Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed.

In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.

But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.

Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars . Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?

As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

I've been really wanting to read this one. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get to it this soon, but if I can I'll join the discussion.

I really loved this book. It has a magical quality and love the use of Fairy Tales the older sister uses to help soothe her younger sister during the war.

Through Ch. 15 - I love this one so far! Beautifully written.

(view spoiler)[I love the bond between Hazel and Flora and their sisterhood. I am so curious to know what actually happened to Flora and how Peggy Anderson has the same story of Whisperwood. There is only a difference of about 20 years since Flora got lost or drowned, and Peggy mentioned not wanting to tell her mom anything about the phone call from Hazel. She seemed suspicious, so I wonder what the deal is with her. I like Bridie. She was so good to take in the girls and seems so nice so far. I'm dying to know if Flora really is all right! (hide spoiler)]

Oh! You've already started. I placed a hold on this, but it hasn't come in yet. I am currently first on the waitlist and I'm hoping it will be here on the 7th. Regardless, I'll read your spoilers and jump in when I get to it.

Yeah, I'm sorry, but I have another challenge I was reading it for and I had to have it done tonight. I loved it! I'll post my other comments tomorrow because I'm tired and I have been sick with a cold so just want to get to bed as soon as I can.

No need to apologize! My hold just became available, but I'll finish the book I'm currently reading first. Feel better!

Thank you, Kristie. :)

Through Ch 28
(view spoiler)[I can’t imagine what it would be like to be so young, dealing with war and being sent to a stranger to live with. I was happy for the girls when their mom finally went to see them. 3 weeks is a long time for a six-year-old to wait. The Baldwin twins were pretty nasty to the girls, calling them vaccies and all but kids oftentimes tend to be insensitive.
I felt so bad for Kelty living with such an awful woman, I don’t blame her for running away. I was glad to hear more about her story/background. And I like Bridie even more for standing up to Mrs. Marchman. It just sucks that the cops had to send Kelty back to her because of the paperwork. Ugh
It seems like Hazel is getting closer to finding out what happened to Flora. I just hope it doesn’t leave us with nobody ever finding out! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch 45
(view spoiler)[Well, now we know that Harry and Hazel still have feelings for each other. I don’t think she loves Barnaby like she loved (loves) Harry. They’re getting closer to finding the answers to Flora’s being missing, but evidently Peggy isn’t Flora, but I still think something is off with her. Hmm (hide spoiler)]

Final Comments - Finished

(view spoiler)[Wow! I never once thought her sister might be Dot!! She wasn't that big of a part of the plot until she was. lol I love how it ended! I think my favorite part of the book's ending was when Hazel was deciding what she truly wanted and it said, "And now she understood - she'd already made it, for long ago she'd made her decision in the riven hollow of an oak tree where stories were made." It was so beautifully written and fit so well!

I love that she finally wrote her own story. Just loved this one! (hide spoiler)]