The Surgeon’s Daughter, Audrey Blake (5/10/22)

In this historical fiction novel, set in the 19th century, Nora Beady is a woman who dreams of being surgeon and had years of study and observation in the offices of her mentor and patron Doctor Horace Croft. After challenges and controversy present in London, she flees to Bologna, Italy where she is the only female medical student. There she is often treated poorly by her male classmates and professors but is also connected with female Doctor Magdelena Morenco who mentors her in the care for pregnant women including the use of the lifesaving, but rarely used, cesarean section.

This debut novel is the work of two authors, Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sims writing under the pen name of Audrey Blake. I was not sure what to expect from this book before I started reading, but soon it hooked me in, and I was compelled to finish it in a single day! This novel was a much-appreciated break from the WWI and WWII books that dominate the historical fiction genre and educated me about the life experiences of women in a society before this much needed medical procedure was widely available.

I look forward to reading future books by these authors and thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the early review copy.

The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake is Historical Medical Fiction set in mid 19th Century Bologna and England.
This book is the exciting story of a young woman determined to become a Physician in a time when that was forbidden in England. I loved Audrey Blake’s first book and was delighted to read her new book. Excellent medical details and procedures on the training of medical students. Women had to work even harder than men to achieve their medical degrees. Even after obtaining their degree they had to struggle in licensing in medical practice and cultural prejudices.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

It's the mid 1800's when Nora goes to medical school in Bologna, Italy--which is NOT the norm for women! She faces all the problems one would assume she might in her position. Men expecting certain behaviors from her, men thinking she's dumb and incapable, and men thinking she should not be there but in the home and married.

We also meet Daniel sho is a surgeon living in England, where Nora is from. They plan to get married after she finishes school and returns to help in the clinic. We follow the both of them in alternating chapters and see the medical and surgical problems they face.

Per the description I thought this book would be heavier on the cesarean surgery, but only a few were performed in this book, which were fascinating! I can't imagine the fear and concerns doctors and patients would feel regarding surgically removing the baby from the mother! There was a point where I cried for the mother as she was struggling with her own delivery (I've had 3 c-sections so it hit close to home in a small way).

There was a bit of drag to the book where not a lot happened, but I loved the inspection of surgery in the mid 1800's and Italy itself!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advance e-copy of this book!

Audrey Blake has done everything right with this follow-up to "The Girl in his Shadow." Nora Beady is one of the most captivating heroines in historical fiction, and her mentor, Dr. Magdalena Marenco, is a most welcome supporting character. She furthers Nora's arc as the only female student at medical school in Italy, by encouraging her, challenging her, and guiding her. The parallel storyline of Nora's friends in London never feels lacking, and it's quite delightful to see how they are able to grow independently of one another. This is a story with immersive settings, intriguing history, compelling medical drama, and unapologetic feminist themes. It's also full of heart and humour, with a cast of characters who begin to feel like family to the reader. Do not wait on this series! Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Audrey Blake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sent to Bologna to earn the medical degree she has no hope of receiving in England because she's a woman, Nora throws herself into her studies, but faces a range of obstacles and pitfalls, great and small. Will she ever be able to push through and win the degree she covets and the place at home in England that she longs for? Meanwhile, back at home, Daniel faces opposition from his boss at the hospital, the ill health of his mentor, Dr Croft, and serious money difficulties when Dr Croft overreaches himself in his passion for helping others. He wants to make a home Nora will be able to come back to and practice in, but success seems increasingly unlikely...

This isn't quite the sort of book I generally read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it sounded interesting. And it was - but it was also realistic enough that the reader gets more than a glimpse of the heartbreaking life of a doctor prior to antibiotics and various medical advances. That, combined with Dr Croft's own health and money problems, made for a story that at times was not a very easy read, and indeed felt quite depressing. Such parts were at least partially balanced by moments of humour or inspiration, but while it felt an eye-opening and worthwhile read, it's still not a light or comfortable read (though there's nothing I found too graphic). Definitely one for the reader of more serious historical fiction.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The Surgeon’s Daughter is a well written and engaging story about Nora, the adopted daughter of famous surgeon Horace Croft, who travels to Bologna to gain her medical degree. Nora is looked down upon because she is a woman trying to enter the medical field in the early 1800,’s. Throughout this book Nora learns about more than medical procedures. She learns about love, forgiveness and determination.

From the first chapter, I'm hooked as Nora who had been experimenting with ether meets Magdalena Morenco who has been trying to develop new techniques to improve the Cesarean section.

I've really been enjoying the different medical related historical fiction I've been reading recently. I love learning about things like this and learning more about some of the women who challenged the norm to become doctors.

Pub date: 5/10/22
Genre: historical fiction, women in STEM
In one sentence: Nora Beady is a surgeon, whether society likes it or not, and meeting a female patient in need of a c-section will change her life forever.

I love books about women in STEM - this one reminded me a lot of Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict, which I also loved. The beginning is a bit slow-paced, but the action revs up in the last 25% of the book. Nora was a wonderful MC - I loved seeing her struggle and persevere at medical school in Bologna. The reader also gets the perspective of Daniel, Nora's surgeon beloved back in London - these two are made for each other.

If you like historical fiction with a heavy helping of science, I'd recommend this one! Both text and audio are winners in my book.

Bonus: this book is actually a sequel, but it works well as a standalone. Book one is The Girl in His Shadow, and I plan to read it soon!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC and Recorded Books for my ALC (both on NetGalley).
Posted to Goodreads and Instagram 5/8/22.

The story continues with Nora Beady, the heroine of Audrey Blake’s debut novel The Girl In His Shadow, trailblazing in Italy as she tries to acquire a medical degree at a time when women in 19th century Britain could not serve in roles more than nurse or midwife, and Nora’s talents as a physician & surgeon would have complained gone to waste. She maneuvers life in different country where she barely knows the language, and has to still face the misogyny of her male colleagues, yet we notice her evolving confidence and skills with pride, and she get support from new allies. The book does not ignore the love she left behind in England. The book is well paced, the historical accuracy is masterful and the character development is very satisfying. It was a home run for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The year is 1847 and Nora is determined to earn her medical degree from the University of Bologna. The Surgeon’s Daughter is the sequel to The Girl in His Shadow. I did not realize this was a sequel before I requested it—likely, I would not have requested if I had known that, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book. The Surgeon’s Daughter can be read as a stand-alone book. Blake gives the reader enough background information so the story flows seamlessly. The story primarily follows Nora and her fight to earn her degree. She faces discrimination from men and women and has to work harder than her peers to demonstrate her worth. The book opens with an intense C-section performed by the only female doctor at the university, Dr. Magdalena Marenco. Be ready for a rollercoaster of emotions and make sure you carve out time to read this in one sitting. I could not put this book down—it was captivating.

The book naturally explores women’s rights, but it discusses the inequalities between classes, opportunities in different countries, the role of religion in medicine, and the role of grief and pain in life. The first part of the story flips between Nora’s point of view and her that of her fiancé, Daniel, who is in London. The last part of the book takes place back in London. Much of the book is about relationships—relationships between doctor and patient, friends, colleagues, lovers, spouses, and family members. The writing was engaging and fluid. The medical scenes were fascinating and felt accurate, but I am no doctor. However, if you get squeamish, this book is not for you (or simply skim over the medical procedures).

My favorite part of the book was when Dr. Marenco discusses women’s role at the bridge between life and death. I thought that scene was beautiful and so meaningful, both to Nora, but it still applies to women today.

I imagine, this is part of a trilogy. The ending was satisfactory and complete, but the authors left themselves space to write another book, which I hope they do.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC! I will be on the lookout for future books from Blake.

Nora is determined to become a physician - a surgeon- but it's the 19th century and she's had ro leave England for Bologna to get her degree. Back in London, her guardian and mentor Dr. Horace Croft and Daniel, the man she loves, are struggling with a rash of diphtheria patients and the ire of Dr. Vickery, Horace's rival who will do anything to crush him. Those who have read The Girl in His Shadow will immediately recognize these and other characters (Mrs Phipps!) and will be pleased to follow them on their journeys but those new to them will find this equally gripping. The novel alternates between London and Bologna, where Nora is struggling with both her peers and her mentors. She has an advantage others do not- she's worked out how to use ether more effectively and she's got a natural skill. Dr. Magdalena Mourenco eventually allows her to assist on c-sections, which become her specialty. This has great (if sometimes gory or distressing) atmospherics and it's incredibly educational (don't miss the afterword) but it soars in the characters. No spoilers but know that Blake is realistic about life and death during this time period. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a great read and here's hoping there's another chapter in Nora and Daniel's story.

I had a hard time with the novel. It felt very dry and I did not connect to the characters. I did enjoy the writing and the presmise of this book but it may have been a case of wrong book, wrong time for me.

I want to start off by saying that I received a complimentary ebook arc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you author and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me for the opportunity to read amazing book. About a very strong woman who knows what she wanted and needed to do. I admire the main character Nora Beady so much. The will and the strength that she has. I really enjoyed this reading this book. I knew things were very difficult for women. Just by reading or talking with older women. I know everyday doctors and nurses and even surgeons are learning new virus. And try to find cures to help everyone. But simple and happy moments like having a baby learning how to preform a C-section was very new in the 19 century. I highly recommend this book. I must warn there are a lot of talk about illness and other bodily things in this book. But definitely a awesome read. This is my first time reading anything from Audrey Blake definitely will be reading her first novel. And any of her future books. I also learn a lot reading this book. I wasn’t bored about all the doctor talk or the other point of view Dr. Daniel Gibson bless his heart. Best supporting man Nora could have.
This book is set to be release May 10, 2022
About Book:
This book is set in the 19th century London and Italy. Nora Beady wanted to study be coming a surgeon. But in London she is unable to get a medical license. She had to travel to Italy. Because in Italy they allowed women to learn and teacher at the medical school. But no without some form of discrimination. Nora who learn from her only guardian Dr. Coft who Nora shadowed him during some of his medical studies and patients. Nora is trying to learn everything but she missing her boyfriend Dr. Daniel Gibson and her beloved friend/ family Doctor Croft. Again highly recommend this can’t wait to purchase my own copy. All my reviews will posted goodreads, bookbub. . My review on Amazon will be on release date. I will be posting on instagram @amanda_coffee_books.

The Surgeon's Daughter, by Audrey Blake, is a thoroughly spellbinding work of historical fiction. It's a well researched and interesting read, with interesting, well fleshed out characters.
Lone woman in her class, Nora Beady is studying at an impressive medical school in Italy. Unfortunately, most of the men, in her class, think that she should be married, and staying home to tend to her family.
When she's able to become Dr Magdalena Moreno's (the only woman doctor there) apprentice they work together to come up with improvements for the groundbreaking surgery: the Cesarean section. It's a dangerous surgery as well as exhausting but the alternative is certain death. Unfortunately most of the male doctors don't trust their findings.
Nora is already dealing with great resistance when her newest patient's only chance of survival is having a Cesarean section. If the operation's successful, her reputation will allow her to save many more lives. But failure could ruin everything, including the chance to save many lives, her career and the future for women in medicine.

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an egalley in exchange for an honest review. I actually received this book when it was in the Read Now section of the platform

Nora Beady has left England, her beloved guardian and her first love to pursue her medical dreams to become a surgeon in 19th century Italy. But even in a medical college that allows women to learn new and exciting procedures, Nora faces one obstacle after another.

This was a great historical novel with a compelling heroine and a plot that was very intriguing. The very type of novel that keeps me sitting on my couch even when the washer and dryer remind me that I have laundry to do.


Goodreads review published 28/04/22
Expected Publication Date 10/05/22

An interesting work of historical fiction, a medical drama! However, there were several items that were extraneous anecdotes that were severely underdeveloped. Ex: the university friend who dies, the creepy professor, and Nora’s artistic talent. I think all of that could’ve been cut and the book would still be the same. I recommend this if you’re interested in historical fiction and/or enjoy reading books led by intellectually brilliant and brave heroines!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Girl in His Shadow is pretty much a perfect book…which is why I’m dismayed to find that the follow-up, The Surgeon’s Daughter, just felt like a mostly unnecessary sequel that messed with everything that was working just fine.
I do like the continued exploration of Nora’s life pursuing medicine, this time studying in Bologna. There are some new and intriguing challenges she faces, as she finds a new ally in another female doctor and learns about the Cesarean section and how it could advance women’s healthcare. And with that, there’s even more misogynistic scrutiny on her, which she battles throughout the book.
But I found myself feeling very underwhelmed overall, even though I do find Nora to be a generally sympathetic protagonist. And part of that was the approach to some of the subplots, particularly the romance, which seemed settled seemed almost nonexistent this time around, with them being separated. The authors claim in the interview at the end of the book that they were trying to “move away from [romance] genre conventions,” and that after having gone through the journey of finding each other, Nora and Daniel to “see them navigate some hard tests” and that they “enjoyed portraying a ‘real-life’ love story where the partners are more than the sum of their individual selves.” It read to me as a real misunderstanding of romance as a genre and the way love is portrayed in a variety of different ways. It’s odd, as this book is even technically categorized as a genre romance (and they even note it’s not a romance novel), but are still pushing the weird marketing scheme by trying to be “not like other romances.” It also felt to me like they really failed at capturing the “real-life” love story they wanted, as while I rooted for Nora and Daniel in the first book, I couldn't care less for either of them and whether they’d stay together. I didn’t even feel that invested in Daniel’s solo arc.
I’m very reluctant to continue reading more about these characters, given that I felt very little was accomplished in this book on that front, other than retreading the same issues, albeit with somewhat higher stakes, and the romantic subplot didn’t deliver (to be fair, questionable comments from the authors aside, multiple book romantic subplots frequently are a hard sell for me). I can see the appeal for others who enjoyed the first book who don’t have my particular hang-ups. It could be a case of the execution being not for me.

Sweepingly romantic and intelligent! One of the best books I’ve read!

Audrey Blake is a relatively new writer (actually, a writing team comprised of two talented authors in their own right), whose second book I have been anxiously awaiting since reading the first one, The Girl in His Shadow.

The writing is so polished and natural that one can’t distinguish the fact that this is a collaboration between two people. I hear one seamless voice throughout!
The story is rooted in the infancy of early women doctors in Britain. It seems unfathomable to us now that at one time, women were not allowed to practice medicine. Nora, young and talented, has great passion and determination to become a licensed doctor in Britain. She has been offered a rare opportunity to move to Bologna, Italy to earn a medical degree, thus allowing her to practice medicine in England.

And that is where this book begins. Nora is studying at University of Bologna. She is the only female student, and even though she is more talented that many of the male students there, she is treated as an inferior outsider.

The Surgeon’s Daughter is also a love story. Her fiancé, Daniel, who is also a doctor, stays behind in England to help Horace, Nora’s guardian, run their medical practice. Due to Horace’s renown, they are subjected to professional jealousies and backstabbing aimed at destroying their medical practice.

The book goes back and forth between Nora’s time in Italy and her fiancés life in England. It is excruciatingly exciting as the story beautifully switches back and forth between Nora and Daniel. I just couldn’t get enough!

I am not in the least interested in medicine, and yet I was fascinated by the medical knowledge of that time. There are wonderful descriptions of medical procedures, yet there was nothing gruesome for even the most squeamish of readers.

The foundation of the story is medicine, but it is the relationships among the characters that make this story stand out. They are all so real, and oh so likeable and admirable. The beautiful details that show love are heart rending: the love between husband and wife, between lovers, between caring friends and colleagues, and between father and child. I was immersed! To say the character development in this story is exceptional would be incorrect because these are not characters but actual living, breathing people--people that made me wish that I was a part of their life.

In all honesty, I finished this story in one day over five months ago, but just could not bring myself to write this review. I could just not do it justice!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheSurgeonsDaughter #NetGalley

Nora's Challenge

Inspirational, historical and page turning. This story of one woman's fight for the career which is her life's passion is brilliant. I spent all day reading this book , I just could not put it down.

Nora, has been working under the great surgeon Doctor Horace Croft. She was not allowed to attend medical school in England so was taught in secret by her guardian Dr. Croft, who took her in when she was orphaned. Now with Dr. Croft's help she has been accepted to medical school in Bologna, Italy. She soon finds that although women are allowed to study at the university they are not welcomed.

She finds she must not only do well in her studies and her work, but she must excel more so than any of the other students. Putting up with prejudice from the other students who are all male, she fights her way . When she gains the trust of the only woman Doctor on staff, Dr. Marenco, she tutors with her and they work together to perfect a surgery to help pregnant women in time of distress. This is to be called the Cesarean Section. They also worked on perfecting the use of Ether in these surgeries which although used in England had been a new concept in Italy.

At home in England her fiancée Daniel works with Dr. Croft to help children with diphtheria. They must fight the other doctors, especially Dr. Vickery who wants to use traditional methods of treatment and scoffs at the newer methods that Daniel and Dr. Croft are working on.

I applaud the brave pioneers in medicine that pushed the limit to find new and better ways to treat those with illness, never giving up and working long hours to save the ill. New and improved methods of treatment saved so many lives.

It was sad to see the reception and the prejudice that Nora received just because she was a woman. The prejudice still exists to a certain extent but now women have the freedom to embrace their dreams and go for the career they have a passion for. Although some still think women should be home being wives and mother's only there are those now that believe women can excel at careers that only men were allowed before. I think women still have a ways to go to break through that prejudice that still exists but we are forging foreword. It is because of the brave women in history that today we have that chance.

This was a truly inspiring book and I am so fortunate to have had the chance to read it. I would definitely recommend it to all women and men as well.

Thanks to Audrey Blake for writing this inspiring book, to Sourcebooks Landmark for publishing it and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

The Surgeon's Daughter puts us alongside Nora Beady, who is the only female medical student at the University of Bologna in Italy. Her male counterparts do not feel that there is any room for women in surgery - they're too delicate. But when Nora meets Dr. Magdalena Morenco and places herself under her tutelage, she just may defy the odds. When she returns to her home in London, Nora faces a whole new set of challenges.

Being a woman in the medical field, I have a real appreciation for the women that Nora represents. Without their courage and relentless efforts to make room for them in a field entirely dominated by men, my life would be very different. I felt a camaraderie with Nora as she fought her way though medical school, facing unfair double standards and prejudices that her fellow male students didn't have to endure, The story itself was well plotted and paced. The writing was such that I was forced to be emotionally invested in Nora and her victories and losses. I was angry for her, I grieved when she grieved, and I celebrated when she celebrated. I appreciate the authors shedding light on this lesser known part of medical history, The stories of those who are bold and trailblazing need never be lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for providing me with a digital copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of the author or publisher.