A review by shelleys_book_nook
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I read and so loved The Last Garden in England by this author and was so excited to get this one from NetGalley and let me tell you Julia Kelly does not disappoint. This story broke my heart into a million pieces and then put it back together again. The writing was engaging, I could not put the book down until I was done with Maggie and Viv's story. I loved how fiercely Viv loved her daughter and how she found the strength to push back because of that love.

Viv's mother was so manipulative and I loathed her, I love it when a book's character can evoke emotions in me and every single one in this book did that, they were fully rounded, well-developed and believable. I will never understand people who claim to follow God when they aren't kind or compassionate towards others who they believe have sinned. I thought God's teachings were to be loving, kind and forgiving.

The book deals with topics of unwed pregnancy, religion, love, loss and second chances. It is about yet another priest abusing his position but in an entirely different manner than usual. What a powerful story that was complex and well-written, I could tell the author did a lot of research. The book is pure fiction but is based on families sending their child(ren) away to safety during the blitz of WWII and I loved every page. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!

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