Rosie Hendry

This is the third book in the East End Angels series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Christmas with the East End Angels follows the lives of three friends serving with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service, based at Station 75, in the East End of London. We get a flavour of 1940's life during WWII as the main characters, Frankie, Winnie and Bella, go about their daily routines under post-blitz, wartime conditions, and it is obvious that a lot of research has been done to provide the accuracy which sets this story firmly in 1941.

This story reminds us that it was not just bombs that killed people during the war. Accidents happened too, and the ambulance crews had to be ready to deal with whatever, and whoever, they found. We are also reminded that life goes on, in this case, despite the war - babies continue to be born, people fall in love and get married, bills still need paying and rationing affected everyone.

I loved the opening spat between Frankie and Ivy, and hoped that the selfish and manipulative Ivy would soon be smiling on the other side of her face. I also enjoyed the ITMA sketch, put on during the fundraising concert. Whilst I am too young to remember the original, I do remember my father mimicking and laughing at the "Can I do you now Sir?" line, and that made me smile.

Although I found the pace a little too slow for my liking, I enjoyed the story-line and the memories it evoked, of my family members reminiscing over their war-time experiences.

My thanks to the author for a free digital copy of this book to review.… (meer)