Those I Have Lost

A family on a faraway island. Seas crawling with Japanese spies. A terrible war creeping ever closer…


1940 When Rosie loses her mother and is sent to Sri Lanka to live with her mother’s friend Silvia and her three sons, her world changes in a heartbeat. As she is absorbed into the bosom of a noisy family, with boys she loves like brothers, she begins to feel at home.


But the war in Europe is heading for Asia. Searching for comfort from the bleak news and the bombings, Rosie meets a heroic soldier on leave, and falls in love for the first time. Yet the war will not stop for passion; he must move on, and she must say goodbye, knowing she might never see him again. She is left with just a memory.


Meanwhile, one by one, the men she considers brothers leave to fight for their island paradise. As she waits in anguish for letters that never come, tortured by stories of torpedoed ships and massacres of innocent families, she realises that she, too, must do her bit. Rosie volunteers to work in military intelligence, keeping secrets that will help those she loves and protect her island home. But then two telegrams arrive with the chilling words ‘missing believed captured’ and ‘missing believed dead’. Who of those that she loves will survive the devastating war, and who will she lose?


An emotional and heartbreaking read with rich historical detail set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka during World War Two. Fans of Hazel Gaynor, Fiona Valpy, Kristin Hannah and Clare Flynn will be swept away by Those I Have Lost.


What everyone’s saying about Those I Have Lost:


‘An emotional and heartbreaking story… Will keep you up all night reading this book!... five stars!’ Tropical Girl Reads Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


‘This book was beyond amazing.’ Bookstagram


‘I loved the characters in this book… This was my first book by Sharon Maas but it definitely won’t be my last as it was a well researched and engrossing read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


‘A similar writing style to Victoria Hislop… took me on a journey through Asia during the Second World War… I couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


‘A stunning novel of WWII, of loves lost and found and the resiliency of the human spirit to survive and begin again.’ Fictionvixenreads


‘Unforgettable characters and setting!’ Cayo Costa What everyone’s saying about Sharon Maas:


‘If only I could give this book 100 stars rather than 5!… Captivated me right from the start. This book is epic, a mesmerizing book of strength through unimaginable losses… Heartbreaking and beautifully written, this is a gripping tale of bravery… One of the best and most memorable historical books I've ever read!’ Deanne’s Book Thoughts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


‘Blew me away and I absolutely loved it… Oh my goodness me this was one seriously fantastically, heartwrenching tale… I became addicted… this book got to me more than any other book I have read… one hell of a fantastically brilliant book.’ Ginger Book Geek, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐