A warm and comforting read, set against the nation's favourite holiday camp, from bestselling author of The Woolworths Girls
'Molly Missons gazed around in awe. So this was Butlin's. Whitewashed buildings, bordered by rhododendrons, gave a cheerful feeling to a world still recovering from six years of war. The Skegness holiday camp covered a vast area, much larger than Molly expected to see.'
Molly Missons hasn't had the best of times recently. Having lost her parents, now some dubious long-lost family have darkened her door - attempting to steal her home and livelihood...
After a horrendous ordeal, Molly applies for a job as a Butlin's Aunty. When she receives news that she has got the job, she immediately leaves her small home town - in search of a new life in Skegness.
Molly finds true friendship in Freda, Bunty and Plum. But the biggest shock is discovering that star of the silver screen, Johnny Johnson, is working at Butlin's as head of the entertainment team. Johnny takes an instant liking to Molly and she begins to shed the shackles of her recent traumas. Will Johnny be just the distraction Molly needs - or is he too good be to be true?
Title: The Butlins Girls
Author: Elaine Everest
Published By: Pan
Publication Date: 4th May
My Review
I loved this story, after loving The Woolworths Girls I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Butlins Girls and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Molly Missons is a lovely young lady who has sadly lost her parents and could soon be losing her home. Her awful second cousin Simon and his mum have turned her world upside down with their unexpected arrival and demands they are making.
Luckily for Molly her parents' close friends are there for her and encourage her to apply for a job in Butlins as they don't feel she is safe. I really loved the relationship she had with George and Kath as they loved her parents almost as much as she did and they really took Molly into their hearts.
When Molly moved to Skegness for her holiday job it reminded me of my own experience of finding a summer job when I was younger. The excitement of a new area and meeting lots of new people and the camaraderie that working for a company such as Butlins would bring, there is also an element of nervousness of stepping into the unknown.
I had been to Butlins with a friend and her family when I was eleven so could recognise the descriptions of the chalets and the uniforms and many of the activities, so although this was set many years before I went there it still felt like a trip down memory lane for me.
Molly idolised an actor called Johnny Johnson and their paths were set to cross many times over the course of the book, however she would often end up red faced as she seemed a lot clumsier when he was around.
The friends that Molly met and shared a chalet with were called Plum and Bunty and I enjoyed watching their friendships grow. Each of the young women had a secret which would unfold throughout the book as they learnt to trust each other more and they were able to help each other through their various trials and tribulations.
Molly makes some amazing discoveries as time passes and she herself becomes stronger towards the end of the book.
Reading this book reminded me of when I used to sit with my mum many years ago and watch an old film on a Sunday afternoon.
It was beautifully nostalgic with a strong foundation built on true friendships. It really captures the innocence of the era. I loved it.
Sincerely
Book Angelx
About the Author
Elaine's love of historical novels led to her writing her first fiction book, Gracie's War, (available in libraries) before being contracted by Pan Macmillan to write Sagas. The first, The Woolworths Girls, was published in May 2016 with the second, The Butlins Girls, due to be published in May 2017.
A former journalist, and author of non fiction books for dog owners, Elaine has written over sixty short stories for the international women's magazine market and can be heard on radio where she chats about canine issues - and just about anything else!
When not writing Elaine can be found teaching her talented students at The write Place Creative Writing School in Dartford, Kent where she holds classes at the Mick Jagger Centre - and no, she has not yet met Sir Mick!
A keen member of the Romantic Novelist Association Elaine sits on their committee and runs their Social Media.
Elaine is represented by Caroline Sheldon of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency.
Follow me:
Facebook: Elaine Everest Author page
Twitter: @elaineeverest
My writing school: www.thewriteplace.org.uk
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