We stand in the back of the hall as the children troop in. Big ones, little ones. Straggly hair, cropped hair, curls… the adults surge forward to choose and soon there is just one child left, a little girl sitting on the floor. She is thin as a string bean and her sleeve is ragged and damp – like she’s been chewing it.1939. War has broken out – hundreds of children are evacuated to the … evacuated to the countryside to keep them safe from the bombs raining down on the cities. Wrenched from her family in the East End and sent more than a hundred miles away, seven-year-old Pearl Posner must adapt to a new life away from everything familiar.
Vivienne didn’t ask for an evacuee child. In fact, she’s not sure her heart can take it. So many years, so many disappointments… Vivi’s ability to feel love left her the day she learned the truth about her husband Edmund, and when she made the worst decision of her life and left her cherished sister to her fate. But like it or not, Pearl is here to stay, and what with the rumours about what’s happening to children in mainland Europe, it might be the last safe place for her.
As Pearl and Vivi learn how to live together, they discover that they have a connection that runs more deeply than they could ever have guessed – from before Pearl was born, and deep into Vivienne’s past. And will it be Pearl – the little girl who says so little and sees so much – who forces Vivi to finally confront what happened in her marriage… and to the long-lost sister she loved so dearly and let fall so far, just when she needed Vivi most?
A beautiful and emotional wartime historical novel – heartbreaking, moving and unforgettable. Perfect for fans of Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours.
Readers absolutely love When I Was Yours…
’Brought me to tears. I love how having Pearl as an evacuee gave Vivienne a purpose in life. The story has plenty of twists and turns… If you like romantic historical fiction, particularly which is set in wartime, then this is the book for you! This, at times, bought tears to my eyes and equally a warm glow to my heart.’ Stardust Book Reviews
‘Lizzie Page has gone and done it again with this beautiful, poignant and immensely emotional story… She is by far one of my favourite authors… Lizzie you have blown me away with your beautiful words, wonderful imagination and emotional story… It is a lovingly written story that has real heart, and one that I cannot recommend enough.’ Chicks Rogues and Scandals, 5 stars
‘I loved it!… I adore Lizzie Page’s writing and the way she so brilliantly blends fact and fiction.’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author
‘Page is a wonderful writer, one that draws me in to the story completely and utterly … wonderful characters… brilliantly plotted with a delightfully intertwined story, it has the heartbreak of war and a gorgeous love story… fantastic.’ Short Book and Scribes, 5 stars
‘A compelling and intriguing read… I was fascinated by Vivienne’s story… Vivienne and Pearl are characters I will certainly never forget.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘A lovely, heart-tugging novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘You’ll find the yourself engrossed till the last page.’ My Pert Opinions, 5 stars
‘The story is heartbreaking… This is an all-round excellent read, without a doubt 5 stars from me.’ Booking Good Read, 5 stars
‘This book was hard to put down… One of the best historical fiction books I’ve read in a very long time.’ Shelly’s Book Nook, 5 starsmore
A lovely rich story which had me crying and laughing,well worth a read.
It was interesting to follow the same characters through WWI and WWII. With alternating chapters labeled “then” and “now,” the reader gets insight in “then” chapters into the motivation of characters in the “now” chapters. I especially like the hints in “now” chapters that made me anticipate an explanation in an upcoming “then” chapter.
Well written, well researched, historical novel. Definitely will read other books by this author.
Wonderful story writing!
I enjoyed this story, which was actually two stories in one. I enjoy historical novels and this book was set in two different time periods. The characters were all very interesting.
Wonderful book! My mom was evacuated during the war so it made in even better!
Sad to know what these children went through but it’s part of our country’s history.
I liked it very much.
This is a tale of WWII and the evacuation of children evacuated from London, intertwined with a love story of WWI and II. Very entertaining.
A book that lets you walk in the shoes of those who lived and fought in WWI and WWII, and we are in England with bombs being dropped.
The name of the book made me think of a previous read, and yes, children are involved, but they a very different story. While I did know about children from London going to the country during the blitz, we see where some of these youngsters go, and try to see what their lives were like.
Surprises here, but when some facts are released you want to cringe, so selfish, and so much pain.
I felt myself quickly involved in Vivienne’s life, and wanted to continue when the book ended, but we are left with a good idea of what is about to happen.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review.
This is a really hard book for me to review. It started out in 1939 and I really liked it. Then it switched to 1914 and I felt the story line went flat. The story is written in a dual timeline format between the World War I (or the Great War as it is referred to) and World War II. The story begins in 1939 when Vivienne is unhappily married to Edmund and she has to take in a Jewish girl, Pearl, from London for her safety. Then, the story switches back to 1914 and the story line focuses on sisters Vivienne and Olive who are 18 and 19 at that time. As the wars intensifies, the sisters decide to join up to do their part and they are selected to be ambulance drivers. I liked the parts of the book that focused on WWII but I had a hard time getting through the parts that focused on WWI. I am not sure if I did not like the WWI parts because most of the characters were unlikeable or what but it fell flat in those parts for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.