I adored The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake. I will definitely will be looking for more by this author. Five stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Nora Beady has been fostered by a famous surgeon ever since she was a child. He taught her everything he knew about medicine but her knowledge is not accepted in England because of her gender. She goes to Italy and is enrolled in the famous medical university in Bologna. Mentored by a topnotch OBGYN and on a fast track to graduate early so she can return to England, Nora faces opposition at every turn. Set in the 19th century, this is a tale of struggle against stereotypes, love found and love lost, and how family can trump everything. Recommended for historical fiction fans.

My first five star review of the year! This book had all the things I love:

- Historical era
- women's rights/female empowerment
- great drama
- relatable main character(s) that I adore from the beginning

I truly loved this book. Just enough struggle and hardship to make it good without making it totally depressing. I knew what was going to happen in the end (no spoilers here) but that did not make it any less enjoyable. The medical terminology was "just enough" as were the descriptions of the surgeries. Any more detail and it would have been too gory for me.

I was thrilled to find out that this was a sequel of sorts. I will definitely be checking out the first book by these two authors now.

Highly recommend this one if you love historical novels with strong female protagonists!

Thank you to the publisher, the authors and to Net Galley for the ARC of this book.
(I am off to read The Girl in His Shadow immediately and regretting that I did not read it before this one)

This is the second book featuring Nora Beady, who was trained for all intents and purposes as a physician back in England, but she’s can’t go to medical school there because she’s a woman. At the end of the first book, Nora was offered a place at the University of Bologna.

Now, Nora is finishing up her degree in Bologna and she meets Dr. Magdalena Morenco, one of the few female physicians there, and Nora learns about how to perform cesarean sections and these two end up working together to perfect the procedure. In the meantime, Dr. Daniel Gibson continues to face some backlash from colleagues over the events from the first book and he’s also dealing with a diphtheria outbreak. And Dr. Croft is still battling with his longtime nemesis.

This was an excellent follow up to The Girl in
His Shadow and I was happy to get more time with these characters. As someone who works in health care with newborns, I was completely interested in reading how Audrey Blake focused on the medical history of safely delivering a child and this book didn’t disappoint. Definitely go back and read the first book, while this can be a read as a stand-alone, I think you’d have much more appreciation for these characters. This isn’t. A light and fluffy historical fiction, it’s a little grittier because of the topics, however that was just fine with me, and I highly recommend this!

Nora Beady is the only female student at a prestigious medical school in Bologna. In the 19th century women are expected to remain at home and raise children, so her unconventional ambition to become a licensed surgeon offend the men around her. Under constant scrutiny, Nora's successes are taken for granted; her mistakes used as proof that women aren't suited to the field. Then she allies herself with Magdalena Morenco, the sole female doctor on staff. Together the two women develop new techniques to improve a groundbreaking surgery: the Cesarean section. It's a highly dangerous procedure and the research is grueling, but even worse is the vitriolic response from men. Most don't trust the findings of women, and many can choose to deny their wives medical care. Already facing resistance on all sides, Nora is shaken when she meets a patient who will die without the surgery. If the procedure is successful, her work could change the world. But a failure could cost everything: including precious lives,

This is an excellent book on the role women played in medicine in the 19th century, especially those few that became doctors. It was obvious that the author did a lot of research into the procedures described, yet she did not get more gory than necessary in her descriptions which I appreciated. She showed a knowledge of the geographic area, and also showed how her characters grew and matured throughout the novel. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Set in the late 1800's, Nora is the only female medical student in Bologna. She has to work harder and be smarter to be tolerated by her fellow students and teachers. When a female surgeon arrives at the school, Nora is immediately interested in the cesarean section that the teacher promotes. She combines her interest in anesthesia with the cesarean surgery to mixed results. When Nora receives word that her father is ill, she does everything she can to graduate early and return home to England.

This was an interesting and well paced book. Nora was very realistic and came across as a multi-dimensional character. The book felt realistic, and showed both failures and successes with the medical treatments. I would pick up another book by this author. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 3
Plot development: 4
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 4
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

I loved this book about a woman who wants to become a doctor and I love that it's about two women who work together to change the why Cesarean sections are done to save women's lives. And it only make sense that it's two women wanting to change things for the better on a surgery that only effects women.

The Surgeon’s Daughter is set in 19th century with a heroine who dreams of becoming a licensed surgeon in a time when medicine belongs only to men.

Nora arrives from England to Bologna, Italy, to study medicine, where women are allowed. She quickly learns that allowed doesn’t mean welcomed. She receives nothing but opposition or open hostility.

Dr. Marenco is the only female doctor and whom Nora failed to impress during her assistance. And she wonders how Dr. Marenco was able to “achieve her status as medicine wasn’t a path a woman could take alone; she needed advocates.”

Even if Nora receives her medical degree, she still has to find an English guild that will license her so she can legally work in England.

Dr. Marenco is considered very knowledgeable and well-respected and with Nora’s knowledge of the use of ether, they make groundbreaking steps in once impossible Cesarean section surgery. But it’s still a man’s world and husbands decide if their wives can have this kind of surgery, which is still a very highly risky surgery.

The story of Nora alternates with a story of Daniel, her partner who is in England and who is also a doctor. Both stories are driven by the cases they treat. As the story begins, it gives a short background how Nora was involved with medicine, which was very unusual for women of her time. I enjoyed this part very much and wished that her story, her character was developed more.

The historical background is very interesting as the setting is at the Bologna University, the oldest continuously operating university in the world, and the cases presented in the story are based on real cases at the time. The struggle of women trying to break in medicine is very real. But at times, it feels that the cases overwhelm the story and that’s why I wished for stronger character-development.

I was so thrilled to discover this book! After The Girl in His Shadow I wasn’t ready to let these characters go and I’m so thankful I didn’t have to!

Much like their first book, Audrey Blake takes us back into the world of 19th century medicine once again through the eyes and capable hands of Nora Beady and Dr. Daniel Gibson. I was sad to see the pair part ways at the end of book one and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel with them so far apart.. But I quickly became engrossed in their separate lives. Nora studying medicine at the prestigious University of Bologna and battling sexism and self doubt and Daniel battling a diphtheria outbreak and constant ridicule from his colleagues, back in London. I did however adore the little glimpses we got into their communication which made their longing for life to return to normal, with each other, feel more real.

The medical cases were fascinating, if not incredibly graphic and the relationships developed throughout kept the story moving beautifully. It’s a bit of a slog though and while that word often conjures negative feelings I’d say this was one journey that was made better for it. Much like book 1, The Surgeon’s Daughter is heavy in a lot of ways. But the writing is beautiful and the characters continue to jump from the page and warm your heart.

I still don’t think I’m ready to say goodbye to Nora, Daniel, Dr. Croft or Mrs. Phipps but I am certainly glad to have had more time with them all!

Thank you to Netgalley and Casablanca Landmark for a copy in exchange of an honest review!


Trigger warnings

Graphic descriptions of traumatic births, deaths and various other medical issues involving both adults and children can be found throughout.
Choking, stillbirths, death of children

A really special book about a young Englishwoman who must seek a medical education in 1840s Italy because it's not available to her at home. She encounters one obstacle after the other, but perseveres. While this alone would make a good novel, there's much more to this story. Highly recommended!

I loved this book~ I was easily drawn into the world the author(s) built. This is what you want in an historical fiction book - a great story. You will find yourself drawn into the world of the late Victorian era in London, and into the world of the oldest university in Europe, Bologna in Italy.. There's fabulous character development and dialogue, descriptions of both the times, and the landscape and interior settings of the places the characters inhabit. I learned so much about the limitations placed on women for wanting to become doctors and even to complete medical training. This is the recurring theme, the role of women in a world where men did their best to keep them out of higher education, and out of professions of importance and respect. It is a world of friendships, love and above all, family. I was not aware that this was the second book following these characters, and I will be seeking out the first book. AND please, give us more of this story.

by Audrey Blake
While this book is fiction, the history about the topics, people and places was utilized throughout resulting in a richer reading experience. Nora’s goal is to become a licensed surgeon. But this is the 1850s and women were to be wives and mothers. Period. Nora was “adopted” by Horace Croft, one of the finest surgeons in England. He has taught her since she came to live with him. Hands-on. Training by doing. She is quite ready for medical school.

BUT, knowing she would never be accepted into any medical school in England, Dr. Croft sends her to the University of Bologna’s medical school, where a woman is on staff. But Nora is a rarity, she is the only female. She is not accepted by her teachers or fellow students.

Any mistake, perceived or real, is proof women should not be studying medicine. Nora’s successes were ignored. But she did have one distinct advantage, she was extremely knowledgeable about administering ether. Many doctors did not accept ether; knowing how to administer it was key.

The female doctor on the staff had just returned — Magdalena Morenco who has performed a Cesarean (extremely rare) while away. A woman appears at the hospital who has been in labor for an exceedingly long time. Magdalena orders Nora to administer ether and assist in a Cesarean. And that is the beginning of Nora’s belief in herself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is only a small part of this book. There is so much more. Dr. Croft’s battles with an envious and far less learned doctor. Daniel, Nora’s almost-finance, who works with Dr. Croft. How a diphtheria epidemic is handled. Midwives knew so much about birth, but their knowledge was ignored by the medical profession.

You will be reminded how little the medical world then knew about germs. Instruments were “wiped off” and put away for next use. No wonder so many died of sepsis. How hospitals turned away patients if they could not pay, even when the doctors knew it meant death.

I discovered in “A Conversation with the Authors” at the end of the story, a previous book, The Girl in His Shadow, covers the period with Dr. Croft, Nora and Daniel before Nora goes to Bologna.

Be sure to read the “Historical Notes” at the end of the book as well as the “A Conversation with the Authors” for facts about this era in women in medicine. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and the oldest university in continuous operation in the world. The first Cesarean where both mother and baby survived was performed by a British person was done by an English woman posing as a man.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction that is steeped in fact. The medical procedures described in The Surgeon’s Daughter were pulled from actual cases written in that period.

I received a complimentary e-ARC* copy of The Surgeon’s Daughter from the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, via NetGalley. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars.
Cover rating: Good but does not convey anything medical. The silhouette has the woman in a field. The story takes place in towns, not in the country.
Series & number: (Unknown when review published) #2.
Pages: Unknown, estimate over 300.
Publish date: May 10, 2022.

#TheSurgeonsDaughter #AudreyBlake #NetGalley
e-ARC* — electronic Advanced Reader Copy.

NOTE: THIS REVIEW WILL BE POSTED TO MY BLOG on April 11, 2022.
Will post to my Goodreads account immediately.
Blog Link: https://lyndapbookreviews.idogenealogy.info/
On Dec 8th, the transfer of my domain should complete. The link will then be https://lyndapbookreviews.com/
Link to review will be https://lyndapbookreviews.com/the-surgeons-daughter

I devoured this book in a matter of days! I have been waiting and waiting for the sequel and this book did NOT disappoint! I had so many emotions reading this book, I cried when you know who died. I got really angry at the Me Too story. (Disgusting that this has been happening for hundreds of years and it's STILL going on) And then I cried happy tears at the end! Oh how I hope we haven't said goodbye to these Drs. I want another book in this series!

Thankfully you to NetGalley, the authors, and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. It has great characters, storyline and is wonderfully historically accurate. Nora is the main character and you will laugh with her, cry with her, hold your breath with her and ultimately cheer with her. Be prepared for one heck of a journey.

I took off one star because it was a bit of a dry start for me but it didn't last long and I was fully engaged.

This was a really great read, especially if you are interested in medical history. The author has definitely done her homework her, as she describes both medical advances, surgical procedures, and the historical medical practices in that time period. The characters were both strong women passionate about medicine and helping other women. Their courage to press through the obvious lack of support from male colleagues, and the masculine disdain towards educated women during that time period is both accurate and infuriating. I really enjoyed this, and salute the women who came before us and persevered to become what they were meant to be: surgeons.