Ambulance Girls (Ambulance Girls #1) in Aussie Readers

Mar 16, 2019 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, first-in-a-series, 2017-release, historical-fiction, war-military, own-read

Western Australian girl, Lily Brennan was an ambulance driver and with the London Blitz in full swing, her shifts were long, arduous and dangerous. But her courage and common sense saw her through each and every shift, although she was always exhausted when she returned to the station. Her shift partner was David Levy, a dear friend and kind, gentle help to the injured. His Jewish ancestry caused him no end of trouble, with anti-semitism rife, meaning Lily was continually defending him, and gett ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 Marg rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-book, aww2018

Enjoyed this one. There were a couple of times when the main character's insecurities bothered me a bit but otherwise it was a very interesting glimpse into the life of an ambulance officer in the London Blitz.

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2018... ...more

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Jan 08, 2020 Kathryn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reading-list, fiction, australian-authors, ps-2020

3.5★

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Mar 21, 2017 Tien rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, australian-author, own, england

Ever since I fell completely in adoration of Deborrah Burrows' last book, A Time of Secrets a couple of years ago, I’ve been waiting for another book. And while I was waiting, I kinda stalk her on Goodreads and twitter so I knew she’s been traipsing (sorry, researching) all over London when living there. I greeted the cover reveal of Ambulance Girls with a squeal of excitement and I think my heart might have stopped for mo when I received a copy in the mail.

Firstly, I do love this cover and I re Ever since I fell completely in adoration of Deborrah Burrows' last book, A Time of Secrets a couple of years ago, I’ve been waiting for another book. And while I was waiting, I kinda stalk her on Goodreads and twitter so I knew she’s been traipsing (sorry, researching) all over London when living there. I greeted the cover reveal of Ambulance Girls with a squeal of excitement and I think my heart might have stopped for mo when I received a copy in the mail.

Firstly, I do love this cover and I really like war historical fiction especially when this particular book’s main character was inspired by a real life historical Aussie woman serving in the London Auxiliary Ambulance Station during the Blitz. There were a lot of things I learnt from this novel about women during the Blitz. I guess there have been quite a number of books or even documentaries but the way it was written here made it all the more real to me. It was obvious that a lot of research was done in the writing of this novel and not just about the women or the Blitz as novel itself feels like veritable literary tour of London.

The novel opens with Lily on duty and having to face one of her fears of enclosed spaces. It was a great start to the novel and you’d easily fall in love with Lily. Her other fears though were not as easily conquered… Aside from her courage, empathy, and her wish to do well unto others, she’s also got a great sense of humour. Maybe that’s her Aussie flavoured humour that coloured her interactions with her friends and gave the book a reminiscent air. We follow Lily through her struggles with daily life during the Blitz; the grief of losing a friend and the joy of falling in love. There were some shaky moments where I thought things were just not going to be right with this book but thankfully, all was made quite well! I had to give the book a bit of a hug from relief and an affectionate pat when I finished reading for I was well & truly shaken.

There were a number of characters both likeable and despicable in this book and the variety and dynamics between these characters were really quite interesting. The book is told from Lily’s perspective only so in a way, we miss out on a lot about the other characters as only a few were well developed. However, as this is the first book of a trilogy, I do believe we will get to know some of the others quite well later on (and I look forward to this!). What you cannot mistake in this novel is the author’s views on anti-semitism (ignorant) and Hitler (evil); she’s loud and clear on that front. Hear! Hear! These things can never be stated enough and whilst Hitler is gone, there are still those like him & share his views.

If you loved the show, Call the Midwife, or the books that inspired it, you would love Ambulance Girls. Lily Brennan may not be English but she’s as brave as those midwives in facing uncertainties & adversities of the time. And I dare say that her Australian personality shone through especially against the foil of English reserved façade.

Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review
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Nov 12, 2022 Catsalive rated it really liked it

Shelves: aww, 2022

I really like these tales of women during WWII. Lily Brennan is an Australian abroad, driving an ambulance in London during the Blitz. The situation is almost unimaginable for me, but all these ordinary women were so brave & strong when took over from their menfolk with little or no training.

Lily has those qualities, & is curious, tenacious & loyal; she is also irritating, defensive & seems much younger than her 25 years, although it is true that people remained naive longer back then. She is as ...more

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