Member Reviews
Donna S, Reviewer
This is the second in a series of books. I did not read the first, but was able to follow the story very well. The book takes place in England during WWII. The characters are believable and mostly likeable. I would definitely read another by this author. |
Christmas with the ops room girls is the second book in the women’s auxiliary Air Force series. This time the book is narrated in May’s perspective. After witnessing two evacuees children being separated she feels the urge of helping them, all this while getting pushed into playing Prince Charming into a pantomime and trying to deal with the pressure that comes from a loving relationship. Even in this book I’ve loved Vicky’s writing style and how she has kept the consistency of the plot’s pace. And moreover I enjoyed a lot the inclusiveness of mystery, romance and historical fiction in the story. For sure you won’t get bored, but you will end up the book with an heartwarming and uplifting spirit. |
Kirsty C, Reviewer
I thoroughly enjoyed being back with the ops room girls and back to the 1940s. Another cracking instalment in what is fast becoming a favourite series |
In this story, a group of evacuees from Coventry arrive in the village and are allocated billets. Some are lucky and have caring foster parents. Others are not so lucky. May becomes concerned about one in particular, Peggy, and promises to help her. Jess persuades May that they should put on a pantomime for the children and involve the Czech airmen to help improve relations between RAF Amberton and the village. The friends also decide to offer parts to the evacuees so that they can befriend Peggy. Some of the locals are less than friendly, and in helping Peggy, May and Jess uncover some illegal activities in the village. This is an era I enjoy reading about, and the plot line certainly held my attention throughout, although I felt it was a little thin towards the end, leaving me with lots of unanswered questions. I enjoyed watching May's confidence grow as she took on a leading role in the pantomime, and then found inner strength to deal with issues that normally would have seen her bend to someone's will. Whilst part of a series, Christmas with the Ops Room Girls could easily be read as a standalone. |
It was a great to catch up with The Ops Room Girls. I'm so glad this book was focused on May. She intrigued me during the previous book. I loved seeing her confidence soar and see her finally stand up for herself. There were times I was so angry at how things were going due to how damaged she was from her past and there were times I just wanted to hug her. This is a wonderful story of hope love and friendship during the Second World War. I really hope that there'll be a third book focusing on Jess. |
This is the second book featuring the girls in the WAAF. Having really enjoyed the first one I was delighted to get hold of this one. One of the previous characters only has a peripheral part in this one, having moved on to officer training. Jess & May continue at the base. They are both upset to see brother & sister evacuees being separated, especially as the girl is stuck with the unpleasant draper's shop owner. In an attempt to cheer the children up she decided that putting on a pantomime & including them would be a great idea. Somehow shy May ends up persuaded to play Prince Charming- well she did want to be more assertive! This is a heart-warming story, it includes real historical events as well as the fiction of the base. I enjoyed it & would like to thank Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. |
Abby S, Reviewer
Another wonderful book in this series,Characters that come alive a storyline I enjoy following from book to book.Saga lovers this is a series for you.#netgalley#canelo |
Christmas With The Ops Room Girls is the second in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force series by Vicki Beeby. May, a member of the WAAF during World War II, witnesses two evacuee children being separated and feels powerless to do anything. Meanwhile, Jess has volunteered her to play Prince Charming in a Christmas Pantomime. She is also getting uncomfortably close to Peter while dealing with memories from her past. She struggles to find the confidence and strength to handle all of these developments. This book can be read separately, but characters from the first book show up midway through, so reading the first book would be helpful. This isn't quite a cozy mystery, but there are mysteries to be solved and a slight crime subplot. Overall, I found this book to be heartwarming and fun, and I would definitely recommend this series. I received a free copy of this book from Canelo and Netgalley. My review is voluntary. |
Another good book in this excellent series. It's engrossing and highly entertaining. I was happy to catch up with the fleshed out characters and the story kept me hooked. Well thought characters, vivid background and a festive atmosphere. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine |
Reviewer 543736
Another in the series of the WAAF girls in WW2. Along with the plot this story shows how evacuees were treated, some were very lucky with the homes they went o but a lot weren't lucky at all and made for a really bad time especially being away from home. The WAAF's worked hard to give everyone a good Christmas as well as doing the work that they had to do. This was very well written and if you enjoy war time novels you will enjoy this. 5 stars given. Thanks to Net Galley and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review |
Diane C, Reviewer
This is book two of the Ops room girls and continues with more of the lives of Evie, Jess and May. Evie has gone off for Officer training and May and Jess decide to entertain the villagers and the evacuees with a Christmas pantomime. May is worried about Peggy a young girl from Coventry who has been sent to stay with Mrs Evans. Will May’s involvement with village affairs affect her chances of Officer training and even her chance of love with Peter. I highly recommend this book as it goes into more detail about May’s home life before she joined up. |
Another excellent novel by Vicki Beeby. I have read the previous stories based on the op room girls so I knew I was in for a treat. I wasn't disappointed. Follow May and Jess and their romances while trying to do their duty as waaf girls. Absolutely delightful. Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review #ChristmaswiththeOpsRoomGirls |
Kathryn g, Reviewer
Thoroughly enjoying this wartime series. The characters are all excellent and the storylines interesting,warm and occasionally heartbreaking. |
As usual in my reviews I won't rehash the plot - plenty of other reviews like that out there if that is what you are looking for! This is the second book I've read in the "Ops Room Girls" series. As with the first, I enjoyed this book - I like the author's style and there were several layers to the plot. There's a nice mix of characters from the previous book - who we get to know in more depth - plus plenty of new characters. The plot is laced with references to actual events from WWII, which enhances the atmosphere of the book. This is a nice easy read, mixing elements of friendship, romance and history, and peopled by believable characters. I will happily read more in this series. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own. |
Nancy K, Reviewer
What a fun story to read. I have always enjoyed the holiday themed stories. This was just a well written story . It's fun to catch up with the characters from The Ops Girls and to see their friendships grow. I am looking forward to the next story. Vicki has a beautiful way with words and storylines. Thank you for the ARC and this is my honest opinion. |
Angela H, Reviewer
Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous book in this series, The Ops Girls, I was very happy to receive a pre-publish copy of Christmas with the Ops girls. I was not disappointed one iota. Following on three months later from book one, this was a lovely tale of family, love, Christmas, the war and evacuees with the girls and boys of RAF Amberton. This book was mainly May’s story and I hope. a Vicky Beeby will write a third focusing on Jess’s story, where there unresolved issues and then hopefully a concluding novel to take us to the end of the war and peacetime. Hope so. |
This was the most charming, evocative and beautiful book, chronicling the lives and loves of young waafs and pilots during world war two. We are drawn into their world, a world where you never know which goodbye will be the last. A world of rations, make and mend, friendship , courage and love. Also a world of fear and pain and loss. The bombing of Coventry was really brought powerfully to life and the personal losses endured. We see the misery of little evacuees, torn from their homes and families and sent to live with strangers...not all of them kind . The story centres on little Peggy , separated from her younger brother and billeted with a nasty, vindictive shopkeeper who makes her life a misery. Luckily for her , young waaf May, decides she has to help her and in doing so, finds the courage to assert herself and face her own demons . The friendship between May, Jess and Evie, the ops rooms girls is joyously written and their characters lovingly drawn and expanded. The friends come together to put on a pantomime to cheer the children and to bring the village together and in doing so, dispel some of the xenophobic suspicions around the brave Polish pilots . This is a many layered book with such subtly in-depth character insights and strong storyline , it will leave you wanting more! |
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book is the second book in the waaf series. I enjoyed the chemistry between May and Peter. This book was well written and I cant wait for the next book in the waaf series. |
Jayne H, Reviewer
Loved this book just as much as Vicki Beeby's first Ops Room Girls title! The author writes in such a way that you become invested in the characters, live the action in the book alongside them and really care what happens to them. This book allows you to time travel back to the time of the Second World War and to have a glimpse into the lives of the men and women living through this time. These books would make a fantastic film or television series. Already waiting for the next episode in the lives of Jess, Evie and May. |
The ARC of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #ChristmaswiththeOpsRoomGirls #NetGalley. This was exactly the kind of fun, lighthearted read I was looking for. Having already been familiar with these characters, there was a comfort in returning to their lives and this setting. The casual banter and conversations between May and Jess were entertaining to read, as was the general festivities mentioned. I particularly enjoyed reading about May's character development, I expressed an interest in reading a book mainly from her perspective after reading the first instalment in this series and this didn't disappoint! I can only hope the next one will be from Jess' point of view, I would have liked a little more exploration into what Evie was up to, however, the small mentions and appearances from her were enough given that this was primarily May's book. Once again, a very entertaining and comforting read! Can't wait for the next one. |




