The Secret Orphan

A historical novel full of secrets

By: Glynis Peters

Narrated by: Anna Cordell

Keep her secret

Keep her safe

On the 14th November 1940, Hitler’s bombs rain down on Coventry. From the rubble of a bombed-out family home, a young girl is saved…

This is a stunning and memorable page-turner of love, loss and resilience for fans of The Secret Wife by Gill Paul

As the Nazis’ relentless bombs fall during the Blitz of Coventry, six-year-old Rose Sherbourne finds herself orphaned and under the guardianship of a Cornish farmer's daughter, Elenor Cardew.

Elenor knows that the only way to protect spirited Rose is to leave the city and make a new life for themselves away from harm. But soon Elenor discovers that Hitler’s firestorm is not the only thing she must fear when she learns a devastating secret about Rose…

With Rose’s life in imminent danger, Elenor turns to the only person she can trust to keep the deadly secret, heroic Canadian pilot, Jackson St John. And amidst the destruction of war, an unlikely romance blossoms as they find a way to protect the child they have both grown to love…and each other.

Critic reviews

Readers LOVE The Secret Orphan:

‘Keeps you wanting to read into the small hours’ Lisa, Goodreads

‘The best and most beautiful book I've read in a long time’ Brid, Netgalley

‘Simply amazing’ Rikki-Doodlebug's Book Reviews

‘Captivated from beginning to end’ Jessyca, Goodreads

‘A gripping, page turner set in WWI … Loved it’ Amanda, Netgalley

‘A real page turner … You will find yourself in England during the war with a story that will stay with you’ Lou, Goodreads

‘A stunning novel and one that should be recommended’ Postcard Reviews

‘A must read for WWII historical fiction fans’ Lizbeth, Goodreads

‘One of my new favourite novels … I love everything about this story’ Ashley Murphy Reads

‘The depiction of wartime life in the Coventry bombings and on a Cornish farm were realistic and compelling’ Vivien Brown

‘A story that I will remember for a long time to come’ Shirley, Goodreads Reviewer

‘Loved every minute of this hard to put down book … highly recommend putting this on your reading list – especially if you love historical fiction and WWII’ Roxane, Goodreads

‘A must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction (especially World War II fiction) or romance’ Kindred Connection Reviews

Great story

Until you get to the very end this was a great story and it seemed like the author just wanted to end it. She could’ve taken another chapter to fully develop the ending

Phenomenal story line!

Loved it! A storyline that keeps you wanting more! My heart broke for Rose when she lost both parents and everything she ever knew.

Abrupt ending

I found it started off slowly, but got better. I really enjoyed it, but the ending was disappointing. The beginning was from Rose’s viewpoint and then switched to Elenor.

The ending was abrupt, almost like the author didn’t want to finish it. A brief epilogue (from Rose’s perspective) would’ve made all the difference.

I would give the author another try, because I did like the story.

I appreciated that there were no detailed love scenes and minimal cursing.

Touching, charming, intense

This is an excellent book. The historical value was good. The surprise ending was great!

Love, Protection, and War

This is a well illustrated story depicting the depth of love and the extent one will go to survive during war times. There is a thread of a mystery that runs through the story line to keep the reader enthralled and unable to put the novel down.