Review: The Evacuee Christmas

The Evacuee Christmas by Katie King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twins Connie and Jessie live with their parents Barbara and Ted at Number 5 Jubilee Street in Bermondsey, South East London, and are quite a close knit family. With War looming, the family face a tough decision - do they stick together during the bombing, or do they split up for safety reasons. Ten year old Connie is determined to prove to her parents that she can look after her quieter brother Jessie.

They get shipped off to Harrogate in Yorkshire with their pregnant Aunt Peggy and are billeted with the local vicar Roger, his wife Mabel and their troublesome son Tommy. Enemies and friendships are made but the city children discover that life is a little different to that back on the streets of London, and the Yorkshire children decide that they don't like the newbies taking over their town. Will life ever settle down especially in the run up to Christmas?

I really liked this book, it was heart warming, and written in such a lovely way that I really felt like I was actually part of the story. If I had one criticism it would be that Christmas isn't mentioned until you've read 90% of the book, and then the festive part is right at the end, and felt a bit squeezed in. If you're expecting a true festive read, just be prepared that it isn't a start to finish Christmas tale, but nonetheless please don't let that put you off as it's really a lovely book.

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