MACMILLAN New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls An emotional story of change and hope, the much-anticipated final novel in the bestselling Woolworths Girls series.

by Elaine Everest

There are fresh challenges and new beginnings on the horizon for the girls at Woolworths . . .

When the Bexleyheath branch of F. W. Woolworths is bombed, Annie must help save her fellow staff members. Thankfully uninjured, she is moved to the Erith store, where she soon finds her feet. But a tragedy close to home is another stark reminder that life can turn on a sixpence.

When Annie meets Dean, an American soldier who promises to care for her and her family, she has more than just the end of the war to celebrate. With wedding bells and a new life in America beckoning, great change lies ahead.

Suitcase in tow, Annie must remember one if she follows her heart, it will always lead her in the right direction.

384 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2025

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

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls is especially poignant as it was Elaine Everest's last book. I shed a little tear at the end when I read the piece written by her friend, Vivien Brown, for the loss of a brilliant saga writer whose books I have so enjoyed reading, and with sadness that I won't get to read any more books featuring the characters I have come to love.

In fact, this book, although a Woolworths book, is a kind of companion to the series. It features Annie Brookes who works at her family's laundry business. Wanting to branch out on her own, she takes a job working for Woolworths in Bexleyheath in 1940. The war throws a spanner in the works and she has to work temporarily at the Erith branch where she meets some of my favourite characters from the series such as Sarah, Freda, Maisie and Betty. I really loved how they were weaved into Annie's story and became her friends.

Annie goes through some difficult times but when she meets an American soldier she thinks she's found happiness. I won't say any more about that but I was really pleased with how the story ended and I can fondly imagine Annie's life post-war.

I absolutely loved this wonderful book. The characters have the warmth and community spirit that I've come to expect from Elaine Everest's creations and I found it easy to imagine the settings such as Annie's family home on the marshes and the two stores, one larger than the other but both so relied on by their customers. What a joy it has been to read this book and indeed the whole of this series which is highly recommended for those who love a really good saga as I do.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, Elaine has created a book that picks you up and wraps its arms around you, a book full of family and friendship and warmth. Annie is a new character just starting out in the Bexleyheath store when it is bombed. The old Erith store and many of the familiar characters from the earlier books make appearances throughout the story and new ones are introduced too. Taking on a baby whose mother tragically dies, helping out in the family laundry business and working at Woollies does not leave Annie much time for love, but it finds her in the end! Sadly this was the author's last novel as she passed away last year and I have had the honour of writing the short obituary piece at the back of the book. Savour every word of this lovely story as there will be no more. RIP to a great storyteller and a good friend.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one. Really sad that there will be no more as the author sadly passed away last year.

[Sue Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Elaine, sad it's her last one, very clever talented lady

[Abbie Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Have loved all Elaine’s books! Very sad that this is the last!

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

It’s no secret that Elaine Everest has always been my favourite saga author, which makes this book especially bittersweet knowing it was the last she wrote before she passed away.

In this new instalment of the beloved Woolworths Girls series, we follow Annie’s journey. I adored her character — her kindness, loyalty, and quiet strength really shone through — and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the gorgeous Ivy Rose as well. It was also a real treat to see the original gang back on the page: Betty, Sarah, Maisie, and Frieda. They’re more in the background this time, but their presence still gave me that warm, familiar feeling.

As always with Elaine’s writing, there were characters I adored, ones who shocked me, and a couple I really couldn’t stand (which just shows how brilliantly she brings people to life). I’ll admit, I was hoping Simon might have found his courage sooner — but the way things wrapped up made the whole journey worthwhile, and I closed the book with a smile.

One of the things I’ll never tire of is how vividly Elaine captured my local town in wartime. She brought it to life in such a way that I almost wish I could step back there myself. This series has been such a joy from start to finish, and though I wish there were more to come, I feel lucky to be able to revisit these characters again and again.

It is a wonderful book with absolutely wonderful characters.
R.I.P. Elaine — you and your Woolworths girls will be sorely missed. 💜

[Sharron Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do not know where to start as I'm not very good with words and expressing (autism trait).
I am profoundly grateful for stumbling across this series, and I was hooked on the first pages. And when I saw some comments on here, I was deeply saddened to hear of you passing. Reading the final instalment, whether it be this one or more, I knew, was going to be hard, but this was so much harder. Elaine, thank you so much for the pleasure of learning about a subject I'm fascinated by and keeping me grounded when life got in the way. My final words to you as I always leave as a review, Thank you for the escapism!! Much love to all ❤️💔

[KATRINA MUIR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great read by Elaine Everest. Giving us some new characters to get involved with but also including some of the others from previous books, especially Sarah, Maisie, Betty and of course Freda. It's so sad to realise that we won't get the chance to find out what happens to everyone as Elaine passed away shortly after finishing this great read. Will now go back and read some of her earlier novels.

[Barbara Doodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful legacy!

Such a wonderful edition to all your wonderful series of Woolworth books!

All the characters in your books are so real. An absolute joy to read, this book being your parting gift to us all.

I was honoured. to be asked to review the last book you wrote in The Tea Shop Series. We had a few chats over Facebook.

May you Rest in Peace Elaine - I am sure you are now writing in Heaven.

With love from an avid reader and a 1953 baby.

[Jane Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book by Elaine Everest.
I was a little confused at first because it had gone back to the start of the war but it was soon clear that it was about another Woolworths store and young lady though some of the characters from the other Woolworth stores do appear, sometimes their stories are different from the original.
So sad to think this is the last of them.
RIP Elaine Everest, just reading the last of her books but one and I can’t find that one anywhere.
Would recommend

[Hayley Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read. Having read all of Elaine Everest’s books right from the beginning I always knew this would be a bittersweet read as she sadly passed away unexpectedly in August 2024. Sadly cannot believe there will be no more stories surrounding “Elaine’s Girls, The Woolworths Girls”. This book along with all her others does not disappoint.

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody hell, I'm sitting here in tears.
So sad this was the last ever book by Elaine, she'll be missed. An author that was an absolute credit to her genre and I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of her audiobooks, all perfectly narrated by her friend, Annie Aldington.

Thank you for the many happy hours of wartime romance 🥰

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the series due to Elaine's untimely passing. The way Elaine brought the characters to life was amazing. I always looked forward to reading the next and this was no exception. I was so sorry to hear of her passing 😢

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad that this was Elaine Everest's last book. I have enjoyed all the books in this series very much. This was no exception....although I felt like the ending was too abrupt- literally one page to "wrap everything up"!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed the whole Woolworths Girls series, as well as Elaine Everest’s other book. It was sad to come to the end of this one knowing it’s the final one as sadly, Elaine Everest died last year. A thoroughly enjoyable read, it’s been fun following the lives of each of the characters.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Except read.
I’ve read all of the Woolworths novels twice and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Sad that this will be my last read of Elaine’s books.
Such a loss.
This story is not what I expected, another vein of Woolworths with a twist. Well worth reading.

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Elaine's book, the woolworth girls my favourite. It's sad that she is no longer with us, but she has made a lot of readers happy to have read her books. Rip Elaine 💔

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as all the other Woolworth books by Elaine Everest. There could have been a follow up to this book but sadly and unfortunately we lost a great Author in Elaine, who is sadly missed by all her fans. All I can say is that I have been fortunate to read her books. The Teashop Girls (a series), and the novels The Butlins Girls and The Patchwork Girls and not forgetting the great 11 books of The Woolworth Girls. There's one of her books missing Gracie's War which is not in Kindle. I have wandered off the review of this item which is a five star read.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful book from Elaine Everest ♥️
So sad to think there will not be anymore
God bless you Elaine xx

[Nicola Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly this was Elaine’s last book, I’m sure there would have been more books following on from this one.
If you’ve not read any Elaine Everest books, read them your in for a treat

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have read all her woolworths books sad this is the last R.I.P Elaine Everest 😘