Until We Find Home–a Review by Patsy Ledbetter

Until We Find Home , by Cathy Gohlke and published by Tyndale House Publishers (2018), is the perfect World War II read. It contains mystery, suspense, drama, romance, and lots of wonderful Christian life lessons.



In 1940 Claire Stewart, an American girl from New Jersey, is in France to help usher Jewish children to safety in England. She works with Arnaud, a young man whom she loves but who has not yet made any commitment to her. Her good friend, Josephine Ganute, helps with the children as does Sylvia Beach, who owns an American bookstore called Shakespeare and Company.



As the first chapter begins, Josephine is encouraging Claire to usher a group of five children out of France. Claire asks if it is certain that Arnaud will meet her before the children get on the boat and if the contact to take them to England will be there. Josephine assures her all is well.



But it isn’t. Nothing turns out as it should, and Arnaud and the additional contact never show up. 



Claire must take the children to England on her own. The five children are two sets of siblings and an additional young girl named Aimee. The siblings are Janine and Elise, around twelve and seven and Bertram and Gaston, ages thirteen and eight. Aimee is about five.



In England, they stay temporarily at the ship captain’s home while he obtains necessary forged papers for them. It is the only place they can stay. Claire is extremely upset. She worries about what could have happened to Arnaud. She also wants to return to France and help many more children flee the country as it is being attacked by the Germans. The captain tells her it is absolutely impossible for her to return, and that the children need her to care for them.



Claire has an aunt, Miranda Langford, who lives in northern England in the Lake District at Windermere Estate. Claire hopes she may stay with her, but Miranda, nearly fifty years of age, and Mildred, her sister and Claire’s mother, have been estranged for many years.



Claire is also not close to her mother. She has not heard from her for the ten months since she left New Jersey. Claire’s father left many years ago. Now with Arnaud missing, she feels very much alone and unloved. She grew up with a knowledge of God, but she doesn’t feel He could possibly be real. Through her trials and the challenges of directing the lives of the five children, Claire comes to a saving understanding of Jesus and what He has done for her.



Aunt Miranda is very surprised to see Claire and the children, but she agrees to let them stay. Claire is the only relative she wants in her life. She wishes things were different with her sister, but she does not feel the situation can be helped.



Several years ago, Miranda’s husband Gilbert passed away. Her son Christopher was only a young man when he died less than a year ago. Miranda is still dealing with the grief. Dr. Mac Donald has been in her life since her husband passed away. He loves her and wants to marry her, but she is not ready to begin a new life with him.



Soon David Campbell, a young man from West Virginia, moves into Miranda’s house. Campbell, an engineer, is doing war work in the area, and the war office has requested that Miranda house him.  He travels often, but when he is there, he is very good with the children. He becomes a huge help in running the household. He has a strong faith in Jesus.



Throughout this story, many ups and downs occur and the plot twists and turns in very meaningful ways. The children grow up and learn to care for one another. Aunt Miranda comes to learn new ways of interacting, and Claire learns how much Jesus cares for her. At one point, she writes a letter to C.S. Lewis seeking advice on her spiritual growth. 



I enjoyed this story tremendously and I know you will as well. It is recommended for readers eighteen and above.



Patsy Ledbetter has written poetry, short stories, devotionals, and book reviews for many years. She has also been a drama instructor, special needs teacher and substitute teacher. She and Kevin have been married for 41 years. They recently lost their oldest son Craig, age 33. They now have three children, Vanessa, Bethany and David. They also have four grandchildren, Elyse, Aurora, Hayden, and Molly. Kevin has been a music pastor most of his life and together they serve the Lord in a local church. Patsy loves to read, pray, and spend time outdoors and with family and friends. Her main desire is to bring glory to God through all the talents He has given her.