4.5 rounded up

This is the kind of historical fiction that I really enjoy because it had a unique twist on a commonly done time period. I love the elements of flashbacks and use of books interwoven into this story! It did feel a little slow at times but overall I really enjoyed it and will be recommending it to all the historical fiction lovers in my life! I look forward to more from this author!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

This book was so beautiful. I really enjoyed the back story of the sisters. It read more like a historical fiction/mystery hybrid, which is my favorite type of historical fiction.

This book was so intriguing the entire way through. It focuses on two sisters who are evacuated during WWII but as some readers have also said, there is a fairytale-like quality to it. I loved the themes of hope and resilience which are often lost among war. I loved the characters. I loved the timelines. I have never read anything by this author but I know this book won't be my last.

Hazel and Flora are evacuated to the English countryside during WWII. They live with a lovely woman and her son. Hazel makes up stories about the secret world of Whisperwood and the River of Stars to distract Flora from the tragedy that surrounds them. One afternoon, Hazel is briefly distracted and Flora disappears, presumedly drowned in the river nearby. Years later Hazel works in a shop selling rare books and first editions. An original copy of a book about Whisperwood comes across her desk. Is Flora the author? Patti Callahan Henry has written a wonderful tale in the mold of Once Upon a Wardrobe—historical fiction melded with fantasy. I loved it. I thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea is a beautifully imagined dual timeline story by Patti Callahan Henry. During the late 1930s there was a movement in England called Pied Piper whereby children who lived in the London area were moved to the less dangerous countryside and housed with strangers. This is partly such a story and Hazel (15) and Flora Lea (5) Linden were two such girls.

Their father had already been lost in the war effort and their mother was fearful every time the air raid warnings went off. So to ensure the safety of her children, Camillia Linden did the only thing she thought she could and sent her girls in the Pied Piper plan. The girls were very lucky when they were chosen by Bridgette “Bridie” Aberdeen and her son Harry. Bridie was kind, not overbearing, and she cared for the girls as she did her own son. And it was all fine until it wasn’t, the day Flora Lea disappeared.

Many years later, in the early 1960s, Hazel was in the midst of unpacking a shipment of rare books at her place of employment, Hogan’s Rare Book Shoppe. When she sees the title, Whisperwood and the River of Stars, she is overcome. Whisperwood was the secret place Hazel had used for the stories she made up to help Flora when she was upset. No one else knew of this but Flora, or did they?

And thus begins a beautifully woven mystery with a profound conclusion. The path Hazel follows trying to trace the origin of the book, those who join her along the way, and the very surprising answer to all her questions makes for a very satisfying tale. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

This was truly an amazing book. Magical, mysterious, historical - such good writing! The disappearance of Flora Lea was such a mystery that still haunted her sister, Hazel, 20 years later. This book tells the story of what happened over multiple timelines and was handled flawlessly!

Wow, this book gave us so much. I really enjoyed the alternate timelines, and even the inclusion of the writer and her mother, though I wasn't sure it was necessary at times. I didn't love all of the decisions that our main character made, and the ending was a little off, but this book kept me hooked and wanting to know what would happen.

I enjoyed this dual time line story. I don’t usually care for WW2 historical fiction but this one was somewhat on the peripheral. It had other elements that lean toward including coming of age, nature, and creativity. And it kept me guessing and surprised me, which doesn’t happen often with mystery elements. The last 80% was a page Turner. Thanks to NetGalley for ARC.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry was the first book I've read by this author. The book was written well, and I appreciated the power of storytelling aspect, but I was a little disappointed with the simplicity of the plot. It was predictable as it came together too neatly and had a sappy tone.

I am eager to give this author another try based on the strong writing.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review

THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA is beautiful and magical from beginning to end. Patti Callahan Henry has created a storyline and characters that will tug you into the story and wrap it around you. She easily navigates a dual timeline and a story within a story, allowing the reader to flow through while experiencing all the emotions. She incorporates sisterhood, loss, grief, and resilience into the story, but most of all, Hazel never gives up on her sister, which at times isn’t always a good thing. I love the twists and the characters, and I read the ending with tears in my eyes and my hand over my heart. There is so much to this story, I could be here all day talking about it! I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in historical fiction, fairy tales, sisters, and….pretty much everyone!
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#thesecretbookoffloralea #PattiCallahanHenry #AtriaBooks #historicalfiction

Patti Callahan Henry’s dual time-line novel begins with the 1939 evacuation of children out of London known as Operation Pied Piper. Hazel Linden and her five-year-old sister, Flora Lea, have travelled by train to Oxford to escape the predicted London bombings. The lush description of the cottage at Binsey, the surrounding woodlands near the Thames, and the warm reception by Bridgette Aberdeen and her son Harry, allow readers a deep breath of relief. The sisters are distracted from the fears of war by “Bridie’s” daytime adventures, but at night with love and warmth, Hazel creates a fairy tale with a secret realm to comfort Flora Lea. The late-night imaginings whimsically named Whisperwood and the River of Stars, become the sisters’ personal, secret lifeline to survival. Patti Callahan Henry has created a mystical, magical, mystery within a mystery. In the depths of this novel’s soul is the disappearance of a fairy tale, Whisperwood and the River of Stars, along with Flora, into the river Thames.
Patti Callahan Henry transports readers from the banks of the Thames in 1940 to Hogan’s Rare Book Shoppe in Bloomsbury, London, 1960. Hazel has spent these last twenty years working and searching for Flora Lea, never giving up hope that she was alive. Then on Hazel’s last day at the book shop before her dream job at Sotheby’s Auction House begins, a parcel arrives from America, an illustrated children’s book with the exact title of her secret realm; Whisperwood and the River of Stars.
The characters PCH creates make surprising choices and keep secrets out of love and protection from the truth. Realizing that “grief, confessions, and memories remain long, and dark and cold,” Henry’s readers learn the fear of discovering truth and who to blame creates trauma and its effects called memory reframing. As the mystery unfolds readers hopes are lifted and dashed as Hazel attempts to find the sender of the parcel, hoping, and praying the creator is Flora Lea. This novel is filled with heartbreak and hope; how to overcome fear, loneliness, loss, and find renewal, but most of all to hold tight and “never surrender to anyone else’s idea of who and what you should believe.”
The beloved, elderly owner of Hogan’s Rare Book Shoppe once told Hazel, “Stories and books always find their rightful owners.” Life will become magical as rightful owners discover Patti Callahan Henry’s The Secret Book of Flora Lea.

Two young sisters, a heart wrenching historical event, a fairytale, and a family mystery converge in this unbelievably incredible tale!

I just finished this book last night. The fact that I am already posting my review is a testament to how much I LOVED this book!

I was absolutely transported into the history, the mystery, and the mystical that is this story. Each time I sat down to read, I forgot I was reading. Patti you are a master storyteller! This is what historical fiction should be!

I recently had the immense pleasure of diving into the wondrous pages of "The Lost Book of Flora Lea," and I must say, it was an absolutely enchanting experience. From the moment I opened the book, I was transported to a realm of pure imagination and beauty.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this literary gem is the author's exceptional storytelling prowess. Flora Lea's words effortlessly weave a tapestry of vivid imagery, captivating characters, and an intricate plot that kept me eagerly turning page after page. The book is a testament to the power of storytelling, as it effortlessly immerses readers in a world so rich and magical.

The character development in "The Lost Book of Flora Lea" is truly exceptional. Each character is unique, multifaceted, and relatable in their own way. Flora Lea has crafted a diverse cast of individuals who embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and friendship. I found myself deeply invested in their lives, their triumphs, and their struggles, making their triumphs all the more satisfying and their setbacks all the more heart-wrenching.

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I loved the rare book reference and the historical setting . I don't know much about the children being sent to the countryside for safety. The ending came together a little too conveniently and it seemed a little long. A Good read overall.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Patti Callahan Henry is a masterful storyteller. She does a wonderful job at researching for her novels, at telling her characters stories, giving them a voice, and getting to the heart of the matter. Her stories are always so vibrant and rich in detail. They can be heartbreaking, beautiful, and always imaginative! This novel is no different. I know WWII novels are hit or miss with many people, and most are tired of them. This novel is so much more than that, and I hope everyone will give it a chance.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this e-ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry was a moving, captivating and magical historical mystery. Patti Callahan Henry has proven once again what a masterful storyteller she is. This was by far my favorite book of hers. The characters were so endearing and the dual time periods were well distinguished and easy to follow. It was the story about two sisters who had grown up in Bloomsbury, located in central London, at the onset of World War II. The Secret Book of Flora Lea alternated between a storyline that occurred in 1939-1940 and one that took place twenty years later in the 1960’s.

Despite their age differences, Hazel Mersey Linden, fourteen years old, and Flora Lea Linden, five years old, were extremely close. Hazel was very protective of her younger sister and Flora Lea looked up to her older sister and admired her immensely. They had recently learned of their dear father’s death in the war when their mother was forced to send both her precious daughters to the English countryside as part of Operation Pied Piper. To help calm her little sister’s fears, Hazel invented a magical place where both of them could escape to together. Hazel named the magical place Whisperwood. In Whisperwood there was a river with glinting lights that were really stars. It was a magical land full of adventures that was known only to Hazel and Flora. Right from the beginning, as Hazel first invented Whisperwood, she warned Flora never to tell anyone else about Whisperwood, not even their mother. It was their special place where no harm could ever come to them.

In September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland and Britain declared war on Germany, Hazel’s and Flora’s mother received the order from the English government that required her to send her daughters away from London. It was official. All children were ordered to be evacuated from London. Hazel and Flora were evacuated to Binsey, Oxfordshire. They were chosen to go home and be billeted with Bridgette (Bridie) Aberdeen and her son Harry.

Hazel and Flora adjusted well to their new surroundings. They enjoyed living with Bridie and Harry. Hazel and Harry formed a special friendship. Bridie treated and cared for both Hazel and Flora as if they were her own daughters. Hazel’s and Flora’s mom visited them in Binsey as often as she could. Then on October 19, 1940, on St. Frideswide Day, almost a year after Hazel and Flora had arrived in Binsey, Hazel, Flora and Harry went down the River Thames for a picnic. Bridie had driven in to Oxford to purchase a phone for her cottage. Before she left, she warned all three to watch out for one another.

Flora, now six years old, laid down on the red blanket spread out near the river and began to doze off for her afternoon nap when she begged Hazel for one more story. Harry started to question Hazel about her stories. Hazel, angered at Harry for thinking he had spied on her and Flora and had overheard her story and also confused about her feelings for him, ran off to be by herself. Harry followed Hazel and found her shortly thereafter. When Hazel and Harry returned to the blanket where they had left Flora napping, Flora was missing. She was nowhere to be seen. Her favorite stuffed animal, Berry, was at the water’s edge. After an extensive search and questioning, Flora was believed to have slipped into the river and drowned. Hazel never gave up hope of finding her sister. She never once believed that Flora had drowned. Hazel carried the guilt she felt for leaving her sister alone that fateful day. She felt it was her her fault that Flora had disappeared. If she had stayed by her sister’s side while she napped nothing would have happened. It was all her fault and no one could tell her differently.

In March, 1960, Hazel had been working at Hogan’s Rare Book Shoppe located in Bloomsbury for the last fifteen years. She had just landed her all time dream position at Sotherby’s. It was her last day at Hogan’s. Hazel had gotten rather close to the owner of the book shop, Edwin, now ninety-two years old and as close to a father figure for her as possible, his son, Tom and the youngest employee, Poppy. Before Hazel was ready to leave, Edwin reminded her that there were some new arrivals that still needed to be processed. There were four new arrivals. One of them was a signed first edition of a fairytale by an American author named Peggy Andrews. In addition to the fairytale book, there were original hand painted illustrations for the book by artist, Pauline Baynes. When Hazel finally got around to unpacking the book and its illustrations, she could not believe her eyes. The book was entitled, “Whisperwood and the River of Stars”. Could the author, Peggy Andrews, be her sister, Flora? No one but Hazel and Flora had known about Whisperwood. Had a door opened for Hazel to finally find Flora?

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry for me was about never giving up hope. I so appreciated the strong bond both sisters, Hazel and Flora, shared and the devastation and guilt Hazel felt for letting her little sister down. The Secret Book of Flora Lea was about sisterly love, loss, grief, family, war, the effects of first love, friendship, trust and heartbreak. It was one of my favorite books that I have read this year. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Atria Books for the physical book of The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry that I won in a goodreads giveaway and the digital edition that I was allowed to read through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sometimes you can like a book very much, but then the length and repetition start to wear on you. Into the "wish I had like it better" category.

I have always liked this author's books, but this one just didn't hit the spot in my heart that her others have. First of all, to me, it was just too long and seemed to belabor a story that while needed to be told, also needed a briefer format.

I knew about the children being evacuated from London during the war for i Had as a parent and teacher read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, for many years plus quite a few others. I just felt there was a distance established between the main character, Hazel, and my reading.

While it certainly was a nice story, it incorporated too many scenes that seemed repetitive to me, as well as an overflow of characters. However, that being said, this was an important story about the ravages of war and it dipterous outcome that is never forgotten.

Thank you to Patti Callahan Henry, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this story which published this May.

A sweet and enjoyable story of two sisters, Flora and Hazel, who are sent away from London during the Blitz and take solace in their imagined world of Whisperwood. One day Flora disappears, and years later Hazel finds a book about Whisperwood that leads her on a journey of discovering the truth about Flora's disappearance.

The mystery was intriguing, if a little predictable, and the book is at its best when it embraces the power of story, and the thrall of "finding out what comes next" that connects mysteries and fairy tales. But there were a few elements that didn't quite work for me. I wish we had gotten more of the actual stories of Whisperwood, either in the flashback chapters or as passages of the published book. Fairy tale, myth, and magic are often talked about in the book, but aren't really part of the story as much as conversation topics for the characters. For a mystery concerning the disappearance of a child during WWII, this is surprisingly low conflict. We often hear that people don't get along or are unkind, but when they appear on page they're perfectly polite. No one is really allowed to make the "wrong" choice or have a real conflict--Hazel steals the book, then immediately confesses. Her boyfriend is pretty dismissive of her suspicion that Flora is alive, and Hazel shrugs it off rather than being deeply hurt. It feels pretty out of proportion to the seriousness of a missing/dead/kidnapped child. But still a fun read with a lovely sense of place.

4.5⭐️… Really enjoyed this mix of historical fiction, mystery, suspense, & a touch of romance. It’s not a 5⭐️ only because the magical world was repetitive and a bit much. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!