Life Death and Biscuits by Anthea Allan

Life, Death and Biscuits by Anthea Allen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 320

Publisher - Harper Eliment

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads


‘A heart-breaking story of courage and compassion from the front line of the toughest battle our nurses have had to fight. Anthea Allen’s writing is raw, honest and full of love for those she cares for.’ Susanna Reid



An extraordinarily powerful memoir based on the diaries of intensive care nurse Anthea Allen, who worked on the front line of one of the largest hospitals in Europe during the Covid crisis.


With over 30 years of experience as a nurse, Anthea thought she had seen it all. But with Covid came the greatest trial, personally and professionally, of her life. Thrust into hourly challenges – many a matter of life and death – while on the Critical Care units of St George’s in south London, Anthea processed her shocking experiences through writing. It started with an email to request biscuits. But her appeal to help boost the morale of her fellow nurses soon turned into a series of astonishingly moving stories detailing the realities of being a front line worker.


It wasn’t long before Anthea’s accounts were circulating far and wide, capturing the attention of the nation and being feted by the likes of Richard Branson and Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid.


My review

Theses stories aren't for everyone, some people feel it is too close or too soon. I think it is perfect timing because everyone has opinions on everything but not everyone is dealing with the reality of working in healthcare in these uncertain times.

I have read a fair few of these books and whilst it was interesting it wasn't my favourite. The author/nurse started off writing her accounts/experiences as a diary/emailing out to people and keeping them updated on what was going on and also requesting support, kind word, some eateries (cakes/biscuits) and just moral support for what her team where enduring.

I always think it is so interesting to hear from different areas both in hospital departments and actual locations. I was surprised to hear ICU in England cleared and had lulls inbetween the mania. When it hit bad there was help and runners in ICU in the form of a beauty therapist (I think specially a hairdresser, they ran and got all the drugs but advised the author they couldn't administer because they were not a nurse) that was mind blowing. We did see some of the horrific measures healthcare staff faced down in England but it still catches you how dire some of the situations are.

This nurse put a lot of positivity in this and to her team which I think probably kept so many of them going. Unless you are in it you just can't imagine, even reading books like this.

There are some scenes that are graphic and detail what these poor patients endured, high deaths rates and turnovers so just a heads up when going into any of these kind of reads.

A few times I felt it was quite repetitive but then it did start out as a communication and thing for her so understandable. Interesting read none the less and I will continue to read peoples experiences of care giving during the pandemic and just true stories in general of what it is like in different areas, 3/5 for me.

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Apple of my Eye by Claire Allan Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for "Apple of my Eye" by Claire Allan, please check out the other stops on the tour as we all offer something different.





I had a wee cozy day reading this, the perfect time to bring out my apple shaped candle and wee blogger mug.




Apple of My Eye by Claire Allan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 1 day

Pages - 400

Publisher - Avon books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Just how far is a mother willing to go?



When a mysterious note arrives for six months pregnant Dr Eliana Hughes, she begins to doubt every aspect of her life – from her mixed feelings about motherhood to her marriage to Martin, who has become distant in recent months.


As the person behind the note escalates their campaign to out Eli’s husband as a cheat, she finds herself unable to trust even her own instincts, and as pressure builds, she makes a mistake that jeopardises her entire future.


Elsewhere, someone is watching. Someone who desperately wants a baby to call their own and will go to any lengths to become a mother – and stay a mother…



My Review

Eliana Hughes is heavily pregnant and still working as a nurse at a hospice, the work is heavy (as is her belly), the emotions are high (coupled with pregnancy hormones) and her husband is aloof and working away A LOT! When someone starts leaving notes for Eliana, first at her work then to her home tensions run high, she is scared and wondering can she trust her husband. Terrorising from the get go, who is out to get a pregnant palliative nurse, or is her husband the target or is something much darker at play?

This is my first dance with this author, we have titled chapters so we know who is leading that part of the story and the chapters are short, I LOVE THIS! We hear from three main characters, Eliana, her mother Angela and someone called Louise. Louise is a bit of a scary character, you feel for her as she has had a horrific loss, the loss of a child, unimaginable but she is stalking women, looking for a new baby.... Eliana is your every day hard working person and thoughts/worries about her first born baby, many fears I am sure some pregnant women can identify with. Angela is Eliana's mother and her concern is her daughter and grand child, family is everything for Angela, her whole world.

The tension builds up really quickly, hairs standing on the back of your neck and concern for Eliana, seriously who would stress out a pregnant woman like that. The letter kicks off fear that have been brewing for Eliana and who do we turn to when we are in trouble, our mama. The fear is palpable for Eliana and Angela as the events transpire and the more we hear from Louise the more those hairs prickle. Unease, tension, page turning, gut wrenching, challenges nurses fear, obstacles, emotions and fear pregnancy harbours. Nail biting at parts and a wee gasp out loud once or twice for me, always an issue when reading in public, you get so wrapped up you can't help it.

I had suspicions and ideas of who it could be, why and couldn't wait to see if I was right or wrong again as per. By the time you get to the end you are just through the ringer, not quite as much as the poor characters but still. An emotive read for sure, pacey and whilst this was my first time reading Allan it won't be my last. I have another book of hers on my tbrm, I need to bump it up the list, 4.5/5 for me this time.

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A Wartime Nurse by Maggie Hope

A Wartime Nurse by Maggie Hope
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Ebury Press

Source - The Works (I think)

Blurb from Goodreads

As bombs begin to fall, her strength will be tested...

A newly qualified nurse, Theda Wearmouth is delighted to gain a place at Newcastle Hospital. But the onset of war brings tragedy when her young soldier boyfriend is killed in action before he can make good on his promise to marry her.

Broken-hearted, Theda finds herself re-assigned to a special unit of the hospital dealing with German prisoners of war. Her duty is clear. But will she be able to cope with nursing the very men her fiancé died fighting...?



My Review

I went into this thinking it was going to be one of those books with a big focus on the nursing side, it really isn't. Don't get me wrong it does mention nursing, some of it takes part in a hospital and the main character does train to and become a nurse however the central focus is relationships.

Theda Wearmouth trains to be a nurse, she has a boyfriend who is off to war and dies before they can be married. Theda is distraught but focuses on her career and has no intention of looking for anyone else but you know the way life plays it's hand, when you aren't looking you find someone. As a result Theda's life changes completely and she tries to deal with the hand fate has given her whilst keeping true to her focus, her career. Set during world war two there are many issues, poverty, danger, death, romance, family, ideas on what a young woman should do and how she should behave. Nursing prisoners of war, hospital life during that time period and of course Theda's romantic interests.

I did like the book it just wasn't what I was expecting. It makes you think about life and times of that period in history, the choices and sacrifices women had to make. 3.5/5 for me this time, I think this was my first time reading this author, I would read her again.

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