The Ration Book Baby (A Village at War, #1)

A lovely and heartwarming tale that takes place during a dark time in history.

England, 1940

Nurse Annie Russell answered a knock at the door and found a newborn baby inside wrapped in a blanket. Annie looks around for signs of who left the baby but only sees a ration book that was left behind. A ration book that is desperately needed during wartime.

Annie and her family do their best to take care of the infant (Clara) while Annie does everything in her power to find the baby’s mother. Annie receives gifts for the baby from those in her local community and from the young men who she provides medical care for. The village has a local airfield where the men take to the skies at night to protect the area.

But news of the baby being abandoned has reached social services who inform Annie that if the baby’s parents aren’t found soon, they will need to take her into their care.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was wonderful. I was swept into the lives of those in Bramble Heath village and enjoyed their sense of community and their desire to help. I thought Ellie Curzon did a great job of showing the distrust of the polish community there. They have had to flee their country due to persecution and keep to themselves. The effects of war, the injuries, the deaths, and the conditions were expertly detailed.

Books set during wartime can be heavy and this does have some heavy moments, but it was also heartwarming and lovely. The characters in this book are very likeable and I rooted for them – especially Annie and William, a pilot. This book had a nice mystery revolving around baby Clara and who left her. I enjoyed watching Annie care for her while trying to find her mother. I also admired Annie for how she cared for the injured men in her care.

This is the beginning of a new series and I look forward to reading the next book(s) in the series!

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.