The House for Lost Children

England, 1940. “Hello Gracie,” Louisa reaches out a trembling hand to the six-year-old little girl. Her dark eyes are wide with fear and Louisa’s heart shatters. She is devoted to the children in her new boarding school. But when the war comes closer than ever, can she keep them safe?

Louisa Brightford is anxiously preparing to turn her home into a boarding school when with a bang of the exhaust, a car carrying nine evacuated children arrives. As they tumble out and run around the sun-kissed fields and her rambling mansion, the children capture Louisa’s heart. They need love and care, and she is glad to play her part while her only son David fights in the battle for Britain’s skies.

Wide-eyed Gracie, who lost her mother in the bombing, clings to Louisa like a shadow. Can she be the parent she needs? And, though she thought she’d never find love again, she finds herself drawing closer to Jack, the children’s handsome, kind teacher who dances with her to gramophone music in the long summer evenings. But when the governors threaten to close the boarding school, it seems she might soon lose them all…

Then Louisa receives terrible news about David. Through the depths of her grief, she must find the strength to fight for her beloved lost children. But is there a future where she and Jack can be a family for little Gracie? Or when German planes fly over their peaceful village, will they be torn forever apart?

From USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate comes an utterly heartbreaking and unforgettable tale of a little orphan girl who must find bravery, hope and resilience in the darkest of times, and the woman who would do anything to protect the children in her care. Fans of Orphan Train, Sold on a Monday and Diney Costeloe will be swept away by this stunning World War Two novel.

What readers are saying about Marty Wingate:

‘Wow, I loved this book!!!!… I was brought to tears several times and was outright laughing… One of the best books I’ve read this year – I give this one the highest 5 stars I can give! Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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‘I felt like my heart was going to burst… Loved… couldn’t wait to devour the next page… really warmed my soul and I couldn’t have loved the ending more… Breathtaking!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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‘Beautiful and heartwarming… I hung onto every word.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping… Perfect… Brimming with hope.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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‘Perfect… Warms my heart… I love this book… Amazing.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartwarming… I couldn’t help but love each word and every character.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful, heart-warming… Be prepared to fall in love with some very special characters, and experience adventure, heartbreak and love with them.’ Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Wives of War.