After her mother dies, Ellen's father takes her to America to start a new life with his brother. But things don't work out for him and he leaves poor Ellen with her, not so nice, uncle and aunt. She's soon unwanted and is sent to Amherst Island to be with her Aunt Rose where she is much happier.

I adored this book. It's the first part of a trilogy and it's a nice slow burn book. I loved all the details surrounding her life both in Scotland and her move to America and the island. The story starts in the early 1900's and I just love historical fiction set in this era. At the tender age of 13 there is a hint of romance/love between the Lyman brothers. It's nice to watch her grow up from a young child to a young adult. It's a perfect book to escape to with a rollercoaster of emotions. I am loving it so far and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This is book number one in the series. What can i say.? What a great way to start a new series. I loved it. I loved the characters, i loved the environment. And i loved watching the Main character growing up. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed reading this book it is the first in a series but can be read by itself. There was a good storyline and interesting characters especially the heroine Ellen. I will look out for the new books and do recommend that you read this book.

Oh what a book! I absolutely devoured this excellent read. The first of a trilogy The Orphan's Island is an excellent historical fiction book.
From the very start I was living the story alongside the main character Ellen and felt like I truly knew each character.
Ellen and her father leave Glasgow to try and make a new life in America. From there you will travel with Ellen through love sadness and her adventures.
I cannot wait for the second book in this trilogy.

Kate Hewitt is a new author for me and boy, does she know how to write a tearjerker! The storytelling is wonderful and draws you in. I cried buckets! I'm so excited to read the next chapter in Ellen's life..........

I get so excited when I get a chance to read a book by Kate Hewitt and this book was no exception. I enjoy so much how the author makes me feel part of the story and I just keep wanting to turn the page.

I particularly enjoyed the characters of Ellen, Aunt Rose and Jed. I can't wait to start on the next book and see where Ellen's adventure continues.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the copy. The views are my own.

By far this book was one of the most depressing novels I have read...aside from WWII stories which I'm prepared to understand are rather sombre. Not one page was entertaining, enjoyable or outstanding. Yes, I finished the book, but won't be looking for the rest of the trilogy. I'll still thank NetGalley for this ARC, but the book won't be recommended.

Home is Where the Heart is.

The Time is 1904 Glasgow, Scotland. After the death of her mother, Ellen and her father leave Scotland and immigrate to the U.S. to a town in Virginia to stay with her Aunt Ruth and Uncle Hamish. They do not feel like they fit in there and her father leaves to work on the railroad in New Mexico leaving Ellen behind. She tries to fit in but does not and is not happy. Her Aunt Rose invites her to Amherst Island in Canada to stay with her and her family. She falls in love with the Island and calls it home.

This is the story of a young girl, her attempts to fit it, finding a home that feels like home. It is the story of the two Lyman brothers Lucas and Jed. She will break one's heart and the other will break hers by falling in love with her friend Louisa.

Ellen searches for her path in life. Where does she really belong, what should she do with her life. Where does she go and what does she do after school. There are few vocational choices for women back then and she has no money to pursue further education.

We journey with Ellen as she makes her choices, as she agonizes over matters of the heart, and as she realizes that family is always family and she is cared for more than she realizes.

This book was sad, happy, and so well written. I could picture the beautiful island, I could feel the emotions and yes at one point I cried. I really enjoyed reading this and I am awaiting book two to continue Ellen's journey in life. Although it is the first book in a trilogy it could be read alone. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Kate Hewitt, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.

THE ORPHAN'S ISLAND by KATE HEWITT is the beautifully told story of Ellen Copley, who left Glasgow with her father after her mother's death, for a new life in America. Things do not turn out well when her father leaves her in Seaton with his brother Hamish and his "bristly" wife Ruth. Ellen is afraid of loving anyone as those she loves seem to go away and leave her. She knows her mother had no choice, but her father chose to abandon her. This rejection affects her badly, especially as her uncle and aunt have no children and Aunt Ruth is rather strict and unbending. Things improve when she is sent to stay with her Aunt Rose and Uncle Dyle and their five rambunctious children on Amherst Island. where she is loved unconditionally and feels at home at last.
Ellen is very protective of "her" island and does not want to share it with her spoilt and vindictive friend Louisa, nor does she want to share her friendship with the Lyman brothers with her.
We also see the many changes that are taking place in the early 1900's and how they affect the choices Ellen makes.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you.
I highly recommend The Orphan's Island to anyone who enjoys inspirational historical fiction. I have read the second book in the trilogy, Dreams of the Island, and am looking forward to reading the third and final novel in the series. These are the first books I have read by this author and they most certainly will not be the last!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Orphan’s Island by Kate Hewitt is an excellent historical fiction novel that is the first in a trilogy titled: Amherst Island.

This book begins the story of Ellen Copely and her childhood, adolescence, and transition into adulthood. We meet Ellen in 1904 as she and her Dad are finally immigrating to the United States from Scotland. She has just lost her mother whom had been sick for quite some time, and they are finally meeting up with her father’s brother and sister-in-law in Vermont. Not all that was expected by Ellen occurs and she ends up going to a small island, Amherst, in Canada to help with her father’s sister and her many children.

We get to take a peak at life through Ellen during this time as not only an immigrant, but as a young lady trying to figure out who she is, what her purpose in life will be, and trying to find a place that she feels comfortable, accepted, and a rightful home. I love Ellen as a character. She is smarter then she realizes, she has flaws, but she is brave, hopeful, talented with her artistry, and has a good head on her shoulders. I love traveling along with her and experiencing these places for the first time right with her. The author does a great job painting the pictures of the landscapes and how people lived during this time in these locations.

I enjoyed the plot, the pacing, the character cast, seeing Ellen grow up, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in her life with the second book: Dreams of the Island.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately (as of 11/3/20 no BB listing has been created) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.