Forgotten Child by Katie Flynn

Forgotten Child by Katie Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over two days

Pages - 395

Publisher - Penguin books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

From Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Flynn, Forgotten Child is a heartbreaking, uplifting and totally transporting novel to curl up with by the fire.

Scotland, 1940: Isla Donaghue is just sixteen when her mother dies, and her idyllic life comes to an abrupt end. Unable to cope, Isla’s father sends her to the poorhouse when he joins the merchant navy.

Horrified at the harsh conditions of the poorhouse, Isla is determined to escape. Enlisting the help of her newfound friends Meg and Sophie, she devises a plan to flee to Liverpool.

Despite the difficulties of her new life and the dangers of the Luftwaffe, Isla falls in love for the first time. But her beau is not all that he seems… Will true love prevail or will secrets from the past put an end to their happiness?

Why readers love Katie Flynn...

'Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy'
'Hard to put down'
'Her characters are like old friends'
'Heartwarming romance'


My Review

Poor wee Isla, Scotland 1940 and she has had heartbreak (of the family loss kind) and now her da is taking her to a poor house. Isla is in for some cruelty and coldness but Isla is a plucky wee thing and makes a daring plan to break free. This is set during the war and as the girls leave one perilous environment they have to face the threats of war and matters of the heart.

Scotland and Liverpool, could you ask for two better places! Now this is a standalone and I have read a few of Flynn's books and I recognised a name or two from a previous book, I LOVE crossovers. It makes me want to buy up all the back ones and read them in order and of course hope she keeps the next one(s) in the same vein.

We find love, friendship, loss, betrayal and see the story of strength, personal growth, a splash of romance and the past catching up with the present. Skulduggery and shady characters as well as folk with hearts of gold and courage/strength. I think with these books the reason they are so good, not just how they are written obviously but you can slip from your own reality into theirs. Drama, abuse of power, harm to others and I do love a headstrong character who looks out for others, Isla is a fave for sure, 4/5 from us this time, roll on the next please!

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