Absolutely loved this book and the storyline was great, loved the characters and the setting and was gripped from start to finish can’t wait to read more about the cottage hospital

Historical drama set after World War One at a time when women doctors were seen as lesser than men. A heartwarming saga which hopefully has a sequel.

Rebelling against the unfair treatment of female doctors Frances is dismissed from her London post and things continue to take a turn for the worse when Izzy, her benefactress dies and Frances finds herself homeless.

With no employment or roof over her head her future seems uncertain until she’s offered a residency at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, Somerset. a town where quarrying and coal mining scar the land.

It’s a far cry from London and towns narrow minds are not so welcoming of a young, female Doctor, but she’s determined to win through.

A great start to share I think will be the beginnings of a great series and what a wonderful character Frances is.

Set in 1930s Somerset, a female doctor, Frances Brakespeare, who faces adversity and challenges in a small town with secrets and sins beneath the surface. The themes of resilience, independence, and mystery are told in this great new book, really looking forward to more in the series.

Fantastic start to hopefully a new series.
Frances is a woman doctor just after the Great War. But many of her male counterparts don’t want to recognise that fact so she finds her day to day life very difficult. Then the only mother she has ever known passes away and with the grief of losing her fiancée in the war she’s ready for a new start.
She becomes Doctor at the cottage hospital but again has t9 win the trust and respect from the male members of the community.
Great read and looking forward to more of the story.

Francis Brakespeare is adopted by ‘Izzy’ who is a staunch suffragette alongside her friends, which proves useful, as the believe in being strong, independent women. It is this upbringing that encourages Francis to pursue a career as a doctor after her darling Ralph is struck down during the war.
When Francis goes along to an interview for a village doctor she is faced by the very attitude that Izzy and her fellow suffragettes have been fighting against, Francis does them proud. Not only is she met with this attitude, the Sister at the hospital can be equally as bad.
Thankfully nurses Lucy & Nancy are more welcoming. However the mine owners son has other ideas.
Read it in one sitting, interesting facts , especially about the unknown soldier. Favourite character was Ma Skittings, least favourite has to be Simon Grainger. Loved the name matron Molly. Felt the ending was sudden,

This was one of those books I couldn’t stop thinking about when I wasn’t reading. Was desperate to get back to it! A lot about this one really spoke to me. It’s rare I love a contemporary book like this so much, but definitely a hit for me!

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC

Wow Lizzie Lane you have knocked it out of the woods absolutely brilliant

This is definitely a good start to a new series

Wow this book did not go how I was expecting it to it's so much better.
The way the truth about the unknown soldier was written about was so sympathetic it made me cry it was lovely as a lot of people don't know how he came about.
The normal every day life for Frances was just like it would have been in a village.

What a Great way to start a new series. From the start i knew it would be a good book. . I love the small town setting and the quirky characters. I could relate to them. . I am here for the next book in the series.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

A lovely and very pleasant novel! I could relate to the characters whom I really ended up liking very much. What I also enjoyed in this story is that a well researched historical background has shown the reality of being a female doctor after WWI. What I also found interesting was to learn about the medical environment in cottage hospitals. I had not known about that. My first novel by the author, and I will read more of her work.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.