The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore

 

Title: The Nurse's Secret

Author: Amanda Skenandore

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "Based on Florence Nightingale’s nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors’ endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.
Just as she finds her footing, Una’s suspicions about a patient’s death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

My mom bought this for me last Christmas; it was not on my list, but she knows my taste in books perfectly. This book has a little bit of everything: from rags to riches, murder mystery, coming of age, strong female friendships, and a love story. Una is flawed and so likeable, her life tragic and transforming. She has to learn to allow others to help and care for her after always looking out for herself. Her journey from thief to nurse is endearing, and her detective work to uncover a murderer, heroic. I'd recommend adding this to your reading list in the new year!

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