A Gift of Hope for the Country Nurse

by Kate Eastham

'Authentic... the mixture of nursing and farming life is both warming and true. I liked this a lot.' Rosie Clarke, bestselling saga author

Summer 1937. In the rural Lancashire village of Ingleside, Nurse Lara Flynn works at the very heart of the tightly knit community. Amid laughter, love and loss, she helps her patients face life's most fragile and powerful moments.

When a vulnerable young mother goes into premature labour on the cobbled street, Lara must fight to perform a miracle. But with the violent father threatening everything, can the village rally round her to protect the mother and baby?

Meanwhile, the secret of a devastating diagnosis looms over Lara's blossoming relationship with village vet Leo. Caught between her duty and her feelings, Lara must decide where her loyalties truly lie.

When the people she cares for most are suffering, how far will she go to give them hope?

Praise for Kate

'A warm and satisfying story.' My Weekly

'A heartwarming and tear-inducing tale with wonderfully realistic characters.' Woman

'Very well created characters that you identify with and want to do well.' 5-star Reader Review

'Well written and absorbing...couldn't put it down!' 5-star Reader Review

'Great story with many twists and turns. Love all the characters.' 5-star Reader Review

426 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2026

Reviews

[Angela Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we are back with the Country nurse, Lara and her colleague Marion as well as Angus and curmudgeonly Dr Bingham and the housekeeper Mrs Hewitt. This is our 4th outing for the community and what a community it is.

And what an outing it is - with similar things we have come to expect. Leo the vet and his Dad Arthur play a large part this time with an untimely diagnosis for the elder vet. We have births and country side accidents and WW1 still has a great effect on the veterans both physically and psychologically. With sad outcomes.

Sophie gives birth to her third child prematurely and in the middle of the village. Her husband is a ne’er-do-well, a drunkard and too fond of losing his temper, this has dire consequences for one of his twin daughters. Who would believe a father could act in such a way - even when desperate?

But Johnny Diamond comes to his ‘aid’ - he really isn’t a pleasant character - but in a surprise at the end he gets his comeuppance. It was both sad and hopeful for Diamonds nephew Luke though.

Meanwhile romance rears its head for Lara and Leo - though I could easily have told Lara to give her head a shake and told her to follow her heart for once and not her conscience. Leo needs her.
But Phillipa from the manor is far too entitled and thinks Leo should realise that he is hers. What an unlikeable character.

My only slight gripe is that again in this book as in book 3 we have a missing child though under different circumstances. Maybe it’s struck a chord with me this particular week in the UK as a 3 year old child went missing and was found in tragic circumstances- but as in this book the community far and wide came together to find the child.

However this is such a heartwarming while not being saccharinely sweet story -well executed and keeps you captivated right to the end.

Bring on book 5 please

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its May 1937 in Ingleside Surgery in Lancashire in the UK. Lara is being told to take a break from her duties, so is her friend and colleague Marion ( but not at the same time). But first there are patients to care for and villagers to sort out. Unfortunately not everyone gets to live out their lives in this book but its done tactfully and sympathetically. There are plenty of village action too including a missing child, jealous women, and men who can't leave their ex wife's and children alone.

This is book four in this series about the district nurses in a lovely location in Lancashire and as with the previous books you can't help but care about both the nursing staff and all the villagers in the close knit community that they live in, where they will do anything for each other. I really enjoyed reading this book, its such a lovely book, I enjoyed reading about the characters and location in Lancashire before the second world war and I have given it five stars.

#Netgalley
#AGiftOfHopeForTheCountryNurse
#BoldwoodBooks
#KateEastham

[Jean Mader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have read every book in the Country Nurse series by Kate Eastham, so I was delighted to read and review Book 4 in the series. Once again, Nurse Lara and the rest of the Ingleside Surgery in Lancaster, May 1937 are to ready to heal and to help the villages.

Everyday Nurse Lara peddles her bike around the countryside, caring for her patients. And many things are happening as spring turns into summer. A new kitten comes to the Surgery kitchen, Several families are facing serious health issues, and there are some romances- and happily, Lara and Leo are still continuing their friendship.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance review copy. This is my honest review

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving the continuation of the Country Nurse. I love Lara and her colleagues at the doctor's office where she works. They are a fun group, and I love the way they come together to support each other. I'm also enjoying the small-town vibe of the story and how they all take care of each other. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author for this arc