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Celebrations at the Toffee Factory: War is over and three friends hope for better days in the dramatic finale to this heartwarming trilogy
Discover the gripping conclusion to Glenda Young's Toffee Factory trilogy, set in a WWI toffee factory in the North-East!
The Great War has ended, but Jack's toffee factory struggles after years of sugar rations and its troubles are far from over.
Fun, feisty Elsie longs for freedom and excitement. Hoping to meet the man of her dreams, she spurns the attention of dependable Stan. Will she realise that what she wants and what she needs are different things?
Efficient Anne takes control at the factory to change its fortunes after the war. She creates a new line of toffee. However, an unwelcome blast from Mr Jack's past tries to jeopardise the factory's success.
And Hetty is torn when her sweetheart Dirk prepares to leave for his hometown in Belgium. At the same time, her old boyfriend Bob returns from the Front, determined to marry her. Who will Hetty choose?
As the toffee factory girls celebrate the end of the war, they are more determined than ever to face the future with courage and hope.
Praise for Glenda
'Real sagas with female characters right at the heart' Woman's Hour
'Glenda Young brings a new freshness to the genre' My Weekly
'Saga fiction at its best . . . I enjoyed it immensely' Vicki Beeby
'A lovely read, full of highs, lows, friendship and foes' Johanna Bell
'Will resonate with saga readers everywhere . . . a wonderful, uplifting story' Nancy Revell
'I really enjoyed . . . It's well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters' Rosie Goodwin
'All the ingredients for a perfect saga' Emma Hornby
Readers are hooked by Glenda's Toffee Factory trilogy!
'As always Glenda Young's books hold your interest from the first to the last page.
If I have one grumble it's that the books seem all too short as I never want them to end!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A delightful book filled with laughter, sadness, and numerous ups and downs' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved this and didn't want it to end. The story was compelling and there were moments of happiness, sadness and joy too' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't put the book down and have done nothing else but read all day - thank you Glenda' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'You can't not fall in love with the characters in this book! I absolutely loved it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love Glenda's sagas? Don't miss her cosy crime mystery series starring Helen Dexter and her trusty greyhound Suki. Murder at the Seaview Hotel, Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel, Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel and Deadly Dancing at the Seaview Hotel are all out now!
The Great War has ended, but Jack's toffee factory struggles after years of sugar rations and its troubles are far from over.
Fun, feisty Elsie longs for freedom and excitement. Hoping to meet the man of her dreams, she spurns the attention of dependable Stan. Will she realise that what she wants and what she needs are different things?
Efficient Anne takes control at the factory to change its fortunes after the war. She creates a new line of toffee. However, an unwelcome blast from Mr Jack's past tries to jeopardise the factory's success.
And Hetty is torn when her sweetheart Dirk prepares to leave for his hometown in Belgium. At the same time, her old boyfriend Bob returns from the Front, determined to marry her. Who will Hetty choose?
As the toffee factory girls celebrate the end of the war, they are more determined than ever to face the future with courage and hope.
Praise for Glenda
'Real sagas with female characters right at the heart' Woman's Hour
'Glenda Young brings a new freshness to the genre' My Weekly
'Saga fiction at its best . . . I enjoyed it immensely' Vicki Beeby
'A lovely read, full of highs, lows, friendship and foes' Johanna Bell
'Will resonate with saga readers everywhere . . . a wonderful, uplifting story' Nancy Revell
'I really enjoyed . . . It's well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters' Rosie Goodwin
'All the ingredients for a perfect saga' Emma Hornby
Readers are hooked by Glenda's Toffee Factory trilogy!
'As always Glenda Young's books hold your interest from the first to the last page.
If I have one grumble it's that the books seem all too short as I never want them to end!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A delightful book filled with laughter, sadness, and numerous ups and downs' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved this and didn't want it to end. The story was compelling and there were moments of happiness, sadness and joy too' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't put the book down and have done nothing else but read all day - thank you Glenda' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'You can't not fall in love with the characters in this book! I absolutely loved it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love Glenda's sagas? Don't miss her cosy crime mystery series starring Helen Dexter and her trusty greyhound Suki. Murder at the Seaview Hotel, Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel, Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel and Deadly Dancing at the Seaview Hotel are all out now!
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 2, 2026
From the very popular author Glenda Young this is book three in the Toffee Factory series.
It's Spring 1919 and Elsie and her friend Hetty are on their way to work at the Toffee Factory.
Now the war is over and things are slowly moving on, the Belgium community is going back to Belgium, something Hilda is not too pleased about, she will miss Dirk desperately and with her fiance due back home how is she going to break the news he certainly won't be too pleased to hear. Is there to be a future together for the couple?
Anne has just had a letter in the post from the woman who had bought her son years ago, he is fine and well and they are now living in Scotland, her husband knows nothing about her son but for how long can she keep it a secret?
Elsie works on the Toffee pouring area of the factory, she has a secret admirer but can he persuade her to go out with him?
But someone at the factory is trying their hardest to harm and humiliate her, can she get away from him?
Set in the Toffee Factory and they village nearby it follows the lifes of the workers and the bosses.
This is a truly lovely book, I was gripped from the first few pages, it's one of those books that you get involved with the characters lifes from the very first few pages, characters that you can't help but care about, each with their own individual problems and relationships.
Glenda Young writes really enjoyable books with likeable characters in a great setting, I have loved every book of hers that I have read. This too is a great five-star read. A great ending to this trilogy and I would certainly recommend reading this whole series from the beginning.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Publishing for the advance review copy.
#HeadlinePublishingGroupLtd
#Netgalley
#GlendaYoung
#CelebrationsAtTheToffeeFactory
It's Spring 1919 and Elsie and her friend Hetty are on their way to work at the Toffee Factory.
Now the war is over and things are slowly moving on, the Belgium community is going back to Belgium, something Hilda is not too pleased about, she will miss Dirk desperately and with her fiance due back home how is she going to break the news he certainly won't be too pleased to hear. Is there to be a future together for the couple?
Anne has just had a letter in the post from the woman who had bought her son years ago, he is fine and well and they are now living in Scotland, her husband knows nothing about her son but for how long can she keep it a secret?
Elsie works on the Toffee pouring area of the factory, she has a secret admirer but can he persuade her to go out with him?
But someone at the factory is trying their hardest to harm and humiliate her, can she get away from him?
Set in the Toffee Factory and they village nearby it follows the lifes of the workers and the bosses.
This is a truly lovely book, I was gripped from the first few pages, it's one of those books that you get involved with the characters lifes from the very first few pages, characters that you can't help but care about, each with their own individual problems and relationships.
Glenda Young writes really enjoyable books with likeable characters in a great setting, I have loved every book of hers that I have read. This too is a great five-star read. A great ending to this trilogy and I would certainly recommend reading this whole series from the beginning.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Publishing for the advance review copy.
#HeadlinePublishingGroupLtd
#Netgalley
#GlendaYoung
#CelebrationsAtTheToffeeFactory
Read
May 10, 2026Review to follow xxx
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Toffee Factory Girls Book 3
The Great War has ended, but Jack's toffee factory struggles after years of sugar rations and it's troubles are far from over.
#Fun, feisty Elsie longs for freedom and excitement. Hoping to meet a man of her dreams, she spurns the attention of dependable Stan. Will she realise that what she wants and what she needs are different things?
Efficient Anne takes control at the factory to change its fortunes after the war. She creates a new kind of toffee. However, an unwelcome blast from Mr Jack's past tries to jeopardise the factory's success.
And Hetty is torn when her sweetheart Dirk prepares to leave for his hometown in Belgium. At the same time, her old boyfriend Bob returns from the Front, determined to marry her. Who will Hetty choose?
As the toffee factory girls celebrate the end of the war, they are more determined than ever to face the future with courage and hope.
Anne, Hetty and Elsie all work at the toffee factory. War has ended, but the girls still have their own problems to solve. The factory will have to move with the times or the business will have to close. Jack has plans for the factory, but will they work?
This is a well-written end to the trilogy. The characters were well-developed and likeable. All the loose ends were tied up.
Published 26th February 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #GlendaYoung for my ARC of #CelebrationsAtTheToffeFactory in exchange for an honest review.
The Great War has ended, but Jack's toffee factory struggles after years of sugar rations and it's troubles are far from over.
#Fun, feisty Elsie longs for freedom and excitement. Hoping to meet a man of her dreams, she spurns the attention of dependable Stan. Will she realise that what she wants and what she needs are different things?
Efficient Anne takes control at the factory to change its fortunes after the war. She creates a new kind of toffee. However, an unwelcome blast from Mr Jack's past tries to jeopardise the factory's success.
And Hetty is torn when her sweetheart Dirk prepares to leave for his hometown in Belgium. At the same time, her old boyfriend Bob returns from the Front, determined to marry her. Who will Hetty choose?
As the toffee factory girls celebrate the end of the war, they are more determined than ever to face the future with courage and hope.
Anne, Hetty and Elsie all work at the toffee factory. War has ended, but the girls still have their own problems to solve. The factory will have to move with the times or the business will have to close. Jack has plans for the factory, but will they work?
This is a well-written end to the trilogy. The characters were well-developed and likeable. All the loose ends were tied up.
Published 26th February 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #GlendaYoung for my ARC of #CelebrationsAtTheToffeFactory in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Anne, Hetty and Elsie are back, ensuring that the UK gets its toffee supplies in the days and months following the end of WWI. There may be peace, but the girls still face challenges as Hetty prepares to say goodbye to her true love, Dirk, Elsie vacillates between freedom and security and Ann discovers her husband Mr Jack of Jack's Toffees is keeping secrets from her.
This is a heart-warming finale to a trilogy that has given us interesting characters, a lively setting and plenty emotional angst as we share the trials and tribulations of the three heroines. Though each woman is very different and their paths continue to diverge, their deep friendship endures.
As well as really liking Anne, Hetty and Elsie, I love all the atmosphere of the toffee factory itself - you can almost feel your feet sticking to the sugary floor, wince as the men pour boiling tofffee perilously near the working girls and taste the sweetness of the toffee!
Though sagas are not my go-to genre of choice, I do always enjoy Glenda Young's stories. She breathes life into her characters, is excellent at backgound description and keeps a fine sense of time and place in all her books.
I'm already looking forward to her next trilogy, which I believe involves pink iced cakes ... not as tooth-breaking as toffee!
This is a heart-warming finale to a trilogy that has given us interesting characters, a lively setting and plenty emotional angst as we share the trials and tribulations of the three heroines. Though each woman is very different and their paths continue to diverge, their deep friendship endures.
As well as really liking Anne, Hetty and Elsie, I love all the atmosphere of the toffee factory itself - you can almost feel your feet sticking to the sugary floor, wince as the men pour boiling tofffee perilously near the working girls and taste the sweetness of the toffee!
Though sagas are not my go-to genre of choice, I do always enjoy Glenda Young's stories. She breathes life into her characters, is excellent at backgound description and keeps a fine sense of time and place in all her books.
I'm already looking forward to her next trilogy, which I believe involves pink iced cakes ... not as tooth-breaking as toffee!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Celebrations at the Toffee Factory is the third book in Glenda Young's The Toffee Factory Girls trilogy and brings Anne, Hetty and Elsie's stories to a satisfying conclusion.
Once again, I loved that this series is based in my local area. Knowing the settings where scenes took place really added to my reading experience. I enjoyed discovering what happened to each character, as well as Jack's factory, once the war had ended.
Anne particularly stood out for me when reading Secrets of the Toffee Factory Girls, and it does feel as though she has a slightly bigger role across the trilogy. That said, I absolutely loved having what felt like more of Hetty and Elsie in this final book. All three protagonists have endured difficult times throughout the series, and Hetty and Elsie's friendship has been a definite highlight.
I also felt I saw a different side to William Jack in this instalment, and I didn't like his behaviour at times. This, of course, added to the storyline, and I enjoyed seeing Anne display her strength and determination in response.
A lovely ending to a trilogy I have thoroughly enjoyed. I would strongly recommend reading the books in release order.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Once again, I loved that this series is based in my local area. Knowing the settings where scenes took place really added to my reading experience. I enjoyed discovering what happened to each character, as well as Jack's factory, once the war had ended.
Anne particularly stood out for me when reading Secrets of the Toffee Factory Girls, and it does feel as though she has a slightly bigger role across the trilogy. That said, I absolutely loved having what felt like more of Hetty and Elsie in this final book. All three protagonists have endured difficult times throughout the series, and Hetty and Elsie's friendship has been a definite highlight.
I also felt I saw a different side to William Jack in this instalment, and I didn't like his behaviour at times. This, of course, added to the storyline, and I enjoyed seeing Anne display her strength and determination in response.
A lovely ending to a trilogy I have thoroughly enjoyed. I would strongly recommend reading the books in release order.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The final book of the trilogy shows us the struggles, following the end of the 2nd World War.
Anne is happily married and enjoying family life, Hetty is in love with Dirk and Elsie is feeling more confident again. Unfortunately, the end of the war brings challenges for the factory. The Jacks (William and Anne) need to find a way to both pay back debts and to give the factory a secure future. This was interesting as it showed some of the old fashioned ways in which women were viewed and treated. The way that William behaved at times by hiding things from Anne and shutting her out, tests his marriage and nearly costs him his family. Elsie begins to see that what she wants and needs may actually be right in front of her. Meanwhile, Hetty decides that sometimes you need to just follow your heart to be genuinely happy.
It was a lovely conclusion to the series and I highly recommend that you read the first two books in the trilogy first.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Glenda Young for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Anne is happily married and enjoying family life, Hetty is in love with Dirk and Elsie is feeling more confident again. Unfortunately, the end of the war brings challenges for the factory. The Jacks (William and Anne) need to find a way to both pay back debts and to give the factory a secure future. This was interesting as it showed some of the old fashioned ways in which women were viewed and treated. The way that William behaved at times by hiding things from Anne and shutting her out, tests his marriage and nearly costs him his family. Elsie begins to see that what she wants and needs may actually be right in front of her. Meanwhile, Hetty decides that sometimes you need to just follow your heart to be genuinely happy.
It was a lovely conclusion to the series and I highly recommend that you read the first two books in the trilogy first.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Glenda Young for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book three in this brilliant series, and war is over three friends Anne Wright, Betty Lawson and Elsie Cooper are hoping now for better days ahead at Jack's toffee factory in the Durham market town of Chester-Le-Street.
With courage and hope, this is a fiction saga at its best.
With William and Anne Jack factory in trouble dam the war, they could loose everything, will Hetty and Elsie follow their hearts and well as keeping their jobs, as most of the men return.
I loved reading this book with all my heart, that sets emotions flying, the author captured every chapter right to the very end with her superb writing.
Its a beautiful series for readers to enjoy.
And now look forward to more from the north east.
Celebrations for more from me.
Beautiful.
With courage and hope, this is a fiction saga at its best.
With William and Anne Jack factory in trouble dam the war, they could loose everything, will Hetty and Elsie follow their hearts and well as keeping their jobs, as most of the men return.
I loved reading this book with all my heart, that sets emotions flying, the author captured every chapter right to the very end with her superb writing.
Its a beautiful series for readers to enjoy.
And now look forward to more from the north east.
Celebrations for more from me.
Beautiful.
January 4, 2026
Another great warm hearted story from Glenda Young, this is the finale story in The Toffee Factory Series.
This completes the story for Anne, Elsie and Hetty and their work colleagues at Jacks Toffee Factory, the war is over and changes are coming and the factory has to move with the times or business will close.
Jack has plans but will they work, will Anne be able to help sort out the issues in the factory.
Elsie still wants excitement in her life and still doesn’t want to settle down. Hetty still loves Dirk but he will be going home to Belgium soon and where will Hetty be?
This is a great compliment to the series with all the girls stories completed, still with the feel good factor ending.
This completes the story for Anne, Elsie and Hetty and their work colleagues at Jacks Toffee Factory, the war is over and changes are coming and the factory has to move with the times or business will close.
Jack has plans but will they work, will Anne be able to help sort out the issues in the factory.
Elsie still wants excitement in her life and still doesn’t want to settle down. Hetty still loves Dirk but he will be going home to Belgium soon and where will Hetty be?
This is a great compliment to the series with all the girls stories completed, still with the feel good factor ending.
May 1, 2026
The last in the trilogy following the lives of Hetty, Anne and Elsie. There are lots of changes ahead for all three of the toffee factory characters in this book. The war is now over at last, and everyone is trying to settle into a new routine. The war has been hard on the factory and Mr Jack is trying to modernise the factory to keep up with the times, and stop it from closing. Dirk is leaving with the rest of the Belgium community returning home to Ghent. Bob is back from the war and expecting Hetty to marry him, after the letter she wrote him calling things off got lost. This is a lovely ending to their stories with happiness and sadness in this emotional read.
April 21, 2026
The third book follows the girls from the toffee factory facing changes after the war and the challenges to update the factory to keep it a going concern.
You can just imagine the working conditions and the wonderful toffee smell all around. A bit like the chocolate smell all around the Cadbury factory in Bournville.
I just love the characters in Glendas books and can't wait to read her next one.
You can just imagine the working conditions and the wonderful toffee smell all around. A bit like the chocolate smell all around the Cadbury factory in Bournville.
I just love the characters in Glendas books and can't wait to read her next one.
March 4, 2026
Brilliant Trilogy
Finished the 3rd book today, this trilogy series has been brilliant from book one page to this.
Part of me hopes there will be a fourth... too mamy questions left unaswered!
Finished the 3rd book today, this trilogy series has been brilliant from book one page to this.
Part of me hopes there will be a fourth... too mamy questions left unaswered!
March 5, 2026
Another lovely book
With many twists and turns, you have to wait and see how the story unfolds, for everyone as the story comes to its conclusion.
With many twists and turns, you have to wait and see how the story unfolds, for everyone as the story comes to its conclusion.
March 6, 2026
great read!
Thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with the girls from the Toffee Factory! I feel like I know them ! Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with the girls from the Toffee Factory! I feel like I know them ! Great read
May 31, 2026
i always get emotional when a series of books end! the 2nd one of this trilogy was my favourite! it’s been interesting and wonderful to read about these friends <3
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews