Christmas for the Home Front Girls

The Home Front Girls #3

by Susanna Bavin

The Blitz won’t break their spirits. And with Christmas approaching, can love really conquer all?

Manchester, December 1940: this winter, the girls boarding at Star House – Betty, Sally and Lorna – are determined to keep a stiff upper lip. Their friendship, and a bit of festive cheer, is all they need during the nightly blackouts.

But for former spoiled debutante Lorna – now dedicated to caring for the bombed-out and wounded with the Women’s Voluntary Service – the past is about to come calling. When the devastating Christmas Blitz reunites her with her ex-fiancé George… Through the bombs, Lorna’s new-found pluck helps them work side-by-side to save a young mother trapped under the rubble, despite Lorna’s heartbreak at seeing George again…

Because not only does charming George have a new girl on his he’s doing nothing to help King and country. But as air raids and rescue missions throw George and Lorna together time and again, it becomes clear that nothing about his visit to Manchester is what it seems. And he desperately needs Lorna’s help…

Can George and Lorna work together, despite everything that happened between them? Will Lorna’s courage to do all she can for the war effort be enough to save George? And when snow begins to fall on a New Year’s Day shattered by the Luftwaffe, will she allow her heart to open once more?

A completely gorgeous and uplifting romantic saga. Perfect for fans of Pam Howes, Nadine Dorries and Vicky Beeby.

What readers are saying about The Home Front Girls

‘A big tear-jerker!… full of love, companionship, friendship… you find yourself turning pages after pages, with all the characters coming to life… a fantastic story… big five stars.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this!… immediately got me hooked… perfect… such an enjoyable read and I honestly couldn’t wait to get stuck in… had me quickly flying through the pages. I was sad to finish it but so happy to have read it. They are so addicting! Next one needed stat.’ @stuck_in_the_book_loop, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘If you need cheering up and some unashamed escapism, this is perfect! This author is the queen of uplifting, feel-good romance! Buy it’ Goodreads reviewer

‘So so good I just could not put this down. Full of family, friendship and companionship, that will pull at all your heartstrings.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Couldn't put it down’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a lovely read… People will love this book and I can't wait for Susanna's next book. 5*.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This heart-warming story tells of how these young women put their differences aside for the sake of the war effort – and more&hell

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas, World War II, Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

I am a saga writer, living in beautiful North Wales. Moving here was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but my writing is inspired by my Mancunian roots.

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very uplifting story that follows friends Sally, Betty, and Lorna, along with their families and friends. A good portion of it takes place during the blitz, which is causing mass destruction and deaths all around them. There is so much sadness surrounding war, yet they are still so compassionate and kind to each other and those around them. They each find their own ways to support the war effort, as well as supporting each other through the ups and downs of war and every day life. They each have their own personal battles they're dealing with and rely on each other to get through them.

This is a mostly sweet story with a very sweet ending. If you enjoy historical fiction and want an uplifting story, I highly recommend this book.

I read this series out of order, and now I need to go back and read the first two books. Looking forward to reading more about these lovely ladies!

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series

[Booklover BEV]

Manchester 1940 book three in this wonderful historical saga.
And the blitz wont break their spirits.
A heart-warming story seeing the home front girls through the war up to the Christmas blitz.
The girls Betty, Sally, along with Lorna are all now lodging at Star House with Mrs Beaumont and working hard at the salvage depot, this book is full of compassion and loving friendship.
I love this series, such an uplifting saga to enjoy, for the coming celebrations, the war wont hold the girls back as they think of their loved ones.
Just beautiful.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas for the Homefront Girls is the third book in the Homefront Girls series by Susanna Bavin. This book can be read at any stage during the winter season as it’s not a fully blown Christmas book. Rather it is centred around the festive season, the lead up to it and what follows well into the new year. I have enjoyed this series so far as the stories are light easy reads typical of the war time saga genre. You know what you are going to get with this sort of read and it was perfect to read in that in between period that comes between Christmas and New Year when you just want to cosy up on the couch and enjoy a nice easy book.

Within the first few chapters readers are quickly brought up to speed with events from the previous two books. It serves as a refresher for previous readers and an introduction without being overly long for those coming to the series for the first time. Although, I will say that as I got further into the book I did think at certain points that just that little bit too much detail was given away as to things that had already occurred and maybe this should have been curtailed in some way for new readers. But having read the previous two books this didn’t detract in any way from my own personal reading and understanding of the story.

The series follows three girls, Sally, Betty and Lorna who all work at the local salvage depot. They each have different backgrounds and stories which you will soon become familiar with. But the one thing that unites them is that are all willing, steadfast and determined that they will do their bit for the war effort no matter the challenges that come their way nor no matter how long the duration of the war is. It’s December 1940 when we become reacquainted with the girls and they are looking forward to Christmas although it won’t be the same as other years but they will make the best with what they have. Throughout the book there are glimpses of all the changes and sacrifices that the characters have so far have had to make and given it is so early on in the long scheme of war (although very much unbeknownst to them) there is an air of hope that things might be over before too long. Now knowing what came one wonders would this air of optimism have lasted if they had known the duration and the horrors that would come their way for several years.

Sally is happily married to Andrew who works at a local school but also has another more serious job alongside his voluntary war work. The couple along with his mother Mrs. Henshaw had been bombed out from their home and now reside at Star Boarding House run by Mrs. Beaumont as do Betty and Lorna. Sally is the manager of the depot but Mrs. Lockwood still makes an appearance every now and again sticking her oar in when it’s not needed at all. Sally took more of a backseat in this story and allowed the other two girls to come to the fore. Although when she receives some unexpected news that will turn her life upside down I did feel desperately sorry for her. But she was stoic in how she dealt with it and it highlighted the bravery of so many women in a similar situation to hers at the time. I wanted a bit more detail and exploration regarding Sally’s storyline, but I sense this will come in the next book.

Betty is enjoying her relationship with Samuel who runs a bookshop. He is the most endearing man whom for medical reasons can’t enlist. It’s clear that Betty is the apple of his eye and that he would do anything for her without question. Theirs was a lovely relationship to observe and I wanted them to take things to the next level but there was few stumbling blocks in their path in order for this to happen. Namely a debt that is owed by Betty, the reasons for which I won’t go into as this was explored in the previous book. Suffice to say Betty puts herself under an awful lot of pressure to clear it. Working by day at the salvage depot, fire watching by night and then taking on an extra job at a factory. She is running herself to the ground but will it be all worth it? Taking the job at the factory allowed another storyline to develop but again I felt this was too brief and came too late in the book as did a storyline involving Lorna. The book was going along for the majority of the time at a nice pace with not much in particular happening. Yes, I was interested in their daily lives but there needed to be a little bit more excitement. This did come but too late in the book in my opinion. Having the two events I am alluding two occur around the midway point would have been better I feel.

Lorna is the character who has grown the most since we were first introduced to her. She comes from a privileged background very different to that of Sally and Betty. But a recent breach of promise case brought about by her father due to Lorna being jilted by her fiancée George has brought shame upon her and her family have sent her away. She now has a taste of independence and is really getting stuck into her work at the salvage depot. Her friendship and bond with Sally and Betty is growing after a rocky start and altogether she just seems more down to earth and aware of what the ordinary people are going through all around her. She seems to have less of an attitude and is willing to be one of the girls who muck in together when times are hard both personally and professionally. The community spirit and sense of a new unique family unit is starting to grow but still she longs for love like her two friends have.

Lorna is caught in an air raid on her way home from Manchester city centre. This event goes on to be known as the Christmas Blitz and this section of the book was incredibly well written and allowed for subplots to develop. Everything was so dramatic and vivid that I could feel the heat from the explosions and visualise the buildings crumbling. Lorna really stepped up and showed her true nature when she becomes involved in a rescue and she gets the shock of her life when she encounters George who shouldn’t be there at all. After this event Lorna has George on her mind an awful lot but can she dare to hope and dream that they could give things another go? A lot of things have been said and hearts crushed but is too late for them? Since this had all occurred, she had fought for a new life for herself and was doing so well in establishing it but if she went back to the past would this all come crumbling down? Or should she try and follow her heart? I felt for her because she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She had battled for her independence but yet there was that softer side to her that wanted to be loved by someone. She is a modern girl with wartime responsibilities but still what the heart wants the heart will keep seeking.

All in all Christmas for the Homefront Girls was an enjoyable read showing how the Blitz would never break the spirits of the girls or their families. They are all hard workers dedicated to the cause and women stepped into the men’s roles with spirit, passion and grace and the war would not have been won without them keeping the home fires burning. Respect, loyalty, dedication, sacrifices, friendship and love are just some of the words I would use to describe Sally, Betty, Lorna and their exploits. Despite the slow pace of the first half things did pick up in the later half and I found myself getting much more into the story. As it’s only Easter 1941 when the book closes I get the sense there are an awful lot more challenging times ahead for the girls and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. A Wedding for the Warfront Girls will be published in May and I look forward to catching up with the trio then.

[Yvonne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Blitz won’t break their spirits. And with Christmas approaching, can love really conquer all?"


I have been known to 'wax lyrical' about another WWII series, written by this author under one of her other pseudonyms. However, I do believe that 'The Home Front Girls' saga is possibly going to become my new best favourite!

Whilst I urge you to begin reading this series from the start, as character progression is as important as the storyline itself - and you really don't want to miss out on a single event! - the three books to date, would work fine as individual stand alone stories, as author Susanna Bavin expertly weaves in necessary backstory details, without them becoming either onerous for any confirmed series addicts, or too vague for any first time readers.

An important, meticulously researched and documented piece of social history, wrapped around an emotional, heart-warming, often heart-breaking story of stoicism, commitment and unconditional devotion to family, friends and nameless strangers, often in the face of great personal danger.

Having worked in a retail capacity for various charities over the course of some thirty years, I would like to think myself to be all too cognisant of the concept of recycling and repurposing. However, the extreme measures involved in reusing almost every salvageable item to aid the war effort in whatever way possible, was something I had never really given a lot of thought to, even though other authors had touched on the subject in their wartime stories. This book is replete with so much detail about the many varied aspects and importance of salvage work, that I could almost imagine myself working alongside Sally, Betty and Lorna, as they went about their daily chores - getting that same feeling of satisfaction and thoroughly enjoying it as much as they seem to. There's nothing like rolling up your sleeves and putting in some good hard graft together, to build friendships, break down class barriers and feel as though you are making a difference, even though there has been and always probably will be, those who would seek to profit from someone else's misery, no matter what the circumstances. The girls are not ones to take these injustices lying down though, so to see them working together to 'out' the bad guys, was something to behold.

This particular episode in the series was made even more poignant as Christmas approached, a time when separation and loss sat side by side with love, togetherness and making the best of whatever happiness the season could offer. Each of the girls had only recently found their 'reason for being' - Sally as the new Mrs Henshaw married to Andrew; Betty with the love of her life Samuel the gentle bookseller; and Lorna who has, from a position of comfort and plenty, re-evaluated her priorities and finds herself forging a new path and building new networks. After a very traumatic, acrimonious and public break-up with what she had hoped would have been the love of her life, Lorna now finds herself becoming re-acquainted with a George she never knew existed and each likes what the other has become in the face of adversity - so might there be the slightest of chances for a new beginning together?

Susanna also writes about the locations she knows so well and has researched to the nth degree, so that when the Christmas Blitz was unleashed upon the City of Manchester and its many suburbs, I was once again taken on another journey alongside the three girls and their wider circle of friends and family, as they carried out their extra wartime roles as fire wardens, rescuers and WVS volunteers, over and above their 'day jobs', meaning that sleep or any short periods of relaxation, were few and far between. In the face of terrifying and untold danger, their selfless acts of bravery, heroism and courage were many, with the rewards of knowing that they had helped save a life or someone's home and livelihood, enough thanks in itself. It wasn't until a time much later following a successful rescue, that the girls allowed themselves breathing space to consider their own extended families, who were spread out across the area and to plan fleeting visits home in the hope that their respective neighbourhoods had been spared from the relentless bombing.

Vibrant and well-developed central and background characters I could relate to and invest in, although I suspect that each is about to be tested up to and beyond their limits of endurance, as the war intensifies and everyday life is set to become even more of a challenge to negotiate, albeit there is the bright promise of at least one wedding on the horizon to lighten the burden a little.

[Julie Lence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas for the Homefront Girls picks up right where the last book ended, and carries Sally, Betty, and Lorna through the holiday season to Easter. Just days before Christmas, Lorna enjoys a quick visit with her mother and puts her on the train for home. On her own way home, hundreds (if not more) bombs drop, in what is now known as the Christmas Blitz. In her haste to find safety, Lorna is approached to help with a rescue. She is thin enough to fit through a hole and enter a basement where a mother and her children are trapped. Lorna quickly agrees, and in her success she meets up with her ex-fiancée, George, who is temporary living in the area. The feelings she once had for him and tried to put to rest resurface, and throughout this latest installment, Lorna embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-worth. Of course, with Sally and Betty's help.

I really liked Lorna in this story. In a short time, she has blossomed from a naïve rich girl into a loyal friend... into a young woman taking charge of her life and her own happiness, to have the courage to help a stranger despite her own heartache. With George, she isn't about to let him break her heart again, but he somehow does, and what ensues is a wonderful story of courage and love of country and each other.

Christmas for the Homefront Girls also tugged at my heartstrings when it came to Sally. Her husband has decided to join up and maybe find his way to the battlefield. Her mother-in-law insists she and Sally leave the comforts of the boarding house and move in with a relative. Her own mother wants her to move back home, but what Sally really wants is for her husband to have a change of heart. I sympathized with her and deeply felt her fears; any wife would, because we all want our husbands safe.

As for Betty, her Christmas is merrier now that Samuel is a part of her life. Though her step-mother continues to be a thorn in her side, Betty continues to keep the peace while taking on an extra job to pay off her debts. Betty is such a sweetheart, and the bit of goodness that comes her way had me cheering for her, and smiling.

Whether Christmastime or summertime, this is a great read. I enjoy getting caught up in the lives of these 3 women, to cheering for them and crying for them, and look forward to the next installment.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas for the Holiday Home Front Girls by Susanna Bavin is the story of those left behind to work on winning the war from home. All the women in the book had jobs, some paid, some volunteer that were moving the war effort forward, all both. The main characters are Betty, who was nearly engaged to Samuel; Sally, who was married to Andrew; and Lorna, who had created a scandal by suing for breach of promise after her broken engagement. They all worked at what would now be called a recycling center. It was dirty work but it had to be done. That fact came in handy later while the government was solving a crime and used Lorna’s job to help. Lorna had been returning from an appointment when there was a bombing raid. After it was over, she helped some people out of some tight situations, primarily because she was small and could fit through the openings. When it was all over and the masks came off, it turned out she had been working with, George, her ex-fiance. If that wasn’t a twist. What was he doing in Manchester?

I love these stories. So often those at home are not recognized for their part in the war effort. It is a shame because there are so many stories. In this one these three women and their land lady worked together to make Christmas happen and well as Betty and Samuel’s wedding. Andrew’s mother, who lived in the boarding house with them was a good, hard-working character who determined to go live with her sister when Andrew left to be a soldier. She wanted Sally to go, too, but Sally stuck to her guns and stayed with her friends. No real plot, just a slice-of-life. It was a moving and heart-warming story, with touches of romance and so much more. Good read.

I was invited to read Christmas for the Home Front Girls by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #SusannaBavin #ChristmasForTheHomeFrontGirls

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

#bookouture
#netgalley

This is book three in this series, and after enjoying the first two books, I couldn't wait to read this one.

It's December 1940, and in the back garden of Star House, there was a discussion going on as to whether they should decorate the Anderson Shelter. Sally Henshaw, her husband Andrew, and her mother in law, plus Betty, Lorna and Mrs Beaumont the landlady were wondering if this was going to be a good decision as space was tight with the six of them and the decorations were likely to get spoilt by the damp conditions in the shelter. Very soon, the bombs and incenderies are falling around them and in the areas where their loved ones lived. The girls at the Salvage Yard are busy with fire watching at night and their day job sorting through the Salvage and working out how things can be sorted out and reused, a kind of recycling from the war years. Sally has to put up with Mrs Lockwood trying to be one better than her as usual, and she will do what she can to prove she can manage just as well, if not better.
Betty and Samuel are getting along really well. Are there wedding bells on the horizon? Lorna can't help herself falling for George all over again, but she is not sure what his intentions really are! When she meets his new girlfriend Virginia, she soon finds out what she is letting herself in for.
The girls at the Salvage Yard are busier now than ever, but will they be able to cope with what lays around the corner and with a wedding to organise too? Many hands certainly make light work.

Get transported back to the dark days of WW2 with the lives and loves of these people who are willing to do their part in the war effort. Full of friendships, strong female characters, romance, and drama.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous festive read that is part of a series, but is very easily read as a standalone story. This is book 3 in the Home Front Girls series and it just keeps getting better and better! You feel so involved and connected to these women that they feel like friends, so you're getting to catch up with the goings on in their lives.

Set in Manchester in 1940, we reconnect with Betty, Sally, and Lorna as they face the ever changing landscape they live in thanks to the war. Blackouts are very common now and danger from bombs dropping is never too far away. But the lives of everyone carries on and they're facing some challenging times in their personal lives too.

I loved how you really get a sense of the day to day struggles of living during this time - the experiences of being in the shelters, and how life comes to a halt when the air raid sirens go off. And the extraordinary determination of people to keep their spirits lifted during some of the darkest times. You can't fail but be impressed with the can do attitudes of these women as people pull together when disaster strikes.

And there's also their personal relationships that often never run smoothly and you really see how the characters have grown over these books with how they now approach difficult decisions when it comes to their hearts. These are the kind of women that you wish you had in your social circle and it's just a delight to be able to reconnect with them in these stories. Highly recommended!!

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas for the Home Front Girls is the third book in what has become one of my favourite book series. This instalment picks up where the previous book left off: Sally is the manager of the salvage depot, Betty is newly in love with Samuel, the gentle bookseller, and Lorna is throwing herself into her work at the depot after the trauma of her failed engagement to George.

It's December 1940 and the Christmas blitz in Manchester is just around the corner but the girls always manage to stay upbeat no matter what life throws at them. I love all three of the main characters, quite different personalities but they complement each other perfectly. In this book I particularly enjoyed the trajectory that Lorna's life took and how it threw her back into the path of handsome and debonair George.

As you might expect for the time, there's quite a bit of make do and mend. The salvage depot collects all kinds of things that are then recycled for a new purpose. As always, I thought it was a fascinating setting and it really sums up the feel of 'doing one's bit for the war effort'. The Christmas blitz is distressing for the characters and must have been a horrifying time to live through, with death and destruction never far away. The author describes the terrifying events well, but also gives light to the shade with tales of how people worked together in rescue operations, with everyone playing an important role.

I found this book completely heart-warming to read. The characters and the settings work so well together and the story ended on a truly wonderful note. I'm now eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and to see what happens next.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas for the Home Front Girls is the story I didn't know I needed. There is so much sadness in World War 2 historical fiction. There is so much destruction in World War 2 historical fiction. The loss of life and the numerous injuries in World War 2 historical fiction leave me broken even after all these years.

Christmas for the Home Front Girls reminded me that even in darkness there was light. The girls of the Salvage Yard were happy to do their duty. They worked hard in support of the war effort. The were the epitome of "Keep Calm and Carry On". Their dedication is inspirational.

Some of this story takes place during the Christmas Blitz. The women found ways to help by working in the WVS, ambulance duty and even participating in rescues. The author's words transported me to Manchester. The descriptions of the devasation felt so real. They witnessed such horrors and yet still celebrated Christmas as best the can.

Christmas for the Home Front Girls was so much more than a Christmas story. In fact Christmas was just the beginning of the celebrations and the continuation of challenges. There is so much drama within the pages that the story became real life. There is always something happening. Love decorates the pages reminding the reader that love can make the worst day a little brighter.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third Home Front Girls novel, readers join Betty, Sally, and Lorna in Manchester during the dark and challenging winter of 1940 when the Blitz and the cold are continuing to relentlessly attack the British home front. Lorna, now part of the Women’s Voluntary Service, does not expect the holidays to reunite her with her ex-fiance George -- who has moved on with a new girl and chosen to not participate in the war effort. Having to balance her emotions with her duty, Lorna must negotiate the relationship boundaries with George in this difficult wartime winter. With excellent characters and a charming friendship among Betty, Sally, and Lorna, readers will relive the highs and lows of the British home front in this heartwarming and beautifully written novel. The characters are, of course, the star of the show, and Susanna Bavin has continued to develop the characters from the previous books in this latest instalment. For readers looking for vibrant and well-written historical fiction, strong female characters, and holiday cheer, this is the book for them. A fantastic addition to the series, Bavin succeeds in bringing wartime Manchester to life through the eyes of three strong and capable female leads in Betty, Sally, and Lorna.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always had a great interest in the Home Front during the war, as the war really was won at home as well as overseas, in the air and on the trenches. I’ve also grown to really love the girls in this and have been so invested in their stories from the start!

Rejoining books like these is like checking in with friends, you want the best for them and can’t read fast enough to see that all will come good with them. And during wartime, there are so many challenges to face, with rations, bombs dropping, risk to livelihood and home as well as navigating new and exciting relationships. Truly makes for great reading - especially when they’re written as well as this one.

Christmas time hits the Home Front Girls and all the festive feels come with it. They band together as well to make it through the trials of war but try to retain the magic of Christmas. Not only there but there are many plots afoot, with relationships blooming, the blitz to contend with and a war to win.

It’s a wonderful feel good read, heartwarming and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy and I couldn’t have wanted for more!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I've been looking forward to reading Christmas for the Home Front Girls - the latest book (#3) in Susanna Bavin's Home Front Girls series. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a wonderful series to read.

This latest book focuses on Betty, Sally and Lorna. Settling in to read this latest is like catching up with old friends. They all have back stories but you can absolute read this as a stand alone.

Christmas is the air - and unfortunately, so are the enemy bombers. Manchester is taking a beating, but they'll never give up. Bavin has done a wonderful job of capturing and presenting this time in history. The devastation and the losses don't stop the residents from adopting the the 'The 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude, looking out for your neighbours, the social mores, and family. There are lots of hard choices to be made - and duty to follow.

But life continues on - and romance is also in the air. I quite enjoyed this plot line very much. Making the most of what you have. And embracing life. I also enjoyed learning about how the shortages were dealt with and Christmas was celebrated.

And the big one is the relationship of the three. We all need friends like Betty, Sally and Lorna. I'm looking forward to another entry in this series.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Manchester with the Salvage girls near Christmas 1940.

Sally is happily married to Andrew, and loves her job as the manager at the local salvage yard.

Betty is happy with Samuel, but still having trouble with her dad’s wife, Grace, who seems determined to keep her away.

Lorna has settled into life in Manchester as a salvage girl. How will she feel when her previous life comes back to haunt her?

I do enjoy this series, I feel as though I know these girls.

Life was tough for everyone during WW2, and through this book, I have learned interesting facts along the way.

There is no mistaking the research that has gone into this story. While there are many light-hearted moments, I also got a sense of the misery, thanks to the bombings, night after night.

This is book 3 in a series that I will always highly recommend.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas for the Home Front Girls by Susanna Bavin is a sweet, nostalgic journey into the tenacity, spirit and enduring fortitude of the homefront during World War 2. This book is based in Manchester, 1940 during the blitz that occurred there, which is a departure from London, where many books of this era are based

The beauty of this book, is the focus on friendships and hope in the face of extreme adversity. It is book 3 in the series and I have previously read Book 2 - Courage for the Home Front Girls so I really need to balance it out and read book 1! The characters are so relatable that you feel you are revisiting old friends and that you are sharing their lives

A lovely read and perfect to cosy up with as the weather cools

Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and Susanna Bavin for this Lovely ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[P.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


✨part of the series ( book 3)
✨friendship
✨ historical fiction




✨ Wow. The kindness and friendship on this book was an eye opener. As this is a historical fiction, it was a story from the world war 2. The life and the emotion was written and you can feel what they gone through.


✨ As this is a part 3 of a book, this is more focus on Christmas time. Even though the emotion was very low, the ladies in this book tried their best to have a normal Christmas. The kindness and friendship of the ladies is such a vibe.


✨ I highly recommend this book for someone who loves historical fiction. Definitely a worth the read.



✨ Thankyou @bookouture for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review:)



🫶🏼 Shaye.Reads

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As world war two continues everyone is trying to bring the magic of Christmas cheer. Lorna is reunited with ex fiance George and they need to work together to do their bit but George may have other intentions. Will Lorna help and what will happen when the snow starts to fall? I appreciated catching up with the girls and the rest of the community. I am always in awe of how the characters manage to stay cheerful and positive in such trying times. I have great admiration and respect for all the characters in this book. I enjoyed the vivid setting of festive spirit and I was thinking of ways that they could celebrate but I think there ideas are better than mine. A great historical saga of friends, romance, neighbours and drama.

[Angela Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I had read the earlier books in the series and though this could be read as a standalone the context is better if you have read the previous ones.
And you really should.

This book centres more around Lorna who appeared in book 2. To put too much more would provide enormous spoilers.

Christmas is a convenient time of year to set the book - but the privations of the war are well depicted.
So is the resilience of Mancunians in the Blitz.

As always this is well written and researched and it was a pleasure to meet up with the Salvage ladies again.
I hope we find out more about their lives and adventures - perhaps an after war story?

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that continues from the other books and certainly this book is just as good as the other two.

Sally, Betty and Lorna continue to work at the salvage yard and also have their war duties helping out in the worst time of the war with the blitz of Manchester in where so many people lost their life’s. It show how the people were not defeated and took courage in carrying on.

The had romance and sadness as well and certainly was well researched the book carried on where it left of from the previous book and certainly was very interesting to read more.

The way it ended I hope there is more books in the series as it would be interesting to find out what happens to the woman.

Would recommend this book.

[Vicki F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many novels based during WWII have been heart-wrenching and heavy. Christmas for the Home Front Girls by Susanna Bavin is a lighter, easier read. Delving into the lives of three young women and how they handled life on the 'home front', this novel dealt with the battle of the Blitz. While there were scenes of the attack on the England cities/townships and the result of those bombings, I wasn't pulled down into the heavier scenes that are more typical in novels set during WWII.

Releases Sep 30th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love this series. Betty, Sally and Lorna are back. It’s December 1940 and The Blitz is in full swing. The girls of the Salvage Yard are trying to stay strong and get in the Christmas spirit. There was a great deal of heartache. The Blitz was devastating but the girls “carried on”.
If you are looking for a feel good read, this book is for you. It will fill your heart with love and hope.
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Lyn Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

home front girls

I have loved these books, so much that I read all 3 books back to back. I got into the characters Lorna,Betty,Sally and the others. The story lines were real because they actually happened during the war years. I do hope there will be more books in this series as I would love to know how Sally,Lorna, Betty, Andrew ,George and Samual all got on during those war years and post war.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I'm not sure that those should be marketed as a Christmas book as Christmas features very little in it. I did find it a little slow paced up until after the first half of the book, then it picked up. I do love the friendship between Lorna, Betty and Sally. It's inspiring reading about life during WW2. This is definitely the weakest book in the series but it won't put me off reading anymore of them.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction that features women during WWII and Christmas stories. This is a good mix and kept me reading and rooting for the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that I was waiting forever for this book to be released. It didn't disappoint either. Sally Betty and Lorna's adventures through the war kept me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic series 5 star

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in the Homefront Girls series. It focuses on the friendships between Sally, Betty, and Lorna. They work at the Salvage Yard, and Fire watch duty, living together in the same boarding house. Lorna runs into George again, with a new girl on his arm, but all is not as it seems.

I love the friendship between these girls, and how they held down the home front during WWII and supported each other. They're also time for a little romance and some intrigue. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this Second World War saga series . I would suggest reading these books in order to get to know the characters. There’s a lot going on in this book but it’s easy to follow and from the start I was hooked .

[S M Wiltshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoy this book. I read it in a couple of days, just couldn't put it down. I do hope there will be another

[Carol Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women who work at a salvage yard and live at a nearby boarding house are making the best of life with bombers coming at all different times, and helping where they all can.