A Child Far from Home by Lizzie Page artfully captures the turmoil and heartache of war through the intimate lens of a mother-daughter relationship. Set against the backdrop of England in 1939, as the threat of war looms large, the story unfolds with a poignant farewell at a foggy train station, setting the tone for a narrative rich in emotion and historical ambiance. I love a story with a good secret, and A Child Far from Home doesn't disappoint! This novel is a must read for anyone who wants to be transported to another time and place.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a fan of Lizzie Page's previous series so I was excited to begin her new series. This 1st book sets the stage for more books. Some of the characters were not very likable, which was hard for me and I know I can't compare this series to the previous one.
There are several conflicts going on with Jean and Valerie, with secrets and lies. One of which is a hot topic in today's world that some readers may not like reading about. But considering the time and events of WWII, it shows one of many tough decisions that has to be made.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

I have to say I was initially pleased to be granted this book in return for an honest review. I have previously read Lizzie Page books and enjoyed them immensely. On this occasion I was so disappointed the synopsis looked very interesting. The book was based on the relationship between mother and daughter separated during the war but I felt it was extremely long winded and very boring, apologies but I plodded through but did not really enjoy.

There is so much drama within this story. It really got me thinking about what families experienced because of operation Pied Piper. School classes just glossed over the situation. Many of the Historical Fiction books that I have read didn't spend much time on child evacuations and what happened to them after the war ended.

Jean is the single mother of Valerie. The reader follows their struggles as Jean decides to send her daughter away and Valerie's attempts to stay in London. If what happens to them is anything like even close to what happened I am simply amazed any of the relationships survived.

Jean was soon loosing cleaning jobs as the richer people fled a city at risk. She needed work. After all she had to send money to pay for Valerie's care. She missed her. She wanted her home, but could she make that happen?

Jean finally finds a job with the bus system as a clippie. Through Jean's eyes the reader learns of the damage, the loss, the continuing struggles. What she sees has her realizing that Valerie is safer in Somerset. When Valerie shows up unexpectedly, there was only one option--send her back. Jean's struggles continue to grow while her daughter's anger intensifies. The emotions became very intense. At times I found myself in tears. Pages later, I wanted to yell at someone. It was a great reminder of how I shouldn't put my values on the past. I just became so invested in many of the characters that it became a big challenge.

Life doesn't get any easier with the end of the war. Jean finds herself without a job. After all the men have returned and life should go back to the way things were. Unfortunately too much has changed. My heart was crushed over Jean and Valerie's lack of a relationship. Jean tried, but was now so different from her little Valerie that had spent her formative years in a different socioeconomic situation.

Jean and Valerie will find themselves in close proximity. Both will have to face the past. Both will learn to be accepting and forgive. The drama and emotions occurring in the ending had me reading until I finished there story.

I need to thank the author for making me think past the stories my mum has shared about the war. She lived in Ipswich and was never evacuated, so I had to no personal references. My curiosity, thanks to this story, had be doing a deep dive into the evacuations. I was left speechless by the number of children that refused to return home.

Historical drama set during and after World War Two. Valerie and her mother,Jean are close but she is sent to Somerset as an evacuees and their lives change.

This book has a great premise. During WW2, many families in England sent their children away, to live in the country, to keep them safe from the bombings expected in London. This book is about Jean, a single mother, who sends her 10 year old daughter away. She ends up being away for the duration of the war. This book is about the sometimes contentious relationship between Jean and Valerie. It is about how they each coped during the separation.

One of the reasons I chose this book is because one of the blurbs claimed that it is perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe. I am a fan of hers but I feel that this book falls short in some ways, it's not a great comparison.

I really enjoyed the storyline. But, I have problems with the writing style. It is very basic. In a few instances, important events happen “off screen”. The reader is left guessing as to how it played out. The reader gets to read about things that happen to the characters more than what they actually think and feel. It leaves us with one-dimensional characters. And, I was not prepared for the abrupt ending. I turned the page, thinking there would be a new chapter. Instead, it was over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

This story focuses on a single mother, Jean, who sends her daughter Valerie away to protect her during the war, and the challenges they face in staying connected amidst the chaos and heartbreak of wartime separation. A great read,

This story follows Jean and her 10 year old daughter during WWll. It's 1939 in London, and the government is telling parents to evacuate the children before the bombing begins.

Jean is a low income, single parent, so when she makes the decision to put her daughter on that train to the countryside with strangers, it is the hardest thing she ever did.
How much will this sacrifice cost her?

The story spans a little more than 10 years and shows how the separation affects mother and child, and we see Valerie grow through the years into adulthood.

Lizzie Page's writing style will pull you by your heart strings and test your emotions. Her characters are real and relatable. I felt for Jean and understood her struggles of trying to protect her child and doing the best she could. And little Valerie, her pain just broke me. 💔

You will not want to miss out on this compelling, heartbreaking story. I could not put it down and am anxiously waiting for the next installment.

During WWII children were evacuated from London to the countryside to keep them safe. But what is the cost of trying to protect the children? How does one just get on with things and survive when the world is crumbling around you? This is the story of Jean and Valerie, a low-income, single mother and her ten-year-old daughter who are just trying to live their simple lives. When war breaks out, Jean makes the heart-wrenching decision to send her daughter away to the countryside with strangers to keep her safe. What is the price we pay for the sacrifices we make for our loved ones?
I loved hearing this story from both points of view, from the mother and the child. It was a very compelling tale and I found myself staying up late reading into the night just to find out what would become of these very endearing characters.
This story will have you captivated and engaged in the lives of these remarkable women. You will be cheering for them to overcome challenges and succeed. Lizzie Page has written another wonderful historical fiction that will capture the hearts and minds of readers.

This book kept me coming back for more. It’s been a while since I have read a historical fiction novel that pulled me in from the start, so this was a welcome change. I was expecting a story that spanned the war and was then wrapped into a neat little package by the end. What I got was something entirely different.

A Child Far From Home spans just over ten years time, and explores the connection between a mother and a child, and how that connection is tested when there is a separation. The relationship between a mother and a daughter is already complex, but when you throw in a lengthy separation things get really muddled.

I appreciated the authors ability to evoke emotion in me, whether it was sympathy, or frustration, or even anger. I really enjoyed the book as a whole, but the ending was quite abrupt, and it left me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review this novel!

Another moving book from Lizzie Page. Valerie and her friends are evacuated from London to Somerset as WW2 breaks out. This book follows her as she adjusts and what happens to Jean her Mum and the relationships that are formed as she goes into adulthood with her Mum and her evacuation Mum. A moving storyline that although fiction truths run through out. Thanks to Lizzie and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I could not put this book down.

In 1939, before the bombs start falling on London, the people are advised to send their children away from the city.

Jean’s daughter Valerie is 10 years old, Jean is on her own, as much as she doesn’t want to send her daughter away, she does, as it’s the right thing to do.

As the story continues through the years, we see Valerie become an adult.

The story was so well written.

I highly recommend this book.

It’s 1939 in London, the government are telling people to send their children out to the country before bombings start happening.

Jean is a single parent to 10-year-old Valerie, she doesn’t want to send her away, but she believes she’s doing the right thing. She tells Valerie that it will be a short holiday for a couple of weeks.

This story follows on up to 1950 and we see Valerie as a child and adult.

I don’t want to say more about the storyline as this is one book you need to read without knowing much about it.

I have been unable to put this book down, it was heartbreakingly detailed and often took my breath away.

I loved Jean and Valerie’s characters. I felt for Valerie and understood her pain.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction tale about the children evacuees.

A story that was emotional at times and did bring a tear to my eye a few times.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn’t stop reading because this book got a hold of me and refused to let go. This is a corker! Heartbreaking historical fiction at its most dazzling. Best read with a great big box of tissues… a wonderful tale that is hard to forget... it will leave readers with severely bruised heartstrings… outstanding.

Very good read. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Characters and storyline is very compelling. Had me from the first page to the last. I could not lay it down. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

When Jean Hardman decides to evacuate her daughter Valerie to the countryside she couldn’t have foreseen the changes this would make to both their lives!
Valerie goes to the Somerset where she goes to live with Mrs Woods who has the local ironmongers. Mrs Woods shows a lack of understanding of Valerie’s needs. One day “the man from London “ walks into the shop and spots a broken wireless which he decides to fix, opening up a whole new world for Valerie, which has a lasting effect. The brooch lady also plays a large part in mapping Valerie’s future.

Meanwhile, back in London, Jean is finding it difficult due to lack of work as a cleaner due to people evacuating for safety. Then she gets employed on the local buses as a clippie. One day a blast from her past appears on the bus, will she be sucked in as previously? Will she tell Valerie, or will someone else!

I found it hard to relate to Jeans character and found the book long.

I received a copy of the book "A Child Far From Home" from Netgalley. The book starts out in 1939 London. Jean and her daughter Valerie aged 10 are close. With world war two becoming more dangerous in London Jean makes the painful decision to send her daughter away with other children to keep her safe. Valerie one of the last kids on the train ends up at Mrs. Woods home a cruel woman who makes Valerie miserable. She says nothing to her mother Jean who is trying to keep going at her home. The book goes back and forth between Jean and Valerie. So we see Jean get a job on a busline she becomes very busy and see's very little of her daughter. They had always been close, jean raising her alone after giving birth to her as a teenager. Valerie is growing up thinking her father died as a hero. Jean has kept some secrets from her daughter about the birth father wanting to protect her. After being in the horrible foster home Valerie is sent to Mrs. Howard a kind woman who has a son {who is usually at boarding school} Valerie is much happier in this home but misses her mother who she rarely sees. The book starts in 1939 and we see Valerie grow up and to a young woman in her early 20s. When Valerie finds out some secrets her mother has kept from her it and not seeing her much over the years it is cause for a strained relationship. I liked reading this book since i like historical fiction. Don't want to reveal spoilers but found this to be a good read.

Emotional and heartbreakingly good.
London 1939.
Jean Hardman and her daughter Valerie live in Romberg Road, her sweetheart, her darling, her best friend they were a pair, and Evacuation for Valerie to join all the other children to leave on the train to Somerset, there is going to be another war and this time around Valerie wouldn't be away long so her darling mother told her, oh she is going to miss her so much.
Getting off the train in Taunton Town Valerie is taking in by Mrs Woods working in her hardware shop when she is not attending the school so she didn't really have much time to brood, but Mrs Woods has two settings nasty and really nasty and Valerie hates the woman.
Jean meanwhile back home takes on a new job working on the buses and her first promise is broken as she doesn't make it to Somerset for Valerie's birthday she couldn't get any time off.
Oh this book from once again this amazing writer will break your heart in two, harrowing accounts of not only the war years, but also the sorrowful storys of abuse and starvation of what a lot of the evacuees went through been away from their families.
But soon Valerie is taken in by Mrs Howard at Bumble Bee cottage and her life begins a happy one once again.
With a lot more secrets that are about to surface between mother and daughter, can Valerie be ever
be abled to forgive her mother?
This author and her style of writing always makes me cry not just sad tears but also many happy tears too the storys are so real while you carry on reading through, you forget the time as it rolls into just one more chapter.
I loved reading this book over a couple of days, it's unique, one of a kind, special and other readers will enjoy it too. Have to give it 5 stars from a happy contented Booklover.

The amazing story of a mother and daughter separated by war and trying to put their relationship back together afterward. I want more!