The Home Front Nurses is a better book than I expected from the (frankly awful) cover that is attempting to leverage some Call the Midwife bona fides. It's a story that stands on its own: three wartime nurses finding friendship and career satisfaction in wartime Britain. The writer feels somewhat inexperienced (the first couple chapters are ragged), but I do think she finds her footing later on. It's not a brilliant novel, but it's a perfectly good train read. I think it may be particularly appealing to readers who don't read regularly and enjoy a book that's easy to follow.

This is set in an era I like - WWII - Sadly I could not get into this book. I tried a couple of times and gave up. I am not putting review on Amazon for this reason, as I do not want to as I am sure plenty will enjoy it

In the first book in a new World War II historical fiction series, Rachel Brimble brings the Bath home front to life through the eyes of nurses Sylvia, Freda, and Veronica. Becoming friends upon their assignment to the same hospital in the city, all three women have different challenges and struggles to go through. Alternating between their perspectives, readers gain an understanding of their very different lives and dreams against the backdrop of World War II. Their distinct personalities and goals keep their chapters from blending together, while the growing friendship between the three women is particularly enjoyable to follow. All three women are clever, competent, and kind, and the emotional stakes of the novel (through their three storylines) are particularly high against the backdrop of the war and the Battle of Britain. With the interesting focuses on nursing, journalism, and race relations in wartime Britain, Brimble brings some interesting plot points to life in this novel. The characters are the stars of the novel, and Sylvia, Freda, and Veronica’s friendship is the heart of the emotional narrative, particularly since future books will develop their friendship. A fantastic read for fans of World War II fiction by Fenella J. Miller and Roberta Kagan, readers are sure to enjoy the new Home Front Nurses series.

This book delves into the lives of three remarkable nurses—Freda, Sylvia, and Veronica—as they navigate the challenges of working at a hospital in Bath during the tumultuous era of World War II. Against the backdrop of war-torn Britain, the nurses face the heart-injured soldiers and citizens arriving from the front lines and from the bombings of Bristol. Amidst the chaos of war, each woman grapples with her own personal struggles, but their unwavering friendship provides a source of strength and support.

I found "The Home Front Nurses" by Rachel Brimble to have some engaging elements, especially in its portrayal of friendship and resilience. However, it ultimately didn't meet my expectations. The bond among the nurses is heartwarming, but the pacing and lack of depth in their character development prevented it from being truly memorable. While I appreciated the themes and setting, I felt that the story could have delved deeper into the characters' journeys. It's possible to enjoy a book without it fully capturing your heart, and that's perfectly normal as each reader's experience is unique.
The ending seems strange and rushed but after I was glad to learn that this book is the first instalment in a planned series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this historical fiction novel.

I prefer historical fiction to any other genre and especially am interested in the WWII era. Unfortunately this book did not hit the bar set by my other reads.

The setting is Bath, UK - where I spent a delightful afternoon several years ago. However there is very little detail in the description of the city which I find disappointing. It is the tale of newly minted nurses working in a hospital and forging new friendships. I found the dialog to be trite and lacking in the way of character sketches.

As the war goes on in 1941 Sylvia decides she must get involved in helping in any way she can. Her mother doesn't have what it takes but she foes to work in a hospital anyway. The first day there she finds out just how hard it will be to deal with the wounded soldiers. She meets up with two other nurses Freda and Veronica and they prove to the great friends. This is the beginning of a great new series and will keep you reading..

Sylvia, Freda and Veronica work together in Bath, coming from different backgrounds the girls get together, looking out for each other. I liked that their chapters focused on each of the girls lives within their work and out with too. I can't wait for the next in the series as Rachel is a captivating writer.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library app. I dont know. I have read a few of these types of ebooks but the newer books are so woke with all these charcters they put in their books. I am really starting to not wanting to read them anymore.

"The Home Front Nurses" is the opening story of Sylvia, Freda, and Veronica. These new nurses are working at a hospital in Bath. They cherish their friendship and are able to find some joy together even during the difficult times. The young women have challenges at home, particularly with their mothers. One view it shows is how the war is bringing out all kinds of fears in people, and sometimes a person wants to close-in as protection.
But the three nurses are eager to do their best for their patients and community.
There is also romance, and drama.

I enjoyed the subplot of how Freda was writing to share women's perspectives and work, in the wake of war. I liked how it mirrors what the overall book is about. I read this book slow because there is a lot to process from each woman's story. I appreciate that nothing was graphic, there was no cursing, and the romance was modest.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you to the publisher.

I was drawn in by the blurb, and the romanticism of three nurses working in Bath during WWII.

Sadly, this book failed to deliver. While the characters are fine, the setting lacks development. There is no real sense of being in a war. Unfortunately, the medical side of the book also lacks accuracy.

I also thought it ended abruptly, and rather strangely.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

📚 Book Review: "The Home Front Nurses" by Rachel Brimble
📚Genre: Historical Series / Wartime
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

🌟 Blurb Insight:
In The Home Front Nurses, Rachel Brimble transports us to September 1941, where amidst the chaos of war, three women find that their most significant battles are fought not on the front lines, but on the home front. In the city of Bath, these courageous and compassionate women answer the call of duty, becoming the lifeline for soldiers returning from the horrors of war. But their story is much more than that—it's a tale of friendship, love, and unbreakable bonds forged in the fire of adversity.

🌟 Why You'll Love It:
💔 Heartfelt Friendship: The bond between Sylvia, Freda, and Veronica is the heartbeat of this story. Their support for one another through the toughest times is both inspiring and deeply moving. This book celebrates the power of female friendship in a way that will resonate with readers.
💖 A Love Story in War: Sylvia’s romantic journey is filled with emotional depth and complexity. Brimble beautifully captures the challenges of finding love during wartime, where prejudices and societal expectations can stand in the way of happiness.
🩺 Historical Depth: Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel is rich in historical detail, providing a vivid portrayal of the era. From the streets of Bath to the frontline struggles, readers are immersed in the realities of war.
👩‍⚕ Empowerment: Sylvia's determination to become a home front nurse despite societal pressures is a testament to the strength and resilience of women. Her story is one of empowerment, courage, and the belief that everyone has a role to play in the fight for a better world.

🎯 Perfect For:
✨Fans of historical fiction that highlights the roles of women during World War II.
✨Readers who enjoy stories of strong female friendships and emotional journeys.
✨Anyone looking for an inspiring tale of love, resilience, and hope during trying times.

Join Sylvia, Freda, and Veronica on their journey, and discover the true meaning of bravery and love. Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources and @netgalley for the #ARC #BlogTour

#TheHomeFrontNurses #RachelBrimble #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #WWIIFiction #WomenInWar #FemaleFriendship #ReadersOfInstagram #IGReads #InstaBooks #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #BookstagramCommunity #Netgalley

3.5

A promising start to a new saga. I loved the determination and compassion of the three girls and their friendship was admirable. I'm sure the next book will have a few surprises in store for us. There were a fair few unanswered questions. I'm so hoping that Veronica gets the justice she deserves. I'll look forward to the followup.

The Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble is a stirring tale of friendship and loyalty, trauma and challenges, fulfilment and inner strength.
This is a character-driven historical fiction with strong female protagonists. Rachel Brimble portrays the home front nurses and the challenges they face with compassion and sensitivity.
An unforgettable page-turner of love and hope, grief and resilience, drama and romance.

Full review is published as part of the #BlogTour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the first book in a new series, so I was excited to read it. I do enjoy historical fiction and sagas set in wartime Britain. Here, we are in Bath in September 1941, during World War II.
The story features three newly-qualified nurses – Sylvia, Freda and Veronica. The chapters are written from their points of view, so we get to see inside their thoughts. All of them have difficult relationships with their mothers and all of them hiding things. Will they be able to help each other deals with problems from the past?
Sylvia Roberts is 23. She seems affected by being dumped by her fiancé a year ago, yet she is strong and feisty and can stand up for herself. Now she has finished her nursing training, she needs to move back in with her mother Eileen, who works in a pub, is vulgar and has a reputation.
There’s one black family who live on Castle Street and Sylvia soon realises she finds the oldest son Jesse Howard very attractive and it seems to be reciprocated. He is a railway worker and his mum is widowed with five kids. Sadly, there is plenty of racism from the neighbours, including Eileen. How would a relationship between Sylvia and Jesse be possible in these circumstances?
Freda Parkes appears to have a loving family home. Her parents tell her how proud they are of her becoming a fully qualified nurse. Her dad’s a policeman. Her brother has died in the war, with her other brother fighting away, and her little sister Dorothy (20) at home. But there is conflict. Freda’s mother has exacting ambitions for Freda’s future and these don’t tally with Freda’s own hopes of becoming a writer.
Veronica Campbell is the shy one of the three nurses and comes across as nervous and vulnerable. Her demanding mother is a sister on a hospital ward and she is desperate to move out of home.
The three nurses begin under the watchful eye (or perhaps more accurately, the critical glare) of Sister Dyer. There are six nurses on the ward including the spiteful Kathy Scott, who has been an enemy of Sylvia’s since they did their training together. They must learn to deal with all the wounded coming in, from those that have had their houses bombed to soldiers returning from battle.
Well, I really enjoyed this book. There are perfectly sized chapters, which I enjoyed and – most importantly – absolutely great characters. They all jumped off the page in full 3D and I loved the three girls straight away and liked how they are all quite different from one another, but become firm friends. I was cheering them on from the first page.
The book is really easy to get into and very readable. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens, fingers crossed that the girls get their dream lives and the baddies get what’s coming to them. I am now looking forward to the second book in the series.

This is a new to me author, and the first in a series that was an enjoyable read.
Set in the 1940s I found the setting and descriptions absorbing and would read more of this series.

If you enjoy historical sagas and this time period I think this could be a good choice for you.

The Home Front Nurses is the first installment of a WWII series featuring three skilled and resilient women.

Three nurses, Sylvia, Veronica, and Freda, meet at the hospital in Bath on their first day of working together in 1941. Each woman has personal challenges, and the medical situation grows more demanding as the injured arrive from the front lines

All three women are mentally tough, determined, competent, resilient, and likable. Sylvia is a natural leader at work but faces challenges at home with her mother. Veronica suffers from PTSD and distrusts men as a result of a prior sexual attack. Freda is a writer at heart who receives no support or encouragement from her family. I always appreciate themes of friendship and women supporting women, and this series will likely provide many opportunities to explore these themes.

The focus of this story is the introduction of three main characters, their back stories, and current challenges. I didn’t realize that this book is #1 in a planned series and was surprised when the story abruptly ended. Even though there is limited sense of closure, it does leave me eager to continue the series.

I always enjoy a WWII Home Front story. It causes me to ponder my role in the war effort. I doubt I’d be working in the medical field, but it’s interesting to read about.

Content Consideration: medical content, war injuries, prejudice/racism, (past) sexual assault and (current) PTSD

I can warmly recommend The Home Front Nurses for fans of home front stories and for those who enjoy medical content from a nurse’s point of view. The characters are mentally strong, unique, and likable. Readers who enjoy a series, will appreciate this first installment.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheHomeFrontNurses upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The start of a new saga- Sylvia, Veronica and Freda meet on their first day as newly qualified nurses in a Bath hospital. They are very quickly facing the injuries causing by bombing when patients are transferred from the Bristol Blitz. A great story of young women facing the period of wartime but still trying to live their own lives to the very best of their ability. They face peril, both from the past and the current times, together supporting each other in challenging times. An enjoyable read, I will be looking out for the next installment.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this series. Set in a hospital in Bath it tells the stories of three nurses who make friends as they try to cope with everything the War throws at them. Each of them have their own problems but their friendship and the trust they have in each other helps them to share with each other what’s going on in their lives. They are strong independent women trying to make a difference during a difficult time in the world. I highly recommend this book.

The Home Front Nurses is the first book in a new series by Rachel Brimble. I must admit that I’ve not heard of this author before but as I’m a fan of historical sagas I just knew I really wanted to read it and I’m so glad I did. Sylvia, Veronica and Freda are three young women who meet on the first day as qualified nurses and as time goes by the three of them become firm friends. It’s a tough time for the nurses as war is tearing through Britain and many soldiers are being sent to the hospitals from the front with terrible injuries. The three women are also dealing with their own personal issues. But the friends are there for each other in their time of need. As soon as I had settled into story I knew I was going to really enjoy it. I did find the first few chapters a little bit slow but it soon picked up and I was completely enthralled and just wanted to find out how things would develop for each of them. My heart went out to Sylvia at times but she is a strong and feisty young lady. The characters are great and all well described and whilst it’s an easy read it is one that will keep you interested until the final chapter. I am really looking forward to reading the second book in what I see as being a wonderful saga series.

I enjoyed this first book in the new series, The Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble. Sylvia, Freda and Veronica are newly qualified nurses. They are very different women from varying backgrounds and each has different problems they have endured or are enduring. They have their problems but are happy knowing they are always there for each other.

Quite a lot happens in this book which at times made me think that I would have liked some more depth to the characters' particular story. Maybe, as this is the first in a series, it is meant as a quick introduction to the women, leaving the following books to go more into depth for each of them. I liked this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series so I will soon find out if my supposition is correct.