I really did try to read this one, but I just couldn't get into it. I truly think it was a case of "its me not you" because the writing was fine, just a little dull for my tastes.

A great read. I enjoyed reading it and it has a great plot and characters. I also look forward to more books from the author.

A compelling tale of two sisters, left at an orphanage around the start of WW2. A compelling tale, that draws you in. I felt utter sadness for the girls, particularly the youngest ... and would recommend it as it brings another perspective to both childhood and ww2.

This was a lovely, well-written book for me. I really enjoyed the historical setting & the intimate relationship between the two sisters. The story was emotional and inspiring as the sisters became older after leaving the orphanage.

The book mainly focuses on the younger sister, Etty’s perspective though it does explore the thoughts of the other characters. It is a beautifully sad story of family heartbreak and betrayal. The two sisters meant the world to one another and I thoroughly adored following them grow and move forward from their tragic childhood.

“The Orphan Sisters” by Shirley Dickson really captured my heart and I highly recommend that you read the book.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I loved this book and warmed to the characters.
The story was well written and kept my interest throughout the book.
A great read

Bookouture book so just clearing this down as a review for my profile - Kim Nash

A wonderful read from this author, I really loved the story and the characters
Most entertaining. A delightful read.

Shirley Dickson has crafted a heartbreaking novel that definitely hits you deep down in your bones. It’s not that I dislike The Orphan. Sisters; I just felt a little out of sorts with the odd time jumps, particularly in the beginning. Maybe that’s the point, and we’re supposed to feel as confused and rushed as the sisters themselves are. If so, then I seem to have missed appreciating the point.

Overall, a decent read. I’m glad I read it, and I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I’m glad to see there are people for whom this book really a hit mark!

I absolutely loved this book.
A great story line with every emotion possible.
Thoroughly recommend.

Great Great Great Book!!
Anyone wanting a story to immerse themselves, this is it! Very well written and laid out. I feel that one can relate to the characters in some way. Hard book to put down.

The story was written as a third person omniscient narrative. The story uses indirect characterization method. It has conflict of characters versus themselves, other characters and society. The theme emcompasses many popular ones including love, death, war, coming of age, good vs evil and courage and heroism.

Our main protagonist is Ester , she is a round character who must get used to living in the world outside of an orphanage their mother left them in as young girls. Ester, or Etty, is the younger of the two girls, she and her sister Dorothy promise to always be there for each other. Dorothy acts as her main confidant and judging wall she is also a round character as both have suffered many of the same fates. Our main antagonist is divided between two males who seek the attention of Etty, one being Billy as soldier who is all about philandering with women and causing as much trouble as he can before going off to war. The second is Trevor, who only problem is that he is attached at the hip to his mother as is all about pleasing her. The exposition brings us to Victory in Europe Day where everyone is celebrating when Etty gets a surprise visitor, this brings back to her days when she was at Blakely Hall. The rising action goes through all of the problems that were going on at Blakely Hall during Etty’s time but also her sister’s engagement and promise that she can come live with them after her birthday. The climax reaches its peak when Etty finds herself getting the unwanted attention of Billy but also wondering where her and Trevor are going to go, plus dealing with her sister as her brother-in-law is off at war. The falling actions circles around life during the raids and attempting to live in this world. The resolution explains the title but also reveals what has happened to girls’ mother.

The author use of ideas and organization allow easy following of the book no matter the multiple time jumps between sections. The word use helps describe the situations, places and events that make you feel like you are right there with Etty and Dorothy. Yes, I would recommend this book. Anyone who is a history buff will enjoy it, anyone interested in sisters coming together or just a good classic story of survival. Those who enjoy drama, war torn lives, or lots of action should stay away from this one.

Kind of slow although an interesting premise based on triplets, two of which were fraternal and 1 identical. The one identical sister narrated the story and she did not feel as though she was part of the family as much as the other two sadly. Clementine, the main character, feels like an outsider even though she has two triplet sisters. She is not an extremely likeable character and I had a hard time following the story because it did not follow a timeline and jumped back and forth. I found the story unfortunately kind of predictable and not really interesting sadly because I thought the premise would make it really good. I did like the writing and the descriptions, however the story just fell a little short.

I really enjoyed the sister relationship in this book. It was heartwarming and very sweet.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received this book "The Orphan Sisters" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. The story starts a bit slow for me but I did enjoy reading it. The storyline picks up and you really get to know the characters. Although it is historical fiction, the war is not the main story. This is more of a story of two sisters during the war and their lives. I thought the ending was good.

Great historical fiction which pulls you in. Strong characters and a good story line which draws you in from the word go.

As much as I wanted to connect with these characters and their stories, this book wasn’t as memorable as I had anticipated it would be. I think others will enjoy it more but it wasn’t for me.

This historical novel appears to be well-loved by many! For me, this was just average. I liked the characters, I liked the historical setting, the plot was interesting. In summary, two sister, Dorothy and Etty, are left when they are very young at an orphanage by their mother (their father had died). It is not known why she left them, but the older leaves when she is 15 to go to work, and takes in her younger sister when she leaves as well. Time passes, WWII is raging, the sisters face trials and tribulations in their lives, but also fid their way through together, and there is tragedy that would normally pull at me emotionally...but my heart never really connected with any of the characters. They were likeable, there was great deal of politeness and "goodness," but I felt a bit removed and never quite connected in any real way. Not a bad read, not sorry I spent time on it...but not one that will stick with me for long either. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing an advanced digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Dorothy and Esther are sisters who are placed in an orphanage. Here they grow up and never give up on each other. Can they ever forgive their mother for placing them here?

The story takes place in England during WWII. They suffer through the air raids and the thought of loss is always with them. This is a great story for anyone who loves historical fiction. I really enjoyed this book! The historical facts are very accurate. You will love this novel!

As a fan of WWII historical fiction, I was excited to get my hands on The Orphan Sisters. This debut novel by Shirley Dickson tells the story of two sisters, Etty and Dorothy, inexplicably abandoned in an orphanage as young children by their mother in 1929 and how that experience formed an unbreakable bond that would see them through the horrors of the war as adults. As much as I liked the idea of this story, for me this book was a slow burn and at times hard to follow because of the many additional story lines and relationships between characters. I felt that I didn't get to know each character deeply enough to have a lot invested in them. That being said, this was the first work of historical fiction I've read that takes place in WWII Britain and I did enjoy a different setting on that time period in Europe.


Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Orphan Sisters, the debut novel of author Shirley Dickson, opens in 1929. Dorothy, age 8, and Etty, age 4, are rushing down the street with their mother, suitcases swinging by their sides. Etty thinks they are going someplace special but soon realizes that this is one trip she never wanted to take. Because their widowed mother can longer provide for her daughters, she places them in an orphanage and walks away forever.

In a strange place surrounded by strangers, the girls realize that they can only rely on each other. As the years go by, their sisterhood sustains and strengthens them. By 1940, both girls, now grown, are ready to face the world, together.

Unfortunately, the world is in turmoil. England is embroiled in a war with Germany. The sound of air raid sirens and exploding bombs fill their air. Although both women find love, they also suffer great loss. But despite the pervasive pain that permeates their lives, these sisters persevere. They still have each other... but for how long?

A compelling read, The Orphan Sisters pulled me in and would not let me go. I stood alongside these sisters, celebrating in their joys and sharing in their pains. Bittersweet and enduring, this novel's characters stayed with me long after I finished the final page.

***
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A beautifully written story . Two sisters left at an orphanage by their mother grow up in loveless conditions. The bond between the sisters is beautiful and I loved the story as they left the orphanage - first Dorothy then a couple of years later Esther. There is sadness, joy, love and loss amidst the horrors of WW2.