It is late 1940 and the war feels closer to home than ever for Rose Neville and her staff at the Lyons teashop in Margate. The worry of rationing hangs overhead as the Nippies do their best to provide a happy smile and a hot cup of tea for their customers. When a heavy bombing raid targets the Kent coastline, Lyons is badly hit, throwing the future of the cafe into jeopardy.

The light in Rose's life is her dashing fiancé Captain Ben Hargreaves and planning their Christmas Eve wedding. But she must also prepare to take two new stepdaughters into her life and get on the right side of her wealthy mother-in-law, Lady Diana. Is Rose ready to become a mother so soon?

When Rose's half-sister Eileen makes contact, it seems that Rose's dreams of having a sibling are coming true at long last. But her friends begin to suspect that something is not right about Eileen and her husband: just what are they hiding?

As the Christmas Eve wedding draws near, the bombings intensify in Kent and London, putting everything and everyone Rose loves in danger. Only one thing is for sure: it will be a Christmas she never forgets . . .

PRAISE FOR ELAINE EVEREST
'A warm, tender tale of friendship and love' Milly Johnson
'Heartwarming . . . a must-read' Woman's Own
'A lovely read' Bella