sadness of being far from their mum and London being bombed, Hazel makes up a world they can escape to Whisperwood. Unfortunately a year later, Flora goes looking for Whisperwood on her own and is lost, presumed drowned. Hazel blames herself and vows to not give up on her sister and we will always search for her.
Twenty years later and Hazel is still looking and still stunted by that traumatic night. A childrens book she sees on her last day of work starts a chain of events that will change her life forever.
I liked Hazel and her commitment to finding her sister, although struggled to connect with her childish assumptions and feelings that hadn’t changed in the twenty years since her sister disappeared. I loved the back and forth in the timeline and the author can spin a truly magical tale. There were some twists and intrigue that made this book easy to read to read in one sitting.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is historical fiction with a touch of magic. The story pacing could use a little more giddy-up for much of the first two thirds but the ending made it worth the trip. I appreciated learning more about the evacuation of children from London during WWII and found the characters mostly well drawn.

A lovely historical fiction about Operation Pied Piper during WWII. It is mostly a story of sisters and a young woman finding herself. It was a delightful read that went down easy, even though it talked about hard things. I am becoming quite a fan of this author.

4.5 stars Patti Henry is such a wonderful storyteller. I will read more by this author.

This story was captivating. An intriguing mystery set during WWII and the 1960s which also weaves in a beautiful children’s fairytale world. I was so easily able to visualize Whisperwood.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. Great world building and realistic characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

#NetGalley
#TheSecretBookofFloraLea

Historical fiction meets fairy tale and it is a positively enchanting and equally heartbreaking. This is my favorite of Patti Callahan Henry's work so far. A must read for her fans! The agonizing truths of war on the young and how sometimes the worlds and places we dream are our comfort to the soul. They bring us home in so many ways. Highly recommend this book! #thesecretbookoffloralea #patticallahanhenry #netgalley #goodreads

What a wonderful, new, take in the story of children being sent away from London, during the war. The author’s description of the locales was wonderful. This will be an excellent book club choice. Thank you NetGalley.

Enjoyable read. Satisfying ending. Lives laden with angst, despair but also love. I would have given this book 4 stars but it was just too long.. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #TheSecretBookOfFloraLea, #NetGalley, #AtriaBooks.

Sisters Hazel and Flora are sent to live far away in the rural areas of Binsey, England, during the air raids of WWII in London. They leave behind their mother and friends, but they find themselves in an imaginative, magical land of Hazel's creation - Whisperwood. Tragedy strikes their fairy tale residence as 5-year-old Flora disappears one day from the riverside. Was she taken? Did she drown? Fast forward 20 years. Hazel is a rare book seller in Bloomsbury. As she is opening a shipment one day, the first edition manuscript of "Whisperwood and the River of Stars" is unveiled, the very story she created years ago. Could it be that Flora is still alive? Hazel embarks on a mission to find answers about her past, even if that takes her to America. This is a beautiful story of love, courage, and imagination. Patti Callahan Henry has done it again!

Patti Callahan Henry is an author I can trust to always write an intriguing well-written story. This one however didn't quite draw me in like her other books. I didn't love it and didn't connect with the main character. I still look forward to whatever Henry publishes, but this one wasn't for me. A huge thank you to Atria books and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for an ARC of The Secret Book of Flora Lea in exchange for my honest opinion.

Patti Callahan Henry has a magical way with words. A true talent to draw the reader into the story. Her attention to detail makes it so easy to imagine the setting(s). A way of making you stay up until 3:00 in the morning because it’s so hard to stop reading. I know when I start reading her books, I need to make sure I don’t have anything else to do.

Hazel and Flora are sent to live with a complete stranger to keep them safe from the German invasion. They cope by telling magical stories and fairy tales. Flora is only 6 years old when she goes missing. For years, she has been gone but never forgotten. Until one day, Hazel sees a book. A book with the title of the land only known in Hazel’s and Flora’s stories.

I have always enjoyed Patti's books. Upon reading the intro/teaser, it made me say, "I have to read this book"

Go back to October 1940 in Oxfordshire to an event in history I was not aware of.
Then you will fast forward to March 1960 to the ripples of past events are still being felt.

As young girls 2 sisters had to create a safe place for them to share so they could tolerate and rest in their new home.
Now, the story has come back around in book form - how did this happen?

Sisterly bond, friendships, young love, sad history, with a lil magic thrown in = a must read for all!

I do enjoy a good story about stories, especially when it involves WWII and a mystery to boot. But this one fell a bit flat for me which is disappointing because the premise is interesting and Patti Callahan Henry is a talented author (I greatly enjoyed “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” and “Once Upon a Wardrobe”). While I appreciate that the characters actually talk about their feelings and get to the truth (lots of trauma and secrets to wade through!), I absolutely, unequivocally cannot stand love triangles where the young woman is with one guy (in all aspects) but is still hung up on another guy from her past; it’s just frustrating to me as a reader, and utterly unfair to the one guy. This isn’t a bad story (and the ending was satisfactory) but I just didn’t love it like I hoped I would.