What a special story - I love WW2 stuff and this was especially good with the ties to reading, sisters and the longing for things that you miss.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I've read my fair share of WWII historical fiction novels, many with unhappy endings. I enjoyed reading this one in particular because of all the hope and love the characters clung to despite the unimaginable turn of events their lives were forced to endure. This tale has a honeyed slow drip of nostalgia in various aspects of the story of two sisters - Hazel and Flora - sent to live with another family as bombs fell in their London city. In a blink of an eye their world is upended when Flora disappears, setting Hazel on a decades long quest to find her sister. The one thing Hazel clings to is the imaginary world, Whisperwood, she created for Hazel to cope with the madness around them. You can't help but root for all involved to pursue every clue that may lead them to their happy ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

This story follows Hazel as she tries to find out what happened to her sister Flora, who disappeared while both were sent away during Operation Pied Piper in England during World War II.

Hazel has never forgiven herself for letting Flora out of her sight one day, and has spent years trying to find her since. This is a great, character-centered story following Hazel both during the war and in the 1960s, as well as the perspective of an author in Cape Cod who has a mysterious link to Hazel and Flora by way of a story Hazel created for Flora during the war. I don't normally gravitate towards a lot of historical fiction, but I found this story to be heartwarming and intriguing.

In 1939, amidst the backdrop of World War II, two sisters, fourteen-year-old Hazel Mersey Linden and five-year-old Flora Lea Linden, find themselves evacuated from London as part of Operation Pied Piper. Their relocation, designed to shield them from German air raids, leads them to the tranquil countryside of Binsey, Oxfordshire, where they are taken in by the Aberdeens.

However, the serenity of their rural refuge shatters tragically in 1940 when six-year-old Flora vanishes from the banks of the River Thames, where she had been peacefully napping on a blanket. The anguish and guilt of not protecting Flora continue to torment Hazel for years, prompting her to sever all ties with the Aberdeens.

Fast-forward to 1960, where Hazel, now employed at a rare books store, stumbles upon a children’s book that mirrors a story she once shared exclusively with her sister—an account known to no one else.

Without revealing too much, I must emphasize the exceptional character development and the enthralling narrative that unfolds in both time periods. “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” is a beautifully crafted tale that encompasses heartbreak, enchantment, and hope, rendering it a truly captivating read.

4.5 stars rounded upto 5!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

eview: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry 4.5⭐️

When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during WWII are revealed.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea is storytelling at its finest. It is a unique premise that blends whimsical fairytales that help kids escape reality and the search for answers after tragedy. I went into this book assuming it was a lighter historical fiction but it’s so much more - a mix of mystery, sisterly bonds, first love, the power of storytelling and books. The dual timeline between WWII and 1950s work so well to propel the main storylines of missing Flora and the Whisperwood book author.

The ending was fulfilling and the authors note further cemented my love for the story. I savored this beautifully written, enchanting and wholesome book about hope after heartbreak.

Patti Callahan Henry is a wonderful storyteller, weaving in details that build up to a suspenseful conclusion, in The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It is clear much research was done about life in England during WWII, to create a realistic and compelling tale. Readers looking for a different perspective to a war story along with a mystery will appreciate and like The Secret Book of Flora Lea.

I receive a copy of this book through NetGalley and have written an objective review.

After a month of dipping in and out of this book, I finally had to call it quits and give up at 47%. I didn't feel like the main character was consistent in who she was and I wasn't interested in following her journey further.

I loved this book. It's thought provoking and fun to read at the same time. I will surely recommend this story to our library book club members and patrons.

I adored this book! I love the author’s cozy writing style, it just feels like wrapping yourself up in a warm hug. The story itself was more mystery than I expected, and it kept me fully engaged. I adored the many characters, and stepping back into time and learning another part of our not so distant mystery. I’d say this is the best Patti Callahan Henry book I’ve ever read.

4.5/5 stars

Hazel Linden has spent twenty years agonizing over the tragic disappearance of her six-year-old sister, Flora Lea, from the little town near Oxford where they had been evacuated to in 1940. Now a woman on the cusp of a new life, the past comes rushing back when she discovers a book that is based on a fairy tale she invented that only she and her sister knew. Could Flora be alive? This novel, told in a dual timeline in 1940 and 1960, is a beautiful story of family, forgiveness, and the beauty of storytelling. I couldn't put this one down. Patti Callahan Henry hits all the right notes with Hazel and her feelings of guilt, loss, and trying to figure out how to unravel the story of her lost sister.

This title reminded me of Kate Morton, though maybe not as strong. Parts of the end got a little pat for me, but the world and general plot were well-constructed.

This spring, I got on the Patti Callahan Henry train big-time! I read her full backlist in multiple genres and couldn't get enough. The Secret Book of Flora Lea is so, soooooo good! It's whimsical and rich in detail, and it tugged on my heartstrings all the way throughout. I found both timelines captivating and immersive. If you loved Becoming Mrs. Lewis or Once Upon A Wardrobe, I think you'll love this, too!

A delightfully imagitive book with an interesting storyline. A wonderful cast of characters blend that well the setting. I couldn't put the story down and recommend it to others who love historical fiction and stories about books!

A touching story of a tragic incident. WWII and the children of London are being evacuated to keep them safe. Going between past and present (1960) we learn the story of two sisters one of whom is lost. Time passes and the elder sister comes across of a book with stories she had told her sister. But where had they come from. The story continues.

This was such an interesting type/genre of WWII novel, most of it was told from a future state and even though there was so much hardship, the story and wonder made it feel truly magical. I was so absorbed into the story and the scenery and Whisperwood. This felt truly unique. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

This was absolutely enchanting and I loved Henry's style. The cover is luminous and I was sad to leave these characters at the end. This book was a delight to read--I was drawn into the flashbacks and appreciated the pacing of the plot. I have been recommending this book to many and will continue to--the intertextual references to children's literature was a treat and its setting in England was also a breath of fresh air. Thank you!

An enjoyable cozy mystery/historical fiction. It has something of a fairy story to it. Thank you for the ARC!

“Not so long ago and not so far away….”

Sometimes when I really love a book, I have a hard time writing a review! And I really loved The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It highlights the magic of stories; focuses on family connections (both biological and found families); war and the dislocations and losses it causes.

The story takes place in England, with two timelines: one in 1939-1940 and the other in 1960. During WW2, families in London were encouraged to send their children to the countryside (Operation Pied Piper) to get them out of harm’s way. Hazel and her young sister Flora Lea are among those that wind up in Oxfordshire. They were extremely lucky to be taken in by Bridie Aberdeen and her son Harry, who live in a village near the city of Oxford. Not every child was so lucky. To comfort Flora Lea, Hazel makes up stories of a land called Whisperwood and only she and Flora Lea are privy to the tales. One day Flora Lea goes missing, an event which haunts Hazel and Harry for the next twenty years. In 1960, Hazel is working in a rare book shop in London and comes across a book which tells the story of Whisperwood, with some changes. How could this book exist if only Hazel and Flora Lea knew the stories Hazel made up? Could Flora Lea be alive somewhere?

The story bounces between timelines but the chapters are carefully labeled and I was never confused as to where and when I was reading about. Along the way, I learned a lot about the village of Binsey, a real place, just outside Oxford, and its heritage. It absolutely made me want to pay a visit to it, to see the ancient well of St. Frideswide, among other places, and to have a drink at the Perch Inn!

I loved pretty much everything about this story and don’t want to give away any more details. This is just a delightful read. Don’t miss it.

Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a little late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Cynthia Erivo, did a beautiful job with the various voices and accents. All opinions are my own.

It took my awhile to get to this one, but I am very glad I got to it! A story that flits between 1940 and 1960 England. A war torn time, a missing sister and a story that transcends time and place. It's about family love, both blood and found. It's a story about mothers and daughters, childhood friends, and true love. #netgalley

I've come to look forward to Patti Callahan Henry's new book each year. While the last few I've read have been based on real people, this one is a bit more fiction. It does feature a real-life event - Operation Pied Piper. But the characters are all fictional.

The two books I've read by Henry have featured aspects of C.S. Lewis's life. First, there was Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and then there was Once Upon a Wardrobe. She does extensive research for her books so it wasn't surprising that when she wrote a book featuring Operation Pied Piper there would be similarities to the story around C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series. Supposedly he wrote the story after housing 4 children in his home during WWII.

Henry's main character Hazel makes up the world of Whisperwood - an enchanted land for just her and her sister - to help comfort her younger sister Flora during their separation from their mother and the recent death of their father. A tragic event in which it is believed that 6-year-old Flora fell into the river and drowned left a heavy mark on 15-year-old Hazel. When a first edition book featuring the story that Hazel created 20 years ago shows up in the rare bookshop she works in, she must delve into the hurt and pain of the past in order to learn the truth of what happened to her sister.

I really liked Hazel. My heart hurt for her as she has carried the burden of thinking she was responsible for the loss of her sister all these years. But I was also thrilled that she followed her heart. While some may have thought she was just grasping at straws hoping her sister was still alive, it felt like so much more. And really showed Hazel true character.

Parts of the story were predictable, but that didn't take away any of the enjoyment of reading this story. I had real trouble putting the book down.

This is a great seasonal transition book so if you haven't picked it up year, now would be the perfect time.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/08/3-character-driven-stories-that-you.html