White Christmas by Katie Flynn

Rozalin Sachs has grown up in Frankfurt, but with the Nazi Party gaining power, unfortunately Roz and her family have to flee the country. But a tragic accident separates Roz from her parents and Roz finds herself on the Kindertransport (train for orphaned children).

Roz meets a boy called Felix and they both find themselves in Liverpool, until an incident takes Felix away from Roz. Roz then joins the women’s Land Army and finds herself eventually stationed on a farm just outside of Liverpool, where she meets the farmer’s son, Bernie.

Overall I enjoyed the concept of the plot, but unfortunately, not so much the writing of it. I thought that most of the ‘key’ moments in the book were somewhat rushed. Firstly, the relationship between Felix and Roz. They met on the Kindertransport and find themselves in Dovercourt where they are awaiting placement with a foster family, long with other orphans. Although Felix has only just met Roz, he is instantly smitten. Roz is then placed with what seems like the perfect foster family in Liverpool, but we soon discover that this is far from the truth. When Felix hears of Roz’s struggles, he is determined to find her and help her. Conveniently, Felix is also in Liverpool and it’s a little too easy how Felix and Roz ‘reunite’. Roz then gets a new job with her new friend Mabel, and just as she seems to be settling into her new life, Felix is arrested out of the blue and immediately taken on board a ship bound for Canada (albeit the ship changed destination to Australia!). Shortly after, Roz and Mabel join the women’s Land Army and find themselves posted to a farm in Wales. Within a matter of weeks, Mabel falls in love with the farmer’s son who has just received his call up papers from the RAF. Before he goes, he tells Mabel that she’s, his beau. This is another rushed storyline and one which quite honestly paints women as being rather pathetic. And don’t get me started on the ‘relationship’ between Roz and Bernie! I’m a history buff and I read a lot of historical fiction, so I know that society in general and women’s values were different in the 1940’s, but it seems that every handsome man that comes along, one of the lead characters instantly falls in love with them!

I know that sadly Judy Turner (Katie Flynn) passed away in 2019 and her daughter Holly is now writing under the same name. I have read a number of Holly’s books (which I absolutely loved) but I hate to say that this one is not one of her better ones. Sorry!

Bewitched by Books: ⭐️⭐️