Last Lifeboat

‘Heart-wrenching . . . a story that needs to be remembered’ FERN BRITTON ‘Enthrallingly told . . . it’s extraordinary how despite everything hope for the future shines out’ RACHEL HORE 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. Praise for The Last Lifeboat ‘A journey into the worst hardships of war for two women . . . and yet throughout it is bathed in the warmth of love’ GILL PAUL ‘I loved this absorbing, heart-rending story and cared so much about the vivid, courageous characters. Superb storytelling’ TRACY REES ‘Gripping, devastating, tremendously moving . . . a tale of bravery and remarkable endurance, the kindness of strangers, and the power of hope’ JENNY ASHCROFT ‘I was utterly engaged . . . the characters brim with life, the plot is elegantly handled and the writing is terrific’ LIZ TRENOW ‘Totally absorbing, heartbreaking and heart-stopping’ CELIA REES ‘Endearing characters, terrific plot, and a superb sense of time and place made this riveting book unputdownable. I loved it’ PATRICIA SCANLAN ‘Historical fiction at it’s best, The Last Lifeboat completely swept me away, leaving me breathless with emotion. A must-read’ CARMEL HARRINGTON ‘A devastatingly beautiful tale of survival and courage’ AMANDA GEARD ‘Broke my heart and then mended it again’ KATE THOMPSON

Acclaim for Hazel Gayno: ‘Deeply moving. Be prepared – have handkerchiefs on standby at the end’ Antonia Senior,The Times ‘Vivid, heart-rending and so, so beautiful’ Jenny Ashcroft ‘Moving and authentic’ Dinah Jefferies ‘An inspiring novel about the power of determination, courage and unity’ Woman’s Own 'Stunning … Based on an incredible true story… immersive, moving and utterly unforgettable' Catherine Ryan Howard 'A beautiful, tender & fascinating story of a group of young British schoolchildren interned by the Japanese during WWII…a gem' Sinead Moriarty 'Above all this is a novel about human courage, generosity of spirit, and the power of friendship. I was hooked from first to last page' Gill Paul 'A little-known corner of the war – absolutely fascinating. Beautiful descriptions of the seasons changing over China and characters who had me rooting for them all the way.' Tracy Rees

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Irish Times, bestselling author of historical fiction, including her debut The Girl Who Came Home, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter was shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown award. She is published in thirteen languages and nineteen countries. Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.