The horse’s hooves clip-clopped along the cobblestone path as she sat in the carriage patiently waiting to arrive at her destination. The streets were alive with people bustling about, which was good to see after the sickness that had swept through the area. The carriage pulled up to a large home and she smiled as she stepped down onto the path leading to the front door. A small sign introduced the clinic inside and she felt her heart rate increasing with the excitement of all she had to learn.

The Girl in His Shadow is a historical fiction set in the 1840s, following Nora and Daniel (told in dual perspective). Nora is fascinated with the medical field, but women are forbidden from working in this space during this time in history. Daniel is a new doctor come to work at the clinic Nora has been secretly practicing in.

I loved reading a story about a woman stepping up for herself and pursuing a dream of working in a male-dominated field… even during a time in history when it was illegal for her to do so. While I loved this aspect of the book I found the story itself to be very slow-paced and boring at times and I found myself not wanting to pick up the book very often. There was also a lot of graphic medical content… so it was uncomfortable to read at times.

Overall if you love books about women taken control of their lives and historical books focused on the medical field, then you may really enjoy this read!

The Girl in His Shadow was an interesting read. I found the story to be a page turner for the most part. Nora becomes the ward of Dr Croft when the rest of her family dies of cholera. He brings her back to his house and nurses her to health. As she grows she assists in his medical practice and really has an aptitude for learning. She's incredibly smart and discerning, and becomes an incredible asset in his doctor's office. Unfortunately she has to keep her abilities hidden from most of the world because at the time (1800s) women were thought to be much to delicate to be around blood and surgeries, etc. Things get a bit more intense when Dr Croft brings in another doctor to mentor.

What is not delicate is some of the descriptions of the medical procedures in this book. It was a bit more medically graphic than I was expecting. I did enjoy how talented and capable Nora was, but didn't need all the bloody details.

I didn't mind the romance that is in this book and appreciated the slow burn and change of heart that happened along the way. It was interesting to read about how women in the medical field were treated at this time and how Nora chose to respond to those societal expectations. I am proud of the decision she made at the end.

Nora Beady is an orphan who is taken in by Dr. Horace Croft, a gifted surgeon. She grows up as his ward, assisting the venerable doctor in his operating room, helping with cadavers, surgical procedures, prepping and cleaning the surgical room and chronicling the body parts. Her role goes unobserved until a young doctor joins the surgeon as a resident. Dr. Daniel Gibson is anxious to learn from Croft and his presence hinders Nora’s normal duties as assistant.

In the mid-1800’s women have few rights and are certainly not deemed capable of performing medical procedures. But when patients’ lives are at stake, Nora might be the only one who can help. Hiding her skills becomes ever more complicated amid the male dominated medical profession. Not only must she deal with prejudices against women but open hostilities Campbell. her person.

Nora is a shining example of women trailblazers who worked behind the scenes, never allowed to openly participate and certainly never getting the recognition for their skills. What’s horrifying is the consequences some women could face for being capable and competent. This book with its stunning cover, is another tale of a woman proving her capabilities, despite societal constraints.

Nora is exceptional just as Dr. Croft is extraordinary. But society will allow him to be brilliant and break norms while she is threatened for doing the same. Blake’s characters are lovingly crafted and the presence of Dr. Gibson adds new dimension to Nora’s life.

Lovers of historical fiction will be delighted with this tale. For additional reading on women in medicine in the 1800’s take a look at The Gilded Hour by Donati or Women in White Coats by Campbell.

Absolutely stunning. This is actually two authors who worked together from across an ocean(!) but published under one name. One of the female authors is a Canadian (like me!), the other gal is in the UK.
There is a lot of gory detail for surgery, but it’s all medically described and felt so real (especially the description of the rotting corpse--smell and all!). I appreciated that they didn't downplay the risks of the surgeries being performed for the time (especially when using the ether) but also the huge benefit of patients not enduring the pain directly. They didn't go into a lot of detail on the mental well-being of someone who has a bullet removed from their leg while conscious (for example); but it was certainly implied at times that the surgery might be more than a patient can bear (without the ether). We still loose people to anesthesia at alarming rates in today's medical system; but reading this I'll take that risk every single time over the option of just enduring pain (which can lead to permanent nerve damage and chronic pain).

The continued trials and walls put in place of our female lead are so frustrating. At times I wanted to take the book and whack some dead guy for his stupid theory about women being "too sensitive" or "too soft" to handle blood and trauma. Clearly these surgeons haven't seen who tends to the men brought in from a battlefield. There is absolutely no proof to show that one gender has more resilience to handle blood and gore than the other. Albeit we don't see a lot of female serial killers (although a small part of me likes to think it's because the women are too clever to get caught); I do not believe that is because women are adverse to gore. We have babies for goodness sake! What else is messier than having a baby?! (note: I have never, and will never give birth or carry I child I am going by what other women have told me) At any rate, there are a thousand scenarios that we could come up with to prove why women are not inferior surgeons or doctors. And while it's good to remember how far we've come in just over 100 years; at the same time I challenge people to remember this exact same sentiment stands for race and cultural background. Just because someone's English is a bit broken doesn't mean they aren't the absolute best surgeon or doctor.

Carrying on, I really loved the romance story (which is surprising); it felt like a nice add-on to the core novel. Now this is high praise from me as I tend to hate romance plunked into the middle of novels like this or that draw the attention away from the historical context. I didn't feel in any way like it was forced or took my attention away. The romance is firmly rational and it makes perfect sense given the lifestyle and close quarters of our lead gal and her love interest. Additionally; if you don't leave your home much or socialize you're likely to fall for someone in your immediate vicinity. (note: I do not consider this a spoiler as it is very obvious from the moment we meet said love interest what his likely role will be).

Overall I would say this is an excellent historical read. If you have any interest in women's fight to enter the medical profession, the controversial use of ether, the scientific 'race' to discover first, or just want a good historical read in this time period. I truly don't think many people will be disappointed by this novel. It is easy to recommend out (even if a bit gory at times, that's a simple heads up for any reader) and while many bad things happen in it; is ultimately a feel good read (which may seem odd for me to say but once you read it you'll understand why). As I don't do "beach reads" or contemporary romance (or not very often) this to me is a perfect casual summer or vacation read (for those that usually are immersed in intense historical war, sci-fi/fantasy, or horror novels). For those like me, I think you'll know if you are or not, then consider this a lighter read. Either way, it's a good solid read for almost anyone.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't want to review a book that I didn't finish.

I LOVE a good historical fiction. THIS was a good historical fiction. The story leads you through so many twists and turns and you enjoy every moment. I ended up going into a research rabbit hole while reading this because I was fascinated by the medical practices of the time. Which for me? Is the sign of a great read.

Historical fiction has become immensely popular (or perhaps I'm just becoming more aware of it). For me, I like bringing history a little more into focus - the reminder that events from history are surrounded by people. People who lived, loved, and who did things that changed lives. What I don't like about historical fiction is the (necessary) blending of fact and fiction to tell a story. Despite author's notes letting the reader know where the line was drawn, it can be hard to separate the fact from the fiction in the reader's memory. I've also found that many of the historical fiction books I've read have included a strong romantic angle. Not unusual, I suppose, given that we're reading and writing about people, but sometimes it seems that this is all people (mostly women in these books) thought about in the past.
The Girl in His Shadow, by Audrey Blake (coauthors Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sirois), is a thoroughly researched novel about orphan girl Nora Beady in 1840's London. Nora was adopted by surgeon Dr. Horace Croft - a talented but unconventional man. Nora grew up in a home where it was just natural for her to watch what her father did, and where she would practice suturing and anatomical drawings of dissections. Hardly a normal upbringing, but Nora, an intelligent girl, became a better physician than most trained men.

This comes to light when Croft takes on a new surgical resident at his private clinic - Dr. Daniel Gibson. Gibson quickly recognizes that Nora's skills are stronger than his own, and, out of respect for Croft (for whom he admires, which is why he took the position) he tries to keep Nora's skills a secret. 1840's England is not a place where women are allowed to take on a role such as doctor.

When it is Nora's skill and her study of a new gas that can possibly be used in a medical procedure - ether - saves a life, the very fact that she 'practiced' medicine brings contempt and legal charges against Nora and the doctors who allowed it. The biggest concern? That she must have seen the man's genitals while performing surgery. Gasp!

The only bright light is that news of Nora's skill elicits a visit from a physician from Europe.

I found the book to be very readable and engaging. We have clear, well-defined central characters and a story that is set-up nicely and builds well, holding our attention the entire way. We learn a fair amount about medicine - advanced medicine - in the mid 1800's, which sometimes reminds us how far we've come and how grateful we should be for today's advancements.

The medical portions of the story were really interesting and I liked how natural it felt for Nora and how almost un-natural it was for the male doctors in her life. Croft was pretty genius, if unconventional, but he still seemed to work hard at it while Nora took to it naturally.

The romance in the story just never worked for me. It felt added on much too late in order to use it for some last-minute drama. I never bought into it. Nora's interest seemed wholly on medicine until the last possible moment.

Still, a very good read and worth looking in to.

Looking for a good book? The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake is a well-written, well-research historical fiction story of a woman in 1800's London who was a better medical practitioner than most trained male doctors but who, because of her gender, had to live in the shadows. Worth reading.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl in His Shadow is an awesome read by Audrey Blake. I highly recommend it and I am giving it five plus stars.

I would of not picked up this book had I not thought it was something else...however, I am glad that I did. Extremely interesting about the beginnings of women in the medical field. The beginning of using ether. But besides the historical medical information the story itself was very interesting. I liked it.

The following review was published on my blog (blogginboutbooks.com) on 10.18.21:

Propriety is important in Victorian England. Just not to eccentric surgeon Dr. Horace Croft. Ever since he took in Nora Beady—an 8-year-old orphan—he's been teaching and training her. Now 21, she's an invaluable medical assistant as well as a gifted surgeon in her own right. Capable as she is, even Dr. Croft realizes that Nora's interest in medicine would be seen by outsiders as shocking, manly, and unnatural. It must be kept secret at all costs. When Croft brings a young doctor into his practice, Nora fears she will be found out. Forced to act like a proper lady, hiding her ability in the surgery, she feels like she's going mad. When she makes an important discovery, one that could change medicine forever, Nora is torn between offending society by revealing her true self and boldly claiming her own discovery instead of letting the men around her take credit. Is she brave enough to risk everything by finally stepping out of the shadows into the spotlight?

With its striking cover and intriguing premise, how could I not be drawn to The Girl in His Shadow, a debut novel by Audrey Blake (a pseudonym for writing duo Regina Sirois and Jaima Fixsen)? I've seen rave reviews as well, so I was eager to read it. Its subject—the role of women in early medicine—is certainly fascinating. Though gory, the book's depictions of 19th Century efforts to learn about disease and how to treat it makes for interesting reading. As for the story, though? It's sllooowwww. Without a structured plot to keep it focused and forward-moving, the tale drags, making it very putdownable. The characters are likable, but not super complex or memorable, which contributes to the meh-ness of the novel. While Nora is sympathetic and kind, she lacks the vulnerability that makes me really root for a character. I felt like she would be fine no matter what and that, while the back cover copy touts how much risk she takes in the story, in actuality she never really risks or loses very much. That made it tough for me to care about what happened to her, meaning I just never got all that invested in her or this book. I did plow through The Girl in His Shadow, but that's exactly what the reading experience felt like: work. I wanted to really like this one; unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it. Bummer.

(Readalikes: The premise reminds me of the Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber, The Madman's Daughter series by Megan Shepherd, and Mistress in the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin)

Grade: C

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and blood/gore

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Girl in His Shadow from the generous folks at Sourcebooks via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I very much enjoyed this book. I liked the storyline and the focus on a strong female character. So hard to believe women could not be doctors for so long.

I love books with strong female characters, even more so when they are based on real heroines. This book tells the story of Nora Beady. She's a trailblazer and totally one of a kind. While in her time it was dangerous for women to practice medicine, Nora cannot stand idly by and watch patients be in pain.

I LOVED this book. Any historical fiction fan will love it too. I had never heard of Nora Beady and it was a delight and an absolute pleasure to learn about her.

Thank you Netgalley!

I loved this book! Set in the 1840s in London England this book takes you on a journey of scientific and medical experimentation through the eyes of Nora Beady, the 20 year old ward of the eccentric Doctor Horace Croft.

Nora, who has been raised by Croft and his dutiful housemaid, Mrs. Phipps (who is constantly complaining about the absentminded Doctor), after the death of her family to Cholera, has been informally training under the renowned Doctor Croft for 10 years. As the result of her training, Nora emerges as a skilled surgeon and brilliant scientific mind. The problem? It is illegal for women to practice as surgeons. So, when the handsome Doctor Gibson arrives at the home surgery of Doctor Croft, Nora must try to hide her passion and brilliance in the medical field so as not to put herself and Doctor Croft at risk of legal repercussions.

Overtime, Nora’s love for medicine reveals itself to Daniel Gibson, who, despite his initial hesitation, begins to admire the beautiful and talented Miss. Beady. Eventually, the two become an integral part of Doctor Croft’s most recent medical discovery and it sets them on a journey that is both enthralling and lovely.

This is a wonderful story!
I couldn't stop reading it!
Lots of suspense just kept me reading all night long. LOL
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve always been fascinated by medicine and the healing arts and have enjoyed both fiction and nonfiction titles that focus on the subject. It is truly amazing to ponder and absorb the incredible advances and changes in its practice over the past 200 years.

This historical fiction novel is set in Victorian England circa 1845 and relates a story about a young orphan who is raised by a well-known surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft. As she grows up as his ward, Eleanor (Nora) Beady becomes his first assistant and learns medicine and surgery under his tutelage. But, it is illegal in London for a woman to be a doctor so everything she does must remain a secret. Their clinic on Great Queen Street hums along nicely until the arrival of Dr. Daniel Gibson who is meant to become Croft’s partner in practice. Everything changes when Nora’s skills and expertise are exposed and she finds she can no longer live in the shadows. NO SPOILERS.

I enjoyed the details and descriptions of disease and treatment during this time period. As an RN, it sometimes seems crazy to me how little was actually known about cause and effect and how much science has discovered since that era. It’s always a bit difficult to read about how little women were allowed to do and the expectations that society had for them. I recently also read WOMEN IN WHITE COATS so was quite familiar with how difficult it was for women to become doctors and to be allowed to practice medicine much less surgery. The only drawback, for me, was the large part of the book that revolved around the romance aspect. Other than that, I found the book easy to read and entertaining. I'd rate this 3.5 stars but rounded up because of the subject being to my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Title: The Girl in His Shadow
Author: Audrey Blake
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5

Raised by the eccentric surgeon Dr. Horace Croft after losing her parents to a deadly pandemic, the orphan Nora Beady knows little about conventional life. While other young ladies were raised to busy themselves with needlework and watercolors, Nora was trained to perfect her suturing and anatomical illustrations of dissections.

Women face dire consequences if caught practicing medicine, but in Croft's private clinic Nora is his most trusted--and secret--assistant. That is until the new surgical resident Dr. Daniel Gibson arrives. Dr. Gibson has no idea that Horace's bright and quiet young ward is a surgeon more qualified and ingenuitive than even himself. In order to protect Dr. Croft and his practice from scandal and collapse Nora must learn to play a new and uncomfortable role--that of a proper young lady.

But pretense has its limits. Nora cannot turn away and ignore the suffering of patients even if it means giving Gibson the power to ruin everything she's worked for. And when she makes a discovery that could change the field forever, Nora faces an impossible choice. Remain invisible and let the men around her take credit for her work, or let the world see her for what she is--even if it means being destroyed by her own legacy.

I enjoyed this very much! Sure, it was hard to read about such a capable woman who was ignored because she was female, but Nora is such a great character. She’s different—and she embraces that and is determined to persevere and do what she needs to do, no matter what people say. Even when she cares about people, she doesn’t put aside her own dreams, and she’s willing to risk her future, or at least her reputation, to save lives.

Audrey Blake is the pseudonym of Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sirois. The Girl in His Shadow is their newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/20.)

The Girl in HIs Shadow is a historical fiction/romance novel is set in 1840's France. Nora lost her parents during the pandemic and as an orphan is raised by Dr. Horace Croft, a local master medical surgeon. By proximity alone Nora is introduced into the field of medicine, a male based profession, in which she had no place.

At this time, women where not heard of in fields of practical modern medicine. It was actually illegal and would have been dismissed as witchery. Nora was inquisitive and smart. She quickly became Dr. Horace's prized protege.. But of course, Nora was only a woman., qualified Dr. or not.

Enter Dr. Daniel Gibson, a new surgical resident invited to work as assistant to Dr. Horace., Under the circumstances Nora is forced to hide her talents or risk being revealed. Try as they may to keep Nora's medical knowledge a secret, a few medical emergencies and groundbreaking medical discoveries and she is ultimately exposed. Now not only is her reputation on the line, but those of her coworkers, Dr's Horace and Dr. Gibson are threatened.

Dr. Gibson is not immediately taken with Nora or the idea of her involvement in his male occupied profession. It is by patience, skill, and dedication that Nora is finally able to be seen for her true talent and respected by Dr. Gibson. Not only does Gibson learn to respect and work with Nora, but develops a relationship on a more personal level. Dr. Gibson and Nora are falling for one and other, yet politics perceptions prevail.

Nora, much to the dismay of Dr. Horace and Dr. Gibson, is timely presented with the opportunity to travel and earn a proper PhD in Italy, Will Nora choose to stay with Dr. Gibson, as his wife, or will she embark on an adventure only her lifetime dreams are made of?

I will not spoil the end by revealing her decision, however, I will say that it does lead us to believe there will be a sequel book picking up with Nora's next chapter in life.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the opportunity to read and write a personal review of this pre-release.

#thegirlinhisshadow
#Audreyblake
#netgalley

A tribute to Women in Medical History!

Saved from Cholera epidemic, young girl comes to live with Doctor.
13 years later, she is assisting him, practicing medicine, and leading in medical procedures.

This is an important book for us to know now.

Such a great story, left me wishing for more! Would love a sequel to this one.
Thanks for the opportunity to read.

The Girl in His Shadow is a historical fiction read book for fans of medical shows/reads. Meet Nora, an orphan taken in by a doctor who has grown to have an extensive medical knowledge and curiosity at a time where it’s not an acceptable role for women. She’s exceptionally bright, and on the forefront of women in medicine, although only a couple of people know due to the impropriety. The book is a journey of pushing boundaries, scandal, and growth.
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I really appreciated watching Nora grow and find her voice throughout the book. Curious minds are what have gotten us to where we are with medicine today and it was cool to see inside that process.
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I will say that this book is not for everyone. If medical shows make you squeamish, this book may make you squirm - it did to me a few times. There is also medical testing on animals which could be upsetting to readers.
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Overall, this book is something different and one people interested in medicine and historical fiction may enjoy!