Books On Board
author Reading Order

Elaine Everest Books in Order

16 Books
4 Series & collections
2011 – 2023 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with Elaine Everest

Elaine Everest was renowned for writing comforting, emotionally resonant historical sagas set during the turbulent years of World War II. Her stories focus on resilient women, community warmth, and local British history. If you are new to her books, the absolute best place to start is with The Woolworths Girls (2016), the novel that launched her career into the Sunday Times bestseller lists. This book introduces the iconic trio of Sarah, Maisie, and Freda, whose friendships form the emotional core of her most expansive series.

Alternatively, if you prefer following a universe chronologically from its absolute roots, you can begin with the prequel novel, A Mother Forever (2021). However, most fans and critics recommend reading in publication order to appreciate how Everest originally built the community and unfolded the lives of her characters. Read on to discover the ideal path through her series, standalones, and spin-offs.

The Woolworths Girls Series in Order

The Woolworths series is Elaine Everest’s flagship saga, following the personal lives, romances, and wartime struggles of young women working at a Woolworths store in Erith, Kent. The series is deeply authentic, drawing on Everest’s own experience as a Woolworths Saturday girl in the 1960s. To get the full experience of the characters’ lives, marriages, and growth, it is highly recommended to read them in order.

Publication and Recommended Reading Order

  1. The Woolworths Girls (2016) – The series opener, introducing the core cast as they navigate life at the Woolworths store in Erith on the eve of WWII in 1938.
  2. Carols at Woolworths (2017) – A festive digital-only novella set between books 1 and 2 (often referred to as book 1.5 in the reading order).
  3. Christmas at Woolworths (2017) – The first full-length Christmas novel in the series, following the girls as the Blitz begins in 1941.
  4. Wartime at Woolworths (2018) – As the war progresses, the girls face new dangers and duties on the home front.
  5. A Gift from Woolworths (2018) – Focuses on new arrivals at the store and the struggles of maintaining hope during wartime winters.
  6. Wedding Bells for Woolworths (2020) – Set as the war draws toward its end, following the girls' hopes for peace and marital reunions.
  7. A Mother Forever (2021) – The official prequel. While published seventh, it is set in 1905 and focuses on the early life and struggles of Ruby Caselton, a key matriarchal character in the main books.
  8. The Woolworths Saturday Girls (2022) – A story focusing on a new generation of young women working Saturdays at the store in 1950.
  9. The Woolworths Girl's Promise (2023) – Centered on the next generation navigating postwar Britain and family secrets.
  10. Celebrations for the Woolworths Girls (2023) – A heartwarming reunion book bringing together the beloved characters for post-war milestones.
  11. A Christmas Wish at Woolworths (2024) – A festive story exploring warmth, community, and fresh starts in postwar Erith.
  12. New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls (2025) – The final, posthumously published installment of the Woolworths saga, bringing closure to the long-running series.

Chronological Reading Order

If you wish to read the saga strictly in chronological order based on the setting's historical timeline, follow this path:

  • A Mother Forever (Set in 1905)
  • The Woolworths Girls (Set in 1938–1939)
  • Carols at Woolworths (Set in late 1938 / early 1939)
  • Christmas at Woolworths (Set in 1941)
  • Wartime at Woolworths (Set in 1942–1943)
  • A Gift from Woolworths (Set in 1944)
  • Wedding Bells for Woolworths (Set in 1945)
  • The Woolworths Saturday Girls (Set in 1950)
  • The Woolworths Girl's Promise (Set in the mid-1950s)
  • Celebrations for the Woolworths Girls (Set in the late 1950s)
  • A Christmas Wish at Woolworths (Set in the late 1950s/1960s)
  • New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls (Set in the 1960s)

The Teashop Girls Series in Order

Everest's second major series takes readers to the Kent coast, focusing on the waitresses—known historically as "Nippies"—at a Lyons Teashop during the Second World War. Centered around Rose Neville and her friends, this series blends the signature Everest warmth with detailed historical accounts of coastal Britain during wartime. It should be read in publication order:

  1. The Teashop Girls (2019) – Introduces Rose, Lily, and Katie as they work at the Margate Lyons Teashop in 1939.
  2. Christmas with the Teashop Girls (2020) – Follows the girls through the winter of 1940 as they face rationing and family drama.
  3. The Teashop Girls at War (2024) – The third installment, continuing the girls' journeys as the war intensifies along the Kent coastline.

Standalone Historical Novels and Spin-Offs

In addition to her primary series, Elaine Everest wrote standalone historical novels that deliver the same level of emotional depth and nostalgic charm. These books can be read in any order, though one has a key tie-in to the Woolworths universe.

  • Gracie's War (2013) – Everest's debut historical novel, following young Gracie as she navigates the challenges of WWII and family struggles in Kent.
  • The Butlins Girls (2017) – A delightful standalone set in 1946 at the famous Skegness holiday camp. It follows Molly Missons as she starts fresh as a "Butlin's Aunty." Note for Woolworths fans: This book serves as a soft spin-off, featuring Freda—one of the main trio from The Woolworths Girls—in a supporting role.
  • The Patchwork Girls (2021) – Set in 1939 Biggin Hill, Kent, this novel follows Helen as she joins a local women's sewing circle to rebuild her life at the outbreak of WWII, forming bonds of friendship that help the women endure the war.

What to Know Before You Start

Elaine Everest’s novels are deeply rooted in real Kent history. Locations like Erith, Ramsgate, Margate, and Biggin Hill are depicted with geographic and historical accuracy, making them a treat for history enthusiasts. She was highly skilled at weaving the realities of the home front—such as rationing, air raids, evacuees, and changing roles for women—into comforting, character-driven narratives. While the books touch on the genuine grief and hardships of the era, they maintain a cozy, uplifting tone where friendship and hope always prevail. Everest passed away in August 2024, leaving behind a finished bibliography that stands as a lasting legacy to the resilience of ordinary women during wartime.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading Elaine Everest's books?

The recommended starting point is The Woolworths Girls (2016), which begins the main saga. If you prefer chronological order, you can start with the prequel A Mother Forever (2021).

QIs the Woolworths Girls series finished?

Yes. Following Elaine Everest's passing in August 2024, the final book in the series, New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls, was published posthumously in 2025 to bring the saga to a close.

QAre there any spin-offs in the Woolworths universe?

Yes, The Butlins Girls (2017) is a standalone novel that features Freda, a main character from The Woolworths Girls, in a supporting role at a postwar holiday camp.

QDo I need to read the Teashop Girls books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read The Teashop Girls (2019), Christmas with the Teashop Girls (2020), and The Teashop Girls at War (2024) in order, as they follow a continuous timeline.

QWhat is the chronological order of the Woolworths series?

Chronologically, the series begins with the prequel A Mother Forever (set in 1905), followed by The Woolworths Girls (1938), and moves forward through the war years up to the 1960s with New Horizons for the Woolworths Girls.