★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

"To love and be loved is a very precious thing, even when the person you shared that love with is no longer part of your life...You carry it with you through life and it gives you the strength to keep on looking for the patch of blue sky."

1942: As bombs are falling, in a little corner of Yorkshire babies are being born under the care of three midwives - Grace Murphy, Clodagh Flynn and Patsy O'Grady. Three Irish nurses who came to England where nurses were desperately needed in light of the war. It's at Doncaster Royal Infirmary where these three nurses trained in midwifery join the maternity team and in their own way make their mark.

It's a Friday evening when Grace and Clodagh finish their shift and return to the house they share with Patsy, and after a meal, they don their gladrags and head to the local RAF airbase where a dance is underway. There, Grace meets handsome pilot Richard Carmichael and the pair fall hopelessly in love. But life as a fighter pilot is a short one and tomorrow may never come. Richard vowed never to involve himself seriously with a girl under these circumstances but upon meeting Grace all that fell by the wayside. They were soulmates destined to be together despite their different backgrounds. He from Yorkshire aristocracy (so his mother would have everyone believe) while she is a Catholic girl from County Clare. But none of that matters to them for they know they were meant to be together.

But when tragedy strikes, Richard finds comfort in Grace's arms and in her bed but upon returning to base is dealt another blow that sees him fall further into the depths of despair and thus he makes a rash decision from which there is no coming back from. Whilst Grace finds herself in trouble but by then it is too late as she receives a heartbroken letter and no way of reaching Richard. She too finds herself in the depths of despair, pregnant and alone. No job, no home and nowhere safe for her and her baby. She cannot return to Ireland and be branded a wanton woman and bringing shame on her family.

Alone with no prospects and nowhere to go, Grace must find her own way in the world and make a home for herself and her child.

1969: In a care home nestled in Yorkshire, Richard Carmichael ruminates over his life and the box in which he keeps his most precious mementos. A silk scarf from his time as a pilot, a photo of him and the lads who never got to come home, a photo of a pretty nurse who still holds his heart and the brooch he had specially made for her. His daughter Sara sees him and the memories it evokes and wonders of the story that lays there untold. She thought her mother was the great love of his life but as her father begins his story, she discovers the truth of his greatest love and the regret he has carried since.

Oh my. I was not prepared for the emotions this story evoked. I devoured it in one sitting and was in tears by its final pages. It is such a moving, heartbreaking tale that envelops you completely. I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did but oh I did. I will never look up at and see that patch of blue sky again without being moved.

A truly delightful tale. Keep on looking for that patch of blue sky.

I would like to thank #ChrissieWalsh, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheMidwivesWar in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The Midwives' War had me on the edge of my seat just waiting to see how the story unfolded. A beautiful story of love, loss, heartache, and love again that was truly a joy to read.

What a lovely story with very likeable characters. Midwife Grace Murphy comes over from Ireland and meets Richard Carmichael who is a pilot in the RAF. There is an instant attraction but with the war going on around them will their love survive? Each character is introduced with their own story well explained. This is heartwarming, heartbreaking and so emotional. I loved how this flowed and how it gave an insight into war from various viewpoints. It has a dual timeline but these do not make the story at all confusing and actually in my opinion gives it some depth. This had me hooked from the first page and I read it in a day. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

What a truly inspirational story.

As bombs are falling and babies are been born, can they imagine a future full of hope.
In the midwives war 1942, Grace Murphy, Clodagh Flynn and Patsy O'Grady all from Ireland, fully qualified nurses on the maternity ward, Doncaster Royal hospital Yorkshire.

Grace meets handsome pilot Richard Carmichael and both fall helplessly in love, it's a match made in heaven, both from completely different backgrounds, then Grace finds herself in trouble, but it is too late for her and Richard as she received a heartbroken letter to say he is ending their relationship, without a job and a home what will lie ahead for her she can't go back to Ireland she would be branded a shamed woman by her family.

This book is so emotional, I love this authors work that always shines through when you are reading,
every chapter tells a story as we travel through WW2 .
Keep on looking for the patch of blue sky, a feelgood read.

Another lovely story from this author. I enjoyed reading about the midwives and all the babies. They took so many chances during the war to deliver and keep mother's and babies safe. I loved this book. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Grace was such a likeable character who went through so much in her life. The book focused on her life rather than that of her lover Richard and I did wish we had known more about him post war. It felt as though more could have been said about his marriage and his daughter as I felt we didn't really get to know Sara very well. I also feel that too many books have the main character get pregnant out of wedlock and this be the focus for the rest of the book.

It was easy reading and a light hearted enough story. Living in Yorkshire I enjoyed it being set locally and knowing many of the places mentioned.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for giving me chance to read and review the book.

Heartwarming historical drama,full of ups and downs. Set during the war and in more recent times a good read.

Grace Murphy works as a midwife in a hospital during the war. She lives with her two friends in a little home. Grace and her friends meet a few men. Grace falls in love with Richard an airman who flys a Spitfire. They struggle to deal with their long distance relationship. The girls all face a lot of heartache.
If your looking for a book about midwifery, this Isn't the book for you. I was hoping for Call the Midwifes and I got a hopeless romance.

Three women work during WW2 as nurses to injured soldiers and delivering babies. They all have adventures and meet daring men.

Read this, you won’t be disappointed.
The first thing I loved about this book was the characters. The author takes time to introduce them to you so that as the story unfolds and more are added it’s easy to keep up with them.
Grace Murphy was such a lovely person regardless of who she was dealing with, or what was happening in her personal life. Her story reminded me of the saying “one good turn deserves another”.
I was fascinated by Richard’s story, especially after the initial conversation he has with daughter Sara. I was longing to find out his background!
I thought Patsy was funny.
The only downside was that the book ended.

The midwives at war, what a wonderful book with wonderful characters. I loved this book from the first page. A moving story of love and loss during the second world war. Grace is a midwife from Ireland who moves to Doncaster and falls in love with Richard a fighter pilot for the RAF at a nearby station. The story follows the heartbreak they both both suffer and the years of love and loss. It was even more interesting to me as it is based in the area I live so I was recognising the areas which were described in the years the story is set in. A beautiful and often sad story that had me hooked I wish I could give it more stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Brilliant author brilliant book

Family saga, nursing based in wartime what more could you ask for. Read in one sitting while in bed didn’t want it to end

Can’t wait to read more by this author