After losing husband Johnny in Occupied France, Maxine Grey needs to occupy her mind. With an overbearing mother and imprisoned brother, Max breaks free of the family shackles to start a nursing career in London. Despite a natural flair, she returns to Liverpool harbouring a secret after catching the eye of a flirtatious surgeon. Bereaved and burdened, she finds solace helping those in need at a Dr Barnardo’s orphanage. But how long before her past catches up?

Allowing contemporary thinking to infiltrate war-time characters gives the impression limited research has been conducted which is regretful when, in this instance, scholarly investigation into orphanages ensure protagonists are more rounded and deeper than they otherwise might be; peripheral ones nonetheless remain one-dimensional and shallow. Although meat was rationed during the war, the author serves up a feast of period-rich detail regarding the dishes children were served and what off-duty staff endured if not enjoyed. The same cannot be said about Blitz-hit Liverpool, however, since there is little sense of place notwithstanding Green’s belated visit.

While An Orphan’s War can be read standalone, readers are directed to An Orphan in the Snow because it introduces Bingham Hall and the trials and tribulations – if less so twists – therein. Green is a talented novelist though the fictional series, only two books in, is fast-becoming stale, predictable even. Let us hope the third – An Orphan’s Wish – is a page-turner given there is currently little danger of disloyalty from the readerships of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee.

Fabulous saga. I was captured from the moment I started reading.. I will certainly read more from this author.

Being that I have already read a Dr Barnado’s Home book by this author I knew what to expect from this one and I wasn't disappointed. Maxine is a nurse during wwII. She needs a fresh start after heartache and is now a nurse at Dr Barnado’s Home. Dealing with children helps her to forget her troubles and worries and she loves caring for the children. Enjoyed!
Pub Date 03 May 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own..

An uplifting story set in war-torn Britain. As the Second World War starts Maxine is embarking on married life. Loss and turmoil seems to follow Maxine around wherever she goes as she works to get her nursing certificate. This heartbreaking story sees her hopes for love dashed, her horrified by the injuries she faces every day during her work as a Nurse at St Thomas' hospital and everyone close to Maxine pulled away. This heartwarming historical fiction is very easy to get in to and I would recommend it.

It was an interesting story with many World War facts I'd never heard before. It was the characters who spoilt it for me. The louse Edwin who wanted her to have an illegal abortion then fled. Maxine the honey-coated girl who gave up her inconvenient baby for adoption with scarcely a thought except for herself & future. I went right off her after that. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins

Review: Now this is what I call a great historical story which I highly recommend.

We follow Maxine who's live is set in WW2. Her live is full of twists and turns which if I gave away will ruin the reading experience but what I can say is that despite all the troubles and heartache she faces she is a very strong a relent character. 

Such an emotional read and written brilliantly I will defiantly be reading more by this author. This was my first.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author,but I absolutely loved it,and it won’t be my last. Set at the start of the Second World War it follows the life of Maxine. To do as her mother wished she trained as a nurse even though her heart was set on teaching. Maxine married her best friend Johnny but unfortunately he became a casualty of the war leaving her a very young widow. Against her families wishes Maxine leaves her home in Liverpool to finish her training in London. There are lots more twists and turns in Maxine’s story that I won’t reveal only to say I recommend that you read this lovely book.

Follow Maxine's turbulent life during WW2. Trained as a nurse Maxine moves to London to help out in a hospital during the War. Life has its ups and downs and that's certainly true for Maxine! She leaves London after a tragic event and begins work in Dr Banardos home for Orphans where she flourishes. This is a truly enjoyable read and will be looking for more from this author.