The forgotten daughter

From a tender age, Flora felt unloved and unwanted by her parents, but she finds safety in the arms of caring nanny Pru. But when Pru is cast out of the family home, under a shadow of secrets, and with a young baby boy of her own to care for, it shatters little Flora. 

But over the years, Flora and Pru meet in secret – unbeknown to Flora’s parents. Pru becomes the mother to flora she never had, and Flora grows into a fine young woman. When Flora signs up to become a nurse with the St John’s ambulance, she begins to shape her life. But the drum of war beats loudly and Flora’s world is turned upside down when she receives a letter asking her to join the Red Cross in Poland. 

With the fate of the country in the balance, it’s a time for bravery. Flora’s determined to be the strong woman she was destined to be. But with horror, loss and heartache on her horizon – there's a lot for young Flora to learn . . .

The Forgotten Daughter by Mary Wood is the first book in The Girls Who Went To War trilogy.

Mary lives in Blackpool and enjoys researching the history of her home town, coming up with some surprising facts and excited to uncover material for future books. 

Born the 13th child of 15 children, Mary experienced life at the raw end. Though she says of her childhood that though poor they were happy and were rich in love. 

Mary writes full time now having ended her 9 - 5 working life in the Probation Service. This experience gave the grittiness she brings to her writing as Mary says she feels compelled to tell it how it is. 

Website

https://www.authormarywood.com

Twitter

Authormary

My Review

I am really excited to read the first in a new series from Mary Wood. This book pulls no punches and deals with some distressing themes such as rape and incest. These, however, are always dealt with sensitively and are integral to the plot. When Flora is essentially cast out by her well-off family, she turns to her nanny Pru who becomes a substitute for the mother's love she never received from her own mother.
I found the descriptions of wartime France really heartbreaking. The book is full of contrasts - unbearable suffering and loss tempered by the ties of friendship and love. This is a stunning start to the new series and I can't wait to read the next part as we catch up with the friends that Flora made in France who have become such an important part of her life.