A Christmas Wish at Woolworths

Woolworths #9

by Elaine Everest

Kent, 1953. The Woolworths Erith store, a beloved cornerstone of the community, faces closure if the December turnover fails to increase. And, as if store manager Betty Billington doesn't have enough on her plate, personnel shortages and a troublesome new employee add to the strife.

With Christmas on the horizon, Betty and her staff must strive to find solutions to improve business and keep the store running – from special events for late-night customers to a festive group trip into central London. The Erith Players pantomime also promises to draw a crowd, injecting excitement into the local community.

With the store festooned with decorations, lifting the spirits of customers and Betty, can a Christmas miracle save their beloved store?

A Christmas Wish at Woolworths is the next instalment in Elaine Everest’s much-loved Woolworths series – a heartfelt tale of resilience, community and an unwavering spirit during hard times.

Genres: Christmas

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 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

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just could not get into this book.

[Theresa Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this one to finish. Think it was down to the sad passing of the author just as much as the story. I know there is one more book due out in April 2025 but it still makes me sad to know that my trips to Erith are coming to am end 😭😭. It was a lovely story as always

[Barbara Doodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read

Well Elaine your book was just fantastic - just like al! The others in the series. I hope you are looking down!

Such a wonderful author. If you love books in a series Elaine's books just bring not laughter and tears!

[Sue Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love reading Elaine's Woolworth books feel as if I know all the characters so well, shame I have to wait until June 2025 for the next one

[Abbie Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book! Just love the Woolworths Series!

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Wish at Woolworths takes us back to Erith, Kent in the run up to Christmas 1953. Once again we meet with the characters that I have come to love. Whilst the men are strong characters in their own right, it's the women who always stand out in Elaine Everest's books, the ones who pull together to work out any problems and save the day.

Some of the problems in this story are to be faced by Betty Billington, the manager of the town's Woolworths store which faces closure despite still being a popular place for shoppers. Maisie and her family also face opposition from their new neighbours who seem to have taken a real dislike to them. Despite all this, each generation from matriarch Ruby and her husband Bob, to Sarah, Freda and Maisie, and down to the younger members Clemmie, Claudette and Bessie, is determined to join together and get through it.

I loved this instalment of the popular series. It's easy to read and transported me back to the 1950s. I've always particularly enjoyed the scenes set in Woolworths itself and there's plenty of those, but it was also nice to accompany the characters on a trip to London and to the pantomime, and to see what a thrill it was for them to do something out of the ordinary. As this will sadly now be the last book to carry on the characters' stories (although another Woolworths book will be published next year, it has a different focus) I was pleased that it ended on such a lovely note and I closed the book with a very contented smile on my face.

This book brings together community spirit and friendship to provide a completely heart-warming and joyful read. I know a book has done its job with me if I wish that I could step into it and spend time with all the characters myself. This book did that for me and I recommend it (and the rest of the series) for all saga lovers.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Everest (2023) A CHRISTMAS WISH AT WOOLWORTHS (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - Pan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars

BorrowBox writes, "KENT, 1953. The Woolworths Erith store, a beloved cornerstone of the community, faces closure if the December turnover fails to increase. And, as if store manager Betty Billington doesn't have enough on her plate, personnel shortages and a troublesome new employee add to the strife. With Christmas on the horizon, Betty and her staff must strive to find solutions to improve business and keep the store running – from special events for late-night customers to a festive group trip into central London. The Erith Players pantomime also promises to draw a crowd, injecting excitement into the local community. With the store festooned with decorations, lifting the spirits of customers and Betty, can a Christmas miracle save their beloved store?"
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Elaine Everest is another author whose characters are thoroughly complex and tangible. The stories are brilliant and what with Woolworths holding so much nostalgia in and of itself, you can't not get cosy whilst you're reading it (or listeningto it in my case). Thoroughly recommend.
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#ElaineEverest #AChristmasWishAtWoolworths #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox

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

Another fab book in The Woolworths Girls series. This book is set in 1953, 15 years on from the first book when we first met Sarah, Maisie and Freda. As always, Elaine never disappoints when it comes to her characters and their stories and this one is no different.

Set in the heart of Erith, Woolworths faces closure if the December income fails to increase. With new faces and some ne'er-do-wells, this community of friends and family have a lot on their plate in the run-up to Christmas.

I love these characters and feel sad that this book has come to an end but I know a reunion is on the cards as there's another installment out in the middle of next year, which I'm already excited for but it could well be the last as the lovely Elaine passed away in August. May she rest in peace.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant read for me as Elaine was a good friend. A lovely return to the familiar Erith store and its staff. The threat of closure brings all the characters together. There are some baddies determined to cause trouble. And a step into the world of ballroom dancing. And how lovely that the baby born to the mum in the next bed to Sarah's at the end of the story is Elaine herself, entering the world on Christmas Eve 1953, just as the author herself leaves us. It made me sob. RIP Elaine. We have lost a great storyteller.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Elaine's sad passing, I'd put off reading this as I don't want the series to end. This centres around the Erith branch of Woolworths and a trip to London (a Christmas treat for the staff). Manager Betty takes on a new staff member Gloria, who is a little grumpy, although she gives her the benefit of the doubt. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the final book when it comes out.

[Beverly Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read

I am going to miss Elaine and her stories of the the Erith woolies store.
So the destruction of the old Erith town centre started 13 years before the wrecking ball started.
Elaine had a way of bringing all her characters to life, and I can relate to most of them having grown up in the area.
RIP Elaine

[terri huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in Crayford lived in Slade Green. Went to school in Erith, my sister was born in the Hainault so every place in this book are so well known to me. It’s like reading a book about friends and family. With all Elaine’s books you fall in love with the characters and cry with sadness and happiness. The friendships are just like you’d want for yourself.

[Jane Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as much as I have all the others but I did notice that often the author got a name or relationship wrong which was rather annoying as I would have to read over again to make sure that I was right in thinking what it should be.
Will wait now for the next one to come out

[Hayley Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book by Elaine Everest. I didn’t want this book to end as Elaine sadly passed away in August of this year. Sad to think the stories based around Erith and about Woolworths are coming to an end.

[julie young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Festive warmth

Another heart warming story about the lives of the amazing women from Erith Woolworths. All is not well as Christmas approaches but Betty, Maisie and the rest of their family, friendship group are as determined as ever to find a way through.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always 5* this is my favourite series just beautiful storylines that show just how hard life was during the war and yet they still wore a smile and helped each other I hope there’s many more of these to come

[glittering reader]

loved the story and i have just the last book of Elaine's to read. I still miss her and sorry we won't hear in the future what happens to all the Woolies Girls, maybe someone close to Elaine could maybe write in the future about them Would be good

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one .

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book about the ladies of Woolworths Elaine is missed so much a brilliant writer.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining book in the Woolworths Girls series. Having read all of Elaine Everest’s previous books, it’s like a catch-up with old friends as the tales of each of the characters unfolds.

[Sharron Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for another enjoyable read 📚😀

[Alison Boniface · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book by Elaine that wasn’t 5⭐️for me. I feel so invested in each and every character from the books old and new. This series is spectacular.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another unforgettable read from Elaine Everest, like all her Woolworth books.