CHRISTMAS WISHES

by Katie Flynn

Christmas Wishes

Genres: Christmas, Chick Lit, Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction

436 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Recommended.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Flynn is another 'comfort read' author for me. I love books set around the war period in history. I felt that the ending in this one was a little rushed- but an enjoyable read.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fluffy nonsense that required no effort for the season. Not entirely sure why it's called Christmas wishes with the tagline 'their first peacetime christmas must be special' when the Christmas was barely a full chapter and pretty much glossed over.
The writer needs to learn that dialogue should drive the story not tell it too. Was very clunky and a bit pants really. But it was something entirely effortless to read at a time when anything more would have just been ignored as too much work when I have so much else going on!

[Krisz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love KF's style, slowly flowing, and I like to read the non-important bits as well. However, I had some slight problems with Christmas Kisses:
1. The heroines were 13, going on 17. I do not really like to read books solely about characters of this age.
2. Some interesting twists were not written about at all. For example Joy's first homecoming and how was her meeting with Edward, or the day out for Ada and Alex.
3. It was unlikely that a handsome 38-ish dad as Alex never got romantic with anyone during these years. I was disappointed.
(I bought a copy but will give it away.)

[Sian Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was mildly average. I knew this as soon as I started reading it but it had been on my shelf for years. Whilst it was a very pleasant book, the writing was too simplistic, spelling out things that should have been intrinsic and there was no depth. The characters were nice but everything was on the surface. The plot was very superficial and even the ending was a bit of a let down. I also read it over Christmas because of the title. Very little to do with Christmas. Upsides - it was about twins!

[LaSibila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilly y Joy son gemelas idénticas hasta que un accidente deja a Joy con cicatrices y ciega. Durante varios años ellas luchan por recomponer la salud de Joy, y la culpa de Gillian. En el camino, el amor florecerá y Joy aprenderá a ser autosuficente. Hay un villano entre los personajes. Me resultó largo, el final fue corto y ya ni recuerdo qué relación tiene la historia con el título. De todas formas lo terminé, y por eso tiene 3 estrellas.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel set after WW2 in Liverpool and tells the story of twins Gillian and Joy as they grow through their teens into early adulthood. It's a nice enough story but I think that some storylines could have been developed more to make it more exciting.

[Dari Malaunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2015 and it surprised me so much that it left a mark on my heart with this tragic story of two little sisters...
I don't remember much but it still has a place in my heart for making me cry.

[Michaela Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable book as always

[Shauna Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book but I'm a Katie Flynn fan anyway a lovely read

[Kathleen Tolson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didnt finish this book,even if i dont like a book i will persevere to the end .But this book was so mundane and repetetive i gave up on it.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all Katie's books this was a great read from first page

[Aburoobha Anandhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twins made me cry, laugh and have the impression of being in the book.

[Vitasta Chaturvedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a sweet, enticing story with a touch of mystery. I would recommend it, but I found the ending a little abrupt. I was hoping to know more.

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down yet another good read.feom Katie Flynn

[Amy Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, I could not finish this book, it was slow and boring

[CynRizzer]

My daughter went to a school shop and picked this out for my holiday gift since she knows I love to read. So sweet of her. The book itself took me a while to read and was sad.

[Sammi Heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Theresa Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started a little slow, but once I got into the storyline about the twin sisters, I really enjoyed it. There were a few twist and turns in it.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M)]

In Autumn 1945 identical twins Joy and Gillian are on their way home to Liverpool after being evacuated five years ago. Their mother was killed during the war but the girls are hoping that by returning to their father they will all be able to manage together. That is until Joy loses her eye sight… Will they all be able to cope? Will Joy’s eye sight return? Or will they all have to adjust to cope without her eye sight? I would highly recommend you read this beautiful story, I would even read it when it is not Christmas as it does not focus on Christmas specifically.

I really did enjoy this story and cannot express how much I fell in love with the story and characters. This is another of those books I did not think I would like, but yet again I was wrong and loved it! This is the first book I have read by Katie Flynn and it will not be the last, she is a new author to me and I just know if her books are as good as this one I will not be disappointed! This is the perfect story for readers who enjoy an outstanding Christmas, chick-lit and war story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! What would you do if you lost your eye sight? Read to find out what Joy does… You will not be disappointed.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another novel from Katie Flynn that despite its cover (with its scattering of glitter it really is very pretty) and tagline of 'Their first peacetime Christmas must be special' is hardly a festive read.

Whilst I'm still of the opinion the books are unimaginative - all set in Liverpool during the war/shortly afterwards, two out of the three featuring a parent who is a widow/widower (in another the parents are in fact an aunty and uncle), twins with the name Gillian, day trips to Llandudno, even the mention of gingersnap biscuits - I did think that this with its plot line of a young girl newly blinded in an accident the best of the three Katie Flynn books I've now read, the exploration of how Joy and her twin, Gillian's, relationship changed quite interesting.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely whimsical festive tale of twins Gillian and Joy, although close sometimes like everyone they feel the need for their own space until that is the day of an accident that causes Joy to be even more dependent on Gillian than ever when she loses her sight.
Years pass and Joy slowly adjusts to the fact that she will never see again but then she starts to experience things through Gillian's eyes, all the little things in life people take for granted, work, school, friends and even falling in love.
Can Joy regain her confidence enough to fall in love and try to live life to the fullest as her twin is or are her chances at happiness denied her due to her disability?
An engaging story with believable characters set against the background of war and the ensuing years or hardship and rationing.
Well worth reading especially on a winter night.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read of Katie Flynn's and it won't be the last. Running much along the lines of many Lyn Andrews books, this is the story of twin sisters, who's lives are blighted by a tragic accident just after the second world war, which affects their futures. It is very well written and although not soleley based around Christmas, a very easy to read book. Makes you want to snuggle up in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. I would definitely read another of Katie's books, although I may need to get my own to read list down a bit before I add anything else!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me quite a while to read this book, as it was over the Christmas period. It may have been because I had a lot on my mind but I found it hard to get into at first. It was a gentle story of twin girls Gillian and Joy and their relationship, after an accident Joy loses her sight and it takes a while for her to become confident again. Although it's called Christmas Wishes it's not a particularly Christmasy read. I did end up enjoying this book and felt I could relate to both sisters and their friends. I give it a good 3 stars, not bad just not exactly exciting.

[Tiina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight reading, but interesting characters. I liked the way this story came to life - it was much like visiting the past.

Again, my standard gripe: something took place on page 86 that came as a surprise, yet this was mentioned in the book summary (on Goodreads pages, for example). Why have spoilers?! They spoil things.

[Michelle Hammond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I nice sedate read, wouldn't go as far as to say boring but it was a bit slow. It was a nice enough story but it didn't grab your attention as a truly good book should. I managed to read about a chapter a night before dozing off. Your nan would probably enjoy it a lot more than you.

[Dionne Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the usual kind if book I would read but after the first few chapters I couldn't put it down. Good easy read.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

normally love this author but could not get into this after 126 pages

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read

[Donna Boultwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story with agreeable characters. Strange ending though.