
ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas by Maggie Mason #BlogTour
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas by Maggie Mason. My thanks to Francesca Banks at Sphere for the place on the tour and the review copy of the book. It will be published on 28th October.
Will their prayers be answered at the most wonderful time of the year?
As Christmas approaches, Alice, Edith and Marg continue to face hardships growing up on one of the poorest streets in Blackpool. Penniless, their friendship has helped them survive this far, but it’ll take more than that to see them through the dark days that lie ahead . . .
Newly married Alice receives shocking news about her pregnancy that threatens the future she’s always dreamed of, Marg is struggling to care for her ailing mother and ensure her little sister receives the education she deserves, and Edith is grieving the loss of her family while preparing to marry her sweetheart.
The Halfpenny Girls once again are faced with a struggle, but with the festive season upon them will family, friendship and Christmas spirit see them through?
It’s not long since I read the first book in this trilogy, The Halfpenny Girls, so the characters of Marg, Edith and Alice were still fresh in my mind. Had that not been the case I would still have been able to pick up The Halfpenny Girls at Christmas and enjoy it as Maggie Mason always makes sure the reader knows what happened before.
Once again, I was whisked to Blackpool of the late 1930s to smell the sea air and the fish and chips that the girls eat copiously. I love this setting, the seaside being so alive with characters and life. As the book begins Alice is newly married and looking forward to her first baby with her doctor husband, Gerald. Edith is happy with Philip and is eager to start their life together. Marg’s life is more unsettled with her poorly ma and gran with dementia. But they are the Halfpenny Girls and no matter what, they have each other and that gets them through.
Reading a Maggie Mason book is like having a warm hug. Even though she puts her characters through it there’s always such friendship and love that it makes you feel you could cope with anything with the right people around you. Being set when it is, war is on the horizon and the girls will have a lot to cope with in the years ahead (and book three, The Halfpenny Girls at War, will cover that). I love reading about them and really hope for the best for them. I particularly enjoyed the progression of Alice and Edith in this book and it was interesting to see these strong women starting to take on new roles, particularly as they will be required to do that even more when their men go to war. I was also pleased to see Marg get a rare chance of happiness.
This book covers two Christmases and so is a lovely read for this time of year. I enjoyed being back in Blackpool again with these lovely folk.
Maggie Mason also writes saga as Mary Wood. Mary was born the thirteenth child of fifteen and throughout her life had various factory, office and home-based jobs, finally becoming a probation service officer before she retired. Mary married in 1963 and with her husband Roy has four children, eight grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. She got her first book deal in 2013 and has not looked back since.
Another wonderful book to read from a truly amazing Author. Love to read this genre of book that takes one back to a time of hardship and friendship and how people interact with one another. Smell of the seaside is a wonderful childhood memory of mine along with the fish and chips.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this amazing review, it brought tears to my eyes to hear that you love the characters and can feel so involved with them, that is the experience I strive to give my readers, so lovely to hear that I have succeeded. Thanks too, for all you do for me and all authors, much love, Mary (Maggie) x
It’s my pleasure, Mary. I do really love these girls and the setting too. x
Such a wonderful review, so looking forward to reading this next book. I will be off out to buy it on Thursday 😊
Great blog -so looking forward to reading it
Super review, really looking to reading this book.
Love all Maggie’s books, can’t wait to read this one xx
brilliant review cant wait for this book x
Great blog so looking forward to reading it
Great review, must read this book
Really looking forward to reading this book. Mary, maggie’s books are always a great read xx
What a wonderful review, cannot wait to read the second book in the series.
Like the sound of it, have read the halfpenny girls. Look forward to it.
Can’t wait for this book to be in my hands
Another fantastic review Mary
Can’t wait to read it, love your books
Wow another fantastic review xx
After reading The Halfpenny girls and really enjoying it I can’t wait to read The Halfpenny girls at Christmas.
Fantastic review cannot wait to read it love your books. Xxxx
Great blog for a fantastic author! Looking forward to reading this one!
So excited to being able to read this book!
Love your books Mary. Looking forward to this one too X
Lovely review! I love reading Christmas books all year round and look forward to reading this.
Can’t wait to read this book and buy it. A brilliant author
Love your books so looking forward to your can’t put down books.
Look forward to reading this book
Another fantastic review for you Mary. So looking forward to reading this book xx
What a great review ,so looking forward to reading this book 📚 xx
Looking forward to reading this lovely cover book by a lovely author.
Can’t wait to read this amazing sounding story.
Lovely blog and cant wait to read the book
Great review, makes me look forward to the book even more x
Lovely blog, & a great review for Mary.
Can’t wait to read this new one.
Really looking forward to this book.
Just can’t wait really excited to read another fabulous book Mary.
I was introduced to your books only recently but very quickly realised what a good writer you are . I’m looking forward to reading the continuing saga of The Halfpenny girls. Your characters are easily relateable and very quickly the readers becomes part of their lives .
Lovely review really looking forward to reading it myself
Looking forward to reading this book. What a lovely setting for the stories.
Another heartwarming story of love and friendship in difficult times from our favourite author, would love to get to know these girls better.
Fabulous review, gorgeous author!
A really fantastic review can’t wait to read it x
There are too many wonderful comments to reply to individually but I just want to say thank you to you all for your kind words and your support. It’s lovely to see so many other Maggie/Mary fans!
What a great review . Mary,s books are like a warm hug . Just love them all. Can’t wait to cosy up with this one 😍
Thank you once again, Nicola and thanks to you all who commented for this amazing support, love you all xxx
Who doesn’t love a Christmas book to escape into, especially the way things are today. You can forget your troubles for a short while, grab a cuppa and you are away.