Shipyard Girls Books in Order

How to Read the Shipyard Girls Series

Nancy Revell's bestselling Shipyard Girls series is a sprawling, emotional, and historically rich saga set against the backdrop of World War II in Sunderland, England. Following a group of women who take up welding in the local shipyards to support the war effort, the series combines historical authenticity with personal drama, romance, and intense mystery. To get the most out of the characters' interconnected lives and ongoing storylines, the recommended way to read the series is in its original publication order, which also matches the chronological timeline of the war.

Once you finish the main 12-book series, you can seamlessly transition to the spin-off series, Cuthford Manor, which picks up in the post-war era and follows fan-favorite characters in their next chapters.

Shipyard Girls Books in Reading Order

Here is the complete list of the 12 main Shipyard Girls books, followed by the sequel series. Reading these in order allows you to watch the characters grow, experience the progression of World War II in real-time, and uncover the tightly woven secrets that span multiple volumes.

The World War II Saga (Sunderland Shipyards)

1. The Shipyard Girls (2016) – Set in 1940, this book introduces Polly, Rosie, Gloria, and the rest of the women stepping into J.L. Thompson & Sons shipyard. We see them battle prejudice, dangerous working conditions, and their own personal secrets.
2. Shipyard Girls at War (2017) – As the threat of air raids intensifies in 1941, the bonds between the women deepen. Polly faces heart-wrenching choices, while Gloria must deal with the shadows of her past.
3. Secrets of the Shipyard Girls (2017) – With the war dragging on, the focus shifts to family secrets. Rosie fights to keep her head welder position while shielding her sister, and Gloria struggles to find safety from her abusive ex-husband.
4. Shipyard Girls in Love (2018) – Love blossoms under the threat of bombings. The shipyard women navigate romantic struggles, wartime weddings, and the pressure of keeping the shipyards running.
5. Victory for the Shipyard Girls (2018) – The grit and determination of the women are put to the test as they face devastating losses and celebrate small victories in the heart of the home front.
6. Courage of the Shipyard Girls (2019) – Set against the mounting tensions of mid-war Britain, this installment focuses on the inner strength required to face tragedy and keep supporting the troops.
7. Christmas with the Shipyard Girls (2019) – A festive but bittersweet look at how the women celebrate Christmas in wartime, balancing holiday hope with the cold reality of rationing and missing loved ones.
8. Triumph of the Shipyard Girls (2020) – As the tide of the war begins to turn, the characters must confront their deepest fears and work toward personal triumphs amidst ongoing danger.
9. A Christmas Wish for the Shipyard Girls (2020) – Another seasonal entry that advances the overarching narrative, blending the warmth of the holidays with crucial plot developments.
10. The Shipyard Girls on the Home Front (2021) – The end of the war is in sight, but the struggles on the home front remain as intense as ever, testing the ultimate resilience of the crew.
11. Shipyard Girls Under the Mistletoe (2021) – The final holiday-themed novel brings the characters to the cusp of peace, wrapping up long-running subplots and preparing them for the end of the conflict.
12. Three Cheers for the Shipyard Girls (2022) – Set in January 1945, this emotional finale wraps up the main wartime saga as victory in Europe draws near and the women look toward a changing world.

The Spin-Off: Cuthford Manor Series

After finishing the original series, readers should move on to the Cuthford Manor series. This sequel saga is set in the post-war years, beginning in 1949, and shifts the setting to County Durham. It follows Angie, a beloved character from the shipyards, as she navigates her new life.

1. The Widow's Choice (2024) – Angie has married Quentin Foxton-Clarke and moved to Cuthford Manor, only for tragedy to strike when Quentin dies in an accident. Left as a widow with death duties, a difficult mother-in-law, and siblings to support, she must fight to keep the estate.
2. A Secret in the Family (2025) – The post-war drama continues at Cuthford Manor, digging deeper into family mysteries, secrets, and the enduring strength of the characters.
3. A Daughter's Love (2026) – The latest installment in the saga, further developing the lives of Angie, her family, and the legacy of the shipyard friendships.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Unlike some historical sagas that bounce back and forth in time using prequels, Nancy Revell wrote the Shipyard Girls in a strict linear chronological sequence. The story starts in 1940 (Book 1) and progresses systematically month-by-month, year-by-year, ending in early 1945 (Book 12). The spin-off series, Cuthford Manor, starts in 1949. Because the chronological timeline is identical to the publication order, there is no confusion: simply start with the first book, The Shipyard Girls, and read straight through to the end.

What to Know Before You Start

Nancy Revell is the pen name of Amanda Revell Walton, a former journalist who drew deep inspiration from her own roots in Sunderland. Her family had a long legacy of shipbuilding, which helped her capture the authentic, gritty atmosphere of the shipyards. During WWII, Sunderland was a crucial hub, producing a quarter of Britain's merchant ships, making it a prime target for German Luftwaffe bombings.

Revell spent hundreds of hours researching the real history of the women welders who stepped up to fill these roles. By using local archives, including the Sunderland Echo, she grounded the personal dramas of characters like Polly, Rosie, and Gloria in real historical events, local geography, and the true hardships faced by the region during the Blitz.

Practical Reading Advice

• Can the books be read as standalones? While each novel technically has a self-contained story arc with its own immediate resolution, they are not designed to be read out of order. The relationships, mysteries, and character development build continuously from one book to the next. Reading them out of order will lead to major spoilers regarding marriages, deaths, and long-term family secrets.
• Where is the best starting point? You must start with Book 1, The Shipyard Girls. Starting anywhere else will leave you feeling lost amidst the large, ensemble cast of characters.
• Are the holiday books optional? No. Unlike holiday novellas in other series that serve as non-essential side stories, the Christmas-themed books in this series (Christmas with the Shipyard Girls, A Christmas Wish..., and Under the Mistletoe) are full-length novels that contain crucial plot developments and push the timeline forward. Skipping them will leave significant gaps in the story.