Nightingale

A thought provoking powerful story that gives stays with you.Charlie meets Hazaar while going for an interview, two women from different cultures fall in love.Hazaar knows one day she must fulfil her family’s obligations and marry a man chosen by her family. Due to circumstances Hazaar choses to obey her father rather than choose love. It’s the wrong decision and we have to see whether Hazaar and Charlie can meet again.Extremely well written and researched and it shows in the story. Tantalising going back to the past to The North of England Then, and back to Pakistan, today, so well handled it added tension to the book. Some torture scenes. Serious difficult subject treated with respect and written so brilliantly.It’s the third Andrea Bramhall book that I have read and I think it’s the best so far.

This is a really excellent read. Branching out from traditional lesfic fare, Ms Bramhall weaves a story of clashing cultures in modern Britain. She explores two major issues in multi-cultural Britain today: sexuality, specifically being gay in a community and society that cannot accept that, and forced marriage. With the story running seamlessly in the present and the past I found myself muttering “No, No, No, No, No!” as, with the way the story is told, you know that it’s all going to unravel! All in all, I thought this was very good and thought-provoking. My only issue was with the ending which I found a bit rushed and left me with unanswered questions.++++SPOILER ALERT – DON’T READ ON IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY READ THIS BOOK AND/OR DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! +++ My questions were mostly in respect of Yasar: Maybe I’m being thick, but I didn’t really understand the taking him back to Peshawar bit – is he dead or is he alive? If he’s alive, why did he agree to a divorce? Why is he no longer a threat to Charlie and Hazarr? He clearly had a loving relationship with his daughter (after all, he beat his own father to death for trying to kill her), So, if he's still alive, why did he agree to give her up so easily? Further, what is Afia’s reaction to losing this loving father and Charlie’s sudden appearance in her life? I know she’s only two but kids are very perceptive and her happy transformation from the life she’s always known to a new country and to her mum’s new partner is a bit difficult to understand. I think some mention should have been made of this issue. Finally, I’d have liked the last chapter/epilogue to have been a bit more specific as to how long after returning from Pakistan these events happen. There is reference to Hazarr still being in considerable pain, still having short hair and seeing her father for the first time in a long time (which all suggest the wedding is soon after the events in Pakistan). Why didn’t her father visit her in hospital on her return to the UK? The speed with which other issues have been sorted out – e.g. the divorce and Afia’s and Amira’s immigration, is unreal. So whilst I liked that it had a happy ending I personally could have done with a bit more clarification! +++Having said all the above, I would recommend this as being well above the level of your average lesfic. It’s often not a particularly comfortable read but it’s well worth the investment of time and effort.

Gripping from the start! Good to read a supposedly funny segment that is actually that - chocolate gate! Don't let that comment make you think this is a light fluffy book. It is a thriller full of romance. There are some very descriptive passages that are as close as I ever want to get to the violence some can inflict on others. This is a book that is well worth reading.

After a few pages i did not think this was my cup of tea but i continued to read. I must say its brutal and will hit every emotion you have and then some. And if it does not well then you have no pulse. I could not put the book down and when i had to i could not wait to pick it up again. Even took it on a bathroom break yep i said it lol but true x a must read looking forward to more from this author. Andrea keep mixing it up true life in fiction just don't make the mistake of repetitive story lines like so many do. Genius.

Andrea Bramhall has written a story that is so current to right now that it is amazingly accurate in it's timeline. Every page is perfect in it's set up. The flashbacks are not confusing and the sheer essence of the story has a stark beauty about it. It reminds me a little of "I can't think Straight" but grittier. I loved Lady Fish as well so I'm officially a fan of Andrea's writing now :-)

What an amazing. read this is. The story is based on two women of different cultures,one Muslim one Christian who fall in love.The rest I believe you need to read as it's quite explosive and does happen. Even this day and age.Andrea Bramhall has written a very thought-provoking story and I say well done to her5++ Stars

First book I've read by this author would highly recommend, takes a very difficult subject where faith ethnicity and sexuality are dealt with in a good story.

Great characters and fast paced, would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a romance with a twist in it.

I’m again glad to have read another book from this author. I liked almost everything but the end. I’m not a fan of mushy stories and declarations. I wish we could see more of the aftermath. Besides that, I liked everything. I have to read the last book from this excellent author.

My first novel by this author and I absolutely loved it. The settings were so detailed and realistic that I totally immersed myself into the different scenarios. The intimate dialogue was sexy and not overly trashy or cheesy; I felt like it really conveyed the emotion between the two main characters. I also really appreciated the elaborate dialogue between Charlie and other characters - her mom, her sister, Kenzie- that really showcased her character and integrity. Overall, some of the best meaningful dialogue I've read in lesbian novels thus far. Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author!

This story had me riveted. I loved how Bramhall told the story by giving us flashbacks to the past so that we understood the present. I loved Charlie and Hazaar because both of these women are strong and do not let the cards life deals them beat them down or defeat them. The best aspect for me was learning about the culture of those from middle eastern countries. Bramhall showed their culture with respect and I felt it was very well done. This is a story I will come back to again and again because not just are Charlie and Hazaar great characters to read but so are the supporting characters and the journey these two women take is just amazing to read.

I think I would have given 4 stars to this book just because of the story line. The fact that this story was so well written makes it easy to give it a 5 stars rating.Why did I loved this book? I haven't seen many books that explore a relationship between two women from different culture/religions and that's why the synopsis first grabbed my attention. I felt that the author made a good job of making me understand and fall in love with the main characters. The issues were clear and realistic so the plot didn't seem far fetched. I just got drawn in from the opening scene and I couldn't put my kindle down. The author described things so well that I kept thinking I was watching a movie. I hope this becomes a movie.

For the genre, this is a very engaging book with a storyline that is a bit out of the ordinary. The character development was good, but not great; I thought the author could do more with exploring why the two characters were so drawn to each other so suddenly. The most compelling parts of the novel were the education re: other cultures and the conundrum that many women find themselves in, whether gay or straight, to trade off their freedoms in the name of tradition and religion.

This book is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's a very beautiful love story. On the other hand, the adversity the characters face at various points in the stories is horrifying; the more so because it's so tragically realistic. I can't imagine anyone would read it and not feel moved. I like that the author took care to illustrate that this adversity stemmed ultimately from the actions of individuals.

I enjoyed this novel and will read others by this author. I can't give it a five as some of my main criteria were not met which are at least one good chuckle, shed a few tears OR be so engrossed that I absolutely cannot put the down. There was good character development and great proofreading so no issues there.

How incredibly challenging is it to do a past/present novel. But it's done so well I couldn't believe it. Absolutely brilliant. Edit. The audiobook version was done so dang brilliant... such a fantastic voice actress. The british accent coupled with the pakistani was seamless. It was overwhelming... The second time though this book was... amazing. .This is a very powerful novel.

Each story Ms Bramhall writes gets better and better. Nightingale is a brilliant story of love overcoming many obstacles. Hazaar and Charlie's love for each other never diminishes as they fight their way back to each other. This has become one of my favorite books and will be read again many more times.

LOVED this book- I wish there were more lesbian fiction books like this If you like happy endings with no interfering man trying to "change" the girl- this book is foryou!

Interesting story. Learned some things about Islam and Muslin world. The suspense was good. But parts of it were too dramatic and unrealistic.

I could not put this book down! Andrea Bramhall is becoming one of my favorite authors. Her characters are so complex and interesting. You can't help but get pulled into the story.

I couldn't put this one down. It is not your run of the mill lesbian love story but has believable intrigue, suspense, action and sizzling sex scenes. A real plus for me as well was the two women's cultural and ethnic differences; the diversity made the story a very rich and satisfying read. I highly recommend this novel.

I laughed, I cried, but most importantly I felt!!! This is one of those rare stories that will stick with you for days after you've finished it. This is the 1st novel that I've read by Andrea Bramhall and I love her style. I will be buying everything I can find by her. I highly recommend this book. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

Wonderful read- a look inside the life of a Muslim woman and a moving romance intertwined. If you like a little more substance in a romance this book delivers.