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Nightingales #8
A Nightingale Christmas Carol
All that Dora Riley wants is her husband home safe for Christmas… The Nightingale Hospital, London, 1944: With her husband Nick away fighting, Dora struggles to keep the home fires burning and is put in charge of a ward full of German prisoners of war. Can she find it in her heart to care for her enemies? Fellow nurse Kitty thinks she might be falling for a German soldier, whilst Dora’s old friend Helen returns from Europe with a dark secret. Can the women overcome their prejudices and the troubles of their past to do their duty for their country?
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
167 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Donna Douglas
35 books256 followersWelcome to my Goodreads page.
I'm the author of the Nightingale novels, a series of stories set in an East End hospital in the 1930s, published by Arrow.
The first in the series, The Nightingale Girls, follows the lives of three girls from very different backgrounds as they join the Nightingale Hospital as students. The second, The Nightingale Sisters, will be published next spring.
I'm originally from London, but I now live in the beautiful city of York.
I'm the author of the Nightingale novels, a series of stories set in an East End hospital in the 1930s, published by Arrow.
The first in the series, The Nightingale Girls, follows the lives of three girls from very different backgrounds as they join the Nightingale Hospital as students. The second, The Nightingale Sisters, will be published next spring.
I'm originally from London, but I now live in the beautiful city of York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 3, 2018
War ein bisschen schwächer als die Vorgänger, mag aber auch daran gelegen haben, dass ich nicht so viel zum lesen gekommen bin und ich ne gefühlte Ewigkeit dafür gebraucht habe.
December 4, 2017
All in all, an entertaining and heartwarming story, as always.
However, I was absolutely appalled by the lack of research that went into the bits written in German. Apparently, neither the author herself nor any of the people involved in the publishing process deemed it neccessary to consult a native speaker or at least a dictionary. The spelling is atrocious ("Fräulein" is misspelt as "Fraülein" every single time), the word order is messed up frequently, random German words are strewn in for no apparent reason, some sentences make no sense at all, and on one occasion, the author went so far as to invent a new "German" word whose meaning I couldn't even guess, though I'm a native speaker.
I was very disappointed with this lack of effort, especially because usually Donna Douglas does her homework really well, doing her best to portray everything as historically accurate as possible. This book, in contrast, was a trainwreck research-wise.
However, I was absolutely appalled by the lack of research that went into the bits written in German. Apparently, neither the author herself nor any of the people involved in the publishing process deemed it neccessary to consult a native speaker or at least a dictionary. The spelling is atrocious ("Fräulein" is misspelt as "Fraülein" every single time), the word order is messed up frequently, random German words are strewn in for no apparent reason, some sentences make no sense at all, and on one occasion, the author went so far as to invent a new "German" word whose meaning I couldn't even guess, though I'm a native speaker.
I was very disappointed with this lack of effort, especially because usually Donna Douglas does her homework really well, doing her best to portray everything as historically accurate as possible. This book, in contrast, was a trainwreck research-wise.
November 26, 2018
Nice easy reading with a bit of Christmas too.
December 29, 2016
Love this series by Donna Douglas. I thought it had finished because she has started a new series so I was delighted to find this.
We're back at the Nightingale hospital with some of the nurses from the previous books and it's coming to the end of the war.
I was very interested in the POW'S ward in the hospital. Great to see the interaction between the English people and the German prisoners. It was horrendous the treatment that the German's got from the small minded people who worked there.
Loved the romance between one nurse and her German patient. The stoic Eastenders are still at their best and the endurance of these shine through.
I think this is probably the last of the series. It certainly reads like that. Donna's books are very readable and very enjoyable.
We're back at the Nightingale hospital with some of the nurses from the previous books and it's coming to the end of the war.
I was very interested in the POW'S ward in the hospital. Great to see the interaction between the English people and the German prisoners. It was horrendous the treatment that the German's got from the small minded people who worked there.
Loved the romance between one nurse and her German patient. The stoic Eastenders are still at their best and the endurance of these shine through.
I think this is probably the last of the series. It certainly reads like that. Donna's books are very readable and very enjoyable.
December 18, 2018
Why don'r authors unfamiliar with a language check with a native speaker before publishing a book? It makes them look like such amateurs when silly mistakes slip in -- even if most readers don't realise that there are mistakes! In this case, the author uses German words but misspells them abundantly --even words which could be checked with a simple Google search. The word Fräulein for instance. She spells it Fraülein throughout. And yes, placement of the Umlaut DOES matter in German! The word Fraülein is unpronounecable and makes no sense whatsoever. Apart from that she capitalises words which shouldn't be capitalised (the word von in a name) and does't capitalise words that should be: Taschentuch, Tages, Liebling. And yes, capitalisation is extremely important in German.
This might sound like nitpicking to an English reader who doesn't know German but it's still sloppy writing. I've enjoyed her other books so this was disappointing.
This might sound like nitpicking to an English reader who doesn't know German but it's still sloppy writing. I've enjoyed her other books so this was disappointing.
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February 6, 2019I just love this series about the training of nurses at the Nightengale Hospital in the East End of London.
I love the characters, some of which come and go, and some which are more constant. It is a great glimpse into how much nursing and training nurses has changed over the years and how some things are still the same.
It is a great insight into the residents of the east end of London with the back drop of World War II on the story. I love the series and urge you to read it.
I love the characters, some of which come and go, and some which are more constant. It is a great glimpse into how much nursing and training nurses has changed over the years and how some things are still the same.
It is a great insight into the residents of the east end of London with the back drop of World War II on the story. I love the series and urge you to read it.
September 14, 2020
What more can I say, these books are just wonderful! As you can see I listened to it in less than forty-eight hours!
September 12, 2022
Another very emotional book in the series but yet again I loved it and loved returning characters..
January 25, 2026
I cried a lot
August 2, 2019
This book made me kind of sad. Not the actual stories, but the fact that it's basically the end of this part of the story. While there is still one book left, and there is a prequel series this feels like the last time we'll see the main core characters. I was also sad that the three original characters didn't get a reunion in this book. But onto the story. As always there are several stories going on at once. Mostly we follow original characters Dora and Helen as well as Kitty who is a close friend of Dora's sister Bea. The three women are put in charge of a POW ward and while Dora tackles the job as she would any other, Kitty tries to get a change in assignments at the behest of her father who is bitter over the death of his oldest son at the hands of the Germans. Poor Helen seems afraid to even go onto the ward despite being the senior nurse in charge. But despite a rocky start both Dora and Kitty soon grow fond of their patients realizing that they are no different than the English boys. Unlikely friendships are formed and even some romance as Kitty finds herself torn between a Scottish soldier, and a German prisoner. One she doesn't really love, but pleases her family and the other she does love but risks losing everything for. A charming friendship develops between Von Mundel, the officer in charge of translating for the prisoners and a surgeon himself and Dora. Then there is Helen, she is hiding a dark secret not helped much by to the fact that she has a clingy new friend Clare who is determined to shut everyone out. Helen has changed and it is not for the better. But one of the things I love about this series is that the characters are all so complex, at one point you want to smack them and scream what the hell is wrong with you and the next you want to hug and comfort them. That is how I felt about Helen throughout the book and sometimes Dora. There are a few side stories including a romance with an American GI who nearly tears the Doyle family apart, Mrs. Price and her cat, and the near destruction of the Jenkins family. There are thrilling moments, including a rejected soldier out for revenge, a married woman running off with a lover, and just the general tensi9n that comes with the war and having to work closely with and helping your enemies. As I said I'm sad to see it come to an end, or almost an end, but things wrapped up well for everyone and after following them for ten years from naive eager students to weary hardened experienced nurses you can't blame me for feeling attached to them all.
May 21, 2017
Donna Douglas’ Nightingales series is always a perfect comfort read. It’s easy to get into the story, revisit old characters and meet new ones and be carried away. The nurses of the Nightingale Hospital in London’s East End have been through a lot in the series with the arrival of World War II. They’ve been bombed, relocated to the country and now they are back again as the hospital opens up more wards with the arrival of German POWs to look after. The well POWs are also helping to rebuild the hospital.
As always, the story focuses on recurring characters and brings in a few new ones. The feisty Dora is back again as staff nurse for the POW ward. Even though husband Nick is fighting on the opposite side, Dora’s kind and compassionate nature has her trying to have the POWs recognised as humans worthy of standard medical treatment and a little Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. Helen, who left to work on front lines is back as sister of Dora’s ward and one for the English soldiers. Something happened to Helen that means she cares very little for the POWs and actively thwarts Dora’s attempts to make the ward a little more homely. Dora knows this isn’t the Helen she knows, but will Helen’s new friend Clare ever let Helen talk for herself?
Kitty is one of the younger nurses who was injured in a previous book. She’s more conscious of how she looks to others but her new romance just doesn’t seem right. But nursing Stefan and talking with him…she feels so comfortable. But isn’t he meant to be the enemy? Her brother certainly thinks so and is watching Kitty and Dora to make sure things don’t get too friendly…
This is the final book dealing with World War II, but I have a feeling there will be much more to do at the Nightingale Hospital as Britain adjusts to post-war life. I was quite pleased to see that there’s a new story coming up according to Goodreads! Donna Douglas always does sound research for the time period and her characters become like friends. They’re flawed (hello Helen and Dora) yet determined to do their best for their patients. I do enjoy the mix of medicine, friendships, romance and historical that the series delivers so well. If you’re after a comfy read for the beach or by the fire, you can’t go wrong with the Nightingales!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
As always, the story focuses on recurring characters and brings in a few new ones. The feisty Dora is back again as staff nurse for the POW ward. Even though husband Nick is fighting on the opposite side, Dora’s kind and compassionate nature has her trying to have the POWs recognised as humans worthy of standard medical treatment and a little Christmas cheer. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it that way. Helen, who left to work on front lines is back as sister of Dora’s ward and one for the English soldiers. Something happened to Helen that means she cares very little for the POWs and actively thwarts Dora’s attempts to make the ward a little more homely. Dora knows this isn’t the Helen she knows, but will Helen’s new friend Clare ever let Helen talk for herself?
Kitty is one of the younger nurses who was injured in a previous book. She’s more conscious of how she looks to others but her new romance just doesn’t seem right. But nursing Stefan and talking with him…she feels so comfortable. But isn’t he meant to be the enemy? Her brother certainly thinks so and is watching Kitty and Dora to make sure things don’t get too friendly…
This is the final book dealing with World War II, but I have a feeling there will be much more to do at the Nightingale Hospital as Britain adjusts to post-war life. I was quite pleased to see that there’s a new story coming up according to Goodreads! Donna Douglas always does sound research for the time period and her characters become like friends. They’re flawed (hello Helen and Dora) yet determined to do their best for their patients. I do enjoy the mix of medicine, friendships, romance and historical that the series delivers so well. If you’re after a comfy read for the beach or by the fire, you can’t go wrong with the Nightingales!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
September 23, 2021
All that Dora Riley wants is her husband home safe for Christmas…
The Nightingale Hospital, London, 1944: With her husband Nick away fighting, Dora struggles to keep the home fires burning and is put in charge of a ward full of German prisoners of war. Can she find it in her heart to care for her enemies?Fellow nurse Kitty thinks she might be falling for a German soldier, whilst Dora’s old friend Helen returns from Europe with a dark secret.Can the women overcome their prejudices and the troubles of their past to do their duty for their country?German POWs in England were graded as follows: "Grade A (white) were considered anti-Nazi; Grade B (grey) had less clear feelings and were considered not as reliable as the 'whites'; Grade C (black) had probable Nazi leanings; Grade C+ (also Black) were deemed ardent Nazis."German prisoners flooded into Britain from the summer of 1944 following the D-Day landings in France. Although there was an initial reluctance to employ them for labour, 70,000 were working in Britain by March 1945, primarily in agriculture and second construction.The peak number of German prisoners reached 402,200 in September 1946.They were housed in hundreds of camps all over the country.After the war, 25,000 elected to stay in Britain, preferring to remain where they had made a new life to returning to a war-damaged and divided country.The treatment of the captives, though strict,was generally humane, and fewer prisoners died in British captivity than in other countries.Medical and dental care in the POW camps were provided by visiting British doctors,nurses and dentists, or by German prisoners with appropriate qualifications gained in Germany before enlisting in the forces.Some citizens felt animosity towards the German prisoners, particularly during the war and just afterward.There was anti Nazi sentiment, especially compounded by the fact that people had loved ones MIA/KIA.However,there were people who sympathised with them,especially those who saw them as people who just happened to find themselves or be born on the wrong side and who hated Nazism,and also suffered death and deprivation.
The Nightingale Hospital, London, 1944: With her husband Nick away fighting, Dora struggles to keep the home fires burning and is put in charge of a ward full of German prisoners of war. Can she find it in her heart to care for her enemies?Fellow nurse Kitty thinks she might be falling for a German soldier, whilst Dora’s old friend Helen returns from Europe with a dark secret.Can the women overcome their prejudices and the troubles of their past to do their duty for their country?German POWs in England were graded as follows: "Grade A (white) were considered anti-Nazi; Grade B (grey) had less clear feelings and were considered not as reliable as the 'whites'; Grade C (black) had probable Nazi leanings; Grade C+ (also Black) were deemed ardent Nazis."German prisoners flooded into Britain from the summer of 1944 following the D-Day landings in France. Although there was an initial reluctance to employ them for labour, 70,000 were working in Britain by March 1945, primarily in agriculture and second construction.The peak number of German prisoners reached 402,200 in September 1946.They were housed in hundreds of camps all over the country.After the war, 25,000 elected to stay in Britain, preferring to remain where they had made a new life to returning to a war-damaged and divided country.The treatment of the captives, though strict,was generally humane, and fewer prisoners died in British captivity than in other countries.Medical and dental care in the POW camps were provided by visiting British doctors,nurses and dentists, or by German prisoners with appropriate qualifications gained in Germany before enlisting in the forces.Some citizens felt animosity towards the German prisoners, particularly during the war and just afterward.There was anti Nazi sentiment, especially compounded by the fact that people had loved ones MIA/KIA.However,there were people who sympathised with them,especially those who saw them as people who just happened to find themselves or be born on the wrong side and who hated Nazism,and also suffered death and deprivation.
April 22, 2018
I bought this book around Christmas but only got round to reading it at Easter. Despite this, the Christmassy scenes of this book were very much felt. Unfortunately I do think it is slightly mis-titled, as only a few key scenes are set around Christmas, with the majority of the events and dialogue taking place throughout the rest of the year. Nonetheless the festive scenes were the most poignant; the Christmas carol scene especially was very touching. This book does a brilliant job of conveying the feelings of civilians at home during WWII regarding Germans, as well as showing different sides to every opinion through the POWs. Although I would have preferred a little more detail on the story-line with Kitty Jenkins and Stefan Bauer; it felt a little rushed? Nonetheless this was a very touching read. This is actually the first book I've read in the Nightingale series; I enjoyed it but not too sure I will read the rest? I don't feel like the characters are that much my cup of tea that I can read through much more of them. But who knows? Perhaps I'll give it a try.
January 12, 2025
Dette er bare en god serie. Jeg føler virkelig de unge sygeplejerskers glæder og sorger. Godt skrevet.
Bøgerne er fint oplæst af Penelope Freeman. En oplæser jeg er begyndt at lytte en del til.
2. verdenskrig er i sin afsluttende fase. Det gør ikke sygehusets arbejde nemmere. Det besluttes at flytte sårede soldater ind på Nightingale og da personalet opdager at der skal være en afdeling for sårede tyske soldater, bliver det ikke godt modtaget.
Det plejepersonale der kommer til at arbejde med de tyske soldater, bliver alligevel glade for at arbejde med dem. Mange af dem, er jo rene børn. Så med hjertet på rette sted, får soldaterne en god og sober behandling.
Men familie og venner er ikke begejstrede, så de unge kvinder må stå op for deres ret, til at pleje de syge - uanset hvem det er.
Også i denne roman, sættes venskaber på en hård prøve. Og kærlighed - tja, det er som vanligt, et vanskeligt område.
Dejlig serie.
Bøgerne er fint oplæst af Penelope Freeman. En oplæser jeg er begyndt at lytte en del til.
2. verdenskrig er i sin afsluttende fase. Det gør ikke sygehusets arbejde nemmere. Det besluttes at flytte sårede soldater ind på Nightingale og da personalet opdager at der skal være en afdeling for sårede tyske soldater, bliver det ikke godt modtaget.
Det plejepersonale der kommer til at arbejde med de tyske soldater, bliver alligevel glade for at arbejde med dem. Mange af dem, er jo rene børn. Så med hjertet på rette sted, får soldaterne en god og sober behandling.
Men familie og venner er ikke begejstrede, så de unge kvinder må stå op for deres ret, til at pleje de syge - uanset hvem det er.
Også i denne roman, sættes venskaber på en hård prøve. Og kærlighed - tja, det er som vanligt, et vanskeligt område.
Dejlig serie.
February 17, 2018
I've really enjoyed this series and though this might be the last as the war ends during this book. But no, it seems there is a ninth, and a tenth yet to come. Good.
Still centering around the Nightingale hospital, and with some of the regular characters, but this book has a difference....instead of their usual civilian patients, they are asked to nurse German prisoners of war. Dora is as stoical as ever, getting on with the job, even after receiving the worst telegram ever. Helen, back from nursing abroad, refuses to have anything to do with them. Kitty hates the idea at first then ends up falling in love with one- causing a huge rift with her family, to the point where her father throws her out of the house. But it's her brother, Arthur, twisted by hate and rejection, who causes the big finale.
Still centering around the Nightingale hospital, and with some of the regular characters, but this book has a difference....instead of their usual civilian patients, they are asked to nurse German prisoners of war. Dora is as stoical as ever, getting on with the job, even after receiving the worst telegram ever. Helen, back from nursing abroad, refuses to have anything to do with them. Kitty hates the idea at first then ends up falling in love with one- causing a huge rift with her family, to the point where her father throws her out of the house. But it's her brother, Arthur, twisted by hate and rejection, who causes the big finale.
January 21, 2023
It's Christmas season, 1944. Some parts of the Nightingale Hospital have been repaired and are housing wounded German POW's. Three nurses, Dora, Kitty, and Helen, have different attitudes toward treating the enemy; some of their feelings change as they begin to see the men as individuals and not just Nazis. Kitty develops an attraction to a Serbian soldier during his lengthy recovery on the ward. The attraction is mutual but both the soldier and Kitty know that their chances of remaining together are slim. The different volumes of the Nightingale series focus on various time-frames of WWII and the effect upon London citizens--their lives, families, homes, and the hospital itself. I really enjoyed this one, as some of the British soldiers return home. There are also new separations--to be continued in the next episode (I hope!)
March 20, 2019
As always a standout!
Love this series of books, they transport you back to a simpler time when it was not easy and medicine had not advanced to the point where flu or pneumonia etc. were so easily survived. I’ve heard it put before the 3H’s -Home/Hearth and Heaven but most specifically family was central and conversations are things that seem to have been lost with our technological advancement, everyone is too busy texting to talk. In those days nor every family had a phone, or if they did it was on a party line! The times were simpler but not easier, yet they still take you back to an era with far more charm than the climate we are in.
Love this series of books, they transport you back to a simpler time when it was not easy and medicine had not advanced to the point where flu or pneumonia etc. were so easily survived. I’ve heard it put before the 3H’s -Home/Hearth and Heaven but most specifically family was central and conversations are things that seem to have been lost with our technological advancement, everyone is too busy texting to talk. In those days nor every family had a phone, or if they did it was on a party line! The times were simpler but not easier, yet they still take you back to an era with far more charm than the climate we are in.
December 15, 2022
It is 1944 at the Nightingale hospital and it's nearing Christmas and Dora's dearest wish is that her husband Nick makes it back safe from France.
Meanwhile she is struggling herself trying to keep life going at home and even nursing German POWs at the hospital.
Kitty is falling for a German soldier and her best friend Helen Dawson returns from abroad with a terrible secret that she is desperately trying to keep to herself.
Every novel I read in this series I love more than the last and think that's my new favourite, I adore the main characters and hearing their ongoing journey and then I also feel an affinity for the newly introduced characters too.
This is such a great series.
Meanwhile she is struggling herself trying to keep life going at home and even nursing German POWs at the hospital.
Kitty is falling for a German soldier and her best friend Helen Dawson returns from abroad with a terrible secret that she is desperately trying to keep to herself.
Every novel I read in this series I love more than the last and think that's my new favourite, I adore the main characters and hearing their ongoing journey and then I also feel an affinity for the newly introduced characters too.
This is such a great series.
February 14, 2020
It may have taken me some time to get through this book, but that was wholly down to me and nothing to do with the book itself.
A really beautiful book following the lives of several Nurses during the war, up to VE Day and following.
All the story lines beautifully intwined with each other from start to finish, with a few occasional plot twists that weren’t expected and some that were.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romantic story with a hint of drama and realism. Would certainly read more Donna Douglas in the future.
A really beautiful book following the lives of several Nurses during the war, up to VE Day and following.
All the story lines beautifully intwined with each other from start to finish, with a few occasional plot twists that weren’t expected and some that were.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romantic story with a hint of drama and realism. Would certainly read more Donna Douglas in the future.
December 29, 2019
Really enjoyed this audiobook. It was my first introduction to the Nightingale series and I was impressed. We get to know all the characters well as the story progresses and they become like a family to you as you witness all their crises and heartaches. Very well rounded story plot with believable everyday characters . Narrator Penelope Freeman, does an amazing job with all the character voices and accents.
December 14, 2017
Just what I needed
Just what I needed - I saw that I began this series in January of this year & quite perfectly I’m on #8 “Christmas Carol” for December. The perfect light but smart read for the season.
Just what I needed - I saw that I began this series in January of this year & quite perfectly I’m on #8 “Christmas Carol” for December. The perfect light but smart read for the season.
December 24, 2017
Excekkbt story
This free book did what it was supposed to do. It left me wanting to read the rest of the series I really like the characters and I learned a lot about POWS in England during World War II as well.
This free book did what it was supposed to do. It left me wanting to read the rest of the series I really like the characters and I learned a lot about POWS in England during World War II as well.
December 25, 2022
As always a truly fantastic read, I love these characters so much and really wish Donna Douglad would write more about them. This author just has a knack of writing characters you fall in love with, in this book you even fall for the German POWs. Beautifully researched and written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2017
I have read three or four in this series and love reading about the nurses and their lives.
August 11, 2018
O K
Very much like all her other books but it kept me amused for a week. Good light reading matter. OK
Very much like all her other books but it kept me amused for a week. Good light reading matter. OK
December 26, 2018
awesome!
December 28, 2018
Another good nightingale book no 8 have it on kindle book and audible
January 14, 2019
Very good . Sad in some parts
January 21, 2019
Loving these stories nail biting series
January 29, 2019
Fantastic
Another great read i love these books, I really hope there is more to come. I highly recommend them gre t stkries.
Another great read i love these books, I really hope there is more to come. I highly recommend them gre t stkries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews