For American Claire Stewart, joining the French Resistance sounded as romantic as the storylines she hopes will one day grace the novels she wants to write. But when she finds herself stranded on English shores, with five French Jewish children she smuggled across the channel before Nazis stormed Paris, reality feels more akin to fear.With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an … an estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous upbringing–spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends–has ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she’s ever known.Set in England’s lush and storied Lake District in the early days of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to remember that bravery and family come in many forms.
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Cathy Gohlke’s newest English historical novel takes us back to WW2 in the beautiful Lake District, home of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth. So many wonderful characters and insightful events! I highly recommend this book to you!
As always, Cathy Gohlke weaves an exciting tale of human frailty, doubt, and searching for love and redemption until she turns her “tapestry” over and one can see God’s amazing plan to draw the title character to Himself. I loved “Until We Find Home”. It is about WWII but is set in the north of England so the rationing is there, and the fear is there, however, the tragic bombings are not a part of this story.
Until We Find Home follows the story of a brave young American living in Paris at the start of World War 2. Claire is an aspiring writer and traveled to Paris to walk in the footsteps of some of the literary greats. As Hitler’s regime moves ever closer, it becomes apparent that they must do something to save as many Jewish children as they can. Claire agrees to lead a group of 5 children to the coast and help them onto a waiting boat that will take them to England. However, things don’t go as planned. Claire ends up traveling with the children to England and winds up being their guardian, a task that she feels ill-equipped to carry out.
Written with a lively cast of engaging characters, I found myself cheering for Claire and wishing I could step into the story and give her words of encouragement. I often found myself irritated with a couple of the characters who would get upset at Claire for her lack of mothering skills, yet not offer her any sage advice. The amusing antics of the children brought a bolster of laughter and joy to a stressful and somewhat frightening period in history.
The setting for the story was perfect and so well written that I could easily picture walking the grounds myself. I explored an English Manor house, discovered a secret garden and was charmed by delightful literary characters.
Those who enjoy reading Historical Fiction set in the World War 2 era will be delighted with this story. I give Until We Find Home 4.5 stars and would encourage you to pick up a copy of your own to enjoy!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
It was barely a 4 star for me. I enjoyed some of the themes throughout the book, but I didn’t enjoy the multiple perspectives the story was told through. I feel like it slowed the story down and made it confusing at times. I so loved the idea of this story from reading the description, but the story moved a bit slowly, maybe because it was telling so many people’s stories. I get that may have made it more like how life really is, but it’s not a style I enjoy. I also didn’t really like Claire. She seemed really bratty, selfish, and annoying for most of the book. I liked almost all of the other characters better. As much as this book frustrated me at times, I have to say I loved David’s faith throughout the story, that was wonderful to read and I actually wish it had been a larger part of the book. I think I would have almost enjoyed the story more from his perspective.
Beautifully Written
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways and was not required to give a favorable review. This was a great story about how each person needs to come into their own through belief, hard work and shear determination. This story starts with a young American woman in Paris working in a bookstore and helping get French Jewish Refugee children out of France before the Nazis occupy Paris. Claire and her 5 charges are brought to a boat to get the children across to England and the person who was suppose to do it doesn’t show and she forced to go with them. She doesn’t meet up with the person in England shores and has to figure out if the aunt she was known about but never met is still in England. She brings the children to her and ends up having to stay and take care of them and many other who have been misplaced from their new homes along the English shores, but these other children are German Jews. Such a combination. The fight these children had everyday to survive, an aunt to know a niece that looks like her & also her lost son. Bring the war to life on each of the lines written in this story.