What do you think?
Rate this book
Land Girls #3
Christmas on the Home Front
It’s the last Christmas of the war but will things ever be the same again?
Christmas 1944
Despite the food rationing and the bitterly cold weather, the land girls of Pasture Farm, Connie Carter, Joyce Fisher and Esther Reeves, are determined to celebrate this Christmas in style. The fighting might still be raging, but they all hope this could be the last Christmas of this dreaded war.
But as the day approaches, word spreads in sleepy Helmstead that two German Airmen are on the run. With everyone on high alert, the mood is tense and the women take no chances. Until the German airmen find them…
Trapped at Pasture Farm with the enemy, the women are determined to find a way to freedom and overpower the airmen. But it means risking everything…including their lives.
- GenresChristmas
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2019
103 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 7, 2021
The land girls working at Pasture Farm are determined to celebrate Christmas in 1944 and despite the hardships they have all faced over the last four years. Joyce, Connie and Esther have all suffered due to the war, Joyce lost her mum and sister Gwen when a bomb landed on their house in Coventry and she misses them.
The villagers living in Helmstead notice a German plane crash after a dog fight, despite bursting into flames, their concerned two German airmen escaped and everyone in the area are worried. Siegfried Weber and Emory Moyer did survive the crash, are hiding in the woods and sleeping in an abandoned car. The two Germans think Joyce is alone at Pasture Farm, and don’t realize Esther Reeves is also there. They capture the two women, hold them hostage, they make a radio, send out Morse code messages and hope a local traitor might be able to help them? Connie decides to visit Joyce, she has no idea that she will become the Germans third hostage, the women are determined to overcome the airmen and alert the authorities. Connie has her suspicions who’s the spy, she’s right and she wants all three to be arrested.
Christmas on the Home Front by Roland Moore, is the final book in the popular Land Girls Series, it’s nice to catch up with the characters from the previous two books, the preparations for Christmas don’t go quite as planned and the three brave women take down two German pilots and a spy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, not your typical Christmas story, and four stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
The villagers living in Helmstead notice a German plane crash after a dog fight, despite bursting into flames, their concerned two German airmen escaped and everyone in the area are worried. Siegfried Weber and Emory Moyer did survive the crash, are hiding in the woods and sleeping in an abandoned car. The two Germans think Joyce is alone at Pasture Farm, and don’t realize Esther Reeves is also there. They capture the two women, hold them hostage, they make a radio, send out Morse code messages and hope a local traitor might be able to help them? Connie decides to visit Joyce, she has no idea that she will become the Germans third hostage, the women are determined to overcome the airmen and alert the authorities. Connie has her suspicions who’s the spy, she’s right and she wants all three to be arrested.
Christmas on the Home Front by Roland Moore, is the final book in the popular Land Girls Series, it’s nice to catch up with the characters from the previous two books, the preparations for Christmas don’t go quite as planned and the three brave women take down two German pilots and a spy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, not your typical Christmas story, and four stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
December 7, 2024
Actually 3.5 is my rating.
Looking for a historical romance? Then skip to another book!
Looking for a fiction with strong and stubborn women and a bit of suspense ? Then it could be the book for you.
__PLOT IN SHORT ___ England. Christmas 1944
All the land girls of Pasture Farm, Connie Carter, Joyce Fisher and Esther Reeves hope this could be the last Christmas of this dreaded war.
But as the day approaches, word spreads in sleepy Helmstead that two German Airmen are on the run.
With everyone on alert, the atmosphere is tense and at a certain point the situation becomes really heated because the girls will find themselves face to face with the enemy...
________ *** _______ *** ________
Usually this kind of book/series offers passionate love stories with a little drama, set in times of war... It was what I expected together with a Christmas atmosphere made of simple things, deep feelings and emotions and touching moments involving not only the couple protagonist, but also the other side characters.
None of this!
Unexpectedly, this book led me to experience an adventure made up of reckless women, suspense and danger alternating with a little action, two villains, one of whom is declared and the other sneaky and hidden in the shadows and a nice (and absolutely unexpected) surprise. in the happy ending.
All of this made it an ENGAGING and exciting READ.
__ MAIN CHARACTERS ___ the protagonists of this book are 3 girls who work on a farm during the war, they were in fact "Land Girls" (those girls and women, coming from all social classes, who replaced male farm workers who had gone to war.)
I really liked the atmosphere of camaraderie that formed between these women and girls, of different ages, who found themselves united in a common effort to help their country.
I liked the atmosphere of sacrifice mixed with the anxiety of the uncertainty of the future, because today (at least in Western countries and not at war) we take everything for granted and we complain about every little thing and every little lack, not thinking that life is just a flutter of wings.
I liked seeing how these women, despite everything, were animated by tenacity, good will and resilience and I liked seeing how they took the position head on, but always thinking first of not endangering the people they loved.
__ WHY ONLY 3 (actually 3.5 rounded down to 3 ) STARS THEN ? __
Some things that I didn't like :
1) If I choose to read a book with the word "Christmas" in the title, I expect to be enveloped in a warm Christmas atmosphere.
In this book the only Christmassy thing is the countdown of how many days until Christmas.
Each chapter begins with: 8 days until Christmas, 7 days until Christmas, 6 days until Christmas etc...
Then there is a scene in which characters talk about where everyone will spend Christmas, but there is nothing Christmassy here.
2) The writer while describing/narrating a certain scene, suddenly makes the characters go into their past memories and this even lasts for pages, which led me to forget what was happening in the current scene.
A very confusing writing style.
In the same way, the author goes from scenes on the farm with the girls to scenes of the German airmen or the doctor in the hospital, suddenly and without pauses between one topic and another.
The author divided the chapters according to the days left until Christmas, but in my opinion it would have been better to divide the chapters according to the two realities that were being told in the story (the one of the girls and that one of the pilots, at least until the moment which all these characters found themselves on the same scene).
3) I would have liked the author to delve more deeply into the characters, but probably, having dedicated each of the past books in the series to each girl, he didn't consider it necessary.
I think that giving more depth to the characters in each book, even if they are part of a series, is important, because each book is readable as a standalone (including this one) and it is obvious that not all readers read all the books in the same series (otherwise we wouldn't have time to explore other genres and authors).
Thanks for reading my opinion and for your patience with my text, I'm sorry for any errors but English isn't my native language.
Looking for a historical romance? Then skip to another book!
Looking for a fiction with strong and stubborn women and a bit of suspense ? Then it could be the book for you.
__PLOT IN SHORT ___ England. Christmas 1944
All the land girls of Pasture Farm, Connie Carter, Joyce Fisher and Esther Reeves hope this could be the last Christmas of this dreaded war.
But as the day approaches, word spreads in sleepy Helmstead that two German Airmen are on the run.
With everyone on alert, the atmosphere is tense and at a certain point the situation becomes really heated because the girls will find themselves face to face with the enemy...
________ *** _______ *** ________
Usually this kind of book/series offers passionate love stories with a little drama, set in times of war... It was what I expected together with a Christmas atmosphere made of simple things, deep feelings and emotions and touching moments involving not only the couple protagonist, but also the other side characters.
None of this!
Unexpectedly, this book led me to experience an adventure made up of reckless women, suspense and danger alternating with a little action, two villains, one of whom is declared and the other sneaky and hidden in the shadows and a nice (and absolutely unexpected) surprise. in the happy ending.
All of this made it an ENGAGING and exciting READ.
__ MAIN CHARACTERS ___ the protagonists of this book are 3 girls who work on a farm during the war, they were in fact "Land Girls" (those girls and women, coming from all social classes, who replaced male farm workers who had gone to war.)
I really liked the atmosphere of camaraderie that formed between these women and girls, of different ages, who found themselves united in a common effort to help their country.
I liked the atmosphere of sacrifice mixed with the anxiety of the uncertainty of the future, because today (at least in Western countries and not at war) we take everything for granted and we complain about every little thing and every little lack, not thinking that life is just a flutter of wings.
I liked seeing how these women, despite everything, were animated by tenacity, good will and resilience and I liked seeing how they took the position head on, but always thinking first of not endangering the people they loved.
__ WHY ONLY 3 (actually 3.5 rounded down to 3 ) STARS THEN ? __
Some things that I didn't like :
1) If I choose to read a book with the word "Christmas" in the title, I expect to be enveloped in a warm Christmas atmosphere.
In this book the only Christmassy thing is the countdown of how many days until Christmas.
Each chapter begins with: 8 days until Christmas, 7 days until Christmas, 6 days until Christmas etc...
Then there is a scene in which characters talk about where everyone will spend Christmas, but there is nothing Christmassy here.
2) The writer while describing/narrating a certain scene, suddenly makes the characters go into their past memories and this even lasts for pages, which led me to forget what was happening in the current scene.
A very confusing writing style.
In the same way, the author goes from scenes on the farm with the girls to scenes of the German airmen or the doctor in the hospital, suddenly and without pauses between one topic and another.
The author divided the chapters according to the days left until Christmas, but in my opinion it would have been better to divide the chapters according to the two realities that were being told in the story (the one of the girls and that one of the pilots, at least until the moment which all these characters found themselves on the same scene).
3) I would have liked the author to delve more deeply into the characters, but probably, having dedicated each of the past books in the series to each girl, he didn't consider it necessary.
I think that giving more depth to the characters in each book, even if they are part of a series, is important, because each book is readable as a standalone (including this one) and it is obvious that not all readers read all the books in the same series (otherwise we wouldn't have time to explore other genres and authors).
Thanks for reading my opinion and for your patience with my text, I'm sorry for any errors but English isn't my native language.
November 15, 2019
I didn’t know this was part of a series when I decided to read it. It does seem to stand alone, I didn’t have any trouble following the story. I did think it started a bit slow but gradually gained momentum. I enjoyed the story and the surprise ending. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
December 4, 2019
First sentence: It was one day before Christmas. And Joyce Fisher wondered whether she would live to see it. This winter-bleak thought wasn’t borne of fatigue from living through so many years of war. It wasn’t even the result of having lost so much along the way. No, Joyce knew, totally rationally, that today was one of those days that can change a life forever; a crossroads in which taking the wrong path could cost everything. She wished with all her heart that it wasn’t the case, that there was some rosy alternative, another path to take. But she couldn’t see any way out of it.
Premise/plot: Roland Moore's Christmas On the Home Front is not a stand-alone read; it's the third book in the series. I have not read the first two books in the Land Girls series. Joyce Fisher, our heroine, is a land girl. She's survived the war so far, despite hardships and stress. But will she survive to see the war end?! Will she live to see the year 1945 welcomed in?!
My thoughts: Christmas On the Home Front is not a cozy mystery, nor a cozy romance. It isn't set in a cozy little village starring dozens of super-eccentric characters that all come together to make the best of things always. If I had to describe this one it would be THRILLER. Thrillers aren't a genre I read all that often. Mysteries, yes. Cozies, often. But THRILLERS, not so much. But once I started reading Christmas on the Home Front I could hardly stop. I'm guessing you won't be able to either.
The good news is that it is fast-paced and intense.
The bad news is that the writing is a bit confusing. It will back track to show you the same exact scene from a different point of view. You might spend several pages--or even chapters--with one character and have time be moving forward. And then be thrown back a few hours, a day even, with the focus on different characters. Eventually the two will collide again--collide may be just the right word. But it has a sloppy feel to it. For the record, I am NOT talking about the prologue. It isn't all that unusual for a book to begin with a dramatic flash-FORWARD. And then have the novel lead you up to that climatic moment in time.
The less you know about the plot specifics, the better. Just allow yourself to be thrown in. Now, I am curious how this one fits in with the other books in the series. Are they equally thriller-esque?
Premise/plot: Roland Moore's Christmas On the Home Front is not a stand-alone read; it's the third book in the series. I have not read the first two books in the Land Girls series. Joyce Fisher, our heroine, is a land girl. She's survived the war so far, despite hardships and stress. But will she survive to see the war end?! Will she live to see the year 1945 welcomed in?!
My thoughts: Christmas On the Home Front is not a cozy mystery, nor a cozy romance. It isn't set in a cozy little village starring dozens of super-eccentric characters that all come together to make the best of things always. If I had to describe this one it would be THRILLER. Thrillers aren't a genre I read all that often. Mysteries, yes. Cozies, often. But THRILLERS, not so much. But once I started reading Christmas on the Home Front I could hardly stop. I'm guessing you won't be able to either.
The good news is that it is fast-paced and intense.
The bad news is that the writing is a bit confusing. It will back track to show you the same exact scene from a different point of view. You might spend several pages--or even chapters--with one character and have time be moving forward. And then be thrown back a few hours, a day even, with the focus on different characters. Eventually the two will collide again--collide may be just the right word. But it has a sloppy feel to it. For the record, I am NOT talking about the prologue. It isn't all that unusual for a book to begin with a dramatic flash-FORWARD. And then have the novel lead you up to that climatic moment in time.
The less you know about the plot specifics, the better. Just allow yourself to be thrown in. Now, I am curious how this one fits in with the other books in the series. Are they equally thriller-esque?
January 16, 2020
Right from the beginning of this book I was gripped. The action wasn’t really fast paced, but it was gripping drama that had me wanting to find out more. I read this book in around five hours, mostly because I could not put it down.
The story is set around Christmas 1944, the last Christmas during World War 2, in the sleepy village of Helmstead. The story centres around Joyce Fisher, a land girl working at Pasture Farm, as well as two German airmen who have been shot down by allied forces during an air raid.
There are other characters in the book, namely Dr. Richard Channing, who play an important role in the story, and they all blend well together. Sometimes you can just guess what is going to happen next, other times you’ll be reading on, desperate to find out what happens.
The tone of the book isn’t too grim, despite the back drop of WWII and the events that are central to the story. This did surprise me a little, I felt sure I’d find it grim reading, but it really wasn’t.
I’ve read reviews where it was said the story was slow to develop, that wasn’t the case for me. I felt that the author had the pace of the story just right. Joyce thinks back quite a bit and I feel that the storyline flowed really well; sometimes when a character is thinking back the story can become slow and clunky, but that wasn’t the case here.
This book is part of a series – I didn’t know this when I started reading, but the book works as a stand alone story too.
I loved the gritty determination of Joyce and Connie. I think the spirit of the Land Girls was captured really well in this book, and the spirit of the people who lived through the war.
Highly recommended.
The story is set around Christmas 1944, the last Christmas during World War 2, in the sleepy village of Helmstead. The story centres around Joyce Fisher, a land girl working at Pasture Farm, as well as two German airmen who have been shot down by allied forces during an air raid.
There are other characters in the book, namely Dr. Richard Channing, who play an important role in the story, and they all blend well together. Sometimes you can just guess what is going to happen next, other times you’ll be reading on, desperate to find out what happens.
The tone of the book isn’t too grim, despite the back drop of WWII and the events that are central to the story. This did surprise me a little, I felt sure I’d find it grim reading, but it really wasn’t.
I’ve read reviews where it was said the story was slow to develop, that wasn’t the case for me. I felt that the author had the pace of the story just right. Joyce thinks back quite a bit and I feel that the storyline flowed really well; sometimes when a character is thinking back the story can become slow and clunky, but that wasn’t the case here.
This book is part of a series – I didn’t know this when I started reading, but the book works as a stand alone story too.
I loved the gritty determination of Joyce and Connie. I think the spirit of the Land Girls was captured really well in this book, and the spirit of the people who lived through the war.
Highly recommended.
December 14, 2019
While the main character is Joyce Fisher, there are a number of well-developed support characters that comprise the Women's Land Army stationed at Pasture Farm. It doesn't take long before you get to know each, their strengths and weaknesses. The Land Girls have been created to supplement the loss of farm support during WWII and help supplement food supplies. They have learned to manage shortages and been creative in continuing the work necessary to aid in the war effort.
This entry to the series has the reader witness to a German plane shot down not far from the farm. Too close, in fact. Joyce and Esther have been left at the farm during the Christmas countdown, the others scattered, and find themselves face-to-face with two desperate German airmen. The tension ramps up quickly as the men try to connect with sympathizers to collect and get them back home.
The farm is near Lady Hoxley's Estate, where she is housing an American Army unit and an interim hospital in a branch of her mansion. Lady Hoxley keeps tab on the girls and lends support where she can.
The story jumps timelines, backtracking to an appropriately revealing scene with that point of view and then skips back to present, perhaps with a different character and replaying the scene to bring the two back to the same point in time. It can be just a bit confusing at first but serves to provide a full picture.
I was given this digital download by the publisher through NetGalley and was totally thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review. I thoroughly enjoyed the book (as well as the TV series) and heartily recommend to all who enjoy historical fiction. Wonderful immersive characters and countryside, rural stories, suspense, and domestic drama in a dramatic period of history.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
This entry to the series has the reader witness to a German plane shot down not far from the farm. Too close, in fact. Joyce and Esther have been left at the farm during the Christmas countdown, the others scattered, and find themselves face-to-face with two desperate German airmen. The tension ramps up quickly as the men try to connect with sympathizers to collect and get them back home.
The farm is near Lady Hoxley's Estate, where she is housing an American Army unit and an interim hospital in a branch of her mansion. Lady Hoxley keeps tab on the girls and lends support where she can.
The story jumps timelines, backtracking to an appropriately revealing scene with that point of view and then skips back to present, perhaps with a different character and replaying the scene to bring the two back to the same point in time. It can be just a bit confusing at first but serves to provide a full picture.
I was given this digital download by the publisher through NetGalley and was totally thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review. I thoroughly enjoyed the book (as well as the TV series) and heartily recommend to all who enjoy historical fiction. Wonderful immersive characters and countryside, rural stories, suspense, and domestic drama in a dramatic period of history.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2019/...
December 4, 2019
The girls left on Pasture Farm are preparing for Christmas and hoping that this will be the last wartime Christmas celebration that they’ll have. As part of the Woman’s Land Army, their job is to farm and help with the food supplies, all while managing to survive wartime privations, and the losses that all have suffered since the war began. Throughout the series we’ve gotten to know the women who all joined on for their own reasons, and while some have moved on to other places or married, their ties and friendships still remain and their work brought them together in unexpected ways. Now only a few of the original women remain on the farm, and as Christmas is approaching they are pitching in for the community events as they gather together to plan their own celebrations.
Two German airmen survived the crash of their plane and are on the loose, and there is a network of ‘sympathizers’ working to bring them to safety and keep them from the British authorities. Unfortunately, Pasture Farm is right in the middle of the action, and with the women both being threatened and determined to withstand the incursion, a well-placed sympathizer is unearthed and could mean the end for all the women at Pasture farm.
IT’s not meant to be – as these are stories that both highlight the long-held traditions of pitching in and doing what must be done – the girls use a bit of luck, some sheer determination and an unwillingness to be defeated in making their stand. You may have seen the Land Girls series on PBS (here in the US) and I’ll tell you – it’s a marvelous watch. Getting to reconnect with Joyce, Charlotte and the girls – and you’ll enjoy the twist and tension here provided by the mystery of the “sympathizer’ and just how the girls overcame. A lovely series that shows the strength to be provided in coming together for a common cause. It’s a wonderful ‘snapshot’ of the mid-40’s Britain and the people who worked so hard at home to support the men in the field.
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
Two German airmen survived the crash of their plane and are on the loose, and there is a network of ‘sympathizers’ working to bring them to safety and keep them from the British authorities. Unfortunately, Pasture Farm is right in the middle of the action, and with the women both being threatened and determined to withstand the incursion, a well-placed sympathizer is unearthed and could mean the end for all the women at Pasture farm.
IT’s not meant to be – as these are stories that both highlight the long-held traditions of pitching in and doing what must be done – the girls use a bit of luck, some sheer determination and an unwillingness to be defeated in making their stand. You may have seen the Land Girls series on PBS (here in the US) and I’ll tell you – it’s a marvelous watch. Getting to reconnect with Joyce, Charlotte and the girls – and you’ll enjoy the twist and tension here provided by the mystery of the “sympathizer’ and just how the girls overcame. A lovely series that shows the strength to be provided in coming together for a common cause. It’s a wonderful ‘snapshot’ of the mid-40’s Britain and the people who worked so hard at home to support the men in the field.
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
November 30, 2023
It's Christmas 1944 and the land girls at Pasture farm are looking forward to it.
But then things change drastically, two German airmen have been shot down, survived and are on the run.
No one can find them and they have slipped by the authorities.
They close in on Pasture farm and the women there.
This will be a Christmas to remember as Joyce, Connie and Esther have to fight for their lives in a cunning game of cat and mouse as they are taken hostage and held prisoner on their own farm.
This was a very exciting and also festive denouement to the Land girls series and I'm sad to see the trilogy end.
But then things change drastically, two German airmen have been shot down, survived and are on the run.
No one can find them and they have slipped by the authorities.
They close in on Pasture farm and the women there.
This will be a Christmas to remember as Joyce, Connie and Esther have to fight for their lives in a cunning game of cat and mouse as they are taken hostage and held prisoner on their own farm.
This was a very exciting and also festive denouement to the Land girls series and I'm sad to see the trilogy end.
December 4, 2022
After enjoying the television series and discovering the books, I was excited to read the 3rd and final one of the series. I was hoping for one set at Christmas so this was a nice surprise, and I liked Joyce in the show so was looking forward to a story from her perspective.
This was a quick read, with a good amount of action to keep you turning the pages. However, there was a lot of repetition of things, which, whilst I'm sure was done for effect, got a bit annoying after a while as it was overused. There was also a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes, or cases of the wrong character name being used, which was a shame as this should have been spotted in editing, and became a little irritating! I also thought the epilogue was unneeded.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I'm sad that the Land Girls story is over, but this is one that I will definitely re-read in the future.
This was a quick read, with a good amount of action to keep you turning the pages. However, there was a lot of repetition of things, which, whilst I'm sure was done for effect, got a bit annoying after a while as it was overused. There was also a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes, or cases of the wrong character name being used, which was a shame as this should have been spotted in editing, and became a little irritating! I also thought the epilogue was unneeded.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, and I'm sad that the Land Girls story is over, but this is one that I will definitely re-read in the future.
July 31, 2024
The last of the Land Girls book series was a gripping and exciting read. I discovered the Land Girls TV series when PBS sent an email about airing it on their streaming platform. Watched all three seasons and was sad when it ended, but then I discovered the creator wrote three books continuing their stories. I recommend this series for anyone who loves WWII fiction and riveting stories. It’s been a fun ride Joyce, Iris, and Connie.
December 31, 2019
Comforting read
A great book and we'll worth reading. It brings out the good in people and a determination to survive, shows how people cope under the pressure of war A very enjoyable read, !lol forward to reading more from this aythor.
A great book and we'll worth reading. It brings out the good in people and a determination to survive, shows how people cope under the pressure of war A very enjoyable read, !lol forward to reading more from this aythor.
December 23, 2019
Review to follow soon
January 23, 2020
Good read
Would recommend that you sit down and have a nice cup of tea to read through to the end of this
Would recommend that you sit down and have a nice cup of tea to read through to the end of this
February 21, 2020
Really enjoyed reading about the land girls again x
March 16, 2020
Good read
Not sure about some of the story, and did get a little confused.. Especially about the German pilot’s..
Other than that a very good book..
Not sure about some of the story, and did get a little confused.. Especially about the German pilot’s..
Other than that a very good book..
April 8, 2020
A little different to my usual reads but soon got into the storyline. Didn’t realise it was the third book in the series so must go back to the beginning and read the first two.
December 21, 2019
A heartwarming tale of the pluck and courage of the women holding the fort in the final days of WWII.
This is the third instalment of the Land Girls series of books, following on from the TV series of the same name. The author crafts a wonderful story, visually drawing the reader in to the Pasture Farm during the final days of the War, and creating a fast-packed ride once one is immersed. (I stayed up far too late on many nights reading this!)
It has everything: romance, adventure, twists, conspiracies, conflict and most of all, friendship. An excellent read.
(I received an advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
This is the third instalment of the Land Girls series of books, following on from the TV series of the same name. The author crafts a wonderful story, visually drawing the reader in to the Pasture Farm during the final days of the War, and creating a fast-packed ride once one is immersed. (I stayed up far too late on many nights reading this!)
It has everything: romance, adventure, twists, conspiracies, conflict and most of all, friendship. An excellent read.
(I received an advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
December 17, 2019
A nostalgic look back at Christmas during WWII. Recommended for those who love fictional accounts of social history.
December 9, 2019
Having read the first two books in the series, it was wonderful to catch up with the girls again. With two shot-down German airmen on the loose, the friends face huge danger and some life- threatening decisions. Is Joyce's husband really dead? Can the doctor be trusted? And who will survive to see the end of this terrible war? Some nail-biting moments but still I felt inspired by the warmth of the girls' friendship and support for each other. The best story so far!
January 25, 2021
Despite the food rationing and the bitterly cold weather, the land girls of Pasture Farm, Connie Carter, Joyce Fisher and Esther Reeves, are determined to celebrate this Christmas in style. The fighting might still be raging, but they all hope this could be the last Christmas of this dreaded war. But as the day approaches, word spreads in sleepy Helmstead that two German Airmen are on the run. With everyone on high alert, the mood is tense and the women take no chances. Until the German airmen find them…
This was a lovely little war time story set around Christmas with its fair share of action. The characters are well written and it was interesting to see that each chapter was written in different character points of view so we could see the story progress. I loved the twist of the unexpected bad guy, something I wasn’t expecting so that was really nice.
It was a great story with some suspense but it was nice to see that there was some pleasantness around that time with everything going on and shows how strong women can be under pressure during the war.
It is actually the third book in the Land Girl series but I haven’t read the others. It reads as a stand alone but I would like to go back and read the others. A nice, cosy easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely little war time story set around Christmas with its fair share of action. The characters are well written and it was interesting to see that each chapter was written in different character points of view so we could see the story progress. I loved the twist of the unexpected bad guy, something I wasn’t expecting so that was really nice.
It was a great story with some suspense but it was nice to see that there was some pleasantness around that time with everything going on and shows how strong women can be under pressure during the war.
It is actually the third book in the Land Girl series but I haven’t read the others. It reads as a stand alone but I would like to go back and read the others. A nice, cosy easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2019
This is the last book in Roland’s Land Girls series. It can be read as a stand-alone if you’ve not read the other books, but I recommend the series you won’t be disappointed. It was nice catching up with Connie, Esther and Joyce again. This book concentrates on Joyce’s story she really goes through it but like lots of the strong women at the time she carries on. A great ending to a great series
November 28, 2019
A sensitive account of the hardship that family experienced during the war years
A sensitive thought provoking story of three land army girls help and support in harrowing times
Friendship, loyalty and bravery demonstrated by the girls for the cause
A sensitive thought provoking story of three land army girls help and support in harrowing times
Friendship, loyalty and bravery demonstrated by the girls for the cause
November 15, 2019
One of the joys of being on Netgalley is having the opportunity to read books in genres different to those that I normally choose. In this case the story is set in the closing stages of WW2 and I hadn't realised that this author created the drama series Land Girls for the BBC and continues their stories. As this story is self - contained this didn't affect my enjoyment of the story, although it does encourage me to revisit this series. In this story the girls are determined to enjoy Christmas in spite of the fighting, despite the harsh conditions and shortages. Joyce's husband John left to visit his brother in Birmingham who had an accident, however Joyce received bad news whilst he was there. In the meantime a German bomber was shot down and there were rumours that two German airmen were on the run. The story started slowly, however as it developed it picked up pace and I just had to keep on reading to find out what the final outcome of the story was.
November 18, 2019
An excellent read which absorbs you from the very first chapter. This is the 3rd and final book in the series of the land girls. Read about Connie , Joyce and Elsie last adventure.
Slightly different storyline in that it covers the British sympathisers of the war who helped the germans . Mostly because of cowardice and a selfish need to look after themselves.
Most recommended and I am grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy in return for a honest review.
Slightly different storyline in that it covers the British sympathisers of the war who helped the germans . Mostly because of cowardice and a selfish need to look after themselves.
Most recommended and I am grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy in return for a honest review.
October 30, 2019
It's fast approaching Christmas Day, 1944, and the land girls of Pasture Farm are determined to make it the best one yet. But with two German airmen on the loose, life on the farm is seeming more dangerous than ever, and tragedy is lurking behind every corner. Will they all make it out alive?
I requested this one without realising that it was the third book in a series - I have a serious love affair with WW2 fiction, especially books set on the home front, so I just automatically knew I'd be a fan. I was a bit concerned once I started reading that I might not understand everything, as I hadn't read the others in the series, but it honestly made no difference at all. Moore is very skilled at providing a brief introduction to each character and their background without being all boring and list-like, which was great, as it quickly got me up to speed with who was who and what was going on.
Now, I won't mention plot, as there's a few surprises along the way, and I don't want to ruin it, especially for those who already know the girls. But I will say that has it all - some romance, a bit of drama, and a surprisingly high level of danger! At first, I thought it was going to be a bit predictable, but it ended up nothing at all like I imagined, and it was definitely far better than I expected. All of the girls are very distinct characters who you warm to immediately, and I loved also getting the sections from the POV of one of the German airmen - it was a very unique decision to include their perspective, but one that I thought worked very well. I also loved the gradual Christmas countdown - it was great way to build up both the excitement and the tension.
All in all, I loved it, especially a surprising section right at the very end! Everyone's individual story was wrapped up well, and there were some wonderful happy endings that were exactly what you would want from a Christmas novel. It may be my first book by Roland Moore, but it definitely won't be my last.
Disclaimer - I received an advance ready copy courtesy of NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
I requested this one without realising that it was the third book in a series - I have a serious love affair with WW2 fiction, especially books set on the home front, so I just automatically knew I'd be a fan. I was a bit concerned once I started reading that I might not understand everything, as I hadn't read the others in the series, but it honestly made no difference at all. Moore is very skilled at providing a brief introduction to each character and their background without being all boring and list-like, which was great, as it quickly got me up to speed with who was who and what was going on.
Now, I won't mention plot, as there's a few surprises along the way, and I don't want to ruin it, especially for those who already know the girls. But I will say that has it all - some romance, a bit of drama, and a surprisingly high level of danger! At first, I thought it was going to be a bit predictable, but it ended up nothing at all like I imagined, and it was definitely far better than I expected. All of the girls are very distinct characters who you warm to immediately, and I loved also getting the sections from the POV of one of the German airmen - it was a very unique decision to include their perspective, but one that I thought worked very well. I also loved the gradual Christmas countdown - it was great way to build up both the excitement and the tension.
All in all, I loved it, especially a surprising section right at the very end! Everyone's individual story was wrapped up well, and there were some wonderful happy endings that were exactly what you would want from a Christmas novel. It may be my first book by Roland Moore, but it definitely won't be my last.
Disclaimer - I received an advance ready copy courtesy of NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
October 30, 2019
An unforgettable wartime Christmas
I enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have read about the "Land Girls" serving the British Army working the fields on country farms so the men could go to war. Food needs to be produced for the soldiers and the population.
The friendships developed between the girls and their different romantic interests was heartwarming. They stuck together and they protected each other. The characters were warm, likable and believable.
When a German plane crashed and two German airmen were on the loose there was panic when the airmen showed up at the farm. What happened next? The girls had a plan, would it work? Would they all be safe? Was the town Doctor a German sympathizer? I guess you will have to read the book to find out.
It was a good clean reading book. There was the story, the celebrations in a small country town during the holidays. The excitement of the escaped German airmen. The love and friendships. I recommend this book, it is a great story and I think you will like it.
Thanks to Roland Moore, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book.
I enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have read about the "Land Girls" serving the British Army working the fields on country farms so the men could go to war. Food needs to be produced for the soldiers and the population.
The friendships developed between the girls and their different romantic interests was heartwarming. They stuck together and they protected each other. The characters were warm, likable and believable.
When a German plane crashed and two German airmen were on the loose there was panic when the airmen showed up at the farm. What happened next? The girls had a plan, would it work? Would they all be safe? Was the town Doctor a German sympathizer? I guess you will have to read the book to find out.
It was a good clean reading book. There was the story, the celebrations in a small country town during the holidays. The excitement of the escaped German airmen. The love and friendships. I recommend this book, it is a great story and I think you will like it.
Thanks to Roland Moore, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book.
October 27, 2019
I recently discovered the Land Girls series on Netflix. I did not realize that it was based on a book series. I haven’t finished the series, and this book was probably a spoiler, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the series or the books, it takes place in England during WWII. The Land Girl Army was formed to supplement farm workers who were conscripted into the military. This particular story takes place well into the war, another Christmas without loved ones and with rationing. Joyce and Esther are left on their own at Pasture Farm until Christmas Eve. A German plane has been shot down a few miles away, and the Home Guard is searching for the downed aviators. The story takes some time to get moving, but once it does, it is gripping. Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book.
March 7, 2025
It's fast approaching Christmas Day, 1944, and the land girls of Pasture Farm are determined to make it the best one yet. But with two German airmen on the loose, life on the farm is seeming more dangerous than ever, and tragedy is lurking behind every corner. Will they all make it out alive?
I requested this one without realising that it was the third book in a series. I was a bit concerned once I started reading that I might not understand everything but it honestly made no difference at all.
What an utterly FANTASTIC book. I was totally captivated and transported back in time, excellent plot and read in one sitting!
Disclaimer - I received an advance ready copy courtesy of NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
#Netgalley
I requested this one without realising that it was the third book in a series. I was a bit concerned once I started reading that I might not understand everything but it honestly made no difference at all.
What an utterly FANTASTIC book. I was totally captivated and transported back in time, excellent plot and read in one sitting!
Disclaimer - I received an advance ready copy courtesy of NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
#Netgalley
October 25, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author what an utterly FANTASTIC book.
I was totally captivated and transported back in time, excellent plot and so well executed nothing was left out.
This amazing Author has the ability to draw you in and drip feed this OUTSTANDING story intriguing and totally mesmerising I can highly recommend this book
First time reading this Author what an utterly FANTASTIC book.
I was totally captivated and transported back in time, excellent plot and so well executed nothing was left out.
This amazing Author has the ability to draw you in and drip feed this OUTSTANDING story intriguing and totally mesmerising I can highly recommend this book
October 2, 2019
If you have been following the Land Girls you will really like this one. A great follow up to what they have been doing with themselves. Takes you right back to the farm
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews