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A Friend for Christmas
Yorkshire, Christmas, 1953. They'd had a cold and hungry winter but Gloria's mother had scrimped and saved to ensure the fire was lit and her five children each had a plate full of food. There was even a place at the table ready for an unexpected visitor; every year there seemed to be someone in need.
Despite the busy household, Gloria often ended up playing by herself. That is, until a knock on the door that brought a scruffy pup into her life and her heart.
Over the years, Gloria adopted many more dogs, even the odd cat, who helped her through the good times and the bad; through illness, love and loss. They even helped her to carry on her mother's legacy, bringing warmth, food and happiness to those alone at Christmas.
Despite the busy household, Gloria often ended up playing by herself. That is, until a knock on the door that brought a scruffy pup into her life and her heart.
Over the years, Gloria adopted many more dogs, even the odd cat, who helped her through the good times and the bad; through illness, love and loss. They even helped her to carry on her mother's legacy, bringing warmth, food and happiness to those alone at Christmas.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 4, 2019
Such a lovely but gripping read. Simply written so you can absorb all of the storyline. Gloria is an inspiring and addictive protagonist. I miss her now the book is over. This is a great book for anyone, you may shed a tear but this will hopefully also make people appreciate what they have a little more.
December 17, 2022
The title and the front cover is misleading. This is not a book about Christmas and it is not a book about a dog.
I also have noticed that so many books have been disguised as 'dog books' but have been about other things, and just happen to have a dog in it. Two examples would be Thunder Dog - not about a guide dog primarily but about a blind mans life and his experience with 9/11. Finding Gobi, not a book about the author and his dog but about his life as an athlete and his life in china.
I feel like so many more people would read them if they didn't seem like they were primarily about a dog - I just feel like it's bad marketing. Because this is a book I thought was really good.. and not many people have seemed to have read it and I think its the whole 'Christmas animal story' thing. Only certain types of people would pick up a book like this to begin with. Anyways, with that thought aside...
I was expecting a fluffy Christmas book about a dog. In fact I got quite the opposite. I got a story of a girl who grew up in poverty in post-war Sheffield. A girl who went through a really difficult childhood, being bullied and abused by family members, and as she grows up she is surrounded by sickness and is flooded with grief on so many different occasions. This book was actually just sad nearly the whole way through.
I found Gloria's story really interesting and reading about her life growing up was really fascinating to me, however I didn't find the writing itself particularly impactful. I understand this is a memoir (Well sort of - because it's ghost written) but I think it would have easily got 5 stars if the book was longer just to add some extra details of how she was feeling in certain circumstances. However, she does manage to fit nearly her whole life within this one book and so much happens that there isn't time to have detailed or lyrical writing. The writing isn't bad by any means, its easy to read and there's no inherent issues I just would have loved to understand more of how she felt as it would have made it a more impactful read.
p.s Stephanie, i'm going to let you borrow this book because I think you'll like it
I also have noticed that so many books have been disguised as 'dog books' but have been about other things, and just happen to have a dog in it. Two examples would be Thunder Dog - not about a guide dog primarily but about a blind mans life and his experience with 9/11. Finding Gobi, not a book about the author and his dog but about his life as an athlete and his life in china.
I feel like so many more people would read them if they didn't seem like they were primarily about a dog - I just feel like it's bad marketing. Because this is a book I thought was really good.. and not many people have seemed to have read it and I think its the whole 'Christmas animal story' thing. Only certain types of people would pick up a book like this to begin with. Anyways, with that thought aside...
I was expecting a fluffy Christmas book about a dog. In fact I got quite the opposite. I got a story of a girl who grew up in poverty in post-war Sheffield. A girl who went through a really difficult childhood, being bullied and abused by family members, and as she grows up she is surrounded by sickness and is flooded with grief on so many different occasions. This book was actually just sad nearly the whole way through.
I found Gloria's story really interesting and reading about her life growing up was really fascinating to me, however I didn't find the writing itself particularly impactful. I understand this is a memoir (Well sort of - because it's ghost written) but I think it would have easily got 5 stars if the book was longer just to add some extra details of how she was feeling in certain circumstances. However, she does manage to fit nearly her whole life within this one book and so much happens that there isn't time to have detailed or lyrical writing. The writing isn't bad by any means, its easy to read and there's no inherent issues I just would have loved to understand more of how she felt as it would have made it a more impactful read.
p.s Stephanie, i'm going to let you borrow this book because I think you'll like it
January 3, 2021
An inspiring true story of a woman from Sheffield,I couldn’t put this book down. It made me realise that maybe our Christmas this year wasn’t so bad after all and to be grateful for everything and everyone we have in our lives.
June 23, 2021
This was an amazing book. I Didn't really get why the book was called A Friend For christmas but at the end it all adds up. It's quite a sad book to be honest and what's even more upsetting is that it is a true story but I would suggest you read this very good book.
April 10, 2024
I did read this book a while ago during the Christmas period so cannot remember a lot of it. However, i do remember this being very emotional and heartwarming especially being about dogs.
December 20, 2019
This is a story of Gloria’s life whose lonely childhood is changed when a knock on the door brings a scruffy, lovable puppy. As years pass, she discovers the loyal companionship from her four-legged friends. A real tear jerker of Gloria’s life and the people in it. Her life’s work is to make sure that no one in her community spends Christmas alone ✨ This book was such a lovely read. It was well written and it is a real tear jerker. Gloria is such an inspiring woman. Highly recommend
August 8, 2022
Straziante. Così toccante che lo consiglio a chi abbia voglia di emozionarsi, piangere, immedesimarsi ed essere capito, non sentirsi da solo nelle difficoltà della vita. La protagonista racconta la sua vita in un romanzo-memoire molto scorrevole, che riassume i punti cruciali del percorso della sua esistenza. Bellissimo vedere la protagonista crescere e farsi strada tra le avversità. Dolcissimo. Insegna davvero tanto l'esperienza di questa donna, Gloria, una persona da ammirare.
January 9, 2023
A beautiful book I've always wondered what life was like for the generations before me.this book gave me a great insight into what life was life for family's during the war and living in poverty.Im so delighted Gloria felt she could share what her life was like growing up.Gloria was bullied due to wearing hand me down clothes which must have been such a difficult time and must have been hard for Gloria to fit in.Glorias parents had a pure heart and wouldn't see anyone or four legged friends without.During Gloria growing up they had taken in a fair amount of dogs.who became Gloria's best friends who she could sit and chat to without being judged Kim and sooty were their for Gloria when she needed them.They were loyal friends to Gloria and would always be waiting for Gloria to return home.Glorias book will stay with me for a long time.When Gloria became a mum she always made sure her children had everything they needed she didn't want her children to have to go through what she went through she didn't want her children being bullied for being in hand me down clothes.What a wonderful thing Gloria does for her community each Christmas to make sure no one spends Christmas alone .Gloria and her family went through alot of bad news and heartbreak but Gloria kept going and didn't let the news knock her down x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2021
A Friend for Christmas - Gloria Stewart
Yorkshire, Christmas, 1953. They'd had a cold and hungry winter but Gloria's mother had scrimped and saved to ensure the fire was lit and her five children each had a plate full of food. There was even a place at the table ready for an unexpected visitor; every year there seemed to be someone in need.
Despite the busy household, Gloria often ended up playing by herself. That is, until a knock on the door that brought a scruffy pup into her life and her heart.
Over the years, Gloria adopted many more dogs, even the odd cat, who helped her through the good times and the bad; through illness, love and loss. They even helped her to carry on her mother's legacy, bringing warmth, food and happiness to those alone at Christmas.
This was a well-written, detailed but easy story to follow. The people are introduced in such a well that you fee like you actually know them, so don’t be surprised if you end up shedding a tear. Gloria is such an inspiration.
Even though I don’t normally read true stories, I honestly feel that this book is well worth making an exception for.
Rating 4/5
Yorkshire, Christmas, 1953. They'd had a cold and hungry winter but Gloria's mother had scrimped and saved to ensure the fire was lit and her five children each had a plate full of food. There was even a place at the table ready for an unexpected visitor; every year there seemed to be someone in need.
Despite the busy household, Gloria often ended up playing by herself. That is, until a knock on the door that brought a scruffy pup into her life and her heart.
Over the years, Gloria adopted many more dogs, even the odd cat, who helped her through the good times and the bad; through illness, love and loss. They even helped her to carry on her mother's legacy, bringing warmth, food and happiness to those alone at Christmas.
This was a well-written, detailed but easy story to follow. The people are introduced in such a well that you fee like you actually know them, so don’t be surprised if you end up shedding a tear. Gloria is such an inspiration.
Even though I don’t normally read true stories, I honestly feel that this book is well worth making an exception for.
Rating 4/5
March 21, 2021
La vera storia di Gloria Stewart, una storia di generosità tramandata di madre in figlia.
Una vita di stenti, di piccoli regali desiderati e mai ricevuti, una storia commovente, dove l’infanzia è scandita da malattie e lutti improvvisi.
Dalla nascita alla sua vita attuale, la sua lotta per la sopravvivenza, povertà e sporcizia, due cancri, un lutto che l’ha segnata fin dalla nascita e altri che si sono susseguiti nel corso degli anni.
Un matrimonio, quattro figli e la stabilità che forse arriva, in tutto questo, anno dopo anno la sua vita verrà riempita da coccole di cuccioli e posti in più a tavola.
Dove si ha poco si dona molto.
La storia della Signora del Natale e la sua Home Alone.
La storia di Natale per eccellenza, amore, famiglia, piccoli regali donati con il cuore, un pasto caldo pronto per il primo sventurato e tanti cuccioli pelosi pronti per una nuova famiglia.
- Cara Z.
Una vita di stenti, di piccoli regali desiderati e mai ricevuti, una storia commovente, dove l’infanzia è scandita da malattie e lutti improvvisi.
Dalla nascita alla sua vita attuale, la sua lotta per la sopravvivenza, povertà e sporcizia, due cancri, un lutto che l’ha segnata fin dalla nascita e altri che si sono susseguiti nel corso degli anni.
Un matrimonio, quattro figli e la stabilità che forse arriva, in tutto questo, anno dopo anno la sua vita verrà riempita da coccole di cuccioli e posti in più a tavola.
Dove si ha poco si dona molto.
La storia della Signora del Natale e la sua Home Alone.
La storia di Natale per eccellenza, amore, famiglia, piccoli regali donati con il cuore, un pasto caldo pronto per il primo sventurato e tanti cuccioli pelosi pronti per una nuova famiglia.
- Cara Z.
December 11, 2020
Una commovente storia vera che mostra come chi abbia cosi poco sia in grado di donare cosi tanto amore. Amore incondizionato, puro e smisurato. Amore verso i propri cari, vero gli animali, verso i più indifesi ed emarginati.
Una storia che può insegnare se si è disposti ad aprire il proprio cuore e a mettersi in discussione.
Una storia che può insegnare se si è disposti ad aprire il proprio cuore e a mettersi in discussione.
February 16, 2022
Ci ho messo parecchio a finirlo, per vari motivi. Ma alla fine posso dire che questo libro merita tutto il tempo che gli ho dedicato e tutte le lacrime che mi ha fatto versare. Non ho mai pianto tanto leggendo un libro e, quando è successo, è sempre stato con libri con animali protagonisti. CONSIGLIATISSIMO
November 18, 2020
A lovely story and what an inspiration Gloria is(and her parents too.they had very little but always welcomed anyone who had even less to their table and gave them a meal.)
December 11, 2020
Loved this book from start to finish. Gloria you are an inspiration to all
December 23, 2022
A lovely, sweet story which I couldn’t put down once I started.
November 29, 2025
wow this is a fantastic story. so many ups and downs. so many tears of sadness but happiness to.
December 15, 2025
Going into this book, I didn’t realise it was non-fiction—and that made the experience even more special. A Friend for Christmas isn’t a traditional story; instead, it’s Gloria Stewart sharing her life, from her birth and childhood through to adulthood, all told through her own perspective on life.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of Gloria’s journey. One constant throughout her life was her love for dogs, which is especially powerful given that she grew up knowing her older brother had died after being licked by a dog, and that she was considered his “replacement.” Despite this, her bond with animals never faded, and that love became a defining part of who she is.
This book is incredibly heartfelt and deeply personal. Gloria comes across as such a likeable, genuine person, and I loved learning about everything she experienced along the way—including the charity work she went on to organise. The writing style is warm and engaging, making it easy to feel truly connected to her as you read.
I’m so glad I picked this book up. It’s honest, emotional, and uplifting, and it stayed with me long after I finished. A truly moving read, and without a doubt a 5-star book for me.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of Gloria’s journey. One constant throughout her life was her love for dogs, which is especially powerful given that she grew up knowing her older brother had died after being licked by a dog, and that she was considered his “replacement.” Despite this, her bond with animals never faded, and that love became a defining part of who she is.
This book is incredibly heartfelt and deeply personal. Gloria comes across as such a likeable, genuine person, and I loved learning about everything she experienced along the way—including the charity work she went on to organise. The writing style is warm and engaging, making it easy to feel truly connected to her as you read.
I’m so glad I picked this book up. It’s honest, emotional, and uplifting, and it stayed with me long after I finished. A truly moving read, and without a doubt a 5-star book for me.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews