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Woolworths #1.5
Carols at Woolworths
Carols at Woolworths is a heartwarming novella, and is the prequel to Christmas at Woolworths, by bestselling author Elaine Everest
Betty, Freda and Sarah are determined to make the Woolworths Christmas party as jolly as ever. After weeks of careful planning, the girls are confident that it will be an evening for everyone to forget about the troubles of the war outside.
But the war is never far away and when an air raid looms, the girls must usher their guests to safety and find a way to take their Christmas cheer underground . . .
Will it be a merry Christmas after all for the girls of Woolworths?
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2017
44 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Everest
23 books191 followersElaine Everest is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of historical sagas including The Woolworths Girls series, The Teashop Girls series and other popular books.
She is represented by the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency Ltd.
She is represented by the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency Ltd.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 24, 2017
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I purchased a copy of this novella as soon as it was available as I am taking part in the blog tour for Christmas at Woolworths – and I am so glad I did as I loved it!!
Betty, Freda and Sarah are fantastic characters and the plot is great, you really do feel as though you are living through the war time with them – it is well researched and well written – definitely a book for me and I highly recommend it!
Make sure you check back to my blog on 30th October 2017 for my review of Christmas at Woolworths!
I purchased a copy of this novella as soon as it was available as I am taking part in the blog tour for Christmas at Woolworths – and I am so glad I did as I loved it!!
Betty, Freda and Sarah are fantastic characters and the plot is great, you really do feel as though you are living through the war time with them – it is well researched and well written – definitely a book for me and I highly recommend it!
Make sure you check back to my blog on 30th October 2017 for my review of Christmas at Woolworths!
January 2, 2024
Carols at Woolworths is a lovely quick read.
Having previously read The Woolworths girls and absolutely loving it, I decided to download this Novella. It was so nice to be back with Sarah, Maisie & Freda and their friends and families and of course the Erith branch of Woolworths.
Carols at Woolworths is the prequel ebook Novella to the upcoming release of Christmas at Woolworths.
Having previously read The Woolworths girls and absolutely loving it, I decided to download this Novella. It was so nice to be back with Sarah, Maisie & Freda and their friends and families and of course the Erith branch of Woolworths.
Carols at Woolworths is the prequel ebook Novella to the upcoming release of Christmas at Woolworths.
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November 6, 2018I loved the first book in this series and couldn't wait to read this quick read and didn't disappoint me at all as so well written and great it carries on from the first book. So brings it to you how it must have been hard for them in the war.
Betty, Freda and Sarah want to make the Christmas party for Woolworths a success and they think they have everything sorted but when it happens they suddenly have to go to safely as a bomb is about. Will they all get out safely and when one gives birth will it go ok for her and when one looses her baby how will she react.
A great quick read.
Betty, Freda and Sarah want to make the Christmas party for Woolworths a success and they think they have everything sorted but when it happens they suddenly have to go to safely as a bomb is about. Will they all get out safely and when one gives birth will it go ok for her and when one looses her baby how will she react.
A great quick read.
October 7, 2017
For those who have read Elaine's original Woolworths book, this short novella is a chance to catch up with the main characters again just before Christmas 1941 as they have to spend many hours trapped in the store looking after a whole party-load of convivial old soldiers during an air raid that leaves an unexploded bomb just yards away. Plenty of drama, from fire-watching on the roof to the birth of a baby and a young 'stowaway' found in the store. But humour, wartime camaraderie and friendship are on offer too. Nicely done.
October 10, 2017
Another good read from Elaine, only trouble is it's not long enough. I know it is a Novella and prequel to Christmas at Woolworths. The Woolworth stories from Elaine are very entertaining and you imagine what the girls go through.
October 27, 2017
An excellent read I enjoyed catching up with the workers at Woolworths,such a lovely lead up to the new book and I can't wait to see what happens.Elaine Everest certainly knows how to write a fab story and I really hope we get lots more.well worth 5*
November 13, 2017
Carols at Woolworths
I loved everything about this book I should of read it before Christmas at Woolworths I didn't but it didn't take away from the story I love the Woolworths girls another 5 STARS for a brilliant author .
I loved everything about this book I should of read it before Christmas at Woolworths I didn't but it didn't take away from the story I love the Woolworths girls another 5 STARS for a brilliant author .
October 5, 2017
'Cor blimey'
A lovely novella to read following on the Woolworth girls. Sarah maisie and Freda and the rest of the staff as they prepare the old folks party. Its nearly Christmas 1941 so everything during war times never goes as planned for them all. All hell breaks out at the tobacconist shop next door causing havoc and mayhem. I loved this read and so looking forward to reading Christmas at Woolworths. This author has a way of gripping you into her books enjoyed with a nice cuppa char.
A lovely novella to read following on the Woolworth girls. Sarah maisie and Freda and the rest of the staff as they prepare the old folks party. Its nearly Christmas 1941 so everything during war times never goes as planned for them all. All hell breaks out at the tobacconist shop next door causing havoc and mayhem. I loved this read and so looking forward to reading Christmas at Woolworths. This author has a way of gripping you into her books enjoyed with a nice cuppa char.
December 19, 2017
Well written follow up to "The Woolworth's Girls"
Read this one before "Christmas at Woolworth's" to keep the sequence in order
Read this one before "Christmas at Woolworth's" to keep the sequence in order
June 28, 2022
Can’t wait to see what happens next.... 5 stars. Having to read other reviews on this as no I have no ebook. But happy to have read so the story can continue....
December 28, 2022
A cosy little short story in the Woolworths Girls series.
A prequel to the novel "Christmas at Woolworth's", this short tale tells the story of the night before Christmas Eve. During the Christmas party the air raid siren sounds and the staff and guests hurry to the basement...where they are trapped until a bomb can be diffused and moved down the street.
At first, I almost stopped reading when Betty made a comment about women not being as good at being managers as men. I know people felt like this during that time, but I still don't like to read about it. Thankfully I pushed on and some counter comments were made by some of the girls and eventually Betty wanted to fight to remain manager even when the male manager returned.
I really enjoyed a little more about some characters I grew to really like in the first book and it seems to set the next book up perfectly. It's a romantic, humorous, cosy read. It both fills you with hope and with fear. World War II is happening and I think the writer manages to genuinely put across some of the feelings and emotions that run with that. It made me reflect on my own relatively easy life.
A definite recommendation for anyone who likes the Woolworths Girls series. I would have found it hard to understand all of the characters and who they were if I hadn't read the first book, so definitely read The Woolworths Girls first as this assumes you already have.
A prequel to the novel "Christmas at Woolworth's", this short tale tells the story of the night before Christmas Eve. During the Christmas party the air raid siren sounds and the staff and guests hurry to the basement...where they are trapped until a bomb can be diffused and moved down the street.
At first, I almost stopped reading when Betty made a comment about women not being as good at being managers as men. I know people felt like this during that time, but I still don't like to read about it. Thankfully I pushed on and some counter comments were made by some of the girls and eventually Betty wanted to fight to remain manager even when the male manager returned.
I really enjoyed a little more about some characters I grew to really like in the first book and it seems to set the next book up perfectly. It's a romantic, humorous, cosy read. It both fills you with hope and with fear. World War II is happening and I think the writer manages to genuinely put across some of the feelings and emotions that run with that. It made me reflect on my own relatively easy life.
A definite recommendation for anyone who likes the Woolworths Girls series. I would have found it hard to understand all of the characters and who they were if I hadn't read the first book, so definitely read The Woolworths Girls first as this assumes you already have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2019
This was a sweet bridging novella between the "Woolworths girls" novels.
It's Christmas time and the girls are putting on a party for the local elderly residents as they do every year but this year during the festivities bombs are dropping and one has hit the end of the street and the road is in ruins and the area on fire while at the other end is an unexploded bomb.
It's make do and mend as all characters are holding out in the Woolworths underground shelter while waiting for rescue.
Full of our favourite old characters and a few more new ones besides this was a happy / sad story of keeping up the spirit in adversity during wartime.
It's Christmas time and the girls are putting on a party for the local elderly residents as they do every year but this year during the festivities bombs are dropping and one has hit the end of the street and the road is in ruins and the area on fire while at the other end is an unexploded bomb.
It's make do and mend as all characters are holding out in the Woolworths underground shelter while waiting for rescue.
Full of our favourite old characters and a few more new ones besides this was a happy / sad story of keeping up the spirit in adversity during wartime.
November 2, 2022
Such a wonderful heartwarming story
I miss our Woolworths it was always a go to when I was a child. The lunch counter food the highlight of my day. These ladies give me this same warm feeling. I can only imagine what the war years were for anyone having to cope with always having to make do, the air raids, the not knowing if this day would be their turn to lose their home or business. The friendships though made everything so much easier to bear as portrayed in this amazing book. A perfect Christmas story.
I miss our Woolworths it was always a go to when I was a child. The lunch counter food the highlight of my day. These ladies give me this same warm feeling. I can only imagine what the war years were for anyone having to cope with always having to make do, the air raids, the not knowing if this day would be their turn to lose their home or business. The friendships though made everything so much easier to bear as portrayed in this amazing book. A perfect Christmas story.
January 2, 2020
A nice short story
I really enjoyed another brief visit with the Woolworths Girls, but it doesn't quite have the charm book 1 in the series had. Maisie is one of my favourites and nobody should have to go through that before Christmas. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
I really enjoyed another brief visit with the Woolworths Girls, but it doesn't quite have the charm book 1 in the series had. Maisie is one of my favourites and nobody should have to go through that before Christmas. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
July 19, 2018
Carols T Woolworths
A heartening read, really easy to get absorbed i to. A little sadness but the spirit of the girls during an air raid is tremendous. A definite must have for a to be who's an avid follower of Elaine Everest.
A heartening read, really easy to get absorbed i to. A little sadness but the spirit of the girls during an air raid is tremendous. A definite must have for a to be who's an avid follower of Elaine Everest.
August 20, 2020
A short story set at Christmas featuring Sarah, Maisie, Freda and their boss Betty. A nice little side story about the Erith woolworths annual old soldiers and retired staff Christmas party and an exploded bomb!
January 1, 2021
First quick read on my new Kindle :-) easily purchased for 99p and enjoyed this in one evening. A very eventful Woolworths Xmas party for our friends in Erith - amazing to see how resilient and brave all these women were in wartimes, a lovely Christmassy read x
August 6, 2021
Woolworths
Loved this short story i am loving following the girls on their lives journey it is as if you are part of their lives and family
when you are reading the books. Well done to Elaine Everest.
Loved this short story i am loving following the girls on their lives journey it is as if you are part of their lives and family
when you are reading the books. Well done to Elaine Everest.
April 11, 2019
Heart warming read.
Love all of these books
So lovely to read of such closeness and comradery. Will definitely be reading more from elaine
Love all of these books
So lovely to read of such closeness and comradery. Will definitely be reading more from elaine
August 28, 2019
Great read
Another good read about the Woollies girls. Unfortunately I have been reading them in the wrong order but still a very good read.
Another good read about the Woollies girls. Unfortunately I have been reading them in the wrong order but still a very good read.
September 24, 2019
Short Christmas story a good read.
Short story,Christmas carols along with sadness and joy.An interesting read. Wartime with an introduction to the characters, for future novel's.
Short story,Christmas carols along with sadness and joy.An interesting read. Wartime with an introduction to the characters, for future novel's.
February 10, 2020
I absolutely love this book. I felt really sorry for Maisie, readers will find out why. Even with the threat of war, there is something comforting about this story.
January 26, 2021
Brilliant. Love all the Woolworths books and following the lives of Maisie Sarah and Freda
July 9, 2022
A lovely short read thoroughly enjoyed having read the Woolworths girls and now progressing on to Christmas at Woolworths.
April 19, 2023
A little follow up to the Woolworths Girls
December 26, 2024
3 ⭐️
A nice wholesome novella.
A nice wholesome novella.
April 12, 2025
Throughly enjoyable novella that serves as a prequel to book 2.
April 6, 2021
love those woolworths girls, I always feel I am a part of them
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews