Unfortunately, this really didn't work for me.

Based on the title and cover, I was expecting a heartwarming, perhaps heartbreaking, wholesome story. It's about children who were saved from the Holocaust because they were brought over to England on the kindertransport, a program where England took in German Jewish children. I have read other stories, mostly true, about these children and personally know someone who was saved because of the program. There's so much to explore and delve into. It's a perfect setup for a great story

I didn't really read the blurb, as usual, because it nearly always gives away more than I want to know before I start reading. Maybe I would have known not to read this if I'd read the blurb first. ( I still haven't so I don't know what it says).

I had several problems with this book, but the biggest one is that it's about children - yes, children, ages 12 and 14 - and their lovers. I'm not kidding. The tone is YA, but there are several spicy scenes. I was shocked by the first one, a graphic depiction of a 14 year old having an affair with a married woman. And he somehow comes across as very experienced and sure of himself.

The 12 year old is getting marriage proposals because every boy/man who meets her falls in love with her. I think she might have aged a bit by the first one, maybe she was already 14?

Forget the kindertransport, this book makes the kids into adults and is all about love affairs.

The second problem is that it doesn't work as a standalone, at all. I did know it was part of a series going in, but usually even a part of a series has a full plot that can stand on its own, even if you miss some backstory. Not here. It starts from the viewpoint of Alina, who is sending her sister on the kindertransport. We never hear from her again after the first chapter.

In the next chapter, the sister, Gilde, is suddenly with two friends it seems the reader is expected to recognize. The rest of the book is mostly about gilde and partially about one of the friends, Elias. The third friend, Shaul, has a small part and I won't say why because spoiler, but I don't think he should have had a viewpoint.

There is no ending. I think you're expected to read the next installment to find out what happens.

I could go on, but those are the main points.

Thank you to Roberta Kagan and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The amazing third book centered on Michal’s second daughter Gilde and her life in England and the men she loved. I find it interesting that the Rabbi would have married her to her first husband when she was underage, and presumably without a marriage license.