Nadia is a key member of the ground staff at the air ambulance base at Whistlestop River, a former nurse, always calm and in control – although the presence of Hudson, their family liaison officer, can make her a little hot under the collar, while knowing that his complicated family life puts him firmly off limits. But when abandoned baby Lena – obviously well cared for, in a cardboard box and with a note bearing her name – is found outside the doors of the base on a very cold night, it brings back particularly painful memories. And while struggling with all the feelings that have been rekindled, her secret past begins to catch up with her in the most unexpected way – with the possibility that she has a closer connection to the foundling that anyone realises.
There’s a lot of heartache and raw emotion in this book – Nadia’s situation repeatedly had me in tears, and I so wanted everything to work out well in her life. And Hudson proves to be her rock through it all – while problems with his difficult ex-wife and a teenage son who’s going off the rails mean he also has a great deal to cope with in his own life (and he does it SO well – what a lovely man!). But there are plenty of lighter moments too, of camaraderie and banter among the crews, fundraising events and celebrations.
Yes, there’s a tentative romance, perfectly handled and very real – but there’s also a great deal of well-written drama as Nadia’s scenario unfolds and also through the day-to-day situations encountered by the air ambulance crew. The author’s research, and the way she uses it to bring both the quiet and dramatic moments vividly to life, is really excellent – when I finished this book, I felt like I’d spent time on the Whistlestop River base, and had a real understanding (and admiration) for the situations they handled so efficiently and in such a matter-of-fact way. The friendships between the team members constantly warm the heart – and although some of them have continuing stories, and I’d missed some of the background, there was enough gentle catching up with anything I really needed to know.
Such a lovely read, and this is a series I’d thoroughly recommend if you enjoy the same books that I do – I’m just really looking forward to the next book in the series.