Snow Angels

Lovely Lane #5

by Nadine Dorries

The nurses of St Angelus Hospital face the hardship of another winter, in this heartbreaking story by million-copy bestseller, Nadine Dorries.

The Angels must battle through the snow to save Victoria's baby and young doctor Teddy Davenport begins to make some serious mistakes...

About the Lovely Lane series:

In 1950s Liverpool, five very different girls begin their training at St Angelus Hospital, in Lovely Lane. The nurses are known locally as the Angels. They are Dana, Victoria, Beth, Celia and Pammy, and at St Angelus they learn quickly about life in all its richness and its sorrow.

Touching, heartbreaking, and often humorous too, this great series is a rich tapestry about poverty, sacrifice, and community spirit, set in post-war Liverpool in the early days of the NHS.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Christmas, Historical

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2019

About the author

Nadine Dorries was born in Liverpool in the 1950s and raised on a council estate, the daughter of a bus driver. Her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS, was inspired by memories of her childhood, particularly her Irish grandmother who she was very close to.

Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters.

Nadine is currently working on her second novel, a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.

Reviews

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction of a different sorts where the setting was the hospital, and the characters were the nurses and doctors of the St. Angelus. The nurses were called the Snow Angels and rightly so, as they were the ones who made patients feel better.

It was Christmas time, a time of joy, but secrets seemed to be cropping up in this hospital. Baby Louis found abandoned in the garage was taken in by the nurses and looked after, and one of them wanted to adopt him. There was a young woman watching the hospital and searching for the past. A baby was to be born in the blizzard. All this and more happened bringing a storm in their lives.

My first book by Nadine Dorries, though 5th in the series, it took me a while to get to know the characters.. There was quite a flurry of events which occurred in the hospital. But slowly the charcters settled into me and I could go with the flow.

The author, a nurse herself, had written a fabulous story set in the 1950 in an authentic setting. I reminded me of the times I use to work at the hospital. The emotions in the story especially the story concerning baby Louis caught me by surprise and pulled me deeper into the story.

Each character was so unique, their personalities leaped off the screen. I enjoyed knowing their various quirks. They were human and humane in their ways. Secrets came out in this book. But all it showed was that the characters had a warm heart.

The series ought to be read from the beginning to enjoy the characters and their lives more. A sweet read.

[Tiffany Bonnar]

I was really looking forward to this instalment of the lovely lane series as I have really enjoyed the series. I’m a little confused. The time lines do not seem to add up, it appears to me that Victoria has been pregnant for well over a year? And who on earth is Mavis Tanner? She has been named Maisie Tanner in the four previous books. What a huge inconsistency error. I’m disappointed. Is anyone able to shed some light?

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Angels by Nadine Dorries is the fifth novel in the Lovely Lane Series. I like the authors engaging writing style (like having a conversation with a friend) which drew me into the story. I suggest reading The Lovely Lane series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and their storylines since each book in the series builds upon the previous. There is a great cast of characters in The Lovely Lane series. I find them realistic and relatable. Most of them are friendly, but there is one or two squeaky wheels. The story concentrates on Sister Emily Horton and her husband, Dessie. They have loved Baby Louis since he came to the hospital and his adoption is very close. I like how the story unfolded and how it all came together at the end. We do get to catch up with the rest of the nurses. I liked getting to know Gracie Botherwaite. She is only fourteen years old, but she is very mature for her age. I like that she did not take any guff from her father. Gracie has great potential and I am sure that the staff at St. Angelus will help her achieve it. Teddy regrets his actions and misses Dana. He wants a chance to explain and see if they can find a way to move forward. Snow Angels is such a sweet story. It has its ups and downs which is just like real life. Snow Angels is a gratifying story that will delight fans of The Lovely Lane series.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved catching up with the family at St Angelus and to find out what they are all up to,this book really focus's on Louis the baby found near death in a garage.Being in the care of Emily and Dessie he has thrived and is a happy and well loved by all at St Angelus.I won't spoil the book for readers but i will say have tissues handy as you will need them lol.EXCELLENT book well worth 5*.

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the series and it picks up wonderfully a short time after the last book finished. I am not sure how easily it could be read as a standalone book as some of the background is not explained & the character's quirks & personalities aren't explained/developed as they would be in a standalone novel. It was lovely to meet the new characters & see how some of the previously peripheral characters became central to this story.

It is quite a fast paced book, easily read & with a storyline that is gentle yet heartwrenching at times. There were no great surprises, but sometimes you just want a story that unfolds naturally without huge twists & turns!

Overall an excellent addition to the "Lovely Lane" series

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Angels is the first book in the series I've reviewed. It's not the first book by Nadine Dorries I have on my Kindle app.

I was pulled into the novel by the opening scenes and it was a fast-paced book. The hospital atmosphere was excellently portrayed as was as the personality of every staff member there. I knew there were bound to be some conflicts from the mention of the staff hierarchy at the hospital.

Baby Louis is found in a garage and cared for by two of the nurses. This plot was emotional and well thought out. In fact the joys and hardships of the time period are written about in such a way that you can't help but feel for the characters and be interested in them.

Thanks to Nadine Dorries and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and my place on the blog tour. I'm interested in the rest of this series and adore the title and cover of the novel. The way that the main characters are known as 'the angels' is very apt since they work helping and caring for people in a hospital. The Christmas atmosphere is well described too.

4 stars

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one .

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

SNOW ANGELS by Nadine Dorries is the fifth book in the Lovely Lane series but the first one I've read. I've often come in partway through a series and picked it up, but I do wish I had read the other four first. I found it took me a while to get my head around some of the characters and had I read them in order I would have been able to make sense of them far quicker.

At first, I found everyone to be a confused gathering of characters always in a flutter that I felt as if I was rushing around alongside them. Everyone always appeared to be in a hurry and this made the pace seem rather fast while at the same time being slow for me as I tried to play catch up on those I was only meeting for the first time. However, I was drawn in to the story rather quickly, even if I couldn't follow it as easily at first. But I don't put that down to the book or the author...but rather my own fault for not reading the books in order.

Set around the St Angelus hospital and the Lovely Lane home for nurses in 1950s Liverpool, SNOW ANGELS begins with a young woman seeking shelter from the cold in the Seamen's Rest boarding house. We don't know who she is or what she is doing here - only that she wanted to be near the Lovely Lane home and the hospital. Malcolm runs the Seamen's Rest and did not normally take in women as boarders but rather sailors who've come from the docks - hence the name Seamen's Rest. Malcolm tried to refer her to other boarding houses that would take the young woman in, but she was tired and adamant - it had to be here. Malcolm took pity on her and gave her a small room reserved for single occupants so she would not have to share with drunken sailors. The woman, whose name was Eva, was quiet and kept to herself - her sudden appearance a mystery.

Christmas is approaching and the staff at St Angelus are rallying around Sister Emily Horton and her husband Dessie as the finalisation of baby Louis' adoption nears. Emily is Sister Tutor at Lovely Lane while Dessie is Head Porter at St Angelus under the firm but fair hand of Matron. Along the way we meet many a character from nurses to doctors to clerks to cleaners to housewives - all in some way, attached to the hospital. But the focus on this story is baby Louis.

Little baby Louis was found abandoned in his pram in a garage a year before. He was severely underweight and malnourished that it was touch and go as to whether he would make it. The nurse who initially cared for him named him Louis, by which he became known to everyone. Instead of being sent straight to Strawberry Fields - a care home for children - it was agreed that baby Louis could go straight into the care of Emily and Dessie, who feel in love with him and set the wheels in motion for his adoption. The adoption, however, could not be complete for another 12 months until all avenues and attempts to find Louis' birth mother were exhausted.

Now a year has almost passed and baby Louis, who has grown into a thriving and happy little boy, would soon be their's. But someone is lurking in the background and is watching from a distance. Who is this person and what do they want? And then a complaint is made to child services about the raising of baby Louis - outlining that he is being passed from pillar to post as a handful of women take care of him throughout the day while Emily works. But baby Louis thrives in each person's company with always a smile for everyone...and everyone adores him. But is that enough?

There are also a number of background stories emerging to keep the reader engaged throughout. Nurse Victoria is now married to Roland Davenport, heavily pregnant and living miles away from the Lovely Lane home she had come to know and love. She makes a last minute trip to Liverpool for a sewing afternoon with her friends when the Braxton Hicks she thought was preparing her was actually the onset of labour sends her straight to the hospital to give birth. Teddy, Roland's brother, is a doctor at St Angelus and is on hand when Victoria comes in well into the final stages of labour. With her is Nurse Dana Brogan, whose heart Teddy broke causing her to flee home to Ireland before returning and continuing her nursing career at At Angelus.

Then there is Dr and Mrs Gaskell, Bertie and Ida Botherthwaite and their delightful granddaughter Gracie, Biddy, Elsie, Matron and many more that make up this delightful tale set in 1950s Liverpool.

SNOW ANGELS is filled with the warmth and charm of a feel-good historical novel, with the added Christmas glow as we approach the festive season ourselves. An excellent portrayal of working-class life in the post-war era of the 1950s, particularly for women who were just beginning to flourish. The war may be over but rationing had left its mark and the scars ran deep. Some goods were still scarce and everyone seems to have their own story of loss and yet against all odds they stood in the face of their own grief and loss and made the best of it.

The setting was incredibly authentic for the era and each character unique. I enjoyed reading their gossipy banter, some of which made me chuckle as we saw their various quirks. Some held secrets, some couldn't keep secrets but everyone had their own secrets. And despite their idiosyncrasies, beneath the surface and in the face of adversity, each of them ultimately showed they had a warm heart.

While this was my introduction the staff at St Angelus and Lovely Lane, the series should be read from the beginning to enjoy the characters and their foibles to their fullest extent.

A delightfully sweet story that I ended up thoroughly enjoying, SNOW ANGELS is both charming and gratifying and will delight both fans of historical fiction and the Lovely Lane series.

I would like to thank #NadineDorries, #NetGalley and #HeadOfZeus for an ARC of #SnowAngels in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Karen Rufus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the others in this 'Lovely Lane' series and I loved them and this one did not disappoint either. The whole series has a really great 'feel good' factor running through them - all linked together describing the lives of a group of Liverpool nurses from a time gone by, late 1950's and 1960's eras. Lots of different personalities vie for attention in the book, with each as endearing as the next. A simple heart warming tale but it makes such a change from the genres I usually read. Like a great big comforting literary hug!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nadine Dorries.
Another wonderful story featuring the St. Angelius Hospital family of doctors, nurses and support staff and the local community. The relationships and characters that have been introduced in previous books are built on, to the point that I felt I was meeting up with friends, and grew to love them all more. The sense of community is incredibly strong on the Dock streets of Liverpool and so is the perfect setting. Looking forward to the next book!

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that the high rating of most readers of this book must be because they have read the previous books in the series. Not having done that, it was a little difficult to keep the characters straight, although it was becoming easier toward the end of the book. I really didn't like the meanness of some of the hospital workers in the book, although they did show a good side as well. The ending was great but I was happy to reach the end and start reading a book that I enjoyed more.

[Mica Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, took me a while to get into it though, since I realised as I started to read that there must be books before this.. Once getting the hang of who is who - after chapter 8 I guess the story starting coming together.

The ending was quite sad.. But also beautiful. No spoilers

I'm glad Baby Louis got his ending.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the distinct pleasure of being able to read and review the four previous books in ‘The Lovely Lane’ series. ‘Snow Angels’ is the fifth book in the series and what a cracker it was too. My review for this one is going to be slightly different to normal as Mrs. Ginger Book Geek (who isn’t ginger) read it too and will be chipping in with the odd comment. Anyway back to the review I do go.
I took to most of the characters from the start, which is rare for me. Usually I only warm to one or two of the characters but in this case I liked most of them- with the exception of one. The one character we couldn’t stand from the start was Captain Rodgers, who is the head of the hospital board. Some of the things that he comes out with are just plain ridiculous. One such example is when he questions whether or not the hospital needs more drip stands because somebody could easily just hold the drip up. All he cares about is money. He is very Scrooge like in his outlook on hospital expenditure. He has the experience of money and of leadership but knows nothing about the practicalities of day to day nursing and that the matron wouldn’t ask for equipment if the hospital didn’t need it. I so wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to slap him a few times with a wet mop for being so stupid.
‘Snow Angels’ proved to be very addictive reading and then some. We were both hooked on the story by the time we got to the end of the first paragraph, never mind from when we got to the end of the first chapter. Mrs. Ginger Book Geek read this book first (well she did after she fought me for it) and she read it in under 48 hours which goes to show how she enjoyed it. I binge read the book over the course of a couple of days. Once we started reading, we just couldn’t stop. We immersed ourselves in the story and at times I felt myself becoming far too involved in the story. The pages turned increasingly quickly as our desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. We reached the end of the book far quicker than either of us had intended to which we were disappointed about. I don’t mean that we were disappointed with how the story ended but we were enjoying the characters, the storylines and the author’s writing style so much that we just wanted the book to continue on and on.
‘Snow Angels’ is brilliantly written but then we wouldn’t expect anything else from Nadine Dorries. She draws you into the story from the first word on the first page and she keeps that interest all the way through the story. Nadine has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Reading this book felt a lot like a chat between friends. I know that might sound strange to some but it makes sense to us. As soon as we started to read we felt as though we had been reunited with old friends and that we had been parachuted back in time. I read that Nadine is a trained nurse and you can definitely tell because her attention to detail on medical procedures and her descriptions of how the matron used to put the fear of god into the nurses are first rate. Mrs. Ginger Book Geek is a retired nurse and whilst she was reading this book she occasionally nodded her head or she would chuckle or she would say ‘yep I remember that’.
In short, ‘Snow Angels’ is one hell of a book and a fantastic addition to ‘The Lovely Lane’ series. I would definitely recommend this author and this series to other readers. We look forward to reading more of Nadine’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book # 5 in the Lovely Lane series. Strangely enough I have only read the book previous to this in the series, Christmas Angels, but I will definitely be going back to read the previous three to complete the series!! Whilst it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book but I would recommend reading them in order as there are a lot of characters which feature in all of the books! This book carries on from the end of book #4. We’re back with the nurses of St Angelus Hospital during another winter and the story focusses on little baby Louis who was found abandoned. He is in the process of being adopted by Sister Emily Horton and her husband, but they can’t adopt him until all attempts to find his birth mother have been exhausted. Just as it looks like the adoption is finally going ahead, someone turns up who may jeopardise everything…

I have to admit there are a lot of characters in this book. As I’ve only read one other in the series, I could remember some of them but others not so much. I love how the story begins with an unknown visitor to a Boarding House, which is close to St Angelus Hospital. You don’t know who this visitor is until much later in the book, but I loved the mystery that they bought. Whilst the storyline is mainly about baby Louis, all of the other characters have their own story which is incorporated into the book. Nurse Victoria, who is heavily pregnant, was a particularly heartfelt story and whilst everyone is eagerly waiting the new Christmas arrival, I was kept waiting on tenterhooks throughout the book to find out whether Victoria’s baby arrives safe and sound.

The location and era suited the storyline so well. Based in Liverpool in the early 1950’s, the war is over but the country is still recovering. The women working in and around St Angelus Hospital are still bearing the scars of war and there is still very little money or food to go around. I love these stories that are based just after the war as it just shows how long it can take to get back to normal. It’s also based around the early days of the NHS and shows how difficult it still is for the nurses working at the hospital.

The majority of characters are all so likeable, but of course there are the odd one or two who I just really didn’t like! Even after only read one previous book I felt like I had reconnected with old friends!! Right from the beginning of the book it felt like I had been transported back to Liverpool, and could hear the voices and feel the emotions that the characters were giving out. The storyline flowed well and held my interest throughout the book with plenty of Christmas joy! To be honest, I did find myself wiping a few tears away in parts, but the majority of the book was a lovely heart-warming feel-good read!

I have read other books by this author and have always found she is great at writing emotional sagas which pull you right into the story. I really hope there is another book in the Lovely Lane series to carry on this wonderful series of books!

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fifth book in the series but the first one I had read. How I wish I had read the others first though! It took a little while to get my brain around the characters and I think if I had read the books in order, it wouldn't have taken as long.

The book concentrates on the story of Emily and Dessie, and their adoption of baby Louis - a baby who was found underweight and sickly in a garage. Most of the people in their neighbourhood are kind, decent people but there are a couple who are less than helpful. And what is Eva's story?

I think this is an excellent portrayal of working-class life in the 50's though, especially the role of women at that time. The war is over but some goods are still scarce, the scars run deep and everyone seems to have lost someone. There is a big difference between the "haves" and the "have nots" but there are things going on behind closed doors even in the more affluent homes. The poor women who are trying to make ends meet with too many children and not enough money though, I really felt for them.

This novel was really well written and I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more in the series, probably a good idea to start with the first book! I only wished the ending of this book wasn't so rushed.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Lane is the perfect name for this series - it is a truly lovely series! I hold my hands up that I haven't read every book, but that's not down to lack of desire - more lack of time!

As we join the staff of St Angelus once more, Christmas is approaching and with it the deadline for Sister Tutor Emily Horton and her husband, Head Porter Dessie to complete the adoption of little Louis. With Nurse Victoria Baker now heavily pregnant it looks as if everyone will have plenty to celebrate this festive season, but then things don't always run smoothly where babies are involved, do they?

Another wonderful read from Nadine Dorries. Full of warmth and charm and perfectly appropriate to the time it is set in, this is a feel-good novel which will give you the Christmas glow as we approach the season ourselves. The characters are beautifully drawn; the story is a sheer delight with plenty of ups and downs and a good solid ending, wrapping everything up neatly. A great peek at how many people are involved in the smooth running of a hospital (and how well the old matron-style system worked). So enjoyable, and worth all five stars.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the Lovely Lane series in the correct order will help you understand references to past characters or situations. This book, the fifth in the series, is written in the same clear and concise way as the previous books.

After visiting Liverpool and seeing the dock area of the River Mersey, I found the Lovely Lane series and thought it would be interesting to read about the people of the area after WWII.

The books tell the stories of a number of young women from near and afar training to be nurses, families in the area, living conditions and the advance of health care in England. Nadine Dorries brings history to the stories and still tells a (usually) heartwarming tale at the same time.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real tearjerker but lovely book.

The story focuses around baby Louis who is found in a garage and goes on to be cared for by two nurses, Emily and Dessie. Everybody at St Angelus hospital where the nurses are known as snow angels soon come to love him as he grows and becomes a happy child.
But a woman lurking in the background is watching his progression from a distance.
This is a nice easy going story with some lovely characters and a few sobs. I was easily lulled into the book and enjoyed every page of its warmth and familiarity.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story

I really enjoyed this book it was lovely to read and enjoyed all the people in this story having read the lovely lane series it was lovely to catch up with all the other nurses and doctors.from the series especially Emily and Dessie and Louis.I felt 😢for his mother coming all the way back from America to find him and then to lose her life.It was just so 😢.Hoping there will be another book to this series.Thank you Nadine.

[Helen Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written emotional story about love, loss and everything inbetween. I could hardly put it down. The setting is in Liverpool and the characters are true to life. I didn't want it to end.

A beautifully written emotional story about love, loss and everything inbetween. I could hardly put it down. The setting is in Liverpool and the characters are true to life. I didn't want it to end.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this instalment of the Angels saga we see Emily and Dessie fighting to keep baby Louis in the face of a troublemaker reporting them to child services.
Victoria is about to have her baby over Christmas and there is a desperate, mysterious figure who has turned up to the Seaman's rest but what could they want?
This was another lovely festive tale with the girls of St Angelus with all the regular crew and some new characters as well.
Totally loved this series.

[Tracey Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all.
It was great to hear more about the characters that we had met in previous books and to see some new characters.
I felt that the storyline was not as good as the previous books and that it was slow moving.
However, it was still a pleasant read.

[Anne Salfrais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put these books down.

Fantastic story telling despite being a Tory MP. The only thing that is still puzzling me is the timeline. I'm book three Victoria was already pregnant before last Christmas, which gives her a very long pregnancy. Apart from that a very enjoyable read, if a little predictable.I always like happy endings so bbq I didn't mind this.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Lovely Lane series, and this one was no exception!

It was both heart warming and heart breaking, with Emily and Dessie almost losing baby Louis, and his birth mother dying. Although I am slightly disappointed that Dana said she will give Teddy a other chance, it wouldn't be a Lovely Lane book without a neat and happy ending for the nurses.

[Geneva Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadine Dorries’ books never fail to make me cry, but usually in a heartwarming, loving way. This book was no exception. Perfect for Christmas or in the winter in general, it’s so cozy and exciting- I couldn’t stop reading! I feel like all the different plots interweave so perfectly and ties into a perfect bow at the end, leaving you with no doubts over the endings of each subplot. Call the midwife vibes (nurses version) all around and just a great series.

[Mrs Yvonne J Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story line but not well written as the other books in the series, it seemed to have missed bits out now and then a few times I went back a page thinking I had missed something, never the less Nadine Dorries's books I have read so far have been really good

[joan caryl jewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Nadine Dorries

Once again such a wonderful storyline from the pen of one of my favourite authors. I love all the great characters in these books and I look forward to the next.

[Mrs P J Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book so much .looking forward to another one by this author

Always enjoy Nadine Dorries books I have read all her books looking out for the next one .most enjoyable to read

[Helan Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. It's like meeting up with old friends. Although you pretty much know where the story line is going to go it doesn't detract from the enjoyment. You can read as a standalone but the book has more depth and meaning if you've read them from the start.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Another good read from Nadine Dorries. A star less than usual this time as I felt it was much slower than the previous books in this series. The pace only stepped up at the very end which was a shame.