Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop

The Foyles Girls #3

by Elaine Roberts

'A delightful story of friendship, love and hope during the dark days of WW1. Elaine Roberts is a bright new star in the world of sagas' Elaine Everest.

Alice, Victoria and Molly couldn't be more different and yet they share a friendship that stems back to their childhood – a friendship that provides everyday solace from the tribulations and heartbreak of war. Perfect for fans of Elaine Everest, Daisy Styles and Rosie Hendry.

All the Foyles girls want this Christmas is their loved ones back safe and sound and to look foward to a New Year without the shadow of war...

The final book in Elaine Roberts' heartwarming Foyles Girls trilogy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2019

Reviews

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE TITLE HAD ME HOOKED - THE CONTENT LOST ME

Full disclosure - I did not read the first 2 books in this series

Actual rating: 2⭐️ - I elected to give this book 3 stars even though I felt it was a 2 because I haven't read the books preceding it. Who knows, maybe some of the complaints I had with this books would not have bothered me, had I read the entire series first.

There were three reasons why this book initially appealed to me - the words 'christmas', 'bookshop' and the fact that it was set in WWI. Sadly, this is not a christmas book, only the last chapter takes place during christmas. So that was strike one. The bookshop was a nice touch, so was the WWI setting. But pretty much everything else was a letdown.

"[...] tea and cake solves everything."

THE THINGS I LIKED

The setting: There really aren't enough books about WWI as opposed to WWII. More of these please!

THE THINGS I DISLIKED

Plot: Sadly, I felt that the plot was quite weak and full of holes. There were several things I just did not find plausible or realistic.

Characters: As I was reading, one thing kept sticking in my mind in regards to the characters. They felt mostly like cardboard cutouts without any real personalities.

Victoria: The MC of this book, Victoria, was a very unlikable character, mostly because I didn't understand her reasoning or her motives for the things that she did (or, in most cases, didn't do)...

Yawn: Yeah, I was actually bored because nothing interesting happened at any point.

Giggling: This might just be a 'me-thing', but the three girls of this book had a very annoying tendency to always giggle at the smallest things! To me, it made the girls seem really silly and vapid. I did not enjoy that. Grown women don't giggle that much!

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a rule I don't read Christmas themed books much and certainly not before mid November. I broke my own rules for this as, well, it's set in Foyles bookshop and Elaine Roberts is a Saga queen who I have read but never reviewed! Well, now, best put that right!

IT's out in October and I hope there's a launch of some sort in Foyles/near the spot where the old bookshop stood. This is an olde worlde bookstore and Elaine has recreated the magic of the bookstore world right on the page. You can sense the excitement of the workers, see and take part in the hardwork involved and get to meet the customers. All this just during wartime so it's interesting to see how people view books and escapism of this kind during what must have been a time of so much tragedy.

The characters come to life off the page and even though this is the third part of a trilogy, I haven't read the others and I fully immersed myself into the lives and loves of the characters within.

Delightful and perfect for book worms at Christmas!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for a copy of Christmas at the Foyles bookshop. I have read the previous books in the series and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one.
The story continues between Alice, Victoria and Molly. Molly has returned to work back at Foyles Book shop. The girls are together again, and their friendship is even stronger. The war is still on and the girls are still trying to make the best of the situation. Alice is pregnant with her second child; Victoria finds that she has an extended family and Molly is got over her incident at the Munitions factory and has a boyfriend and don’t forget Foyle’s owner Mr Leadbetter.
This is another great page turner about the Foyle’s bookstore, the people that work there and the extended families. The story draws you in from the very first page. The author cleverly writes this story that makes you feel like your with them on their journey. This story is full of love, sadness and hope but, with friends it gets a little easier to get though the tough times. Like the others in the series. I loved this one too. It is greatly researched and gave me warm feeling after reading it. I can’t wait for me books from this author. 5 stars from me.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.

A moving story of love and friendship, CHRISTMAS AT THE FOYLES BOOKSHOP by Elaine Roberts is sure to please historical fiction fans everywhere.

This tight-knit bunch of friends return as we get to know more about Alice, Victoria, and Molly's lives during wartime. I had not read the previous books in the series which is something that I intend to rectify but getting to know each of these women and watching their care for each other was a lovely thing to behold. The setting of the bookshop was simply magical and I felt like I was there each time as the author is great at painting a picture and a sense of place for the reader.

It is a story of hope and moving forward but is also true to its time and the harsh realities of war for soldiers and their loved ones are well portrayed and are sure to make you grab for the tissues at times.

CHRISTMAS AT THE FOYLES BOOKSHOP by Elaine Roberts shows the power of friendship and the strength women find in themselves and each other when needs must, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I absolutely loved this book!!

It is the perfect winter read and I think it would be perfect to read over the Christmas period. The author has a really lovely writing style and she has a natural ability to bring everything to life.

I love the setting and the period of time that the book is set is great. I love books set during the Great War. There are a lot of fiction books set during WWII and this has been such a treat to be able to follow the Foyles Girls. They are lovely characters to follow and I found them to be very well developed too. The author set the book at just the right pace for me too.

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon - I thought it was another excellent book from this author and a fabulous way to end the trilogy – it is a lovely festive read – very highly recommended!!

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but it’s not so much about the bookshop where the 3 friends work it’s much more. The bookshop is a fantastic idea. Used books can be bought for 3p and returned for 2p which makes a great turnaround as they have thousands of books also in the basement. Dk much do they can give sone away to children at Christmas and send some to those who are still fighting in far off lands.

Based in London 1914 when people had to run to basements or the nearest shelters while London was being bombed in WWI. Victoria is the main character and her story is one many of that era can relate to. Without giving too much away she’s been left to bring up her sister and brother after her parents death when she was 16. Every family has secrets but it’s not until she decides to go into her parents bedroom after 7 years does she realise what a big secret they had!

She helps in the local hospital where war wounded are brought and makes an astonishing discovery in one of the patients. You’ll have to read this to find out as I’m not giving away spoilers but it’s well worth a look if you enjoy a story with a few twists.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kindly sent a copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This book certainly wasn't what I expected but in a way, that was good. The title makes it seem like such an easygoing feelgood read and whilst it is a feelgood read, it is so much more than that.

I haven't read the previous books so went into the book blindly. I really enjoyed the characters - the friendship between the women is amazing. Many secrets are revealed, all to the backdrop of World War One.

The true horror of war is shown via the soldiers in the hospital and the bombings, the true value of family and friendship shown through the characters and their stories. I'll certainly be checking out more of the authors work.

[KIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Another great book by Elaine Roberts. She writes so vividly it’s like I’m reading a Halmark movie but one with substance and heart. Family is important in ER books and the characters and storyline set during WWI are totally relatable and easy to care about. Definitely recommend read.

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so pleased that I have been able to read and review Christmas at Foyles Bookshop. I have loved this series and getting to know the wonderful ladies Alice, Molly & Victoria.

This era of historical fiction is one of my favourites and this latest instalment was another brilliant read. It was a book full of loss, love and hope and I loved it from beginning to end. It was written with empathy and you could feel the emotions of these wonderful ladies through their highs and lows.

The setting of the bookshop is just magical and the fact that it was written in the lead up to Christmas added a little something extra. A highly enjoyable read that I am sad to have finished as I have loved getting to know these lovely ladies and feel they have allowed us into their friendship group throughout these books.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #3 in the Foyles Girls series. I would recommend reading the series in order, but this book can be read as a standalone also. We are back at the Foyles Bookshop. It’s now 1917 and war is still raging across Europe. Christmas will soon be upon them, and all the girls working in the bookshop want is their men home safe and sound. This book in the series continues the stories of Alice, Molly and Victoria and how they carry with life despite all the obstacles that get put in their way.

I’ve yet to read the previous two books of the series, but I got into the story of the Foyles girls really easily despite not knowing the characters and the past. I loved the idea of the iconic bookstore and could just imagine it nestled in the bustling streets of wartime London. There are so many books set during the Second World War, so it was a refreshing change for a wartime read to be earlier during the First World War instead. It felt so much different set in this time frame and whilst there were still the ravages of war, the hardships seen during World War II didn’t seem as prominent. I loved how the bookshop always seemed to have plenty of customers, showing that perhaps there was still disposable money available for such ‘luxuries’ as books!

The characters are all really likeable and you get hooked into their storylines straight away! The book focusses mainly around one character, Victoria and how she begins to come to terms with her parents death six years previously. I love her relationship with her friends and you can see that there is a genuine love between the three of them. All of the characters get a look in with the storyline though, and you get to find out so much more about them. The author has written it so well that you feel like you are travelling the characters journey with them.

Full of family and friendship, this book also has more than its fair share tragedy and sadness. There are instances of grief, loss and suffering, which inevitably comes with war. There are also more happier times for the friends and this book is uplifting and heart-warming not just for the Foyles girls but also the reader! Would definitely recommend!

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the "Foyles bookshop" trilogy, and we rejoin Victoria, Molly and Alice in 1917. As the third book in the trilogy, I am not sure how easy it would be to jump straight in with this one as there is a lot of background in the previous books that is relevant, but I am sure that you would still find the characters relateable. Like in the previous books, life in wartime London has its ups & downs but there is nothing that a pot of tea & three slices of the finest chocolate cake cannot solve!
I am not sure how accurate it is historically - would pregnant women be working in a bookshop so late into their pregnancy? but it is certainly a book that is enjoyable. It kept me wanting to read to the very last page & whilst the ending was not quite as strong as I would have liked, it was perfect for a Christmas book.
(It's also left open for a sequel ... could we maybe catch up with them again 5 years down the line?)

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been my distinct pleasure to have read and reviewed the first two of the three books in ‘The Foyles Bookshop’ series. I couldn’t wait to get hold of a copy of the third book in the trilogy. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because the third book in the trilogy called ‘Christmas At The Foyles Bookshop’ was released on 10th October 2019. Oh my word it is a fantastic conclusion to what has been a fabulous series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Christmas At The Foyles Bookshop’ but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely adored the characters in ‘Christmas At The Foyles Bookshop’. The main focus of the story is on Victoria, who works at Foyles. Victoria is determined to do her bit for the war effort. She decides that the best way to do this would be to volunteer at the local hospital to talk to, to visit or to read to the wounded service personnel that are currently on the wards. I really felt for Victoria because she lost both of her parents in the most horrific of circumstances as they died in an accident. Not only that but Victoria’s brother is currently fighting overseas and she is understandably terribly worried about him. I think that she is trying to keep herself so busy that she won’t have much, if any, time to worry about him. She does have a good support network consisting of the girls she works with at Foyles. Two of them in particular are her best friends and the relationship between the three is more like that of siblings rather than friends. Victoria does take to her volunteer work at the hospital and working there changes her life in more ways than she could ever have imagined. I was just keeping everything crossed that Victoria would get the happy ever after ended that she so deserved and that her brother would return from overseas. Does that happen? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my word. I really cannot put into words how much I enjoyed reading this book but I will try. As soon as I began to read the book, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends in the form of the staff of Foyles. I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to put the book to one side. That is exactly what happened. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I didn’t want to miss a single second of the story. The book had developed a hold over me that I didn’t want to break. I tried to ration how much I read in one go so I could prolong my enjoyment of the story but my attempt at rationing failed because I was enjoying the story so much that I couldn’t stop reading. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out how the story concluded steadily grew and grew. Before I knew what was happening I reached the end of the book and therefore the end of the trilogy which I was so disappointed about. I wasn’t disappointed with how the story ended but I was enjoying the characters, the storylines and the author’s writing style so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on. I guess that I didn’t want to say goodbye to the staff at Foyles.
‘Christmas At The Foyles Bookshop’ is brilliantly written but then I wouldn’t expect anything else from the brilliantly talented Elaine Roberts. Elaine has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She draws you into the story from the first word onwards and once she has your attention she won’t let it go until you read the last word on the last page. Elaine writes movingly and compassionately. She clearly cares about her characters and what happens to them, which shines through in the quality of her writing. Elaine uses such powerful and vivid descriptions that I actually felt as though I was part of the story myself. In fact I ended up rather jealous of those who worked at Foyles as they work in my ideal workplace- a bookshop.
In short, Elaine Roberts has done it again and she has written one heck of a brilliant book, which had me gripped throughout. I would definitely recommend Elaine and her books to other readers. I can’t wait to read more of Elaine’s work in the future. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

So- this isn’t a feel-good happy story, the series has grown and covered all three of the main characters for a couple of years now, and they are all happily reunited at he Foyles Bookshop after Molly escaped serious injury or death with the explosion of the munitions factory she was working at. With Alice married and juggling work and her husband and young son, and Victoria and Daisy holding down the ‘home’ while their brothers are away fighting, everyone is tired of the endless worries, bomb threats and struggles that have been the hallmark of the war. While Molly is back at the shop and adding a sense of ‘everything returning to normal’, Mr. Leadbetter, the manager of the shop, has picked Victoria out to help as a floorwalker, a temporary move but one he thinks she is well suited for. While sorting problems in the shop, helping customers sort books, and bringing her general air of helpfulness and good sense to the job, Molly is engaged and happy in the children’s section and Alice is working her position reliably with little to no issues.

But, with Molly having a boyfriend, and Alice married, Victoria seems stuck in the past, longing for Thomas, convinced she’s going no where and watching a growing flirtation with her sister Daisy and a fellow police officer. She’s also made no efforts to clear out her parent’s room after their death, and her anger at them for leaving, as well as a general depression has both Alice and Molly worried for her, a worry that increases as Molly sets a wedding date and Alice is pregnant again.

There are secrets, clues and some more family information hidden in the room, along with clothing that Victoria never remembers seeing, and her worries about ‘not being enough’ have led her to volunteering at the hospital. Unearthing family secrets, discovering the whereabouts of Thomas and generally obsessing over her own lack of everything, Victoria isn’t allowed to wallow for long or too deeply as the girls have pitched in to help, listen, puzzle out clues and push her forward. You can’t read this as a stand alone as the stories are confusing to walk in on, and the personalities of the girls have all been established as their stories unfold. While only containing a bit about the holiday season and the adjustments and decorations set up for the bookshop’s Christmas with Santa and free books for every child, it is more a story of coming together and finding pieces lost, reuniting families and friendships, and coming together in hopes for an end to the war in the coming months.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Victoria Appleton’s slender fingers clutched the brown envelope in her coat pocket, while the other hand gripped the wooden handle of her black umbrella.

Premise/plot: This historical holiday-themed romance has a light and breezy feel to it despite its world war one setting. Readers should know from the start that it is the third book in a series. The Foyles Bookshop Girls, The Foyles Bookshop Girls At War and then Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop. There is a cast of characters that I'm guessing appear in all the books. The three "main" characters are Victoria, Molly, and Alice. Molly and Alice are married and engaged or engaged and married. One is married with one child and another on the way. The other is engaged and very soon to be married. By the end of the book, she's married. Sadly, I can't really remember which is which.

Victoria, the primary main character, is going through her parents' belongings (after seven years of waiting for no particular reason), volunteering at a local hospital for wounded/recovering soldiers, missing her one-true-love that stopped writing her ages ago, and enjoying her new responsibilities at the bookshop.

The book focuses on the daily lives of the characters. Very little "big" happenings occur. Many, many "teeny-tiny" ones do. For some readers, this means NOTHING happens. But not all readers, perhaps. Sometimes you go on journeys WITH the characters as company.

My thoughts: I didn't mind the slow pacing. I didn't. What I minded a little more was the constant changing focus. I'm not sure you'd say this one has multiple point of view characters. But I'm not sure you wouldn't couldn't say that. It was a bit of a guess at any time WHO the focus would be on and why. This being the third book in the series there wasn't much attachment to any of the characters, especially at the beginning. If I had read the previous two books, I imagine that I would CARE from page one and be instantly drawn into the story. I saw the plot twist coming from miles and miles away. I think any reader could. The book lacks all subtlety there. But even so, I won't spoil the book here in the review. It takes the characters in the book a couple of hundred pages to know what readers essentially know from the first few chapters.

I liked the focus on daily life. I liked the small details, the small things that make life, LIFE. If I had access to the previous two books via library, I would definitely read those and catch up on their lives.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop is the third book in a trilogy by Elaine Roberts.

The Foyles Bookshop girls are back. It's nearing Christmas time at Foyles Bookshop near Charing Cross in London and work colleagues and friends Alice, Molly and Victoria are back at work.

I have always loved the atmosphere of the iconic bookshop.

Victoria is the character most focused on in this book. She still hasn't got over her parents' death, 7 years before the events of this novel.

She has the support of her sister Daisy who she in turn looks after and together they get through life any way they can.

Victoria is promoted from being in the payment booth to a floor manager and also volunteers at Endell Street Military Hospital. There, she meets Mabel, a friendly nurse who is very upbeat despite the horrific injuries she often witnesses. The ward they are on is only small, but is a vital care facility for the area as is the hospital in general.

There's plenty of tea and cakes in this book and this is how Molly and her friends catch up and gossip.

Molly is back after an accident in the munitions factory she worked in for awhile and her friends are overjoyed to see her.

Apart from the weather and the book title and cover image, there's not much "Christmas" in this book until near the end.

I was hooked by the basement scenes and I too felt the friends' nervousness at being in such a place, but at the same time it felt to me like a real treasure trove with all those books!

I felt for Victoria and Daisy as they went through their parents' things.

Elaine Roberts has written an interesting final novel in the Foyles Girls series and one thing can be certain: Molly Victoria and Alice can always be counted on to be supportive towards each other whatever happens.

Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop is a quick, feel-good book set in World War 1 and is about the power of true friends despite huge adversities. There's love here too as Molly has a boyfriend. Passion for work despite an intimidating and formidable boss and trying to see happiness in life despite the war.

Thanks to Elaine Roberts and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I'm glad to have reviewed all 3 books in the series and also been on the blog tours.

3,5 stars.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas at the Foyles Bookstore: The Foyles Girls Book 3 is by Elaine Roberts. This is possibly the last of the Foyles Girls books as the war seems to be coming to an end. It has been a wonderful adventure watching the three girls persevere in spite of tremendous setbacks in their lives. Their friendship shows others that friendships are one of the strongest ties a person can have. Sometimes, it is even stronger than family ties. Elaine Roberts has a way of writing that takes you into the world of the book and keeps you there closely watching how the character react. Tissues are definitely necessary for this book.
Victoria, Alice, and Molly are all back at Foyles Bookstore. Although he doesn’t come right out and say it, Mr. Ledbetter is very pleased that they have all come back. The shop wouldn’t be the same without them. However, there have been some assignment changes. Molly has been put in charge of Children’s books, Alice has been moved to the payments desk, and Victoria has been promoted to Floor Manager. All the girls are thrilled with their new assignments. Alice especially is thrilled because she can now get off her feet at times during the day. Since she is pregnant again, she needs to sit down more.
Molly has been putting off setting a date for her wedding to Andrew. When the girls talk about, they find out that it boils down to Molly’s parents insisting Molly and Andrew move into a new house her Father purchased. A compromise is come to where her parents will move into the new house and Molly and Andrew will move into the old house. Now Molly will set a date.
Victoria is the only unsettled member of the gang. Her little brother is in the army and they haven’t heard from him in a while. Ted Marsden, her boyfriend, disappeared seven years ago when he joined the army. After seven years, he wrote her and asked for her forgiveness. Now, his letters have stopped again. Why?
Victoria finally decides to clear out her parents’ bedroom. It is time. However, in clearing out the room, Victoria and Daisy have more questions than answers with the information is there.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1917.After her parents died in a tragic railway accident, Victoria Appleton was the breadwinner and caretaker of her 2 younger siblings. Now her sister Daisy is a policewoman, and her brother Stephen is fighting overseas. Working at Foyles Bookshop with her best friends Alice and Molly is a dream come true for Victoria, but now the war puts everything she holds dear in danger. With Stephen serving, Victoria wants to contribute to the war effort, and she does so by volunteering at Endell Street Military Hospital, where she spends time with injured soldiers, which rewards her in ways she couldn't have imagined. But there are also family secrets to uncover, along with love, one lost but remains unforgotten.This Christmas, all the Foyles girls want is their loved ones back safe and sound. Endell Street Military Hospital was a First World War military hospital located on Endell Street in Covent Garden, central London. This was the only hospital employing suffragists.The hospital was established in May 1915, by doctors Flora Murray and Louisa Garrett Anderson, of whom both were former members of the WSPU, a women's suffrage organisation the early 20th century. The hospital was run under the Royal Army Medical Corps(RAMC) of the British Army. The hospital was located near railway stations, allowing a great influx of patients when ambulance convoys arrived. At Endell Street, the women worked as nurses, orderlies and clerks. But the hospital also had female drivers, dentists, pathologists and surgeons, which were considered masculine.Librarians and entertainment officers would visit with the patients to boost morale. Ward visitors would often come to visit with lonely patients who didn't have family or friends living nearby or other.The RAMC was outspoken in their reluctance to allow an all women's staff run a military hospital, but were proved wrong.The women received acknowledgement for their feminine touches around the hospital.Flowers, bright colours and proper lighting showed that women considered the patient's psychological health, as well as their physical health.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at Foyles Bookshop by Elaine Roberts is the third tale in The Foyles Girls series, and I recommend that you read the series in order. It will allow you to understand the characters and their relationships. I thought Christmas at Foyles Bookshop was well-written with developed characters. I could not wait to find out what is happening with Alice, Victoria and Molly. They have been through so much and they face obstacles together. These three friends consider themselves the three musketeers. They are there for each other in the good times and the bad. I like how all three ladies love books and enjoy working among them each day. Christmas at Foyles Bookshop focuses on Victoria and her family. Molly and Alice are present (of course) along with Mr. Leadbetter, the floor manager at Foyles. I was surprised by the story which is a good thing. There is so much going on (I do not want to spoil it for you) that you will stay up quickly devouring the story. I thought the author captured the time period with the bombings, what the men are suffering at the front, the women worried about the loved ones off fighting, the wounded veterans needing assistance, the wounded pouring into London’s hospitals that are lacking staff and supplies, and what the wounded soldiers are suffering. Victoria volunteers at Endell Street Military Hospital where she witnesses the wounded soldiers suffering. The descriptions are not gory or off-putting. Christmas at Foyles Bookshop is a satisfying story of love, perseverance, family and friendship.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous third instalment in what is a captivating series about the trials and triumphs of domestic life during the Great War.

As we meet up again with Victoria, Alice and Molly all three girls are doing their best to not only do their very best at work in Foyles Bookshop but also do as much as they can to assist in the war effort. It's great to be re-acquainted with all the wonderful characters and find out how things have moved on for each of them.

With lots happening and new issues arising, this is another fabulous read in a beguiling and engrossing series. There are certainly some surprises along the way adding to the story and the entertainment. I love the authenticity of all the wartime details - not that I was there, you understand - but I've certainly read a lot about this period in history but have never encountered a bookstore-based tale before. The characters are all beautifully drawn and varied; the story is, as always from this author, well-written and easy to focus on .. I was quite surprised when I reached the final page, I was enjoying it so much! A very appealing novel which I raced through, and absolutely worth a full five stars!

[Dwina Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop by Elaine Roberts is a lighter book set in WWII. Victoria, Molly, and Alice are best friends. They all work at the Foyles Bookstore in London. Alice is married with one child. Molly and her fiancé survived an explosion at a munitions plant, so she is now back at the bookstore. Victoria has been the provider for her two younger siblings, Daisy & Stephen, since her parents were killed in an accident seven years ago. Victoria loves Ted, but he left and joined the Army when her parents were killed. While he has written and asked for forgiveness, she doesn't know if there is a future for them.

When Victoria finally goes through her parent's belongings, she discovers a part of her family she never knew, even a brother she didn't know she had. Follow the ups and downs of these three friends as they encourage one another and help each other as they navigate the world of young adults during WWII. These three have "friends that stick closer than a sister." With all the ups and downs, there is a happy ending.

[Susan and Nigel Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm addition to the series.

The three women at the centre of this series of books about Foyles book shop are seen as they each move on with their lives. Although they are moving in different directions they are all there to support each other. Victoria finally faces going through her parents’ belongings 7 years after their death, and it uncovers a mystery casting doubt on her memories of her family. The description of her overwhelm at uncovering their belongings really rang true to me, reading it just 3 months after my husband’s death. I won’t spoil it for prospective readers, but if you enjoyed the previous two books, you will enjoy this one. If you haven’t read them I’d suggest you would get more out of it if you read the others first, but it would work as a stand-alone title too.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending to a wonderful series

It's March 1917 London and war is still raging, Victoria Appleton,Alice Leybourne and rejoining them Molly Cooper are back together at Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross road. Mr Leadbetter the boss has giving Victoria a new position as floor manager a big change to the payment booth. The war should soon be over, this book is all about working together and friendship and kindness. You feel like you want to jump inside this book to be with the characters. It has such strong attractions and is brilliantly written, you emotions jump from happy to sad. Sadly this is the last book and it a big farewell and I just didn't want it to end and will definitely be reading them all again. Hope to see more of this author's work in the future.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If like me you have picked this book up assuming that Christmas will feature in much of this book you are likely to be disappointed. The book follows the life of three Foyles Bookshop employees over a period of one year. Christmas doesn't really make an appearance until the final chapter. It is an interesting story and I did enjoy reading it. However, a warmhearted easy festive read it is not. The story takes place during World War One and therefore some of the subject matter is fitting to that era. I read this as a stand alone book and although there are one or two places where I wished I had started at book 1, it does easily pass as a stand alone book that I would recommend to other readers, just not as a festive read.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this third book in the Foyles book shop trilogy. I loved catching up with best friends Victoria, Molly and Alice. This third book is set in 1917 just before Christmas. The way the book is written you feel drawn into the lives of the three best friends as they struggle to get on with their lives in the middle of the war. It takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions as they deal with happy and sad occasions during this difficult time. I enjoyed every book in this series and highly recommended them if you enjoy this genre. It’s a shame to finally be saying goodbye to them all.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Foyles Bookshop girls are back. It's nearing Christmas time at Foyles Bookshop near Charing Cross in London and work colleagues and friends Alice, Molly and Victoria are back at work. I feel that you have to read the two previous books to this series to get into the character of the girls and their stories. I did enjoy this book but feel that there should be a follow up. Praise for Elaine Roberts who wrote this book under the circumstances of her personal life and sad loss of her husband. Well done Elaine. A five star read.

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It keeps getting better and better

Another amazing book by Elaine Roberts about three girls or young ladies who work at Foyles Bookshop during WW2. It does help if you’ve read the first 2 in the series but it can be read alone. Christmas is approaching so there is much reference to that but also the girls family life especially Victoria’s. If you love this genre and you love easy reading literature then you’ll love this book.

[Sinead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

I had hoped that the character development would move on in this book as I thought they were very interesting and humourous in the last book but, alas no. Not much happened in this book and, unlike some Christmas novels, it did not give me that kind of warm feeling that others have done. I think I may be done with this series of books after this one.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Elaine Roberts continuing the Foyle Bookshop series and pity it is the last book, I enjoyed reading about how the people left behind to carry on with their lives as their loved ones were fighting in the war and not wanting to spoil the book for anyone but the ending suggests that maybe in time, the author may write another book to revisit the characters and let us see what became of them.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love saga books about women in the wars and once again Elaine Roberts has delivered the goods.
We rejoin Alice, Victoria and Molly in 1917 with Victoria finally ready to move on from her parents death and empty their room. What secrets will be revealed?
This book grips you from the start and I hope there is another sequel soon

[Heather Foy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is the third in a trilogy about young women in a tiring time and their friendship. I love reading about this era and what people had to do to in order just to survive. Would highly recommend this trilogy to anyone that loves Historical Fiction specially in the period of either World Wars.