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When Christmas Bells Ring
Liverpool, 1938: it’s Christmas in the Courts, and single mother Rosheen Clarke and her mischievous twin daughters April and May have no idea of the cataclysmic events which will soon overtake them. When war is declared, April and May are evacuated to the countryside, and Rosheen joins the WAAF where she befriends fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine. While Rosheen worries about what trouble the twins will cause next, Cassie is fighting her love for her childhood friend Andy. Because ever since he joined the RAF, he has become arrogant and remote. Will he change back to the old Andy when it’s all over? Or will their love be another casualty of war? Cassie and Rosheen support each other as best they can, but it will be many years before the Christmas bells ring out again.
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
60 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Katie Flynn
100 books218 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.
Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 18, 2017
Really enjoyed reading this book. Love books set in this era. Recommended.
January 14, 2018
This is the best Katie Flynn book I've read for some time. The book starts by alternating between the story of Rosheen, her mom and her twin daughters April and May, and the story of Cassie, her family and friend and next door neighbour, Andy. The two meet up in the WAAF about half way through the book. They become firm friends and so their stories then become entwined. The story spans eighteen years and includes the years of the second world war, it has a satisfying ending and was overall a pleasant read.
October 20, 2019
Family
A great book by Katie Flynn a family fighting the war at home children evacuated and a mam who joins the forces definitely 5 STARS.
A great book by Katie Flynn a family fighting the war at home children evacuated and a mam who joins the forces definitely 5 STARS.
February 4, 2018
Really good
Really enjoyed reading this book the characters were lovely
So much happening all the time kept you wanting to read on.
Really enjoyed reading this book the characters were lovely
So much happening all the time kept you wanting to read on.
December 21, 2017
I found this rather disappointing, definitely not one of her better novels. I didn't think it was properly researched, there were a lot of anomalies in the story, editing was poor. No mention of Rosheen having any problems being a unmarried mother in the 1930s. None of the characters appealed, particularly the twins! The Christmas morning scene when the twins were disappointed with their present was particularly poor, I know from my mother that children from working families did not get much in the way of Christmas presents in the 1930s and were pleased with anything they got, I think children of a single parent would not expect much, don't forget women were not paid well, much less than their male counterparts! I could go on and on.
November 28, 2021
When Christmas Bells Ring by Katie Flynn is a historical wartime saga that compels you to read on from the start.
The story is mainly set in Liverpool from 1932-1948 and centres on twins April and May born in 1932. They are delightful but also a handful as they love each other fiercely but also fight like cat and dog. Katie Flynn explores the bond that twins have. It is an invisible thread that unites across space and time. (I can confirm this bond as I have twin brothers who are three years younger).
War for the twins really begins as they are evacuated to Wales. The countryside is in complete contrast to Liverpool but Liverpool is where their Mum and Grandma are, so there is a strong emotional pull. As the twins grow older they learn to appreciate the countryside.
Liverpool suffered from raids by German bombers. There is a truly harrowing scene that I found upsetting to read. The atmosphere of terror and horror was perfectly captured by Katie Flynn.
There is a community atmosphere within the novel – amongst the poor of Liverpool, in the countryside and within the armed forces. People came together right where they were for the war effort.
The reader spends time following the fortunes of the twins mother who serves, along with others from Liverpool. We ‘experience’ the women’s land army as well as the WAAF.
We witness relationships along the way. There are some bumpy rides as characters wall up their heart for the duration of the war for fear of hurt, much to the disappointment of others.
I thoroughly enjoyed When Christmas Bells Ring. It was an epic read through the years and one that I can highly recommend.
The story is mainly set in Liverpool from 1932-1948 and centres on twins April and May born in 1932. They are delightful but also a handful as they love each other fiercely but also fight like cat and dog. Katie Flynn explores the bond that twins have. It is an invisible thread that unites across space and time. (I can confirm this bond as I have twin brothers who are three years younger).
War for the twins really begins as they are evacuated to Wales. The countryside is in complete contrast to Liverpool but Liverpool is where their Mum and Grandma are, so there is a strong emotional pull. As the twins grow older they learn to appreciate the countryside.
Liverpool suffered from raids by German bombers. There is a truly harrowing scene that I found upsetting to read. The atmosphere of terror and horror was perfectly captured by Katie Flynn.
There is a community atmosphere within the novel – amongst the poor of Liverpool, in the countryside and within the armed forces. People came together right where they were for the war effort.
The reader spends time following the fortunes of the twins mother who serves, along with others from Liverpool. We ‘experience’ the women’s land army as well as the WAAF.
We witness relationships along the way. There are some bumpy rides as characters wall up their heart for the duration of the war for fear of hurt, much to the disappointment of others.
I thoroughly enjoyed When Christmas Bells Ring. It was an epic read through the years and one that I can highly recommend.
December 14, 2023
A historical war time saga set mostly in Liverpool. Twin girls, April and May, aged 7, are among the evacuee children sent to live in the country during WW2. The story centres partly around the twins and their mother Rosheen. She joins the WAAF and makes friends with Cassie. While Rosheen is constantly worried about her daughters, Cassie worries about her childhood friend Andy, who is a pilot flying night raids to Germany.
This is a very interesting story throughout.
This is a very interesting story throughout.
November 30, 2018
Fun Christmas story with a surprise ending. They were always talking about how spoiled April and May were, but I think that they were just curious kids. Evidently with the right mount of discipline they turned into nice young ladies.
January 5, 2018
very slow to start not the most gripping of stories. i lile a book I dont want to put down..this wasnt one of them. nevertheless its my first Katie Flynn book and I will be trying more!
October 31, 2018
A good wee chick read
January 13, 2021
War time girly novel.
December 6, 2022
A sweet historical wartime story set in Liverpool. Centers on twins April and May (just love those names together. For a Christmas book is was pretty good. 3 ½ stars
October 12, 2023
Love all her books .
November 29, 2023
Quite a boring book.
January 3, 2025
DNF I found the characters so unlikeable that really didn’t care if they survived the war.
May 15, 2025
Read all about the mischievious twins, I couldn't put this book down
January 3, 2016
Katie Flynn‘s name has become synonymous with emotional, compelling and spellbinding historical sagas and her latest novel, When Christmas Bells Ring, is another classic tale of war, family, friendship and romance her legion of fans will devour in a single sitting!
Single mother Rosheen Clarke has got her hands full looking after her two mischievous twins, April and May. Being a single mum is not easy, but with her wicked sense of humour, optimistic spirit and love of life, Rosheen is never without a smile on her face – even if her twins do sometimes try her patience! But when the dark clouds of war begin approaching and start to cast an ominous shadow over the world, Rosheen soon realises that she will soon have more to worry about then her two naughty girls! With April and May evacuated, Rosheen realises that she cannot sit around twiddling her thumbs waiting for the war to pass her by. Determined to do her bit for the war effort, she joins the WAAF and is more than prepared to do her duty for king and country.
Making friends comes naturally to Rosheen and when she joins up, she soon befriends fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine. While Rosheen is worrying about what mischief April and May are getting up to, Cassie has got her own problems to contend with. Poor Cassie cannot stop thinking about her friend, Andy. Having been the best of friends since childhood, Cassie and Andy had once been inseparable, but when war had been declared, Andy had joined the RAF and been determined to do his utmost to defeat the enemy and make his country proud. Since he’s joined up, Cassie has sensed a huge change in her childhood friend. He has now become arrogant and distant and does not seem to have enough time for her. Having always had feelings for Andy that were far from platonic, Cassie cannot help but wonder whether the future she has always imagined for herself and Andy is now out of the question…
There are many challenges which Rosheen and Cassie must face during the war, but the two best friends vow to be there for each other, regardless of what life may throw their way. But amidst all the pain and anguish which the world is facing, will a happy ending ever be within the two friends’ grasp? Or will war lay claim to both of their happiness and condemn them to nothing but heartache and regret?
Saga fans always have high expectations when they pick up a novel by Katie Flynn and they are never disappointed! Her stories are gutsy, gripping, believable and they are written straight from the heart. In When Christmas Bells Rings, Katie Flynn has written a wonderful story about courage, hope, redemption and sacrifice that will make readers laugh and cry.
The characters in When Christmas Bells Ring are wonderfully nuanced, engaging and richly drawn and readers are sure to take to their hearts spirited Rosheen, resilient Cassie and the other fantastic characters that people this outstanding historical tale!
Heartwarming, enjoyable and hard to put down, When Christmas Bells Ring continues to cement Katie Flynn’s standing as the queen of historical sagas!
Single mother Rosheen Clarke has got her hands full looking after her two mischievous twins, April and May. Being a single mum is not easy, but with her wicked sense of humour, optimistic spirit and love of life, Rosheen is never without a smile on her face – even if her twins do sometimes try her patience! But when the dark clouds of war begin approaching and start to cast an ominous shadow over the world, Rosheen soon realises that she will soon have more to worry about then her two naughty girls! With April and May evacuated, Rosheen realises that she cannot sit around twiddling her thumbs waiting for the war to pass her by. Determined to do her bit for the war effort, she joins the WAAF and is more than prepared to do her duty for king and country.
Making friends comes naturally to Rosheen and when she joins up, she soon befriends fellow Liverpudlian Cassie Valentine. While Rosheen is worrying about what mischief April and May are getting up to, Cassie has got her own problems to contend with. Poor Cassie cannot stop thinking about her friend, Andy. Having been the best of friends since childhood, Cassie and Andy had once been inseparable, but when war had been declared, Andy had joined the RAF and been determined to do his utmost to defeat the enemy and make his country proud. Since he’s joined up, Cassie has sensed a huge change in her childhood friend. He has now become arrogant and distant and does not seem to have enough time for her. Having always had feelings for Andy that were far from platonic, Cassie cannot help but wonder whether the future she has always imagined for herself and Andy is now out of the question…
There are many challenges which Rosheen and Cassie must face during the war, but the two best friends vow to be there for each other, regardless of what life may throw their way. But amidst all the pain and anguish which the world is facing, will a happy ending ever be within the two friends’ grasp? Or will war lay claim to both of their happiness and condemn them to nothing but heartache and regret?
Saga fans always have high expectations when they pick up a novel by Katie Flynn and they are never disappointed! Her stories are gutsy, gripping, believable and they are written straight from the heart. In When Christmas Bells Rings, Katie Flynn has written a wonderful story about courage, hope, redemption and sacrifice that will make readers laugh and cry.
The characters in When Christmas Bells Ring are wonderfully nuanced, engaging and richly drawn and readers are sure to take to their hearts spirited Rosheen, resilient Cassie and the other fantastic characters that people this outstanding historical tale!
Heartwarming, enjoyable and hard to put down, When Christmas Bells Ring continues to cement Katie Flynn’s standing as the queen of historical sagas!
December 13, 2015
Review first posted on my blog: http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...
Liverpool, 1938: Rosheen Clarke is a single mother, building a life for herself while taking care of her strong-willed twin daughters April and May. While the girls are looking forward to Christmas, none of them have any idea of what is waiting for them in the upcoming years. Not soon after, the war breaks out and April and May are evacuated to the countryside while Rosheen joins the WAAF. While Rosheen worries about her daughters, her new best friend Cassie Valentine has her own problems to deal with in the form of her love/hate feelings for her childhood best friend Andy. Neither Rosheen nor Carrie knows what the war will bring to them and their loved ones and what it is the future has in hold for them.
As expected this is another wonderful and warm story by best-selling author Katie Flynn. 'When Christmas Bells Ring' is set during the World War 2 years and focuses on main characters Rosheen Clarke (and her twin daughters April and May) and Cassie Valentine. Both Rosheen and Cassie were easy to warm to and I thought both of their stories were interesting and managed to hold my attention throughout the entire novel. I loved the switch between the different storylines, giving the reader something to be curious about and it resulted in me wanting to continue reading and find out what would happen next.
Katie's writing style is comfortable to read, enough detail is provided on both the characters and the scene setting, and it fits the genre really well. I wish perhaps a bit more attention could have been paid to Rosheen and Cassie's friendship, especially since this friendship is also specifically mentioned in the book description as an important part of the novel. I wasn't really surprised by the book and its ending, but sometimes it's great to pick up a book and know beforehand what you're going to get; an enjoyable read. While I wouldn't necessarily call this a Christmas read, 'When Christmas Bells Ring' is another warm-hearted, family-orientated and enjoyable novel by author Katie Flynn; I personally quite enjoyed it and am sure many other readers will as well!
Liverpool, 1938: Rosheen Clarke is a single mother, building a life for herself while taking care of her strong-willed twin daughters April and May. While the girls are looking forward to Christmas, none of them have any idea of what is waiting for them in the upcoming years. Not soon after, the war breaks out and April and May are evacuated to the countryside while Rosheen joins the WAAF. While Rosheen worries about her daughters, her new best friend Cassie Valentine has her own problems to deal with in the form of her love/hate feelings for her childhood best friend Andy. Neither Rosheen nor Carrie knows what the war will bring to them and their loved ones and what it is the future has in hold for them.
As expected this is another wonderful and warm story by best-selling author Katie Flynn. 'When Christmas Bells Ring' is set during the World War 2 years and focuses on main characters Rosheen Clarke (and her twin daughters April and May) and Cassie Valentine. Both Rosheen and Cassie were easy to warm to and I thought both of their stories were interesting and managed to hold my attention throughout the entire novel. I loved the switch between the different storylines, giving the reader something to be curious about and it resulted in me wanting to continue reading and find out what would happen next.
Katie's writing style is comfortable to read, enough detail is provided on both the characters and the scene setting, and it fits the genre really well. I wish perhaps a bit more attention could have been paid to Rosheen and Cassie's friendship, especially since this friendship is also specifically mentioned in the book description as an important part of the novel. I wasn't really surprised by the book and its ending, but sometimes it's great to pick up a book and know beforehand what you're going to get; an enjoyable read. While I wouldn't necessarily call this a Christmas read, 'When Christmas Bells Ring' is another warm-hearted, family-orientated and enjoyable novel by author Katie Flynn; I personally quite enjoyed it and am sure many other readers will as well!
December 27, 2015
Me encantan las comedias románticas de principio de siglo XX, sobretodo de Navidad para este tiempo del año. Sin embargo, las mellizas no son graciosas, son egocéntricas, viven peliándose entre ellas, malagradecidas con su madre y abuela e irresponsables. Esto se extiende durante toda la novela aún hasta el final cuando discuten si su madre "sabe" sobre sexo, como si ellas hubieran nacido por concepción divina.
Por otra parte, Cassy histeriquea con su vecino Andy durante 9 años hasta que se casan. Realmente muy flojo como su "mejor amiga" Beth se mete en el medio de su relación, para luego intercambiar novios. Obvio que tiene un final feliz, pero no pude encariñarme con los personajes, aunque el estilo de la escritora es agradable y, sin duda, intentaré otra de sus series.
Por otra parte, Cassy histeriquea con su vecino Andy durante 9 años hasta que se casan. Realmente muy flojo como su "mejor amiga" Beth se mete en el medio de su relación, para luego intercambiar novios. Obvio que tiene un final feliz, pero no pude encariñarme con los personajes, aunque el estilo de la escritora es agradable y, sin duda, intentaré otra de sus series.
January 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and for once I really did not guess the final twist. The characters were totally believable and the era is probably my favourite. Katie Flynn is now one of my go to authors.
January 2, 2016
I. love Katie flynn and this one did not dissapoint. nice easy reading great characters loved the twins.. feel defnetely there could be or should be a follow up for rosheen and liam
January 10, 2016
Such simple storytelling, but I like it!
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December 21, 2016Not one of my favourites
November 25, 2017
This is such a lovely story. it is both romantic and charming with humour and the troubles with the twins are a real page turner. A lovely story for a winter evening.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews