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Hospital Corridors
HE'D NEVER WELCOME HER LOVE
While on her way over from England to nurse at a respected Montreal hospital Madeline danced away an evening on shipboard with a handsome stranger Her partner turned out to be none other than the illustrious Dr. Nat Lanyon—the very man her stepsister. Clarissa, had so recently jilted
During her first few weeks at Dominion Hospital Nat became Madeline's friend and protector. But when he discovered who she was. he turned against her—at a time when Madeline needed him desperately.
Madeline had to conclude that Nat still wanted Clarissa's love—and not her own.
While on her way over from England to nurse at a respected Montreal hospital Madeline danced away an evening on shipboard with a handsome stranger Her partner turned out to be none other than the illustrious Dr. Nat Lanyon—the very man her stepsister. Clarissa, had so recently jilted
During her first few weeks at Dominion Hospital Nat became Madeline's friend and protector. But when he discovered who she was. he turned against her—at a time when Madeline needed him desperately.
Madeline had to conclude that Nat still wanted Clarissa's love—and not her own.
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burchell
162 books84 followersIda Cook was born on 1904 at 37 Croft Avenue, Sunderland, England. With her eldest sister Mary Louise Cook (1901), she attending the Duchess' School in Alnwick. Later the sisters took civil service jobs in London, and developed a passionate interest in opera. The sisters helped 29 jews to escape from the Nazis, funded mainly by Ida's writing. In 1965, the Cook sisters were honored as Righteous Gentiles by the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Israel.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
As Mary Burchell, she published more than 125 romance novels by Mills & Boon since 1936. She also wrote some western novels as James Keene in collaboration with the author Will Cook (aka Frank Peace). In 1950, Ida Cook wrote her autobiography: "We followed our stars". She helped to found the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was its president from 1966 to her death on December 22, 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 25, 2021
I forgot that I read this one before. I enjoyed it much more the second time around - though I would not want to be this nurse's patient. She didn't have a whole lot of common sense.
I'm moving this up to 3.5 stars from my original 2 stars. Not quite good enough to round to a full 4 stars. The ending was what saved the story.
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This is definitely not one of MB's better books. In fact, this one read more like a "first work" effort rather than one in the height of her career. I searched for the copyright and was shocked to see that it was first published in 1958 when MB was well into her writing career.
It was slow to get started. I was at the half way point before I felt like we were getting into the actual story. Until then, I was just reading about a nurse that relocated to Canada which is ok, but hardly a mesmerizing read. The overall flow just felt disjointed and the story lacked the depth I have come to expect in this author's work.
The conflict was mostly driven by the heroine's lack of judgement and poor decision making. I prefer more outside influences or other factors to be the driving force versus decisions that a six year old would know not to make. I also found the heroine to be a very shallow individual and for all but the last 5 pages in the book, she was in love with the WRONG man. Something I find I don't like in my category romances.
I give this one 2 stars, maybe 2.5 stars. I would recommend passing on this one since this author has so many more delightful books to read.
I'm moving this up to 3.5 stars from my original 2 stars. Not quite good enough to round to a full 4 stars. The ending was what saved the story.
_________________________________
This is definitely not one of MB's better books. In fact, this one read more like a "first work" effort rather than one in the height of her career. I searched for the copyright and was shocked to see that it was first published in 1958 when MB was well into her writing career.
It was slow to get started. I was at the half way point before I felt like we were getting into the actual story. Until then, I was just reading about a nurse that relocated to Canada which is ok, but hardly a mesmerizing read. The overall flow just felt disjointed and the story lacked the depth I have come to expect in this author's work.
The conflict was mostly driven by the heroine's lack of judgement and poor decision making. I prefer more outside influences or other factors to be the driving force versus decisions that a six year old would know not to make. I also found the heroine to be a very shallow individual and for all but the last 5 pages in the book, she was in love with the WRONG man. Something I find I don't like in my category romances.
I give this one 2 stars, maybe 2.5 stars. I would recommend passing on this one since this author has so many more delightful books to read.
February 10, 2022
I'll start by saying that this book will feel dated to most 21st century readers. It was written in the 50s and both the writing style and the characters are of a type I don't see much of in current romance. That being said, Hospital Corridors is an entertaining read and the author brings it to life so well that I often felt like I was watching a classic movie.
The basic setup is kind of fun. Madeline is the respectable sister who works as a nurse in England. Her stepsister Clarissa is flightier and frankly, a bit more of a drama queen. While dating a noted Canadian surgeon, Clarissa makes plans for her eventual move to Canada and talks Madeline into taking a temporary position at a well-regarded Montreal hospital. Clarissa jilts her doctor and elopes with another, but Madeline decides the change of scenery to Montreal could be a fun adventure so she goes anyway.
Good for Madeline. She's sensible and down to earth, but also looks forward to new things. I liked her. Anyway, Madeline gets part of her passage paid by agreeing to take on a position as shipboard nurse for Clarissa's boss' mother. The mother is clearly a spoiled hypochondriac. The scenes onboard ship are well done as Madeline balances patience with her trying patient, fending off the flirtations of Clarissa's boss and her clear enjoyment at occasionally slipping away to enjoy the voyage. I could feel Madeline's emotions throughout this trip coming through loud and clear. And then there was the dashing stranger who danced with Madeline on one of evenings off. He's worth a few daydreams....
The hospital drama in Montreal was entertaining as well. This is not the fast-paced world of ER, but rather an almost dreamy, genteel hospital ward for private pay patients. Madeline's job has the feel of being in an extremely upscale (and well-staffed!) retirement home of sorts. While it's nothing like hospitals and nursing homes I deal with these days, I liked Madeline's work world quite a lot.
As with many of the older romances I've read, there's no small amount of interpersonal drama simmering beneath the surface in this book. There are rivalries between the nurses which felt like real work rivalries. And once it becomes known that Madeline's mysterious shipboard stranger was none other than dreamy surgeon Nat Lanyon, the drama intensifies. I'm not a fan of love triangles, so I'll admit that the vying for Madeline's hand in this book didn't entirely do it for me. And like a lot of older category books, this one definitely has a Big Mis buried in the plot which thankfully gets resolved quickly.
The romance here is somewhat understated rather in the manner of some of the Betty Neels books I've read. Nat Lanyon is a superstar doctor and staff are fiercely loyal to him, so the dynamic between him and Madeline often has that Dutch doctor - sensible nurse energy to it. If you love Betty Neels, you'll likely go for this book, too.
And if you like a big cinematic ending, you'll probably like this one. The leads are clearly very fond of their beloved Canada, and I could easily picture them riding off into the sunset accompanied by the strains of "O Canada" as the book came to a close. It's not how most romances end, but I kind of liked it here.
The basic setup is kind of fun. Madeline is the respectable sister who works as a nurse in England. Her stepsister Clarissa is flightier and frankly, a bit more of a drama queen. While dating a noted Canadian surgeon, Clarissa makes plans for her eventual move to Canada and talks Madeline into taking a temporary position at a well-regarded Montreal hospital. Clarissa jilts her doctor and elopes with another, but Madeline decides the change of scenery to Montreal could be a fun adventure so she goes anyway.
Good for Madeline. She's sensible and down to earth, but also looks forward to new things. I liked her. Anyway, Madeline gets part of her passage paid by agreeing to take on a position as shipboard nurse for Clarissa's boss' mother. The mother is clearly a spoiled hypochondriac. The scenes onboard ship are well done as Madeline balances patience with her trying patient, fending off the flirtations of Clarissa's boss and her clear enjoyment at occasionally slipping away to enjoy the voyage. I could feel Madeline's emotions throughout this trip coming through loud and clear. And then there was the dashing stranger who danced with Madeline on one of evenings off. He's worth a few daydreams....
The hospital drama in Montreal was entertaining as well. This is not the fast-paced world of ER, but rather an almost dreamy, genteel hospital ward for private pay patients. Madeline's job has the feel of being in an extremely upscale (and well-staffed!) retirement home of sorts. While it's nothing like hospitals and nursing homes I deal with these days, I liked Madeline's work world quite a lot.
As with many of the older romances I've read, there's no small amount of interpersonal drama simmering beneath the surface in this book. There are rivalries between the nurses which felt like real work rivalries. And once it becomes known that Madeline's mysterious shipboard stranger was none other than dreamy surgeon Nat Lanyon, the drama intensifies. I'm not a fan of love triangles, so I'll admit that the vying for Madeline's hand in this book didn't entirely do it for me. And like a lot of older category books, this one definitely has a Big Mis buried in the plot which thankfully gets resolved quickly.
The romance here is somewhat understated rather in the manner of some of the Betty Neels books I've read. Nat Lanyon is a superstar doctor and staff are fiercely loyal to him, so the dynamic between him and Madeline often has that Dutch doctor - sensible nurse energy to it. If you love Betty Neels, you'll likely go for this book, too.
And if you like a big cinematic ending, you'll probably like this one. The leads are clearly very fond of their beloved Canada, and I could easily picture them riding off into the sunset accompanied by the strains of "O Canada" as the book came to a close. It's not how most romances end, but I kind of liked it here.
November 20, 2021
There was too little romantic connection between the H and h and too much time spent on OW and OM.
Also, her sister (the OW and the H's former fiancee) might have ended the book reunited with her husband, but I can guarantee she'll be back to reclaim the H's attention whenever she has a bump in her marriage.
Also, her sister (the OW and the H's former fiancee) might have ended the book reunited with her husband, but I can guarantee she'll be back to reclaim the H's attention whenever she has a bump in her marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2013
I've read this several times and enjoyed it every time. The heroine Madeline goes to Canada after her half sister Clarissa suggests, it having become engaged to a Canadian.
Clarissa however jilts the Canadian and marries someone else and Madeline decides to go anyway and work in the Dominion Hospital. Incidentally I couldn't find such a hospital in 1958 Montreal but several other places were mentioned providing some interest.
Madeline makes a friend in Nat Lanyon, the distinguished surgeon who was Clarissa's jilted boyfriend but also becomes involved with Morton Sanders, the rather charming but cynical son of a woman Madeline nursed.
Lots of complications ensue, including Clarissa turning up again with her marriage in trouble.
All in all a very sweet and undemanding read about a young woman who takes a while to know her own mind.
Clarissa however jilts the Canadian and marries someone else and Madeline decides to go anyway and work in the Dominion Hospital. Incidentally I couldn't find such a hospital in 1958 Montreal but several other places were mentioned providing some interest.
Madeline makes a friend in Nat Lanyon, the distinguished surgeon who was Clarissa's jilted boyfriend but also becomes involved with Morton Sanders, the rather charming but cynical son of a woman Madeline nursed.
Lots of complications ensue, including Clarissa turning up again with her marriage in trouble.
All in all a very sweet and undemanding read about a young woman who takes a while to know her own mind.
February 29, 2016
I have never rated a Mary Burchell story below 4 stars, this one just fell off the mark a little. For one, the heroine spends an inordinate amount of time fantasizing about another man. That the hero doesn't seem to mind much is even more irritating.
I'd rather have jealous histrionics than an indifferent hero who knows the other guy is a scum and patiently waits for the girl to come to her senses. But in the last few pages when she does really come to her senses thanks to the other guy, she does a splendid job sobbing and fretting.
The other guy opens her eyes that it is the benign doctor, the hero whom see not only hero-worships and also loves. And what does our benign doctor say in response - "Come, the dumb other guy has his uses after all"
Good, fanciful extra characters, as is customary with this author. Good breezy read, nothing great to cherish though. 3 stars.
I'd rather have jealous histrionics than an indifferent hero who knows the other guy is a scum and patiently waits for the girl to come to her senses. But in the last few pages when she does really come to her senses thanks to the other guy, she does a splendid job sobbing and fretting.
The other guy opens her eyes that it is the benign doctor, the hero whom see not only hero-worships and also loves. And what does our benign doctor say in response - "Come, the dumb other guy has his uses after all"
Good, fanciful extra characters, as is customary with this author. Good breezy read, nothing great to cherish though. 3 stars.
June 3, 2013
Romance in the medical world. Enjoyable.Madeline is a nurse. Dr. Lanyon said to be unapproachable. There is also a beautiful Mrs. Sanders, among the patients, and her attractive son among patients.
January 7, 2019
A tour of Montreal and a travel guide to Canada in a romance novel form, haha! I enjoyed it because I know Montreal so well, and it was an anomaly in Burchell's settings.
March 3, 2021
Far from Burchell’s best, this one features a slimy OM so gross that I questioned our heroine’s intelligence. If you are new to the author definitely do not start here.
January 20, 2023
This was a very well written book with a good story as a background. I really liked the way Mary Burchell narrated this story and the pace was good with no unwanted dragging.
The hero Nat and heroine Madeline were very likeable and believable characters. Tge story takes place in a hospital in Canada where the H and h are doctor and nurse.How their love blossoms forms the story and I found it to be charming.
The hero Nat and heroine Madeline were very likeable and believable characters. Tge story takes place in a hospital in Canada where the H and h are doctor and nurse.How their love blossoms forms the story and I found it to be charming.
July 28, 2015
I did not care for her half sister at all and wanted to see her telling her off but that never happened. I cared less for the mother of the OM she was seeing! What a bitch! I loved the opera singer patient! How many times she was married... and still her ex husbands would do anything for her... even marrying her rivals so she could get the role! LOL It was part geography, part romance!
November 20, 2024
The story could be much better if the heroine wasn’t TSTL. The OM was the H for the best part of the book relegating the real H to the background.
December 11, 2023
This was not as good and also not as problematic as the first Burchell I read! (A Song Begins) Our heroine is Nurse Madeline, whose step-sister Clarissa is going to marry a Serious Canadian Doctor, and talks Madeline into taking a one-year position at a hospital in Montreal so they can stay close... but then Clarissa jilts the SCD and elopes with a louche man! Madeline decides to go to Montreal anyway and meets her own louche guy (with an awful disapproving mother) who flirts with her, as well as dancing with a Serious Canadian Doctor named Nat on the cruise ship... who is, of course, the very same guy her sister just jilted! And that's all before they get to Montreal!
Once in Montreal there is a lot of touristy description that didn't ring true to me, and a lot of hospital detail that also didn't ring true to me, and Madeline has to deal with her own louche guy (who she likes but who keeps getting her into trouble) and louche guy's mom (a patient at the hospital) spreading gossip and trying to ruin her life and her own growing attraction to Nat who is, understandably, salty at her family. It was fine and worked out reasonably well and the characters were good -- Nat turns out to be warm and generous and not a jerk despite having some reason to be -- but it is definitely not one of my favourites.
Once in Montreal there is a lot of touristy description that didn't ring true to me, and a lot of hospital detail that also didn't ring true to me, and Madeline has to deal with her own louche guy (who she likes but who keeps getting her into trouble) and louche guy's mom (a patient at the hospital) spreading gossip and trying to ruin her life and her own growing attraction to Nat who is, understandably, salty at her family. It was fine and worked out reasonably well and the characters were good -- Nat turns out to be warm and generous and not a jerk despite having some reason to be -- but it is definitely not one of my favourites.
September 17, 2021
-Not terrible, as far as these things go, but the conflict is pretty inconsistent and jumps from one thing to another. The only other Mary Burchell book that I've read is Nurse Marika, Loyal in All, which has such a fascinating context and remains unlike pretty much any other Harlequin of Yore that I've read, so this was a bit of a letdown.
-I am never going to understand the appeal of a hero who doesn't give anyone but the heroine the time of day. How is this an 'oooh, you're sooooooo special' thing? How is it not a 'dude, this guy's kind of a jerk' thing?
-Takeaways from this one include 'women who like power are Bad' and 'it's your own fault if he kissed you against your will' and 'nurses have to be happy for the sake of their patients, but it's perfectly fine for the doctor to have anger management issues'.
-I am never going to understand the appeal of a hero who doesn't give anyone but the heroine the time of day. How is this an 'oooh, you're sooooooo special' thing? How is it not a 'dude, this guy's kind of a jerk' thing?
-Takeaways from this one include 'women who like power are Bad' and 'it's your own fault if he kissed you against your will' and 'nurses have to be happy for the sake of their patients, but it's perfectly fine for the doctor to have anger management issues'.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews