Ein Geschenk der Hoffnung

Nightingales #5

by Donna Douglas

London, 1938. England bereitet sich auf den Krieg vor, und das berühmte Nightingale Hospital steht kurz vor der Evakuierung. Während Oberschwester Kathleen den jungen Krankenschwestern Mut zuspricht, muss sie selbst um ihre eigene Zukunft fürchten. Auch Schwester Helen sehnt sich nach dem Tod ihres geliebten Charlie nach einer zweiten Chance. Diese scheint gekommen, als ein gutaussehender Fremder ihr Hoffnungen macht. Doch meint er es wirklich ernst mit Helen?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas, Historical, Fiction, Nursing, Medical, Romance

497 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2014

About the author

Welcome 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.

Reviews

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich liiiiiebe einfach diese Reihe und freue mich jetzt schon auf Band 6🥰🥰🥰

[Claudia - BookButterflies · Rating 5 out of 5]

In diesem 5. Band befinden wir uns erneut in London und auch erneut im Nightingale Hospital, wo die „hochwertige Seifenoper“, wie ich es gerne nenne spielt. Volle Punktzahl wieder für diesen Band, der so tiefgreifende Geschichten hatte. Mir gehen die Schicksale der Frauen sehr nahe, vor allem auch weil sie sehr authentisch sind.
Die Winter-/ Weihnachtszeit hat mir natürlich besonders gut gefallen. Auch der nahende Weltkrieg bringt viel Stimmung in die Geschichte. In keiner Weise hat man bei der Reihe das Gefühl, dass sie langweilig wird oder abflacht.
Ich freue mich schon auf die weiteren Bände und auf Tessa Mittelstädt als grandiose Sprecherin!

[Josiemaus85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Ende war etwas dolle schmalzig, aber ansonsten wieder sehr toll 😃

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that twelve months ago I hadn't even heard of this wonderful series, and now I've just completed book number five with thanks to Audible... and already eagerly anticipating Book Six!

Whilst it has Christmas in its title, it didn't revolve as much around the festive season as I thought it might. Nonetheless, this book picks up a few months where Nightingales on Call left off in November 1938 - Millie and Dora, two of the original Nightingale nurses-in-training have both since married and left the hospital; however we still get glimpses of Dora in this one, who we learn is pregnant. We only hear about Millie through Dora and Helen.

Helen, who lost her dear Charlie in Nightingale Nurses, is the primary storyteller of this one. She has returned to theatre nursing... however her overbearing and domineering mother (who is Head of Trustees), all but forced Matron to promote Helen to Ward Sister in the Casualty Ward. She ruffles Dr McKay's feathers from the outset, and it was fairly clear to the reader where that was going.... although there was a nice little decoy with Charlie's cousin Christopher entering the mix.

It was nice to have Matron feature a little more prominently in this chapter also, albeit with a fairly major health scare that runs almost throughout the entire story.

I really enjoyed Effie's character, a first year nursing student/trainee. Her character is a nice mix of compassion, vivaciousness, silliness, determination and guts all rolled into one. Her main story featured her nursing Adam, a young man with more than a few issues of his own... It was a personal highlight for me to see Effie come full circle by the end of this chapter in the saga in regards to both her growing character, and her relationship with Adam.

I also like how the title reflected what so many of the central characters were reflecting on and wishing for the new year; particularly Frannie, who is vehemently against the upcoming announcement of War after having lost her fiancé in World War 1. I have to admit to not seeing part of her story coming!

All in all another fantastic episode in this ongoing saga. It is a very easy read, full of drama, and yet lots of laugh-out-loud and more light-hearted moments. Just like its predecessors. That said, there was arguably a bit more of a dark, harder edge to this one... possibly fore-shadowing future events???

Donna Douglas has become, from an unknown author to me, to one of my most favourite in a period of just under 12 months - she does not disappoint! I would most definitely recommend it highly to fans of historical fiction; particularly those who enjoy serial fiction and fans of the BBC's Call the Midwife.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another amazing book each one just gets better and better well worth reading and as the nightingale nurses are getting ready for Christmas. There is the threat of war and how will the hospital hold up with that. Nurse Helen starts working in a higher role in casualty and she is really nervous and wonders if she is up for the job and Drs who work on casualty also think the same and think she only got the job because of her mum. Will she prove to them all that she is up for the job she also meets someone and wonders if she's doing the right thing after loosing her husband does it all work out or is she looking for love in the wrong place. Matron finds her job at the nightingale is her first priority and does it become her own health. Effie works on a ward and she starts getting close to one of the patients as know one else will work with him but does she get to close. A must read to find out the full story behind each characters very well written.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es war einfach wieder wunderschön.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a Christmas book, just a small part was set at Christmas time ! It wasn't terrible but it didn't really add much to the series and I didn't really get to see many of my favourite characters from previous books.

[Jess Bickerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good period drama series and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters at the Nightingale Hospital in the first books of the series. I was really looking forward to reading about some familiar faces again and following more of their stories.

As the run up to Christmas has fast approached this year, I was quite excited about reading this novel as it would've been my first Christmas read of 2014. The novel did touch the Christmas period, though I have to admit I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't as engulfed in the Christmas world as I would have hoped. But nonetheless I still really enjoyed the story.

In the fifth novel of the series we follow 4 main characters on their journeys through a time where war is looming and tension is at an all time high. Donna Douglas explores some really intense feelings and relationships in the story, as we see how Helen Dawson battles with the death of her husband and struggles to come to terms with his loss, and probationary nurse Effie O'Hara finds herself developing a crush on one of the patients at the hospital. There are also a lot of past secrets revealed as we learn about the past of Sister Fannie Blake and a big secret being hidden by Matron Kathleen Fox is revealed to the reader.

Donna Douglas does an amazing job writing these characters into a very believable and realistic setting - everything in the novel screams 1930's (from what I know of) and comes across very honest and authentic. Douglas' characters are really well developed which makes it so easy to follow them throughout the series. Not only that but they are all loveable in their own ways which keeps you wanting to read more about their lives. We also see a few other familiar faces in the story, though the book does not focus on them. It is really great to see the different characters battling through life together in a time that is rife with tragedy, fear and love.

If you enjoy a period drama I would definitely recommend Donna Douglas' Nightingale series. Although this is book 5 it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel so definitely don't shy away!!

Indulge in the 1930's with the Nightingale girls and their love, loss and secrets!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book in the Nightingale nurse series. We find out more about the nurses in the previous book - as they face an oncoming war and worries about whether the hospital will stay open or whether they will all need to evacuate. How will the student nurses ever finish their studies? Will those troubled by the first World War ever manage to find love or get over their past loves?

Matron is worried about her own health and very reluctant to seek medical help.She needs to keep everyone else motivated and looking forward- but she is gripped with pain.

I love this series- so I was thrilled to get the next one to read. There are a lot of fledgling relationships and lots of romance in this book.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure if I'd even like this book. At the end of the previous book two of the three main characters graduated, got married and moved on although it did promise to show the lives of new students including the wild not terribly bright Effie and Jess who I lived in the last book. Instead the first few chapters were slow going. We meet Frannie a ward sister and close friend of the matron, Effie is also there but sadly no Jess she only makes a small appearance or two throughout the book, and the return of Helen who was sadly missed in the last book. But once past the first few chapters things start to get good. Although it says Christmas in the title less than half the book takes place around Christmas time. The story opens with Frannie seeing her fiancé off to the front lines in 1914, alongside his best friend John. Her fiancé Matthew does not return from the war which leads her into nursing. Helen is beginning to feel lonely and part of her is wondering if she's ready to fall in love again. But more importantly her mother has engineered her a promotion to ward sister in casualty, where she is met with resentment from Dr. McKay. Effie meanwhile meets a young patient and becomes a little too close to him, all the while working under the noses of her two bossy older sisters. The story picks up on Christmas Eve when a fire brings several young casualties into the hospital. Helen is nearly broken when she is unable to save a young child and begins to feel an attraction she is afraid of. Frannie learns the father of one of the patients is her fiances friend John and learns a secret Matron is trying to hide from everyone, and Helen runs into Charlie's cousin who is nearly identical to her late husband. The story carries on as Europe draws ever closer to war. The women learn and have to face some dark truths about themselves and the past and learn to take risks, the fate of the Nightingale is held in jeopardy as the shadow of war looms ahead, and no one including Matron herself are sure if they will be able to save the beloved hospital. The story ends shortly after war is declared as each of the women including my beloved Dora (now a mother!) decide what is best for them and their country now at war. As I said it didn't look too promising, but it got so much better and I'm glad I saw it through. I can't wait to see what is in store for the Nightingale during the war years.

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insgesamt 3,5/5 Sternen. Ich habe fast bis zur Mitte des Buches gebraucht, um so richtig reinzukommen, die erste Hälfte des Buches war nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht so gut wie die Bücher davor. Ab der Mitte war ich dann komplett drin und habe den Rest vom Buch verschlungen. Gerade mit dem Ende bin ich sehr gespannt, wie es weitergeht.

[HM Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read with some medical jargon which I really enjoyed.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book in the series and loved seeing characters from earlier in the series. Helen really grows in this book

[Ksenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet read .

[Sara Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Douglas doesn't disappoint. The character are as loveable as ever, and the story just as fun as the last. Another win.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5 stars -- It's always a risk to love -- and there are no guarantees. But what a cost if one just walks away, never knowing what could have been...

Althouh this story had a lot more romance in it than nursing, I still enjoyed it. Set in London at the Nightingale Hospital right before England enters World War II, the student nurses and the Sisters we've grown to know and love in the past 4 books are facing new challenges as big changes loom for them and their beloved hospital. The books really need to be read in order to see the character development over time and to appreciate them fully.

Sister Frannie Wallace, who lost her fiance in WW I, is determine to avoid any romantic entanglements as she works on staging the Christmas show and tries to help a complicated family situation involving a father and his estranged son. Matron Kathleen Fox is dealing with the possible closure of the hospital if it comes to war as she faces a personal health issue of her own. Constance Tremayne, Chairwoman of the hospital board of Trustees and mother to Helen, is still maniuplating things and confouniding her daughter. Helen Dawson, whose husband died in hospital weeks after their wedding, is transfered from Theatre to Casualty and has to work with the irascible Dr. David McKay. Penny Willard, student nurse, has issues with an abusive boyfriend. Effie O'Hara, another student nurse and one of the O'Hara siblings, falls for a patient who is in thrall to a two-timing ex girlfriend.

Which of the girls will get their Christmas wish this year? Recommended to all who have enjoyed the stories of the Nightingale nurses.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the digital e-book ARC to review.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Dawson is my favorite Nightingale. I have loved her story from the beginning. Now, as she has graduated from the nursing program, she is promoted to head nurse in the Casualty Ward or Emergency Room as we would know it. Feeling out of place and young, she strives to move forward with courage and faith, but finds herself at odds with Dr. McKay, the casualty doctor.

Helen has always felt more in common with her husband Charlie's family than her own and at a family Christmas party meets Charlie's cousin Christopher. Finding herself drawn to him, she soon discovers he's nothing like Charlie and she realizes her heart belongs to a doctor.

I loved getting to know Frannie and her story, and getting to know Matron and learning her story really enriched this one. Effie is trouble waiting to happen, Dora and Nick are expecting a baby and war looms. With the threat of war, also comes a risk of the Nightingale hospital closing for good. Helen's meddling mother strives to bring this about, but the nurses and their Matron realize the hospital brings more to the community than simply medical reasons.

This is my favorite of the Nightingale books. These characters have grown and learned and become remarkable women over the course of this series.

The Christmas elements are light here, this isn't solely a Christmas story. Rather, it's a story of discovering one's strength. As always, the books should be read in order. I truly hope that this isn't the last Nightingale story, but if it is, it has ended on a fantastic note.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the Kindle

This is the 5th book in the series

It starts at Christmas 1938 with talk of war it carries on to the beginning of the war 1939

This was another good one in the series with more about the people plus new ones coming in to the series, you have Dora who is married to Nick she has twins, Helen who is lonely, Millie not too much said about her

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wir treffen alte bekannte aus den Vorgängerbänden wieder und die Geschichten um die einzelnen Charaktere werden in gewohnter Art und Weise, ein wenig soapy aber total liebenswert, weitererzählt.
Die historischen Umstände, hier um den beginnenden 2. Weltkrieg, werden nur sehr oberflächlich dargestellt, was ich mir auch in diesem Band wieder ein wenig ausführlicher gewünscht hätte.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Christmas 1938 approaches, the staff at the Nightingale Hospital have their own wishes for the festive season.Ward sister Frannie Wallace is hoping she won’t have to live through another war like the one that claimed her beloved fiance.But with bomb defences going up all around London,it seems as if her hopes are in vain.Staff Nurse Helen Dawson wants to find happiness again after the death of her husband Charlie. A handsome stranger seems to offer the chance she wants.But is she looking for love in the wrong place?Matron Kathleen Fox struggles to keep up morale amongst her nurses as the hospital faces the threat of evacuation.But while everyone else worries about the future of the Nightingale,it’s for her own future that Kathleen truly fears.
As the country prepares itself for war,one thing is for sure – by the time next Christmas comes, nothing at the Nightingale Hospital will be the same again…While prime minister Neville Chamberlain tried to gain assurances from Hitler that Germany would not invade its neighbours military reservists were called up, small bomb shelters were distributed to citizens in areas likely to be targeted by air raids and rearmament began.Even when Hitler annexed Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia Chamberlain continued to negotiate with him. Hitler assumed that Britain and France would not go to war against Germany, and extended his territorial ambitions.In September 1939 Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland.Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany.Within days life in Britain changed. Mass evacuations began from the cities at risk of air attack.Many kids were evacuated from London alone.Nurses were asked to volunteer for national service almost as soon as war was declared. So many applied for the Civil Nursing Reserve.In 1938,
Principles of Medical Statistics,by A Bradford Hill, is published. The book introduces many doctors to the need to verify observations and impressions–the beginning of evidence-based medicine.In 1939,The College of Nursing gains its Royal Charter,and Interdepartmental committee on Nursing recommends national pay rates for nurses.

[Domic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hach, schön war's wieder! Teil 5 gehört zu denen, die mir mit am besten gefallen haben - obwohl die Unterschiede schon marginal sind. Leider kam Schwester Sutton dieses Mal nur in einem Nebensatz von Manley Henley vor, und auch Millie wird nur einmal kurz erwähnt. Die Rolle des "liebenswerten Schusselchens" ist allerdings jetzt mit Effie neu besetzt, ihre Geschichte mochte ich sehr. Auch Dora kommt nur ganz am Rand vor, dafür ist Helen dieses Mal eine der Hauptfiguren. Die Oberin hat in diesem Teil eine größere Rolle als sonst, und als Vertreterin der älteren Schwesterngeneration hat ihre Freundin Franny, "Schwester Holmes", dieses Mal eine größere Rolle. Habe das Buch wieder sehr gern gehört - und ich hätte es mir nicht unbedingt für die Winter-/Weihnachtszeit aufheben müssen... Ja, es fängt zwar um Weihnachten 1938 an, die Geschichte wird aber bis kurz nach Ausbruch des 2. Weltkrieges im Spätsommer/Frühherbst 1939 erzählt. Ich freue mich schon auf Teil 6, weiß aber nicht, ob ich den jetzt gleich hören soll oder mir diesen Hörgenuß noch ein wenig aufsparen soll - ich hoffe sehr, dass Schwester Sutton wieder vorkommt!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was up to the usual fantastic standard of the Nightingale series. This one follows Frannie, Helen, Effie and Kathleen (Matron) through their romantic and health stories. It's great to see Dora making a small appearance and Millie mentioned. Loved the trio of Helen, Dora and Millie from the original book so hope they are featured a lot in the rest of the series. By the end of the book WW2 is just starting so looking forward to reading about their lives during the war in the next book.
If you are thinking of reading this series, I would read them in order, although they can be read as individual stories.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely festive continuation of the Nightingale saga, we see credit as come and go at the hospital and also we hear rumblings of the start of WWII.
The future of the hospital is at stake and there are many changes afoot.
Yet again including some new characters, ones which shed light on the background of some of the matrons.
This was a really interesting one in the series, I really liked the in depth look into the past of Frannie, what a very sad story and life she has led.
But we also get some laughs along the way, of course we do as the Nightingale girls can't let the war dampen their spirits if they have to keep the wards going.
Another great story in the series.

[Lisbeth Zabihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sygeplejerske eleverne fra Nightingale er færdiguddannet og deres rejse ud i livet er fortsat. Nogle vælger at blive ved Nightingale hospitalet som sygeplejerske mens andre er blevet gift og har fået et nyt liv udenfor sygeplejen.

Vi lærer nye elever at kende og følger de mange genvordigheder der følger med uddannelsen.

2. Verdenskrig banker på og sygehuset skal finde ud af, hvad det vil betyde for hospitals driften. Der foregår nogle indre kampe om, hvorvidt sygehuset skal lukkes helt, eller hvad alternativ der i stedet vil være.

Serien er bare god. Fyldt med spænding, kærlighed, fremtidsdrømme og kærestesorger.

[Amy Gennaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of books. Every time that I think that it might be getting a bit too saccharine, the author throws in some gritty reality.

I love all of the characters, I love the story line and I am looking forward to the new chapter at the Nightengale Hospital as World War II breaks out.

Give these books a try--you will love them too.

[Mareike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein wirklich tolles Buch ❣️

Diese Band hat mir wieder richtig gut gefallen. Besser noch als der Band davor. Ich mochte die Entwicklung der Figuren sehr und fand sowohl die bekannten als auch die neuen Charakter wirklich toll. Schön war es auch einen Teil der bekannten Namen wieder zu lesen. Ich habe sehr mit Helen gefühlt und bin gespannt, wie es weitergeht.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Donna Douglas centered around the nurses at the Nightingale Hospital in London. I love that my favorite characters from earlier books are in the story while new characters are added.

[Angel Doman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was lent to me by a friend. I was captivated from the very beginning. I grew up in East London so know the area it is set in very well. I have just bought the other books in this series and hoping to read them all this year.
Well done Donna Douglas for such captivating reads.

[Patricia L Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reads

Being an avid fan of Call the Midwives and a nurse myself I've enjoyed reading about the trials and tribulations of the Sisters and the student nurses. It rex on some level of my student nurse days.