Reviewed by Emma Crowley
When Clara Newton became House Mother of Shilling Grange Orphanage, it was only supposed to be temporary, a job to help piece her life back together again after the war had torn it apart. But five years on, Shilling Grange is more than just a job, it’s her calling. The orphans have given her a reason to live again, as has her handsome war hero neighbour Ivor, who is now her dashing fiancé.
As Clara starts to plan her perfect wedding, she is shocked to discover that the village expects her to leave Shilling Grange once she is married. They can’t imagine how she could possibly be a good housewife while working full time at the orphanage. But Clara is horrified at the idea of deserting her orphans who have no one else in the world.
Clara starts to consider who could possibly replace her if she left. Who would take care of precious Peg who has never spoken a word or known love from anyone but Clara? And who would protect timid Jonathan from his life-changing secret that only Clara knows?
But when a storm causes a catastrophic flood that risks the life of Ivor and the children, Clara is suddenly on the brink of losing everything once more. In this final heart-wrenching book in the series, will Clara and Ivor finally make it down the aisle? And will Clara find the strength to save the orphanage and stop it from falling into the wrong hands?
Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my copy of An Orphan’s Wish to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
An Orphan’s Wish brings Lizzie Page’s Shilling Grange Children’s Home series to a conclusion and what a deeply satisfying last book readers were given. Originally, three books were in the long-term plan but due to the success of the series and the fact the author felt there were more stories to be told it continued on for another two books. This was definitely the right decision and in no way did it feel like the series was being dragged out. Instead the timing was perfect and this was perhaps my most anticipated book following Clara and her orphans as I knew all the questions that I had since the very first book would finally be answered. My most anticipated being would Clara and Ivor eventually make it down the aisle after all the trials and tribulations that they have been through both individually and as a couple? Long time readers of the series have wanted the pair to get together from the moment they first set eyes on each other but I suppose there wouldn’t have been as much content for the books if this had occurred too early on.
The book opens in January 1953 and Clara and Ivor are continuing their lives with Clara residing at the Shilling Grange Children’s Home where she is housemother to her current charges, Jonathon, Peg, Gladys, and twins Frank and Trevor. It’s a very changed place from when she took over the reins from a nun who was cruel and uncaring. Shilling Grange is a safe haven for orphans or troubled children and as they have grown and changed under the nurturing care of Clara she too has undergone a transformation although at times some of her characteristics when it comes to anxiety do make themselves known. Ivor continues to live across the road where he has his tailoring workshop and young toddler Patricia remains in his care. He is not biologically her father but selflessly took her in when his ex-girlfriend Ruby didn’t want her. Clara is still adjusting to Patricia and you would think despite really getting to individually know the children in her care that caring for Patricia and coming to accept her as her own when she marries Ivor would be a complete doddle but that is not the case.
Clara and Ivor have finally set a date for their wedding and that is the main focus of the book but of course there are lots of problems and obstacles thrown in their way along with some moments of happiness too. You can tell from the outset that deep down Clara feels that until she is walking up that aisle that the marriage won’t take place. She has suffered so much grief in her personal life that underneath it all I could sense that she was questioning would she ever find that long lasting happiness that she has been so desperately seeking.You did feel the love that exists between herself at Ivor yet at the same time as with the other books I felt they skirted around some issues and that Clara was always fretting and anxious over something or other. That she could never truly relax and accept that love and romance were now in her life and would remain there. She always seemed to be nervous and afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing and I wished that she was just more honest and opinion with Ivor about things especially when it came to Ruby.
I make it sound like it’s all doom and gloom but it’s not at all and there are moments of tenderness, openness and togetherness between the pair but I still felt that before they married they needed to be honest and open with one another about everything. Ivor keeps things close to his chest, especially his experiences during the war, and Ruby remains as a shadow between the pair. I felt that until something final and solid occurred regarding the Ruby aspect of the plot then they really couldn’t move on. As plans are set in motion for the wedding you can see the excitement rising in Clara but also the anxiety as there is so much to do. Combined with this she is under increasing pressure from the council and some of the people around her want her to quit her job once she is married as was the norm at the time. This was a heavy burden for her she didn’t want to do this at all and I desperately hoped the further that I read through the book that a compromise could be reached because Shilling Grange was Clara’s heart and soul and she gave it her everything and if it was taken from her, what would she be without it?
This is something that she grapples with throughout the book as well as continuing the daily running of the home and dealing with all the little problems and incidents that arise. That’s what I really enjoy about this series that it so relaxing and easy to read and so conversational and normal in the writing style. As readers, we are getting glimpses into a family of sorts and detailing all their ups and downs so vividly makes you feel as if you are really part of something. I have loved seeing the range of children that have come through the doors and all the little stories and troubles they bring with them that Clara works so hard to solve. She has helped so many children and in doing so has helped herself and matured so much. She needed the children as much as she they needed her. Perhaps the greatest triumph of the book was perhaps surrounding little Peg. I won’t go into details of her story nor what occurs here but it brought a smile to my face as it has been so desperately wanted for so such a long time.
Naturally, there needed to be some drama along the path to the big wedding day and I loved how this was woven into the story. When news reaches Clara that one of her former charges Clifford was in trouble in his reform school in Hunstanton, Ivor sets out to help him and at the same time he finds Jonathon at the train station having run away. He takes Jonathon with him but little do they know what is in store for them. I had never heard of the North Sea Floods that occurred at that time but it brought an element of danger and suspense to the story and also allowed for Jonathon’s storyline to be developed a bit more which proved surprising I must admit. But I thought it was handled very well in the overall context of the book. When the worst occurs, tragedy and worry once again enters Clara’s life and I found these chapters to be tense and a real eye opener. All her questions, nerves and worries start to dissipate as she realises what she has and that she doesn’t want to lose it. In testing and unknown times she does something rash which she will later regret and it eats away at her and again here is where you want to reach into the pages of the book and comfort and console her and tell her that everything will be ok. That in fact she did the right thing and she should doubting herself. In fact, in general she should stop doubting herself when it comes to Ivor and of course the home. She has come such a long way and is brave, strong, courageous and just. If she only knew it herself.
An Orphan’s Wish was the perfect ending to a series which has captured so many readers hearts. The question of whether Clara and Ivor make it down the aisle ? Well of course, I won’t answer that, you’ll have to grab a copy of the book to find out. The themes of searching for where we belong, the responsibilities we have in life and the rewards of parenting and of course romance were all explored so wonderfully here and it was a joy to read the final book. This line sums up everything to perfection and melted my heart. ’These were her lost children – and they had been found – and in finding them, she was lost no longer’. I also thought it was brilliant to have short paragraphs as to what happened to all the children and the characters in later years and I appreciated their inclusion. I’m already looking forward to Lizzie’s next series as she mentioned in her author notes that she is working on a three book series about the evacuated children of WW2, their families and home families. If it’s anything like Shilling Grange, I know I am in for a real treat.
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