I absolutely love historical saga books and this one is no exception. It's characters make you care and as the war rages you feel for them. This one is set around what is supposed to be the most cheerful time of year Christmas. I enjoyed how everyone tries to make it special despite the circumstances.

This is the 3rd book in the Wartime Bookshop series and stands alone, the reader can read any and easily pick up the story. This was a great book with wonderful characters, the author was able to have me reading as fast as I could! A great book!

This is the third in this Saga series which takes place during the Second World War. Back in the village of Churchwood, the main protagonists Naomi, Kate and Alice.

Naomi has decided that she needs to take stock of her finances and find out exactly what her husband has done with her money.

Alice is delighted to be married and now pregnant with a honeymoon baby, she is worried about bringing a baby into the world during a war.

Kate, still trapped at the family farm, working harder than most is missing her beau, the dashing pilot. But why is he not writing to her anymore?

As war progresses the women find themselves thrown into village life and a community coming together that they have to navigate as well. A well written Second World War saga

Loved this next book, the characters and story, it has to be said..a must read, looking forward to the next one. Drama in WW11 in a little village, ups and downs in village life. Heartwarming and cosy reading.

A lovely book. Wonderful characters and a really good story. Festive with the Bliz spirit thrown in. I really enjoyed this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

We are back in Churchwood again for this third book in this series. It's Christmas and so much is happening to the people who live there. Follow this series for a lovely set of books, more to follow. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Another good story in this series: vivid historical background, festive and full of emotions.
I was happy to catch up with the characters and enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

We find a lot of the Churchwood characters having problems in this book. With all their personal problems and the war still raging will the community continue to rely on each other or will they start to break away and close themselves off. This is another great read and with it ending at Christmas will the Churchwood community pull together for a happy new year ahead. I’m loving this series and I’m looking forward to reading more about them in book four.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book in the series

it was so nice to able to catch up with all the characters in this book and none more so than these three Alice, Kate and Naomi

each of them have challenges to face during this book and for each of them with far reaching consequences

but its not only them its the villagers themselves and how they deal with the onset of war and the rationing plus a crash landing plane thats sets the tone of what village life is like

i cant wait to see what else this author comes up with for this series

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The chapters are about each character, we learn that Naomi has found out about her husband hasn’t been truthful and is leading a double life and so wants a divorce.

For Kate, she is still having to do as her father and brothers say. The family receive some bad news.

Alice is also faced with her problems.

There’s a mystery in the village, who is taking milk from the doorstep of some of the residents.

A new family moves to the village and there’s a plane crash.

The new vicar is starting to settle into his role, organising events that bring people together.

The story had happy and sad moments and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

I recommend this book.

Joyfully diving into "Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop," I was swept away once again by the magic of Lesley Eames' storytelling prowess. Having been absolutely enchanted by "The Wartime Bookshop", and "Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop," Eames has once again outdone herself with this third book, which, dare I say, shines even brighter than the others!

Eames’ impeccable character development strikes again as every character in this narrative is intricately detailed and lifelike. The women, in particular, stand out as beacons of strength and unity. In a world marred by wars and crises, Eames crafts a tale that is a balm to the heart, filled with hope, encouragement, and the powerful spirit of community. The ladies of "Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop" aren't just characters – they epitomize the essence of hope, community, friendship, and love. Their intertwined fates and shared challenges weave a tale that is as uplifting as it is captivating.

The themes in this book resonate deeply, echoing the importance of friendship during tumultuous times, the beacon of hope in seemingly dire situations, and the everlasting warmth of love. Churchwood is not just a village but a symbol of unity and community standing tall in the face of adversity. Another 5-star read from Lesley Eames! If you're looking for a story to warm your heart and restore your faith in humanity, "Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop" is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a further episode of the inhabitants of Churchwood.Alice is now married and Naomi is trying get away from her husband Alexander.Kate is still stuck with hard to live with family at Brimble Farm along with land girls Ruby and Pearl.They are now all trying to organise events for Christmas but thing seem to get in the way.I really enjoyed reading this book in the Wartime Bookshop series.Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I have read both the previous books and had requested this one as soon as I saw it was available and I really hope there are going to be more.

It was great to meet old characters and see them develop as well as new ones - amid heartache and entrenched though understandable views.

Seeing as this book was set around Christmas it was like pulling on fluffy socks, getting out last years Oodie and snuggling down to a great read.
The books are well researched and well written with, as one would expect characters who are annoying but also ones who are endearing.
Reading of Nativity plays and village activities did bring back memories for me of the 60s and similar community and Church times.

It is better to read as a series as the context and back story of the characters makes more sense in my opinion but it would be possible to read as a standalone

All in all a brilliant read

We return to the bookshop and catch up with Naomi, Alice and Kate.

Each chapter, is about one of the main characters, Naomi having found out about her husband and his double life (book 2) is now wanting a divorce. Kate is still being put on by her father & brothers, Alice too has a few problems.

In the village, they have someone who is steeling milk from the steps of the residents. A German plane crash. A new family.

Adam is beginning to settle in as the new vicar after the replacement who had caused problems ( book 2 and left ) I am sure the author must have knowledge of Sunday school parties / plays as the happenings were similar to those I myself encountered in the late 1960's myself when I was a Sunday school teacher.

Plenty of laughter and some sadness. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I can highly recommend this book

A lovely read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are engaging and the plot is one that is medium paced but a nice read. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

This is such a wonderful series of books. It was great to revisit and catch up with the characters again and I cannot wait for another one. So much emphasis on friendships including all the ups and downs and people coming together for a good cause. Such a delightful read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

Churchwood Hertfordshire, once again we join Alice Lovell Kate Fletcher Naomi Harrington along with the help of Bert Makepiece running the Churchwood bookshop, its the heart and soul of the community keeping everyone going during the year of 1941 WW2.
A big fan of the wonderful series, with the girls lives been turned upside down, that turns into a beautiful feelgood Christmas book, as they say goodbye to a trying year, Christmas is all about hope for a better future.
I do recommend readers to put this on their seasonal book list.
I loved it.

Once again it was wonderful catching up the residents of Churchwood, they live in a small village in Hertfordshire and especially members of the busy bookshop. They use the church hall, here they have a cup of tea and a chat, exchange books, and mend and make over clothes.

The four main members of the bookshop are Naomi Harrington, Kate Fletcher, Alice Lovell and Bert Makepiece. All want to bring back to magic of Christmas and especially for the children and the men in the convalescing home nearby.

Naomi lives in the grandest house in the village, her husband Alexander Harrington has not only been unfaithful, he has a secret family and she feels like a complete fool. Naomi has to fight to keep her home Fox Field, she worried how much of the money in the trust fund remains, she needs to employ at solicitor to sort out the mess and she's never had financial problems before.

Alice is newly married to Daniel Irvine and she’s sure he’s been sent to North Africa. Alice still visits Stafford House, where she reads to the patients and writes letters for those who can’t. Alice thinks she might be expecting a honeymoon baby, she’s both over joyed and concerned about having a baby during a war.

Kate works and lives on Brimbles Farm, her father Ernie is still as mean and grumpy as ever. When her twin brothers Fred and Frank joined up, her father finally gave in an employed two land girls Pearl and Ruby. Her secret romance with fighter pilot Leo Kinsella is going well and they write long letters to each other. Kate tries to make time to visit the bookshop, then family hears that one of the twins has been severely wounded and he’s been sent to a hospital in London.

Bert is a market gardener, the big man has a huge heart, does what he can to help everyone in Churchwood and I think he has a bit of a crush on one of the mature ladies and she's oblivious. A new family has move into the village, despite everyone’s attempts, Evelyn Gregson keeps to herself and home-schools her two boys. Around the same time, things start going missing in the Churchwood and the surrounding farms, milk, vegetables and fruit, this makes members of the bookshop concerned that someone in the community is struggling, too ashamed to speak up and or is it due to another reason?

I received a copy of Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop by Lesley Eames from NetGalley and Random House UK in exchange for an honest review. The story and characters realistically portray life in a small English village during the Second World War, the challenges people faced and especially those with a wounded family member, how the person feels about being disabled, most young men would be really angry and lash out. It also highlights a topic that's still relevant, what can be done if someone's being bullied in the armed forces and hazing needs to stop.

Planning the Christmas play provides a distraction from the war, brings people together, boosts moral and they have to be very creative in making costumes and dealing with setbacks. I have read the two previous books in The Wartime Bookshop Series, The Wartime Bookshop and Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop and I really enjoyed them. This time I cried and happy tears, I have really grown fond of the characters and I have a soft spot for them, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and five big stars from me.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

Oh wow this story had everything in it. Love, heartbreak, envy, nastiness, anger and hate.
But in the end everyone came together for the bookshop and village.
I really hope there's going to be more in this series. I want to know how Bert and niaomi get on and to know how their wedding day goes.
I want to know do pearl and fred get together they are made for each other.
I really hope Alice can have a baby when Daniel gets home.
And that Kate and Leo get married and she gets away from the farm but not her friends.