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Sandgronians Trilogy #3
A Blackpool Christmas
CHRISTMAS, 1918.
The war may be over, but for newly reunited sisters Babs and Beth, peace has yet to find them. Having been taken from their mother at a young age and then separated themselves for twelve years, their family has encountered enough pain to last a lifetime.
As the festive season approaches, they realise their struggles are far from over, but if they want to look forward to a happy future together they must work to put the past behind them. Will the joys of Christmas be enough to unite their family once more?
The war may be over, but for newly reunited sisters Babs and Beth, peace has yet to find them. Having been taken from their mother at a young age and then separated themselves for twelve years, their family has encountered enough pain to last a lifetime.
As the festive season approaches, they realise their struggles are far from over, but if they want to look forward to a happy future together they must work to put the past behind them. Will the joys of Christmas be enough to unite their family once more?
- GenresChristmas
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 14, 2020
A perfect ending
The Sandgronian trilogy, the final book in this series, that are always so emotional to read, this author always knows how to touch her readers buttons and tissues are most definitely needed.
1916 and it's a week till Christmas, Babs pregnant is decorating the house missing her doctor husband Rupert while in France working on the ambulance train has been killed. Twin sister Beth both were brought up by gypsies Jasmine and Roman this dreadful war has a lot to answer for, her half sister Eliza has come to give her a hand and can never forgive them for taking the twins from her ma Tilly Perkins.
Beth is also pregnant and married to doctor Henry this makes it all so hard for Babs but with her proper family to see her through her dark day's they have to celebrate Christmas the best they can. and new additional babies to welcome in the coming year. a proper tearjerker that will pull at your heartstrings and will be sorry to see the end of the series with such wonderful characters, but this author has the talent to bring us more new ones I'm sure in the future. So unique in it's own way and inspirational.
The Sandgronian trilogy, the final book in this series, that are always so emotional to read, this author always knows how to touch her readers buttons and tissues are most definitely needed.
1916 and it's a week till Christmas, Babs pregnant is decorating the house missing her doctor husband Rupert while in France working on the ambulance train has been killed. Twin sister Beth both were brought up by gypsies Jasmine and Roman this dreadful war has a lot to answer for, her half sister Eliza has come to give her a hand and can never forgive them for taking the twins from her ma Tilly Perkins.
Beth is also pregnant and married to doctor Henry this makes it all so hard for Babs but with her proper family to see her through her dark day's they have to celebrate Christmas the best they can. and new additional babies to welcome in the coming year. a proper tearjerker that will pull at your heartstrings and will be sorry to see the end of the series with such wonderful characters, but this author has the talent to bring us more new ones I'm sure in the future. So unique in it's own way and inspirational.
August 24, 2023
How strong can professed love be, that turns to hate so easily?
This book was repetitive and banal.. particularly when all the characters seem to find true and lasting friends at they first meeting.. they also managed to bring the exact skills needed by the family!?
Their Get togethers feature LOTS of hugs .. lasting for page upon page.. I found myself bored to tears with all this constant, overdone hugging, loving and grieving that I had to skip past it all. Not to mention the cases of Love at first sight 😖
Completely over egged and overtook the whole book.
And yes the first two in the series went the same way in places however their storyline’s were much stronger.
Sorry to be such a downer but this particular book was just not my cup of tea.
This book was repetitive and banal.. particularly when all the characters seem to find true and lasting friends at they first meeting.. they also managed to bring the exact skills needed by the family!?
Their Get togethers feature LOTS of hugs .. lasting for page upon page.. I found myself bored to tears with all this constant, overdone hugging, loving and grieving that I had to skip past it all. Not to mention the cases of Love at first sight 😖
Completely over egged and overtook the whole book.
And yes the first two in the series went the same way in places however their storyline’s were much stronger.
Sorry to be such a downer but this particular book was just not my cup of tea.
December 19, 2020
I managed to read all three books one after the other but have to admit I found things heavy going at times(too much gloom and doom)and I ended up rushing the last third of the final book because I'd had enough.the story was well written but at times I thought a little unrealistic.Im now ready for some light relief!!however I will be reading more of Maggie Masons books because IV enjoyed the other ones that she's written.
November 14, 2020
A saga set in 1916 onwards, this is a novel of amazing characters, gathered together and separated by the forces of war and other difficult circumstances. It tells the story of Tilly, who has faced incredible challenges in her life, her now adult twin daughters, Babs and Beth, and more recent family and friends. It is a book packed with events and emotion, affection and surprises. Babs and Beth are in some ways the centre of this book, but there are many characters who become involved with the family and community group, centred around a farm and the tourist area of Blackpool.
This is the third and final book in the Sandgronians trilogy, meaning that it concerns people who are born and grew up in Blackpool. Having said that, this book definitely stands alone as a novel on its own, with links back to the previous two in terms of ongoing characters and situations. This makes it a strong multi dimensional read as a strong story has substantial developments from previous books, but it stands alone as an absorbing story. I had not read the previous novel, but found it very easy to pick up what had preceded this one. Babs is a determined widow who is expecting her late husband, Rupert’s, baby at the start of the novel. Beth is also pregnant, but in her case her husband Henry is alive, though serving abroad. They are close, but their past has divided them in a crucial way. This book looks at their difficult relationship in the light of their troubled past, their challenging present and their uncertain future. The depth of affection and friendship expressed in this book is remarkable; it also has much to say about the power of strong and determined women. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this well written and engaging book.
The book begins on the farm owned and run by Tommy and Tilly, as they have married since the traumatic events which separated her from her daughters following her first husband’s death. Babs is working on the farm, as much as she can given her advanced pregnancy. It emerges that she had been working as a nurse on a Casualty train in France when it was attacked, Rupert was killed, and she returned to her mother’s farm. Also present is Eliza, Tommy and Tilly’s daughter, who is working as an apprentice baker. Everyone is looking forward to Christmas, despite those who are lost. Beth is to join them for the day, and that fact revives difficult memories. Babs and Beth were taken by a gypsy couple when they were small children, and although Babs fled from them at the age of thirteen, Beth had stayed and formed a longer standing relationship with Jasmine and Roman. This continuing situation means that Tilly and Babs cannot completely trust Beth as she is still in contact with those responsible for such long standing hurt. As the family and friends come together to celebrate Christmas day, a significant event brings new people into their lives.
This book looks at the fortunes and developments in the lives of this small group of women. They will face challenges, as the War that is being fought in Europe continues. Less tangible but equally painful circumstances will change their lives, and both Babs and Beth will have to make choices that change their lives and the lives of others. This is a very enjoyable book, absorbing in its descriptions and personalities. It has much to say about women’s lives in the early part of the twentieth century, and the powerless that they can suffer from. The plight of war widows is mentioned, especially when left with children who need support. This book shows a good understanding of the pressures on women at the time; the research into the clothes, the expectations and the problems is so well handled that it all feels completely natural. This is a lovely book of love, some losses and hope. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys sagas set in the early twentieth century.
This is the third and final book in the Sandgronians trilogy, meaning that it concerns people who are born and grew up in Blackpool. Having said that, this book definitely stands alone as a novel on its own, with links back to the previous two in terms of ongoing characters and situations. This makes it a strong multi dimensional read as a strong story has substantial developments from previous books, but it stands alone as an absorbing story. I had not read the previous novel, but found it very easy to pick up what had preceded this one. Babs is a determined widow who is expecting her late husband, Rupert’s, baby at the start of the novel. Beth is also pregnant, but in her case her husband Henry is alive, though serving abroad. They are close, but their past has divided them in a crucial way. This book looks at their difficult relationship in the light of their troubled past, their challenging present and their uncertain future. The depth of affection and friendship expressed in this book is remarkable; it also has much to say about the power of strong and determined women. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this well written and engaging book.
The book begins on the farm owned and run by Tommy and Tilly, as they have married since the traumatic events which separated her from her daughters following her first husband’s death. Babs is working on the farm, as much as she can given her advanced pregnancy. It emerges that she had been working as a nurse on a Casualty train in France when it was attacked, Rupert was killed, and she returned to her mother’s farm. Also present is Eliza, Tommy and Tilly’s daughter, who is working as an apprentice baker. Everyone is looking forward to Christmas, despite those who are lost. Beth is to join them for the day, and that fact revives difficult memories. Babs and Beth were taken by a gypsy couple when they were small children, and although Babs fled from them at the age of thirteen, Beth had stayed and formed a longer standing relationship with Jasmine and Roman. This continuing situation means that Tilly and Babs cannot completely trust Beth as she is still in contact with those responsible for such long standing hurt. As the family and friends come together to celebrate Christmas day, a significant event brings new people into their lives.
This book looks at the fortunes and developments in the lives of this small group of women. They will face challenges, as the War that is being fought in Europe continues. Less tangible but equally painful circumstances will change their lives, and both Babs and Beth will have to make choices that change their lives and the lives of others. This is a very enjoyable book, absorbing in its descriptions and personalities. It has much to say about women’s lives in the early part of the twentieth century, and the powerless that they can suffer from. The plight of war widows is mentioned, especially when left with children who need support. This book shows a good understanding of the pressures on women at the time; the research into the clothes, the expectations and the problems is so well handled that it all feels completely natural. This is a lovely book of love, some losses and hope. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys sagas set in the early twentieth century.
November 15, 2020
A Blackpool Christmas is the third and final book in the Sandgronians trilogy and what a truly wonderful finale it is! It can be read as a standalone book, as there is plenty of backstory referred to, but why miss the opportunity to read two more fabulous books?
It's Christmas 1918, formerly estranged sisters, Beth and Babs are back in the bosom of their family and their mother, Tilly, couldn't be happier. Having her family around her and her girls back together is all she's ever wanted. She is determined to make this the best Christmas ever, but things don't get off to a good start when there's an accident involving several members of her beloved family, potentially putting all of Tilly's plan in jeopardy.
Underneath the surface this is a family with a turbulent past, untold secrets, past hurts, painful memories and deep rooted distrust, all of which need to be confronted, but at what cost?
A Blackpool Christmas is not only a fabulous story, it also gives a very insighful glimpse into life just after the First World War, showing how families were re-uniting or recovering from their losses. It also touches on the class divide, something which was much more prevalent at this time, depicting how the wealthy would, on occasion, expect people from lower classes to acquiesce to their demands. It was this part of the story that really touched my heart and it was so poignantly written it brought tears to my eyes, something which is very commonplace when reading Maggie's books!
Once again Maggie Mason has written a moving tale packed full of emotion and drama that tugs at the heart-strings, which will appeal to anyone who loves historical saga's. I've loved getting to know these wonderful characters over the course of the three beautiful books and I'm sad that their story has come to an end as they've come to feel like my own family.
With the nights closing in and the weather changing, now would be a perfect time to immerse yourself in this, or any other, of Maggie Mason's incredible books!
It's Christmas 1918, formerly estranged sisters, Beth and Babs are back in the bosom of their family and their mother, Tilly, couldn't be happier. Having her family around her and her girls back together is all she's ever wanted. She is determined to make this the best Christmas ever, but things don't get off to a good start when there's an accident involving several members of her beloved family, potentially putting all of Tilly's plan in jeopardy.
Underneath the surface this is a family with a turbulent past, untold secrets, past hurts, painful memories and deep rooted distrust, all of which need to be confronted, but at what cost?
A Blackpool Christmas is not only a fabulous story, it also gives a very insighful glimpse into life just after the First World War, showing how families were re-uniting or recovering from their losses. It also touches on the class divide, something which was much more prevalent at this time, depicting how the wealthy would, on occasion, expect people from lower classes to acquiesce to their demands. It was this part of the story that really touched my heart and it was so poignantly written it brought tears to my eyes, something which is very commonplace when reading Maggie's books!
Once again Maggie Mason has written a moving tale packed full of emotion and drama that tugs at the heart-strings, which will appeal to anyone who loves historical saga's. I've loved getting to know these wonderful characters over the course of the three beautiful books and I'm sad that their story has come to an end as they've come to feel like my own family.
With the nights closing in and the weather changing, now would be a perfect time to immerse yourself in this, or any other, of Maggie Mason's incredible books!
November 18, 2020
A Maggie Mason book is always a true pleasure to read, but A Blackpool Christmas is a bit special as it is the third in the Sandgronians trilogy and winds up the stories of Tilly and her twins, Babs and Beth.
As expected from this amazing writer, Mason gives her characters many trials and tribulations to deal with. Tilly isn't exempt but in this book the twins' stories take centre stage as we follow Beth as she struggles to deal with her loyalty to Jasmine and Roman, the gypsy couple who stole her and her sister as small children, and Babs who thinks she can get on with her life after a tragedy but fate (or the author!) has more heartbreak for her to endure.
What is always so prominent in Mason's books is the sense of family love and friendships. The relationships in the story really make me want to jump in and sit around the fire with the characters. Even though nobody is free from their own misfortunes, there's such a strong feeling of pulling together, helping each other out, and genuine comradeship.
It's really lovely to read about Blackpool in the past and what was particularly interesting in this instalment was reading about people going through the flu pandemic of 1918. The wearing of masks, constant washing of hands and taking such care to try and avoid passing the virus on provided obvious parallels with the current pandemic.
This is not a Christmas book as such but some of the most important scenes take place at that time and I really enjoyed the descriptions of Christmas at Tilly and Tommy's farmhouse. I had to wipe a tear away at the end and I'm so sad that I won't be meeting all the lovely characters again. A Blackpool Christmas is a wonderful, moving and ultimately uplifting story and I loved it.
As expected from this amazing writer, Mason gives her characters many trials and tribulations to deal with. Tilly isn't exempt but in this book the twins' stories take centre stage as we follow Beth as she struggles to deal with her loyalty to Jasmine and Roman, the gypsy couple who stole her and her sister as small children, and Babs who thinks she can get on with her life after a tragedy but fate (or the author!) has more heartbreak for her to endure.
What is always so prominent in Mason's books is the sense of family love and friendships. The relationships in the story really make me want to jump in and sit around the fire with the characters. Even though nobody is free from their own misfortunes, there's such a strong feeling of pulling together, helping each other out, and genuine comradeship.
It's really lovely to read about Blackpool in the past and what was particularly interesting in this instalment was reading about people going through the flu pandemic of 1918. The wearing of masks, constant washing of hands and taking such care to try and avoid passing the virus on provided obvious parallels with the current pandemic.
This is not a Christmas book as such but some of the most important scenes take place at that time and I really enjoyed the descriptions of Christmas at Tilly and Tommy's farmhouse. I had to wipe a tear away at the end and I'm so sad that I won't be meeting all the lovely characters again. A Blackpool Christmas is a wonderful, moving and ultimately uplifting story and I loved it.
April 6, 2021
This is the third book in the Sandgronians trilogy and straight away we are reunited with all the familiar characters. The first world war is still raging and there is always sadness on this family, caused by the two sisters being stolen by the gypsies when they were tiny and they just can't forget and forgive them. Babs especially has suffered greatly with the rape, imprisonment and consequent loss of her baby Mario. But on the day that the twin sisters both give birth to sons will they be able to forgive at last. Babs son is named Rupert Mario Arthur and Beth's is Benedict Arthur Freeman (to be known as Benny). But happiness and contentment is not going to last and very soon heartbreaking actions tear this family apart, will the women be strong enough to weather this through?
Spanish flu soon takes it hold as the war finishes, taking more and more people in it's grip, will this close knit family survive it? Many tears will fall before families are reunited and they are living happily and this story is both moving and heartbreaking, and it will certainly have you reaching for your tissues. A lovely romantic, family orientated story that Maggie Mason is so very good at writing, she pulls you into the story from the beginning to the very last pages. I really loved it and found it great to read at a time when we need a break from what is happening around us and make us realise that happiness and families are nearby and very soon we can all "hug again ".
Spanish flu soon takes it hold as the war finishes, taking more and more people in it's grip, will this close knit family survive it? Many tears will fall before families are reunited and they are living happily and this story is both moving and heartbreaking, and it will certainly have you reaching for your tissues. A lovely romantic, family orientated story that Maggie Mason is so very good at writing, she pulls you into the story from the beginning to the very last pages. I really loved it and found it great to read at a time when we need a break from what is happening around us and make us realise that happiness and families are nearby and very soon we can all "hug again ".
November 19, 2020
Another series I've come to late in the day; a solidly written tale with so much going on!
With the end of the Great War, Tilly's family are looking forward to a very special Christmas. An awful lot has happened to this family and they have more reasons than most to rejoice. With Tilly having been deprived of her twins, Beth and Babs, for many years, she wants nothing more than for them all to get together this festive season; with ongoing issues and more problems arriving, can they have their special festive day?
This is a really chunky saga with each page filled with so much going on that I really had to keep my wits about me. From an author who knows her stuff - if you are a reader who enjoys family sagas by the likes of Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox, then I would absolutely recommend this series to you. With ups and downs, twists and turns from first to last, I appreciated the epilogue which finished it all off beautifully. I never realised that there was a dialect in Blackpool, but quickly came to terms with it in this skilfully crafted and well planned novel. Definitely a writer worth following, and I'm happy to give this one 4.5*.
With the end of the Great War, Tilly's family are looking forward to a very special Christmas. An awful lot has happened to this family and they have more reasons than most to rejoice. With Tilly having been deprived of her twins, Beth and Babs, for many years, she wants nothing more than for them all to get together this festive season; with ongoing issues and more problems arriving, can they have their special festive day?
This is a really chunky saga with each page filled with so much going on that I really had to keep my wits about me. From an author who knows her stuff - if you are a reader who enjoys family sagas by the likes of Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox, then I would absolutely recommend this series to you. With ups and downs, twists and turns from first to last, I appreciated the epilogue which finished it all off beautifully. I never realised that there was a dialect in Blackpool, but quickly came to terms with it in this skilfully crafted and well planned novel. Definitely a writer worth following, and I'm happy to give this one 4.5*.
November 17, 2020
Maggie's books will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and this book is no exception. This time we catch up with twins, Beth and Babs, who have been apart for twelve years. Set at the end of the Great War, Maggie captures perfectly the constraints of the class system and how these are beginning to be challenged. Peace may be on the horizon but for these two sisters, they have a long way to go to settle their differences. As always, Maggie's writing has a rawness to it that brings the horrors of ordinary people's suffering to life. Another triumph.
April 15, 2026
Wow
Brilliant what an emotional rollercoaster of a story how Beth and Babs along with Tilly got through what life threw at them from such a young age to who they grew up to be is amazing if you haven't already read the Blackpool trilogy then I highly recommend that you do you certainly won't be disappointed five stars is nowhere near enough for this author Maggie Mason is a brilliant author who draws you in from the beginning you walk with the characters and places where they live you can feel yourself being able to see what they suffered it's so realistic I have yet to be disappointed with any of Maggie's books and look forward to seeing what she writes next
Brilliant what an emotional rollercoaster of a story how Beth and Babs along with Tilly got through what life threw at them from such a young age to who they grew up to be is amazing if you haven't already read the Blackpool trilogy then I highly recommend that you do you certainly won't be disappointed five stars is nowhere near enough for this author Maggie Mason is a brilliant author who draws you in from the beginning you walk with the characters and places where they live you can feel yourself being able to see what they suffered it's so realistic I have yet to be disappointed with any of Maggie's books and look forward to seeing what she writes next
December 29, 2020
Babs and Beth
How can one family suffer so much tilly gets her girls back after years of sorrow Beth and Babs are with Tilly but the gypsies are always in the background causing trouble but for now peace was good the girls were both having babies they had adorable babies then the problem started which caused heartache for Babs a fantastic read have the tissues ready. 5 STARS
How can one family suffer so much tilly gets her girls back after years of sorrow Beth and Babs are with Tilly but the gypsies are always in the background causing trouble but for now peace was good the girls were both having babies they had adorable babies then the problem started which caused heartache for Babs a fantastic read have the tissues ready. 5 STARS
September 4, 2022
I’d had a reading slump while reading this book, a few distractions at home, I did struggle to get to the part of where you can’t put the book down, but boy when I got there nothing was going to stop me finishing the book.
A lovely ending to the series, a worthy five stars
A lovely ending to the series, a worthy five stars
February 10, 2024
Loved this book, chose it because I love Blackpool too. Sadly I didn't realise it was a series until a bit into the story. So I'm on a mission to read the other 2 now. I love the history behind it and the story of strong independent women too. I look forward to reading the series now!
November 10, 2024
I picked this up randomly without realising it was part of a series. So I came in at the wrong end of the story. Sadly I found it a bit clunky and actually didn’t finish it which is rare for me. My advice probably best to read in order …
November 20, 2020
Brilliant story , but read the first 4 before this one , they follow on .
November 23, 2020
Good reading
I really loved these 3 books ,just my kind of reading.recommending them to my daughter now for her to read
I really loved these 3 books ,just my kind of reading.recommending them to my daughter now for her to read
February 10, 2021
Excellent book fantastic reading I can highly recommend this trilogy
April 26, 2021
A good book, the last in a trilogy but can be read as a stand alone. About two sisters and their lives set at the end of the great war in Blackpool. Easy to read and enjoyable
Read
August 3, 2023Blackpool Christmas
Loved it x wish they would go on forever all the books where amazing loved them all great read 😍😍
Loved it x wish they would go on forever all the books where amazing loved them all great read 😍😍
November 13, 2023
This series was so good of Maggie Masons books well worth a read
January 12, 2025
Brilliant! Probably the best of Mason's books that I have read. Excited to realize that this is part of a trilogy, and looking forward to reading the first two.
December 15, 2025
Loved this even though I didn't read the first 2 books. Have never been to Blackpool, but I do know a few Lancastrian people, and they are perfectly described in this book.
January 3, 2022
Did not enjoy this book all doom and gloom from page 1 which was a shame as the title sounded good But I did read it right the way through to the end hoping it was going to improve
April 28, 2023
Great read. Love your books.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews