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The Halfpenny Girls #2

The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas

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Will their prayers be answered at the most wonderful time of the year?

As Christmas approaches, Alice, Edith and Marg continue to face hardships growing up on one of the poorest streets in Blackpool. Penniless, their friendship has helped them survive this far, but it'll take more than that to see them through the dark days that lie ahead...

Newly married Alice receives shocking news about her pregnancy that threatens the future she's always dreamed of, Marg is struggling to care for her ailing mother and ensure her little sister receives the education she deserves, and Edith is grieving the loss of her family while preparing to marry her sweetheart.

The Halfpenny Girls once again are faced with a struggle, but with the festive season upon them will family, friendship and Christmas spirit see them through?

The second in a brand new series from reader favourite Maggie Mason, The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas is the perfect heart-warming family saga about overcoming hardship and the value of friendship. Perfect for fans of Val Wood, Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2021

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Maggie Mason

17 books51 followers

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5 stars
200 (74%)
4 stars
46 (17%)
3 stars
18 (6%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra.
566 reviews24 followers
November 6, 2021
I was Eager to Continue to read the story of Edith,Alice and Marg along with their families and friends. This book is so Emotional so tissues are needed but it has a story that pulls you into the pages and you are alongside the girls in their daily life. Alice married and expecting is enjoying life with Gerald and the boys and is continually on the go. Can Edith win Philip's mother round it may take time but she is not going to let her ride roughshod over them. Marg along with Jackie is still looking after their mom and gran and although they have nothing they have each other.What will happen now the country is at war and when the girls learn that their menfolk will have to leave them they are devastated but will support them.I have loved reading about the girls and i am so looking forward to the next book.5* BRILLIANT BOOK.
762 reviews16 followers
November 15, 2021
The three young women at the centre of this book have already been introduced in a previous novel, but such is the skill of the author in this case that it works as an excellent standalone read of friendship and loyalty. Alice, Edith and Marg have faced stiff challenges as they have grown up on a back street of Blackpool, but their strong friendship and loyalty have kept each young woman going throughout each trauma. Beginning in December 1938, this is a time of struggle for many families, as people have fought to come through a “Great War” and a depression which has made the lot of the poor even worse. Even though their friendship has always been strong despite their very real poverty in the past, this novel tells of trials that mean each of the three young women are torn by their own circumstances into new paths through life, especially as the shadow of a second war comes closer, and everyone knows that sacrifices will be needed. This is a skillfully written novel which certainly draws the reader in and maintains their interest throughout, and I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.

The three girls are together walking towards the prom in Blackpool in the cold winter weather. Alice, now married and pregnant with her first child, wears a warm coat, one of several she has to choose from in her secure home away from the street where the three young women grew up. Edith has had to move from her childhood home after a terrible incident which left her alone, but she is financially assisted by her caring fiance to help support her as she has moved into the house next to her friend Marg. Edith’s warm coat is in sharp contrast to the threadbare clothing worn by Marg, whose efforts to maintain her mother, grandmother and younger sister Jackie in their home have left her virtually penniless on this special outing. Happily Alice has more than enough money to pay for fish and chips for all three friends, and a warm drink has soon worked its magic as the girls enjoy themselves together in the community and place where they are so well known. Edith is also helping out at a sale which means that she and Alice can manage to arrange for Marg to buy warm coats for both herself and her sister Jackie from her tiny funds. Marg has continued to work part time in the local biscuit factory to pay a local woman to come in and care for her mother as a carer and help with Gran, who is losing her memories even of tragic losses. Her younger sister Jackie is a bright girl who is working with a local accountants’ firm in the office. There will be surprises for the family as Eric, who has played a part in their family for decades, is still around, and Clive, a wealthy young widower, is interested in the brave and responsible Marg. Edith has ambitions to achieve a career that will echo that of her beloved Philip’s, but feels that she must also meet the challenge of his family and a new way of speaking. Alice still has responsibilities for her brothers, and must draw on all her strength in the months to come.

This book is so eloquent in describing how the young women’s friendship continues and develops as they are joined by partners. The novel does feature Christmas celebrations that do not always go to plan, for better and worse, and it is a book of love, loyalty and much more as families draw together to face the future. I recommend it as an immersive read.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,690 reviews43 followers
November 3, 2021
4.5 Stars

First class storyteller Maggie Mason combines grit, warmth, emotion and intensity in her latest captivating saga, The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas.

Christmas is fast approaching, but for the Halfpenny girls, there are very few reasons to celebrate. Alice, Edith and Marg’s lives on the poorest streets of Blackpool are full of sorrow, hardsh ip and difficulties. Life is a constant struggle for these three strong girls and despite of all the challenges that are regularly thrown their way, they find strength and support in their friendship that has seen them through many a difficult time. The days ahead will be testing for all three of them and they will need each other more than ever as the odds continue to be stacked against them.

Newly married Alice should be on top of the world. Married and pregnant, it seems that everything is falling into place for Alice – until she receives shocking news about her pregnancy that pulls the rug out from under her feet and leaves her desperately worried about what the future might hold for her and her baby. Marg is also up against it as she struggles with caring for her ailing mother and trying her utmost to ensure that her little sister receives the education she so richly deserves. Edith is about to marry her sweetheart yet her happiness is marred by the devastating grief that overwhelms her every time she thinks about the family she lost so tragically.

Each one of the girls has her own problems to contend with, but will a Christmas miracle give Alice, Marg and Edith everything they’ve always wanted? Can happiness ever be within their reach? Or are their lives destined to be always shaped by struggle and sacrifice?

Maggie Mason is a storyteller of substance who writes about strong and inspirational women who time and again rise above the obstacles standing in their way in order to become the mistresses of their own destiny. The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas is an absorbing saga that celebrates female friendship, women’s courage, bravery and resilience and the power of love in all its forms. Maggie Mason always writes with so much heart and empathy and creates characters that leap off the pages and live on in the reader’s imagination long after the last page is turned.

Dramatic, emotional and hard to put down, saga fans will adore Maggie Mason’s latest saga, The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nicola Smith.
1,179 reviews43 followers
October 29, 2021
It's not long since I read the first book in this trilogy, The Halfpenny Girls, so the characters of Marg, Edith and Alice were still fresh in my mind. Had that not been the case I would still have been able to pick up The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas and enjoy it as Maggie Mason always makes sure the reader knows what happened before.

Once again, I was whisked to Blackpool of the late 1930s to smell the sea air and the fish and chips that the girls eat copiously. I love this setting, the seaside being so alive with characters and life. As the book begins Alice is newly married and looking forward to her first baby with her doctor husband, Gerald. Edith is happy with Philip and is eager to start their life together. Marg's life is more unsettled with her poorly ma and gran with dementia. But they are the Halfpenny Girls and no matter what, they have each other and that gets them through.

Reading a Maggie Mason book is like having a warm hug. Even though she puts her characters through it there's always such friendship and love that it makes you feel you could cope with anything with the right people around you. Being set when it is, war is on the horizon and the girls will have a lot to cope with in the years ahead (and book three, The Halfpenny Girls at War, will cover that). I love reading about them and really hope for the best for them. I particularly enjoyed the progression of Alice and Edith in this book and it was interesting to see these strong women starting to take on new roles, particularly as they will be required to do that even more when their men go to war. I was also pleased to see Marg get a rare chance of happiness.

This book covers two Christmases and so is a lovely read for this time of year. I enjoyed being back in Blackpool again with these lovely folk.
Profile Image for Neats.
329 reviews
October 31, 2021
I couldn't wait to rejoin Alice, Marg and Edith to find out how their stories would progress. Best friends since they were little and affectionately known as The Halfpenny Girls, these three girls, now young women, they have been there for each other through good times and bad.

Life is still full of ups and down for the trio, Alice is expecting her first child with husband Gerald and Edith is making plans for her wedding to Philip but life is still a struggle for Marg despite her good friends looking out for her. With Christmas fast approaching and the potential prospect of another war on the horizon will the girls and their families be able to pull together and stay strong?

I love reading at any time of the year, but now with the night's drawing in, I can't wait until the time comes to pull the curtains and shut out the real world to curl up and lose myself in another world and what better place to escape to than Blackpool with old friends?

The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas is another enthralling novel which centres on family and friendship with characters that are so captivating I almost wish I could be a Halfpenny Girl! I really enjoyed seeing how the girls are maturing and dealing with whatever life throws at them. Every character is written so vividly it's easy to feel compassion for them and also making them difficult to forget.

Maggie Mason is an exceptional wordsmith who has truly mastered her craft of story telling. Each book is an absolute delight to read and would make a wonderful addition to any saga loving bookworm's library.
Profile Image for Grace J .
2,137 reviews107 followers
October 27, 2021
Another fabulous read in this terrific wartime series!

Alice, Edith and Marg have been friends since they were small children; living in one of the poorest streets in Blackpool they have come through some hard times – which are not over yet. Alice is married and looking forward to the birth of her first baby, Edith is still mourning her family but looking forward to a future with her fiance while Marg has the hardest life of them all. Looking after her sick mother and her aging gran while also keeping an eye on her younger sister on a very small – and tight – budget, she needs her friends more than ever. With another war on the horizon, they don’t have to look far for their troubles but their friendship has seen them through most things – can it do so again?

It didn’t take me long to recall the events of the first book when I began reading this one; Maggie Mason has created some very memorable characters with this series and this latest story is even more delectable than the first. The author has the knack of making each person both real and interesting; the problems they face along the way are no less than those faced by many others at this time in history but it’s the personal details which makes the reader care about each and every one of them. I loved everything about this one and couldn’t find fault even if I tried. A dazzling read, easily worth all five glowing stars. Highly recommended!
16 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2021
This is the second book in the Halfpenny Girl Series, and starts December 1938 Alice is married to Gerald her Doctor husband and expecting their first baby, Edith, after a tragic accident that left her alone, is now planning her future with Phillip. Marg is struggling at home caring for her very sick Mother, her Grandmother, who has dementia, and her younger sister Jackie, who is bright and is determined will get a good education. There is a lot news about all,the unrest in Europe, and as the year progresses there is a lot of talk of War. They face many worries and difficulties but the Halfpenny Girls deal with each problem together. The thought of another War frightens them all as they know there is going to be a lot of changes to their lives. This is a brilliant second novel in this series and there is so much happening to them all, but I do not want to give anything away and spoil it for you. I cannot wait for the spring when the third novel in this series comes out. I have read all her books and just love every one. As soon as I know there is one coming out I pre order it. Maggie Mason is a wonderful Author, who will have you unable to put her novels down. Highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,796 reviews55 followers
October 31, 2021
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
December 1938 Blackpool as we once again join the Halfpenny Girls.
Marg struggling with her Ma and dear Gran and sister Jackie,
Edith engaged to teacher Philip looking forward to their marriage,
and Alice happy married to doctor Gerald and a baby on the way.
These girls have been forever friends since they were little and nick named by Edith's Dad and poor is the riches of friendship things are changing.
I so love reading Christmas books and watching these girls mature with their ups and downs in life, and now the whispers of war, lets see how the story unfolds.
The moment I picked up this book I was in another world, another time ,sharing all the characters, this author is unique in her writing taking us on a journey through a time we never lived in but feel we are right there with them.
So many moving scenes with a Christmas feeling that the author dishes out to her readers.
A perfect feel-good read on every single page right to the end.
this book has left a contented Booklover Happy.
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 5 books226 followers
November 2, 2021
Fabulous to discover what happens next in the lives of the Halfpenny Girls. No problem if you haven't read the first book as there is enough of the backstory given to be able to read as a standalone.
As always, Maggie Mason takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as tragedy hits the girls. their friendship and resilience will see them through but only after a lot of heart-searching. another great series from a much-loved author. Would make a lovely Christmas pressie for someone dear.
Profile Image for Sandi Coombs.
9 reviews
November 22, 2021
Lovely read

What a fantastic 2nd book of the Halfpenny girls. I love turning every page and went on an emotional roller coaster as the girls faced their journeys forward , but the friendship they shared since childhood surpassed every difficulty they faced. Can’t wait to read book 3 and walk in their footsteps as we journey through the chapters. A must read series and worthy of the 5 stars
518 reviews10 followers
December 11, 2021
Loved this story of the three girls whose friendship is strong no matter what happens.
So much is happening with each one of them on the lead up to Christmas and then they have the impending doom of war which is about to begin with their men being called up.
This is the second book in the halfpenny girls series and well worth a read.
19 reviews
March 8, 2023
Spellbinding

My first encounter of The Halfpenny Girls was from my local library. I read the first one, but I could only get the 3rd and not the 2nd, so I ordered the 2nd on my Kindle. I am totally hooked and can't wait to read how The Halfpenny Girls cope with their men going to war.
Profile Image for Kiera Newton.
24 reviews
January 21, 2024
Good it parts but dragged out a little

The book was good in parts but I much preferred the first one of the series.
Also I might be nit picking but the spelling mistakes and the typos let the book down.
I also always thought Santa was an American term and not entirely sure 1940s Blackpool kids would say this but I could be wrong!
2 reviews
March 28, 2025
The second book

Loved this book as much as the first-one it was great to continue the girls story but it could have stood alone; couldn't put it down had to stop reading and ration the chapters each evening. Thrilling reading..Thank you.
39 reviews
November 1, 2021
absolutely loved this book another amazing book by maggie mason couldnt stop reading a definate 5 stars
Profile Image for Julie Cox.
24 reviews
December 27, 2021
Absolutely amazing read. So love the Halfpenny Girls Well done Maggie your amazing 💖
6 reviews
December 29, 2021
An excellent book 2nd one in series both books are fantastic stories can’t wait for the next one
The story line kept me entertained from start to finish xx
3 reviews
August 14, 2022
Happening girls

Lovely light hearted read. Taking you into the lives of 3 families and their loving friendship has war is about to statt
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,126 reviews
November 19, 2021
This is book #2 in the Halfpenny Girls series. Whilst part of a series it can be read as a standalone book. The book takes us back to use before the start of the Second World War. It’s December and the Blackpool streets are cold and dismal. Alice, Edith and Marg are good friends and I loved meeting them and following their stories. The location, for me, was great as I love Blackpool. The author took me back to a time that I never knew and I saw a different side to the area!

The book took me through a range of emotions as I read. The three women live in a poor area and there’s never enough money to go around. Their friendships get them through some dark and difficult times though, and this provides a shining light throughout the book. All of them have their own problems which they are dealing with and yet they’re always there for each other. I loved all three women, but did have a soft spot for Marg and followed her story more. The camaraderie, friendship and community spirit which comes through the pages was so delightful and it was so easy to get caught up in the drama, happiness and sadness that was described.

This was such a heart warming read. The author captured the emotions of this time perfectly and the description of Blackpool was so real. I could see, hear, smell and taste everything as I read!! This was a book which put a smile on my face and tears in my eyes in equal measures. I shall look forward to the next book in the series. Would recommend.
Profile Image for Debra Coleman.
18 reviews
June 26, 2023
Another great read about three young girls who are down on their luck, can’t wait to read the last book in this series to see what happens to them all.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews