It was great to be back with the characters and continue on with their lives. For some reason this book felt a little more in-your-face with the social issues: interracial couples, lesbians, rape, etc. and most of the time I felt like the ease with which the scenarios were resolved or the lack of serious resistance various characters encountered was quite unrealistic for 1942. This didn't make me stop reading, but it did detract from the realism the more it went on.

I can see many avenues to continue each storyline and will probably read the next installment should I run across it; I doubt I would purposefully seek it out.

The next book in the series although for me the weakest title so far. I felt there wasn't enough storyline in the hospital and it could have just been about friends during wartime. There was so much more I wanted to know such as how life as a District Nurse went, how did the other staff adapt to more female theatre staff, what happened to the children that were mentioned on the children's ward. Whilst two important topics to cover in rape and questioning of someone's sexuality they did not seem to balance with the other parts of the storyline. That said I hope the next book in the series has less emphasis on these matters and we hear more about life on the hospital wards.

Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and author for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.

this is the third book in the home front nurses series. it is set in 1942 and ends at Christmas.. I think it would be better to read the series in order.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book by the author

Family saga, nursing wartime my favourite types of books

The girls are back! This third book in the Home Front Nurses series begins in August 1942 and ends on Christmas Day. Major changes are in store for Veronica, Sylvia, and Freda, both professionally and personally, as World War II continues to drag on with no end in sight. It was gratifying to see career opportunities open up based on their nursing skills, even if it is due to a shortage of men. Veronica has reached her breaking point, living on the same street as her rapist, and realizes that her life will never be her own if she doesn't take some action. As I read this book, I was infuriated at how little has changed for victims of sexual assault and how the unresolved trauma damages women's lives. It's also heartbreaking to watch Veronica struggling with her sexuality. "Had she ever been attracted to men? She couldn't remember a single boy ever catching her attention." Thankfully, we have made great strides in that respect. I love stories that are character-driven and Rachel Brimble is a master at writing them. Since World War II is far from over, I hope this series continues with a few more books. I'll read them all.