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The acclaimed author of the “sweeping and beautifully written novel” (Womans World) The Light Over London weaves an epic saga of love, motherhood, and betrayal set against World War II.Liverpool, 1935: Raised in a strict Catholic family, Viv Byrne knows whats expected of her: marry a Catholic man from her working-class neighborhood and have his children. However, when she finds herself pregnant after a fling with Joshua Levinson, a Jewish man with dreams of becoming a famous Jazz musician, Viv knows that a swift wedding is the only answer. Her only solace is that marrying Joshua will mean escaping her strict mothers scrutiny. But when Joshua makes a life-changing choice on their wedding day, Viv is forced once again into the arms of her disapproving family.Five years later and on the eve of World War II, Viv is faced with the impossible choice to evacuate her young daughter, Maggie, to the countryside estate of the affluent Thompson family. In New York City, Joshua gives up his failing musical career to serve in the Royal Air Force, fight for his country, and try to piece together his feelings about the family, wife, and daughter he left behind at nineteen. However, tragedy strikes when Viv learns that the countryside safe haven she sent her daughter to wasnt immune from the horrors of war. It is only years later, with Joshuas help, that Viv learns the secrets of their shared past and what it will take to put a family back together again.Telling the harrowing story of Englands many evacuated children, bestselling author Julia Kellys The Lost English Girl explores how one simple choice can change the course of a life, and what we are willing to forgive to find a way back to the ones we love and thought lost.

The Lost English Girl, a captivating novel by Julia Kelly, delves into the tumultuous life of Eliza Fanning, an English girl who finds herself swept away by a series of unexpected events during the tumultuous era of the American Civil War. The story unfolds amidst the backdrop of war-ravaged landscapes and divided hearts, as Eliza's journey takes her from the genteel shores of England to the unforgiving wilderness of the American frontier.

As a young woman yearning for a life beyond societal constraints, Eliza embarks on a treacherous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, seeking adventure and a new beginning. Destiny, however, has other plans, as she finds herself shipwrecked on the rugged coast of North Carolina. Eliza's survival instincts are put to the test as she navigates the unforgiving wilderness, encountering both danger and unexpected kindness along the way.

Amidst the turmoil of war, Eliza's path intertwines with a group of Confederate soldiers, led by the enigmatic and conflicted Captain William Rutledge. As tensions escalate and battles rage, Eliza finds herself caught between opposing forces, struggling to maintain her identity and navigate the complexities of loyalty, love, and betrayal.

As Eliza delves deeper into the heart of the Civil War, she encounters a tapestry of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. From headstrong soldiers to resilient slaves, she witnesses the toll that war takes on individuals and communities alike. Through her interactions with these diverse characters, Eliza gains a profound understanding of the human spirit, the resilience of love, and the complexities of a nation torn apart.

The Lost English Girl is a poignant and immersive historical novel that transports readers to a time of upheaval and transformation. Julia Kelly's vivid storytelling and rich character development bring to life the struggles, triumphs, and heart-wrenching choices that define Eliza's journey. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the strength of the human spirit, and the transformative nature of love in the face of adversity.