This is about family, friendship and love. The characters are well developed and relatable. I loved the plot and the pacing was very good. I am a fan of this authors work

A wonderful saga about love and friendship.

Emma is sent to live with her Aunt Bessie after disgracing herself in Ireland. The first impression she made in the village seemed as though she was going to carry on trying to disgrace herself. Emma over the months helps her Aunt Bessie and tries to help bring the family together.

The characters seemed to be really strong and found the story really good.

Poignant, powerful and dramatic, A Mother’s Christmas Wish is another winner by saga writer extraordinaire Glenda Young.

The discovery of a scandalous affair sees Emma Devaney banished from her home in Ireland and sent to Ryhope in disgrace to live with her widowed aunt, Bessie Brogan. Emma will be helping her aunt run the pub, but chafing at the constraints Bessie imposes upon her, in a moment of weakness Emma turns to the wrong person for comfort and ends up pregnant. With a baby to think about, Emma realises that she must embrace her new life in Ryhope for the sake of her child and throws herself into making the pub thrive and healing the troubled relationship between Bessie and her daughters.

With Christmas around the corner, Emma begins to feel like she has found somewhere she belongs. Thankful for the kindness and acceptance she has found in Ryhope, Emma decides to do something for the community that has welcomed her with open arms. Bringing the entire town together to celebrate the festive season will help to heal old wounds, make a special mother’s Christmas dreams come true – and also bring Emma closer to finding the love she had long given up on…

Glenda Young never disappoints and with A Mother’s Christmas Wish she has written another spellbinding saga perfect for reading by a roaring fire as the cold nights begin to draw in. A Mother’s Christmas Wish is a terrific saga full of strong, flawed and inspirational women fighting for their right to live life on their own terms even when the odds are stacked against them.

A heart-warming, heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting tale about community, family and the power of love, A Mother’s Christmas Wish is the latest dazzling saga by Glenda Young.

A Mother's Christmas Wish is a fast paced story.

Young has researched Irish traditions, and the 1920's culture, lifestyle and vocabulary of London. The writing style is repetitive and I found a few typos.

The character development of A Mother's Christmas Wish gives flashbacks so the reader is able to understand the characters....

Emma is 17 year old and very headstrong. She has been called reckless and wild in her childhood after father disappeared leaving her and her mother alone to tend farm. She has became more drawn to the world outside of the farm and has dreamed of leaving Loughshinny. her lust for adventure grew, often making her feel torn between her head and heart. Emma makes a poor first impression when turn up to Bessie's pub drunk and with a black eye.

Bessie is friendly, honest and open hearted. She owns pub Forester’s Arms in Ryhope. Bessie has become a good listener, she has lost her husband Pat and still mourns him. She has not had the heart to look after pub, which had gained bad reputation after she employed local lad, Jimmy Porter to help run it.

The Relationship between Bessie and Emma is instant. They are very loving towards each other.

I would suggest reading A Mother's Christmas Wish to people who enjoy reading historical fiction and sagas, as it is a character driven story of family, love and friendship

The ups and downs of family life, which are much the same regardless of the era. This is a lovely tale, well told with great feeling. A new start which is almost destroyed within the first two days, but with her aunt's help they help each other turn things around for the better.

I just love Glenda books, I have read all of them. It was a delight to get back to Ryhope. Thankyou so much for my advance copy.

This is the first time that I have read a book by Glenda Young, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Set in the North East, there were subtle references that told you the time period in which the story was set, the 1920’s.
Emma has been sent over from Ireland in disgrace to live with her aunt Bessie. Her journey over from Ireland and first few days within Ryhope put her on a tricky footing, along with harsh lessons to learn. Throughout the novel we see Emma grow up and how she becomes a well-adjusted young lady, bringing her family back together.
We saw the enjoyment of Christmas and the carrying on of an Irish tradition. It did have a Christmassy feel to the storyline.
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the happy ending. I did feel a tinge of sadness over Bessie though.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Glenda young for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

With her fabulous cosy crimes, entertaining weekly soap and heartwarming Ryhope sagas, Glenda Young has fast become one of my favourite authors. There aren't many authors whose books I read without reading the synopsis but Glenda is one of them. It's not only that the books are guaranteed to be good, it's also that I don't want to spoil a single surprise of the fantastic storyline.

It's December 1923 and 17 year old Emma is leaving her home in a small Irish village and setting off on a long journey to North East England. Emma is leaving under a cloud and I love the wonderfully imaginative scandal that Glenda Young has come up with for Emma. Emma makes quite a first impression when she reaches her Aunt Bessie's pub at the end of her journey: the small coal mining village of Ryhope.

I absolutely adored this book; I laughed, I cried (TWICE!!) and I was entertained from start to finish. I really don't think any review I write could do it justice, you just really need to read it for yourself. It's festive in the loveliest way with family and community spirit at its heart and I loved seeing the main characters from all of the previous Ryhope sagas making cameo appearances. I also loved reading about the Irish tradition of Nollaig na mBan (the Women's Little Christmas) and it's so beautifully incorporated into the storyline.

You can save some pounds on your heating bill by reading A Mother's Christmas Wish; it didn't just warm my heart, it warmed me from head to toe. Glenda Young breaks saga stereotypes with her hugely entertaining and incredibly inventive storylines and A Mother's Christmas Wish is not to be missed.

Very highly recommended - I wanted to read it again the moment I turned the final (soggy, tear-stained) page. It's absolutely beautiful, unforgettable and unmissable.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Emma Devaney is a heroine for our times. Banished in disgrace from Ireland and sent to live with her aunt in her English pub, Emma battles against the constraints imposed upon her by her situation and her times. Once again she trusts the wrong man and falls pregnant. However she triumphs against adversity and prejudice and in doing so ,unites her family and village in a modern
Christmas carol. Loved it

Okay so I read half of this book and spent the whole time wondering what was actually happening. I did not like any of the characters and it really just seemed like the sole point was to pile on bad thing on top of another for the most ridiculous narrative possible. I really was sad about this because I love holiday themed books but this just really missed the mark for me.

A wonderful book that shows that you are given a second (third or fourth) chance to make things right.

Emma made some terrible decisions that resulted in her moving to her Aunt Bessie's pub in Ryhope. Emma no sooner arrived when one more rash behavior changed her life forever.

The characters in this story were fantastic to read about. It just was what you would think who would reside in a small village. Everyone knows your business. No one can really keep a secret. And Emma did have secrets.

I really enjoyed the book. This was my first time reading anything by Glenda Young. This won't be last. I love historical stories based in England. I had to laugh when they introduced Christmas crackers to Emma. I bought them for Christmas last year. I have a picture of the whole family wearing their paper hats around the table.

I was given the opportunity to read this ebook by Boldwood Books to review. Thank you for that as I loved it.
#BoldwoodBooks
#RachelRandomResources

What a wonderful story about finding real love, friendships and family.
Main characters, Emma and Bessie, were lovely to get to know.
Definitely put this on your Christmas wish list!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When Emma is sent from Ireland to her aunt Bessie in England she feels like her life is over. When she arrives it isn’t the best start to her new situation A guy from one of the local pubs inv to a drink and she en vibes more than she should and has a quick dalliance with the local name Ginger her aunt Bessie suffers no fools though and when she arrives she just wants to feed her and put her to bed. It definitely looks like Emma needs help in the beginning but in the end it will be her helping her aunt Bessie in more ways than one and at the same time herself. When she finds out she is pregnant from her little tryst with the local Lothario she is at a loss as to what to do but she will find friends in the most peculiar places. There’s a lot more to this book and it was a cute story and I think this this author has a great talent for storytelling but I will be honest and say I couldn’t pinpoint at what time in history this was. I know they use candles and Robert rode horses but when walking down the street she passed the electric light theater… Maybe this isn’t a big deal to Sam but I really wanted to know in what era she lived. Having said all that was a cute story and if you like historical romance you’ll love the story it’s not just the romance but about family pulling together in times of need and so much more. I received this book from NetGalley and headline publishing but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A Mother's Christmas Wish is my first Glenda Young novel and I will be keeping my eye open for more. Emma has been sent to live with her Aunt in England after disgracing herself with the local vicar! Emma is upset by this by determined not to upset get mother again - is she able to do this? You'll have to read it to find out! There is a lot of community spirit shining through and i loved how I felt as though I was friends with Bessie (Emma's aunt)!

What a delightful heartwarming historical saga tale A MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS WISH is! It is an easy read from start to finish that will fill you with delightful and warm your heart and soul. I don't think I have read Glenda Young before but I'll be sure to keep an eye out for other books by her. I love this type of historical saga with an easy reading style. It is one of my favourite genres that is up there with Catherine Cookson, Lindsey Hutchinson and Dilly Court.

1923: Seventeen year old Emma Devaney has left her home in Ireland under a cloud of shame and sent to live with her aunt Bessie Brogan in Ryhope in the North East of England. Emma decides that this will be a new start but instead she arrives drunk, with a black eye and shrouded in scandal. From the moment she steps off the boat she is faced with challenges that bring out the stubborn and outspoken streak in her, landing her in some unfortunate situations.

Her introduction to Ryhope is not a good one. After stepping off the train, she walks to the first pub to ask for directions to her aunt's pub, the Forester's Arms, and instead stays for several drinks with a charming yet unsavoury character who plies her with several stouts and then suddenly leaves her standing outside her aunt's pub before she makes her grand entrance by falling flat on her face through the door. Scooped up by the rugged and handsome Robert Murphy and under Bessie's guidance, she is then deposited in the spare room to sleep off her stupor. And after an entrance like that, she is sure to set tongues wagging throughout Ryhope.

From the moment Emma arrived, she has brought light to her aunt Bessie Brogan's life. Since losing her beloved husband Pat just months before, Bessie's heart has not been in the pub that has for so long been the lifeblood of her's and Pat's lives. She had instilled young Jimmy Porter in the pub and left him to run things for her but in her absence as she remained shut away in the back rooms in her grief, unable to face serving at the bar again without Pat by her side, the once pride of their lives had now attracted the wrong sort of crowd and gained a bad reputation. Then learning of her niece's impending arrival later that day, despite the three weeks' notice Bessie's sister Nuala had given her (mail tended to be a little slow), Bessie then hastily made room for Emma in the spare room Jimmy had occupied before given his marching orders as "family came first".

As soon as Emma had slept off the stout she had consumed on the day of her arrival with the nefarious Ginger Benson in the Railway Inn, she was taught how to serve at the bar, pour a pint and all the ins and outs of running a pub under Jimmy's scowling eyes while her own blackened one lost its shine. It wasn't long before Emma got into the swing of things and learnt how things ran but it also wasn't long before she noticed some discrepancies and not wanting to worry her grieving aunt, decided to tackle them herself.

Emma proves her worth as well as being the talk of the village what with her scandalous arrival. But despite her trying to make this a new start for herself, things don't always go according to plan and she finds herself in a situation from which she can see no out. And so she turns to the one person she never thought she would. But will her trust be betrayed once she reveals her secret? Or could this be the answer for which she's been looking?

There is so much to love in this delightful tale of camaraderie and friendship. Villages tend to be the best and the worst of places, functioning as a family and knowing all your foibles and secrets as well as being the place you can seek refuge and be safe. This tale is about the sisterhood and camaraderie of women and the strength they draw from each other. But like all sagas of this nature there also comes heartache. And yet I enjoyed every minute of this wonderful tale and wish I could go back there. I loved Emma and Bessie, as well as Robert and the kindly Joy and even the spiky Lil.

From reading the Acknowledgements/Notes at the end, I gather that Bessie Brogan features in a previous book "The Tuppenny Child" and upon searching out her other titles I've discovered Annie Grafton, who is often mentioned and referred to in this book, features in another of her previous titles. I've also discovered that they mostly appear to be set in Ryhope so each of them will more than likely cross paths in past or future publications, but without them being a series. I'll be interested in checking them out.

A thoroughly enjoyable tale in the vein of my all time favourite Catherine Cookson and perfect for fans of this genre like Cookson, Lindsey Hutchinson and Dilly Court. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I would like to thank #GlendaYoung, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AMothersChristmasWish,/b> in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

A community that is full of gossip. Emma lives with her mother in Ireland and is labeled a disgrace and a trouble maker and after a shameful affair is sent to live with her Aunt Bessie in England . Bessie runs and owns a pub and Emma is now going to be working for Aunt Bessie.
This brilliant story is one that I didn't want to end as I was so absorbed by the lives of every character that I feel lost now without them. The women are particularly strong and fiesty which I loved. Young Bess was my favorite character as she reminds me of my little cousin so stubborn and able to speak her mind that's a great characteristic to have. The gossiping in the community really annoyed me but I enjoyed the tradition of the Womens Christmas, I have never heard of it but it is an Irish tradition. With lots of scandal, love, friendship and a sense of community I can't wait to read more from Glenda. A tantalizing historical fiction book for everyone!

Glenda has done it again. This is a great read with some lovely characters that draw you right into the book. After being disgraced at home in Ireland Emma is put on the boat to England to live with her Aunt in Ryhope. Bessie is in a bad way after the death of her beloved husband Pat and she welcomes the distraction that Emma brings. This is a lovely story of how family when you pull together can get over anything thrown at them.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

It’s 1923 and in the North East, in a little village, we read about a community who are there for each other.

But, in this village, news travels fast, but it’s not too bad if you get help when you need it, neighbours are there to help.
A pub, is the place that’s much loved by the whole community, but, it’s been left rundown as the landlady recently suffered a loss.

When someone new, a girl arrives, making her first time in the village, one no one will forget, she’s set to change the pub around and bring back some life into it.
It was lovely to see the friendships between the women, the support they receive from each other when the their husbands let them down, their friends are there for them.

There are people in families, that have fallen out through arguments or differences of opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Mother’s Christmas Wish.

I recommend this book.

Following a scandalous affair, wayward Emma Devaney is sent in disgrace from her home in Ireland to Ryhope, where she will live with her widowed aunt, Bessie Brogan, and help her run her pub. Bessie is kind but firm, and at first Emma rebels against her lack of freedom. Struggling to fit in, she turns to the wrong person for comfort, and becomes pregnant. Accepting she must embrace her new life for the sake of her baby, Emma pours her energy into making the pub thrive and helping heal the fractured relationship between Bessie and her daughters.

This is a great story about family, friendship and love. I liked the authors writing style. The characters are well developed, independent and spirited. Bessie Brogan is a widow who runs The Foresters Arms in the coal mining village of Ryhope in Sunderland. Emma helps Bessie to get the pub back on its feet. I loved everything about this book, its steady pace, village life and how quick and easy it was to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Headline and the author #GlendaYoung for my ARC of #AMothersChristmasWish in exchange for an honest review.

A Mother’s Christmas Wish by Glenda Young gives us a good book with much more than Christmas. Emma has been sent away from Ireland to stay with her mother’s sister, Bessie. Emma isn’t happy with her mother’s decision and quite publicly she makes it know through her actions. Bessie is a firm but loving woman who has recently lost her husband. She takes Emma in to help run the bar. Young tells this story so well that you can feel as if you know Bessie’s family and the people in town. I enjoyed this book and will read more of Glenda Young’s books.
This is my honest opinion to the ARC I received from NetGalley.