The Nazis are everywhere now. We must leave Vienna. It might be that soon our letters won’t get out anymore. Can you help, dear sister? Please, ask for us. Send news, and quickly. Please.London, 1938. Sixteen-year-old Natalie Leeman takes the heart-breaking decision to leave her family behind in Vienna and travel to England to join her cousin Leah in service. Natalie is placed with a wealthy … placed with a wealthy suburban family, the Caplins, as a nanny to their energetic six-year-old.
At first, Natalie is delighted by the huge house and beautiful gardens, but things aren’t as perfect as they seem. While Natalie dotes on their child, she is increasingly wary of Mr Caplin, whose gruff manner and fascist politics scare her. And then there are those still waiting at home – Mama and her two sisters, as well as a blossoming romance with her English tutor that had only just begun.
But when Vienna falls under Nazi rule, Natalie begins to fear for her family, especially her vivacious, tomboy little sister Libby. Then rumours of a possible escape route from mainland Europe called the kindertransport begin to swirl – can Natalie help her family escape the Nazis before it’s too late?
A heartbreaking wartime novel – emotional and unforgettable. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Before We Were Yours.
What readers are saying about The Wartime Nanny:
‘I am in pieces! There are many books about the Holocaust, but I have never read a book from this perspective… There are some incredibly poignant scenes (I cried!) and also moments which caused me to suck in my breath because of parallels between that period and the present day… I have loved all of Lizzie Page’s books, but this might be my favourite.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Absolutely loved it, of course! Another beautifully written and profoundly moving novel by Lizzie Page. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!’ Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell, 5 stars
‘An absolutely brilliant read that I devoured in one sitting. If like me you love war time sagas then this book is for you.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Lizzie Page has done a brilliant job of writing a unique historical fiction story, and it’s emotional, heartbreaking, and poignant and I gave it five stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘What a unique story, told from a different perspective, I truly enjoyed every page of this book, fantastic storyline and characters. I will be recommending this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘If you read and enjoy family wartime sagas you will love this book. Lizzie Page writes such wonderful, moving stories with great characters.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Love Lizzie Page books and this once exceeds. If you enjoy family saga and wartime you will love this. A page-turner, very emotional in places.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
’I loved this book. I loved the characters… I was captured from the beginning and read the book in two days. I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 starsmore
An incredibly moving story of the plight of the Jewish population prior to and during World War II.
In 1936, Natalie, along with several other Jewish people, is sent from Austria to London where she works as a nanny to six year old Hugo.
This is a brilliantly written and researched story and I can’t recommend highly enough.
This book starts with an elderly Natalie asking her daughter to find a person for her, and we get an inkling that this person is very important to her past. From there, we are taken back to 1936, when Natalie arrives in England (from Austria) as a nanny (hence the title). I liked how Natalie tried to fit in with the other servants in the Caplin household and how they eventually came to understand each other. I did feel like the Caplin family was sort of a collective enigma. It wasn’t until later in the book that it became apparent as to why they seemed disjointed. The author excels at unique settings and backgrounds; in this case, anti-Semitism in the face of a rising refugee crisis is dealt with honestly, if not always subtly. I did feel that the ending wrapped up rather quickly, and for that reason (plus a few missteps), I give it 3.5 stars. But I still enjoyed it and would recommend it for the unusual perspectives. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.
A Jewish Girl in England
This story is about Natalie, an Austrian Jewish girl that left Austria to become a Nanny in England. Her cousin Leah was already working in England and urged Natalie and her family to leave Austria before Hitler took over. Natalie came to England, her family stayed in Austria.
Although the story is about The character Natalie it is also about those that left before Hitler and those that stayed behind.
It is about the burden the young people that managed to leave Austria felt to somehow get their families out. The steps they went to, and the failure they felt when they were unable to find help for their families. These young people lived with survivor’s guilt and some would take their lives.
The story tells of the anti semantic people in England. Those that pretended to be friends but we’re not.
How they felt at times being called Nazi’s because they spoke German and their struggle to be English to fit it.
They are horrified over the events happening to family and friends in Austria and unable to do anything to help them.
The lives they lived, their thoughts and feelings, and those they lived them with. The ones they would never see again and those that survived.
I loved this book. I loved the characters Natalie, Leah, Alfie, Clifford, Molly, Libby, Erich, Rudi and not to forget Hugo. They were such wonderful realistic characters.
I was captured from the beginning and read the book in two days. I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Lizzie Page, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
It is 1936 in Austria and things are heating up politically when Dora Leeman decides to send her almost 16-year-old daughter, Natalie, to England to work as a domestic for a wealthy family, the Caplins. Natalie is met by Mrs. Sanderson who is her cousin Leah’s boss. Natalie is taken to the Caplin’s estate where she will be a nanny to young Hugo who she immediately bonds with. Mrs, Caplin, Carolyn, is a wannabe actress and Mr. Caplin is either working at home all the time or away working. Natalie and Hugh form a strong bond as his parents pay little attention to him. Over the next 3 years, besides being busy with Hugo, Natalie is also working trying to get her remaining family members out of Austria. I enjoyed all the drama of the various characters in this book very much but I felt there were a few loose ends that were not quite tied up in the end, Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting book.
I had never read a novel about the Jewish children (the older ones) who managed to be relocated to a safe place before WW2. I had read lots about the Kindertransport, but this novel actually brought to life the painful experiences of these young people who were separated from all they knew and most of whom never saw their families again.