Shipyard Girls Under the Mistletoe

Shipyard Girls #11

by Nancy Revell

THE ELEVENTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIESSunderland, 1944As the promise of victory draws closer, this Christmas will surely be one to remember.It should be a magical time for Dorothy, who has just been proposed to by her sweetheart Toby. But with each day that passes, Dorothy's feelings for someone else are growing stronger. Now she has an impossible choice to make.Gloria is thrilled that her sweetheart Jack is finally home after more than two years away. But his past is continuing to catch up with them both - creating untold heartache for Gloria and everyone she holds dear.Meanwhile Helen must contend with the fall-out of a shocking family secret that has repercussions for all the Shipyard Girls, while holding out hope for her own happy ending...Can a little festive magic help them win the day?___________________________________________Praise for Nancy 'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'Emotional and gripping' Take a Break

Genres: Christmas

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2021

About the author

Nancy Revell is the pseudonym of Amanda Revell Walton a writer and journalist that has worked for all the national newspapers, providing them with hard-hitting news stories and in-depth features. She has also worked for just about every woman's magazine in the country, writing amazing and inspirational true life stories. Nancy has recently relocated back to her home town of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, with her husband, Paul, and their English Bull Mastiff, Rosie. They live just a short walk away from the beautiful award-winning beaches of Roker and Seaburn, within a mile of where The Shipyard Girls series is set. The subject is close to Nancy's heart as she comes from a long line of shipbuilders, who were well-known in the area.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had only read one other book from this series previously. I did recognize most of the characters, and I felt that the story was so well written that I picked up the background that I didn't know. The characters are all easy to love, or hate in one particular case. Hope to read more if these lovely stories.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always engrossed in every one of Nancy's books, it's like stepping back in time and coming home to Sunderland once again and joining all the character's in the hard work as women welder's at J.L.Thompson's & Son Shipbuilders. Another remarkable story that readers are going to love.
This is book eleven in June 1944, Dorothy, Gloria, Rosie, Polly, Angie and Martha, Dorothy Williams is tied between two men Bobby Armstrong and her shared a surprised kiss that has set emotions running around her head, she is marrying Toby isn't she? all the girls are teasing her she has got herself in a right pickle, with the war seeing no chance of ending yet it's work as usual in the Manor Quays working on the launch of the magnificent Empire Dynasty on her maiden voyage.
Helen and Gloria share with us their heartache and secrets along the way.
Oh how much I enjoyed every bit of this book as it takes us through to Christmas day 1944 a perfect ending to this remarkable story with plenty of stolen kisses under the Mistletoe, once again the authors work has left me a happy contented Booklover, her fans will be too. 5***** and more.
And I cannot wait to read the next book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Publishers for the Arc copy

[Carol Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Revell touches right to the Heart ♥️ of the human psyche! This genre belongs almost solely to her penmanship.
Though this wasn’t my favourite of The Shipyard Girls series. Well .. they can’t all be favourites.. right? I felt it was really a 3.5 for me but I gave it 4, mainly because I Loved Henriettas powerful character so much.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wartime series that I am late to the game with!

I immediately felt attached to the characters and am looking forward to starting the series from the beginning so I can get to know the ‘girls’ more.

The is such a heartwarming read, which demonstrates not only the importance of friendship and community spirit between the characters.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to believe that this is the 11th book in the Shipyard Girls series by Nancy Revell as it feels like only yesterday I first became acquainted with the group of women welders who work in a boatyard in Sunderland. But in fact it was five years ago back in 2016 that this series first began and it has gone from strength to strength since then. Shipyard Girls Under the Mistletoe was another brilliant read but I would say if you are new to this series it would perhaps be best to start at the beginning so you get a real sense for the series as a whole. Yes, there is plenty of backstory that if you did really wish to read it as a standalone you could do so at a push. But in my opinion to appreciate the genius of all the little sub plots, clues and details that have been drip-fed to the reader over many books and are now coming to fruition then go back to the very beginning.

As it’s June 1944 when this book begins we are heading towards the later end of the war and I got a sense whilst reading that things are starting to wind down and the conclusion of the series is not too far away. But I didn’t dwell on this for too long as there was lots here that as per usual kept me rapidly turning the pages to discover how things are going for all the characters that I have become deeply invested in. As I have come to realise with these books some characters feature very prominently in a book and then in the next they take more of a back seat. Rosie, the head welder, didn’t feature much here instead the focus was on Dorothy and her journey to discover who she really wants to be with and also Helen who is edging ever closer to certain secrets being exposed and if they do become well known that perhaps would be good for some but not for others.

The book got off to quite a slow start, it almost seemed like the calm before the storm but then the pace picked up and I found the book to become really event driven pushing the overall narrative on in a big way. Lots of things happened which revealed the real personalities behind certain characters and what they had been hiding and plotting for so long. I refer here to Charles Havelock who has to be one of the most spiteful and evil characters that I have read about in a long time. He is the grandfather of Helen but he is at the root of so much upset and turmoil for so many of the women that feature.

Charles rules with an iron fist and despite being well into his advancing years he shows no signs of any of his hatred and malic letting up. He is such a liar and a manipulator and hell bent on revenge and sets about achieving this at any cost. These qualities he possess really ratchet up several notches this time around and I find him to be so abhorrent and I fear if he gets his way what will happen to the girls and their family members whom they love so dearly? The plans he sets in motion are really meant to bring about the downfall of everyone and there seems to be no way for a happy ending if he has his way. He uses and abuses people especially his daughter Miriam. She is a character who I haven’t an ounce of sympathy for because she has treated both Helen and her ex-husband Jack so despicably. It’s like if Miriam can’t be happy than no one else can be either.

I never thought I would say this but for me the standout character has to be Helen. She started off as cold and aloof and not someone whom Rosie, Gloria, Angie, Dorothy, Polly, Martha or Hannah would want to be friends with but my god Helen is the one who has gone through such a transformation and done a complete 360 that in fact she in my mind has become the stalwart and centre of everything. Initially, you would think that Helen is caught between a rock and a hard place. Loyalty to her family, after all they are family, or being loyal to the group of women who over time have become her friends especially Gloria whom she can really confined in. But I’m glad Helen has seen the light and she has become exposed to certain secrets and she has shown such great courage, strength and determination.

It sounds very cliché to say that she wants to see good triumph over evil but she really does. She knows the whole story involving her grandfather has such implications for those she cares deeply for and as the extent of what he is prepared to do becomes clear it makes her all the more determined to see many wrongs put right. I really loved the way Henrietta’s story, Helen’s grandmother, took precedence over other subplots that had been developed. My heart was in my mouth at one stage and I was desperately hoping for something not to occur that would be irreversible. This gave Helen the opportunity to show the reader what she was really made of. That she is able to play the game just as well as anybody and even if it means putting her own feelings regarding a certain someone aside she will do that. Regarding that and her love life, I’m still left wondering will she ever get the happy ending she truly deserves? She gave up her own contentment so others would be safe and this deserves nothing but admiration but should she always be made to suffer? Will she pluck up the courage to express how she really feels even though someone has her over a barrel and is hell bent on seeing Helen suffer and be sad?

Helen’s strand of the story ties in with so much else going on and Nancy Revell has been really clever about connecting everything together. I think it’s all building up to what will be a magnificent conclusion but I am not quite ready for that to happen yet. The other girl to feature prominently in this story was Dorothy. I find her to be so frustrating in that she seems to lead men around. She became engaged to Toby but you knew this wasn’t what she wanted and I felt she was just messing him around. Yes, she had wanted an engagement for months but when it came she wasn’t happy. Bobby, Gloria’s son, has returned injured from the war and she is really drawn to him. I wanted her to make up her mind who she wanted instead of leading poor Toby up the garden path. But Dorothy’s insecurities are highlighted and when she explains how she feels a bit more my opinion of her changed and I could see why she acted the way she did but still I just wanted to her to do the right thing.

Given the title and cover of the book Christmas does feature, although this is not an overly Christmassy book by any means. It didn’t need to be given the ongoing storylines are so strong and riveting. But Dorothy does show her good side in organising a Christmas extravaganza for the soldiers and the Christmas element of the story really does come into play towards the end and the ending is lovely. Although, there is still lots left to be sorted which only makes me even more eager to read the next instalment Three Cheers for the Shipyard Girls which is due to be published in March 2022. But in the meantime do yourself a favour and read this excellent story or if you haven’t discovered the Shipyard Girls until now, enjoy going back to the very beginning and being able to read one book after another.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Nancy’s work for a while now. In fact I have been a fan of hers since I had the very good fortune to pick up a copy of the first book in ‘The Shipyard Girls’ series back in 2016. Since then, the series has grown to eleven books. The eleventh and latest book in the series is called ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ and it was released on 28th October 2021. It is another corker of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ but more about that in a bit.
It seems kind of unfair to single out any individual for special attention as most of the characters in this book are superb. Saying that though, I have to say that Helen Crawford is the character who has undergone the most radical changes. If you had told me back at the start of the series that I would end up liking her immensely by book 11 then I would have thought that you had gone mad. I won’t go too far into what happens as that would give too much away but needless to say it is like she has had a personality transplant! I wish the same could be said for her mother Miriam Crawford and her maternal grandfather Charles Havelock. Miriam is rather fond of the drink and playing with people’s lives and happiness not that she cares. She is devious, manipulative and a total snob, who makes me want to slap her with a wet flip flop. I have to say that Charles Havelock has to be one of the most unlikeable characters I have ever come across. He really does make my skin crawl and some of his shenanigans are beyond disgusting. I can honestly say that any mention of him was enough to set my blood pressure soaring and I became so wound up by some of his actions that I was kept awake at night. I am keeping everything crossed that the next book will see Charles Havelock and Miriam Crawford get their comeuppance and they both take a very long walk off Roker Pier.
The moment I glimpsed a picture of the front cover of this book and saw both ‘Shipyard Girls’ and ‘Nancy Revell’ on the same page, that was it for me. I just knew that I had to read the book as soon as possible. When I managed to get my hands on a copy, I squirreled myself away until I read the last word on the last page. To say that reading ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ became addictive is a bit like saying I like cake- in other words a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the various characters that I would still be sat there reading over half a dozen chapters later. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of this story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ and I had to say a temporary farewell to the characters. I found ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ to be a gripping, tense, dramatic and emotional read.
‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ is superbly written as are the other books in the series. In fact each new book in the series raises the bar that bit further and each new book is better than the previous one. Nancy has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of her books is more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. Nancy has clearly done a heck of a lot of research into the Second World War and how the people of Sunderland were affected by it. I love the fact that the series is set in Sunderland (which was then and always will be in County Durham) as it is a place that is close to my heart and which is very prevalent in my own family history. My Sunderland relatives are no longer with us so reading books such as this are the nearest I am going to get to being able to find out what life was like for them during the Second World War. Nancy clearly cares about her characters and what happens to them and this shines through in the story. She describes them so vividly and realistically that they seem just as real as you and I. The one thing I did find a bit spooky is the fact that two of the main characters share the first names of my parents so I kept thinking about them whilst reading the book. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Nancy’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. For me, this book had everything – drama, intrigue, love, romance, shocks and surprises galore. I think that this series is just asking to be adapted for television and would make a fantastic television programme.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Shipyard Girls Under The Mistletoe’ and I would definitely recommend this author, this book and this series to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Nancy’s work in the future. The only sad thing is that the next book in the series called ‘Three Cheers For The Shipyard Girls’ is due for release on 31st March 2022 and it is set to be the last one in the series. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy has done it yet again. Another book I could not put down.

[Amanda Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying thus series, can't believe I've only hot 1 more book to go! Has Helen really missed her chance with John? and will Mr Havelock get his cumupance in the next book, horrible man!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The fabulous Nancy Revell is at her addictive best with Shipyard Girls Under the Mistletoe, the latest installment in her heartfelt and enjoyable wartime series set in Sunderland.

It’s 1944 and the Second World War has been raging on for five years. Everyone has suffered pain, anguish and hardship, but at long last it seems that victory is within reach and this horrible war is about to come to a close. With Christmas just around the corner, for the first time in a very long while there is hope and magic in the year, however, the Shipyard Girls soon realise that just because the war might be about to end doesn’t mean that there will be no more problems or challenges in their future.

Dorothy has just been proposed to by her sweetheart, Toby. At long last, it looks like she is about to get her happy ending. Yet, with each day that passes Dorothy is troubled by the fact that she is finding herself drawn – to somebody who isn’t her fiancé! Dorothy knows that she should forget about her infatuation and start planning her wedding to Toby, but can she go through with the ceremony when she has fallen in love with somebody else?

After almost two years apart, Gloria is overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved Jack. The two of them can finally be a family again, but devastating secrets from the past threaten to jeopardise not just their future, but also that of their nearest and dearest. Will a heartbroken Gloria ever find the happiness she so desperately craves? Or will everything she has always wanted be snatched away from her all over again?

Meanwhile, Helen finds herself dealing with the fall-out of a shocking family secret that could have serious consequences for the Shipyard Girls whilst also derailing any hope she might have had of her own happy ending.

When all seems lost and desperate, the Shipyard Girls find themselves rallying together and hoping that a sprinkling of festive magic will provide them with everything they’ve always wanted this Christmas.

It is always a joy to be reunited with the Shipyard Girls and in the eleventh title in this engrossing and entertaining series, Nancy Revell pulls out all the stops and has written an emotional and evocative saga that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages late into the night. As always with a Nancy Revell saga, her characters are nuanced and brilliantly realised, the drama is intense and believable and the humour and pathos tug at the heartstrings and make readers laugh out loud.

A stellar wartime saga from an outstanding storyteller, Shipyard Girls Under the Mistletoe is sure to delight Nancy Revell’s legion of fans and have them anticipating the next gripping installment.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can think of nothing better as we head into winter than settling down with the latest book in the Shipyard Girls series. The Shipyard Girls under the Mistletoe is now the eleventh book in the series and as each story gets more complicated so the fascinating lives of this intrepid group of women just gets more, and more, interesting. Even at Christmas time their lives are not without drama!

The story takes us back into the heart of this hard working community as they go about their daily lives and with trouble never far away from them we get back into the trials and tribulations which affect them deeply. As we discover, each of the Shipyard Girls have something going on in their lives but none more so than Dorothy, Gloria and Helen who are each facing personal heartache and it is the strength of friendship between these wonderful characters which gives the story its lively wit and warm understanding.

There is no doubt that this series of books about the female ship working community in Sunderland has been a triumph. Beautifully written, and well researched, with wonderful characters who are now so familiar that it is an absolute joy to meet up with them in each successive story. Of course, as always, there are those characters you love to hate, and in this story, there are a couple of truly despicable characters who really will stop at nothing to get what they want. I only hope that they will get their comeuppance eventually.

There's a lovely festive glow to this story which makes it just perfect to read in the run up to Christmas and whilst it can be read as a stand alone I do think that this is one of those series which must be read from the beginning.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW What a book, Nancy Revell has had me gripped with this series about the women that went to work in the shipyards during the second world war. Dorothy is still so shocked after Bobby kissed her that she is torn between Toby and Bobby and no idea what to do. Gloria and Jack know they face problems from Miriam when she returns from Scotland but are determined to fight back for Hope's sake. Helen is so taken with her Grandmother and visits her often she loves spending time with her and listening to her. This series has got better with each book and this one is BRILLIANT, you get drawn in and feel for each of the girls and what they go through each day you even feel as if you are joining them when they go for a drink.. I have loved this book it is a Beauty and well done to Nancy Revell on another FANTASTIC book that is worth more than 5*

[Jo Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Gripping Read

Total page turner keeping me up until the early hours reading. As with all the other books in the series I’ve laughed & cried.

Helen has grown from being a nasty character at the start of the series & grown into the most loyal trustworthy friend protecting others at her own expense. Don’t let her accept Mathew as a replacement for Dr Parker, & it’s time Dr Parker learnt of how Dr Eric’s blackmailed Helen into avoiding him. Please let Helen get her man, Dr Parker, in the next book.

Charles & Miriam Havelock both need to be brought to justice for all their ill treatment of the shipyard girls & their families.

Don’t leave it too long before the next book is available……

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this series reaches Christmas 1944, anyone who knows about the Second World War will realise that the end is in sight. And so it seems it must be for the wonderful Shipyard Girls who I have been with since the beginning, who I have shared ups and downs with, tears and laughter with and that whenever I pick up the latest novel I am picking up with lost friends.

Dorothy shares a special kiss with someone who hasn’t proposed to her. She is in complete turmoil, as she doesn’t know what she should do for the best. Her friends all tease her, but dep down they all love Dorothy and want the best for her and just maybe the person on the other end of that kiss is the right one after all!

Helen Crawford, manager of the shipyard where the women work is still battling with her mother, who has appeared back on the scene and with the behaviour of her grandfather, Charles Havelock. A man everyone despises, but seems to always come up smelling of roses. Testament to how well a character is portrayed, Charles Havelock makes you want to throw your book across the room. The secrets that are being revealed over the course of previous books as well as this one are shocking and the current behaviour sees Helen question her own family closely and whether she will find her happy ever after.

Of course we still get to see all the other wonderful characters, Polly, Gloria, Rosie and Hannah to name a few and of course little stories are weaved amongst the main plots, so we know that there is more loose ends to tie up. So excellently written and so heartfelt in making sure that whilst good always overcomes evil, eventually! The spirit of the war, the strength of communities in adversity leaps from the page and it is full of plucky women at the centre. What more could you want from a saga?

As the Shipyard Girls, the Second World War and us readers reach the conclusion of this wonderful saga, I cannot wait for the final book in the series.

[Geri Pigerham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Nancy has pulled a blinder. I was practically falling over the words to find out Henriettas fate. I would give this whole series 10 stars if I could. My only sadness is that the next book will be the last in this series, although I know that’s inevitable as the end of the war looms. I just hope it ties up all the loose ends for a satisfying finale. But I do know this will be the case. I love her descriptive writing that pulls one in I always feel that I am inside the pages of Nancy’s books. I do hope there is another saga in the offing.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

An alright addition to the series.
I found myself missing Bel & Pearl.

As for Helen & John, they're tragically comedic at this point. So completely hopeless.

Helen had the blackmail material Claire was using against her & then she gives it right back to Claire, because Helen is a 'woman of her word'. Sigh. She tapped into her Havelock ruthlessness for good, to help her grandma. If only she'd tap into it to help her love life!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story of the lives of the Shipyard Girls Nancy Revell is amazing as like the other 10 books you are pulled into the book as though you are part of their lives
They have all been a book that you never want to stop reading
I’m excited to finish book 11 but also very sad to be starting to read the last ever book in the series
An absolute read for everyone you will never stop reading so be prepared to sit up late and start they next book straight away

[Alison Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story of the shipyard workers by Nancy Revell. Once again she has excelled herself. Lovely to see the mighty fall it was so deserved. Poor Helen looks like she finally lost her man I really hope that the final book in the series will see her HEA. Cannot wait for the last book but also sad that the series is coming to and end. I have really enjoyed reading about the brave women and men of the Second World War.

[noreen stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not stop reading, love this series!!!

The Shipyard girls series is so enjoyable and addictive! I have read the entire series and can't wait for the next one to read! The characters are so well described you actually feel you know them. Please read! You won't be disappointed!!!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipyard girls

Great read Have read all shipyard girls and was hooked , couldn't wait for the next release as followed the journey of all the girls and never disappointed with any story line

[Pat Fairbairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the wait

I was waiting for this book and as I expected I was hooked from.page one, brilliant catching up with all the girls. I couldn't put it down I read it in 2 days . Now waiting for the next book in March, thank you Nancy for another fantastic book

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can one say another brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Nancy Revell . The Shipyard Girls books never fail to disappoint me. Shipyard Girls under the Mistletoe was a book that like all the others I just could not put it down. I am now looking forward to the next one and am disappointed it is the last one in this saga.

[Karen Kepner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas to remember

The shipyard women welders continue working and living their lives. Mr. Havelock turns out to be more evil than we thought. Helen’s grandmother is a big part of this story. Love the twists and turns and intertwining of lives in these stories.

[Cris Hope]

Nancy Revell never disappoints

As with all of the other shipyard girls books this one was 'unputdownable ' The characters feel so real and it is if I know every one of them. I'm truly in the Christmas spirit now thank you to Nancy revell.

[Kathleen Motteler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love This Series

I hope there is at least one more book coming in this series. I think there are still story lines to complete. I feel as though I know these characters and their struggles personally.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy

Oh what a fantastic book each one gets better than the last this one was awesome the girls do there best for Christmas. And Helen has to help her grandmother. This is definitely worth 5 stars

[Betty Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipyard Girls

Absolutely Brilliant book from beginning to end you just get so lost in the story that you can imagine yourself being part of the group of women welders would highly recommend reading this and the other books in the series.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the penultimate book in the series about the Shipyard Girls during WW2. What I did like about this book was the friendships between the women of different ages and backgrounds all brought together to bring the war to an end by their work at the yard. Now onto the final book.

[Tricia Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls have a Christmas pageant to prepare for the wounded soldiers. Gloria and Jack get great news. Henrietta undergoes a sinister health crisis. Angie and Quentin come to a crossroads. Helen and Claire come to a truce. Another great instalment in the series.

[Sharron Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad that the next book I will be leaving these lovely ladies lives 😢😔 but in the next breathe I can't wait to hear all about their hopefully happy endings and some getting their comeuppance
Thank you for the escapism 😉

[Linda Peberdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read just couldn’t put it down