A Christmas Proposal

by Rose Warner

A gripping, festive Second World War saga for fans of Daisy Styles, Katie Flynn and Elaine Everest.

PRAISE FOR A CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL

'A satisfying, life-affirming read. Readers will be turning the pages long into the night.' –Maisie Thomas, bestselling saga author of The Railway Girls series

'Heartfelt and genuine – a wonderful book.' – Eva Glyn

She lost everything in the Great War – her brothers, her fiancé, her way of life. Will this new war bring back long-buried feelings?

Beatrice is settling into life in the countryside, along with Victoria and Nell, as a teacher evacuee. Her world is turned upside down again when she meets David, the new doctor at the military hospital, whose kindness and gentleness warm her frozen heart.

Her remaining defences crumble entirely when the family of one of her pupils is killed in an airstrike, and she can no longer deny her motherly affection for the child.

But is Beatrice willing to risk the loss and heartache that comes with love in wartime? When David volunteers for military service and history threatens to repeat itself, Beatrice must dig deep to find the courage to live the life she’s dreamed of…

Readers love A Christmas Proposal

'Gripping intensity and festive spirit. The danger is real for the characters and I was beyond impressed with the plot.' 5-stars

'I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Some heart-stopping moments, but lots of great storylines.' 5-stars

'I really enjoyed this book, it gave a real insight to how evacuee children lived during the war. It was a really good read with some tension, romance and a sense of togetherness. Highly recommend, beautifully written by Rose Warner.' 5-stars
PRAISE FOR THE

'A war-time treasure' –Donna Jones Alward, bestselling author of When the World Fell Silent

‘A wonderful blend of friendship, romance and drama... Impossible to put down. This is such a satisfying book, and I thoroughly recommend it’ –Eva Glyn

'A heartwarming tale of friendship in wartime... A brilliant start to a thrilling new wartime saga series' –Betty Walker

'A gripping saga... The characters are beautifully drawn and I was lost in their world from the moment I started reading' –Vicki Beeby

'Tense, exciting and romantic. A treasure trove of historical detail with characters to care about' –Lesley Eames

'A delightful read... warm, nostalgic and good-hearted' –Tracy Rees

'Masterfully blends the emotional depth of home front drama with the tension of a wartime thriller. A must-read for fans of WWII sagas.' –Kirsty Dougal

'A warm, quietly gripping wartime novel...Well-researched and compassionately told. An absorbing start to what promises to be a rewarding series.'–Historical Novel Society

Genres: Historical Fiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Rose Warner, who also publishes as Jen Gilroy, writes historical women’s fiction and sweet contemporary romance—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home.

A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.

Canadian-British, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London.

Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.

When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.

Reviews

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Proposal is a Second World War home-front romance. It is also the second book in a series which focuses on a trio of evacuated schoolteachers in a fictional Norfolk village.

This tale is about Beatrice who has taken on the role of headteacher at the local village school. Having lost a father, brothers and a fiancé in the last war, Beatrice is very wary of building relationships with anyone new. While volunteering at the local military hospital Beatrice meets Doctor David Stanley. The two begin a tentative friendship and as the story progresses there are a few ups and downs that test the budding relationship.

I liked the setting and there are some delightful secondary characters, both young and old. I didn’t quite engage with Beatrice as much as I hoped to, she has some personal history to deal with, and I found it became a little repetitive at times. However, I did still find the historical content entertaining.

[Luisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely wartime romance. It was great to be reunited with characters from the previous book, but this would definitely work as a standalone.
Beatrice is a woman haunted by loss and a strict, upper class upbringing. Driven by duty and a desire to achieve career success, her view of the world has already been shaken by finding friendship with colleagues from very different backgrounds, when she starts to fall for David, a widowed doctor. Theirs is a sweet and believable love story in which they both have to take a chance on love in the face of the threat of war. With great character development, impeccable research into life on the home front in WW2, and some very touching moments, this is perfect for fans of WW2 saga and romance between more mature characters.

[Kathryn · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I hadn't read the previous book in the series, but it didn't matter as this also works as a standalone. 

Beatrice, Nell and Victoria are teachers who have been evacuated to Norfolk from London with the children from their school. This book mainly focuses on Beatrice's story. 

I liked Beatrice as a character. She has lost so much in the past, and is now determined for build her career and save for her future. She is so strong and caring, especially for the children she works with. When she meets David, everything begins to change for her as she questions what is going to come next in her life. 

An emotional wartime saga with interesting characters. I really loved this book. 

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Proposal by Rose Warner is a charming historical novel. It is the second book in the Teacher Evacuees series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Although there is ‘Christmas’ in the title, the book is actually set from Autumn 1940 to Spring 1941 in a fictional tale in Norfolk as we join three teachers and their pupils who were evacuated from London.
The leading character is in her 40’s. She is part of a generation of women who lost their husbands, sweethearts and brothers in the mud and mire of World War I battlefields. “Most of the men she [mother] would have considered suitable lay in the fields of Flanders their broken bodies turned to dust.” Though the class barriers were breaking down, there were still those of the older generation who tried to maintain their lofty upper-class positions as they throw out their orders.
A second world war brings to mind all that was lost in the First World War. Fears spring up. “Even if you tried to ignore them, fears didn’t lesson… facing life… head on.” Sometimes, in order to defeat our fears, we must face them. We must not let fear stop us from doing what is right.
Within the classroom we hear a child’s logic. “I don’t see the point in doing sums if we’re all going to be blown to bits.” You can’t argue with that!
Village gossips are not always kind. “The hurtful words continued to rankle.” Words do hurt.
A character faces a moral dilemma when faced with an injured German pilot. “She didn’t want revenge; she wanted this boy to live.” The German pilot was somebody’s son who was far from home. Not all Germans were Nazis. We always get the chance to choose to do what is good, even at a time of evil.
There is a wonderful community atmosphere with beautiful bonds between a teacher and a young orphan girl. The reader’s heart yearns to mother her.
As the war progresses, people must pull together. Everyone must do their bit.
In uncertain times, characters must seize the day (carpe diem) – for tomorrow is not guaranteed, and yesterday is gone.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Christmas Proposal. It was an entertaining read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Warner’s A Christmas Proposal is a tender, emotional and dramatic Second World War saga that will touch every reader’s heart.

The last couple of years have been very turbulent for teacher Beatrice. She had lost everything during the Great War – her brothers, her fiancé and everything and everyone she cared about. Her entire world had been turned on its head which is why she is enjoying finding some peace in the countryside. Settling into her new life alongside fellow teacher evacuees Victoria and Nell, Beatrice is keen to keep romance at bay. However, that all changes when she meets David, a doctor at the local military hospital, who is kind, gentle and who slowly manages to eradicate the walls she had built around her heart.

Just when Beatrice had hoped to take a leap of fate and a chance of love, she is shaken by the devastating news that one of her pupils had lost their entire family in an airstrike. As she grows increasingly fond of the orphaned child, Beatrice wonders whether she will continue to keep her heart under lock and key and deny herself the chance to be truly happy or whether she will find the courage to fight for the life she has always dreamed of.

Rose Warner’s A Christmas Proposal is a poignant, heart-warming and uplifting saga about hope, second chances, renewal and the healing power of love that brought many a tear to my eye. Beatrice is a wonderful heroine it is impossible not to care about and her journey is one that had me reaching for the tissues on many an occasion as I was completely invested in her story.

Rose Warner writes so well that readers will be completely swept away by the trials and tribulations of her characters in A Christmas Proposal and I cannot wait to read what happens next in this first-rate series set during the Second World War perfect for saga fans everywhere.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Angela Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not read the first book in this series but it really doesn’t matter as this was easy to follow as a stand-alone. The first would go on my TBR pile but I fear that I have not enough life years left for my TBR mountain.

Beatrice, Nell and Victoria are evacuated teachers from London to Norfolk for the duration of WW2. The first book seems to have centred around Victoria and this one is definitely Beatrice’s story. It’s obvious Nell has secrets of her own to be revealed - hopefully in book 3.

Beatrice lost her fiancé in WW1 and feels that marriage and family have passed her by. That’s until a local stately home is requisitioned as a convalescent hospital for injured military. There she meets a widower who is the doctor David. But Beatrice has been brought up as ‘upper class’ and David and Nell definitely aren’t that. But Beatrice’s mother needs her to support her financially after death duties reduce the family fortune. A more unlikeable mother one is yet to meet.

But that shows the skill of Rose Warner to create a character that you could cheerfully shake and show her the empathy and love that Beatrice can show to her charges - specially Ruby - orphaned as so many were. I wonder if it was actually that easy to adopt a child? Perhaps it was with no many orphans and unwanted children in the UK.

We have downed German airmen, a nativity play, unexploded bombs and village gossips with nothing better to do than undermine anyone their barbs want to hit.

Will love conquer all? You really need to read the book to find out

A brilliant read - I shall look out for the next in the series

[Jeanette Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice felt she had no chance to ever have a family of her own.  She lost the love of her life in The Great War.  She was not going to allow herself to feel such sorrow again.  


As time goes by, she meets the new doctor, David,  and a small child that has her changing her mind.  


Beatrice also has to deal with her mother's expectations for her.  What a snob her mother was.  Does Beatrice allow her mother to destroy her future or does she grab the happiness that is within her reach?


I couldn't figure Beatrice out when she discovered David was going to serve the country. Her rash decision made no sense to me.  I can't say too much as I don't want to spoil it.  Fortunately, Beatrice saw the error of her ways.


I didn't read book one but I soon caught on where the story was headed.  I enjoyed the book.  

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Proposal is my first novel by Rose Warner, and what a wonderful book to begin with!

Beatrice is settling in with Nell and Victoria as an evacuee teacher, having lost her close family during WW1. She meets David, the local doctor, and develops tender feelings for him. But when he decides to do his bit for his country, she is torn. Can she cope with life and love in wartime when she already knows, first-hand, the devastation it can cause?

I read many stories set in WWII, and most of them make me emotional; this one was no exception! I can tell Rose has thoroughly researched WWII, as her attention to detail is fantastic. I will most definitely be looking for more Rose Warner novels.

I was gripped by this story, and I’m sure you will be too! Grab a copy as soon as possible.

[Elaine Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice ,Nell and Victoria are teachers in the village of Hazelbury which has evacuees. Beatrice meets the doctor from the RAF camp David and begins to fall for him.Then one of the children at the school losses her family when a bomb kills them and Beatrice finds herself mothering the child. David breaks the news that he is being called up for war work but Beatrice doesn’t know if she can cope with this happening too him.I really enjoyed reading this book the next one in the Teacher evacuee series.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it gave a real insight to how evacuee children lived during the war. It showed the hardship of being away from family for both the children and teachers. It was a really good read with some tension, romance and a sense of togetherness. Highly recommend, beautifully written by Rose Warner.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. Publication date 27 August 2026.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Teacher Evacuees series, A Christmas Proposal was my first adventure into one of Warner's historical fictions, of which I enjoyed immensely.

The story flowed at a moderate pace, with the author's writing immersive and her world building authentic, creating an atmosphere redolent to the era.

I found the characters charming, loved their community spirit, and can't wait to hear more from them.

[Jess Keast · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

I enjoyed this more than the first one!!

So compelling and immersive, you can imagine yourself there. Very likeable characters.

I liked that the main character was a little older (in her 40s). Their relationship was believable and very sweet.

Can't wait for the third one!!




My thanks to NetGalley for the advance ebook copy.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of love and compassion that took my heart into it's deepest tender feelings. Beatrice is scared to love again after losing so much already. A WW2 story that combines drama with heart-rending moments. Friendships and loyalty take over and bring care to a terrible time.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrice has lost her fiancé and her brothers during the Great War. Forced to make a living she teaches and helps at a military hospital.
I wasn’t aware this was part of a series as it seems to standalone. I liked Beatrice and her coworkers. All from different backgrounds but able to find friendship during a trying time. It’s a good historical fiction story with a nice romance added in.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story focuses on Beatrice, one of three teachers who have been evacuated to the countryside. She lost her fiancé and her brothers in the First World War and is settling into being a spinster teacher. Then she meets David, a Dr. at the nearby military hospital.

I enjoyed the sequel. As a teacher myself, it was interesting to see how they handled teaching during WWII and everything that came with it. Beatrice also bonds with one of the girls who has been evacuated as well.

Thanks to @dkrandomhouse @rachelsrandomresources and the author for this arc.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can she open her heart to love again
When war already costs her so much?
Beatrice Wentworth, Hazelbury village Norfolk.
WW2 saga that took to my heart.
Such a beautiful heartfelt read.
Full of friendship loyalty and compassion.
I loved reading this beautiful book.