A Christmas Gift For the East End Library Girls is #3 in a series. While it can be read as a stand alone, but reading the series in order provides the best reading experience.
A Christmas Gift for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride
Series: East End Library Girls #3
Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Saga

As the war continues, the library girls face their greatest challenge yet...

With the echoes of war reverberating around London, Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane are delighted to be blessed with some good the King and his Queen will be making a visit to the East End.

As excitement builds, so does their apprehension. With each passing day, the threat of destruction from air raids increasingly plagues their worried minds.

But with Christmas on the horizon, their morale is at an all-time high, and the girls are determined to display to their esteemed guests all they have done with the library – and with so little.

For Mavis especially, she is more focused on the library than ever – her beloved Joe is still fighting overseas and she is waiting for news on whether she might adopt young Joyce.

But perhaps the royal visit will not be the only Christmas gift she'll be surprised with this year…?

A captivating tale of resilience and determination, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Elaine Roberts and Lesley Eames.

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Review

A Christmas Gift for the East End Library Girls is the third installment in Patricia McBride’s World War II saga, set against the backdrop of the Blitz in London’s East End, one of the hardest-hit areas during the bombings. The story picks up in October 1941, with London still reeling from the relentless German air raids. Mavis, Cordelia, and Jane, the beloved Library Girls, are shocked when they receive an unexpected call from Buckingham Palace—the King and Queen wish to visit their library. Overwhelmed by the honor, the women are at a loss as to how they will spruce up their tired-looking building with the limited resources they have.

However, true to the resilient spirit of the East End, the community and library patrons rally to help. Even the most difficult and unlikely characters come forward, offering their skills, assistance, and cherished possessions to ensure the library is ready for the royal visit. As if the challenge of preparing the library isn’t enough, Christmas is fast approaching, adding another layer of pressure to their already demanding lives in Silvertown.

The story unfolds at a slow pace, allowing readers to get to know the protagonists better. Mavis is determined to adopt a little girl orphaned by the bombings. Jane, whose husband is away fighting on the front lines, is heartbroken and lonely as she misses her daughter, who has been sent to the countryside for safety. Cordelia, whose beloved Robert is serving as a doctor on the front, runs the library, which has become a haven for the women and Tom, their young volunteer, who have become like family in these trying times.

Through the lives of the Library Girls, Patricia McBride poignantly explores issues such as domestic abuse, post-traumatic stress, and the devastating impact of war. Despite its moments of heartbreak, A Christmas Gift for the East End Library Girls is a tribute to the women who endured unimaginable physical and emotional hardships during the war. It is an enjoyable read that honors their strength and resilience.

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