Synopsis
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and the East End Angels are working hard to keep Londoners safe.
Frankie is trying hard to keep everything together. She can count on the support of the East End Angels, even in the face of family trouble.
Winnie’s beloved husband, Mac, is putting himself at risk every day in the bomb disposal unit and she’s finding it hard while he’s away.
Bella is growing in confidence and happiness. Her friendship with Winnie’s brother, James, is getting closer all the time.
Christmas on the Home Front is a hard time with loved ones far away – but the women of the Auxiliary Ambulance service are making do and mending.
My review
This is a lively and evocative story set in wartime London. Our three heroines are wonderfully strong women. Like so many others during this time of heartbreak but also empowerment, they’ve assumed important roles in the war effort. Not only are their jobs demanding and dangerous, but home life isn’t easy either. Frankie misses her grandfather who died recently and is struggling to cope with her obnoxious step-gran Ivy. Winnie’s husband is in the army and so she constantly worries about him, although she has her beloved dog Trixie to keep her company, and Bella has lost the writing assignments she so enjoyed. But they keep their spirits up as best they can and tackle every new task that comes their way.
A new person joins the team: Rose, who’s come from Austria. She moves into Frankie’s house as a lodger, which is a big boost to Frankie’s precarious financial situation. Since it’s Christmas their boss wants them to put a carol concert on. Bella helps to organise it and then they move on to organising another, grander event.
The women’s lives are busy and full of incidents, big and little. There’s never a dull moment for either the characters, or us the reader.
This is the third book about these three energetic ladies. However, it works well as a standalone, and there is enough detail so that we know everything we need to. I shall certainly read the earlier books now.
The atmosphere of wartime England is beautifully portrayed. There are many little details that make the descriptions so convincing. The author has brought the period to life, no doubt as a result of fascination on her part and considerable and thorough research.
A very enjoyable, festive read that is uplifting and moving.
Purchase Links
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07CLL56W9
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07CLL56W9
About the author
Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband, two children, chickens and a snake. She’s worked in a variety of jobs from fruit picking, waitressing, teaching and as a research scientist but has always loving reading and writing. Starting off writing short stories for women’s magazines, her stories have gradually become longer as her children have grown bigger.
Listening to her father’s tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie’s interest in this period and she’s especially intrigued by how women’s lives changed during the war years. She loves researching further, searching out gems of real-life events which inspire her writing.
When she’s not working, Rosie enjoys walking along the beach, reading and is grateful for the fact that her husband is a much better cook than her.
Website: www.rosiehendry.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RosieHendrybooks/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/hendry_rosie
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, Stephanie. I’m delighted that you enjoyed spending time with Winnie, Frankie and Bella.