A Quality Street Christmas

by Penny Thorpe

Everything is changing at the Quality Street factory, can the plucky girls in the line make this a Christmas to remember?The Quality Street girls are gearing up for Christmas, but with the factory now making gas masks, as well as the nation’s favourite chocolate sweets, it’s anything but normal.They’re having to make other adjustments too. Reenie is in the doldrums after being demoted at work, while Mary has got her hands full getting used to married life and a ready-made family. New girl, Ada, isn’t sure she fits into factory life at all.Then, just as the Christmas party season gets into full swing, Toffee town gets a shock, and soon it isn’t just Christmas cheer that’s in short supply.Can the Quality Street girls save Christmas once again?

352 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[Cherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet, Heart warming Story of Friendship and Purpose

[Introduction: Setting the Scene and Style]

This is the perfect book to curl up with—I highly recommend you get the chocolates out and settle in with this sweet read! With a beautiful cover and an easy and enjoyable writing style, Penny Thorpe immediately transports you into this wonderful world. The short chapters keep the pace engaging from start to finish.

[Praise: Characters and Relationships]

The greatest strength of this novel is its exceptional cast. Despite there being a lot of different characters, the character development was so well done that you could easily differentiate who was who. They truly are a great cast of relatable characters.

Ada was my favourite character. She was a very relatable figure, simply looking for some purpose in life and tired of living in the background. She was determined to be liked for who she was, yet her shocking behaviour at times made her feel incredibly real. You could understand how her circumstances led to the situation she found herself in, but it ultimately helped her find the perfect place to work that suited her personality.

I enjoyed all the interconnected relationships—from the factory girls and their friends to the complex dynamics between Reenie and Harry, Reenie and Ada, and even Caroline, who, despite being a horrible friend to Ada, was a brilliantly written character.

[Themes and Historical Context]

The novel beautifully explores powerful themes of friendship, love, belonging, and finding purpose. I absolutely enjoyed following the life of everyone working in the factory. Crucially, the book also captures the fear of the upcoming war very well, adding a poignant historical layer to the personal stories. I especially appreciated the author's note at the end and was fascinated to learn that the book was based on quite a few real-life stories.

[Conclusion: Final Thoughts]

This is a heart warming, character-driven saga that hits all the right notes. With a beautiful ending that satisfies completely, it’s a wonderful read that stays with you long after you turn the final page.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mackintosh girls are now officially on war duty, they are on a production line for gas masks for the war effort.
But against this turbulent and worrying time of imminent war the girls have their own troubles.
Reenie Calder is yet again in trouble with her bosses and is demoted.
Mary is struggling to adjust to married life and a language barrier between her and her new step daughter.
Diana is torn in so many ways in her personal life her emotions are in chaos.
Added to this the town is under attack from a mysterious "Slasher."
A wonderful new saga in the Quality street girls series but this one feels very final and there has been an absence of any more novels.
So sorry to see these end.

[Jill MacKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book as a pre Christmas read - it was very misleading, there was not even a mention of Christmas until past page 100. The characters were not interesting, I did not care for this book at all!

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in this series. So interesting reading about this period in time just before WW2.

[Andrea]

Get those Quality Street tubs at the ready you're in for a real treat.

[Danni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got this book as last choice of a 3 for 2 deal, but was disappointed. I got a chapter in and was so lost, and then gave to a friend to try and they couldn’t get on with it either, just very confusing

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historic novel of sorts It is really well written and an enjoyable read.

[Kerry Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this pre war setting and charming characters.