As always there is a fair bit of action in the book which kept me absorbed in the story and unable to put the book down. It was interesting to see that all of the girls were affected by something in this book which is unusual for this series I think. I might be looking to far into it but I think it bonded them all together more. I felt this was the most emotional book of the series so tissues definitely recommended. Head-welder Rosie is just about managing to keep her double life hidden from little sister Charlotte's prying eyes. But Charlotte senses something is up and, with a secret this big, the truth is bound to come out.

The shipyard girls have been through so much in the last couple of years. Will they finally get the happy ending they so richly deserve? Or will tears and anguish end up putting paid to their celebrations? Nancy Revell is a journalist and a writer under a different name (Amanda Revell Walton), and has worked for every national newspaper, providing them with the hard-hitting stories and in-depth features. She’s also worked for just about every woman’s magazine in the country, writing inspirational and amazing true life stories. Nancy Revell’s books are always a joy to read and Christmas with the Shipyard Girls is certainly no exception.

Head welder Rosie is delighted her own husband has returned from enemy territory. But the promise of victory brings more change... Her squad has come so far - what will happen when the war ends? In the shipyard, new people are constantly coming and going, but the new recruit is certainly raising plenty of eyebrows for the girls. There is something very odd about Helen’s newest employee, Bel, but nobody can quite put their finger on it. What is it about her that has made everybody suspicious about her? Are the girls being unfair towards her? Or should they trust their instincts and try to dig deep about this mysterious arrival? Are the girls ready to uncover the truth? Or should some things just remain hidden? The Shipyard Girls’ series goes from strength to strength and each new book in the series surpasses the previous book. I loved the fact that the series is set in Sunderland, Co. Durham. At the time that the book is set, Sunderland was in County Durham and it will forever be in County Durham to me. Although I don’t have any Shipyard Girls in my family, I do have several relatives who came from Sunderland and lived there during the time that the story is set. In a sense, reading books such as this one, gives me a greater sense of the conditions in which my relatives had to live under. I have to say that ‘The Shipyard Girls’ would be perfect for television adaptation. Nancy Revell is classed as being the new Catherine Cookson, but I have to say that I enjoy Nancy’s books far more than I enjoyed Catherine Cookson’s books. To me, Nancy Revell is the better author. Against all odds, Polly's fiancé has finally returned home from the front line. If they can keep things on an even keel, she might get the winter wedding she's always dreamed of. It's always such a treat to be reunited with the Shipyard Girls and as 1944 dawns, it's good to know that they won't have to wait much longer for peace. However, there are still tears and tribulations ahead of them and Nancy Revell's wonderful gift for writing characters that feel like real people, meant I experienced all the emotions in this latest dramatic instalment of the wartime saga.

Head welder Rosie is delighted her own husband has returned from enemy territory. But the promise of victory brings more change. . . Her squad has come so far - what will happen when the war ends?It's the events of D-Day which lead to the most dramatic scenes of the novel, however. With Rosie, Polly and Gloria desperately longing for the safe return of their husbands and sons, this rollercoaster read left me emotionally wrought. I can't give anything away here - but I strongly advise having tissues ready... And there is something odd about yard manager Helen's newest recruit Bel. But in resolving to uncover the truth, Helen might discover more than she bargained for... has been another year of challenges, for Polly, Gloria, Helen, Rosie and their loved ones. All the workers at Thompson’s Shipyard in Sunderland, are busy trying to get SS Brutus finished on time and the last couple of months before Christmas are frantic. It’s 1943 and the war shows no sign of abating. All across the country, people have lost loved ones and made sacrifice upon sacrifice. Everyone has known anguish, misery and heartache and with this horrible conflict seemingly endless, the only option available to people all over England is to keep their chin up and to try and get through the day as best they can for nobody knows what is around the corner. The shipyard girls have had their fair share of tragedies and disappointments, but even in their darkest of moments they know that they can always rely on one another for a shoulder to cry on, a cup of tea and a good laugh. However, lately laughs seem to be in very short supply for head welder Rosie. With her little sister around, Rosie has to be extra careful to ensure that Charlotte does not get wind of her secrets. However, with each passing day that is proving far easier said than done. Her sister’s prying eyes do not miss a beat and as Rosie begins to feel the pressure of her double life on her shoulders, she cannot help but wonder how much longer she can continue without finally crumbling and letting all her skeletons out of the cupboard. But it is the heart in these books. Women from different parts of the town, different classes and circumstances coming together and forging friendships. Indeed this is the theme of the book, support and friendship. The decisions that each of the women take are wholly supported by the others. We see Hannah return to Europe to assist the British Red Cross and to search for her parents imprisoned in the concentration camps. We see Angie marry her Quentin, who when the question of differing classes comes up, is given support by the group of women in overcoming family disapproval.

One of the main storylines in Triumph of the Shipyard Girls revolves around Charlotte's growing curiosity about Lily and Rosie's fear that her sister will discover that she used to be a prostitute. I love that women from all walks of life are featured without judgement here - and that includes those who work for Lily. Although Rosie's circumstances meant she had little choice other than to become a sex worker, Maisie and Vivian don't seem like victims at all and are women in charge of their own lives. He is from the higher sort of levels of society, and I just thought, there’s a story here. The story begins at the end of the 40s and takes you into the 50s. You watch Angie go through a lot of emotional turmoil. I hope readers will enjoy seeing her grow and develop.Meanwhile shipyard manager Helen is determined to move on after a turbulent year. Her sights are set on breaking the yard's production record and no one, not even the handsome Dr Parker, is going to get in her way.