The Teashop Girls at War

The Teashop Girls #3

by Elaine Everest

It is 1942, and with the country still at war, the girls who work for Joe Lyons are praying for their loved ones to return home safely.Happily married, Rose is busy with staffing problems at the teashop with many women taking on war work. Rose dreams of her husband’s return while trying to keep everyone happy. Lily has her own worries when the father of her daughter appears back in her life with no explanation. Katie longs for a family of her own, so when a handsome airman arrives on the scene will she have her head turned?At Sea View Guest House Flora, wary of a relationship and marriage, is fearful of letting her feelings for John Bentley develop further especially as she has her guests to be mindful of. Anya is torn, having given birth to a beautiful baby boy who is the spitting image of his father, who has been taken as a prisoner of war. Presented with a chance to save him, Anya confides in her friends, leaving her son in their care. With the uncertainty of the future, can the Teashop girls overcome their personal battles?The Teashop Girls at War is the third instalment in the Teashop Girls series.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2024

About the author

Elaine Everest is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of historical sagas including The Woolworths Girls series, The Teashop Girls series and other popular books.

She is represented by the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency Ltd.

Reviews

[Lisa Trup · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always expect an enjoyable easy read with these books and this didn't disappoint. Perhaps this one was a little far fetched but I still liked the book.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Elaine Everest's books and was really pleased when I heard a new Teashop Girls book was on the way. It seems ages since the first two books and so it took me a little settling into this one to remind myself of the characters and their lives. I was soon back into the swing of life in Ramsgate and Margate though.

We meet up again with Rose, Lily and Katie. They all work for Lyons Teashops, either in management roles or as 'Nippies', the name given to the Lyons waitresses. It's 1942, the war shows no signs of coming to an end and the girls are more used than ever to heading for the Ramsgate tunnels, where so much time was spent during air raids. It was lovely to catch up with the three women again, along with Flora, Rose's mother and landlady of the Sea View Guesthouse. If Ruby is the matriarch of the Woolworths books then Flora fulfils that role in the Teashop books and I loved how she was the person that everybody turned to, whether it was with good news or bad. Mildred and Miss Tibbs, longstanding residents of the guesthouse are back too and Mildred in particular has quite an unexpected role to play in events.

There's an exciting storyline involving Anya, a young Polish woman. I was so exasperated with her at times but I tried to tell myself that although we now have so much knowledge of the war looking back, it must have been so different to live through it on a day to day basis. There are ups and downs for all the characters in one way or another, but they always pull together and solve problems as a friendship group which is so enjoyable to read. There's so much solidarity and camaraderie in this story! I'm guessing there might be more books in this series in the pipeline. I do hope so as I'd love to follow the characters through to the end of the war years. This latest instalment was a joy to read.

[Lauren-Tess Anderson-Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, what a journey I've been on the past few days.

In this latest instalment to The Teashop Girls series, we're back with Rose, Lily, and Katie. We are back in Ramsgate. It's 1942, and the war is still raging. This book has a lot going on, and it really gets you wanting to keep reading on.

I won't go into detail as it'll give spoilers away, but all I will say is, if I were Lily, I'd have smacked that old good for nothing into next week and back.

But at the heart of this book is friendship. A tight-knit friendship/family circle who will always look out for each other, help with any problems, and even team up together to play detective to find answers.

By the time I got to the last page, I felt my eyes tear up. Can we have the next instalment now, please?!

I have now read all of Elaine's books to date, and I've loved them all, so if you are a fan of wartime family sagas and are yet to read Elaine's books, have you been hiding under a rock all this time? You can find the books at your local libraries, some charity shops (if copies have been donated), amazon, and all good bookshops/second-hand bookshops.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Everest is one my favourite authors. I’m totally addicted to all the Woolworths series written by Elaine Everest, and all the other books, the reason all Elaine’s novels strike a special bond in my heart, is because al the stories are based in kent, like Ramsgate where this story is set isn’t far from where I live.

In this new novel The Teashop Girls at War, I absolutely loved reading about my favourite characters, happily married Rose, running her teashop during the war, and with Flora owning her own Sea View Guest House. All the ladies in this page-turning novel have problems of their own that made me connect with each of the women. I’m so addicted to these novels, I can’t wait for the next book to to come out. Any of Elaine’s books will make the perfect present for any woman in your family or for a good friend. I highly recommend the whole series of novels by Elaine Everest.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got caught sleeping on this one! I read the previous two books and I had no idea a third one has come out. It slipped past me! My bad, I am sleeping no more and I’m glad I stumbled across this one accidentally on my weekly scroll through BorrowBox and Libby.

The first two books I really enjoyed and it’s easy to grow attached to the girls as you spend more of the war with them. They’re all such great women and I never tire of reading their love and support for one another.

This one had a great exciting element too, with one of our brave girls risking her life for king and country. The war continues on but will they all survive to tell the tale? I loved the development in this and given how it ended, I need to know what’s going to happen next!

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is good to be back with these familiar characters although I found this chapter in their lives a lot more challenging. Yes, we have cosy scenes in the teashop and guesthouse, but this story also sees the return of a very nasty character with evil intent, and takes us into occupied France with extreme danger and several heart stopping moments. I was rushing through the final chapters hoping all would end well, and that is surely the sign of good storytelling and characters who matter. With the author's usual attention to authentic wartime detail and knack for creating truly believable bonds of female friendship.

[Beverly Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing

Yet another brilliant depiction of the Tea Shop Girls. The story line as mesmerising - well done Flora, Rose, Lily and Katy for doggedly pursuing what and where their friends Anya and Mildred were, and for arranging a happy ending.
I have read all of Elaine's books and get thoroughly absorbed into the stories. It would appear that life imitates fiction as Elaine and I both went to the same school, have many memories of the Erith Woolworths stores and I now live just down the road from Ramsgate.
I can't wait for the next instalment of the Tea Shop Girls.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyons tea house a fond memory

I can recall going into a Lyons in London with there black and white tiles cakes and tea the staff at wartime very fearful time hearing that noise being on the coast running for cover damp underground places friendships count with people away serving there country having to do things too help in silence not telling hoping there families wll have a better future by the sacrifices they make

[Theresa Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5. I was so looking forward to this as I love all of the other books written by Elaine Everest, but this left me rather deflated. Whilst I can imagine child abduction and selling on was probably happening more than we realise during the war, this along with the spying aspect of the story, (which I do get both points), maybe I'm missing something but it just didn't flow for me 😢😢

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in The Teashop Girls series. I really enjoyed the first two but because there has been a gap of over three years between the second book and this one being published, I’d forgotten who was who, their backstories and how some of them are related, so I found myself struggling to keep up, which is a shame as I’ve enjoyed all Elaine Everest’s previous books.

[Sharron Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy!!! I have waited soooo long for this next book, I was definitely not disappointed, and I couldn't put it down. It didn't take me long to get back into their characters. Hopefully, the next instalment won't be as long before it's out. Thank you for the escapism!! 😊

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's lovely being back in Kent with the teashop girls. Have read in two days. I just couldn't put it down. Rose is busy at the teashop trying to sort out staff. Anya has to go to London for training, Lily's ex turns up no doubt to cause trouble.

[nicky matts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues of the girls that work for Lyons Tea rooms as they come terms with there husbands away and managing home life to .
Couldn't put the book down and brilliant easy read .
Can't wait for the next one

[Rosemarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book.

I always know when I pick up Elaine's book I will enjoy it and this was as expected. Really enjoyed reading this book about the next stage of the teashop girls lives.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read . Nice to catch up on the series.

[Hayley Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual another fabulous book by Elaine Everest. Definitely recommend.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Elaine Everest has written another fantastic book this is the 3rd book in this series loved every minute of it just brilliant 5* 👏🏻👏🏻😍

[jill dunklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Teashop Girls at War

I found this book very interesting and exciting at times. Very well written. I recommend this book to my family and friends. I give this book 5stars.

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. Enjoyed every minute reading it. Highly recommend this series.x

[Pauine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read - a book to take on holiday

[Jocelyn Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Felicity Rogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Love this author.

[Jane Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series of stories and this one certainly contained a lot of excitement and happy times.
I’m quite sad it was the last one.

[Alex Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly I think this was the last book published in the author's lifetime which is very sad. Another great read this gripping and full of action.

[Ms Angeline M Titterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed

Thoroughly enjoyed this series and the latest episode did not disappoint. Hope there is more to come as I am sure there is more to this story

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. It is so nice to to catch up once again with Flora, Rose, Lily and Katy and not forgetting Anya and Mildred. Once you start the book it's hard to put it down and you feel you must get to the as the story grips you. Hopefully, Elaine Everest will continue with this series like all her books they are great reads.