Member Reviews
This is book 3 in the Blue Orchid Society series, but they don't have to be read in order. The characters cross over, but each story is a stand alone book. Healing Hazel follows our main character as she is traveling to be with her father for Christmas when her plans get derailed. Despite anxieties she steps up to help treat others injured in the war. Doctor Jackson judges her harshly for being in the way, but as they work together initial judgments change. I was drawn in by the setting, characters, heartfelt romance, and the experience of war from the Red Cross’ perspective. Though I’d never heard of the Carlist Wars before, the author did a fantastic job making this time in history come to life.
Hazel Thornton has a passion for helping others, and she wants to use her gifts, but fears that her anxieties and fears will prevent her from being of service to others. But when a trip to Spain thrusts them into the frontlines of war, she must face her fears while working as a nurse alongside Dr. Jim Jackson.
An engaging read, with a winsome heroine, who must overcome her own fears to help others. I loved that she has a solid group of friends, who all support each other. It was also interesting to read about the Spanish Civil War, as it is not a time period that I am overly familiar with. I admired Hazel's attitude about her circumstances, and how she threw herself into helping others.
Overall, great historical world building with characters who were easy to cheer for throughout. Clean romance, with wholesome characters, and good interaction. An enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Dr Jackson is initially annoyed by Hazel as he's seemingly inflicted with that narcissism that so many of his profession seem to contract. Fortunately it turns out that rather than being a narcissist, he's simply intensely concerned with keeping his patients alive, and worried that any untrained interference could harm them. Once he comes to understand Hazel's background, he warms to her and allows his intrigue with her to grow into something more.
Hazel is at first uncertain and timid, but as she is given opportunities to use and develop her nursing skills she grows in confidence and blossoms. I loved seeing her character development throughout this novel.
Although we don't see as much of the Blue Orchid Society in this novel as in previous ones, they set the tone nicely at the beginning and have a lovely reunion later. I look forward to getting to know more of them!
Ms Moore captured me with her next volume of the Orchid Society! I love how she can put together a story that takes me with her characters! I already bought it!!!
4.5 stars
love the ladies of the Blue Orchid Society. In Healing Hazel they weren't as present as I would have liked, but the setting was perfect, Spain.
Hazel went to spend the Christmas Holiday with her father in the Canary Islands. A change of plans found her re-boarding a train back to England. When her train is bombed, her journey takes an unexpected stop at a Red Cross Hospital set in the Basque territory. Her training in nursing school puts her in a valuable position as a nurse under the direction of Dr. Jim Jackson.
Dr. Jackson and Hazel have instant chemistry but are unwilling to acknowledge it. I loved the walls of misunderstanding that were torn down and the trust that they began to build.
This is not your typical Victorian Romance. I loved that it was different. I loved the characters, the plot, the storyline, basically everything. I recommend this book.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Another moving book by Jennifer Moore. Hazel is traveling to meet her father in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, when the train is blown up. She is able to use her knowledge of nursing to help the injured even though she never finished her training due to PTSD from a past experience which cause her to have panic attacks in crowds and small spaces. She ends up in a hospital and works to learn more about nursing while waiting for a chance to go home. She meets a doctor there and they end up helping each other overcome while falling in love.
Healing Hazel is the third book in the Blue Orchid Society series. It is by the wonderfully talented Jennifer Moore.
Top things I loved about this book:
* The friendship between Hazel and her group of friends that make up Blue Orchid Society.
* The setting wasn't in London. The change of scenery to Spain was new and welcomed. I learned more about the history of the wars that were going on there in the time period. It was super interesting!
*The slow growing romance between Hazel and Dr. Jackson. The way it developed was so heartfelt.
* Hazel's growth as a character. She started out as a nervous, anxious woman with a lower self esteem. But by the end, she had grown to be more confident in her workings as a nurse. Being a nurse in the Red Cross would have been quite mind blowing.
Honestly, this is one you want to read this Christmas season. Sweet Hazel is probably my favorite character in this series, thus far. She is just so sweet and wholesome but also can be strong when the situation calls for it.
Highly recommend, with its unique setting, sweet romance and historical aspect, it's one you won't want to skip.
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This was an easy, enjoyable book to read. I haven’t read any of the preceding books in the series, but I’ve read that they’re more companion books and can be read out of order despite occurring chronologically. I do feel like the last two paragraphs of the book were unnecessarily, though. They felt more like an unseen narrator speaking aloud about the book’s ending rather than part of the actual story.
Hazel (21) was likable, as was Jim (somewhere in his 20s). They were both capable and compassionate. Their communication with one another, however, was lacking. But I suppose it was due to their inexperience with relationships. I wish we could have seen more of Mimi, but the feisty, old lady only makes a brief appearance in the end.
Historical notes are always appreciated, especially when the setting is one with which I am not particularly familiar. I also appreciated the author’s note about her desire to portray real female friendships and relationships in her series rather than the oft used roles women are given in relation to one another: rivals, listening ear, and comparison.
Note: Nothing bad.
Who doesn't love women supporting other women mixed with Victorian romance?
Hazel is a special sweetheart who sat quietly in the background in the previous two books and doesn't draw much attention to herself. Her soft strength and compassion for others while she deals with some serious disappointments and PTSD are awe-inspiring and I want to be more like her.
As for Jim, he initially comes across as very rough and impatient, but with Hazel's influence, begins to soften and reveal his own troubled past. It takes him a while to actually drop his barriers, but when he does, their romance is simply a perfect match.
If you haven't read the others in the series yet, Healing Hazel is pretty safe to pick up without losing too much important background info.
There is a lot of war, death, injuries, etc, so be warned there. The main characters *are* medical people, after all. But overall, content is still quite tame and non-graphic.
I've read a number of books by Ms. Moore and have enjoyed every single one and this one also did not disappoint. Her stories are sweet, clean and full of feeling and never fail at captivating me. This is the third book of The Blue Orchid Society series. Unfortunately, I haven't read the first two, but I had no trouble enjoying this one. Hazel's greatest desire is to become a nurse. Although she did not have the opportunity to finish her studies, she may yet have the chance to fulfil her dream. While traveling to Spain, there is an explosion on the train and she is forced to wait at a hospital while her traveling companions recover. When Hazel expresses her wish to help, Dr. Jim Jackson judges her by the way she appears and doesn't take her seriously. He is in for quite a shock when Hazel puts her training to use. Once Dr. Jackson realizes how capable Hazel is, they work well together and as they spend more time together they grow closer.
This was an interesting and in many ways an educational read that I found to be highly entertaining. I would definitely love to go back and read the first two books in the series that I missed as well. The story pulled me in from the start and held my attention till the end. Lovely read!
I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Fantastic story and one I will highly recommend!
I learned many things that I never knew about
Wonderful characters and one of my favorites of course was Hazel. I loved her gumption. Her personality was cool and she just amazed me with her kindness and love for others.
Unfortunately for me, I hate hospitals cause I'm in and out so much. But people like Hazel make all the difference in the world for people like me. So I really appreciated this story.
This book kept me turning the pages to see what happened next and no I wasn't disappointed. You'll be wanting to clap for these characters along the way and I especially admired Jim.
Sometimes it takes certain events to make people change and I really loved seeing Jim and Hazel develop. What an amazing couple.
Ms. Moore has done a great job with this story 5 stars for a well written book.
Again, I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I love the Blue Orchid Society series!! I love this group of women who support each other as each one pursues her dream. Hazel Thornton's dream is to be a nurse and she's been studying at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing. It's close to Christmas so Hazel travels to Spain to spend Christmas with her father, but upon her arrival she discovers that her father isn't there and he's arranged for her to return to England. Shortly after the trip back to England begins, the train is derailed by an explosion. Hazel escapes serious injury but her traveling companion and the soldier escorting them back to England are injured and she goes with them when they're taken to the Red Cross Hospital. At the hospital Hazel wants to help but Dr. Jim Jackson, an American, misjudges her to be a pampered young woman but soon learns Hazel has training, is a hardworking and willing to learn.
I loved Hazel. She's kind and empathetic to those around her. She struggles with panic attacks but she's learning to how to work through them. One of my favorite parts was when she used the Christmas gifts from her friends to help others in the hospital. They were such unselfish acts. I had to warm up to Dr. Jackson as he got on my bad side when he misjudged Hazel. I enjoyed watching him become friends with Hazel and seeing his opinion of her change. I also loved the side characters of Nella and Dr. Laurent.
This book kept me interested from the start. I love how the author used historical facts about the Spanish Civil War in the story, and her descriptions really brought the story to life for me. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
I love the Blue Orchid Society Series. I must say this is my least favorite because I felt some parts were a lit bit rushed. However, I appreciate the character development of Hazel, and I love the book cover. It is so beautiful. Thank the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Another great book in this series! This one took quite a turn from the others- taking place primarily in Spain in the middle of a war zone. Although the romance felt a tiny bit rushed, and I felt the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, I still really enjoyed it. I always appreciate historical fiction with a unique setting and plot- this story delivers that. The story took a few unexpected turns, which I appreciated. I love the camaraderie of the friends in this series. I liked the author's note- I appreciate seeing women build each other up in books, not there as a plot device or to tear each other down.
Jennifer Moore created a story of strength, of finding your independence, and realizing what’s worth fighting for.
Her imagery had the ability to make things at once heavy and then light. I felt the tension, thought I was in the hospital and could practically smell the dank place they were held in. I was fully drawn into every aspect of this story.
Her characters are strong and she writes with beautiful emotion. Hazel’s struggles were both real and relatable. I loved this book and thought it was the perfect addition to the Blue Orchid Society Series.
The Blue Orchid Society has truly been a wonderful series so far and Healing Hazel has added so sweetly to it. This circle of friends are beautiful, talented, and caring women.
I was pleased that this third book was about Hazel. She is a quiet, sweet, and unassuming young lady whose dream was to become a nurse. Hazel had panic attacks that thwarted her from finishing her nursing studies. Her trip to Spain to visit her father brings many changes to her life.
It was very interesting to have most of the story take place in Spain in 1873 during the Spanish Civil War. A train accident brings Hazel to a Red Cross Hospital where she has the chance to practice the skills of nursing. One thing stands in her way, American doctor Jim Jackson. He does not come off as the kindest nor friendliest person. He also is hesitant to allow Hazel to help in the hospital. I became frustrated at times with the Dr. being so harsh but soon Hazel gets the chance to prove herself to him and she gains his respect.
This book has war action but nothing explicit. A sweet romance is developed slowly between Jim and Hazel and another couple surprisingly. The author studied her history well of the Spanish Civil War and the medical procedures of the time. Also, character development is such a strong part of every story that Moore has written. Even though this book does well as a stand-alone, you must read the first two books to get the full charm of the Blue Orchid Society and the close-knit women who are fiercely loyal and supportive of each other.
Loved this book! I was engaged the whole time. From the beginning I was intrigued and anxious to learn Hazels story. I loved the characters and the story. I loved that the challenges throughout weren’t so insurmountable or all consuming. It’s such a sweet story!
Hazel is forced to believe in herself and her own abilities. A lesson I think we all need from time to time.
Dr. Jim Jackson is driven by his dedication to his work. He is forced to take a step back and consider what he truly wants.
This is the third book in The Blue Orchid Society. However, you’re just fine reading it alone if you get a chance to read it before the others.
Beautiful! Her books never disappoint. I obviously judge books by covers, and this one was an absolute gem! The cover is great and the story is even better! It had a great plot and it sucked me in from the beginning! Just so well done!
A group of supportive and unique friends who are loyal to each other is the central theme to this series and I love it. I love the camaraderie and the way each woman has each other's back. I love reading each individual story and learning in depth about them.
This story is distinctive from the others in that it doesn't take place in England and the reader doesn't see much of the other woman. However, it was one of my favorites. It takes place in Spain, in the Basque area, during a war and watching Hazel come into herself and shine in her element was a big treat. Hazel's greatest desire is to be a nurse, but a mental health issue (panic attacks and PTSD) prevent her from finishing her course. As she is thrust into a situation that allows her to use her skills and continue to learn, her perseverance and kind, gentle nature becomes very apparent. I loved Hazel and how her strength outshines her weaknesses.
Jim is an American doctor with the Red Cross and his immediate assumptions were concerning and misconstrued, but he was very likable. The way he was able to connect with his work, coworkers, and especially Hazel was very endearing.
Jennifer Moore always writes such well-researched stories that are not only heartwarming, but also educational, with an element of swoon. I really loved this installment of The Blue Orchid Society.
Content: mild romance; mild+ descriptions of wartime violence/injuries/death
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Five stars! Action, strong but flawed characters, swoon worthy romance, and the perfect ending. I loved it.
This is book 3 in the Blue Orchid Society series, but it’s really like book 4 since there’s also a prequel. It can be read alone.
Hazel Thornton is kind and compassionate and wants to be a nurse, but her panic attacks got in the way of her training. While traveling to the Canary Islands to be with her father for Christmas there is an accident, so she uses her nursing skills to care for the injured. Dr. Jim Jackson is angry and doesn’t want Hazel to assist, but Dr. Claude Laurent is kind and realizes she’s helpful. I didn't want to put it down. Thanks to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy to use for my review.