Christmas at Woolworths: The Perfect Festive Historical Fiction to Cosy Up With

Loved this book Christmas at Woolworths hard to put down

This is another cannot put down, feel good book!

I absolutely adored The Woolworth Girls and have been looking forward to Christmas at Woolworths ever since. It has come at just the right time for me, it’s actually November now so I can allow myself to feel a bit festive and nostalgic.It is fantastic to be back with the girls from Erith, the little huddle of friends whose lives have been linked via the store. True friendships, love interests and family dramas are all part of the story set during WW11. While their loved ones are away fighting it falls to the women to keep strong and make ends meet.I am so fascinated by the intense detail of each of the characters, rationing of goods and food and very low budgets should point to a very frugal Christmas but the innovative attempts to cook anything possible and decorate sparsely ensured there could be some Christmas cheer. Even singing in the air raid shelters .. these women were not going to let the threat of war blight their time.A highly enjoyable book, allow yourself to be transported back in time to a different era, this community will welcome you with open arms and you will finish the story believing you have a whole bunch of new friends. I can’t praise Christmas at Woolworths highly enough, Elaine manages to set the scene and let the drama roll with much compassion and feeling. Love it!!Thanks so much to the author, publisher and Faye for my copy of the book which I read and reviewed voluntarily and will happily display on my bookshelf. I can’t wait for the next instalment. I know there is a novella out called Carols at Woolworths so I plan on getting my hands on that next.

This is such a lovely book to read, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!  I bought and read the prequel to this book, Carols at Woolworths before I read this one and knowing how good that was, I knew that I would definitely be in for a treat - and I was right - I loved it!!I loved the writing style and the lot and best of all I love how Elaine makes you feel at ease reading about the characters and as though you are living the story with them - such a treat for me to be able to read a story like this - I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who loves a good saga or historical romantic fiction set in WWII - just a magical read for me - 5 stars!!

Bad. Poor copy of the book. Someone spilled a drink on it.

Christmas at Woolworths written by the very talented Elaine Everest for me is another fabulous read based on the lives of the girls and their families whose lives revolve around the very famous store of F.W. Woolworths in Erith, Kent. I love all the characters which fill the pages of this very entertaining book, yet it not only entertained it showed the many heart-wrenching moments which filled the Second World War. I mainly loved this book because the author showed the real value of neighbours and friends, as well as the old-fashioned manners which have changed so much throughout the years. Elaine Everest not only wrote a historical fiction book which weaved constantly with historical facts she showed what life was really like back then, how the characters lived their daily lives their old-fashioned speech patterns showed how history has not only changed the way we live but also the very way we speak.The book takes us back into the lives of Maisie, Sarah, and the wonderful Freda as well as the many other characters who we all met through these three girls who showed so much love and bravery through this time in history. Each girl has their own problems to face while they try their best to work through rationing, nightly bombing and fear when their husbands faced the enemy while serving in the R.A.F. Ruby and Maureen are the two mother figures and I so wish I knew these women personally as their outlook on life was one of no-nonsense while showing nothing but love and understanding to their family and friends. There is a new character or two, especially Gwyneth and Myfi who have a heart-breaking story of their own which I must admit caused a tear or two to fall. Each character was made so real through wonderful and vivid writing and as they tried their best to make Christmas as happy as possible, but there are no big expensive presents for each of the characters which filled the pages of this very readable book simply had one wish to be surrounded by those they love and for peace in their time.Christmas at Woolworths is truly a wonderful read, the perfect read for those who love historical fiction based on the era of the Second World War.This is one book I am happy to recommend, if you like audio versions I would also recommend the audio version which is narrated by Annie Aldington who has a wonderful gift of giving each character their own voice, she also narrated the old-fashioned speech patterns perfectly which made the audio version a pleasure to listen too.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-at-Woolworths/dp/B076JMYSBF/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1540086003&sr=8-4

I decided to take a couple of days off after finishing this book prior to writing out my review. I wanted to make certain that my first thoughts were, well, correct. They are, so here goesThis is a wonderful book and though I know I've started the series out of sequence (numpty that I am), I know that this will not be the first book from Ms Everest that I shall read.Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't give out too much on plot points on my reviews. Judging by the amount of reviews here, I don't need to worry about that. I prefer to concentrate on the author/writing. To keep it short, the author has created an all-encompassing world that is, magic.I was drawn rapidly into the world of Maisie, Ruby, Betty, Freda and all, and wish I could duplicate myself simply so I could read more than one book at a time.If you're a saga fan and haven't found the Wonderful World of Woolies yet, then introduce yourself to this author, she'll be one you will follow, as do I.

bought this a few weeks before Christmas along with War time at Christmas see review for that also. I had to will myself not to start it as I was going away for Christmas on a cruise, where I can sit and read all day - Bliss !!We meet Freda, Sarah and Masie again along with Betty. Spoiler ** This book leads up to and ends at Christmas. I too was a Woolies Saturday girl ( in Leicester ) for 12 months and worked over the Christmas period. It could have been the Leicester store this book was set as the description as so real. I think most of the previous reviewers have said it all. It is brilliant and I can well recommend it.I am a slow reader, as I like to take everything in. Seldom do I have to read pages more than once - a`s I do with some authors as I do not understand what is going on. Two other things I like about this author you do not have anyone jumping into bed with any man that just happens to be around and no bad language.Thank you Elaine for the memories.

The second book in the Woolworth trilogy, (I recommend reading them in order), and once again we meet Sarah, Maisie and Freda along with their family and friends.1942 and the war is still raging, but daily life and loves must go on as best it is able.A nostalgic and absorbing book, it is unashamedly aimed at those of us who enjoy an uncomplicated and straightforward story with a beginning, a middle and an end.Find a cozy chair and let yourself be transported to wartime Erith, and a group of folk who will enchant and entertain you. Highly recommended.

Loved the back story but the only characters I could truly say that I disliked were Irene Caselton for her Snootiness that there really was no need of & Ruby's so called friend Vera from up the road. I loved the way they all pulled together in the end for a good old fashioned Christmas & really felt their sorrows as well as their joys. I loved the way they all pulled Betty Billington into the circle of friends & family too...... Very well portrayed story by Elaine Everest - a good follow on in the series from her