The Home for War Orphans

by Philip Eliot | Mar 16, 2026 | Historical Fiction | 0 comments

Paris, 1940. Golden light bathes the crumbling rooftop of the orphanage. I stroke my little sister’s hair and comfort the other war orphans climbing into the rickety truck. We must leave the only home we have left, or the Nazis will find us… Margot has spent most of her life at St Agnes’ Orphanage with her little sister Lucie. She does her best to care for all the children, cradling them under the stars when Sister Helen can’t get them to sleep. But she knows that when the Nazis reach the gates of Paris, the Jewish orphans will be in terrible danger. She must help them escape…Holding on tightly to Lucie as they all scramble into a truck bound for the countryside, Margot cannot prevent her hands from shaking. Then one night, by the flickering light of the makeshift fire, Sister Helen tells Margot she has found a rich family to take Lucie in. But there will be no safety for the other children – unless Margot can lead them to the French coast for a ship destined for America.Looking from her sister’s bright blue eyes to the little patchwork teddy the children share, Margot realises she must trust someone else with the only family she has left. But as soon as the wrought-iron gates of Lucie’s new home slam shut, Margot knows she’s made a mistake. Devastated at being left behind with strangers, Lucie runs away.Margot knows the only place Lucie will run to is the high stone walls of the orphanage, where she last knew warmth and food and comfort. With fear in her heart, Margot is faced with an impossible choice. Should she race to save her sister from a terrible fate, or make sure the other orphans escape?A heart-wrenching and powerful historical fiction page-turner set in World War Two Paris. Perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer, The Midwife of Auschwitz and Rhys Bowen.Readers are loving The Home for War Orphans:‘Breathtaking, heart-wrenching historical novel that I couldn’t put down… Completely stole my heart… A must-read. Absolutely stunning… Unforgettable.’ NetGalley reviewer, ??????????‘Completely nail-biting… I lost count of how many times I was brought to tears.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘One of the best books I’ve read this year for sure!… Gripping… Had me on the edge of my seat!… I am champing at the bit to read more!’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘What a page-turner!… Impossible to stop reading. I can’t wait for the next in this series!’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘Incredible… heartbreaking… I just couldn’t put this book down… if I could give it more then 5 stars I certainly would.’ NetGalley reviewer, ??????????‘Emotional right to the end… Needs lots of tissues… Totally perfect… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????‘Brilliant from start to finish… Amazing and powerful from the get-go… An unforgettable and exhilarating ride.’ Shaz’s Book Blog‘Awesome… So so good… I couldn’t put this book down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ??????????