The Woman at the Front

By: Lecia Cornwall

Narrated by: Hannah Curtis

A daring young woman risks everything to pursue a career as a doctor on the front lines in France during World War I and learns the true meaning of hope, love, and resilience in the darkest of times.

When Eleanor Atherton graduates from medical school near the top of her class in 1917, she dreams of going overseas to help the wounded, but her ambition is thwarted at every turn. Eleanor's parents insist she must give up medicine, marry a respectable man, and assume her proper place. While women might serve as ambulance drivers or nurses at the front, they cannot be physicians - that work is too dangerous and frightening.

Nevertheless, Eleanor is determined to make more of a contribution than sitting at home knitting for the troops. When an unexpected twist of fate sends Eleanor to the battlefields of France as the private doctor of a British peer, she seizes the opportunity for what it is - the chance to finally prove herself.

But there's a war on, and a casualty clearing station close to the front lines is an unforgiving place. Facing skeptical commanders who question her skills, scores of wounded men needing care, underhanded efforts by her family to bring her back home, and a blossoming romance, Eleanor must decide if she's brave enough to break the rules, face her darkest fears, and take the chance to win the career - and the love - she's always wanted.

©2021 Lecia Cornwall (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"An adventurous woman ahead of her time…a fascinating historical novel.”—Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author

“A uniquely female perspective of World War I…a beautiful, touching, romantic women’s fiction novel that is sure to delight fans of Outlander and Downton Abbey.”—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author

"Realistic and emotionally engaging, you’ll believe every word."—Toronto Star

i could see each face!!

Beautifully written and told. All the characters
came to life. i could see each character’s face
along with their scars. Loved it. Thank you.

I loved this book

I didn't want it to end. Very well done in every aspect from start to finish!

WHAT A FANTASTIC HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK — FROM PAGE ONE TO THE VERY LAST!!!

I loved EVERYTHING about this book! Women today can thank female pioneers like Eleanor Atherton for all we are free to do today!

Yes, Eleanor Atherton is a fictional character, but there are thousands of REAL woman who came before today’s women who paved the way for the rest of us. Whatever their contribution, THANK YOU!

The War of 1918 found Dr. Elenor Atherton accidentally serving at the front of WWI, enduring all the same horrors as the male doctors did, only on top of everything else, she had to put up with the teasing of both the men AND women already there in every imaginable capacity — those in charge in the Army, including other female nurses, doctors, patients. The female head nurse (“aka “The Dragon”) REALLY has it out for Eleanor and refuses to acknowledge her status as a doctor or Eleanor’s right to be there working as a doctor at all. The Head Matron is determined to make Eleanor’s life just as miserable as she possibly can.

Through unexpected circumstances, Eleanor finds herself EARNING every bit of respect she gains from “coworkers” and patients.” All but one — Scotsman, Frazier MacLeod. The moment the 6’5” Highlander lays eyes on her, he begins to falls in love with her and begins acting as her guide and protector, whether Eleanor WANTS it or not. She DOESN’T want it on the one hand, yet on the other, she’s grateful for it. It sure doesn’t hurt that MacLeod is easy on the eyes…

Eleanor fights her growing attraction to MacLeod and concentrates on adjusting to the ever-changing circumstances she finds herself in and having to prove to herself, and everyone else, that her doctoring skills, when put to the test, are JUST AS GOOD, if not better, than every other doctor’s there. Under the harshest of conditions, Eleanor often finds that SHE’S the one most difficult to convince.

Just when everyone thinks things can’t possibly get any worse, they do. Their Army Hospital, comes under direct attack by the German Army AND the infamous Spanish Flu epidemic. Frazier goes missing and after DAYS of being under attack, Eleanor succumbs to the dreaded Spanish flu. Her life hangs by a thread. Her salvation comes from the most unlikely of sources…

This is a thoroughly engrossing story of love, survival, endurance and overcoming in the most dire of circumstances. Eleanor proves to HERSELF that she has what it takes, regardless circumstances or what anyone else thinks, that she IS made up of the right stuff and has EARNED her spot amongst the best.

The narrator is fantastic — a real pleasure to listen to. She brings each and every character to life, especially those of English Eleanor and Scottish Frazier MacLeod, who has a LOVELY Scottish burr (I especially enjoyed MacLeod’s character as I am second generation Scottish American whose maiden name was MacLeod).💕

This was my first book by this author, but will definitely NOT be my last!

I highly recommend this book to ANYONE who enjoys a riveting read in historical fiction. This was by far one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

One of the best books I’ve heard.

First of all, the narrator did a fantastic job and I’ll be looking for more books read by her. The author did an awesome job of drawing you into the story, developing the characters and of describing what you were supposed to see and hear. It was one of those books you don’t want to end. Sadly the content was all too true.

My new favorite book!

I adore stories like this! Brilliant women shocking those around them and being bad ass.

Such a beautifully written story

I loved every minute of this story. Thoroughly engaging and beautifully written. You thank yourself for picking this one.

Inspirational story of courage,

I fell in love with the characters, the story and the information about WW1. So sorry when it ended..I could have gone on and on.
This should be made into a movie and the author did a great job.

Outstanding Story

This is a great book that is brought to life by the narrator.
The details really allowed me to envision the story.
Well Done!

Loved it!

I fell into this story from the first sentence. About Eleanor Atherton, a young woman recently graduated from medical school and hoping to find work as a doctor in a world where “gently bred” ladies just did not do that sort of thing. It’s a story of her bravery on the frontlines in France, during WWI. I enjoyed this immensely, and recommend if in search of light escapism.

couldn't stop listening

I have listened to several books about women in medicine during the Revolutionary War and WW 1.
I always come away with awe of their strength and fortitude. This book is no exception. I found myself yelling at the men who were so overbearing and in her way. Even the matron dragon, I got so angry at . But Elenore persevered in the worst place on earth to be. There is just enough romance . I am an old nurse now and look at so far we have come.
We are women hear us roar!