A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital

Orchard Cottage Hospital #1

by Lizzie Lane

A brand new series for 2024 from bestselling author Lizzie Lane

A country town in need of a good Doctor, but will they accept her as one of their own?

Somerset, March 1930
Born in the workhouse and adopted by a former suffragette, Frances Brakespeare was encouraged from an early age to be strong, independent and to pursue a career as a doctor. The tragic loss of the love of her life in the Great War propels Frances to commit to her one true vocation.

Rebelling against the unfair treatment of female doctors Frances is dismissed from her London post and things continue to take a turn for the worse when Izzy, her benefactress dies and Frances finds herself homeless.

With no employment or roof over her head her future seems uncertain until she’s offered a residency at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, Somerset. a town where quarrying and coal mining scar the land.

It’s a far cry from London and towns narrow minds are not so welcoming of a young, female Doctor, but she’s determined to win through.

At first sight the town seems quaintly old fashioned, a place where nothing much happens but there are secrets and sins bubbling beneath the surface plus a mystery she's determined to solve.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

336 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Frances Brakespeare's benefactress died, and she discovered the home she'd lived in all her life was no longer hers, she was shocked. Frances was a doctor, and proud of it. But the male doctors at the local hospital in London where she worked, wanted her gone. They didn't believe women had it in them to be doctors - nurses, yes. But Frances had nursed on the Front in WWI and losing her fiancé was what made her decide to qualify as a doctor.

Finding an advertisement for a doctor in the small country town of Norton Dene in Somerset, Frances decided to apply. It wasn't long before Orchard Cottage Hospital housed their new doctor and while some were welcoming, others were not. But Frances had someone on her side. Frances was determined to make her mark at Orchard Cottage Hospital despite the secrets, lies and mysteries...

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is the 1st in a new series by Lizzie Lane and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters of Lucy, Nancy and Ned, plus Ma Skittings, were great! Set in 1930, not too long after the suffragette movement and the division between men and women, the attitudes of some were terrible. I'm really looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances Brakespeare was born in All Saints Workhouse and she's adopted by a former suffragette, who encouraged her to be strong, independent woman and became a doctor. Frances lost her fiancée in the Great War, and plans on dedicating her life to healing the sick and delivering other women’s babies.

Frances is working at a hospital in London and here she’s treated badly by the male doctors, and when her adopted mother Izzy passes away, she finds herself homeless and without a job. She applies for a position in Somerset, they need a doctor at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, a coal mining town. Of course there’s some confusion over her being a female, they were expecting a man and some of the members on the hospital committee didn’t pick up on her name being the feminine version and Frances is relieved when she's employed as the new general practitioner.

As you would expect Frances wants to make changes, some people are not keen, but she plans on starting an out patients and maternity clinic, and promote health and hygiene in the town. Frances enjoys life in the country, she becomes friends with two of the nurses, Lucy Daniels and Nancy Skittings, Reverend Gregory Sampson and she butts heads with Sister Harrison.

I received a copy of A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The classic historical fiction narrative is set in Somerset in 1930, as you would expect people are still getting over The Great War, every family either lost a love one or they were injured, and this is the case of one of the minor characters in the novel Captain Delvin Compton-Dixon.

I look forward to the next installment in the series, for Frances relationships to grow and hopefully flourish with the people she’s met in Norton Dene. However the mine owner’s son is a horrible man and Doctor Brakespeare is worried about his workers lungs and the accidents that happen underground.

Four stars from me, a character driven story, I found Ma Skittings antics amusing and one that takes the reader back to a quaint time in England, and set in a small country Cottage Hospital in Somerset.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast easy read. Frances is a female doctor in a male dominated world. She has to fight for everything and is lucky to have been brought up by a strong independent woman. She gets a job in a cottage hospital in Somerset.
It takes time for her to settle in as she meets lots of opposition but she meets some lovely people too and makes new friends. There are some great characters and some real nasty ones. There's one in particular that I really want to see get their comeuppance. The way women were still treated at this time is unbelievable, especially women who dared to do jobs previously seen as men only occupations.
I'll never understand how women came to be seen as second class citizens and how the poor were looked on as not worth anything.
I gather this is the beginning of a series as when I got to the end I thought, 'surely that's not it'! Also the secret the vicar was keeping from Frances was a little dragged out.
I will be reading the next one, if there is one, to see what happens to everybody.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

[Carol Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Ho Hum! … I’m disappointed.. I usually love this Author’s books. Really struggled to give two stars.
What’s ‘goin on Lizzie?? :)

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

Frances Brakespeare is a trained doctor but being in the early 1900 a womans place was really only at home looking after her family but frances had been adopted as a baby and brought up by a woman who herself was trained doctor....

but even though frances was trained it was still a mans world and she was never taken seriously and when an altercation happened with another doctor a male one and one that wasnt up to much she was dismissed

and so began frances new journey which took her to orchard cottage hospital

her life was never going to be plain sailing...after all she was a woman and not many people took her seriously.... interesting times ahead

i for one am looking forward to reading more in this series as i am quite invested in some of the characters now.... its a well written and round book that keeps you glued with anticipation of whats going to happen next

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everyone's happy to welcome her...

Beginning in 1900 at All Saints Workshouse in London, where babies were born to women who could barely feed themselves let alone a little one. On one such morning, six newborn babies were laid out swaddled in blankets that prevented them from moving as Isabelle Brakespeare paid a visit with one specific child in mind. The doctor and matron were oblivious to Izzy's intentions so when she asked which baby was Mary Baker's they were momentarily speechless. Indicating a small baby girl, the matron handed Izzy the child that was to grow up under Izzy's guardianship - as an independent woman wanting for nothing...and knowing what she wants. Matron didn't let on that Mary Baker had intended to return for her child...but then they all say that.

Some three decades later in 1930, Frances Brakspeare has just lost her mentor and guardian Izzy and the family's solicitors have issued Frances a letter asking her to vacate the family home that had been hers since Izzy brought her home 30 years ago. The home that Izzy had living rights until the end of her days but no one else. Now the family wants the house back.

Frances had been brought up by former suffragette Izzy to be a strong and independent woman with no need for a man. Although she was engaged during the Great War to the love of her life, she also lost him just months before the war ended thus paving the way for her to follow Izzy's dreams of her becoming a doctor. Now at 30, Frances passed at the top of her class but had been downgraded so as to not outshine her male counterparts and had been working at a London hospital the past few years. However, she was as outspoken as she was driven which thus lead to her dismissal from the hospital for failing to apologise to a male doctor whose arrogance was well known among the staff.

Then Frances saw a posting for a doctor at a cottage hospital in Somerset, a world away from the hustle and bustle of London. A village which she discovered needing dragging into the twentieth century in terms of attitudes and medical advances. Her appointment was not without acrimony to begin with but she soon warmed the hearts of even the coldest committee member. Well, except for Simon Grainger, son of the Brigadier who ran the local mine. It seemed he was dead against change of any kind unless he was implementing it.

Within the village of Norton Dene, Frances made friends with just about everyone from the first. The two nurses who worked alongside her at the hospital also working part time to keep house for her - Lucy Daniels and Nancy Skittings - her ladyship up at Orchard Manor and of course the vicar Gregory Sampson, who carried with him a secret.

Overall, the book was okay. Not one of Lizzie's best as I found it a little sluggish to start and bogged down with nothing much in between. I was excited to read it but it didn't live up to my expectations a some of her other series which I have enjoyed such as Coronation Close (of which I hope there will be more).

I'm not sure if I would read another in this series though I am interested to see what Frances' answer to a certain proposal will be. A woman who had confined herself to remain a spinster after her beloved Ralph's death in the Great War.

I would like to thank #LizzieLane, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ANewDoctorAtOrchardCottagehospital in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane is the first in a new series about a woman doctor, shortly after WWI, in London. She is jeered and given bad shifts simply out of malice and she speaks up. She is then let go. It is a tough pill to swallow as she has just buried her adoptive mother and has been notified by the woman’s heir to vacate her house. She really has nowhere to go and not much money, but happens to see an advertisement for a doctor in a village to run a cottage hospital. Lodgings are included as a rise in pay from what she is earning now. She packs her things in her small automobile and takes off. Upon arrival, there is a mine accident, one of the miners hurt badly. As the ambulance and hearse are one in the same, and there is a funeral, she drives the injured man to the closest hospital, where they x-ray him, operate, and settle him in to heal. When she goes for the interview with the board, her hiring is virtually assured.

Frances runs into many things in this small village she was not anticipating. Many of the people were very welcoming, some were not sure, and a few were outright hostile. She had many ideas, though, and she set about implementing them. She was nothing if not determined. Her mother had been a suffragist and spent her life fighting inequities based on gender. She was a good doctor and a sympathetic and caring person who saw through facades people were trying to project. She was a great character. The plot had several story arcs, many of which will carry over until the next book, It was also very much a slice-of-life novel, addressing many things about living in a small village and making a new life. It was a terrific book and I look forward to the next. Thanks, Lizzie Lane for an insightful story!

I was invited to read A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #LizzieLane #ANewDoctorAtOrchardCottageHospital

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a new doctor at Orchard cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane we meet Francis who lost her fiancé in the great war and has recently lost her adoptive mother and her job due to the fact she refused to apologize for standing up to a man that was way too Handsy. Thankfully she found an opening in a little village in Somerset and because they missed the femanin spelling of her name in with the support of the main benefactor she gets a second interview in person. when she arrives she hits the ground running having to go to an emergency call before she even gets out of her car. By the time she deals with the explosion at the mine she is moving in to her new home with the help of the Vicar Greg, who’s friendship, meals and homemade wine she will come to rely on while settling in she will meet other people some friends some foe a new mystery and not to mention all the changes she wants to make to benefit the women and children in the town. Many people she will meet in town have been affected by World War I but none affect her like Lady ADCs son Devlin. He was blinded during the war and the good lady implores Dr. Francis to find help from Mr. Grimes who is elderly and his only companion. Can I just say this was my favorite part of the book I loved the whole book but the ending with Lucy and Devlin with the good lady looking on almost made me cry. This is an absolutely brilliant story there’s so much I haven’t put in my review but once again Lizzie Lane has out done her self in this reader appreciates it so much! Like most of the authors main characters Dr. Francis proves that despite being born from rape and an a work house she is so worth more than what people see at a passing glance. I love this authors books and she did not disappoint I cannot wait for the next book in the series I want to think Boldwood books for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a heart-wrenching, dramatic and captivating saga from Lizzie Lane that kicks off her terrific 1930s Somerset-set saga.

Frances Brakespeare might have been born in the workhouse, but she has never allowed the unfortunate circumstances of her birth to dim her spirit. Adopted by a former suffragette, Frances had always been encouraged to be strong and follow her heart. Having pursued her passion for medicine and become a doctor, Frances has the world at her feet – until the death of her benefactress leaves her homeless and penniless and she is dismissed from her post in London after protesting about the unfair treatment of female doctors.

With no money and no jobs going in London, Frances doesn’t know what she is going to do – until she is offered a residency at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, Somerset, a quarrying and mining town. Far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, Frances encounters prejudice, resentment and small-minded gossip, but she is determined to push through. Will Frances manage to win the Norton Dene community around? Or will secrets and scandals come to light that will leave her with no other choice but to head back to London?

Lizzie Lane’s A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a powerful tale of prejudice, renewal and belonging full of grit, emotion and heart. Frances is a terrific heroine who, in spite of the myriad challenges thrown her way, manages to triumph over adversity with intelligence, humanity and sensitivity.

A wonderfully written saga from a very talented storyteller, Lizzie Lane’s A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a superb yarn readers will thoroughly enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a new saga series this is set mainly in Norton Dene, Somerset in March 1930. Frances Brakespeare was adopted by Izzy as a single mother but after her death Izzy’s family told her she had to leave her home. Frances is working as a doctor in London and starts looking for a place near the hospital until an altercation with a senior male doctor causes her to lose her job. I’m not really a saga reader as I like my books tied up at the end and saga’s always have cliffhangers but I do like this authors writing style and found this very entertaining.

Briefly, after applying for a job in a mining village, Norton Dene, Francis is pleased to find that accommodation is included, and along with her car, Molly, gifted by her mother, she’s all set up to take on her new role when she’s offered it. She quickly makes friends with the local vicar, two of the nurses and has an unexpected ally in Lady Araminta Compton-Dixon. But not everyone is pleased to have a female doctor in charge of the hospital.

This was a quick and easy read with a compelling story but oh gosh I need the next instalment now! Did I say this is why I don’t read sagas! Frances is a great main character who has had heartache in her life but wants to help others less fortunate than herself. The supporting cast are equally good and I felt a particular pull to one of the lesser characters, Lady Araminta’s son Develin. This really is a very enjoyable story and I’m very much looking forward to book 2.

4.5⭐️rounded up

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is set in Somerset in 1930. Women are at this time still not valued as doctors, and have to put up with the men and the system devaluing them.

Driven by such male chauvinistic behaviour Frances obtains a job in a cottage hospital. This is through women who know where to pull the right strings. She settles in and soon proves she is more than capable.

She is given a place to live - near the vicarage where she soon has a friendship with a very understanding vicar. She makes friends too with the two local nurses. Frances sets about modernising things and while drawing ire upon herself is successful.

There are other minor characters who play a role in underlining the chauvinism of the day and not least of all the manager at the local mine.

I really liked Frances and the way she approached her life, and I liked many of the other characters. As well I enjoyed the story.

I did feel somewhat disappointed that the various plot lines were not totally brought to a satisfying conclusion and some things were just left hanging. One of those books you come to the end unexpectedly and say "What, is that all there is!?" It is evidently the start of a new series so perhaps there is to be more? If so I would certainly read on to the next one.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Frances Brakespeare was unusual for her times. Lady Doctors were few and hard to find and those that did practice were relegated to a second hand position, denied even their marks and spoken to in a very derogatory manner by their male companions. Frances had been adopted at birth and had a very loved existence until her adopted mother passed away.

Her confrontation with a fellow doctor along with the death of Izzie forced her to look elsewhere for a job and she was lucky to find a niche in a rural cottage hospital, where the people supported her but her male colleague along with many of his counterparts tried to undermine her.

Frances had served in the Great War and lost her love, so she was greatly surprised to find his name carved in the village memorial. That was a mystery she had to unravel.

The story had many strands including the hardship that working women faced, not just from males but also from their own. It seemed right for them to take on all jobs when the men were at war, but were expected to hand over when they returned. No one thought that many of the women were widows, or had men returning with mental or physical disabilities, many which prevented them working and in the case of mental handicaps not even recognized widely or treated.

Frances was one of the brave ones and this story is testament to that.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a historical saga set in the 1930s, and it's the first in a series. At the beginning, we meet Dr Frances Brakespeare, who moves to a country town in Somerset.

When I first started reading this, I felt something about the atmosphere and the general tone of the writing was quite poignant, and that made me feel compelled to keep reading.

I immediately felt a connection with Frances. She seemed to possess a kind of inner strength that I admired. There were some characters that I liked, and some that I disliked, or at least, I disliked their standoffish attitudes towards Frances. That only increased my desire to see her succeed in her endeavours.

As I read on, I warmed to the countryside setting, forming images of it in my mind, as it was brought to life by the author. I enjoyed following Frances on her journey as a doctor, and it seemed that in the end, what I wanted most was for her to be happy, as well as successful.

I found this quite a light read, and it was touching, but heartwarming at the same time. If you like historical sagas, you may want to give this a try.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Lizzie Lane’s newest series, readers meet Dr. Frances Brakespeare, an orphan adopted from the workhouse by a former suffragette who encouraged her adopted daughter to challenge society and take on the world. With the death of her fiance during World War I, Frances has thrown herself into her work as a doctor despite the poor treatment of female doctors in 1930. Taking up a new position in Norton Dene, a small town in Somerset, after she loses her job and her adoptive mother dies (and her mother’s relatives evicting her), Frances sees this as a new start where she can shape this country hospital and her own medical practice -- but there are some in Norton Dene with secrets and a dislike of female doctors that will make this difficult. With excellent characters and a clever, strong protagonist, readers will enjoy following Frances to Norton Dene and exploring the development of the local medical practice in the area under her supervision. An isolated yet charming town, the minor characters in the story are well-developed and complex, and their relationships with other characters and Frances are enjoyable to read. A strong start to the Orchard Cottage Hospital series, fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I love strong female characters and Lizzie Lane's newest series is filled to the brim with them. The main character Francis will not let sexism and misogyny get in the way of her morals or keep her from being a doctor. After standing up for herself Frances loses her job at a hospital in London. To avoid homelessness and poverty she accepts residency at a small cottage hospital. Of course, not everyone is happy about her new position.

Honestly, there were so many great characters it was hard to choose who I liked the best. They were all unique, but still strong in their own ways. I do know who I disliked with a burning hot passion, I won't spoil it but if you read the book you will know exactly whom I am talking about. I love how Lane portrays her characters, even the villains, they are all just so complex and will have you turning the page to get more. The ending did feel rushed to me, I felt like it messed with the pacing of the book.

Overall, a strong start to, hopefully, a strong series.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane takes us to Somerset, England in 1930. Women doctors were a rarity, and they were not treated as peers by their male counterparts. Unfortunately, women were seen as inferior to men. Frances Brakespeare is a strong, independent, and intelligent woman. When she becomes the new physician at the Orchard Cottage Hospital, it will take her time to overcome resistance. There were some good characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. Of course, there were some unpleasant ones as well (I want to see one get his just desserts). The story was easy to read. I thought the author captured the time period. There was one thing that I thought dragged on a little too long (when it was finally revealed, my thought was it’s about time). The ending was abrupt (I flipped back and forth going, “that’s it”). There were a couple of plot lines that were not resolved by the conclusion (which is frustrating). I am hoping that these dangling threads will be picked up in the next book. The author’s vivid descriptions of Somerset allowed me to picture the quaint town (I would love to visit). It will be interesting to see what happens next.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful start to a brand new series from Lizzie Lane. This book had romance, mystery, history, scandal and it's fair share of villains.
It follows a strong female protagonist in the form of Frances who is a female doctor in the time when females had to fight for every single day in their profession, often treated extremely badly, overlooked and degraded.
Frances meets another strong female who rules the roost in her village and together they make changes for the better.
I really enjoy the characters in this book, the spirited and hard working, the slimy and underhanded, the scorners who get their opinions changed and the downright nasty who deserve to be locked away.
This book does not have an ending that satisfies every storyline that comes up, leaving me feeling like there will be a few more books to follow this one.
As usual, the writing is superb and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
4.5 stars from me!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serendipity played a relevant role in asking to join this blog tour and discovering this historical fiction series.
I was attracted by the blurb and couldn't put down the novel as I wanted to know what Frances was going to do and how she was going to disrupt very old medical tradition and bring the health care of a Somerset Village into the XX century.
I loved Frances as she's a fighter who never give up and she's not afraid to speak her mind and be blunt. She suffered a lot but was able to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor and now she's trying to become a respected doctor.
I loved the historical background and how the characters were developed. There's a lot going on and I hope I will be able to read another novel in this series soon as I want to know what will happen.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Eunice R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a really enjoyable book for me as a few elements pulled together to make it what it is. The struggle of women post the suffragettes gaining the vote for them, and their moving into positions zealously guarded by men, such as doctors like Dr. Frances Brainspeare. The general struggles post WWI and dealing with the fallout of lost loved ones and/or maimed loved ones. A sprig of romance added flavor to the small town setting and these worked out satisfactorily to my way of thinking as women championed women, some of whom had gained male applause. The sprinkle of humor was the clincher for me right there alongside the author's wonderful way with words.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

May 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this historical from English author Lizzie Lane. It takes place in the UK 1930, not long after the suffragette movement had won the vote for women. At first I wasn't really "in tune" with our main character, female doctor, Frances Breakspeare. I felt like her dialogue with her perspective employers was very unrealistic, bold, and a bit too "feminist". I carried on with this book and I'm glad I did. It turned into an interesting story about a small town and all the people that inhabit it. I love books like this - you get to know everyone and begin to care about them all. If you are hoping that there is a lot of medical content, well, it's not really there. But there is a lot of fun, small town goings on, some mystery, and even a bit of romance. This book definitely did draw me in, and I'll be looking forward to future tales from Orchard Cottage Hospital and beyond!
Thanks so much to Net Galley for the the opportunity to read this book!

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is the first book in the Orchard Cottage Hospital series.

The main character is Frances, a female doctor who wants to improve the hospital she works at and has to overcome the chauvinistic men who don't believe women should be doctors.

Frances is an amazing character. She has suffered more than her fair share of bad things in life, not least, losing her greatest love in the war. She wants to focus on her work and looks forward to making some much-needed changes at Orchard Cottage Hospital. It isn't plain sailing for her, but that definitely helps to make this book a fabulous read.

I very much enjoyed this story because it had so much going on. You have your evil characters, your sweet ones, and there is even a possible romance budding. There is drama from the very start of the story and the book carries on being exciting right to the very end.

I loved the book and am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a heart warming story full of strong women characters who capture your attention and have you cheering for them as they fight the stigma of a woman's place in society,

Its 1930's, post WW1 and we meet Frances who is offered a job in the Orchard Cottage Hospital.

Some accept her as a woman doctor, many wont.

The town has many nice and not so nice citizens that keep the book interesting and the pages turning.

At the end of the book, I said what, I don't want this to end , I want more.

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a great and promising start to a new series from Lizzie Lane who is a master story teller.

I cant wait to read Book 2.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the privilege of reading and reviewing this delightful book.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

After losing her home when her adopted mother passed away and her job when she refused to be meek and mild Frances is desperately looking for a new position as a doctor. She is offered a position in a cottage hospital in Somerset, which sounds idyllic, but in reality it's a mining town with all that involves.
It's a scary thought that it isn't that long ago that women doctors weren't readily accepted and also Health and Safety wasn't high on the list of priorities. Set back in the 1930s times were hard for everyone, especially the women, and this book brought the era to life for me. There is romance and good friendships to counterbalance the harder scenes. This is the first book in a new series and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed many of Lizzie’s books and this one is looking to be the start of a great new series. This book starts in 1930 and tells the story of Frances Brakespeare. Frances was adopted by Izzy Brakespeare a former suffragette who made sure that Frances did well in what was still very much a man’s world. Frances trained to become a Doctor and even though she was top of the class she was still ignored and men less qualified than her were promoted above her. After Izzy dies her family kick Frances out of the home she’d grown up in making her homeless. Frances applied for a job which came with a home at a Cottage Hospital. Unbeknown to her with a little help from her adopted mother’s suffrage friends she got the job. This book follows her as she tries to help the local community and bring the hospital up to date. I look forward to reading more about the people of Norton Dene.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a women’s fiction story dealing with women’s rights to have equal treatment and pay in a male dominated work field. By Lizzie Lane this looks closely at Frances Brakespeare who also has experienced social status prejudice in her life. Her adopted mother instilled in her the skills needed to survive and live a life independently from social bias. A true women’s suffragette novel.

The writing was well done with the beginning being dismal for Frances. Stick with the story as this survivor finds ways to thrive despite the struggles she faces in the 1930’s. A character that you cheer for and become invested in seeing her become successful. There are supporting characters who friendship enhances her life and the story. Read today a story that will make you shout, “You go, girl! Never give up!”

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author certainly knows how to transport the reader to a time between the Wars when life moved at a very different pace, following different values. Frances Brakespeare was adopted from the workhouse to a well-to-do suffragette and encouraged to follow her dreams. Her fiance was killed in the first World War, so she continues her studies to become a doctor, but is faced with prejudice at every turn.

She eventually applies for a job at a cottage hospital in Somerset, where her life will follow a new path as she establishes herself and improves life for the local people. However, the shadow of her fiance always hangs over her.

A great read, and I can't wait for the next instalment. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances is born in a workhouse and adopted by a former suffragette. When circumstances are beyond her control she finds herself homeless. Frances is offered a job and home as a doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital. She is quickly mistaken as a nurse and as she settles in Frances makes some needed changes to patient care. This is the first book of a new series and it ends leaving you with a few questions which I believe will be answered in the next book. I loved the antics of the characters, it made me smile. The war is featured and one character has a tough time. There is also a mystery waiting to be solved and it had me guessing but I was sadly mistaken. If you enjoy historical fiction sagas then you will want to read this book set in the 1930s.

[Jeanette Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this around 9:00 pm but before I knew it, it was 3:30 am. I couldn't put it down. I forced myself to put it down. I would never get up at this rate.

I have read a few of Lizzie Lane's books. I have enjoyed everyone. This is no exception. I really liked Frances Isabelle Brakespeare. She had spunk. She studied hard to be a doctor after suffering a terrible loss. She was apprehensive about taking the position at Orchard Cottage Hospital.

Frances barely could take a breather when she arrived at the hospital. She soon learned that she had much to learn about the community and the residents of this town.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly what I expected from a Lizzie Lane book. Easy to read, not high brow in anyway. But comforting. I have no idea how accurate it is, but I could absolutely believe that life was like that for "lady doctors" in 1930. It very much was a man's world. I did learn a little more about the unknown soldier who is interred at Westminster Abbey, namely how they selected a body to be moved there.

I loved the strong, independent women in this book. Ma Skittings was fabulous. And Izzy defied every convention going to adopt a baby on her own, of course that meant she raised a strong woman in Frances. I hope we find out more about Izzys back story in future books.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and very pleasant novel! I could relate to the characters whom I really ended up liking very much. What I also enjoyed in this story is that a well researched historical background has shown the reality of being a female doctor after WWI. What I also found interesting was to learn about the medical environment in cottage hospitals. I had not known about that. My first novel by the author, and I will read more of her work.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.