This is one of the rare books I have come across where the publisher's synopsis appears to have been written by someone who has not read the book. I say this for two reasons. Firstly I had no idea that the ANZACS named in the title actually stood for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) which was a Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that operated during WWI, especially during the Battle of Gallipoli. I am excusing my ignorance due to the fact that I was born and raised a Canadian well after both World Wars were over. The second major issue that I have with the synopsis is that I was not forewarned that the novel features a lesbian love story as a central plot device. But I do not hold Mary D. Brooks responsible for the oversights of her publisher.

Mary D. Brooks demonstrates a keen knowledge of the ANZACS in her novel, Mabel of the ANZACS: A Friend for the Ages. Her narrative technique focuses mainly on conversations between her fictional characters and thereby lots of the excitement and suspense of the story line is lost since we know everyone is alive and well as they are reminiscing about their adventures many years later. Not since I first read Victor Hugo's Les Miserables have I encountered a story with as many coincidental meetings between various characters, something I always feel is a cop out by an author.

So between my twin disappointments of having no idea what I was in for when I read this novel and a weak narrative by Brooks I found much lacking in this astonishing story of the ANZACS, although it did leave me keen to learn a lot more about them.

I simply loved the characters of Mabel, Zoe, and Eva! The Intertwined Souls series by Ms. Brooks is unfamiliar to me, but I will be on the look out for copies of these entertaining, well-written books. Historical fiction at its best in this post Australia WWII novel.

I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity by NetGalley to read Mabel of the Anzacs by Mary D. Brooks in exchange for an honest review. As the story began, I didn't think it was going to keep my interest but was I wrong. It did take a while for the story to develop but once it did it had my attention and I found it hard to put down. Mary D. Brooks portrayed the characters of Zoe, Eva and Mabel as believable and very human.

Mabel of the Anzacs began shortly after the end of World War II in Australia. Zoe and Eva, sole-mates and totally in love with each other, were sharing a flat. Zoe, not quite 19 years old, was impulsive and always talking too much. Whereas Eva, was shy, practical and always in control of the situation at hand. They totally complimented one another. Their love for each other was beautiful and pure. Mabel Andrews, one the other hand was an older woman who lived on the ground floor of the apartment complex where Zoe and Eva lived. Zoe and Mrs. Andrews were constantly butting heads. Mabel Andrews' prized possession was her flower garden including her prize worthy azalea bushes. One day Zoe accidentally ran them over when her bike crashed into them. Mabel Andrews had it out for Zoe. She decided that she did not like the girl and even called her a snot. As many times as Zoe apologized to Mrs. Andrews for what she had done to her garden, Mrs. Andrews could not let her anger and dislike for Zoe go. Then a few days later, Zoe received a written invitation from Mabel Andrews to come to tea. The result would be life changing for both Zoe and Mabel Andrews.

Mary D. Brooks' s book, Mabel of the Anzacs explored the difficult and often unrecognized valor and bravery of nurses during World War I along with unconditional love and friendship. As Zoe and Mabel got to know one another and revealed deep, hidden and painful secrets, they developed a new understanding, love and friendship toward each other. To Mabel, Zoe was an annoying, childish snot who wasted her time reading romance novels and drawing before she got to know her. To Zoe, Mabel was a crotchety eighty year old woman who did not like her and was extremely mean and uncaring before she got to know her. As their secrets were shared they discovered what they saw on the outside was well camouflaged by what truly existed within them and in their hearts.

Although I own other books by Mary D. Brooks, I have to admit, almost ashamedly, that Mabel of the Anzacs was the first of her books that I have read. However, I can't wait to read some of her other books now. I really enjoyed reading Mabel of the Anzacs and highly recommend it.

It was nice to see our favorite characters, Eva and Zoe from the Intertwined Souls series, as well as minor characters and to catch up with Eva and Zoe after their immigration to Australia three years after the war. I love reading historical fiction, and this one really interested me because a lot of the historical facts in this story involved nursing during WW 1. Mary D did a great job integrating fictional characters and their story into a fascinating period in history. This was personal for me because my mother was a nurse and my aunt was a nurse in WW 2, achieving the rank of lieutenant. My aunt probably did many things in her service as Mabel did as a nurse in WW 1.

I am giving this book four stars instead of five, not because of the content of this story but during the first half of the novel, I found several grammatical errors that took me out of the reading zone I was in. The story itself though is worth overlooking the errors.
If you are a historical fiction fan, especially of WW 1, you will enjoy this book. If you have read the other books with Zoe and Eva, you will love this book. This is considered a standalone book but I urge you to read not only this one but also the other books in the Intertwined Souls series.

This book was funny at times, sad at others, but always held my interest thanks to the author's great writing, characters that I felt invested in, a plot that I enjoyed, and the setting of being during World War I. Highly recommend this!