#BlogTour: The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor @HazelGaynor @fictionpubteam @RandomTTours #TheLastPassenger #HazelGaynor #RandomThingsTours #5Stars #HistFic #HighlyRecommended

Book Synopsis:

Liverpool 1940. Alice King stands on the deck of SS Carlisle, waiting to escort a group of children to Canada as overseas evacuees. She is finally doing her bit for the war.

In London, as the Blitz bombs rain down and the threat of German invasion looms, Lily Nicholls anxiously counts the days for news of her son and daughter’s safe arrival.

But when disaster strikes in the Atlantic, Alice and Lily – one at sea, the other on land – will quickly become one another’s very best hope. The events of one night, and the eight unimaginable days that follow, will bind the two women together in unforgettable ways.

Inspired by a remarkable true story, The Last Lifeboat is a gripping and triumphant tale of love, courage and hope against the odds.

My Review:

The Last Lifeboat is an absorbing, heartbreaking read that will stay with it for a long time.

The story is told from the point of view of two women. Alice who is helping escort evacuees from war torn London and Lily the mother of one of the evacuees who is waiting news in London. I liked both of these woman equally and enjoyed following them throughout the book. Alice was a fantastic character who I loved for her selflessness and the way she obviously cares for her young charges. I think it’s always more scary looking after children who aren’t yours and I admired Alice for how she puts the kids first and tries to keep them safe. As a mother myself I really felt for Lily and felt I understood how she was feeling. It must have been so hard for these mothers trying to do the right think to keep their kids safe but always second guessing themselves about whether they are doing the right thing.

Historical fiction based in the second world war is my favourite genre, especially if I learn something new about the era. I hadn’t heard of the ‘sea vacs’ before and hadn’t realised that children were sent over seas to safety. This book is based on real life events and the author has clearly done her research as I felt fully transported to the lifeboat and into the horrendous situation the children find themselves in. This book really brings home the human cost of the war and how ordinary people were effected.

Overall I loved this book and would happily rate it as one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read. I felt immediately drawn into the story and found the book hard to put down as I desperately wanted to find out what would happen to Alice and the children. It’s been a long time since a book affected me as much as this one do and I found myself sobbing as I read. If you’re a fan of historical fiction I highly recommend this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail and Irish Times bestselling historical novelist. Her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, was awarded the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year, and her novels have since been shortlisted for the 2016 and 2020 Irish Book Awards, the 2019 HWA Gold Crown Award, the 2020 RNA Historical Novel of the Year and the 2021 Grand Prix du Roman Historique. Her latest novel, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & BRAVE/THE BIRD IN THE BAMBOO CAGE was a national bestseller in the USA. Hazel’s co-written novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning and being shortlisted for several international awards.

Hazel was selected as a 2015 WHSmith Fresh Talent pick, and by Library Journal as one of Ten Big Breakout Authors. She is published in twenty-five territories and her books have been translated into eighteen languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two children and is represented by Michelle Brower of Trellis Literary Management, USA.