A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse - a title that was definitely right up my street - and it was definitely that, a fresh start for Lara.

A Liverpudlian born, bred and trained as a nurse/midwife and district nurse - she needed a new start after a relationship with a cad. She then had an accident that meant she sought pastures new.
This was, literally, as country life was completely new to her -this was a mixture of all those 70’s TV programmes of vets, medicine and rural life.
The surgery she was attached to had disparate characters that all added to the mix and enjoyment of the book.

Kate Eastham had obviously well researched her subject- which I had noticed in her previous books - and the book was well written. Fast paced but not so fast that details were lost.

Lara took almost the whole book to be accepted by most of the villagers - but there is ample opportunity to further the lives of many of the characters so I look forward to meeting them all again and finding out more about their lives.
And it seems almost inevitable that there will romance for Lara - just who with is more of a conundrum.

Can’t wait for the next instalment

I really enjoyed this story and think it's an excellent first instalment for the series. I can't wait to read more!
The main character is Lara, a nurse who has previously worked in Liverpool. Due to a relationship breakdown and an accident, she takes a new job in the rural village of Ingleside. The book follows her journey of working as a district nurse/midwife as she tries to fit in to village life.
I loved Lara as a character. She is kind and caring, but a bit naive about country life. I liked that she had to work hard to prove herself to the locals before they would accept her.
The other characters at the surgery and in the village were interesting. I enjoyed the drama - both medical, and personal. I liked the hint of a blossoming romance on the horizon for Lara.
The in depth descriptions meant I could really picture the village in my head.
I liked that the book includes topics such as domestic abuse, poverty and alcoholism which were portrayed realistically and addressed sensitively.

Very much enjoyed this quick paced story that packs in depth without being preachy. I appreciated the chapter length - not too long and not too short, appropriate to keeping my attention in manageable chunks. There are several potential love interests for Nurse Lara and I'm pulling for the veterinarian -- although Angus is also an intriguing option. This was an introduction to Lara and the reasons she left a larger city for nursing in the country, and it is an effective way to get readers up to speed with the cast of characters and townspeople without being pedantic. Suffice it to say I am looking forward to the next installment AND I am about to seek out other Kate Eastham works in the meantime.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is the first book in a new series by Kate Eastham.

Lara, a nurse living in Liverpool, after a bad relationship decides to change location and takes a job on a small town as a district nurse.

There she has to undertake different things along with trying to fit into the community as they’re not happy with having strangers.

Her boss isn’t that welcoming towards her. She’s handling different challenges, but likes her colleague, nurse Marion, as well as Mrs Hewitt who is the housekeeper where she lives.

The story was enjoyable to read.

I recommend this book.

A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse is Lara Flynn's story. Lara needs to leave Liverpool and the bad memories of the place behind. She takes a job as a district nurse/midwife in a small country practice in the small town of Ingleside in Lancashire. It's a huge culture shock for her especially as on the day of her arrival, she finds herself helping to deliver a calf!

We learn more about Lara as she comes to terms with her new situation. She needs to prove herself to people who are very stuck in their ways and who don't like city girls. There is plenty of drama, medical and otherwise and I enjoyed reading as Lara formed new friendships and gained acceptance from the locals.

There isn't any romance, but there is somebody who could become a love interest for Lara perhaps in the next book of the series.

Although there isn't an actual cliffhanger, there seems to be a strong possibility that Lara's ex will play a bigger part in the story in the next book. Whether her ex and her possible new love interest will clash remains to be seen. I look forward to reading more about it.

For now, though, I am happy to say that this book was a good start to what promises to be a great series. Lara is a likeable character and you can't help but want the best for her.

This book reminded me so much of the TV show All Creatures Great and Small, with a dash of Call the Midwife, but rather than a vets practice, it was a doctors surgery and I loved every page.

What a great start to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more about life in this rural community.

A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse is about a city girl called Lara who is starting a new nursing position in the Country. Lara is looking for a fresh start but right from the beginning Country small town community life throws it at her but Lara is not worried or at least she is strong enough to not show that she is terrified. This is the first book of what I know is set to be my newest favourite series. The characters are well developed and likeable and I am looking forward to knowing more about their experiences in the future. The plot gives you a insight to the medical field as well as what it is like in a small town where everyone knows everyone and their business. I enjoyed the drama filled story and the animals. It has lot of potential to open up more in future books and I am hoping there is a blossoming romance between Lara and local vet Leo. The book is everything I love and is brilliantly written so there is nothing that I can fault.

I really enjoyed this book! I love reading this time period and the story was very easy to read and the plot was great!

A great introduction to a new Series, likeable characters, a easy storyline to follow, I look forward to more of Laras adventures as she settles into country life.

Outstanding. I'll be sorry to not have it to read tonight, but couldn't put the book down! I was fully immersed in this from the start… fascinating!

I couldn’t resist starting Eastham’s new series when I read that it was a cross between Call the Midwife and All Creatures. A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse more than lives up to the description. The characters are engaging. I can’t wait to follow their stories in future books. A great, lighthearted read.

“A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse” is the beginning of a new series by Kate Eastham. This book focuses mainly on Lara, a nurse from Liverpool who is takes on a job being a district nurse/midwife in a small town. Lara has to deal with a number of things, including fitting into the community, which doesn’t really like strangers in their midsts. With a boss who seems to dislike her and some local gossip, Lara faces challenges - but learns to appreciate her fellow nurse, Marion, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Hewitt. I can understand why others have said this book reminds them of James Herriot’s books about his days as a veterinary student - the writing style and short chapters reminded me of that series too (especially the grumpy boss!). This was an enjoyable read - and the fact that the author was a nurse and midwife really shone through. A quick and engaging read.

“Can this city girl find her place in the country?” Start a BRAND NEW heartwarming saga series from Kate Eastham!

A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse by Kate Eastham has a charming cover. Readers will definitely want to open this book and see how life is for the pretty nurse on a bicycle that is featured. It is 1936, and nurse Lara has decided to leave her hospital position in Liverpool for a small medical practice in the country.

Other reviewers have mentioned that this book, the first in a series, reminds them of “Call the Midwife” and “All Creatures Great and Small”. Far from her previous position in the busy big city of Liverpool and a ex-boyfriend, Nurse Lara now gets to ride her bicycle on narrow country lanes to see patients, young and old, with a great variety of ailments. Some welcome her and others are critical, and even mean. Her colleagues, (they all live in a house together) are an interesting mix and they do care about Lara. Lara has left some problems behind, and so have some of her colleagues.

Readers will enjoy reading about the medical emergencies, Saturday night at the tavern, village fairs, and the quirks and delights of villagers and farmers. There are some mysteries and romantic possibilities waiting to be revealed in future books. Author Eastham writes with a friendly and gentle style and I highly recommend this story.


Start a BRAND NEW heartwarming saga series from Kate Eastham

A great filler while you wait for the next season of Call the Midwife - or aren’t ready for the heartwarming action to end. And when this story is done, you’ll want more of that!

after an accident and a breakup Laura takes a job as a nurse and midwife in the country. sweet, quick read.

I truly enjoyed every moment I spent reading this lovely new book by an author new to me, Kate Eastham. When I see the word "nurse" or "midwife" in the title of a book, I tend to want to give it a try - having worked 35+ years as an RN myself. Then I always wonder, will there really be nursing scenarios or birthings in the book, and if so, will they be realistic? I'm happy to say that the answer to both of these questions is YES!
We follow Lara, a nurse from Liverpool who has recently moved to the countryside for a bit of a new start. We meet her fellow nurse, Marion as well as the two doctors she practices with and their housekeeper, Mrs Hewitt. It reminded me a bit of the new series on TV, "All Creatures Great and Small" as the whole group lives in a big house that holds the Doctors' clinic as well as all their sleeping and eating quarters. Personally, I love that series, so this was a pleasing aspect of the book. Of course, some country folk are a bit wary of the "big city girl" - and we get to know many of the little village's inhabitants. I loved the descriptions of the countryside, feeling like I was almost right there!
The interpersonal relationships, medical issues, and even financial concerns seem really true to life - real people dealing with both good things and bad. The medical side of it definitely impressed me, as it too was very realistic. I literally can't wait for the next book in this series!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for providing this book for my reading pleasure and honest review!

"Call The Midwife" meets "James Herriott". That is what this book felt like to me. Plus a bit more to be honest.
So many social issues were brought up in this book that were relevant to this time period, but I felt that they could have been explored a bit more. I am really hoping that this is the start of a series, because I think there are a lot more stories behind these characters that are begging to be told.
I think Miss Dunderlane's story might be echoed in Marion and the secrets that lie hidden there. I'd love to know how Angus's story goes and Dr BIngham - what is his story. What eventually becomes of Vic Taylor? So many stories crying out to be told.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

I needed a gentle easy read away from my usual thrillers and this certainly fitted the bill.
As described a little All Creatures meets Call the Midwife.
Interesting and descriptive characters and a storyline that soothed me.
Look forward to the next one.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

A really sweet story, an easy read which gives you an insight into country life. It reminded me of the old black and white films I used to see as a child in the tv. I loved this book and all the he characters. I look forward to more in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I always enjoy Kate Eastham's nursing books and this one was no exception! Easy to read and enjoyable throughout. Perhaps a little bit far fetched at times but it did not deter from my desire to read more and follow the village story. I also felt it would have benefitted with some more explanation as to what happened in Liverpool and as to why Lara had spent time in hospital. I felt it was somewhat glossed over.

I hope that this is the start of a new series as the book left lots of unanswered questions leaving the reader wanting more!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.