I have a confession to make! I love reading and have spent a lot of time looking for books that will thrill me, make me think, take me to places I have never seen before and more! This confession comes with no regrets!
For the past two years I have been totally taken up with reading novels about the Second World War. Some were based on true stories and others are works of fiction based on historical accounts of what happened during that dark and distressing time in our history!
War can make victims of everyone who lived during the distress of the times, but it can also make victims of those who did not make it to the front or fight in the battles personally. It can take years to heal the scars.
So, now I have to tell you about The Orphans of Mersea House! Written by Marty Wingate. When all the battles are over and peace has found it's place again, there are still the ravages of war to deal with. Yes even years later, people are still healing from the trauma of the past!
People who fought and those who stayed behind to do other "war" work, have scars that need healing.
It's 1957 in England Southwold to be precise. The two main characters Margery and Olive had been childhood friends forever. During the war, Margery left Southwold for London to help with the war effort there, while Olive stayed behind and did her part as well.
After her uncle's death, Margery comes back to Southwold to claim her inheritance and reclaim her life. Olive who has looked after relatives is destitute when the last of her relations dies. But as luck would have it, Margery comes to her aid by asking her to act as manager of the home she has inherited after alterations are made to turn it into a boarding house.
Everything is working out well until the first two boarders arrive. Then a few more arrive and life takes a few twists and turns.
I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I'm going to leave the story here and tell you that you really should get the book to find out what happens. Trust me, there is LOTS that will happen and the characters in the book are so well described that I know everyone will be able to pick out friends and relatives of their own that will fit into this story.
What you will learn is that family and secrets go hand in hand everywhere, but that a loving heart can bring all the good things and the bad things together to make a beautiful patchwork that is family!
I finished this book and wished that there were more pages to read so I know you will enjoy it as well.
