The Lost Children is a story that is simple, yet stirring. The war rages on, shrouding this heartbreaking narrative in bleakness, showing yet another side to this monstrous war. With multiple narratives, both young and old, these voices lend a sincere depth to an otherwise simplistic tale.

Molly Moffat finds herself in a tough situation. After a night spent with the bosses son Molly finds herself in the family way, and on the day she is going to tell the man she loves about the baby growing inside her, she is fired by her boss, when he sees that she is pregnant. Having no other options she is sent away to give birth, and it is during her time away that she realizes she is having twins, and her heart knows there is no way she can give them up.

From their conception, Jacob and Molly have a hard life, but they have each other, and that’s all that matters. The Lost Children is the story of these two sweet cherubs and their harrowing journey to find where they belong. They both have such bravery, but Jacob is clearly wise beyond his years, having seen so much in his short life that many won’t see in an entire lifetime, and feeling the burden of not only caring for his own well-being but his sisters as well, as she has a handicap.

There is so much loss in this novel that it’s almost unreal, but such is how things were during the second world war. I hate how so many lost so much during this time, the war affecting every single person in one way or another, and for what? My blood boils when I think about the injustices from this time, and this story is just another example how far reaching this war went.

The heartache compounds as the story rolls on, one event after another that suppresses your psyche with sadness, wondering how much more loss can these children take. There is a sweet love story that is a nice breeze through an otherwise heavy story, a vital breath of fresh air.

My heart belonged to Jacob and Molly throughout and I craved to see these two get their happily ever after. The ending was predictable but appreciated, a contented sigh leaving my lips as I closed this novel. Shirley Dickson did a masterful job of putting you there into these characters minds, feeling what they feel, and seeing what they see. It was truly an immersive experience that I will not soon forget.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. ( )

In England, 1943, Martha Moffatt becomes pregnant by he rich boss. When he finds out, he fires her. She decides to have the baby even though she is shamed as an unwed mother. When the twins, Molly and Jacob are born. her mother takes care of the twins and Molly gets another job. The war intensifies and the grandmother dies when their home is bombed. Martha ultimately sends the twins off to the country to be cared for there. The story tells of the twins being moved around, always afraid they will be separated. They need to adjust to living with strangers, and when news of the death of their mother arrives, they are sure they will be sent to an orphanage and separated.
The story is tragic and at the same time heartwarming. When the reader thinks of these two small children, they are only 7 when the grandmother dies, being sent away and the things they have to face, one cannot help but be worried about their fate. Although off to a bit of a slow start, I couldn't put it down. ( )

This book starts with a young mother being fired from her job because she is pregnant, with her boss' children. She considers adoption, but takes a job in a bomb factory while her mother watches over twins Jacob and Molly. When something happens to grandma, the mother sends her kids to strangers out in the country, away from the city life and the bombings. This is their story of how they find where they belong.
I hated how everyone treated Molly having a disability, but the reality is people will always be cruel and judgemental about what they do not understand. You could say my review contains spoilers, but the cover is the spoiler as it mentions "orphans". I give this book only 4 stars as where it was quite enjoyable, it was also quite predictable. ( )