Lives We Leave Behind — Maxine Alterio

In July 1915 the hospital ship Maheno leaves Wellington with seventy New Zealand nurses on board.

Addie Harrington and Meg Dutton are assigned to the same cabin. Quiet and cautious, Addie is taken aback by her impetuous, fun-loving roommate. The two women seem to have little in common other than a desire to serve their country. But as they care for injured and dying soldiers in Egypt and France, they discover that deep connections can develop under unusual circumstances.

When Meg meets British surgeon Wallace Madison, she falls for him immediately and amidst the chaos of overloaded military hospitals they embark on an intense love affair. Addie suspects Wallace has much to hide and fears the relationship will destroy her friend. But nothing will deter Meg. Bewildered, Addie stumbles into a romantic entanglement of her own that could have life-changing repercussions.