In Time for Christmas

by Katie Flynn

Now in In this captivating new Liverpool-set story from bestselling saga writer Katie Flynn, we meet Addy Fairweather who resents the fact that her mother makes no secret of her preference for Addy’s younger sister, Prue.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, War, Romance

480 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2009

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

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed tissues. Recommended.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming tale of two totally different sisters during the war.
The story charts the lives of Prue and Addy Fairweather.
Prue is the adorable, helpful blonde child and Addy is dark and mischievous and though works hard to please their mother is never appreciated.
When a childhood accident leaves both Prue and Addy injured, Prue to the point she is unable to walk both children are considered vulnerable and shipped out to the country when war breaks out but Addy cannot forget the kind gentleman who helped them when the accident happened.
Years pass, life goes on and Addy and Prue grow up and even as adults their natures are diametrically opposite, Addy through a chance meeting ends up falling for Giles Frobisher, the long lost benefactor who helped them as children while Prue ends up playing the field and adoring the attention of many suitors but will war allow Addy to keep Giles in her life and even Prue faces an uncertain future as her thoughtless flirtatious behaviour has dire consequences.
Well written with a host of other characters that provide an essential backdrop and small side stories to offset the drama of Prue and Addy.
A lovely novel dealing with war, love, loss, heartbreak and eventual happiness.
Well worth reading.

[Redfox5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad Christmas book, but not exactly gripping. It had slow moments. I liked the characters, though Prue annoyed me at times. Loved that the main character was called Adelaide, as that's my nieces name and you don't see it in print to often. Felt like some emotional moments, like the shop being bombed was under played and should have been more dramatic. First time reading Katie Flynn, I wouldn't buy her books but would read another one of hers, if it came my way.

[Dianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I might as well just say it: I didn't like this book at all. I found the writing awful and the story no better. The story line had potential but fell flat at every turn. The characters weren't interesting, the dialogue wasn't natural and I have no idea why I kept reading. I finished all 455 pages even though I could have chosen to put it down at any time and start one of the 71 books I have waiting to be read. I think I was hoping it would turn into a Christmas story but the title was a little misleading. A few Christmases take place in the course of the story but so do a few springs and summers. Usually I spend December reading a new Christmas story or two and then re-reading some of my old favourites. I should have gone straight to the favourites. It has a pretty cover though.

[Laila Semeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Time for Christmas by Katie Flynn set against the backdrop of World War II, In Time for Christmas powerfully captures the far-reaching impact of the war on both the battlefield and the home front. Katie Flynn sensitively explores how the conflict shaped the lives of two British sisters, their mother, and those they hold dear. Through their story, the novel sheds light on the emotional and practical challenges faced by women left behind—defending their homes, holding families together, and finding strength amid uncertainty. A heartfelt and poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family during one of history’s darkest times.

[Ella Heart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read 'A Mother's Love' by Lyn Andrews and i was just updating my goodreads when I found this book and my God, I was so excited. I love christmas books but this book bore me to an extent when I just wanted to give up reading altogether. And it has nothing to do with Christmas. Also the story is almost similar to A Mother's Love. Not exact same but you can see that the details are same. I don't recommend anyone this book.

[Lizzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

My friend bought me this to get me in the mood for Christmas. It's not what I would normally read but I pushed on through as I don't like to give up on things. It was an easy read which I don't think is praise or criticism. The speech was clunky and I felt the storyline was unremarkable.
The worst thing about this book though is that it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story with nice interesting characters, but it wasn’t gripping enough for me. There was no suspense or worrying episodes, and sometime rather slow going. I was at least 3/4 of the way through the book before it reached action with the war breaking out, which did get a little more action, also the ending left me wanting to know more about the person in the rose garden,

[dave jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every page

Engrossed from start to finish. I’m a big fan of Katie Flynn books and am always looking out for my next one so anyone who likes her books will really enjoy this one.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. fiction, England, WWII

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful story from Katie Flynn, Never fails to disappoint with her wonderful writing. 5 stars,

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with the characters. Struggled to put the book down and read it in four days.

[Elizabeth McIvor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfied again

Another really good read , it made me feel like I was there with them all,loved the full circle to the story,can't wait to start the next one.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is boring, and it has nothing to do with Christmas.

[Kevin Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good dependable read by Katie Flynn.

[Christine Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralled

The entire story kept me glued from start to finish. The details of all the characters and their bonds were realistic.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not knowing what the book was about, given the cover and title of In Time For Christmas you would presume it was a Christmas novel and thus ideal for a seasonal reading challenge, right?

Yes, both myself and the person who bought the book for me thought so as well but how wrong we were.

Following two sisters (Addy and Prue) and their counterparts twins (Giles and Gillian) throughout the mid 1930's and World War II. Putting aside my disappointment that this wasn't a Christmas story per se, I was disappointed with just about every aspect of it.

Perhaps not the best introduction to this authors work (it's the first of Ms Flynn's books I've read). With its unconvincing characters - I thought Addy and Prue (children at the beginning of the story) with their 'middle aged' speech and ways particularly inconceivable - and a plot that was plodding, monotone and largely depressing I didn't find this a good read be it a seasonal one or otherwise.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite like Katie Flynns style- easy to curl up with in the cold weather. This one follows two sisters who are evacuated to a grand house in the country after the younger girl becomes paralysed falling from a swing. The older girl becomes a teaching assistant and stays with her sister. She later joins the wrens and is later billeted at the same house. She falls in love with the boy who grew up there and becomes friends with his sister.

It's the second Katie Flynn book I've read this winter and think I'd be happy to pick up another.

[Terena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one where I would have given 3.5 if I could have. This book follows the story of two Liverpool sisters Addy and Prue through the mid 30s from being children and throughout WW2. The story was nothing especially original but I still enjoyed it although I did feel that the last two or three chapters seemed to rush to a conclusion at a much faster speed than the rest of the book.

It also covered various traits of the family's differing personalities, especially in the way their mother displayed blatant favouritism to one of the girls.

[Raneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

for a while i thought this book is a 4star book.but i didnt believe the ending although i loved it.... at the beginning i felt tge spirit of jo and amy march in addy and prue.. and i loved every character and their diversity... but i was perplexed that when the girls grew older and the characters around them seemed to be less... i was waiting for many more friends or at least description for surronding people..... but overall i had really hard time closing the book

[Trine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Katie Flynn, but I liked it, especially the feeling of authencity. It feels as if the author knows about life in and about Liverpool during World War II but manage to let it be more a background to the characthers than the subject itself. It is nice and slow paced which gives you time to absorb the atmosphere.

[Hira Aftab · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I got the book mainly because of the title. Quite misleading. Very serious book. It was mainly on events of World War II n its effects on people's lives. It was hard for me to imagine the characters really. Very little romance & no humor. I didn't quite enjoyed the book as much as I hoped I would.

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this book, I usually really enjoy her books but this just didn't do it for me. I also don't think that the title reflects the book - I decided to read this one as a Christmas read but it isn't, ok it mentions Christmas but it isn't about Christmas.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this as I really wanted a Christmas book to read over Christmas. Not a "Holiday" book but I understood the title when I reached the end. This book however was a really good impulse buy. I loved the story line and era. It really makes me want to read more from Katie Flynn!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story once again from Katie Flynn.
It hasn't anything to do with Christmas but is set in the pre and war years.
I would recommend reading this as I found it to be written in inoffence manner.

[Laura jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a real weepy from katie flynn. sisters were very close but due to an accident their life changed. what was most important to them was the kind man who helped them when they were injured. it then becomes a hunt to find him but if they do what will happen

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book would definitely read more from this author.

[Maria Argent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Christmas present, and had finished it by Boxing Day! A good read!

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing to do with Christmas but a good read if you like wartime stories