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The Railway Girls #6
A Christmas Miracle for the Railway Girls
'Heartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson' Eastern Daily Press
__________________
The sixth heartwarming, feel-good instalment in the much-loved Railway Girls series!
Manchester, 1942. There are surprises in store for the railway girls this festive season...
When Cordelia's daughter Emily falls for a young chap who doesn't meet the approval of her father, Cordelia is reminded of her own first love - a love that she has never forgotten.
Mabel is determined to get to the bottom of a spate of local burglaries. Her heart is in the right place as she sets out on a quest to clear her friend's name, but there will be unforeseen consequences.
It's nothing short of a miracle when Colette returns to Manchester. But it's not going to be easy for her to keep living the life she once knew, and an impossible situation lies ahead.
There will be more than one storm for the railway girls to weather but with the friendship and support of one another, there's hope that all will be well by Christmas...
Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:
'Make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy spot on the sofa because you are not going to be able to put this down'
'I simply cannot wait for the next one - I am hooked!'
'Gives a vivid picture of women's lives in wartime Manchester'
'Dramatic, intriguing and sprinkled with plenty of wit and heart'
'It's just like catching up with old friends'
__________________
The sixth heartwarming, feel-good instalment in the much-loved Railway Girls series!
Manchester, 1942. There are surprises in store for the railway girls this festive season...
When Cordelia's daughter Emily falls for a young chap who doesn't meet the approval of her father, Cordelia is reminded of her own first love - a love that she has never forgotten.
Mabel is determined to get to the bottom of a spate of local burglaries. Her heart is in the right place as she sets out on a quest to clear her friend's name, but there will be unforeseen consequences.
It's nothing short of a miracle when Colette returns to Manchester. But it's not going to be easy for her to keep living the life she once knew, and an impossible situation lies ahead.
There will be more than one storm for the railway girls to weather but with the friendship and support of one another, there's hope that all will be well by Christmas...
Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:
'Make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy spot on the sofa because you are not going to be able to put this down'
'I simply cannot wait for the next one - I am hooked!'
'Gives a vivid picture of women's lives in wartime Manchester'
'Dramatic, intriguing and sprinkled with plenty of wit and heart'
'It's just like catching up with old friends'
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2023
99 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Maisie Thomas
24 books42 followersMaisie Thomas was born and brought up in Manchester, which provides the location for her Railway Girls novels. She loves writing stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. The Railway Girls series is inspired by her great aunt, Jessie, who worked as a railway clerk during the First World War.
Maisie now lives on the beautiful North Wales coast with her railway enthusiast husband, Kevin, and their two rescue cats. They often enjoy holidays chugging up and down the UK’s heritage steam railways.
Maisie now lives on the beautiful North Wales coast with her railway enthusiast husband, Kevin, and their two rescue cats. They often enjoy holidays chugging up and down the UK’s heritage steam railways.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 23, 2022
“It’s going to be a festive season full of surprises…”
..
Grab yourself a seat by the fire, curl up with a warm snuggly blanket and a delicious mug of hot chocolate (don’t forget the marshmallows, will you? Whipped cream is an optional extra!) and prepare to immerse yourself in the next instalment of this wonderful WWII saga. You don’t need to have followed the series right from the beginning, as author Maisie Thomas skilfully weaves the relevant backstory details into a seamless narrative, without too much repetition surrounding past events and relationships for us seasoned readers, making each book perfect as a standalone story. However, with the pages seeming to simply turn themselves, I just know that you’ll wish you had made the acquaintance of Dot, Cordelia and the girls, and followed their wartime journey of friendship and camaraderie, right from its very beginning.
So, let’s catch up with the gang and see what life has in store for them as war intensifies and yet another Christmas is spent separated from friends and family…
..
For more than one of the characters, this Christmas is going to be completely different from the preceding one. Joan has left work following her marriage and the recent arrivals of both baby Max and his four-legged canine friend. She doesn’t get to spend as much time with the girls as she would like, however when the chips are down and they all need to pull together, her husband Bob is never going to deny her freedom to help out, whilst he enjoys some father son bonding time. He really does buck the trend of a 1940s husband and is quite the modern man in his attitudes towards his wife and family. And let’s face it, baby Max has more aunties looking out for him and spoiling him, than he knows what to do with!
Railway Girl Mabel, is, along with three other ladies, part of the lengthman team, often being paired up to work with Louise, whose family have something of a bad reputation and chequered past. Her older brother had been involved in the theft on a grand scale of war rations, which had been hidden along the railway in case of an invasion. He is, along with his father, also a violent man towards the women in their household, so when a battered and bruised Lou is forced to own up to Mabel the full extent of his abuse and criminality, Mabel marshals her fellow Railway Girls and they run him out of town. A once relieved and happy Lou is now hurting all over again and Mabel makes it her business to find out who is responsible this time, particularly when a dear devoted friend and adopted member of the group is implicated in a crime everyone knows she would never dream of committing and which looks set to destroy her reputation.
Cordelia, Kenneth and their daughter Emily, are the epitome of middle class living, with wartime shortages not having as much impact on their standard of living, as they are for so many others. Cordelia had to fight tooth and nail to join the women working on the railways, fulfilling the roles the men left behind when they answered the call to arms. She also had to prove herself to the ladies of the group before they could completely trust her and open up without shame or fear in front of her. For Cordelia, the experience has taught her some valuable life lessons, which she cherishes and will carry with her long after the war is over. However, for Kenneth and Emily, the experience has been altogether more traumatic and alien to them. It took a near fatal disaster for father and daughter to witness the true meaning of selfless friendship, but now, along with Cordelia, they are proud to be able to call people from all walks of life ‘friend’, without prejudice. However, Cordelia does have a secret of her own, which has plagued and tarnished her sixteen years of marriage and which she now needs to address before it is too late to set the record straight. Unbeknownst to Cordelia though, a proud Kenneth is only too aware of the emotional turmoil his wife has kept locked inside her for so long, so when she makes a decision which will change the rest of their lives, he is full of trepidation, not knowing which way their paths will take going forward.
The period leading up to Christmas brings an amazing surprise to the group, when one of their number, Colette, whom they believed had been blown up and killed in an enemy bombing raid on the rail works, suddenly turns up on the arm of her grieving husband, purportedly having wandered off and suffered a mental breakdown after the blast. This is the only time that the group has not been party to a secret mission by one of their number, partly because they would probably never have believed what had really been going on behind closed doors in Colette and Tony’s home, and also because of the personal danger Colette’s benefactor is placing herself in, with both Tony and the law. When the situation dramatically explodes out of control and still the authorities are willing to turn a blind eye to what is going on, the ladies are united in their mission to protect one of their own, no matter what the personal cost to themselves or their reputations.
..
Once again, I have to say that this series just keeps on giving more and getting better all the time, with Maisie Thomas, always managing to put a slightly different spin on the storyline, which keeps each new episode unique, fresh, vibrant and relevant to the cultural and societal mores of the times.
This is the second Christmas I will have spent with the girls, although I think the book would be fine to read at any time of the year, as the seasonal references, whilst definitely present, don’t overwhelm the narrative or dialogue, which also spans the preceding months from June and, it would be a shame to miss out on this episode for fear that Christmas is its only focus point. As the bombing raids intensify and a ravaged city faces shortages and tragedy, friendships amongst colleagues becomes an even more vital bond, on a railway network which is a sitting target for the enemy.
That Maisie has a personal passion for all things railway related, especially when that is combined with her affinity to her home city of Manchester, is evident in the well-structured, multi-layered storyline, which seamlessly blends fact with fiction, to give a wonderfully textured, rich in atmosphere, immersive work, with true visual depth and range. From the outset, she knows exactly where she is heading with each new storyline, so that it fits in beautifully both with its preceding episode and with the next instalment which is probably already on the drawing board.
For those readers who relish the ‘armchair traveller’ status which comes along with a good premise and interesting characters, this storyline might not seem quite enough to satisfy at first glance, as its physical footprint is not vast. However, Maisie always makes the most of an opportunity to use enough wonderfully descriptive narrative and dialogue, to make me feel as though I am walking the streets with the characters, working alongside them in the amazing Victoria Station, or visiting them in their homes as they make the most of getting by on wartime rations, seeing what they are seeing and feeling what is happening to them.
Whilst occasionally new characters make a guest appearance in a book, the original core group of Railway Girls, are a constant presence in and around the concourse and station buffet of Manchester’s Victoria Station. Maisie seeks to feature two or three of them in their own mini storyline with each new episode, although always with the support and backup of their friends, when it is needed. This book concentrated mostly on Cordelia and Colette’s stories, although because of the complexities of their individual challenges, and with other members of the group having to cope with their own mini crises at the same time, just about all of the ladies and their extended network of friends, ended up by pitching in at one time or another, making this a Christmas they would remember for all the right reasons.
This series highlights the slowly creeping change in attitudes brought about by the necessities of war and in each new adventure, Maisie manages to sympathetically focus the spotlight on one or two of the societal mores and norms of the times, although subtly and not in so much detail as to distract from the main premise, but nonetheless helping to make the individual storylines and the series as a whole, detailed pieces of social commentary. On this occasion, domestic violence and coercive control feature quite strongly, in their many different, yet equally troubling guises. From the overt violence inflicted on Louise and her mother, by husbands and brothers who see it as their right to keep their women subservient and obedient with their fists; to the much more subtle manipulation techniques which we now label as gaslighting, which Colette is subject to at the hands of her seemingly doting husband, where unseen and often unnoticed mental abuse and control is in fact, the overriding factor in their relationship. One form of cruelty can be as damaging and dangerous as the other and equally difficult for the victim to remove themselves from a situation, at a time when the men of a household have all the rights and the law on their side, and the victim is often portrayed as the wrongdoer for not being a good and obedient enough partner.
Maisie has developed a compelling cast of characters, who have been afforded the strongest of voices with which to tell their story. Given the circumstances of the troubling times they share, it is inevitable that some relationships will change and evolve over time, either as a consequence of the ravages of the war itself, or through changes in personal circumstances. Either way, Maisie is really adept at treating departing characters with the respect they are due and welcoming newcomers into the fold, ready to add their own unique blend of strengths and bonds to the mix and keeping the spirit of the Railway Girls alive. The camaraderie, dynamics and synergy between the characters is very evocative and tangible, making them easy to relate to and invest in. Yes, they are as complex and emotional, raw, vulnerable and passionate as the next person; however, there are definitely no ’empty’ emotions, as they are always vibrant, genuine and believable, addictive and authentic, often with a great sense of fun, despite the difficult and busy lives they lead and the personal challenges and tragedies they must endure.
I read for enjoyment, entertainment and escapism, although ideally, I also like my storylines to be engaging, emotional and educational. So, when each new book in a series can evoke all those feelings, time and time again without losing its edge, whilst still taking me on unique and individual journey, which fires my imagination and stimulates my senses, then I know I am on to a winner!
I’m a very ‘happy bunny’ now that I have had another visit with, the Railway Girls, and I can see for myself that slowly but surely things are working out for them all so far. However, knowing that the war is still only halfway through, I am now dreading the thought that life may yet still throw them a few nasty surprises, so please be kind to them Maisie!
..
Grab yourself a seat by the fire, curl up with a warm snuggly blanket and a delicious mug of hot chocolate (don’t forget the marshmallows, will you? Whipped cream is an optional extra!) and prepare to immerse yourself in the next instalment of this wonderful WWII saga. You don’t need to have followed the series right from the beginning, as author Maisie Thomas skilfully weaves the relevant backstory details into a seamless narrative, without too much repetition surrounding past events and relationships for us seasoned readers, making each book perfect as a standalone story. However, with the pages seeming to simply turn themselves, I just know that you’ll wish you had made the acquaintance of Dot, Cordelia and the girls, and followed their wartime journey of friendship and camaraderie, right from its very beginning.
So, let’s catch up with the gang and see what life has in store for them as war intensifies and yet another Christmas is spent separated from friends and family…
..
For more than one of the characters, this Christmas is going to be completely different from the preceding one. Joan has left work following her marriage and the recent arrivals of both baby Max and his four-legged canine friend. She doesn’t get to spend as much time with the girls as she would like, however when the chips are down and they all need to pull together, her husband Bob is never going to deny her freedom to help out, whilst he enjoys some father son bonding time. He really does buck the trend of a 1940s husband and is quite the modern man in his attitudes towards his wife and family. And let’s face it, baby Max has more aunties looking out for him and spoiling him, than he knows what to do with!
Railway Girl Mabel, is, along with three other ladies, part of the lengthman team, often being paired up to work with Louise, whose family have something of a bad reputation and chequered past. Her older brother had been involved in the theft on a grand scale of war rations, which had been hidden along the railway in case of an invasion. He is, along with his father, also a violent man towards the women in their household, so when a battered and bruised Lou is forced to own up to Mabel the full extent of his abuse and criminality, Mabel marshals her fellow Railway Girls and they run him out of town. A once relieved and happy Lou is now hurting all over again and Mabel makes it her business to find out who is responsible this time, particularly when a dear devoted friend and adopted member of the group is implicated in a crime everyone knows she would never dream of committing and which looks set to destroy her reputation.
Cordelia, Kenneth and their daughter Emily, are the epitome of middle class living, with wartime shortages not having as much impact on their standard of living, as they are for so many others. Cordelia had to fight tooth and nail to join the women working on the railways, fulfilling the roles the men left behind when they answered the call to arms. She also had to prove herself to the ladies of the group before they could completely trust her and open up without shame or fear in front of her. For Cordelia, the experience has taught her some valuable life lessons, which she cherishes and will carry with her long after the war is over. However, for Kenneth and Emily, the experience has been altogether more traumatic and alien to them. It took a near fatal disaster for father and daughter to witness the true meaning of selfless friendship, but now, along with Cordelia, they are proud to be able to call people from all walks of life ‘friend’, without prejudice. However, Cordelia does have a secret of her own, which has plagued and tarnished her sixteen years of marriage and which she now needs to address before it is too late to set the record straight. Unbeknownst to Cordelia though, a proud Kenneth is only too aware of the emotional turmoil his wife has kept locked inside her for so long, so when she makes a decision which will change the rest of their lives, he is full of trepidation, not knowing which way their paths will take going forward.
The period leading up to Christmas brings an amazing surprise to the group, when one of their number, Colette, whom they believed had been blown up and killed in an enemy bombing raid on the rail works, suddenly turns up on the arm of her grieving husband, purportedly having wandered off and suffered a mental breakdown after the blast. This is the only time that the group has not been party to a secret mission by one of their number, partly because they would probably never have believed what had really been going on behind closed doors in Colette and Tony’s home, and also because of the personal danger Colette’s benefactor is placing herself in, with both Tony and the law. When the situation dramatically explodes out of control and still the authorities are willing to turn a blind eye to what is going on, the ladies are united in their mission to protect one of their own, no matter what the personal cost to themselves or their reputations.
..
Once again, I have to say that this series just keeps on giving more and getting better all the time, with Maisie Thomas, always managing to put a slightly different spin on the storyline, which keeps each new episode unique, fresh, vibrant and relevant to the cultural and societal mores of the times.
This is the second Christmas I will have spent with the girls, although I think the book would be fine to read at any time of the year, as the seasonal references, whilst definitely present, don’t overwhelm the narrative or dialogue, which also spans the preceding months from June and, it would be a shame to miss out on this episode for fear that Christmas is its only focus point. As the bombing raids intensify and a ravaged city faces shortages and tragedy, friendships amongst colleagues becomes an even more vital bond, on a railway network which is a sitting target for the enemy.
That Maisie has a personal passion for all things railway related, especially when that is combined with her affinity to her home city of Manchester, is evident in the well-structured, multi-layered storyline, which seamlessly blends fact with fiction, to give a wonderfully textured, rich in atmosphere, immersive work, with true visual depth and range. From the outset, she knows exactly where she is heading with each new storyline, so that it fits in beautifully both with its preceding episode and with the next instalment which is probably already on the drawing board.
For those readers who relish the ‘armchair traveller’ status which comes along with a good premise and interesting characters, this storyline might not seem quite enough to satisfy at first glance, as its physical footprint is not vast. However, Maisie always makes the most of an opportunity to use enough wonderfully descriptive narrative and dialogue, to make me feel as though I am walking the streets with the characters, working alongside them in the amazing Victoria Station, or visiting them in their homes as they make the most of getting by on wartime rations, seeing what they are seeing and feeling what is happening to them.
Whilst occasionally new characters make a guest appearance in a book, the original core group of Railway Girls, are a constant presence in and around the concourse and station buffet of Manchester’s Victoria Station. Maisie seeks to feature two or three of them in their own mini storyline with each new episode, although always with the support and backup of their friends, when it is needed. This book concentrated mostly on Cordelia and Colette’s stories, although because of the complexities of their individual challenges, and with other members of the group having to cope with their own mini crises at the same time, just about all of the ladies and their extended network of friends, ended up by pitching in at one time or another, making this a Christmas they would remember for all the right reasons.
This series highlights the slowly creeping change in attitudes brought about by the necessities of war and in each new adventure, Maisie manages to sympathetically focus the spotlight on one or two of the societal mores and norms of the times, although subtly and not in so much detail as to distract from the main premise, but nonetheless helping to make the individual storylines and the series as a whole, detailed pieces of social commentary. On this occasion, domestic violence and coercive control feature quite strongly, in their many different, yet equally troubling guises. From the overt violence inflicted on Louise and her mother, by husbands and brothers who see it as their right to keep their women subservient and obedient with their fists; to the much more subtle manipulation techniques which we now label as gaslighting, which Colette is subject to at the hands of her seemingly doting husband, where unseen and often unnoticed mental abuse and control is in fact, the overriding factor in their relationship. One form of cruelty can be as damaging and dangerous as the other and equally difficult for the victim to remove themselves from a situation, at a time when the men of a household have all the rights and the law on their side, and the victim is often portrayed as the wrongdoer for not being a good and obedient enough partner.
Maisie has developed a compelling cast of characters, who have been afforded the strongest of voices with which to tell their story. Given the circumstances of the troubling times they share, it is inevitable that some relationships will change and evolve over time, either as a consequence of the ravages of the war itself, or through changes in personal circumstances. Either way, Maisie is really adept at treating departing characters with the respect they are due and welcoming newcomers into the fold, ready to add their own unique blend of strengths and bonds to the mix and keeping the spirit of the Railway Girls alive. The camaraderie, dynamics and synergy between the characters is very evocative and tangible, making them easy to relate to and invest in. Yes, they are as complex and emotional, raw, vulnerable and passionate as the next person; however, there are definitely no ’empty’ emotions, as they are always vibrant, genuine and believable, addictive and authentic, often with a great sense of fun, despite the difficult and busy lives they lead and the personal challenges and tragedies they must endure.
I read for enjoyment, entertainment and escapism, although ideally, I also like my storylines to be engaging, emotional and educational. So, when each new book in a series can evoke all those feelings, time and time again without losing its edge, whilst still taking me on unique and individual journey, which fires my imagination and stimulates my senses, then I know I am on to a winner!
I’m a very ‘happy bunny’ now that I have had another visit with, the Railway Girls, and I can see for myself that slowly but surely things are working out for them all so far. However, knowing that the war is still only halfway through, I am now dreading the thought that life may yet still throw them a few nasty surprises, so please be kind to them Maisie!
October 16, 2022
Miracles are special at Christmas to count your blessings.
Another compelling book six set in Manchester from this remarkable author.
Heart warming and unputdownable it's a perfect stocking filler for all readers.
The year of 1942 and Mabel and the crew are hoeing out the weeds from the railway tracks. With a two year courtship with Harry, the girls all think it's time to make it official and tease Mabel but she's happy as they are. Manchester has suffered heavy air raids over the past two years and there is no sign of it ending soon.
Oh its so lovely to be back into reading the characters in this book and Christmas Miracles are waiting for all the readers to read and cherish as they go about their daily lives.
Curl up with a snug blanket and a hot drink and enjoy all the joy that this book will bring.
The style of writing that entails makes you want to jump into the book with them.
As you get the uneasy feeling in your tummy and shed a few tears emotions show through all the chapters.
I also say this is one of my favourites but I say that about everyone in this series.
So enjoy and sparkle this book is not just for Christmas.
10/10 5stars.
Another compelling book six set in Manchester from this remarkable author.
Heart warming and unputdownable it's a perfect stocking filler for all readers.
The year of 1942 and Mabel and the crew are hoeing out the weeds from the railway tracks. With a two year courtship with Harry, the girls all think it's time to make it official and tease Mabel but she's happy as they are. Manchester has suffered heavy air raids over the past two years and there is no sign of it ending soon.
Oh its so lovely to be back into reading the characters in this book and Christmas Miracles are waiting for all the readers to read and cherish as they go about their daily lives.
Curl up with a snug blanket and a hot drink and enjoy all the joy that this book will bring.
The style of writing that entails makes you want to jump into the book with them.
As you get the uneasy feeling in your tummy and shed a few tears emotions show through all the chapters.
I also say this is one of my favourites but I say that about everyone in this series.
So enjoy and sparkle this book is not just for Christmas.
10/10 5stars.
January 21, 2024
The second in the railway girls series that I have read.
Dot is definitely the ringleader, love reading about their problem solving skills. They are so resourceful.
Dot is definitely the ringleader, love reading about their problem solving skills. They are so resourceful.
October 16, 2022
Maisie Thomas has once again written a delightful story of the amazing Railway Girls, Dot, Mabel, Alison, Margaret, Cordelia and Collette and the other characters around these girls. This is the sixth one in the series and it gets better with every book, I will not spoil the story but it is a recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐read I would give more if I could. I am now looking forward to the next one which is pre-ordered.
October 30, 2022
Best book I have read in a long time.
This book was great, really gripping, could not out it down. I loved the first 4 books in this series but was a little disappointed with the 5th. Hope for the Railway Girls. It was slow to start and only seemed to concentrate on 2 or 3 characters. Whereas Christmas Miracle was fast moving and included all the Railway Girls again. It was riveting , I was drawn into each character's lives, their ups and downs. I can't wait to read the next book and have already pre-order it, 6 months early!! Maisie Thomas is an excellent writer.
This book was great, really gripping, could not out it down. I loved the first 4 books in this series but was a little disappointed with the 5th. Hope for the Railway Girls. It was slow to start and only seemed to concentrate on 2 or 3 characters. Whereas Christmas Miracle was fast moving and included all the Railway Girls again. It was riveting , I was drawn into each character's lives, their ups and downs. I can't wait to read the next book and have already pre-order it, 6 months early!! Maisie Thomas is an excellent writer.
December 5, 2022
It’s always such a treat to be back in Manchester with The Railways Girls and this latest story, set in 1942, is particularly poignant as it sees the return of a much loved character with a storyline which really tugs away at the heart strings. As we have discovered in previous stories, the railway girls are a very close knit bunch and whilst they are all from very different social backgrounds when the going gets tough they all pull together. There is a true sense of camaraderie amongst the women who, in their various roles, do so much to keep the northern rail network functioning, and even with the threat of bombs dropping around them they still maintain the stoic war time spirit of making do, and carrying on regardless.
I’ve spent a few delightful afternoons in the company of this strong set of women who refuse to be beaten by whatever life throws at them, be be it sheltering from falling bombs, organising a Christmas Eve children’s party or the rescue of a much loved friend. Within any of the books in this series there is a real sense of how the Second World War impacted on daily life and it’s all so beautifully recreated by a skilful author who has developed this delightful series into something rather special.
Whilst this one definitely has a festive feel to it, it is perfectly possible to read the story at any time of year. However, as this is book number six in the series I would advise that you start right the beginning with the first book as that way you will find so much to enjoy in this popular series and will grow to love the railway girls as much as I do.
A Christmas Miracle for the Railway Girls is every bit as wonderful as I hoped it would be and is the perfect escape from the stress of a hectic Christmas.
I’ve spent a few delightful afternoons in the company of this strong set of women who refuse to be beaten by whatever life throws at them, be be it sheltering from falling bombs, organising a Christmas Eve children’s party or the rescue of a much loved friend. Within any of the books in this series there is a real sense of how the Second World War impacted on daily life and it’s all so beautifully recreated by a skilful author who has developed this delightful series into something rather special.
Whilst this one definitely has a festive feel to it, it is perfectly possible to read the story at any time of year. However, as this is book number six in the series I would advise that you start right the beginning with the first book as that way you will find so much to enjoy in this popular series and will grow to love the railway girls as much as I do.
A Christmas Miracle for the Railway Girls is every bit as wonderful as I hoped it would be and is the perfect escape from the stress of a hectic Christmas.
November 15, 2022
Book 6 in the Railway Girls series and another sparkling installment that transports the reader back to Manchester during the War, and lets you catch up with the goings on of the wonderful Railway girls.
It's always so nice to catch up with these characters through the good and the bad times that they experience. Their jobs around the Railways have given them strength and independance, but real life is still going on and that doesn't always bring happiness their way. This is a story exploring young love, and dangerous old loves and seeing how the women cope during changing times.
These books really bring home to you the madness of the time - life carrying on as normal, but within seconds it can change and devastation and despair can often be round the corner. I loved seeing how they are there for one another and that you never can know what's going on behind closed doors and it takes a lot sometimes to open up to people. The attitudes of the time are also explored, particularly relating to domestic abuse, and it opens your eyes to how 'blind' they were back home to the events going on around the world, compared to the way the news is 24/7 now in our world, it would take them a while to discover what was happening, especially concerning family members fighting.
I couldn't put this book down until I'd found out what had happened to the characters and I'm already counting down the days until Book 7 is released in April 2023!! Brilliant!!
It's always so nice to catch up with these characters through the good and the bad times that they experience. Their jobs around the Railways have given them strength and independance, but real life is still going on and that doesn't always bring happiness their way. This is a story exploring young love, and dangerous old loves and seeing how the women cope during changing times.
These books really bring home to you the madness of the time - life carrying on as normal, but within seconds it can change and devastation and despair can often be round the corner. I loved seeing how they are there for one another and that you never can know what's going on behind closed doors and it takes a lot sometimes to open up to people. The attitudes of the time are also explored, particularly relating to domestic abuse, and it opens your eyes to how 'blind' they were back home to the events going on around the world, compared to the way the news is 24/7 now in our world, it would take them a while to discover what was happening, especially concerning family members fighting.
I couldn't put this book down until I'd found out what had happened to the characters and I'm already counting down the days until Book 7 is released in April 2023!! Brilliant!!
November 19, 2025
It is now 1942 and it's a busy year for the railway girls.
Cordelia's daughter Emily is going through her first romance, while Cordelia is going through some revelations within her own marriage.
Mabel is investigating a string of burglaries that dear old Mrs. Cooper has been caught up in.
Then to top it off, Collette comes back from the dead.
But her life is a living hell with her brute of a husband, Tony.
A fantastic helping of the latest drama and a lovely catch up with the girls.
Brilliant read.
Cordelia's daughter Emily is going through her first romance, while Cordelia is going through some revelations within her own marriage.
Mabel is investigating a string of burglaries that dear old Mrs. Cooper has been caught up in.
Then to top it off, Collette comes back from the dead.
But her life is a living hell with her brute of a husband, Tony.
A fantastic helping of the latest drama and a lovely catch up with the girls.
Brilliant read.
November 22, 2022
I've really enjoyed the Railway Girls series. The characters are fab especially Dot and Mrs Master ...well all of them if I'm honest. However this installment was bittersweet for me personally. I found the book challenging to read in respects of Tony and his mistreatment of poor Collette. I did enjoy the book apart from this and will look forward to the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2024
It took me until about quarter of the way through to actually get into the book. It also took me about 100 pages just to figure out who everyone was. Too many characters too quickly.
The second half was alot better but the title is a little deceiving as the majority of the book is not set at Christmas time.
The second half was alot better but the title is a little deceiving as the majority of the book is not set at Christmas time.
November 19, 2022
This series is one of the best !!!!
March 18, 2023
Another great story more of Collette's story how brave she was, thank goodness things are different today.
October 26, 2023
What a great Christmas story. This author has written a few books about the Railway girls, but it is easy to work out who is who and follow the story. 🎄📚
April 5, 2024
This book was like a giant cup of cocoa on a snowy day – heartwarming, cosy, and filled with enough drama to keep you guessing until the very end.
I hadn't read the other books in the series, but this one brought me right up to date with our characters. These Railway Girls in Manchester during World War 2? Talk about strong women! They're facing bombs, trains, and the occasional runaway (no spoilers!), all while keeping the war effort chugging along.
I just loved getting to know Joan and Bob, the couple with their modern attitude and cute baby Max. They're like a ray of sunshine, showing how marriage can be equal and loving, even in the midst of chaos. Then there's Louise, the grumpy one with a heartbreaking secret. But guess what? The Railway Girls rally around her, proving that sisterhood is the strongest weapon against any bully (including the ones at home).
Mrs Cooper provides lodgings for some of the girls and a homely family atmosphere and is a lovely mother figure, much loved by the girls. They are so happy with Mrs Cooper and when she is threatened they not only help her, but realise that she was prepared to put herself in danger to protect one of her own.
Speaking of tough topics, this book doesn't shy away from the dark side of things. Domestic violence, gaslighting, and class divides are all woven into the story, showing the very real struggles women faced back then (and, sadly, still do sometimes). But it's never bleak. There's always hope, always a sprinkle of Christmas magic, and always the unwavering spirit of these incredible women.
And let's not forget Colette! Her dramatic return is like a Christmas cracker exploding with juicy secrets and shocking twists. Her story alone could fill a whole book, but here it's just another layer of richness in this super read.
The ending is a Christmas miracle of its own, complete with a Christmas dance and hope for the future. It's a five-star comfort blanket with a whole lot of girl power thrown in. Just like that extra-large mug of cocoa, it'll warm you from the inside out and leave you wanting more. I decided to go right back to the beginning of the series and pick up from there.
I hadn't read the other books in the series, but this one brought me right up to date with our characters. These Railway Girls in Manchester during World War 2? Talk about strong women! They're facing bombs, trains, and the occasional runaway (no spoilers!), all while keeping the war effort chugging along.
I just loved getting to know Joan and Bob, the couple with their modern attitude and cute baby Max. They're like a ray of sunshine, showing how marriage can be equal and loving, even in the midst of chaos. Then there's Louise, the grumpy one with a heartbreaking secret. But guess what? The Railway Girls rally around her, proving that sisterhood is the strongest weapon against any bully (including the ones at home).
Mrs Cooper provides lodgings for some of the girls and a homely family atmosphere and is a lovely mother figure, much loved by the girls. They are so happy with Mrs Cooper and when she is threatened they not only help her, but realise that she was prepared to put herself in danger to protect one of her own.
Speaking of tough topics, this book doesn't shy away from the dark side of things. Domestic violence, gaslighting, and class divides are all woven into the story, showing the very real struggles women faced back then (and, sadly, still do sometimes). But it's never bleak. There's always hope, always a sprinkle of Christmas magic, and always the unwavering spirit of these incredible women.
And let's not forget Colette! Her dramatic return is like a Christmas cracker exploding with juicy secrets and shocking twists. Her story alone could fill a whole book, but here it's just another layer of richness in this super read.
The ending is a Christmas miracle of its own, complete with a Christmas dance and hope for the future. It's a five-star comfort blanket with a whole lot of girl power thrown in. Just like that extra-large mug of cocoa, it'll warm you from the inside out and leave you wanting more. I decided to go right back to the beginning of the series and pick up from there.
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