A Wartime Christmas at Rookery House

Rookery House #1

by Rosie Hendry

With the first Christmas of the war only a few weeks away thoughts turn to family and friends… December 1939 Hettie Brown , former Cook at Great Plumstead Hall, has been happily retired since the summer, but when she hears some shocking news, it unsettles her and makes her question her new life at Rookery House. Expectant mother, Gloria Jessop , is having doubts about her new evacuated life in the village. She’s missing her children and husband, and since there’s been none of the expected bombing in London, she’s tempted to return and unite her family. But is that the right thing to do? The prospect of Christmas in a time of war isn’t easy for anyone, with loved ones away and homes and communities left behind. Hettie and Gloria decide to take action and quickly hatch a plan. Can they support each other, celebrate Christmas, and bring the whole village together in their time of need? An uplifting and warm-hearted Christmas story with much-loved characters from the Rookery House series by award winning author Rosie Hendry. Readers absolutely love Rosie Hendry’s books : “I enjoy the fabulous communities that Rosie creates within her stories, they are so uplifting and inspiring … Rosie Hendry’s gorgeous books are historical fiction at it’s very best .” – Susanne B Net Galley Reviewer “Rosie has the knack of being able to make the Second World War come alive . Rosie has clearly done a lot of research into Wartime Britain and this shines through in the quality of her writing.” – Gingerbookgeek book blog “the writing is wonderful, very descriptive and emotive .” - The Comfy Chair Blog Good Reads “Rosie Hendry’s style is effortless to read making for a heart-warming and feel-good reading experience.” – Linda Hill – Good Reads “Such a lovely read, that I read it within one day !” – Literacy Indulgence blog " Call the Midwife fans are going to love Rosie Hendry’s delightful, dramatic and engrossing new saga that sparkles with so much warmth and heart ." - Bookish Jottings blog

Genres: British Literature, Christmas

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2022

About the author

Award winning author Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband and two children. East End Angels is the first book in her uplifting and heart-warming saga series that follows the lives and loves of Winnie, Frankie and Bella, who all work for the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) during the Blitz. Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she loves researching further, searching out gems of real life events which inspire her writing.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely ww2 story

I love these books as they are wrote in great plumstead I used to live in Norwich so I can resonate with all the rookery books I love reading about all the trials and tribulations of the characters lives living through the war how they stick together during hard times I’m so looking forward to the next rookery book Rosie is a brilliant author

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was trying to save this until Christmas but I just couldn't wait. I have loved each book from Rosie Hendry and this was the same, although this was a novella I still felt like I got a lot from this book. I love being in Great Plumstead and I love being back with the characters. This just had such a lovely festive feel to it and I really enjoyed it, I can't wait for the next book in Rookery House.

[irene currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So heart warming and great

What a great time meeting up with Hettie and Gloria reading some of their backgrounds and arranging the Christmas party could still thump Victor on the nose pompous ass but great walking beside them and organising everything Hettie to the rescue and what a treat for Gloria I would give this book more than five stars if I could I am going onto the fifth book of this series I would really recommend them to anyone who hasn't read them

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait until Christmas love the Rookery House set of books and love the characters

[Mrs MJH Compton-Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story, if you are a WW2 fan, as I am because I lived through that era, then definitely worth a read.

[Karen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

meet new friends

If you love Christmas, you will love this book. Just reading about the holiday foods is inviting .The characters will become your friends!

[Carol Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I recall from four years ago when I read this one it was quite good but nowhere near as riveting as The East End Angels .. As a Novella I’m giving it 2 stars.

[Trisha W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I love the Rookery House series. Rosie Hendry is a wonderful author and reading her books is like getting a big warm hug.

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story loved hearing about Hettie and Gloria in Rookery House.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Rookery house series. Finally found a book with Christmas in the title that is actually all about Christmas.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this Christmas story 4 stars for the simple warmth and homey feeling it gave. Definitely would like to read some more books in the series.

[Vida · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some people might find this book heart warming. I found it boring and it put me to sleep.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story. Nice to catch up with the characters from the Mother's Day Club as they prepare for Christmas during the dark days of the war. They don't let that stop them and do everything they can to pull together to make it special, in spite of the many obstacles they face.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely short novella on the ladies of Rookery House. I always love reading about these ladies and enjoy The Rookery House Books. I look forward to reading more of these stories by Rosie Hendry.

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

En sød lille julehistorie.

Vi følger en flok kvinder i 2. verdenskrigs første tid. Landsbyen har fået nye indbyggere: en flok gravide kvinder fra London, der er sendt på landet, langt væk fra de bomber der ventes at vælte ned over byen.

Det er snart og jul, og den tidligere kok, på det lokale herresæde, Hettie, vil gerne fejre julen med landsbyens indbyggere - både de nye og de gamle. Så alle kræfter samles og en fest stables på benene.