The Orphan's Letters: A gripping historical novel from the international bestselling author!: Book 2 (The Red Cross Orphans)

Won't write a synopsis, many others do that. As a review, however, there are a few things that need addressed. The book has letters to and from Kitty, but isn't the whole of the novel like in Jean Webster's Daddy-Long-Legs and Dear Enemy. None-the-less, they were helpful in fleshing out the story. It was especially neat to read the notes Meryn wrote because without those, you'd miss most of what she was trying to say. Meeting new characters is always fun and having old ones show up here and there was even better. Was a bit surprised that Belle took her entire family (parents) into the abyss with her, but it was an interesting not entirely explained side note. Belle is a selfish chit, as usual, but it is odd she suddenly stopped thinking and her parents (who must have had brains since they managed and owned pubs/establishments) followed her. Jo was a delight, although her strange anger about being questioned about her use of lipstick and what not never was explained except to say, it wasn't explained!! Kitty wandered all over once again at the whims of the Red Cross and she continued her rather 'ships that pass' relationship with Michael with infrequent anchorage. The experiences shared in the story were fairly believable (have read a great many stories of this era and time-DE Stevenson, in particular) and definitely enjoyed them. Was very glad to see Kitty wasn't crying so much in this novel, but the most frustrating part of this new best seller was probably something to do with formatting. Will mention two of the many spots this was noticed. 1. Kitty and Sarah are snacking on the package Michael sent Kitty from Canada when suddenly, in the next sentence, Kitty is being called by a ward sister and needing to wash blood from her hands. (needed to read that over several times to get back on track with the story!) The letter at the end of the book that Kitty writes to Michael in 1944 is being read over by Kitty and is followed with a paragraph with these words '...all Kitty could do was wait and see if there was a reply of sorts.' The next paragraph starts with 'Jo had rushed to her side once she recieved news of Michael, and between them they organised a trip to Canada'. Once again there was no warning that Kitty HAD received some sort of word from Canda about Michael. At least, am anticipating she did. Perhaps that will be in a next book? And what is the 'early draft' tucked in the diary that Smithy wanted to be a part of? Why would he leave his practice and wife and new little one to hare off to Canada, even for his best friend? Very convoluted. It was, at times, almost like listening to The Westing Game instead of reading it! If you can ignore the many of those jumps in time, it is very much worth reading.

A wartime romance between the Red Cross nurse Kitty Pattison who is in love with the Canadian Medic Michael. Although they wish to be closer together war happens and their duties often take them to posts far away and all they have are letters. They treasure the few times they do meet and swear that someday they will have a home and family.It is nice to again meet up with Kitty's friend Jo and even the prima donna Belle who falls from grace in this novel. Kitty still corresponds with the orphans and with her aunt and uncle. These are bright lights in her days when she can escape the nightmares of the images she has encountered during this long and horrible war. Images she cannot remove and relives every night.This romance has a bitter sweet ending although it does show that through it all friends and family are what matter most, especially in dark times and those of heartache.I enjoyed reading this book about the heroic red cross nurses and doctors serving during WWII and how their lives were put on hold that they might serve their countrymen. I would recommend this book.Thanks to Glynis Peters for writing yet another wonderful historical fiction book, to Harper Collins U.K. , One More Chapter for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review.