Nuneaton, 1911. When Holly Farthing's overbearing grandfather tries to force her to marry a dowdy widower twice her age she finally says no. When he refuses to support her any longer, Holly flees to London, bringing her best friend and maid, Ivy, with her.

In the big smoke, Holly searches for the father she's never met and begins nurse training in the local hospital, where she meets the dashing Doctor Parkin. Kind and compassionate, he is everything that Holly has ever dreamt of.

When Doctor Parkin proposes, Holly finally feels like she'll have the family she so longs for. But when she discovers some shocking news that means they can never be together, Holly's life is suddenly in turmoil. Supporting the war effort, she heads to France and throws herself into volunteering on the front line. Are the rumours about Doctor Parkin really true? And can Holly ever find the happiness she so truly deserves?