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Lovely Lane #1

The Angels of Lovely Lane

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As heart-warming as it is heartbreaking, this novel is unputdownable' Sunday Express. It is 1953 and five very different girls are arriving at the nurses' home in Lovely Lane, Liverpool, to start their training at St Angelus Hospital. Dana has escaped from her family farm on the west coast of Ireland. Victoria is running away from a debt-ridden aristocratic background. Beth is an army brat and throws her lot in with bitchy Celia Forsyth. And Pammy has come from quite the wrong side of the tracks in Liverpool. The world in which they now find themselves is complicated and hierarchical, with rules that must be obeyed. Everyone has their place at St Angelus and woe betide anyone who strays from it. But when an unknown girl is admitted, after a botched late abortion in a backstreet kitchen, a tragedy begins to unfold which will rock the world of St Angelus to its foundations. Can't wait for the next one? THE CHILDREN OF LOVELY LANE is out now! What people are saying about THE ANGELS OF LOVELY 'Nadine Dorries's writing is sparkling and vibrant, her books are a joy to read' 'The book was like a dream – difficult to put down' 'You feel as if you know the characters personally!' 'Enthralling read, can't wait to read more

441 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2016

1321 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read

About the author

Nadine Dorries

41 books270 followers
Nadine Dorries was born in Liverpool in the 1950s and raised on a council estate, the daughter of a bus driver. Her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS, was inspired by memories of her childhood, particularly her Irish grandmother who she was very close to.

Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters.

Nadine is currently working on her second novel, a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.

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5 stars
1,909 (49%)
4 stars
1,283 (32%)
3 stars
528 (13%)
2 stars
106 (2%)
1 star
62 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
Profile Image for Kim.
2,120 reviews64 followers
June 2, 2016
I was over the moon to be approved for this one and even more to discover that it is the first in a new series- Lovely Lane. It is my favourite era for sagas and love the nurses home and group of girls we follow.
Nadine Dorries has quickly joined my list of favourite authors to look out for and another in this series is due later in the year.
You are really drawn into the characters lives as they start training to be nurses. You share in the sad times and the happy, fun times that they share as young girls on the brink of their new career. I love the way that she develops her characters leaving you part of their circle, caring and worrying about them and eagerly turning the pages to read more.
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
330 reviews14 followers
September 23, 2017
I found this book a little slow at the start, I didn't get into it straight away and had to push myself to carry on. I am so glad I did continue as the story became more and more engaging. The beginning of the book introduces the main characters, but about half way through the story comes to life as the individual stories of the characters are knitted together and secrets are revealed. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for teach_book.
434 reviews634 followers
January 4, 2020
Ta książka jest rewelacyjna! Lata 50., Liverpool. Tłem historii jest szpital i postęp ówczesnej medycyny. Każda z 5 nowych kursantek na pielęgniarkę niesie ze sobą swoją własną historię. Różnią się od siebie, ale łączy je pielegniarstwo. Świetnie napisana historia z kilkoma romansami w tle. Wykreowany świat idealnie oddaje tamte lata, które aż czuć z kart książki. Są również momenty zapierające dech w piersi, momenty wzruszenia i humoru. Coś niesamowitego! Czekam z niecierpliwością na 2 tom.
Profile Image for Seltella.
254 reviews
November 17, 2024
Bardzo fajna książka. Mega mi się podobało. Niektóre rzeczy to nie, ale to przez bohaterów. Była dla mnie emocjonująca i przeżywałam to co się tam dzieje.

Cieszę się, że doktor Scriven dostał to na co sobie zasłużył. Nie będę za nim tęsknić.
Profile Image for Shirley Revill.
1,197 reviews287 followers
November 25, 2017
I have read the book and recently listened to the audiobook version of this story.
Really enjoyed them both and the audiobook took away the boredom of a long journey.
Recommended.
Profile Image for Andrea.
695 reviews
April 16, 2019
Enjoyed this read not read an Victorian type book in ages,into crime at the moment this book is about a group of young girls brought up in different backgrounds and wanting to become nurses but normally only the upper class nurses get to be trained.it tells a story of young girls life stories and facing from doctors and not so nice characters to contend with.read the four street series which I loved and recommend.looking forward reading book two only thing was the book was long read.
Profile Image for Ali Bookworm.
671 reviews41 followers
January 13, 2017
Very much like The Nightingale Nurses.meets Call the Midwife but with grittier bits. Well written, easy to read storylines with characters you can fall in love with..and also hate. Also descriptive in parts from a medical point of view and there were a few parts that made me emotional especially dealing with the end of a life in a hospital it really touched my heart and made me cry. A very enjoyable unputdownable book now onto the follow up.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,208 reviews
February 27, 2017
There was nothing particularly fresh or original in this novel and the excess of characters made it difficult to keep track of everyone. I liked the writing but there were too many 'subplots' all clamouring for attention and a surfeit of 'taboo' topics from the time:

It all seemed a little too forced and hurried.
Profile Image for Sue.
360 reviews17 followers
September 30, 2017
I was really pleased with this book. Previously I had read a Nadine Dorries and was disappointed but that was probably because it was number two in a series, so I struggled with the characters. This on was number one in the series so although there was a lot of characters, I was able to keep up. Lovely book, I enjoyed it very much.
Profile Image for Spotkania_książkowe.
50 reviews6 followers
odłożone-2023
July 23, 2023
Do domu pielęgniarek przy Lovely Lane w Liverpoolu przybywa grupa kilku nowych adeptek pielęgniarstwa.
Dziewczęta pochodzą z różnych stron Anglii i Irlandii, z różnych środowisk, ale każda gotowa jest podjąć wyzwanie zostania w przyszłości pielęgniarką.
Od pierwszego dnia dziewczęta zostały pouczone o hierarchii, o tym jak mają zwracać się do swoich przełożonych i do siebie samych. Przed nimi było dwanaście tygodni wytężonej pracy, która miała zostać zwieńczona trudnym egzaminem, po którym mogły zacząć pracować już jako wykwalifikowane pielęgniarki.

Po książce Dorries spodziewałam się drugiej “Zawołajcie położną” Jennifer Worth. Niestety jeśli liczycie na podobieństwa to od razu odłóżcie “Anioły z Lovely Lane”, bo rozczarowanie będzie przeogromne.

Jeśli przebrniecie przez pierwszych kilka rozdziałów, w których mnożą się postacie tego dramatu, zupełnie zbędne i nie wnoszące niczego do historii, dojdziecie do przybycia dziewcząt do domu pielęgniarek, a kilka stron dalej bohaterki będą już po egzaminach dwanaście tygodni później, oczywiście przez wszystkie zdanym śpiewająco.
W międzyczasie przyszłe pielęgniarki będą po cichu wzdychać do mijanych młodych lekarzy.
Tutaj dochodzimy do połowy książki, po której odpuściłam dalsze jej czytanie, bo wystarczy przeczytać tych kilka rozdziałów, aby przekonać się, iż autorce zabrakło pomysłu na koncepcję książki, że nie znała zupełnie tematu, o którym chciała pisać, bo ani nie poznamy dokładnie życia w Liverpoolu z początków lat 50-tych, w których umieszczona jest historia, ani nie poznamy przebiegu kursu pielęgniarskiego.

Historia jest po prostu nudna, rozwlekła, nieciekawa, z naiwnymi dialogami.
Do tego po drodze pojawiają się błędy nie wyłapane przez korektora, np. w saloniku w pokoju Dany na pewno nie wisiały kotary z flizeliny, choć to zapewne błąd w tłumaczeniu.
Profile Image for Lee.
1,153 reviews38 followers
December 3, 2019
TW: sexual assault, rape, attempted rape, abortion

Set after World War II, a group of women are now training to be nurses and make something of themselves that is a little way from the norm of the time. Soon, drama begins to unfold at St. Angelus that they are all going to have to figure out how to deal with.

The Angels of Lovely Lane reminded me a lot of Call the Midwife, which I will admit I didn't care for (the show, I know there are books but I haven't picked them up), but I thought that this one would appeal to me more since it's more nursing instead of midwives. I did like this better, but the large cast of character left me confused more than once as I tried to keep them all straight. I had restarted it even hoping that I could follow things better, but I still couldn't. Remembering everyone's first and last name is nearly impossible for me, so when they were referred to as their surname I had no clue who was who.

It moved slow too. They went through their training, there was some drama, and then at the end, finally, there was the big drama and that's how it ends. It's not a bad thing, but it took me a long time to get into and then with the big casts of characters, it was harder for me to really be gripped in and want to learn who was who.

The Angels of Lovely Lane isn't a bad read, but it's a common period drama. Originality is not something this book has. The large casts of character can be confusing especially when it switches from them being referred to their given names and surnames. With the ending, I'm at least curious about the rest of the series and how it goes.
Profile Image for Sandra.
566 reviews22 followers
May 14, 2018
An excellent story of the staff and patients of St Angelus in the days when nursing was believed to be a vocation not a job.Dana,Victoria,Pammy and Beth are probationary nurses and live and work together.Through the perils of life in a Hospital the girls all rally round to help each other,there is an evil force in the hospital but it all comes to a head and Sister Haycock saves the day along with Matron.well worth 5*
Profile Image for Leona.
1,501 reviews
May 16, 2016
Any time I hear that Nadine Dorries has a new book coming out my heart gives a little leap of joy. So I was absolutely delighted to receive an advanced e copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley. I absolutely devoured this,book and loved every single page of it. At times I felt I was there beside the nurses in St Angelus hospital. Another brilliant book by Ms Dorries.
Profile Image for Hannah.
38 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2020
I loved this book! I felt such a connection with the characters and related to it so much as a nurse although I’m glad I didn’t train in the 1950s. Made me laugh and cry. Cannot wait to read the next in the series.
Profile Image for Sammi.
91 reviews21 followers
October 23, 2018
I'VE FINALLY FINISHED OMGGGGGGGGG. So, I got this book in Kindle form in April just as something to read on the train, but I struggled so much because I was reading it on my phone. I could just not get into it, I thought there was too many characters, and every time I came back to it I was confused about what was going on. HOWEVER, I started reading it properly when I wasn't travelling, and realised it was just the fact I hate reading on my phone, rather than found the book difficult.

I've been after a Kindle for a while, and now I've finally got one (yey!) I found it 10000000x easier to read this book, and realised even though there are so many characters, once you know the difference, it's hard to get them re-confused. I actually enjoyed this book! It was slow getting to it, but once I got over the reading format, I found this was easy to read and the main characters were enjoyable and likeable! I felt that everything was tied up in a good way, and this book drew to light some important topics, especially for the time, such as misogyny, sexism and illegal abortions, without downplaying them into mere story points.

Overall, while this isn't my usual type of book, I really enjoyed it, and the fact i wasn't discouraged at the beginning just shows how easy to read and interesting this book is. Defo worth a read if this is your type of book or are a fan of this time period.
Profile Image for prozaczytana.
645 reviews208 followers
April 16, 2020
Książki o tematyce medycznej interesują mnie od dawna, dlatego nie potrafię przejść obojętnie obok niemal każdej z nich. Kiedy tylko ujrzałam nowy cykl o pielęgniarkach, wiedziałam, że to coś, co koniecznie muszę przeczytać. Sięgając po "Anioły z Lovely Lane", poczułam się, jakbym to ja zamieszkała w angielskim domu pielęgniarek w 1953 roku...

Dana, Victoria, Beth i Pammy to młode dziewczęta, które dzieli niemal wszystko, ale łączy chęć pomocy innym. Z tego względu wszystkie trafiają na szkolenie pielęgniarskie, gdzie zderzają się z okrutną rzeczywistością, w której często inni dają im do zrozumienia, że są niczym... Porządek panujący w miejscu ich pracy bywa jedynie iluzją, a realia okazują się dużo bardziej skomplikowane, niż wydawałoby się na pierwszy rzut oka.

Początkowo sporym problemem okazał się dla mnie natłok bohaterów, których musiałam wypisać sobie, aby nie pogubić się w ich tożsamościach. Na szczęście z biegiem czasu zaczęłam kojarzyć każdego po imieniu, więc lektura stała się przyjemniejsza. Dużym szacunkiem darzę autorkę za to, że przy stworzeniu takiej ilości postaci, nadała każdej z nich niepowtarzalne cechy charakteru, odróżniające je od reszty.

"W pielęgniarstwie nie chodziło tylko o tabletki, opatrunki czy baseny. Jego istotą nie były czyste podłogi ani pościel założona czterdzieści pięć centymetrów od krawędzi, tylko prawdziwa troska o pacjentkę, wystarczająca, by uprzyjemnić jej dzień."

Niesamowicie wciągnęłam się w tę historię, która jest bardzo przyjemną odskocznią od lektur trudniejszych tematycznie, chociaż jednocześnie zawiera także poważniejsze wątki, jak choćby homoseksualizm, gwałt, śmierć czy aborcja. Czuć, że Nadine Dorries włożyła wiele wysiłku w to, aby jak najlepiej przedstawić realia lat 60-tych. Czy to jej wyszło, mogą ocenić jedynie ludzie, którzy wtedy żyli, aczkolwiek wydaje mi się, iż całkiem dobrze oddała klimat tamtych lat, gdy relacje międzyludzkie wyglądały zupełnie inaczej niż aktualnie. Z tego względu niektórzy czytelnicy mogą kręcić nosem, ponieważ postępowanie czy poglądy bohaterów mogą budzić wiele wątpliwości, wydając się zbyt nieśmiałymi i słodko-pierdzącymi, ale nie ukrywajmy, iż kilkadziesiąt lat temu ludzie byli bardziej pruderyjni, a różnice pomiędzy poszczególnymi szczeblami kariery wydawały się mocniej zaakcentowane.

"Anioły z Lovely Lane" to pierwszy tom cyklu, który bardzo przypadł mi do gustu i bezapelacyjnie niebawem zabiorę się za kolejne, ponieważ nie mogę doczekać się poznania dalszych losów bohaterów. Zdaję sobie sprawę z pewnych mankamentów owej historii - zbyt długich opisów, nieco niepotrzebnych powtórzeń czy wszechobecnej infantylności, ale nie ukrywam, że jednocześnie owe minusy nadają niepowtarzalnego uroku powieści.

http://www.nieperfekcyjnie.pl/2020/04...
Profile Image for Kimberly .
73 reviews55 followers
January 6, 2017
First in a new drama series from British author, Nadine Dorries,"The Angels Of Lovely Lane" is extremely well written filled with captivating characters and intriguing plot twists throughout! Haunted by her own past, Emily has overcome tragedy and climbed the nursing ranks to become the director of St, Angelus' Nursing Program only to to be met with disapproval and an unwillingness to change from long held traditions by the older staff members including the Matron herself. However, it's a new term and Emily has high hopes for her new student nurses. Dana, Victoria, Pammy, and Beth each have their own obstacles to overcome as they begin their journey into the world of nursing.

I simply love Nadine Dorries' writing style; the characters are so well-developed and her descriptions are so vivid that I immediately found myself transported to another time and place among endearing friends. The most appealing aspect however, is that Dorries has created a cast of strong female characters filled with grit and determination to succeed and to overcome any obstacle placed before them. Each story line is so compelling and intriguing that I found myself anticipating each new page; creating a wonderful reading experience. This is certainly an amazing start to a new series that I highly recommend and look forward to continuing the series!
Profile Image for Martinask.
446 reviews1 follower
Read
September 4, 2021
Czwórkę dziewczyn (Victoria, Dana, Beth oraz Pammy) pochodzących z różnych rodzin łączy jedno wielkie marzenie aby zostać pielęgniarką, rozpocząć staż w szkole przy Lovely Lane. Dziewczyny poznają się pierwszego dnia w domu pielęgniarek, gdzie opiekuje się nimi dobroduszna gospodyni. Nad dziewczynami jako dobry anioł opiekę sprawuje także nowa dyrektorka kursów szkoleniowych p. Emily, której historię jako pierwszej poznajemy na początku książki. Podczas lektury zagłębiamy się w środowiska dziewczyn z których się wywodzą, ale i w historię medycyny XX wieku w Wielkiej Brytanii, podejścia lekarzy i pielęgniarek do pacjenta. Zasady postępowania przy pacjencie zdecydowanie różniły się od tych współczesnych. Jedno pozostaje niezmienne - zauroczenia młodych dziewczyn do lekarzy i odwrotnie.
Lektura łatwa i przyjemna, już na mnie czeka drugi tom :)
887 reviews21 followers
September 25, 2019
Started this book..... enjoyed it at first then kept picking it up reading parts of it then putting it down.

just couldn't get into it.

don't take this review as a bad one, it was just me I couldn't get into it. Very well written book but wasn't for me.
*********************************************************************
September 2019.......... tried this book again and yet again couldn't get into this series,... going back to library tomorrow. I have 3 so they all be returned,,, not for me.

but love nursing storys...
Profile Image for Sandra Lloyd.
4 reviews
July 11, 2017
Enchanting

I read this book in three days I found I couldn't put it down. As a nurse I particularly enjoyed the nurse training commentary. The old style training was easy to picture, the characters came to life and I could see the corridors of the hospital in my mind. Excellent book highly recommended.
185 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book about five new student nurses who come together at a hospital in northern England in the 1950's. There was a touch of escapism in this novel but enough reality to keep me enthralled. I will get the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Kylie Hood.
450 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2021
I love this series so much. It feels like the show Call the Midwife. Heartwarming and sweet. Love the Angels of Lovely Lane.
Profile Image for Joan.
296 reviews
August 3, 2017
A lovely book, first of a new series by this author. Set in Liverpool in the 1950s it is the story of five young girls all from very different backgrounds who come together to train as nurses. They overcome their nerves and the very rigid hospital rules held at the time and begin to enjoy their first year of training.
Profile Image for Suze.
1,884 reviews1,299 followers
December 25, 2016
It's 1953 and Emily works at the St Angus Hospital in Liverpool where she is responsible for the training of the nurses. A new group will start and Emily has been able to make some much needed changes in the selection process. The girls are all living together in Lovely Lane and soon friendships are being formed. Dana is from Ireland. She's trying to escape a forced marriage to a bully. Going to Liverpool is her only way out. Will she be able to make it? Victoria is from an impoverished aristocratic family. She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps. Her father and aunt don't like that she wants to become a nurse though. Will she be able to stay? Pammy is from the wrong street in Liverpool. She's smart and competent, but will she be able to prove that?

While working really hard the lives of the new nurses are changing rapidly. They grow up, they learn to stand their ground and they find out what they're capable of. They have to deal with patients and they have to get used to death and scary wounds. There are always problems at the hospital, some of the girls have secret love lives and they are living on their own for the first time. The nurses have to prove themselves and that sometimes that isn't easy at all.

The Angels of Lovely Lane is a fantastic book. I loved reading about the close group of nurses, the kindhearted Emily and the staff members of the hospital. Most of the main characters are wonderful and I enjoyed reading about their lives from the start. Unfortunately there are people who are causing trouble for them and because of this there is plenty of drama. The story is gripping and moving at the same time. I couldn't stop reading and didn't want this amazing book to end.

Nadine Dorries has a wonderful writing style. It's warm and cozy and it made me fall in love with her story straight away. I liked the vivid descriptions of the hospital and everything that happens in and around it. I could easily picture every situation and loved the thorough and complete way of storytelling. Nadine Dorries obviously knows what she's writing about. I like it very much when a story is believable and when the topic has been researched well.

The Angels of Lovely Lane is a unique story about a lovely group of people. I really enjoyed reading about the busy hospital and the love stories are all sweet and romantic. I devoured this special and brilliant story. Nadine Dorries's writing is sparkling and vibrant and her books are a joy to read.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
139 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2017
I haven't read a book of this genre for a while, and I really enjoyed it! I want to read the next in the series now to find out what happens to the girls!
71 reviews
February 21, 2021
Powieść "Anioły z Lovely Lane" to pierwsza część serii "Pielęgniarki" autorstwa Nadine Dorries.
Ta niezwykle ciepła i poruszająca powieść obyczajowa osadzona jest w Liverpoolu w pierwszej połowie lat 50 ubiegłego wieku. Jej bohaterkami są cztery młode kobiety, które chcą uczyć się pielęgniarstwa i odbywają praktykę w szpitalu St. Angelus, a mieszkają one w domu pielęgniarek przy Lovely Lane.
Każda z bohaterek jest inna, każda ma swoją historię i swoje problemy. Dana jest jedną z pierwszych Irlandek przyjętych do szkoły pielęgniarek w Liverpoolu i pochodzi z rolniczej rodziny o bardzo tradycyjnych wartościach. Victoria z kolei jest nowoczesną kobietą pochodząca z rodziny zubożałej arystokracji. Beth jest córką wojskowego, jest bardzo ambitna a nauka jest głównym celem jej życia. I wreszcie mamy też Pammy, która urodziła się w najgorszej dzielnicy Liverpoolu i jako przedstawicielka najniższej klasy społecznej, nie jest mile widziana w szkole pielęgniarek przez kadrę zarządzająca.
Oprócz czterech głównych bohaterek poznajmy też personel pomocniczy szpitala, dobroduszną Emily Haycock, czyli dyrektorkę szkoły pielęgniarek, surową siostrę przełożoną, a także groźną siostrę Antrobus, oddziałową na ginekologii.
Punktem kulminacyjnym powieści jest przyjęcie na oddział ginekologiczny Marty, pracownicy szpitala, która trafia tam w ciężkim stanie po zabiegu nieudanej aborcji.
Podsumowując, książka jest wzruszająca, czyta się ją szybko i świetnie, ma dobrze naszkicowanych bohaterów. Przeplatają się w niej wątki miłosne, tragiczne, humorystyczne i smutne. Powieść bardzo wciąga i zaczęłam już czytać jej drugą część, o czym wkrótce. 😀
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