Cover Image: Christmas with the Cornish Girls

Christmas with the Cornish Girls

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Member Reviews

I loved the first book in this series and this one was just as good. It’s better if you’ve read the first one as the same characters appear in this book and you need to know the back story. This one was very festive as well as a little bit sad but with a happy ending which is always a plus. I do hope there is more to co e in this series as I’d love to know what happens to these characters after Christmas. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review. This

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Loved this book from the off. We join Nurse Eva and Sister Gray (Rose) in the convalescent home for the wounded soldiers.
Eva is passionate about trying to get Max mobile again after he helped her in an air raid previously. Max is not willing to cooperate and refuses to see her. Sister is determined to keep Eva away so as not to hinder Max’s treatment and to keep her away from Dr Lewis.
Sister Gray also has a great desire to keep an eye on the young orphans in the Orphanage next door.
Young Lily joins the home to train as a nurse but gets a bit more than she bargained for when there is an air raid on the day her family visit.
There is lots going on to keep you glued to the pages while being a gently story along the way.
Look forward to more books by this author.

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I really liked this! I plan on reading it again to read slowly, as this is such a cozy reading experience and setting. And I think I joined in on the middle of a series? So I need to remedy that. :)

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I love a good series especially a WWII saga & this is certainly one I’m enjoying following.
This story follows Lily & her decision to be a trainee nurse working in an officers convalescent home in St. Ives Cornwall.
Her friend Eva has persuaded her to accept the job there where she herself is a nurse.
Their paths cross quite a lot with the formidable ward sister Rose Gray.

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I read this book in a day. I could not put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction. It was so lovely to catch up with the characters from the previous book and be introduced to some new ones. I had such a joyous feeling by the end of the book. It made my little heart happy. A wonderful festive read and I really hope that there's another book in the series, I feel like we need to know what happened Ernest so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Betty Walker for the chance to read this book,

I had read the first book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it so was really looking forward to this book and was delighted to be able to read the ARC.

Again a heart warming tale about friends and acquaintances living in Porthcurno and around St. Ives in Cornwall. It was lovely to meet old characters and find out their continuing stories and meeting new ones. This time the story is centred around a convalescent home for injured servicemen and an orphanage which appear to be in the same stately home. They share a basement used for an air raid shelter.
I had little idea that bombs fell so close to the Cornish coast though I suppose they would have been on their way to bomb the Plymouth Docks. But they did and had an impact on the orphanage side of the building which had far reaching consequences.
As in sagas of this genre there was love, loss and misunderstandings but this added to the general ambience of the story.
Again a triumph for Betty Walker and I sincerely hope that there is a third in the series to come

Thank you again for all involved in mu opportunity to read this book

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It's 1941 and Eva, Lily and Rose are all working at a convalescent facility for wounded soldiers in Cornwall. These three women are quite different from one another but united in their efforts to help the men, the children in the orphanage, and each other. It's a light, positive read with good characters. I missed the first book but that wasn't a problem at all- I found myself caring about everyone here immediately. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

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Lily Fisher is living in Porthcurno, West Cornwall in 1941, her family’s home in London was destroyed during an air raid, and Lily, her gran Sheila, Aunty Violet and younger sister Alice are all living in a small cottage, and working as cleaners at Eastern House. Lily’s given the opportunity to work as a trainee nurse at Symmonds Hall Convalescent Home near St. Ives, and she’s nervous about leaving her family. She enjoys helping the soldiers, working with her friend Eva, and they want her to organize the Christmas party.

Eva Ryder is a nurse at the convalescent home, her father’s in charge of Eastern House in Cornwall and she’s knows Lily’s entire family. Eva recommended Lily to Sister Gray, Lily’s a sensible girl and she needs a change from cleaning at Porthcurno. Eva’s always getting into trouble with Sister Gray, she’s often running late and gets caught chatting to the patients. Flight Lieutenant Max Carmichael, saved Eva from serious harm in London and he’s recovering at the home. He’s rather dejected, he doesn’t think his condition will improve, Eva’s madly in love with Max, she’s sure he will get better and she’s used to getting her own way.

Sister Rose Gray is in charge of the wards at Symmonds Hall, she works closely with Dr Edmund Layons, Dr Lewis Layons and she has a secret crush on the younger doctor. Rose is concerned about the safety of the children living at the orphanage next door, they look thin, are forced to play outside in the cold weather, and she hears crying at night.

Christmas with the Cornish Girls is a delightful story about the nurses and doctors caring for the injured soldiers at the convalescent home during WW II, you get to know the staff and owner Lady Babs Symmonds, discover what’s happening at the orphanage, how Lily plans the Christmas party with the help from cook, Eva, the children are invited and it's a huge success. Characters from the first book in series Wartime with the Cornish Girls are included in the uplifting narrative, I loved both books by Betty Walker and five stars from me.

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This is the second installment in the Cornish Girls series. Set in the Cornish countryside on a backdrop of WWII. In this one we mainly follow Eva and Lily who begin to work as nurses in St. Ives; a short way away from Porthcurno. They are working in Symmonds Hall, a large manor that has been converted to a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Along with the girls we already know we also meet Rose, and the doctors at the home along with some of the wounded soldiers. Lily is tasked with planning the Christmas party for all the patrons, which can prove quite difficult in wartime.

Walker's second installment in the Cornish girls series is a heartwarming take on a war novel. The relationships between the women are wonderful. it really is a novel that shows that adversity brings people together. I loved that we still got to hear about the women in the first book, and that we got new characters to love in this one. It can be read as a stand alone, but much more enjoyable in order.

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Set in 1941 England, this heartwarming and beautiful story is Christmas-y, yet definitely not necessary to only read during the Christmas season. Betty Walker writes beautifully with strength in her words and (mainly) lovely but realistically flawed characters. This is the second book in her series and is as wonderful as the first with familiar dear characters and new ones as well. We read of relationships, especially those of female friends and beloveds, heartache, uncertainty and hope.

Young Lily has fewer life experiences but learns quickly in her new occupation as a nurse (assistant) in a convalescence home for injured soldiers. Her personality is sweet and eager which bodes well in her planning of the annual Christmas party for injured soldiers and orphans who live in the orphanage.

Eva is beautiful and an excellent nurse and seems to turn the heads of most men. But she is only interested in one and is fiercely loyal to him. He returns home and is severely injured.

Rose, a new character, is a strict ward sister but has a compassionate heart. She is alarmed by what she sees at the orphanage and acts on it.

Soldiers are also introduced as are many historical details such as air raids and drills. I really enjoyed the interactions and thoughts of the characters. Some lack confidence, others discover abilities they did not realize they had. All of them are different yet complementary. I am eager to find out what happens with these characters and storylines in the next book!

If you are into Historical Fiction, especially during WWII, do read this series. You will be glad you did.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this clean, endearing and delightful book.

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Another wonderful Cornish girl book. Some familiar characters and some new one. Lots of exciting st Rory threads and of course the romance. A great read at anytime of year, not just Christmas.

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Another fantastic book by Betty Walker revisiting The Cornish Girls. Its best to have read the other book first as it gives details and perspective to the characters. Following the lives of different Cornish characters who are linked by Symmonds Hall a convalescent home for WW2 injured service men Lily and Eva from book 1 take up positions as nurses. It has a great feel good factor whilst leaving you to deal with various emotions along the way. Thanks to Betty Walker her publisher and NetGalley.

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A magical story
The second in the series set in Cornwall in WW2. It was am easy to read book and can be a stand alone as it doesn't carry on from book one.
But over all I loved it perfect for Christmas.

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The story of The Cornish Girls continues in this second book in the series. Christmas 1941. Eva, Lily and Rose work in a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. The war has had an effect on all aspects of life. But, the holidays are a season of light and hope even during wartime.

These books would make an excellent PBS series. The stories remind me of The Land Girls or Home Fires. Enjoyable characters, dramatic events and heartwarming emotions. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! I found myself sneaking moments of reading in whenever I could just to find out what happens next. I can only imagine what it was like for the people who actually experienced this era in world history. So much change, uncertainty, loss, violence and upheaval. It would have been so difficult to adapt and survive. But little bright spots like the holidays back then must have meant so much.

Another great book by Betty Walker. Can't wait to read the next one!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Avon Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

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The second book in the Cornish Girls saga which can be read as a stand alone but you get more enjoyment if you read them in order.
We meet some of the characters from the first book again. This time we follow Eva who's started working at a convalescence home for wounded soldiers, which was previously a stately home and was handed over for the duration by it's owner. Lily also arrives to work there and we see a huge transformation in her character. She really grows up and learns to deal better with life.
Part of the building is used as an orphanage and a large part of the story is played out around the children living there.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the last. I still can't take to Eva. I know she's driven but she steamrollers everyone into her way of thinking without regard for their opinions or feelings. Quite a bit of it was dreary and I felt depressed at times reading it. There were an awful lot of thwarted passions.
Christmas was the highlight of the story. Dealing with war was not easy at any time and it shows you how difficult it was in this hospital situation.
Over all I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the next one.

Grateful thanks to Avon and Netgalley for an early copy of this book to read.

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I really enjoyed this World War II book set in Cornwall, at a convalescent home. Eva and Lily are caring for injured soldiers, alongside Sister Rose Gray. Eva is in love with one of the American airmen she is caring for, Max - can she persuade him that they are meant to be together?

Adjacent to the home is an orphanage, where we meet young Jimmy. Rose is concerned that the orphanage is not being run correctly and is concerned for the children's safety - can she investigate without jeopardising her own job and position?

I really enjoyed this book, I hadn't read the first in the series but it made no difference to the understanding of this story. I did find the story arc of one character slightly abrupt in its ending which I didn't feel fit comfortably in the tale, but on the whole it was a lovely feel good book.

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Christmas is coming to Cornwall, England, no matter the war and air raids. Betty Walker continues The Cornish Girls Series with an attentive, warm-hearted glimpse into the lives and struggling relationships of Lily and Eva as they move from the top-secret listening post in Porthcurno up the coast to Symmonds Hall in St. Ives. Walker creates excellent backstory of the personalities and past of each character, so readers feel connected without reading Book #1, Wartime with the Cornish Girls. (Though a great read and highly recommended!)
Symmonds Hall is staffed by two doctors and several rule abiding nurses. Next door is an orphanage run by the Treverricks, whose “parenting” techniques are highly questionable. A love triangle, the orphanage, and the children in the Treverrick’s care become a personal challenge for Nurse Rose. Betty Walker’s focus deftly shifts back and forth from developing adult relationships to the orphans’ tenuous situation.
With December 1941 approaching, Lily is tasked with organizing the annual Christmas party! Lily’s and Eva’s days are filled with a wheelchair bound patient, a burn victim, a pregnant visitor, and orphan rescue missions! Meanwhile, it’s an emotional relief to be involved in Lily’s party preparations-dicey at best, with paper chains and rationing.
Christmas with the Cornish Girls will remind readers “that when things are at their darkest, love comes along to light the way.”

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With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I'll admit I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book as I expected it to be a continuation of the first book, but it is not. In fact, I don't think you have to read the first book to understand this book. Once I got past that confusion, I was immediately drawn into the stories of Rose, Eva, & Lily...and little Jimmy! So many of the World War 2 historical fiction books I have read take place in mainland Europe so I always enjoy the change of pace of reading a WW2 book set in England about the wartime efforts at home.

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I was a little disappointed at the beginning of the book, as I thought the story would carry on from the previous book and we would be based at the listening station. But the book took us on a journey to a convalescent home with only two previous characters Lily and Eva being center stage. This was very much a standalone book - you didn't need to have read the first Cornish Girls to enjoy it.
I very much got involved with the story and liked the link with the orphanage and we did have a little revisiting of the original characters which wove in very nicely with the story and the Christmas theme. So you can safely say that I did enjoy the book in the end.

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A brilliant story, beautifully written and one which I couldn't put down. It was lovely to catch up with the characters again from Betty's first book, Wartime With The Cornish Girls, although this one mainly focuses on Eva and Lily's story and a new character Rose.

Highly recommend and I look forward to more by Betty Walker in the future.

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