A Christmas Gift

by Katie Flynn

Cosy up with the gorgeous novel from Sunday Times Number One Bestselling author, Katie Flynn

Liverpool, 1939: Sixteen-year-old Lizzy Atherton is forced to flee her violent step-father in the middle of the night, and finds herself stranded on a station platform completely alone.

Desperate to know what has become of her beloved mother, who she had no choice but to leave behind, Lizzy returns the next day only to find her home deserted. Devastated, Lizzy joins forces with her old school friend Dolly and Clara, an escaped evacuee, and vows to find her mother whatever it takes.

But the war rages on and demands on the home front take Lizzy’s life in a host of unexpected directions, and hopes of finding her mother gradually start to fade.

If Lizzy can muster the strength to keep searching, she might just get her Christmas wish after all.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, centred on the friendship of three girls. It's set in Liverpool mostly during wartime and was both interesting and heartwarming. Lizzy spends most of the book searching for her mother, Mary, who's also looking for Lizzy. A wonderfully Christmasy ending.
Holly Flynn is obviously just as talented as her much loved mother and it's fitting that she continues to write under the Katie Flynn name.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

tried getting into this book a few times and couldn't so gave up.

[Zara Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot line, historical fiction set in war. Not extremely christmassy.

Reminder of rough plot: Abusive step dad splits up mother and daughter, years of them trying to find each and their lives. Romance with policemen

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story

The story of Lizzy Atherton in Liverpool. Its a Heartbreaking story perfect for Christmas. Full of love, loss, family, friendship. So heart warming , during WW2 I highly recommend it one of Katie Flynn best books yet

[Donna Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did find this book slow. I loved the story and kept me busy.

[Francesca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be good when I started reading it but I quickly found myself bored skimming the pages and flicking forward to see when the chapter ends. I hit 25% and just didn't really connect with the characters at all. I found the writing just had no direction and the layout was chaotic in my opinion. Needless to say I quit before wasting anymore time.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book (written by Katie Flynn's daughter Holly) and she is proving to be as good an author as her mother. A very readable saga book and although it has Christmas in the title you don't need to read it then, as it is a very good book that can be read anytime of year.
Lizzie is sixteen at the beginning of WW2 and she loses touch with her mother after she marries a horrible man, Lizzie is still missing her own dad terribly and ends up running away from home. After meeting up with a couple of young women they soon become good friends but she can never forget her mother. A policeman called Charlie is soon on the scene and it turns out they used to go to school together as children and they are soon more than friends but will their friendship last? As mother and daughter strive to always meet up again, will this be a Christmas to remember? I absolutely loved this book and it will be one to read other years at Christmas too.

[Maha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is honestly such a wonderful book! I absolutely loved it from start to end couldn't put it down it's about a girl called Lizzy in the search for her mother while trying to start a new life as well with her two best friends, this novel is full of romance, adventure and courage I loved the plot of the story and the characters were very intriguing. I honestly totally recommend it if you love historical fiction, such a grasping novel I really couldn't put it down! Amazing book to snuggle up and read during the Christmas holidays I promise this book will not disappoint, Katie Flynn has definitely proved herself an astounding author in my opinion. 5 stars definitely!!!!

[Susan Barton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not my sort of book a predictable romance could have been written by a twelve year old, I was more interested in the mothers story and her war work which was hardly mentioned, some will like it I suppose judging by the reviews but not for me and I won't be recommending it. Katie Flynn writes under several different names I wonder why? It seems that her daughter wrote this under her mother's name although I have not read any of the previous books it may account for the poor writing.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading the story of Lizzie Atherton and her Mother Mary along with the friends who came into lizzies life when she most needed them.I don't want to spoil the book for others but if you want to read a lovely book then read this it is such a wonderful story of determination,love and friendship and worth more than 5*I am so glad i bought the book.

[Helen Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book that I would have normally chosen but it came as part of a bundle from Page Turners. I’ve actually enjoyed a lot of books picked as the bundle and this was no exception.
It was an easy read with enjoyable characters. Predictable perhaps but who doesn’t like a happy ending?
There is also a recipe for mince pies at the back which I hope to try.

[Bianca King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual read, but it was a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed and didn’t want to put down. A nice easy read for this time of year! I’d like to give it 3.5 stars as although I liked it I felt it to be a little longwinded in sections. The story was also pretty predictable but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you just want a nice, heartwarming story.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, but it dragged out just a weeny bit. It was nice to have a hero right from the start and Lizzy ,although she had had it hard, was stubborn and strong willed it could be frustrating. But alls well that ends well.

The gaps from Christmas to Christmas seemed to go by without much story,and it took years before the conclusion.

[CallmeBlue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. I kept wondering will there be a happy ending? Would Lizzie ever find happiness and not just pain? I’d recommend this book and already have recommended it to my Mum and Sister Who both plan on borrowing it. If you’re a Katie Flynn fan it won’t let you down.

[Alina Horhocea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book! The story of Lizzy and her mom, also about how friends show in the worse situations in one person's life. How friendship for life begins fir 3 girls with some sad life stories and about Christmas! A must read!

[belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this, made a nice change from what I normally read. It was an easy read and the story was good and easy to follow. The type of book to be reading this kind of weather whilst snuggled up in the warm and it ending on a happy note 😊

[Linda Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repeats

I


While reading this I thought have read this before because a familiar part appeared. Fella fancies girl. Girl likes guy but only as a friend, she changes her mind and they eventually wed. These always have the same theme but different characters

[Glynis Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Loved the characters and couldn’t wait to find out if Lizzie and her mum found each other .

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best quote 😃
"Still, a tree's a tree, you may ask any dog."
Merry xmas! 🎄

[natalie bowes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as christmassy as i would have wanted. But still a good read.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super easy read with really likeable characters. Set in wartime Liverpool it has a warmth and sense of “friends as family”.

[Shauna Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read from Katie Flynn and a truly heart warming story

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I absolutely loved this story about Lizzy whose Christmas Gift was to find her missing Mum. This was such a lovely story, a definite must-read!

[Stephii-Dawne Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written story! Makes you gasp in places, laugh, and feel so sad. It really grips you into the story. Another great write by a great author!

[Emma Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Lovely, easy read Christmassy book!

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually like a Katie especially around Christmas time. Sadly this was disappointing. Long drawn out and not a lot happening.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book

[Gloria Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story thoroughly enjoyed this book though at the end it did go on a bit and got a little bit boring but I finsished it

[Donna Boultwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas story, with instantly likeable characters.

[Hrishikesh Khurpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read..!!