The War Nurses
Lizzie Page
As war takes its toll, the love and care of two brave young nurses will become everything to the wounded soldiers they tend. A gritty, emotional read for fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin and A Shilling for a Wife.
1914 – Two young nurses pledge to help the war effort: Mairi, a wholesome idealist hoping to leave behind her past and Elsie, a glamorous single mother with a weakness for handsome soldiers. Despite their differences, the pair become firm friends.
At the emergency medical shelter where they’re based, Elsie and Mairi work around the clock to treat wounded soldiers. It’s heart-breaking work and they are at constant risk from shelling, fire and disease. But there are also happier times… parties, trips and letters. And maybe even the possibility of love with an attractive officer in their care…
But as the war continues and the stress of duty threatens to pull the two women apart, will Elsie and Mairi’s special nurses’ bond be strong enough to see them through?
A powerfully moving wartime saga – you won’t want to put it down!
My Review of The War Nurses
I’d just like to say how much I loved the cover for The War Nurses, I was absolutely compelled by the look in the eyes of the young nurse as she stands on the battlefield.
‘I don’t have a best. I don’t even have a worst’
These are the words of eighteen-year-old Mairi when she first arrived on the Belgian frontline during WW1, at a makeshift hospital full of dying and wounded soldiers. She had been recruited by Dr. Munro who spotted her expert driving capability and bravery as a motorbike racer and invited her to join his team of ambulance workers. Mairi had no nursing experience, she had grown up in a strict religious family and her sheltered life had left her hopelessly naive.
The crew had been handpicked by Dr. Munro to help with the war effort, six diverse individuals who together made up a team of brave, intelligent and caring people with hidden strengths, stamina, and skill. Among the crew was Elsie. a flirty single mother who struck up an unexpected friendship with Mairi despite there immensely different backgrounds.
The work involved visiting the trenches with comforting soup for the soldiers, bandaging minor wounds and getting the seriously injured to hospital. Mairi soon developed techniques to overcome her squeamishness and she became more medically adept as the days passed by.
The book is a fictionalised account of the friendship between actual war heroes Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm. It has been extensively researched and shows not only the friendship but the immense strength of the two women. At times it was hard to imagine the atrocities that the young women witnessed and parts moved me to tears. It’s good to read that women played an important role in the war effort as well as the men.
Lizzie Page has achieved an honest and thought-provoking account but still managed to add some truly heartwarming moments. I can’t wait to read the next part of the trilogy.
Thank you to Kim at Bookouture and NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Here are my book reviews for other Lizzie Page books:
