The Air Raid Girls at Christmas

Air Raid Girls #2

by Jenny Holmes

November, 1941.

Christmas is coming... and despite the blackout, shortages and a constant threat of air raids, the inhabitants of Kelthorpe on the Yorkshire coast are determined that war won't stop them celebrating.

The run-up to Christmas sees sisters Connie and Lizzie, and their good friend Pamela, busier than ever. Between their jobs, carol-singing rehearsals with the church choir and night shifts doing their bit as Air Raid Wardens and ambulance drivers, it's all go.

But when Connie and Lizzie's dear dad falls ill, their sweethearts Tom and Bill are called up by the Royal Navy for dangerous mine-sweeping duties, and Pamela's sweetheart Fred is targeted by vicious locals, the girls have to believe in miracles to keep soldiering on.

Can their dearest wishes come true this Christmas?

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2021

About the author

Jenny Holmes lives in a beautiful part of Yorkshire and sets her sagas in the industrial heartland nearby. She enjoys horse riding, gardening and walking her dog in the dales. She also writes children's books as Jenny Oldfield.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Air Raid Girls At Christmas by Jenny Holmes is a delightful historical novel set during the weeks leading up to Christmas 1941. It is the second book in the Air Raid Girls series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action takes place in a small Yorkshire town on the coast. We witness residents pulling together in their fight against Hitler. On the whole there is a solidarity and a sense of community.
All is not a bed of roses as there are those with racial prejudice, believing every German is an enemy alien. They do not take in the facts of those who are German but Jewish who fled persecution in Germany, only to be treated unfairly in England. Fortunately, kind hearts outweigh those who are black-hearted.
There is the theme of unmarried mothers. The act of how a pregnancy occurred is not taken into account. The father is not blamed but guilt and shame heaped upon the innocent. In contrast we see those with kind hearts who are determined to love and support and help heal those with broken spirits. It is shameful the way unmarried pregnant girls are treated by those who should know better as they are hidden away in homes run by the church.
We see the bravery of ordinary men and women who are called upon to serve the needs of others - from air raid wardens to ambulance drivers to fishermen – all do what is required of them in England’s hour of need.
In the midst of war, daily life continues with births, accidents, engagements and work. The ordinary happens alongside the fear of nightly bombing raids as lives are held in tension.
All the characters are well drawn, warm and welcoming.
I really loved The Air Raid Girls At Christmas. I look forward to subsequent books.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am finding this series just OK. I dont feel ups to the standard oh Jenny's other books. Yet again I am skim reading through the books to get the basic idea of the story . Just nit to my liking this set. 3 in all.

hope the last one is Beter. P.S sorry Jenny.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

November, 1941.Christmas is coming... and despite the blackout, shortages and a constant threat of air raids, the inhabitants of Kelthorpe on the Yorkshire coast are determined that war won't stop them celebrating.The run-up to Christmas sees sisters Connie and Lizzie,and their good friend Pamela, busier than ever.Between their jobs, carol-singing rehearsals with the church choir and night shifts doing their bit as Air Raid Wardens and ambulance drivers,it's all go.But when Connie and Lizzie's dear dad falls ill,their sweethearts Tom and Bill are called up by the Royal Navy for dangerous mine-sweeping duties,and Pamela's sweetheart Fred is targeted by vicious locals, the girls have to believe in miracles to keep soldiering on.The ARP services included several specialist branches.Report and control whose central headquarters received information from wardens and messengers and managed the delivery of the relevant services needed.Messengers were often teenaged Boy Scouts or Boy's Brigade members who would take verbal or written messages from air raid wardens and deliver them to either the sector post or the control centre.Bombing would sometimes cut telephone lines and messengers performed an important role in providing ARP services a bigger picture of happenings.First aid parties gave first aid to those injured in bombing incidents.Ambulance drivers drove casualties to first aid posts or hospital.The rescue services were involved in getting the dead and injured out of bombed premises.Gas decontamination specialists dealt with and cleaned up incidents involving chemical weapons, and finally fire guards/watchers.The Royal Naval Patrol Service was a branch of the Royal Navy active during both World Wars. The RNPS operated many small auxiliary vessels such as naval trawlers for anti-submarine and minesweeping operations to protect coastal Britain and convoys.Because it used out-dated and poorly armed vessels, such as requisitioned trawlers crewed by ex-fishermen, the RNPS came to bear numerous unofficial titles that poked fun at it,such as "Harry Tate's Navy","Churchill's Pirates",and "Sparrows".

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the series was a wonderful, heartwarming and full of spirit World War Two romance drama and this one was a fab follow up - I loved it more than the first! We’ve gotten to know the characters, the sisters Connie and Lizzie and Pamela who has now joined the ARP family.

It’s filled with suspense, drama and all the curve balls you come to find with a wartime book. I reread the first book before immediately launching into the second so my brain would be fresh (as I’d forgotten what has happened when I first read the book a year before - whoops) and with Christmas approaching, I knew it was time to get round to this one!

There was a perfect balance of Christmas to make it Christmasssy enough but not all the jingle bells and tinsel to the max. I couldn’t believe how quickly the book disappeared towards the end and I am staring at the next instalment to the series which is sitting on my shelf! Hopefully won’t take me a full turn around the sun before I get round to it!

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in the series but I think this one is even better. The world is still at war and sisters Lizzie and Connie plus friend Pamela are working hard trying to keep everyone safe. When Lizzie and Connie's father is taken ill they have to run the bakery as well. Pamela befriends Maureen, a girl with a huge secret but the girls take her to their hearts and try to make her see the world can be a good place after all. A lovely book and I am looking forward to book 3 in the series.

[Judith Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story because I like stories set during this period and like other readers think it was a shame that young unmarried teenage girls were treated like criminals because they had got pregnant out of wedlock. I hope attitudes have changed since those days but I think there are still those whose attitudes are steeped in the past

[Mrs Julie Gargett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Holmes writes in such an amazing way, you almost wish you were there and that the characters are your friends.
Set in the second world war the storyline is well written and the girls are going through personal problems yet still helping other folks out.
Loved this as much as the first book.

[mr b j hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

another fantastic read

This was a fantastic story of friends standing together during the War years. Descriptions of raids by the enemy seemed
very real and learning how the girls coped and dealt with their day to day lives seemed very real.

[Layla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just can’t get into these at all. Book one I read in chunks… Only 3 in the series. But wouldn’t bother with them again, normally I like ww2 fiction but this just didn’t sit well as others Iv read.

[MRS J P WELSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

It was nice to rejoin
the familiar characters. The differing storylines were enjoyable. The last few chapters were real page turners

[joyce brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Even better than Book 1 in the Air Raid Girls series. Cannot wait to read book 3. A well written family saga set in WE 11.

[Alison Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. Good writer. Lots of drama.

[Sam Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read other books in this series but enjoyed getting to know the different characters and feel part of their lives and challenges in this difficult time.

[Laura Beadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great story to read! Very heartwarming!

[Sharron Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent read
thanks for the escapism 😊

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really nice easy read with a good story and plot twist