The Vicar’s Daughter at the Lodging House

London, 1940. When Jess Gresham arrives in the capital, she’s completely out of her depth. With bombs falling and a heartbreaking family lie about her beloved sister to get to the bottom of, can she find the help she needs at a Mayfair lodging house?

Used to the peace and quiet of the countryside, Jess is shaken by the noise and commotion of London. The city’s inhabitants bustle past her on the street, gas masks bumping against their hips. Soldiers patrol on corners or wait in sandbagged doorways. And on her very first night in the city, German bombers light up the sky for the first time – the roar of distant flames battling with the wail of sirens.

Lost, terrified and with no money to her name, her one refuge is the room she stumbles upon at a Mayfair lodging house, sharing with two other girls who quickly help her feel at home. Wealthy Betony is all style and charm, but she’s trying to shake her aristocratic airs and graces. Irish nurse Grace with her easy smile is much more down to earth, but Jess is certain she’s keeping a secret… Though no secret is as big as the one Jess is trying to unravel. The reason she came to London in the first place: the letter from her older sister Charlotte tucked into an old typewriter, dated two days after their father, the vicar, said she died. How could he lie about that? Desperate to uncover the truth, Jess must find her sister. The London location in the letter is her only clue…

With war throwing the three girls together, can Jess’s new friends help find her missing sister, despite the secrets between them? Or will they be torn apart for good?

A totally emotional and gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe.

What readers are saying about Natalie Meg Evans:

‘Wow, this book packs a punch!… Brilliant… Heartbreaking… Oh my goodness, the secrets… Had me gasping and picking my jaw up off the floor… I was speechless.’ The Plain Spoken Pen, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a gripping story!… Amazing… Heart-stopping… Gripping, captivating, addictive, full of intrigue, suspense, and twists… I couldn’t set it down!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow… I was heartbroken… Found myself reaching for the Kleenex box so many times… Had me from the very first word on page one until the very last… Heart-stopping… Broke my heart over, and over again. I devoured this book in one sitting… I was breathless… A must-read. I loved it.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down… Beautiful… One of the best love stories I’ve read… keeps you guessing till the end… phenomenal.’ Jthbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I demolished [this book] in one day, I was hooked… Beautiful, stunning… Just everything I could ever want.’ The Writing Garnet, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Had me from the very first page… Outstanding. If you only read one book of historical fiction, make it this one. Excellent.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a wonderful read!!!… I couldn’t put this book down!’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing stuff! I felt so many emotions and I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘From the very first page, I was stunned, mesmerised… I could have read another sixty chapters… Fantastic!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐