Touching & emotional, this is a beautiful #historicalfiction novel.

Thank you, Kate Hewitt, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

A very moving story of Rosie and her attempt after WWII to help the orphans of concentration camps. Rosie has lost her husband and child and has to come to terms with that and she falls in love with an orphan girl and works together with a man, Leon, who works with the orphans also. I cried some tears of both joy and sadness during my reading of this story.

As a foster and adoptive mom I am drawn to stories surrounding orphans and adoption, so this one got my attention. While I can't imagine the heartache she went through losing a spouse AND a child, it's amazing that she was able to open her heart again to love in an unexpected place! I will admit it was a bit slow going at first, but it was worth sticking with until the end!

A tear jerker. It breaks my heart, what the children went through. In this book Rosie is helping to care for the children and she makes a special connection with a young girl Frieda. I flew through this story as it became very absorbing and I became invested in the outcome for the characters. The little romance was a bonus.

Gifted storyteller Kate Hewitt stuns her readers once again with her latest engrossing historical novel, The Last Orphan.

After enduring a heart-breaking loss, Rosie had travelled to the Lake District where she had volunteered to help children rescued from the atrocities of the concentration camps. Being there for these children is the distraction Rosie needs to keep her from thinking about her own grief and despair. Among the group of children she is helping, Rosie has noticed a young girl who is shy, withdrawn and who seems to keep herself to herself and everyone else at bay. What has poor Frieda been through in her young life? And will Rosie be able to get through to her?

Leon Rosenblatt is travelling with the children and although him and Rosie do not always see eye to eye, he wants to do everything he possibly can for his young charges. Romance is the very last thing on his mind, but as he begins to grow closer to Rosie he wonders whether she could be a small chink of light in a world that has recently been marred by uncertainty and despair.

As the children begin to heal, Rosie realises that her grief is still all consuming and overwhelming. If Rosie wants to move forward with her life, she first needs to share her story, let down the barriers she had built around herself and learn to trust. But is she strong enough to do this? Or is she about to squander this second chance at happiness?

Kate Hewitt never lets her readers down and The Last Orphan is a wonderfully moving, beautifully written and poignant historical novel that will have readers reaching for the tissues. Sure to tug at every reader’s heartstrings, The Last Orphan is an emotional, hopeful and captivating page-turner from a writer of extraordinary talent: Kate Hewitt.

I was transported right into the middle of this story. A masterpiece.
Many thanks to Bookotoure and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Reading this whole series has been a real joy for me. Not always easy, but still, an incredible series of stories, all linked by Amherst Island. This particular one I think was even more special because it was set AFTER the events of WWII, when people are trying to put their lives back together, a period of history that not many books tackle.

Rosie is a volunteer working with children who have survived concentration camps. Obviously, these children have seen and done things that the average child has not. Rosie has been through trauma as well, so she finds herself drawn to one particular little girl, Frieda. She also butts heads with Leon.

As the story unfurls, we discover a little more about what both Frieda and Leon have gone through. And Rosie's reaction to it.

Beautiful storytelling, very emotional at times.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was the sixth in a series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and feel like I would be missing out on all the secondary characters if I don't. Therefore, I am going to read the other books and then come back to update my review.

It was so good to be back with Rosie as she helps to chaperone the children from the concentration camps. It's hard not to have your heart broken at the atrocities that were committed to the people at the Nazi camps. The additional characters of Frieda and Leon were so special as well.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Loved the Book although not as good as previous books it was a good one. The story of the next generation a generation that grew up in Great Depression and fought WW2 while not set during it rather set post WW2 in UK

I loved The Last Orphan. I’ve read and loved all of the Amherst Island books so knew I would enjoy this. This picks up not long after the last book, An Island Far From Home with Rose still healing from the events that changed her life forever. Rose is very different in this book, much older. It’s been a pleasure to watch her grow. Like the other books, this is packed with emotional upheaval and heartache. I loved every word. This is worth a read.

The Last Orphan is the sixth book in the Amherst Island series and my first by this author. This book can be read as a standalone.

I loved everything about this book. From the cover to the premise and its execution, the characters and the author's ability to showcase the struggles of three very different people trying to put their lives back together and find love and a sense of belonging among themselves after WWII.

I highly recommend this powerful tale of healing and transformation. Thank you @bookouture for having me on the #booksontour and @netgalley for the digital ARC to read and review.

The Last Orphan is book six in The Amherst Island series but can also be read as a standalone. The book takes place after WWII and opens with Rosie as a young adult helping with children who have been in a concentration camp. These children have been sent here to give them a chance to adjust to a regular sort of life. Rosie has her own sad memories of two lost loved ones but believes helping with the children will also help her deal with her emotions.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I really like this book. I will definitely read more of Kate Hewitt’s books.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this eARC. This is my honest evaluation of this book. #Bookouture, #Kate Hewitt, #NetGalley

This was an emotional and heartbreaking story set after the WWII in England.

Although I have read Kate Hewitts' books before, Amherst Island series, this is the first book I have read from this series. The story starts off with Rosie Lyman who travels to Lake District as a volunteer to help the children who were survivors of Nazi concentration camps. While working as a volunteer, she meets a young girl named Freida, who seemed to be suspicious and distrustful of everyone including Rosie. Rosie soon eventually gain the trust of Freida. She also has to work with Leon Rosenthal and initially, they didn't see eye to eye but eventually Rosie starts developing romantic feelings towards Leon...

I like Kate's style of writing--it was engaging and she knows how to make the reader feel like they are a part of the story. The emotions that are described in the book, the things that children would have gone through while at the Nazi concentration camps were all too real and sad to read. I do like how Rosie and Freida eventually learn to trust each other and I really like Freida's character. There were certain parts of the story that will make you feel emotional and heartbreaking particularly when hearing Rosie's story but nonetheless, this book was an enjoyable read and readers will really love reading the books--worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

This reviews is published on 16th June as a part of the blog tour.

England, 1945: Rosie Lyman has a heart to help the children rescued from the concentration camps after the War. She is a volunteer helping at an orphanage in the Lake District. Rosie has lost so much in her life, her daughter and the man she loves. There are so many children that need her help, her love and attention. Leon Rosenblat arrives with so many orphan children in need, Rosie can’t help but notice one in particular, Frieda. She is one of the many Polish Jewish children that has been rescued and is seeking help at Rosie’s orphanage. She is withdrawn and Rosie’s heart goes out to her. She is determined to help Frieda no matter the cost. Rosie and Leon spend a lot of time together helping the orphans through such a horrible time in their life. Rosie and Leon make it their mission to restore the lives of the orphans and give them hope.

The Last Orphan by author Kate Hewitt is book six in the Amherst Island Series. This story is one of reliance, strength, and hope. It was a wonderful addition to such a phenomenal series. I cried many times as I flipped through each page. This heartbreaking story is one that is sure to remain in my heart. This was a story of brokenness, resilience, strength and courage, while relying on those around you for love and encouragement. I loved everything about this unforgettable series and it is one that I will continue to recommend again and again.

I have been waiting (im)patiently for The Last Orphan (Book 6 of the Amherst Island series by Kate Hewitt and oh my gosh, it was worth the wait! Rosie has gone to the Lake District to help the Jewish children rescued from war-torn countries in 1945. She will only be there for a few months as that is all they could get funding for. The beautiful Lake District setting is just what the children - and Rosie - need to help them heal after the suffering they've endured. When the children arrived at the centre, they were accompanied by some adults who stayed to help look after them. One of these songs is Leon who was also a refugee. Rosie begins to feel a connection with one of the young people and wants to do all she can go help. When Leon realises this, he also does all he can.

Can Rosie succeed in mending her broken heart by getting closer to Leon and help Frieda too? I do hope there's more to the Amherst Island series but I fear this may have been the last. Let's hope I'm wrong!!

The Last Orphan (Amherst Island Book 6) begins about where book five ends. Kate Hewitt’s next installment is still Rosie Lyman’s story of helping with Jewish children rescued and sent to England in 1945. Rosie is still recovering from her own grief, but the children’s needs come first. As the story continued bits and pieces of the horrifying, shocking truth of the concentration camps comes out. Heartbreaking but also inspiring as the children began to heal, showing resiliency that is to be admired.

As the story progresses Rosie stays busy, makes friends and even slowly sees a future. However, twist and a huge surprise comes Rosie’s way. I was not expecting it at all so was as surprised and shock as Rosie. Very emotional, realistic story of the aftermath of war on people.

I loved the epilogue with a return to the beginning, Amherst Island. Now I am hoping that another story will find Rosie and family doing exactly as they dream at the conclusion.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars of awesomeness. The Last Orphan is different from my usual WW2 historical fiction. The Last Orphan explores the aftermath of the war and the child survivors of the camps. I have read so many books about the war itself, but I am embarrassed to admit that I haven't read much on what happened after the treaty was signed. I have done the victims a disservice.

In The Last Orphan 300 child survivors are brought an estate in England. The goal was to find a surviving family member to take each child. If that wasn't possible, then adoption was the next solution. Of course, Jewish parents were what was wanted.

Rosie, one of the volunteers, didn't qualify. She wasn't Jewish. Over a period of months she became close to Frieda, a twelve year old that chose isolation among a room filled with children being children. It took months to knockdown Frieda's walls. During that time the author shows the reader some of what the children had survived. More importantly, I was shown the challenges they faced daily and the nightmares that haunted them.

I can't thank the author enough for reminding me that the war did not end with the signing of the treaty. The survivors battled every minute to get through each day. After all the tears I shed while reading it was nice to have the story end with Frieda finding her happy place.

Rosie's story

For those who have read the Amherst Island series, we've watched Rosie grow up. Now she is 23 years old, through with her service in the CWAC's, and temporarily helping out at an orphan's refuge in the Lake District. Rosie has been through so much loss in the past short amount of time, Thomas, her love, being killed in the war and then losing their unborn daughter. Caring for the children is a balm for her soul, especially after she meets young Frieda.

Frieda is one of many Polish Jewish children, rescued from the camps after the war, but now left homeless and without families. They've all watched horrible atrocities take place, and they live with constant nightmares of their time in the camps. Frieda, like many, are very guarded with her emotions, not wanting to let anyone in. Little by little, a bond a formed between Rose and Frieda, later bringing in Leon, a man who also survived the camp.

This was a book of survival, resilence, pain, heartbreak and love. I think it is probably the last book in this series, wrapping up all the loose ends and closing Rosie's story. I enjoyed this book and the series, recommend!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

#Netgalleyarc I requested this without realizing that this was from a series but thankfully I was able to jump in and catch up. A good read for historical fiction fans. An interesting storyline from WW2, i haven’t come across any other stories that have to do with orphans during WW2. A decent read.