This is a fantastic story of two orphans and how their lives intertwine. From young children to adults, their lives are based on trust and love.

The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh is an amazing and stunning historical novel set between 1914 and 1935 in South Australia. I have read a few of the author’s books (and enjoyed them immensely) but I had not read this one. So when Storm Publishing posted an ARC (it’s a re-release) I jumped at the offer to read and review it. And I was not disappointed as it is an enthralling roller coaster read from start to finish. Over and over, my heart was shaken and bursting with emotions. This is a powerful story of overcoming loss, deep grief, adversity, class snobbery and malicious attacks. It blooms with hope amid the thorns of the characters’ struggles. For the sweet rose of forgiveness, second chances, courage and honour abound.

There is a convincing cast of supporting characters, surrounding the two leads, Fleur and Tom, who each tell their stories. These orphans are the heartbeat of the novel. Their journeys, separate and together, lead us into some eye-opening territory on past social norms (with particular focus on women’s challenges) and the livelihoods of morticians, sheep shearers, wool classers and drovers. Fiona paints a vivid picture that allows us to explore all these areas in great detail.

Though faced with extreme adversity, it is easy to see what each of these orphans learned from those who loved them. Their responses reflect such positive influence. It is said adversity can make you stronger, give you more empathy for others and this is very true of Tom and Fleur who often take the path less travelled, especially when they are wronged. Their diamond spirits glisten on the page, and in the tears they shed. They are both strong, admirable, passionate overcomers. And this novel is a beautiful testament to what can happen when people choose to love over hate. It is also a unique love story that defies the odds. Romantic to the core when these two reunite after twenty odd years of separation. They made such an impression on each other during their brief encounter as children that it lasted many years.

Before continuing, I need to add that the quality of story-telling and writing style exhibited in this novel is flawless. It is an extraordinary, magnificent masterpiece. And pure joy to read. Fiona has researched and utilised the information of a mortician’s job expertly. I learned a great deal about the industry and also its history. The landscape surrounds the characters like a comforter. And draws out each person’s characteristics. There is real substance because of Fiona’s craftmanship for she has drawn from a worthy well of inspiration: people she has known. They are fictional but realistic as seen in Fleur, Tom and others. I truly felt I knew who they were by the end of the story. There are some lovely surprises that expose the reasons behind certain evil actions of others.

Fleur was adopted by a wonderful couple in the mortuary business. She is well loved by her adopted parents and it has had a positive effect on her life. She takes a great interest in her father’s profession. It is unusual but she is comfortable working on the dead. She has grown up in this environment that has not only become a safe haven for her but also a place where her gift of empathy is appreciated. She has big dreams of becoming the first female mortician and wants to provide more support for women who have lost their children. As an eight year old child, her moral fibre and tenderness for others becomes evident in her chance meeting with Tom who has just lost his mother and sister. Fleur is deeply moved with concern for him and so the seeds are planted. Little does she know that one day, she will also lose her own mother at a young age and she will be thrust into a less than favourable position when her father remarries. During this period, many awful things happen that threaten Fleur’s future and the father she adores.

Tom, also an orphan, in many ways, has had a different life from Fleur but there are similarities. Losing his beautiful mother at a young age left him in a bad position, too. His father does not weather his own grief well and he distances himself from his son. Tom often must fend for himself. But he manages well for he carries the heart of his mother and all her positive efforts. These learned truths have made him into a wonderful man. He works hard in the sheep business and proves himself. But there are secrets in his family he uncovers that will change the direction of his life. And lead him back to Fleur, twenty odd years later…

The journey from the innocence of youth to the harsh realities of adulthood connect these two in special ways. We watch Tom and Fleur grow as they each share the narrative. These two orphans are such a beautiful pair. Although much tragedy strikes in each of their lives separate and together, I found the attitudes they inhibited and the directions they chose were nothing short of admirable. They reflected the love they were reared in and became the ‘better person’ when their enemies tried to bring them down.

I truly loved The Orphans and these two unforgettable characters will stay with me a long time. I wish there was a sequel as there certainly is scope to explore the next stage of Tom and Fleur’s life together! I highly recommend this gorgeously written, heart- changing novel that reverberates with perfection. It astoundingly delivers in all areas. An absolute must-read! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

What a fantastic book! I absolutely absorbed this book it is truly wonderful. I have read a couple of others by McIntosh but this is my new favourite. The emotions this story makes you feel says a lot about the fantastic writing style. It is captivating in every sense. Highly recommend!
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Fiona Mcintosh and Storm Publishing📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. The Orphans is a historical fiction / romance set in South Australia. After meeting for the first time when they are children, our protagonists Fleur and Tom have been able to stop thinking about the other, despite the differences in their circumstances.
I enjoyed this book, however would have liked to have seen more scenes with the couple together – to me the love story aspect of this book seemed rushed. I enjoyed both characters arcs, especially Fleur’s resilience in her career and in her personal life.

Enjoyable book that was hard to put down, if a bit predictable at times. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Fleur Appleby is a young woman who works alongside her father Henry who is a mortician. Fleur It’s a young, strong, minded, young woman who would love to be able to take over her father‘s business. She was adopted by Henry and Mae has since died and who taught her daughter that she should strive for whatever makes her happy. After she died, Henry remarried a horrible woman named Irma. She turned.Fleur’s into a nightmare, trying to get to marry so she can have Henry and his money all to herself. Unfortunately, Irma.Fleur would not fall for her stepmother’s schemes. That was until.Fleur herself did fall in love with Tom. Catchlove.

You see Tom Fleur knew each other when they were young children. Tom was just a young young boy when his mother passed away Henry was the mortician who took care of his mother. Tom met.Fleur that terrible point in his life. Yet her gentleness and kind words stayed with Tom until he met up with her again years later.

Tom returns to Adelaide and sees Fleur at dance. From then on their time together was a rocky. Many people stood in their way finding the true happiness together. Their biggest obstacle is. Fleur’s stepmother Irma, who not only makes sure that Fleur loses her beloved father and her family business, she also loses charm a second time

This is a true love story between two young people who find themselves after so many years. Yet they have so many obstacles to overcome, but determined to find each other and live in happiness.. I loved the character of.Fleur she was very determined. During the time of the 19th 30s, the women were not expected to be business women or have an educated mind.Fleur was determined to live the life she wanted and love the man. She wanted no matter what it would cost her.The setting to the story was beautifully written. The characters were very well written so much so that I really did not like her stepmother Irma. This was a story of determination story of love and the fight for what you believed.

Thank you Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

A historical romance tale, The Orphans (2025) by Fiona McIntosh is a touching tale of a 1914 childhood meeting and its consequences two decades later. Tom, aged ten meets eight-year-old Fleur, upon his mother’s death. Fleur Appleby learnt the mortuary trade from her father and helps run their family funeral service in Adelaide, South Australia. Tom Catchlove grows up in the rural town of Farnia, becoming a wool classer. A chance meeting at an Adelaide dance rekindles their once brief connection, and their growing romance is stymied by malice intent. A touching tale of grief and connection, with a pleasant rendering of the time period (both rural and urban settings) that makes for a three and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given. With thanks to Storm Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

This was a gripping read. The storyline is unusual, where the female lead is an undertaker. However this gives an opportunity to broach a whole series of sensitive topics, handling grief, acceptance of self, expressing love as a parent, infant mortality. The leads are great characters but the storyline pushes credibility at times, they fall in love having met twice, with 20 years between meetings. However there is enough in the story to make itcompelling reading, not least as it gives a realistic impression of rural and urban life in Australia prior to WW2

Historical fiction is definitely one of my favourite genres. The Orphan is a beautiful story from our own Aussie author Fiona McIntosh.

The story is set in the 1930s in South Australia (Adelaide). One of the best things about Fiona is her incredible research skills and if you adore world-building and scene settings, you will love this book. The amount of details will drag you into the appropriate time.

The main characters are great and loved to read the time they were children as well as when they were adults. They were likeable and liked the development.

The story itself was predictable, but because of the stunning world-building and beautifully written emotions, it was for me worth to keep reading.

I would definitely recommend this book if you care and love the same about world-building and emotional rollercoasters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this copy.

2 Orphans who meet in an off chance meet fortutiously again 20 years later. Tom and Fleur have undergone a huge change in the 20 years since they met. Tom has built a life for himself after he loses his mother and his father all but abandons him. He finds out a secret, and the loss of his friend has him setting off to Adelaide. Fleur is being forced to marry a completely horrible guy by her equally horrible stepmother, who is potting to cast Fleur out and take over all of the family's wealth. During a chance encounter at a dance, Fleur and Tom meet again, and over time, get close and fall in love. But they have hurdles and are separated yet again.

So, for the most part, I liked this story, but it was boshed up in the end with another parting, which seemed a bit unnecessary.

#netgalley #TheOrphans

I've not read any Fiona McIntosh books before, and I do love a bit of historical fiction. This story, set in Australia in the early 1900s was another first for me.
Set in both the Outback and Flinders Range, as well as Adelaide, we start the story with a young 10 year old boy, Tom Catchlove, whose family lives among the sheep shearers. Suddenly losing his mum while she was in childbirth, and his father far away on a job, uncontactable, Tom is set on a fateful journey to Adelaide to her mother's family, for a short while, where she meets a precocious young 8 year old, Fleur Appleby, the daughter of the undertaker looking after his mother.
She leaves an indelible mark on his memory, which doesn't dull as he gets older. As does he on hers.
They meet, by chance, as adults, both in very different situations, and both orphans of a like.
Tom is the wool classes he always said he would be, and Fleur is striving to be the best mortician in Australia, and one of the first female ones.
What pursues is a love story that is achingly painful, and romantic, as well as a heart rending story as they fight the odds to be together.
I sped through this book over one day. Beautifully written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC.

Not a small book which I finished in one and a bit sittings which says it all! The Orphans is a lovely story based in Adelaide and the Australian Outback in-between the wars. Fleur and Tom our Orphans have completely different upbringings. They meet by chance fleetingly as children then not again for 20 years when fate throws them together once more. Their characters are beautifully written. The way Fleur flourishes with her adoptive parents then becomes so frustrated when step mother Irma comes on the scene is just one example. Her frustration almost burns off the page. Fiona's research into undertaking and sheep shearing during this time was amazing. It was so detailed I felt as though I was there in the mortuary and the shearing shed. A book that will be of interest to anyone interested in 20th century social history or who just wants a really great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own