Christmas is for Children

by Rosie Clarke

Times are hard in London... dare they hope for a miracle this Christmas? Perfect for the fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court. December 1930. Christmas should be for the children – but with the Depression biting deeper, it looks like many in the East End will wake up to nothing on Christmas morning. Widower Robbie Graham is out of luck and work. Some weeks, he earns just enough to put food on the table for his children, Ben and Ruthie. A treat for their Christmas stockings is a distant dream for his little family. Local cake shop owner Flo Hawkins can't bear the thought of any child having nothing for Christmas. Along with her beloved sister Honour, she hatches a plan to bring some festive cheer to the community. But maybe this year, it will be Flo who receives the greatest gift of all...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

December 1930 East End London, the depression is biting hard into the pockets of men and women alike. Standing in breadlines daily is common and fills the community people with shame. The children back then were much more mature and understanding of their situation than the children today. They understood they wouldn't get anything for Christmas because of their parent's poverty and accepted it without complaint. Sad but true fact. The author really sets the tone of the story line realistically. No one likes to see poor children doing without. It's very hard on our hearts but it's not all sad, things do pick up. Even though these people are dirt poor if their neighbor is sick or lonely they are there for them, their neighbor needs food they share what little they have with each other. Very heartwarming to see that their dire situation did not turn them bitter or against each other.
Very good story I could see rereading in the future.
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
I received a complimentary copy from Aria through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is for Children by Rosie Clarke carries readers back in time to November of 1932 in the East End of London. Robbie Graham is a widower with two young children. Dock work has slowly been drying up since the beginning of the Depression and, after Robbie defended a man, he has been blacklisted. The kids miss their mother, are hungry and their clothing is worn out and too small. Robbie needs to find a way to provide for his children and, with Christmas fast approaching, he would like to do something special for them.

Flo Hawkins owns and operates a cake shop with the assistance of her daughter, Honour. They also take care of their invalid and demanding father, Ernest. Since Ernest had his second stroke that confined him to bed, his attitude and language have taken a downturn. What no one knows is that Honour is Flo’s daughter. Flo fell in love with Honour’s father, but he did not stand by her when she told him about the pregnancy. Flo spends her Friday evenings helping at Reverend John Hansen’s mission. They provide a meal everyday to the poor and on Friday evenings they have games and raffles. The money they earn from the raffles helps provide something special for Christmas for those in the East End. Flo and Honour would like to do something extra this year for the kids in the area. Life is hard for those in the East End, but they have each other. Neighbors, friends and family come together to help each other out especially during the holiday season. What happens when someone attempts to thwart the special Christmas plans they have planned?

I found Christmas is for the Children to be a well-crafted novel. The author takes the time set up the story. We are given descriptions of the East End, the docks, the shops, the homes and the people. Many of the inhabitants live in dilapidated homes that need to be torn down. Some do not have running water or indoor toilets. Work is scarce making it hard to provide for families. Ms. Clarke paints a realistic picture along with well-developed characters. I only summarized a small portion of the story above. We get to see things from a working man’s point-of-view along with a shop owner, children, a vicar, a nurse and an elderly couple. I like that we get different perspectives. It is heartwarming to see how they help each other and share what little they have with others. There was so much hardship, suffering and hopelessness. It was nice to see the characters develop as the story progresses. The pace is gentle. It is not fast nor is it slow, but it does suit the story. We see the importance of having hope, a good heart, and knowing right from wrong. Rosie Clarke created a novel that draws in the reader and keeps their attention until the very last word. Christmas is for the Children will leave you with a positive impression, a smile on your face, and happiness in your heart.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a superb read! Set during the time between two world wars when poverty abounds, this is one to give you the true meaning of Christmas.

Flo Hawkins runs her shop in the east end of London with the help of her sister, Honour. The girls work hard, baking and creating treats for their customers as well as looking after their bed-ridden father but they know, with the majority of bread-winners having no work, that it's going to be a bleak Christmas for most of their friends and neighbours. Although the family keep their heads above water, life hasn't always been easy for Flo and she does her best to ensure that Honour has more freedom than she had in the past. When an old friend comes back to the area, it bring back memories of happier days for Flo.

True to the period it's set in, this is a delightful and entertaining read. It's definitely a wake-up call to the the luxury the majority of us live in today. This tale shows all of human nature both at best and worst, and it is a truly wonderful read. The characters, as always with this author, are beautifully created; both well-rounded and flawed but always realistic. The details are stitched together into a vibrant and irresistible story, and one which most definitely left me with a festive glow. Community spirit shines throughout. And the cover? Absolutely perfect! Recommended strongly for your reading list this Christmas!

My thanks to publisher Aria for providing my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a "snapshot" into the lives of several people living in/around the docks of London in 1932. It is a tale of how the 1929 stock market crash in the U.S. effected Europe/England.
The main characters are a man, Robbie, and his two children, Ben and Ruthie, along with Flo, her sister Honour, and their father. The story shows how a strong sense of community is what keeps these main characters, and the people they interact with, strong in the face of job scarcity, starvation, illness, and a multitude of other daily hurdles.
I felt that this was a very well written story and the characters are well developed; tugging at my heartstrings. I kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next. The author wrote in a way that made me "see" the different housing, the long lines of men waiting for a job, smell the cakes being baked at the bakery. This is a wonderful story that reminds the reader of what the Christmas season is all about ... "it's not what we get it's what we give..."
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas story taken place in London during the depression. A time when neighbours looked after each other because they really cared for each other. Rosie Clarke brought the characters to life with such vivid descriptions. It brought to life of how people suffered through the great depression after the first World War, men waiting for jobs on the street corners and at the docks, to see if the gaffer picked them out for work, how children were half starved and many had ragged clothes because the shortage of money. Recommended for anyone who loves a feel good historical novel and a very pleasing read. Rosie Clarke does it yet once again!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book opens in November 1932 during the Great Depression. A group of men is waiting in line on the East Indian Docks looking for work. There’s a job scarcity all over the country. After waiting all day for a job opportunity, the gaffer in charge picks out only three men and sending the rest home and to come back the next day at the crack of dawn.

Robbie Graham was hoping he’d land a job today. Times are tough for Graham who is struggling to raise his two kids in the midst of the Great Depression. He’d been laid off at his former workplace following an accident that kept him bedridden for weeks. Soon after he lost his job, his wife, Madge had taken ill.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Rosie’s for quite a while now. I absolutely love her books and I dive straight into each new book that she releases. So imagine my excitement when I heard that she was due to release a new book called ‘Christmas Is For Children’. On second thoughts best not. Needless to say that I was really, really looking forward to it. I was not to be disappointed as I absolutely loved reading ‘Christmas Is For Children’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved and took to most of the characters in this book. I really felt for the characters of Robbie, Ben and Ruthie Graham and if I could have leapt into the pages of this book to give them a hug then I would have done. Robbie is a single parent, who lost his wife much too young and he has had to battle his grief as well as bring the children up. Robbie is embarrassed by his situation because as was often the case for men in the Thirties, he found himself without a permanent job and instead he had to make do with taking work when he could find it irrespective of how low paid and revolting those jobs might have been. Robbie queues up each morning at the docks in the hope of getting work but because he has fallen foul of those who run the docks, he doesn’t get much if any work from them. This leads to him not being able to feed or clothe the children adequately and he feels a deep sense of shame that he can’t provide for his own children. Ben and Ruthie love their father very much and are aware of their current situation. They are both far more grown up than children of their age should be. Ben is 10 years old and he is trying to earn money to bring some pennies into the house. His father doesn’t make him do it but Ben feels that he has to help out when he can. Whenever Ben and Ruthie are going past the local bakery/ sweetshop, they look in the window and almost start to drool over the window display. They would love to have a treat from the window but they simply can’t afford it. The owner of the shop, Flo Hawkins, knows of their situation and gives them various cakes and things saying that they might as well have them because they are going stale. Of course that’s a little fiberoonie. Flo is the ‘sister’ of Honour Hawkins but in actual fact she is her mother. Flo’s mother came up with the ‘sister’ explanation to avoid scandal being brought on the family. Flo’s mother assumed the responsibility of being Honour’s mother. Not everybody is convinced though- the chief one being Flo’s father, who I could have quite cheerfully poked in the eyes with a sharp stick. He is simply horrid to Flo and Honour and he is very demanding. He is an abusive bully in all senses – he abuses Flo and Honour financially, mentally and emotionally. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had physically assaulted them too. Flo and Robbie know each other from way back and there is definitely some history between the two of them.
‘Christmas Is For Children’ is beautifully and sensitively written. I became addicted to reading it from the moment I opened the cover. It didn’t take me long at all to get into the story. To the end of the first page was all it took for me to become addicted. The characters and their situations were so realistically written that they seemed to come alive and seemed just as real as you or I. I found myself thinking of certain characters as friends and I couldn’t help but hope that things would work out for them. I binge read this book in a matter of hours but I hadn’t realised because I was enjoying reading the book so much. I was most disappointed when I turned the last page over. I wanted the story to continue on and on.
For me, ‘Christmas Is For Children’ is a real ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to be parted from the book and if I did have to put the book down, then I counted down the time until I could pick the book up again.
Reading ‘Christmas Is For Children’ did put me through the emotional wringer somewhat. I was so into the story and I cared so much for certain characters, that I couldn’t help but go through the emotions that they were going through. I shared their hopes, frustrations, worries and well you get the picture.
It’s fair to say that I loved reading this new book by Rosie Clarke and I eagerly await her next book. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. I would definitely recommend this book to others but in particular to those people who enjoy reading historical saga type books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes the reader to the East End of London as the Great Depression is taking its toll on everyone. There is a lack of work for men who have always worked hard for their families. This is a time before Britain adopted a national health plan and many people are ill and unable to afford a doctor's care or medicine.

Robbie is a widower and the father of two children, Ben and Ruthie. Robbie is doing all he can to keep his children fed and safe. Since his wife's death, his pride has been severely damaged because of feeling unable to overcome his lack of income.

Ben does errands around the neighborhood in order to earn a few pence. He uses it to buy food for himself and his sister. He also has put extra money in a fund to help his father. Ben's favorite neighbors are an elderly couple who have asked Ben to call them Granda and Granny. Ben knows the neighborhood very well and some things are not good for him to know.

Also in the neighborhood there is a local bakery owned by Flo. She works in the shop creating wonderful sweets along with Honour. Honour believes she is Flo's sister, but in reality she is Flo's daughter. Flo has devoted her life to the bakery and now she is also responsible for taking care of her father. He has had two strokes which have kept him bedridden. He has also become a tyrant. His bad temper has made friends stop visiting him and it has emotionally assaulted both Flo and Honour.

The local mission works to provide hot meals, minimal health care and some sort of entertainment. And the missionary works to save lives as well as souls. There are children who have no one to care for them. Everyone is facing some loss and sorrow.

The entire area is populated by people who are trying to deal with lives which have no relation to the past. As difficult as the present may be, people continue to try their very best to help others.

Christmas is quickly approaching. It seems there will be little celebration for most people of the East End.

Then there is a plan. Children deserve to have a Happy Christmas.

A good portion of this story creates an atmosphere that is very oppressive. The feeling of being hopeless permeates every corner of the neighborhood. If a reader had no idea about the Great Depression, this book would provide a very explicit description of the hardship and overwhelming conditions.

So, when the idea of a celebration for children comes along, it is as though there is suddenly sunshine everywhere.

The main characters are Robbie and Flo. Both of them are dealing with their children. Robbie wants to be able to provide a future for his children. Flo wants to allow Honour to have the life and happiness she missed.

Ms Clarke has created characters who are very human. Their lives are not easy but there is love and a strong sense of comfort.

The story is well written. The plot provides a very complete look at the East End at a difficult time in Britain and the world.

For me, at times the darkness of the situation became almost too much. But, it is saved by the sense of a community creating a joyous Christmas.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

[Erika Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first for me by this author but it won't be my last!!!

This is a Truly magical Christmas tale of hope and courage during the depression in the East End of London and docklands where this fabulous story is centred.
The Depression means Britain is steeped in misery and poverty but people do what they can to ease suffering by helping each other and pulling together as a community.

Robbie is a recently widowed father of 2 children... Ben and Ruthie... they are just adorable... Ben does lots of odd jobs to help his father who is struggling to find work to keep food on the table and warm their home.

Flo is the local baker and runs her shop with Honour, and between them they take care of their ailing father who has had 2 strokes... he's not an easy man and has a bit of a hard tongue to go with his bad temper... he doesn't make it easy for the girls... but Flo will not see her father go to the Infirmary.

Mr and Mrs Waters... an adorable elderly couple who lost both their sons to the war... friends with Ben and Ruthie... Mrs Water falls ill and Mr waters struggles to take care of her on his own... but he's stubborn and ends up having a 'little to do' as Nurse Mary called it... the community rally round... Robbie brings their beds downstairs to the parlour to make things easier and everyone plays their part to get them well again.

People are just trying to survive as best they can. For most Christmas has not been the best because of the poverty in the area, many children going without... but as a community with the local missionary John Hansen, puts on a wonderful Christmas meal for those without and with Flo and Honour's sweet gifts for the children the day is enjoyed by all, except the man who 'thinks' he can just take what he wants.

The Depression is very well portrayed here and there is so much hardship.
The atmosphere in the book is represented in a way that's second-to-none and I felt transported to the time period

Despite all the suffering, the Christmas scenes and how people come together is absolutely magical.

I can't say enough about this book... I highly recommend it.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1930 and in the East End of London, the depression has settled in. Although everyone wants to get ready for Christmas, including getting treats and gifts for the children, but with businesses closing and jobs disappearing, it is tough to just put food on the table. Robbie Graham is trying his best to take care of his children, but working day to day at whatever job he can find is getting harder every day. His children are befriended by neighbours and the local bakery owner, Flo Hawkins and her sister/daughter, Honour. The local mission/Salvation Army is also helping out the community as best it can and Flo decides to help by providing sweets for the children. When Flo runs into her teenage love, her life begins to change, but is this her second chance?

This story was more than I was expecting. Set during the depression, it gives a realistic look at what life was like at that time. It showed how it affected families and children, especially at Christmas. It hurt to see those who still had money spend lavishly, while others couldn't even put food on the table. Robbie's son was amazing. How the children would work odd jobs and give what they made to their families is heartbreaking, but showed that their hearts were in the right place and they would give what they could to keep the family together, and younger siblings happy. In this book, seeing how the community pulled together to support their own and strangers children was also beautiful. It wasn't all happy nor was it all miserable, but themes were poverty, bullying, racism, addiction, single parenting, grief, working together, unwed mother, generosity, love and second chances. When Flo and the father of her child that he never knew about begin to rekindle a friendly relationship, my heart warmed. There are a few scary moments, but overall this was an uplifting story showing how Christmas pulled this community together during a difficult time, all to make the children smile.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

London's East End, 1930.

Robbie has two children named Ben and Ruthie. He's really struggling to keep his children fed, warm safe and happy and also is still severely affected by his wife's death. Of his two children, Ben is the one who helps his dad get more money for the family by doing errands so they can be fed. Ben is putting money away into a fund in an effort to help further.

Flo works works in the areas's sweets shoo with the help of along with Honour. Honour thinks she is Flo's sister, when really she is Flo's daughter. Flo has been working at the shop her whole life and when her dad suffers 2 strokes she finds her time further filled with caring for him. He's got a bad temper on him though which sometimes makes this harder but she's upbeat.

The Depression means Britain is steeped in misery and poverty but some people do what they can to ease suffering. There's a soup kitchen and minimal health services which nmeans a lot at a time when the National Health Service did not exist.

People are just trying to survive and move on as best they can. Christmas has not been able to be celebrated because of the poverty in the area. But that is something that Flo and Honour are determined to change. For everyone but especially for the children. Will they succeed?

The Depression is very well portrayed here and there is so much hardship. Rosie Clarke is not a new author to me as I reviewed all her Mullberry Lane books and enjoyed every one. She is a master at writing historical fiction that really makes you think and feel. I liked Robbie and his family as well as Flo. The atmosphere in the book is represented in a way that's second-to-none and I felt transported to the time period. Despite all the suffering, the Christmas scenes and how people come together is magical.

Thanks to Rosie Clarke and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is for Children is by Rosie Clark. It is December, 1930 in London, England. Many men are out of work and will not be able to provide any sort of Christmas for their children this year. It is left up to the churches and the Salvation Army to provide even a semblance of a Christmas dinner for only a small percentage of those people needing help.
Robbie Graham has been without work for some time. He has made the gaffer at the shipyard mad for speaking up for another man who wanted a job. All he can be sure of is that he won’t get a job down there. He had a good job building houses until a fall hurt him so he was laid up for six months. Then, his wife died leaving him with two children to take care of and he was barely able to provide for them. Meanwhile, his nine-year-old son was doing odd jobs after school while his young daughter tagged along or stayed with an elderly couple in the area.
Flo Hawkins was a baker who ran the bakery with her sister Honour while taking care of their invalid father. He was a mean, cranky old man who had nothing good to say about anyone. He wouldn’t let Honour take care of him, only Flo. Flo took this as part of her punishment for having had a daughter out of wedlock and due to her Mother’s harsh influence allowed Honour to be brought up as her sister not her daughter. As far as Flo knows, only her Mother knew the truth as they had kept it from her Father. Now Robbie has shown up again and Flo finds her feelings for him had never changed.
Flo, along with John Hanson, Vicar of the Church of England, decided to make sure all the children in the mission and the area had a few sweets for their stockings this Christmas. Can they come up with the money for the dinner and gifts in time? Will everyone get the gift they want?

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie has recently lost his wife and is struggling to care for his children, Ben and Ruthie. As the Depression hits and he struggles to find work his honest 9-year old Ben, eager to help, is running errands and washing windows for pennies.

Flo runs a cake shop, baking beautiful cakes and sweet treats with the help of her younger sister Honour. Their elderly father, recovering from a stroke needs a lot of care but his frustration and bitterness does nothing to endear him to others.

Bert and Millie lost their sons in the war. Now in their twilight years a friendship is blossoming between them and Robbie's children.

And John runs the mission, providing soup and bread to anyone who's not managed to scrape together enough pennies to feed their children.

As Christmas approaches a silent secret from the past starts to emerge, relationships that have suffered start to heal and hope is in the air. Robbie's work starts to pick up and Flo has a plan to give all the local children a Christmas they won't forget.

Initially I wasn't sure about this story but it really grew on me. A lot of books start with a happy picture that gets gradually broken apart but this one started with many fragments that gently resonated their way back in towards one another. It's a beautiful tale of kindness, community and hope.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's December 1930. The East End of London is in the throes of the Depression so Robbie Graham is having difficulty making ends meet for his two children Ben and Ruthie. Their mother had died a year earlier. Robbie, a carpenter by trade has not been able to find more than bit piece work here and there and the money barely buys food for Ben and Ruthie. Flo Hawkins and her daughter Honour own a bakery/sweetshop and are getting ready for the holiday rush as some people still splurge during the Christmas Season. Robbie and Flo were a couple when they were teens and now seem to be renewing a friendship of sorts while Honour is trying to find her own way a boyfriend that says he loves her but then disappears.

Both families want to find ways to make this a good Christmas for the children in their neighborhood but Robbie has to find steady work and Flo must reveal a secret to both Robbie and Honour before her father does.

This was truly a Christmas story that took place at Christmas and talked about celebrating and did celebrate holiday. Loved it and the characters.

[Louraine Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flo & Honour

Wow, what a wonderful family story. Yet what’s written in here happened so often within this era. The depression, no work, no food, starvations, unwed young mums. I know all this as truth from doing my Ancestry, even visiting the graves of those in England. Life was so hard, but they never gave up, they bred like rabbits and fought for survival. Bread and dripping oh how I remember that in the 1940’s. Cabbage plus drinking the cabbage water. Nothing was wasted. Day old bread gone hard as there was no preservatives in it then. Water put in the sink and the bread given a quick in and out of the water like a diver. The. Into the oven to give it fresh life. I guess that’s what I love about these stories, it’s memories even I have. Enjoy.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it genuinely touched my heart!

I loved the characters in this story, they are very well developed and their interaction is completely on point. The setting and location is excellent and the writing style is so vivid at times I was completely immersed in the story.

One of my favourite authors of this genre and period – her books are a complete delight and a real treat for me to read – five stars from me, another lovely story from Rosie Clarke!!

[Mellie Meercat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the 1930's and our characters are struggling through the great depression. Not a great time to live, but Christmas still comes and parents have to do what they need to do to bring their kids some joy during a dreadful time.This book as all you need from a historian romance, well romance for one, drama and hidden secrets. The drama isn't too horrific though as some as these novels tend to be, which with it being Christmas is a relief. It is enjoyable to look back on a this time although I have to say I am grateful for the times we live in. The description of all the amazing cakes always makes me drool. A great read for cold winter nights.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, sad, heart breaking and heart warming story of a British neighborhood during the Depression. It tells of the many different struggles and crises endured by its residents and does so in such a way that you can almost feel the cold, the fear, the disappointment and the sheer joy and gratefulness of these characters. Rosie Clarke is a wonderful writer and I would pick up any book with her name on it, because they are always so, so good. Very strongly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Rosie Clarke, and the publisher Aria, for an ARC of this beautiful story. This is my honest opinion.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book & how it was written with so much feeling, that you could feel what the characters were going through. Love books like this that take place in the past especially during the great depression. I loved the characters in this book how they care for each other. I really enjoyed the story line that in the beginning the many characters had a hard time during the great depression but by the end of the story most of the characters had a happy ending. If you like historical fiction I highly recommend this book

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

December 1930 and depression has hit the East End of London.
This book portrays beautifully the rallying around attitude of neighbours and family to provide for those worse off and to try make Christmas special for the children.
The characterisation was brilliant and the writing style and setting hooked me straight in to the story.
This book has heartbreak but its also heartwarming.
A perfect read that when you put down and look around makes you realise how lucky you truly are!.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story love,betrayal,friendship and fighting for what is right.Flo has had a hard life but has always stood proud and having the shop to work in has given her so much pleasure.I have always loved reading Rosie Clarke books and she does'nt disappoint you feel the pull of the story and the charactors.well worth 5*

[Marty Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Realistic Look at Life after WWI

The Author really had a good handle on the rough go all had during the depression. The characters were very real and so were their stories. I felt the was a little too much that was repeated and could have been trimmed without compromising the story at all. I look forward to reading more from Rosie Clarke.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. It is well written and the story line is great.it will pull at.your heart strings.I laughed and cried.I have always liked this era.makes you thankful for what we have.so if your looking for a nice read choose this book.

I have read a few of her books am never disappointed.she is a very skilled author who deserves this review.

[Gary David Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Such a good story. Heartwarming. Would love to know how to make sugar mice.coconut ice and sponge.! I could picture the town and feel the cold. Hopefully Kick and his dad were ok.

[KIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend reading this inspiring story of struggle, determination and love. Set at Christmas time in the depression between WWI and WWII well written characters bring a timeless story to life for me.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb insight into how poverty was in those days. Very aptly written and the author gave us a real feel for the characters. Such a good writing style and I am now off to devour this author's collection.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only just started reading Rosie Clarkes books, and I’ve already got more lined up in my library, amazing Author 😃this book made me feel like I really knew the characters and were there with them.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flo and honour.

What a great book reading about flo and her life and her love for Robbie and his children a lovely Christmas story 5 STARS.

[Doris Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.

[Helen campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas

Compelling reading from start to end could not put this book down cant wait for the next installment please dont let the story end there