A Christmas Gift For the East End Library Girls is installment #3 in a heartwarming histfic/women’s fiction series set in London during WWII.

A Christmas Gift For the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, WWII (home front), Books About Books, Library, Women Supporting Women, Friendship, London

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My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources for a complimentary e ARC of #AChristmasGiftForTheEastEndLibraryGirls upon my request. All opinions are my own.

A Christmas Gift For the East End Library Girls is #3 in a series. It can be read as a stand alone, but reading the series in order provides the best reading experience.

Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane continue their good work at the East End Library as they endure effects of the war. As we catch up on their personal lives, good news that the King and Queen plan to visit the library lifts their spirits but also heightens their anxiety. Can they get everything ready in time while also dealing with damage caused by air raids? The community will need to pitch in as they spruce up the library as best they can with few resources.

My Thoughts:

Heartwarming Series

I appreciate a gently written series featuring women supporting women and themes of friendship during the hardships of WWII. The young women and the community face some difficult things at times, but though determination and smart thinking they are quickly resolved. I look forward to each new installment. I do recommend reading them in order for the most satisfying reading experience. If you love books by Lesley Eames or Jennifer Ryan, you might also love these.

Women Supporting Women

One of my favorite themes is women supporting women, especially during the WWII years. As women supported the war effort in various ways, they leaned into friendship and joined their resources and efforts. These are inspiring stories that always cause me to ponder my own actions in similar circumstances.

Books About Books and Libraries

Who can resist?! Put “books” or “library” in the title and I’m hooked! The main setting for this series is a library located in London’s impoverished East End. This particular library offers more than books and under the women’s leadership, becomes the heart of the community.

Recommending A Christmas Gift For the East End Library

I recommend this series for fans of gently written historical fiction/women’s fiction with strong and inspiring female characters. The romance is firmly closed door and no profanity.

Related: You might also enjoy the Wartime Bookshop series by Lesley Eames.

My Rating: 4  Stars

Meet the Author of A Christmas Gift For the East End Library Girls, Patricia McBride

Patricia McBride is an author of heartwarming World War II sagas featuring fierce female friendships. She resides in Cambridge, England with her husband. When not writing, Patricia enjoys curling up with a cup of tea and books about strong woman in war time.

Patricia’s latest series follows the adventures of three librarians living and working in London’s impoverished East End during the Blitz. The first book, The Library Girls of the East End, introduces posh Lady Cordelia Carmichael, bold Mavis and more timid Jane. Despite their differences, the three band together to keep their beloved library running amidst food rationing, air raids, and family troubles. And of course, romance.

Patricia’s other popular WWII series features the courageous Lily Baker. Lily and her Welsh friend Bronwyn join the the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The bold duo are thrilled to serve their country, but discover it’s not all excitement. They must overcome challenges like grueling training, traitors, and the loss of comrades. But their friendship, courage, and devotion to duty see them through.

Growing up, Patricia adored listening to family stories about the war. This fueled her interest in capturing the bravery and sacrifice of the British people on the home front.

Patricia is an active member of both the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Historical Writers’ Association.

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QOTD:

Do you love books about books and libraries?

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