Deborah Carr (3)

Somewhat predictable, but the characters are so endearing that you enjoy making the journey with them to see what actually happens. You have to love these people. Orphaned sisters are both nurses, serving in different places during WW1. They both fall in love with patients, which is forbidden to do in both places. But that's what makes it so interesting to read. Love it!! Hard to put down all the second half.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ThePoppySisters #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #DeborahCarr… (plus d'informations)

I enjoy historical fiction and any war era stories about how people struggle, cope, succeed and sometimes fail. I was looking forward to The Poppy Sisters with its tale of how two sisters were coping with the devastating loss of the rest of their family and how they were adapting – or not adapting – to their nursing jobs in two very different locations. The experience of treating prisoners of war promised to be interesting.

The horrors of the war, the grief of the sisters, the heartbreaking circumstances at the hospitals were all there. I didn’t expect a light romance story, but I did expect some moments of light and unfortunately there were very few. The story is intense and heavy, often feeling harsh. The resentment of many of the nurses at having to treat the enemy was understandable, as was the Matrons strictness with the nurses and VADs and the need to adhere to the rules, but it causes a depressing sense of foreboding and futility to hang over the story. The sisters were close in age but Celia especially was quick to judge Phoebe’s actions. It was hard to relate to the characters because of the hardness in the way they treated each other.

The previous book I read by this author, The Beekeeper’s War, was also a wartime story and dealt with difficult subjects but was still often sweet and engaging. The Poppy Sisters does a great job of presenting the truth of war, the choices that must be made, and how loss, grief, and maybe finally hope can affect a family. The Poppy Sisters was informative and emotional, I just wish it had included a few more upbeat scenes.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of this book via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review all opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)

The Beekeeper’s War is a simple story, sweet and engaging, great for a weekend read. It begins at the onset of the First Great War and picks up again at the beginning of The Second World War. There’s a big secret, with serious, life-changing consequences, but from our contemporary vantage point we might wonder what’s the big deal? Well, it was a big deal for Pru, especially in times when social boundaries, status, appearances and reputation were everything. Pru is a nurse caring for injured soldiers at Ashbury Manor and getting a glimpse at how the other half lives. Life-long friendships are formed with the other nurses. And then there’s Jack, an American pilot. The pull between him and Pru is strong. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met and treats her so tenderly, but he doesn’t feel it would be right to marry now in case he doesn’t come back. And then he goes on a dangerous mission – and he doesn’t come back.

Twenty-four years later and another war is beginning. Pru has made a life for herself in Jersey and some of those life-long friendships have endured, but her memories have never left her. Her daughter Emma goes to Ashbury Manor to be safe from the possible occupation of Jersey, not really knowing much about her mother’s life there during the previous war. What Emma learns at Ashbury Manor will have consequences of the magnitude of those from the past. Secrets are revealed and it’s like a ball of string unraveling: mysterious people appear, relationships are threatened, decisions must be made. There are a lot of clues and the mystery isn’t too hard to figure out. But that’s not the appeal of The Beekeeper’s War. Its appeal lies in the storytelling itself: the horrors of the war, dangerous circumstances and sacrifices, weak and strong people who either caved in and betrayed others or rose to all challenges feel authentic and real. The characters are well-drawn and believable. The story moves smoothly along and feels believable. And whether or not all choices made in the past were the right ones, they were made with caring and love. The question is where things will go from here.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers UK One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of The Beekeeper’s War via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest review. It was indeed a pleasurable read and I recommend it. All opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)

The Beekeeper’s War by Deborah Carr a dual time Historical Fiction set in World War I and World War II. An enjoyable story of war, nurses, soldiers, families, survival and love in England.
Deborah Carr is a favorite author because her characters and settings seem very real and personal. She has the rare quality of giving a depth of details that makes her readers feel at home with the places and people.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars… (plus d'informations)