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A Christmas to Remember
From the bestselling author of A Sixpenny Christmas , comes a story of love and survival set in the years just after World War II.
A few days before Christmas Tess Williams rushes into Albert Payne's tobacconist shop, with two boys in hot pursuit, saying she's a thief. Albert chases the boys away, and though Tess does not realise it, this incident changes her life. Tess lives with her grandmother, Edie, in a small flat on Heyworth Street. She has recently returned from Bell Farm, where she was evacuated during the war, and is being bullied by her schoolmates, but when the handsome Snowy White comes to her rescue she thinks her troubles are over, and returns for a working holiday to Bell Farm and her old friend Jonty. This leaves Edie to her own devices, however, and Tess is jealous of the friendship which blossoms between her grandmother and the tobacconist. Yet though Tess resents Albert, it is to him she turns when things start to go wrong.
A few days before Christmas Tess Williams rushes into Albert Payne's tobacconist shop, with two boys in hot pursuit, saying she's a thief. Albert chases the boys away, and though Tess does not realise it, this incident changes her life. Tess lives with her grandmother, Edie, in a small flat on Heyworth Street. She has recently returned from Bell Farm, where she was evacuated during the war, and is being bullied by her schoolmates, but when the handsome Snowy White comes to her rescue she thinks her troubles are over, and returns for a working holiday to Bell Farm and her old friend Jonty. This leaves Edie to her own devices, however, and Tess is jealous of the friendship which blossoms between her grandmother and the tobacconist. Yet though Tess resents Albert, it is to him she turns when things start to go wrong.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2013
28 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Katie Flynn
100 books218 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 30, 2015
I loved this. I loved this and it's sparkly cover. Yes, sparkles!
When I see books by Katie Flynn, and indeed other authors of the romantic-saga-type genre, I think Oh, I know what I'm in for. These are the books I turn to when I need something which will make my heart swell and put a huge smile on my face. But boy, this was different. Right from the first pages I knew that although it would still most likely follow the usual formula, there was something which wouldn't.
And that was the main character, Tess.
This book read a little like a young adult and I seriously enjoyed it. Tess is a young adult herself and this follows her tough journey through post-evacuation life living with her only relative, her gran. We see her try to figure out who she loves, we see her grow up and we see her realise that she was a little selfish at times and work to rectify that.
There are twists and turns and oh-my-gosh moments all through this, and although the ending was a little fast for me, I will certainly read this again.
No matter your age, I think you'll enjoy this. This book is so much more than the genre it's in, and it's a book for everyone to enjoy. This is a book for all times of the year, not just Christmas, despite what the cover implies - I would have been just as comfortable and content reading this in the height of summer!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
When I see books by Katie Flynn, and indeed other authors of the romantic-saga-type genre, I think Oh, I know what I'm in for. These are the books I turn to when I need something which will make my heart swell and put a huge smile on my face. But boy, this was different. Right from the first pages I knew that although it would still most likely follow the usual formula, there was something which wouldn't.
And that was the main character, Tess.
This book read a little like a young adult and I seriously enjoyed it. Tess is a young adult herself and this follows her tough journey through post-evacuation life living with her only relative, her gran. We see her try to figure out who she loves, we see her grow up and we see her realise that she was a little selfish at times and work to rectify that.
There are twists and turns and oh-my-gosh moments all through this, and although the ending was a little fast for me, I will certainly read this again.
No matter your age, I think you'll enjoy this. This book is so much more than the genre it's in, and it's a book for everyone to enjoy. This is a book for all times of the year, not just Christmas, despite what the cover implies - I would have been just as comfortable and content reading this in the height of summer!
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
December 3, 2017
Loved this book by Katie Flynn. The artwork on the cover is really lovely and the story does not disappoint. The old adage of never judging a book by it's cover is so not true with this book.
Recommended.
Recommended.
December 24, 2018
This was an amazing heart warming book. We see the characters grow and how they find themselves. This book is full of both friendship, love and surprising twists. I loved the ending so much, I couldn't of asked for a better conclusion to the book. A definite christmas read
January 19, 2023
4stars because the chapters are lengthy15if shorter could of been 20plus
December 23, 2020
I thought I was getting a nice Christmas story, but this had very little to do with Christmas. It is a life story of a young girl called Tess coming into adulthood. And a bit about people she's surrounded by. Gosh, let me tell you, this was quite boring and uneventful. But the main problem I had was that everyone in this story talked about doing things and then not actually do them. I don't think I have ever read about more indecisive people. Literally everyone in here from the main character to her friends and grandma couldn't make a decision even if their life depended on it. Was this supposed to resemble real life? Maybe, but even in real life you have people who are indecisive and people who know what they want to do, they are all mixed up. But here, nope... you get a bunch who are clueless as to what they want from their lives. It was very frustrating.
December 22, 2019
The original boomer novel. Went in for comfort, came out with boredom so intense, I had to fit in three unedpected naps into an otherwise productive readathon. Sigh.
December 7, 2023
Initially thought this book was going to be cosy read, but so mundane, skipped several chapters and was able to follow storyline.
January 27, 2021
Heart-warming! This is the word which best describes this book. The story revolves around the life of Tess as she grows up from a lanky schoolgirl to a savvy woman and her various incidents and encounters surrounding the people in her life. The book moves slowly pulling the reader into the daily life and happenings of the characters which adds to their personalities and well as makes the reader to attach to them emotionally.
The story picks up pace in the last 100 pages as it hustles towards its climax which is quite unexpected though not very surprising. I would recommend reading this book at any time, not just Christmas, for it leaves the reader as happy as it were Christmas!
The story picks up pace in the last 100 pages as it hustles towards its climax which is quite unexpected though not very surprising. I would recommend reading this book at any time, not just Christmas, for it leaves the reader as happy as it were Christmas!
January 3, 2015
I was rather disapointed by this story, albeit the actual story was ok, but it is not at all a christmassy book as the title rather promises.
December 29, 2017
this is the first Katie Flynn book I have read, and I didn't know of her subject matter when I started this - in fact I didn't even realise it was set in Liverpool! Stories set around WW2 aren't really my type of story, but I did enjoy this one. Unlike the Annie Groves saga I read earlier in the year, this has few ups and downs, and is set over nearly a decade rather than a few months. It is a gentle weaving story, intertwining the lives of several characters quite nicely. I guessed what was going to occur with the central characters, but the peripheral ones surprised me a little.
It was an easy read, and I did want to know what happened to them as the book progressed. Not sure I would read another, simply as it is not my genre of choice. If you like this type of period story though, then go for it!
It was an easy read, and I did want to know what happened to them as the book progressed. Not sure I would read another, simply as it is not my genre of choice. If you like this type of period story though, then go for it!
December 28, 2020
Awww I did enjoy this, it was a big book & it’s taken me most of December reading this on and off so it’s probably the one I will remember reading the most at Christmas 2020.
I loved it more than your usual Xmas Rom com because it’s set a couple of years post war in Liverpool, times of rationing and hardship. The story goes over about 4-5 years so it’s not just one Christmas with one story, you get to see Tess the main character grow up and open her own pet shop, not just fall in love.
I loved it more than your usual Xmas Rom com because it’s set a couple of years post war in Liverpool, times of rationing and hardship. The story goes over about 4-5 years so it’s not just one Christmas with one story, you get to see Tess the main character grow up and open her own pet shop, not just fall in love.
September 9, 2019
I was more than halfway through reading this book before it got interesting for me.
I'm not one for giving up on a book , for fear of missing something later into the story. So continued to the end. And what An end ! The last few chapters gripped me and I was pleased with the end . Outcome
I'm not one for giving up on a book , for fear of missing something later into the story. So continued to the end. And what An end ! The last few chapters gripped me and I was pleased with the end . Outcome
December 27, 2020
4 out of 5 stars
This is a lovely post war Christmas book that is based around tess Williams and her gran Edie. We see tess grow up into a stronger lady who is protective of her gram. Lovely to have romances for the two generations which is written beautifully.
This is a lovely post war Christmas book that is based around tess Williams and her gran Edie. We see tess grow up into a stronger lady who is protective of her gram. Lovely to have romances for the two generations which is written beautifully.
September 3, 2023
yet another brilliant story from Katie Flynn
Loved the characters, could almost see them growing up. The twists and turns in the story kept me reading and the only thing I disliked was finishing the book!
Loved the characters, could almost see them growing up. The twists and turns in the story kept me reading and the only thing I disliked was finishing the book!
September 10, 2017
Loved it. Armchair comfort
December 25, 2017
Not one of my usual genres of choice, was tempted by Christmas in title (as it was Xmas), an easy read, but predictable once the love aspect came in.
March 24, 2020
another winner from Katie Flynn well worth reading and a real heartwarmer
December 20, 2020
Bit dull in parts, not very Christmassy. To me a while to get through as didn’t grab my attention.
January 12, 2022
A heartwarming Christmas read. This book takes you back in time and explores the complexities of relationships and love. Katie Flynn brings the characters alive. A most enjoyable read.
December 27, 2022
I enjoyed it.
Nice little story. Likeable characters.
It didn’t seem to quite match up to the blurb in the back; and again I felt it suddenly finished!
Nice little story. Likeable characters.
It didn’t seem to quite match up to the blurb in the back; and again I felt it suddenly finished!
June 16, 2024
Very old setting but glad i read it.
October 26, 2025
Lovely dtory
December 21, 2025
2nd time reading. excellent heartwarming
May 24, 2018
Love all Katie Flynn books
Well written, loved the story line..
Can't wait to read the next book...
Well done Katie for another great read..
Well written, loved the story line..
Can't wait to read the next book...
Well done Katie for another great read..
February 7, 2015
I gotta be honest, the only reason I have read this book was because of its cover. It is truly beautiful and has sparkles on it, which I am always drawn to. So therefore, I have read the book because it had sparkles on it, which is I agree, wrong.
However, the book was quite boring, and nothing was really happening, but when the storyline become more interesting, the writer only gave us glimpses of the scenes I wanted to read, and then swapped to another scene, which I was not happy about. It did have its happy ending, but it was rather short and was cut off quite fast... However, I was happy with the guy she chose, because I wasn't really fond of the other one, and the boy she chose was really nice.
However, the book was quite boring, and nothing was really happening, but when the storyline become more interesting, the writer only gave us glimpses of the scenes I wanted to read, and then swapped to another scene, which I was not happy about. It did have its happy ending, but it was rather short and was cut off quite fast... However, I was happy with the guy she chose, because I wasn't really fond of the other one, and the boy she chose was really nice.
December 12, 2013
Katie Flynn's A Christmas to Remember (Random House Adult Trade, digital galley) is one of several books by popular British authors to be released globally as e-books. Flynn's warm-hearted tale is a bit soapy and predictable, covering seven years after World War II as young Tess Williams grows up in Liverpool, where food is still rationed and times are hard. Living with her grandmother Edie above a hat shop, bright Tess makes friends with widower tobacconist Albert Payne, tangles with mean girl Marilyn, is torn between the affections of farmer boy Jonty and city boy Snowy, and wonders whether to go to university or get a job. An accident and then a stray cat set her on an unexpected path. All's well that ends well with another memorable holiday. More for fans of East Enders than Downton Abbey, although I like both.
from On a Clear Day I Can Read Forever, http://patebooks.wordpress.com
"Under the mistletoe''
from On a Clear Day I Can Read Forever, http://patebooks.wordpress.com
"Under the mistletoe''
December 24, 2014
A wonderful festive tale following the lives of Tess and Edie her grandmother.
When Tess runs into Albert Payne's tobacconist's shop one day chased by two boys it sets in train the basis for a long term friendship.
When Tess goes back to the farm she was evacuated to during the war Edie starts to make her own life much to the distress of Tess who feels left out of Edie's and Albert's friendship but Tess is also starting to make her own way in life when she attracts the notice of local boy Snowy but does her love lie in that direction or is her heart at the farm where she has spent so many happy times with her childhood friend Jonty?
Confused as to her feelings when the chips are down its always to Edie and Albert she turns.
A lovely seasonal period drama of life, love, loss and growing up.
A holiday must read.
When Tess runs into Albert Payne's tobacconist's shop one day chased by two boys it sets in train the basis for a long term friendship.
When Tess goes back to the farm she was evacuated to during the war Edie starts to make her own life much to the distress of Tess who feels left out of Edie's and Albert's friendship but Tess is also starting to make her own way in life when she attracts the notice of local boy Snowy but does her love lie in that direction or is her heart at the farm where she has spent so many happy times with her childhood friend Jonty?
Confused as to her feelings when the chips are down its always to Edie and Albert she turns.
A lovely seasonal period drama of life, love, loss and growing up.
A holiday must read.
December 27, 2016
All along, I had planned to give this book four stars. It is hard to describe what it is about...it doesn't necessarily have a plot. Most of the time when I was listening, it felt kind of like an Anne of Green Gables book. Not really "about" anything...just a sweet story of a girl and her gran. For the most part, it was really clean. Then about a half an hour before the end of the book, she put in a description that was totally unnecessary and really detracted from the story. I had been planning to read more of her books, but now I'm not sure. It wasn't SUPER bad, or I would have dropped it down lower than three stars...it was just disappointing. I also felt the end was not quite right...part of it dragged and part of it was rushed, but I could get past that. Take the 30 seconds of fondling out, and it was a delightful story.
January 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. We meet Tess, a young girl, just after the Second World War. She's bright and as a result she gets bullied by the popular girls. However that all changes when Snowy White comes to her rescue.
As the years pass we see Tess come into her own, and she is torn between her boyfriend Snowy and her childhood friend Jonty. Not only that but she is extremely jealous of her gran's blossoming relationship with Albert. However drama occurs and an event which changes everything will mark their lives.
Despite the title this book wasn't so much about Christmas as discovering who you really are. A light hearted read for anyone.
As the years pass we see Tess come into her own, and she is torn between her boyfriend Snowy and her childhood friend Jonty. Not only that but she is extremely jealous of her gran's blossoming relationship with Albert. However drama occurs and an event which changes everything will mark their lives.
Despite the title this book wasn't so much about Christmas as discovering who you really are. A light hearted read for anyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews