The BRAND NEW instalment in Rachel Brimble's emotional, heart-wrenching Home Front Nurses saga series A uplifting story of courage, friendship and love against the odds, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Rosie Clarke, and Call the Midwife.
Winter, 1942.
Secrets abound for the Home Front Nurses, but will one of them be able to tell the truth about her past before Christmas?
As the weather turns cold, and the war rages on, Veronica Campbell finds herself loving her job as a home front nurse more than ever. She’s spending time with her beloved best friends Sylvia and Freda, as well as assisting on life-saving operations with her fellow nurse Betty Wilson, and feeling valued and happy.
But at home, she wishes things were different. Because even cosied up by the fireside of her lovely little house, there’s a man who lives on her street. Someone she’d once thought she could trust, who – five years ago – had violently attacked her. His threats to her remain, but she’s been terrified into silence.
But everything changes when Betty needs somewhere to stay for Christmas, and Veronica impulsively suggests she move in with her. But can she trust Betty enough to let her guard down and tell her what happened that fateful day? Because if she doesn’t, they could both be at risk?
‘A hopeful story about friendship and learning to trust.
Rachel Brimble is the author of multiple Amazon bestselling books, including her latest series, The Home Front Nurses set in Bath during WWII. Book 4 of the series releases Feb 2026.
When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!
Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop, The Writer Printable Co, providing resources she has created to help new authors achieve their writing dreams.
I'm definitely going to be in the minority here because this book didn't do it for me. It was as I was reading I realised I'd read the first in the series but missed the second one and there was a storyline I recognised that was still on going. Yes it was an important story to tell but it was way too dragged out. It took too long for Veronica, who's story it was, to make up her mind to finally do something about it. I didn't like Sylvia at all and it's hard to read a story when the character is unappealing. It was interesting learning about the attack on Bath during the war, something I hadn't read much about. People who enjoy light, fast reads set in the war years will enjoy it and I think it's better to read the series in order to understand what's going on.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy to read.
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
ohhh man this one was so hard to read to many triggers for me to go into suffice to say i have decided not to continue with this book...and its not because it was bad...
i was pulled right into the storyline but it was the rapist and the way he acted that i knew i wouldnt be able to read anymore...
sorry i enjoyed the other bits of the storyline that didnt include him
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.
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books fr the opportunity to read the ARC. The review and opinions are entirely my own.
It was great to meet up with the Home Front nurses again.
This book was slightly slower and slightly grittier somehow with Veronica having to face her demons - both her neighbour and the increasing recognition that she might not be like her friends. Sylvia had her own demons but realised that they were impacting on her relationship with Jesse - who also experienced stigmatism of his own. And Freda - brought up by an overbearing mother and her sister Dorothy - having an illegitimate child. We also learn more about Betty and her love for Veronica and Kathy and her upbringing.
So an awful lot to pack into one book but somehow Rachel Brimble managed to being all the threads together as well as the other characters to be found in a Bath Hospital in WW2.
The book is well written and researched but seemed to finish rather abruptly - but allows for another instalment which I look forward to.
A great read at any time of the year - it is part of series and the context is far better if one reads them all.
This continuation of the Home Front Nurses series follows several story threads as the girls' lives unfold. They are all so different, with different ideas on how to help the war effort, each so capbable in their own ways. Veronica is shown to be a courageous young woman who has been badly affected by a brutal act in her past. She has his this from all except her closest friends and finds it difficult to open up to others. In this story you find her coming to terms with how she feels about herself and how she wants to live her life.
Family ties are importanrt to Freda whose sister has found herself in a difficult situation. Living at home she has found her loyalties stretched as other members of her family have their own ideas on the best way to 'keep up appearances'. Sylvia is learning to handle prejudice and the unwanted opinions of others. All three girls support each other with strong friendship ties which others find a little excluding at times. This character driven story shows you life on the Home Front and the social issues which some had to deal with. It is the third in the series and moves the storyline along, taking some in a new direction.
In short period detail and strong characterization Thanks to the publisher
✨✨✨✨✨ Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses is the third installment in the Home Front Nurses series by the talented author, Rachel Brimble.
We return to Bath to follow the women’s journey as they pursue their nursing careers. The focus is on Veronica, who is now spending part of her time assisting in the operating theatre. She is developing a close bond with Betty, a rare female anaesthetist. However, Veronica’s feelings for Betty leave her feeling confused! While she enjoys her work, her sense of stability is disrupted when a figure from her past comes back into focus. What options does she have? She finds herself in a quandary..
Rachel has captivated me once again! The women are all quite relatable. I was appalled by Freda’s mother and her treatment of Dorothy, but she redeemed herself in my eyes through her actions with the twins! Whether this positive impression will last remains to be seen! I am looking forward to the book four!!!
I’ve read all 3 books in this series and this one was my favourite. It was good to see the characters growing and maturing, developing their careers and relationships. I hope there’s more to come. We need to see how Dorothy and her mum’s relationship develops, how Freda and Richard get on, and what happens to Eric. He needs a happily ever after as well.
With the weather turning old and the war raging on, our nurses on the home front, Veronica, Sylvia and Freda are happy in their chosen profession. However, Veronica continues to be unhappy at home while the man who previously attacked her remains living in the same street. Each of the girls want to further their ambitions, each in a different way. While peace has broken out between them and Kathy, Veronica makes a new friend while working in the theatre . . .
Following on from the second in series, Rachel Brimble has created a very realistic tale of wartime Britain, focusing not only on life in the hospital but also the home life of these hard working nurses This is a side of domestic life in wartime Britain I haven't often come across and it is both interesting and informative. Well written, as always, this is a novel - and indeed a series - I heartily recommend to all those readers with an interest in reading about life in years gone by. 4.5*.
4⭐️ | Like Call the Midwife wrapped in a cozy Christmas scarf ❄️🩺 Heartfelt and hopeful, Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses delivers all the emotion and grit you’d expect from a wartime saga—plus the warmth of friendship, found family, and quiet courage.
Veronica’s story hit especially hard. She’s strong, capable, and devoted to her work as a home front nurse, but she’s also carrying a terrible secret from her past. When the holiday season brings a fellow nurse into her home, Veronica is forced to decide whether to keep surviving in silence… or finally let someone in.
This one has snowy streets, fireside scenes, female friendship, and enough heart to thaw any cold winter day. Definitely recommend for fans of Call the Midwife, cozy historical fiction, and stories about women standing tall in the face of fear. 💙🕯️🎄
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the 3rd book in the series. I'd recommend reading them in order as you get more of the background, things will make more sense. While this book didn't have a lot of action, it set things up nicely for the next installment. I look forward to finding out what happens in the 4th book.
This is book 3 in the series about nursing on the home front in world war 2. In the winter of 1942, as the war rages on, Veronica Campbell finds joy and purpose in her role as a home front nurse. She cherishes time spent with her best friends Sylvia and Freda and works alongside nurse Betty Wilson on life-saving operations, feeling fulfilled and appreciated. But behind the warmth of her cozy little house, she harbors a dark secret—a man on her street, someone she once trusted, violently attacked her five years ago and continues to threaten her, leaving her paralyzed with fear. When Betty needs a place to stay for Christmas, Veronica impulsively invites her to move in. Now, Veronica must decide if she can trust Betty enough to share her painful secret, knowing that keeping silent might put them both in danger.
I haven't read the other books in the series so did struggle to understand some of the dynamics of this story. It can be read as a standalone but I think it would be better to read the series chronologically. I enjoy historical fiction but found this a bit of a slog to read as I didn't warm to the main characters. There are some quite serious themes in this book as it covers sexual assault which readers should be aware of. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I hadn't realised that this is the third book in a series; however, this didn't stop me enjoying the story or the character. I think by reading the previous books, I would have had more of a connection to them.
This very much reminds me of Call the Midwife, which I also enjoy, so I thought it would be right up my street. It is set in the winter of 1942, when times were hard for most people, but especially for women. Veronica, Sylvia and Betty are friends and Nurses. The three ladies face various challenges in their lives whilst the war rages on, but their friendship gets them through some tough times.
It is a book about hope, survival, resilience and friendship.
I would definitely like to go back and read the other books in the series. The characters are wonderful, and the scene setting is done well. Rachel Brimble is a new to me author but one I will be adding to my list.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
I truly love this book and series. Full of witty dialogue and multi-dimensional characters this will cycle you through every emotion. This book deals with a lot of tough issues such as war, international dating, LGTQ+ and trauma. (Trigger Warner- SA) Veronica, Freda and Sylvia are nurses during World War II and experienced many up and downs but through it all their friendship kept them grounded. As a fan of historical women sagas this book in the series was amazing, It ended with a cliffhanger so I look forward to the rest of the series and more books by the author Rachel Brimble. She has an amazing way with words and descriptions you can picture the characters as if it was a television series. I highly recommend this series. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 3rd in the Home Front Nurses series, which takes place in Bath at a hospital during WWII. Veronica, Sylvia, and Freda are on the verge of making some personal and professional changes. They also bring in new friends to their circle, fellow nurses Betty and Kathy.
I am enjoying this series. I like learning what life was like in England during WWII from the perspective of a group of nurses. There was prejudice, bringing sexual assault offenders to justice, being a single parent, escaping abusive relationships, supportive friendships, as well as romance. I'm enjoying their stories and experiences during WWII.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.
I loved this book! Reading it was like catching up with old friends, I literally read this in one day as I couldn’t put it down. What about that cliffhanger! Now I cannot wait until the next book to see if Veronica spills the beans. This is a story of courage during the terrible upheaval of WW2 and the nurses who look after the sick and the injured military personnel. It has some tough moments in this story but the girls face every problem with grace and dignity. I highly recommend this series, Rachel has done a wonderful job in continuing the nurses stories.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review. Publication date 4 August 2025.
Another in this series and what a great read. Nurses Freda, Veronica and Sylvia are the best of friends and do life together both in the hospital and at home. Along the way Kathy and Betty also nurses have joined their group but not all is rosy for some of them. A great storyline continuing some of the themes from previous books. A must read and how it’s left I hope means there is more to come. Thanks to Rachel and her publisher.
The characters Betty and Veronica bring to life their world during WWI. Having to hold onto their experiences and emotions during the war shows the closeness they have. During the war they only have who they hold dear. The trials of being a nurse during this time had to be so challenging
Love this continuation, feels so homely and really know the characters. No one can not like these books, researched well and good imaginary storyline. Can’t wait for the next one.
Winter 1942: As the weather turns cold, and the war rages on, Veronica Campbell finds herself loving her job as a home front nurse more than ever. She's spending time with her beloved best friends, Sylvia and Freda, as well as assisting life-saving operations with her fellow nurse Betty Wilson, and valued and happy. But at home, she wishes things were different. Because even cosied up by the fireside of her lovely little house, there's a man who lives on her street. Someone she thought she could trust, who - five-years-ago - had viciously attacked her.His threats to her remain, but she's been terrified into silence. But everything changes when Betty needs somewhere to stay for Christmas, and Veronica impulsively suggests she moves in with her. But can she trust Betty enough to let her guard down and tell her what happened that fateful day? Because if she doesn't, they could both be at risk.
I love the friendship these women have in such difficult times. Veronica is near breaking point as she still lives on the same street as the man who attacked her, and she is struggling with her sexuality. This is a well-written, character-driven story.
Published 4th August 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RachelBrindel for my ARC of #WinterWishesForTheHoneFrontNurses in exchange for an honest review.
In the latest instalment of the Home Front Nurses series, readers return to the hospital as winter sets in and 1943 approaches. Veronica is happy at work with Freda, Sylvia, and Betty, but her home life is uneasy and unhappy because she feels unsafe living near a particular neighbor. When Betty needs somewhere to stay for Christmas, Veronica is quick to offer her home, but that means she has to trust Betty with her biggest secret. The other girls are coping with their own challenges and the continuation of the war, but the holiday season and their friendship might offer the relief that they all need. Readers uncomfortable with themes of harassment and sexual violence should proceed with caution in this instalment, but Brimble handles the incident and Veronica’s trauma with tact and care. The characters continue to grow and develop over the course of the novel, and their friendships and relationships are still central to their stories. Some familiar faces reappear in this book, and the new challenges ahead of the nurses will really pull readers into the story. Packed with details, emotional, and brilliantly written, readers will love the latest book in the Home Front Nurses World War II historical fiction series and the journeys that Veronica, Sylvia, Freda, and Betty are preparing for.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
Another wonderful book in The Home Front Nurses series. We find out more about the lovely Freda, Sylvia and Veronica, whom we met in previous books. If you haven't read the other books, you can still read this one as mention is made of what we have learned already, albeit briefly.
Much of the focus is on Veronica, who needs to decide what to do about the man who raped her when she was younger. She was too ashamed to tell anybody about what happened, so he carries on happily living his life, on the same street as her, to her torment. If she is going to be able to move on with her life and relationships, she needs him gone, one way or another.
This was a very emotional read, especially when Veronica had to finally tell people what happened to her. I was close to tears a few times. The strong friendship bonds that Victoria has with Sylvia and Freda only grow stronger, and it was wonderful to read. Even Victoria's mother steps up to the plate, and finally, I am starting to like her!
There is so much more to come for the friends, and I very much look forward to the next book/s in the series.
Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble takes us back to the winter of 1942. Veronica, Sylvia, and Freda have been through rough times (and the war is far from over), but their friendship is one of the bright points in their lives. The characters are endearing and multidimensional. I enjoyed catching up with Veronica, Sylvia, and Freda. I do not know how Veronica continued to live on that street. The author addresses tough issues adroitly. These ladies have courage, grace, and big hearts. The story ends with a cliff hanger which has me itching for next book in the series. Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses is the third book in The Home Front Nurses series. I believe it is best to read the series in order because it allows you to get to know the characters and the challenges they face. Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses is a World War 2 tale with bombs, boyfriends, bullies, battle fatigue, and best friends.
A fairly predictable, cosy read about three friends who nurse in the Bath area during WW2. Veronica is trying to come to terms with a rape that happened years before, but the rapist still lives next door. Her friendship with fellow nurse Betty is also developing. Freda still has high ambitions for a career, but seems thwarted at every turn as she's too good at her current job on the wards; meanwhile her pregnant, unmarried sister is coping with their controlling mother's demands. And Sylvia's drinking is getting worse, and she stands to lose her boyfriend if it continues.
Its interesting to follow their lives, although the war seems to have little impact as they only suffered one bombing raid, and the different tales are interwoven and told well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The third book in the home front nurses series and it's around Christmas time. The war is still continuing to wreak havoc and destroy lives. Veronica, Sylvia and Freda are contemplating major changes in their lives both professionally and personally. I can't believe sexual assault hasn't changed much in the ways of feeling able to report it and getting the support needed. Another topic that arises in this book is sexual preference which thankfully has progressed leaps and bounds from the time in the story. The book is almost entirely character driven which I enjoyed because I like the characters. The plot has different things happening for each of the girls and I believe will continue into the next book. So exciting times are ahead.
The Home Front Nurses series is one of my favourites with its believably flawed characters, a fascinating mix of WW2 history in England's West Country and an emotional narrative. Freda, Sylvia and Veroncia are hospital nurses in a busy Bath hospital in the war-torn 1940s. They are all dedicated and skilled in their profession and have complex personal lives. Whilst the women all have distinct personalities, they are likeable. This story takes the reader into each of the women's lives, and you invest in all of them. I like the character development, the medical wartime setting and the story's heartfelt emotion that makes it so engaging to read. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Heartbreaking at times. Secrets kept. Past hurts that can't be forgotten. Three young women working as nurses during WW2. They became the closest friends trying to do what they can to make their world a better place. Victoria trys to handle her past and questioning her current feelings for a co-worker. Freya wanting more but not sure how to get it. Sylvia learning that the world is not colorblind and happiness is not in a bottle.
The writing was superb. I hope that everything turns out well for them. I am pretty sure there will be another book in the future. I surely hope so as I was left with questions. What more can happen with these three fiesty homefront nurses?
Watch relationships deepen between nurses and their families and friends.
I simply loved this book. The characters were all believable and I enjoyed getting to know the nurses and watching their relationships grow both within the hospital and out in social life.