Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Call Nurse Millie (Nurse Millie #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Call Nurse Millie (Nurse Millie #1)

Jean Fullerton (Goodreads Author)

4.26 · Rating details · 159 Ratings · 26 Reviews

It's 1945 and, as the troops begin to return home, the inhabitants of London attempt to put their lives back together. For 25-year-old Millie, a qualified nurse and midwife, the jubilation at the end of the war is short-lived as she tends to the needs of the East End community around her. But while Millie witnesses tragedy and brutality in her job, she also finds strength ...more

Get A Copy

Or buy for

Paperback, 424 pages

Published March 1st 2013 by Orion Publishing Group

More Details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Call Nurse Millie, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

A Nightingale Christmas Carol by Donna Douglas

Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

Non-Trash Authors of a Trashy Genre

11 books — 1 voter

British Nurses

24 books — 5 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30)

Rating details

Sort: Default

Filter

Apr 04, 2013 Rosie Amber rated it it was amazing

I was lucky enough to be able to read a pre-published copy sent to me by Jean; 1945 and fresh out of the war torn years, we follow Millie a qualified District Nurse and mid wife while she takes her skills on to the streets of East End London, where rationing still exits, people pay for health care and friends and neighbours rally round when it really counts. If you love post war British history when everyone is recovering and getting themselves back on their feet and the way a community pulls to ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Lizzie Lamb rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this novel. It answered lots of questions about what life before the advent of the welfare state. We see the post war London through the sympathetic eyes of Queen’s Nurse, Millie - the squalor and disease that was part of everyday life for the slum dwellers. It is clear that the author has done her research, but this is no history lesson. She uses a light hand to skilfully weave historical fact/social history and a great story together in such a way that the reader is engaged an ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2013 Andrea Guy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-reads, ebook, literary-fiction, women-s-fiction, historical-fiction

This novel begins just as WWII ends. It definitely is a book for fans of Call The Midwife. The novel really paints a picture of what health care was like in the 40s and it is pretty scary.

These nurses really did everything and they got little respect, and the rules and regulations they followed to have a job will make modern women shake their head.

Millie is an exceptionally good nurse who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. From the very start of the book, bad things seem to This novel begins just as WWII ends. It definitely is a book for fans of Call The Midwife. The novel really paints a picture of what health care was like in the 40s and it is pretty scary.

These nurses really did everything and they got little respect, and the rules and regulations they followed to have a job will make modern women shake their head.

Millie is an exceptionally good nurse who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. From the very start of the book, bad things seem to happen to her family and to her. But Millie is a tough girl and she soldiers on.

She's a character that you can really admire. She's smart, she's loyal and she genuinely cares about the patients. She goes above and beyond the call of duty in many cases.

I found myself on the edge with worry for her many times, and I cheered her on as well. Millie was a character I could identify with on many levels. She was a caring daughter, taking care of her mother and putting her life on hold until she recovered, even to the extent that it almost cost her her job.

It is hard being a caregiver while working in this day and age, in the 1940s it was even harder.

She did all of this and struggled with her own love life. She had to make sacrifices too. I felt so bad for her when it came to her love life. I was glad when she did find love, but I think she settled, though most would disagree.

Jean Fullerton has a wonderfully easy writing style. The book read almost like a memoir. So the flow was continuous, but it was enough that you never felt lost with what was going on in the story. She also created a wonderful cast of characters. I'd be hard pressed to say which among the other nurses and patients I liked best.

I often shook my head when I read the old Harlequin Romances from the late 60s and early 70s where many of the heroines were nurses, this book showed me that though those books may have been cheesy, the portrayals of nursing were accurate.

They certainly did much more work than the visiting nurses that we see today.

The book ended in such a way, it is open for a sequel, which I hope Ms. Fullerton writers

I highly recommend this book to those who like more contemporary historical fiction or people that love Call The Midwife.
...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 17, 2013 LindyLouMac rated it it was amazing

The author very kindly gave me the opportunity to read a pre-publication copy of this entertaining account of a Nurse's life in London immediately after the end of World War II. I hope the author will forgive me for having taken so long to read and review her novel but unfortunately life rather got in the way and I was unable to read it as soon as I had hoped. The follow up All Change for Nurse Millie is due for publication next February and I plan to read it as soon as it is released if I can. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2013 Ruth Hill rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-reads, historical

Right from the beginning, I found myself engrossed in this fascinating, well-written book. I am an incredible fan of historical fiction, and this was from a time period of which I knew very little--post WWII. It also takes place in England, and I was grateful for my knowledge of "English" phrases. I may have struggled to understand some of the terms otherwise.

I completely fell in love with Millie. I was very grateful that the author did not make this a fairy-tale story with everyone living happi ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 12, 2013 Carol W rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-be-read

This story begins in the East End of London, 1945 as peace is declared and just as Millie's father passes away.

Young district nurse Millie has to juggle the challenges of a district nurse in the East End of London and caring for her mother, whose mental health has deteriorated since the death of her father.

Millie meets the handsome Alex and romance blossoms. She then begins to wonder about who Alex really is. When all is revealed and Millie can relax, Alex proposes to her, but their romance does ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 19, 2013 Alison rated it it was amazing

Having read Jean Fullerton's Victorian East End novels, I was thrilled to be asked by the author to read the wartime-set 'Call Nurse Millie'. Not a natural follower of 'Call the Midwife' type books, but confident of Ms Fullerton's skill, I settled down to read it.

Completely immersed in the book's world, I was pedalling Millie's bicycle with her, hands freezing, and treading warily with her as she visited the miserable conditions people survived in. I admired her calm sense in dealing with all t ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2017 Janice Aitkens rated it it was amazing

I read this on the kindle

This is the 1st in a series I really enjoyed it so much was reading until early hours of the morning
This is set as WW2 is ending same sort of area as Call The Midwife is set in but this is about district nurses who also are midwives rather than just a Midwife

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 19, 2013 Julie Cohen added it

Addictive and enjoyable, with a plucky heroine and totally convincing portrayal of district nursing in the post-war East End of London. Looking forward to the sequel.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 04, 2014 Julie rated it really liked it

Jean Fullerton paints a vivid picture of life in post-war London in her enchanting and engrossing saga, Call Nurse Millie.

Sister Millie Sullivan was looking forward to celebrating the end of the Second World War. However, her happiness was short-lived when her beloved father died suddenly on VE day. Juggling the demands of her challenging job as a district nurse in one of London’s poorest areas with caring for her grieving mother Doris is not easy, but Millie knows that she must not let her own Jean Fullerton paints a vivid picture of life in post-war London in her enchanting and engrossing saga, Call Nurse Millie.

Sister Millie Sullivan was looking forward to celebrating the end of the Second World War. However, her happiness was short-lived when her beloved father died suddenly on VE day. Juggling the demands of her challenging job as a district nurse in one of London’s poorest areas with caring for her grieving mother Doris is not easy, but Millie knows that she must not let her own personal sorrow get in the way of her profession. Her patients’ safety and well-being is paramount – however this doesn’t stop Millie from missing her dad or from wondering how her mother is coping now that the love of her life is no longer by her side. Although her mother keeps herself busy by becoming more active in the community, Millie cannot quite shake off the feeling that all is not quite well with Doris. Romance is the last thing on the young nurse’s mind. With her workload constantly increasing and her duties getting heavier and heavier, Millie has got neither the time nor the energy for a relationship. But when she meets dashing policeman Alex Nolan at a dance, Millie soon begins to realise that there is more to life than work…

The war had been the making of Alex Nolan. Having spent most of his adult life lurching from one dead-end job to the next, Alex had spent most of the war fighting shoulder to shoulder with men born to great privilege – and time and again he proved himself to be their equal. Determined to make something of himself now that he’s on Civvy Street, Alex had joined the police force and had his eyes firmly set on climbing up the ladder and making it to the top. But when Alex realizes that the only way he can make his dreams of promotion come true is by emigrating, will he manage to convince Millie – whom he has fallen madly in love with – to join him in Palestine and leave her old life behind?

Nobody had been more surprised than Millie when she had started walking out with Alex. Attraction had quickly given way to a love that simply couldn’t be denied. However, Millie is not sure whether she is ready to leave everything that is dear and familiar behind, especially when the burden of responsibility is weighing heavily upon her shoulder.

Happiness is within the plucky young nurse’s reach. But does it lie thousands of miles away or is it closer than she’s ever even imagined?

Call Nurse Millie is a compelling, warm-hearted and captivating tale that beautifully captures the joys, the sorrows, the humanity and the heart of a community poised on the precipice of great change. Jean Fullerton has managed to recreate the triumphs, hardships and humour of the people of the East End with flair, skill and ease and the reader finds herself caring not just for Millie and her friends, but also for the colourful supporting characters who people this outstanding saga. The historical background is beautifully rendered and exquisitely evoked, the action fast-paced, the dialogue wonderfully authentic and the emotion heartfelt and true.

Jean Fullerton has outdone herself with Call Nurse Millie and she has written a first-class tale readers will not easily forget!

This review was originally published on the Single Titles website. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2013 Jo Barton rated it it was amazing

It’s 1945, and the Second World War is over, but for 25 year old Millie Sullivan, her life as a qualified nurse and midwife in the East End of London is as busy as ever. Together with her nurse colleagues at Munroe House Nurse’s Home, Millie witnesses her share of tragedy and yet her determined spirit sees her though the harsh reality of living through some tough circumstances. The indomitable spirit of the people who inhabit the overcrowded streets and the bomb damaged buildings of the East End ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 23, 2013 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it really liked it

Shelves: post-ww2, military, hospital, historical-fiction, london

CALL NURSE MILLIE by Jean Fullerton is an interesting Post WW2/Historical Fiction set in 1945 England. Fast paced story of midwives during post WW2 in East London. Follow 25 year old nurse Millie and her friends on a journey of not only discovery but one of compassion,misery,tragedy, camaraderie,unbelievable kindness and love. If you enjoy learning more of nurses,the nursing career during the 1900′s, than “Call Nurse Millie” is the book for you. If you watch the TV series on PBS,”Call the Midwif ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 22, 2014 Ellen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a wonderful down to earth story. It is just after world war two. People are still suffering the aftermath of war. Rationing still rears its head, still having to pay for healthcare which is extremely difficult for many people who are poor and have no means of financial support. Enter Millie she is a nurse/midwife in the poorer side of town and the author Jean Fullerton takes you on a memorable and bumpy ride similar to the bike and travels Millie has in her job. Millie jumps on her bike ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 31, 2013 Becky Condit rated it it was amazing

Ms Fullerton did a wonderful job of capturing the language and setting of post-war London. The characters who populate the stories, and there are many of them in this book, are all well developed and interesting, whether they are people you sympathize with or not. Everyone is moving in a fast changing environment that they don’t understand and some cope better than others.

Anyone who thinks the United Kingdom today is as it has always been should read this book and get an up close and personal lo ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2015 Anne Harvey rated it it was amazing

This is the first Jean Fullerton book I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I'm a big family saga fan because they're about ordinary people doing ordinary things. 'Call Nurse Millie' is a good example of this genre - working class girl strives against circumstances to reach her goals and aspirations. Set in the East End of London immediately after WWII, Millie is a midwife cum district nurse who must overcome all the limitations of pre-NHS Britain. I found the research behind the story ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 16, 2013 Fenella Jane Miller rated it it was amazing

I took Call Nurse Millie to read on the train to and from Oxford yesterday and finished it this morning. I have enjoyed all Jean Fullerton's Victorian books and was looking forward to this postwar nursing book. I wasn't disappointed. I loved it and can honestly say it brought tears to my eyes on more than once occasion.
The author's attention to historical and medical detail, wonderful characters and gripping story line make this a must read book.
If you enjoyed 'Call the Midwife' you'll love this ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 24, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read

17th June 2013
Received a free copy today as part of a first reads giveaway I am still reading another giveaway book at the moment but will read and review as soon as possible.
Thank you for this giveaway.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 04, 2014 Heather Meredith rated it really liked it

good read. realistic characters. faithful to attitudes of the time, clinical details accurate. life in the "nurses home" reflected my experiences - albeit decades later. good read. fast read. lost love found love ethical challenges divided loyalties are all here

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2016 J Willoughby rated it really liked it · review of another edition

One of a series

Not as good as some of the other books in the series but a gentle read on a rainy day. Light hearted and enjoyable

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2013 Loretta rated it really liked it

Shelves: giveaways-i-ve-entered

I read the kindle edition, but as that is not here, I have left the default as pb.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 26, 2014 Helen Hart rated it really liked it

A nice quick, light read. Ideal for fans of 'Call the Midwife'. Lovely period details.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2013 Tracy Bethell rated it it was amazing

very good,would reccomend

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2016 Mehak rated it really liked it

It was a real page turner

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2015 Amber Grenville-Smith rated it it was amazing

Really enjoyed this book and all the details involved describing the period.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2014 Sam Still Reading rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: fans of nursing novels & Call the Midwife

Recommended to Sam Still Reading by: found it in a bookstore

I, like millions of other people, am a big fan of the television series Call the Midwife. I’ve enjoyed two of Jennifer Worth’s memoirs (Call the Midwife and Shadows of the Workhouse), but as for medical fiction set in that time period? There’s not a lot on offer in general fiction that I’ve found (but am open to suggestions). So when I found this novel while browsing in a bookshop, I grabbed it. Could it live up to my expectations of creating the Call the Midwife world within a book?

In short, ye I, like millions of other people, am a big fan of the television series Call the Midwife. I’ve enjoyed two of Jennifer Worth’s memoirs (Call the Midwife and Shadows of the Workhouse), but as for medical fiction set in that time period? There’s not a lot on offer in general fiction that I’ve found (but am open to suggestions). So when I found this novel while browsing in a bookshop, I grabbed it. Could it live up to my expectations of creating the Call the Midwife world within a book?

In short, yes. But of course you need to remember that Nurse Millie is not Nurse Jenny Lee and Millie does a lot more general nursing than Jenny does. Plus, Call Nurse Millie is set much earlier than Call the Midwife – it opens on VE Day, 1945. There the comparisons should end, but if you’re looking for a historical novel charting the changes in London’s East End post World War II, this is a great book. It has wonderful characters, a sense of place and a bumpy ride for Nurse Millie and her friends and colleagues.

As the book opens as all of London is preparing to listen to Winston Churchill on the radio announcing the end of World War II (in Europe at least), Millie is a busy nurse in the East End, attending to births and illness as part of the local district nursing association. A Queen’s Nurse, she is young but highly regarded amongst the majority of her peers. She’s smart and willing to take charge where her superintendent falls down. Unfortunately for Millie, what should be a happy day ends in tragedy and sets off a number of events in her life that will continue for the next couple of years. As she tries to cope with an ill mother and a sly colleague, she also manages to fall in love and rise at work. It’s a very bumpy ride for Nurse Millie, but the tale is told with warmth, humour and hope. Fullerton also has a knack for ending a chapter just on the precipice of a major event, so the ‘one more chapter’ will easily become three or four.

The period detail in Call Nurse Millie is also very well done. Fullerton has obviously done a lot of research in not just post-war East End London, but into district nursing and Queen’s Nurses. The medicine is historically accurate (and shows just how far we’ve come in research since then – can you imagine a nurse administering every insulin dose these days?). All the research is brought to life in the wonderful characters created here. Millie, at first, seems a bit of a do-gooder, teacher’s pet, but as the novel progresses we see that she’s not perfect, but trying her best to help everyone she can (sometimes with negative consequences). She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she believes in or injustices, which gets her into trouble several times. But there’s still time for romance for Millie after meeting a handsome policeman…

I found this novel beautifully done. It has real warmth and comfort flowing through the pages, but it’s not all sweet. It’s an interesting look at the lives of everyday people in the post-war world, from saving coupons for wedding dresses to cardboard cake cut outs (rationing didn’t allow for a proper wedding cake). To my delight, I found that there is now a sequel to Call Nurse Millie called All Change for Nurse Millie and an eBook novella, Christmas for Nurse Millie. I look forward to reading these and immersing myself in Millie’s world once again.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Heather rated it really liked it
Jan 03, 2016

imelda grindrod rated it it was ok
Sep 25, 2017

Caroline rated it it was amazing
Nov 23, 2014

Anne Harvey rated it it was amazing
Mar 03, 2015

Janice Webb rated it really liked it
Jun 06, 2015

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers Also Enjoyed

Genres

Historical > Historical Fiction

European Literature > British Literature

Historical

See top shelves…

About Jean Fullerton

Jean Fullerton

64 followers

I was born into a large, East End family and grew up in the overcrowded streets clustered around the Tower of London. I still live in East London, just five miles from where I was born. I feel that it is that my background that gives my historical East London stories their distinctive authenticity.

I first fell in love with history at school when I read Anya Seton’s book Katherine. Since then I hav ...more

More about Jean Fullerton