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WW2 Girls #2

La Enfermera Herida: Grace - La heroína discapacitada que nunca se rindió, una apasionante novela histórica de la 2ª Guerra Mundial (Las heroínas de la Segunda Guerra Mundial)

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Italy 1944, Grace, a military nurse, is injured in a German plane attack and loses her leg. For her, the war is over.

Lying in a military hospital south of Rome, Grace decides to escape the convoy back home. She wants to recover, become a nurse once again and tend to other wounded soldiers.

John, who was blinded from his injury, lies in bed next to her and at night Grace begins to read him letters from the woman awaiting him back home. He's the only one who doesn't see her disability.

But, as Grace becomes more attached to John, she realizes that he will never love her and that maybe she should date Henry, a bomber pilot from the nearby airfield who is courting her, making her forget about her love for John.

Who will Grace finally choose? Will she succeed in being a nurse once again despite her injury? And will John fall in love with her eventually?

Through her own eyes, Grace tells the story of a young woman who struggles to recover and find love in the chaos of World War II.

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2022

346 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Alex Amit

121 books45 followers
Alex Amit is a historical fiction writer and author of the novel The Girl Under the Flag.

After dedicating more than a decade to learning the history of WW2 and armed with a BSc in Psychology, Alex's writing focuses on woman's bravery during those dark days.
Today he is writing his second novel, The Girl in the White Uniform
.
When Alex was a child, he would lie in his bed at night, reading history books, imagining himself traveling in a time machine to all those great moments. Many years have passed, and finally, he built his time machine, using his words and imagination.

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5 stars
347 (57%)
4 stars
147 (24%)
3 stars
70 (11%)
2 stars
24 (4%)
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11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for theliterateleprechaun .
2,562 reviews208 followers
March 26, 2022
“You’re no longer a nurse, you’re a cripple who should have been sitting on the deck of a U.S. Army hospital ship on your way to New York Harbour, drinking hot American Army milk and being excited to see the Statue of Liberty appear on the horizon.”

Israeli author Alex Amit has presented a unique look at frontline medicine in WW2 as he shines a spotlight on women’s bravery during the dark days of war.

His protagonist, twenty-three-year-old Grace, is an American Medical Corps nurse from Chicago whose internship takes her to a field hospital in the south of Rome where she’s injured in a German aerial attack. Imagine, just eight days into your training and you’re wounded. It’s one thing, I imagine, to be caring for injured soldiers, but quite another to be on the opposite side of healing. The war may have begun already, but for Grace, a bigger, more personal war is waging.

Losing her leg has a profound effect on Grace and she struggles to accept it and allow others to still see her as a nurse. Amit explores the devastation of being wounded in the line of duty and the process involved in learning to love oneself again. Paralleling Grace’s struggle, is the struggle on the Italian front, one of the lesser-known European conflicts in WW2. Amit introduces his readers to a variety of people, casualties of the attack on the German line, and shows us the difficulty of maintaining their humanity while attempting to heal. You’ll read about a blinded soldier named John who is the recipient of Grace’s kindness, a nurse at the military hospital named Audrey, a bitter and angry Italian villager named Francesca and a B17 bomber pilot named Henry.

Amit’s success is in his unique plot and his ability to share the experiences of a cross-section of people affected while defending the Italian front. Amit has a wonderful ability to place the reader midst the action and to tap into the characters’ emotions. I truly felt like it was my finger in the soldier’s wound attempting to stop the bleeding!

Book 2 of the WW2 Girls series has a fresh perspective on the role of women at war and challenges readers to define ‘disability.’
Profile Image for Deacon Tom (Feeling Better).
2,675 reviews253 followers
July 30, 2022
This is a lovely book that I enjoyed because how well the characters were developed.

There’s a nurse missing a leg and then the next bed a soldier who has been blinded by the war. They have a strange connection that is entangled with lies because she does not want to pass on bad news.

The plot seems realistic and really touched my heart.

I enjoyed this book and I hope you do as well.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nancy Garbe.
468 reviews8 followers
April 24, 2022
I struggled with the premise of this book and the character of Grace. She joins the Army as an intern to train to be a nurse and within four days after arriving in Italy is seriously injured in an attack and loses the lower part of one leg. She goes missing (AWOL) on two separate occasions when she is scheduled to leave on a ship for home, she steals food from the Army to trade for a prosthesis, and she uses Army vehicles without permission. Grace would be under arrest and in the Brig! Also, in World War II her injuries would have changed her to a 4F status and she would have been discharged.

Grace’s relationships with fellow nurses are fraught with immaturity and jealousy. Her handling of the soldier she sleeps next to in the hospital is dishonest, as she withholds a letter from his fiancée and writes him fake letters herself; and a woman would not be assigned to a men’s hospital ward!

With all of the issues this story was a difficult read for me. I found myself wishing Grace had been in the Resistance where military rules and regulations would not have been issues. Even with the hope-filled ending, it seemed too little, too late to save the story.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from BookSirens for my honest voluntary review. I read Mr. Amit’s other WWII book “The Girl Under the Flag” and enjoyed it very much. I would recommend that book instead.
Profile Image for Vikki Vaught.
Author 12 books159 followers
April 30, 2022
My Musings

I enjoyed this novel from the first page to the last. The characters are engaging and the plot is heartfelt. The only part of the book that bothered me was the repeat dialog and overuse of the same words. That can he fixed with better editing. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Lisa Carlile.
342 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2025
Brilliant

Wow. Brilliant book by Alex amit . I couldn't put it down til the very last page of the book
Profile Image for Armonia.
630 reviews37 followers
December 13, 2022
Realmente esperaba otra cosa, esta ni es novela histórica, (solo se sitúa en una época histórica) y pone por los suelos el profesionalismo de las enfermeras en tiempos de guerra. Absurdos por completo las burlas de una y las indisciplinas constantes de otra, por no hablar de lo permisivo de la jefa. Realmente los personajes no fueron de mi agrado, solo Francesca se salva con su actuación. Algunos hechos traídos por los pelos pudieron manejarse con más realidad. El final salva la historia y la eleva a 3.5
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,827 followers
March 25, 2022
‘We are all war wanderers’ – memories and overcoming physical challenges

Israeli author Alex Amit earned his degree in psychology, has worked in graphic design and computer programming, and now is committed to writing. Alex’s in-depth research and study of the history of World War Two was the core of his novella, THE CHRISTMAS OF 1943: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, a chapter from his novel THE GIRL UNDER THE FLAG: MONIQUE focusing on the bravery of women during those trying, dark times. His series WW2 GIRLS began with THE GIRL UNDER THE FLAG, the prequel FOUR FRANC COINS, and now is followed by THE WOUNDED NURSE

Alex’s approach to the history of WW II steps beyond the expected emphasis on the Holocaust and instead invites us into the realm of the Jewish Resistance to that hideous timeframe. Few authors imbue their tales of individual valor in wartime with the degree of honoring the feminine victims in the manner that he relates this sensitive and empowering novel.

The novel opens in 1944 in surgery at a field hospital near Rome: ’”Are you the new nurse? Put your finger here,” the doctor instructs me, and I press my fingers to the open wound in the chest of the wounded soldier as he lies on a stretcher placed in front of us on the simple wooden operating table. “My name is Grace,” I answer, ignoring my blood-soaked fingers as I try to stop the wounded man’s bleeding as best I can….The faint sound of raindrops that have been hitting the tarpaulin for three days interferes with my concentration…I can also hear the constant growl of cannon batteries firing in the distance, their muffled voices continuing unabated…’ Atmosphere established!

The story’s impact is major, as the summary attests: ‘Italy 1944, Grace, a military nurse, is injured in a German plane attack and loses her leg. For her, the war is over. Lying in a military hospital south of Rome, Grace decides to escape the convoy back home. She wants to recover, become a nurse once again, and tend to other wounded soldiers. John, who was blinded from his injury, lies in bed next to her, and at night Grace begins to read him letters from the woman awaiting him back home. He's the only one who doesn't see her disability. But, as Grace becomes more attached to John, she starts lying to him, afraid to hurt his feelings and destroy their relationship. Entangled in lies and trying to hide her injury, Grace realizes she may not find someone to love her, and that the path to recovery will be harder than she thought. Through her own eyes, Grace tells the story of the never ending war at the Italian front with the wounded soldiers arriving to the hospital, the bomber pilots fighting against the Germans, and the other nurses around her, but most of all, it's a story of a young woman who struggles to love herself again, despite her disability.

Alex Amit’s series continues to underline the importance of the strength of women in WW II. Highly recommended.
87 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2023
Excellent read!

Life in a foreign country, first as an American nurse, who becomes wounded, then as the nurse who fights to regain who she was despite her colleagues' scorn and hurtful words, gives us a glimpse of the main character in this book.
Being an RN myself, I could relate to the cruelly that Grace endured on a daily basis: nurses tend to eat their young, or hurt their wounded, if by chance they are different. This young lady kept her pride and ambition to stay in her calling and do her duty for the wounded men and women who were injured, as well.
This takes place in Italy, during WWII, with a great deal of history and emotion that one would definitely feel so far from home, away from loved ones.
The book is very well written, researched, and hard to put down. I see the author has more: I hope to eventually read those as well.
14 reviews
November 11, 2024
Wounded Nurse

I read this while sick. I give it only a 4 star because she had the nurse complain and deal sorry for herself so much. I had a brain bleed years ago and then found out my heart should have stopped 20 years earlier. But the most important thing I learned during those times is You cannot keep feeling sorry for what you lost or you will die. I love life and picked up myself and one week out of the hospital went to a convention I loved to go to. Don’t wallow in pity, pick yourself up and make adjustments to how you do things to keep living.
Profile Image for Kathy Downey.
400 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2022
Wow Grace is certainly a woman of courage and determination! Just like the rest of us, sometimes she gets in a bit of trouble, but the fact that she preserves through the bully tactics from others is commendable. I would hope that her kindness to those around her showed others how they should act which is probably why others often felt threatened by her kindness. Put them on the spot since they couldn't bring themselves to treat everyone equally! So glad, John came to his senses sending the letter that would rectify the wrong that he felt when the truth was exposed. Not seeing that Grace was protecting him and assisting him to fight for healing, was truly a selfless act on Grace's part.
Profile Image for Gail.
1,875 reviews18 followers
November 11, 2022
Courage

Grace is a young nurse intern who has her leg amputated 4 days after arriving in Italy during the bitter fighting. Afraid to go home she befriends other patients especially John a blind soldier. When she is the only one who will treat a German POW, she becomes a pariah. This is fascinating story which is a great book for those who enjoy WW2 stories. The story grabbed hold of me and I found it hard to put down until I finished it.
Profile Image for Katie.
18 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2024
Poor writing and bad editing

It is very clear that the book was not edited well. I saw several formatting errors and several sentences with wording that made no sense. While the storyline was interesting, so many phrases were repeated. It was like reading an essay by a student who was trying to waste words by restating every possible instruction. It was a struggle to finish the book.
Profile Image for Traci Halesvass.
51 reviews
February 19, 2025
Read this for bookclub. Not thrilled with the writing (lots of grammatical/spelling errors), characters, or setting. The protagonist really has a bad attitude, so sensitive to teasing. The antagonist is poorly developed. Couldn’t see her acting out the way she did. Plot: intern nurse, Italy 1944, loses her leg but doesn’t want to go home. Stays in the hospital where she was treated. Befriends an Italian woman (who was more realistically developed) and falls in love with a wounded soldier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
98 reviews
April 11, 2022
War! What is it good for???

Thanks to your daughter for a wonderful ending to an excellent book!! All 5stars for your book! I enjoyed all of your characters who showed up in this book. Learned a few things about WW2 that I was unaware of. And, I do love strong women. It also makes me cognizant of the probability my father started to smoke during his service to my country.
Profile Image for Carrie Stader.
160 reviews
May 12, 2022
I fell in love with this book. The characters are perfectly human & the story line unforgettable. Grace is everything all wrapped into one character. I love that the authors daughter had him write just a few more pages to give the book its wonderful ending after much heartache for Grace. Can't wait to read another story by Alex Amit!
609 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2022
Good Historical Fiction

This is about the men and women who fought the Nazis in Europe. This story takes place in Italy and focuses on a young nurse who is badly wounded. She has a difficult time coming to terms with her resulting disability. She faces acceptance and hostility from others.
Profile Image for Maritza García.
914 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2023
Muy buena historia, llena de sin sabores, muestra realidades que en sí tiempo fueron razón de mucho dolor, esta historia esta muy bien si te gusta el género histórico con toque de romance, lleno de toda clase de sentimientos , lo malo es la traducción parece que la tradujeron, pero no hicieron una revisión final, y eso en ocasiones te confunde.. le deseo mucho éxito al autor. Gracias
Profile Image for mollie Sears.
9 reviews
January 4, 2025
awful

This is the most ridiculous book I have ever tried to read not one thing ever made any possible sense not sequential, not possible to have occurred . I laughingly skimmed through thinking it must have been written by a child I'm left with the burning questioned--????? How did it ever get published silliest book I have ever read.
74 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2025
La única pega que le veo al libro es que a veces es un poco lento, pero me encantan los personajes, la italiana, el ciego, el piloto, la enfermera y las enfermeras celosas. Todo alrededor de una tragica guerra, renacer, revivir, reencontrarse con uno mismo, la amistad, el querer ser querido por alguien
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
12 reviews
June 7, 2022
Captivating story

This book held my interest from the start. Very different from other books about nurses during WW2. I have never read a topic of a wounded nurse who was also so misunderstood.
7 reviews
July 20, 2022
Judging people.

I really enjoyed this story. I like reading about the war and how strong people were. How they fought to keep going.
A person's appearance or handicap does not show who that person really is. You have to get to know them on a one to one basis to judge them.
46 reviews
August 1, 2022
Interesting

Found this book extremely easy to read it flowed well. I enjoy reading this type of books as I enjoy historical books. I would recommend this to anyone who likes love stories set in historical fiction.
5 reviews
August 3, 2022
Esta novela realmente me gusto mucho la historia de esta enferma que fue ayudar a curar heridos y tuvo la desafortunada experiencia de quedar herida también,me hizo llorar en varias ocasiones,es una novela que recomiendo al cien.
Profile Image for Sarah.
614 reviews43 followers
August 16, 2022
Nurse Grace was only working for a short time before being invaded. A raid that cost her a leg and her confidence. Healing in a hospital, she comes to care for blind man John. The other nurses aren’t so nice when she decides she wants to go back to caring for the wounded. I enjoyed this book!
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
412 reviews8 followers
May 7, 2023
One of the best World War II books I've ever read.

In times of war, some wounds show some do not. Some reveal the best in oneself,some the worst. A story of nursing in Times of war. Read it straight through.
Profile Image for glen Fur.
21 reviews
February 16, 2026
excellent read

If you read this book you will understand the brave people who
No matter what life throws at them they will continue to help others .The author is very good at describing this ,so I’m looking forward to reading more of her books




39 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2022
Great point of view

A touching tender story of courage, determination and compassion. This would make a great movie. The many sacrifices of war needed to be remembered.
12 reviews
July 21, 2022
profundamente humano

La versión en español deja mucho que desear por la cantidad de errores no corregidos. Seguiré leyendo a Guerrero . Muy recomendable
11 reviews
December 2, 2023
El mejor de la saga

Simplemente genial
El mejor de la saga a mi parecer
Cuando empiezas a leer no puedes parar porque no sabes exactamente lo que pasará
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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