Really heartbreaking story of life during the First World War. Emily works to help her patients as she awaits her boyfriend Lewis to return from war. Then they are hit with the Spanish flu. A Canadian doctor arrives on the scene. Will things get better for Emily?

I was ready to throw in the towel when on the 3rd page the character thought, “she knew that to be a complete person she had to have a man in her life.” But, I checked the other reviews, they were all good. I had to keep going....it had to get better.

It did get better. The premise is good and very relative to our current times of Covid. It is the end of WW1 and the setting in a hospital in England, at the start of the Spanish Flu outbreak. Many of the things happening in the hospital are very relatable to what people are experiencing now, in 2020 and 2021.

But, the writing style is bland. It feels like it could be a Young Adult book. Other than Emily, the main character, the others were quite one dimensional.

It was a fast and short read.

The ending was neat and tidy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy.

Emily Burdon is a nurse-in-training in London during the end of World War I. She is tending to soldiers and finishing nursing school in 1918 when people begin to die due to the Spanish flu. Her best friend is fellow nurse Lucy, and a new American nurse named Alma is a new potential friend for Emily. The dialogue between the nurses is conversational and feels more real than grammatically structured dialogue.

All the nurses are charmed by the Canadian Dr. James Cantor, who works closely with Emily in a few dire cases. There is a huge will-they-or-won't-they vibe in Emily and James' story, but their potential relationship isn't the main focus of the novel.

When Emily's fiancé returns from the front, he shocks her with the changes in his personality and the secrets he's keeping from her. Emily must face her issues head-on and decide if her feelings for the man have changed.

While Emily has a career as a nurse, she longs to have a family. She knows that marriage will end her career, as nurses at her religious hospital are single women. When a child at the hospital loses its mother, Emily must make her choice -- family or career?

Recommended for fans of historical fiction and those looking for a pandemic novel.

When the World Stood Still by Kate Eastham is an emotional novel about a nurse during World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

When the World Stood Still is a great story that I was invested in from the beginning. Emily loves being a nurse and is worried she will have to leave the profession when she marries her secret fiancé. She cannot wait for the war to end and be reunited with Lewis. However, an unexpected flu quickly overwhelms the hospitals spreading among soldiers and the public. This causes many unforeseen circumstances. Emily has to deal with struggles and unexpected situations that nobody is prepared to handle.

When the World Stood Still is a moving story with great characters. Emily is very hard working and fights for what she wants. Even though she isn’t allowed to have a fiancé and work, she does anyways. Emily is very career oriented and doesn’t want to give up nursing after she gets married like is expected. Lucy is Emily’s best friend, and they are always there for each other. A new nurse arrives from America and Emily quickly develops a friendship with her. Emily has a loving family back home. Emily is put in heartbreaking situations. It is interesting to see how Emily reacts to the unexpected and doesn’t give up. The hospital is over capacity so it is hard for the nurses to keep up. There is constantly something going on in the hospital or in Emily’s personal life. I recommend When the World Stood Still to fans of historical fiction.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for When the World Stood Still.

The Spanish Flu Epidemic

The time is 1918, the place is London just as WWI is ending. Emily is training as a nurse , her fiancée Lewis is still fighting in the war.

The hospital is full with injured soldiers when all of a sudden it is overwhelmed with an incredible number of flu cases. These are not just any flu but a new more powerful flu called the Spanish flu. People are taking sick and dying in a few short days.

The staff fights to save as many as they can. The Spanish flu is taking not the old nor the young but the young strong people at the prime of their life. Some of the nurses catch it and some do not recover. A new Canadian doctor James comes to work at the hospital and Emily and James are attracted to each other, but Emily has a fiancée. Then Emily’s fiancée Lewis is transferred to the hospital ill with the Spanish flu. Life changes for Emily after she finds out the secret that Lewis has hidden from her.

This book is a heartbreaking story of the Spanish flu and the medical personnel that had to deal with life and death at this time in history. Modern drugs were not in existence and would have no influence on the flu anyway. They used aspirin, poultices, tepid baths and steam treatments to help the victims.

It is also a story of the soldiers returning from war different than when they left to people and events that are different than what they remember. Tales of broken romances and of new beginnings. Life is always changing and changing with it is sometimes one’s toughest challenge.

I loved the historical content, it was particularly pertinent in this time of the COVID flu epidemic we are currently experiencing. I also loved the characters. It kept me reading until the end. I loved the ending it was perfect. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Kate Eastham, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Weren’t enough for this book. It follows the lives of the nurses through the pandemic that was the Spanish flu. The women nurses were so strong in dealing with the many cases they had to deal with. Having to put their feelings aside so that they were able to move on to the next case. We also followed the story of Emily who was a delightful character. Her fiancé Lewis is in the trenches fighting for his country.
Will things be the same on his return. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to find out.
Fully recommend it.

I really loved this book. The time of the Spanish Flu is something I know almost nothing about, so I loved getting a small glimpse of it.

I think this book does an amazing job of conveying the relationship between nurse and patient. Emily cared so much for every single person she cared for, and I felt her pain when she lost them. I also really loved the friendships between all of the nurses, they felt like a family. The first half of the book was my favorite, but I still really enjoyed the second half.

I felt like the book went downhill as soon as Lewis was introduced. I didn't buy the twist surrounding him, which was a shame. I also wish his character had been handled a bit more delicately.

I was craving historical fiction, so I picked this book up, and it didn't disappoint! The characters felt real, and the situation was heartbreakingly realistic. If you're a fan of historical books, I'd definitely recommend this!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kate Eastham for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Emily Burdon is a nurse at St Marylebone Infirmary in London. It's 1918. The war is coming to an end, but the casualties keep on coming. Not war wounds, but flu: a deadly flu. The Spanish flu is terrorising the whole world and especially young men and women are succumbing to it.
While trying to save as many lives as she can, Emily meets James Cantor, a doctor from Canada, who will be helping out at the hospital. The moment their eyes lock, there is a spark between them. But Emily is already engaged; her fiancé Lewis is fighting in the war. She's torn between her feelings for the attractive James and the far-away Lewis. Who will she choose?

In When the World Stood Still a vivid picture is painted, full of despair and death. Who knew that even after the war was over soldiers would come home and die from a flu? What could be done about it? Without many medical instruments, the healthcare workers at that time tried to battle the Spanish flu with whatever came to mind—risking their own lives for those of their patients.
From time to time the events are quite graphically described. For instance, at one point a pregnant woman is ushered into the hospital. She has almost succumbed to the flu and is in labour. Emily and James have to try to save the baby. Quite a bloody mess, literally, but heart-warming to know the little boy survives!

Aside from disease and death, the book is also a story about unconditional love. Emily's life is drastically changed by the war and by the Spanish flu. It takes her friend Lucy, but brings her the lovely child Jane. It's a story about hope. Last year I read another of Kate Eastham's novels: An Angel's Work. I was impressed by its depiction of the strength of friendship in a world torn apart by war. When the World Stood Still is a little different, and in my opinion the storyline isn't as strong as that in An Angel's Work. However, it is a very interesting read—especially in these times, in which our healthcare workers are trying to fight COVID-19. In fact, Eastham dedicates her latest novel: "to all nurses and health care workers who staffed the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic."

This was a lovely book to read even though it dealt with the Spanish flu of 1918. Whilst reading it you can’t help but compare the story with the all to real events going on in the world today. Luckily for us now we have moved on from 1918 and not have have the technology but also the vaccines which they didn’t have then. Although at times it was harrowing to read of people dying from the flu, there were plenty of happy moments too. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Considering we are in the middle of a Pandemic, much like the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919, it is interesting reading this book, which is set during that time. There are certain parallels, to be sure! However, in 1918, people were at the tail end of WWI and things were much more primitive then in terms of medicines, which made things much harder for them, versus us now. I can't even imagine trying to recover from a major war and all that entails, PLUS tackling a flu that wipes out millions of people, and it was particularly devastating that it targetted young, fit people.

Young Emily is working as a nursing probationer in her final year before becoming a trained nurse. She is secretly engaged to Lewis, who is serving in France. This story talks about her work, her friendships and the impact that war had on returning soldier's minds and bodies, as well as the impact of the Spanish flu.

I thought this was an interesting book from the Spanish flu point of view, and a little bit from the Emily and her private life, point of view. I think a little more depth with the latter would have been great so I am giving this book 4 stars. I didn't really feel the romantic vibes between Emily and James, sorry about that. Little Jane sounded delightful though :) And I also liked Emily's family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Waited for this for ages, love Kate Eastham books - hard not to see the parallels between this book and the current covid times. Love how Kate brings her knowledge of the medical world into her books without you feeling you are sitting in a lecture. Can't wait for more. Excellent reading and nice change to WW2. Thank you

Eastham's, When the World Stood Still, is an interesting historical fiction novel set in London during WWI. As if WWI was not enough, the devastating Spanish Flu arrives. A timely novel of a past pandemic, when the world is trying to survive a present-day pandemic.. I was interested in this book in order to see how things compared, then to now. An interesting novel (I knew very little about the Spanish flu) of an interesting time. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC ebook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a timely book this is!

Emily is a young nurse during the end of World War I in England. She is engaged to a soldier, James, who is struggling with PTSD. Emily and her fellow nurses are working hard dealing with injuries caused by the war when in comes an even more powerful enemy, the Spanish flu.

I chose to read this book even amidst our current pandemic to think about the many lessons that we can learn from history. The live and compassion that health care workers have, in spite of the danger to themselves is so remarkable. The ability to keep going after facing a horrible war and the threat of a deadly illness is so inspiring. There are many lessons that I learned.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

A wonderful historical fiction novel. I adored this book, fantastic characters in a hard hitting storyline, especially during this difficult Times we are currently experiencing. Certainly keeps you thinking long after the last page, I'd love to see a sequel.

When the world stood still

This novel is set during a pandemic – the time of the Spanish Flu. Now you might look at this and wonder why would anyone want to read a story set in pandemic times when we are actually ‘living’ through them ourselves? Well, there were several things that drew me to this book. First of all, I’m a retired public health nurse and that made me curious to find out how things have changed over the last 100 years. Kate Eastham is also a retired nurse and was asked if she would go back to work at the beginning of the pandemic. She was unable to, but when approached decided to write a book- especially in honour of the front line staff who sacrifice so much to care for others even at the expense of their own health. Secondly, my great aunt was a nurse who served overseas in England and France during the First World War. She eventually became ill with the flu herself and was discharged at the end of the war as “medically unfit”. Thirdly, some of my fathers very earliest memories were from the time of the Spanish flu. He wrote my siblings and I a letter in which he talked about seeing long cavalcades of cars taking coffins to the local cemetery for burial. And so…. I started reading.

This novel is initially set in London close to wars end. The locale is the St. Marylebone Infirmary (a real place) and our lead character is a young probationary nurse, Emily Burdon, who is only a few weeks away from finishing her probationary term and writing her final exams. At that time, all nurses lived in and that led to lots of camaraderie among staff and almost a sense of family. The hours were long and the patients challenging ranging from soldiers with both injuries and shell-shock to the poorest people of the region. Nursing really was a calling. One was not supposed to be engaged but Emily had a fiancée fighting overseas. Although engaged, one got the feeling that perhaps war had changed Lewis, and maybe their hopes and dreams were leading in different directions. Emily wanted to ultimately live near home and Lewis wanted to stay as far from there as he could given that he had been raised by an abusive father and a mother who had failed to stand up for him.

So this was the background into which the flu suddenly made it’s appearance. New staff appeared – a doctor from Prince Edward Island Canada, a nurse who had been working on war service but had to come home for a break. As more and more people became sick, there was very little they could offer beyond basic good nursing care. There were no antibiotics, no internet where doctors could quickly share what they were learning with others. There were poultices to place on the chest, steam to loosen up congestion and sponge baths to bring down a fever, but not a lot else. Some people became sick and died within the short space of a day and they were not always the elderly. Young nurses sickened and died too. But life still went on and emotions developed among staff in spite of the rules. When Lewis becomes sick with the flu and Emily arranges for his admission to her hospital, the story becomes a lot more complicated. You will need to read it to find out all the details.

For some there may be triggers in this story – child abuse or having too close an experience with Covid themselves, but personally I was quickly drawn in by the compelling story and very moved at the professionalism displayed by the dedicated nurses and doctors. The war brought in another level of interest for me. Things were way worse then than now and the book is a good reminder that even a flu as bad as they had did eventually fade away (though not without great loss of lives). We are so fortunate that modern medicine has and is making so many rapid strides in learning how to treat Covid 19. Emily Burdon was a strong individual. I think readers – especially women, will enjoy her story.

Many thanks to #NetGalley, Bookouture and Kate Eastham for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book which is due to be published February 22nd. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this story. Emily was such a sweet character who you couldn’t help but love. From her daily struggles as a wartime nurse to having to deal with the Spanish flu pandemic you could see the parallel to nurses today. The biggest loop was with the return of her fiancé Lewis and the surprises that come with him.
It was very difficult at times to put this book down and I felt it ended way to quickly I definitely wanted to read more about Emily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Timely novel for today's pandemic experiences. The Spanish Flu tested the nurses and doctors' strength and endurance in London as they battled to deal with it plus the war casualties. This is written from Emily's perspective, a new nurse who strived to do her best. This will enlighten readers about efforts made during a pandemic. Recommended.

Moving and heartbreaking novel!

This book gives us the story of the Spanish Flu, that pandemic that we knew almost nothing about until a new world wide pandemic shattered our lives on 2020. We see into the lives of a group of brave nurses at the end of World War I, and how suddenly their flu patients start to surpass the wounded soldiers.
The author gives you everything with this story, she gives you strong beautiful characters, historical accuracy, plot twists and a little bit of romance.

You will find yourself right there with Emily on the ward, trying to calm a shell shocked soldier, learning from the new doctor, praying for her friend, worried for her deployed fiancé, and fearing for her life while wanting to give her all for her patients. The narration is beautiful and dialogues are very relatable.

It is very difficult not to think of the nurses during the current pandemic when you are reading this book, as you come to understand the risks and fears of those whose job is to save your life.

The dramatic and fast paced life of a nurse fighting to save lives of those injured in WW1 and also the Spanish Flu. This story is Emily’s.
Emily loves her job helping others, but finds herself in her own battle when her job comes with so much heartbreak, fighting to save the lives of both her best friend and her fiancé.
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and suspenseful. It is easy to see the similarities between how life was in 1918, and during our recent pandemic. It gives you a new appreciation for what nurses and front line workers are experiencing everyday.
Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for the ARC

“When the World Stood Still” is a riveting story of the 1918 flu pandemic in London, and timely as we battle our own pandemic.

Nurse Emily Burdon is originally from a small village and is now working as a nurse probationer in London, on the front lines of the Spanish flu epidemic. The book gives us a window into the experience of front line workers as well as into Emily’s personal life. In the midst of battling the uncertainty of war and pandemic, she wonders if she can give up nursing for the life she has always dreamed of with her fiancé, away at war. This novel does a wonderful job of showing us the world of St. Marylebone Infirmary in London in 1918 while chronicling Emily’s personal struggles.

Emily is a strong and relatable character, and the struggles of the nurses and doctors on the front lines of the Spanish flu pandemic are both heartbreaking and informative—finding the similarities between that pandemic and the Covid-19 pandemic makes this book hit close to home, but also provides hope, knowing that pandemic eventually faded and the world no longer stood still.

WWII books typically dominate my historical fiction reads, but this book left me wanting to know more about the world of WWI and the Spanish Flu. I really appreciated this book and have found myself thinking about Emily even after I read the last page.