This is a moving and captivating book about a hospital on the island of Guernsey during WWII Nazi occupation. The book describes the demanding, exhausting life of nurse Evelyn Nightingale as she cares for pregnant women and others in spite of a lack of proper supplies and food. The modern day timeline of Kitty White thankfully doesn't overshadow the 1943 narrative - the interleaved chapters are few, allowing full immersion into the wartime issues.

The author does a great job describing what it was like living through those terrible years. The main plot involving the infants and their mothers kept my interest. Compared to books like "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society", this book seems much more realistic.

I highly recommend this book.

This book was an eye opener. Based on a true story, set in Guernsey it detailed the bravery of an auxiliary nurse during Nazi occupation. There she was responsible for the saving of several babies lives and placing them in a local convent as a safe haven. The book explains the near starvation conditions experienced by many islanders and then tracks the passage of these babies to modern day Dublin. The nurse demonstrated bravery and self sacrifice and there was an enduring message that love can conquer the greatest evil making this a really fulfilling read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced e-book copy.

Publication Date: April 11, 2025

The Book of Lost Children takes us through dual timelines - During the 1943 Nazi occupation of Guernsey and in present-day 2018.

1943: Nurse Evelyn Nightingale risks everything by hiding three babies from the Germans. Evelyn must be extra careful now that a German commandant is growing increasingly suspicious of her.

Present Day: Kitty White is taking over the family antique shop when a woman sells her an old violin out of desperation. Upon further inspection, Kitty discovers a list of names hidden in its case. This leads her to Guernsey, where she uncovers deep family secrets.

Inspired by true events, Jenny O’ Brien, did an amazing job with her research. This is an emotional read so have your tissues ready. I enjoyed this book, and I loved how the past and present came together perfectly in the end. I highly recommend it!

A very emotional read. The author has clearly done their research about life on Guernsey during the German occupation. It was tense, compelling, and utterly gripping. Based on a true story of an amazing woman who was undoubtedly a hero. Heartwarming to read but with some tears at times.

This book managed to reignite my love for historical fiction! Slowly figuring out how Evelyn’s timeline fit within the modern day life of Kitty was such a lovely thing to tie everything together. Evelyn’s fascinating experience in Nazi occupied Guernsey and how she found her way to maintain hope in such a dark time especially as she’s faced with so much helplessness in her work at the Emergency Hospital. Her grit and determination is extremely inspiring and always something I love to see in historical fiction. Everything from the setting, to the characters and the plot are beautifully done and really drew me straight into the book, I was hooked from the get go. This book is to be released on April 11 and comes highly recommended from me!

I cannot get through this whole book 53% in and I am bored. The main character at this point has potentially changed the lives of two babies one by giving them a different identity and the other by giving them to somebody else to raise. Besides at the beginning, taking a liking to the colonel who unfortunately passed, and none of the characters are really relatable. The diary is it can be called that is spotty people come and go without explanation. The main character can’t find anyone to connect with and to form a friendship or relationship with to keep in their lives people just fall away. If this was an actual diary, not a work fiction I would be able to understand that. It’s not well written in my opinion at this point the title does not make sense. I may try picking it up again, but as of right now I have other books to read that can actually keep my interest. The only thing I liked was the going between present day and World War II, but the only connection is the violin in the importance of that should have been made clearer at the beginning because as of right now it’s still being brought up, but it’s not significant in anyway besides holding this connection between Evelyn and Kitty, and having the case contain the “diary”
If I’m able to at some point finish this book, I will update the review.

Edit
Opinions haven’t changed and the more I ride the more nurse and matron bothered me just give them names. It’s like reading a script.
And for the majority of this, it’s like it didn’t even take place in World War II. It could’ve just been a poor town with the story of your average midwife who just happened to keep a record of the children and their parents which really wasn’t uncommon. The parts that did mention the war weren’t even descriptive of what actually took place during the war. It doesn’t talk about the emotions that people felt when getting their papers checked, or the fear that was felt when planes were overhead. It’s like no research went into this book which is really sad considering it was based on a true story.

I can't begin to imagine what it was like during the German occupation of the Isle of Guernsey. I can't being to imagine the difficulties of those left behind, forced to live under their rule. I can't begin to imagine the health issues the citizens of Guernsey while the German soldier had access to drugs and medical supplies. Where my imagination fails me; Jenny O'Brien words allowed me to witness the horrors.

The dual timeline uses a violin case to transition between time periods. A violin sold to antique store in present day Dublin hold the secrets to three children born on Guernsey during the occupation. Their only crime was having German fathers. Thanks to Evelyn Nightingale the children were never whisked away to Germany to become part of the Aryan race.

The Book of Lost Children tells of the horrors on Guernsey. Through Evelyn's eyes the reader sees the affects the German occupation. My tears flowed freely on more than one occasion. Evelyn's determination to save the babies was inspirational. I couldn't help cheering every success. Evelyn's job as a nurse gave witness to the suffering, the illness, the helplessness. My heart broke.

Learning of what happened to the children was facinating, Their unique situation led them in different directions. Their unique situation tells the story of determination. The violin brought the past into the future. As a reader I am reminded that to have a future we must never forget the past.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is set during World War II and in 2018.
It is told by Kitty in 2017 who just lost her mother and works with her father at an antique (thrift) store from what I can gather. When Caroline Raven brings in an old violin, case, ring, pictures, and books the story opens up to the past with the story of Evelyn a young nurse during World War II.
Evelyn and her story line link somehow to Kitty and Caroline and the stories are amazing. Evelyn herself was nothing less than a hero.
Definitely a book that you all should read.
Grab the Tissues.

The past and present come together in this historical fiction read by a new to me author. It was gripping, and I couldn't put it down. It was full of angst, scary moments, and long-buried family secrets.

Evelyn Nightingale is a nurse in Guernsey, which was occupied in the 1940s. She risked her life to protect mothers, and their newborns abd faced danger while doing so.

The tension is unmistakable as Evelyn lives her life under constant surveillance. The fact that discovery could mean death for her and the babies she has to protect.

Meanwhile, in present-day Dublin, Kitty White finds a hidden list of names inside an old violin case, which makes her go on a journey to uncover the truth about her family’s past.

Evelyn was a true hero. Her character had me rooting for her from the start, and I loved reading about her emotional, desperate, and scary journey.

If you like historical fiction, I'd recommend this for sure.

I gave The Book of Lost Children four⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley, Storm Publishing and Jenny O’Brien for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I really enjoyed this book. While it was not as heavy or soul clenching as some books with a WWII story, especially involving a nurse saving babies, it was still a great book! And it’s inspired by a true story.

I was able to identify with each of the characters and to watch them grow and develop. It is a dual timeline, but is mostly set in the 1940s in Gurnsey on the Channel Islands.

I also like how everything was wrapped up in the end. Overall, an enjoyable book.

This was an utterly compelling and emotional read that will stay with me for a long time. I love the way the historical and present-day timelines finally weave together, and how past events echo down the years. It’s made me reflect on how complicated feelings are and how priorities change when one’s back’s to the wall. There were some very tense moments and some very moving ones too. First class.

The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O'Brien is a poignant and heart wrenching story that will stay with you long after you put down the book.
Switching back and forth through time, the author expertly portrays the suffering and courage of the people of Guernsey during the second world war, and the journey to discovery of the descendants of the children saved from the island by a brave nurse who gave her all for those she loved.
O'Brien brings to life the victims of war as no mere historical record can do; her writing is elegant and her portrayal of her characters is moving. Reading this book should be a part of historical curriculums, as it engenders empathy for the people who lived through historic times.
I am grateful to have received the ARC of #TheBookofLostChildren from #NetGalley, and will carry this wonderful book in my heart for a long time.

Thank you @stormbooks_co & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE BOOK OF LOST CHILDREN is a compelling narrative that weaves together the lives of two women across different time periods, set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The story alternates between Evelyn Nightingale, a courageous nurse in Guernsey during the German occupation in 1943, and Kitty White, who grapples with her family's past in Dublin in 2018.

I really enjoyed Evelyn’s storyline, which is gripping and emotionally charged, showcasing her bravery as she risks everything to protect three babies and a traumatized French woman giving birth. The intensity of the wartime setting is vividly portrayed, and the characters' struggles resonate deeply. The personal tragedies observed by Evelyn and her determination to save innocent lives bring a poignant depth to the narrative.

On the other hand, the 2018 timeline, while intriguing, occasionally feels sluggish, which can detract from the overall pacing of the book. Kitty’s journey to uncover her family’s hidden secrets starts strong but sometimes drags, which made it difficult for me to maintain the same level of engagement as the wartime chapters.

The conclusion wraps up the story satisfactorily, although it did not leave me with the lasting impact I had hoped for after such an emotionally rich buildup. Overall, this story shines in its portrayal of the WWII timeline, with memorable characters and stirring emotions, even if the modern-day narrative doesn’t quite reach the same heights. It’s a worthwhile read if you enjoy historical fiction and family secrets, but be prepared for some uneven pacing along the way.

This was an interesting and emotional read centred around the Nazi occupation of Guernsey in the Second World War. It was an easy read that kept you turning the pages.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! It was a solid 3.5 for me. It was interesting and was an ok read.

This book is told with two POV, each a female main character, over two timelines, present day, 2018 and the early 1940's.

Kitty, is working in her family's antique shop in Dublin. Its here that she accepts an old and pooly conditioned violin from a desperate customer. Opening it later Kitty's comes across photographs and a signet ring amongst the lining of the case. From here Kitty's family history comes into question. Leading to the unearthing of heartbreaking secrets long buried.

Evelyn is a teacher on on the Island of Guernsey who turns down her place on a boat and the chance t0 escape the German Occupation. After helping out with the ambulance team, Evelyn then takes up work in the local hospital, where she discovers her true calling. With an eagerness to learn and do all she can to help those around her, Evelyn fights back, trying hard to protect those who need it,

This was such a emotional story, with such a sad, horrible insight into what it was like to live under the German Occupation on the small island on Guernsey. Central to the tale is the local hospital, where Evelyn crosses paths with many patients both islanders and Germans. The reader is drawn in with the stories of several characters and the agonising choices they must face in the hope for a better life for those in need. Sadly not every character can have a happy ending, as was the way during those difficult times.
The link between the Evelyns 1940s and Kitty's family in he present day, is one of hope and making peace with the past. Kitty tries to track down possible family leads. Can family bonds be remade that were previously broken? The ending is heartwarming and a beautiful way to finish the story. I've read many historical fiction books around WW2, but this is the first I've read based on Guernsey and the surrounding islands. I've really enjoyed reading this, and rate it highly amongst others of a similar theme.

This captivating story is based on a real-life nurse who shielded babies from Nazis on the German-occupied island of Guernsey. Nurse Evelyn Nightingale risks everything when she switches babies, hides babies, takes them to the convent where her aunt resides, and ultimately, enables their escape from the island.

This is a beautiful, though sometimes harrowing, story of one woman's determination to protect the most vulnerable lives under her care. The descriptions of the countryside, hospital, living quarters, and people are well-crafted and authentic. Initially, it was a bit unclear what the relationship was between the present-day characters and the historical ones, and I didn't grasp who was who until nearly the end of the book. For that reason, I went with four stars instead of five.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Based on true events The Book of Lost Children is a powerful, fascinating, unimagable, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story. Set in Guernsey during the occupation, the reader is taking on a journey of survival, resilience and hope. This is my first novel by Jenny O’Brien and I will be looking for other books by this author. A highly recommended historical fiction of a woman’s bravery and courage. 4 1/2 stars
I would like to thank the author, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheBookofLostChildren #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled a bit with this book. It was a bit hard to follow and it was a struggle to keep my attention. I decided to DNF at 50%.

This book quickly pulled me in with its captivating storytelling and compelling protagonist, Evelyn. From the very beginning, I was completely immersed in her journey, feeling every moment of her pain, fear, determination, and resilience. The author has a remarkable ability to evoke emotion, making the reader feel as though they are right there alongside Evelyn, experiencing the highs and lows of her life.

The novel employs a dual timeline structure, and while I found the historical storyline deeply engaging, I didn’t connect as strongly with the modern-day narrative. This may be because the majority of the book focuses on the past, making it easier to become invested in Evelyn’s story. Additionally, I felt the ending was somewhat rushed—I would have loved more detail about Evelyn towards the end of the story.

Despite these minor critiques, this is an outstanding read that I would highly recommend. It’s a gripping historical novel that keeps you absorbed from start to finish, offering an emotional and immersive experience that lingers long after the final page.