The Last Nurse

by Dani King

"Don't the people who can't be saved need heroes, too?"

Since Sam Carter was a child, she dreamt of becoming a real-life superhero. After experiencing the loss of her brother at a young age, Sam realized that maybe not all heroes fit the same mold.

On that cold December day—the day Sam's world changed forever—she discovered she wanted to become a different type of hero. A hero like the last nurse who cared for her brother. A nurse who helped ease her pain, taking away her fear in that life-altering moment. A hospice nurse.

As Sam grows, professionally and personally, she comes to learn that being a nurse is equal parts rewarding and grueling. When death is your job, life can be hard to navigate. Her coping mechanisms to rein in her ever-growing anxiety, depression, and self-doubt range from her favorite movies, to her best friends—and eventually to alcohol. With each passing year, Sam's alcohol consumption becomes more of a dependency than a stress reliever, forcing her to start confronting her past as it resurfaces.

What if Sam isn't the hero of her story? What if she's the villain?

Genres: Fiction

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2022

Reviews

[Andrea Vanderslice · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNPUTDOWNABLE

I could not put down this book! I know the characters, they are absolutely believable, and i love almost every one of them. Everybody should have a life-long group of friends like Sam does, and dreams to fulfill as well as she does.

Reading this book has given me a new understanding into a field i don't think i would ever be brave enough to work in. I've already, in the past 4 days since reading this book, found myself defending the superheroes who help my dad in a rehab facility.

Dani King will open open your eyes, and your hearts, to the wonderful, amazing people in this field of medicine, as well as encourage your undying gratitude for the friends and family in your own support groups.
You'll recognize them, as i did, in this book.

They'll make you laugh, cry, get angry, and rejoice. These characters will be your friends too (well, with, 1 major exception, but he gets his!)

Can't wait to read the next book!!!

[Toni Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading The Last Nurse! I cried then I sobbed then I laughed then I laughed so loud my husband came to check on me. I loved getting to know the characters! The characters are so well developed I feel like I know them personally. I feel so connected to this group of friends I cannot wait for the 2nd book! I am going to read this book again as soon as I can get it out of my husband's grasp...or until my Amazon order show's up and I don't have to share my book anymore! I highly recommend reading The Last Nurse it's a wonderful story and you deserve to enjoy it as much as I did and will!!

[Melany Laughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could t put this book down. It’s so well written and takes you on a journey like no other book will. It really takes you deep into the life and mental health of people in this field. Sam is a bad ass ( the main character) and with all her friends standing with her and helping her though tough times it really is an amazing book to read.

[Ashlee Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for more. You will not be disappointed. I have only ever read thrillers and mystery. I now have a new genre and I’m so excited

[Kaylee King · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who is nowhere close to the medical/nursing field, Dani King writes in such a way that you feel like you know what she’s talking about. She explains the medical terms, but it’s not like a medical textbook. I love the drama with the main character. I loved her, I was angry with her, related to her, and so on. I CANT WAIT to read the next book in the series! Bravo, Dani!

[Andrea Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel from Dani King is a love letter to nurses, but is also written for anyone and everyone to enjoy and relate to! The medical terminology is so well explained for those who may not be involved in the healthcare field. The characters are so likeable and believable, and you will find yourself rooting for all of them (especially the main character, Sam). There is also some great queer representation! As for the story, I don't want to spoil anything, but it has so much heart and you will experience every emotion on the spectrum; heartache to enthusiasm, sorrow to inspiration. A perfect beach/pool read for the summer - I can't wait for the next installment! :)

[Stacy Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!
The author has a unique way of taking you on a journey and evoking every emotion on the way! The way she strategically weaves in and out of the main character's career and personal life is brilliant and draws you in closer. It was a great read and I can't wait for what's next in this series!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I love all the details she added. The characters really come to life! I couldn't put it down!
I can't wait for more!!!

[Laura Contreras · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m stuck! I enjoyed the book and I would probably read the 2nd book if there is one. I expected more of a “life as a new nurse” and possible life struggles that comes with being a new nurse. the title and the beginning of the story made it seem as if this would be her journey as a nurse. I did feel like some stuff was repetitive and some stuff was better just left out. I do like that it was an easy read and I did laugh in some parts.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What a fantastic book! I had a hard time putting it down and now I can’t wait for the next one to be published.
Dani King is a fantastic author!! The book is well written, she has her readers connect with the characters in the book and you actually feel you are part of the story!
I couldn’t get enough!! I will definitely be reading it AGAIN and patiently waiting for the remaining books in this series!!
Dani King, a novice writer?? Doesn’t seem possible! One of the best written books I have read in a long time! (And I love to read)
If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it! Go out and purchase this book, you will not be disappointed.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The description of this book leads the reader to believe it's about a new nurse fresh out of Nursing school who becomes a hospice nurse after watching her brother die from cancer as a child. There is very little about her experiences with patients in hospice. It's more about the drama of her personal group of friends who still act like they're in high school rather than adults in their mid 20s. I'm sorry to say this one is a DNF for me.

[Jessica DiResto · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as fast as I could to get it done. I only felt emotion in the beginning and end of the book. No real plot, CRINGE dialogue, barely talked about being a nurse. The book cover and title made it seem like being a nurse was the root cause of her problems but the main character just had a lot of her own issues and alcoholism that didn’t seem to come from nursing at all. I’m also a nurse and I barely felt a connection.

[Andrea Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off great for me - interesting and relevant story lines. However, the main character and her “pack” demonstrated immaturity and loose morals with no growth or character development. I was so disappointed that Sam never acknowledged her alcohol abuse and the consequences of the abuse. She basically moves from guy to guy in a drunken state. I expected a story of losing everything to alcohol and then in spite of that, rising up to do better because you know better now. The story dropped off a cliff at the end with so so many unanswered questions. This was an unsatisfying read.

[Tammy Comeau Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on many different levels to be very relatable, both personally and professionally. Some of it was a bit of a stretch at times for me but I could see how that could in fact be someone’s reality. I genuinely loved the chapters from the patients perspective. I wish I could hand them out to families so they can see there might be another side, someone there in that bed, someone who just can’t talk for themselves. Those chapters (some of them) I found heartbreaking, having lived the part of patient advocate and gotten no where.

[Jacquelyn Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! An amazing read for anyone regardless of working in the healthcare field. Brings awareness to hospice nursing in a day and age where people are afraid to talk about death and dying. It does this while also having themes of love and friendship and it is so easy to get connected to these characters. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.... I could not put this book down. Tons of tears shed and some pretty jaw-dropping moments. Talks about a lot of topics that aren't usually talked about and it's done in a very realatable way. You don't have to be a nurse to enjoy this one. Hope there's a second one to this!

[Bethany Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Was not expecting all the twists and turns! Can’t wait for the second book to come out!

[Shelby Kerans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and had a hard time putting it down. When I finished it i was disappointed. I wanted to know more, what is going to happen etc. definitely will be reading the next book.

[Gracie Ebsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

physical book

[Vickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, very hard to put down. I hope there will be another because I want more of the story.

[Marissa Byler · Rating 5 out of 5]

sobbing, this is too relatable

[Andrea Aparo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A day in the life!

[Elizabeth Sadler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried, I really did, but as a nurse I was really hoping for more actual nursing stories and feelings after. This seemed like nothing but a day-to-day journal of escapades with her friends and alcohol. I struggled to read even a full chapter each evening, so unfortunately, I simply couldn’t finish this book. Do not recommend if you think that “The Last Nurse” would actually be much about nursing.

[NerdyNrsB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at a book signing by the author. As an ER nurse, I can completely identify with the horrors we face. Dealing with life and death on a daily basis. It’s a good reminder to take care of ourselves so we can better care for others!